Technological developements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Technological developements - Essay Example In earlier years, photography was represented in paintings and similar artworks. During these periods, the development of the painting tube served as a greater milestone towards the developments that occurred in photography. The development led to the urge for advanced impressions created that were brought about by the development of the camera. Impressionism contributed to the need for creation of more expressive images thus leading to further developments in photography and other expressive arts (Sefton-Green 5). Over the years, the camera has dominated in the provision of almost perfect pictures. The development of the camera has considerably contributed to other advancements in photography with the development of motionless pictures technologies. These technologies have led to the development of movies and documentaries that are considered significant progressions in photography. Digital camera has proved a cut through in modern photography, given that it has considerably contributed to the further developments of cutting-edge technologies, involving production of images that appear perfect than images from earlier developments. Photo Restoration Software is considered a cutting-edge technology that offers the populace a chance to view the old photos in the most modern manner. It renews old photography thus leading to the betterment of the old memories. The software makes the photos look most recent after some time of decreasing quality of paper as well as color utilized in earlier photography. Japan has managed to develop a camera that offers 3D images that are real through improvement of camera versions, in other countries such as Europe and America. The camera is an invention by Fujifilm that does not utilize nerdy glasses in its operations. The pinhole was utilized in the development of negatives that contributed enormously to photography where the negatives have been utilized in

American Education Continues to Discriminate against Minority Groups Essay

American Education Continues to Discriminate against Minority Groups - Essay Example   The slave masters did not want that since it would have led to the abolishment of slavery, which was a source of cheap labor. The American education system still discriminates against the minority groups in different ways than it used to in the past. This is the main reason why there are still very few minority group members working in the civil service as compared to their population numbers. The chances that the members of the minority groups have in realizing their dreams are strained since they have to overcome many obstacles most of which their majority peers do not have to deal with. These obstacles are usually related to discrimination because of being a member of a minority group (Douglass 2). This then increases the chances for the minority members to drop out of school and become poor. According to statistical data, African Americans have twice the chance of becoming poor as compared to the white majority. The education system also pushes them towards the justice system through continued discrimination. This leads to the statistical confirmation that members of the minority groups are eight times more likely to be convicted as compared to their white counterparts on serious crimes that mostly involve drugs. With respect to education level, statistical data indicates that an approximated 75% of blacks have managed to acquire post-high school education while 85% of whites have managed the same (Deutsch 14). This indicates that the chances given to both groups are different, as fewer opportunities are given to minorities in economic, political, and social positions. This can be backed up through the idea that the number of minorities in these positions is not proportional to their population. The chances of being admitted to universities are also very slim for minority groups.     

Affects of Supply and Demand on Business Term Paper

Affects of Supply and Demand on Business - Term Paper Example d making the management to take the necessary course of action.Analysis of the market forces helps departmental decision making in that each and every section of the business optimizes resource allocation to minimize costs and maximize productivity in a bid to meet the demand in the market.Table of Contents Introduction Basic Laws and Principles of Demand and Supply Demand Side Supply Side Equilibrium Discussion Conclusion Works Cited Introduction Demand can be viewed as the quantity of goods and services that the market, consumers,is willing to purchase and consume within a given period of time and at a certain price. Demand varies from time to time due to rationality of the consumers; changes of preference and tastes,changes of their economic levels and statuses,and other market conditions such as changes of cost of production that influence price fluctuations.Supply on the other hand refers to the resource and or the quantity availed to the market by the producers within a given p eriod of time dictated by the prevailing market conditions. ... d services; a factor of manufacturing costs, competition, market conditions and the quality of the product, and the buyers determine the quantity of the product/ service they are willing to purchase and consume at the price level presented by the suppliers/ producers (Brennan and Rowan 6-9; Nasrin 1-20). In monopolistic markets forces of demand and supply may not influence the price of the product/ service and vice versa thus in this paper we shall evaluate and analyze the effects of supply and demand on a business in a competitive market (Reuvid 2-6). Basic Laws and Principles of Demand and Supply To understand how demand and supply impacts on a business, we need to evaluate their market mechanisms in relation to price so as to understand how they influence actions of the business at given times within the production cycles, which can be analyzed by understanding the their interaction aspects. Whenever the demand increases but the supply remains the same or unchanged, there is short age of goods and services in the market leading to a higher equilibrium price. Whenever demand decreases and the supply remain unchanged, there is surplus supply of goods and services which lead to lower equilibrium price. Whenever supply increases and demand remain unchanged, there is a surplus leading to a lower equilibrium price Whenever supply decreases and the demand is unchanged, there is a shortage of supply leading to a higher in equilibrium price Demand Side To understand how the demand of goods impact on a business venture we shall evaluate the demand schedule and relate it to the immediate decisions that the management make and the course of adjustments. As discussed earlier the demand of a given commodity will vary with time depending on factors such as price; changes of income,

Retail Industry Comparison of China and United States Essay

Retail Industry Comparison of China and United States - Essay Example Retailing has advanced with technology and now we have what we call online retailing as well. There are different types of retail outlets. They are classified according to the products they sell and by marketing strategies. There are the types that do not fall in the two and are classified as others. Retailers of products are food products retailers, hard goods retailers and soft goods retailers. Retailers classified by marketing strategies are the most. They include, department stores, discount store, warehouse stores, variety stores, demographic retailers, Mom-And-Pop retailers, specialty stores, boutiques, general store, hypermarkets, supermarkets, malls, Category specialist, e-tailers, and vending machines. Automated retail stores and big box stores fall in the others category (Pradhan & Pradhan, 2009). Retail Industry in China China’s retail industry is now ranked as the second largest in the world after the USA. The chain stores and Chain supermarkets serving the daily n eeds of the people appeared in china in around a decade ago and they rapidly grew to the extent of being the second largest retail market worldwide. However, there is no dominant player in the retail industry despite its rapid growth, unlike the USA that has dominant players like Wal-Mart and others. Its rapid growth can be owed to the government of China in 1992. The government launched a series of policies to promote fast, orderly and healthy growth of the industry. One of the policies was permitting foreign investment in retailing. The government of China, by 1997, had approved about twenty-four foreign-invested stores. Hundreds of foreign-invested retailing, however, had been established before then after seeking approval from the provincial and municipal authorities (Zhen, 2007). The retailing sector of China is highly fragmented accommodating both medium sized and small retailers. This is different with the United States that have a dominating presence of big retailers. This i s because of the barriers local market access. China does however brag of a wide range of retail formats. Department stores are one of the earliest formats of retail outlets. They were very popular before but they are now facing competition and fighting to stay ahead. Examples of department stores in China are Parkson, Beijing Cuiwei, Golden Eagle, and Shenzhen Suibao. Another retail outlet format is the hypermarkets whose development are owed to the international retailers. Wal-Mart, Mart Shanghai, Trust-Mart, Tesco, and Carrefour are examples of hypermarkets. Supermarkets are another retail outlet that is facing competition. Domestic players dominate this highly fragmented market. Examples of supermarkets in china are Baijia Supermarket and A-Best Supermarket. Convenience stores are not fully developed retailers but are already facing competition from especially from domestic chains. Quick of LianHua is an example of convenience store in China. Specialty stores are retail outlets dominated by domestic players with foreign investment being very limited. Examples are GOME and Suning. Discount stores are still evolving and the first one was introduced in 2003 by Carrefour. Franchising retailing constitutes for around three percent of the total retail market of china with a huge potential for growth in the future. Examples are Pizza Hut, MacDonald’s, KFC, and 7-eleven. Direct selling is another retailing format of china. Its potential for future growth is large. Examples of direct selling retailers are AMWAY, Avon,

Functionalism, weberian and postmodern theories of class

Functionalism, weberian and postmodern theories of class Karl Marx developed the idea of Marxism between 1818 and 1883. He believed that the basis of class was driven by the mode of production and that class division in society was based on economic power, With the workers, the proletariat, being ruled and exploited by the ruling class, the bourgeoisie. Marx described the Proletariat as being the subordinate class who sold their labour power to the ruling class, the Bourgeoisie. The proletariat made their living by working for profit making companies where they had no power over business decisions. On this basis Marx said society was in continual conflict, with an unequal relationship between the rich and poor where the poor were exploited. Marx said that the relentless pursuit of profit was at the heart of the conflict that he called Capitalism. The surplus wealth made as a result of profit, staying with the Bourgeoisie. The workers were exploited to increase profit with longer working hours and harder working conditions in order to produce as much profit as possible for the wealthy. The workers did not benefit from this profit. Marx believed the working classes suffered from false class-consciousness. They were brainwashed and did not realise that they were being exploited and being fooled by the media and education into believing capitalism was fair. However, Marx believed that society would eventually become polarised leading to two extremes with rich and poor leading very different lifestyles, having very different life chances and opportunities to education and health, so that eventually the workers would revolt and start a revolution. A criticism of the Marx theory of social class is that his view was too deterministic. He limits his theory to the idea of economic power and the relationship between the Proletariat and the Bourgeoisie. However there are many other conflicts in society such as religion, nationality and gender. These conflicts cannot be explained in terms of economic power. Marx made predictions that have not come true such as a life of poverty for the working classes. This has proved false. Living standards for the working class have improved with the introduction of the welfare state and the compulsory education system. These benefits have given the working class better life chances, with the opportunity to gain a profession and become socially mobile, thus the Middle class has grown. Marx also predicted that communism would eventually replace Capitalism. This has not happened and in Eastern Europe communism has been rejected. We could also argue that rather than the working class being brainwashed into a false class-consciousness, they could actually be sensibly reconciled to capitalism, where they can earn a decent days wage for an honest days work without the responsibility of making important decisions whilst still able to maintain a good standard of living for their family. Also, voting rights and trade unions have given the working classes more power and influence than that predicted by Marx. Marx also predicted that their would be a revolution, however the working classes were more interested in improving their own pay and working conditions than overthrowing the Bourgeoisie. It could be that we accept this stratification because we see the benefit of where that economy supports our lifestyle no matter what our class. Another theory of social class is the functionalist described by Emile Durkheim 1858-1917 this theory is based on a value consensus with shared values and norms creating harmony, integration and equilibrium. Functionalist do not recognise the Marxist view of a society in conflict. Durkheim thought that social stratification is positive and beneficial to social order, comparing society to the human body with each class like an organ of the body, having an important role essential for overall well being. He saw the basis of class as a meritocracy where society is based on a reward system. We receive merits for achievements based on our incomes and status, educational ability and occupation with society existing of high and low achievers Davis and Moore 1945 support the Functionalist approach theory stating that social stratification exists in all humans societies, such as the family and religion and so therefore it must be functional and beneficial. Davis and Moore believe that social stratification is a devise by which the most important roles are filled by the most qualified person. They defined functionalist importance according to the uniqueness of the position and the ability of others to perform the task. Therefore doctors are judged to be more important than nurses as doctors would be able to take on the role of a nurse but nurses would not be able to do the job of a doctor. Davis and Moore also believed that by awarding unequal rewards people will continue to work hard to keep these rewards and not loose a particular lifestyle and all the trappings that come with it such as home, car and holidays. Tumin was a critic of this analysis. He said that certain functions in any society are more important than others. How do we know which functions are more important and who makes that decision? He also argued that people could be attracted to jobs for reasons other than high financial reward and status, such as job satisfaction and a sense of duty and service. Another criticism of the functionalist theory could be that nurses do a very important job and are not rewarded accordingly and that we have people in positions of power, earning high salaries, that do not deserve such status and salary. Entrance in to high status and salary professions such as law and medicine are often limited to those with access to the best education, often private, and the most expensive Universities therefore keeping all the power and wealth within a certain class, those who already have wealth and power. The majority of positions in our Government; the people in power are held by people that attended the top private schools in the country. With the present economic climate there is real resentment for the unequal distribution of pay and wealth and anger grows at fat cat levels of pay and the huge bonuses paid out to company directors and those that work in the finance sector. The functionalist approach ignores the dysfunction of stratification, in that poverty is a major problem for many people with a negative impact on life chances such as health education, mortality and family life. This poverty traps them in a certain lifestyle with limited opportunity to improve life chances. Max Weber 1864-1920 proposed a different theory on social class called Weberianism he introduced the idea of social class being linked to marketability. Weber agreed with Marx that social inequality resulted from a struggle for scarce resources in society (Moore et al 2006). He agreed that this struggle was mainly concerned with economic recources, however he introduces a third dimension such as status and political power. We can identify with this idea by looking at powerful trade union leaders such as Arthur Scargill who would see themselves as staunchly working class, whilst holding a position of great power and influence. Weber believes that society can be competitive with individuals able to fight for economic gain status and political power (Moore et al 2006). Weber divided society into seven different classes of hierarchy with an upper class at the top and an underclass at the bottom but does not distinguish clearly between the classes. Weber believes it is hard to define as people may be untruthful about their wealth and that we have varying degrees of power of control at different times. The identity tags of a certain class are more available to all, such as new cars and holidays. The working classes may obtain these experiences and material possessions on credit however that would not be clear to someone looking on from the outside, making it harder to be placed in a particular class group. Weber also recognised the importance of social networking as a means of gaining a particular lifestyle. Groups such as the Masons offer this as people from different professions as diverse as doctors and plumbers get together to support each other with a system of favours, supporting the saying its not what you know its who you know. Max Weber predicted that society would be become more fragmented with the many different layers of class. This contradicts Marx who believed that society would become polarised with just two extremes of rich and poor. The main criticism of the Weber theory is that he underestimates the importance of class divisions in society. Weber also ignores the link between status class and political power, which is evident when looking at the social class of those who hold positions of power in our country today. All are mainly middle or upper class from a privileged background of wealth and private education. A more recent argument has been put forward by Paluski and Waters (1996) who believe that class is dead. This view is called Postmodernism and they believe that profound social changes such as globalisation means that class divisions are now actually status divisions. This is a very different way of defining society. It is believed that society is now too fluid and diverse to be able to define our identity and behaviour by a class system. We must understand the role of consumerism and the world media in shaping our identity. Postmodernists believe that we can buy the image that we wish to portray and this then becomes our identity. Polemus (1997) believes that we now live in a pick and mix society where there is a mix of so many identities that it becomes impossible to pigeon hole people into a particular class.

Replacement Advertising on the Web - Is it Legally and Ethically Essay

Replacement Advertising on the Web - Is it Legally and Ethically Acceptable? Summary ======= This report discusses the legality and ethics of a new piece of software launched in February 2001, which allows ISP's to overlay advertising banners on any web page on the net with adverts sold by, and controlled by them. Investigations led to discussions about Copyright infringement and European Competition Law. Many examples of Case Law were also investigated for their possible links with issues arising from the use of this software. Introduction ============ This report is being written to try to understand the issues raised, both legally and ethically, by the release of a new piece of software (Fotino) onto the Internet market. In an attempt to answer whether this software is an acceptable addition to the world of the web, only replacement advertising as facilitated by Fotino software will be considered. This is due to the fact that since my investigations into this subject began other software packages have come to light, which may be able to perform this function in a slightly different way. The problem posed by this software has required investigations from both a practical and theoretical standpoint, in that in practice the software has not yet been adopted by any of the Internet Service Providers (ISP's) and so cannot be fully investigated along this route, yet from investigation I have been able to see the software in action from it's marketing campaign. From a theoretical point of view I have investigated existing laws and cases that I think may be used in the future, either for or against the use of this software, should any of the legal and ethical issues raised be fought in a court of law. This report is being written for anyone who may have an interest in developing technologies and how they affect both the technological world and society as a whole, ethically and legally. This report will raise issues about the catch-up situation of the legal system and the fast developing world of the internet. Due to the speed at which the world of computers develops I do not feel that this report will provide answers to the problem, but will merely provoke discussion and thought about many issues. The Managing Director of Meltingpoint Technologies - the company who developed the Fotino software, has requested a c... ...opean Community Law. London: Blackstone Press Ltd. pp 250-267. Web Sites --------- Hunt, J, 2001. Guardian Unlimited [online]. UK: Guardian. Available at: URL:http://wwwguardian.co.uk/archive/article/0,4273,4136232,00.html [Accessed 18th February 2001]. Lambert, J, 2001. Electronic Telegraph City News Headlines [online]. UK: Electronic Telegraph. Available at: [Accessed 24th February 2001]. (Author unknown), 1997. Lawtel Case Law [online]. UK: Lawtel. Available at: [Accessed 4th March 2001] (Author and year unknown), Analysis - Agency-client Contracts [online]. UK: Marketing Law. Available at: [Accessed 20th February 2001]. Case Law -------- Cooper v Stephens [1895] 1 Ch 567 Shetland Times Ltd v Dr Jonathan Wills [1997] FSR 604 Sinanide v La Maison Kosmeo [1928] 139 LT 365 Spectravest Inc v Aperknit Ltd [1988] FSR 161 United Brands Co. v Commission (Case 27/76) [1978] ECR 207 Volk v Etablissements Vervaecke Sprl (Case 5/69) [1969] ECR 295 Statutes -------- The Copyright Act 1956 The Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988 s 16(1), s 17(2), s 20 European Competition Law Article 85(1) European Competition Law Article 86

Marketing Week Essay

Being able to target certain people can be tricky sometimes specially if you don’t know what you’re doing or what your target is. You have to be able to sell yourself as well as the product and who better to sell Girl Scout cookies then young girls. The Girl Scouts mainly target the middle and upper class families with kids in the same age group as the girls in the Girl Scout organization. Cookie sales have grown into a major money marketing operation, bringing in over $714 million a year. However, cookie sales have declined one percent each year for the past six years. The Girl Scouts have made several changes to the program that they hope will help spark sales and create cost saving opportunities. The Girl Scout troops will be selling cookie boxes for four dollars apiece, up from the $3. 50 price mandated in 2006. The Girl Scouts will also be asking certain troops to reduce their cookie lineups to six varieties. 2) How well do you think the Girl Scouts succeed in relationship marketing? Examine the different factors on which relationship marketing depends. The top six selling cookies that the Girl Scouts sell are Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Samoa’s, Lemon Chalet Cremes, and, Tagalongs account for about 77 percent of cookie sales, and many attempts to create cookies geared toward specific markets have not fared well in the recent years. The Dulce de leche cookies, based on classic Latin America treats were design to appeal to Hispanic markets as part of the Girl Scouts broader diversity initiatives. However, sales figures did not seem to indicate any particular market preference for that variety. A ‘’diabetic friendly’’ sugar free chocolate ship variety also failed to generate a significant sales boost. While each Girl Scout does not keep the income from her sales troop members see the direct benefits of their efforts these kinds of strategies help reinforce the broader purpose of the cookie program such as teaching girls valuable lessons in marketing and career training. The Girl Scouts specify five essential life skills that the cookie program focuses on developing goal setting, decision making, money, management, people skills, and business ethics. As Councils are shifting their focuses onto better business approaches and skill development, many are hosting sales training seminars. 3) Although some people take away clear benefits from selling Girl Scout cookies, not every Girl Scout is going to go into a marketing career, and many might find the job of cookie selling particularly difficult. Do you think the experience of cookie selling, and more generally the lessons you might learn from this course about marketing and sales, can still be beneficial, especially to someone who might find the activities challenging? The Council of Nassau country, New York brought in professional sales trainer Jeff Goldberg, who teaches the Scouts the same techniques he would use for any other business. Says Goldberg, ‘’ Goal setting, which was the first thing we covered. Is the first thing I cover with any group of sales people, if you don’t have a goal with any group of sales people? If you don’t have a goal, how are you going to get there? The Nassau county council is encouraging all girls to try to sell 100 boxes important sales strategies brainstorming methods and places for selling, self-presentation cues like smiling being polite, and thanking customers (even if they don’t buy anything); and turning around reluctant buyers with questions such as ‘’ what’s your favorite cookie? And’’ Can I get you to buy just one box? The Girl Scouts also emphasized the importance that girls personally do the selling; while parents must company Scouts during sales initiatives and can assist in other ways.

Why did the US find it impossible to defeat the Vietcong?

There were a number of problems facing US forces when fighting the war in Vietnam. Perhaps one of the biggest problems that they faced was the fact that the Vietcong were fighting using guerrilla tactics: fighting on a small scale, taking independent, irregular actions.The Vietcong depended on stealth, concealment, and surprise attacks and ambushes. Guerrilla warfare spread as Vietminh soldiers who were trained and armed in the North – the Vietcong, returned to their homes in the south to assassinate, ambush and sabotage. Unlike conventional wars in which the Americans may have fought, the war in Vietnam had no defined front lines. Much of the fighting consisted of hit and run attacks, with the guerrillas striking at government outposts and then retreating into the jungles.Most of the US soldiers were also caught out by booby traps set up by the Vietcong. These ranged from simple holes in the ground to metal spikes covered in poison or human excrement. Despite their sophistica ted weapons, the Americans could not eradicate the skillful and determined rebellions of the Vietcong.Another thing that made fighting the war difficult for the Americans was the uniform that the Vietcong wore. Their uniforms consisted of black pajamas and shirts, with straw hats. This led to a great lack of trust among the Vietnamese and the Americans, as they were unable to distinguish between real Vietnamese civilians and Vietcong soldiers in disguise.The Vietcong were also able to remain well hidden with their extensive underground tunnel system, which reached 250 kilometers in length. There were underground kitchens, weapon stores, dormitories, hospitals and rest areas. These tunnels made it increasingly difficult for the US forces to find the Vietcong.By 1966, the Americans began a series of ‘Search and Destroy Missions' in order to hunt down the Vietcong. The problem was that, by doing this, they began to loose the trust of, and ‘alienated' the Vietnamese civilian s. More importantly the American public began to doubt whether or not they were the ‘good guys’ in this war and grew increasingly dissatisfied with the nations war policy. The American government began losing the support of the public once they witnessed reports about the war and events such as the My Lai massacre.The unfamiliar terrain and conditions in Vietnam also made life more difficult for the US forces. The intense heat made it difficult for them to see where they were going, carry weapons and move swiftly. As much of Vietnam was covered in jungle, swamp and paddy fields, it soon became clear that the terrain was unsuitable for tanks.