Polyvinylchloride Contraversy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Polyvinylchloride Contraversy - Essay Example The main characteristics of PVC include:Excellent thermal and sound insulation: PVC has extremely low thermal conductivity provides superior heat insulation. This makes it suitable for use in windows and electric cables among others.PVC is flexible in design: It can be utilized safely in numerous circumstances.PVC requires no maintenance: It is not affected by atmospheric agents because it is manufactured from stable materials.PVC is flame retardant: It is self-extinguishing thus used in construction and all other areas of application.The characteristics of PVC make it suitable for many uses. It is used in:Building and construction: PVC is widely used in building and construction. It is used for windows, doors, pipes, shutters, frames and tiles among others (Joyce, 2005).Automobile: PVC is used to manufacture various car components such as dashboards, doors and electrical cabinets among others.Electricity and electronics: PVC is used to make electric cables for both domestic and indu strial use, pipes and sockets among other electric appliances. Packaging: PVC is commonly used to package foodstuffs as well as pharmaceuticals (Rapra Technology Limited, 2 007).Manufacturing or vinyl toys.Despite its extensive use and low cost, PVC has not been without controversy over its safety. Research has shown that high amounts of phthalates are toxic to human health. Earl Gray revealed in his work that male reproductive development is highly responsive to certain phthalates.

An inspector calls Essay Example for Free

An inspector calls Essay After reading an Inspector calls, I am certain it is obvious to any one who reads it that the inspector is not what he appears to be at all. At first you have no suspicions of the Inspector, but as the play moves on it slowly dawns on you that the Inspector might be an impostor. The inspector also has major impacts on some of the characters. He is Priestleys vehicle for his views on social responsibility. He represents social conscience. He has moral dimension. The Inspectors name, Goole, has noteworthy significance. Ghoul has the same sound and its meaning has a great bearing on the play. A Ghoul is an evil spirit To Birling, and his upper class peers; this is an exact analysis of the Inspector. The thought of the Inspector being something extraordinary seems to be briefly confronted by Sheila but it is dismissed just as quickly. Another theory might be that the Inspector represents truth and is not a real person at all but just a representative of justice. I think that this is a very plausible idea and probably Priestleys own thought. He could be a spirit representing the future, the Birlings chance of repent, although only Eric and Sheila recognize this. They are the only ones to realise that they have ruined this girls life and it could be their doings that sent her to this horrible end. The Inspector could also be as real as all the other characters in body and can eat and drink and is solid. I think that the inspector may have gone back in time or there might have been a time slip of some sort to make sure that these people new what they had done. I think there is a possibility that the Inspector could be Eva Smith and just goes back to haunt them. This maybe quite far fetched by I would not rule it out completely, because if it were true then it would explain everything. The main role of the inspector is his forcing role, which he uses to overpower the other characters to admit to their secrets. He appears to the characters to be very rude at times, but this rudeness only adds to the factor at which he can interrogate the characters, and also provokes them admit to their wrongdoings, I know. I had her turned out of a job. I started it. Some characters take longer to acknowledge their secrets than others. They try to hide, but cannot escape from the inspector. For example Mr. Birling, a very stubborn man, who, even when he confesses to his  concealment, believes that it has nothing to do with the death, and believes that he has nothing to do with it at all. Other characters like Sheila and Eric admit and dont try to hide it, and know that they had added to the tragic death of Eva Smith. They know that the inspector is right, and if they hadnt done what they did, then Eva Smith would still be alive. Sheila in particular is very guilty and gets very emotional. The inspector has trouble with getting them all to admit themselves, Inspector, Ive told you before, I dont like your tone.I dont propose to give you much more rope however he knows they had something to do with it, and he knew exactly what that was as well. This may have helped him. The inspector makes his views on social responsibility clear. He believes that we are all responsible for one another and should act together as a community, helping those of us who are less fortunate. Ironically, Mr Birling has the opposite view to the inspector. When the inspector arrives he is discussing business with Gerald and says that he thinks you are responsible for yourself and your family only. Mr Birling is absolutely against the idea of communism. Priestley expresses his views on communism through the inspector demonstrating to the reader how important it is to care for others in your community. In conclusion I think that the Inspector is as real as every one else in the play but I think that he represents justice or truth and is a form of angel or something along those lines. The play can only be understood after it is closely reviewed. I am sure that there will always be a sense of mystery about this play; who was the inspector? What was the Inspector? Will we ever know? His role in the play is forcing to discover the characters terrible secrets and leave them with a lasting impression as well as a lot to think about. Priestley has very strong views on social responsibility which are expressed through the inspector.

Physics of Rifle Recoil :: physics recoil gun guns

Missing figures Recoil, commonly referred to as "kick," occurs as a result of Physical properties at work. However, it is often undesirable because it can be uncomfortable for the shooter and can reduce accuracy. The purpose of this webpage is to discuss the physics involved with rifle recoil in order to address various methods of minimizing it. Rifle recoil is most simply explained by Newton's First and Second Laws of Motion. When a rifle is fired, a force is exerted on the bullet that projects it forward. By Newton's 1st Law, it can be inferred that and opposite force will be imposed on the rifle. From Newton's 2nd Law it can be deduced that this force can cause an acceleration (linear or angular) which results in velocity and therefore kinetic energy. Energy is also transferred into the marksman in the form of work. The total of this energy is called Recoil Energy and can be calculated. When a gun is being held at rest, there are three forces acting on it. The weight of the gun pushes downward, and the shooter's hands exert a normal force upward on the gun as shown in Figure 2 below. The point P represents the point of contact between the stalk and the marksman's shoulder. Image - Torque 2 [Figure 2] When the gun is fired, the bullet is projected forward by a force, and an opposite force (F) pushes backward on the gun. Since the barrel where the force is acting is slightly above the point of contact with the shooter's shoulder, torque is created. The normal forces put on the gun by the shooter's hands momentarily become negligible.* The forces acting on the gun directly after the gun is fired can be simplified as in Figure 3. R is the perpendicular distance between the recoil force and the point P. L is the perpendicular distance between the location of the force due to gravity and the point P. The resulting linear and angular acceleration can be seen in Figure 4. Image - Torque [Figure 3] Image - Torque 3 [Figure 4] The elevation caused by the angular acceleration can decrease accuracy by altering the trajectory of the bullet, and the horizontal acceleration causes a force to be exerted on the shooter's shoulder which can be painful. *This suggestion is not completely accurate because the shooter's grip will put a downward force on the gun when the gun is fired.

The Impact of Weak System Security

In addition to this, it is not just the organization itself that can feel the brunt of the impact of weak security. Employees whose responsibility it is to ensure that there are no weaknesses an also be hit hard. Generally, it is up to managers to ensure that there are no weaknesses in a systems security; or at least to reduce the risk of negative impact/damage on the company. This means that if there is a major weakness is found in the system of an organization, managers could lose their jobs as a result of negligence etc.This then puts the managers in a situation where they are losing money, not just the company. Loss of Customers- Weak system security can also result in the loss of customers as people will not want to use a business that has problems with their security s their personal details or information may be at risk. For example, if a bank has a weakness in its security, and this weakness is exploited by hackers; then customers' information may be stolen and used to purcha se goods under their name.This goes against the organization's key responsibilities to its customers as they have a responsibility to keep their customers data safe and hidden from unrestricted access. This means that if people's data is stolen or lost then they will more than likely move to a rival organization where they think that their data will be safer. This will result in the loss of customers from the company and a massive lost in trust; possibly resulting in the loss of jobs as there aren't enough customers to make a profit for the company.Increased Costs- An increase in costs can also be incurred from the weakness in a systems security. This can be caused as a result Of needing a specialist engineer etc to come in to the company to see where the weakness in the systems security is. This may cost a lot of money as it is; and more money will need to be spent in order to get another specialist to come out and fix the problems that are there. In addition to this, customers may wish to receive mom sort of compensation as payment for the information that the company has lost about them. Or Image- A poor company image can be another nasty effect of weak system security. If a major company has even one or two system weaknesses it can reflect very badly on its image as people will start to lose trust in the overall protection that the company offers to its customers. A poor company image can have a massive impact on the ability for a company to make enough money to actually make a profit on the goods they are making/selling. A poor image may then result in the loss of customers and earnings from the many.It is therefore vital that the company ensures that there are no weaknesses in its security so that their company image stays strong. All of the above impacts can be related to the organizations key responsibilities to their Customers. The Organization has a massive responsibility to ensure that all of their customers' personal data is kept secure, and that o nly the people who are authorized to access it are able to and only at the right times. This links in with the data protection act of 1998, as companies must provide suitable means of protecting customers' data.

Benefits to Running Bleachers

Athletes, along with others trying to get into shape usually incorporate running bleachers into their exercise routines. This activity has a variety of health and physical fitness benefit. One obvious benefit is the ability for body to develop more efficiently than running on a flat surface. Another benefit is the increase of the heart rate. The heart rate increases because the activity is much more intense than running regularly or jogging.Jogging bleachers requires the exercise to be performed at a higher intensity. This type of workout helps to teach an individual’s cardiovascular system to recovery quickly. This is because after going up the bleachers and resting for a few seconds, the body needs to be ready to be able to work hard again once it is time to run back up. This workout is known as a cardiovascular exercise which is effective in burning calories.This helps to increase the body fat loss and allows the heart rate to elevate for at least 30 minutes. A big reason w hy most athletes run bleachers is because of its ability to increase leg power. In certain sports, such as basketball, soccer, football and track, leg power is necessary to better the performance of the player. Climbing up the bleacher requires the quadriceps and glute muscles in the legs to push off each step with force. Running bleachers also puts more of a variety into an average person’s workout.This prevents muscles from adapting and allows them to continue development. For runners, finding a set of bleachers to run can be considered a break from their same daily route, which will keep them from becoming tired. For those who are not runners, bleachers will most certainly help to work out the muscles throughout the legs. Although running bleachers can be considered cruel punishment in gym classes, it is an effective exercise that keeps the heart healthy and the legs muscular.

Stegomastodon Facts and Figures

Stegomastodon Facts and Figures Name: Stegomastodon (Greek for roof nippled tooth); pronounced STEG-oh-MAST-oh-don Habitat: Plains of North and South America Historical Epoch: Late Pliocene-Modern (three million-10,000 years ago) Size and Weight: About 12 feet long and 2-3 tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Moderate size; long, upward-curving tusks; complex cheek teeth About Stegomastodon Its name sounds impressive- like a cross between a Stegosaurus and a Mastodon- but you might be disappointed to learn that Stegomastodon is actually Greek for roof-nippled tooth, and that this prehistoric elephant wasnt even a true Mastodon, being more closely related to Gomphotherium than to the genus to which all Mastodons belonged, Mammut. (We wont even mention Stegodon, another elephant family to which Stegomastodon was only distantly related.) As you may already have guessed, Stegomastodon was named after its unusually complex cheek teeth, which allowed it to eat such un-pachyderm-like foods as grass. More importantly, Stegomastodon is one of the few ancestral elephants (besides Cuvieronius) to have prospered in South America, where it survived until historical times. These two pachyderm genera made their way south during the Great American Interchange, three million years ago, when the Panamanian isthmus rose up from the seafloor and connected North and South America (and thus allowed the native fauna to migrate in both directions, with sometimes deleterious effects on native populations). To judge by the fossil evidence, Stegomastodon populated the grasslands east of the Andes mountains, while Cuvieronius preferred higher, cooler altitudes. Given that it survived until shortly after the last Ice Age, 10,000 years ago, its almost certain that Stegomastodon was preyed on by the indigenous human tribes of South America- which, along with inexorable climate change, drove this pachyderm to complete extinction.

Free Essays on Marshall Plan

Reaction paper Air Bill Signed by Truman as Replay to Foes of Liberty 1. Introduction Harold B. Hinton wrote the article especially to New York Times. The major point of that work is to show the America’s President Truman preference towards capitalistic ideology and to stop the spread of communism by putting a lot of money to the third world countries. I would like to show the significance of that work, major points and what were the predecessors of written events. My paper will consist of five chapters: introduction, main body, which will include the major points, investigation of what was happening at the time the document was written, will give some insights into the individuals and events mentioned in the document, showing the significance of the document. In the conclusion I will give the precise summary and opinion regarding this problem. The major points of that document President Truman signed the Foreign Assistance Act in 1948, which brings European Recovery Program to existence. It was developing ten month and finally from simple Marshal Plan it became huge legislative project, dealing with communist conformation. There were twelve witnesses who support Truman signature: Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, Secretary of the Interior Julius A. Krug, Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snyder, and Attorney General Jesse M. Donaldson, secretary of Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson; Under Secretary of the State Robert A. Lovett; Senator Tom Connally, Democrat, of Texas; Speaker Joseph W. Martin Jr., and representatives Charles A. Eaton and Sol Bloom. President used dozen pens to complete signatures and after all present pens to witnesses. Truman spent 6, 098, 000, 000 to provide economic assistance to the sixteen nations of Western Europe and Western Germany. Also, economic and military aid was provided to China, Greece and Turkey. Foreign development, Communist regime in Czechoslovakia and Communist electoral maneuvers making in... Free Essays on Marshall Plan Free Essays on Marshall Plan Reaction paper Air Bill Signed by Truman as Replay to Foes of Liberty 1. Introduction Harold B. Hinton wrote the article especially to New York Times. The major point of that work is to show the America’s President Truman preference towards capitalistic ideology and to stop the spread of communism by putting a lot of money to the third world countries. I would like to show the significance of that work, major points and what were the predecessors of written events. My paper will consist of five chapters: introduction, main body, which will include the major points, investigation of what was happening at the time the document was written, will give some insights into the individuals and events mentioned in the document, showing the significance of the document. In the conclusion I will give the precise summary and opinion regarding this problem. The major points of that document President Truman signed the Foreign Assistance Act in 1948, which brings European Recovery Program to existence. It was developing ten month and finally from simple Marshal Plan it became huge legislative project, dealing with communist conformation. There were twelve witnesses who support Truman signature: Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, Secretary of the Interior Julius A. Krug, Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snyder, and Attorney General Jesse M. Donaldson, secretary of Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson; Under Secretary of the State Robert A. Lovett; Senator Tom Connally, Democrat, of Texas; Speaker Joseph W. Martin Jr., and representatives Charles A. Eaton and Sol Bloom. President used dozen pens to complete signatures and after all present pens to witnesses. Truman spent 6, 098, 000, 000 to provide economic assistance to the sixteen nations of Western Europe and Western Germany. Also, economic and military aid was provided to China, Greece and Turkey. Foreign development, Communist regime in Czechoslovakia and Communist electoral maneuvers making in...

Causes of the War of Jenkins Ear

Causes of the War of Jenkins' Ear Background: As part of the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the War of the Spanish Succession, Britain received a thirty-year trade agreement (an asiento) from Spain which permitted British merchants to trade up to 500 tons of goods per year in the Spanish colonies as well as sell an unlimited number of slaves. This asiento also provided inroads in Spanish America for British smugglers. Though the asiento was in effect, its operation was often hindered by military conflicts between the two nations which occurred in 1718-1720, 1726, and 1727-1729. In the wake of the Anglo-Spanish War (1727-1729), Britain granted Spain the right to stop British ships to ensure that the terms of the agreement were being respected. This right was included in the Treaty of Seville which ended the conflict. Believing that the British were taking advantage of the agreement and smuggling, Spanish authorities began boarding and seizing British ships, as well as holding and torturing their crews. This led to an increase in tensions and an up swell of anti-Spanish sentiment in Britain. Though issues were mitigated somewhat in the mid-1730s when British First Minister Sir Robert Walpole supported the Spanish position during the War of the Polish Succession, they continued to exist as the root causes had not been addressed. Though wishing to avoid war, Walpole was pressured into sending additional troops to the West Indies and dispatching Vice Admiral Nicholas Haddock to Gibraltar with a fleet. In return, King Philip V suspended the asiento and confiscated British ships in Spanish ports. Wishing to avoid a military conflict, both sides met at Pardo to seek a diplomatic resolution as Spain lacked the military resources to defend its colonies while Britain did not wish interfere with profits from the slave trade. The resulting Convention of Pardo, which was signed in early 1739, called for Britain to receive  Ã‚ £95,000 in compensation for damages to its shipping while paying  Ã‚ £68,000 in back revenue to Spain from the asiento. Additionally, Spain agree to territorial limits in regard to searching British merchant vessels. When the terms of the convention were released, they proved unpopular in Britain and the public clamored for war. By October, both sides had repeatedly violated the conventions terms. Though reluctant, Walpole officially declared war on October 23, 1739. The term War of Jenkins Ear derives from Captain Robert Jenkins who had his ear cut off by the Spanish Coast Guard in 1731. Asked to appear in Parliament to recount his tale, he reputedly displ ayed his ear during his testimony. Porto Bello In one of the first actions of the war, Vice Admiral Edward Vernon descended on Porto Bello, Panama with six ships of the line. Attacking the poorly defended Spanish town, he quickly captured it and remained there for three weeks. While there, Vernons men destroyed the citys fortifications, warehouses, and port facilities. The victory led to the naming of Portobello Road in London and public debut of the song Rule, Britannia! With the beginning of 1740, both sides anticipated that France would enter the war on the side of Spain. This led to invasion scares in Britain and resulted in the bulk of their military and naval strength being retained in Europe. Florida Overseas, Governor James Oglethorpe of Georgia mounted an expedition into Spanish Florida with the goal of capturing St. Augustine. Marching south with around 3,000 men, he arrived in June and commenced constructing batteries on  Anastasia Island. On June 24, Oglethorpe began a bombardment of the city while ships from the Royal Navy blockaded the port. In the source of the siege, British forces suffered a defeat at Fort Mose. Their situation worsened when the Spanish were able to penetrate the naval blockade to reinforce and resupply St. Augustines garrison. This action forced Oglethorpe to abandon the siege and withdraw back to Georgia. Ansons Cruise Though the Royal Navy was focusing on home defense, a squadron was formed in late 1740, under Commodore George Anson to raid Spanish possessions in the Pacific. Departing on September 18, 1740, Ansons squadron encountered severe weather and was plagued by disease. Reduced to his flagship, HMS Centurion (60 guns), Anson reached Macau where he was able to refit and rest his crew. Cruising off the Philippines, he encountered the treasure galleon Nuestra Seà ±ora de Covadonga on June 20, 1743. Overhauling the Spanish vessel, Centurion captured it after a brief fight. Completing a circumnavigation of the globe, Anson returned home a hero. Cartagena Encouraged by Vernons success against Porto Bello in 1739, efforts were made in 1741 to mount a larger expedition in Caribbean. Assembling a force of over 180 ships and 30,000 men, Vernon planed to attack Cartagena. Arriving in early March 1741, Vernons efforts to take the city were plagued by a lack of supplies, personal rivalries, and rampaging disease. Endeavoring to defeat the Spanish, Vernon was forced to withdraw after sixty-seven days which saw around a third of his force lost to enemy fire and disease. News of the defeat ultimately led to Walpole leaving office and being replaced by Lord Wilmington. More interested in pursuing campaigns in the Mediterranean, Wilmington began to wind down operations in the Americas. Repulsed at Cartagena, Vernon attempted to take Santiago de Cuba and landed his ground forces at Guantnamo Bay. Advancing against their objective, the British were soon bogged down by disease and fatigue. Though the British attempted to continue the invasion, they were forced to abandon the operation when they met heavier than anticipated opposition. In the Mediterranean, Vice Admiral Haddock worked to blockade the Spanish coast and though he took several valuable prizes, was unable to bring the Spanish fleet to action. British pride at sea was also marred by the damage inflicted by Spanish privateers which attacked unescorted merchantmen around the Atlantic. Georgia In Georgia, Oglethorpe remained in command of the colonys military forces despite his earlier failure at St. Augustine. In the summer of 1742, Governor Manuel de Montiano of Florida advanced north and landed on St. Simons Island. Moving to meet this threat, Oglethorpes forces won the Battles of Bloody Marsh and Gully Hole Creek which compelled Montiano to retreat back to Florida. Absorption into the War of the Austrian Succession While Britain and Spain were engaged in the War of Jenkins Ear, the War of the Austrian Succession had broken out in Europe. Soon drawn into the larger conflict, the war between Britain and Spain was subsumed by mid-1742. While the bulk of the fighting occurred in Europe, the French fortress at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia was captured by New England colonists in 1745. The War of the Austrian Succession came to an end in 1748 with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. While the settlement dealt with the issues of the wider conflict, it did little to specifically address the causes of the 1739 war. Meeting two years later, the British and Spanish concluded the Treaty of Madrid. In this document, Spain bought back the asiento for  £100,000 while agreeing to allow Britain to trade freely in its colonies. Selected Sources Global Security: War of Jenkins EarHistory of War: War of Jenkins EarNew Georgia Encyclopedia: War of Jenkins Ear

Applicability of deterrence theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Applicability of deterrence theory - Essay Example Contrary to religious philosophers like Thomas Aquinas, Hobbes delineates people as neither good nor bad. Aquinas insists that men are ethical rather than evil. From Hobbes view, human beings chase their self-interests like material gain, security, and protecting their reputations. Consequently, humans pursue their interests in disregard of others. Therefore, they end up offending others and breaking the law. Hobbes argues that beings are reasonable enough to understand acts that lead to illegitimate behaviors and disagreements.   This situation can be avoided by getting rid of perpetrators of injustice for the betterment of the community at large. Hobbes termed this practice a social contract. The society gets into a social contract with the government in order to avoid war, misunderstandings, and crime. As a result, the state is supposed to implement the social contract. However, violation of the law may still occur in spite the state performing their roles. Ideally, punishments for crime should not outweigh benefits of criminal behaviors. Therefore, deterrence is the reprimand that people get for committing offenses. Important to say, theories of deterrence are premised on three fundamental principles: severity, certainty, and celerity. The higher the intensity of the punishment the likelihood of a rational human being desisting from engaging in such crime increases. Therefore, criminal laws should impose hefty penalties in order to discourage citizens from committing a crime.

Business organisations law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business organisations law - Coursework Example It means that the liability of actual authority is greater compared to that of apparent authority because there is an agreement already undertaken. Actual authority is said to enjoy more power than an agent with apparent authority because a third party will usually be unaware of the terms and conditions of the agreement between the principal and his agent and thus he will be unaware of the extent of the agent’s actual authority. According to John D Maltas, an agent’s apparent authority will be unaffected by limitations on the actual authority, i.e. it is easier for a third party to establish that the agent acted within the scope of his apparent authority rather than the agent’s actual authority (John D Maltas, p 43) and hence he is said to have more power than apparent authority. Richard A. Mann and Barry S. Roberts emphasize that an apparent authority can not exist where the principal is undisclosed because, apparent authority is the power resulting from acts that appear to the third party to be authorized by the principal. (Richard A. Mann and Barry S. Roberts, p. 350) Normally an agent needs to disclose to his principal all material facts known to him and circumstances that may influence his principal when entering in to contracts. Once an agent fails to disclose these facts, he is not entitled to commission. Suppose, the agent has received any profit resulting from non-disclosure is recoverable by the principal (John D Maltas, p 49). This has been well explained by S. A. Christensen and W. D. Duncan. When one party to a contract pays a secret commission to the agent and does not disclose this to the principal, the party takes the risk of non-disclosure. A party who deals secretly with the agent of another will be considered to have committed a fraud against the principal and cannot later defend the validity of the transaction. This will require the principal to return any benefits received under the transaction, because this will not prohibit him

Intellectual property (Trade Marks Act 2005, Designs Act 2003, Patents Essay

Intellectual property (Trade Marks Act 2005, Designs Act 2003, Patents Act 1990) - Essay Example It is a business for them. But to actually think there are professionals out there who paid their way through university is a worry†¦. To be honest I do feel a bit guilty using samedayessay.com. I had no idea that such a company existed until about 2 months ago when I was in over my head, totally desperate for some type of help and stumbled across this site via a Google search! I was shocked, a bit skeptical, but relived at the same time. I haven’t studied since 2004. I work full time + overtime and I stupidly enrolled myself into 2 online subjects, thinking it would be a breeze†¦. Well boy was I wrong. It has been so much work, doing all the readings, all the activities, online participation, not having any face to face lessons. Six weeks into the course felt I was drowning. So stressed, so busy! That is when I decided to get a few of my assignment done via the company. I am glad I got the help, but in a way I feel I cheated, I cheated myself, that is why I am readi ng and trying to learn and understand. Next year I will only be enrolling into 1 subject, that way I can focus 100% on it and not feel as stressed, and hopefully not need an essay writing company. But in saying that, in case I ever do need help, I would like to keep in touch. Not sure how long you plan to stay with samedayessay.com, and I am not sure if you are allowed to pass on your details to clients, but I will give you my details: (face book – katerina cvetkovski katerinacvet@hotmail.com) other email kcvetkovski@optusnet.com.au. The paper sounds very good. Thank you so much. Please read my comments/ questions Question 1 Issue The main point of contention is whether Fred's registration of the trademark GOOD FRIENDS FENCE is potentially an infringement of the Trade Marks Act 1995 with regards to the claims being made by GOOD NEIGHBOURS FENCE which is asserting that they have the rights to the trade mark. In other words, is it likely that Fred has committed a breach under t he Trade Mark's Act (1995) or not. Rules The Trade Marks Act 1995 states that a trade mark needs to be distinctive and reflect the trade commercial or trade origins of a person (EJ Gallo V Lion Nathan, 2010). In Section 20, it is noted that the owner of a trademark has the right to use the trademark, authorise the use of the trademark and obtain relief when the trademark is infringed. A trademark is infringed if a person uses a sign that is identical with or is deceptively similar with the the trademark (Section 120 (1)). However, for action on trademark infringement to be taken, the trademark must be used as a trademark [Konininkliike Philips V Remington (2000)]. Section 120(2) of the Act states that a trademark is infringed if the goods or service for which the trademark is used are similar or closely related. An action on infringement can also be taken if the trademark is known is Australia and unregistered (Van Caenegem 2010 p139: Davison et al, 2008 p133). Also infringement occ urs when the trademark is substantially identical or deceptively similar to goods or services that are unidentical. Section 120 also states that action can be taken on infringement when there is a realization that the owner's interest could be adversely affected. In the case of Belei Hestia V Bali Inc (1973), it was established that

Role of Multinationals on Productivity of Firms Essay

Role of Multinationals on Productivity of Firms - Essay Example A benchmark model to contrast income from local and multinational corporations is an insight to the contribution of multinational corporations on technology spillovers that benefit local firms. However, results from the case study's contribution of multinationals on growth of firms are quite confusing with both positive and negative contributions. Pertinent questions on the issue of technological advancements attributed to multinationals perturb the numerous stakeholders in this field. Uncertainties lie on whether the technology can be used effectively, competition and the market success of the new technology (Kafouros, 2008). There is evidence of recent appraisal for multinationals with hostilities based on factors such as globalization (Gorg and Greenway, 2004). The caveat of bipartite connection of multinationals and positive effects is always present. Some authors state that these are just effects from subsidiary factors such as inflation tax, currency stability and difficulties by most communities to embrace change (Reinert, Tajan & Glass, 2008). Technology transfer and multinationals Theoretically, the fact that competitive edge given by technological superiority not only improves a firm’s productivity, but also its general economic performance is widely accepted. Kafouros (2008) looks at technology transfer to encompass techniques involving the use of better machinery. This definition is quite constrictive and does not give better insight to the varied advantages of multinationals in technology transfer. A more knowledgeable and pedagogical approach interfaces this concept with innovative organizational, technological, managerial as well as more efficient production processes. More striking, is its recent contribution to globalization and an increase in demand for better produce by consumers. Technology in this context can be looked at in the essence of a form of embodiment. It can be looked at as general information, specific information, practic e and hardware. General information involves conceptual know how on a method of operation or system. For example; learning how to operate machinery. Specific information is just as the title explains; it involves details on the whole process of a technology. For instance, information on what a software is made of, how it operates, in what instances it is used and for what purpose. Procedures are codified instructions in the operations of a certain technology. Lastly, hardware involves information in physical form for example a piece of equipment originating from the source of technology. These technology transfers are usually obtained from spill over channels (Gorg & Greenway, 2004). Imitation, competition, exports and skills acquisition from multinationals are said to be ways of improving productivity. Imitation was successfully used in most Asian countries and Latin America in the manufacturing industry (Aitken & Harrison, 1999, 618). This is more of the transfer of knowledge and should not be confused with replication (Gorg & Greenway, 2004). As noted by Freeman and Shaw (2009), the complexity of a process in conjunction with duration of exposure, greatly determine imitation. Research done by Freeman and Shaw (2009) shows that the presence of multinationals in Japan was an insight to the country’s initial engagement in exportation. The sentiments are shared by other scholars such as Grog & Greenway (2004) who state

The Problem With Akeem In Education. Causes And Decision Case Study - 12

The Problem With Akeem In Education. Causes And Decision - Case Study Example Kirkley further elaborates, solving a problem in some cases requires the problem solver to dynamically restructure and run their mental models of the systems to effect a particular action on a system. Developing a mental model is more practical and requires more than the declarative teaching than students such as Akeem received from their classroom. The solution would thus be aimed at making the studies a bit practical to make such students to express mental models practically rather than theoretically. Cooper & Henschkle (2001) describe andragogy as a form of learning for adults where practice in the field is supplemented with theoretical work form the class. Such an approach would help in helping children such as Akeem. The children exhibiting such behavior should be offered with an environment that stimulates practical activities. Once the area of concern is established, the students would then be encouraged to participate more in this specific area, and later when enough interest is accumulated, the student might be introduced to the theoretical aspect of the idea. The plan has to work effectively in that the plan isolates the areas of interests as portrayed by the student, and then develops these areas. In short, it is a student controlled learning instead of a teacher controlled learning. As Cooper & Henschkle (2001) elaborate, the interest and practical aspect gained would be the motivation towards learning the theoretical concept. Cooper, M.K. & Henschke, J.A., (2001). Andragogy: its research value for practice. A presentation to the Midwest Research to Practice conference, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois, Sept. 26-28, 2001.

Role of Multinationals on Productivity of Firms Essay

Role of Multinationals on Productivity of Firms - Essay Example A benchmark model to contrast income from local and multinational corporations is an insight to the contribution of multinational corporations on technology spillovers that benefit local firms. However, results from the case study's contribution of multinationals on growth of firms are quite confusing with both positive and negative contributions. Pertinent questions on the issue of technological advancements attributed to multinationals perturb the numerous stakeholders in this field. Uncertainties lie on whether the technology can be used effectively, competition and the market success of the new technology (Kafouros, 2008). There is evidence of recent appraisal for multinationals with hostilities based on factors such as globalization (Gorg and Greenway, 2004). The caveat of bipartite connection of multinationals and positive effects is always present. Some authors state that these are just effects from subsidiary factors such as inflation tax, currency stability and difficulties by most communities to embrace change (Reinert, Tajan & Glass, 2008). Technology transfer and multinationals Theoretically, the fact that competitive edge given by technological superiority not only improves a firm’s productivity, but also its general economic performance is widely accepted. Kafouros (2008) looks at technology transfer to encompass techniques involving the use of better machinery. This definition is quite constrictive and does not give better insight to the varied advantages of multinationals in technology transfer. A more knowledgeable and pedagogical approach interfaces this concept with innovative organizational, technological, managerial as well as more efficient production processes. More striking, is its recent contribution to globalization and an increase in demand for better produce by consumers. Technology in this context can be looked at in the essence of a form of embodiment. It can be looked at as general information, specific information, practic e and hardware. General information involves conceptual know how on a method of operation or system. For example; learning how to operate machinery. Specific information is just as the title explains; it involves details on the whole process of a technology. For instance, information on what a software is made of, how it operates, in what instances it is used and for what purpose. Procedures are codified instructions in the operations of a certain technology. Lastly, hardware involves information in physical form for example a piece of equipment originating from the source of technology. These technology transfers are usually obtained from spill over channels (Gorg & Greenway, 2004). Imitation, competition, exports and skills acquisition from multinationals are said to be ways of improving productivity. Imitation was successfully used in most Asian countries and Latin America in the manufacturing industry (Aitken & Harrison, 1999, 618). This is more of the transfer of knowledge and should not be confused with replication (Gorg & Greenway, 2004). As noted by Freeman and Shaw (2009), the complexity of a process in conjunction with duration of exposure, greatly determine imitation. Research done by Freeman and Shaw (2009) shows that the presence of multinationals in Japan was an insight to the country’s initial engagement in exportation. The sentiments are shared by other scholars such as Grog & Greenway (2004) who state

Reporting results Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Reporting results - Essay Example Financial results, information, and conclusion may be reported in balance sheets, activity statements, and cash flow statement amongst others. The information on the balance sheet, activity statement, and cash flow statements are connected. Whereas balance sheet provides the financial position of an organization, activity statement provides the reports on the entitlements and obligations in respect to taxation and cash statement flow projects, the cash inflow and outflow within organizations (Finkler, 2010). The cash flow statements of organizations are derived from balance sheets and activity statements. On the other hand, taxation entitlements and obligations as obtained from activity statements are derived from expenses that dependent on cash availability portrayed within the balance sheet (Finkler, 2010). In addition, the changes in stock as illustrated by balance sheet are used within activity statements to calculate the income of the organization for tax entitlements and obligations. From the above explanations there is enough evident that the information in balance sheet, activity statement, and cash flow statements are connected and not independent and some allude. The financial statements heavily borrow from each

Free

Free Primary Education in Kenya Essay Acknowledgement I acknowledge my God for provision of good health, sound mind and in tender caring. I also express the same to my lecturer Mr. Malel for his diligent and industrious work he did to me in the process of writing up the project. I also acknowledge the contributions of my colleagues and my family for the patience and encouragement that they have given me since I begun the project. I also acknowledge the free access to the Kenya National Library Service in Kericho. Dedication I dedicate this report to my Almighty Father for His countless Mercies and Eternal Providence. I also dedicate it to my family, my parents and my children. Abstract The study investigated the statistical relationship between the introduction of FPE and the enrolment of kids in ECD centers. The paper begins by assessing the changes in enrolment prior and after the introduction of FPE in 2002. It then delves into the question of why this happens. The covered Mogogosiek Zone although the findings is relevant for the whole country. The researcher sampled six schools as the sample to represent twenty schools in the zone. The random sample technique was used since all schools are homogeneous. The researcher used questionnaires and observation to collect data in the field. The project is useful for the stakeholders in the ECD sector ranging from school heads to government administrators involved with ECD work. Table of Contents DECLARATION BY CANDIDATEii DECLARATION BY THE SUPERVISORii Acknowledgementiii Dedicationiv Abstractv Abbreviations and Acronymsviii CHAPTER ONE1 Introduction1 1. 1Background of the Problem1 1. 2 Statement of the Problem3 1. 3Objectives of the Study4 1. 4 Purpose of the Study5 1. 5 Justification of the Project6 1. 6 Significance of the Study7 1. 7 Limitations8 1. 8 Delimitations9 CHAPTER TWO10 Literature Review10 2. 1 The effects of the introduction of FPE on enrollment10 2. 2 Factors that have led to low enrolment as a result of introduction of FPE in Kenya13 2. 3 Impact of FPE on enrolment in ECDs16 CHAPTER THREE18 Methodology18 3. 1 Research Design18 3. 2 Location of the Study19 3. 3 Target Population20 3. 4 Sample Population21 3. 5 Sampling Method22 3. 6 Research Instruments23 CHAPTER FOUR24 Data Representation24 4. 1 The Extent to Which ECD Enrolment Declined as a Result Of Introduction of Fpe in the ten Sampled Institutions24. 4. 2 Reasons for the Decline Of ECD Enrolment as a Result Of Introduction Of FPE26 4. 3 Impact of FPE on ECD Enrolment per Economic Class27 CHAPTER FIVE28 Conclusions28 5. 1 The Relationship between the Introduction of FPE and Enrolment in ECDS Attached to Public Primary schools28 5. 2 The Effects of Introduction of FPE on Enrolment in ECDS in Private Primary Schools28 5. 3 Causes for the Low Enrolment of Pupils in Public Primary School ECDS as A Result of Introduction Of FPE. 28 5. 4 Effects of Introduction of FPES on ECD per Economic Class29 APPENDIX A30 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ECD TEACHERS30. APPENDIX B35 BIBLIOGRAPHY35 APPENDIX C36 Work Schedule36 APPENDIX D37 Budget37 APPENDIX D38 Introduction letter38 Abbreviations and Acronyms ECD = Early Childhood Development ECDE = Early Childhood Development and Education. MDG = Millennium Development Goals. UN = United Nations FPE = Free Primary Education. GER=Gross Enrolment Rate is calculated by dividing the number of children of whatever age enrolled in preschool by the estimated number of 3-5 year olds. UNESCO= United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization. OECD=Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. MOEST=Ministry of Education, Science and Technology CHAPTER ONE Introduction This chapter introduces the research topic. It begins with an introduction followed by a statement of the problem and finally the purpose of the study. 1. 1Background of the Problem As part of his campaign manifesto, President Kibaki introduced the Free Primary Education program in Primary schools. The program was meant to lead to high enrollment of pupils in both primary school and ECD centers in Kenya. The natural corollary was that the ECD enrollment would rise as a result of the introduction of FPE. However, statistics show the contrary. The rate of enrolment in ECD centers has reduced following the introduction of FPE. This shows a negative correlation between enrolment and FPE. This project sought to establish the fact that indeed enrollment in FPE has declined since the introduction of FPE in schools. Paper also sought to give reasons why the rate of enrolment in ECD bears a negative correlation with the FPE funding. This has been a surprise finding given that the aim of the government is to develop education in Kenya holistically. The project also assessed the likely statistical relationship between enrolment in primary and ECD It showed that . the higher the enrolment rate in primary school the lower the enrolment in ECD. This project sought to give reasons for that relationship and provide for suggestions on how the problem can be solved. 1. 2 Statement of the Problem The problem was to study the effects that FPE has had on enrollment in ECDCs. The project also studied the causes of the negative relationship between FPE funding and low enrollment in ECDCs. The problem is that due to the introduction of FPE, pupils have been joining class one without going through the ECD classes. This is a worrying trend as it suggests a low level of preparedness of the pupils in lower primary school. It also points to the need to consider ECD in public funding 1. 3Objectives of the Study The project studied the following objectives: [a] To establish the effect of the introduction of FPE on enrolment in ECDS attached to public primary schools. [b]To establish the effects of the introduction of FPE on enrolment of pupils in ECDS attached to private primary schools. [c] To determine the extent to which enrollment in ECDCs have declined in Mogogosiek zone as a result of the introduction of FPE. [d] To determine the effects of introduction of FPEs on enrolment in ECDS per economic class. 1. 4 Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of the introduction of Free Primary Education on enrolment in ECDs in primary schools in Kenya. 1. 5 Justification of the Project This project is justified on the following grounds. First, little attempt has been made to determine the relationship between the introduction of FPE nationally and enrollment of pupils in ECDs locally. There is also need to determine the causes of the decline in enrolment in ECDs as a result of introduction of FPE. The decline has mostly affected the poor who consist of the most vulnerable group. That the introduction of FPE has negatively affected the poor in terms of taking their children to the ECD has great implications to fighting poverty in the country. It shows that the children of the poor have poor foundation and will most likely perform poorly later in life thereby widening the poverty gap wider still 1. 6 Significance of the Study This study is important because of a number of reasons. First, the government must know the impacts of its funding primary schools or other institutions. The FPE is an integrated development program and it should lead to a holistic development of the education sector in general and not a lopsided development of the country. Secondly, the government will get information on the level of foundational education in rural areas and design effective policies that will aid the state in ensuring high standards of education in ECD and ensure effective transition from ECD to primary school. Thirdly, there is an ongoing pressure on the government to fund the ECD sector in Kenya. This paper is meant to ensure that this goal is attained. Lastly, educational practitioners particularly ECD teachers and administrators will be reminded of the need to ensure a high level of enrolment in ECDs and effective transition to primary schools 1. 7 Limitations During the study, the researchers were limited by the following factors. First and foremost, rural ECD managers were not willing to talk about the low enrolment in ECD centers. They feared that releasing the information would lead to negative publicity. Secondly, most residents were not very open to give information on where their children were learning to outsiders. Thirdly, the county is very large and expansive. It was not very easy for the researchers to travel from one location to another due to poor and rugged terrain. Fourth, most residents have just recovered from the post electoral violence that affected most of the Republic. They are very suspicious of new comers and more so even residents asking questions. They easily take such gestures as police investigations. Fifth, though not least, the researcher was affected by lack of enough funds to carry out an in depth analysis covering the entire zone. Even if funds were availed, there was still the need for more time to carry out the work. The researchers were affected by lack of sufficient time since they are full time teachers who need time to run their institutions apart from conducting research work. The project was also be affected by low literacy rate since most parents are not literate enough to interpret and respond to questionnaires. 1. 8 Delimitations The delimiting factor is that the researchers come from the study location and are highly familiar with the area. Secondly, the researchers being ECD and Primary teachers, have long and extensive experience and contact with ECD and primary school children. They are also conversant the running of ECD centers in the country. Thirdly, the researchers used written questionnaires distributed to schools. This minimized the time needed to move from one institution to another and effectively reduce the time needed to talk with an interviewee. CHAPTER TWO Literature Review 2. 1 The effects of the introduction of FPE on enrollment Many studies have been conducted to ascertain the actual effect of FPE on ECD enrolment. Most of the studies have been conducted by International development Agencies such as USAID and DANIDA. The most comprehensive overview, however, are the studies conducted by UNESCO and approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. A UNESCO Policy Review Report, UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Project, 2005, hereafter to be referred simply to as the UNESCO report 2005, reports that, ‘A 1969 survey counted about 200,000 children enrolled in 4800 ECD centers with about 5,000 teachers. The number of ECD Centers and teachers have been growing steadily and, after a stalled increase of only 15% between 1993 and 2000, the enrolment ratio leaped by 50% over the next three years. The current (2001/02) GER in preschool is officially 35%, although the Government’s own statistics appear to show a GER of 48% in 1998, falling to 41% in 2002. † Such a report shows a decline in GER in ECD. The year in which the FPE was introduced is 2002. Therefore, changes occurring between 2001 and 2002 truly indicate effects of FPE on enrolment. A UNESCO Policy brief on Early Childhood entitled the Impacts of Free Primary Education on Early Childhood Development in Kenya, Jan. to Feb. 2006, by Yoshie Kaga, claims that the overall effect of FPE has been the reduction of enrollment in ECD. Here is an excerpt from the report, â€Å"Studies have been conducted to assess the effects of FPE on ECD centers. Some report on negative effects, while others note no major draw backs. While the overall impact of the policy is yet to be determined, the UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Mission, which took place in September 2004, observed that the policy did have a negative impact of FPE on ECD in Kenya and outline two major options that may mitigate possible negative impact. † EFA Global Monitoring report, 2005, UNESCO Publishing reports that the gross enrollment rate for the age group 3 to 5 was 44. 4% in 2001. However, the theory that enrollment rates declined as a result of the introduction of FPEs is not automatically to be accepted. Some reports indicate that the GER increased as a result of the introduction of FPE. The UNESCO/OECD Report, 2005, reports in item number 3. 4. 1, â€Å"The Background Report of Kenya shows that, while enrollment increased substantially from 1,076,606 to 1,281,846 between 1998 and 2002. A closer look at the figures, however, suggests two rather disturbing trends. First, GER’s in preschool have clearly declined since 1998 from 48% to 41%, and the major overall decline took place between 1998 and 1999 before the FPE option arose. In fact, a small increase occurred from 2002 to 2003, after FPE was introduced in January 2003. Second, while he 1998 GER was about the same for boys and girls, a gap of about 4% in favor of boys opened up in 2001 and grew to 6% in 2002. â€Å" The figures in the above report are not the same as other documents. According to the Quantitative Study of the Early Childhood Development Project : Final report to MOEST statistics, the 2002 figure is 1,416,048 and not 1,281,846. These dissenting views and conflicting figures show that the inverse relationship between FPE and ECD needs to be verified by qualified actuarial review. The extent of the relationship may need other factors to explain other than the factors stated above. 2. 2 Factors that have led to low enrolment as a result of introduction of FPE in Kenya Many workers have tried to give reasons for the decline in ECD enrolment as a result of the introduction of FPE. However, these are not in the form of complex scientific theories. The UNESCO Policy Brief on Early Childhood is one such document. It explains the phenomenon in the following terms, â€Å"The main reason for this phenomenon is that since the implementation of FPE, poor parents are choosing to withdraw their children from ECD centers and/or keep them at home until they reach the age of primary school entry. They refuse to pay the fees for ECD on the grounds that ECD, lie primary education, should be free. † However, this assertion needs to be corroborated by more extensive scientific studies on the causes of the inverse relationship. Economic theories may help to describe the situation better. According to Ricardian analysis, low cost items such as table salt are already sold cheaply and are therefore associated with poor sections of the population. If the price of salt, for example is reduced further, it becomes too cheap and the buyers may shift for more costly brand of salt. This theory seems to hold true for the ECDs in rural areas of Kenya. They are considered very cheap. Due to government subsidy, the parents may actually feel that the quality of primary education in public primary schools will decline. They see children who have been idle at home, such as street children being brought to school. This makes them to hate public school education and instead opt for the costly private schools. As a basic strategy, they decide to enrol their children in private ECDs with the reasoning that by the time the child enters primary school, he or she will have laid a strong foundation in ECDE. The UNESCO/OECD Report in section 3. 3. 5. Reports that, â€Å"Meanwhile, an assessment study of FPE on ECD carried out jointly by the MOEST and UNESCO in February 2004 found that ECD programmes had almost collapsed because children’s enrolment had decreased after the introduction of FPE. The study found that parents opted to send their children straight to standard one, which became free, without having them go through ECD, which was still fees paying. Moreover, Standard one teacher reported that children who skipped ECD had difficulty coping with lessons in primary school and poorly performed. † Section 3. 3. 4 reports that, â€Å"The Review Team found widespread anecdotal evidence of drops in enrolment at ECD centres, especially in poor provinces such as North Eastern†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ many parents have by passed ECD altogether ; many others send their children only to pre-unit class of ECD to prepare them for primary school. In some areas, parents are keeping their children at home until they reach the age of 6 entitling them to free education. † Yet other factors have been suggested by the UNESCO Policy Briefs on ECD. Calling it the unintended consequence on ECD, the report went on to report that, â€Å"ECD classrooms set up on the premises of public primary schools have been shut down in order to accommodate the surge of enrolment in primary schools sparked by FPE. In some cases, ECD children and teachers must put up with reduced space; in others, they have been moved to the worst classrooms in the premises. At the district level, inspection and supervision of ECD centres some of which is carried out by the district based Zonal Inspector of schools, have reportedly become less frequent. † The UNESCO/OECD report presents a critique of the situation thus: ‘Despite these observations, the impact of FPE on ECD is still subject to dispute. For example, it is unclear whether FPE has been the main cause of falling ECD enrolments, given the evidence that the decline may well have begun well before the introduction of the policy. Also, it is yet to be determined how many of the unprepared pupils newly flowing into standard one would have gone to ECD centres if FPE had not been in place. The influx could simply be explained by a rising enrolment of at risk children who would not have been able to afford primary education when it was fee paying, let alone ECD centres. 2. 3 Impact of FPE on enrolment in ECDs There is an indication that poverty may be a great factor determining patterns of enrolment in ECDs. The UNESCO/OECD Report 2005, reports in section 3. 3. 8. Suggest that there is no direct relationship between FPE and ECD. Otherwise, such relationship could exist between FPE and other factors that mitigate leading to low enrolment. The paper points at poverty as one of the factors that lead to low enrolment as a result of the introduction of FPE. Section 3. 4. 3 on inequalities in the same report shows that, â€Å"There are obvious geographical inequalities. In Nairobi, for instance, far more children are likely to be enrolled in ECD than in other provinces with similar poverty levels. Meanwhile, North Eastern Province has the highest poverty level and the lowest enrolment rates. There are also gender disparities. In Nairobi, girls are more likely to be enrolled whereas in North Eastern province, the reverse is observed. ‘The report claims that the poor are generally not able to access ECD services. â€Å"Even within Nairobi, middle and upper class children benefit most from preschool experiences. Overall, those lacking access to preschool services tend to be children from disadvantages communities such as semi arid and arid areas and urban slums. This observation is reinforced by the findings of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. (UNICEF/Government Survey, 2000) showing that 29. 5% of children whose mothers had secondary education were enrolled in some form of ECD compared to 10. 7% of those whose mothers had only completed primary school and 12. 4% of 2002 of those whose mothers had no schooling. There is also a clear association between GERs in 1998 and 2002 and the absolute poverty index (1997) at the district level, with eight of the ten correlations being negative and statistically significant though not very large. ’ The table below was meant to encapsulate the correlation between poverty index and Ger at district level. If these reports are anything to go by, the researcher expects to find the decline in ECD enrolment to affect mainly the public ECD centres as opposed to the private ECD units. | 1998| 1999| 2000| 2001| 2002| Boys| -0. 355| -0. 252| +0. 145| -0. 096| -0. 271| Girls| +0. 007| -0. 287| -0. 272| -0. 048| -0. 290| Correlations between poverty index (1997) and GERs at District Level Ref: Kenya Human development report (2001). UNDP/Background Report of Kenya for the UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Project (2005). MOEST , Govt of Kenya. Statistically significant p is less than 0. 05. The researcher will therefore study the impacts of socio economic status on enrolment in ECD centres. CHAPTER THREE Methodology 3. 1 Research Design The researcher adopted the diagnostic research design. According to Kothari, diagnostic research studies are necessary to establish causality and causal nexus of two or three phenomena. The diagnostic research design was be inevitable as the researcher was needed to establish causality among variables: school enrolment and enrolment. 3. 2 Location of the Study. The study was carried out in Konoin District, Mogogosiek Zone. It targeted three schoo 3. 3 Target Population The study targeted ECD children, ECD teachers and primary school Head Teachers in Early Childhood Development centres. 3. 4 Sample Population The study sampled ten schools from a total of twenty two in Mogogosiek Zone, Konoin District, Bomet County. 3. 5 Sampling Method The researcher used simple stratified sampling. The listed schools were classified as boarding and day schools. Two schools were picked from private and three schools will be picked from day public schools category. The proportion was used since there are only 1 out of 5 boarding schools in the zone 3. 6 Research Instruments The researcher used questionnaires and study schedules as the basic research instruments. The questionnaires will be designed and tested on a school that is not part of the samples. The test will enable the researchers to determine the efficacy of the questionnaire. The researcher then wrote to the heads of the sampled schools seeking permission to conduct research in their institutions. The researcher sampled three schools representing all types of primary schools in the study locale. CHAPTER FOUR Data Representation 4. 1 The Extent to Which ECD Enrolment Declined as a Result Of Introduction of Fpe in the ten Sampled Institutions The researcher studied the data from ten schools relating to the rate of enrolment just before and after the introduction of FPE. The results were as under: SCHOOL| ECD ENROLMENT IN 2000| ECD ENRLMENT IN 2001| ECD ENROLMENT IN 2002| ECD ENROLMENT IN 2003| 1| 51| 50| 53| 43| 2| 48| 47| 53| 44| 3| 67| 69| 71| 58| A| 41| 43| 44| 61| B| 47| 52| 51| 58| The graph below depicts these data. The results show that there was a general trend for the enrolment in ECD in public primary schools to decline in the year following the introduction of FPE in 2002. There was increase of the number of pupils enrolling in ECDs manned by private schools following the introduction of FPE. 4. 2 Reasons for the Decline Of ECD Enrolment as a Result Of Introduction Of FPE The researcher sought to establish the causes of declined enrolment in public ECDs following the introduction of FPE in 2002. The following responses were established. REASON GIVEN| % OF RESPONDENTS| | Fear of low quality due to high enrolment in class| 44%| | Fear of poor foundation in public ECDs| 23%| | Need to give children good ECD foundation before joining private ECDs| 76%| | Decline in the status of public ECDs| 39%| | Demand for free education in class one | 17%| | These data show that most parents preferred private school ECDs to public school ECDs due to the reasons above: fear that the free primary education would lead to high enrolment hence low quality of education; the fear that the public school ECDs were not preparing pupils adequately for primary  school education; need to children good ECD foundation and the decline of the status of public school ECD. This was aggravated by the introduction of street boys enrolling in public primary schools. 17% wished to get free education in class one hence skips the ECD class in order to achieve this. 4. 3 Impact of FPE on ECD Enrolment per Economic Class The researcher sought to establish the effects that the introduction of FPE has led to decreased enrolment in ECD by economic class. She studied the composition of ten pupils in each sampled school to determine their economic class. It is found that most of the high class parents of course send their children to schools A to D. However, the following statistics relate to the composition of the pupils in the ECDs attached to public primary schools. The parents were classified as either poor [earning less than 3000 per month] or average [earning between 3001 and 6000] per month. The statistics below show the effect that the introduction of FPE affected the composition of pupils enrolling in public school ECDs. SCHOOL| POOR| AVERAGE| LOWER MIDDLE| 1| 88%| 8%| 4%| 2| 78%| 9%| 13%| 3| 91%| 5%| 4%| CHAPTER FIVE. Conclusions 5. 1 The Relationship between the Introduction of FPE and Enrolment in ECDS Attached to Public Primary schools The study established that there is a negative relationship between the introduction of FPE and the enrolment in ECD centres in ECDs attached to public primary schools. The introduction of FPE led to reduced enrolment in primary schools in these schools. 5. 2 The Effects of Introduction of FPE on Enrolment in ECDS in Private Primary Schools The study established that the introduction of FPE in 2002 led to increased enrolment in ECDS in private primary school 5. 3 Causes for the Low Enrolment of Pupils in Public Primary School ECDS as A Result of Introduction Of FPE. The study established that the introduction of FPEs led to low enrolment in ECDS in public primary schools due to the following reasons: First, most parents feared that the admission of many pupils in primary schools will lead to low quality of education. They therefore sought to enrol their children in private institutions to escape from the low quality education to be experienced in public primary schools. Secondly, the parents associated the introduction of FPE in public primary schools to low prestige. The poor class could now take their children to school. This was not possible before. Those in the average class sought to take their children to better schools in order to maintain their status ahead of the poor class. Thirdly, the introduction of free education in primary school led to the poor class parents taking their children direct to class one in order to escape the fees paid in ECD and directly benefit from the FPE program 5. 4 Effects of Introduction of FPES on ECD per Economic Class. The introduction of FPE led to decline in the number of the children of the economically poor members of the community as compared to the middle class and the rich who continued to take their children to private school ECDs. APPENDIX A Questionnaire for ECD Teachers This questionnaire is part of a research project carried out by the researcher in partial fulfilment for award of the Diploma in ECD. The information obtained will be used for academic purposes only and will not be divulged to third parties. PART ONE General Information 1. Number of Years You have worked in the station:____________________ Current position held:_______________ 2. Kindly give the pupils enrolment in your class by filling the form below: YEAR| BOYS| GIRLS| TOTAL| STREAMS| 2002| | | | | 2003| | | | | 2004| | | | | 2005| | | | | 2006| | | | | 2007| | | | | 2008| | | | | 2009| | | | | 2010| | | | | 2011| | | | | 3. Who pays for your wages? Parents NGO County Council 4. Who collects the fees? Heat Teacher Pre-School Teacher 5. How is the fee collected if parents fail to pay? Sending pupils Teachers visiting parents 6. How are you paid your wages? Monthly Quarterly 7. Are parents willing to pay school fees? Yes No 8. Is the fees paid enough for your wages? Yes No 9. Are defaulters of fees common? Yes No 10. If yes, what reason do they give for defaulting? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 11. Are head teachers supportive in dealing with defaulters? Yes No 12. - What is your suggestion to the government in relation to free primary education and the way it affects preschool parents? - ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 13. Briefly give the age range of the pupils in your current class. SEX| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| BOYS| | | | | | | | GIRLS| | | | | | | | TOTAL| | | | | | | | 14. Briefly give the range of pupils in 2003 class. SEX| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| BOYS| | | | | | | | GIRLS| | | | | | | | TOTAL| | | | | | | | 15. In your opinion, has the entry age changed since introduction of FPE? Yes No 16. Do your pre school classes have a committee? Yes No 17. How often are parents meetings held? Once a term. Once a year. 18. Do you keep financial records of fees collected? Yes No 19. If yes, how many pupils failed to complete fees in the previous year ? _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Thank you very much for responding to questionnaire truthfully and for being mindful of our research. God bless you. APPENDIX B. Bibliography 1. Economics Simplified, 2009, Saleemi Publications, Kenya. 2. EFA Global Monitoring Report(2004). New York: UNDP. S 3. MOEST, Government of Kenya,2005, Background report of Kenya for the UNESCO/OECD Early Chidhood Policy Review Project, Government of Kenya. 4. Ngwere M. W. et al (2004). Quantitative Study of the Kenya Early Childhood Development Project, final report to the MOEST, June 2004. Nakuru: Sermon educational Consultants. 5. UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Project, Policy Review Report: Early Childhood Care and Education in Kenya, by UNESCO, Paris, February, 2005. 6. Yoshie Kaga, 2006,UNESCO Policy Brief on Early Childhood, Impacts of Free Primary Education o Early Childhood development in Kenya, Paris. APPENDIX C Work Schedule MONTH | YEAR| ACTIVITY TO BE DONE| December | 2010| Preparation for the research proposal and budgeting| January-March| 2011| Writing of the proposal| April| 2011| Approval for the proposal| May| 2011| Compiling and revising of the research proposal| June-July| 2011| Collection of the data| August| 2011| Analyzing of the data| September-December| 2011| Compiling and presenting the final project. | APPENDIX D Budget. ACTIVITY| PLACE/ITEM/USE| AMOUNT KSH| Travelling | For Literature review during data collection while typing and compiling the project. | 5001,5002,000| Stationery| Papers, pens, ruler, books, foolscaps, stapler, paper bunches | 2,000| Typing/photocopying | Research proposal and final project. | 3,500| Food| Lunch, tea break, snacks| 1,500| Miscellaneous Expenses| Emergencies| 2,500| TOTAL| | 13,500| APPENDIX D Introduction letter CHEBET JOYCE, KIRIMOSE PRIMARY SCHOOL, P. O BOX 174 , LITEIN. 25TH JUNE 2011. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Dear Sir/Madam, REF: PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN MOGOGOSIEK ZONE. I wish to seek for permission to conduct a research in your pre-school centre on THE EFFECTS OF INTRODUCTION OF FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION PROGRAM ON ENROLMENT IN ECD CENTERS in MOGOGOSIEK zone. I am a Diploma Student at Valley Teachers Training College The Kenya National Examination Council is requiring a research as part of examination from me. I am therefore required to collect data from your E. C. D. E teachers, parents, and head teachers of the selected school. I look forward for your positive respond. Thanks in advance Yours Faithfully Chebet Joyce.

Comparison Between Coca Cola And Pepsi Marketing Essay

Comparison Between Coca Cola And Pepsi Marketing Essay For over the past substantial number of years, the Coca-Cola and Pepsi companies have been the two leading and competing companies as far as the selling of beverages is concerned. In respect to this, the two companies have been in a constant battle concerning the control of soft drinks market share. The present situation has been that each of the two companies has been competing to outshine the other by gaining the largest market share in the beverage market with an annual value ranging at over 30 billion dollars. This paper will explore ranging fight that the two companies have engaged in by critically analyzing their marketing campaigns. Though both companies have been inventing new ideas and products in an effort to boost their shares in the beverage market each year, the effectiveness and creativity of the marketing strategies that each of the two companies employs stands out to be the ultimate determiner of who will emerge the winner in respect to profits sales and consumer loya lty. Both Coca-cola and Pepsi companies have employed a wide variety of campaigns in their competition to gain more shares in the beverage market, some of which include sports sponsorship as well as mass media (Hitt, 2009). For Coca-Cola, the two most popular advertisement campaigns that have boosted its sales have been the Holidays are Coming Campaigns as well as the sports sponsorship both of which have been in use for a very long time. For instance, the Holidays are Coming Home advert features a convoy of delivery trucks, bearing the Coca-Cola name. The trucks which are lighted with electric bulbs drive through snowy landscapes lighting up everything they come across. The advert was intended to ensure that everybody on earth took Coca- Cola as their favorite drink by creating the impression that it lights up life especially during the winter season. However, this advertisement campaign has been criticized in that it is solely based centrally in the Southern parts of the U.S, especial ly in Atlanta The other advertisement campaign is the featuring of Coca-Cola as the official sponsor of some of the popular sporting activities. These sporting activities range from athletic, soccer, basket ball, hockey, and baseball. Perhaps the most popular sporting activities that have enabled Coca-Cola to market its product are soccer. Since 1978, Coca-Cola has been the official sponsor of the FIFA World cup along with other soccer competitions that it organizes. In addition, Coca-Cola has in the past featured as the sole official sponsor of the Football League in England a title given to the first three qualifiers in the English Premier league. By targeting the sports arena, Coca-Cola is assured of gaining access to a large number of sports fans regardless of their age or race since sports is an activity th at attracts the largest number of people. Coca-Cola has not been the only company that has derived its success from the sports arena. Other competing beverage companies including Pepsi in this case have also utilized this field in grabbing their share in the beverage market. For instance, just recently, Pepsi announced its launching of its integrated digital ad campaign with Microsoft in celebration of the 2010 football summer (Hitt, 2009). The campaign which will be organized in 14 different places worldwide targets international football fanatics. The campaign features eight of the international soccer stars including Drogba, Messi, Kaka, and Arshavin among others. With a move like this, Pepsi will be able to reach quite a large number of the worlds population, especially the youth who are great soccer fanatics. Moreover, Pepsi has been recently partnering with TV networks that it deems popular and has been placing commercials strategically in order to try and improve their relationship with its audience (Hitt, 2009). The key common ideology that links all of the above sets of advertisement campaigns together is that they represents the companies agenda to fetch a good market share in the beverage market. In respect to this, the strategies that each of the companies utilizes to achieve their common goal now becomes the underlying issue. Each company has been busy inventing ideas and new products to outshine the other in their harvesting of market shares. But whoever that will emerge the champion is the one who will employ the most effective and creative marketing strategies in terms of increasing it sales and the loyalty of the customer. Though the goals of the two companies are similar, the company utilizes marketing strategies that are somehow different an s outlined below (Hitt, 2009). Initially Pepsi had always outshone Coke in their development of new products; however, Coke learnt some of Pepsis secrets and started applying the same innovative approaches to rolling out novel products. In addition to the hiring of highly qualified marketing executives, Coke also introduced a cross training for its management in order to ensure that the upgraded the quality of their soft drinks to match with that of their competitors. Pepsi, on the other hand being a risk taker rapidly reacted to this by creating a culture of developing new ideas in advertisement every now and then. Finding of new markets in the foreign world has become a new strategy for both companies. But Coke in this field has emerged as the most successful company. The concept of offering products that satisfy the consumers requirements in foreign regions has also been an area that both companies have tried much to exploit. For example, the introduction of Pepsi Max in some countries was in response to consumers requirement of a drink with low sugars and which targeted individuals who were diabetic (Hitt, 2009). The development of new products to attract more shares has caused some of the the products from these companies to fail while others have been successful. For instance, the introduction of New Coke formula proved a total failure since consumers protested for the return of the Classic Coke. But Pepsi tops with the number of failures in products such as, Pepsi Free, Crystal, Light and Pepsi AM. For Coke and Pepsi companies, their achievements as well as their sustained retention in the market has been propagated by the increased customer base. Here the Coca-Cola Company has recently been using a single word to describe their target markets very one. The argument has been that Coke is a popular beverage manufacturing company can be attributed to the long period it has been the dominant market player. This has made it became popular among all classes of people regardless of age, religion, race or financial status (Hitt, 2009). Since its customer loyalty is great, and at the present, Coca Cola is fighting to retain most of its customers currently at Pepsi. Through its campaigns, Coke intends to formulate different media advertisements that will capture audiences from every age category. For example, adverts targeting the youth are mostly associated with enticing colors and cartoons. For the youth, the company intends to make TV commercials and other advertisements that will pr omote the drinking of Coke instead of liquor in parties. hence show them that they can still have their fun and a good time in the absence of liquor. (Hitt, 2009). Pepsi, on the other hand targets the young adults especially students between the ages of 14 years to 30. This group is mostly comprises of students in Universities, colleges as well as high school. For instance, the newly integrated digital campaign with Microsoft will mostly target the young generation, which comprise of the highest number of soccer fans. This campaign will give Pepsi a point of contact in accessing this young generation. But due, to their wide variety of products PepsiCo targets people of all ages though it has not specifically been prepared for this. The commercials and adverts employed by both companies have proved to be effective since both of the companies have managed to amass a large number of consumers. Such adverts as well as commercials have in the past utilized funny as well as enticing colors of which have been so effective among children (Hitt, 2009). Children are much attracted to flashy colors and funny items that appeal to their interests. Capturing the interest of children at a tender age promises that these kids will convert to being their customers in adulthood since they learn to identify with the brand when young. On the part of the adults and the elderly, the strategy might also be effective. This involves designing adverts that make them remember their youthful days. In addition, another effective mode of marketing the soft drinks is by convincing the youth that fun can also be realized in the absence of beers and liquor (Hitt, 2009). In the present age liquor companies have maximized on the connection betwee n drinking liquor and having a good time, such that they associate fun and merry making with consuming hard drinks. In respect to the arguments that both companies make towards one another, rivalry has always existed in trying to win more market share. Pepsi Challenge is one of the activities that clearly demonstrated this rivalry in the 1970s. in this Challenge, Pepsi organized a blind taste test to determine which brand between Coca-Cola and Pepsi contained less orange, more lemon oil, as well as makes use of vanillin instead of vanilla. These tests have always been aimed at Coke as the results indicated that customers prefer the taste of Pepsi rather than Coke. This project made Pepsis sales rise at a very high rate. This in turn gave rise to the Cola Wars. In 1985 Coke by coming up with a new formula, New Coke. However, this resulted to a total failure as customers demanded back the Coca-Cola Classic thus forcing the company to reintroduce it (Hitt, 2009). According to the 2008 report by Beverage Digest on carbonated soft drinks Coca-Cola outshines Pepsi in terms of demographics since its market shares range at 42.2% while Pepsi ranges at 30.8%. In most of regions especially in the United States, Coca-Cola outsells Pepsi except in some regions like Utah, North Dakota and Appalachia. In New York and Buffalo, Pepsi outshines Coca-Cola in sale by a ratio of two is to one. Internationally Coca-Cola commands a substantially large market share compared to Pepsi with the only exceptions being Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and the Canadian provinces. In relation to demographics across different ages, both products compare fairly with respect to consumption. Children can be rated as the highest consumers of soft drinks from both companies with the youth trailing closely. However, when it comes to adults and the older generation, Coca-Cola becomes more popular and hence outsells Pepsi.

Three Lives :: Women Feminism Facism Essays

Three Lives Maria drew dark lines underneath her lashes and on the tops of her lids. She began to smooth her skirt and her hair when Marco banged on the door of the bathroom and yelled that her turn was up. Between the family of ten, there was only one bathroom and three bedrooms. Maria’s older brothers had to share the living room, and the baby was in a crib next to her parents’ bed. She walked into the kitchen and her mother rolled her eyes at Maria when she saw the way she was done up, and Maria gave a piercing stare in return. She knew that looks were important, and that hers would win her a successful husband someday. Her hope was that she would not have to bear one child after the other the way her mother did in an effort to get the large family award. Maria had no interest in school, or reading, for she knew that these would get her nowhere. Her mother had been educated and had worked in a post office until recently, when a new law was passed. Maria thought that it was irresponsible of her mother to have a job, anyway. She should be tending to the family, not worrying about her career. Women were restricted from so many jobs, the most reliable (and natural) plan was that of becoming a housewife. Maria had never considered doing otherwise. Woman, made to ripen a child within her body for three-quarters of the year, made to nourish this child, with a secretion of her organism, for longer than a year, endowed with qualities that make her able to raise and educate the child at least through adolescence, nevertheless receives, in our civilization, the same education as if her functions were equal to man’s (Ferdinando Loffredo, Pickering-Iazzi, 30). Maria was sitting up straight at her desk in the classroom. Her teacher was boasting of his position in the Party. He called on Marco to have him speak of his loyalty to Il Duce. Marco said the same phrases that he heard spoken by his father every day in favor of Il Duce. Maria looked out the window. She was not listening to her brother, but daydreaming. She pictured herself the wife of an accomplice of Mussolini, and knew that nothing would make her more proud. A successful future in the party would therefore be inevitable for her children. Three Lives :: Women Feminism Facism Essays Three Lives Maria drew dark lines underneath her lashes and on the tops of her lids. She began to smooth her skirt and her hair when Marco banged on the door of the bathroom and yelled that her turn was up. Between the family of ten, there was only one bathroom and three bedrooms. Maria’s older brothers had to share the living room, and the baby was in a crib next to her parents’ bed. She walked into the kitchen and her mother rolled her eyes at Maria when she saw the way she was done up, and Maria gave a piercing stare in return. She knew that looks were important, and that hers would win her a successful husband someday. Her hope was that she would not have to bear one child after the other the way her mother did in an effort to get the large family award. Maria had no interest in school, or reading, for she knew that these would get her nowhere. Her mother had been educated and had worked in a post office until recently, when a new law was passed. Maria thought that it was irresponsible of her mother to have a job, anyway. She should be tending to the family, not worrying about her career. Women were restricted from so many jobs, the most reliable (and natural) plan was that of becoming a housewife. Maria had never considered doing otherwise. Woman, made to ripen a child within her body for three-quarters of the year, made to nourish this child, with a secretion of her organism, for longer than a year, endowed with qualities that make her able to raise and educate the child at least through adolescence, nevertheless receives, in our civilization, the same education as if her functions were equal to man’s (Ferdinando Loffredo, Pickering-Iazzi, 30). Maria was sitting up straight at her desk in the classroom. Her teacher was boasting of his position in the Party. He called on Marco to have him speak of his loyalty to Il Duce. Marco said the same phrases that he heard spoken by his father every day in favor of Il Duce. Maria looked out the window. She was not listening to her brother, but daydreaming. She pictured herself the wife of an accomplice of Mussolini, and knew that nothing would make her more proud. A successful future in the party would therefore be inevitable for her children.

Business Simulation Game Essay

The aim of the Competition and Strategy course is to provide students with deep knowledge on strategic decision-making in a business environment and the strategic principles behind it. Within this course my team members Kristijan, Yaniv, George and me (Team KUGY) had the opportunity to apply our academic and theoretical understanding and knowledge in an online business simulation game, wherein we created our own car business and competed on the European car market fictionally. This paper aims to elucidate the advance of our strategic decision-making, observes the reasoning behind it and examines the following implementation of our approach. Founded on the definition of strategy being â€Å"A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim†, we questioned ourselves in the commencement of the game what our strategy would be (Andrews, 2010). Subsequently, after considering the theories studied in class we decided that we needed to express our own and coherent strate gy in less than 40 words, fitting to the restrictions objective, advantage and scope (Tregoe, Zimmerman, Schuster, 2008). â€Å"Attaining maximised profitability by carefully trying to get to know our customers’ needs, consequently adapting our products to suit their expectations to an extent where we would stop serving and start appreciating, so as to charge a premium price† (Yaniv, George, Kristijan and Ugo). The theoretical model we chose to establish our strategy was Porter’s generic strategy, that led us to a differentiation-focused strategy. Given to Porter, a competitive strategy is about differentiation (Andrews, 2010). Thus we thought that we should differentiate our business best by concentrating on a narrow target, hence, few market segments and decided that differentiation would be our competitive advantage. Furthermore Porter claims that decent strategic decision-making necessitates compromises and is slightly about what not to do rather than what to do (Porter, 1997). Based on this statement and our differentiation-concentrated strategy we decided to serve only 4 out o f 16 offered market segments, medium cars for 25 to 40  year old customers, medium cars for 41 to 55 year old customers, large cars for customers over 55 year old and finally luxurious cars for 41 to 55 year old customers. So as opposed extending our products over the whole market to realise maximised revenue KUGY decided to concentrate on three different segments with customers sharing similar needs, form three strategic business units whose goal it is to get to know the customer’s wants and needs to offer greater customer value and allow us to charge premium prices. Regarding finance, KUGY’s started position was up to  £500 million in the bank. In the first three rounds, KUGY took out two loans in the first 3 rounds so as to have enough capitals to finance our very cost concentrated strategy. Our expenses for research and development, competition market research, product, and marketing were considerable over all five years, which is replicated in significant fixed cost figures over all five years. However the data acquired on market perception and competition allowed us to get more familiar to our customers but also to design our products and put marketing efforts in harmony with thei r needs, by either adding and dropping product features, replacing research investments and distinguishing our products from the competition. Furthermore, KUGY increased the prices of all four models every year, which allowed us to increase revenue progressively over the five years of the game. KUGY has preferred to limit its production to small quantities because a limited target market is one of the most fundamental parameters of a focus strategy (Andrews, 2010). In the segments KUGY served, quantities demanded tend to be small in comparison with segments whose customers demand is based on less price demanding cars. Hence, if revenue is defined as R = Q * P, price was definitely the main factor in creating revenue instead of selling important quantities. KUGY tried to adapt production to such a level where our team would not have any car in stock at the end of each business year and normally succeeded in this concern with minor exceptions. Moreover KUGY tried to decrease its labour cost and invest in automation instead. Our team decided it will suit our company strategy and image and to have three extremely technologized production plants, with small but very skilled labour forces. We achieved further trade-offs concerning our marketing efforts. In regards to the four Ps, including price, product, place and promotion, KUGY took the decision to focus on all four would have opposed our strategy implemented in the  beginning. Hence, we focused our marketing strategy on product and promotion. As previously mentioned, we have invested significant sums in the development of our products, by investing in research and development over the rounds of the game, but also by adding and dropping features into sectors that seemed to be of significance to our customers and hence rose perceived benefits of our products from year to year. In addition to this advertising expenses were similarly high too, because of the fact that KUGY recognized communicating the benefits of both our efforts and our products to generate superior customer value as a first priority. George constantly highlighted that even the greatest product in the car market would not sell if its ascendancy or predominance were not communicated effectively. Given to Porter if a corporation decides upon a generic strategy, the corporation is best informed by thoroughly sticking to this strategy so as to remain differentiated (Andrews, 2010). According fact that we decided to focus on a relatively narrow target market, KUGY decided that trying to study more segments could jeopardize our current business. When presenting a new model KUGY stuck to segments whose customers’ needs are comparable so as to avoid â€Å"being stuck in the middle† as Porter cites it (Andrews, 2010). We all agreed that changing our strategy could lead our team to fail. Regarding the company decisions and overall performance we decided to stick to this strategy. Nevertheless, according to the fact that we defined every model to be one separate market based strategic business unit, the production and marketing activities achieved within the business units varied to an extent. The strategy used to every SBU was also a focus strategy. However the methods used to attain differentiation varied. For instance, we decided to reveal our luxurious car model by using newspapers and dealer incentives instead of TV advertising that we used for our medium and large car models. Additionally, we decided upon less radical price rises for our medium and large cars in comparison with our luxurious model. KUGY’s achievement can be measured thanks to its profits. Furthermore, in the second year, our corporation’s profits have been rising yearly, which signifies a good tendency in achievement. When looking at our overall profit calculation, as Pr = (P*Q – Q*VC – FC), with P (Price), Pr (Profit), Q (Quantities demanded), FC (fixed cost) and VC (variable cost), the most significant factor on revenue was the constant annual price rises as contrasting to  quantities demanded that raised regularly. Concerning the cost, overall cost was mostly defined by elevated fixed costs for marketing/advertising, product research and development, and competition and market research. KUGY’s competitive advantage was based on these considerable investments that allowed us to raise prices. According to the fact that we were making profit, our strategy appeared to work quite well, but it was unexpected to what extent price was receptive when comparing to all the efforts we put into our marketing and products. We were amazed how little we could raise the price keeping in mind how much money and effort we put into perceived customer value/benefits and the quality of our products. It would not have been fair to contest the elasticity used for profit calculations by the creators of the game, according to the fact that we lack the mathematical understanding to do so. Though it was quite disappointing when realising how little difference measures such as increased research and development, optimised marketing efforts and improved features made in comparison to changes in price. After comparing this business game with the real life, businesses that obey to the differentiation focus strategy such as Porsche or LVMH are making a lot of profits. Nevertheless, these firms have been into their business for decades and have invested considerable resources and efforts to attain their profit margins and their position within the market. I assume that if we would have played this business game for a longer period of time, applying a differentiation-focused strategy could have possibly resulted to a higher profit margin overall. However, theory and practice are very different. Particularly in very competitive industries such as the car industry and especially in times of considerable economic fluctuations, price seems to be the main factor when it’s about making purchasing decisions. Moreover, in my opinion, trying to attain maximised profitability by a cost leadership method in this business game is perhaps easier and less time consuming in comparison to KUGY’s strategy according to the fact that the players do not have to change the same amount of parameters and pay as much attention to few variables besides quantit ies demanded and price differences. While observing the data from both competition and market reports, trying to draw conclusions and also conducting endless amounts of test was sometimes very exhausting but at the same time very addictive. I have to admit I have very benefited from contributing in this business game  experience. My group work with George Yaniv and Kristijan was on of the rare first good teamwork experience I had in the last three years at Richmond University and even if we ran into some problems over the simulation game, we always took time to talk about it and try to find solutions to those issues. The fact that we were meeting on a regular basis has really facilitated the cohesion into our group. Moreover, everyone has contributed equally to the overall outcome, concerning creative inputs, estimating data, drawing conclusions and essentially trying to put it into decisions. I sincerely appreciated working with my group members and after every round of the game we sometimes had extra discussions on this topic. We all agreed that the key issue with implementing a strategy was that there is no right answer and hence no fundamental truth in this topic area. There are a lot of different methods to attain profitability and uncountable factors within the ever-changing industry environment that can affect a company’s profitably. When implementing a strategy all those factors need to be taken into consideration so as to allow the company to react properly to modifications in its environment. The theoretical part of implementing a strategy remained difficult, while the practical achievement were even harder. When KUGY understood that we could not be able to raise prices to the extent we hunted so as to to attain estimated profit margins, we started to question our approach and wondered if the decisions we took in the beginning were still suitable. We finally decided to stick to our strategy and accomplished a reasonable work with it even if it could have been better, but especially after we ended round three with a important loss, I really felt like we were not applying the good strategy and after brainstorming with our team and while everyone was trying to convince each other what to do we finally decided to stick to our first plan. I believe that managers in real firms who need to communicate and defend their strategic decision to their superiors, board of directors or employees cope with real difficulties. However, contributing in this business simulation game was a fun and very addictive experience and I really think I benefited a lot from it. I also hope that the experience I gained from it will at some point be useful in the future me when I will have to take my first strategic decisions. Bibliography Tregoe, B., Zimmerman, J., Schuster, S., 2008. Top Management Strategy? Harvard Business Review April 2008. Available at: http://www.nickols.us/strategy_definitions.pdf/ [Accessed 13 April 2014] Andrews, K., 2010. The Concept of Corporate Strategy, 3rd Edition. Financial Times Prentice Hall. [Accessed 13 April 2014] Porter, E., 1997. What is Strategy? Harvard Business Review Nov-Dec2008. Available at: http://www.nickols.us/strategy_definitions.pdf [Accessed 13 April 2014]