Radio One Case Essay

This case involves whether Radio One should purchase the 21 radio stations from Clear Channel, Davis and IBL LLC and the impact of the acquisition to the investors and on the market. Examining the stations it fits with Radio One’s Corporate Strategy and they have the ability to bid first on a group of stations that would double Radio One’s size. Also this purchase would create national coverage for Radio One. First we must look at the Return on Asset of Radio One. With a Risk Free rate of 6.3% given from Exhibit 10; I am using 30 years because that is the highest and most logical for this particular industry. I calculated the Risk premium from the average of both the AAA and AA Corporate bonds on Exhibit 10; the result was 7.2%. Finally the Asset Beta given in Exhibit 8 of .82 .Thus the Return on the Asset is roughly 12.2% Calculating the NPV of the stations helps Radio One see if taking on this acquisition is worth the value. Using Exhibit 9 for the project forecasting and continuing on for the said 30 years you get 1,178,171 with the NPV set at 12.2% and each year growing at 6%. The reasoning for 6% is because from optimizing between 4-8%; 6% was in the middle. What is the market value of Radio One? To find this I took the price per share $97 and multiplied it by the number of shares 16,137,000 getting a market value of $1.5 billion. Now to investigate the WACC of Radio One. Rd = Interest paid of $15.3m over Market Price = $82.6 million = 18.53% Re = CAPM = 6.28 + Beta of .82*7.7 (Using the BBB Corp Bond Rate) =12.44. I propose that Radio One should offer the said price of 1.3 billion for the 21 stations. They should use the payment of the debt of $82 million with the use of current investments available for sale, then use the remainder in the deal for. This would cover the cash portion making the bid attractive because of the balancing of the debt before taking on the acquisition. The remainder of the funds will come from the shares together to create the total of 1.3 billion. Being the first to bet and with this attractive offer Radio One should have the strongest position in the deal and come out with  an acquisition that doubles their size and giving them a competitive position in nation wide coverage.

Persuasive Speech Outline and Annotated Bibliography Essay

Organizational Pattern: I.Introduction a.Attention Getter: When I was about seven years old, I made one of the best decisions of my young life, and I didn’t even realize it at the time b.Reason to Listen: Sports are a big part of most of our lives. You don’t want to be stuck being a fan of the wrong team c.Thesis Statement: If you live in Grand Rapids, the Chicago Bears are obviously the best football team to be a fan of d.Credibility Statements: I’ve been a Chicago Bears fan for most of my life and I’ve also read a bunch of different books, magazine articles and news stories about the Bears e.Preview of Main Points: I’m going to talk with you today about the history of the Bears, about some of the great football players that have played in Chicago and I’ll end with my final, irrefutable arguments as to why you should be a Bears fan II.Body a.History i.Founded in 1920 (Taylor 2005) ii.Helped create NFL (Taylor 2004) iii.Many championships b.Players i.George Halas ii.Walter Payton (ESPN 2005) iii.Dick Butkus (NFL.com 2010) iv.26 Hall of fame players (Creamer 2001) c.Irrefutable arguments i.Do you really want to remain a Lions fan? ii.Better stadium iii.Better city iv.Lions are just bad III.Conclusion a.Review of Main Points: I’ve talked to you about the history of the Bears, the great players they’ve had and the fact that the Lions are just bad b.Restate Thesis: If you live in Grand Rapids, the Chicago Bears are obviously the best football team to be a fan of c.Closure: This past weekend was just another example of why I’m right. The Lions were ahead of the Bears at one point in the game. All of my friends who are Lions fans were texting me and laughing. In the end though, the Lions lost yet again. Let’s spread the word and stop the madness. No more Go Lions. It’s time for Go Bears! Annotated Bibliography Creamer, C. (2001, November). Chicago bears. In Sportsecyclopedia.com. Retrieved December 5, 2010, from http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/chicago/bears.html This webpage is a quick summary of each of the Chicago Bears seasons since the year they were founded in 1920. It also lists interesting information such as hall of fame players, number of championships and retired numbers. ESPN. (2005, September 5). Top 10 NFL players. In ESPN.com. Retrieved December 5, 2010, from http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2152421 This article shows the results of a compilation of top ten lists from ESPN NFL experts. The experts made lists of who they thought were the top ten players of all time. The article goes on to give a brief description of each of the players and what made them great. NFL.com. (2010). The top 100: NFL’s greatest players. In NFL.com. Retrieved December 5, 2010, from http://top100.nfl.com/ This article shows the results of the top 100 NFL players as voted on by a blue-ribbon panel of experts according to NFL.com. It shows the rank of the panel as well as the rank of the fans. Many of the players have an  accompanying video highlighting their great careers. Taylor, R. (2004). Chicago Bears History (pp. 7-86). Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. Retrieved December 5, 2010 This book is a history of the Chicago Bears from when they were founded in 1920 by George Halas. The author, Roy Taylor, is a journalist and lifelong Bears fan and he recounts some of the legends of the NFL through his love of the Bears. From the Bears humble beginnings that helped create the NFL as we know it today to the current Bears teams. The author talks about some of the great players that have spent their careers in Chicago. Taylor, R. (2005). Chicago Bears Lore. In Chicago Bears History. Retrieved December 5, 2010, from http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/index.aspx This webpage gathers together some information about the Bears and their great players and has links to stories written specifically about the some of the most notable. It also provides a brief history of the Bears, where and when they were founded and some of the teams through the years.

After anne frank Essay Example For Students

After anne frank Essay After anne frank Essays diary, It continues onward to grim results. During their hiding in the secret annexe, a Dutch informer hinted to the Gestapo (German Police) that the frank family was in hiding. On August 4, 1944, the Frank family was discovered and sent Gestapo Headquarters in Amsterdam. The Franks, Van Daans and Mr. Dussel were sent to Westorbork in Holland. On September 3, the Allies captured Brussels and the Franks Along with the Van Daans were the last ones to be sent on a freight train with seventy-five people per car. Each car was sealed tight with only one window. For three days and nights the train ventured across Germany to reach its final destination, Auschwitz in Poland. There the Franks and the Van Daans were then sent to concentration camps. There the conditions were horrible. Healthier prisoners shaved their heads and worked twelve hours a day digging sod controlled by the merciless Kapos, Criminals who served the SS as labor overseers. In October 1944, Anne, Margot and Mrs. Van Daan were among a group were sent to Belsen in Germany. Mrs. Frank died in the infirmary back at Auschwitz. Otto Frank survived to be liberated by the Russians. Margot died February or March of 1945. Anne died soon after. This tells you the reason why the Franks went into hiding that long while and why hiding from everybody, your friends, your family was the sacrifice you had to take to stay out of these death camps. .

Marketing Audit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Marketing Audit - Essay Example This report will look into the factors that make Best Western a success and those that limit its performance. The Best Western is a one of a kind place which offers an eclectic experience to all who stop by it. The property is spread out over 17 acres of lush gardens and knitted closely with the North Yorkshire Moors. Their food is their main attraction. There are three main Chapters in the essay. Chapter 1 - explores the background to the topic. This section looks into the market segments, the marketing mix and the trends that affect the productivity of the overall place. Changing needs, wants, attitudes and trends are mentioned as well as roots that cause of marketing problems. Chapter 2 - highlights the important points for the reader. This essay will make use of the PEST analysis to look into the political, economic, social and technological aspects that have an influence on Best Western. The SWOT analysis also was presented in the essay, that is an insight into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that are faced by any businesses. Chapter 3 - provides both a summary of the research and conclusions made by the researcher. Some recommendations were mentioned, such as: Best Western needs to stop relying on its reputation and devise marketing strategies that actually go after the consumers and doesn’t wait for them to show up themselves. It also was suggested to increase productivity by adapting to the changes, that were brought in by the creative and technological industries.

A Raisin in the Sun Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Raisin in the Sun - Essay Example It can also be inferred that she puts great value for Asagai’s opinion. This is why author has written in the play, â€Å"she looks back to the mirror, disturbed†, when she hears Asagai ask her, â€Å"were you born with it (born with the hair) like that?† (Hansberry, Nemiroff, and Baraka, 61). Asagai is smiling throughout this episode and even laughing loud at her confusion (Hansberry, Nemiroff, and Baraka, 61). He is aware of his superiority over her. And she is not emotionally honest enough to tell him the real reason why she changed her hair. Instead she finds an excuse in telling him that she changed the hair because â€Å"it was hard to manage†¦when it is raw† (Hansberry, Nemiroff, and Baraka, 61). The drama of the play is brought to a new dimension when the scene of Walter lets his son know he is still have the plan to involve in the liquor store deal. This is because, it is only in this moment that the audience sees a different side of Walterâ €™s personality as he generally strikes to the audience as a restless and quarreling person. But in this scene, the reader or viewer of the play is reminded of the real human being that Walter is.

Management Control System in Use Research Paper

Management Control System in Use - Research Paper Example Businesses and companies must keep a careful track of what management control techniques and strategies they are implementing in order to remain relevant to the needs of the stakeholders. Given that human resource is one of the most important stakeholders in the overall business environment, there is need to keep them motivated and aligned to business objectives. Recent years have seen the careful demarcation of different management control systems that need to be looked into detail before choosing what kind suits an organisation and its business environment as the best. 2. Table of Contents 3. Introduction A management control system (MCS) refers to a framework or mechanism that is used to gather, segregate and analyse information in order to evaluate the performance of various organisational resources. The organisational resources being scrutinised may include (but are not limited to) human, financial and physical resources as well as the entire organisation in the context of organ isational strategies. MCS is also critical in influencing the behaviour of organisational resources in order to implement and sustain organisational strategies. The implementation of MCS in an organisation may be carried out under a formal or an informal umbrella (Otley, 1994). Management control has been defined as the process used by managers in order to influence the behaviour of other organisation members in order to implement organisational strategies. MCS can be seen as the tools used to navigate the organisation in the direction of its strategic objectives and hence to competitive advantage. The management controls used are just one of the tools that can be utilised by management in order to implement the required strategies to drive strategic advantage. However, it must be borne in mind that strategies could be implemented using a number of different avenues such as management controls, human resource management, organisational structure and culture (Anthony & Govindarajan, 2007). In contrast to this view, it has been argued that management control system is a black box i.e. it is an operation whose exact nature is not decipherable. It is argued that management control systems rely on the behaviour of managers and this behaviour cannot be properly expressed through equations so it is predictable yet unquantifiable (Anthony & Young, 1999). Others have defined management control systems as a set of integrated techniques that can be utilised for collecting and using information in order to motivate employee behaviour and in order to analyse their performance (Horngren et al., 2005). This text will investigate the nature of management control systems further using an appropriate literature review but will not implement the findings of this review as access to a workplace could not be secured. 4. Introduction to Management Control Systems Control has been defined in different ways over time (Redda, 2007). The more traditional research carried out on the iss ue tends to define control as an exercise carried out in order to monitor division managers (Otley, 1995). However, it has also been argued that such a point of view may not be applicable and up to date in today’s more flexible environment. More modern reflection on this issue reveals that monitoring employees is not enough in itself but instead it is necessary to support the employees in archiving the goals and objectives of the business. Essentially management control system is an interdisciplinary issue as shown in the diagram below. Figure 1 - Management control system as an interdisciplinary phenomenon In contrast to this view, Merchant and Otley (2007) contend that â€Å"a management control system is designed to help an organization adapt to the environment in which it is set and to deliver the key results

Study Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Study Skills - Essay Example Being a competent independent learner is derived from being self motivated, being able to manage personal learning processes, good time management skills and continually reflecting on what and how you learn best and tailoring your energies to suit. Within this portfolio I will examine the development of learner independence, time management, self evaluation of personal learning, production of an action plan and improving my essay writing skills. If as anticipated this is completed successfully it will add additional skills to my current ones and aide me in my current quest to secure a higher second grade result on this degree course. Learner independence or autonomy can be defined as â€Å"capacity to take responsibility for, and control of, your own learning, whether in an institutionalised context, or completely independent of a teacher or institution† (Thornbury, 2006). Learner independence is the ability of the learners to control their learning process (Holec, 1981). In the present age, when knowledge is growing at very fast pace because of the ongoing research work and rapid advancements in technology, the importance of independent learning cannot be overemphasized. Learners must understand that the education they are provided with at institutions is time-constrained, and what they need to learn is not limited to what they are taught in schools. Most learners used to learning in the traditional classroom environment do not develop independence in learning because this behaviour is not emphasized enough by the teachers. Many students would opt for independent learning if the teachers tell them that t he resources can be used independently as well if they are interested in further self-study (Krzanowski, 2007). It is very essential for students to understand the process through which learning takes place and what style works best for an individual. Since distance learning requires

Modern chinese history Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Modern chinese history - Research Paper Example Attempts by barbarians like the Manchu who earlier made contact with China did not have any influence on their way of life and instead got assimilated into the Han Chinese culture. The silk industry for example, has been part of China’s heritage for the last 5000 years and the mystery of its leadership had been unknown for centuries. The recently opened forbidden city that had for hundreds of years been the emperors residences and not accessible by any members of the public for the past 500 years is an example of how tightly guarded the Chinese civilization was and has been. The seclusion from the outside world has been possible over the centuries has facilitated the development of Chinese culture but posed a challenge to this populous nation in the mid 19th century as nations that had made huge technological advancement confronted China. As a result of this confrontation, China faced huge challenges a midst foreign onslaught and this led to a revolution that started in early 20th century that culminated to the establishment of a communist government in 1949.These series of events shaped the political aspect of china and has made it gain much influence in the modern world. The early governance of China was mainly encompassed on the aspect of Dynasties that ruled the state for many centuries since the early 1600-1046BC. The evidence of the existence of the first dynasty was proved by archaeological evidence which established that the Shang Dynasty of 1600-1046BC, was the first Chinese Dynasty, the information shows that this early Chinese society mainly majored in use of bronzes objects, massive ritual vessels and chariots. The information gives a clear indication that the Shang society was sophisticated and well organised with established societal structures. The Zhou, who had been their western neighbours since 1046 to 256BC, later conquered this early dynasty. The Qin dynasty was established and it had much influence on the then society of china, the r eign was acknowledged as the name China is derived from Qin. The dynasty was founded by Shihuangdi who ruled as the emperor and was regarded as a cruel tyrant even though he helped shape modern China by bringing up changes in the administration of his reign. The major achievements of his majesty Shihuandgi included the following: a. He established boundaries, which became the traditional territory of China. b. He developed networks of highways and unified a number of existing fortifications in the Great Wall of China. c. He also managed to establish a proper and basic administrative system that all succeeding dynasties followed over the next 2,000 years. The Han became the next Chinese dynasty after the death of Shihuandgi, this dynasty established much influence in the then China and it even led Chinese being regarded as Han to denote a Chinese. This reign was military capable and fought under the leadership of Han Wudi against its northern nomad neighbour, the Xiongnu as they took control of the eastern portion of the Silk Road, a trading route which was allowed them to sell goods as far away as Rome. Han was able to develop and establish China’s civil service system. This dynasty of Han fell apart during the first half of the 20th century after which the old system of China gradually disintegrated and turbulent preparations were made to lay down a new society. This old traditional governance was undermined by many foreign political philosophies; these critics gave rise to a need for nationalism, which became a very strong

Shared Practice Velocity Part I responses Assignment

Shared Practice Velocity Part I responses - Assignment Example On the other hand, if managers would also focus keenly on getting more to what they have in terms of competence and skills, it will be another effective way to fix bottle necks at the workplace. This can easily be done through capacity creation at the workplace (Senge, 2006). Reading about how you combined systematic flow with business model was very interesting and I believe this was in the right place. I however believe strongly that if you had found a way of combining this directly with the issue of velocity discussed by Jacob, it would have made your arguments more resounding. The reason for this alternative suggestion is that in most cases, managers tend to think that the application of the three continuous improvement methods and thus velocity is only necessary when they are faced with the need to go directly into production (Mankelow, 2011). I however do not think this is the right way to approach continuous improvement. The concept of velocity can be made part of the very organizational culture of companies so that the need to avoid waste will be a continuous process as success within the organization must be a prompt and ever existing concept (Hsu & Sun,

Acting Out Culture by James S. Miller Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Acting Out Culture by James S. Miller - Essay Example However I believe these beliefs are wrong due to the fact that religion is alive and being practiced on a daily basis. In the critical and incisive essay â€Å"The Wages of Sin† by Francine Prose she described the Arrogant Fat Police and their assistants who perceive overweight people as a strain of overstuffed outlaws have chosen a religious dialect and metaphor to split the social order into two parts: The narrow, slender and healthy souls guaranteed to have a place in heaven and the shockingly overweight souls guaranteed a place hell. To put more emphasis on this divergence, the overweight Police not forgetting self-loathing overweight individuals themselves, emphasize primary controlling of â€Å"overweight behavior,† which would means introduction of fat taxes. These taxes she believes should be subjected to fans of movie popcorn, massive burritos, enormous masses of ice cream, soda, and all other junk food that predisposes one to becoming overweight or excessively fat. The Overweight Police and their devotees have also evangelized the notion that ethical immorality, â€Å"immoral self-indulgence,† causes one to indulge in activities that predisposes one to becoming obese. It is therefore true to say that overweight people are not destitute victims of the surroundings or hereditary traits but the consequence of their individual laziness, greediness, and gluttony. One more group that indemnifies overweight individuals from experiencing the brand of stigmatization is the world’s shared opinion that plump overweight people can only blame themselves for their condition which is lack of self-control when it comes to consumption of food.   She exemplifies her discomfort disgust of the fact that when overweight people are trying to enter, fit or exit public transportation vehicles such as buses, commercial plains and the subway they almost all the time have to brush their fleshy bodies with everyone (Francine). He displays that their condition is discourteous and self-centered. He finds fat people so over-sized that them and their overweight colleagues and allies are supposed to fee for at least two commercial plane or bus permits to provide accommodation for their lumbering rumps.    Lastly according to â€Å"Wages of Sin†, if overweight people can be protected from themselves, it will be mandatory for them to leave their selfish desires of the flesh that have transformed them into overweight persons and turn to God and spiritual intervention and repent for their sins. She talks of Twelve Step to be followed; evangelistic gospel zones and other inspirational implements entrenched in the language of God, the devil, sin, and divine providence that these people should follow. Although in the â€Å"Wages of Sin† the author focuses on overweight people and their food consumption habits, in â€Å"Add Cake, Subtract Self-Esteem,† by Caroline Knapp, she mostly focuses on the way women view thems elves and their bodies. This is mostly concerned with their weight, appearance and general overall look. Women are very concerned with the way they look and their self body image. They are very conscious of the way people perceive them and therefore they always want to ensure what they see in the mirror will appeal to everyone else. According to Caroline the eating habits of women in the world today has greatly changed whereby women are judged with what they eat and the way they eat. Women are expected to eat very

The Effect of Foreign Trade on Tthe Nigerian Economy Essay Example for Free

The Effect of Foreign Trade on Tthe Nigerian Economy Essay Everyday, the need for foreign trade is on the increase as the needs of man is unlimited (Adams Smith). This is visible in the rise for consumer goods and services throughout the world especially with the increase in world population of over 6 billion people. Man with his advancement in social interaction and technology is able to visualize and perceive in his mind what he desires. This was obvious with the industrial revolution where production demand increased. With the location of raw materials in different geographical zones making them ubiquitous in some areas and scarce in others, the demand for certain goods is on the increase, which gave rise to the concept of foreign trade†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. . .Foreign trade exists alongside domestic trade, which has also undergone transformation from the old style of â€Å"trade by barter† to â€Å"business†. In the light of this, Nigeria as a nation participates in foreign trade. Foreign trade as defined by Longe, (2008) is the buying and selling of goods and services beyond the geographical boundaries of a country or between one country and the other. Foreign trade also referred to as international trade, can be bilateral or multilateral and involves the use of different currencies. The Economic glossary defines foreign trade as the exchange of goods and services between countries, and as such, it goes ahead to explain that the inclination for one country to trade with another is based in large part on the idea of comparative advantage†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Foreign trade is just an extension of production, exchange and consumption of goods and services that are fundamental part of life. The Wikipedia encyclopedia defines foreign trade (international trade) as the exchange of capital, goods and services across international borders or territories. In such countries, such trade represents a significant share of the GDP. Foreign trade comprises of imports, exports, and entreports. The economic, social and political importance of foreign trade has been on the rise recently due to specialization in production. Industrialization, advanced transportation, globalization, Multinational Corporation and outsourcing are all having a major impact on the global foreign trade system. Increasing foreign trade is very important to the growth of globalization as international trade assist in bridging the gap and creates availability of goods and services to other nations. The aim of foreign trade is to increase production and to raise the standard of living of the people. Foreign trade enables citizens of a country have access and enjoy the products of another country. According to †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. reasons for foreign trade are for the following reasons; uneven distribution of natural resources due to difference in climate, division of labor and specialization, difference in economic growth rate, theory of comparative cost, availability of all types of goods, increased standard of living, large scale production and stable price. According to the theory of comparative cost, each country should concentrate on the production of those goods for which it is best suited, taking into account its natural resources, climate, labour supply, technical-know-how and the level of development. Akeem (2011) explains that foreign trade plays a vital role in restructuring economic and social attributes of countries around the world. Aids to trade includes; banking, warehousing, insurance, transportation and advertisement. According to †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. , there arises challenges in implementing foreign nations involved in foreign trade is done using exchange of currency Increase in tariff, high duty on some imported goods as well as some export goods. Exposure to risk since they are transported either through the road, air, rail and sea. 2. Poor intermodal transport network in developing countries such as Nigeria. 3. Poor government policies on trade and industrialization. 4. Corruption and unaccountability. 5. Insurgence of terror groups globally acts as a threat to foreign trade. 6. Late payment for goods which results to demurrage and high port charges. 7. Language barrier slows foreign trade. With a geographical land mass of about 923,768sqkm, Nigeria is located along the Atlantic coast line. The location of natural resources in almost every part of the country has attracted trade domestically and internationally. These resources include cash crop, food crop, solid mineral, livestock and aquatic life. During this period, the industry in existence was the extractive industry and the scale of production was minimal. There existed trade by barter, the use of cowries, and coins as the medium of exchange. Nigeria experienced foreign trade with the insurgence of the British, Portuguese etc, who explored the country and tapped our natural resources. The colonial masters journeyed into the hinterland and assisted in the construction of the early road networks and later, rail lines which connected major cities to the ports in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Calabar. These routes provided means of transportation for the export of cash crops like palm oil, cocoa, groundnut, rubber, etc to the industries in Europe and America. Between the periods of 2005 and 2010, many industries e. g. Unilver, located in Nigeria relocated to neighboring West African countries and their home base because of the numerous problems such as epileptic power supply, high tariff on import, corruption, inadequate social infrastructure and high tax rates imposed on them by the government. These factors have affected Nigeria’s foreign trade, especially with her over dependence on crude oil which was discovered in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, formerly Rivers.

World War IIs Influence on Mexicans Essay Example for Free

World War IIs Influence on Mexicans Essay It is without a doubt that World War II had a great impact on our nation as a whole. This is because the war required changes and sacrifices for most individuals and was viewed as one’s patriotic duty. As with any life changing event, there were bad and good consequences that were a direct result of World War II. Significant changes took place during World War II that directly affected Mexicans in the United States. Although there were some positive effects on a national level, most remembered are the negative ones that impacted the Mexican communities in Los Angeles, California. It is what became to be known as the Zoot Suit Riots. To understand the Mexican community’s point of view of their treatment during the riots, one first needs to know how the Mexican community became established in Los Angeles along with contributing factors that heightened the general public’s hatred towards them. World War II had drafted a large amount of young men that left jobs such as farm hand and factory labor unfilled. The Federal Government then started the Bracero Program that recruited and transported Mexican nationals to the United States to fill these positions. Many Mexican nationals had children while here in America and these children were Mexican-Americans. These youth had a hard time identifying with anyone and were looked at as degenerates. Adding to this viewpoint was the living conditions of their neighborhoods called barrios. The barrios popped up quickly near major employers and were known for dirt streets, small huts, no sanitation, no running water, or other city services. Since the youth were unable to establish themselves among other youth they formed their own groups called gangs. The gangs were formed by young men that shared common circumstances. This usually included their low social status, poor and overpopulated neighborhoods, minimal supervision by parents, and their little trust in or from the law. Typically they were looked at as disturbed youth. However, within their social system, their gangs were made up of a select membership and specific attire which Martinez 2 they viewed as first class. The attire they chose was the Zoot Suit which consisted of colorful long coats, baggy pants, a hat, a long key chain and thick soled shoes. Adverse views of Mexicans were on the rise during World War II. One contributing factor was the pro war posters placed for all to view. The posters encouraged community effort to support the war through gardening, carpooling, rationing and purchasing bonds. The people portrayed in these posters appeared to be of Caucasian descent while the enemies were portrayed with color and black hair. Suspicion of who to trust was also put in the public’s mind with a poster illustrating a woman with dark hair and eyes that had a grim stare. No doubt the color of people illustrated on the posters guided the public’s mind to believe that people of any color other than white were the enemy (Prater 2014). In addition, while the country was at war there was a constant fear and talk of spies and traitors among civilians. This fear led to the suspicion that secret agents of the enemy had successfully influenced the Mexican-American youth making them traitors. Of course signs posted at various locations around town stating things such as â€Å"No Mexicans† and â€Å"No Dogs, Mexicans, Negros† not only served as a reminder to Mexicans on how they were viewed, but also made the White people feel justified in their prejudice towards Mexicans. In August of 1942, teenagers from the 38th Street Gang were heading for a popular swimming hole called Sleepy Lagoon. Earlier two teenagers in that gang, Hank Leyvas and his girlfriend Dora, had been beaten by another neighborhood gang at the Sleepy Lagoon swimming hole. Although they had left after the fight, they were now returning with a large group of friends to look for their attackers to defend their honor. As they neared the swimming hole and found no one, they decided to go to a party that could be heard through the trees. They thought that they would find their attackers at this party. Although the fight that followed resembled a Martinez 3 classic teenager fight that lasted only ten minutes, the discovery of a dead body would change the lives of many Mexicans. When the dead body of Jose Diaz was found, six hundred Mexican-American youth were rounded up by the Los Angeles Police Department. This eventually led to twenty-two alleged members of the 38th Street Gang being accused of murder. On October 13, 1942 People v. Zamora went to trial and lasted through January 12, 1943 (Tovares 2002). One powerful tactic that amplified hatred towards Mexicans and eventually led to the enactment of the riots, was the information printed in the newspapers. Anytime a Mexican was arrested, it made the headlines and was used as a source to provoke the police to arrest more. Of course it didn’t help that these articles would be placed next to articles regarding Japan’s threatening actions in World War II which seemed to hint that the Mexican-American youth were a local threat. Tensions were further heightened when as many as 50,000 servicemen were on leave and flooded their Los Angeles playground. In Los Angeles they would seek booze, women and fights to have some fun. Many civilians endured the drunken Servicemen to show their support of the war and some did not. Unfortunately, most fights were instigated with Mexicans as they were the biggest minority group in Los Angeles. As animosity grew between the Servicemen and Mexican-American youth, so did the rumors. The rumors in the barrios said that Sailors were looking for Mexican girls while stories on military bases told of brutal retaliation enacted on soldiers who dared to associate with Mexican females. The consequence of all these factors exploded on May 31, 1943 when a group of servicemen passed a group of young Mexican-American boys. One serviceman thought he was going to be attacked and grabbed the arm of a young Mexican-American boy. The serviceman immediately fell to the ground unconscious from a strike on the head. The Zoot Suit Riots had Martinez 4 begun. On June 3, 1943, about fifty servicemen with homemade weapons headed downtown looking for â€Å"Zoot-Suiters†. They ended up in a Theater, turned on the lights and found 12 and 13 year old boys wearing Zoot Suits. The servicemen tore off their suits, clubbed the boys and set fire to the remains of their suits. Despite the fact that reports of the incident had reached the Armory Watch Commander, the servicemen about to be jailed were released without any charges. On both dates, the Servicemen were only focused on finding and attacking anyone wearing a Zoot Suit. However, subsequent riots on June 4, 5, 6, and 7 now included entire Mexican neighborhoods. They would storm into any public place within these neighborhoods and attack all Mexicans. Police did not attempt to stop any of the violence and the Military seemed to be cautious of potential negative press if the servicemen were arrested more than the violence they were committing. The press, on the other hand, would promote the riots on June 6 and 7 by publishing a warning that Zoot-Suiters were planning to retaliate. Not only did this ensure increased sales, but it also certified that a large crowd would be there for the show (Williams 1943, 818-820). The rioting was finally under some control when on the morning of June 8, Senior Military Officials announced that Los Angeles was off limits to Marines, Sailors and Soldiers (Zoot Suit Discovery Guide 2014). Although Mexicans endured much prejudice and persecution during World War II, there were some positive aspects that came as a result of their suffering that continued developing even after the war. The Office of War Information promised to furnish political information in Spanish. They also were going to inform English speakers of the contributions in war that Mexicans made. This would most likely include acknowledgement of the 350,000 Mexican-Americans that not only served in the Armed Forces, but won seventeen medals of honor. Also, Los Angeles County gave teachers of Mexican students a workshop so that they Martinez 5 could provide better assistance to them. Political organizations would now support Chicano candidates as well as assist Mexican’s with language and citizenship classes and help in obtaining government services. In conclusion, it would do our nation good if we all could remember and apply the words of Martin Luther King in his speech entitled â€Å"The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness† on September 6, 1960. â€Å"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Therefore, no American can afford to be apathetic about the problem of racial justice. It is a problem that meets every man at his front door. † (Jr. 1960) Martinez 6 BIBLIOGRAPHY Jr. , Martin Luther King. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Paper Project. September 6, 1960. http://mlk-kpp01. stanford. edu/primarydocuments/Vol5/6Sept1960_TheRisingT ideofRacialConsciousnessAddressattheGold. pdf (accessed April 7, 2014). Prater, Carrie. Module 8: World War II Powerpoint Presentation. San Jose, April 3, 2014. The Zoot Suit Riots. Directed by Joseph Tovares. 2002. Williams, Carey Mc. The Zoot-Suit Riots. The New Republic, June 21, 1943: 3. Zoot Suit Discovery Guide. 2014. http://research. pomona. edu/zootsuit/en/riots/ (accessed 4 7, 2014).

How E Commerce Is Changing Consumer Buying Behaviour Marketing Essay

How E Commerce Is Changing Consumer Buying Behaviour Marketing Essay In Electronic Commerce, online purchasing is the process consumers go through when they decide to shop on the internet. Therefore, the internet has developed to a highly competitive market, where the competition over the consumer is fierce. In order to have an impact on and retain consumers, in a competitive market, Constantinides (2004) stated that the first step is to identify certain influencing aspects when purchasing online, these can be regarded as factors. The purpose of the research is primarily to identify and get insight into what main factors the online consumer takes into consideration when purchasing books online, as books are the most commonly bought product on the internet (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Online-Forschung e.V. [AGOF e.V.], 2007). Concise Review of the Related Literature This research suggests that consumers attitude toward Internet shopping first depends on the direct effects of relevant online shopping features (Davis, 1993). The core constructs of our framework are adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis (1989), an influential research model in the information systems field. Although this model is specifically tailored to understand the adoption of computer-based technologies on the job or in the workplace, it has proven to be suitable as a theoretical foundation for the adoption of e-commerce as well (Chen et al., 2002). Therefore, the TAM structures are employed as a foundation for our research framework. Online shopping features can be either consumers perceptions of functional and utilitarian dimensions, like ease of use and usefulness, or their perceptions of emotional and hedonic dimensions like enjoyment (Menon and Kahn, 2002). The internet has developed into a new distribution channel (Hollensen, 2004) and the evolution of this channel, e-commerce, has been identified by Smith and Rupp (2003) to be the most significant contribution of the information revolution. The number of internet users is constantly increasing which also signifies that online purchasing is increasing (Joines, et al., 2003). The rapid increase is explained by the growth in the use of broadband technology combined with a change in consumer behaviour (Oppenheim Ward, 2006). Using the internet to shop online has become one of the primary reasons to use the internet, combined with searching for products and finding information about them (Joines et al., 2003). Smith and Rupp (2003) also state that the consumers have never had access to so many suppliers and product/service opinions. By integrating Fishbeins attitudinal theoretical model (Fishbein 1967) and the expectation-confirmation model (Oliver 1980), we attempt to associate the three elements together and form a base model Model of Intention, Adoption, and Continuance (MIAC) (as depicted in Figure 2) for the development of an online consumer behaviour framework. (Purpose) (Implementation) (Persistence) Consumer Online Purchase Consumer Online Repurchase Consumer Online Purchase Intention Figure 2: Model of Purpose, Implementation, and Persistence Fishbeins attitudinal model has been widely used in the marketing context (Lilien et al 1992) and this paradigm provides researchers with a useful lens for examining the factors explaining consumer purchasing intention and adoption. According to this model, behaviour is predominantly determined by intention. Other factors like attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control are also shown to be related to an appropriate set of salient behavioural, normative, and control beliefs about the behaviour. However, Fishbeins model stops at the adoption level and does not capture other important factors that explain and predict consumer continuance behaviour (repurchase). The expectation-confirmation model (Oliver 1980), on the other hand, focuses on the post-purchase behaviour. It is a widely used model in the consumer behaviour literature, particularly in explaining consumer satisfaction and repeat purchase. Satisfaction is the central notion of this model and it is formed by the gap between expectation and perceived performance (Oliver 1980). The expectation-confirmation theory suggests that if the perceived performance meets ones expectation, confirmation is formed and consumers are satisfied. Bhattacherjee (2001) stated that satisfied users are more likely to continue the IS use. Thus, we point that adoption and continuance are connected to each other through several mediating and moderating factors such as trust and satisfaction. The research articles appear in a variety of journals and conference proceedings in the fields of information systems, marketing, management, and psychology. A review of these articles indicates that researchers mostly draw theories from classical consumer behaviour research, such as behavioural learning (Skinner, 1938), personality research (Folkes 1988), information processing (Bettman 1979), and attitude models (Fishbein 1967). There are still significant differences between offline and online consumer behaviour that warrant a distinguishing conceptualization. For example, Vijayasarathy (2001) integrated the web specific factors (online shopping aid) into the theory of reasoned action (TRA) to better explain consumer online shopping behaviour. Song and Zahedi (2001) built on the model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and examined the effects of website design on the adoption of Internet shopping. Donal Rogan (2007) explains the relationship between consumer behaviour and marketing strategy and states that strategy is about increasing the probability and frequency of buyer behaviour. Requirements for succeeding in doing this are to know the consumer and understand the consumers needs and wants. Chisnall (1995) points out that human needs and motives are inextricably linked and that the relationship between them is so very close that it becomes difficult to identify the precise difference which may characterize them. Buyers characteristics are important theories from Kotler and Armstrong (2007) and it explains the way that the consumer interprets and receives stimuli from advertisements. The decisions of consumers are influenced by a number of individual characteristics that are linked to the consumers specific needs. (Kotler Armstrong, 2007) A review of online consumer research reveals that the scope of published studies is rather broad, the studies appear relatively fragmented with contradictory results, and only very few prior studies (e.g., Jarvenpaa and Todd 1996, Koufaris et al 2001) have attempted to systematically review and develop a framework for the research of this important research area. Aims and Objectives of Study To develop a valid and reliable measure of motivations and costs associated with online information search and purchase behaviour; To provide a systematic and exhaustive review of online consumer behaviour research; To test the ability of the measure to identify the impact that specific motivations and costs have on apparel search and purchase decisions among Internet shoppers worldwide; To identify important constructs that are specific to the context of online purchasing; to propose an integrated framework that enhances our understanding of the underlying driving factors of online consumer behaviour; To evaluate the potential of the Internet as an efficient and effective medium to disseminate information to enhance brand/product awareness, evaluations, and purchase intentions in the global marketplace; To provide directions for future research in this area. Research Questions How does the level of computer and Internet experience of the target group relate to the level of Internet purchases? What main factors affect the online consumer when considering and making a purchase over the internet? How do these factors influence the consumer when purchasing books online? What kind of segments can be found within the identified consumers when purchasing books online? What is the connection with the identified factors and consumer segment groups? A Structured Research Approach Prior literature provides us with a rich foundation on which to build a research framework for the study of online consumer behaviour. As suggested by Douglas et al. (1994), strong theoretical and conceptual frameworks can be developed through an integration of constructs from different research traditions and disciplines. In the current study, we review the prior literature of online consumer behaviour and analyze the theories and the underpinning factors. A systematic and structured approach in search and review is strongly recommended in writing sound IS literature reviews (Webster and Watson 2002). In this study, we conducted an exhaustive and systematic electronic search using ProQuest, Social Science Citation Index, IEEE Xplore, and other bibliographic sources with keywords such as online shopping, Internet shopping and online consumer purchasing behaviour. In addition to the search for referred journal articles, we included three IS-related conference proceedings (AMCIS, HICSS, ICIS) in our literature search and analysis. Research Methodology To answer the purpose of the thesis, both primary and secondary data had to be collected. Primary data is data collected especially to answer the purpose and research questions of the current research. This data must be gathered by the researcher of the research at hand and can be done by observation, interviews or questionnaires. Secondary data is data that has been collected earlier, to fulfil the purpose of some other research. This data can be gathered from books, articles, reports and many others sources. (Saunders et al., 2007) Direct Observation Observation is a research technique that is often implicit in the data-gathering approach and observation is something we cannot fail to do as people, we are all expert observers (Hackley, 2003). Furthermore, participant observation will be chosen as it puts the researcher where the action is enabling them to experience the lives of informants, one option is to observe consumers behaviour and their purchase decision in online store (Meiselman et al., 2000). An observational approach provides a clearer representation of the decision process that consumers proceed through rather than the consumers perceptions of that process (Douglas and Wind, 1978), thus providing the researcher with the ability to uncover unconscious consumer actions. Survey The greatest use of questionnaire is made by survey as strategy. However, both experiment and case studies research strategies can make use of these techniques (Oppenheim, 1992). Some authors reserve it exclusively for surveys where the person answering the question actually records their own answers and other authors use it as a more general term to inclusively for survey interview hat administered either face to face or by telephone. (Kervin 1999) In addition, questionnaire can be used as a general term to include all techniques of data collection in which each person is asked to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined order. (DeVaus, 1996) Interview An interview is a purposeful discussion between two or more people (Kahn and Cannel 1957). The use of interviews can help to gather valid and reliable data that relevant to the research questions and objectives. Sampling Sampling techniques provides arrange of methods that enable to reduce the amount of data need to collect by considering only data from a sub groups rather than all possible cases or elements. Sampling also save times and give over view of population. Researcher Kervin (1999) argues that using sampling enables a higher overall accuracy than a census. Methods of Data Analysis During the dissertation both the quantitative and qualitative data will require analysis. In order to analyze the data collected through the survey and the focus group, several strategies were used. The aim was to give a descriptive analysis of the consumer behaviour in online shopping. The tables, charts and pie charts were interpreted as made up the foundation for the focus group discussion. The method of analysis to be followed is that proposed by Dey, Miles and Huberman: Comprehend and manage it. Merge related data drawn from different transcript and notes. Identify key themes or pattern from it for further exploration. Develop and / or test hypotheses based on these apparent patterns or relationships. Draw and verify conclusions. (Dey, 1993; Miles and Huberman, 1994) Moral Issue of Research Consumers were firstly observed without interruption, allowing their natural behaviour will be recorded. Only once they complete their actual purchase decision, the researcher will approach them. Those shoppers who will picked up a product to purchase were intercepted as they walk away from the cabinet and will be asked to answer a few short questions regarding their purchase choice. Research Timetable Weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Internet Research Literature Review Research Design Methodology Data Sources Data Collection Data Analysis Writing up Draft Editing Final Document Binding Document References Arbeitsgemeinschaft Online-Forschung e.V. [AGOF e.V.], 2007. Bettman, J. R. (1979) An information Processing Theory of Consumer Choice, Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley. Bhattacherjee, A. (2001) Understanding Information Systems Continuance: An Expectation Confirmation Model, MIS Quarterly, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 351-370. Chen, L., Gillenson, M.L. and Sherrell, D.L. (2002), Enticing online consumers: an extended technology acceptance perspective, Information Management, Vol. 39 No. 8, pp. 705-19. Chisnall, M. P. (1995) Consumer Behaviour, 3rd Edition, Maidenhead, McGraw Hill Companies. Constantinides, E. (2004) Influencing the online consumers behaviour: the Web experience, Internet Research 14: 2, 111-126. Davis, F.D. (1989), Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology, MIS Quarterly, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 319-40. Davis, F.D. (1993), User acceptance of information technology: system characteristics, user perceptions and behavioural impacts, International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, Vol. 38 No. 3, pp. 475-87. Devaus, D. A. (1996) Surveys in Social Research, 4th edition, London, UCL Press. Dey, I. (1993) Qualitative Data Analysis, London, Routledge. Donal Rogan, FH Joanneum Graz, 28 May 1 June 2007, International Consumer Behaviour. Douglas, S. P., Wind, Y. (1978) Examining family role and authority patterns: two methodological issues, Journal of Marriage and the Family, Vol. 3 pp.35-47. Fishbein, M. (1967) Attitude and Prediction of Behaviour, in M. Fishbein, ed., Readings in Attitude Theory and Measurement, New York: John Wiley, pp. 477-492. Fishbein, M. (1967) Attitude and Prediction of Behaviour, in M. Fishbein, ed., Readings in Attitude Theory and Measurement, New York: John Wiley, pp. 477-492. Folkes, V. S. (1988) Recent Attribution Research in Consumer Behaviour: A Review and New Directions, Journal of Consumer Research, vol. 14, pp. 548-565. Hackley, C. E. (2003) Doing Research Projects in Marketing, Management and Consumer Research, Routledge, London. Hollensen S. (2004) Global marketing A Decision Iriented Approach, 3rd Edition, Edinburgh Gate, Pearson Higher Education. Jarvenpaa, S. L., and Todd, P. A. (1996) Consumer reactions to electronic shopping on the World Wide Web, International Journal of Electronic Commerce, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 59-88. Joines, L. J., Scherer, W. C., and Scheufele A. D. (2003) Exploring motivations for consumer Web use and their implications for e-commerce, Journal of Consumer Marketing, 20: 2, 90 108. Kervin, J. B. (1999) Methods for Business research, 2nd edition, Reading, Addison Wiley. Khan, R. and Cannell, C. (1957) The Dynamics of interviewing, New York, Wiley. Kotler, P. Armstrong, G. (2007) Principles of Marketing, 12th Edition, Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall. Koufaris, M., Kambil, A., and Labarbera P. A. (2001) Consumer Behaviour in Web-Based Commerce: An Empirical Research, International Journal of Electronic Commerce, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 115-138. Lilien, G. L., Philip K., and Sridhar M. K. (1992) Marketing Models, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Meiselman, H. J., Johnson, J. L., Reeve, W., Crouch, J. E. (2000) Demonstration of the influence of the eating environment on food acceptance, Appetite, Vol. 35 pp .231-7. Menon, S. and Kahn, B. (2002), Cross-category effects of induced arousal and pleasure on the Internet shopping experience, Journal of Retailing, Vol. 78 No. 1, pp. 31-40. Miles, M.B. and Huberman, A. M. (1994) Qualitative Data Analysis (2nd edition), Thousand Oaks, California, Sage. Oliver, R. L. (1980) A Cognitive Model for the Antecedents and Consequences of Satisfaction, Journal of Marketing Research, no. 17, pp. 460-469. Oppenheim, A. N. ( 1992) Questionnaire Design, New edition , London , Printer. Oppenheim, C. and Ward, L. (2006) Evaluation of web sites for B2C e-commerce, Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives 58: 3, 237-260. Saunders, M. N. K., Thornhill, A., Lewis, P. (2007) Research Methods for Business Students. London: Pearson Higher Education. Skinner, B. F. (1938) The Behaviour of Organisms: An Experimental Analysis, New York: Appleton Century Crofts. Smith, D. A., and Rupp, T. W. (2003) Strategic online customer decision making: leveraging the transformational power of the Internet, Online Information Review 27: 6, 418 432. Song J., and Zahedi, F. M. (2001) Web Design In E-Commerce: A Theory And Empirical Analysis, Proceedings of the International Conference of Information Systems 2001, pp. 205-220. Vijayasarathy, L. R. (2001) The Impact of Shopping Orientations, Product Types, and Shopping Aids on Attitude and Intention to Use Online Shopping, Quarterly Journal of Electronic Commerce, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 99-113. Webster J., and Watson R. T. (2002) Analyzing the Past to Prepare for the Future: Writing a Literature Review (pp. xiii-xxiii), MIS Quarterly, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. xiii-xxiii (13-23).

Hamlets Brilliant Outline :: essays papers

Hamlets Brilliant Outline What did Shakespeare know about the depths of a man and the battle inside to write a play that would captivate every generation to come from then on? As I analyze this play, I will carefully attend to details in which forms the structure of the play. Moreover I will attempt to show how in Act four of this play, Shakespeare proficiently brings together the main plot and sub-plots of the play, and moves rapidly towards the final resolution. Shakespeare decided to set corruption in Elsinor, a royal castle in medieval Denmark. Prior to the first act Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude is widowed to King Hamlet. When this tragedy starts, we are introduced to Marcellus, Bernardo, and Francisco who guard the castle at night. While on watch an apparition of King Hamlet appeared to them and they then knew something was wrong, the question was what should they do. Once hamlet learns of his father’s return, he at once insists that he go on watch to witness his father’s appearance. The following night Hamlet’s father does appear and commands Hamlet to avenge his death. Hamlet’s father tells him of the corruption that has taken place behind the walls of Elsinor. He informs Hamlet of his uncle’s rage and what it has lead him to do. He tells Hamlet of the serpent who stung him, and how he goes by the name of Claudius. Hamlets composure wit, and strength would know be tested to their limits. What could Hamlet do, what would he do? A clever wit and common sense are his only hope to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet then lives in madness and by that madness hopes to force Claudius to confess his sin. Act One is considered to be a link in the revenge plot sequence, which is commonly known as the main plot. Act One distinguishes relationships between all of the characters in the play, and carefully develops an early rising climax, It allows the audience to be aware of the stirring plight, which would soon come to be unveiled. From Act Two to Act Four, it is solely the rising action of the play that we encounter, until we rapidly reach the climax in which murderous events take shape. (Act1-3) Hamlet displays actions of madness towards Ophilia; he uncovers the truth about his fathers’ murder, and learns it was truly his uncle who murdered him.

evilmac womenmac Evil In Women and Its Effect on Macbeth :: Free Macbeth Essays

Evil In Women and Its Effect on Macbeth "...My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is But what is not." (1.3.140-143). Throughout Shakespeare's play, we see that Macbeth is the victim of evil seduction by women. In the above quote the evil is perpetrated by the witches. Lady Macbeth also plays a strong role in his moral corruption. "... the influence of Lady Macbeth (though she too has an inarticulate angel struggling against her own evil), and the instigation of a supernatural power all combine to crush his better nature." (Boyce 391). Macbeth would not have even thought of killing Duncan, if it were not for the influence of the witches and his wife. Historically, man has been corrupted by woman. Going back to the story of Adam and Eve, we see such an example. ".. she took of the fruit thereof, and she did eat it; and she gave it unto her husband..." (Genesis 3.6). Eve, out of fear, beguiled Adam. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and the witches, succumbing to greed, corrupted Macbeth. Lady Macbeth's actions parallel those of the witches. The witches planted the idea that Macbeth should become king. Lady Macbeth followed through with this idea by pushing Macbeth to kill Duncan. "... a very definition of the weird sisters - calling on them to unsex her to cram her with cruelty from top to toe..." (Bloom 29). This quote illustrates the connection between Lady Macbeth and the witches, showing us that they both participated in Macbeth's moral decline. Shakespeare, it seems, utilizes the symbol of the witches to portray the basic evil inherent in Lady Macbeth. One could not have worked without the other. If it were only the witches' prophecies, then Macbeth would surely not have murdered Duncan. It was because Lady Macbeth constantly harassed her husband, that he was driven to commit all this evil. "... her blood thickened, her milk changed to gaul - into the inhuman, the distortion of nature..." (Ludwyk 233). This illustrates the complete metamorphosis of Lady Macbeth from a loving, beautiful, caring, kind wife to a ruthless, nasty, shrew of a woman. The women in this play distort Macbeth's intuition so much that he thinks he is doing the right thing. "... his liberty of free choice is determined more and more by evil inclination and that he can not choose the better course..." (Bloom 55). Even after the deed is done, Lady Macbeth greets her husband and "... her greeting recalls the weird sisters.

Chinese Intellectual Property Protection :: Economy

Chinese Intellectual Property Protection "The Master [Confucius] said: I transmit rather than create; I believe in and love the Ancients." The Analects of Confucius, bk 7, ch I 1 As the globalization of the world progresses China, a country that values the past greatly, seeks to develop into a technologically driven country that can sit among developed nations. I. Introduction Globalization is an inevitable fact of the modern world. Unless the Chinese work hard to adjust to the changing conditions they will fall behind. By looking at the history of the Chinese we can come up with answers to the ethical questions of who is morally responsible for the problems with Chinese Intellectual Property Law. Although this will not give us the answers to problems China faces, it will give us answers to some moral questions. II. A Bit of Chinese History on Intellectual Property Before Significant Foreign Contact The notions of a copyrights, trademarks, and patents came very late in China. Understanding what occurred during era of Imperial China (221 B.C. -A.D. 1911) can help us to figure exactly what kept the Chinese so far behind the western world in the intellectual property respect.1 During the age of Imperial China, most laws developed tended to be penal in nature and the central government lacked the civil laws that the west enjoyed.1 According to scholars, rather than implement these laws centrally, civil laws were "delegated" to village and clan elders.1 Thus, it was up to the family to dictate what was right and wrong at a civil level. It is important to note that although Chinese law did not have many governmental civil laws, it did however have the Ten Abominations (the most serious offenses) of which half involved actions concerning the family -- this shows that in some ways that there was some sort of delegated authority on civil law.1 The "Four Books" (which are part of the great Chinese Classics) were the guidelines that the elders used in matters of social situations.1 The first restrictions to printing came during the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1279) and was greatly aimed at restricting reproduction of heterodox.

Insider Trading and Martha Stewart Essay

Martha Stewart, homemaker turned media mogul, spent time in 2004 and 2005 in jail for illegal insider trading. While insider trading is not necessarily illegal if reported properly, more often insider trading is done in a fraudulent manner. This paper will examine insider trading and discuss the Martha Stewart case in regards to fraudulent insider trading. Insider trading is when corporate insiders such as officers, directors, or holders trade more than 10% of the corporations stocks or securities (wikipedia, 2006). Insider trading is legal as long as the transaction is reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and not based on material non-public information. Insider trading is illegal when a corporate ‘insider’ is misappropriating private information, and trading on it or secretly relaying the information (wikipedia, 2006). Illegal insider trading is considered a violation of trust to the shareholders and destroys the level playing field for all investors to make decisions based on the same information. In the Martha Stewart case, Stewart received information from her friend Sam Waksal that his company, ImClone’s cancer drug had been rejected by the FDA before the information was made public (Rasmussen, 2006). The rejection by the FDA caused ImClone’s stock to drop sharply. Before this news was made public, Martha Stewart had her stockbroker sell her 4000 shares of ImClone. The ‘inside’ information saved Stewart a lot of money when she sold her shares premature of the bad news going public for ImClone. The Martha Stewart verdict was justified because Martha was not forthcoming with the information she knew and her motives to sell the stock. Martha and especially her stockbroker knew they were taking advantage of what seemed like ‘lucky’ information. Although Martha felt like a scapegoat, there are many others that have probably committed the same crime of insider trading and hopefully this case has helped deter further violations of the law in the future.

Energy Requirements In Post Combustion Environmental Sciences Essay

Recently there has been increased involvement in C gaining control engineerings. There are a figure of factors act uponing this increased consciousness. There is increased credence that important decreases in CO2 emanations are required to avoid earnestly impacting the planetary clime, these decreases are improbable to be achieved through decreases in planetary energy demand. Therefore capturing CO2 before it enters the ambiance becomes a feasible option to cut down emanations. Post-combustion CO2 gaining control ( PCC ) engineering is a promising engineering that has possible to significantly cut down CO2 emanations from big point beginnings such as power workss. The chief advantage that station burning gaining control engineerings have over other gaining control methods is that bing power workss can be retrofitted with the engineering leting for a more immediate decrease in C emanations than is possible with the other possible engineerings. This is an of import consideration as the typical lifetime of a coal fired power works is 25 old ages which means that merely PCC can efficaciously turn to emanations from most of the universes presently runing power Stationss. However, PCC incurs higher energy punishments than pre-combustion gaining control engineerings and because there are non sufficient fiscal and legislative punishments for CO2 emanations PCC has yet to be demonstrated on a full graduated table footing and hence these energy costs can merely be quantified on a theoretical footing. Coal holds the largest portion of worldwide electric power production by a broad border, accounting for 40 % of universe energy supply in 2008. With this figure merely expected to somewhat diminish to 37 % by 2035 [ 1 ] . Because of coals laterality of the energy production sector and the higher C emanations associated with the combustion of coal we will concentrate on the energy efficiencies associated with using PCC to these workss. Modern coal fired power workss operate by using powdered coal. This coal is assorted with air and so fire in a boiler. The steam generated is used to turn a turbine generator and the waste burning gases are released to the ambiance. These gases consist chiefly of nitrogen plus H2O and CO2. Additional merchandises, depending on the pureness of the coal used, can include sulphur dioxide and N oxides. A typical powdered coal power works emits about 743 g/kWhr of CO2 [ 2 ] . As CO2 typically merely accounts for 12.5-12.8 % of the entire flue gas volume the separation of this from the other constituents is non a simple undertaking and requires energy input to accomplish.Minimum Energy RequirementThe thermodynamic lower limit specific energy demand for CO2 gaining control is shown in Figure. If an mean provender gas mole fraction of 12 % is taken so we can see that about 20 % extra energy is required in order to accomplish 100 % CO2 separation. Figure: Minimum specific energy demand for separation as a map of molar fraction in the provender gas for different fractional remotion ( T= 313 K ) [ 3 ] . In add-on to being separated from the remainder of the fluke gases the CO2 besides needs to be compressed from atmospheric force per unit areas to force per unit areas of typically 15 MPa, which are more contributing for station burning storage or transit. The minimal energy demand in order to accomplish a compaction from 0.1MPa at a temperature of 313 K to 15 MPa is 0.068 kWh/kg CO2. Figure shows the minimal energy demand for separation both with and without compaction procedure, presuming a gas mole fraction of 12 % . If we take the Siemens system for PCC as a criterion ; it removes 90 % of CO2 [ 4 ] from the flue gases. This represents 0.114 kWh/kg CO2 theoretical lower limit energy demand. Figure: Minimum specific energy demand for CO2 gaining control and compaction ( 12 % molar fluke gas concentration ) as a map of fractional CO2 remotion: separation merely and separation with compaction to 15 MPa [ 3 ] .CO2 Absorption ProcessThere are a figure of different methods being developed to divide CO2 from the other end product flue gases. Currently absorption procedures appear to be the taking engineering so they will be the focal point of this treatment. Figure shows a typical schematic for a station burning CO2 soaking up procedure. First, the fluke gases are passed through a ice chest, which is required to cut down ammonium hydroxide release in the absorber and diminish the volume of the flue gases. A fan is so required to pump the gas through the absorber which contains the chemical absorbents. The absorbent stuff which now contains the chemically bound CO2 is pumped to the desorber via a lean-rich heat money changer. The desorber regenerates the chemical absorbent by utilizing an addition in temperature ( 370-410 K ) and pressures between 1 and 2 bara. Heat is besides supplied to the re-boiler to keep regeneration conditions for the chemical absorbent which means the procedure incurs an extra energy punishment as the heat is required for steam production which acts as a denudation agent to divide the CO2 from the chemical absorber. The steam is recovered and fed back into the stripper while the extremely pure CO2 gas ( & A ; gt ; 99 % pureness ) leaves the compressor. The absorber chemical, which has had the CO2 removed is fed back into the absorber [ 3 ] . Figure: Schematic of typical station burning gaining control procedure [ 5 ] . Clearly this procedure involves a serious energy punishment as the extra procedures add much greater losingss to the system than the theoretical lower limit energy demands calculated earlier. Table shows the important works efficiency punishment which is the cost of the C gaining control procedure. This efficiency bead is due to increasing resource ingestion per unit of electricity produced and additions in chilling H2O ingestion per unit of electricity produced. Power works and gaining control system type Internet works efficiency without CCS Internet works efficiency with CCS CCS Energy PenaltyAdditional energy input per cyberspace kWh end productDecrease in net kWh end product for a fixed energyinput.Existing subcritical Personal computer, post-combustion gaining control 33 % 23 % 43 % 30 % New supercritical Personal computer, post-combustion gaining control 40 % 31 % 29 % 23 % Table: Valuess for cyberspace pulverised coal power works efficiencies with and without CCS [ 6 ] . This lessening in efficiency means that more fuel is required in order to bring forth the same sum of electricity as before the PCC procedure was added. From Table it can be seen that newer, more efficient workss suffer lower energy punishments when PCC is applied. The bing subcritical powdered coal works a 43 % addition in energy input per kWh end product compared with 29 % for a new supercritical pulverised coal works. Thermal energy demands are the most important factor in the increased energy demands and are the chief challenge confronting efforts to diminish these losingss.Thermal Energy RequirementsChemical soaking up is normally used in industry to take gases and drosss from high value merchandises like H or methane. The issue that arises in using this engineering to the power coevals sector is that it consequences in much larger decreases in efficiencies. while taking H2S from H for illustration may merely take 2.5 % [ 2 ] of the energy content of the H, this loss is much lar ger in power coevals as antecedently shown.Binding Energy RequirementThe heat which is required to interrupt the bond between the CO2 and the absorbent is an of import factor to be taken into consideration. This can be reduced by the usage of aminoalkanes as they can possess a lower binding energy for CO2. Absorbent material Heat of soaking up ( GJ/tonnes CO2 ) MEA-H2O 1.92 DGA-H2O 1.91 DIPA-H2O 1.67 DEA-H2O 1.63 AMP-H2O 1.52 MIDEA-H2O 1.34 TEA -H2O 1.08 Water 0.39 Table: Typical Heat of Absorption for Common Liquid Absorbents [ 7 ] . Table shows the values for heat of soaking up for the most normally used liquid absorbents. MEA-H2O possesses the highest value for adhering energy to the CO2. If this value could be reduced the sum of energy which would be required to divide the CO2 from the absorbent could be significantly decreased. Future developments in chemical absorbents could see the debut of hydrogen carbonate formation, which has been shown to hold the lowest binding energy of any chemical absorbent [ 3 ] taking to important lessening in the energy punishments encountered by the system.Heating of Absorbent in DesorberThe energy consumed by the absorbent heating up in the stripper can be reduced by take downing the heat money changer attack temperature and diminishing the volume of dissolver flow through the desorber. This can be achieved through the usage of 2nd coevals sterically hindered aminoalkanes. This has possible to duplicate the molar capacity of the absorbent. This could take to a bead in energy d emand from 1.2 GJ/tonne CO2 to 0.8 GJ/tonne CO2 which represents two tierces of the first coevals demands. Further betterments in these countries could finally take to 0.08 GJ/tonne CO2 which is predicted for 4th coevals aminoalkanes and attack temperatures [ 3 ] .Reflux RatioDepriving steam in the desorber has to drive the CO2 through the desorption procedure and supply the heat demand of the overall desorber and releases this heat when condensed and this heat is lost in the chilling H2O. Typically the reflux ratio achieved, expressed as H2O/tonnes CO2, is 0.7. This can be improved through the usage of absorbents that posses a higher Carbon dioxide to H2O ratio at the desorber issue. With a 0.1 ratio seen as possible for 4th coevals absorbents.Entire Thermal Energy Requirement ReductionsTable shows how these factors could diminish the thermic energy demand as new coevalss of chemical absorbents are introduced. Decreases in entire thermic energy demand of up to 80 % may be possible if these engineerings can be implemented. Procedure Generation Status G1 G2 G3 G4 Binding Energy ( MJ/kmol CO2 ) 80 70 55 30 Desorber attack temperature ( K ) 15 10 5 3 Solvent Flow ( m3/tonnes CO2 ) 20 10 8 4 Reflux Ratio ( metric tons H2O/tonnes CO2 ) 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.1 Entire Thermal Energy Requirement ( GJ/tonnes CO2 ) 4.56 3.31 2.29 0.95 Table: Possible thermic energy demand betterments [ 3 ] .Power RequirementsPower is required to drive a figure of facets of the PCC procedure: Fan power demand which is determined by the flow rate required and per centum remotion of CO2 sought. Liquid absorbent pump power. Affected by the degree of absorptive regeneration and other such procedures Compaction power demands which depend on the CO2 belongingss and the degrees of compaction required. Current coevals power demand is 0.154 MWh/tonnes CO2 with the mentality for power economy outlined in Table. Procedure Generation Status G1 G2 G3 G4 Entire Power ( MWh/tonnes CO2 ) 0.154 0.138 0.122 0.105 Table: Possible power demand betterments [ 3 ] .DecisionWhile involvement and investing in research in the country of PCC has increased in recent times the procedure is still in the really early phases of development and at the minute the energy costs involved in using this engineering to char discharged power workss make it highly inefficient and economically impracticable. Table shows that in all cases PCC can take to enormous lessenings in the sum of CO2 which emanating from coal fired power workss. However, first coevals PCC engineerings lead to a 40 % lessening in the works efficiency ensuing in 65 % addition in coal ingestion to bring forth the same sum of electricity. PCC Generation Status G1 G2 G3 G4 Efficiency with no gaining control ( % ) 35 41 46 50 CO2 Emission ( No gaining control ) ( metric tons CO2/MWh ) 0.928 0.792 0.706 0.650 Efficiency with 90 % gaining control ( % ) 21.2 31.6 39.7 45.8 CO2 Emission ( with gaining control ) ( metric tons CO2/MWh ) 0.153 0.103 0.082 0.071 Increase in Coal usage due to Capture ( % ) 65 30 16 9 Table: Overall mentality for PCC [ 3 ] . Because these engineerings are in the really early phases of developments there is a immense range for efficiency betterments in both the thermic energy required and the power demands for the procedure. It is seen as an accomplishable end that as engineering is developed that PCC could ensue in every bit small as a 4.2 % lessening in overall works efficiency and a 9 % addition in coal ingestion. These decreases are cardinal to the future use of PCC engineering as if it is non economically feasible for the procedure to be used it will ne'er be adopted.

Report on UK Bank Essay

Background   The globalisation of business has led to changes of great significance in the business world. The emergence of China and India as centres of manufacturing and services, with equal skills and fractional costs, have led to significant global migration work and far-reaching realignment in the British basket of financial services. In this globalised scenario, the British financial services industry has over time evolved, among other things, into a supplier of high end services in areas of finance, banking and allied information technology. British banks like UKB (assumed name) have been active outside the UK for many decades, especially in former British ruled territories like India and have built up significant expertise in Asian markets. Apart from China, India and the countries of East Asia, the GCC (Gulf Coordination Council) countries have lately emerged as very significant growth areas for banking and financial services. UKB has also opened an office and started banking and financial services operations in Kuwait, pursuant to the changes in Kuwaiti law, in 2004, allowing foreign banks to operate in the country. The bank has ambitious plans for its operations in the Gulf and has accordingly stationed a large team of ten British employees at Muscat to direct UKB’s international business in the GCC states. The bank places great importance on its international plans and has committed significant financial and personnel resources to its plans for business expansion in the GCC countries and is extremely serious in its ambition to become a significant player among the banks and financial institutions providing financial services in Kuwait. The management is confident in its belief that it possesses both domain skills of a very high order and the financial strength required to make a strong success of its operations in Kuwait and thus open the way for further expansion in the GCC countries. The management of UKB has, of late, reasons to believe that the British team at Muscat has operational, managerial and personal issues that need to be resolved to improve job satisfaction and productivity. The relevant issues mainly relate to divides in culture, working methods, value systems and managerial beliefs between the British expatriates and the local Kuwaitis, with whom there is constant contact, as co-employees, customers, suppliers and regulators. Objective The management believes that the situation is serious enough to merit intervention and has asked the author to prepare a report for the attention of all the expatriate employees based in Kuwait. The author has extensive experience of the operations of the GCC countries, both in the capacity of line manager and as consultant to companies operating in the region. This report has been prepared for the use of the bank’s expatriate staff working in Kuwait and will be useful to employees working in other overseas locations as well. The author has tried to provide reasons for UKB’s choice of Kuwait as a business destination, the various issues that are likely to come to the fore when British banking experts have to operate outside the UK for long periods of time, the various managerial, operational, personal and cultural challenges that employees have to face in the course of their everyday life and the best way to deal with them. The author wishes to point out that the text provided in this report is in the nature of general information and the suggestions recommended need to be studied and modified for personal use. The use of â€Å"one size fits all† is patently incorrect, if not downright ludicrous in such situations and the staffs are requested to make the best possible use of the suggestions and recommendations. General Economy of Kuwait Kuwait is a small country situated in the Middle East and a member of the GCC. It holds 8 % of the worlds’ known oil reserves and with the recent explosion in the price of petroleum products has seen significant increases in dollar inflows coming into the country. The country has had a troubled past. It was invaded by Iraq in 1990 under Saddam Hussein and subsequently freed by US intervention. With the removal of Saddam Hussein, the region has now entered a period of stability and oil revenues riding on high prices are driving the country into an economic boom. Travel and tourism is increasing rapidly. Kuwait is in the midst of a sea change, sparked by two recent developments. The unprecedented rise in the price of oil over the last two years has dramatically increased the wealth of the country. Revenues from petroleum sales now priced at more than seventy dollars a barrel were three times projections in 2005. These revenues have brought unplanned riches to this oil-wealthy GCC country. As holder of 8 % of the worlds’ known oil reserves and with annual surpluses in the region of US $ 23 bn, [1] Kuwait is awash with funds and learning to digest this windfall; a flood of dollar inflows which do not show signs of abatement. The death of the Amir Sheikh Jaber and the transition of authority to the new Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, have set the stage for huge economic developments, which are mainly concerned with further development of the emirate’s oil reserves. Revenues from oil make up 50 % of Kuwait’s GDP. The new Amir is in the process of making significant changes in both the oil and non-oil sectors and with erstwhile neighbour, Saddam Hussein out of the picture there is greater confidence to invest. Banking and Financial Services in Kuwait The country, till recently, allowed foreign companies to own up to 49 % of local banks. In 2004, this restriction was removed and full foreign ownership is now allowed, allowing foreign banks like BNP Paribas and UKB to start operations in the country. The major opportunity in the region lies in extending brokerage and financial services to the local population and UKB is trying to actively enter and consolidate its’ presence in these sectors. â€Å"Over the medium term, Kuwait’s financial position is projected to remain strong. The large external current account and fiscal surpluses are expected to lead to a build-up of a large stock of financial assets for future generations.† [2]The country’s sound group of commercial banks, led by the premier Arab bank, National Bank of Kuwait, is well managed and profitable. Kuwaiti Banks have shown remarkable performances. Led by the Bank of Kuwait, the Middle East (BKME) and Kuwait Finance House (with approximately 60 % increases in pre-tax profits), the consolidated assets of the 14 Kuwaiti banks touched record heights in 2005. Banking, financial markets and financial services are preparing a platform for the forecasted boom years. Many international and local banks and financial services companies are vying with each other to improve service and make Kuwait a significant GCC financial center. These plans face two main challenges. Firstly, the stock markets have, after a period of sharp growth, entered a phase of correction, earlier this year with stock values plummeting across the region, eroding shareholder wealth and burning investors. This stock market correction (a drop of a record 14% in March) and larger market declines elsewhere in the Gulf, , have given bankers cause for concern. Rating agency Moody’s has recently cautioned about an asset bubble in the region and that banks may not know the full extent of the possible problem until loans can be assessed at the end of this year. Banking companies operating in Kuwait’s fledgling banking, brokerages and financial services sector have to wrestle with this downturn in investor confidence and face stiff competition from the other financial centers in the GCC countries. The vision of the current Amir’s new regional financial centre needs strategic design, focus, commitment and implementation to succeed. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar all have financial centers competing for supremacy in the Gulf sweepstakes. In this context, with the viability of five regional financial centers yet to be established the financial institutions in Kuwait need to play a very significant role if the country is to become a strong financial hub. The financial and brokerage institutions have to design their strategy in this context and plan their work considering the challenges provided by the availability of substantial local wealth, strategic geographical location, intense regional competition and a slow moving bureaucracy. All companies operating in the field of share and securities brokerage and financial services have to take account of these two developments, which have the potential to act as force multipliers and propel Kuwait’s development manifold. A dynamic leadership wishing to achieve ambitious objectives and armed with adequate resources can achieve far-reaching changes that may be out of the ordinary.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To summarize, Kuwait’s banking, brokerage and financial services must find their way to service their customers, optimize performance and create a strategic design with a horizon of at least ten years in a market with many challenges and yet tremendous opportunity. The circumstances under which they need to operate, thrive and grow are as under. Their immediate environment is immensely rich, witness to strong cash inflows and has strong potential for brokerages and companies offering financial services The region is now comparatively stable after the removal of Saddam Hussein and the government is planning significant and far reaching investments in oil development and infrastructure The country is witnessing sharp growth in travel. Investments in top end luxury hotels are increasing with the entry of large international chains. This increase in travel has led to the formation of new regional airlines and additional flights from the big airlines. The region has very active stock markets that are currently in a corrective phase after sustained and dizzy growth. The dip in stock prices has made shares more attractive and increase in buying activity is forecasted The official Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE), restructured in 1983 after the collapse of the unofficial stock market in 1982, has become, despite the Iraqi invasion in 1990, the most sophisticated market in the region. The GCC region has five financial services centers, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha and Kuwait. The other four centers already have a head start over Kuwait and experts doubt whether the region can support five strong centers. The KSE, which is the second largest Stock Exchange in the GCC countries and has a sophisticated and fully automated computerized system is urging its members to provide self-service technologies to its’ clients. It has published APIs and guidelines on the mode of integrating online trading with its’ gateway. A number of international financial institutions and banks are re-entering the region with more skills and expertise as well as deeper pockets. These banks will bring strong competition and international state of art practices to the market places. Though operating under restrictions they will forge alliances with local businesses and strive to increase their service portfolio and business in the region. â€Å"According to the bank’s Kuwait chief executive Nick Nicolaou, HSBC has already built up a staff of 42 and is developing a comprehensive training programme. â€Å"We think we can add value. With our regional and global footprint, we can do a lot that local banks cannot do.† [3] HSBC is likely to emphasise its sub-custodian capabilities for foreign investors among other services.† It is evident that these are momentous times for the banking, financial services, wealth management and brokerage companies in Kuwait. Their choice of strategy during this particular sunrise period will determine largely their survival, prosperity and growth in the coming decade. A number of these companies have also started offering self-service technologies to their clients. This is seen as a big step forward in their client offering. KMEFIC and KAMCO are two brokerage companies who have been frontrunners in adopting this technology. KMEFIC’s services have proved to be notably successful and they are now able to provide services, which cover most of the GCC countries and the US market. The Role of UKB managers The analysis of political and economic analysis provided in the previous two sections indicates the enormous business opportunities present for companies operating in the banking sector. UKB is one of the few foreign banks operating in Kuwait and has substantial early mover advantage. The free space available and lack of strong competition will not last for very long and UKB officials need to exploit the business advantage fully. Banks and financial institutions are also rapidly introducing Self Service Technologies for brokerage and internet banking activities. UKB managers must also thus work towards leveraging their superior banking and technological skills and ensure that their technology on offer is the best possible. Any introduction of modern technology is going to be more stressful in Kuwait than what managers from the UK would have experienced before and managers would do well to remember that technology that does not live up to its promises causes intense customer dissatisfaction. Implementation of technology will need to be done with care, especially with respect to maintenance, back up and support services.   Kuwait and the other GCC countries have business environments that are radically different from the UK, the USA and countries of West Europe. The differences in history, culture, traditions and mores as well as the predominance of religion in everyday life contribute towards creating an environment that appears to be alien and is often a cause for great discomfiture for westerners who wish to put down anchor for extended periods and operate in business environments. It is thus essential to understand the Kuwaiti way of doing business in order to respond adequately to business challenges. The recommendations provided below are common for most of the Arab world and will stand all British expatriates negotiating business contracts in Kuwait. UKB officers should try, as far as possible to follow the following guidelines, extracted from the Australian Government’s website for doing business with Arab states. [4] Information is often unreliable and efforts to expand sources of information will aid understanding of a business situation. This includes advice from other westerners who have more experience of local conditions. Statistics and market data are often imprecise and can lead to wrong forecasting.   Budgets must be realistic, timelines conservative as slippages are very common, and transactions take longer than expected. Extensive networking helps in generating business leads Complex business procedures are common and a contract may take take many visits and apparently unnecessary negotiations. Once contracts are finalized, the clients or business partners often want to move fast often based on a handshake. Finally, everything moves on price and UKB managers must work towards delivering beneficial and tangible price outcomes. Religion, in this case Islam, plays a very definitive role in the life of people of governs interpersonal dealings. A knowledge of the Islamic calendar helps and it is wise not to fix any important meetings for Friday, the Islamic Sabbath, when many offices and shops remain closed. The holy festival of Ramadan occupies one whole month and its dates vary every year. Kuwaitis fast for the whole day and while they are used to the yearly ritual, business activities slow down. UKB managers should plan their work accordingly and factor in these considerations into their budgets and commitments. Business meetings are also very different from the west and are frequent causes of frustration for expatriates used to the professionalism of UK business. Some characteristics [5]   of Arab meetings, very capable of disturbing UKB managers are as follows. The meeting may be disturbed and that too quite often, by phone calls and assistants coming in to sign documents or take instructions. The business world is far more informal and interruptions are the norm, rather than the exception. Totally unconnected people may also come in and remain present, without contributing anything towards the proceedings. Meetings are also often interrupted because of prayer timings. Any show of frustration is looked at with amusement and UKB managers must learn to be patient and impassive in their attitude. The Kuwaitis are very good negotiators and quite adept at sensing the unease of their business counterparts. It thus, remains advisable to stay focused, keep the main negotiating points in play, stay firm but exceedingly polite and never show frustration or impatience at the conduct of proceedings. They will be looking for sincerity and trust and it is important that these reassurances are provided continuously, through word, action and reinforcement of capability. Personal Relationships Expatriates living in foreign locales feel the need to occasionally relax in familiar surroundings. Kuwait has a number of luxury hotels with good cuisine and health club facilities and it is strongly recommended that the British staff make good use of them. It is also however important to mix with important local clients and prominent members of the bureaucracy and gradually build up networking contacts. While engaging with Kuwaitis socially it is important to remember a few local traditions and customs. The right hand is always used for eating and it is impolite to eat with the left. The art of small talk, especially about local events helps in social and business settings. Handshakes are often clasps and should be avoided with females. Regular eye contact is desirable and firmness, as separate from arrogance, leads to respect. The most commonly used term is Inshallah, which stands for â€Å"god willing† and underlines the predominance of religion in all dealings. Conclusion The success of a strategic international thrust depends upon a number of things, the most important being viable business opportunities, excellent domain knowledge, awareness of local political processes and economic conditions and the ability to deliver, technically and economically, a superior product or service. UKB is fortunately placed. It is at the right place at the right time and needs to convert its first mover advantage to consolidate its position as a significant player in the banking and financial circles of Kuwait. The banks expatriate team has the responsibility of carrying forward the objectives of the bank to fruition and economic success. They will need to handle a number of challenges on their road towards their objective. A proper reading of the various suggestions and recommendations provided in the course of this report should certainly make their assignment easier to handle. Bibliography Amir, F.A., Marzouqi, H.A., Mesmer, H and Murtawa, S.S., 2006, Online e Trading for UAE Stock Market. AME Info, 9 October 2006, Available: http://www.ameinfo.com/80199.html Atkins, W, 2004, Worst-case scenarios, The Banker, 10 July 2006, Available: http://www.thebanker.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1711/Worst-case_scenarios.html Bansal, P., 2004, A question of identity, The Banker, 9 October 2006, Available: http://www.thebanker.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1708/A_question_of_identity.html Doing business with Qatar, 2006, Australian Government, 9 October 2006, Available: www.dfat.gov.au/publications/business_qatar/doing_business_qatar.html Drejer, A. (2002). Strategic Management and Core Competencies: Theory and Application. Westport, CT: Quorum Books. 9 October 2006, Available: Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101317940 GCC Growth to Slow, 2006, Gulf Industry, 9 October 2006, Available: www.gulfindustryonline.com/bkArticlesF.asp?Article=4113&Section=672&IssueID=234 Timewell, S, 2006, A future to plan for, The Banker, 9 October 2006, Available: http://www.thebanker.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/4048/A_future_to_plan_for.html Timewell, S, 2005, A transformed terrain for banks, The Banker, 9 October 2006, Available: http://www.thebanker.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2953/A_transformed_terrain_for_banks.html Timewell, S, 2006, New Era New Challenges, The Banker, 9 October 2006, Available: http://www.thebanker.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/4046/New_Era,_New_Challenges.html [1] GCC Growth to Slow, 2006, Gulf Industry [2] Timewell, S, 2005, A changed terrain for banks [3]   Timewell, S, 2006, A future to plan for, Page 1 [4]   Doing Business with Qatar, 2006, Australian Government [5] Doing Business with Qatar