Apple Store Marketing Opportunities

The history of Apple Store Previously known as Apple Computer Inc, Apple store is a global company that produces computers, software, and consumer electronics. The major product line for Apple store entails personal computers, iPhone, and iPod music store.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Store Marketing Opportunities specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company was established in 1976 by two electronic engineers namely Wozniak and Jobs who released the first computer dubbed as Apple 1. Since then, Apple store has dominated personal computer market via its innovative products such as the Power Mac and Macintosh but encountered marketing problems in 1990s. The company became the new market leader in consumer electronics with the latest success ranging from products such as iPod Touch, iTunes, iPhone, and iPad (Apple Inc., 2011). Currently, Apple store is a global leader in technology with revenue totaling to $60 billion. In the fiscal 2010, it overtook Microsoft in terms of market capitalization (Apple Inc., 2011). Markets for Apple Store operates Apple store sells its products in various markets across the world. For example, through retail outlets such as online store, the company sells numerous products to consumers and other business enterprises. Furthermore, Apple has invested in programs that promote reseller sales including ASCP which focuses on certain reseller locations and APRP which provides expertise in products and customer service (USSEC, 2009). Apple store equally sells computer products to government agencies, and creative markets within its geographical location. The markets are deemed crucial to third party computer applications and hardware developers. The superior expansion and computing performance of Apples products materialize to be the major consumers’ attraction within the market. Moreover, Apple offers computer products to customers within scientific mar ket as well as in the information technology markets. Competitors The major product line for Apple is the PCs market. This company however faces numerous competitions from the U.S. based companies alongside other foreign corporations. In the U.S., competitions emerge from Hewlett-Packard (HP), Dell Computers, and Compaq Corporation.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Foreign market rivalry materializes from Sony, Toshiba, and new entrants such as Acer Computers. These corporations seem to have captured significant market shares. Some of these competitors sell their PCs made from other operating systems, cut down their prices and lower product margins in order to gain competitive advantage. Thus, the major competitive factors are price, product quality, features, reliability, innovation, design, distribution capabilities, availability, and company reputation. Government Regulato ry Roles Despite minimal regulation on personal computers marketing, there are specific laws that have always affected market competition for Apple store. The copyright law for example limits the extent to which the company can borrow technology while it also allows other companies to use Apple’s technology to certain level (USITC, 1995). In 1989, Xerox charged Apple for the unlawful utilization its technology which the latter company used in making Mac software. In 1992, Apple accused HP and Microsoft for copyright infringement but the court ruled in favor of the accused. Opportunities and Issues facing Apple Store Like other companies, Apple increasingly faces issues appertaining to environmental pollution. Electronic wastes are regarded as major contributors to environmental degradation and any policy addressing such an issue affects Apple store operations (Suraj, n.d). Furthermore, as Apple continues to expand globally, the universal shortage of expertise and skilled labo r continues to affect its competitive edge. Nevertheless, Apple has the opportunity to exploit emerging markets such as Brazil and India besides utilizing cheap labor available in these economies. In conclusion, Apple store has grown to be a market leader in computer and electronic industry based on its humble background. Since Apple has immense market globally, it has outdone stiff competition in the industry but the company must consider government regulations and issues that might affect its future. Apple store needs to exploit marketing opportunities created by emerging economies to remain competitive. References Apple Inc., (2011). The new, faster MacBook Air. Web.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Store Marketing Opportunities specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Suraj, S.  E-waste and environmental degradation. Web. United States Securities Exchange Commission, (2009). Form 10-K: Apple Inc. Web. US Inte rnational Trade Commission, (1995). Global competitiveness of the US computer software and service industries. Web. This essay on Apple Store Marketing Opportunities was written and submitted by user Brenda English to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Soviet Downfall essays

Soviet Downfall essays This essay concentrates on two representatives of the dissident movement in the Soviet Union in the 1960s and in the 1970sAndrei Sakharov and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The essay introduces the history of the dissident movement in the Russian Empire under the Tsars and in the Soviet Union under various leaders, mainly under Nikita Khruschev, Leonid Brezhnev and Michael Gorbachev. It presents the historical conflict of Slavophils and Westernizers that began in the time of Peter the Great and discusses its impact on Russian thinkers over the years. The essay proposes that Solzhenitsyn and Sakharov are representatives of two branches of Russian philosophy, modified with time: Slavophilism and Westernism. Solzhenitsyn is presented to be a person with Slavophilic tendencies, while Sakharov is presented to be an advocate of the Western model of development for Russia. The essay discusses their paths to dissidence and their opposition to the Soviet regime. It also provides a comparison of their views and ideas. The essay attempts to follow the chronological order of their lives. In the end it provides a brief overview of their recent actions, based on their ideas, drawn from Slavophilism and Westernism. After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 the world changed dramatically. The Cold War ended and the threat of communism ended in Europe. Such Eastern European countries as Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia) and others stopped being Soviet satellites. "East and West Germany, meanwhile, were moving rapidly toward unification."[1] But this was not the end. In November 1991 the Soviet Union, "the evil empire" that had kept the democratic and non-democratic world in fear and strain for almost seventy years disappeared. It left fifteen independent republics, with Russia being the largest one. Russia, out of all the former Soviet bloc states and the former Soviet Union, was the fir...

Use of E-Books among University Statistics Students in Libya Thesis Proposal - 1

Use of E-Books among University Statistics Students in Libya - Thesis Proposal Example   It was projected that there would be a higher rate of approval by now though that is not what actually is being witnessed. For instance, a study conducted by Roesnita and Zainab (2005) in Malaysia among university going student revealed that only about 39% of them had utilized e-books before the commencing of the study. This was against the general notion that is existing and presumes that university students are higher in literacy levels and in technology use and thus would be better placed in utilizing the e-library or any material would-be within the internet environment. In yet another study by Oliveira about 12.1% of the Andrews university (respondents) were found to have used or to use e-text books compared to the larger percentage that were found not to utilize the e-library (Oliveira, 2012). In fact, among those found to have ever used the service had been compelled by the requirement of the physics teacher that they had to use the service. This further constricted the nu mber of those who voluntary used the service to merely 4%of the total sample that was used for the study. The shocking findings of the research study by Woody, Daniel and Baker (2010) were that there has not been any notable change in preference of the textbooks to the e-books even within the evolution in IT within the century. Nicholas and Lewis who carried out a survey in 2008 regarding the attitudes of the people within the millennium towards the use of e-reading material as compared to the print materials postulated another supportive argument to this finding (2008). The study found out that many people in the current generation would prefer to use ‘old’ print materials as compared to the new and more simplistic method of learning through the online materials.

Purchasing and SC Management in practice Assignment

Purchasing and SC Management in practice - Assignment Example In actual practice, supply chain management ensures integration of supply as well as demand management both within and across businesses (Monczka and Trent, 2009, pg. 57). The major goal of the process is aimed at collaboration as opposed to competition in all parts involved in supply chain management but eventually leads to the creation of a competitive advantage. Through collaboration, personal and mutual satisfaction results from cost cuts as well as increased profitability. The retail businesses continuously realize the need to rely on effective supply chains or networks to ensure effective competition in the current global market comprised of the networked economy. In most scenarios, retail businesses engage in inter-organizational supply processes forming a network that is like a new form of organization. However, interactions tend to present complicated scenarios making it difficult for businesses to present the best structure that fully fits any particular market. The paper, therefore, presents a critical examination of purchasing and supply chain management practices in the retail sector while also illustrating with specific examples how the practices contribute towards creating competitive advantage in the retail market. While the issue of supply chain management (SCM) is mentioned, majority of individuals tend to relate the benefits related to the process to manufacturing and other big companies. However, with the concept of globalization and competitive markets arising in the recent past, SCM has also proved essential and to some extent beneficial in retail business, though at times attributed to side effects. In the retail business perspective, the focus is different from other market players in that it focuses on more specific factors like the retail business itself as opposed to a broader category (Weele, 2010, pg. 87). In the retailing

Language and global climate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Language and global climate - Essay Example The essay seeks to answer the question whether and how language can influence global climate change. Ideally, this essay details how language can affect global climate change in the modern society. By showing how a shift in our language use can influence global climate change, the essay will confirm that language plays a significant role in addressing global climate change. Language is one of the controversial aspects that address affect global climate change. Indeed, language forms an important part of our culture and perceptions about specific natural factors. As such, an effective change in how we use our language would have a direct impact on our views about global climate change. Notably, a shift in language use towards a more animistic sensibility would enhance our awareness of and connection to nature. This would have a direct effect on global climate since increased awareness would encourage us to value the global climate and adopt mechanisms that would control global climate change. Moreover, the awareness and connection to nature would help us to understand various aspects that may foster global climate change and hence derives fundamental knowledge on how to prevent global climate change. As such, global societies can influence global climate change by shifting their language to sensibility that is more animistic. Moreover, it is evident that by writing our language down, we can encourage the society to think about various aspects like global climate (Snyder 95-97). It is through talking and reading that the society gets an opportunity to think about various societal aspects like global climate. For example, writing articles about global climate change using a clear, understandable, and effective language motivates the audience to read and think about the subject, which derives subtle knowledge on the effects and measures of curbing global climate change. However, it is true that different

Nature And Scope Of Reverse Logistic Information Technology Essay

Nature And Scope Of Reverse Logistic Information Technology Essay This paper explains what reverse logistics is. It looks at different viewpoints of reverse logistics. The paper starts off with a brief background of logistics describing how and when this term came about. Logistics has been a part of the society since the Greeks and the Romans. It was in the Second World War that logistics developed greatly. Logistics has come to be a kind of relief for many organizations that formerly looked upon it as a burden. Companies nowadays are hiring people with the requisite knowledge to deliver sustainable enhancements in the field of supply chain management. Reverse logistics includes processing returned merchandise due to damage, seasonal inventory, restock, salvage, recalls, and excess inventory. Reverse Logistics offers several advantages to the company in terms of both tangible and intangible benefits. In the first instance, companies are able to retrieve defective equipments and parts which are either salvaged or refurbished and thus reclaims value out of the defective parts. Secondly, the packaging and defective materials are collected and recycled thereby generating scrap value back for the company. Thirdly unsold and obsolete equipments are collected back from point of sale which encourages the distributors and stockiest to confidently buy stocks from the company knowing that he can always return unused inventory and not stand to lose in the bargain. All items must be identified, assigned to a customer or account, assigned a disposition and then physically sorted for processing. Finally, credits are generally issued at a later ti me and often for only some part of a return, including discarded or un-saleable goods. This process is difficult to automate with a generic ERP package and very challenging with a simple paper process. Specialized returns systems, whether part of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) or stand-alone, can support effective automation with appropriate setup. As reverse logistics evolves within your company, you will want to start developing or improving the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure and monitor the performance of your Returns Management and Reverse Logistics. We obtain a number of managerial guidelines for using marketing and operational strategy variables to influence the reaction parameters so as to obtain the maximum benefit from the market for each problem. We here also disprove that return policy is all about cost. We found that return policy is a powerful tool to increase firms profit. By capturing the reasons for returns, you can better monitor quality and vendor performance, and learn more about your customers purchase and return behavior. In addition, by returning goods to your supply chain quickly, you can minimize the cost of obsolete goods, and meet customer demand elsewhere. Table of Contents Background: The birth of Logistics can be traced back to ancient war times of Greek and Roman empires when military officers titled as Logistikas were assigned the duties of providing services related to supply and distribution of resources. This was done to enable the soldiers to move from their base position to a new forward position efficiently, which could be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of wars. This also involved inflicting damage to the supply locations of the enemy and safeguarding ones own supply locations. Thus, this lead to the development of a system which can be related to the current day system of logistics management. During the Second World War (1939-1945), logistics evolved greatly. The army logistics of United States and counterparts proved to be more than the German army could handle. The supply locations of German armed forces were inflicted with serious damages and Germany was not able to wreak the same havoc on its enemy. The United States military ensured that the services and supplies were provided at the right time and at the right place. It also tried to provide these services when and wherever required, in the most optimal and economical manner. The best available options to do the task were developed. This also gave birth to several military logistics techniques which are still in use, albeit in a more advanced form. Logistics has now evolved itself as an art and science. However, it cannot be termed as an exact science. Logistics does not follow a defined set of tables nor is it based on skills inherited from birth. A logistics manager performs his duties and responsibilities based on his educational experiences, skills, past experiences and intuition. These skills are nourished by a constant application of the same by him for the betterment of his organization. The logistics manager ensures that the company is benefited by an effective and efficient system of logistical management. He also needs to ensure that the right kind of products and services are provided at the right time and for a right price, whether inside the organizations premises or delivery of shipments outside the premises of the organization. Logistics has come to be a kind of relief for many organizations that formerly looked upon it as a burden. Companies nowadays are hiring people with the requisite knowledge to deliver sustainable enhancements in the field of supply chain management. As has been the case throughout most of logistics history, the task of a logistics manager involves a clear vision and a drive within to deliver results under strict deadlines in addition to his usual responsibilities. Reverse logistics stands for all operations related to the reuse of products and materials. It is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal. More precisely, reverse logistics is the process of moving goods from their typical final destination for the purpose of capturing value, or proper disposal. Remanufacturing and refurbishing activities also may be included in the definition of reverse logistics.[1] The reverse logistics process includes the management and the sale of surplus as well as returned equipment and machines from the hardware leasing business. Normally, logistics deal with events that bring the product towards the customer. In the case of reverse, the resource goes at least one step back in the supply chain. For instance, goods move from the customer to the distributor or to the manufacturer. Introduction: As we all know that Logistics is part of supply chain management process.   Whereas the Logistics deals with forward movement of goods within any supply chain, reverse logistics manages the reverse movement of goods, in other words returns management within supply chain function.   Ã‚  Reverse flow is as important as forward movement in any supply chain.   By examining a consumer supply chain process flows, one can conclude that reverse flows are  very critical and important function within supply chain to recover the product cost comprehensively and at the same time helps in safe disposal of waste. Purpose and aims of reverse logistic Reverse logistics includes processing returned merchandise due to damage, seasonal inventory, restock, salvage, recalls, and excess inventory.   It also includes recycling programs, hazardous material programs, obsolete equipment disposition, and asset recovery. For a practitioner, the disposition choice is determined by the most profitable alternative: Reconditioning when a product is cleaned and repaired to return it to a like new state; Refurbishing similar to reconditioning, except with perhaps more work involved in repairing the product; Remanufacturing similar to refurbishing, but requiring more extensive work; often requires completely disassembling the product; Resell when a returned product may be sold again as new; Recycle when a product is reduced to its basic elements, which are reused also referred to as asset recovery. Nature and Scope of reverse logistic Reverse logistics has been adapted in a big way by automotive aftermarket spare parts field as well as electronics and computer hardware markets. Retail and book publishing too have implemented reverse logistics schemes but the volumes that are returned are relatively lesser than the other fields. Reverse Logistics offers several advantages to the company in terms of both tangible and intangible benefits. In the first instance, companies are able to retrieve defective equipments and parts which are either salvaged or refurbished and thus reclaims value out of the defective parts. Secondly, the packaging and defective materials are collected and recycled thereby generating scrap value back for the company. Thirdly unsold and obsolete equipments are collected back from point of sale which encourages the distributors and stockiest to confidently buy stocks from the company knowing that he can always return unused inventory and not stand to lose in the bargain. Distributors are more likely to be open to stocking all fast moving as well as slow moving stocks. In the eyes of the customer and society, the organization stands to gain a good standing and reputation of being a responsible company which takes care of the e waste and hazardous waste generated and thus stands out for its corporate governance policies. Reverse logistics has been successfully adapted as marketing strategy. Refurbished computers are sold at cheaper prices by all leading brands and the demand for such laptops seems to be growing. The spare parts used by the computer manufacturers to service the laptops and computers on warranty or on sale, include refurbished parts. Many electronic and consumer durable manufacturing companies offer buy back or exchange offer for the old equipments in lieu of the customer purchasing a brand new product. In consumer electronics and white goods, the exchange offers are a big hit during discount sale seasons. Principles of reverse logistic administration and practice Returns are fundamentally complex because of how they impact physical inventory, electronic inventory and accounting systems.   All items must be identified, assigned to a customer or account, assigned a disposition and then physically sorted for processing.   Since some of the product might be discarded or kept back for vendor chargebacks, not all merchandise enters electronic inventory; some merchandise must be repacked and accounted for manually versus electronically.   Finally, credits are generally issued at a later time and often for only some part of a return, including discarded or un-saleable goods.   This process is difficult to automate with a generic ERP package and very challenging with a simple paper process. Specialized returns systems, whether part of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) or stand-alone, can support effective automation with appropriate setup. The software must: Separate the physical process from the accounting process and allow for gaps between physical and accounting realities. For example, out of a returned pallet only part of the pallet may be added to inventory and a different part of it may be credited to the customer.   Separate responsibility over physical inventory from responsibility over customer credits. A warehouse employee should not be concerned with how and when a customer will receive credit. Credit processors use an electronic transaction log of returns dock activity to release customer credits. Distinguish between return reasons and physical disposition. The former describes why customer returned it.   The latter describes physical state of the merchandise. Credit clerks must understand return reasons. Warehouseman must understand the dispositions. Try to control the returns process through Returns Authorizations.   With Return Authorizations, the pre-approved returns can be received quickly thereby simplifying the returns identification and speeding overall processing.   To enable radio frequency (RF) equipment automation and verification, these expected returns should be entered into the system prior to arrival. Stage saleable merchandise by a put away zone. Most of the returned merchandise is generally in saleable condition and will be returned to the storage area. To streamline the subsequent put away process, saleable products should be staged on pallets by destination zone. Track un-saleable merchandise with a bar-coded label. Any merchandise that is not saleable and cannot be discarded is usually stored according to vendor guidelines. While some vendors simply require an inventory report to issue credits, others will send a sales representative to inspect the goods or to ship to the vendor. A complete audit trail consisting of return reason, date of initial shipment, date of return, customer name, etc. will assure legitimacy of the claim and improve supplier relationships Key elements of the reverse logistics process As reverse logistics evolves within your company, you will want to start developing or improving the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure and monitor the performance of your Returns Management and Reverse Logistics. To help develop KPIs, Tony Sciarrotta shared some of his insights and important KPIs he uses as the Director of Returns Management at Philips Consumer Electronics, North America. Tony brings a great deal of experience and industry expertise to the Reverse Logistics requirements for Philips, its supply chain partners and its returns processing partners. Gate keeping, Product Data and Asset Recovery are three of the key areas I monitor closely, says Sciarrotta as he outlined some of the KPIs he uses to help manage each of these areas. Gate Keeping Philips works closely with its Retail partners to monitor and manage returns. To do this, Philips shares and reviews regular reports with the retailers to outline the data related to recent product returns. These reports help everyone work together in order to reduce returns and become critical in the arrangements that Philips negotiates with its retail partners. Philips also monitors statistics about the condition of the returning goods upon arrival. Flat Panel TVs can be very expensive if they are not handled properly in the return process. Working with Retail partners to avoid damage is of major importance. Discrepancies are also an area monitored closely to ensure that all returning units have been authorized. Recently, Philips has been experiencing very few discrepancies. Product Data Philips outsources its Reverse Logistics processing and repair. The Philips team works closely with its Reverse Logistics partners to monitor No Trouble Found, Repair with Parts, Repair without Parts and the Scrap levels. This important data is forwarded to manufacturing and to the product design groups. Consumer electronics products are becoming more and more complex. If a product is experiencing a high No Trouble Found rate, the data is sent to manufacturing to seek product or user experience improvements to reduce the return rate Asset Recovery We always try to achieve the highest asset recovery rate possible says Sciarrotta. To monitor this, Philips tracks the Asset Recovery rate. Also tracked are returned goods that are sold as is and the returned goods that are sold with a warranty. In addition, Philips tracks the performance of the refurbished products to ensure quality standards are maintained. Improve Your KPIs Gate keep to ensure only authorized returns are handled. . Obtain good product data to find out why goods are being returned. Get the highest Asset Recovery rate possible. These are the three key areas and some of the related Reverse Logistics Key Performance Indicators that Tony Sciarrotta uses at Philips to help organize, monitor and manage product returns. Use his insights to get started with improvements to your KPIs. Pros Cons of Reverse Logistic: Advantages Disadvantages Buyer is happy when he/she receives money back Buyer Authorization required Pack everything up again. Insure it wait up to 2 billing cycles for a credit. Law, Policy and reverse logistic Reverse Logistics and the management of returned or used merchandise is a growing problem among manufacturers today. In this study we will be presenting the nature and magnitude of the reverse logistics problem in the industry and a literature survey of the previous research in this area. Reverse Logistics deals with the processes associated with the reverse stream from users/owners to re-users. This paper provides content analysis of scientific literature on reverse logistics. Reverse logistic Policy and Legislation In direct sales supply chain, the customers buy direct from the manufacturer sacrificing the benefit of physical inspection of the product. This increases the likelihood that customers will have some dissatisfaction with the product and would like to return it. A clearly explained and generous return policy, then, will be welcome by the customers and therefore will enhance sales. However, this reversed flow merchandise has always been a problem for all parties in the supply chain due to the disruption in operations and headache in processing returned merchandises. We are interested to examine the roles of return policy in reverse logistics from various angles. First, we survey the existing literature on the area of reverse logistics. We offer a new literature classification that will close the researchs gap in the area. We then look into specific problems of return policy namely the relationship between price and return policy, the effect of products quality on the return policy, and the effect of uncertainty in the returned merchandise to the return policy. We obtain a number of managerial guidelines for using marketing and operational strategy variables to influence the reaction parameters so as to obtain the maximum benefit from the market for each problem. We here also disprove that return policy is all about cost. We show that return policy is a powerful tool to increase firms profit. Principles for a Functional reverse logistic system. Reverse Logistics Management automates returns across multiple channels to ensure you know whats coming back, from whom and why. The system is based on a rules engine that can automate the application of return rules. It also houses vendor return policies and automates the return-to-vendor credit process. Reverse Logistics Management can manage returns both coming and going-from the consumer and to the vendor. By capturing the reasons for returns, you can better monitor quality and vendor performance, and learn more about your customers purchase and return behavior. In addition, by returning goods to your supply chain quickly, you can minimize the cost of obsolete goods, and meet customer demand elsewhere. Reverse Logistics Management transforms the returns process by: Automating every step: Online or at returns centers, easily differentiate between tiers of customers based on their purchasing patterns. Generate authorizations based on pre-established internal or vendor rules, and apply credits quickly to keep your customers happy. Centralizing return programs: Streamline returns and staff training by running manufacturer and extended warranty programs all in one automated process. Consolidating shipments to vendors: Reduce costs and maximize credits by accurately and consistently applying return-to-vendor policies. Increasing visibility: Reduce inventory holding costs and improve net asset recovery by integrating with Warehouse Management, so products can be reshelf quickly or routed for liquidation. What happens to products returned? Most industries today have liberal returns policies that can quickly tax distribution networks when large quantities of items go through the reverse logistics process.   Often the distributing warehouse bears the brunt of these costs and efforts associated with returns. Thankfully, this area is also where a properly organized process, supported by latest hardware and software technologies, can produce a competitive advantage, attract new suppliers and control the returns process.   In this article we will review common problems that plague returns operations in the warehouse and suggest remedies drawn from best practices. Common Problems The returns area of a warehouse is commonly full of a mix of open cartons from many different SKUs that need to be identified and sorted according to disposition.   Through this sorting process, credits must also be issued and return-to-vendor tracking created.   The combination of process complexity and low priority of reverse logistics typically means little attention is given to improving the returns process. As a result, warehouse managers tend to treat it as a necessary evil.    Problems affecting returns processing in the warehouse include: The work area is too small or poorly laid out; The process is paper intensive in order to describe and track reasons for returned product; Lack of real time tracking of incoming merchandise does not permit quick put away or cross docking; Poor process integration into the warehouse does not allow returned merchandise to be immediately allocated and shipped. Orders are often shipped short, while saleable inventory is present on the returns dock; Lack of tracking and accountability for un-saleable merchandise that is used to bill back the vendor. The problems in the customer service department include: Slow, error prone data entry and credit processing based on a multitude of papers delivered from the returns dock; No link between data collection and credit processing, allowing over-credit given to the customer; It is difficult to segregate problems by customer, salesperson, truck driver or warehouseman to eliminate misconduct.

Death to the Old or Death to the Young? Essay -- Science Cloning DNA P

Death to the Old or Death to the Young? Since Dolly the cloned sheep was born on February 24, 1997, stem cell research in the United States has been a widely debated topic, especially after President Bush’s August 9, 2001 speech, allowing federal funding for limited stem cell research. Stem cells, obtained from an embryo, are cells that have not developed to the stage in which they are specified. Thus, a stem cell can develop into any type of cell in the adult human body. In the process of obtaining stem cells from week-old embryos, the embryos are destroyed. Many scientists believe that stem cell research holds the key to finding cures for diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The issue is complicated by the fact that there are several different ways to obtain stem cells for research purposes and there are several pros and cons for each of these methods. There are four ways of obtaining stem cells, which are taken from week-old embryos, including: using unwanted embryos from fertility clinics, embryos from aborted fetuses, cloned embryos, and/or embryos created for research purposes. Stem cells can also be taken out of adult bone marrow, but scientists do not think that adult stem cells hold as much medical potential. Conservatives are against federal funding for stem cell research because they feel through this funding the government would be contributing to â€Å"murder.† This idea is rooted in religious beliefs, which include the belief that life begins at conception, therefore an embryo is a human being. However, liberals support federal funding for research using embryos because they question whether embryos are full human beings and bel ieve the research could expedite potential... ... Online. Infotrac Expanded Academic. 3. Kinsley, Michael. â€Å"Michael Kinsley: Reason, Faith, and Stem Cells the Government’s New Research; Rules are an Attempt to Reconcile the Irreconcilable.† Editorial. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 1, 2000: 3. Online. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe. 4. Novak, Michael. â€Å"An Embryonic Religious Conservative.† The National Review. 16 July 2001. http://www.nationalreview.com/contributors/novakprint071601.html 5. Pollitt, Katha. â€Å"Baby It’s Cold Inside!† The Nation. August 20,2001: 4. Online. Infotrac Expanded Academic. 6. â€Å"Stem-cell Research: Drawing the Line.† Editorial. The Lancet. July, 21,2001: 3. Online. Infotrac Expanded Academic. 7. Weigel, George. â€Å"Stem Cells and the Logic of the Nazis.† Editorial. Los Angeles Times. September 3, 2000. Online. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe.

Unemployment Satire

Unemployment rates are skyrocketing. According to the Internet, 12% of the U. S. population is unemployed. Unemployment not only effects the lives of the unemployed, but their families and communities too. The stress of unemployment can lead to declines in individual and family well-being and could potentially effect the outcomes of their children. Widespread unemployment in neighborhoods reduces resources, which may result in inadequate and low-quality housing, and underfunded schools. The question Americans everywhere are wondering: Whose to blame for all this long term employment?The people or the government? The fault is not that of the government, it is that of the people. The blame for long term employment should fall on the shoulders of those suffering from Lazy Syndrome. However, people suffering from Lazy Syndrome cannot help their chronic laziness and unwillingness to get a job. Many are unaware they even suffer from this disease until it is too late. The major symptoms of this disease are: not wanting to leave the couch, feeling inclined to put off work, and wishing to stay home and do nothing.Because of these symptoms, acquiring a job seems like too much effort and is often put off. Many high-paying jobs will refuse to hire them if they suffer from this disease. One study shows that people suffering from Lazy Syndrome have a whopping 50% chance of being unemployed. Even if they can acquire a job, studies show that men and women with this disease earn 15-20% less than those who are not infected. Seymour Butts, a professor of justice at the University of Colorado, is starting a law firm called LazyCase to protest against lazy discrimination.The Discrimination Act of 1966 provides legal protections for gender equality, race equality, pregnant women equality, and so much more! With a short extension of this act, people suffering from chronic laziness could make a living despite their disease limitations. Mr. Butts and his extremely intelligent colleague Wee Tard have already made legal protections in counties in Alaska, Alabama, and Arkansas. One customer, Ben Dover, happily stated â€Å"Going to LazyCase was the best decision of my life.LazyCase helped me get a high paying government job where I can continue to do nothing but still get payed! †. I will now humbly propose my own thoughts on the solution to unemployment as well as the solution to the discrimination against those suffering from Lazy Syndrome. I suggest that every unemployed person gets evaluated at the local doctor’s office in order to determine whether or not they are suffering from Lazy Syndrome. If that is the case (which it most likely will be), I suggest you confide in LazyCase.For first, stopping discrimination against the lazy not only benefits the lives of those suffering from chronic laziness, but it benefits the entire system of America. LazyCase provides the most radical and effective solution to unemployment. Because a significant amount of people with the lazy disability are unemployed, if given more rights and protections for getting jobs, unemployment rates would drop 70% according to prediction expert Harry Azzol. Secondly, LazyCase would improve the lives of the unemployed.Individuals who do not face unemployment report better mental health and more life satisfaction than those who experience unemployment and are under a lot of financial stress. Therefore, the world would be filled with much happier people, making it a much better place. Thirdly, LazyCase is extremely affordable (which is necessary because the unemployed are not loaded with cash). For the all time low price of five payments of 99. 89 dollars, Seymour Butts and his employees will personally take a stand at court and get their customer the money (and job) they deserve.The question everyone is wondering: How? Well, Seymour Butts and Wee Tard have come up with an evolutionary scheme to win at court. New tactics such as being extremely beautiful or us ing large words to validate your story have produced great results. These tactics are guaranteed to work EVERY TIME, 60 percent of the time! Lastly, LazyCase would solve the problems the unemployed cause for communities. Inadequate and low-quality housing and underfunded schools would no longer be an issue because the unemployed would now have a job to finance these funds.Studies show that unemployed persons also report less neighborhood belonging than their employed counterparts, which would reduce neighborhood safety and community well-being. With the lazy being provided with jobs, they will likely be too distracted to disrupt the community. LazyCase is a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of helping the people. None of the employees at LazyCase suffer from Lazy Syndrome so these protections aren’t benefitting the company, they are benefitting your fellow Americans. Unemployment Satire Unemployment rates are skyrocketing. According to the Internet, 12% of the U. S. population is unemployed. Unemployment not only effects the lives of the unemployed, but their families and communities too. The stress of unemployment can lead to declines in individual and family well-being and could potentially effect the outcomes of their children. Widespread unemployment in neighborhoods reduces resources, which may result in inadequate and low-quality housing, and underfunded schools. The question Americans everywhere are wondering: Whose to blame for all this long term employment?The people or the government? The fault is not that of the government, it is that of the people. The blame for long term employment should fall on the shoulders of those suffering from Lazy Syndrome. However, people suffering from Lazy Syndrome cannot help their chronic laziness and unwillingness to get a job. Many are unaware they even suffer from this disease until it is too late. The major symptoms of this disease are: not wanting to leave the couch, feeling inclined to put off work, and wishing to stay home and do nothing.Because of these symptoms, acquiring a job seems like too much effort and is often put off. Many high-paying jobs will refuse to hire them if they suffer from this disease. One study shows that people suffering from Lazy Syndrome have a whopping 50% chance of being unemployed. Even if they can acquire a job, studies show that men and women with this disease earn 15-20% less than those who are not infected. Seymour Butts, a professor of justice at the University of Colorado, is starting a law firm called LazyCase to protest against lazy discrimination.The Discrimination Act of 1966 provides legal protections for gender equality, race equality, pregnant women equality, and so much more! With a short extension of this act, people suffering from chronic laziness could make a living despite their disease limitations. Mr. Butts and his extremely intelligent colleague Wee Tard have already made legal protections in counties in Alaska, Alabama, and Arkansas. One customer, Ben Dover, happily stated â€Å"Going to LazyCase was the best decision of my life.LazyCase helped me get a high paying government job where I can continue to do nothing but still get payed! †. I will now humbly propose my own thoughts on the solution to unemployment as well as the solution to the discrimination against those suffering from Lazy Syndrome. I suggest that every unemployed person gets evaluated at the local doctor’s office in order to determine whether or not they are suffering from Lazy Syndrome. If that is the case (which it most likely will be), I suggest you confide in LazyCase.For first, stopping discrimination against the lazy not only benefits the lives of those suffering from chronic laziness, but it benefits the entire system of America. LazyCase provides the most radical and effective solution to unemployment. Because a significant amount of people with the lazy disability are unemployed, if given more rights and protections for getting jobs, unemployment rates would drop 70% according to prediction expert Harry Azzol. Secondly, LazyCase would improve the lives of the unemployed.Individuals who do not face unemployment report better mental health and more life satisfaction than those who experience unemployment and are under a lot of financial stress. Therefore, the world would be filled with much happier people, making it a much better place. Thirdly, LazyCase is extremely affordable (which is necessary because the unemployed are not loaded with cash). For the all time low price of five payments of 99. 89 dollars, Seymour Butts and his employees will personally take a stand at court and get their customer the money (and job) they deserve.The question everyone is wondering: How? Well, Seymour Butts and Wee Tard have come up with an evolutionary scheme to win at court. New tactics such as being extremely beautiful or us ing large words to validate your story have produced great results. These tactics are guaranteed to work EVERY TIME, 60 percent of the time! Lastly, LazyCase would solve the problems the unemployed cause for communities. Inadequate and low-quality housing and underfunded schools would no longer be an issue because the unemployed would now have a job to finance these funds.Studies show that unemployed persons also report less neighborhood belonging than their employed counterparts, which would reduce neighborhood safety and community well-being. With the lazy being provided with jobs, they will likely be too distracted to disrupt the community. LazyCase is a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of helping the people. None of the employees at LazyCase suffer from Lazy Syndrome so these protections aren’t benefitting the company, they are benefitting your fellow Americans.

The Jilting Of Granny Weatherall

The Jilting Of Granny Weatherall Ron Patel English III AP- VII February 4, 2002 As Death Approaches As death inevitably lurks over the horizon in Granny Weatherall?s mind, Katherine Anne Porter utilizes certain stylistic elements to amplify Granny?s cynical and sometimes regretful tone. These stylistic elements range from an array of buried diction, details, and other personal conceits of Granny Weatherall. As the story progresses, the facts and thoughts join in unison to further enlighten the audience to the true attitudes of the main character.Beneath Granny?s stream of consciousness, there lies simple yet illuminating diction that reveals the character?s ever-changing tones. To uncover the cynical attitude that boils inside Weatherall, the author employs such uncouth remarks like the word ?brat? to represent the caregiver, Doctor Harry. Granny continues her defiance by stating that Doctor Harry should ?leave a well woman alone? because ?I don?t throw my money away on nonsense.? It seems that Weatherall misunderst ands the practitioner?s good intentions and instead her cynicism infers that Doctor Harry has some ulterior motive to disrespect her seniority.Granny 2011The remaining conversation about money only adds to the bonfire of her pessimism and uncovers the extent of Granny?s distrust of her own family?s intent, especially Cornelia?s. Once inside Weatherall?s consciousness, Porter shifts hers diction into subtle gear to unmask Granny?s regretful tone. For example, the author writes ?for sixty years she had prayed against remembering him and against losing her soul in the deep pit of hell so ?don?t let your wounded vanity get the upper hand of you? because plenty of girls get jilted.? By employing such impressionable diction such as ?the deep pit of hell?, Porter almost creates a connotation minefield around Granny?s thoughts. Initially, these words are a verbal representation of the regret brought on by the jilting, but eventually Porter reveals another sorrow. In...

The Effects of Globalisation on Labour Markets, Productivity and Inflation Essays

The Effects of Globalisation on Labour Markets, Productivity and Inflation Essays The Effects of Globalisation on Labour Markets, Productivity and Inflation Essay The Effects of Globalisation on Labour Markets, Productivity and Inflation Essay The Effects of Globalisation on Labour Markets, Productivity and Inflation Nigel Pain, Isabell Koske OECD Meeting of Heads of National Economic Research Organisations at OECD Headquarters June 15 2007, Paris. Over the past decades international economic integration has proceeded rapidly. Trade in Goods and Services Exports plus imports to GDP (current US$) Foreign Direct Investment Assets plus liabilities to GDP (current US$) 300% 250% 200% 150% 100% 50% World OECD 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% OECD World Non-OECD Non-OECD 0% 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 0% 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Globalisation has been proceeding for many years. The pace of economic integration has been particularly marked since the mid1990s – suggesting structural changes in the impact may have occurred. 2 2 New developments that may have affected the impact of globalisation on OECD economies The marked increase in the extent and pace of integration since the mid-1990s The integration of China and India into the global economy – significantly boosting global labour supply Development of international production networks: the fragmentation of production across borders via international outsourcing and offshoring; international trade in tasks Foreign competition spreading into previously sheltered sectors and occupations via ICT-enabled offshoring and market entry. Financial globalisation Such developments, common to all OECD economies, have prompted a re-assessment of the impact of globalisation. Globalisation now affects particular tasks and occupations as 3 3 well as firms/sectors. The Globalisation and Structural Adjustment Project 2005-07 This had three main components: The macroeconomic effects of globalisation labour markets, inflation, policy challenges from the future evolution of globalisation. The sectoral impact of trade on labour markets The effects of the outsourcing of business services The project examined the policy challenges from: The spread of global trade production networks and IT-enabled global sourcing. The impact of non-OECD economies on commodity markets and competition pressures in the OECD. Financial globalisation. A final report was provided to Ministers in May 2007 4 4 The current phase of globalisation has coincided with structural reforms in OECD labour markets The impact of globalisation is occurring against a background of widespread reforms to labour market institutions (see the Restated OECD Jobs Strategy) – for example: Reductions in product market and labour market regulations Activation of the unemployed Increased responsiveness of wage setting to supply/demand pressures Reductions in tax wedges All these affect wage and employment outcomes. Other things being equal, they should have acted to reduce structural unemployment. Attempts to quantify the impact of globalisation have to allow for other (potentially endogenous) sources of structural change. 5 5 The labour share of GDP has fallen, but real wages have grown robustly in most OECD countries. Labour Income Shares 0. 7 0. 65 0. 6 0. 55 0. 5 0. 45 0. 4 1980 1 2 OECD economies (weighted average) Real Compensation per Employee 150 140 OECD1 USA JPN FRA 110 100 DEU 1980 1 Income share of labour 1 130 120 Income share of employees2 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Dependent employees and self-employed. Dependent employees (private and government sectors). Weighted average; country coverage varies according to data availability. The decline in the labour share began before the mid-1990s. In accounting terms, the labour share decline is due to labour productivity rising faster than real wages. 6 6 Real wage growth over the past decade is not correlated with trade openness. 5% 4% GRC POL ISL CZE NOR TUR PRT SWE GBR USA FIN DNK NZL KOR AUS CAN FRA CHE AUT JPN ESP DEU ITA MEX SVK HUN IRL BEL NLD Real wage growth1 3% 2% 1% 0% -1% -2% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 140% 160% Trade openness2 1Annual averages, 1995 to most recent observation. 2Exports plus imports to GDP, average 1995 – 2006. 7 Real wage growth was somewhat stronger in countries where openness rose the fastest. 5% 4% GRC NOR PRT SWE ISL POL CZE HUN Real wage growth1 3% TUR IRL SVK GBR 2% USA NZL DNK FIN KOR FRA AUS CAN BEL 1% AUT CHE NLD JPN DEU 0% ITA ESP -1% -2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% MEX LUX 12% Change in trade openness2 averages, 1995 to most recent observation. 2Percenta ge point change in the ratio of exports plus imports to GDP, average 1995 – 2006. 1Annual 8 8 Despite real wage growth, earnings inequality has risen, especially in the top half of the distribution. Earnings inequality in OECD countries P90, P50, and P10 denote the 90th, 50th, and 10th percentiles of the distribution of earnings for full-time employees. Source: OECD Employment Outlook (2007), forthcoming. Wages of more skilled workers have risen relative to those of less skilled workers, though not in all countries. This is one source of political concerns about globalisation. 9 9 Possible labour market impacts of trade and international production networks Lower-skilled tasks can be moved to lower (unit) cost locations potential productivity gains for domestic industries rising trade will coincide with rising skill-related premia Substitution of employment between home and host locations is more likely for cost-saving investments and the larger the host relative to the home country. Possible implications include: Domestic labour demand is more sensitive to domestic wages Employment adjusts more rapidly to changes in desired labour demand (via output, real labour costs, technical change etc. ) Firms have an exit option which, even if not exercised, raises the relative bargaining power of employers. Impact on wage bargains will depend on the preferences of those involved the level at which bargaining takes place. 10 10 Foreign affiliate employment rose relative to domestic employment between 1992-2003 in all sectors in the G3 Ratio of U. S. Foreign Affiliate Employment to Employment in the U. S. (%) Business Services Financial Services Telecoms Transportation Trade Transport Equipment Electrical Optical Machinery Metals Chemicals Pulp Paper Textiles Food, Beverages Tobacco 0. 0 10. 0 20. 0 30. 0 40. 0 50. 0 60. 0 70. 0 2003 1992 There are marked differences across sectors. The data for Japan and Germany show a similar pattern to the US. 11 11 Empirical evidence from the GSA project (and IMF work) suggests globalisation is affecting the labour market. No evidence of aggregate impact on employment levels or growth. Globalisation is one factor contributing to the decline in the labour income share and the rising returns for skilled workers. But it only accounts for a small part of these trends. Technological change and changes in labour market institutions are more important. Evidence for some industries, especially in manufacturing, that globalisation raises the wage elasticity of labour demand: Outward FDI raises the long-run wage elasticity of labour demand (0. 8%1. 0%) Trade raises the short-run wage elasticity of labour demand (0. 2% in mid1980s 0. % early 2000s) For the US, employment growth in US-owned foreign affiliates has positive correlation with employment at home; for Japan, the correlation is negative (controlling for sales and costs). 12 12 Globalisation also has positive effects on productivity levels and growth in OECD economies. Greater specialisation in areas of comparative advantage. Better access to foreign kno wledge (inward and outward FDI). Using intermediate inputs produced offshore may boost home productivity growth (Grossman and Rossi-Hansberg, 2006) Benefits of enhanced competitive pressure in product markets. The OECD Growth Project found that a 10% pt increase in trade openness was associated with a 4% rise in income per capita. Work for GSA (for 9 global regions) found that enhanced openness raises the rate of convergence of GDP per capita to US levels. Labour market work for GSA found evidence that outward FDI and the international outsourcing of intermediate inputs can raise productivity in home economies. 13 Summary of labour market impacts of globalisation (from trade and FDI – migration will add to these) Globalisation is associated with rising living standards The benefits are not shared automatically by all workers Globalisation is one factor generating structural change The ongoing globalisation process is one factor helping to dampen wage inflation and reduce the labour income share. These may be one-time changes, albeit prolonged. The higher wage elasticity of labour demand raises potential gains in employment from labour-market reforms, but also raises the potential volatility of workers labour market outcomes. Labour market developments are becoming more closely linked with those in other countries. One channel for global factors to influence domestic cost growth. Increasingly important to put policies in place to help labour market adjustment in OECD economies. 14 There are reasons to believe that the labour market challenges could increase further. Vertical multinationals production fragmentation become more likely as trade and communication costs fall and as location becomes possible in countries with different factor endowments. China India have significant reserves of underemployed labour. OECD estimates suggest that up to 20% of occupations in the major economies are potentially offshorable (high ICT content). 15 Globalisation has coincided with changes in the short-run association between labour market pressures wage growth. 15 ? Total Compensation per Employee (in %) 15 10 5 ? Total Compensation per Employee (in %) 10 1975-1984 1985-1994 1995-2006 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 -1 -0. 5 -5 0 0. 5 1 Unemployment Gap (in %) 1. 5 2 0 -2 -1 United States 15 ? Total Compensation per Employee (in %) 10 30 Japan ?Total Compensation 25 per Employee (in %) 20 15 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 0. 5 1 1. 5 2 2. 5 3 -2 -1 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 Unemployment Gap (in %) 4 5 6 0 -1 -0. 5 Euro Area United Kingdom 16 The lines are fitted regression lines through the actual quarterly data for the period. Globalisation has coincided with changes in the short-run association between labour market pressures unit cost growth. 15 ? ULC (in %) 15 10 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 -1 -0. 5 -5 30 25 20 15 ?ULC (in %) 10 1975-1984 1985-1994 1995-2006 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 0. 5 1 1. 5 2 0 -2 -1 United States 15 ? ULC (in %) Japan ?ULC (in %) 10 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 0. 5 1 1. 5 2 2. 5 3 3. 5 -2 -1 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 0 -1 -0. 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 5 6 7 Euro Area United Kingdom 17 The lines are fitted regression lines through the actual quarterly data for the period. Globalisation has coincided with changes in the short-run association between labour market pressures inflation. 15 ? PCP (in %) 15 10 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 -1 -0. 5 -5 0 0. 5 1 Unemployment Gap (in %) 1. 5 2 ? PCP (in %) 10 1975-1984 1985-1994 1995-2006 5 0 -2 -1 United States 15 ? PCP (in %) 30 25 20 15 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 0. 5 1 1. 5 2 2. 5 3 -2 -1 10 5 0 Japan ?PCP (in %) 10 0 -1 -0. 5 Unemployment Gap (in %) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Euro Area United Kingdom 18 The lines are fitted regression lines through the actual quarterly data for the period. Globalisation has coincided with changes in the relationship between labour market pressures inflation. The short-run Phillips curve has become more horizontal over time, both for labour costs and for price inflation. Also apparent using the change rather than the level of inflation. Movements in the unemployment (and output) gap have smaller effects on inflation than before. This can reflect many factors – globalisation, other structural labour market changes, better anchored inflation expectations and changes in monetary policy frameworks. The flattening of the Phillips curve began before globalisation accelerated in the mid-1990s: Better anchored inflation expectations may be more important. The role of globalisation is an empirical matter. Competition could even make prices more responsive to activity. 19 The impact of globalisation on price inflation is examined in Pain, Koske and Sollie (2006). The analysis has three steps: Calculation of the direct impact of rising lower-cost imports from emerging economies on inflation rates in selected OECD economies using a simple accounting framework. Analysis of the impact of global economic conditions on oil and non-oil commodity prices. Empirical analysis of the wider impact of globalisation on consumer prices in 21 OECD economies, over 1980-2005 Test whether inflation dynamics changed in the mid-1990s. Quantification of the impact of globalisation on prices and inflation through a scenario analysis that distinguishes the impact of non-commodity and commodity import prices. 20 [1] Main findings of the accounting analysis: The combined impact effect of lower-cost imports from China and other dynamic Asian economies has reduced domestic inflation by 0. percentage points per annum in the United States (from 1996 to 2005); by 0. 3 percentage points per annum in the euro area (from 2000 to 2005). Calculations from a number of studies (Federal Reserve, ECB) suggest that imports from lower cost producers have pushed down non-commodity import price inflation by between 1 and 2 percentage points per annum over the last decade. 21 [2] Gl obalisation and commodity prices: empirical results. Strong GDP growth in the non-OECD economies since 2000 has been an important factor behind the recent growth of real oil prices and real metals prices. A scenario analysis of setting the growth rate of non-OECD economies equal to the (lower) growth rate of the OECD economies from 2000 onwards reveals that oil prices would have been 20-40% lower than the baseline in the fourth quarter of 2005; real metals prices would have been 10% lower than the baseline. This removes some, but not all of the strong growth in oil and metals prices over recent years. 22 [3] The price equation estimated jointly (SUR) for 21 OECD countries using quarterly data for 1980-2005 is: ? ln P = ? + i,t 0i ? ? SH M SH ? ln P ? M ? [1 ? M ln P ] ln C ? ? 1i ? i,t ? 1 1i i, t ? 1 i, t ? 1 1i i,t ? 1 i,t ? 1 ? ? 4 4 4 M + ? ? ? ln P C + ? GAP + ? ? ji ? ln Pi,t ? j + ? ? ji ? ln Pi,t ? j +? ji i,t ? j 3i i,t ? 1 it j =1 j=0 j =0 P, PM and C denote consumer prices (CED), import prices of goods plus services and domestic unit labour costs MSH denotes the import share of domestic demand (rolling regressions without this term showed a rise in ? 1 over time) GAP is th e domestic output gap Cross-equation parameter restrictions imposed if data permits ? 1 found to be significantly larger from 1995Q1 onwards 23 3] The impact of globalisation on price inflation The long-run influence of import prices on domestic consumer prices has risen since the mid-1990s. This reflects two factors: a rise in import penetration in OECD economies; the impact of import competition on competitors’ prices. The impact of import prices on domestic consumer prices is larger in small open economies. The cyclical sensitivity of inflation to domestic economic conditions declined between 1981-1994 and 1995-2005. No robust significant additional impact from the global output gap. Global conditions are already reflected in import prices). The separate commodity and consumer price findings are combined in a set of scenario analyses. These show that ex-ante inflationary pressures in most OECD economies would have been moderately higher in the absence of globalisation 24 Impact on consumer price inflation from removing globalisation effects 2000-05. Average percentage point difference per annum Commodity . Non-commodity Component . component . Japan Canada OECD United States United Kingdom Germany France Euro Area Italy Net effect -0. 4 -0. 2 0. 0 0. 2 0. -0. 2 0. 0 0. 2 0. 4 Lower bound of commodity import price effect (20% oil, 10% metals) Upper bound of commodity import price effect (40% oil, 10% metals) Lower bound of non-commodity import price effect (1%) Upper bound of non-commodi ty import price effect (2%) Lower bound of net effect Upper bound of net effect Range of possible impact These estimates are for given labour costs. To the extent that globalisation also affected labour cost growth, the net implicit disinflationary impact of globalisation may be even higher. 25 Concluding comments and issues for discussion [1] Globalisation is clearly affecting labour market outcomes in the OECD, and also domestic price inflation. Can the various impacts can be expected to persist for some time? The existing impact appears modest – will it rise in the future? Estimating underlying inflationary pressures is more complicated: Globalisation affects commodity and non-commodity prices The flatter Phillips curve raises the difficulties of identifying where the economy is relative to potential. Does this have implications for the conduct of monetary policy? 26 Concluding comments and issues for discussion [2] Globalisation raises the need for labour market flexibility (job reallocation) but also raises fears about job insecurity and widening earnings inequality. What are the appropriate policies to deal with these concerns? Enhancing potential job creation and labour market adjustment: greater product market competition reduced employment protection legislation Education/training policies to equip workers with general skills Direct adjustment assistance to displaced workers: Transitional income support (and health coverage) Full occupational pension portability Active labour market programmes for updating skills and improving job search. 27

Fashion in Pop Culture Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fashion in Pop Culture - Assignment Example The women also wore hip huggers; these were jeans that sat inches below the normal waistline. The jeans were known as dungarees and were usually amazingly tight. The ladies who sported them were fervent to decorate them with studs or embroidery. Some owners even bleached them to vary the color. Skirts and dresses in the ‘60s and ‘70s were in 3 lengths: the mini dress which barely reached the knee; the midi which reached between the ankle and the knee; and the maxi that reached the floor. All teenage girls wanted a mini dress like the one of Marcia Brady (Wertz 17).Young men admired the gleaming white 3-piece Saturday Night Fever suit of John Travolta (Classic70s). It looked fashionable as portrayed in the media. How Media Influenced Fashion in Pop Culture in the ‘80s There is no other fashion decade that has been more influenced by the media, particular movies, and TV than the 1980s. This decade was the MTV generation. Together with the twenty-four hour television broadcasting of music videos, TV shows including Bill Cosby Comedy Show, Miami Vice and Dynasty, and movies such as Pretty in Pink and Flashdance set the tone of fashion. This decade was also a period of decadence, and the mantra â€Å"the bigger, the better† that influenced hairstyles on a grand scale was prominent (Dziemianowicz). In conjunction with the above-mentioned influencers of the 1980s fashion, former Princess Diana’s love of fashion brought in a blood-thirst for designer clothing – Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Perry Ellis and Nolan Miller became household names. Popular icons, such as Michael Jackson with his beaded glove, Madonna and Material Girl, were also major influencers. Image 7: Designer clothing such as Calvin Klein were well known in the ‘80s (Dziemianowicz). Image 8: Madonna and Princess Diana were major influencers of women and young girls globally in the ‘80s (Mazzulo). Glasses with plastic and large frames were very fashionable for both men and women during the decade. Image 9: Sylvester Stallone with ‘80s glasses that were in fashion (Hanckock) How Media Portrayed Fashion in Pop Culture in the ‘90s In the 1990s, fashion in pop culture started with a mix of preppie, grunge and hip hop. The media through the music industry, Hollywood, and television gr eatly influenced fashion in pop culture during this decade (Horton 23). The industry influences were so potent that ladies went for plastic surgeries for the Baywatch inspired boob job. Image 10: Trendy fashion in pop culture during the ‘90s (Wertz). Image 11: Mini dresses and skirts were popular among

British Petroleume Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

British Petroleume - Essay Example In the United States, BP expanded its operations through the acquisition of US Standard Oil Company (Longhurst, 23-27). BP has made considerable efforts to make sure that it continues to diversify within the energy markets other than the petroleum products. It also has a 50 % stake in the solar energy company it purchased from Enron, the BP Solarex. The company markets its products to about a hundred different countries. Its turnover exceeded over US $ 239 billion in 2009 and it employs a diverse group of over 92,000 individuals. British Petroleum (BP) became Britain’s largest and the world’s third largest oil exploration company, after its acquisition of Amoco. BP focuses on the exploration and production of natural gas and oil products. It has achieved economies of scale in various segments of its business and has vertically integrated over the last two decades. The company is involved in refining oil products, marketing its own products, and handling the transportation of its products to merchandisers. Moreover, the company also markets the by-products of crude oil produced during the refining process. It is involved in the production of acetyl products, aromatics and certain polyester intermediaries. The exploration business conducts research and locates oil and natural gas sites. Once located a cost-benefit analysis determines if drilling is feasible. Once feasibility has been determined, BP engineers work on field development, after which drilling of crude oil commences. Then the crude oil moves to the refining sites. BP performs all these mid-stream and up-stream tasks by itself. Alternative energy business segment focuses on developing new technologies. It is successfully catering energy needs through production of solar and wind energy. Research on bio-fuel products is also underway and other alternative sources of energy are being developed and marketed. A key objective