Black And Decker Case Study free essay sample

Though Bamp;D leads in the other two segments, it could not capture the tradesmen segment due to the following reasons. Bamp;D was branded more as home tools; it lacked in capitalizing one of the most profitable distribution channels (membership clubs) whereas the same channel proved to be very successful for Makita (85%); the unremarkable grey color did not help Bamp;D; and while Bamp;D was focused in three segments, Makita was focused on only one segment of the market. Therefore, Joseph Galli, Vice president of sales and marketing for Bamp;D, has to decide which one of the three marketing strategies must be implemented to take, the market share in the Professional-Tradesmen segment, away from the current leader Makita. Recommendation: I would recommend Bamp;D to use the strategy of Re-branding i. e; using DeWalt name and the color yellow in order to regain Professional-Tradesmen segment market share. We will write a custom essay sample on Black And Decker Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The reasons behind the above recommendation are explained in the following paragraphs Option 1 requires Bamp;D to focus only on the Consumer and Professional-industrial markets while ignoring tradesmen market. Since the tradesmen segment market is growing at a larger rate than the consumer and Industrial segments, alienating that market would give rise to more losses in the future. Dropping the tradesmen segment would also decrease brand awareness for Bamp;D which might increase the sales of competitors as consumers (home tools) may base their purchasing decisions on what the expert uses. Option 2 of sub-branding might theoretically raise its brand image but the potential for sub-branding may be a risky option. This is based on the fact that currently 98% of the tradespeople are aware of the brand and only 44% agree it’s ‘one of the best’. Therefore trades people will not be able to change their attitude towards the sub-brand as they recognize Bamp;D as the creator and this will not increase the market share as expected. The recommended Option 3 of Re-branding the tools with DeWalt and industrial yellow for the Professional-tradesmen segment can cast off the negative branding image from quality products. Bamp;D’s product quality is strongly competitive in the large majority of product categories when compared to the other brands. Since Bamp;D is suffering from Brand name image in this segment it would be wise to re-brand in that segment. The DeWalt received 70% awareness and also 63% agreed that it ‘Is one of the best’ in the research study thereby confirming that it is a suitable replacement name. The industrial yellow color is a bold color representing safety which is not used by any other power tool brands. Hence it would have positive associations. As the DeWalt line’s positive market perception grow, the color will be easier to identify the professional –tradesmen segment line and will be automatically associated with high quality goods. This option could eliminate the following threats. Losing market share is not applicable as it is only 9% and hence does not leave any problem; By isolating the Bamp;D name from tradesmen segment with a new brand name, the risk of damage to other two segments is minimal; and if DeWalt fails, then the retailers and consumers will associate the failure with DeWalt than with Bamp;D. Thus DeWalt should replace the Bamp;D name and change the color to industrial yellow so that the professional tradesmen segment tools can be recognized as brand new.

Free Essays on Shacking

Within in the past years, the number of unmarried couples living together has increased dramatically. There are, however, some people who still disagree with â€Å"shacking†, claiming that it is inappropriate and irresponsible, as well as simply distasteful. These opinions are out-dated and irrational. Living with one’s partner before being wed is far from being immoral. If anything, it is one very good way to determine if the marriage will work. As in any relationship, time is of the essence and with each day there is another lessoned learned. One thing that should be learned about one’s partner is the way that he or she lives. This cannot be completely understood until the two persons in the relationship share living quarters with each other. There should be a time in every courtship that is dedicated to the experience of learning each other’s living habits because without that time, there are likely to be many problems within the home that could have been alleviated before marriage. You can only learn another person through time and patience and it can’t be disputed that it is better to learn as much as you can about the person you intend to spend the rest of your life with before that time officially begins. Many people are disgraced by the dramatic rise in the divorce rate, however, if people would spend more time dating one another, learning about their partners, and experiencing as much as possibl e with their m! ates before the wedding day them some of the problems that lead to divorce, such as incompatibility, would not be such an factor. When unmarried couples live together, it allows those persons involved to learn and grow together as a unit. It is imperative to the success of any relationship that the involved persons honor and respect each other as individuals and cherish the unity between them. Living together is a perfect way to strengthen both these aspects of a successful relationship. Many people, when ... Free Essays on Shacking Free Essays on Shacking Within in the past years, the number of unmarried couples living together has increased dramatically. There are, however, some people who still disagree with â€Å"shacking†, claiming that it is inappropriate and irresponsible, as well as simply distasteful. These opinions are out-dated and irrational. Living with one’s partner before being wed is far from being immoral. If anything, it is one very good way to determine if the marriage will work. As in any relationship, time is of the essence and with each day there is another lessoned learned. One thing that should be learned about one’s partner is the way that he or she lives. This cannot be completely understood until the two persons in the relationship share living quarters with each other. There should be a time in every courtship that is dedicated to the experience of learning each other’s living habits because without that time, there are likely to be many problems within the home that could have been alleviated before marriage. You can only learn another person through time and patience and it can’t be disputed that it is better to learn as much as you can about the person you intend to spend the rest of your life with before that time officially begins. Many people are disgraced by the dramatic rise in the divorce rate, however, if people would spend more time dating one another, learning about their partners, and experiencing as much as possibl e with their m! ates before the wedding day them some of the problems that lead to divorce, such as incompatibility, would not be such an factor. When unmarried couples live together, it allows those persons involved to learn and grow together as a unit. It is imperative to the success of any relationship that the involved persons honor and respect each other as individuals and cherish the unity between them. Living together is a perfect way to strengthen both these aspects of a successful relationship. Many people, when ...

The huge salaries of some top athletes from an economic perspective Essay

The huge salaries of some top athletes from an economic perspective - Essay Example The paper tells that in the opinions of many researchers and media personalities, the salaries of athletes are too high. However, judging from a series of empirical studies and economic theory arguments, the opposite of this notion is true. Few players earn extremely high wages, most likely due to the innate characteristics of the sport labour markets both on the production and on demand sides. Through the introduction of broadcasting channels in the second half of the 20th century, the salaries of players have substantially grown, as people have exhibited exceeding interest in the need to watch sports as a preferable entertainment mode. Looking into the wages of the highest earning players, boxing produced the top two earners. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao top the list with the latter earning $160million, $140 less than that earned by the former. Soccer had the third and four largest earners Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who pocket $79.6million and $73.8million respectiv ely. Roger Federer and Lebron James become the highest paid tennis and basketball players, earning $67 million and $64.8million respectively. The demand for labour in the sport market is a derived demand, which depends on the final product’s demand produced by the labour. The rigid supply of sport stars explains why the wages of professional sport stars is relatively high. The quality of demand and production of professional sport stars is not dependent on the increasing or decreasing numbers of consumers, though the market has a structure that can prevent practices such as free riding.

Identify the principal powers available to the courts in England & Essay

Identify the principal powers available to the courts in England & Wales in connection with statutory interpretation. How does t - Essay Example One system of employment tribunals that works for England, Wales, and Scotland also exists. In both England and Wales, the house of lords handles matters of highest appeals. In such cases, only the law lords are charged with the responsibility of proceeding over these cases. The Supreme Court judicature act 1873 however abolished this. This was done through the elections where the parliament passed the bill to have the Supreme Court in place. However, an amendment preserving the judicial function of the House of Lords was passed. The court was then used to handle impeachment cases in England, even though nowadays they are considered Magistrate court refers to the lower courts in which all criminal proceedings begin. Certain civil issues can also be decided in these courts, these include family matters (Probert, 2011). These courts have been meant in such a way that they can deliver justice in a swift and simple mean. In England and Wales, there are many magistrates’ courts; th e number is approximate to be over 360. The jurisdiction of these courts lays o the various powers that the legal system gives them. Offences especially those termed as summary offences are often considered small offences and are thus punishable under the powers of magistrates’ limited courts. ... Indictable offences may include rape, murder, and robbery among others. The cases here are heard by the judges at district judge in the magistrate or by three bench magistrate. The magistrate courts have no jury. The police undertake the investigation of these cases and then the prosecution is done accordingly. Defendant can chose to hire to solicitor to represent them in court. This is often catered by the state. Jurisdiction and sentencing powers of the courts In regards to issues related to criminology, the magistrate courts also used to be referred to as police courts both in England and Wales were put in place to deal with little offences at a speedy manner. Nearly all the criminal cases begin and stop at this point. Serious crimes are often taken to crown courts. It is approximated that 95% of many cases are handed at this point. Least serious criminal offences like driving cases, criminal damage of minimal damage, drug possession, vandalism, and criminal damages. All these are dealt with at summery proceedings in the magistrate court. In such cases, the defendants lack the right to jury trial and they have no formal indictment (Miller & Jentz, 2011). The verdict lies in the hands of the magistrates and judges at the courts. Sentencing powers in the magistrate courts have certain limitations. There are certain offences that have their limitations. For instance, they are capable of inflicting fines up to five thousand US dollars and can pass an imprisonment sentence. When the magnitudes of offences are big, the limitation is often raised. This means that such cases can attract high fines of up to over $ 50, 0000. There are certain cases like driving offences where the driver can be penalized by being disqualified from driving for some time. Such cases

Good mentor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Good mentor - Essay Example One of the most significant characteristics within a good mentor should be that he must know that all his actions and behaviors would be taken on by the people who believe in him and follow him staunchly. This means that he must be aware of the fact that his proponents have a positive vibe about him and there should be no negativity involved within the following domains that crop up on a regular basis. The good mentor should always be sure that he is being followed by the people around him or even when he is not being watched by someone. There is always someone who keeps a tap on him because indeed he is a good mentor at the end of the day. Another characteristic of a good mentor is that he will put his money where his mouth is. This would suggest for his truthfulness because he is being followed by a large cross-section of the society and thus his words and statements need to be taken on by people who belong to varied genres and strata (Cox, 2000). Hence it is a given that these people know the truthfulness aspect is present within the mentor and that he firmly believes in the same premise nonetheless. The element of honesty is being seen as closely related with a good mentor because if he does not believe in being honest and truthful about his own dealings, the people that follow him would start getting alienated from him and their distance would increase as a result of the same undertakings. This mentor will also keep association with the people who strongly advocate for him and who mean serious compliance with him and his respective domains. It would mean that he is honorable for the people in giving them sound advice and offers them a word for whatever they think about him and the different world affairs. This mentor can only become a good one if he knows the proper and true meaning of remaining forthright with his own domains, and thus links his positive self with the people that are around him or lie in close

Hedgerow Management in Pastoral Landscapes

Hedgerow Management in Pastoral Landscapes Abstract Hedgerows are an important part of the British landscape, providing both food and shelter for a number of taxa. As part of the UK government’s Environmental Stewardship (ES) Scheme, farmers are granted subsidies for, amongst other things, ‘enhanced hedgerow management’. Although hedgerow management under ES is expected to have beneficial effects for taxa such as invertebrates and birds, less is known about the effects ES management will have on small mammal communities. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this ‘enhanced hedgerow management’ is affecting hedgerow characteristics in pastoral landscapes and whether small mammal abundances are increased under ES managed hedgerows. ‘Conservation buffer strips’ (2m+ unimproved grassy margins) were investigated as a possible improvement to ES hedgerow management. Using live trapping methods, I investigated small mammal abundances in ES managed hedgerows compared with non-ES managed hedgerows. Wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus and bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus were the most abundant species, with some captures of field voles Microtus agrestis and common shrews Sorex araneus. Small mammal abundances were increased in ES managed hedgerows, however, the presence of a ‘conservation buffer strip’ was more significant in increasing small mammal densities. ES management showed no definite effect on the hedgerows’ characteristics. Introduction Agricultural intensification since the 1940s has led to widespread and significant reductions in the biodiversity of many agricultural areas. This drive for greater yields has been linked with the population decreases seen in many species of farmland specialists and non-specialists who often inhabit farmland (Robinson and Sutherland, 2002). Farmland habitats can be categorised into non-linear habitats such as set-aside, cropped fields and woodland areas, and linear habitats, generally field boundaries, such as ditches, banks, streams and hedgerows. These field boundaries remain relatively undisturbed areas and are therefore significant wildlife corridors within otherwise inhospitable agricultural landscapes (Tew, 1994). Although there continued to be a reduction in total area of hedgerows within the UK during the 80s and early 90s, the last decade has seen small increases in the area of hedgerow as their conservation significance became more documented (Barr and Gillespie, 2000). This increase in the number of hedgerows has been driven by government backed grants. Countryside Steward (CS), set up in 1991 encouraged selected farmers to enhance and conserve the wildlife within their farms, a large part of this involved the laying of new hedgerows. The CS schemes have now been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship Schemes. More recently, hedgerow grant pilot schemes have been set up in a number of regions to encourage landowners, both farmers and non-farmers to manage their hedgerows more effectively; these grants are available to pay for gapping up, hedge laying or coppicing. Small mammals in pastoral land are largely confined to hedgerows or other non-crop features and are therefore particularly vulnerable to intensification (Bates and Harris, 2009). Small mammal species constitute the main prey biomass for a number of species of mammals and birds, and therefore small mammal abundance directly influences the abundance and diversity of predator species contributing to the complexity of local food webs (Korpimaki and Norrdahl, 1991). There remains some debate on the importance of linear habitats for small mammals, with some suggesting that they cannot support viable populations, that those found in hedgerows are ‘sink’ populations (Tattersall et al. 2004). However, there is evidence that small mammal abundance and diversity does not depend on the linear or non-linear character of the habitat and that linear habitats can support viable populations (Gelling et al. 2007). Thus, in large expanses of uninhabitable grassland, field boundary hedgerows are of great importance for maintaining small mammal populations in an agricultural landscape, but differing farming practices can lead to a huge variety in the quality of these habitats As the emphasis of farming has shifted there have been a number of agri-environment schemes introduced across Europe with the aim of reversing the effects of previous intensification and enhancing agricultural land for wildlife (Kleijn and Sutherland, 2003). The UK introduced a new set of farming standards in 2005 with farmers now guaranteed subsidy payments, known as ‘cross-compliance’, as long as they follow a set of prescribed conditions aimed at improving the environmental value of their farms. A compulsory code of good practice will preclude farming land within 2 m of the centre of a hedge (DEFRA, 2005a). Beyond cross-compliance subsidies, farmers can also apply to put their farmland into Environmental Stewardship (ES). ES is a tiered system, with Entry-Level ES designed to allow most farmers access to the payments by compiling a farm management plan that aims to improve the features of their farm for wildlife and to maintain/improve the scenic value of the British countryside. The enhanced hedgerow management option within ES requires that the farmer cut the hedge no more than once every 2 years, that hedgerows are cut during the winter and that cutting be staggered across the farm. The combined aim of these prescriptions is to ensure that at least some of the hedgerow is allowed to flower every summer (Defra, 2005b). Properly managed hedgerows are valuable features, playing a key role in enhancing the wildlife value of farmland. Flowering hedgerows are an important source of food and shelter for a number of birds (Hinsley and Bellamy, 2000). Studies suggest that the ES schemes will have a beneficial effect, mainly for taxa such as invertebrates and birds (Kleijn and Sutherland 2003), Whittingham (2007) emphasizes the importance of monitoring the effects of ES to ensure that the scheme’s prescriptions meet the needs of a greater range of species. It is much less well understood how the changes to hedgerow management will effect small mammal abundance, and it is important that there is greater understanding of the factors that influence small mammal populations since small mammals provide the major source of prey biomass for many larger predators (Love et al., 2000). Small mammals also play a role in a range of important ecosystem processes (Hayward and Phillipson, 1979). Previous studies have established the main effects of varying hedgerow management within arable landscapes (Shore et al. 2005). Arable environments provide cover for small mammals due to the height and density of the crop. Small mammals have been shown to make substantial use of the field at certain times of the year (Tattersall et al. 2001; Tew et al. 2000; Todd et al. 2000). However, no small mammal species have been shown to make use of agriculturally improved pastoral fields at any time of year (Montgomery and Dowie 1993). Grazed pastoral land provides very little cover, restricting the movements of resident small mammal communities. Therefore, hedgerow management in predominantly dairy and cattle areas will likely have a large influence on the success of small mammal populations (Gelling et al. 2007). In particular, the level of ground cover vegetation along the hedgerow and the presence of some form of non-farmed margin can significantly affect the small mammal abundance (Bates and Harris 2009, Gelling et al. 2007). The 2m margin prescribed by ‘cross compliance’ is irrelevant in terms of providing cover within pastoral landscapes. Although the 2m margin remains uncut and clear of interference from the farmer (no fertilisers), year round grazing will mean that little cover is offered right up to the base of the hedgerow. Therefore, whereas ES management may boost small mammal numbers within arable areas (Shore et al. 2005), the value of ES hedgerow management within pastoral landscapes is less well understood. I utilised a number of hedgerow sites to compare hedgerow structure and small mammal communities on ES farms versus non-ES farms. For each farm, one site was selected to be representative and one to include a significant (2m plus) conservation buffer strip of unimproved, non-grazed grass/shrubland. I aimed to investigate (i) how ES management effects the hedgerow characteristics, in particular the level of ground cover for small mammals (ii) whether these ES prescriptions are providing any significant benefit for small mammal densities and (iii) as the movements of small mammals within pastoral landscapes are so restricted, could small mammal assemblages in hedgerows be significantly improved by including an unimproved, non-grazed, grassy margin or ‘conservation buffer strip’ (2+m from the edge of the hedgerow). Methods Sites The study was conducted over 20 different farms spread across County Durham and Northumberland. The farms were selected due to their suitability for this study, each farm containing both a hedgerow site with a conservation buffer strip and at least one without. All farms selected were representative in terms of habitat of those within the local area. A hedgerow was defined as a continuous line of woody vegetation no more than 3m tall. Hedgerow Survey The farms were paired, with one ES farm neighbouring a non-ES farm, making 10 farm pairs and 20 farms in total. Hedgerow surveys were carried out throughout June 2009. 10 hedgerows were randomly selected on each farm. All hedgerows on each farm were surveyed using an edited version of the Defra Hedgerow Survey Form and handbook (DEFRA, 2007). Each hedgerow was measured to determine its cross-sectional area. The character of the hedgerow was scored by reference to a series of standard diagrams, noting the level of available ground level cover for small mammals (1=little or no vegetation cover at ground level, 2=gappy cover at ground level, 3=constant vegetation cover from hedgerows at ground level). Additional variables were recorded, including whether the hedge had been flailed (mechanically cut) recently, i.e. during the previous winter, the number of standard and veteran trees and the number of woody species within the hedgerow. The data sets for cross-sectional area, level of grou nd vegetation cover and the number of woody species were averaged to produce an overall mean value for each farm. The number of flailed hedgerows was summed to give an overall percentage of hedgerows flailed on each farm. Trapping Procedure Previous trapping studies have shown that, unlike in arable land, small mammals within pastoral land stay almost entirely within the hedgerows and therefore hedgerows can be treated as linear habitats (Gelling et al. 2007). Trapping was carried out in two major trapping sessions, mid-April to June and mid-July to August, 2009. Within each of the 20 farm sites I selected a representative hedgerow and a hedgerow flanked by an unimproved 2m+ grassy margin, designated a conservation buffer strip, making a total of 40 trapping sites. Where possible the hedgerow sites were selected randomly, however, each ES site was required to have been managed according to the prescriptions of Stewardship farming, i.e. the hedgerows were cut not more than once every two years and the farmers adhered to the prescribed 2m margin of non-interference (2m from the centre of the hedge) (DEFRA 2005a, DEFRA 2005b). Every hedgerow selected was flanked by improved or semi-improved grassland for the grazing of dai ry cattle and/or the production of silage. At each site, a 104m section of isolated hedgerow (not directly connected to woodland) was selected.13 Longworth traps were placed at ground level within the hedgerow, at 8m intervals. Traps were provisioned with hay, apple, oat grains and dried mealworm. The traps were set at dusk and checked at dawn and dusk for three days. All targeted animals that were captured were fur-clipped to help identify re-captures. Species, sex and weight were recorded for each animal before release at the point of capture. Analysis Hedgerow characteristics were recorded and analysed using a paired measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) (SPSS 17.0.2). I had multiple dependent variables that I wished to analyse, however, using multiple one-way ANOVAs to try to do this would have raised the probability of a Type I error (Gibson et al. 2007). Therefore the data was investigated using a MANOVA which controls the experiment-wide error rate. Multiple dependent variables that were related (e.g. Cross sectional area of hedge and amount of ground cover, etc.) were analysed in one test, with the hedgerow management (ES managed or non-ES managed) being treated as the two levels of the treatment factor (Gibson et al. 2007). There was a total of 4 dependent variables; the mean cross-sectional area, the percentage of flailed hedgerows, the average number of woody species and the mean level of ground cover. For each trapping session the relative density was estimated as the minimum number alive (MNA), or the total number of individuals caught over the three days. Species richness was calculated as the number of different species caught. Using General Linear Modelling (GLM; Minitab 15), I examined the relationships between small mammal densities and a number of predictor variables. The dependent variables I investigated were the overall total small mammal density (MNA) and the total biomass of all small mammals caught within 104m. I also investigated the density of each individual species, constructing similar models for the number of captures and biomass for each individual species. I focused on wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus and bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus. There were also some captures of field voles Microtus agrestis and common shrew Sorex araneus, these data were not investigated individually but were included in the total density of small mammals and the total biomass. The pr edictor variables considered were the presence/absence of ES management, the presence/absence of a conservation buffer strip and the number of standard and veteran trees within the hedgerow. The relationships were analysed using a backward stepwise GLM, with all main predictors and their first order interactions initially included within the model. The insignificant interactions were then removed. Each trapping session was carried out over 3 days on 4 sites on neighbouring farms, the variation between trapping locations and times was taken into account by including the variable ‘block’ within the initial model, however, it was found to have no significance and was therefore removed from the final model. There are well documented seasonal variations in small mammal abundance (Alibhai and Gipps 1985; Flowerdew 1985; Butet et al. 2006), therefore, as there were two major trapping seasons (mid-April to May and Mid-June to July) I included the variable ‘season’ in all models. The number of captures of field voles and common shrew were too low to allow thorough analysis; however, the number of captures for each species was investigated using a Kruskal-Wallis test (Minitab 15) to determine the relationship between the presence of a buffer strip and their individual abundance. Results The total number of catches was 276 individual small mammals of four different species, during 240 trap sessions (dusk till dawn and dawn till dusk). The most abundant species were wood mice, making up 45% of the captures, 11% of which were juveniles, with a total capture of 122 individuals (61 in the first season of trapping and 61 in the second season). 32% (89 individuals) of captures were bank voles, none of which were juveniles, with 26 captures in season 1 and 53 captures in season 2. 17% of captures (48 individuals) were common shrews and 6% (17 individuals) were field voles. Table 1. Summary of the number of captures for each species Total Wood mice Captured – Season 1 (juveniles) / Season 2 (juveniles) Bank vole – Season 1 / Season 2 Field vole – Season 1 / Season 2 Common shrew – Season 1 / Season 2 Total – Season 1 / Season 2 Total N trapped throughout study 122 – 61 (2) / 61 (11) 89 – 36 / 53 17 – 4 / 13 48 – 28 / 20 276 – 129 / 147 Percentage of total 44 33 6 17 100 Percentage of hedgerows present 93 46 23 45 Effect of ES Management and Buffer strips A total of 40 hedgerows were surveyed with 20 hedgerows under ES hedgerow management and 20 hedgerows under non-ES management. ES sites had been under ES hedgerow management for 2 years or more. The measured dimensions of the hedgerow were used to estimate the hedgerow cross sectional area. Analysis using a paired measures MANOVA found no significant difference in the size of ES managed hedgerows to the size of non-ES managed hedgerows (F(1,9)=0.847, P=0.381). ES management also had no significant effect on the percentage of flailed hedgerows within the farm (F(1,9)=0.019, P=0.889). The woody species diversity within hedgerows was not significantly different between ES managed hedgerows and non-ES managed hedgerows (F(1,9)=3.047, P=0.115). There was a significant positive association of the presence of ES hedgerow management with the level of woody vegetation cover at ground level (F(1,9)=10.613, P=0.010). Table 2. Comparisons of hedgerow characteristics on ES managed farms versus non-ES managed farms. Data were analysed using a paired MANOVA. Mean (SE) Hedgerow characteristic Description of measurement ES Non-ES F(1,9) P Area Average cross sectional area/m2 2.99 (0.12) 2.83 (0.14) 0.847 0.381 Flailed Percentage of hedgerows that had been recently flailed (flailed during previous Winter) 26.00 (2.21) 25.00 (6.54) 0.019 0.893 Species diversity Number of woody species 3.16 (0.24) 2.73 (0.27) 3.047 0.115 Small mammal cover Average Area of small Mammal cover (1=little or no vegetation cover at ground level, 2=gappy cover at ground level, 3=constant vegetation cover from hedgerows at ground level) 2.63 (0.87) 2.13 (0.11) 10.613 0.010 Small Mammal Assemblages Backward stepwise general linear modelling was used to analyse the data. The results showed that buffer strips have a significant effect on the total number caught within the hedgerow (F(1,35)= 16.29, P A GLM for total biomass showed similar results with Season (F(1,34)=0.83, P=0.369) and the number of standard trees (F(1,34)=1.12, P=0.298) both having no significant effect on the total biomass. ES management had a positive association with total biomass (F(1,34)=4.92, P=0.033), as did the presence of a buffer strip (F(1,34)=27.62, P Wood mice were the most common species trapped, contributing 45% of the captures. The factors affecting wood mice captures were analysed using a backward stepwise GLM. Season had no significant effect (F(1,34)=2.36, P=0.134). Unlike the model involving ‘total captures’, ES management (F(1,34)=0.07, P=0.798) and Buffer Strip (F(1,34) A backward stepwise GLM was constructed for both ‘bank vole captures’ and ‘the total bank vole mass’, both models produced similar results. Season had no effect on bank vole captures (F(1,35)=2.06, P=0.160) and total bank vole mass (F(1,35)=1.66, P=0.206). The presence of ES management on the hedgerow had a significant positive effect on the number of bank vole captures (F(1,35)=7.15, P=0.011) and on the total bank vole mass (F(1,35)=5.91, P=0.020). The presence of a buffer also had a significant effect, increasing the number of bank vole captures (F(1,35)=34.90, P Table 3. Summary statistics from general linear models Model Variables F P Adj. R2 Total Captures Season F(1,35)=1.09 0.305 53.79% ES Managed F(1,35)=5.23 0.028a Buffer Strip F(1,35)=16.29 Standard Trees F(1,35)=0.91 0.346 Total Biomassc Season F(1,34)=0.83 0.369 65.32% ES Managed F(1,34)=4.92 0.033a Buffer Strip F(1,34)=27.62 Standard Trees F(1,34)=1.12 0.298 Season*Buffer Strip F(1,34)=3.18 0.083b Wood Mice Captures Season F(1,34)=2.36 0.134 79.72% ES Managed F(1,34)=0.07 0.798 Buffer Strip F(1,34) Standard Trees F(1,34)=79.65 Season*Standard Trees F(1,34)=4.81 0.035a Total Wood Mice Massd Season F(1,35)=1.36 0.252 69.06% ES Managed F(1,35)=0.26 0.616 Buffer Strip F(1,35)=0.05 0.831 Standard Trees F(1,35)=49.03 0.003a Bank Vole Captures Season F(1,35)=2.06 0.160 54.76% ES Managed F(1,35)=7.15 0.011a Buffer Strip F(1,35)=34.90 Standard Trees F(1,35)=4.41 0.043a Total Bank Vole Masse Season F(1,35)=1.66 0.206 50.74% ES Managed F(1,35)=5.91 0.020a Buffer Strip F(1,35)=28.11 Standard Trees F(1,35)=2.32 0.137 a – Significant to the 95% confidence level b – Significant to the 90% confidence level c Total Biomass was square root transformed before analysis. d Wood Mice Mass was square root transformed before analysis. e Bank Vole Mass was square root transformed before analysis. A total of 17 field voles were captured, with all 17 trapped in hedgerows flanked by a conservation buffer strip. A total of 48 Common shrews were trapped, 81% of which were caught in hedgerows not flanked by a buffer strip Table 4. Non-target species captures. Effect of buffer strip, analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Total Captures Species Buffer Strip Present No Buffer Strip H P (adjusted for ties) Field vole 17 0 8.30 0.004 Common shrew 9 38 12.73 Discussion Hedgerow characteristics are known to affect small mammal numbers. Hedgerows with many gaps and a lack of ground cover support significantly lower small mammal populations (Gelling et al. 2007). Small mammals will select against hedgerows with a lack of vegetative cover due to the increased risk of predation (Orrock et al. 2004). Our results suggest that ES farms produce denser hedgerows with more cover at the ground level than non-ES farms. This is reflected in the small mammal survey which shows a somewhat strong association between small mammal numbers and ES hedgerows. However, having surveyed the farms and the farmers, I acknowledge that a wide number of variables affect the characteristics of the hedgerow. I suggest that the state of the hedgerows for small mammals is more significantly affected by the mindset of the farmer. Those farmers who have moved onto the Entry level ES scheme are generally those who most actively manage their farm. One supporting piece of data for this theory, is the number of flailed hedgerows on ES farms compared to non-ES farms. The hedgerow survey found that there were no differences in the number of recently flailed hedgerows within ES farms compared to non-ES farms, therefore, even though the cutting of hedgerows on ES farms is restricted, it still occurs as often on the ES farms within this survey than on the non-ES farms. The suggestion is that those farmers who are on the ES scheme are more actively involved in managing their farm, including their hedgerows, therefore hedgerows on ES farms commonly provide denser vegetation, less gaps and more cover at ground level. The typical ES farmer is more actively managing the hedge as a boundary or barrier to cattle than the typical non-ES farmer. The author suggests this conclusion having discussed hedgerow management with the farmers as part of the hedgerow survey and having a background in agriculture, however, it is also recognised that this topic goes beyond the scope and ava ilable data of this investigation. Hedgerows can be thought of as corridors linking woodland habitat, allowing small mammal migration (Soule and Terbough 1999), however, within the British pastoral landscape, hedgerows are often acting as the sole habitat for small mammals (Fitzgibbon 1997). My investigation found that the ratio of juvenile to adult wood mice increased during the season, with greater numbers present later in the summer, this is consistent with the observations of others (Alibhai and Gipps 1991, Flowerdew 1991). The breeding season for most small mammals begins in spring and ends in late summer, therefore it is natural that more juveniles are present in hedgerows as the summer progresses and they travel outward to establish their own home ranges. The presence of fully grown, breeding adults in both seasons of trapping indicates that animals are resident within the hedgerows, providing support for the argument that linear habitats can provide suitable habitat to support viable populations of small mamma ls. My results show that the total small mammal abundance and therefore the availability of prey biomass for predators is increased in hedgerows under ES management. The results of the hedgerow survey suggest that there is greater ground level vegetation cover in ES hedgerows. An increase in the amount of physical habitat creates greater foraging opportunities and can increase small mammal abundance (Gelling et al. 2007). Small mammals prefer hedgerows with greater ground level cover as they provide better refuge from predators (Orrock et al. 2004). Whereas the benefits of ES management for small mammal abundance remain unclear, this investigation highlights the importance of buffer strips. The value of unimproved grassy margins, in arable landscapes, for small mammal numbers has already been shown (Shore et al. 2005). This study suggests that the presence of a buffer strip along a hedgerow can provide a much improved habitat to support larger small mammal numbers in hedgerows within pastoral landscapes. Grassy margins are a refuge for small mammals beyond the hedgerow; they allow increased safety for foraging and greater shelter (Orrock et al. 2004). To understand the variation in the numbers trapped of each species, we need to establish an understanding of the differing ecological requirements for each species. The two most abundant species were the wood mouse and the bank vole. The results show that wood mice are found in greater numbers in hedgerows containing standard/veteran trees. This conclusion is supported by previous studies which have shown that trees within hedgerows are beneficial for wood mice (Montgomerie and Dowie, 1993). Mice often take shelter in burrows formed beneath trees/within tree roots which may suggest why this species was found more commonly within hedgerows containing standard/veteran trees (Montgomerie and Dowie, 1993). Wood mice are a generalist species occupying a wide variety of habitat (Flowerdew 1993). They general occupy a relatively large home range and travel extensively, consuming a wide range of food sources depending upon season and availability (Flowerdew 1993). This is reflected in the re sults, with wood mice having been trapped in 93% of all the hedgerows. The results also show that wood mice abundance is not affected by ES management for hedgerows, nor is it significantly improved by the presence of a buffer strip. Wood mice have been shown to avoid hedgerows with major gaps, and wood mouse captures have been shown to increase with proximity to woodland (Gelling et al. 2007). Wood mice have relatively large home ranges and the suggestion is that individuals rarely stay long within any one hedgerow; rather they travel through, utilising hedgerows for foraging and shelter between woodland (Montgomery and Dowie 1993; Gelling et al 2007; Todd et al 2000; Tew et al. 2000). Therefore, ES management and the presence of buffer strips have little effect on the number of wood mouse captures; more important is the proximity to woodland or the presence of trees within a hedgerow which provide the preferred shelter for the wood mouse (Todd et al. 2000; Tew et al. 2000). Bank voles are a more specialist species, and generally occupy much smaller home ranges than do wood mice. They are burrowers, using ground vegetation to create runs and pathways in deciduous habitats (Morris 1982; Alibhai and Gipps 1985). Bank voles are a major prey resource for a number of raptors and bank vole abundance has been shown to significantly affect raptor populations (Korpimaki and Norrdahl, 1991). Other studies have found that bank vole numbers are positively associated with the size of hedgerows (Pollard Relton, 1970; Tew, 1994; Bellamy et al., 2000). Grassy margins of 2m plus have been shown to significantly increase bank vole numbers in arable fields (Shore et al. 2005), my results show that this conclusion extends to pastoral landscapes with bank vole numbers being significantly increased by the presence of an unimproved grassy margin or conservation buffer strip. The results also suggest that ES management improves hedgerows for bank voles, with bank vole abundanc e found to be significantly higher on ES hedgerow sites. Bank voles are found in much greater abundance in areas which provide thick ground vegetation and suffer little disturbance (Tew 1994), my results suggest that this is partially provided by ES management, however, the creation of grassy margins along hedgerows could significantly improve bank vole abundance in pastoral landscapes. The creation of margins could also be significant in the conservation of field voles. Field vole numbers in the UK are in decline believed to be due to the loss of rough grass habitat in intensively managed arable regions (Harris et al., 1995; Love et al., 2000). Field voles are specialists and depend upon rough, ungrazed grassland within woodland and hedgerows. Field voles are generally only found within areas of long grass (Alibhai and Gipps, 1991b). Very few captures of field voles were recorded within this experiment, however all field voles captures occurred within hedgerows flanked by conservation buffer strips. The presence of a buffer strip may provide the field voles’

Islamic Religion Essays -- Islam Religion Religion Essays History

Islamic Religion Islam has been characterized inequitably by historians and the media as a religion of violence. Islam was mainly spread through Arab territorial conquests. Upon examination, it is not fair to make the generalization that Islam is a religion of violence. One can see when looking at world religion on a whole that Islam was no more violent than any other religion. In fact, not only is Islam not a fundamentally violent philosophy, but we can also see that many other religions normally considered "non-violent," such as Christianity or Hinduism, have been spread through bloody conquest. Thus, in searching for a universal constant of history, we should not fall into the "fallacy of abstractions," and assume that because of isolated incidents and conflicts of territorial ambitions, that all religions have violent tendencies. Throughout the centuries Islam has been a victim of circumstance. It has been perceived by many as oppressive and cruel. This belief originated over a thousand years ago, when Islamic people first threatened the western world. As they slowly undermined Byzantine authority, Christians became terrified of their presence, resulting in widespread animosity and aversion. Hindus and Buddhists from the South Asian subcontinent lived under Islamic law for hundreds of years. Eventually, in the twentieth century, split the region into angry factions. Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, was a great warrior. This invariably led defeated people to believe that he begot a cult of war and violence. Over the centuries, it has developed the ability to instill a sense of holy purpose onto its believers and soldiers, where they go into a battle of certain death for their faith in the holy war. The holy war is still a potent source of conflict and aversion, as many of the problems in the Middle East center around the issue of Islamic Fundamentalism and the holy wars. Originally, Islam was perceived by western historians as a religion of violence and conquest, "by preying on the caravans of the Quraish, Mohammed weakened them to the point of submission† (Anonymous, 1996). In fact, Mohammed was a warrior, aristocrat, and brilliant strategist, a stark contrast to many other holy men of history. He was forced to both defend his cities and force submission. Because of the strong military powers of his religious predecessors and oppresso... ...hile Hinduism remained relatively non-violent throughout the centuries, when the first Muslim invaders appeared and they clashed in both a philosophical and violent sense. Hindu violence returned in the mid-twentieth century, when they finally regained control of India. They smashed a Muslim temple at Ayodhya, and Sikh and Tamil rebel groups rebel against their authority. What is even more notable about Hinduism, is its rigid caste system, in which peoples have set social classes that are totally unchangeable and are products of the religion. The untouchables were considered as low as animals, and forced to do menial work such as sweeping and leather working. They were forced into a life of separatism and the rest of Hindu culture either ignored them completely or hated them. On the other side of the world, in Central America, the Aztec people were powerful warriors, who swept across the Mexican plains, conquering villages and whole peoples. Their religion consisted of brutal hum an sacrifices of enemy slaves, in fact the sacrifices grew so many in number that they were watching their population decline significantly, which eventually allowed the Spanish invaders to dominate them.

Critical analysis of affected of economic crisis on the luxury brand market Essay

I- Introduction Luxury Market has been important parts of the global retail market as well an important part of the global economy. Bain & Company (2011) estimate the value of traditional luxury market including fashion, jewellery and Dinnerware line represents approximately â‚ ¬ 150 billion to â‚ ¬ 200 billion in 2010 which is an dramatic increase from estimate that the global luxury market was worth about $ 86 billion in 1990 (McKinsey & Co, 1990). Since the 1980s, the luxury market has been growing at ten per cent per year. The growth rate of luxury is much higher than the growth rate of the global economy, which makes the luxury industry, relevant and important economic factor in the economy McKinsey (2011). Larousse (2005 p. 762) states: â€Å"Sophistication, which makes the splendour and comfort in the ways to live† The consummation of luxury by customers is due to the motivation to buy specific brands with quality products. The use of its products and consumer motivation are the result of consumption (Ahuvia & Wong, 1998). See more: how to write a good critical analysis essay Uncertainties are present in the current economic climate but Bain & Company (2011) estimates that the luxury market is going to grow in the coming years at about five to six per cent per year around the world and in Asia with more than a ten percent growth rate. As mass market manufacturing increases, companies want to increase the quality of their luxury products in order to retain their customers (Heine, 2011). A better understanding of the effect of the economic crisis on the luxury fashion brands will be identified and understood for the purposes of understanding the effect of the economic crisis on the luxury product industry. Kapferer, (2009) argues that without clear-cut specification of luxury it is impossible to distinguish the luxury consumer or luxury brand, from others who are not. In this thesis the author will start by explaining the aims and how the author intends to achieve his aims. Then a literature review will be undertaken to try and determine and define what luxury is and define various factors, which make a product luxury. The author will also try and generate a better understanding of why are luxury products important and the different target markets who they is important for. The author will discuss the methods used to complete the study. The Author will then present various factors, which affect the Luxury fashion brands in the economic downturn. Finally the author will provide his findings and conclude discussing the effects of the economic downturn on the luxury fashion market 1. 1 Rational The author has chosen to approach and better understand the world of luxury because of a personal interest at an academic level. In addition, the author being a student of luxury for more than 5 years want to deeper understand how big luxury brand adapted to the economic crisis. 1. 2 Aims & Objectives The objective of this thesis is to study and analyse the luxury market and the threats that surround it. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent the economic crisis affects the luxury market. The objective is to understand the concepts implemented by the luxury market during this period of financial crisis. This thesis will be useful for understanding and analysing the luxury market and understand the various tools marketing used. 1. 3 Research question -Understand the luxury market and its operation. -Understanding the economic crisis on the financial market of luxury and magnitude. -Assess the extent to which marketing tools are used during the economic crisis. -Include the importance of consumer and luxury image in marketing. -Evaluate the various threats of the luxury market. 1. 4 Theoretical framework II- Methodology The methodology chapter will allow the researcher to understand and describe the different methods that can be used to successfully complete the objectives of this research project and move towards the aim of the research. Gillham (2000) explained that some methods are more appropriate depending on the subject and objectives. It is necessary to adapt the methodology on the project. Gillham (2000) also argues that research is about creating new knowledge, in a multitude of disciplines such as medicine, history or social works, by using evidence in the form of quantitative and qualitative data. The definition of methodology, according to Hart (2007, p. 28) is: â€Å"A system of methods and rules to facilitate the collection and analysis of data. It provides the starting point of choosing an approach made up of theories, ideas, concepts and definitions of the topic; therefore the basics of a critical activity consisting of making choices about the nature and characters of the social world (assumptions). This should not be confused with techniques of research, the application of methodology. † In this section the researcher highlights, discusses and assesses the methods used for the collection and evaluation of data. The researcher will focus on secondary research for the purpose of this research; the methodology will include the reasoning and justification for the choice of research design, construction method and also the sample of literature to be used to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the aims and objectives of the research. 2. 1 Choice of the research design Research is defined by Saunders et al. (2003, p. 488) as â€Å"the systematic collection and interpretation of information with a clear purpose. † The goal is to collect and analyse information to get a clear and established goal. The most appropriate method for this study is secondary research. It was selected by the author with the aim of examining the luxury market and the various threats that surround it as the crisis. The goal is to achieve a critical analysis of the current market situation for luxury brands. In addition Cottrell (2005) argues that many reliable sources are now available online. Secondary research via the Internet can provide data of better quality than the result of primary research. In performing secondary research, the author has made a very wide collection of information from the literature. Reading books, newspapers and articles online, acquired a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the subject. Considered safe by Saunders et al. (2003, p. 52) and it is recommended that. â€Å"They are evaluated by peers before publication to assess their quality and convenience. † To ensure that the collection of information, theory and model’s necessary and relevant; the author also conducted secondary research in the sources of the luxury market. The press releases and video from website such as Vogue, Fashion TV, Word of Fashion has allowed to deepen the knowledge. Stewart and Kami (1993) explain that the use of secondary data sources is an advantage. In addition, the authors point out that it allows the researcher to make a comparative analysis between the new collected data and previous data. 2. 2 Construction of design â€Å"You need to maintain a critical perspective, the evaluation of the study on its own merits and in comparison with other studies on the same or similar problem. † According to Saunders and al. (2003 p. 483) Saunders et al. (2003 p. 488) explains also the research: â€Å"The systematic collection and interpretation of information with a clear purpose† The objective of the systematic collection and interpretation of information is to analyse and criticize the effects of economic crisis on the market of luxury brands. The research plan established for this research project is the collection of qualitative information in a secondary search. During the construction and implementation of secondary research, it did not just say to read the previous literature, as explained Rudestam and Newtown (2001, p. 60) Critical evaluation is an integral party of process research and allows the completion of the secondary research. According to Cottrell (2005) Critical thinking is a complex function of deliberation that provides the skills and attitudes. Human nature is not the same for everyone. Some people are suspicious and the other is in trust. But in critical thinking that is different. This is not a character trait but a system of methodology used to analyse. According to Stewart (1993) and Saunders (2003) that secondary research is better suited for this research. In this thesis, the researcher collected data only secondary, secondary research allows access to reliable information and theories that are related to branding. Stewart and Karmins (1993, p. 3) argues that secondary research differs from primary research so that secondary research is based on reliable as primary research based on the analysis of the author information. The data required for completion of the aim and objectives is readily available from various secondary research resources. Primary research could have helped to provide the researcher with a first hand insight into the industry but the lack of accessibility to the key stakeholders and also time constraints to the research made primary research not feasible. 2. 3 Scope of research The luxury market is a vast market. It includes many products such as clothing, jewellery and cars; And also many services such as travel and hotels. As the luxury market is the researcher will focus on a particular sector of the luxury product industry for the purposes of a targeted and viable research. This will help the researcher to look at factors affecting the specific area of luxury in detail. As Bain&Co (2010) suggest Fashion is now the luxury sector expanding. The current craze for the fashion industry propels the luxury clothing first. The researcher is studying the field of luxury clothing. For the purposes of this research brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dior and Chanel will be quoted at example to understand the current luxury market status. III- Literature Review A review of the literature is very important for any research and is an essential part of it (Webster and Watson, 2002). With the support of a literature review, the knowledge that is already prevalent on the topic in question may be determined (Hart, 1999). An incomplete comprehension the current literature might lead to misunderstandings on the subject. Hart (1999) defines a literature review that the widespread use of literature to support an approach to a topic the establishment of a methodology which can be used and the importance of new functionality that could potentially be supported by further research. It is also said â€Å"†¦to quality means the width and the appropriate depth, rigor and consistency, clarity and conciseness, analysis and efficient synthesis â€Å"(Hart, 1999, p. 1). Webster and Watson (2002) define an effective review of the literature to be based on in-depth knowledge, and give us an understanding of where more research is needed. Cottrell (2005, p. 127) explains that when looking for evidence to support an argument that has been spoken on the subject in the literature should be considered, where relevant information can be found and understanding of the leading authorities on the subject. From the definitions, it is clear that it can be derived from a review of the literature effective (Levy and Ellis, 2006) 3. 1 What is luxury? 3. 1. 1 Definition Luxury brands looking to be desired and known by all, but consumed only by the happy few to keep their prestige explains Kapeferer (2002) This summarizes the overall strategy of luxury brands, however, some inconsistencies persist in the clear explanation of the definition of luxury. Gutzats (1996) expresses luxury with exhaustive definition â€Å"Luxury two levels of representation. The first level is important. It includes product and brand (its history, its unique expertise and talent) second level is psychological, it is performance that our social environment and our brands influence us. † Luxury is a product with multiple objective characteristics that make it unique and rare, but also subjective characteristics with experience because of the importance that has consumers during the purchase process. The rarity factor of a product is essential to the concept of luxury. Explained by Dubois (2001), the prestige of a luxury brand can lose value if too many people own it. The distribution of a luxury product is very important; it must be selective to maintain the scarcity of the product. However, according to Kapferer (2002), the luxury market is in perpetual change. Several factors explain why the brand luxuries change their relationship with the principle of scarcity and become more accessible to a wider audience. Diversification of luxury brands with the creation of range of accessories and cosmetic product for the consumer access to the general public. Partnerships with general public brands, the Masstige contraction of Mass and prestige, or prestige for the masses. Is concept allows enlargement of the luxury market. (Kapferer, 2009) 3. 1. 2 Relativity The vision of what is necessary and desirable is relative. It depends on the perspective and perception of the consumer. Depending on the consumer perception of luxury is not universal. Buttner and al (2006) argues that relativity of luxury is divided into several categories. The economic relativity, cultural, regional, temporal and situational. 1. 3. 1. 2. 1 Economic relativity Kisabaka (2001) suggests economic relativity is expressed by the difference in perception of luxury depending on the economic situation of the consumer. For example, a pair of jeans ? 70 will be considered by a category of consumer as usual while for another it could be a luxury item. From a perspective of another consumer group a pair of jeans worth ? 2000 might not be considered a luxury product. The perception of price and its relativity to luxury can be argued to be relative to the consumer. 2. 3. 1. 2. 2 Cultural relativity Kemp (1998) suggests cultural relativity can be expressed as a function of the consumer culture. Whatever the consumer culture, luxury is a product, which is not trivial and necessary in everyday life. Kemp (1998) But cultural relativity has no reference to the availability of the product but the product vision based on the culture. A product can be considered luxury or not, based on the culture. Kisabaka, (2001) argues in some cultures a product can be ordinary and undesirable while for another it will be indispensable to belong to the culture of his country. For example, alcohol can be seen as a luxury product in European countries, while in Islamic countries there will be a product that very few people consume. (Berthon and al. , 2009) However, Mortelmans (2005, p. 497) argues: â€Å"Every social group can be said to have its own luxury† Reith & Meyer (2003) suggests every culture has its symbols and social distinctions. The consumer of the same culture can be part of different socio-professional category. For example, the hip-hop culture embraces gold teeth and considers it a luxury while it might not be desirable for a different cultural group. Kemp (1998) also argues cultural values express different preferences of luxury; they differ depending on age, sex, and education. It is important to differentiate the perception of luxury based on knowledge of the symbols of luxury. But also different perceptions in different cultural groups. 3. 3. 1. 2. 3 Regional relativity Reith & Meyer (2003) express regional relativity in terms of availability of the product. A product mass distribution in a country will not have the luxury status. However, a product, which is rare in a country, takes of value because of its rarity and exclusive distribution. For example, a sunny day at the beach can be considered as a luxury for the countries of Europe. But in the Caribbean this represents the daily weather. 4. 3. 1. 2. 4 The Temporal relativity. Matsuyama (2002) defines temporal relativity by changes in perceptions of luxury over the years. The reasons for these changes in perceptions are societal trends and the development of technology. (Schiereck & Koenigs, 2006) Technological advances for consumer products can change their perspective of luxury For example, Reith & Meyer (2003) the television was created in the 1930s when it was considered a luxury, since the progression of technology televisions are present widely in his homes which has led to a change in the perception of luxury. This product has become common in homes is no longer a luxury product. However Koschel (2005) argues that the process can be expressed in the opposite direction. Natural resources such as clean air, water became scarce in some countries. Kapferer (2008) suggests temporal relativity is a specific factor of luxury because it is not stable and steady and could change readily. (Jackel & Kochhan, 2000) Luxury is not universal and adapts as a function of some factor. It is important for companies to understand these factors and adapt ait’s marketing to influence different groups to sell its products. 3. 2 Luxury customer Gilles Lipovetsky (2009), philosopher suggests: â€Å"Do not have faith in a future that is mechanically better and fairer, there are still people in the hope of a better life, the feast of the senses, the beauty to expect that we leave the monotony of everyday life. Luxury is no longer the accursed share, but â€Å"dreams, excellence and superlative, this human need. † It can be inferred from the above statement that luxury for a consumer is an achievement of itself. A luxury consumer wants to show his wealth and property, luxury goods are a reflection of the wealth. The motivation of pleasure today became the first luxury purchase motivation to its traditional buyers. (Gilles Lipovetsky, 2009) According to Okonkwo (2007) a purchaser of luxury products cannot be considered as a mere client of luxury, but as an individual part of a network of the brand. It is by sharing with him the ritual and the traditions of the bard, which they have purchased, by teaching the consumer these details about the brand itself the sense of community and attachment towards a brand is built. It can be inferred that unlike mass-market brands, the luxury brand should tell a story and to give the customer want to be a part. Gilles Lipovetsky (2009) explains luxury Consumption Consuming is both a product, a legend / myth, tradition, knowledge and ritual use. 3. 2. 1 Customer behaviour Kapferer (2004) suggests that there are several categorize consumers of luxury brands into different groups. Lombard (1989) argues that customers can be differentiated on the basis of their purchasing power. A customer with the financial resources has the capacity to buy products from all the different categories of luxury products (see section 3. 4. 3). These elite customers not only form the key user base of the product but also are a great advertisement for the luxury status of the product. Customers of the elite are the generators of the turnover of luxury brands. They are loyal and hold the financial resources to consume luxury goods when it desires. This type of customer only buys clothes from luxury brands. Occasional customers have the financial resources necessary to consume luxury products but are not addicted. They consume luxury when the mood or the occasion arises. They are not faithful because they can change the luxury brand in the trend. (Bain&co, 2008) The low-income customers who consume when their financial situation allows them. This type of customer consumes the occasional high-priced products for exceptional period (Christmas, birthday). However this type of client is the target of entry-level luxury products. Low-income customers consume perfumes and cosmetics in large quantities. This allows them to detain a part of the brand without spending an extravagant amount. According to Berry (1994), three levels of luxury can be presented: the unattainable luxury reserved for extremely rich people, luxury means restricted to middle class high and affordable luxury reserved for the middle class. Each level corresponds to a totally different type of marketing because the target is not the same, the brand must adapt depending on the area they choose. Consumer’s behaviour while buying luxury products can be affected by three different effects. (Leibenstein, 1950) 5. 3. 2. 1. 1 The Veblen Effect One can distinguish consumption to be under the Veblen effect, conspicuous consumption. Leibenstein, (1950) suggests the consumer buys the luxury product due to its high price. The work of Bourne (1957) explains the influence of peer groups on consumers in their purchases of luxury goods. Vigneron and Johnson (1999) also argue that a positive relationship is observed between conspicuous consumption and peer groups. In addition, Bearden and Etzel (1982) also explain that to buy the product in public is a sign of Veblen because the customer wants to be seen buying a valuable product. The consumer wants to show their wealth, status and power (Veblen, 1899). The price of the products is considered important in the minds of consumers, it represents the quality. (Vigneron and Johnson, 1999) Erickson and Johansson (1995) conducted a study showing that the price can judge the quality of a luxury item. It is also agued the customer who consumes with effect Veblen is attentive to the quality of the product. 6. 3. 2. 1. 2 The effect of Snob According to Leibenstein (1950), the effect of snob is a complex concept. A consumer with the snob effect takes into account the emotional and personal desires which Influences the behaviour of others is also a factor that pushes the purchase of products of luxury brands. For example, the launch of a new product, create exclusivity, snob effect causes the immediate purchase. Few clients have this product at the launch, the customer will feel different and above other consumer, it is preferred. A luxury item in limited sale has a great value while a readily available product will be less demand and will not have a high value; unusual item brings respect and prestige. (Solomon, 1994) However, after some time, the general public and the mass consumers consume the product, the snob consumers reject the product. The unique product, popular and expensive does not stay long. Demand is growing rapidly and the product loses value. (Verhallen and Robben, 1994) 7. 3. 2. 1. 3 The Bandwagon Effect Bandwagon effect is a different concept of the two previous. In this effect, the product is consumed by the mass market, its demand in the market is important. Consumers are buying this type of product in order to have a luxury product and belong to a group. The luxury product is the similarity between the members of the group. (Leibenstein, 1950) For example, a consumer group buying the same mass-produced luxury feel they belong to the same social class. The product is generally in the current trend and at affordable price. Berry (1994) argues Bandwagon consumers buy the product to look like other consumer and access a different social class a different group. 3. 2. 2 Price McKinsey (1990) suggests that the price is the first characteristic, withheld to qualify luxury goods. It is evaluated as the criterion most objectives and most quantifiable to measure the quality of luxury. . Dubois and Duquesne (1993) also suggest that luxury product must be at a high price to be credible; it is an essential criterion for the qualification of the same as a luxury. Kapferer (2001) argues although the price is a very important criterion for the luxury product it is not the whole product. It can be found on the market for very expensive products that are not necessarily luxury items due to lack of quality and luxury marketing. The brand positioning reflects its class. In addition, Kapferer and Bastien (2009) also argue that the consumer looking for a luxury product is ready to pay the price but he also wants. Indeed, the consumer wants to own an expensive product because it provides the purchaser with recognition, which is valuable. The researched can infer that price is price is an important guideline of a luxury product. In addition, Danielle ALLERES (1997) states: The fair price for a luxury product based on a perfect correlation between the level in the world of luxury, rarity and its brand reputation. According to Julian Levy and Jacques Lendrevie (2009) a policy of skimming or price skimming is a pricing policy, which consists of a high price (often partially disconnected from the cost) that customers can choose, the price can directly target customers. It also maintains the image of luxury brand and reputation. (Julian Levy and Jacques Lendrevie, 2009) also argue that luxury product cannot be sold at a discount price. It may lose its value and caused the damage to the brand. 3. 2. 3 Exclusivity Kisabaka (2001) suggests scarcity of a product is also an important part of making it luxury. A luxury consumer wants exclusivity and differentiation. For example, a customer who purchases a product from a luxury brand would expect it to be exclusive and would not like it for it to be a mass-market product. (Catry, 2003) also points out luxury brand must ensure the rarity of its products by limiting the production and individualization of products. 3. 4 Luxury brand A brand can be expressed as the identity of the company and the consumers it targets. The brand must represent a clear image in the minds of target consumers. (Esch, 2011) The luxury brand is associated with its flagship products and basic products on the basis of which consumers assimilate the product image. (Kapferer, 2008) For example, the little black jacket from Chanel is the flagship product for years and is constantly equated with the image of Chanel. (http://thelittleblackjacket. chanel. com) Meffert and Lasslop (2003) suggest that different definitions of luxury represent the association of product characteristics and brand. A luxury brand is associated with an image that is ubiquitous in the consumer’s mind, which is itself associated with a luxury product: high price, perfect quality esthetical, the scarcity of the product and the product exceptional characters. 3. 4. 1 Relationship Product/Brand A luxury brand must not only offer luxury products but also offer ranges of products more accessible products to maintain the brand status. The goal would be to reach a wider target customer. (Kapferer and Bastien, 2009) For example, luxury brands such as Chanel and Dior, offer ranges available such as key rings or jewellery phone products. This allows consumers to enter and feel to be a part of brand, with an affordable price. In addition, brands offer masstiges products; this concept is the combination of a luxury brand with a current and accessible brand to the public. For example, H & M has many partnerships with luxury brands and top designer. (Kapferer, 2008) Collections are distributed in H & M stores at affordable prices to the general public. This marketing tactic provides high visibility for luxury brands to the mass market. In contrast, non-luxury brands try to portray themselves to be offering a range of products, which include a touch of luxury for another customer segment. For example, as Lufthansa airlines offer flights with luxury service at an additional cost such as offering extra-large seats, bigger entertainment systems and meals cooked to order. This demonstrates the relationship between a product and brand is important. It can also be inferred that a luxury brands have to offer luxury products to maintain its brand image. Furthermore the quality and status of a product will only remain one that of a luxurious item if the brand is rated as a luxury brand. 3. 4. 2 Type of luxury brand Luxury brands can be categorised using various different factors, which affect a brand. 8. 3. 4. 2. 1 Luxury brand level Esteve and Hieu-Dess (2005) argues level of brand can be differentiated on the basis of the levels of luxuries performed. It is therefore important to distinguish luxury brands based on a category. The entry-level: products of entry-level correspond to the product seen above in relation brand / product. Its products are part of the range luxury brand but with affordable prices. In its entry-level, there are the masstiges and the products of luxury brands at affordable prices. Example: Hugo Boss Fragrance Luxury product middle level: These products are part of the luxury range, but they are not maximum level. Its products are accessible while maintaining their entities luxury. Example: Marc Jacobs, Moschino. Luxury goods of high level: These products represented luxury in pure state. These ranges of products are of high quality and high price. Example: Hermes Produces luxury level of the elite: This product is the top of the ladder. This segment is the most luxury products. Its quality and marketing must be irreproachable, they represent the brand. To reference the type of product is Chanel, Dior. According to the relativity of luxury explained above, the established classification can be modified over time. A brand can go from middle level to level for elite customer. It may be noted its changes based on trends, seasons and different cultures. (Phan and al. ,2011) Conversely, certain brand may lose their luxury positioning if it does not fit depending on relativity. For example, Christian Lacroix, who lost his rank High Fashion due to improper adaptation of its marketing and its collections. (Bain&co, 2009) 9. 3. 4. 2. 2 Luxury brand awareness The leading products and notorieties are very important in the management of the brand and in its differentiation. A luxury brand should differentiate itself from others with its marketing strategy and advertising. The knowledgeable consumer expects certain notoriety, it must be found in the marketing strategy. The luxury brand needs to focus its marketing and marketing in a niche. If a brand decides to sell luggage, clothing, jewellery and does not fit its marketing it will no longer be identified as specialize and thus not as a luxury brand. (Meffert and Lasslop 2003) Awareness of the brand in the minds of the public is essential. The flagship products create the brand awareness; even if its products are for purchase only certain category of customer it represents the brand. Previously the author explained the importance of quality and marketing for the range of customer connoisseur but this process is also important for the client who never will buy the product. Its customers will be interested in the brand and will position as a luxury brand (Kapferer, 2009) The primary objective of the luxury brand is to become known around the world to demonstrate its performance and quality. (Phan and al, 2011) In addition, for a customer of the elite luxury product group buys a flagship product is a sign of wealth, it is important that the product meets this demand (Kapferer & Bastien, 2009). 3. 4. 3 Marketing technique If the marketing of mass consumption appeared after World War II during the post-war boom, the first luxury marketing techniques already existed in the seventeenth century. Berry (1994) The companies in the luxury sector can manage the time by recalling the history of their homes through codes. For example, Chanel, two legendary fragrance: N  ° 5 – first perfume by Gabrielle Chanel launched in 1921 and still one of the best global industry sales – is the lucky number of Coco, and No. 19 is reference to the date of birth of the Creator August 19, 1883, this history is an important part of the marketing strategy of the companies these days as they entice buyers by presenting a history and tradition of the product. Each of the luxury goods is modernized, redesigned while respecting the history of the house, called in luxury marketing an incremental leap technique. (Kapferer 2009) Thus, the customer discovers and buys without hesitation a new version of a mythical product that meets the codes of the house, allowing sales to continue to grow. The success of these products is only possible through the transfer of know-how of artisans and small hands working in the workshops. Embroiderers, milliners, dressmakers, all these businesses demonstrate a thorough knowledge and quality that are transmitted in time while upgrading. This concept allows the luxury home to restart their old products maintaining the brand image. A new advertising campaign is designed and the product is restarted. During a period of crisis, this concept is used by numerous brands. (Meffert & Lasslop 2003) Luxury brands must carefully control its distribution channels. (Esch 2011) the industry knows how to stage each of its products in places specific distribution channels for each target group. Thus, it is imposs.

Amazing American Beaver Facts

Amazing American Beaver Facts The American beaver (Castor canadensis) is one of two living species of beavers- the other species of beaver is the Eurasian beaver. The American beaver is the worlds second largest rodent, only the capybara of South America is larger. Fast Facts: Beavers Scientific Name: Castor canadensisCommon Name(s): Beaver, North American Beaver, American BeaverBasic Animal Group:  MammalSize: About 29–35 inches longWeight: 24–57 poundsLifespan: Up to 24 yearsDiet:  HerbivoreHabitat:  Wetland areas of North America outside of the California and Nevada deserts and parts of Utah and Arizona.Population:  6–12 millionConservation  Status:  Least Concern Description American beavers are stocky animals that have a compact body and short legs. They are aquatic rodents and have a number of adaptations that make them adept swimmers including webbed feet and a broad, flat tail that is covered with scales. They also have an extra set of eyelids which are transparent and close over their eyes enabling beavers to see while underwater. Beavers have a pair of glands located at the base of their tail called castor glands. These glands secrete an oil that has a distinct musk odor, making it great for use in marking territory. Beavers also use the castor oil to protect and waterproof their fur. Beavers have very large teeth in proportion to their skull. Their teeth and are super-sturdy thanks to a coating of tough enamel. This enamel is orange to chestnut brown in color. Beavers teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. As beavers chew through tree trunks and bark, their teeth get worn down, so the continuous growth of their teeth ensures they always have a sharp set of teeth available to them. To further assist them in their chewing endeavors, beavers have strong jaw muscles and significant biting strength. Stan Tekiela Author / Naturalist / Wildlife Photographer/Getty Images Habitat and Distribution American Beavers live in the riparian zone- along the edges of wetlands and bodies of fresh water including rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds and, in some cases, in and around brackish estuaries. American beavers inhabit a range that extends throughout most of North America. The species is only absent from the northernmost regions of Canada and Alaska as well as the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Diet Beavers are herbivores. They feed on bark, leaves, twigs and other plant material which is plentiful in their native habitat. Behavior Beavers are well-known for their unusual behaviors: They use their strong teeth to fell small trees and branches which they use to build dams and lodges which have a significant impact on the path and health of waterways. Beaver dams are structures built with logs, branches, and mud. They are used to block up flowing streams to flood grasslands and forests, thus turning them into beaver-friendly habitats. In addition to providing habitat for a wide range of animals, beaver dams also reduce waterway erosion. Beavers build lodges, dome-shaped shelters made of woven sticks, branches, and grass that are plastered together with mud. Lodges can be burrows built into pond banks or mounds built in the middle of a pond. They can be up to 6.5 feet tall and 40 feet wide. These elaborate structures include an insulated, wood-lined lodge chamber and a ventilating shaft called a chimney. The entrance to a beaver lodge is located below the surface of the water. Lodges are generally built during the warmer months, during which time beavers also gather food for the winter. While they do not migrate or hibernate, they do slow down during the winter months. Reproduction and Offspring Beavers live in family units called colonies. A beaver colony commonly includes as many as eight individuals including a monogamous breeding pair, newborn kits, and yearlings (kits from the prior season). Members of the colony establish and defend a home territory. Beavers reproduce sexually. They reach sexual maturity at about three years of age. Beavers breed in January or February and their gestation period is 107 days. Typically, three or four beaver kits are born in the same litter. Young beavers are weaned at about two months of age. Zoran Kolundzija/Getty Images Conservation Status Beavers are considered to be of Least Concern, meaning that there is a large, thriving population of beavers in North America. This has not always been the case; in fact, beavers were overhunted for many years and beaver fur was the basis of many large fortunes. More recently, however, protections were put in place which allowed beavers to re-establish their population. Beavers and Humans Beavers are a protected species, but their behaviors can make them a nuisance in some settings. Beaver dams can cause flooding to roads and fields, or block the flow of waterways and the fish that swim in them. On the other hand, beaver dams are also important for controlling erosion and runoff during storms. Sources â€Å"Beaver.†Ã‚  Smithsonians National Zoo, 23 Nov. 2018, nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/beaver.Sartore, Joel. â€Å"Beaver.†Ã‚  National Geographic, 21 Sept. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/b/beaver/.

Racism and imperialism Essay Research Paper Example

Racism and imperialism Essay Research Paper Example Racism and imperialism Essay Paper Racism and imperialism Essay Paper Essay Topic: The Souls of Black Folk Our new planetary â€Å"frontiers† or â€Å"contact zones† come into position more perceptibly in the Black Atlantic that links African Americans with West Africans in W. E. B. Du Bois’s and Zora Neale Hurston’s twentieth-century narrations and therefore far still proposes the boundaries dividing Euro-American from Afro-american cultural traditions in the United States. W. E. B. DuBois’s The Souls of Black Folk All through his long calling and its many different stages. W. E. B. Du Bois continually criticized the United States for following imperialist purposes both at place and abroad. He every bit good is one of the few modern American minds to acknowledge U. S. imperialism to be different from earlier signifiers of Eurocolonialism and to predate significantly the Spanish-American War. For Du Bois. U. S. imperialism novices in bondage and depends on racism to legalize colonial patterns of territorial conquering. economic power. and psychological licking. Du Bois understands U. S. bondage to be peculiarly modern. to the extent that it is footed on peculiar racial differentiations he argues were unknown in earlier signifiers of serfhood and captivity. He may good hold sing the continuity of human unkindness throughout history. nevertheless he sees it deployed in a different manner in the modern period. In the modern work of colonial domination and its methodical. hence imperial. application to peoples defined thereby as â€Å"other. † Du Bois Judgess the United States to hold taken the lead. Du Bois’s theory of racial imperialism is intensely modern-day on the economic roots of all imperialisms. However Du Bois comes the closest of the American intellectuals critical of U. S. imperialism before World War II to understanding U. S. imperialism as a neoimperialism of the postmodern kind we at present relate with the political control of domains of influence. the corporate use of foreign civilizations to make new markets. every bit good as the exportation of American life styles by manner of such cultural merchandises as literature and movie. For the ground that Du Bois understood race and category to be the critically related fictions by which modern states justified the unjust distribution of wealth and accordingly power. he viewed with particular clarity the extent to which cultural work was indispensable to colonial hierarchies both at place and abroad. For this really ground. Du Bois every bit good understood the power of civilization to battle imperialism by disputing such hierarchies and constructing influential alliances of the oppressed to defy domination. As Du Bois grew older and angrier sing the unrecognised engagement of the United States in colonial ventures around the universe. peculiarly in Africa. Latin America. and at place. he authorized an progressively stiff economic thesis that is both impolitely Marxist and curiously blind to the enthusiastic imperialism of the Stalinism he espoused. This bend in Du Bois’s calling has frequently distracted bookmans from the daintiness of his earlier treatments of the United States as an imperial power and its fresh usage of civilization to mask and naturalise its patterns of domination. Given the leaning of even America’s most energetic modern critics to place its imperialism in such specific foreign ventures as the Spanish-American War and the general nearsightedness of Americans until rather recently in respect to the overlapping of U. S. racism and imperialism. Du Bois is a precursor of modern-day cultural and postcolonial unfavorable judgments of the function civilization has played in masking the imperialist patterns of the United States. Wrong as Du Bois was about Stalinism and in his anticipations of the predictable triumph of socialism in the 20th century. his continuity on linking cultural analyses to their economic effects every bit good ought to be heard by modern-day cultural critics. Particularly in his Hagiographas before the mid-1930s. Du Bois every bit good experimented with a combination of literary. historical. sociological. and political discourses that might work together as a â€Å"counter-discourse† to the antic narration of U. S. political orientation. The multigeneric qualities of The Souls of Black Folk is methodically modern in its several challenges to conventional manners of representation. this works every bit good affect an inexplicit review of the privileged and deliberately unaccessible oratory. Determined to dispute hierarchies of race. category. and gender. Du Bois understood how strongly societal authorization depended on signifiers of cultural capital traditionally unavailable to African Americans. Du Bois understood from his earliest works that Afro-american intellectuals and creative persons would hold to offer alternate cultural resources to dispute such subjective nevertheless entrenched powers Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston Zora Neale Hurston’s unfavorable judgment of racial and gender hierarchies in the United States and in our foreign policies toward other states. peculiarly in the Caribbean. presents another fluctuation on the cultural response to U. S. imperialism. Unlike W. E. B. Du Bois. Hurston does non invariably and stiffly condemn U. S. intercession in the economic. political. and societal domains of other states. although she evidently connects domestic racism and sexism with neoimperialist foreign policies. peculiarly those directed at Third World states. As good Hurston does non romanticise modern or historical Africa. although she argues invariably for the acknowledgment of how African cultural influences have contributed well to the artistic. rational. every bit good as societal accomplishments of African-Americans. In a similar mode. Hurston refuses to romanticise colonised peoples as entirely victimized by their vanquishers ; she goes to significant lengths to exemplify how the procedure of decolonisation. in Haiti. for case. has excessively frequently brought autocrats to power who have rationalized their unfairnesss on evidences of national sovereignty plus blatant anti-colonialism. Hurston condemns all the dictatorships she witnesses. and she therefore estranges herself from U. S. patriots of assorted kinds. African patriots. and Communist critics of U. S. imperialism. At the same clip. Hurston frequently appears to universalise the thesis that â€Å"power corrupts. † in a manner that trivializes concrete solutions to the jobs she identifies in the United States and the Caribbean. Therefore far behind Hurston’s disdain for arbitrary power. whether wielded by white or black autocrats. and her discourtesy for those who render righteous their ain victimization. there is Hurston’s strong committedness to democratic regulation and her strong belief that solidarity among different victimized peoples will both authorise them and consequence appropriate societal reforms. These reforms include for Hurston an terminal to racial and gender hierarchies and the extension of economic chances to underprivileged groups. both within the United States and internationally. The Utopian theoretical account for such societal reforms is a genuinely democratic society in the United States. in malice of Hurston’s consistent unfavorable judgment of societal inequalities in the United States footed on race and gender. On the one manus. Hurston alleged that Euro-American civilization. society. and psychological science had much to larn from Afro-american signifiers of cognition and experience ; in her Utopian minutes. she imagines white America transformed and redeemed by such cognition. On the other manus. she implicit the prevalence of a white political orientation that treated much of Afro-american cognition as â€Å"backward. † â€Å"superstitious. † and â€Å"primitive. † while Whites turned these really features into facets of an exoticized and stylish â€Å"negritude. † What some critics have referred to as Hurston’s â€Å"coding† of her narrations must be understood as her primary manner of narrative. whose purpose is to transform attitudes and feelings. together with preconceived thoughts. instead than merely â€Å"hiding† her purposes to protect her benefaction. Learning to read the â€Å"double consciousness† of Hurston’s coded narrations is itself a manner of offending the boundary separating African American from white American. even as it respects the societal and historical differences of the racism that has yet to be overcome. â€Å"Mules and Men† is often treated together for generic grounds. for the ground that it is major case of Hurston’s work as folklorist and anthropologist. This book is every bit good interpreted by some critics as utilizing literary techniques that foresee Hurston’s major fiction. It is the premeditated forgetting of this history of tangled destinies and therefore of cultural worlds that Hurston condemns in the official histories of the United States and that we ought to category as an imperative facet of U. S. cultural imperialism. Hurston did non reject steadfastly the thought of the United States as â€Å"global policeman† or the chance of U. S. foreign policies. peculiarly in the Caribbean. lending to democratic terminals. In this respect. she was by no agencies unusual among bulk and minority U. S. intellectuals in the 1930s and 1940s. Hurston understood the on-going racism and sexism in the United States as signifiers of colonial domination. which needed schemes of opposition that at times. complement more unfastened anti-colonial and post-colonial battles around the universe. Never did she perplex the pragmatism of societal stratifications by race. category. and gender with her ideals for democratic societal. legal. every bit good as human patterns. Furthermore it is the struggle between Hurston’s schemes for edifying and defying such subjugation at place and abroad and her ideals for the spread of democratic establishments. peculiarly as they are represented by the promise of U. S. democracy that frequently contributes to the opposing quality of her political judgements or the feeling of her unpolitical stance. Hurston’s political relations are often bound up with her ain personality as a imperfect. â€Å"new Negro. † representing urban edification and specialised instruction. who sought to link the rural and Afro-Caribbean heritage of African Americans with their modern hereafter. Mentions: W. E. B. DuBois. The Souls of Black Folk ( Greenwich. Conn. . 1961 ) . 42-43. Zora Neale Hurston. Mules and Men ( NewYork: Harper-Collins. 1990 ) . p. 294

Investment opportunities and risks in stock markets Literature review

Investment opportunities and risks in stock markets - Literature review Example With the EPFs emerging as a vital source of capital inflow for the developing countries, an array of issues arises regarding this pattern of investment. It is of prime importance to understand the diversification benefits accruing to an investor from investing in the developing countries and the returns to stocks of these emerging markets. Investors and researchers are concerned about the level of integration of these markets with the financial markets of the industrially advanced countries. Several research works have been conducted in the past to investigate about the process of integration between these markets and to understand the changes appearing in the risk-return features of emerging markets. This helps in the understanding of the individual investor’s reaction to the changes in organization of financial markets and the changes in her behaviour in favourable and unfavourable economic conditions. Sufficient research papers are available, that present their findings rel ated to the developed industrial countries. It has been found that there is a lack in recent researches concerning the stock market scenario and market returns in the emerging economies. This essay focuses on reviewing the existing literature on the risks and benefits accruing from investment activities in the developing economies and comparing it with the risks and benefits associated with investing in the advanced stock markets of the world. The diversification benefits are investigated and the correlation between the advanced and emerging stock markets is studied through this literature review. Review There are several reasons that provoke investors to seek diversified and long-term exposure to the emerging financial markets. Social as well as demographic trends are fundamental to the growth of emerging economies and the development of investment prospects in those markets. Recent researches show that the influence of the financial crisis of the US and the Euro zone has been felt more severely in the developed nations rather than on the developing countries. As a matter of fact, a few emerging financial markets are demonstrating a high degree of stability that is historically associated with the mature economies. This is an outcome of rapid evolution, which shows that the investment conditions are also evolving at a fast pace. Many investors of the developed countries such as the United States consider the emerging economies, like, Brazil, India, Russia and China to offer good investment opportunities. In fact, some other smaller markets, such as, Philippines and Indonesia, are emerging that put forward noteworthy opportunities to equity investors. But while choosing the market in which to invest, the investor require the understanding of the differences and parity among the emerging markets, and must not group them together. The investors have to weigh the currency strength of the country in which they are deciding to invest along with the stability of the country’s government (TIAA CREF, 2013). Rationale behind investing in developing countries According to Henry and Kannan (2008), two rationales emerge out of conventional theories pertaining to investment in risky assets, such as stocks, in developing countries. Th