Filipino Mental Health Culture Paper

Introduction â€Å"Culture comprises of shared beliefs values, and practices that guide a group’s members in patterned ways of thinking and acting. Culture can also be viewed as a blueprint for guiding actions that impact care, health, and well-being† (Leininger & McFarland, 2006). â€Å"Culture is more than ethnicity and social norms; it includes religious, geographic, socio-economic, occupational, ability-or disability-related, and sexual orientation-related beliefs and behaviors. Each group has cultural beliefs, values, and practices that guide its members in ways of thinking and acting.Cultural norms help members of the group make sense of the world around them and make decisions about appropriate ways to relate and behave. Because cultural norms prescribe what is â€Å"normal† and ‘abnormal,† culture helps develop concepts of mental health and illness† (Varcarolis & Halter, 2010). Discussed further will be the mental health of Filipino Ame ricans as well as mental health information from The Philippines. Mental Health Needs â€Å"A strong belief that spirits are a cause of physical and mental illness is prevalent throughout the Western Pacific Region, including the Philippines.The strong influence of religion on the Filipino people has however, generated a strong and positive sense of spirituality, which is considered a source of strength in the individual. Since this spirituality is actively acknowledged and practiced in communities, it is recognized as a major coping mechanism in times of social deprivation and disadvantage, crises, political upheavals, and natural and man- Running Head: FILIPINO MENTAL HEALTH CULTURE PAPER 3 made disasters.Psychosocial intervention programs during these times often integrate a psycho-spiritual approach. It is though that the rate of successful suicide is low because taking one’s life is considered a sin (Conde, 2004). † Family Support â€Å"The family is the basic un it of society. It is still considered to be very important and there is active consciousness in the majority of Filipinos to preserve this despite the many social conditions that threaten its structure and the roles within it.While the nuclear family is evolving in the rapidly expanding urban areas, extended families are still prevalent. Families are clos-knit and influenced by tradition. Major decisions are not made unless parents are consulted and have given their approval. Family support is crucial as a basis of community support in times of need† (Conde, 2004). â€Å"Mental illness is dealt with through the help of family and friends and faith in God. One's mental affliction is identified as the family's illness and is associated with shame and stigma.The open display of emotional affliction is discouraged in favor of social harmony. Assistance is often sought from relatives and peers before approaching professionals. Decisions, including health care practices and prefere nces, advance directives, and consent for procedures and treatment, are commonly made in consultation with the family† (Sanchez & Gaw, 2007). â€Å"Some families view children with mental illness as â€Å"bringers of good luck†. Filipinos willingly interact with persons with mental illness, but they may not accept them as cohabitants or employees.The rejection is based on the belief that persons with mental affliction are Running Head: FILIPINO MENTAL HEALTH CULTURE PAPER 4 dangerously unpredictable. Filipinos generally unconditionally sacrifice time and vocation to accept and care for their disabled family members† (Sanchez & Gaw, 2007). Access to Mental Health Care â€Å"Among Asian American ethnic groups, Filipinos have the second largest representation (behind their peers of Chinese ancestry) within the total Asian American Pacific Islander population of approximately 10 million people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002). † â€Å"Although Filipino Americans ar e generally categorized within the aggregated â€Å"Asian American: group, Asian Americans are not a homogenous group with respect to mental health status. † In a study comparing Asian ethnic groups and Asian-specifically Filipino Americans have been found to have one of the highest levels of depressive symptoms of all Asian ethnic groups in the United States, second only to Korean Americans. Although the need for psychiatric treatment exists, Filipino Americans were found to underutilize ublic outpatient mental health services (Baello & Mori, 2007). â€Å"It would seem that Filipino Americans, perceived as the most westernized of the Asian Americans, would be more apt to adapt to the American culture. However, they remain among the most mislabeled and culturally marginalized of the Asian Americans. Increased time of residence in the United States may not necessarily reflect an increase in the adoption of American lifestyle and culture† (Sanchez & Gaw, 2007) The Philip pines have a National Mental Health Policy.There is no mental health legislation and the laws that govern the provision of mental health services are contained in Running Head: FILIPINO MENTAL HEALTH CULTURE PAPER 5 various parts of written laws such as Penal Code, Magna Carta for Disabled Person, Family Code, and the Dangerous Drug Act. The country spends about 5% of the total health budget on mental health and substantial portions of it are spent on the operation and maintenance of mental hospitals. The new social insurance scheme covers mental disorders but is limited to acute inpatient care.Psychotropic medications are available in the mental health facilities (World Health Organization 2006). There are fifteen community residential (custodial home-care) facilities that treat 1. 09 users per 100,000 general populations. Mental hospitals treat approximately 9 patients per 100,000 general populations and the occupancy rate is 92%. The majority of patients admitted have a diagnosis of schizophrenia. All forensic beds (400) are at the national Center for mental health.Involuntary admissions and the use of restraints or seclusion are common (World Health Organization 2006). Guidelines For Treatment A culturally sensitive approach is recommended when considering treatment of Filipinos and Filipino Americans. These guidelines include: pay attention to immigration history and regional orientation, determine the underlying reason for treatment, ensure adequate understanding of the diagnosis and treatment plan, bearing in mind that social inhibitions and nonverbal cues can mislead the practioner, use visual cues and communicate in a ollaborative manner, facilitate dialogue, inquiring about physical as well as mental health complaints, utilize the family and identify the patient’s power hierarchy, allow the patient time to process any information given, respect personal space, note mannerisms without making assumptions about Running Head: FILIPINO MENTAL HEALT H CULTURE PAPER 6 their meaning, do not be misled by the presenting affect maintain judicious use of medications, and engage the patient by actively focusing on the individual’s symptoms (Sanchez & Gaw, 2007) ConclusionAccess to mental health facilities is uneven across the country, favoring those living in or near the National Capital Region. The national mental health policy was put into operation relatively recently. Community care for patients is present, but is limited. The poor involvement of primary health care services in mental health is also a feature shared with many low and lower middle resource countries. Psychiatrists should not hesitate to assume a medical role.Increased priority to resources and a strategically coordinated network of social services that recognizes specific sociopolitical, economic, and cultural needs have to be in place when delivering mental health services to Filipinos and Filipino Americans. It is ideal to have such services within existin g medical institutions and staffed by culturally sensitive medical, psychiatric, and social service personnel. Psychiatrists need to embrace culture as a powerful factor in understanding the Filipino-American experience.A culturally sensitive and imaginative approach to the individual should be undertaken. Running Head: FILIPINO MENTAL HEALTH CULTURE PAPER 7 References Baello, J. , & Mori, L. (2007). Asian values, adherence and psychological help-seeking attitudes of filipino-americans. Journal of Multicultural, Gender and Minority Studies, 1(1), Retrieved from http://www. scientificjournals. org/journals2007/articles/1261. pdf (Baello & Mori, 2007) Conde, B. (2004). Philippines mental health country profile.International Review of Psychiatry, 16(1-2), 159-166. Retrieved from http://www. hawaii. edu/hivandaids/Philippines_Mental_Health_Country_Profile. pdf Leininger, M. , & McFarland, M. (2006). Cultural care diversity & universality: A worldwide nursing theory (2nd ed. ). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett (Leininger & McFarland 2006) Sanchez, F. , & Gaw, A. (2007). Mental health care of filipino americans. Psychiatric Services, 58(6), doi: 10. 1176/appi. ps. 58. 6. 810 United States Census Bureau. (2002). The Asian Population: 2000.Retrieved from website: http://www. census. gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-16. pdf Varcarolis, E. M. , & Halter, M. J. (2010). Foundations of psychiatric mental health nursing, a clinical approach. (6 ed. ). St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders: Elsevier (Varcarolis & Halter, 2010) Department of Health, Manila, The Philippines, Department of Health, Manila, The Philippine. (2006). Who-aims report on mental health system in the philippines. Retrieved from Wold Health Organization website: http://www. who. int/mental_health/evidence/philippines_who_aims_report. pdf

Scientific Method and Life.in Short Science

Do you know what is science? Generally, science is a body that seeks to organize knowledge systematically and in a way that is testable and that allow the process of prediction. We are always finding new discoveries, and we are using more modern tools that are more accurate. If it is in right hands then it is a blessing to man otherwise it can make life miserable. Science has made our live easy and comfortable but on other hands it has also created some destructive instruments which give much power to man that's why we should teach science technically not formally. first we will consider its merits .Science is man's helpmate. In the field of health modern techniques of science are being introduced. Difficult surgical operation have become routine in the field of medicines. it is the science that has helped the blind to see,deaf to hear and lame to walk. Life has been quick,easy and luxurious with the invention of many types of machines i. e air conditioner,mixture,refrigerator etc. I nvention of car,aeroplane and rockets etc have shortened the distance. Atomic energy is another recent scientific achievement. Atomic reactors are producing cheaper source of power and energy.The computer and internet has brought great change in our life. In short science is the key of success. On the other hand science has some demerits also. science has provided us with fearful weapons of human destruction. Science has given us atom bomb and hydrogen bomb. These inventions have opened up with frightful possibilities of bacteriological warfare,all of which can wipe out entire nation in no time. Computer is the most wonderful invention but the misuse of computer is creating many problems like student waste their time in net cafe's and in playing video games. People are going away from healthy way of life.Children learn from their parents, siblings, other relatives as well as from teachers. They learn from movies, television, radio, magazines as well as from schoolbooks and the schoo l environment. Science teachers should exploit the rich resources of the larger community and involve parents and other concerned adults in useful ways. It is also important for teachers to recognize that some of what their students learn informally is wrong, incomplete, poorly understood, or misunderstood, but that formal education can help students to restructure that knowledge and acquire new knowledge.Looking at the two aspects of modern science,we conclude that science by itself is neither good nor bad. it is the will and intentions of man,which makes him,put it to constructive use or take it to the path of devil. Science is knowledge of observation and analyzing facts. There is nothing good or bad with science. It is like knife, which may be used to cut branches of trees or vegetables and at the same time could be used to cut the throat of a man. It is all to man how he uses it.

What is steaming (food)?

Steaming is a cooking method that uses the steam from water under varying degrees of pressure. Low pressure cooking is food cooked either direct contact with the steam or an indirect contact. High pressure steaming, on the other hand is done when steam is not allowed to escape the cooking equipment that increases the temperature and pressure build-up that reduces cooking time. 2. What is a bamboo steamer?A bamboo steamer is a round wooden cookware made from bamboo with a lattice for a bottom and a snug top. It is placed on a wok or a pan with water and the food is cooked inside the bamboo steamer. It can also be stacked on top of one another to enable food to be cooked simultaneously. The holes under the bamboo steamer are what cook the food inside of it in low pressure cooking. 3. Brief history of bamboo steam in Asia? The first bamboo steamer was developed in China where ovens are not a common sight.In Asian cuisine, as opposed to Western cuisine, rice, not bread is their staple, a nd therefore, the idea of using an oven is not a common one. As a substitute, to be able to cook their breads, they developed the steamer which is commonly used in cooking steamed cakes such as the siopao. 4. Healthy and Efficient Advantages of steamed food with a Bamboo Steamer As already stated earlier, the bamboo steamer can be stacked on top of one another making cooking large amounts of food more quickly to accomplish.It is also designed to fit in any wok and could also fit in pans so no special equipment is needed to use them. The bamboo also helps to absorb excess moisture to keep the food from becoming soggy and retains heat. Health benefits of cooking with a bamboo steamer include being able to cook the food without using any sort of fat, oils, or butter, retaining its healthy properties and appears fresh and vibrant, and its naturally antibacterial properties. 5.How to care for your bamboo steamer? In cleaning the bamboo steamer, mild soap should be used along with warm wa ter to prevent any damages. After washing, the bamboo steamer should be thoroughly drained and dried before it is put away to prevent molds from accumulating. Also, bamboo steamers should never be put in the dishwasher and as much as possible, direct food to steamer contact should be avoided (this can be done with the use of parchment paper or lettuce).Removing food bits that get stuck to the steamer should be removed with a nylon scrubber 6. Other uses for bamboo steamer (favor box, centerpiece†¦)? Uses for the bamboo steamer include: †¢ Centerpiece †¢ Dim Sum and Food Steaming †¢ Tamales †¢ Pie Carrier †¢ Gift Box †¢ Wedding Favors †¢ Heating food †¢ Steam-Dye Fabrics †¢ Pet Treat Basket †¢ Food Basket Reference: http://www. gourmetsleuth. com/Articles/Unique-Cooking-Tools-641/bamboo-steamer. aspx http://www. wisegeek. com/what-are-bamboo-steamers. htm

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 41

Management - Essay Example China has financial institutions that are well developed and offer great services to their clients. The bank will need to understand the market well and know what is lacking that the people need, and aim to provide better services. The other challenge that it may encounter is the countries policies in the banking industry. The Chinese government has control over the lending and credit of banks in the countries. The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CRBC) was set up to control the financial institutions. This means that the interest rates on loans is controlled and the bank determines when the bank will give credit to its client. This is believed to control the value of the Rimini. The Chinese are one of the communities in the world known to uphold their culture despite being exposed to globalization. The important aspects of the Chinese citizens include their ceramics, music, religion, customs and celebrations, martial arts, cuisines, and costumes among others Giskin & Walsh, 2001). China has 56 ethnic groups located in various villages in the country. Each of these groups has different costumes, festivals, and festivals. These ethnic groups include the Mongolian, Hui, Miao, Zhuang among others. Socially, the Chinese are considered to possess humility, self-control, and are patient. The value of the family in China supersedes an individual’s. Family value is influenced by how a person behaves or acts in public. If a person exhibits behavior that is not considered right by the society, the image of the family is affected negatively. Respect for elders is also highly valued. They are also known to be very friendly and it is not a challenge to get along w ith them. China is also said to be a country where the citizens are very literate. Schools are widely set up in the country and families are encouraged to take their children to school to attain education. Education is important because it helps a person with

Sterile Service Department Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sterile Service Department - Essay Example The essay "Sterile Service Department" talks about the hospital sterile services department which is operated by a specialised group of staff who provide an essential service by supplying the operation theatres with sterile instruments and departments with specific items required for patient care.After each use, the medical devices undergo various decontamination processes to render them safe and for reuse on patients and for staff handling. Prior to beginning the decontamination, the used medical device is first received by the sterile services department in a collection container specifically meant for this purpose and is subjected to reprocessing. It is essential that the SSD staff need to check the device and to notify the user if any part of the equipment is damaged or missing on receipt. This is followed by a series of interdependent decontamination procedures like cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation to ensure complete elimination of microbes and other contaminants from th e reusable medical device. Cleaning is the first step in decontamination and is an essential prerequisite for the next stage namely disinfection. Cleaning is done either by mechanical means using an automated washer disinfector or an ultrasonic bath comprising warm water rinse, power wash, disinfection using a detergent and a drying phase. The choice of detergent depends on the nature of the equipment and the user follows the instructions of the manufacturer. For delicate or complex medical devices, manual cleaning is normally preferred.

The Rocking Horse Winner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Rocking Horse Winner - Essay Example The author has presented the theme of materialism and the negativities associated with the obsession for the attainment of materialistic satisfaction and how it leaves a negative impact on the life of an individual. The Rocking Horse is the story of a family which is living is discontentment despite of the fact that they are financially sound and have enough resources for the running of their family. Hester is particularly the character who is the most obsessed with money and her dissatisfaction and want for more money affects the entire family. The author has tried to explain how materialism fails to fulfill the emotional needs of the human beings and love and emotions are of great importance for a family. Lawrence explains this point by narrating the way in which the family lives and how their needs are not fulfilled despite of the increased money that comes home. He begins by explaining that Hester was a good looking woman who had beautiful children. He explained, â€Å"They live d in a pleasant house, with a garden, and they had discreet servants, and felt themselves superior to anyone in the neighborhood.† With these words, the author tries to express the fact that they had all the necessities which are needed for leading a healthy and happy life but the family was not leading a content life. Lawrence has then tried to explain the dissatisfaction that existed in the house and he has expressed the lack of love and emotions in the family. He has explained the basis for this discontentment which was mainly due to the greed on the part of the mother who wanted more money for the house. The children were not loved by her and she was also aware of this that she could not truly become attached to her children for some reason. There was always an aura of anxiousness in the house which was felt by all the family members in the form of whispers. All the members could hear the house whispering the lines, â€Å"There must be more money! There must be more money!† (Lawrence) These whispers best explain the main theme of the story that there was such an extreme desire for wealth in the house that the people living in the house could always feel this need around them in the form of whispers. This lack of love greatly disturbed Hester’s son who always wanted to be loved by her mother. He wanted to gain her attention which can clearly be seen when he converses with her about luck and tries to explain to her that he is lucky. Hester is blinded by her materialistic wants and she does not pay much heed to the innocent talks of the young boy. The young boy needs affection and care from his mother and this drives him to opt for betting on horse races at such an early age. Not only this, he discovers that if he rides a rocking horse, it assists him in knowing the winner of the race. He keeps on riding this horse frantically without caring about his health for the happiness and fulfillment of his mother’s worldly needs and in doing so he loses his life. The story further stresses upon the shortcomings of materialism and presenting that it not the most ideal way of living life by explaining the gloominess which still persists despite of money flowing into the house. This is narrated by the author when he explains how the mother is not happy to receive t housand pounds as her gift but she rather demands that she should

Online education Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Online education - Assignment Example Strategies like this can directly influence learning process and enhance it for the better. Though online education with the help of modern modes of technology translates into less student-teacher interaction, but the truth is that the merits of this mode of education far outweigh its demerits. Out of all teachers and students interviewed during the course of this research, majority coincided with online education giving logical reasons to augment their approval. It is a well-established scientific fact that some students are right brain dominant, while others are left brain dominant. While verbal lectures among other conventional teaching methods are more suitable for left brain dominant students, right brain dominant students learn better through videos. The conclusion is that though online education is quite beneficial, real learning process should be a mix of both conventional and modern teaching methods because student-teacher interaction cannot be substituted by anything

Policy analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Policy analysis - Essay Example 1st Amendment The 1st amendment to the constitution of the United States was proposed on 25 September 1789 and was enacted on 15 December 1791. The 1st amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, speech and press and protects the citizens’ right to assemble and petition the government. Since its ratification, the 1st amendment has successfully sustained over a period of more than 200 years, without any major changes or alterations being affected to it. The 1st amendment has effectively played a crucial role in the history of America, both in the contemporary and earlier ages (Fleming 372). America being a nation founded by immigrants, the freedom of religion enshrined in the 1st amendment certified throughout that the great melting pot called America accommodated citizens with diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, without being resorting to discrimination or state supported hatred or persecution. The right to expression and petition facilitated by the 1st amendment was t he statutory backing that enabled many luminaries and suppressed groups within the nation, to raise a voice for equal rights and opportunities (Fleming 372). For example, when Martin Luther King Jr. pursued the struggle for the civil rights of the African Americans, it was the rights protected by the 1st amendment that extended a legal relevance to his struggle. The right to assemble and petition led to the constitution of history changing groups like the National American Women Suffrage Association and it was the freedom of press that accounted for the attention and coverage extended to the sidetracked and suppressed sections of the society. The 1st amendment has been valuable to the society in the sense that whenever some individuals or groups felt the need to change government or discriminatory laws, the 1st amendment came to their rescue. 2nd Amendment The 2nd amendment was proposed on 25 September 1789 and got enacted on 15 December 1791. This amendment safeguards the constitut ional right to keep and bear arms. Owing to many reasons, the 2nd amendment has lost its relevance. Its goes without saying that the 2nd amendment was meaningful in the context of the times in which it was enacted (Barnett 238). During the days when this amendment was ratified, an organized and well trained militia was essential to safeguard the freedom of the state and the liberty of the people (Barnett 239)). So, to achieve the objectives necessitated by this strategic cause, the right to keep and bear arms was utterly essential. Secondly, the days in which the 2nd amendment was passed, America was still a quintessentially agrarian society and people do relied on hunting to sustain and survive. Hence, in those times, guns were a necessary household item that served many purposes in the daily life of the masses (Barnett 2239). However, the 21st century is a different lot, and hence the 2nd amendment has directly or indirectly been the cause of much violence and bloodshed. In modern America, with its organized law and order framework, guns positively have no practical relevance for the common citizenry. People do not need guns to sustain themselves or to carry on with their daily life. The spurt in urban violence and organized crime in recent days has in fact shattered the very

HR Issues in the Organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

HR Issues in the Organisations - Essay Example Such a degree of centralisation is leading to employees’ frustration and disengagement (Vosburgh, 2007). There is a totally flawed reward system (Secord, 2003) working in the organisation, which again is designed by the ministry of defence. This design is not pragmatic (Pilbeam, S. & Corbridge, 2010) when it comes to dealing with civilian workers. Apparently, most of the work in these organisations is done in teams, but the reward system in place is not suited to this form of working. Moreover, this type of a reward system is anti teamwork and leads to a rift created between employees (Ulrich & Smallwood, 2005). With employees not receiving their deserved recognition and line mangers being helpless in this regard, organisational motivation is falling exponentially (Yeung & Brockbank, 1994). This entire problem is being caused by the â€Å"Cluster Panel†, which is totally callous to the working environment and is responsible for making appraisal decisions. The group has a defective method in place to assess an employee. The entire appraisal system (Yeung, Woolcock, & Sullivan, 1996) is dependent upon the line manager’s recommendation of an employee and that too is further conditional on his writing effectiveness. Even if a manager effectively encodes an employee’s accomplishment on the appraisal form, there is still no guarantee that this would secure an appraisal for the employee. This deficiency has two folded repercussions, one has to do with the line manager’s motivation level and the other has to do with an employee’s alienation with the organisational procedures (Newman & Hodgetts, 1998). One aspect that needs special attention over here is that of the military staff. Since they form a part of the total workforce of these organisations, they deserve to be treated like any other employee. On the contrary they are considered as alien to the organisational setting when they receive their compensation from the defence ministry. This sort of handling of the military personals is leading to a confusion arising in their midst with regards to their role, both in the military and in these organisations. Another important draw back in these organisations has to do with the absence of a motivator. Since employees consider performance bonuses as some sort of a lottery rather than a form of recognition, and manager’s acclamations as shallow, there exists a serious deficiency of a driving force (Miner & Crane, 1995). In these organisations mangers are the ones who are occupying the most pitiful position. They have no power what so every to express their viewpoint. They are mere spectators who are just watching the show, having no power what so ever to exert influence on any level of the bureaucracy (Losey, Mesinger, & Ulrich, 2005). Recommendations for Changes: In these circumstances in which the employees are feeling totally dejected with the organisational procedures, and mangers rather than being inspirational are showing a sorry picture it is important to come up with more effective Human Resource policies (Kramar, Mcgrew, & Schuler, 1997). It is inevitable that organisational productivity will fall and the purpose for which these organisations are in place will suffer a deep blow. In order to prevent such damaging consequences, change management needs to be implemented on an emergency basis. In this change management program,

The use standardized testing in the areas of cognitive ability, Essay

The use standardized testing in the areas of cognitive ability, aptitude, measure of standards-based achievement - Essay Example ed to improve students test scores have little or no effect on their cognitive abilities and aptitude to reason and logically solve abstract issues or problems. However, standardized testing permits students from different schools to compete fairly. In absence of standardized testing in schools, this comparison would not be probable (Carr, 2002). When students are allowed to take similar or common tests, it implies that students in one district or State can be compared with students in another district or State. Being in a position to compare information is valuable and is the main reason why the common core State standards have been implemented. In turn, this would permit for a more detailed and accurate comparison of students in different States. Secondly, standardized testing is more objective and reliable measure of the achievement of students. In absence of standardized testing, policy makers would have to base on tests done by students in individual schools that have certain interests in generating favorable results. Thirdly, standardized testing are very significant in that standardized tests are non-discriminatory and inclusive since they ensure that content learned is similar to all students. Using other tests or excusing disable children would not be fair to those students as this would create an unequal system without accountability (Smith, 2008). Lastly, standardized testing holds schools and teachers accountable in the sense that schools and teachers are responsible teaching pupils what they need to know and understand for standardized tests. This is due to the fact that scores are made public and schools and teachers who fail to perform can come under tight scrutiny. This scrutiny can make a teacher lose his or h er job and in some instances, it can lead to the closure of the school or being taken by the State (Carr, 2002). On the other hand, standardized testing has negative impact on students in that it evaluates the performance of a student on a

The Scarlet Letter as a Love Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Scarlet Letter as a Love Story - Essay Example In much the same way, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s penultimate novel, The Scarlet Letter, has continued to evoke a level of controversy among scholars and casual readers alike. The underlying root of this controversy is whether or not this particular novel can in fact be described as a love story between Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale; the two main characters around whom the novel focuses. Accordingly, in seeking to analyze this particular question and providing a level of textual support to serve as evidence with regards to the stance of this particular student, the following discussion will be concentric upon promoting the idea and understanding that even though many other themes exist within this particular novel, an unmistakable and easily denoted reality is that the action of the entire piece is predicated not upon lust, betrayal, adultery, or public censure; rather, it is predicated upon a disarmingly complex yet simple love story between the two main characters.... Ultimately, the author, Hawthorne, was somewhat disquieted about writing such a simple love story. In this way, the introductory quote that is referenced above helps to serve as something of a preliminary apology with regards to presenting such a complex love story within the guise of something seemingly different. Further on in the story, Pearl asks a telling question that turns into something of a prophetic comment which further helps to prove the underlying nature of the novel as a love story. Says Pearl, â€Å"Mother,† said little Pearl, â€Å"the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. . . . It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!† (Hawthorne 99). The clear level of understanding that can be had with regards to this specific quote is the fact that even though it is not clear whether or not Hester waits for the father of Pearl to come back into her life, Pearl seems to understa nd perfectly well that this is the case; equating â€Å"the sunshine† with Dimmesdale; retreating, hesitant, uncertain, and fearful because of the stigma that the adulteress has upon her character. In this way, even though a clear determination at this point of the story does not reveal whether or not the entire tale should be considered a â€Å"love story†, Pearl’s prophetic level of understanding seems to leave no doubt with regards to the true nature of the novel. Similarly, another quote that helps to solidify the understanding that the novel of the Scarlet Letter is in fact a love story is with regards to the following quote. Says Hawthorne, But Hester Prynne, with a mind of native

Socio-Economic Factors Influence Health and Well-Being Essay Example for Free

Socio-Economic Factors Influence Health and Well-Being Essay Introduction The social determinants of wellbeing are in charge of health disparities. For decreasing wellbeing disparities and enhancing wellbeing status of individuals, it is essential to perceive principle elements which are influencing wellbeing, that is, determinants of heath. Economic components have significant part in helping better wellbeing. Individuals with low salary are more defenceless against infections and incapacities. Health social determinants comprises of different variables that focus wellbeing and health, for example, socio-economic factors, sexual orientations, societies and instruction (Dolan, et al, 2008). A few gatherings of individuals are healthier than others. There is a connection in the middle of pay and wellbeing, and also they are solid indicators of wellbeing. Individuals with low monetary status have poor training, unemployment, work shakiness awful living up to expectations conditions and lower class occupations (Pappa, et al, 2009). Discussion Socioeconomic factors are regularly measured as a mix of instruction, salary, and occupation. At the point when seen through a social class lens, benefit, power, and control are accentuated. Besides, an examination of socioeconomic as an inclination or consistent variable uncovers disparities in access to and dissemination of assets. Socioeconomic factors are significant to all domains of behavioural and sociology, including exploration, practice, training, and promotion (Dolan, et al, 2008). Low Socioeconomic status and it relates, for example, lower instruction, neediness, and weakness, eventually influence our general public all in all. Imbalances in riches dissemination, asset circulation, and personal satisfaction are expanding in the United Kingdom and all inclusive. Society advantages from an expanded concentrate on the establishments of financial disparities and endeavours to  decrease the profound crevices in financial status in the United Kingdom. Behavioural and other sociology experts have the apparatuses important to study and distinguish methodologies that could allay these incongruities at mutually individual as well as communal levels (Pappa, et al, 2009). Equality Act 2010 is a demonstration of the Parliament of United Kingdom which producing results from October 2010 recommends an equivalent treatment in access to business and additionally private and open administrations. The demonstration list a set of ensured attributes which are recognized as take after: age, inability, sexual orientation reassignment, marriage and common association, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or conviction, sex and sexual introduction (Daniels, 2010). With respect to these attributes the Act give a unique security every each one encircling the all procurements with general evidences about regular qualities of separation. The reason of such part and distinctive security among the secured trademark is clarified on the premise of a prior hostile to separation law which was accordingly consolidated by the Equality Act including further component of insurance. Actually, the Act is shaped by various bits of other enactment which controlled the segregation law field. Thusly, were authoritatively actives the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995? The demonstration supplants additionally various Regulations, in which the one pertinent in age separation field was the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations, which produce results beginning from 2006 until the reception of Equality act (Daniels, 2010). Poverty can be characterized in an unexpected way; those of conflicting conclusions on poverty will presumably additionally have unique suppositions on the reasons for neediness and the estimation of poverty. For instance Marxists and Feminists have philosophies focused around clash. Marxists accept that there is a class battle, and that the abuse made by private enterprise makes neediness. Womens activists accept that Patriarchy fabricates in social disparities and their belief systems are exhibited by the imbalances in pay in the middle of ladies and men. There is likewise research demonstrating that there are a larger number of ladies than men in neediness, and 93% of solitary folks in destitution are ladies. However clashing contentions are held by the New Right. Their supporters incorporate  Margaret Thatcher, Charles Murray and David Marshland and their philosophy is focused around the individual, and not society overall. The New Right accepts that it is through the peoples lethargy that destitution is brought on (Conley Page, 2010). Feminist accept that society is organized by Patriarchy, the thought that men are the most critical individuals in the public arena, and everything in the public eye is composed to accommodate the needs of men. This perspective is upheld by the conveyance of compensations; cases of this are managerial positions in extensive organizations where ladies get paid less for the same employment (McNay, 2013). Feminist will likewise contend that the profit framework has accepted that ladies are reliant upon men and this implies the welfare state capacities to keep up patriarchy. The cycle of neediness backings the view that destitution is brought on by the social imbalances that are incorporated with the structure o f society. This perspective is that when an individual is naturally introduced to a poor family, their chances in life of assisting themselves in the public arena are fundamentally decreased. This is the methodology in which destitution is transmitted starting with one era then onto the next. Cornwall, Harrison, Whitehead, 2007 recognize that a percentage of the hindrances that are connected with the poor like underachievement at school are connected with offspring of low salary families being marked as an issue. The social just approach acknowledges this cycle of destitution and the relative meaning of neediness. Their philosophy is that those at the base of the social classes are in burdened gatherings whose destitution bringing about social avoidance. Exploration completed by Dean, 2009 found that there are fundamental gatherings in the underclass, including the elderly, resigned, solitary folks and the long haul unemployed who are compelled to depend on deficient state advantages, which are excessively low. Women in poverty additionally have lessened access to healthcare administrations and assets. Somewhat because of the toll of childbearing, ladies are excessively beset with poor health results. Poor health ladies capacities to win pay, and, in this manner, is a key variable expanding and propagating family unit neediness (McNay, 2013). Expanding wellbeing administrations to ladies could, subsequently, relieve the feminization of destitution. The education of ladies and kids, particularly young ladies, can make more prominent open doors for ladies to  lift themselves out of neediness and expand their social position. Nations with solid sexual orientation separation and social chains of importance breaking point ladies right to gain entrance to essential instruction. Indeed inside the family unit, young ladies instruction is frequently yielded to permit male kin to go to class. Ethnic group For some ethnic minority bunches, viewpoints, for example, unemployment, living norms and welfare are significant issues. Ethnic gatherings depend on social incorporation to be included in, for instance, instruction and job, and for a few, this is hard in the event that you cant talk or talk little of the local dialect or are ignorant, as it will be harder to end up included and accepted in the public eye (Goldthorpe, 2009). It was likewise observed that 8% of the white populace and 27% of the Pakistani and Bangladeshi populace were unemployed. Adolescent Afro-Caribbean men matured 16 to 24 were discovered to be three times more inclined to be unemployed then those the same age and white. Under half of ladies from ethnic minorities are utilized contrasted with in excess of 65% of white ladies. Issues in deficient lodging among ethnic minorities are high. With a correlation of 2% of the white populace, 30% of Pakistanis and 47% of Bangladeshis living in packed lodging as per the 1991 accord, it is plain to see why those in ethnic minorities are more inclined to experience neediness then others. In a later investigation of families in Bradford, a stunning 65% of Bangladeshis and 45% of Pakistanis existed in packed lodging (Goldthorpe, 2009). The working class In the 1980s, amid the Thatcher time, the common labourers endured tremendously. They encountered serious cut in occupations, with mines, industrial facilities, boat building manufacturing plants and steel works being shut down. This created demolition and an increment in destitution inside the class. It particularly influenced the men because of sudden vulnerability in work and perplexity (Goldthorpe, 2009). On the other hand, this monstrous cut in employments for the working people implied that such places as Sheffield were supplanted with the administration and retail segment. Anyway these men had no aptitudes to have the capacity to take part in this industry and men thought that it was tricky to manage the truth they  were sometimes being supplanted by ladies as the fundamental providers. This prompted a substantial increment in unemployment and neediness. Men were hesitant to learn new aptitudes keeping in mind the end goal to take an interest in the public eye and in this way turned to addictions, for example, drink and medications, calculates that can prompt neediness. Similarly as with the ethnic minorities, the average workers receive sub societies, for example, the opposition to class subculture found by Paul Willis. Working people young men in their last year at a thorough school were mulled over in a longitudinal study that tailed them into their first years in occupation. He observed that they received the same state of mind at function as they did at school, thinking that it more essential to have a snicker and disregard the establishment’s standards and values then doing work and picking up capabilities. This lead to a circle in the regular workers as they emulated the same way as their guardians had formerly (Goldthorpe, 2009). This absence of satisfactory lodging, unemployment, higher wrongdoing and absence of healthcare and abilities leads now and again to pertinent destitution in the regular workers group. The reliance on the welfare state gives no energy or consolation to go out and look for vocation. The selection of the caretaker state should avert neediness and brings individuals up over the destitution line. Anyway it can be seen to really compound the situation. Conclusion Poverty is a long way from being nullified if anything it is expanding quickly and the retreat has pushed numerous families and people into destitution. Poverty is predominantly dictated by three elements â€Å"access to work, and the disappointment of government strategies to manage them. Access to work is dictated by class, sexual orientation and race. On the off chance that unemployed, individuals landing a position is not so much the solution for their issues in the event that they are going to be getting a low wage i.e. solitary folks and low salary families with youngsters. Standardized savings have neglected to haul individuals out of destitution, regularly abandoning them to adapt on least salaries. References Conley, H., Page, M. (2010). The gender equality duty in local government: The prospects for integration. Industrial Law Journal, 39(3), 321-325. Cornwall, A., Harrison, E., Whitehead, A. (2007). Gender myths and feminist fables: the struggle for interpretive power in gender and development.Development and Change, 38(1), 1-20. Daniels, K. (2012). Equality Act 2010. Dean, H. (2009). Critiquing capabilities: the distractions of a beguiling concept.Critical Social Policy, 29(2), 261-278. Dolan, P., Peasgood, T., White, M. (2008). Do we really know what makes us happy? A review of the economic literature on the factors associated with subjective well-being. Journal of economic psychology, 29(1), 94-122. Goldthorpe, J. H. (2009). Analysing social inequality: a critique of two recent contributions from economics and epidemiology. European Sociological Review, jcp046. McNay, L. (2013). Gender and agency: Reconfiguring the subject in feminist and social theory. John Wiley Sons. Pappa, E., Kontodimopoulos, N., Papadopoulos, A. A., Niakas, D. (2009). Assessing the socio-economic and demographic impact on health-related quality of life: evidence from Greece. International journal of public health,54(4), 241-249.

Strategic Analysis of the Current Status of Aktel Mobile

Strategic Analysis of the Current Status of Aktel Mobile â€Å"Strategic Analysis of The Current Status of AKTEL Mobile Regarding Marketing HR Division† Executive Summary According to the Industry Life Cycle, the operation of TMIB in Bangladesh, as it seems, is still in the growth stage. So the investment of TMIB in the prepaid section has been speculative since the last couple of years. This survey was conducted among the current customers of AKTEL, both pre-paid and post paid. About 10 years back there was only BTTB to offer telecommunication services to the market in Bangladesh. Although there was tremendous market demand, due to the government lack of initiative in this promising sector was not invested enough and the government deprived itself of lots of revenue, which it could have earned easily. In 1990 for the first time the government allowed the private sector to invest in the telecommunication sector especially in cellular, paging, trunk radio and rural telecom services. The early operators skimmed the cream, like City Cell in cellular services, Sheba Telecom in rural telecom and Bangladesh Telecom Ltd. in Pager services for a long time. In 1996 the govt. provided licenses to 3 companies to operate GSM service in Bangladesh. These companies TM International (BD) Ltd. (TMIB), Grameen Phone (GP) Sheba Telecom came in the market with a very competitive tariff structure and the market accepted them very eagerly. Since then TM International (BD) Ltd. TMIB), a joint-venture company formed between Telecom Malaysia Berhad, holding 70% of the equity capital and 30% local shareholding by A. K. Khan Co. Limited, branding its services on the name of AKTEL in Bangladesh. It is a company incorporated in Bangladesh with the objective of offering the state of the art and modern telecommunications services to the People of Bangladesh at competitive price. Keeping this objective in mind, the management of TMIB has been trying to achieve continuous improvement in its product offerings and services. To accelerate this process of continuous improvement and to Know more about the expectations of the market, the need for a research on customers perception towards its present products and services is obvious. By analyzing the consumer perception towards the products and services of AKTELs various Packages of TM International Bangladesh Limited is full of complexity. In the context of a developing country like Bangladesh, the need for marketing of products through consumer perception analysis provides a very important dimension for an organization to improve their services. The policies and practices in the matter of analyzing the behavior of customers, becomes an important factor in this research. And how the employees get aware to achieve the target of AKTEL is the main objective of this report. Thus, the customer perception towards the various packages of AKTEL is very crucial because its a must for the authority of TMIB to know about the customers feedback of their current market activities and its effectiveness. By carrying out this survey the organization will get the opportunity to know the customer feedback as well as how they can modify their present marketing activities. In turn they will be able to formulate some guidelines for modifying the current market mix, and if necessary to make it more effective so that they can attract more customers. 1. AKTEL: An Organizational Profile Overview of the Company AKTEL is a mobile operator, which concentrates on offering GSM communication services for private and corporate customers. Their intention is to promote the wireless lifestyle-the complete mobile society. TMIB is in the GSM Telephony business. With the technological development in future, TMIB will adopt cost-effective and more effective technology to provide a state of the art and comprehensive service to its customers. TMIBs vision is to continuously monitor its customers needs, wants and to plan accordingly. It will monitor the development of the technology and update itself to meet customer needs. Background/Historical Summary TM International (Bangladesh) Limited (TMIB), a joint venture company of Telekom Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., of Malaysia and A. K. Khan Company Ltd. of Bangladesh has started its commercial operation in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh as a GSM 900 cellular phone operator on 15th November, 1997. A tremendous success in Dhaka, TMIB has started its operations in Chittagong on March 26, 1998. TMIB uses the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications as the digital cellular system, which is fully featured with services like Basic Telephony, Data and Value Added Services, (VAS). TMIB has an integrated and fully computerized Customer Care Billing System (CCBS) which supports virtually all subscriber-related functions. The Company AKTEL of the Telekom Malaysia Bangladesh, with a full title being: Mobil Telecommunications was founded as a joint company of the Telekom Malaysia Sdn. Berhad from Malaysia and the A. K. Khan Co. of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It operates as a Limited Liability Company, w here a founder and a majority shareholder, the TMIB- member of the Telecom Malaysia, owns 70% shares, while the minority shares of 30 % are being controlled by the A. K. Khan Co. Bangladesh. The organization is headed by its Chief Executive designated as the Managing Director entrusted with overall responsibilities of business direction of the organization and leading dynamically towards the attainment of its Vision, Mission and Goal. In attaining the above mission, the MD is assisted by 4 general managers TMIB has established a strong and formidable sales channel, which consists of direct dealers and its own sales force. TMIB is the Digital Cellular Telephony Business. With a technological development in future, TMIB will adopt any cost effective and more efficient technology to provide state of the art and comprehensive service to its customers. TMIBs vision is to continuously monitor its customers needs and to plan accordingly. It will monitor the development of technology and u pdated self to meet customer demand. 2. Mission Statement Of AKTEL AKTELs Vision: To be the most preferred GSM cellular provider in Bangladesh AKTELs Mission: To provide total customer satisfaction the company strives to become the most preferred GSM cellular service provider in Bangladesh. TMIB will achieve this through developing people, products, and services of the highest quality and meeting the needs of its customers, employees, shareholders, and the nation. AKTELs Theme: Customer First 3. The Marketing Strategies of TMIB Marketing Strategies: TM always wants to achieve the desired sales growth and customer base. TM wants to encourage the existing customers to use more of their services. They launched a package called AKTEL EID DOUBLE BONUS which was one of their successful initiatives for obtaining potential customers. Product Positioning Initially TMs target was to reach the top, but other mobile operators are also targeting to the grass roots level and thus increasing their customer base. TM wants to be the leader with good quality and designing products for the middle and lower middle class range too. Marketing Mix: Product  ¨ Continuous improvement of quality  ¨ Repositioning of slow moving products to different target markets  ¨ Always branding AKTEL with all packages with a GSM service Price  ¨ Necessary changes in tariff structure, and changes and terms and conditions.  ¨ Penetration pricing in the face of competition  ¨ Skimming policy possible Promotion  ¨ Brochures with all necessary info  ¨ Press ads  ¨ TV commercials (in future)  ¨ Billboards Place/Distribution  ¨ Make effective use of distribution  ¨ Make product service delivery system more effective and less time consuming  ¨ Wider distribution network to make service more accessible. 4. The Company in Bangladesh Chain of Command The organization is headed by its Chief Executive designated as the Managing Director entrusted with overall responsibilities of business direction of the organization and leading dynamically towards the attainment of its Vision, Mission and Goal. In attaining the above mission, the MD is assisted by 4 general managers TMIB has established a strong and formidable sales channel, which consists of direct dealers and its own sales force. The way TMIB Defines Business TMIB is the Digital Cellular Telephony Business. With a technological development in future, TMIB will adopt any cost effective and more efficient technology to provide state of the art and comprehensive service to its customers. TMIBs vision is to continuously monitor its customers needs and to plan accordingly. It will monitor the development of technology and updated self to meet customer demand. Long-Term Vision of the Company: AKTEL strongly believes that subscribers are their most valuable assets. They have a strong Customer Service Center. To always be with their customers the AKTEL Help Line is there. AKTEL has successfully migrated to a new switch with higher capacities in terms of accommodating higher customer base and as well as to let them use all the basic supplementary services under GSM technology. TMIB expertise and experience are acknowledged throughout the industry. Demand is growing all the time, not simply for the services it already provides, but for greater and more diversified services and even higher quality performance. Its pace is fast, rewards are high and work is of constant challenge. They introduced the both-way national roaming all through their network coverage. The Prepaid services with enhanced features have been commercially commenced successfully and now they are taking some projects to accumulate more advanced technological features in their network. In terms of Network Qual ity, the company will ensure not only the equipment are of world class standard but more importantly its size or capacity is catered to the right dimensioning of customer base, in order not to face the problems of drop calls or congestion. All these are done through proper planning, control and schedule maintenance program. They maintain the benchmark for providing the quality services. They monitor these through generating regular reports and on site survey. If there are any weak signals or a call drops, the skilled engineers are providing services round the clock to resolve the problem instantly. The most important key resource factor in TMIB is its efficient human resource. Moreover, its decisions are based on facts from market research and coverage survey. Moreover, the above objectives can only be achieved through the right people. AKTEL has put its keen eyes in developing its employees through proper training, as they believe that the most important asset for TMIB is its staff members. So they are ensuring quality services by quality people. TMIB has the plan to give opportunity to every household in using cellular service in the country at the competitive price providing unparalleled quality service and customer care. In achieving this goal, they cant wait for more interconnection facilities with the fixed network. TMIB is planing to enforce their strong efforts to create their own independent network. They have already started the Dhaka-Chittagong AKTEL backbone. The future plan is to vigorously expand the network, which was called cell to cell expansion, covering almost all the regions of Bangladesh within the year 2005. Global Mission of the Company: AKTEL wants to provide its customers the best quality service in terms of: Trusted technology around the world Wide coverage with digital clarity Digital security with peace of mind Various choices of value-added features Better customer service-not just promised, but delivered Competitive rate and better billing Objectives of the Company: Total commitment to the needs of customers To follow the highest ethical standards Continuous improvement of all work processes Permanent improvement of all the employees knowledge and skills Securing the quality of the service to match the quality of service offered by the worlds most successful companies in the field Preserving the companys leading position in the national market of mobile Telecommunications. 5. Mission In Bangladesh TMIB as a Venture TMIB is a company incorporated in Bangladesh with the objective of offering the state-of-the art and modern telecommunications services to the people of Bangladesh at competitive prices. TMIB is a joint venture company formed between Telecom Malaysia Berhad and A.K Khan Company Ltd. The Business Slogan -Clearly Ahead The whole is the sum of parts and when the best come together the results can be truly spectacular. TMIB brings AKTEL Mobile phone service, a digital cellular phone service, which will prepare better for life in the fast lane. AKTEL GSM always keeps so near even when so far. AKTEL GSM wants to provide the following in order to ensure that they can gain potential customers as well as market share: The technology trusted around the world Wide coverage with digital clarity Digital security with peace of mind Various choices of value added features Better customer care not just promised, but delivered Competitive rate and better billing. 6. The Marketing Area of TMIB Advertisement and Promotion: AKTEL GSM are trying to convert non users to mobile phone users stressing the benefit of GSM services, and with the service benefit of AKTEL that will make their life easier. To serve the market more accurately their target market will be further segmented based on psychographics and business sites. The strive to develop a better product will be a continuous process. Conducting of market research will be held every 3 months. They will use their import to develop new products based on the data they will get from survey. Thus the product will be designed to meet the customers need. AKTEL has a wide variety of promotional activities. The promotional mix includes T.V., radio, newspapers, magazines, flyers, brochures, etc. AKTEL has also put up billboards at certain strategic locations in order to attract customers as well as give their products and services a boost so that they can increase their customer base. AKTEL branding has been carried in order to bring about its brand awareness. They are trying to identify AKTEL as a unique product so that it can be differentiated from its competitors. Billboards are there to attract attention and appeal to customers so that they are aware of AKTELs products and services. Mostly billboards have been put on main roads and some major shopping centers around Dhaka city like Eastern Plaza, where mostly the younger generation hang out. This in turn would attract that segment of customers within a specific age group, i.e. teenagers and people in their early twenties, as this generation has the urge to communicate frequently and be up-to-date on recent events. Thus, by promoting their products and services through these various media, electronic as well as press advertisements, AKTEL can well be in the way of obtaining its vision and so resulting in a higher subscriber base and in turn a higher potential market share. The marketing division distributes leaflets or brochures so those new customers can find out information about AKT ELs various packages and choose from among them. The Promotional Activities of AKTEL: Cellular phone service: TMIB brings customers the AKTEL mobile phone service. Fully digital cellular phone services that will prepare customers better in their day-to day activities, thus making their lives easier. AKTEL has been successful in bringing together the world leaders in various technologies, giving Bangladesh world class cellular phone service. Better Billing: Always keeping customers so near even when they are so far. AKTEL has been successful in bringing together the world leaders in various technologies. Better Switching: AKTEL cellular switching system provides the customers the state-of-the-art GSM technology, which will give customers the winning edge all the way. SIM-Card Identity Number: With the AKTEL Cellular Phone service, customers will have more than just a number. Simply because the GSM lays emphasis on the subscriber identification module (SIM) card, a key component of the whole process. It is computer chip card, which is highly secured against fraud. A microchip embedded in the plastic card stores PIN (Personal Identification Number), code personal phone directory, and details of call made. As a result, the customers can use a SIM card on any GSM 900 phone. So, even if the customers cellular phone is not handy, the customer borrows another one, insert their SIM card and its business as usual. This electronic smart card also contains a unique PIN just as an ATM card does in order to prevent misuse as it can fall into wrong hands. Consistent and High Voice: People who listen to music on CD are aware that digitized music may result in sharper and clearer audio quality. With GSM too, digitization of voices is done, therefore maintaining high quality. Security: It is almost impossible for anyone to tap or listen in on a conversation in the AKTEL cellular network. Digitization encodes speech and dynamic allocation of frequency makes it impossible for outsiders to enter a call. Incidentally, the technology that makes it possible for individual to talk better also makes it for anyone to intrude on their privacy audio quality. With GSM it is also possible for digitization of voice so that high quality is maintained. Exciting AKTEL Service: AKTEL offers a very comprehensive range of value added services for those on the move. Each service is designed to help the customers in specific frequently encountered solutions. Services like these will surely revolutionize the way customers communicate. AKTEL Itemized Billing: This service entitles the customers to a detailed bill with an accurate breakup of the call charges, including the date, duration and numbers of incoming and outgoing calls. This is extremely handy in cases where the customers wish to keep track of expenses, or even to find out whether their card is being misused or not. International Roaming: The AKTEL mobile service will provide the customer with contractibility and the freedom to make and receive telephone calls to those GSM networks all over the world that have roaming agreements with AKTEL. So whenever a customer is within the service areas of these GSM networks, they will still be able to keep in touch with friend and family around the world. Choice of Handset: The AKTEL network has a chain of outlets where all the leading models makes accessories of GSM compatible mobile phones available. However, subscribers are free to procure their GSM cellular phones from any other source within the company or abroad provided these are duly paid and would connect to the AKTEL network. Distinctive Competence: The most important key source factor of TMIB is its efficient human resource. It is using the state-of-the-art GSM technology and continuously monitoring its network traffic to ensure network quality. Moreover, its decisions are based on facts from market research and coverage survey. The company also monitors its competitors activities and is proactive in marketing decisions. 7. Summary of the Case The author had a chance to work at the Human Resources Division of TMIB. As the division has played a vital role to achieve the companys goal, it is yet to develop its role. It has many projects on hand and yet it also has been monitoring various projects that have been implemented in the past. So the task was to delve deep into the present marketing scenario and conduct an in-depth analysis of the HR activities, i.e., their recruiting process, candidate selection, organize the interviews by preparing the evaluation sheet, compile each individuals file after joining the employees, updating the database after every recruitment. About 10 years back there was only BTTB to offer telecommunication services to the market in Bangladesh. Although there was tremendous market demand, due to lack of initiative on part of the government, this promising sector was not invested enough and deprived itself of lots of revenue, which it couldve earned easily. In 1990, for the first time the government allowed the private sector to invest in the telecommunication sector especially in cellular, paging, trunk radio and rural telecom services. The early operators skimmed the cream, like Citycell in cellular services, Sheba Telecom in rural telecom and Bangladesh Telecom Ltd. in Pager services for a long time. In 1996 the government. provided licenses to 3 companies to operate GSM service in Bangladesh. These companies which are Telekom Malaysia International (BD) Ltd. (TMIB), Grameen Phone (GP) Sheba Telecom came into the market with a very competitive tariff structure and the market accepted them very eagerly. Since then TMIB, a joint-venture company formed between Telecom Malaysia Berhad, holding 70% of the equity capital and 30% local shareholding by A. K. Khan Co. Limited, began branding its services in the name of AKTEL in Bangladesh. It is a company incorporated in Bangladesh with the object of offering the state-of-the-art and modern telecommunications services to the peopl e of Bangladesh at competitive prices. Keeping this objective in mind, the management of TMIB has been trying to achieve continuous improvement in its employee selection process and providing the best services. To accelerate this process of continuous improvement and to know more about the expectations of the market, the company needs to focus its internal resources along with the external. For a research on customers perception towards its present marketing mix it is obvious to take the best product (employees) for providing the best services towards the customers. Taking into account the customer perception of AKTELs various package offers as well as the existing market scenario is full of complexity. In the context of a developing country like Bangladesh, where the need for marketing of products through customer perception provides a very important dimension, the policies and practices in the matter of analyzing the behavior of customers, is a relevant part of this research. Thus , the study on the present marketing activities of AKTEL products and services is very crucial because the company should be aware about the customers feedback of their current market mix in terms of its effectiveness by which, they will get the opportunity to know how the customers feel about their product and service offerings and the effectiveness of the present marketing mix. In turn TMIB will be able to formulate some guidelines for modifying the existing market mix, and if the need arises if try to make it more effective. It has already been mentioned that from the very beginning TMIB has been trying continuously to ensure the effectiveness of their marketing strategies and designing a much precise and concrete marketing mix. And for all these tasks the internal activities in HR division helps a lot to meet the external demand of the customers. Objectives of the Study: The broad objective of this study is to find out the employee perception about the effectiveness of AKTELs various policies and strategies as well as their present marketing activities and promotional tools. In essence the objective of this report would be to: To find out the Employees perceptions and preferences of the various AKTEL packages in terms of their respective features and benefits to achieve the customers goal.. To see whether AKTELs Prepaid and postpaid packages offer the benefits or feature that customers want. To find out if the customer care center offer efficient To see if the promotional activities of AKTEL are gaining customer awareness To see whether AKTELs Prepaid packages are easily available and affordable Methodology of the Study: The methodology of the study was carried out using both primary as well as secondary information. There were some interviews taken from certain personnel in the marketing division as well as the customer acre center, which provided helpful information in regard to the report. There were some telephonic interviews conducted which was very time consuming. Apart from the interviews, various books, journal, brochures, newspaper and previous marketing reports also provided valuable information Limitation of the study: There was certain limitation for which this report had some obstacles. The data collected was based on the HR employees interviews, which was little more time consuming. The report had to be prepared within the daily routine of office work, which resulted in the prolonging or the data collection. Sometimes the data was really confidential for the AKTEL employees to share with the Intern. Thus, the report had to be done in accordance with the daily work activities and of course was constraint. Importance of the subject matter: The importance of the report is reflected in the analysis and findings part. It is very crucial for the organization to know how effective theyve been and what they should launch in the future in order to gain potential customer as well as market share. By conducting this report, it should be clear to the organization whether they are heading the right way and what tactics and strategies they should implement to ensure that their promotional tools are working properly and raising customers awareness. By putting more emphasis on their marketing activities they should be able to come up with and implement strategies that are in alignment with their vision i.e. ‘To be the most preferred GSM cellular provider in Bangladesh Legal Issues: Laws and Policies in Bangladesh There are certain laws and policies that mobile operators have to follow. The government only granted permission to mobile companies to operate in the country. At present they are not allowing any more mobile operators. So the existing mobile companies have to act in accordance with governments rule and regulations. Scope of the Research: The scope of the research was limited to providing a general overview of the marketing division and their present activities, i.e. what kind of promotional tools they are using and what impact id had on the media and the customers. During this -month internship program the major task was to provide an insight into the present market mix and customer perception of AKTELs products. Thus, the scope was limited to analyzing the present market strategies. 8. Situational/Problem Analysis: Macro-environmental factors: Michael Porter has provided conceptual framework for industry analysis. He developed a five-factor model for industry analysis. The model identifies five key structural features that determine the strength of the competitive forces within an industry and hence industry profitability. Though it is often used by organizations for entering new markets, it can also be used to see the competitiveness in the current market. The five-factor model includes the following: a) Bargaining Power of Buyer b) Bargaining Power of Seller c) Competitor d) Barriers to entry e) Substitution effect The following diagram illustrates how Porters five forces affect the industry: Porters Five Forces: A Model for Industry Analysis. The model of pure competition implies that risk-adjusted rates of return should be constant across firms and industries. However, numerous economic studies have affirmed that different industries can sustain different levels of profitability; part of this difference is explained by industry structure. Michael Porter provided a framework that models an industry as being influenced by five forces. The strategic business manager seeking to develop an edge over rival firms can use this model to better understand the industry context in which the firm operates. SUPPLIER POWER Supplier concentration Importance of volume to supplier Differentiation of inputs Impact of inputs on cost or differentiation Switching costs of firms in the industry Presence of substitute inputs Threat of forward integration Cost relative to total purchases in industry BARRIERS TO ENTRY Absolute cost advantages Proprietary learning curve Access to inputs Government policy RIVALRY THREAT OF Economies of scale Switching costs Buyer inclination to substitute SUBSTITUTES Price Performance Trade-off of substitute Capital requirements Brand identity Access to distribution Expected retaliation Proprietary products BUYER POWER Bargaining Leverage DEGREE OF RIVALRY Buyer volume Exit barriers Buyer Information Industry concentration Brand identity Fixed cost/ Value added Price sensitivity Industry growth Threat of Backward Integration Intermittent overcapacity Product differentiation 1. Rivalry: In the traditional economic model, competition among rival firms drives profits to zero. But competition is not perfect and firms are not unsophisticated passive price-takers. Rather, firms strive for a competitive advantage over their rivals. The intensity of rivalry among firms varies across industries, and strategic analysts are interested in theses differences. If rivalry among firms is low, the industry is considered to be disciplined. This discipline may result from the industrys history of competition, the role of a leading firm, or informal compliance with a generally understood code of conduct. When a rival acts in a way that elicits a response by other firms, rivalry intensifies. The intensity of rivalry commonly is referred to as being cutthroat, intense, moderate, or weak, based on the firms aggressiveness in attempting to gain an advantage. In pursuing an advantage over its rivals, firms can choose from several competitive moves: Changing prices: raising or lowering process to gain a temporary advantage Improve product differentiation-improving features, implementing innovations in the manufacturing process and in the product itself. Creatively using channels of distribution: using vertical integration or using a distribution channels that is novel to the industry. Exploiting relationships: with suppliers. The intensity of rivalry is influenced by the following characteristics: i. A larger number of firms increase rivalry because more firms must complete for the same customers and resources. The rivalry intensifies if the firms have similar market share, leading to a struggle for market leadership. ii. Slow market growth causes firms to fight for market share. In growing market, firma are able to prove revenues simply because f the expanding market. iii. High fixed costs result in an economy

Should Reality TV Shows be Banned?

Should Reality TV Shows be Banned? Reality TV is a programming sort that introduces unscripted or Silly circumstances, reports really occasions and generally offers conventional individuals rather than true performing artists. Normally includes adoration, roughness, and cash. Cases of these sorts of shows are, Bachelor, Real World, Idols, and so many others. As I would like to think I accept such reality shows that advance anorexia, celebrating, desire for cash, brutality, ought to be banned for Television. The reality shows that dont advance that ought to stay on TV, since they are not mischief to anybody. I believe that, reality shows these days fundamentally endeavor to persuade the crowd that the members of the show are continuously pushed to their physical, passionate or physiological points of confinement to finish their assignment. Most reality shows dont generally come clean or either speaks to reality and they have overlooked the fundamental idea of reality show and are concentrating all the more on the part of stimulation. I know all reality show will never be banned yet the greater part of them ought to, for example, Dating naked, sixteen pregnant and those specifically dont give any great illustration to the group of onlookers like beauty challenges, and so on. Shows that send a horrendous message like beauty challenges ought to be banned in light of the fact that it makes a perfect of female beauty that a minority of females can make. It places burden on ladies that need to get up to speed to these wonderful ladies on TV. More the less, these challenges urge models and candidates to look significantly slimmer than they as of now are, advancing anorexia and bulimia. Ladies are more judged by their physical appearance as opposed to some other qualities they may have (terrible ladies just arent going to win). Doesnt make a difference what number of Asian ladies win Miss World, they can just do so on the off chance that they take an interest in the bathing suit rivalry, and that basically is the entire purpose of beauty challenges, which may be viewed as unseemly in different societies. There have been a few challenges and showings and in addition viciousness in light of societies needing to experience the beauty rivalries. Murray and Laurie highlight that reality shows have lost their path from unique arrangement like survivor to the new unremarkable arrangement of two famous people living in a homestead yard for a week. Reality TV has joined the positions of day time stimulation and has lost the flash of spontaneous inventiveness from different types of scripted diversion. Furthermore, the most popular reality shows worldwide are big brother as well as Idols; these two are cases of scripted and overall practiced reality shows. In the recently finished up scene of icons a judge was set out to sing out of nowhere and it so happened just by happenstance that the band began playing a tune which the judge joined in earnestly without a second thought. The swarm cheered and acclaimed for the startling execution by the judge. Such reality Television shows give viewers and all the more so youngsters false any desire for a joyfully ever after reality were legends and courageous women live subsequently offending the sagacity of the viewers. On account of big brother viewers are subjected to sex as a manifestation of stimulation. Connections shaped in the big brother house give the member a finer shot of winning the opposition and build his/her evaluations subsequently the gathering of people invests time and cash voting in favor of the member so they can delight in seeing the members relationship develop. Whats more because of the full exposure nature of the show all exercises are telecasted and shown live on our Television sets uncovering and empowering our young people, youthful grown-ups and youngsters to sex, corruption and wanton practices. The arranged scripting and acting that happens in reality Television shows affronts the viewers insights. A decent sample of this is the most prevalent TV show on the planet, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Such shows give the viewers the misunderstandings that what is going on is spontaneous and indiscreet but then they are most certainly not. The physical ill-use that is involved in the WWE wrestling show is unfeasible, absurd and impracticable. No person can with stand such abuse and keep on showing hostility to his rival with full body quality. Dominant part of the group of onlookers realize that such reality shows are scripted and planned yet to the youthful and adolescent on a basic level, the level of conviction and assurance they have in reality shows is perilous to their mental capacity to recognize valid brutality from anecdotal exhibitions. According to another source (Pros and cons of reality TV shows), on the off chance that we have faith in opportunity and free discourse, then we need to acknowledge reality TV as a representation of prominent and law based taste. No one is forced to show up in reality TV projects, or surely to watch them. It is characteristically captivating to perceive how individuals talk and carry on in curious circumstances. This is the reason numerous insightful individuals end up grasped by Big Brother and other reality shows. They show us something about liberated intelligence along these lines widen our experience. Also, some individuals likewise contend that we live during a time of mass society. A larger number of individuals read tabloids than the broadsheets, and reality TV is a reasonable impression of this. Reality TV is safe fun. Just self important individuals and big talkers censure it. Individuals are no more eager to acknowledge just what supporters think is beneficial for them. Th ere is nothing wrong in giving individuals what they need. Murray and Laurie describes such reality shows influence the social collaborations of young people. They energize roughness as a type of excitement and not the abominable, hostile lead that it is. Such Reality shows have advanced roughness in youngsters which has therefore expanded group related gore in America and rough conduct schools. In spite of the fact that most vicious reality shows attempt and caution the crowd against performing their unreasonable physical fetes and bent, gatherings of people cant resist the opportunity to go for what they see on Television furthermore thusly wind up harming themselves as well as other people simultaneously. Conflictingly the banning of reality shows would provide for us false any desire for ensuring our youngsters from the awful part of sex and savagery in light of the fact that it is not just in reality shows that our kids are presented to sex and brutality, innovation has made it workable for our youngsters to get to sexual substance and rough recreations and features by means of the web. Despite the fact that banning reality shows would diminish the measure of sexual substance they would be presented to it would just clear approach to new manifestations of sexual and brutal diversion which would helpfully achieve our youngsters. Reality TV shows are one yet not the most sexually unequivocal types of diversion, so we ought not escape ourselves that banning reality TV would tackle the issue, it will just lessen it for an at some point, until different manifestations of express stimulation tag along. Murray and Laurie also highlight banning reality TV will be violating of worldwide laws . It would be an encroachment of fundamental rights, flexibility of discourse. Each and all human have the right to communicate in a manner they esteem fit thus by banning reality TV show we would repudiate with their popularity based right to pass on their grievances and perspectives. In light of this it would be wrong to boycott the shows since the vast majority of the makers know their rights and tail them to the recent, this will pass on the infringement of these rights and consequently it will be impracticable. The viewers excessively have unquestionably the right to watch these shows and entertain themselves; banning these shows will make a worldwide clamor from the viewers who get joy from these shows, it will likewise be in break of the viewers rights. However, at the end one can easily understand that how the Reality show affects on the people’s life and now they are losing the originality of the show. Nowadays, the Reality show doesn’t have any sense to produce or show any truth in front of camera. There are so many shows which are just expressing some entertainment rather than originality and sincerity as well. We can say that these types of TV shows are now showing lie, vulgarity, fraud and much more, so they should be banned. References: Murray, Susan and Laurie Ouellette. Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture. New York, NYU Press. 2008 Theweek. Pros and cons of reality TV shows. The First Post guide to the issue of the day. 2008

Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales :: Essays Papers

Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales is about an unrelated group of twenty-nine pilgrims traveling together on a pilgrimage. One of the major aspects of the journey is the unique diversity of the characters. There are knights, nuns, monks, lower-class tradesman and single women. They interact together and tell each other their tales. GRAPH According to the Norton Anthology, "Chaucer's original plan for The Canterbury Tales projected about one hundred twenty stories two for each pilgrim to tell on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back. Chaucer actually completed only twenty-two, although two more exist in fragments" (Norton 79). One of the characteristics that makes Chaucer's work so convincing is his ability to present characters that have real life qualities. Many women can relate to the Wife of Bath, and many college students can relate to the Squire with his lady friends. The narrator of the tales is Geoffrey Chaucer himself: but he speaks though a variety of media: "...Chaucer's pilgrim narrators represent a wide spectrum of ranks and occupations. The great variety of tales is matched by the diversity of their tellers; tales are assigned to appropriate narrators and juxtaposed to bring out contrasts in genre, style, tone and values" (Norton 79). The opinions about Chaucer as the pilgrim and as the poet are very different. Chaucer the Pilgrim is the narrator of the tales, and he must give an accurate description of what is going on, even if he disagrees with the character's action. First Chaucer the Pilgrim talks about nature and the seasons. He tells us that he is joined by several people on a journey to Canterbury. He talks about all the people involved in the pilgrimage. First he talks about the knight and then Chaucer talks about the knight's son, then the Yeoman, the Wife of Bath, the Monk, the Merchant, and the Clerk. Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales :: Essays Papers Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales is about an unrelated group of twenty-nine pilgrims traveling together on a pilgrimage. One of the major aspects of the journey is the unique diversity of the characters. There are knights, nuns, monks, lower-class tradesman and single women. They interact together and tell each other their tales. GRAPH According to the Norton Anthology, "Chaucer's original plan for The Canterbury Tales projected about one hundred twenty stories two for each pilgrim to tell on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back. Chaucer actually completed only twenty-two, although two more exist in fragments" (Norton 79). One of the characteristics that makes Chaucer's work so convincing is his ability to present characters that have real life qualities. Many women can relate to the Wife of Bath, and many college students can relate to the Squire with his lady friends. The narrator of the tales is Geoffrey Chaucer himself: but he speaks though a variety of media: "...Chaucer's pilgrim narrators represent a wide spectrum of ranks and occupations. The great variety of tales is matched by the diversity of their tellers; tales are assigned to appropriate narrators and juxtaposed to bring out contrasts in genre, style, tone and values" (Norton 79). The opinions about Chaucer as the pilgrim and as the poet are very different. Chaucer the Pilgrim is the narrator of the tales, and he must give an accurate description of what is going on, even if he disagrees with the character's action. First Chaucer the Pilgrim talks about nature and the seasons. He tells us that he is joined by several people on a journey to Canterbury. He talks about all the people involved in the pilgrimage. First he talks about the knight and then Chaucer talks about the knight's son, then the Yeoman, the Wife of Bath, the Monk, the Merchant, and the Clerk.

The Ballad Essay -- Literature History

This essay is about the Ballad, contrasting how the ballad went from an oral tradition to the ballad form known today. The Ballad can be any narrative song, but in technical terms a ballad is a specific literary form. The word ballad comes from the Latin and Italian word â€Å"ballare,† meaning â€Å"to dance†. Collins, (1985). The second word translation of â€Å"ballade† comes from the French language and means "dancing song". Oxford, (1995). Therefore a ballad is a song that tells a story, and was originally a musical accompaniment to a dance. Ballads are very old and were handed down orally through generation to generation before they began to be written down. Because of this, most of the surviving ballads have been greatly adapted as they were passed around. However, traditional ballads do share some features. The ballad is a narrative poem of popular origin usually very long, epic in style. The language is simple and is not sentimental. The poem can be about a relationship or an experience, good, bad, triumphant, or tragic, set to music. Hubbell (1923). Ch 235. Furthermore the structure and tone is made up of verses of four lines, with a rhyming pattern, repartition is often found in the ballad, entire stanzas can be repeated, like a chorus, or a repeated with certain words changed. The verse form, sometimes called the "ballad metre†. A question and answer can be built into the stanza and there is a lot of dialogue, with the action often described in the first person. Two characters can talk to one another in alternating lines or stanzas. Hubbell, (1923).ch,235. The core structure for a ballad is a quatrain, written with either a-b-c-b, or a-b-a-b rhyme scheme. "a" stands for one line ending, "b" for another, and "c" for another s... .... 3rd Ed. The Norton Anthology of Poetry. W.W. Norton & company Ltd. London. Bell, R. Ed. (1996). Ancient Poems, Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England 1550-1867. http://WWW.Gutenberg.org/ebooks/649. Accessed on 26/12/10 Eddy, S. Ed. (2009). Lyrical Ballads York advanced notes. York Press London. Hubbell, J.B. (1923). An introduction to poetry. The Macmillan company Ltd, London Attained on the kindle HTTP://www.amazon.co.uk/an introduction to poetry. Accessed on the 19/12/10. Mcleod, T. P. Hanks. Eds (1985). Collins Concise English Dictionary. Guild Publishing, London. Palmer, R. (1979). A Ballad History of England from 1588 to present day. The Anchor Press Ltd, Tiptree. Phythian, B.A. (1978). Considering Poetry An Approach to Criticism. Hodder & Stoughton Educational. Sevenoaks. Randall, D. Ed. (1971). The Black Poets. Bantam Books. New York.

Competitive Strategy and Competitive Advantages Essay

1- Innovation is important because it allows differentiation from competitors, manufacturing is easier and more flexible, the bar for competition is raised, and there is greater market segmentation. 2- Some advantages of technological innovation are: a wider range of products and services can be delivered to people, GDP has increased, people can communicate in every part of the world, the production of food has become more efficient, and it has yield medical treatments to improve medical conditions. The quality of life has improved. It has created new knowledge to solve practical problems. Disadvantages include: harmful pollution to surrounding communities, erosion from fishing and agricultural technologies, elimination of natural habitats, genetic modification, and antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. 3- Many innovations projects fail to generate an economic return because it takes a long time to research and develop the innovation. Once this product comes out on the market, it has already become obsolete because a new technology is already being researched as technology is constantly changing. Also, clear strategies are not developed by a firm and poor management of the innovation occurs. Chpt 2 – Sources of Innovation 1(a) Advantages of individuals as innovators: deep understanding of their unmet needs and the incentive to find ways to fulfill them, users have no initial intention to profit from their inventions, new industries can be created. A disadvantage include lack of entrepreneurial traits. 1(b) Advantages of firms as innovators include alliances with stakeholders, absorptive capacity is built via the firm’s in-house R&D. A disadvantage is when firms collaborate with complementors, the firms produce a range of goods and the line between the firm and the complementors becomes blurred. 1(c) Advantages of universities: staff is encouraged to engage in research that may lead to innovations. If an invention is commercialized, the income is shared with the individual inventor. The disadvantage to this is the university has the sole discretion to commercialize the invention and not the inventor. 1(d) Advantages of government institutions as innovators include: the government grants innovative small businesses funding, it develops science parks and incubators. The disadvantage to this is, since the government support so much R&D and funds firms, the government spends less money on R&D as the years passes. 1(e) Non profit organizations perform their own research and development activities and also fund the development efforts of others. 2- Traits include: unconventional thinking, analytic skills, articulation of ideas, self- efficacy, tolerance for ambiguity, and a willingness to to overcome obstacles and take reasonable risks. These traits do not necessarily lead to successful inventions because the inventor may know too little or too much about the field. Also, at times the inventor may not have enough support to think creatively. 3- Firms can look at where individuals have worked before and what they have invented/created. Their past background can indicate they have potential to be more creative. 4- If a firm’s culture, structure, routines, etc supports creativity, then it can perhaps encourage creativity in individuals. These things can inspire an individual to be creative because they are being supported by their employer. Google supports creativity; the firm allows employees to have their own creative workspaces and also gives them the employees great independence. This inspires creativity. 5- Collaborative research develops relationships and networks where people can share information, resources, and ideas to develop something that is innovative. Results can be achieved better this way rather than individually. Chpt 3- Types and Patterns of Innovation 1- Some reasons are: R&D costs can be very high, the innovation can probably take years to develop, technology performance can decrease fast depending on how much effort was put into it, the new technology is threatened by discontinuous technologies, the market for the technology is not large enough, people are unwilling to adopt to the new technology, the technology does not fit in with the firm’s current abilities, and products and services relating to the new technology may be unreliable and/or expensive. 2- Well developed firms are likely to adopt to new technologies instead of developing them because new technologies does not have a dominant design. Established firms are very familiar with the dominant design and do not experiment with new technologies. Instead, the established firms focuses on new knowledge/understanding of existing technologies. It tries to improve products and make production more efficient. New entrants are eager to experiment with new technologies because they are introducing something new into the market; they can perhaps build on that to develop market share. 3- The invention of a laptop with Internet is a radical innovation. It is portable, users can access internet on the go without wires, and work can be done from anywhere. The laptop is competence enhancing as it has built the way for other technologies (e.g. tablets). 4- S-Curve technology improvement: in the early stages, the technology is not understood and effort is put into understanding the technology, when the understanding of the technology is better, improvements are accelerated. The technology begins to gain legitimacy, more improvements are made and the performance begins to increase rapidly. When the limits if the technology is reached, diminishing returns is seen. S-Curve technology diffusion: the adoption of a new technology is slow initially because people are unfamiliar with it. As the technology is better understood, it is utilized by the mass market. When the market has become saturated, the rate if new adoptions declines. 5- Customers are slow to adopt new technologies if there is no trend or demand in the market; technology changes everyday, thus improvements are faster and customers may or may no know about technological trends. If a firm develops a technology beyond the current state of the market need, it has a high competitive advantage, considered innovative ( the firm can build on this) and profit can be made. However, if there is no demand for this technology and the firm cannot penetrate the market, the firm’s costs can become very high and it will lose profit. 6- Short technology cycles: IT, software, social networking, engineering, food, music Long technology cycles: medical, auto, energy, finance, Factors: customer needs, demand, competition, markets, R&D, government, laws Chpt 4- Standards Battles and Design Dominance 1- Sources: learning effects- the more a technology is used, the better it is understood and the more efficient and effective it becomes. Performance is increased and costs are reduced because of these factors. Network externalities- the value/benefit of a good increases because other users in large numbers utilize this particular good. 2- Industries with increasing returns to adoption: Internet software/services, e-commerce, banking, security systems, social networking 3- Increase R&D research, patents, market the properly, hire the best and the brightest from all over the world, increase the industry standard and absorptive capacity, develop more complementary technologies. 4- Network externalities and the stand alone functionality 5- Consumers: yes; they can rely on one firm for the technology because the standard is high and the product is good Competitor: no; they do not have the market share, customers, or profit Complementors: yes; more profit and customers