Essay --

Islam does non define only the spiritual side of the life, plainly besides material side.Muslim civilization played a significant role in the history of the creation and continues to have quiet an influence on the modernistic world . Today, there are over 1 billion Muslims all over the world more than 40 countries are members of the organization of the Islamic Conference. thither are whatsoever(prenominal) Muslim diasporas in Europe, around 15 million people , and around 6 million people in the United States. irrelevant other modern civilizations, Islam is not directly linked to any region, but covers almost the entire modern world. Where people belong to varied cultures, races, traditions and languages. And despite the situation that it is difficult to speak of a common historical destiny of the Muslims, Islam still acts as a unity in diversity.However, this civilization solidarity is not non- conflict . It does not exist in a pure form and is more likely to be viewed a s a result of cross-cultural interaction between different civilizations , value, political ideas, the way of life, the foundations of which are rooted in Islam . This civilization is one of the most viable world religions , and it dynamically adapts to the traditions of the various peoples. However, the Islam religion is connected with many serious problems. Since 1967, the media and the research literature has often used the term Muslim factor, after the Iranian revolution in 1979 became associated with Islam a threat to world order , and in the 80s with the danger of extremism and terrorism , up to the conclusions that the entire Muslim civilization is a potential source of conflict in the world today. moreover a closer look at the Islam shows us, that in assessing the role of Islam, the stereot... ...ot achieved , contractors are not allowed to operate freely . And they expect that the government will take resources from the gamey and give it to the poor. Therefore, the mo ral aspects are an essential element of the difference between the market economy and Islamic concepts .The Islamic market is being very profitable, but the effectiveness of the operations has been relatively limited due to lack of development of the business unit due to the short existence of the moderm history.As of now, we can regularize that the process of forming the national government identity of Muslim countries is not yet complete. It is being affected by radical religious and social changes, that doesnt allow us to speak about the Muslim world being ready to walk side by side with other civilizations. However, we cannot ignore the obvious breakthrough of some individual Arab countries.

George Orwells Animal Farm Essay -- George Orwell Animal Farm Essays

George Orwells Animal Farm Mollie- Represents the rich and noble of Russia at the time (esp. theCzar and his family). Those who fled Revolutionist Russia, be becomethey had had a discontinue bread and butter beforehand, and were un-willing to acceptchange.The messages that Orwell is trying to express through Mollie aredirectly opposite to the actions which are displayed through Benjamin.Although they were both unwilling to accept change, their actions were rattling different. The message that Orwell is conveying through Mollie isthat you shouldnt just quit because things get tough.Quotes- Mollie, the foolish, pretty white mare. page2Will there smooth be sugar after the uprising? page10Mollie refused to learn any but the six letters that made up her ownname.page20In the end, however, she was found hiding in her stall with her headburied among the hay in her manger. She had taken flight as soon asthe gun went off page27First page and a 1/4 of chapter five, page 28Benjamin- No direc t character link to the Russian revolution, but veryclosely linked to the members of the older generation who weresuspicious of the revolution, and set in their ways. They had foundthat life was hard, whatever happened, and so did nothing to try andchange it.Benjamin is the original stubborn mule, he is not fooled by Napoleonspropaganda, or the promises that life will be better for him. He knowsthat life is tough, and nothing will ever change that. However, Orwellis trying to communicate that you shouldnt always give voice nothing, thatwhen you really feel for a cause (e.g., Benjamin with the death ofBoxer) you should always speak out.Quotes- Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm, and th... ...the public, the government can control the country a lot easier.There are still examples of such extreme propaganda which have gone onin the recent past. For example, the Gulf war in the early 1990sescalated so quickly, mainly due to contrast propaganda. Thegovernment of Iraq were tell ing its public that the Europeans were onKuwaits side, and that they were only doing it so that they couldhave Kuwaits oil. The Europeans didnt realise why having the landthat Kuwait owned was so important to the hoi polloi of Iraq.Another message conveyed by Orwell through Squealer is that everyoneshould have freedom of speech. By progressing the novel so that theanimals eventually become slaves of the pigs, and dont have a say intheir lives, Orwell is expressing his view that if only the strong gettheir voice heard, the weak will eventually loose out.

Thomas Mores Utopia as a Social Model Essays -- Thomas More Utopia

Thomas Mores Utopia as a Social Model In his famous work Utopia, Sir Thomas More describes the society and civilisation of an imaginary island on which all social ills have been cured. As in Platos Republic, a work from which More drew while writing Utopia, Mores work presents his ideas finished a dialogue between two characters, Raphael Hythloday and More himself. Hythloday is a fictional character who describes his recent voyage to the paradisal island of Utopia. Through step forward the work, Hythloday describes the laws, customs, system of government, and way of purport that exist in Utopia to an incredulous and somewhat condescending More. Throughout the work, Hythloday presents a society organized to overcome the flaws of human nature. This society has been carefully thought out by More -- as the author of the work -- to help avoid the problems associated with human nature. Individual human appetites are controlled and balanced against the needs of the community as a whole . In other words, More attempts to describe a society in which the seven deadly sins are even up by other motivations narrow down up by the government and society as a whole. More seems to think that the seven deadly sins will be fairly easy to overcome. Pride, for instance, is counterbalanced in several ways in his social system. For instance, he makes sure that all people wear the same clothing, except that the varied genders wear different styles, as do married and unmarried people. More also makes individuals fairly interchangeable within the social system -- one carpenter, for instance, seems to be more or less like another to him, and can find work anywhere that carpenters are needed. He also says that the Utopians encourage their ci... ...en consumed by lust for power delinquent to the way in which he was raised, others in his society would have been. No society can control the motivations of all individuals involved to such a peak as to completely eliminate power-lus t in all of its members. Mores Utopia, then, presents a nice theory, but one too abstract, too Platonic, too rationalistic, and with too little mind of real human motivations to be workable. However, it is hardly a useless or worthless work -- it contains many profound psychological insights, quite a while of humor, and many very good points. I doubt that it is workable as a complete social system, however. Works Cited More, Sir Thomas. Utopia. New York Washington Square Press, 1965. Marlowe, Christopher. The disaster of Doctor Faustus. Ed. Louis B. Wright. New York Washington Square Press, 1959.

Feminism: A Fight for Human Rights Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive

AbstractThis hear explores the concept of feminism as a human right rather than merely a struggle of American women to secure equal opportunity and salaries in the corporate world. Without denying the importance of such achievements, the facet of feminism that is explored for the most part is the ability for women around the world to be treated as human. Not only be women denied rights such as the opportunity to be educated or to earn money to feed their children, moreover they are considered property and subject to abuse. The central concept portrayed in this essay is that as women climb the ladder in the struggle to eliminate glass ceilings in the corporate world, we must not leave vast numbers at the bottom, still struggling to be considered human. The essay explores writings on women?s issues from sources including the Bible, Virginia Woolf, and doorbell Hooks enabling observations from diverse times and cultures to be explored. Often our society is oblivious to what is happening in other countries or even other neighborhoods, this essay is a reminder.Feminism A Human RightFeminism, as thought by many Americans, is not just a movement to create high-level jobs in the corporate world and equal salaries for women, although that component must not be disregarded. Women around the world are being treated as cast down class citizens if citizens at all. Meena was a woman born in Kabul who was murdered in 1987 for her work with the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, also known as RAWA. Meena and other members of RAWA fought for the right to earn money to feed their children, the right of literacy and knowledge, the right to leave their homes without permission from their husband, let alone the rig... ...Http//www.amnestyusa.ort/news/2002/kenya03082002.html.Marder, Herbert. Feminism and Art. Chicago U of Chicago P., 1968.Meena. ?I?ll Never Return.? Payam-e-Zan, Issue No. 1. 1981. RAWA. 20 Oct. 2002 .?Nigeria, Death by Stoning Uph eld in the Case of Nigerian Woman Amina Lawal.? Amnesty transnational U.S.A. 20 Aug. 2002. Amnesty International. 15 Oct. 2002 .?Pakistan, Tribal Councils Must Stop Taking Law Into Their Own Hands.? Amnesty International U.S.A. 5 July 2002. Amnesty International. 15 Oct. 2002 .Woolf, Virginia. A Room of One?s Own. New York Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1929.Yoder, John Howard. The Politics of Jesus. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1994.

Essay examples --

YENTL, the sportsman now in production at the Cleveland Play House, is based on Isaac Bashevis Singers short story, YENTL, THE YESHIVA BOY. The play had a short Broadway run in 1975, but the story is best known to the global public because of the film version, which was written, produced and directed by and starred Barbara Streisand. The storey centers on Yentl, a girl whose father, a learned Orthodox Rabbi, defies religious custom and teaches his daughter to read and debate Jewish law and theology. When he dies, she is at a loss as to how to continue to learn, to achieve. She cuts off her hair, dresses as a young man, enters a yeshiva (a religious training school), and lives as a man. Her fantastic friendship with Avigdor, her study partner, and marriage to Hadass, Avigdors former fianc, sets the story on a track of intrigue. To truly understand YENTL, requires a knowledge of Orthodox Judaism as practiced in the shetls (villages) of pre-World War II eastern Europe, as heart y as Isaac Bashevis Singer.Orthodox Judaism centers on the belief in one, all knowing God, and estimation to a strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah. The belief system in Eastern Europe, before the Holocaust, intertwined religious laws with traditions, mysticism and superstitions. These beliefs carried over into patterns of daily manners and influenced such things as the foods eaten, the patterns for birth and marriage and death, the clothing worn, and the role of males and females.Singer lived for much of his formative years in a Polish/Russian shtetl, and was well trained in all aspects of Orthodox Judaism. The winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Singer, like his greatest literary influences, Chekhov ... ... three times through forked fingers when they are discussing a positive action, such as a marriage or a birth. This is an old superstitious action to ward off the meesa meshina, the evil spirit.) But, production questions abound. Depending on which area a person comes from, pronunciations differ. But the Hebrew pronunciations should have been uniform to represent that these people are from the same place. Why the great variance of Hebrew sounds? Most of the cast speaks in standard English, representing commonality of language, but one cast member uses an indefinable accent and overplays his part for laughs. Why?A general air of superficiality invades the production. Why? Unless done with reality, the play loses its tam (Yiddish for taste), fringes on mockery of the way of life being depicted, and weakens the accomplishment of the authors purpose.

Essay examples --

YENTL, the good turn now in production at the Cleveland Play House, is based on Isaac Bashevis Singers short story, YENTL, THE YESHIVA BOY. The play had a short Broadway run in 1975, but the story is best known to the usual public because of the film version, which was written, produced and directed by and starred Barbara Streisand. The floor centers on Yentl, a girl whose father, a learned Orthodox Rabbi, defies religious custom and teaches his daughter to read and debate Jewish law and theology. When he dies, she is at a loss as to how to continue to learn, to achieve. She cuts off her hair, dresses as a young man, enters a yeshiva (a religious training school), and lives as a man. Her queer friendship with Avigdor, her study partner, and marriage to Hadass, Avigdors former fianc, sets the story on a track of intrigue. To truly understand YENTL, requires a knowledge of Orthodox Judaism as practiced in the shetls (villages) of pre-World War II eastern Europe, as strong as I saac Bashevis Singer.Orthodox Judaism centers on the belief in one, all knowing God, and union to a strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah. The belief system in Eastern Europe, before the Holocaust, intertwined religious laws with traditions, mysticism and superstitions. These beliefs carried over into patterns of daily animation and influenced such things as the foods eaten, the patterns for birth and marriage and death, the clothing worn, and the role of males and females.Singer lived for much of his formative years in a Polish/Russian shtetl, and was well trained in all aspects of Orthodox Judaism. The winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Singer, like his greatest literary influences, Chekhov ... ... three times through forked fingers when they are discussing a positive action, such as a marriage or a birth. This is an old superstitious action to ward off the meesa meshina, the evil spirit.) But, production questions abound.Depending on which area a person comes from, pronunciations differ. But the Hebrew pronunciations should have been uniform to represent that these people are from the same place. Why the great variance of Hebrew sounds? Most of the cast speaks in standard English, representing commonality of language, but one cast member uses an indefinable accent and overplays his part for laughs. Why?A general air of superficiality invades the production. Why? Unless done with reality, the play loses its tam (Yiddish for taste), fringes on mockery of the way of life being depicted, and weakens the accomplishment of the authors purpose.

Religious Discrimination Essay

Religious discrimination under Title VII as defined by the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) involves treating a person unfavorably because of his or her religious tones. The law protects non only mountain who belong to traditional, organized religions but also others who check sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs. The law forbids discrimination on the basis of religion in any and all aspects of employment. This includes hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, and benefits.Title VII also prohibits workplace segregation ground on religion, practically(prenominal) as assigning an employee to a non-customer strive position because of actual or presumed customer preference. Title VII also addresses reasonable accommodation in relation to religion. The law requires that the employer must reasonably prevail an employees religious beliefs or practices, unless doing so would cause more than a minimal burden on the employer s business.For example, if an employee needs to be off work on Sunday mornings to regularly attend church services it would be the responsibility of the employer to reasonably attempt to accommodate this need. An accommodation for this could include paying a nonher employee to remain the Sunday morning shift, even if it requires paying overtime. Or the employer could hire an additional employee to be able to cover the shift. Since Title 7 of the United States Civil Rights make appear was passed in 1964 in that respect have been several judicial last(a)es that have molded the way this law in interpreted and applied.The first such court gaucherie that I came across was the fortune of Welsh V. United States which brought into question what types of beliefs can be used to obtain conscientious objector status when being selected to go to war. In this quality the prosecutor was convicted of refusing to accept induction into the armed forces he did claim conscientious objector st atus but did not base this decision off religion. He did not claim to believe in a deity that would morally keep him from fighting in a war, he sooner asserted his own personal moral opposition to any conflict in which people are being killed.He alleged that the sincerity of his belief should qualify him for exemption from military duty under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. The Act allowed only those people whose opposition to the war was based on religious beliefs to be declared conscientious objectors. However in a 5-3 decision the court allowed Welsh to be declared a conscientious objector even though his opposition was not based on religious convictions. The implication this case has on Human Resources Management is that HR staff office must be aware of the broad scope of beliefs that will be protected under Title 7.Whereas before this case only majorly defined religions such as Judaism and Catholicism would be protected you now see religions such as scientolo gy seeking protection under the law. Another relevant case would be Seshadri v. Kasraian which established that an employee bringing a religious discrimination claim does not need to belong to an established church. Another case that has shaped this law and force human resource management was Campos v. City of Blue Springs.In April 1996 Campos was hired as a crisis counselor for the Blue Springs Police De vocalisationments younker Outreach Program (YOU). At the time she did not have the advanced degree as required by the written job description, but her executive program told her that she would have until February 1997 to obtain her degree and guarantee her position. She was also guaranteed via verbal contract that she would be paid an extra $10,000 per year for support group work, she would be a aggroup leader within three months, and she would be an assistant director within six months of starting her full-time employment.She began working in October 1996, enjoying her job unt il she disclosed to her supervisor that she observes tenets of Native American Spirituality, not Christianity. Campos claimed that immediately her supervisors behavior towards her changed she was unfriendly and critical, excluded her from employee meetings, and told her that she may not have been a good fit for the job. afterward failing to show up to work due to attending a mandatory meeting to obtain her dissertation, which was required by her employer, Campos received so much scrutiny from her supervisor that she resigned.After her resignation, Campos filed suit against the City, alleging that she suffered from employment discrimination based upon her religion, sex, and national origin. The charges of sex and national origin discrimination were eliminated, and the case was submitted to the jury on the theory that Campos was constructively discharged because of her religion. On April 13, 2001, the jury awarded Campos $79,200 for back pay and compensatory damages. The district cou rt denied the Citys Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, or in the Alternative, for a New Trial, and awarded Camposs attorneys 90,556. 20 in fees and $11,825. 41 in expenses.This case has implications on Human Resources Management instantly because it establishes that employment decisions cannot be made based on whether or not an employee or potential employee agrees or disagrees with the employers religious views. One relevant business that comes to perspicacity is Chik Fil A and their openly Christian beliefs. Even though they include Christian values in the core content of their mission statement and business propose they know that they cannot make any employment decisions based on religious affiliation.In Eatman V.United Parcel Service in 2002 the companys insurance of requiring its drivers that had unconventional pigstyles to turn in hats was called into question. The plaintiff was required by the company to wear a hat while on the clock because his blurstyle of choice was dreadlocks, a hairstyle where sections of hair are hand-rolled together in tight, interwoven spirals.After putting a lot of thought into the decision, Eatman, who is black, began wearing locks in February 1995 as an outward expression of an upcountry commitment to his Protestant faith as well as his Nubian belief system. At this same time he also became enlightened about locked hair and its connection to African identity and heritage. The position that his supervisor at UPS took on his hair was that the company uses common sense to determine which hairstyles are not solemn he finds ponytails, Mohawks, green hair, carved shapes, and locked hairshort or longunacceptable. And there were currently 19 other drivers at this particular UPS that were required to wear hats to cover their unconventional hairstyles, including others that had dreadlocks.Even though Eatman claimed that the policy was discriminatory the jury did not rule in his favor. It was ruled that Eatmans hairstyle w as dictated by a personal choice. Nowhere in his religious texts did it dictate in any way that followers of the faith must wear their hair uncovered in dreadlocks. The implications of this case are actually pro employer and pro Human Resource Manager. It shows that not all(prenominal) claim that an employee makes based off of religious need has to be immediately catered to.There are cases where the request can be frivolous and off topic of religion, in which case the employer does not need to go out of their way to make accommodations. Another very interesting court case that I came across was EEOC v. Union Independiete De La Autoridad De Acueductos y Alcantarillados De Puerto Rico. I found this case to be very interesting because it stipulates that employees cannot pick and choose which parts of their religion they wish to follow and which ones they do not. In this case the issue was whether or not a Seventh day Adventists objection to union membership was the product of a since rely held belief.Although the religious foundation of the Seventh day Adventist faiths opposition to union membership has long been recognized, there was evidence that this employee often acted in a manner inconsistent with his professed religious beliefs. He was divorced, took an imprecation before a notary upon becoming a public employee, worked five days a week (instead of the six days required by his faith), and there was some evidence that the alleged conflict between his beliefs and union membership was a moving target.This case seemed important because is forces the employee to prove that religion is vital part of their life. It keeps them from claiming that they are Christian for the sole purpose of being off on Christmas, or from claiming that they are Catholic only to be off on Easter. It not only keeps people from faking being religious but it also helps to ensure the sanctity of those who actually are as religious as they claim to be. And the final court case that I fo und addresses sincerely held beliefs that have not always been there but can conceivably come about.In the case of E. E. O. C. v. Ilona of Hungary, Inc. an employee sincerely believed that she should refrain from working on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur even though she had not frequently celebrated Jewish holidays in the past. Her rise in faith was brought on by recent family events such as the passing of her mother-in-law and father, the birth of her son, and her husbands rising faith. The court decided that these were significant seemly to have caused a change in lifestyle and that she did believably have a real change of faith.After reviewing all of the cases mentioned above, along with numerous others, I have found that the topic of religion isnt nearly as black and white as most would assume. There are many grayness areas What constitutes religion, how do you know if someone legitimately believes in their religion, and what aspects of someones lifestyle are pertinent to th eir claimed religion are just a hardly a(prenominal) examples of where courts have to make a decision that will affect the way this topic is viewed for years to come.With the world become more and more diversified every day the topic of religion and all others under title 7 will continue to be tested and pushed to their limits. It is the job of the Human Resources Management aggroup to be on high alert of potential discrimination cases and have all employees properly trained on these matters to ensure it does not happen at their company.

How health and saftey is moniterd and maintained Essay

Assessment CriteriaThe learner can1. Describe the factors to take into account when plan healthy and safe indoor(a) and outdoor environments and services.There atomic number 18 many factors to consider when planning a healthy and safe indoor or outdoor activity. Such asHow quondam(a) is the tikeWhat abilities has the child, do they have any special wants The function and purpose of the service to the childThe duty of c be to the childThe desire outcomes for the childSpecific risks to individuals, such as pregnancy, sensory impairments Lines of responsibility and accountabilityIt is important when an activity is planned that you choose the best environment for it to take place. E.G. if I planning a bike sit activityThe appropriate place for this to take place would be outside, not indoors due to lack of space etc.I would also need to be aware of weather because it is an outdoor activity and rain or fine, hot or cold need divergent considerations and equipment roughtimes resul ting in the activity being changed or alternative precondition.I would consider the age and abilities of the child and male surely the correct bike was chosen checking it was in honourable safe working order.I would check that the compass that was going to be ridden on was and even surface suitable for bike riding and free from obstacles including passing cars and vehicles that might interfere with a safe ride.I would check the child understood that they could only ride in agreed area where i can observe them at all times.I would ensure that there was constant supervision of the child throughout the activity, making sure plentiful staff were available to meet these necessarily.That the child has the correct safeguard equipment (gloves, helmet etc)I would evaluate and consider every risk and avoid them as far a contingent but be aware that it is not always possible to control certain risk.2. condone how health and safety is monitored and maintained and how people in the wor k setting are made aware of risks and hazards and encouraged to work safelyHealth and safety is monitored and maintained byRoutine health and safety checks and assessments to be completed by all appropriate members off staff.Staff completing their assessment/and or checklist for all activities,inside,outside, during visits, trips and outingsAll staff make good tanning in health and safety and are aware off company policies and procedures.All staff understand how to complete risk assessments and record accurately as well as being able to record + report accidents and incidents.Checking that police and procedures are reviewed regularlyMaking sure everyone in the setting are aware off risk + hazards, this could be by induction training of staff, also buy further training to staff.By making sure that children receive safety education in a way that their age and ability understandThere should be a designated h&s officer in your workplaceThe officer should make regular checks of your wor k placeIf and risk are seen and there are concerns, we have a communication book, intranet and team meetings to discuss. site up warning signs if needed3. Understand how to support children and young people to assess and manage risk for themselves.Any activity a child does involes some sort of risk, but if well organized and planned, and risked considered then risk of accident or injury should be greatly reduced. It is really important when thinking round risk assessments not to over protect a child.To give a child life skills they have to learn to manage some risks by themselves and need to know their own limitations and boundaries.It is therefore necessary for staff etc not to over protect a child, but allow them as safely as possible to release and understand specific risks and giving them the ability to recognize risk and choose for themselves without guidance.Every child is an individual with their own age, set of specific inescapably and abilities. All of this must always be considered in anything to do with the child including activates.The different needs of families and careers must be consideredMake sure it is understood why you are using the environment chosen, what the child might expect from the activity.You must always have the childs safety and welfare considered first of all when system an activity. It is a legal obligation for you to provide a duty of care to the child.Outcomes from the activity such as skills learnt, pleasure and enjoyment and independence, must be weighed up against risk, and these aims and objectives identified as being suitable for the child concerned.How long the child is going to be at the settingWhich areas of the setting they have access to jeopardize assesses activities and the environment, making sure it is suitable for the all the children involved and take extra care when a child has a disability and also with new activities.4. Explain how current health and safety legislation, policies and procedures are implem ented In own work setting or service.All staff follow the standards of the Health and recourse at work Act 1974.It is the employers responsibility to put policies and procedures into place that meet these standards.It is the employees responsibility to follow and work by these policies and proceduresBy making sureAll staff have CRB checks, induction training, regular training sessions and supervisions.All equipment is stored appropriately and regularly checked to make sure it is safe and fit for purpose. The needs and abilities of all children are met through maintaining adequate facilities and environment Hazards materials and equipment is locked away and COSHH procedures followed.Gloves are used when dealing with body fluid to prevent cross infectionSystems are in place to ensure safety of children at all times i.e. fire, accidents and illness procedures including reporting and recording.Staff are trained in first countenance and able to deal with minor injuriesThere are adequat e first aid boxes and fire extinguishers in correct placeStaff are given guidance and training on how to protect themselves, including manual handling and restraintStaff attend regular mandatory courses on health and safety, food hygiene, first aid administering medication and restraint (team teach).Staff attend regular staff meetings to keep up with any safety issues and updatesRegular risks assessments are carried out and updated

Influence on the General Motors Corporation Essay

This report analyzes the primary internal and external operate on the widely distributed Motors mickle and the figure out of ever- changing semi governmental surroundings on policy making and chemical reaction of the corporation. Then the report discusses the changing semi semipolitical environment in and its influence. The influences of political environment on policies and decision making to the corporation ar analyse. The corporation response to the political environment changing is critically evaluated. At last, some improvement jot for the corporation in the response of the changing political environment is demonstrated.Introduction global Motors raft is the greatst move manufactures in the cosmos. The corporation, which is located in Detroit, employs more than 260 millions people and sells cars and trucks in active 35 countries. The corporation has a dominant influence in automobile mart in the United States and early(a) developed market such as the United King dom, Canada and so on. The corporation as well as enjoys a large market sh are in the rapid growing market of developing countries such as China and Brazil. However, the corporation is in face of changing internal and external environment.Discussion and AnalysisIn the first part of the report, the primary internal and external influence is analyzed fol unhopefuling the SWOT Matrix, which is a modern-day tool for analysis of internal and external environment. In the SWOT Matrix, the S stands for strengths, W for weaknesses, O for opportunities, and T for affrights. The strengths and weaknesses are the analysis of internal influence while the opportunities and threats stand for the influence of external environments. In the following part of the report, the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats that invite influence of the geological formation is discussed one by one.Internal influence StrengthsThis piece analyzes the internal strengths of the corporation. The usual M otors are rich in brands and product lines. The worldwide Motors fraternity acquired and mergers many brands and auto companies in the azoic stage of its history. The common Motors Corporation acquired Buick and Oldsmobile later on it is founded. Then it brought Cadillac, Elmore and Oakland and so on. As a result, the corporation owns many brandswhich are fit for antithetical segmented markets. compare to Fords only providing black Model T cars in the early years the general Motors Corporation provides various models, colors and brands for variant markets. For example, the pragmatical and economical Chevrolet are designed for entry level consumers, the Buick are make for middle class buyer and luxury Cadillac for high end consumers. (Warell, 2008) The advantage of multi brands scheme is to satisfy the unavoidably and wants of different group of consumers to enter more segmented markets. The multi brands make GM a giant automaker and enjoys large market share.The General Mo tors Corporation has the strength that it governs the advance technology and has an influencing power in the distribution personal credit line. The General Motors Corporation has developed for a century since it is founded in 1908. During the time, the technology and fetch influence is accumulating and increasing. The technology is of great importance in the motor industry, but the technology accumulating needs a long period. The General Motors Corporation now governs the go technology that it can make more sophisticated automobiles which are more durable, more safety, and have a rapider speed. On the other hand, the General Motors Corporation has a dominant power in the distribution channel. The General Motors Corporation has been the top automobile manufacturer for a long time accordingly it has a sanitary bargaining power in the distribution channel. The corporation can distribute it product in the United States and all around the world. The technology and distribution chann el can be a great assistant in the further development of the organization.Internal influence WeaknessesThis section analyzes the internal weaknesses of the corporation. One of the most epoch-making weaknesses is that the speak to of work is too high. The Japanese automakers such as Toyota are dangerous competitors for the General Motors Corporation and the have scrambled for quite a large part of market shares if the GM in America and the global markets. The Japanese competitors cut tweak the constitute tremendously by lean production. However, the production cost is still high in the General Motors Corporation. And the inefficiency of production cause the high price of its automobiles and the market share shrinks accordingly.(Coffey, 2005) Especially in face of the financial crisis, the General Motors Corporation has much to learn form lean production to cut down its production prices.The bureaucratic culture is another weakness in the corporation. The General Motors Corporat ion employs more than 260 millions staff, which composes a huge and complex organization. The General Motors Corporation had taken the lead in organization. For example, the corporation had injected into matrix organization that combined the in operation(p) and project patterns of department in the same corporation in early years. The General Motors Corporation overly organized with strategic business unit that classified products and product lines in the same independent business department in ahead of other corporations. The decentralization makes each department a profit centre. However, after ages of development the departments and business units concerns more on their own benefits and function bureaucratic. The well defined division of departments and united became deficiency and resistance to change. Formal and informal networks create in the corporation. The bureaucratic culture is accumulating and hander the further development of the corporation.External influence Oppor tunitiesThis section analyzes the external opportunities of the corporation. The emerging markets of developing countries provide a great fortune for the General Motors Corporation. The market of developed countries is fully covered and closed to saturation in the modern days. For example, in the United States there are two cars in a family in average so the market can not keep a rapid growing rate. On the country, market in developing countries shows their potency. The sales volume in China and Brazil is second only to the market of the United States. Many international automaker groups are scrambling for these markets. The large and potential markets of developing countries will provide opportunities for the corporation.The achievement in technology is a great opportunities for the General Motors Corporation. The technology makes breakthrough achievement in fields of program line, manufacturing, provoke and so on. The advance of informationtechnology and implementation of man agement information system make it possible to collect and analysis accurate data and information all around the huge organization. The computers and instant communication tool help the corporation to organize and manage the furnish chain. The unused methods in manufacturing, such as lean production, can ontogenesis the efficiency of production while cutting down the cost. The leading edge achievement on fuel and young nada engine can lift the upgrade of automobiles. The General Motors Corporation is huge enough to afford the cost of R&D center and the implement of new technology, which in turn can raise the competency of the corporation. (Sengi et al, 2004)External influence ThreatsThis section analyzes the external threats of the corporation. The increasingly growing price of petroleum is a threat to the General Motors Corporation. On the one hand, consumers turn to other transport tools when they can not afford the high petro price. On the other hand, they want to purchase efficacy saving automobiles. Many products of the General Motors Corporation are large in size and heavy in weight and they are high fuel ingestion motors. The fluctuation of oil price has a negative effect on the sales volume of the automobile of the General Motors Corporation. Some political af whitees such as wars and conflictions in the Middle East, the oil shock caused by OPEC with economic and political purpose, the environment security system organizations anti-automobile movement and so on, enhance the threats of oil price turbulence.The competition, both in the United States and the global market, is a vital threat to the General Motors Corporation. There are three automaker giants in the United States. They are the General Motors, Ford, and Daimler Chrysler. They compete fierce in the United States and in global market. In the europium, there are strong competitors such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Peugeot etc. In the 1970s, with the acme of oil price, some Japanese aut omakers gradually seized the automobile market shares. The low cost and energy saving cars, such as Toyota, Honda and so on became world famous brands. More and more automobile brands enter into the United States and they also scramble the global automobile market. (Loomis, 2006) They compete and try to meet consumers different needs and wants with lower production cost. The competition in and abroad America is fierce and threats thesurvival of the General Motors Corporation.The following is the second part of the report. This section of the report discusses the changing environment in and aboard the United States. First, the influences of political environment on policies and decision making to the General Motors Corporation will be analyzed. Second, the corporation response to the political environment changing will be critically evaluated. At last, some improvement suggestion for the corporation in the response of the changing political environment will be demonstrated.Influence on policies and decision makingThis section analyzes the influence of political environment change on the policies and decision making of the corporation. The political environment has great influence on the operation of the General Motors Corporation. One of the key political influences of the General Motors Corporation and automobile industry is the increased protectionism for idolatry of the line of employment in the industry. The major automakers employ so many employees that the decline of automobile sales volume will cause the significant increase of unemployment in a country. As a result, many governments slope to support the automobile industry, no matter in the form of fund assistant, protective duty or quota. The government of the United States has a tradition of protecting its automobile industry.For example, the America government used high protective tariff to protect the automakers from the competitors from Europe and Japan in the last century. The government also g ave financial assistant to the automaker that is at the verge of bankruptcy such as Chrysler. In the modern time, the automakers fall into trap again and the financial crisis enhance the tendency. The America government aims to give a large quantity of money to the automakers and use other protection methods to protect the automobile industry. It can be seem that the changing of political environment has significant influence on the policy and decision making of the General Motors Corporation. (Bowler et al, 1996) However, different presents and its government in the United States may have different attitudes on the protectionism of the Automobile industry. The General Motors Corporation should take serious consideration on the change of political environment and make full use of it.The estate Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations are another main tendency of the political environment. The competition extends form national to blocs, even global. (Cho, 1998) The North American Free Trade Agreement, which including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, formed in 1994 with the purpose of freeing the trade, eliminating tax barriers and promoting fair trade in the North America. The NAFTA also extended to Free Trade Area of the Americas, which including country in the North America, Latin America and Caribbean countries. Many European countries ally with each other to form the European Union. After years of development, the northward own 27 membership countries and creates a common economic area, in which people move and trade freely. There are many other realm Alliances and Economic Blocs such as Association of Southeast Asian and so on.The political tendency of regional cooperation requires the top managers of the General Motors Corporation to consider and resolve the benefit conflicts between one power countries blogs and another when making decisions and policies. The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regiona l cooperation organizations provide opportunities for the automobile manufacturers but the organizations in other area also became threat to the United States. The decisions and policies makers of the General Motors Corporation have to make strategy to cope with the tariff and nontariff barriers within and between the Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The corporation should rethink its strategy. (Tay, 2007) The structure of the corporation according to different regional cooperation organizations should be considered when making decisions and policies. (Sastry, 1997) The new staffing and leading methods to deal with culture diversity also influence the policy and decision making of the General Motors Corporation.The labor union, environmental organization and other political groups are gaining more and more power. The United Auto Workers is a key labor union in the automobile manufacturing industry. The union fights for the benefits of workers such as less working hours, more sa laries, health insurance and pensions and so on. The labor union cause the high cost of the General Motors Corporation. The thoroughgoing expense on employees is almost twice as much as the workers in other industry in the United States, and much more thanthe employees in competitors factories, such as Honda and Toyota. (Benders and Morita, 2004) The union is teard as the reason of the uncompetitive of the General Motors Corporation and the crisis of the automobile industry. However, the methods to deal with the strong political power are the problem to the policies and decisions makers of the General Motors Corporation.In 2007, the United Auto Workers went on a strike against the General Motors Corporation, which causes tremendously negative effects on the General Motors Corporation. So the policies and decisions of the corporation should balance the interest of the employees. The environmental organizations are gaining more and more power. With the increasingly dangerous environ ment problems, many green groups, which become independent and influencing political power, claim for the protection of the earth. Motor vehicle exhaust is considered as the main effects of the greenhouse effect. Some green groups are against the using of automobiles, which cause the decline of the automobile sales volume. As the increasing of environment protection power and the widely acceptance of the green opinion, the managers should make new policies and decisions such as designing alternative fuels vehicles.Evaluation of GMs responseThis section critically evaluates the corporations response to the changing political environment. In face of the dynamic changing political environment, the General Motors Corporation makes some responses accordingly. The General Motors Corporation makes full use of the protectionism policies and financial assistance of the government to maximize its benefits. In order to be more influence in political, the General Motors Corporation spends a lo t of money on political contributions. Statistics shows that the General Motors Corporation spent quite a lot of money as the political contribution for both the Democrats and the Republicans. The spending on lobbying the members of parliament is also quite large. Besides the political contributions, the General Motors Corporation also spends plenty of money on charities. For example, the General Motors Corporation is the exclusive financial source of Safe Kids Buckle Up program, which protect the children through education and inspection.The political and charitable contributions are positive and active response to the changing political environment. On the one hand, the General Motors Corporation strengthens its influence and enhances theconnection with the government. On the other hand, the corporation undertaken its social responsibility, which wins the corporation positive reputation so the General Motors Corporation can easily get the support when in crisis and consumers tend to purchase automobiles of the corporation. In the behavior of giving political and charitable contribution, the General Motors Corporation well response to the political change and gain more political influence, which helps the corporation get protection from the government.The Country Alliances and Economic Blocs and other regional cooperation organizations are a main political change these decades. In order to decrease the hindrance and the conflict between different Economic Blocs, the General Motors Corporation makes trade strategy, ally with other automaker group, and establish joint venture in some countries. For example, the United States and China have different ideologies and economic situations and they belong to different Country Alliances and Economic Blocs. The Chinese government forbids the wholly foreign have subsidiary in the automobile industry. The China customs also charge tariff on the automobiles.In order to enter the market of other Country Alliances and Eco nomic Blocs, the General Motors Corporation establishes joint venture with Chinese company. The Shanghai GM joint venture is created by the General Motors Corporation and a Chinese company, in which the automobiles of Chinas market were manufactured. The General Motors Corporation brings advance technology, operation experience to the venture. The joint venture employs local workers whose salaries are quite low comparing with the workers of the United Auto Union. The joint venture brings profits for both sides and the General Motors Corporation avoids the high tariff and nontariff protection between different countries and different Economic Blocs. The General Motors Corporation makes an effective response to cover the gap between the Country Alliances and Economic Blocs.The labor union and environmental organization become increasingly influencing political powers. The General Motors Corporation tries hard to response properly to the increasingly strong power of the labor union. Th e United Auto Union is blame as the cause of uncompetitive of the GeneralMotors Corporation for the members salaries in the union are much higher than its foreign competitors. The General Motors Corporation tries to cut down costs of the workforces in face of the financial crisis and problem of the automobile industry. The General Motors Corporation makes a policy of eliminating the lifetime health benefits of the white collar retirees. It is a hard decision after negotiation to response the political environment change and the automobile industry crisis. The General Motors Corporation has a long centering to go, but it has taken a constructive step to response to the changing of political environment.In response to the political force of green groups, the General Motors Corporation designs energy saving vehicles which implement alternative fuels and electrical. The corporation researches and designs some alternative technology vehicles and some flex fuel burning vehicles. The Gen eral Motors Corporation also builds an automotive battery laboratory to research on battery for the electric vehicles. The hybrid electric vehicles are a more practicable automobile in the future. The General Motors Corporation introduced the hybrid concept vehicle in 2005. Up to now, the corporation owes several hybrid electric automobile models and even all electric vehicles. The General Motors Corporation does a good job in developing alternative fuels and electric vehicles in response to the environment protection political power.Areas for improvementThis section demonstrates some areas for improvement of the corporation. The General Motors Corporation does well in response to the challenge of changing political environment. However, there are still some areas for improvement for the corporation. The most important improvement area is to raise the manufacturing efficiency. The average cost of manufacturing in the General Motors Corporation is high comparing with its main competi tors such as Toyota. The Toyota is scrambling the market share of the GM little by little in the United States and all around the world. The competitiveness of Toyota come form the low cost caused from lean production. The core spirit of lean product is more value with less work. The purpose of production is to provide value to the final consumers. The expense for other goals is considered as a waste, by which the waste of resource is eliminated and the manufacturing efficiency promoted. It can introduce advance assembly line and reorganize the logistic department,through which the supply chain is organized. (Kochan, 2003)The lean production and be combined with six sigma quality and total quality management to maximize the efficiency and cut down the cost. (Dahlgaard and Dahlgaard-Park, 2006)The General Motors Corporation can make a reform on culture. It can build a harmonious culture as in Japanese automobile manufacturing factories to coordinate the relationship and benefits betw een managers and workers. On the one hand, the harm of the Union Auto Workers can be minimized and the cost of manufacture can be cut down. On the other hand, the harmonious culture can promote the efficiency of manufacturing. The General Motors Corporation also needs to fight against the bureaucratic culture. The organization structure can be reformed and reconstructed break out the barriers between different departments and stimulate the cooperation of different profit centers. Different methods can also be implemented to motivate confidence, communicate and collaborate between staff in different level.ConclusionThis report analyzes the internal and external environment of the General Motors Corporation in the first paragraph and then discusses the changing political environment of the corporation. In analysis, the strengths of branding strategy and advantage in technology and channel, the weaknesses of high production cost and bureaucratic culture, the opportunities of emerging m arkets and achievement of technology, and the threats of petroleum price fluctuation and strong competitors are analyzed with the SWOT model.In the second part of the report, the influence of political environment change is discussed in three perspectives. They are the protectionism from government, the tendency of Country Alliances and Economic Blocs, and the growing in strength of labor union, green groups and other political groups. Their influence on policies and decision making and the response of the corporation are analyzed and critically evaluated. Then some suggestions are given on several areas for improvement of the corporation.RecommendationsAs is analyzed in above, the General Motors Corporation can improve in two ways. First, the corporation can introduce new manufacturing methods, such as the lean production, the six sigma quality and totalquality management and so on. By implementing advanced manufacture methods, the corporation can promote its efficiency in manufact uring while reducing the cost. Second, the corporation can build a harmonious culture and fight against the bureaucratic culture, through which the barriers between different departments are broken while the staff in the corporation is motivated.ReferenceBenders, J. and Morita, M. (2004), Changes in Toyota Motors operations management, International Journal of Production Research, 42(3), pp 433-45.Bowler, S. et al. (1996), The growth of the political marketing industry and the California initiative proces European Journal of Marketing, 30(10/11), pp 166-78.Cho, D.S. (1998), From national competitiveness to bloc and global competitiveness Competitiveness Review, 8(1), pp 11-23.Coffey, D. (2005), Delineating comparative flexibility in car assembly the problem of wide selection International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 5(1), pp 18-31.Dahlgaard, J.J. and Dahlgaard-Park, S.M. (2006), Lean production, six sigma quality, TQM and company culture The TQM Magazine, 18(3), pp 263-81.Kochan, A. (2003), GM creates fictile assembly line at its Ellesmere Port plant in the UK Assembly Automation, 23(1), pp 32-5.Loomis, C.J. (2006), The tragedy of General Motors, Fortune, 153 (3), pp 31-45.Sastry, M.A. (1997), Problems and paradoxes in a model of punctuated organizational change, administrative Science Quarterly, 42(2), pp 237-75.Sengir, G.H. et al (2004), Modeling relationship dynamics in GMsresearch-institution partnerships, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 15(7), pp 541-59.Tay, H.K. (2007), Rethinking competition in the world auto market cultural determinants, strategic Strategy & Leadership, 35(4), pp 31-7.Warell, A. (2008), Multi-modal visual experience of brand-specific automobile design The TQM Journal, 20(4), pp 356-71.

SWOT analysis of Samsung Mobile in China Essay

StrengthsWeaknesses Six Sigmas Quality Control Product Design of Fashion and Beauty Advanced Technology and Innovative strength Peculiar Strategy to Attract Talent Excellent International Brand ImageOperating strategy is conservative, and there is supplier shortage Low percentage rate to the low-end consumer marketRely heavily on Android System ,there is instability factor.OpportunitiesThreats With advancement of digital technology, there is enormous room for commercial organic evolution Huge Potential for Development of Smart- telephony market Apple has flex Samsungs strong competitor at the high-end, democratic busy phone market In the mid-to-low price range market, there is NokiaStrengths1. The first of Samsung Mobiles strengths lies in Six Sigma Production, Which is as follows a. Emphasizing on utilizing grassroots and front line workers for prime(a) control functions b. Emphasizing on strengthening the early stages of resultion management Focus on stages of product des ign, production of samples and adjustment of product c. Paying maintenance to continuous and stable production of goods to ensure quality d. Using QCC methods to improve qualitye. Utilizing quality control education for employees2. The second strength is in Samsungs product design that combines Personalized exterior with humanized design. Along with its innovativefeatures, Samsungs sleek designs have made Samsung mobile devices a popular choice among the masses. Samsungs tactic of making bigger screens for its smartphone devices, particularly the Galaxy Note series, has been a big part of its success in differentiating the brand from its competitors. The big screams have become trendy and appealing.3. Samsungs lead in technology and innovation comprise its third strengtha. Leading the digital fusion revolution Digital lodgeb. Subsidizing mobile operating platforms, self-application (AP) processors, and screens4. Samsungs fourth strength lies in its strategy to attract the worlds best talent.a. Attracting genius talents through unique talentsb. do public service activities required courses for staffc. Implementing c atomic number 18er training for employeesd. Using four principles to determine salary importance of job post, social identity, comparison to veritable salary, and creation of value5. Samsungs fifth strength lies in its brand image.Samsung is named as top rising brand by Inter brand and is the 9th nearly valuable brand with value nearly $33 billion. It has risen by 40% from 2011 to 2012. Samsung has been able to transform its brand image from a value for gold brand to an innovative leader that cares for everybody. Samsung has tried its best to build a contrast between its biggest competitors Apple as a self-centered brand versus itself, a brand that cares for everybody. For example, a recent ad for the Samsung Galaxy S3 shows images of married couples and families with kids, in an attempt to attract a broader audience with slogans like design ed for humans, inspired by nature.Weaknesses1. The first weakness lies in Samsungs operating strategy. Samsung does not want to establish business relationships with many suppliers, and this is one of the reasons why Samsungs development is restricted. nevertheless though Samsung defends this by saying that it is better able to protect its intellectual properties this way, in current times environment with fiercecompetition, companies with more suppliers are more competitive. Thus, Samsung needs to be more flexible in the companys operating strategies.2. Another of Samsungs weaknesses also lies in not targeting low-end consumer market. Samsung instruction on product fashion, so the price is relatively high. And Working in the WiBro (Wireless Broadband access service) and DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) market, but return on investment stave is long.3. Samsungs reliance on the Android operating system (OS) is another weakness. Android phones are extremely customizable and th ey give you the freedom to experiment to your hearts desire. One inevitable side effect of this freedom, however, is that sometimes your phone encounters a problem or two. Maybe it wont boot or perchance it randomly shuts down. Maybe you lost a critical file and now some features wont work.Opportunities1. The first opportunity is that with advancement of digital technology, there is enormous room for commercial development. a. In the digital age the age of electronic information there are two major stars mobile phones and the internet b. With the advent of the digital age, consumers desire high quality of mobile phone products c. Chinese communication consumers develops rapidly2. Samsung also has an opportunity in the smart phone markets development potential. a. The release of Apple iPhones began the wave of smart-phones b. In the mobile Internet age, every large mobile phone manufacturer and hustler has promoted and popularized mid-to-low price range smart-phones. China is lea ding the arrival of the era of smartphone evaluation.Threats1. The first threat to Samsung is Apple has become Samsungs strong competitor at the high-end, popular mobile phone market Apples cell phone has a high-end and popular image, and shares high similarity with Samsung. Thus, more than the mid and low-end markets, Samsung experiences a greatimpact from Apples competition at the high-end market. Considering mobile phone products of different smart-phone price ranges, Apple attracts greater user interest and has more product competitiveness than Samsung, despite the larger numbers of Samsung mobile phones on the market. This is related to Apples unprecedented brand appeal and affiliated operator plunk for force.2. The second threat to Samsung is In the mid-to-low price range market, there is Nokia a. According to statistics, Nokia had attracted a larger amount of user interest than Samsung at the mid-to-low end mobile phone market, in both the overall and smart-phone market. b . Nokias mobile phone market share relies mostly relies on the mid/low-end mobile products. In the other(prenominal) two years, with Nokias decline on the mobile phone, particularly high-end smart-phone market. c. The mid/low-end market has become the last sector of the market where Nokia has a lead. Nokia naturally pass on not ignore this.

Issues in Testing Very Young Children

Testing children has grown both more aggressive and widespread in recent times as concerning issues have arisen as to the pressure these tests and parents put into a child. In fact some kindergartens have been testing children before enrolling them. This might be appropiate for college but for children In my opinion thats just too aggressive teachers Surprisingly this type of testing has occurred for a long time.Whats really surprising is that this has been going on for the past 30 or so years ever since educational testing jump became popular in the early 1900s. However while noting that some early childishness testing were usefull, researchers have pointed out that tests tend to be more or less reliable at very early ages. This and other concerns have light-emitting diode to some changed in thinking and practice over the years.In 1998, a group of experts reviewed existing research and practice on the sound judgment of young children and recommended that display tests should not be used as readiness tests to exclude children from school they should not be used to track children by ability in kindergarten and first grade and they should not be used to plan instruction unless a valid relationship with local curricula has been established. The cautions of the previously mentioned researchers resulted in the delaying of tests in most public schools until the 3rd grade.The 2011 No child left behind act required school testing in mathematics, reading/language arts and science, starting the deuce-ace grade. Nonetheless, a number of private schools, including religious schools, do require entering kindergarteners to pass a test as part of their admission requirements. An example is N. E. S who require 4th graders to take a test onto which they place them later on in 5th and 6th grades in different mathematic sets. Furthermore at 6th grade, 6th graders are required to take another test of both English and mathematics to determine later levels in those areas in N . E.Ss high school also known as their Senior department. What guidelines have been established for assessing young children? In 1998, the goal 1 childhood assessment resource group recommended to the national education goals panel the following guidelines for the assessment of young children 1. Before age 8, standardized achievement measures are not sufficiently accurate to be used for high stakes decision-making about individual children and schools. Therefore, high-stakes assessments intended for accountability purposes should be delayed until the end of third grade (or rather fourth grade). . prior to the third grade policymakers at the state and district level could reasonably require that teachers and the schools have procedures in place to monitor student progress exploitation instructionally relevant assessments, and that schools have a plan for providing intensified special help if children are having difficulty, especially learning to read. The National Association for t he Education of Young Children (NAEYC) offers a general rule for testing young children The purpose of testing must be to improve services for children and ensure that children benefit from their educational experiences. Specific NAEYC guidelines assume the use of more than just test scores for assessing young children. They emphasize that decisions that have a major impact on children, such as enrollment, retention, or assignment to remedial or special classes, should be based on multiple sources of information and should never be based on a exclusive test score. Resources 1)NAEYC http//www. naeyc. org/ 2)Wiki 3)Google

Race by the Numbers Essay

In his oblige, Race by the Numbers, Orlando Patterson argued to the highest degree the misinterpretation of the census results and that this misinformation is having negative effects on the perspective of the people. The misinterpreted part of the census, according to Patterson, was the imagination that the population of the Whites is becoming the minority in many areas of the country. Thus, Patterson offered arguments and ideas to disprove the validity of the interpretation. However, the question is whether or not Patterson was adapted to persuade the readers, the citizens, that the interpretation of the census get across was indeed incorrect.Pattersons article is full of information especially statistical and quantitative information that helped him in establishing ground for his arguments. Patterson statement that 48 pct of Hispanics classified themselves as solely white (p. 83) adds to his persuasive argument that is also supported by the next sentence in the article, Hispa nics can be of any travel (p. 83). These statements clearly supported the fact that the total percentage of Whites in was decreased as interpreted by the census report.Patterson also include studies that affirm his acquire including recent census result. Patterson stated that, whites volition constitute 74. 8 percent of the total population in 2050, and that non-Hispanics will noneffervescent be 52. 8 percent of the total (p. 83) as indicated by the recent census. With such facts indicated in the article, it can be said that Patterson was able to build a strong evidence and financial support detains and information regarding his assertions. Thus, his argument, regarding the population of white Americans in the country, is a gross distortion (Patterson p.83) is not a mere point of view but is supported by facts and relevant information. By establishing the facts and the arguments, it can be said that Pattersons main purpose of writing the article was to exhibit that the populat ion of whites in America is still and will continue to be the majority disproving the assumption that non-Hispanic whites will cease to be the majority (Patterson, p. 82). By doing so, Patterson aims to advocate the whites that they still are the majority and will continue to be. In this case, Patterson was able to do great job through his article.However, Patterson also indicated in his article the idea that each group in the unexampled minority-majority country has longstanding grievances against whites, thus, Patterson may also want to claim the invalidity of this assertion through his article. But in this case, was Patterson effective? Basing from the article, Patterson was really able to encourage the whites and take away the enquiry that they will cease to be the majority. However, Patterson was not able to take away the idea that minority groups in America pose grievances on whites.On the contrary, it even points out another idea, that whites does not see minority groups as to be equal to them. Thus, instead of disproving the have it off of minorities having grievances on whites, the article may even fuel the said issue. The article can trigger grievances against whites since the article establishes the idea that whites are and will continue to be the superior locomote in the country. Therefore, this may cause insecurity and rebellion against the white race since others may wish to see the downfall of a superior race. Patterson also included historical developments in regarding some issues such as the classification of races.Patterson stated that, In 1930 Mexicans were classified as a separate race by the census Bureau which reclassified them as white in 1940, after protests (p. 84). Patterson also identifyed 2 other related issues in history. In this case, Patterson was able to convince the readers regarding the misclassification done that trio to the misinterpretation of the census result. Thus, Patterson once again established a ground for h is ideas and arguments by nullifying the classification made by the census bureau on the issue of which races are to be included as whites.As mentioned earlier, the author was able to establish the supporting facts about his claims. However, there are some instances that the author failed to mention relative and important information. Patterson adapted a study stating that, Recent studies indicate that the second-generation Hispanic whites are intermarrying (p. 83). However, Patterson did not mention what accompaniment study reaches that conclusion. Therefore, readers in doubt of that particular argument have no means of verifying the claim.Patterson should have indicated all the necessary information about the research to enable the readers to locate the particular study, otherwise doubts will remain doubts in the minds of the readers. Although the article has its strengths, i. e. the use of statistical information, the weakness of the article is readily available to the readers . The main weakness of the article was that the author, Mr. Patterson, was plain one grimaced in writing the article. The bias can be seen from the very beginning of the article. Thus, this limits the trust of the readers and the integrity of the writer.Showing personal biases is will really crest to doubts and disbeliefs of the authors claim since the readers are aware that he or she is arguing for or against one side. Thus, in persuading the readers about a certain follow up or issue, one must show personal biases for this will weaken the arguments and the ideas presented by the author. In order to establish a ground proof about an argument, a writer must not show biases as much as possible. It would be better to show the different arguments of both side and show relative information, facts and evidences and let the readers decide which arguments weigh more basing from the given evidences.All in all, Patterson did a great job in laying the arguments and he was able to fulfil hi s main objective, to encourage the whites. However, as mentioned earlier, the article has its own weaknesses as well. Thus, the article would only be effective if the reader is taking the same side as Pattersons, otherwise, the article would seem very racist of which whites are considered incomparable to others. The validity of the claims is thus, very subjective on the personality and side that the readers will take.

Starbucks

Starbucks mission is to establish Starbucks as the most recognized and respected brand in the world and ca character a national company with measure and guiding principles that employees could be proud of However, this mission was threatened in 2008 when the company found itself in trouble with lessen growth and profits. Determined to continue its mission, Starbucks reevaluated its resource- base model of returns and made some changes which resulted in change magnituded revenue and above-average returns for the next three years. The key player in Starbucks system was Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks.Schultz was determined to regain strategic competitiveness and set forth with an integrated strategic management process which focused on several of Starbucks core competencies (like internal culture and human resources) and included halting new store openings in the U. S. withdrawing completely from Australia focusing on customers and the Starbucks experience and transferring reso urces to international markets. We analyzed the strengths, helplessnesses, opportunities, and threats d champion the TOWS analysis tool which focuses on external (or environmental) threats and opportunities AND internal weaknesses and strengths of the company.In this case, Starbuckss biggest threat is competition, discriminateicularly from McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts. Opportunities include expanding its product subscriber tie, particularly into international markets, and diversifying its product line to give customers a better experience in AND out of stores. By creating licensing learnments with places like Marriot and Pepsi, and selling retail packs of drinks like Frappucinos in grocery stores, Starbucks increased its diversification.The biggest weakness for Starbucks is its price which led to competition with other companies that were offering premium coffee WITHOUT the premium worth. Next is Starbuckss greatest strength brand name and recognition. In other words, to many pot, coffee equals Starbucks. Another one of Starbucks strengths was how mainstream their name was however, in 2008, this became a weakness as the competition took advantage of the situation and targeted Starbucks in a flash with campaigns that the company was snobbish and friends dont let friends drink at Starbucks. To help sustain their constant need for high-quality coffee beans, instead of just purchase Starbucks fully invested their clock into becoming a part of the market by creating support centers and creating fixed-price contracts whenever possible. Starbucks was no longer just a purchaser moreover a leader with coffee growers. In addition to TOWS analysis, analyzing Starbucks position using the Five Forces of Competition shows other issues facing Starbucks in 2008. For instance, the threat of new entrants and substitute products during this time was high. The same is true of the bargaining power of buyers.The rivalry among competing firms was also high to moderately h igh, and the strength of the forces of the bargaining power of suppliers was moderate to low. Given the TOWS and Five Forces analyses of Starbucks, we agree with Starbucks strategy formulation. Starbucks should (and did) focus on stopping its saturation of the market (no new U. S. stores) and pulled out of unprofitable nations (like Australia) while reallocating resources internationally. We also agree that a large part of Starbucks strategic competitiveness is its experience so focusing on the Starbucks Experience and further branding itself was important.It was also vital to refocus on the core values which make Starbucks a global leader, not follower, as well as technology, like free wi-fi and the Starbucks credit card, which increases the appeal of its stores and products to customers. Since 2008, Starbucks revenue has continued to grow, and 2012 was Starbucks ruff accommodate yet for net revenues Will this pattern continue? If Starbucks continues to employ strategic competiti veness, take advantage of global markets, differentiate its product, and utilize the latest technologies, we order yes.StarbucksWhich one of the 5 generic business strategies best matches Cataracts strategy? Why? I gestate that of the generic strategies the best match to Cataracts strategy is that of the rivalry within the industry. This is the best match because there ar a lot of different types of specialty coffee brands out their in the industry so the rivalry amongst all the competitors is in truth fierce. Of the other coffee shops it result tough for hem to match the price and popularity that Cataracts has on the rest of the competition.Other companies may be able to sell their coffee at a high price scarcely past the number of sales that they receive is going to be lower than that of Cataracts. The rivalry in the coffee shop market is very competitive but Cataracts has an advantage over the competition in the fact that it can charge a higher price then its competitors and still cod more customers then the rest of the market. 2. Evaluate Cataracts social responsibility strategy. Is it sincere or Just something to help with image?I believe that the social responsibility of Cataracts is sincere and not Just something to help promote their image. They want to make sure that the prices that they have paid for the coffee beans is high generous that the small farmers were able to cover all their productions cost as well as provide for their families. Cataracts also wants to work directly with small coffee growers, topical anaesthetic coffee-growing cooperatives, and other hypes of coffee suppliers to promote coffee cultivation methods that protected biodiversity and were environmentally sustainable.Lastly Cataracts made purchasing arrangements that limited the exposure to sudden price Jumps due to weather, scotch, and semipolitical conditions in the growing countries where they were getting their coffee beans. 3. What major issues face the company in mid 2010? In the mid 2010 people were not spending their shape amount on money, customers were more worried about saving their money because of the economic crisis. WithStarbucksTo say Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffees is very true. Thats the essence of what we do- but it hardly tells the whole story(Starbucks, 2013, pg 1) Starbucks is fill outn for not only their high quality products but also their great efforts in social responsibility. They give top to the community while striving to have genuine service and an inviting atmosphere. Their mission statement is as follows, It has always been, and will always be, about quality. Were lustful about ethically sourcing the finest coffee beans, roasting them with great kick, and improving the lives of people who grow them.We c ar deeply about all of this our work is never do (Starbucks, 2013, pg 1). They have done a tremendous job at having their mission statement tick true to their regular consume rs while keeping them paying the higher costs of their product. Analysis Starbucks, in 2009, used economic analysis on elasticisedity in order to increase sales of their famous coffee drinks and use its reputation and premium brand drinks to take away sales from McDonalds which introduced a new line of lower priced espresso drinks that have turn out to be popular.Starbucks has decided to increase the cost of some of their drinks like the Frappuccinos and caramel Macchiatos by an average of 10 cents to 15 cents. In some cases they are raising costs as flesh as 30 cents which is about an 8 percent increase. Consumers that were regulars of Starbucks considered this beverage product to be in-elastic and were involuntary to pay anything because they need this product. An example of an in-elastic demand product would be anything that would be considered a necessity.For example, the more necessary a good is, the lower the elasticity, as people will attempt to buy it no matter the price, much(prenominal) as the case of insulin for diabetics (Gillespie, 2007, pg 28). These regular consumers of Starbucks would be voluntary to pay top dollar for beforehand purchasing the similar low priced product at their competitors. They do that competitors like McDonalds does not offer all of the flavors or drinks that they offer so they know they will keep their regulars.To offset this increase, their strategy was to lower the price of their most popular beverages by 5 cents to 15 cents. This would include their popular 12 oz. lattes and their brewed coffees. This was the first time Starbucks lowered the price of any of its drinks since it began. The visualize to reduce prices of their basic drinks like the latte falls on the fact that their competitors McDonalds is capturing some of the consumers that are less interested in the premium brands that Starbucks offers.By sullen the price of these coffees might bring some of those customers rearward. These consumers consider their beverage elastic and are willing to change the brand for a lower price. McDonalds was running a huge advertising campaign on the same sugary, pickingy drinks that now at Starbucks will be more expensive but according to Kenneth Davids, editor of Coffee Review who states Starbucks is safe raising the prices of specialty drinks because they are where the company best differentiates itself (Miller, 2009, pg 1). The consumers who value a great tasting coffee at Starbucks are consumers who are willing to pay more. Taste test comparing espresso drinks in the midst of Starbucks and McDonalds have proven that Starbucks drinks are favored over the same McDonalds drink. The difference between the standard lattes was not as noticeable then the advantage Starbucks has over McDonalds for their syrupy and whipped cream style drinks. Some of McDonalds drinks actually taste terrible. So a consumer that expects the best tasting specialty drinks are will be willing to pay more. like one alwa ys says, you get what you pay for and here it meat a better tasting drink then any of Starbucks competitors. Conclusion Starbucks used economic analysis of the elastic and inelastic demand for their products which worked wonderfully. They lowered the prices of the elastic products in order to compete with their competitors such as McDonalds McDonalds and raised the inelastic products for drinks that they proved to be the best of the best. With the changes in the pricing their revenue went back to increasing.As seen in Appendix A, in 2009 they were hurting due to McDonalds new advertisements on their coffee and how low their price was. When Starbucks used this analysis and changed the pricing accordingly their revenue went back in the upswing. Starbucks made a very intelligent ratiocination to market their products differently and to different consumers. This market decision based on elastic and inelastic demand kept them as successful as they have been in previous years by keeping their revenues increasing.StarbucksTo say Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffees is very true. Thats the essence of what we do- but it hardly tells the whole story(Starbucks, 2013, pg 1) Starbucks is known for not only their high quality products but also their great efforts in social responsibility. They give back to the community while striving to have genuine service and an inviting atmosphere. Their mission statement is as follows, It has always been, and will always be, about quality. Were passionate about ethically sourcing the finest coffee beans, roasting them with great care, and improving the lives of people who grow them.We care deeply about all of this our work is never done (Starbucks, 2013, pg 1). They have done a tremendous job at having their mission statement hold true to their regular consumers while keeping them paying the higher costs of their product. Analysis Starbucks, in 2009, used economic analysis on elasticity in order to increase sales of their famous coffee drinks and use its reputation and premium brand drinks to take away sales from McDonalds which introduced a new line of lower priced espresso drinks that have proved to be popular.Starbucks has decided to increase the cost of some of their drinks like the Frappuccinos and caramel Macchiatos by an average of 10 cents to 15 cents. In some cases they are raising costs as mush as 30 cents which is about an 8 percent increase. Consumers that were regulars of Starbucks considered this beverage product to be in-elastic and were willing to pay anything because they need this product. An example of an in-elastic demand product would be anything that would be considered a necessity.For example, the more necessary a good is, the lower the elasticity, as people will attempt to buy it no matter the price, such as the case of insulin for diabetics (Gillespie, 2007, pg 28). These regular consumers of Starbucks would be willing to pay top dollar for before purchasing the similar low priced product at their competitors. They know that competitors like McDonalds does not offer all of the flavors or drinks that they offer so they know they will keep their regulars.To offset this increase, their strategy was to lower the price of their most popular beverages by 5 cents to 15 cents. This would include their popular 12 ounce lattes and their brewed coffees. This was the first time Starbucks lowered the price of any of its drinks since it began. The plan to reduce prices of their basic drinks like the latte falls on the fact that their competitors McDonalds is capturing some of the consumers that are less interested in the premium brands that Starbucks offers.By lowering the price of these coffees might bring some of those customers back. These consumers consider their beverage elastic and are willing to change the brand for a lower price. McDonalds was running a huge advertising campaign on the same sugary, creamy drinks that now at Starbucks will be more expensive but according to Kenneth Davids, editor of Coffee Review who states Starbucks is safe raising the prices of specialty drinks because they are where the company best differentiates itself (Miller, 2009, pg 1). The consumers who value a great tasting coffee at Starbucks are consumers who are willing to pay more. Taste test comparing espresso drinks between Starbucks and McDonalds have proven that Starbucks drinks are favored over the same McDonalds drink. The difference between the standard lattes was not as noticeable then the advantage Starbucks has over McDonalds for their syrupy and whipped cream style drinks. Some of McDonalds drinks actually taste terrible. So a consumer that expects the best tasting specialty drinks are will be willing to pay more.Like one always says, you get what you pay for and here it means a better tasting drink then any of Starbucks competitors. Conclusion Starbucks used economic analysis of the elastic and inelastic demand for their produc ts which worked wonderfully. They lowered the prices of the elastic products in order to compete with their competitors such as McDonalds McDonalds and raised the inelastic products for drinks that they proved to be the best of the best. With the changes in the pricing their revenue went back to increasing.As seen in Appendix A, in 2009 they were hurting due to McDonalds new advertisements on their coffee and how low their price was. When Starbucks used this analysis and changed the pricing accordingly their revenue went back in the upswing. Starbucks made a very intelligent decision to market their products differently and to different consumers. This market decision based on elastic and inelastic demand kept them as successful as they have been in previous years by keeping their revenues increasing.

Response Paper Gilgamesh Essay

The Epic of Gilgamesh is very complex, barely it is also considered one of the considerableest epics in the Western literature. In the story we can find several(prenominal) contradictions, from which I chose the familiarity between Enkidu and Gilgamesh.The story of Gilgamesh starts off by the description of Gilgamesh, the strongest one of all,the perfect,the terror (Ferry 4). Initially, Gilgamesh appeared as someone who isnt able to have feelings nor relationships. Although he fought with Enkidu, once Gilgamesh tested his opponents competency, he decided to permit him into his world becoming best friends. Some population would say that Gilgamesh is using Enkidu for his journeys, which we can trip up when he allows the hunter to take his prostitute and bring him. He did this for nothing in return, where we can notice that he already had a plan for Enkidu. Whilst this is correct in some points there are other things abstruse that prove differently.In the beggining of the story, Enkidu was made by the goddess Arura in order to punish Gilgamesh with the same wild and surging heart as Gilgamesh has. Having this into consideration, Enkidu owes life to Gilgamesh, or at least shall be thankful to Gilgamesh for his own existing. Also, the people shall be grateful for their city, because Gilgamesh is the one who opened passes through mountains and who dug deep wells on the mountainsides (Ferry 4). This indicates the strength of Gilgamesh and values he had in the city. Once friends, Enkidu has started living differently, not like the wild beast he used to be. Enkidu is lucky for the friendship he has gotten from Gilgamesh, but it has also costed him. Gilgamesh has ever indispensablenessed immortality and fame in the city, and because of his compliments Enkidu is the one who has suffered.Before going to Cedar Forest, Enkidu is the one who was discussing with the Elders ab kayoed the dangers of the trip. One doesnt notice anywhere in the text how Enkidu knew ab out dangers of the trip and the keeper of the Cedar Forest, the demon Huwawa. This is the privilege that Gilgamesh does not have. Furthermore, passim the trip, Enkidu is the one who was communicating with the God of the sun, their protector, Shamash. Aditionally, the Elders are advicing Gilgamesh tolet Enkidu go first and find the water to snuff out (Ferry 19) his thirst and offers to the God. This is a big advantage/value for the Enkidu, since he is the one communicating with the Gods and able to go the road. Further in the story, their friendship becomes stronger, once they share their strenghts and weaknesses, courage and fear.The most intriguing thing in the whole story is the friendic side of Enkidu. The true friendship and loyalty to Gilgamesh are his biggest values. Once in fight with the demon Huwawa, Gilgamesh was scared of the speed Huwawa was possessing and, once Gilgamesh see his face, he hid away, in some cases tied(p) weeped. In each time, despite the dangerous cicumstances, Enkidu had quick mind and knew what he had to do, which is show Gilgamesh he was not alone, Two people, companions, they can prevail together against the terror (Ferry 26). Going futher into the story we are finding out that, because of killing Humwawa and Bull of Heaven, the Gods have decided to punish Enkidu,although God of Sun Shamas tried to save him. He had the protection of the God, because he was compressed into this trip. Initially, the mother of Gilgamesh, Rimat-Ninsun, just before the trip has hit the biggest weakness of Enkidu, Enkidu has neither father nor mother (Ferry 13).This proves the fact that he had no choice left because he was feeling unavailing and there was no other solution but to go to this dangerous trip. Even at the end, when Enkidu knew he was destined for punishment, he did not have egoistical heart, he accepted it and stayed loyal to Gilgamesh. This has me thinking, who is the real hero? By whose name should the book be named instead? By the great strenght and power Gilgamesh, or the loyal, great guide who turned into hero with his actions? Did Enkidu think he owed his life to Gilgamesh, or he did not want to go against the will of the Gods? Considering many tablets are not recovered, which made the text incomplete, there is complexity to this friendship and many questions that need to be answered.Here, after Enkidu dying, we also get the feeling of Gilgamesh being selfish, and not scrimping his friend. As soon as Enkidu has died, and Gilgamesh saw a worm falling out of his nose, he saw the reality where this can happen to him too. He was determined to find immortality. Although on anew selfish quest, we can see his true grieving for a friend, a brother. Every individual Gilgamesh encounters with can see that he is full of sorrow. This is where the prevalent repetition happens. At first, I thought it was a literary portion only. However, how the story grew, the significance of the repetition grew also. It became the emphasis of Gilgameshs sorrows. It keeps being repetead to keep our mind on the soft-hearted Gilgamesh, who in truth grieves for Enkidu, who undoubtfely deserved it. It is engraved in our memory that he is truly lonely and has lost someone who was a big part of his life. But even so, that little part in the back of my mind is hush up set on Gilgamesh not urging for Enkidus sparing.In a conclusion, friendship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh is furthermost more than important in this great epic. The contradictions are tempting to discuss, and because of the missing tablets, there will always be some questions. However, although Gilgamesh did not get his immortality, this prominent story, through many centuries, definitely has.

Pestle, Porter and SWOT analysis of Lukoil Essay

LUKOIL, a vertically integ ranged crude rock oil come with, and carries out exploration, acquisition, integration and subsequent efficient study of oil and louse up fields outside the Russian Federation to facilitate the transformation of LUKOIL into a multi matter energy corporation. LUKOIL ladders in 25 countries (the most major of them be Russia, Azerbaijan, USA, Georgia, Turkey and Czech Re earth). Net income in 2013 is $3.105 billion. Basic earnings per sh ar $4.11. The Companys 2012 net income rose by 6.2% and reached record $11,004 billion. EBITDA (earnings out front interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization) rose by 1.7% and reached $18,915 billion. Sales revenues were $139,171 billion (+4.1% y-o-y). In 2013 Forbes estimated LUKOIL as 43 in Sales, 34 in Profit, 254 in Assets, 139 in Market value. According to these data we can assume, that LUKOIL is successful Russian company with a hole of strengths, equivalent good prospects regarding financial indicator s. And fortunately, it doesnt need any financing. Usually, the company invests in different projects regarding environmental protection andemployees funding.2. Mission and VisionMissionThe Companys heraldic bearing consists in increasing fateholder value through the exploration and intersection pointion of hydrocarbons outside Russia. My vision of the federal agency is that company wants to be a tested supplier of hydrocarbons on the international market. that, Lukoil has a declare oneself to support economic growth and social stability in long-term prospects. Thus, it has some of import(prenominal) aims such as to achieve reputation of a reliable and dependable hydrocarbon supplier in the world to deliver high-quality crude oil products to end- handlingrs to figure long-term sustainable growth to reach leading put on the marketMy formulation of the missionLukoil as a company in the oil and gas industry using inseparable energy recourses is trying to be a attracter i n the international market by decrease cost, increasing operations and stabling social aspects. VisionThe company wants to be worlds leader in oil and gas celestial sphere by first-class services to our customers, effective HR policy, reliable and positive image of the company, effective environmental policy, optimization of the operational efficiency, decrease of the operational costs, sustain high-profit take. In conclusion, companys mission determines a purpose at heart the organization provides standards for allocating organizational resources establishes a popular organizational climate shows purpose and direction. Consequently, mission and vision are clear and give a lot of advantage.3. Macro-environment (PESTLE)At the beginning of this part, it is necessary to mention some relevant factsPopulation in Russia 139mlnArea 17mln sq. kmTime zones GMT +2 to +119th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP, hit USD 2014,8 bn 2013 Exports and Imports exceed 50% GDPHighest GDP per capita among BRICS countriesWinter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi 2012 and FIFA World Cup 2018 are coming 1. GDP get word 2.1 Real GDPAs we can see on the visualise 2.1 Real GDP has a tendency to grow up. Moreover, the present value of Real GDP is or so 2014.8 USD billion which is the highest point during the history. Real GDP had been increased up to more(prenominal) than 6% in parity with the previous period Contemporary situation in economy, especially in Real GDP, shows the luck for a company to increase production, because higher GDP way of life higher consumer expenditures in turn, it is an alleviating competitive pressure within industry, because its the potential for expansion. As we can see GDP is constantly growing that means an probability to have higher revenues for LUKOIL Company because people have a higher profits and severally higher consumer expenditures.2. involution rateThe interest rate in Russia was last recorded at 5.50 percent. Interest Rate in Russ ia is reported by the Central Bank of Russia. It is quite high interest rate in comparison with for instance European countries. The average interest rate in Europe is 0.25%. For LUKOIL it is a threat of decreasing the companys sales, because during high interest rate potential consumers tend to hap less (borrowings become more expensive). Therefore the consumer purchasing power is quite low and companys sales will be decreased. radiation diagram 2.2 Russia interest rate3. Inflation rateFigure 2.4 Russia pretension rateFigure 2.5 Petroleum footing RUB per literAs we can see Figure 2.4 and Figure 2.5, the oil worth and rate of inflationare connected directly when oil price goes up, the inflation follows in the same direction. We can explain it by that the oil is the major input in economy (oil is used for manufacturing and sendation). The inflation rate in Russia was recorded at 6.30 percent in October of 2013. It has a positive impact on Oil and Gas industry. LUKOIL can estimat e future profit more accurate and eliminate several risks which effected by the oil price and inflation rate. 4. Unemployment rateFigure 2.5 Russia unemployment rateAt the moment the rate is 5,5%. And the tendency has a declining character. Thus it could be probability to muster up high-qualified employees. There is a competition on a labor market.5. Reservoirs of oilRussia is the first country in the world in crude oil production. Its share is 12%. This indicator makes the country attractive for the investors. Consequently, LUKOIL could use positive investment climate of Russia as the companys benefit.6. TaxesNowadays there are three main taxes which have influence on economic in Russia a) Corporate tax rate 20%b) Personal income tax rate 13%c) Sales tax rate 18%Accordingly to these indicators the somatic tax rate is quite low in comparison with Japan 38,01%, United Arab Emirates 55%, US 35%. Therefore, it is opportunity to increase a profit (low taxes increase net profit ). We are analyzing oil and gas industry in Russia. Fortunately most of deposits are situated in cold geographical areas like Tyumen Region, called Extreme North or Far North. Government gives a lot of benefits like people who throw there are used to receive an extra grade of payment, referred to as the Northern Bonus, as well as other benefits, including extra vacation, extra disability benefits, extra retirement benefits, and housing benefits. LUKOIL wont increase outflow of money into pension fundsetc.4. Technological factors (PESTLE)New technologies are an important competitive advantage of LUKOIL Group. Key technological aspects1. The company conducts R&D to develop impudent technologies and upgrade the existing ones. 2. Cooperation with national projects is actively underdeveloped, including the Skolkovo innovation project and the RUSNANO Corporation. 3. Great attention is paid to developing information technologies and improving business processes. 4. The total financing o f scientific and technical works in 2012 amounted to US$ 150 million. It is opportunity to use own technology and ability to exclude costs for using technologies from elsewhere.5. environmental factors (PESTLE)Waste disposalRussia drowns in 60 million tons of garbage a year. It is serious caper in waste disposal issue. Today, only 11% of the whole volume is recycled. Unfortunately, it is substantial evidence of coetaneous problem and the threat for environment. LUKOIL uses chemicals for production, which could be statutory restrictions by the government for environmental protection. It is the threat for company of activities restriction.defilementOil and Gas industry damages nature by pollution. Many risks occur like spilling of oil into the sea or into the ocean. In this case LUKOIL will pay damage to nature and spoil its reputation. Consequently, LUKOIL should take a leak into accountancy all risks and try to avoid them.ClimateThere is the dominance of the continental climate on the territory of the country. Russia faced to one serious problem during springs. It is flood. For oil industry it could be a relevant threat because it directly depends on transportation, for instance if roads are damaged it is becoming complicated to transport oil to different regions.6. Political factors (PESTLE)Strictly speaking, two of the most dangerous threats are the high level of rot and terrorism.High level of corruptionRussia is ranked 127th out of 175 countries in Transparency internationalistics Corruption Perceptions Index in 2013. This score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption in a country or territory. TerrorismThere is a terrorist war aimed at destabilizing Russia politically and economically. Few weeks ago there was the 3rd terrorist attack in Volgograd during last 2 months.Membership in World Trade make-upIn August 2012, Russia officially became a World Trade Organization member. Moreover, European Union contributes half of Russia trade flows. It is opportunity of simplified international market access with the purpose of trade and it is opportunity of hiring professional and administrative staff on fixed term contracts.Index of economic FreedomIndex of Economic Freedom in Russia is 51.3 out of 100 and it ranked as broadly speaking unfree. These ranking means that the country is not attractive to do business and indicates a low opening night of obtaining investment. Thus, it is a threat for LUKOIL, it will be difficult to attract foreign investors.Protection of property rightsIt is an opportunity to protect LUKOILs innovations and to get patent.7. Legal factors (PESTLE)The following legalitys of the Russian Federation form the main well-grounded framework of the oil and gas industryConstitution of the Russian Federation.federal official Law On undersoil (Subsoil Law). federal Law On Gas Supply in the Russian Federation (Gas Supply Law). Federal Law On Natural Monopolies.Federal Law On the Continental Shelf of the Russian Federation. Federal Law On Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency.Federal Law On Production sacramental manduction Agreements.The following federal laws are also relevant to the legal framework of the natural resources industry of the Russian Federation The Codes of the Russian Federation, including the Civil Code, Land Code, Water Code, Forest Code, Tax Code, Code on administrative Violations and Criminal Code. Federal Law on Environmental Protection.Federal Law on Ecological Expertise. self-governing Council Regulations on the Procedure of Enactment of the Provisions on the Procedure of Licensing of the Subsoil Use of 1992 (Subsoil Use Licensing Regulations). The positive rights that are guaranteed to each Russian citizen are All people shall be equal before the law and court.The State shall guarantee the equality of rights and freedoms of man and citizen, regardless of sex, race, nationality, language, origin, property and official status, place of residence, religion , convictions, membership of public associations, and also of other circumstances. All forms of limitations of human rights on social, racial, national, linguistic or religious grounds shall be banned. Man and woman shall enjoy equal rights and freedoms and have equal possibilities to exercise them. That means that Lukoil should take into account all this rights and keep it in mind when hiring the employees.8. Socio-cultural factors (PESTLE)Age structure0-14 years 15.7% (male 11,498,268/ egg-producing(prenominal) 10,890,853)15-24 years 12.4% (male 9,031,057/female 8,662,557)25-54 years 45.8% (male 31,894,116/female 33,432,996)55-64 years 13.1% (male 7,926,184/female 10,711,347)65 years and over 13% (male 5,622,464/female 12,847,828) well-nigh of population is in capable of working age. There is a competition on labor market. It is an opportunity to find employees corresponded to thestandards of the company.Main religion ChristianityNo requirement in the organization of labor. Thus, it is opportunity for LUKOIL to organize even off easily. High level of educationOpportunity to attract well-qualified personnel.9. Porters 5 Forces1. nemesis of New Entrants (Low)The LUKOIL is protected by high barriers to entry. Therefore the threat of new entrants is very low gigantic amounts of capital expenditure are needed to perform the activities, for example the cost of refinery is almost $7 billion, the price of petrol station is $600 000. Large amounts of fixed are require for the development of oil fields and the knowledgeableness of production facilities Costs for entering the industry drilling costs, oilfield services, skilled labor, scientific research, materials and energy alone companies that operate economies of scale can survive, for example LUKOIL has been searching for oil since 1991. They invest a huge amount in up-to-date technologies making it difficult for new entrants to compete. Russia allows only national companies (or foreign companies in partnersh ip with the national company) to exploit oil reservoirs, because it is owned by the state. It is barrier to entry.2. Power of Suppliers (High)There are more then 100 suppliers in Russia OAO Gaztrubinvest, TOO KST Steel, OAO Severstal are some of them. But their products are unique vasiform products, electric centrifugal pumps, oil cable, spurt steel framework. What gives them high bargaining power to dictate conditions. Moreover there are no substitutes, because the equipment needed for oil industry is special and impossible to replace.3. Power of Buyers (Low)The main buyers are government and car owners. Product differentiation is low and customers dont have opportunity to choose, only to buy. The market share of LUKOIL is almost 17% and it has contracts with government, becausethey have a heavy(a) chain of petrol stations. Consumers willingness to pay is the only power buyers have. Only very large buyers of oil such as big countries like US may influence oil price. Overall the b uyer power is low4. terror of Substitutes (Low)At the moment customers can not switch from using oil and gas for other sources of energy. Only some European countries introduced renewable sources of energy instead of gas and oil. But there are umteen alternatives of energy coal, solar, and wind power. Instead of this fact, we notice the demand for oil increases every year and there is no chance of decreasing in consumption.5. Industry Rivalry (High)LUKOIL has 4 serious competitors Rosneft (22% share of market), TNK-BP (14%), Surgutneftegaz (12%), Gazprom neft (6%). Even though there is a very strong rate of growth in oil and gas sector the rivalry remain small due to large switching costs, required investments for a new entrance, sizing of competitors, and political barriers. There is no place for small companies because of few market leaders. Also there is no possibility that competitors will offer a lower price. LUKOIL is second company that operates in Russia. The leader is Ros neft and its main competitor. LUKOIL has 17% share of Russian market, Rosneft 22% respectively.10. SWOT analysisStrengthsWeaknesses 1st among the largest private oil and gas companies in the world. 1.3% oil reserves of total reserves of oil worldwide and second in terms of volume proven hydrocarbons reserves about 2% of total global reserves extend in oil index price in the world. High entry barriers in the market, which eliminates small competitors. really sufficient technology of research and exploration. Geographical business diversification (30 countries). Large amount of oil reserves(17%) splendid oil related technology. Fully vertical and horizontal integrated. Well supported by Russian government. constant increase in demand for gas and oil in Russia. Constant research and innovation. Production costs are relatively high compared with levels achieved by its main competitors. The companys communication both internal and outside is slow and bureaucratic. Cost of envi ronmental hazards.OpportunitiesThreats Increase in oil and gas demand in Russia. New exploration projects. Investment into new businesses. Iraq oil project. Corruption. Terrorism. Floods. Decrease sales (high interest rate). Competition on the marketInternal analysisRevenue $139.2 billionEmployees 150.000RecommendationsDespite having a relatively good position in the regional market of Central and Eastern Europe, LUKOIL faces strong competition. In this context, LUKOIL should increase its market share through an offensive strategy of territorial expansion and to attract new customer segments. In addition, LUKOIL should ensure implementation of new technologies for modern and efficient production in terms of cost and continues its efforts to improve product quality and competitiveness, in order to meet international standards, including API and ACEA. Another important trend is the application of selling strategies on the downstream, taking into accountthe factors influencing consume r choice of stations location, value for money, image, service, the existence of ancillary services. These strategies are reflected in the mix of marketing, in which both product and promotion play a central role.