Paleolithic & Neolithic Societies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Paleolithic & Neolithic Societies - Essay Example They had no domesticated herds. They fished along the streams just as it is today. Since this mode of securing food was not sufficient for these people, they organized themselves in bands of 20 to 25 people and nomadically kept cattle. The Paleolithic communities had a legal headman who held the band together based on the hunting skills and the culture of blessings by the world of spirits. Therefore, their thorough hunting ability had a link to the spiritual powers. The different members of the band took different roles depending on the gender and responsiveness. The Paleolithic people had a mystical attitude towards life. They viewed the religion world as animism. They less valued the outer appearance of things but valued more the inner working of the unseen spirit. They respected a lot those who displayed the spiritual; powers like the Shamans and the Witchdoctors. They held that these people possessed special magical powers that worked for the good or bad of the community2. They e ngaged in rituals like wars, dances, hunting races and rain dances. These activities, they believed had power to predispose the behavior of the unseen spirits to assure the forthcoming favorable outcome. ... This age marked the first agricultural revolution and had wide scale transition of many cultures from a lifestyle of hunting and gathering to a settle agricultural life. These ancient ancestors began to sow seeds in order to produce more in the harvest. They also began domesticating animals, which formed a major source of meat for the communities. The introduction of agriculture permitted the growth of the human population hence growth of villages and towns subsequently. The Neolithic persons had total respect over the sexual acts as they termed them very sacred. They also worshipped some vibrant Great Goddess. The idea of personal and private property ownership began to spread even more during this period. The concept of money began to emerge at this time. Societies began to keep slaves as well. The emergence of polis The term polis originated from the ancient Greek city-states, which developed during the archaic period and persisted during the roman times. Polis was not like other primordial ancient city-states, which had a king or a small oligarchy, but was rather a political entity ruled by a body of citizens. The origin of polis had an origin in the appearance of urbanization at the excavation sites during the traditional archeologists view3. The term polis which in archaic Greek meant city suddenly changed with the development of the of the governance center in the city. The emergence of citizenship notion in the landowners came to describe the entire body of citizens, which came as the most important meaning of the term polis in ancient Greece. Conflicts between Greece and its neighbors Ancient Macedonia and Greece descended in several migratory waves and bounder conflicts. The Greeks and Turks had outstanding conflicts in 1982 due to boundary conflicts.

Hr Policies in Automobile Sector Essay Example for Free

Hr Policies in Automobile Sector Essay 20 Tips To Help Prevent Medical Errors One in seven Medicare patients in hospitals experience a medical error. But medical errors can occur anywhere in the health care system: In hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, pharmacies, and patients’ homes. Errors can involve medicines, surgery, diagnosis, equipment, or lab reports. They can happen during even the most routine tasks, such as when a hospital patient on a salt-free diet is given a high-salt meal. Most errors result from problems created by today’s complex health care system. But errors also happen when doctors* and patients have problems communicating. These tips tell what you can do to get safer care. What You Can Do to Stay Safe The best way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team. That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Medicines 1 Make sure that all of your doctors know about every medicine you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs. 2 Bring all of your medicines and supplements to your doctor visits. â€Å"Brown bagging† your medicines can help you and your doctor talk about them and find out if there are any problems. It can also help your doctor keep your records up to date and help you get better quality care. 3 Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. This can help you to avoid getting a medicine that could harm you. 4 When your doctor writes a prescription for you, make sure you can read it. If you cannot read your doctor’s handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either. PATIENT SAFETY *The term â€Å"doctor† is used in this flier to refer to the person who helps you manage your health care. 2 5 Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand—both when your medicines are prescribed and when you get them: What is the medicine for? How am I supposed to take it and for how long? What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine? 6 When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed? 7 If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if â€Å"four times daily† means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours. 8 Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. For example, many people use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices, like marked syringes, help people measure the right dose. 9 Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared if it does or if something unexpected happens. Hospital Stays 10 If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health care workers who will touch you whether they have washed their hands. Handwashing can prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. 11 When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will follow at home. This includes learning about your new medicines, making sure you know when to schedule follow-up appointments, and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities. It is important to know whether or not you should keep taking the medicines you were taking before your hospital stay. Getting clear instructions may help prevent an unexpected return trip to the hospital. 3 Surgery 12 If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done. Having surgery at the wrong site (for example, operating on the left knee instead of the right) is rare. But even once is too often. The good news is that wrong-site surgery is 100 percent preventable. Surgeons are expected to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery. 13 If you have a choice, choose a hospital where many patients have had the procedure or surgery you need. Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their condition. Other Steps 14 Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have a right to question anyone who is involved with your care. 15 Make sure that someone, such as your primary care doctor, coordinates your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems or are in the hospital. 16 Make sure that all your doctors have your important health information. Do not assume that everyone has all the information they need. 17 Ask a family member or friend to go to appointments with you. Even if you do not need help now, you might need it later. 18 Know that â€Å"more† is not always better. It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you. You could be better off without it. 19 If you have a test, do not assume that no news is good news. Ask how and when you will get the results. 20 Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources. For example, treatment options based on the latest scientific evidence are available from the Effective Health Care Web site (effectivehealthcare. ahrq. gov/options). Ask your doctor if your treatment is based on the latest evidence. AHRQ Pub. No. 11-0089 (Replaces AHRQ Pub. No. 00-P038) September 2011.

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As part of marketing in business, strategy is a leading light because it is a plan of action designed and followed by businesses to become successful. Three companies in the same industry can offer similar products in a completely different ways. Branding is everything and understanding what customers want determines a company’s brand position. Airline companies are great examples of numerous companies offering the same product. Major differences in brand and quality management come when comparing three airline companies that offer the same product such as Spirit Airlines, Jet Blue and American Airlines. Although their product is the same, the processes to marketing their product are completely different. Spirit Airlines is an American ultra low-cost carrier headquartered in Miramar, Florida. Spirit has scheduled flights with 52 destinations across the U.S. as well as the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America. The company first started off as a Clipper Trucking Company in 1964 but the airline service was founded in 1980, as Charter One, a Detroit-based charter tour operator providing travel packages to entertainment destinations such as Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas. On May 29, 1992, Charter One bought jet equipment, changed its name to Spirit Airlines, and started services from Detroit to Atlantic City. During the next five years, Spirit expanded rapidly, increasing service from Detroit and adding service in new markets such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Los Angeles, and New York. In 2001, Spirit began services to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and performed a fully unified Spanish-speaking customer service plan including a website and dedicated reservation line. Spirit allows you to bring one carry-on bag and payme... ...assengers receive alcoholic beverages for free. Non-alcoholic beverages are free for all classes. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on all home flights in Coach. Beer and wine are now free on long haul international flights to Europe and Asia and certain flights to South America. Its goal is to provide safe, dependable and friendly air transportation along with related services, making a great effort to transform any experience into a positive one. All of the services that this company has and the image that they are trying to keep in everyday activities make each day a little challenging for its employees. American Airlines’ employees will be able to travel for free in coach class on any flight in the worldwide network, the airline told them. The new program also will give the employees’ registered family members and parents unlimited travel privileges.

Essay Comparing Louise of Story of an Hour and Nora of A Dolls House

Comparing Louise of The Story of an Hour and Nora of A Doll's House    In Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," the main character is a woman who has been controlled and conformed to the norms of society. Louise Mallard has apparently given her entire life to assuring her husband's happiness while forfeiting her own. This truth is also apparent in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House. In this story, Nora Helmer has also given her life to a man who has very little concern for her feelings or beliefs. Both of these characters live very lonely lives, and both have a desire to find out who they really are and also what they are capable of becoming. Although the characters of Nora and Louise are very much alike in many ways, their personalities differ greatly when it comes to making decisions regarding the direction of their lives.    Both Nora and Louise's lives have been shaped and molded to conform to their husbands' wishes. At the time these stories took place, it was basically unheard of for women to assert their beliefs or to act upon their ideas. As a result, Louise was forced to succumb to the role of an obedient wife, in order to abide by the norms of society. This is apparent because of the way she reacts when she learns of a false rumor regarding her husband's sudden death. While in deep thought, and staring out the window by herself, she has a sudden realization of complete happiness and total freedom. As she tries hard to repress these fresh, new feelings, she speaks the words, "free, free, free" (23)! These words help the audience to understand the repression she has been forced to withstand for many years. She feels sudden exhilaration as she reflects on what her new life will bring her. She speaks of the treatmen... ...ay.   â€Å"Freedom and Desire:   The Theme of Awakening in the Works of Kate Chopin.†Ã‚   Critical Interpretations:   Kate Chopin.   Ed. Harold Blooming.   New York:   Chelsea House, 1989.   14-32.   Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." Introduction to Literature: Reading, Analyzing, and Writing.2nd ed. Ed. Dorothy U. Seyler and Richard A. Wilan. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice, 1990. Durbach, Errol. A Doll's House: Ibsen's Myth of Transformation. Boston: Twayne, 1991. Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll's House. Introduction to Literature: Reading, Analyzing, and Writing.2nd ed. Ed. Dorothy   U. Seyler and Richard A. Wilan. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice, 1990. Salomà ©, Lou. Ibsen's Heroines. Ed. and trans. Siegfried Mandel. Redding Ridge: Black Swan, 1985. Templeton, Joan. "The Doll House Backlash: Criticism, Feminism,and Ibsen." PMLA (January 1989): 28-40.        

Self-Awareness Achieved Through The Struggles In and Out of Society

The main characters revolving around each of these pieces of literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Emma by Jane Austen, and My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, have been positioned in different facets of society.Each of the protagonists have been endowed with qualities, traits and profiles that can strike attention for a reader, for an easier follow-through on each character’s progression or development as a character, at the same time the novel nears it climax and end.Huck, Emma and Asher have detached themselves from their old principles and life perspectives, as described by a number of literary techniques, and have entered into a new phase of self-realization, consciousness, awareness – the becoming of a new person.Huckleberry Finn, among the three protagonists, is considered to have been immersed in the most unlucky circumstances. Coming from the bottom sector of the society, Huck, as a child had formed a grave loathing for the society. He should undergo an enduring series of obstacles before he becomes the final and developed character in the story. Along the progression of the novel, Huck has turned this loathing into a substantial amount of doubt and distrust, but, we continually see Huck repeatedly rejected and violated by society. It was as if society turned him down when he desperately needed it.Consequently, Huck conjures up his independence from this society. Coming from this point, we can extrapolate Huck’s development as a character. There would only be two ways in Huck’s face, either he becomes a part of the society he despises or totally cut himself away from it.Emma Woodhouse, the female protagonist of Jane Austen, is a brilliant woman with all the money and approval of everyone around her. But, as the story progresses, we may realize that Emma could have had much of what she should actually have.Taken from the novel, Emma might have been to controlling of circumstances – things going her own way, and must have viewed a little too good of herself. This takes us to Austen’s clues on Emma’s flaws that shall play a great deal on the future blossoming of events and conflict, as well as, Emma’s development as a character. This is important as one reads through the progression of the novel and Emma.Asher Lev is the most distinct character of the three having rooted from a very restricted Jewish group. In his early years, Asher has developed an inclination towards the arts and eventually developed a talent for it.Restricted his community is – religious, for that matter, Asher is obliged to submit himself to the strict rituals of being a Hasidic Jew. An internal conflict within Asher begins to boil as he must choose between art and religion. Questions, such as, obligation and passion, emotion and priority will be raised in the entire novel. And the same questions shall guide the reader into Asher Lev’s character development and the rev elation of the novel itself.The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is set before the eradication of slavery which was of very controversial value. And this setting has become the major stir in Huck’s character development. Huck Finn is a non-conformist. He doesn’t readily accept the conventions of society. In this novel, slavery as a major subject, Huck was faced with decisions that heavily moral in nature. These decisions, which were controversial enough, left a very significant change in Huck Finn’s emotional and moral development. This is evident as he helps a slave, Jim, to find his way to freedom.Huck Finn may have had a difficult time overcoming societal pressures on his non-conformism but this is Mark Twain’s way of characterizing Huck as a person who is independent of society – which is the very point of his development as a character. Huckleberry Finn developed as a character because of his own doing. He developed as an individual by drawing h is own conclusions of the world apart from himself. His choice, his non-conformism, diverged into many factors that molded his final self in the novel.Emma, on the other hand, extracts her character development from the conflicts within the society. This is her distinction from Huck Finn. She hails from an affluent sector of the society and has been chained in its very strong limitations – confined in what is acceptable at the time. Her matchmaking practice has caused her the very same conflicts that shall allow her development as a character in the novel.These conflicts, apart from development, showed Emma a better picture of how her actions created an inflicting effect on the people in her society. This is the root of Emma’s self-realization.

7 Tips on How to Write a Reasonable Research Critique

7 Tips on How to Write a Reasonable Research Critique 7 Tips on How to Write a Reasonable Research Critique The major ‘key elements’ when writing a reasonable research critique are the study and criticism that are ultimately performed as well as the writing results. Some very simple tips in the sense of ‘magic rules’ are presented below. Tip #1. The collection of literature is typically gradual. For every book or article that we use, we follow the procedure below. First we perform a diagonal reading to determine the relationship of the text with our subject and the degree of the significance of the text. The evaluation of a text can also be done indirectly from the number of petitions, the size of literature, and the relation to the subject of research in the summary or results. Then we incorporate in our literature, some keywords for grouping related texts. Then they shall be read as references (i.e. fragments). Tip #2. Books are interesting in the early stages, as background reading. The articles show much more interest, because they present research results and because in order to write a research paper you should first read many others. Additionally, conferences articles are interesting when they are very recently written (e.g. 2-3 years maximum). Otherwise, there will probably be plenty of corresponding articles in academic journals by the same authors, which usually are more complete and organized. Tip #3. Articles or book chapters must be selected as the first group of interest together and be evaluated as a whole. In other words, several work teams internationally can be engaged in the same or similar subject, so you must decide what approaches are most interesting for your own work. Tip #4. Keep a brief note stuck on the article so as to remember the criticism you did. This is called horizontal or comparative reading. A good benchmark of research papers in a cognitive domain can be an interesting review article (review paper) especially if it is accompanied by repeatedly deeper criticism; comparison and experimental (or theoretical) results. Tip #5. Eventually, some articles or book chapters which you choose to analyze in depth are left (vertical reading). Such articles should be read carefully and you must try to reproduce their entire theoretical and experimental data. Take special care of them; not be boxed in intentional or unintentional oversights of the authors. There are always less well written articles. Also, you can try to get help from the authors (by e-mail). Besides, many times in the authors website you can find internal research reports, containing the results of articles in an expanded form. Tip #6. Generally, above all these tips, the composition of an article can at least in principle be achieved by ‘loans’ from other articles. ‘Loans’ may be reported on the structure, the experimental methodology, text parts etc. The necessary thing is the full reference to the source from which you got the ‘loan’. Tip #7. Finally, it is clarified that critic thought is inextricably linked to the object of analysis. If you need more professional research paper help online, visit our writing service and get a custom written paper online.

Ethics Term Paper Topics

Ethics Term Paper Topics The whole meaning of ethics is to understand and study the morality of every person. Ethics covers every moral principle and studies the behaviour of a person to any other person. Ethics is a gathering of rules and standards, which one must follow in order to live happily without any interpersonal or intrapersonal conflicts. The study of morality has been studied for more than 3 centuries, and still remains mysterious to most of the people. The whole problem of ethics and morality stands the whole question of the inventor of ethics and morality, which makes it incredibly difficult to study. Unlike other accurate sciences – ethics is very hard to study as it is very dynamic and changing. Despite that – every student needs to write a term paper in Ethics, and needs to do it with outstanding quality, implementing originality, creativeness, and of course, hard work. Every student is required to study the moral principles and ethics that have been developed throughout time. It may seem absolutely awkward, strange and weird for a student to express his own thoughts and trying to prove the existence of his own thinking. Basically a student needs to express his own standards on the moral life, and present his own, absolutely private and sometimes conflicting opinion on today’s life. If you are one of those students who require some assistance in writing an ethics term aper – you need to find a qualified assistant to help you with your ethics term paper. The best way to go is to turn for academic help and academic assistance to a professional writing company. In companies of this type – you will definitely find a person who will give you useful tips on writing your own ethics term paper. Below is a list of topics you can choose for your ethics term paper. Nietzsches conception of morality; individual ethics or ethics of an individual; ethical theory in Kantian perspective; business ethics, business rules, business policies based on ethics, etc. Another great topic, which is also very relevant, considering the fact that the professor has to deal wit students mostly – is academic dishonesty. This issue is raised in different institutions all over the world – so if you are sure you can input something new and fresh to this passive conversation – go ahead and try yourself out. Another obfuscation when writing a term paper on Ethics topics – is that when you write an ethics term paper – you need to express your own personal opinion, without any quotes, citation, or even plagiarism. This should be the product of your mind, the things you came up, with while thinking on the desired topic. In order to be able to write a sound term paper on ethics – be sure to follow these simple but effective tips, and you will greatly improve your paper. Try to imput something from your own life as an example. Try to be as detailed as possible, describe all the actions you have maid towards this issue, and what results have it caused. You have to fit it to the straight relationship with your topic, so make sure you write relevant things in your ethics term paper. Try to make your paper as your own as possible. When bringing up some examples – always use your own life,. Your own experience, your own ideas. This is practically your own ethics term paper, and it should be as personal as possible. When describing moral principles if the people surrounding you – you should always mention your own moral principles. The best way to do that is to compare and contrast – in this way you will be able to show your professor a little bit more of yourself, and make him understand your points of view. One of the techniques of learning is to work on your own mistakes in past. If you want to impress your professor – try analyzing your own mistakes, which you have made in the past. This way you will show him or her, that you care about yourself, you are open to new knowledge, and that you are trying to develop yourself. At the end – you have to input the conclusion part. Here you have to summarize everything you came up with in your paper, and make a very strong conclusion, for example analyzing all your actions, and how they correspond with all your thoughts Some points and tips here may seem absolutely irrelevant to your own ethics term paper – but still try to rethink them, and maybe you will be able to find a place to apply this knowledge.

Mutual Funds essays

Mutual Funds essays Introduction and Background of Mutual Fund Industry Over the past 75 years, there has been no better way to experience financial growth than to have been a long-term investor in the U.S. stock market. Even though they have experienced some dramatic downturns, stocks, which are ownership shares in public corporations, have outperformed all other types of investments including bonds, CDs and U.S. Government securities and they have stayed ahead of inflation. Like the stock market, successful investing is never a sure thing, since you can't predict what the value of your investment or your rate of return will be at any point in time. Yet, despite this uncertainty, the stock market remains among the best choices for long-term investing. Stocks or equity securities represent ownership shares in a company and the right to share in both its profits (stock dividends) and its growth (rising share price). For both of these reasons, stocks have become an "investment of choice," particularly for millions of investors looking for capital appreciation. While the stock market is known for its ups and downs, and individual stocks can rise or plummet overnight, as a whole, stocks have delivered a larger return on investment over the long run than any other instrument. Let's suppose you're just getting started as an investor and have $5,000 to invest and you have three important goals you want to achieve. First, you don't want to lose your money in a risky venture so you want security. But you also want to make the most money you can, so you want the prospect for growth potential, too. Finally, since you don't have the time or knowledge to actively manage your money, you want professional money management occasionally diversifying your investments into promising new opportunities. That sounds like a very good plan, but where can you invest your money and have a chance to meet all three criteria? Individual stocks may carry greater potential ...

The Archetype of women portray in movies throught the decades Movie Review

The Archetype of women portray in movies throught the decades - Movie Review Example The changes in the damsel in distress archetype can be easily traced through the various versions of the Cinderella story as presented by what would become Paramount Pictures but in 1914 was the Famous Players Film Company, that produced by Walt Disney in 1950 and the more modern version of â€Å"Ever After† starring Drew Barrymore. By comparing and contrasting key elements of each story, a picture begins to emerge of the differing ideologies of each time period as well as differences regarding intended audience. In the earliest film, Cinderella is seen to be living with her stepmother and two older step-sisters without any true mention of the missing natural parents. Following the traditional story, Cinderella spends her days cleaning up after her vain and spoiled sisters and step-mother and her evenings sitting in with the cinders to keep warm. She earns the fairy godmother’s help with her kindness to an old, crippled woman who shows up at her door in spite of the cru el treatment the woman gets from the step-mother and step-sisters. A tangential concern here is how this expectation for young women to be kind to the destitute compares with Snow White’s treatment (another Damsel in Distress archetypal figure) in which the young woman is poisoned for her pains. Cinderella, though, earns a chance to meet the prince while she is out gathering wood for the fire and the two fall in love immediately. The story sticks pretty close to the storyline that would be made popular by Walt Disney 40 years later with the exception that Cinderella must also complete tasks given her by the godmother before she can be dressed for the ball. These are easy tasks, including gathering the pumpkin, the mice and the rats to serve respectively as coach, horses and servants, but they are something Cinderella actually has to go and accomplish before she can receive the godmother’s gift. In keeping with the times, it was not unusual for people to find animals su ch as mice and rats living in close proximity to their homes, and it is not surprising that inside the house is where Cinderella finds and captures the mice and the rats she will need. Cinderella is a true working girl, too, not squeamish about dealing with these animals and accustomed to the hard labor of a housemaid in an age without automatic machines available to make the work easier. This is a much harder story than that told by Walt Disney in 1950. Here the step-sisters have become as unfortunate in appearance as they are in spirit. They are both obviously mean and spiteful even to each other. Cinderella’s role here is the same, to struggle as housemaid under these sisters and an even more demanding step-mother, but the house is much grander and Cinderella’s accommodations are more comfortable although still poor. While she is still expected to do all of the work, her animated clothes don’t look nearly as poor as that of her earlier live-action counterpart and the animals that live in her house are friends rather than vermin. This is made clear as the birds, dog, horse and mice all exist apparently to serve her desires because they are all, to some degree, in love with her as well. In keeping with the mood of the times in which new inventions were being made that made women’s housework much less of a chore, Cinderella is rarely seen

Improvement for Students Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Improvement for Students - Assignment Example Current practices in universities for seminars are that they invite guest speakers and they deliver briefly about the topic. Universities can improve the pattern of conducting seminars as seminars are fruitful in providing knowledge of the actual corporate world which is totally different from the student life (Education system 'needs urgent improvement'_(News) Article from Cape Times (South Africa) HighBeam Research). Normally, guest speakers in the seminars are at the leading post in the leading companies. An interactive session of seminar can improve the standard of seminars which can also help students when they enter professional lives. Interactivity in seminars can be created by not only delivering what speaker knows but also by giving them real life examples and situations to think how to act on those. Graphic novels are kind of comic books which have text based on the likings of teenagers and youngsters (Graphic Novels). Such novels can also be considered as literature as they have stories similar to the novels but are presented in a different writing style. These novels are considered as literature as it consist text related to literature as it has the written composition and has its own importance.

Human resource development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human resource development - Essay Example Next, it will be presumed the possible effectiveness and ineffectiveness of E-HRM and finally, the details of appropriateness and inappropriateness of practical E-HRM will be stated. Reul et al. (2004) presume that the essence of E-HRM technology lies with the implementation of E-HRM technology in accordance with the requirements of the organization’s HR business. The purpose of E-HRM can be defined from three perspectives like operational E-HRM, relational E-HRM and transformational E-HRM. Operational E-HRM more specifically relates to functional administrations. In this genre, E-HRM is generally used to do stuff like payrolls which are personal data of employees. For example, today many Australian companies implement Affinity Payroll System, which is convenient for most complicated pay conditions and assimilates wizards and workflow to eliminate manual input. It ensures accuracy and saves time thus helping Australian companies to achieve controllable targets. It also decreases related stress, paperwork and rework. Besides, E-HRM technology supports the relational HRM work like performance, appraisal, recruitment and training. Australian Human Resource I nstitute extensively utilizes e-training and e-learning foundations to prepare employees for maximum business activities. Instead of the regular functioning of human resource department, intranet can be used to implement training and skill learning techniques. Meanwhile, transformational E-HRM strategically manages the transactional activities of HR. With proper development of E-HRM technology, it can be used as a platform to bring about transformational change to enhance the operational functions of HR in business transactions (Foster, 2009). In the future, E-tech can improve HR decision support and distributions transactions of a new business transaction program of Qantas to attain the planned growth and maintain sustainability and

Spiritual and religious traditions of our ancestors Essay

Spiritual and religious traditions of our ancestors - Essay Example After awhile, he left the tent and went straight to the Confederate picket line where he seriously tried to commit suicide. (Blaise, n.d.) In the end, he was considered to be a hero for successfully diverting the Federal attack away from the civil war. For this reason, he was given the option to choose his own assignment in which he had chosen to see the ‘frontier’ – a remote post in remote South Dakota. As he reaches close to the Sioux village, a Sioux woman cuts her own wrists because her husband past away. (Willis, 2000) However, Dunbar was able to stop her from going through her plan of committing suicide. This woman happens to be a white woman that was raised by the Sioux tribe. For this reason, she became Dunbar’s personal interpreter. In the end, both Dunbar and the interpreter fell in love. The tribe is composed of the whites, the Sioux, and the Pawnee where racism has become the main reason for the civil war. (Willis, 2000) The group of individuals coming from three different races strongly hates people who are different from their own race. The story shows a great violence among the white Americans among other whites, the white on Indians, Indians on white, and Indian among the Indians. The Sioux were directed to show humanity in everyday life which causes the viewers to take side on them when they were at war with the Pawnee. As part of showing the intense war between the three groups of people, the use of profanity was enormous throughout the story. Religiously speaking, there should be no war and everyone should respect each other as brothers and sisters regardless of race, gender and status in life. However, the film focuses more on civil war that strongly violates humanity and the right of men to live. It is a religious tradition that once the husband or the wife past away, the widow or the widower has to mourn for the dead husband or wife for a certain period of time. However, this was

E-Bussines Technologies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

E-Bussines Technologies - Essay Example At the present, more and more companies are making use of the internet to carry out business tasks. Thus, seeing the importance of electronic commerce in today’s business environment Servue Corporation has decided to implement a new online business arrangement. In fact, web based business has transformed the map of the world. Now people can access any product or information by sitting at home using web links. The same simple and automated business technology is now required at the Servue business. In this scenario, this report will discuss some of the important aspects regarding implementation of this new technology. BUSINESS OVERVIEW Servue Corporation is specialized in offering a range of decorated crockery. They have before sold their goods with word of mouth to local customers as well as tourists, by means of their shop window, as well as with mail order from their catalogue or website. From the current business technology point of view the corporation has been making use of early 1990s computerised information system as well as makes use of their website mostly for marketing purposes. However, the current business website is not much dynamic to handle and manage the tasks of the business working through the web. Thus, the online management of business operations turns out to be a problematic job for the business. In this scenario there is need for efficient business and corporate management arrangement. BUSINESS ISSUES Currently, Servue Corporation is running its business using physical stores, email and telephonic order system. Though, the business as well uses products ordering system through phone calls from distant customer. The business is using 90s web based arrangement for capturing orders. However, such business arrangement is not much effective for ecommerce marketplace. Additionally, the business is facing a lot of problems in attracting the customers and targeting the products. The business main concern is to attract whole UK’s com munity towards the business and provide a better opportunity of attracting a wide variety of customer classes. The main issues here are lack of customer loyalty. The current business arrangement is based on a traditional legacy system for managing the orders. So it does not attract a great deal of customers. On the other hand, Servue Corporation has a lot of market contenders those are offering much superior customer support and online shopping capabilities to business customers. ONLINE BUSINESS WEBSITE FOR SERVUE BUSINESS In this section I will present the possible solution for Servue Corporation in order to improve their business productivity and corporate working through the web based channel. Here the main recommendation is about the establishment of web based business platform for possible business development and enhancement. This will be an online automated ordering and retailing system. In addition, business and market studies showed that the expansion rate of the Internet p urchases has been extremely high all through the previous years, as well as in spite of the circumstances of the real world financial disaster that affected the online orders registration, things still look extremely brilliant for the Internet. From this viewpoint, people who encourage a service or product as an element of an Internet trade have plenty

Spiritual and religious traditions of our ancestors Essay

Spiritual and religious traditions of our ancestors - Essay Example After awhile, he left the tent and went straight to the Confederate picket line where he seriously tried to commit suicide. (Blaise, n.d.) In the end, he was considered to be a hero for successfully diverting the Federal attack away from the civil war. For this reason, he was given the option to choose his own assignment in which he had chosen to see the ‘frontier’ – a remote post in remote South Dakota. As he reaches close to the Sioux village, a Sioux woman cuts her own wrists because her husband past away. (Willis, 2000) However, Dunbar was able to stop her from going through her plan of committing suicide. This woman happens to be a white woman that was raised by the Sioux tribe. For this reason, she became Dunbar’s personal interpreter. In the end, both Dunbar and the interpreter fell in love. The tribe is composed of the whites, the Sioux, and the Pawnee where racism has become the main reason for the civil war. (Willis, 2000) The group of individuals coming from three different races strongly hates people who are different from their own race. The story shows a great violence among the white Americans among other whites, the white on Indians, Indians on white, and Indian among the Indians. The Sioux were directed to show humanity in everyday life which causes the viewers to take side on them when they were at war with the Pawnee. As part of showing the intense war between the three groups of people, the use of profanity was enormous throughout the story. Religiously speaking, there should be no war and everyone should respect each other as brothers and sisters regardless of race, gender and status in life. However, the film focuses more on civil war that strongly violates humanity and the right of men to live. It is a religious tradition that once the husband or the wife past away, the widow or the widower has to mourn for the dead husband or wife for a certain period of time. However, this was

Strategic Retail Management in Competitive Environment Essay

Strategic Retail Management in Competitive Environment - Essay Example Perception of many people from brand name has moved towards product quality cost and service delivered (Experian, 2011). This has motivated several new retailers to enter into the already competitive market. This has raised survival issues for many new and old retailers, and demands for new strategies and activities to sustain their position in the market (Experian, 2011). The culture of buying has shifted largely towards online viewing and ordering. People visiting the store are easy to urge towards company’s product, and they are the ones who gives the company greater revenue than the online buyers (Experian, 2011). However, this ratio has also taken a 180 degree change in many of the top retail stores, including the ones discuss in this paper, where online buyers makes around 80% of the total income of the company (Experian, 2011). 1. Competitive Environment of UK Retail Industry The retail sector of UK is the only largest private recruiter because it employs around three m illion people. This sector covers a prominent percentage of employment in UK because more than half of the UK population work part time in retail stores. The retail industry of UK is immensely supportive for the economy of the region as it generates abundance of revenue to sustain the economical position of UK. Therefore, the in order to evaluate the environment of this sector Porter’s five forces analysis and PEST analysis of the industry are being done (Obitz, 2009). Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of UK Luxury Retail Sector The analysis of the retail industry of UK is significant for accomplishing the purpose of the paper. Therefore, when it comes to analyze the competitive environment of any industry, Porter’s Five Forces Model appears covering all the areas required for evaluating a competitive environment. i. Threats of Substitute The threat for substitute products in the luxury retail market of UK is quite low as non-food items sold by luxury retailers do n ot have major substitutes. This is due to the fact that buyers purchase luxury items as a result of their perceived luxury associated with their purchases and therefore they do not substitute these products. The threat of substitute is not apparent and the actual threat is only limited to the pricing offered by different retailers for similar products (Nwankwo & Gbadamosi, 2011). ii. Threats of New Entrants In the luxury retail side of the market, there are lower threats of the new entrants in the industry. This is due to the high level of barriers for developing brand and then high level of investment is required for developing brand recognition and its positioning in the luxury brand market. It is difficult for new market entrants to offer product differentiation in the cloth retailing and also change buyers’ attitude which keeps them loyal to already existing luxury brands. Moreover, it has been noted in the luxury retail market that existing brands place barriers for the new entrants by increasing their marketing activities and also undertaking other initiatives that could

The New Calendar Essay Example for Free

The New Calendar Essay As time changes, so does the calendar. In 1793, the Gregorian calendar was replaced by a new one. Dates were moved, months renamed and the number of days in a week increased. The reason for a new calendar in France was to change and fix what was wrong in the original calendar. People who were with the new calendar approved it, for it provided more work and and a better resting day. For those who were against the new calendar, claimed that it made working life more difficult and that it was against nature. The adoption of a new calendar was a major change during the French Revolution. The calendar was created by skilled astronomers and was believed to be correct. The new calendar was created to correct all the problems that were passed down to them for many generations. Many believed that the Gregorian calendar was corrupt and the vices should be corrected (Doc 9). The new calendar showed the character of the revolution. Exactness, simplicity, reason and philosophy was used to create the new calendar. They believed that the new calendar will soon increase commerce and trade through uniformity of weights and measures. The arts and history will need new measurements of time. All errors of routine, which have been passed down, will now be erased (Doc 5). They also believed that it would make farming much easier if the year was split up by seasons (Doc 4). This is bias because the people who created the new calendar probably were high class citizens and don’t know how hard labor was for the farmers and the affects of more work days. Many people were in favor of this new calendar and were strong supporters. Many believed that the church calendar was brought upon ignorant people and that its main purposed was to mark the progress of fanaticism, debasement of nations, persecution and disgust. Also that as time creates new history it needs to be written in a different way (Doc 2). Many supported the Tenth Day of the week. People enjoyed reciting deeds, reading republican accomplishments, and honoring the memory of generals who became martyrs. They claimed they gained virtue on their day of rest (Doc 6). Some where thankful for extra days of labor and less day of rest for the active people (Doc 9). This is bias because if you have an easy job you would want to go to work but if you were raised and worked as a farmer who has do endure ifficult days of hard labor, you would be against the new calendar. Most of the people were not in favor of this new change. Many believed that the new calendar makes it much harder to connect with neighboring countries and with the centuries before them. It creates an obstacle too difficult to overcome (Doc 3). This is bias because even though the countries may have some similarities, their traditions and customs will always be different. Farmers complained about having more days of labor and less days of rest. In the ten day weeks, nine days are work days and one day is a rest day. They said that it was unbearable work and that they need more rest days from the harsh labor (Doc 7). Some say that the new calendar was forced upon the people as an act of despotism and that the holidays and festivals were based on it and were detestable (Doc 8). They also complained that there weren’t enough days of worship and that the extra days of worship should be reduced so Sunday is more holy and that the prayers are accepted by God. This is bias because even if they turn that calendar back to the original, there is only one day of worship, the same as the new calendar. When the National Convention adopted the revolutionary calendar, there were many different reactions to this change. The reason for the new calendar was to create a change and fix all the errors with the Gregorian calendar. Many people thought the new calendar provided more work and production of goods and a better rest day. Those who were not in favor of this new calendar were against it because it created harder labor and less time for rest and worship. This ne calendar lasted through the republican era but was erased by Napoleon I in 1806.

Why A Study Of Indo Bhutan Relations History Essay

Why A Study Of Indo Bhutan Relations History Essay The political and economic scenario of the world has changed significantly since the end of the Cold War. The simultaneous rise of India and China while a financial gloom stares at the West, is a development of great significance today. In this context, the Sino-Indian balance of power situation has put the countries of the Indian sub-continent into world focus. Moreover, the traditional concept of national security is being broadened gradually to include human security concerns related to water, food and energy security; climate change, pandemics and natural disasters; migration and preservation of identity and culture. Because of the unprecedented pace of globalisation driven by frontier technologies, borders are gradually losing their relevance. These massive changes, which are likely to accelerate in the next 20 years, have also affected India and its neighbourhood. South Asia is witnessing the competitive rise of India China which has created a global influx of resources and a n ew security architecture is being built around it or at least the existing one is being strengthened. That is why the Indian Ocean Rimland has become the big game corridor. Part of this Rimland are big and small nations all competing in the same space. The diplomatic equation of India with these nations is undergoing metamorphosis, albeit there is continuity in change. In this context, the Indo-Bhutan relationship has become not just more dynamic but also complex. The Bhutanese social and political milieu has been fast changing ever since democracy took feet in the Bhutanese soil. With growing aspirations, Bhutan has realigned herself with real politics of the world. It has begun to come out of its shell and explore better avenues of international co-operation, even thawing to its Northern neighbour, China. Added to this is the unfolding reality of social change in the Bhutanese society and the grave threat of climate change related disasters, which the glacial country is literally living under. Although Indo-Bhutan relationship has withstood the tests of time so far, it would be very ignorant of us if India does not sit up and take notice of these chan ges so that we may be prepared to recalibrate our policies to prevent them from becoming anachronistic. 1.2 Aim Given the above context, this thesis is aimed to make an objective study of the security situation, the social-political and economic developments and the climatic changes that define the Bhutan of today. The study aims to highlight and analyse those developments which can be of particular relevance to Indian foreign policy making in the next decade or two. It is aimed to understand the anxieties of our Himalayan neighbour in present times so that we may be able to posture ourselves better to meet the challenges that may be posed to our national interests due to these changes, and also to take advantage of any new opportunities that may arise with them. Thus, recommendations and suggestions are also put forth for making Indian diplomacy more successful in this region in the coming times. 1.3 Scope The scope of this thesis has been restricted to analysing Indo-Bhutan relations beginning from the end of British Rule and signing of the Friendship Treaty in 1949, although, historical references have been made wherever deemed necessary. However, the main focus of the study is on the contemporary Bhutan and the changes seen in the past 10 years, which have led to the ongoing transformation of Bhutan. It aims to highlight the contemporary developments which have caused or may cause, a shift in the Bhutanese policy imperatives, thus requiring a similar reconfiguration from the Indian side. 1.4 Plan of Presentation The thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter deals with a general introduction of Bhutan as a unique country and the background of Indo-Bhutan relations in various sectors of co-operation. The subsequent three chapters will deal with specific issues which are considered important for Indian foreign policy making. The second chapter will introduce the security issues involved considering the strategic location of Bhutan between two big powers, India and China. The next chapter touches upon the internal developments in Bhutan- social, political and economic- which can have implications for Indian foreign policy imperatives. The one after that deals specifically with the issue of climate change and the implications it may have on the power and water co-operation between India and Bhutan and also on the living conditions of people in the lower riparian Himalayan states of India. The last chapter aims to conclude and summarise the above implications on Indian foreign policy and how India should calibrate its stance taking in account the said developments. CHAPTER 2: Indo-Bhutan Relations 2.1 Why a study of Indo-Bhutan Relations? The pace of change in the Asian region will only intensify in the coming years. What does this change mean for Indias neighbourhood policy? While Indias neighbourhood will throw up several new avenues for co-operation among countries of the region yet fresh security challenges will also arise. Dominated by traditional security concerns for the last six decades, Indias policy towards its neighbourhood will require a makeover in the light of the great political, economic and social changes that are taking place. Today the concept of security encompasses several humanitarian cross-border issues like migrations, water sharing, transportation, trade, energy and food security etc. Hence, non-military concerns will need to be incorporated within a broader understanding of national security. This will be a major challenge for Indias foreign and security policies in the coming decades. Bhutan is turning over a new leaf in its history. It is transiting from a monarchical system to democracy. In this context, India has to take into stride the growing presence of China in the region and the fact that a country like Bhutan cannot avoid a political thaw towards a big power without making the animosity evident. It may have to open doors to the Chinese for deepening its economic ties which will help in improving the living standards of its peoples. Moreover, the political tone of the emerging parties is changing with the rise of a strong pro-China and anti-India lobby in Bhutan. India cannot afford to do business as usual with Bhutan as it will also hurt its own interests. In such a scenario, India should be mindful of the changing political discourse in Bhutan as democracy takes roots in Bhutan. Along with this, we have to co-operate to manage the threats of Climate Change which will cause damage beyond boundaries. That is why it is imperative that we understand our smal l neighbour and not fall in the trap of taking things for granted. In this chapter an attempt is made to build that background perspective which will give force to the arguments presented later and also impart a direction and context to the study. DRUKYUL: Land of the Thunder Dragon 2.2 Political History The political system of Bhutan has evolved over time together with its tradition and culture. In Sanskrit literature it finds mention as Bhotaant. Bhot or Bhotiya are the tribes from Tibet and ant means the end, meaning the land where Tibet ends. It is said that it was ruled by a Hindu king of Indo-Mongoloid origin. From 8th century onwards the Tibetan invaders began to attack the kingdom and subsequently drove out the original rulers and began to call themselves the Druk people. Later, during the 18th century, Bhutan had their first brush with the outside world through the interventions of British East India Co. Bhutan and Assam had been rivals for ages and even after the British occupation of Assam, Bhutan continued to raid it. First the British tried to engage Bhutanese king Deb Raja through diplomatic missions but the ruler did not give up the raids. This led to an expedition by the Company in Bhutan whereby Deb Raja was subjugated and The Ten Articles Treaty of Rawa Pani in 1865 was signed. After Deb Raja, Ugyen Wangchuk came to power. He changed the course of Bhutans history forever. He became a close ally of the British during the Anglo-Tibet war and this alliance also changed the course of Indo-Bhutan relations in future. It finally led to the signing of the Treaty of Punakha in 1910 which was a prelude to the Treaty of Friendship signed in 1949 between independent India and Bhutan. 2.2.1 Transition to Democracy: The Wangchuk dynasty continued to rule Bhutan. In 1952 King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk came to power and he changed the countrys course forever. Having been educated in India and abroad, he understood the importance of economic development and democratic values. If one looks at the class structure of Bhutan, the picture regarding the conditions that might trigger a transition appear almost as non-existent as did the socio-economic factors. Not only is the majority of the population employed in agriculture, there also exists almost no noteworthy middle class that could facilitate change in line with the arguments made by modern sociologists. Therefore, modernization in Bhutan took a completely different shape from that in most countries. Instead of massive social transformation, it appears that development came in the form of change in continuity. The first structure of Bhutanese culture that promotes this change in continuity is religion. The specific traits that come with Buddhism are probably as conducive to democracy as western culture is thought to be. Like Buddhism, modern democracy is based on the principle that all human beings are essentially equal, and that each of us has an equal right to life, liberty, and happiness. Thus, not onl y are Buddhism and democracy compatible, they are rooted in a common understanding of the equality and potential of every individual. (His Holiness the Dalai Lama 1999: 3f) Democracy also requires a system whereby the interests of the individual are balanced with the wider well-being of the community at large. In Buddhism, this dualism between individual and group rights is also well embodied. Second is the uniquely significant role of agency in Bhutans transition to democracy. The initiative for democratization emanated solely from the fourth Druk Gyalpo, although some pro-democracy pressure groups did start agitating during the 1990s. Also, no external pressure was put on Bhutan to liberalize, neither from its direct neighbours, nor from its donors. Interestingly, the King had initiated the beginning of the transition, not by liberalization but by strengthening the executive and legislative, thus devolving his own powers and strengthening state institutions. It appears that the whole process had been long planned and envisioned by the King, as for more than 20 years before the introduction of democracy, some form of consensual, participatory grass-roots democracy had been nurtured, which in turn made it possible to publicly discuss and deliberate about the draft constitution. This resulted in a carefully planned and executed policy of change in continuity, that did not o ppress the people, provided development without uprooting them, and safeguarded the norms, values and institutions which they held dear. This shows the significant role that leadership played in the countrys evolution. That is why the fourth King is considered father of Modern Bhutan. The constitution was launched in 2008 and with it a parliamentary form of democracy introduced. The progression from Hereditary Monarchy to that of a Parliamentary Democracy has been gradual from the institution of National Assembly in 1953 to all the decentralization that followed suit. Thus, in 2008 Bhutan witnessed a major shift in its political system with the first elections launched country wide. The Druk Phunsum Tshogpa was mandated by the people to head the new government with a major victory. Today with 45 elected members, Lyonchen Jigme Y Thinley steers the government with just two opposition members from the Peoples Democratic Party. 2.3 Bhutan: Economic environment* Bhutan is a Low Income Country coming under the South Asian Region as per the classification made by the World Bank on the basis of income and region for the year 2006. Bhutans GDP  [1]  per capita in 2009 was 1,805 US $, up from 762 US $ in 2000. However, this drastic change probably reflects more on the volatile increase of GDP due to hydro power construction projects than on the real and substantial increase in the peoples income. Its adult literacy rate is merely 59%, though there appears to be a sharp contrast between urban and rural. Though it is one of the smallest economies in the world, still its fast rising economic growth rate and its developmental efforts have drawn the attention of the world. It has strived hard to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. For instance, approximately 90% of the population is covered by basic health care, while 83.2% have access to safe drinking water. The Ngultrum is its currency whose value is pegged to the Indian Rupee. The Indian Rupee is also accepted as legal tender in the country. Its economy is largely dependent on agriculture, forestry, tourism and sale of hydro electric power to India. Ninety five percent of the population depends on agriculture and allied sectors. The country has large deposits of marble, dolomite, graphite, lead, copper, slate, coal, talc, gypsum and beryl. Major agricultural products  [2]  in the country are rice, corn, root crops, buckwheat, barley, oranges, cardamom and dairy products. Important industries in the country are HEP, food processing, cement, wood products and processed fruits. Its tourism industry brings large reserves of foreign exchange to its treasury. Manufacturing has been the weakest link to its industrial efficiency. 60% of its budget expenditure is being financed by the Ministry of External Affairs. Its major export destinations  [3]  are India, Hong Kong and Bangladesh with electricity, cardamom, spices, handicrafts and timber majorly constituting its export basket. Imports for fuels, grains and machinery are sourced from India, Japan and Sweden. Bhutan has high dependence on developmental aid like in all its major hydro electric projects it has joined hands with many countries like Austria, Netherlands, India etc. Graph 1: GDP growth rate trend Graph 2: GDP Growth sector-wise 2.3.1 Macroeconomic Performance in Recent Past The countrys economic growth rate in the 2011-12 was at 8.1 percent. Bhutan was ranked second in South Asia and 11th in the world by the real GDP growth rate for the year 2011. The list of the countries was prepared by the US Central Intelligence Agency. The growth was driven by the industry with hydropower constructions contributing 44.1 percent followed by the service sector at 37.4 percent. The primary sector including agriculture, livestock and forestry contributed 15.1 percent. On the surface, the macroeconomic environment of Bhutan can be described as quite sound in the conventional sense. It has a low budget deficit, a low and stable inflation, a highly open trade regime and a current account surplus (including grants from abroad) in its external transactions. Detailed scrutiny, however, reveals a number of weaknesses. Unlike many other developing countries, Bhutan did not have to undergo a formal structural adjustment programme because it never faced serious macroeconomic imb alances to warrant such a programme. Nonetheless, Bhutan has undertaken a wide range of liberalization programmes especially in the realm of financial policy and trade and industrial policy-that allow for a greater role of the market mechanism in resource allocation and encourages a shift of economic activities from the public to the private sector. 2.4 Bhutan: Social and cultural environment Bhutanese people can be generally categorized into three main ethnic groups- Tshanglas, Ngalops and Lhotshampas and about ten minority groups. Together the multiethnic Bhutanese population numbers slightly more than 7 lakh as per the 2011 census. Dzongkha is the official language of Bhutan and it is written in the Classical Ucan Tibetan script. The Bhutanese society is free of class or caste system and any inhibition that is detrimental for a society to progress. In general the Bhutanese have always been gender sensitive. Bhutan is a Buddhist country and people refer to it as the last stronghold of Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism was first introduced by the Indian Tantric master Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century and the original religion was Ponism, an animistic religion. One may still come across animistic traditions and beliefs being practised by the people. However, Buddhism has a strong impact on Bhutans national life and national affairs. There are many monasteries which are also centres of administration and lamas are exempt from paying taxes. While Bhutan is definitely one of the smallest countries in the world yet the cultural diversity and its richness are profound. As such strong emphasis is laid on the promotion and preservation of its rich cultural diversity. It is strongly believed that ensuring protection and preservation of its unique culture would assist in protecting the sovereignty of the nation. 2.5 Bhutan: Ecological environment One of the four pillars of Bhutans development philosophy of Gross National Happiness is the preservation of its environment. The recently adopted Constitution of Bhutan mandates to have minimum of 60% of the country under forest cover. Today, forests constitute 72% of the country. There are more than 3,281 plant and 770 bird species making Bhutan one of the top 10 bio-diversity hotspots in the world. Although Bhutans carbon footprint is low because its energy consumption is based less on fossil fuels and more on hydro power, yet it faces an imminent threat due to global climatic changes being a lower riparian state in the glacial valleys of some of the highest and largest Himalayan glaciers. According to a PTI Report published in the Times of India on Sep 28, 2012, a joint India-UK survey has revealed that Himalayan region will be the worst hit by climate change. According to another set of recent findings, published in three reports by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, based in Kathmandu, Bhutans glaciers have shrunk by 22 per cent over the last 30 years. Not only does this threaten the viability of its power projects, but also its very survival. Hence, how Bhutan and the world cope with this challenge will have great implications for the whole densely populated region of South Asia. 2.6 INDO-BHUTAN RELATIONS: A ROCK THROUGH THE AGES Bhutan and India have shared a common cultural heritage in many ways and till 8th century Bhutan used to be a Hindu kingdom. Even Buddhism was introduced in Bhutan by an Indian, Guru Padmanasambhav. Cultural exchange and trade at the borders forged close ties among the people, especially in the North eastern region. Political contact was first established when King Ugyen Wangchuk became a close ally of the British during the Anglo-Tibet war and this alliance changed the course of Indo-Bhutan relations in future. It finally led to the signing of the Treaty of Punakha in 1910 which was a prelude to the Treaty of 1949 signed between independent India and Bhutan. This treaty was a landmark in the bilateral relationship of the two countries. For Bhutan, the treaty came as an assurance from the Indian side that its sovereignty as a small but independent country will not be challenged by the Big Power on its southern border. It was critical to her security and existence because at that time , the Big Power on its Northern border, Communist China, was carrying out threatening advances towards Ladakh, Tibet, Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan, following the Palm Five Fingers theory of Mao. Under article 2 of the treaty, the Government of Bhutan had to undertake to be guided by the advice of Government of India in its external relations. Hence, Bhutan had to give up its right to have an independent Foreign Policy. For India, this treaty had obvious geo-strategic and security significance. In this regard, Lt Gen B.M.Kaul in his book The Untold Story (Bombay: 1967) quotes Nehru from a private conversation as: It was important from Indias point of view to strengthen Bhutans friendship in view of her key position at our border and we must do everything possible to help her. We must treat smaller countries like Bhutan as our equals, and never give them the impression that they are being civilised by us. Between 1949 and the present times, there have been distinct phases in the evolution of this relationship, while the treaty was still very much like a bedrock. These are marked by four distinct events- the suppression of Tibet by China in 1959, Indias defeat at the hands of the Chinese in 1962, the merger of Sikkim in 1974 and finally the establishment of Democracy in Bhutan in 2006. The first three had made Bhutan all the more conscious of the threat to its sovereignty which was imminent from being sandwiched between two big rival nations. Lets understand these events briefly. The continuous Chinese attacks on Tibet Autonomous Region disturbed the peace of the region. China even built a road through from Sinkiang to Tibet, cutting across territories claimed by India, very near to Bhutan. To counter Chinese designs, Nehru visited Bhutan and convinced the Royal Government to accept Indias assistance in building roads through Bhutan to India, to connect strategic territories. Nehru even announced in the parliament that India would consider any aggression on Bhutan as an aggression on India. With Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959 and Dalai Lamas political asylum being granted by India, the latter became a bà ªte noir for China and it continued to build troops along the Indo-Bhutan border. The King of Bhutan also came to India to seek its guaranteed military support in case of a war while re-iterating Bhutans acceptance of Indias guidance in foreign matters as a quid pro quo. With these turn of events India and Bhutan came closer. The Sino-Indian War of 1962 was a setback for Indo-Bhutan relations. Bhutan was jolted to the reality of a full blown war between the two rivals and also to the weak position of India vis-a-vis China. It created the suspicion that if India was unable to protect itself, how it could protect Bhutan. Since then Bhutan became wary of further antagonizing China. Though it still had leanings towards India, it began to expand its horizons to other powers of the world. India also encouraged Bhutans aspirations in this regard by sponsoring Bhutans name at international fora such as UN and NAM. The assassination of Bhutanese PM Jigme Palde Dorji in 1964 led to allegations of Indian officials involvement in the crime and also its interference in domestic matters. However, the air was cleared soon and in 1968, both countries decided to open their diplomatic missions. India sent a Special officer to Thimpu who would help Bhutan foster ties with the outside world. In order to fulfill the condition of having diplomatic missions in other UN countries so as to gain UN membership, Bhutan also decided to open its mission office in New Delhi. During 1960s and 1970s the relationship remained friendly and stable under the leadership of King Jigmye Singye Wangchuk. Another incident that made Bhutan wary was the merger of Sikkim with India in 1974 following an uprising against the feudal exploitation and the monarchy. The Nepali Sikkimese forced Sikkim to merge with the Union of India. Bhutan thought of it as a sad loss of identity and sovereignty of a neighbouring small state. However, the wariness was overcome by the freedom of the newly opened Bhutan. It reached to far-off countries like France, USA, New Zealand, UK, Australia etc. during the 1970s. After that India could not dictate to Bhutan, the terms of engagement with other friendly countries. In 1975, it resulted in opening up of trade and economy to Indian markets and also co-operation in the Hydro Power sector throughout the 1970s 80s. During the Janta Government rule India pursued a policy of Beneficial Bilateralism under which India ceded to Bhutans request for establishing bilateral relations with China by sending a diplomatic note to the Chinese embassy in India in 1981. Since then Sino-Bhutan relations have been mainly dominated by boundary negotiations and several rounds of negotiations have been held till now. During the 1980s Bhutan continued to embark on its new journey to open up-to the world while still maintaining friendly relations with India. By now, liberal interpretation of Article 2 of the Treaty of 1949 was already an established custom between the two neighbours. In 1988, the Chukha hydel project was inaugurated by President Venkatraman, having built by Indian technical and financial assistance. The 1990s were marked with several ups and downs for both countries. On one hand the Nepali refugee problem raised its head, on the other there were anti Monarchical and pro-democracy movements taking seed in the country. Still Bhutan did a successful balancing act at many points in time. It supported Indias stand on issues like CTBT, NPT, permanent seat in UNSC, cross border terrorism etc. During the late 90s and early 2000s Bhutan was caught in a Catch 22 situation regarding formation of a Joint Indo-Bhutan Army for purging ULFA and BODO militants. On the one hand it did not want to provoke Chinese, who raise their brow on Indian military presence in Bhutan and on the other they did not want the anti-monarchical forces to join hands with the militants as the ultra nationalists would see Indian intervention as compromise of Bhutans sovereignty. After carefully weighing the pros and cons of all actions, Bhutan finally decided in 2000, to arm and train the Royal Bhutanese Army against the militants hiding in the border areas which were finally purged out in the Operation Flush Out. After the pro-democracy movement took roots in Bhutan, several changes came into the national consciousness of the Himalayan Nation. The process of debate and discussion on Bhutans foreign and security policy has started in right earnest. Besides trade and development partnership, power co-operation, climate change, people to people exchangeare all pointers of the deeper engagement they share. Interaction between the democratic institutions of the two countries such as the Parliament and Election Commission has also increased. However, at the domestic level, issues of trade imbalance, disadvantages of over-dependence on India and poor delivery mechanism are being debated in the parliament and the media with increasing regularity. In the national assembly, the representatives are pushing for settling of border dispute with China and normalising relationship with China. Apart from Japan and India, China is likely to come up as a major economic player in Bhutan. On the ethnic front, the issue of Bhutanese refugees of Nepalese origin remains unresolved. This has the potential to strain Nepal-Bhutan relationship and complicate internal security situation in Bhutan. There is also the likelihood of Indian insurgent groups reusing Bhutanese territory against Indian interests. In the larger context, the bilateral relationship has so far been a rock through time. However, with aspirations come challenges and new choices. This is exactly what todays Bhutan is going through. There are several policy options for it today. The question is whether it will continue to look at India as friend indeed and a partner for all times and strengthen its relationship or try to diversify and move away from it. Which option it will exercise? Only time will tell. CHAPTER 3: The Chinese Externality (Sino-Bhutan Relations) 3.1 The Background: With the above backgrounder, we will now look at the specific major issues at hand which could be of particular interest to Indian Foreign Policy makers. The Sino-Bhutan relationship has always been and will always be the pivot of Indias political relationship with Bhutan. It is of great significance because of the security threat involved to Indias eastern sector, given the suspicious actions of the PRC and the acrimonious border dispute between the two regional powers. For India, Bhutan is a traditional ally and a kind of buffer for its territorial security in the eastern theatre. For China, Bhutan forms one of the fingers of the five finger policy. China considers Tibet as the palm consisting of five fingers namely, Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh and so it has always strived for a domineering position vis-à  -vis the small states. In this quest for power, Chinas greatest political rival is India. And history of turmoil in the Himalayas is marked by Chinese excursions into the border regions of India which have been mentioned above. Due to these hostilities Bhutan has always turned to India as a friend and advi sor. Whereas China, unlike India, even refused to recognize Bhutans status of an independent nation since the start. That is why bilateral relations have remained strained between the two countries. And in order to assert its suzerainty over Bhutan, China has kept alive the dispute over the 470km border between itself and Bhutan. It has four disputed areas that stretch from Dhoklam in the west, Charithang, Sinchulimpa and Dramana pasture land. China is claiming maximum territory in the western sector that is close to the tri-junction of Bhutan, China and India for strategic purposes. It has offered Thimphu a deal: it wants Bhutans northwestern areas in exchange for recognizing Bhutans control over the central areas. The PRC wants Bhutan to compromise on the Chumbi valley which is of extreme strategic importance to India.   The PRC has outlined its plan of extending the railway network from Lhasa to Zangmu on the Nepal border. According to this blueprint, yet another line will bran ch out midway from the line at Shigatse. This line will move east and go up to Yadong, at the mouth of Chumbi Valley- strategically located at the tri -junction of India-China-Bhutan. So far, Bhutan has largely toiled under the influence of India. India-Bhutan relations were revised in 2007 with the establishment of democracy and now it is more of an equal relation; with Bhutan being freed from the condition of accepting Indias guidance in its external affairs. As democracy started taking ground, special ties with India have been questioned by many quarters in Bhutan. There are lobbies which argue that a Nepal like policy of neutrality towards both countries, India China, would be more beneficial as Bhutan could then get the best of both worlds, even by playing one card against the other. Also Bhutan realizes that it cannot afford to ignore the Chinese overtures without creating animosity between the two. Thus, to neutralize its relationship, Bhutan has started turning towards China. Perhaps, Bhutan is trying to come out of Indias shadow and seeks to play a more dynamic role internationally. Besides strategic interests, Bhutan has justified economic interests in opening up-to China, the fastest growing economy. Beijing is exporting farming and telecommunication equipment and has also offered to invest in projects related to health and education services. Unquestionably, for China, Bhutan is also an attractive destination for investment for reasons other than economic. This may not be significant in amou

Wuthering Heights - Short Analysis Essay :: essays research papers

Conflict is the basic foundation for Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Much of this conflict results from a distinct division of classes and is portrayed through personal relationships, for example the unfriendly relationship between the higher-class Lintons and the lower-class Heathcliff. Conflict is also portrayed by the appearance of characters the setting. The division of classes is based on cultural, economic, and social differences, and it greatly affects the general behaviour and actions of each character. The setting of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange provides a clear example of social contrast. While the Heights is depicted as simply typical and "domestic," the Grange is described as a "scene of unprecedented richness". Each house is associated with behaviour fitting the description. For example, when Catherine is taken into the Grange, she experiences drastic changes, thus going from a "savage" to a "lady". While at this house, she rises in status, learns manners, and receives great privileges such as not having to work. Heathcliff, on the other hand, learns to classify himself as a member of the lower class, as he does not possess the qualities of those at the Grange. Catherine's decision to marry Edgar Linton rather than Heathcliff widens the gap between social classes because Edgar Linton is a wealthy man of high status, and Heathcliff is poor and possesses no assets. Catherine does not consider personal feelings, but instead, she focuses on her outward appearance to society. This is shown when she says, "Edgar Linton will be rich and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood whereas if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars.† In Wuthering Heights wealth signifies social class because Catherine strives to achieve high status by marrying the rich man over the poor man. The story concludes in "resolution and reconciliation". Wuthering Heights - Short Analysis Essay :: essays research papers Conflict is the basic foundation for Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Much of this conflict results from a distinct division of classes and is portrayed through personal relationships, for example the unfriendly relationship between the higher-class Lintons and the lower-class Heathcliff. Conflict is also portrayed by the appearance of characters the setting. The division of classes is based on cultural, economic, and social differences, and it greatly affects the general behaviour and actions of each character. The setting of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange provides a clear example of social contrast. While the Heights is depicted as simply typical and "domestic," the Grange is described as a "scene of unprecedented richness". Each house is associated with behaviour fitting the description. For example, when Catherine is taken into the Grange, she experiences drastic changes, thus going from a "savage" to a "lady". While at this house, she rises in status, learns manners, and receives great privileges such as not having to work. Heathcliff, on the other hand, learns to classify himself as a member of the lower class, as he does not possess the qualities of those at the Grange. Catherine's decision to marry Edgar Linton rather than Heathcliff widens the gap between social classes because Edgar Linton is a wealthy man of high status, and Heathcliff is poor and possesses no assets. Catherine does not consider personal feelings, but instead, she focuses on her outward appearance to society. This is shown when she says, "Edgar Linton will be rich and I shall like to be the greatest woman of the neighbourhood whereas if Heathcliff and I married, we should be beggars.† In Wuthering Heights wealth signifies social class because Catherine strives to achieve high status by marrying the rich man over the poor man. The story concludes in "resolution and reconciliation".

A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams Essay -- A Streetcar Na

A Streetcar Named Desire In what way can A Streetcar Named Desire be seen as an exploration of†old† America versus the â€Å"new† America? In the play, Blanche represents old America and Stanley represents new America. Why Blanche represents old America is because of her way of thinking, lifestyle and values. When Blanche walks into the room where the guys are playing poker, there is a great example of how Blanche represents old and Stanley new. When she walks in, the guys are sitting around the table, then Blanche says â€Å"Please don’t get up†. Stanley replies â€Å"nobody’s going to get up, so don’t be worried†. Before men were always supposed to treat women with respect, and get up from the chair when they came in, and when they left. Blanche expects or imagines that they are going to treat her like that. In this way Blanche appear as the â€Å"old† America, how people used to think. Stanley is a large contrast and represents new America, when he says nobody’s going to get up. None of them were even thinking of getting up for her, because that is not their manners, a nd that is not what people do in the â€Å"new† America. New America is when there was a lot of immigration. In this new â€Å"world† the old fashions and norms were bit by bit disappearing, for instance racism. Also the lower classes in society became more common. This is the world Stanley lives in. In contrast Blanche is stuck in the old world. Stanley represents new America because he is from Poland. America’s growth of immigration is shown, and very many people in America today are immigrants. Blanches behaviour towards Stanley’s background shows that she is old-fashioned. When Stella says that Stanley is Polish, Blanche says â€Å"They’re something like Irish, aren’t they?†. Her racist view is very old and conventional. Stanley represents the â€Å"new† America, and he can be seen as a message from Tennessee Williams about how the society in America was changing and what it was changing into. Stanley is a chauvinist, because he obviously takes what he desires, referring to where he rapes Blanche. Stanley is very dominant, he rules and his word is always the strongest. He has a strong sexual desire, even in the end of the play when Blanche is taken to the hospital, he starts making love to Stella. It is quite obvious that Tennessee Williams shows Stanley as â€Å"new† America, and this might be what he means America is develo... ...t with Mitch. When Stanley beat Stella, and she was mad at him, he shouted out Stella’s name, she came down, and they then spent the night together. The next morning Stella and Blanche discuss the incident. Blanche asks â€Å"How could you come back in this place last night? Stella answers â€Å"You're making much too much fuss about this†. This also demonstrates that the â€Å"new† and â€Å"old† America collides because of their different values and norms. At the end of the play when the doctor has come to take Blanche away, she says â€Å"Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers†. This is Blanche’s final statement in the play. She perceives the doctor as the rescuing gentleman she has been waiting for since she came. But ironically, strangers have never done her any good. The truth is that strangers have only been kind in exchange for sex. Strangers like Stanley, Mitch and the people of her hometown Laurel have not given Blanche the sympathy she so sorely needed and deserved. Stanley’s class hatred seeks to destroy Blanche. His cruelty, combined with Blanche’s fragile state of mind and insecure personality, leaves her mentally isolated from reality by the end of the play.

Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations Report

|Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations | | | | | |   | |Home   | | | |Truck Freightage Defies Trends in Economy: IFTRT Report | |   | |Defying the buoyant data being released by various agencies about the expansion of economic activities and soaring corporate profits, | |the trucking business, consisting of 3 million trucks, has failed to look up in last 4 weeks. The truck freightage has remained flat | |on most of the trunk routes despite increase in cost of operation due to 2 diesel price hikes (Dec 31 and Dec 15†² 03) totaling Rs. 2/- | |per litre (10%) and have, in fact, sharply declined on trunk routes passing through Uttar Pradesh due to resumption of overloading by | |trucks. | | |On the other hand various State Governments had withdrawn Gold token/ passes/ cards, which permitted over-loading of trucks in excess | |of permitted weight, in order to get release of their share of Central Road Fund withheld since April 2003. The Central Government has| |stop ped Central Road Fund to those State Governments, which were not only permitting but sponsoring overloading of trucks in | |contravention of Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 by issuing Gold Cards/ passes/ tokens to truckers against fixed monthly/ quarterly | |fee. The Central Government has taken a firm view that â€Å"over-loading of the vehicles cause significant damage to road surface†¦ | | | |Recently, the State Government of Uttar Pradesh withdrew the Gold Card scheme w. e. f. Dec. 15, 03 and a month later Rajasthan did the | |same w. e. f. 1, Jan 04. The subsequent stringent enforcement of CMV Act, 1988 by U. P. Transport Department by not permitting the | |entry/passing through of overloaded trucks from the State resulted in sharp increase in truck freightage by 4% – 7. 5% during the | |fortnight (Dec 1, – Dec 15, 03) and unsettled the trucking business in region. However, this anti-overloading drive was short-lived | |and has collapsed in the U. P. State, by and large. Now, overloaded trucks are plying and passing through the State merrily. Thus, | |truck freightage once again is being dictated by the over-loading of vehicles that existed before Dec. 1, 03. In the last four weeks | |the truck freightage for the trunk routes passing through U. P. has dropped by 3. 5% – 6. 8%, according to the monthly update released by| |Indian Foundation of Transport Training & Research (IFTRT). | | | |Union Government outsmarted by Rajasthan | | | |Followed by U. P. the Rajasthan Government, too, had withdrawn its Gold card/token scheme from 1, Jan 04 to get the Central Road Fund | |released immediately. However, the State Government, very smartly has replaced the earlier special Gold Token Scheme with another | |†AMNESTY SCHEME† by charging multi slab fee to permit unhindered over-loading of trucks in excess of prescribed weight limit. The 1st | |Jan. '04 notification has been â€Å"modified† to pacify the Central Government, which had again refused to release the money from Central | |Road Fund. But, plyin g of over loaded commercial vehicles continues under the patronage of State Transport Department, points out the | |report. |   | | | |TRUCK (16. 2 TON GVW) Hire charges/rates (Rs. per round trip 21 Dec'03 – 21 Jan'04 | |Route / Round Trip |Period |Truck Hire charges |Diesel Price increase Impact | |9 ton pay load | |change/Round Trip/Period |(per round trip) 31 Dec'03 | | | |21 Dec'03 – 21 Jan'04 | | | Hire Charges |Hire Charges | | | | |21 Dec'03 |21 Jan'04 | | | | | | |Rs. |% |Rs. |% | |Delhi – Mumbai – Delhi |28,800/- |28,800/- |No Change |NC |(+) 620/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Nagpur – Delhi |28,400/- |28,400/- |No Change |NC |(+) 610/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Kolkata – Delhi |34,700/- |33,000/- |(-) 1,700/- |(-) 5. 0 |(+) 630/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Guwahati – Delhi |69,400/- |67,000/- |(-) 2,400/- |(-) 3. |(+) 850/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Hyderabad – Delhi |43,100/- |43,100/- |No Change |NC |(+) 770/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Chennai – Delhi |59,000/- |59,000/- |No Change |NC |(+) 870/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Bangalore – Delhi |44,800/- |45,000/- |(+) 200/- |(+) 0. 5 |(+) 770/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Ranchi – Delhi |33,300/- |31,300/- |(-) 2,000/- |(-) 6. 8 |(+) 620/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Raipur – Delhi |29,300/- |29,300/- |No Change |NC |(+) 630/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Kandla – Delhi |18,300/- |18,300/- |No Change |NC |(+) 340/- |(+) 5 | |Delhi – Bilaspur – Delhi |30,300/- |30,300/- |No Change |NC |(+) 620/- |(+) 5 |

Marketing Plan: Zara Essay

I. Executive Summary Zara is the largest retail company owned and run by Inditex, largest Spanish corporation and the world’s largest fashion group. The way Zara has runs its company is by following a vertical integrated operation that has the  advantage to shorten the time in making decisions. Inventories in the stores depend on the geographic area in which the store is located; and the way Zara does their marketing is by just displaying posters at stores and by their windows display. This approach to make business has work very well for Zara; they show an economic growth despite the strong crisis suffer in the United States. The problem that Zara faces is whether to update their existing software or to keep the current software but running in the misfortune that the only DOS supplier will cease to maintain the software. Several benefits and economical costs are described to observe either it would be a wise move or not. II. Situational Analysis III. Target Market Zara sells apparel, footwear and accessories for women, men and children. Product lines were segmented into these three categories, with further segmentation within the women’s line as it was considered the strongest out of the three, with an overwhelming majority of women in the target market (78%). Zara’s consumers are young, value conscious and highly sensitive to the latest fashion trends in the industry. An advantage that the brand has over conventional retailers is that they do not define and segment their target market by ages resulting in designs and styles that can reach a broader market. Zara offers cutting edge fashion at affordable prices by following the most up-to-date fashion trends and identifying consumers’ demand, and quickly getting the latest designs into stores. IV. Swot Analysis V. Marketing Objective and Goals â€Å"The original business idea was very simple. Link customer demand to manufacturing, and link manufacturing to distribution. That is the idea we still live by.† (Jose Maria Castellano Rios, Inditex CEO) Zara’s CEO and founder, Amancio Ortega, saw the great importance of having retailing and manufacturing closely together in the apparel industry and from his view; Zara was able to position itself as a company with vertical integration control system. It covers all phases of the fashion process: design, manufacture, logistics and distribution to its own managed stores. It is also characterized by their strong focus on their customers. Vision â€Å"ZARA is committed to satisfying the desires of our customers. As a result we pledge to continuously innovate our business to improve your experience. We promise to provide new designs made from quality materials that are affordable† Mission Statement​ â€Å"Through Zara’s business model, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of society and that of the environment with which we interacts.† VI. Marketing Strategy and Tactics Competitive Advantage: Market-oriented Strategy Most of Zara’s designs are based on the latest trends and they are ever changing according to the immediate feedback from customers. Zara employs its service staff in listening to customers’ preferences and reacts very quickly to them. It is only a matter of weeks before the designs get altered, manufactured and restocked in the stores. If a design is largely unpopular, Zara will not hesitate to withdraw them from the shelves. Its global establishment also provides an extensive network of shopper-feedback which allows them to be ahead of competitors in spotting global fashion trends. Product: Fast Moving Fashion Zara prides itself on fast moving fashion with new designs restocked in limited quantity every two weeks. This encourages consumers to frequent the stores for new designs and to snap up interesting outfits on the spot in order to guarantee themselves a piece. This provides a sense of exclusivity to shoppers. Process: Industry Leader in Lead Time Creative teams consisting of designers, sourcing specialist and product development personnel, develop design collections. The teams work simultaneously on different clothing, building and improving on styles previously available. Zara’s designers are trained to limit the number of changes made by lowering the number of samples required, minimizing cost and turnover time. Its demand based production or Just-in-time (JIT) production reduces the amount of inventory available, lowering Zara’s storage cost. Zara’s outstanding lead time is unbeatable in the industry at the moment. Furthermore, Zara eliminated the traditional design process, where design and development overrides fabric procurement. In Zara, the design teams work with the available fabric, allowing for faster fashion. Price: Low Cost, High Fashion Zara believes in offering high fashion at a low cost. Prices range from $79.90 to $539.00 for both Womenswear and Menswear while the Kids segment has coats starting from $65.00 and these prices can start from $30 during a sale. Taking quality and cost into account, Zara prides itself in providing high fashion at an affordable cost, making its customers’ purchases value-worthy. Place: Prime Retail Locations Zara, like its competitor brands, is located in prime retail areas like Ion Orchard, Orchard Road, 313@Somerset where human traffic is high. As aforementioned, Zara invests in prime locations as they place great emphasis on the presentation of its storefronts. Zara also has an online store, which increases accessibility to its customers, allowing them to make purchases conveniently on the go. However, this function is currently not available to Singaporean customers. Promotion: Minimum Advertising Zara uses 0.3% of sales revenue on advertising, minimal when compared to its competitors (3-4% of sales revenue). Instead of relying on traditional mass-marketing mediums, Zara uses prime retail locations to attract its customers. It also ensures that storefronts and window displays are attractive and fresh to customers by making frequent changes to the items on display. The interior of the store is also clean and bright, with spacious  lanes in between racks. This provides a very comfortable shopping experience. Having a good image projection of the store is vital as this is Zara’s most effective marketing communications tool. When customers walk into a store, Zara wants to portray to customers that the latest fashion is always available. VII. Implementation and Control 1975-1995: Since its inception in 1975 till 1995 Zara has followed the method of inspection in order to keep a check on the quality of its products. Zara’s designing team has worked closely with customers and have spend their time in spotting the latest trends in demand. An instant sketch of the design has been analysed and the accordingly produced. The quality control teams at Zara inspected the designs before placing them in stores. M995 till date: After 1995 Zara has implemented the practice of Total Quality Management. In this practice Zara’s vertically integrated supply chain tries to achieve Continuous Improvement of their processes, which includes spotting of the fashion trends, designing, and procurement of their materials, the CAD technology they use for designing, their improved inventory management and finally their centralised logistics and distribution system. Each of the components of the supply chain process has been explained below. Implementation Effect iveness Zara choose to invest within its own software rather than buying new technology simply because the company’s operations were unique and commercial packages would not fit; also the fact that Zara is a global company, it deals with various currencies that standard accounting packaged would have to be extensively customized and comprehensive. Zara’s operating system, DOS, is obsolete from the market affecting the firm with no reliable system for future forecasting; â€Å"not keeping up any historical date means being unable to predict sells, plan or estimate loses/gains and margin on particular designs (Anonymous, n.d). Unreliable fax machines that were taking too long and costing too much to fax order forms back and forth to stores caused delays and frustration. The use of telephones is greatly affected by miscommunication and mishearing. From the above it can be deducted that Zara’s internally application is not a good match for the firm’s needs because: t heir internally developedapplications are not easy to  upgrade and are not compatible with other applications, POS terminals are outdated and stores need POS terminals that will insure no infrastructure problems and its IT department is relatively small for the size of the firm. Evaluation of IS Implementation In this case, Zara believes less is more and makes minimal use and investment in IT. The competitive advantage Zara has over its competitors is not so much due the use of IT, but because of its quick response to the changing market. Zara does not have a chief information officer or any formal process for setting an IT budget. Castellano estimated Inditex’s IT budget for 2002 was 0.5 % of the revenue, as compared to the 2% of the revenue of other North American retailers (McAfee et al., 2007). As there is no formal justification of IT efforts, there is also not any cost/benefit analysis. However, to maintain business competitiveness is the most important factor to consider when making any decision regarding the upgrade of IS. Zara needs to analyze and compare the Tangible (quantitative) costs and benefits as well as the Intangible (qualitative) costs and benefits of the old system and the new system.