Saturday, January 25, 2020
Global strategy of computer manufacturers and the digital divide
Global strategy of computer manufacturers and the digital divide Introduction The computer industry had not existed before the Second World War, but today it will be difficult to imagine an office without a personal computer (Dedrick, 1998, 4). Over the years, the continuing changes in computing and information technology (IT) have confounded expectations and challenged the traditional concept of competition. Improvements in performance and capabilities of computer-related technologies have been dramatic to say the least and prices have declined substantially over the years. Public and private sector research on computer-related technologies is considered as being critical for advancement and multinational corporations from the United States of America have created a massive production network to cater for global demand. However, ongoing competition, changes in the market for computers and computer-related technologies together with changes in technology keep computer manufacturers on their toes. Yet, despite the advances in computer-related technologies, imp rovements in global standards of living and declining prices of the previously mentioned technologies, exclusion or a lack of access to computers and computer-related technologies continues to present a threat to the establishment of information societies in many countries in the developed and the developing world (Ferro, 2010, Chapter 1). Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is important for effective participation in the twenty-first century (Ferro, 2010, Chapter 1). Without access to the ICT, it is impossible to tap into the knowledge and information available on the World Wide Web and the ability to communicate with others becomes restricted. Computers are not only needed for a wide variety of tasks that are now considered as being a part of life, such as word processing or quantitative manipulation, these tools are also useful for sophisticated modelling and simulation for business and a wide variety of other fields of human endeavour. Skills in computing are essential for employment that is better than the mediocre and without ICT lifelong learning is likely to remain a dream. Thus, those without access to computers lose out and find it difficult to progress materially or intellectually. Communities without access to the ICT find that they are cut off from the world, and that they can do lit tle to improve their lot and that of those who are a part of them. Those who can develop websites to present their business messages find that they do have access to a global market, even if they must compete with their products and ideas. Although the capacity of an individual or a community to afford ICT, including personal computers and the Internet access hardware and infrastructure that enable computers to communicate is a factor that contributes to digital divide, this is not by any means the only one (Ferro, 2010, 8 10) and (Partridge, 2007, iv). In addition, the digital divide is not a phenomenon that only afflicts the underdeveloped world. However, computer manufacturers can play a role in helping individuals and communities have better access to the ICT and their global strategy does make a difference. Clearly, the computer industry and manufacturers together with many millions around the world will benefit if many more pieces of ICT equipment are made available to users. However, global manufacturing, markets, innovation and developments in technology together with a concern for profits influence the global strategy of multinationals and other manufacturers of ICT. Thus, it makes sense to try to understand better perspectives related to digital divide and global manufacturing strategy of computer manufacturers. A literature review for global strategy of computer manufacturers and digital divide will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in technology, computing, multinationals, development and the ICT. It is with the previously mentioned considerations in mind that a literature review for the topic of discussion is attempted. Literature Review IBM had played a unique role in the evolution of the computer industry in the United States of America from the 1950s to the 1990s by being both a path definer and a protagonist which integrated electronics technology with its punched-card tabulators to capture most of the worlds computer market in 1954 (Chandler, 2001, 245 250). Later, this firm was to develop the System 360 after very substantial investments in research to create formidable barriers to entry into the computer industry which were only challenged by Japan at a later stage. United States of America continued to dominate the computer markets when Intel released its first microprocessor and Microsoft developed an operating system for the first personal computer. Because all personal computers had to use the Intel microprocessor and the Microsoft operating system, a superb competitive advantage was created for the previously mentioned firms and their home country, the United States of America. This competitive advantage was pushed further by other firms including Sun Microsystems, Texas Instruments, Silicon Graphics, Motorola and Compaq, which developed the first laptop computer. Thus, even today, relatively few firms control computer technology and its ongoing development resulting in a situation that is close to being oligopolistic. According to Johnson (2005, Chapter 2), a need for capturing more income and global markets prompted players in United States computer industry to try to capture overseas markets, but many other nations were only able to purchase readymade or assembled products. The very large investments required to develop computer technology, together with what was required in the form of skills meant that only Japan could present a challenge to the United States computer industry. Constant innovation and improvements in design and technology presented serious problems for those wanting to catch up. Proliferation of new ICT technology was only gradual even in the United States of America, because knowledge of core technology was lacking and licensing, external research contracts, hiring of former skilled employees and alliances or joint ventures only resulted in a gradual transfer of the core technologies (Viardot, 2004, 58 64). However, after core technologies had gradually proliferated, further innovation and improvement determined market leadership. Those that were committed to developing state-of-the-art technology and helping customers to apply it to solve their problems were more successful, but when technology evolved and the nature of customers problems changed, the firm had to change too (Viardot, 2004, xiii). Viardot (2004, Chapter 1) goes further to suggest that high-tech products have a short life-cycle and use sophisticated core technologies that are difficult to copy. Moors Law for integrated circuits suggests that markedly superior integrated circuits, including microprocessors or memory chips, are likely to become available every eighteen month or so. Thus, after developing a high-tech product, the firm must rapidly bring it out to market and sell it to recoup its research and development expenses and the investments made in manufacturing operations. In addition, uncertainty about the direction of evolution of new technology and a need for upgrading product models requires that funds are made available for further research, development and innovation. Thus, the pricing strategy for a high-tech product requires that the sales margins provide for manufacturing costs, distribution costs, channel costs, innovation costs and costs for bringing out new models and for retooling as well as reserves for a competitor response, etc. This clearly means that, unless markets guarantee that products will sell well, the price will remain high (Jain, 1999, Chapter 15). Economies of scale operates when a high-tech manufacturing firm is assured that it can recoup its costs or when a enough units had been sold to provide for development costs. Clearly, high tech innovators and manufacturers cannot supply ICT free to everyone because this will not make economic sense (Keyes, 2010, 59 73). In addition, fundamental business values and capitalism cannot permit everyone around the world to be taught how to design an integrated circuit and be provided all the sophisticated equipment required for integrated circuit fabrication or research. Wages for those working with high-technology in developed countries are far higher than in other countries, even though the laws of supply and demand do dictate what is possible to be asked for a high-tech ICT product. Dedrick (1998, 50 55) states that it was the invention of the personal computer (PC) which led to the globalisation of the computer industry, with multinationals creating a production network that took advantage of local capabilities to serve markets around the world. Parts used for assembling a PC were outsourced competitively, and it was in Microsofts interest to be able to license its operating systems for use by all computer manufacturers because this meant capturing the market. Thus, even today Microsoft operating systems and other software products, such as Microsoft Office, remain the most popular around the world. Because Microsoft had early mover advantage, it could develop its products to present quality that remains unmatched by others even today. By trying to seek the lowest prices for its PC components, IBM encouraged suppliers to enter large volume manufacturing and this meant that prices gradually dropped. By copyrighting the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) for its c omputers, the program which connects computer hardware to the operating system, IBM had tried to ensure that others could not copy its personal computers. Despite this, Compaq reverse engineered the BIOS by analysing leading software applications to produce its own computer, but others who had directly copied the IBM BIOS were sued. Standardisation provided Microsoft and others in the industry with greater leverage, creating an open architecture that encouraged new players who could build their own PCs provided, they purchased microprocessors from Intel, BIOS from a suitable supplier and operating system from Microsoft. Dedrick (1998, 58 75) goes on to suggest that the evolution of the global PC industry was moulded by intense competition among PC manufacturers who now had an open architecture, but could purchase licensed BIOS and Microsoft operating systems. Thus, the actual manufacturing of PCs was located in regions that presented cheap labour and close to markets in locations that optimised the interests of manufacturers. Massive investments in DRAM memory chip developments by Japanese and South Korean electronic multinationals were to mean that they retain leadership in this technology even today, but actual manufacturing has now shifted to East Asia from where labour costs are low and shipments to Japan, North America, Europe and other markets are possible. Only designing, new technology development and marketing are retained in the United States of America, with a certain shift to cheaper locations, such as Bangalore in India, where skills and expertise in certain technologies are available cheaply. Thus, it is only proper to conclude that computer manufacturers have tried to do that which will reduce prices together with making profits while providing funds for future research. However, despite this many around the world suffer from a lack of access to ICT. A shift towards horizontal integration rather than vertical integration was the driving force behind the globalisation of the PC industry (Dedrick, 1998, 68 75). East Asian countries could develop strong linkages with the global production system for PC coordinated by the United States of America because they possessed national industry infrastructure and had gained an expertise in exporting, they indulged in aggressive outward-oriented national policies to develop national industries, and they had prior experience in electronics manufacturing. Although, it may appear a casual observer that superior design and technology alone will provide a competitive advantage for the marketing of high-tech products, including the ICT, this is not quite correct. Jager (1997, Chapter 8), which presents the story of Dell Computer Corporation indicates that offering superior service and ease in purchasing quality computers over the phone can help support a superior product. In addition, reducing cost overheads involved with retail could benefit both Dell Computer Corporation and its customers. Thus, Dell Corporation which had revolutionised the idea that customers could purchase direct from the manufacturer over the phone without any retail store being involved provided better deals to its customers. This company was to grow from a $6 million company in 1984 to $69 million in 1987 and $546 million in 1991. Clearly, better pricing made possible by eliminating the retailer, superior service and the high-quality computing machines sold by Dell Corporation satisfied a vast majority of customers to make such spectacular growth possible. Obviously market capture is important, and it is right to do that which will appeal to the market. It will be right to say that over the years, economic development and consolidation of the global production system for PC has presented established markets and locations. However, the opening up of China not only provided a vast new market in which multinationals could compete, but this also enabled Chinese multinationals to compete more aggressively on international markets (Larcon, 2009, 195 205). Lenovo Group has been a unique success story in Chinas corporate world and this group recently strengthened its position in global markets by acquiring the PC division of IBM for US$1.25 billion in cash and shares, with US$500 million in debts. IBM was more interested in focusing on service, software development and server technology. In addition, IBM hoped to benefit from the sale of its PC division to Lenovo by targeting Chinese banks, government agencies and manufacturing companies, while Lenovo was to remain a preferred supplier to IBM global services. Lenovo, which had a 27% share of the PC market in China, with an iron grip on government and education markets, and a 12.2% share in the Asia-Pacific region, (excluding Japan), now derives only 2% of its annual global sales from the Chinese markets and can compete with Dell Corporation and Hewlett-Packard. The world is now witnessing a large scale reconfiguration of value chains related to ICT as large Western firms focus their activities on core and more profitable markets in comparison to the mature markets. According to Larcon (2009, 198 200), the sources of competitive advantage now exhaust progressively, possibilities for differentiation are now thinner and margins erode as products become commoditised. Innovations in products are difficult to sustain because these innovations are now easily copied and claims of technical superiority are difficult to prove due to product commoditisation. However, locating in cheap labour markets with high automation in production can provide China with opportunities for co mpeting. The Research Markets (2004, ââ¬Å"Computer Company Strategy Their New Developments in the Digital Consumer Electronics Marketâ⬠) states that many computer manufacturing firms were now poaching into each others markets and looking for new sources of competitive advantage. According to the previously mentioned report, household penetration of computers in the United States of America had reached 80%, and it was unlikely that any further growth could be sustained even by estimates presented by the computer industry. Subsequently, the prevailing global financial recession of 2008 2010 adversely impacted global sales of computers and all computer manufacturers, including Dell Corporation, were trying to find ways for sustaining price declines in an effort to increase sales. Thus, moving to cheaper locations for manufacturing computers and cutting costs proved to be essential for everyone. Computer manufacturers in China continued to adjust their strategies in the face of shrinkin g demand and Dell Corporation announced the closure of its plant in Ireland to shift production to Poland, which offers cheaper operating cost for manufacturing (Wikipedia, 2009, ââ¬Å"Dellâ⬠) and (C114, 2008, ââ¬Å"Chinese computer manufacturers adjusting strategies for 2009 as market demand shrinksâ⬠). Manufacturers in China are now targeting rural markets with the assistance of the government of China, which has decided to include computers among its list of household subsidised goods for its citizens. Clearly, the previously mentioned strategy will work to bring computers into the lives of very many more people to diminish the effects of the digital divide and boost the rural areas of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Examination of news headlines associated with major computer manufacturers, including Dell Corporation and Hewlett-Packard, on Yahoo Finance and Google Finance suggest that efforts are ongoing to bring more innovation into offerings made available by the global computer industry (Yahoo Finance, 2010, ââ¬Å"Search Results for Dell and HPâ⬠) and (Google Finance, 2010, ââ¬Å"Search Results for Dell and HPâ⬠). However, it will appear that price competition will intensify in the computer industry because according to Acer CEO, Stan Shih, the trend for low price computers will continue for the coming years, but the high wages of US$20 per hour in the United States of America in comparison to US$1 in PRC make it impossible for United States manufacturers to compete with cheap products (Alberts, 2010, ââ¬Å"Asias Laptop Ascendance?â⬠). Tech vendors are now developing new products faster and chip sales have improved due to demand for newer chips for new types of computers an d high-tech gadgets (Wall Street Journal, 2010, ââ¬Å"Search Results for Computersâ⬠). Thus, it will appear that the price of the latest computer with the latest technology will fall but the prices of second hand computers, which can still work will fall even more. Thus, it appears that computers are now even more affordable than ever and this trend will continue for the future. Although today computer manufacturers have to think hard and deep to innovate new products that attract customers, it will appear that further developments and improvements in personal, handheld or notebook computers are still possible. Research in ubiquitous, mobile and context aware computing will suggest that many new innovations are possible to be included into the portable gadget that individuals are likely to carry around with them as their personal computer (Stojanovic, 2009, Chapter 1) and (Symonds, 2009, Chapter 1). It is likely that a personal computing device of the future will contain a number of sensors that will enable it to determine its location and depending on where the device is located and the context that dominates within this location, the personal computing device will interact with its human user to suite the location and the dominant context. Thus, much more can be added to what is available in the form of a laptop, notebook or a mobile computing device. Howe ver, it is likely that the computer manufacturers are waiting and saving to get out of the economic downturn to bring new futuristic products when they are likely to sell. Obviously, standardisation and further developments in networks will have to support such mobile context aware devices and this means that the economic climate must right to be able to support implementation of ideas, which have been demonstrated in the laboratory. The technology exists, but it as to be rolled out for commercialisation and mass production. Even those living in developed countries and their communities cannot upgrade their networks, computing hardware and software every day. Although laptop and notebook computers today have built-in cameras and Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) as well as finger print identification, the developed world still waits for ubiquitous grids, ambient intelligence, ubiquitous networking and proliferation of applications for RFID, such as contactless payment sy stems (Symonds, 2009, Chapter 1). The previously mentioned will only appear when the economy is right. Gupta (2009, Chapter 7) states that in the relatively near future, organisations will have to change their mindset to thrive and to sustain competitive advantage. It will be necessary for all to rethink their global strategy, rethink innovation, organisation and to develop a global mindset rather than a local or a national mindset. Global strategy must be designed with a view to trying to capture the largest share in the global market. Thus, emerging economies of China and India should be considered for inclusion even though the purchasing power of consumers in these countries is far below that of the developed West. Perhaps if Microsoft had been willing to sell its operating systems and other software in emerging economies at prices that considered local spending power, software piracy would have been much reduced and earnings for Microsoft boosted. Such a strategy would have benefited everyone, but this did not materialise. Customised solutions to suite the local market should be a vailable with global players. It is important to judiciously globalise the corporate resource base and to balance the need for global integration with the need for local responsiveness. It is likely that the end game in globalisation will not be global standardisation, but global customisation to suite local markets, local requirements and local conditions. Obviously, customisation for emerging and low income countries should perhaps tilt towards making products more affordable. Innovation needs to focus on saving resources that have become depleted due to human activity and extravagance. It is important to remember that dwindling reserves of fossil fuels cannot sustain the huge international trade volumes that persist today. Thus, sustainable production for sustaining standards and innovation on all fronts is important. Gupta (2009, Chapter 7) continues on to state that in the future, manufacturers will have to contend with a constant and rapid evolution of technology that will require that products change to suite. The author presents an example of books that used to be purchased in brick and mortar stores now being downloaded into book readers, PDAs or laptops, with these books changing dynamically as authors add new material. In the future, it will be difficult for a firm to remain secretive about its operations because the Internet will make news, information, balance sheets and other matters transparent to everyone with an interest. New competitors and alliances from emerging countries will have an impact on business and the previously mentioned example of Lenovo presenting a new force in production serves to illustrate this. Innovation directed towards developing new products in a collaborative manner to combine knowledge, resources and technologies will become necessary. Global hubs that coor dinate together to operate synergistically for the global and local benefit will be the shape of the organisation of the future. A strong corporate culture will act as a cohesive force and executives will be willing to benefit from and present benefits to the global diversity rather than succumbing to it by building bridges rather than moats. It can be hoped that when gradually conditions emerge that will enable global multinationals to give and to receive from all, digital divide will diminish more, but it is important to remember that all, including the disadvantaged, will contribute to improve the future (United Nations ESCAP, 2006, 20 26) and (United Nations ESCAP, 2005, 1 23). Governments, the civil society, the individual and ICT manufacturers must all work together to create sustainable solutions because it is important to remember that products of innovation that benefit humanity are made possible by sharing skills, knowledge, effort and making judicious investments. It costs to acquire skills, learn and to take risks to innovate. Thus, it will be unfair to blame entirely the manufacturers for not trying hard enough. However, ICT manufacturers too must be willing to lean towards customisation to suite market conditions rather than insisting on standardisation that will deliberately the underprivileged at an even greater disadvantage. Conclusion It is clear from the discussion presented that although the global economic recession of 2008 2010 and saturation in the developed markets has contributed to the downturn in the ICT industry, computer manufacturers are not yet out of ideas for new products and innovations that will benefit humanity and present a demand in the market. However, it is in the interest of ICT manufacturers to take a global view to do more to benefit and to benefit from emerging markets. Standardisation of products and prices has failed to deliver. Customisation for local conditions will result in benefits for all, but all parties including the individual, government, civic society and the non-governmental sector must contribute while trying to understand perspectives.
Friday, January 17, 2020
William Blake’s Poetry Demonstrates His Fascination with the ‘Marriage of Opposites’
ââ¬Å"William Blakeââ¬â¢s poetry demonstrates his fascination with the ââ¬Ëmarriage of oppositesââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ William Blake uses a diversity of techniques to demonstrate his interest in the ââ¬Ëmarriage of oppositesââ¬â¢. Opposite is defined as one that is contrary to another. Innocence is frequently associated with youth and childhood as it is the sincere beauty of life. Those who are innocent are unaware of sexuality or the wickedness of this world to which they are helpless against. Whereas experience is the fights and commotion by something innovative which leads to a new understanding.It is a collection of lessons that a person goes through during their lifetime. The contrast between innocence and experience is portrayed in Blakeââ¬â¢s poems Infant Joy, Infant Sorrow and The Chimney Sweeper (innocence), The Chimney Sweeper (experience) through the use of metaphors, symbolism, imagery, juxtaposition, emotive language, repetition, alliteration and assonance. This essay will examine the notions of innocence and experience through references to the poetic techniques applied in the poems. Infant Joy is one of the poems by Blake which falls in the Songs of Innocence.What is the difference between a figurative and a literal analogy?Notions of innocence are depicted in the poem through the way Blake has used language which resembles that of a child. The idea of innocence is also portray by the joyous and happy tone used throughout the poem. The child, who is the persona, verbalizes as if it is so grateful to be alive. This is also shown through the use of poetic techniques such as repetition. The reappearance of the words ââ¬Å"sweet joyâ⬠gives a positive disposition as both represent happiness. The use of imagery is also evident when he writes ââ¬Å"pretty joy! It provides us the visual of a very adorable baby and allows us to envision a newborn child, so naive and unaware of the dangers of this world. The technique Blake has used in str ucturing the poem sets it out in resemblance to a lullaby. The short sentences, simple words and optimistic language add to the notion of innocence as infancy and innocence are often associated with one another. Words such as: happy, sweet, joy, pretty, smile and sing, carry positive connotations and in using these within the poem, Blake has created a theme of cheerfulness and purity.Blake uses similar techniques in The Chimney Sweeper (innocence) as he did in Infant Joy to portray the notions of innocence. He has once again used a child persona and simple language to identity the inexperience and purity in the poem. Poetic techniques such as symbolism, repetition, visual and aural imagery are used to assist in creating this theme of infancy and ingenuousness. There are many uses of symbolism throughout the poem. ââ¬Å"And by came an Angel who had a bright key, and he opened the coffins and set them all free. â⬠This line holds two example of symbolism.One being the bright key which symbolises freedom and hope for the chimney sweepers, the other being the coffins which represent their death and the actual chimney that the children would have usually died in. Repetition is seen in the line ââ¬Å"could scarcely cry ââ¬ËWeep! Weep! Weep! Weep! ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ The use of repetition here emphasizes the youth of the child when its parents had sold them and also speaks for all the other chimney sweepers who had to be sold at a young age. The use of visual and aural imagery in the line ââ¬Å"then down a green plain, leaping, laughing they run, and wash in a river and shine in the Sun. identifies the happiness of the children as they have been set free from their chimneys. You can visual the children soaring and giggling across the green plain on a bright sunny day and see the big smiles on their faces as well as hear them laughing. The use of words such as: young and little create the theme of innocence in the poem. As William Blake is fascinated in the mar riage of opposites, all of his songs of innocence partner with a song of experience. Infant Sorrow contrasts to Infant Joy as it holds negative connotations. This is done by setting a lost, hopeless, depressing and despairing tone.This tone is created by poetic techniques such as visual and aural imagery, simile, and figurative language. Visual and aural imagery can be identified when the child is explaining how it was brought into the world. ââ¬Å"piping loudâ⬠gives us a glimpse of what it was like when this happened and what an awful experience it was for the baby. A simile is used in the line ââ¬Å"like a fiend hid in a cloudâ⬠. This is also the use of figurative language as the child is not literally like a demon in the cloud however it is implying that it feels that way.The child senses that its parents are not very supportive of it being brought into the world and the child feels as though it is alone and will have to get by on its own without the love, support an d comfort of its parents. That is why it has chosen to say it is like a fiend hid in a cloud because it feels out of place and on its own. The diction used in this poem demonstrates that it is a song of experience as it uses words such as: groaned, wept, dangerous, helpless, fiend and struggling.These words give negative connotations and therefore add to the theme of hopelessness and desperation. The Chimney Sweeper (experience) uses similar techniques as Infant Sorrow to depict the notions of experience. Blake has set a resentful and bitter tone through the child persona as we hear about the child condemning its parents for their actions. Poetic techniques such as juxtaposition, metaphor and aural imagery are used to enhance these themes. ââ¬Å"A little black thing among the snowâ⬠is the use of juxtaposition as it is contrasting ââ¬Ëblackââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ësnowââ¬â¢.It is suggesting that the child is the little black thing as it is covered in soot from the chimneys, a nd is lying on the white snow. The theme of this poem is also portrayed when the child says ââ¬Å"crying weep, weep, in notes of woeâ⬠this is an example of aural imagery as we can hear the child weeping. A metaphor is used in the line ââ¬Å"who make up a heaven of our miseryâ⬠. The child is conveying how its parents make up the heaven of our misery, implying that they are the heaven of our misery. This metaphor holds negative connotations as the child expresses how his parents are guilty of putting him in this misery.The childââ¬â¢s parents act as if they are religious people when they would happily condemn their innocent child to this life. When analyzing the diction used in the poem, words such as: crying, weep, death, injury and misery can be found which demonstrates negative connotations. In conclusion, William Blakeââ¬â¢s fascination with the marriage of opposites is clearly established in his poetry. The contrast between innocence and experience is clear in his songs of innocence and songs of experience as innocence is associated with youth and purity and experience is linked to sadness and despair.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Online Dating An Ideal Type Of Dating - 849 Words
Online dating is a fairly common occurrence in our society. Beginning with chatrooms in the early 90ââ¬â¢s and expanding to mobile dating apps such as tinder and grinder (Kennedy, 2010), online dating has become an institutionalized part of romantic encounters in our society (Kennedy, 2010). Early 2000ââ¬â¢s television and film such as ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve Got Mailâ⬠, and ââ¬Å"Sex in the Cityâ⬠show case the increased popularity of online dating during the time, and by looking at the variety of online dating websites and networks now, it is easy to see how common and available online dating has become. If one were to examine online dating using a Weberian perspective, online dating would be part of different ideal types of dating (Allan, 2014). Because ideal types are a sort comparison point, as long as other types of dating exist, online dating can be considered an ideal type of dating (Allan, 2014). In the case of online dating, Weber might say that there are various types of dating (online, blind date, casual, exclusive, etc.) and that online dating holds an appeal that other types of dating might not. Online dating has become quick and to the point, requires little face to face interaction, and often allows individuals to interact. This would make online dating an ideal type for someone who works long hours, is shy, or who perhaps wants to interact with more than one person at a time (BuzzFeedVideo, 2015). A Weberian perspective would also tell us that online dating has become bureaucratizedShow MoreRelatedOnline Dating : The Negative Side Of Finding Significant Others Over The Internet1596 Words à |à 7 Pagesay, 2017 Online Dating: The Negative Side of Finding Significant Others Over the Internet Before the birth of technology and social media, people approached their significant others face-to face. 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Wednesday, January 1, 2020
The Cause of Poverty - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1278 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2018/12/27 Category Economics Essay Type Research paper Level High school Tags: Economy Essay Poverty Essay Did you like this example? How I discovered the truth about poverty? Perhaps is a research statement from Barbara Ehrenreich in her contribution towards the underlying cause of poverty. In the article how I discovered the truth about poverty? Ehrenreich incorporates Michael Harrington best-selling book known as The Other America to indicate the perception of what people actually believed was the discovery of the cause of poverty. Harrington in his book states that poverty is caused by lack of effort to prosper, living a life of crime and having the faulty lifestyle. Donââ¬â¢t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Cause of Poverty" essay for you Create order Harrington manages to create a line between the poor and rich through his statement that poverty alienates a society they are different from us.Barbara is not happy for Harrington suggestions about the cause of poverty, and she cant believe why many people bought the book. Barbara believes that Harrington is misleading the society with the book and the suggestion about poverty. Poverty cannot be liked with living a life of crime since there are so many people who are rich and they are in crime business. Barbara comes out with another perception on the issue of poverty that ?Poverty is not a cultural aberration or a character flaw, but a shortage of money. She believes that poverty is not based on character but an absence of money in an individuals life. This indicates that the real cause of poverty is yet to be known. Poverty is a global issue that affects about 50% of the worlds population. Therefore, many researchers have given their views as far as the cause of poverty is concerned. The article growth, poverty and asset allocation: the role of the stateby Ramon Lopez describes that poverty is caused by the government through their unfair spending and land allocation to the people. She describes how the government harms the people and shows through equations how the government takes resources from the peasants and gives to the communist who becomes wealthier. She strongly believes that government is perhaps the cause of poverty that exists in many nations today pushing the number to be half the entire worlds population. On the other hand, Homan in his article titled ?being and becoming poorstates that most people live in poverty due to lack of opportunities, jobs, education and low wages. He also pointed out that the people of color had a higher rate in the level of poverty to bring out the issu e of race and other factors. Different researchers have different views and understanding toward the cause of poverty which has left people to be in the middle of all the arguments. Therefore, I would say that poverty is a complex phenomenon and it is caused by a range of factors that possible work together resulting in inadequate resources. Poverty is caused by a corrupt government through unequal distribution of resources in the society. These individualists are people in high governmental positions who just think about themselves. It contributes to one of the factors that cause poverty. Lopez in her article states that some government official through ?uses a few algebraic equations to determine how the government was taking land away from peasants, and giving it to the capitalist, which creates more poverty by eliminating jobs. These bring support to the government factor coming into the causes of poverty. On the other hand, Barbara raises the issue of government with a different point of view that government should not be included to influence the cause of poverty. She believes that government should not support people but should promote social cohesion and an environment for people to invest. This perhaps supports the idea that government has some roles in the causes of poverty. The issue of individualism can be a factor to the cause of poverty. I would like to say that poverty can be fought by an individual through a collaborative effort within the self. Many people are perhaps in poverty due to the fact they are comfortable with the situation and are afraid to make a step in life. Moreover, unlike Evan, Barbara believes that A failure of individual responsibility is the cause of poverty in the U.S. (Paragraph 22) This media means that there is an effort that an individual should perform to evade poverty. Therefore, the society through individuals effort, especially within the poverty-stricken regions, should motivate the people to understand that one factor to escape poverty is to become responsible and have the desire to change and grow rich. However, Evan has a different explanation for the causes of poverty. He believes that through an individual has to work; the government and other leaders should stop greed, discrimination, and exploitation. According to him, the causes of poverty are beyond an individual factor, and therefore there are other relevant factors in the environment. Additionally, mental health has brought a different discussion of understanding that Poverty is not induced by individual efforts but by a collection of factors contributing to the cause. Many people use the excuse stating that mental health has been the cause of poverty since this condition makes people miss opportunities, jobs, and money. Harrington reports that poverty is caused byindividual proclivities of the poor.Therefore, to confirm or disapprove the statement a research was carried in various families under poverty in Hong Kong to test their psychology. The research reported that there was no sign of mental health or problem in the individual who participated in the program. This medium means that people under poverty mayhem do not have the mental problem. Therefore, there was no limitation toward all individual who would wish to become wealthy. Moreover, this makes another point that they dont believe poverty is caused by lack of abilities and their efforts. Thus, its clear that causes of poverty have brought out many issues with clarity to be attained. Conclusion Poverty is a global concern that has led to many research carried out to determine its causes. There have been arguments between the articles from the researcher with some disagreeing with others opinions. Barbara has problems Harrington through his view of poverty and conclusion that poor people are not like the rich. However, various aspects were given with some describing that some governments are responsible for the poverty that strikes their corresponding nations. It is believed that some of this government take root through discriminative abilities by taking some resources from the people and gives them to the rich. Some have also argued that government should be out of the issue since it cannot reach all the citizens and make them wealthy or force them to work to become wealthy. Moreover, others believe that poverty is caused by an individual irresponsive nature making them comfortable in their position. Some have also blamed that there is an issue with mental health connectio n with the poor. Additionally, some have argued that poverty is caused by the absence of opportunities and jobs in the society. Therefore, we can say that poverty is caused several factors combined making resources to be scared towards an individual. Work cited Ehrenreich, Barbara.How I Discovered the Truth About Poverty. From Inquiry to Academic Writing, 15 Mar. 2012, pp. 606ââ¬Å"609. Homan, Patricia, Lauren Valentino, and Emi Weed. Being and becoming poor: How cultural schemas shape beliefs about poverty. Social Forces 95.3 (2017): 1023-1048. Lopez, Ramon E.GROWTH, POVERTY AND ASSET ALLOCATION: THE ROLE OF THE STATE.Center for Development Research (ZEF), 2001.University of Bonn, Discussion Papers. Shek, Daniel TL. Beliefs about causes of poverty and psychological well-being of parents and adolescents experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong. The American Journal of Family Therapy 32.3 (2004): 239-254. Selinger, Evan, K. Outterson, and K. P. Whyte. Poverty tourism and the problem of consent. No. 11-22. Boston University Working Paper, 2011.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Abstract - Road Traffic Accident Is Very Serious Matter
Abstract - Road Traffic Accident is very serious matter of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 1.24 million people of the world die annually on the roads. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimated about 907,900, 1.3 million and 1.4 million deaths from road traffic injuries in 1990, 2010 and 2013, respectively. Uttar Pradesh in particular one of the state of India, experiences the highest rate of such accidents. Thus, methods to reduce accident severity are of great interest to traffic agencies and the public at large. In this paper, we applied data mining technologies to link recorded road characteristics to accident severity and developed a set of rules that could be used by the Indianâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Extensive data pre-processing resulted in a clean the dataset containing 1, 31,698 accidents instances with missing values. The class label (ââ¬ËPredictAccââ¬â¢) had two nominal values: ââ¬ËYesââ¬â¢ and ââ¬Ë Noââ¬â¢. During data exploration, different numbers of attributes were selected by different feature selection techniques which are provided in WEKA. Naà ¯ve Bayes classifier is selected in WEKA for classification and prediction that whether the accident may occur (Yes) or not (No) with 7 attributes, including 6 independent variables and one dependent variable (the class-label attribute ââ¬ËPredictAccââ¬â¢), were fed to explorer of WEKA. After that Naà ¯ve Bayes classifier was used, and an accuracy of 87.2527 % was achieved. In the second experiment, the number of attributes were increased to 8, including 7 independent variables and one dependent variable, an accuracy of 88.0613 % was achieved. In the third experiment, the number of attributes were increased to 13, including 12 independent variables and one dependent variable and accuracy of 89.4554 % was achieved. Experimental results of Naà ¯ve Bayes classifier are discussed in this section using the data mining tool WEKA. Traffic Accident data contains accident severity which represents the severity of the accident. The six kinds of accident severity are Injury, Fatal, Physical disabled, Property loss, Normal and Death. The data source for this researchShow MoreRelatedThe Baltimore City Howard Street Tunnel Fire1200 Words à |à 5 PagesThe Baltimore City Howard Street Tunnel Fire and ICS Paul H. Bilger Jr American Military University/ American Public University System Abstract The Howard Street Tunnel fire that occurred on 18 July, 2001 was a serious emergency incident that had the potential to become a catastrophic incident. On the day in question 10 cars out of a 60 car freight derailed causing a significant hazardous material spill, a subsequent fire, and a water main bursting due to the heat. 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Signature of H.O.D Signature of M.Tech Incharge Signature of External Examiner ABSTRACT Around 80 percent of jet aircraft accidents occur during take-off and landing phases of flight and close to an airport because of varied weather conditions. Passengers, as well as nearby communities are, therefore at a heightened risk of death or serious injury. Smart products and intelligent manufacturing processes are becoming increasingly common and complex and this trend
Sunday, December 15, 2019
The Birth of Pleasure by Carol Gilligan Free Essays
Carol Gilligan Birth of Pleasure can be considered a research in social science. She has hypothesised certain theories regarding men and women behaviour. One of her main hypothesis is that women are different from men in various ways; she argues that female have a higher level of morality that cements the relation among sexes. We will write a custom essay sample on The Birth of Pleasure by Carol Gilligan or any similar topic only for you Order Now At times she seems a feminist who is playing for female audience. She overcomes the limitation as the book flows. For example she starts the human life story from a child perspective that is ââ¬Å"under fatherââ¬â¢s authorityâ⬠(Pg 5). She mentions that in patriarchy society there are different ways of dealing with boys and girl. For example boys are forced to learn and be disciplined at a young age compared to female. Female are forced to learn from age 13 and above at puberty. The reason for such approach; she argues is the utility of women. In a patriarchal society, women become important when they become fertile; before fertility they have no existence. However the problem arises when a child becomes adult and he has to unlearn the older behaviour. Sometimes it is hard to undo the learned behaviour; deep inside sometimes adults feel guilty, if they do not follow the behaviour they have been taught in childhood. Gilligan does not argue in straight forward manner about the theme patriarchy in teenagers life, but the book overall covers the relationship between children and parents as pathologies. For example she mentions that boys have two choices; either becomes good boy or bad boy; either by following the parentââ¬â¢s instructions or negating them to create their own social identities. The problem with such approach is that boys cannot form their own identities with reference to their true self. For girls the process began at much later stage when they approach the puberty. She insists that girls are forced by mothers to follow their footsteps and behave according to the established norms of the society. This situation gives rise to conflict and breaking of the bond that exists between parents and children. She insists that love is based on democracy; while the patriarchy is based on hierarchy of men and women. The result of such hierarchy is patriarchy; where individuals find pain in love rather than pleasure due to the inherent conflict (in these relations). She suggests that it is possible to find pleasure with in the social norms, if couples overcome their limited roles and try to unlearn the behaviour childhood behaviour. Gilligan has taken ideas from various sources, but she is able to develop her own ideas by studying life of children and couples including her own experience of life spiced with various Western myths and legends; such as Psyche and Cupid. She successfully weaves different pieces together to form one narrative immersing reader in interesting stories with one common theme. The positive effect of this style is that reader finds new interpretations about the stories and myths he is familiar with. Gilligan sometimes seems to speak in a mystical language, when she declares that the yoke of Western love stories is made of tragedy because of the presence of patriarchy; where male justify their authority by trampling true feelings of women. Her idea of democracy of love seems un-restricted by social norms; such idea seems far from practical. All societies need to survive; the hierarchy allows a society to survive which may look cruel at time but this is how civilization are made from. Reference Gilligan, Carol (2002). The Birth of Pleasure. Random House. How to cite The Birth of Pleasure by Carol Gilligan, Papers
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Case Study of Ventura Boats-Free-Samples for Students-Myassignment
Question: Discuss about the Case Study of Ventura Boats. Answer: Introduction Ventura Boats, founded in the year 1961, is a family owned business involved in the manufacture of traditional hand-made boats. The turnover of the business had been faring well until the recent times. The major clients of the company belonged to the domestic market of Australia, which has been experiencing a shrinkage in the recent times (Ventura-boats.com 2018). The following report attempts an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, the opportunities and the threats that the company might be facing. The report proceeds to analyze the threats and the opportunities that have been identified in the SWOT analysis. The report proceeds towards the conclusion by providing some alternate strategies that might be adopted by the company in the future days to come on the basis of the analysis done with the help of the Ansoff Matrix. SWOT Analysis Strengths The staff of the company is known to be highly experienced and to be industry-respected. The products that are built by the company tend to maintain the high quality that is promised to the customers of the company. The company is one of the market leaders in the category of the products that it provides to its customers. The financial reserves of the company are built on the huge prosperity of the business in the yester years and are thus very strong. Weaknesses Very low experience in the overseas markets. The technology that is used by Ventura Boats seems to be outdated. The company has failed to provide the concerned clientele with the new models for the boats and other water vessels. The low morale and the significant amount of attrition in the employee strength of the company. The company has failed to provide its clientele with the new models of boats for a long period of time. Opportunities There are lesser restrictions on the use of the traditional boats in the foreign market which might ensure the legalized condition of the products of the boat-building business organization. The growing economies that have been existing all over the world have led to the increase in the number of the clients who display a huge passion for the luxury products that are offered by the company. Threats The increase in the number of services that might provide the customers with the substitutes of the products that are offered by Ventura Boats. The Australian Government might declare the products manufactured by Ventura Boats to be illegal due to the outdated technology that they seem to be using in the manufacture of the boats and other vessels. The other competitors in the market are reported to have been on the look out to take over the companies like Ventura Boats in order to buy out their market shares. Threats and Opportunities Analysis The SWOT analysis of an organization helps to reveal the strengths, the weaknesses, the opportunities and the threats that might be encountered by the organization during its functioning in the industry (Bull et al. 2016). The opportunities of the company might refer to the elements operating in the environment that might be exploited by the company in order to gain an advantageous position in the concerned market (Yuan 2013). In the given case study, it is observed that the concerned company has scope of the expanding in the various overseas markets. This might lead to the prospering of the business in those markets leading to the expansion of the company in the concerned market. The legal conditions of the overseas market might allow the company to sell their products to the clients who have been based in the other countries. The expansion of the company might also help to attract the various customers who have been willing to spend their money in the luxury product that the compan y offers towards their clients. The threats that are faced by the company generally refer to the various operational elements in the market that might cause harmful effects in the company (Ayub et al. 2013). In the given case, the major threats that are faced by the company pertain to those that exist due to the entry of the substitutes that offer the concerned clientele with better versions of the products that are offered by Ventura Boats. This might lead to the deterioration in the revenue generation of the company (Grant 2016). The company also faces a huge threat owing to the changes in the legal system of Australia. The changes that have been made in the legal system of Australia might lead to the condition wherein the products that are manufactured by the company would be rendered illegal. The company also faces a threat due to the various other big companies that have been on the look out to take over the various smaller companies that have been operating within the industry. These mergers might result in t he demolition of the company which would therefore be rendered non-existent in the industry. Ansoff Matrix Fig. 1: Ansoff Matrix Source: Created by the Author Thus, from the above figure, it may be clearly pointed out that the company might fare well if they tend to bring in variations in the products that they manufacture. The company must ensure that the vessels that they manufacture are best suited to the needs of the concerned clientele. Recommendations The management of the Ventura Boats must focus on the expansion of the market that they serve. The company must focus majorly on the manufacture of the water vessels that are customized to the needs of the concerned client (Stanford et al. 2014). The company must aim to incorporate the use of machinery in the manufacturing process of the various water vessels in order to boost the sales of the company (Hribernik, Wuest and Thoben 2013). The company must also aim to bring about a variation in the sizes of the vessels that they manufacture in order to bring about an increase in the number of clients that they serve (Gudem et al. 2013). Conclusion In lieu of the above discussion it might be safely concluded that the concerned company, Ventura Boats must have to concentrate further on the development of the product and aim at the diversifications of the products that the company manufactures. The company must recruit the staff who have knowledge in the needed technologies in order to fare better in the concerned industry References Ayub, A., Adeel, R., Muhammad, S.A. and Hanan, I., 2013. A conceptual framework on evaluating SWOT analysis as the mediator in strategic marketing planning through marketing intelligence.European Journal of Business and Social Sciences,2(1), pp.91-98. Bull, J.W., Jobstvogt, N., Bhnke-Henrichs, A., Mascarenhas, A., Sitas, N., Baulcomb, C., Lambini, C.K., Rawlins, M., Baral, H., Zhringer, J. and Carter-Silk, E., 2016. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats: A SWOT analysis of the ecosystem services framework.Ecosystem services,17, pp.99-111. Grant, R.M., 2016.Contemporary strategy analysis: Text and cases edition. John Wiley Sons. Gudem, M., Steinert, M., Welo, T. and Leifer, L., 2013. Redefining customer value in lean product development design projects.Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology,11(1), pp.71-89. Hribernik, K., Wuest, T. and Thoben, K.D., 2013, July. A product avatar for leisure boats owners: concept, development and findings. InIFIP International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management(pp. 560-569). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. Stanford, R.J., Wiryawan, B., Bengen, D.G., Febriamansyah, R. and Haluan, J., 2014. Improving livelihoods in fishing communities of West Sumatra: More than just boats and machines.Marine Policy,45, pp.16-25. Ventura-boats.com 2018.About - Ventura. [online] Ventura. Available at: https://ventura-boats.com/about/ [Accessed 8 Feb. 2018]. Yuan, H., 2013. A SWOT analysis of successful construction waste management.Journal of Cleaner Production,39, pp.1-8.
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