Communication and IT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Communication and IT - Essay Example This new technology has caused an important transition for medical records of patients- from paper to computer records. The conventional modes of maintaining customer’s medical history has been replaced by effective management of the electronic data records. Due to this technology, doctors can access the customers’ information from anywhere, where internet access is available. The electronic management of medical history of patients proves to be effective even during natural disasters or catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina or 9/11. Physical records cannot be available at such tragic times; however electronic medical records prove to be very effective. These records are maintained at several locations around the country so that such disasters do not result in the loss of data. Doctors may share their electronic medical records with other doctors. Such a practice facilitates discussions between doctors for devising the most effective treatment for patients with rare illne sses. Change of doctors can also be done in an effective manner since the medical history of the patient can be easily accessed by the new doctor. However, Freudenheim (2009) stated that some doctors hesitate in making the transition to the new systems due to the requirement of expensive infrastructure and personnel.

Great Raid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Great Raid - Essay Example Many of the American troops that had surrendered in the course of the Bataan Battle were sent to the prison camp in Cabanatuan. This development came after the Bataan Death that took place in March of the same year. The Japanese, following this news rushed to transfer many of the prisoners to different parts of the country, leaving behind more than 500 POWs, most of whom were American but also comprised other allied civilians and POWs in the particular prison camp in Philippines. The prisoners faced a lot of hardships at the camp, with many of them dying from the hard labour and harsh conditions that they were being subjected to. Some of the brutal conditions that characterized life at the prison camp included malnourishment, severe torture and many other chronic diseases that the POWs contracted. With no one showing concern over their fate the health of most of the POWs deteriorated making them succumb to the harsh condition. In fact, after Gen, Douglas MacArthur and many of the American forces went back to Luzon, the POWs feared for the lives as they thought that they were going to be executed. Following the need to free the POWs, strategic planning was started by the leaders of the Sixth Army, who were collaborating with Filipino guerrillas. According to Alexander (2009), the initial idea was to send a sizeable army with the main responsibility of recuing and freeing the POWs. After thorough planning, a group of more than one hundred Scouts and Rangers including guerrilla fighters made a journey of more than 30 miles to the camp. It is believed that the planning and execution of the strategy in rescuing the POWs started in 1944 when Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s army managed to land on Leyte. This development was enough to pave the way for liberation of the POWs and other civilian prisoners. Later, the American forces idea to consolidate their army in the rescue process was realized by the camp soldiers, who responded

What Are The Challenges And Drivers Of Internationalization Management Essay

What Are The Challenges And Drivers Of Internationalization Management Essay In the modern world economy, business transactions can be conducted within the same city, the same country, or even between two countries. The term of internationalization has been adopted by many researchers, for instance Bell (1995): A firms engagement in a specific foreign market develops according to an establishment chain, i.e. at the start no export activities are performed in the market, then export takes place via independent representatives, later through a sales subsidiary, and, eventually manufacturing may follow. Internationalization has become a significant research topic for business academics in the past forty years. A substantial amount of research has focused on multinational enterprises (Dunning, 1973; Markusen, 1995; Kogut and Zander, 2003), with a growing interest in the internationalization of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) (Oviatt and McDougall, 1994). Meanwhile small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) have been believed to be significant in supporting economics improvement within a country (Mazzarol, Volery, Doss, and Thein, 1999). For example, in the Netherlands, SMEs account 98.8% of all private-sector companies, contribute 31.6% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and employ 55% of the total workforce (EIM Business Policy Research, 1999). Furthermore, obtaining sales outside their own domestic market is a goal of many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their governments (Economic Development Board, 1993). This thesis will be concentrated on the process of internationalization of SMEs, and especially the barriers of internationalization and motivations for export activities. In fact, SMEs are able to develop abroad since nowadays countries all around the world have become almost indistinguishable in terms of cultures and institutional settings (Johanson and Vahlne, 2003). 1.2 Problem statement According to problem indication, this there for leads to the following problem statement; What are the barriers and motivations of internationalization with regard to small and medium sized enterprises? 1.3 Research Questions The following questions will be posed in order to draw conclusions with respect to the problem statement: What are the characteristics of small and medium enterprises? How do the enterprises internationalize? What are the challenges and drivers of internationalization? 1.4 Research Method and Data Collection 1.4.1 Research Method This thesis will use a literature study as the method of research. To be able to answer the research questions, the research method that shall be used is the literature study. To develop a theoretical framework, exploratory studies are used in this research. It is the most ideal type of research for obtaining a clear understanding of the phenomena of interest (Sekarana, 2003). 1.4.2 Data Colletion Most of the resources used are secondary data which is data that have already been gathered by other researchers in the past (Sekarana, 2010). So far the author has found several journals and articles discussing internationalization of small and medium enterprises as the main source of this thesis. Firstly, literature based on drivers and motivations of internationalization of small and medium enterprises were sought using several search engines such as Google Scholar, and also database such as JSTOR. The following keywords were used: Internationalization, SMEs, Drivers and Motivations. These keywords were used separately and in combinations with each other. Secondly, more literature, articles and statistical data were found from the internet. Google is used as the search engine. Finally, to determine the quality of the literature, it is important to look at the number of citations from other high quality journal included in this literature. Another way to determine if literature is trustworthy is by looking at the references. 1.5 Structure of the Thesis In the remaining chapters the structure will be as follows: Chapter 2 shall review and analyze some of the definitions of small and medium enterprises and their characteristics, referring research question Q1. Chapter 3 will examine the theories and the process of internationalization. In chapter 4, I will investigate the opportunities and barriers to internationalization. In the final chapter, conclusions will be drawn and the problem statement will be answered. 2. SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 2.1. Definition of SMEs There is no single, uniformly acceptable definition of a small firm (Storey, 1994). However, some definitions are very depending on criteria such as number of employees and turn over. In 1971 Bolton Report (Dawes Haydock in Frank, 1999) attempted to overcome the problem of small firm definition by formulating what it called an economic definition and a statistical definition. Under the economic definition, a firm is regarded as small if it satisfied the following three criteria: they had a relatively small share of their market place; they were managed by owners or part owners in a personalized way, and not through the medium of a formalized management structure; they were independent, in the sense of not forming part of a large enterprise. The Committee also formulated a statistical definition which was designed to address three main issues. The first was to quantify the size for the small-firm sector and its contribution to economic aggregates such as gross domestic product (GDP), employment, exports and innovation. The second purpose was to compare the extent to which the small enterprise sectors economic contribution has changed over time. Thirdly, applying the statistical definition, this allows a comparison to be made among the contributions of small firms in one country with that of other nations. Furthermore, there is a lack of consensus on how to define SME (Gibb, 1993; Curran and Blackburn, 2001) as each country defines SME differently. For example, in the US and Canada, SMEs are generally defined as firms with fewer than 500 employees. In Japan, different headcount ceilings are used for manufacturing (up to 300 employees), wholesale (up to 150) and retail (up to 50). In this thesis we use the classification given by the Commission of the European Communities (2003/361/EC 2003). According to the European Union (2003), an SME is an enterprise with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover no more than 50 million Euros or a balance sheet total of no more than 43 million Euros. Small enterprises employ less than 50 and micro enterprises less than 10 employees. 2.2. Characteristics of SMEs SMEs are always one of the remarkable subjects for the researchers. It may be distinguished from larger firms by a number of key characteristics. Researchers have drawn some characteristic for the SMEs. Characteristics often discussed as typical of SMEs are as followed: Limited resources (Welsh and White, 1981). A small and medium enterprise generally has limited resources, which means they did not have money to purchase the required machinery and to hire many workers. This is extremely true for new starts-up due to an absence or lack of track record on the firm to entice potential investors and bankers. Hence, it is highly dependent on the capability of the owner to generate resources. Informal management style (Kotey, 1999 and Slade, 2005). For small and medium enterprises, the management is usually informal. The owner has to do almost everything and employees are normally expected to be able to duty as generalists as there is no clear division of tasks. Flexibility (Aragon-Sanchez and Sanchez-Marin, 2005). The enterprise has more flexibility to adapt to changes in the environment due to its size and informal structure. It is also vulnerable to grow in the enterprise environment. For example, any changes in government policy or technology might have a strong influence on the firms since instant changes require additional resources or capital. This might become a constraint to the firms to compete and sustain  itself in the market. Dependence on individual decision makers (Feltham and Barnett, 2005). The firms are managed and operated by the owner. The entrepreneurs of the business lead the company and play a role as both employee and employer. The growth of the firms is determined by the owner. Decision making is commonly done by the owner. 3. INTERNATIONALIZATION Different approaches and perspectives have been contributed to the literature firms internationalization (Morgan and Katsikeas, 1997), and these issues have been researched over three decades (Etermad, 2004). For instance, a gradual perspective of SME internationalization is explained in the Uppsala Model, and the Finnish-POM Models (Johanson and Wiedersheim-Paul, 1975; Johanson and Vahlne, 1977). The other perspective is that SME internationalization is explained by an economic view (Dunning, 1977), and another view is described by a network approach (Kenny and Fahy, 2004; Majkgard and Sharma, 1998; Welch and Welch, 1998). The last view is described as the International New Venture perspective (Oviatt and McDougall, 1994; Zahra, Ireland, and Hitt, 2000). All these models are briefly discussed below. Of the gradual approaches, the Uppsala Model initiated by Johanson and Wiedersheim-Paul (1975) and further developed by Johanson and Vahlne (1990 and 1977) is widely used to describe pattern of small firms internationalization (Andersson, 2004). In Uppsala Model, they make the distinction between state and change aspect of internationalization variables. They argue that the present state of the firm is the important factor in explaining future changes and subsequent stages. The state aspects are represented by the firms market commitment to the foreign market and the market knowledge about foreign market and operations. The change aspect is seen as commitment decision and the performance of current business activities. The concept of market commitment is assumed to be composed of two factors: Firstly, the amount of resources committed, for example, the size of investment in the market (marketing, personnel, organization etc.); Secondly, the degree of commitment, for instance, the difficulty of finding an alternative use for the resources and transforming them to practice. Market knowledge is seen as information about markets and operations which is somehow stored reasonable retrieval in the minds of individuals inside the firm, in computer memories or in written reports. International activities require both general knowledge about market operations and market specific knowledge. Current business activities are the prime source of experimental knowledge for the firm. It could be argued that experience could be gained alternatively through the hiring of the personnel with experience or through advice from persons with experience. Commitment decisions depend very much on experience since they are a response to perceived uncertainty and opportunities on the market. Decisions to commit further resources to specific foreign operations will more often be taken if experimental knowledge increases. This implies that additional market commitment as a rule will be made in small incremental steps because its takes time to gain experimental knowledge about foreign markets. The Uppsala model concentrates on the gradual acquisition, integration and use of knowledge about foreign market. According to this model, lack of knowledge is an important obstacle in the development of international operations and such knowledge can be acquired mainly through operations abroad. The gradual acquisition of knowledge increase foreign commitments. The second gradual model distinguishes three dimensions of internationalization (Luostarinen, 1979). First is Product (P), which describes what in terms of the firms goods, services, know-how and systems. Second is the Operation mode (O) which relates to how firms operate such as through agents, subsidiaries, licensing and management contracts. Third is Market (M), which describes where in relation to the selection of markets and takes into account political, cultural and physical differences. The organizational capacity dimension was a later addition to describe organizational structure, resources, finance and personnel (Welch and Luostarinen, 1988). Nonetheless, neither gradual model addresses the issues of networking. The networking view concentrates on non-hierarchical systems where enterprises invest to support and monitor their role in international networks. Referred to as the network perspective, this research draws on the theories of social exchange and resource dependence, and emphases on firm performance in the context of a network of interorganisational and interpersonal relationships (Axelsson and Easton 1992). Such relationships can include customers, competitors, suppliers, private and public support agencies, and friends, family and so on. Organizational boundaries therefore incorporate both business and social relationships. The theory suggests three methods of internationalization: International extension, explains how a company initially establishes connections with networks in other countries; Penetration, the firms develops the relationships that arise from those networks, which is described as the penetration method; International integration, the time when the company integrates the networks in different countries. Based to this research, internationalization determined by on an organizations set of network relationships rather than a firm-specific advantage. Therefore, externalization (rather than internalization) occurs. The network approach offers a complementary perspective to FDI theory given the latter does not account for the role and impact of social relationships in business transactions (Granvetter 1985). Also, internationalization decisions and activities in the network approach appear as patterns of behavior influenced by various network members, while FDI theory assumes coherent strategic decision-making. The network perspective introduces a more multilateral element to internationalization (Johanson and Vahlne 1992, p.12). Interestingly, this perspective has evolved from Johanson and Vahlnes early work, and reflects their ongoing research exploring the management of foreign market entry. For example, their (1992) study of internationalization in the situation of exchange networks found that even if foreign market entry is the gradual process (supporting the Uppsala model), it follow from interaction, and the development and maintenance of relationships over time. These findings support Sharma and Johanson (1987), who found that technical consulting firms operate in a network of connected relationships between organizations, where relationships become bridges to foreign markets and offer firms with the prospect and incentive to internationalize. The International New Venture theory emerged in the mid-nineties in response to the recognition that many firms do not go along with the gradual models in their internationalization process (Etemad, 2004a; Kenny et al., 2004). These firms are called Born Global (Knight and Cavusgil, 1996; Rennie, 1993), whilst Oviatt et al., (1994) identify them as Global Start-ups or International New Ventures (INV) firms. This model focuses on the age and not on the size of the firms and suggests that the INVs retain unique assets and capabilities that enable firms with limited resources to venture faster into foreign markets. Furthermore, Coviello and McAuley (1999) argue the internationalization happens gradually. With his extensive study of internationalization, Gripsurd (1990) points out that there is a three-stage model describing how an organization develops its international business study. First, the organization starts as a potential exporter, where they do not yet have the opportunity to export any of their goods or services. During this stage, the organization is still producing and distributing its products in the domestic market. Moreover, in the second stage, the firm is known as a passive exporter, where it has the opportunity to export its goods or services. However, they only represent upon request; therefore, there is no self-initiative. To continue, in the third stage, the firm is known as an active exporter, when it is increasing export activities abroad. With respect to the explanations, it is clear that Bell (1995) and Gripsrud (1990) mainly focus on the idea that internationalization develops in a number of stages. It happens gradually, not just with a single movement. 3.1 Process of Internationalization There are six steps that have been used for understanding about the internationalization of the small and medium enterprises. This process is not mattered only for the small and medium firms but applied in larger firms as well (Moberg and Palm, 1995 in Jennie and Zetterwall). These steps involved respectively, why internationalization (motives), company situation (SWOT), what (product and service), where (market selection), how (entry modes), and when (point of entrance). 3.1.1. Find out motives for internationalization. When a company goes internationalization it is often driven by certain stimuli or stimulus. Sometimes external and internal pressure such as competition, excess capacity of resources and a small and decline home markets put pressure on the company for becoming international. Other time firms go international because they want to. They have a unique product that is not widely available from international competitors or a technological advance in a special field (Czincota Ronkainen, 1995). 3.1.2. Clearly define the current situation of the enterprise (through conducting a SWOT analysis). To enter a foreign market does not mean new opportunities, but also a totally new situation with new environment and cultures. To find out whether a firm is ready to meet and handle this new situation or not, a complete analysis of the company situation has to be done by using SWOT analysis (Thompson Strickland, 1995, in Jennie Zetterwall). Companys economy, production, personnel, marketing, international experience and language capabilities are some factors those must be analyzed into SWOT analysis (Moberg Palm, 1995 in Jennie Zetterwall). Potential markets and marketing environment have to be analyzed to find attractive opportunities and avoid environmental threats. 3.1.3. Decide on the product or service enterprise wish to integrate in this process. The success of the firm depends on its products offered and on how well the firm is able to differentiate the product or service from what the competitors offer. When a company enters in a new market it should start with a small share of the assortment, mainly quality products or already established products. 3.1.4. Select the right market to penetrate. When firm decides to enter foreign markets, the customers and market conditions are quite different from their home market. That stage firms need to enhance international marketing strategies considering different aspect of the marketing such as product, price, promotion, place, logistics, competition, and so on. The firms strategies decided, whether use to the existing product or develop a new product to serve the foreign market. A firm operating the international marketing should not only identify the product for different markets but should also develop suitable strategies for growth such products. Whether a single standardized can be offered worldwide or a customize product need to be develop for each market is the most significant product decision that firms has to do while operating in international markets. In the international market, decision related to quality, packaging and labeling of product require specific attention and consideration. Product strategy of the firm in in ternational markets is often influenced by cultural context (Joshi, 2005). Therefore, it is a responsibility of the manager/owner to know the taste and preferences of the customer in a target market, and formulate the product strategy according to the marketing conditions. Sometime color, size, and packaging of the product play vital role in the success of the firm (Joshi, 2005). 3.1.5. Decide on mode of entry. After the selection of the market has been done, the company has to decide how to approach the foreign market. A firm can, for example choose to sell directly to the final consumer, to sell indirectly through distributors and/ or agents, or to produce locally in foreign countries. The choice depend on factors such as, resource of the exporting company, the characteristics of the product, the goal of the internationalization, the distribution culture in foreign markets, and the number and demand of the customer (Czinkota Ronkainen, 1995). 3.1.6. Find the right moment to do it. Furthermore, a company has to determine when to enter the foreign market. The company must be sure that market is ready, that the company has enough resources and the right market channel and product for specific market (Moberg Palm, 1995 in Jennie Zetterwall). Meanwhile, Masurel and Montfort (2006) explored the changes between stages in the life cycle of small and medium-sized enterprises in the professional services sector. They distinguish four different, subsequent stages in the life cycle. 1. Starting; 2. Growth; 3. Maturity; 4. Decline. They found that the first three stages represent an increase in diversification in sales, increase in differentiation of labor force, and increase in labor productivity. In the last stage, the diversification in sales, differentiations in labor force, and labor productivity all drop. As growth as one crucial key in this life cycle, SMEs starts internationalization which has become more and more relevant to the competitiveness of enterprises of all sizes. Recently, SMEs that start with a global strategy can change swiftly to take advantage of cross-border activities, which offers chances not only for revenue growth but also the exchange of knowledge and the development of capabilities, thereby strengthe ning the long-term competitiveness of the firm. 3.2. The Models of Internationalization Tookey (1969) developed an early example of modeling progression through various steps, pre-dating the Uppssalla model; this involved the advancement of the firm from exporting, to international marketing and finally international business The behavioural approach of the Uppsala views internationalization as having four stages (Johanson and Wiedersheim-Paul 1975, Johanson and Vahlne 1977) while Bilkey and Tesar (1977) identify six steps, Aijo (1977), Cavusgil (1980) and Reid (1981) identify five, while Czinkota (1982) identifies six. Johanson and Wiedersheim-Paul (1975), Johanson and Vahlne (1977) Stage 1: No regular export activities; Stage 2: Export via agents; Stage 3: Establishment of a sales subsidiary; Stage 4: Production or manufacturing in a foreign market. Bilkey and Tesar (1977) Stage 1: Management not interested in exporting; Stage 2: Management willing to fill unsolicited orders but not effort made to explore feasibility of actively exporting; Stage 3: Management actively explores feasibility of active exporting; Stage 4: Firm exports experimentally to psychologically close county; Stage 5: Firm is now an experienced exporter; Stage 6: Management explore feasibility of exporting to psychologically distant countries. Cavusgil (1980) Stage 1: Firm sells only in domestic market; Stage 2: Pre-export phase, the firm searches for information and evaluates feasibility of starting to export; Stage: Experimental involvement, firm begins exporting to psychologically close country; Stage 4: Active involvement, exporting to more new countries, direct exporting and increase in sales volume. Czinkota (1982) Stage 1: The completely uninterested firm; Stage 2: The partially interested firm; Stage 3: The exploring firm; Stage 4: The experimental firm; Stage 5: The experienced small exporter; Stage 6: The experienced large exporter. Reid (1981) Stage 1: Export awareness, problem of opportunity recognition and arousal of need; Stage 2: Export intention, motivation, attitude, beliefs and exporting about exporting; Stage 3: Export trial, personal experience from limited exporting; Stage 4: Export evaluation, results from engaging in exporting; Stage 5: Export acceptance, adoption of exporting or rejection of exporting. 4. DRIVERS AND BARRIERS TO INTERNATIONALIZATION Drivers of Internationalization There must be some motivations behind the decision to go international. Leonidou, Katsikeas and Percy (1998) determine that organizations are typically willing to market themselves for four reasons. First, it may be due to slow growth in the domestic economy as evidenced by a reduction in the number of the home market opportunities. Consequently, an organization will look for other opportunities by entering new international markets (Chandra, Styles and Wilkinson, 2009). Second, there may be a trade deficit followed by currency devaluation and a number of export restrictions. Third, the world trading system may become more liberalized leading to a minimization of international market entry barriers. Forth, it might be more intensive global competition in the global business environment. All these trends have developed the dynamic of exports. The creation of exports is not only due to the self-initiative of a company, but also by the government. This is also confirmed by Gripsrud (1990) who suggests that the government of a country may believe their firms to think globally by expanding their service areas to foreign markets, due to the expectation of an increasing volume of exports from the country. Thus, it will help the economy of that country. Furthermore, OECD (2009) also analyzed motivations for small and medium-sized internationalization including growth motives, knowledge-related motives, network or stoical ties and domestic or regional market factors. 4.1.1 Growth Motives Growth opportunities associated with international markets were identified as a key driver of firm internationalization in several recent studies (Orser et al., 2008), (Rundh, 2007), (Barnes et al., 2006), (Reynolds, 2007). The possibility of growth in other markets and increased profit opportunities from international expansion were highlighted as key stimuli for exporting. Firms overseas venturing decision also seems to be motivated by a need for business growth, profits, an increased market size, a stronger market position, and to reduce dependence on a single or small number of markets. The growth motive is very closely linked to maximizing returns and minimizing costs in purchasing, production and sales. 4.1.2 Knowledge-related Motives Garvey and Brennan (2006) suggest that knowledge assets both push and pull SMEs into international markets. The push dimension pertains to the importance of managers previous international experience and related management capacity factors. There are also related findings on the internationalization triggering effects of knowledge aspects, including RD investment, innovation capabilities, unique product or technology, and language skills; and firm resource base, as indicated by such proxies as size, age, and experience. 4.1.3 Network or Social Ties and Supply Chain Links Camara and Simoes (2008) have highlighted the importance of network/social ties and supply chain links in triggering SMEs first internationalization step and extending internationalization processes. The research studies particularly reported the stimulating effect on export activity of firms soft assets, including social and network capital, some of which may have accrued through managers immigrant background and associated links. 4.1.4 Domestic or Regional Market Drivers There is also support from recent relevant research (Lopez, 2007), (Staoian, 2006) on the push effects of firms limited or stagnating domestic market on internationalization behavior. The enterprise differed significantly in their export tendency, with export propensity increasing in regions with less favorable domestic conditions, local incentives to export and good export infrastructure. Recent evidence from Chile and Indonesia further suggest a greater tendency to export among firms from sectors characterized by high levels of export intensity and presence of foreign buyers. The Indonesian finding on the importance of foreign buyers presence is significant as it reinforces the earlier observed need to boost SMEs role in global value chains through facilitating their integration into production or supply systems of foreign affiliates of larger firms (OECD, 2008). Cavusgil and Nevin (1981) also classify the internal determinants of export behavior in four categories, which are differential firm advantages, strength of managerial aspirations for various business goals, management expectations about the effects of exporting on business goals, and level of organizational commitment to export marketing. Firstly, differential firm advantages are derived from the nature of the firms products, markets, technological orientation, and resources. These factors are important in preparing the firm and in motivating its management, but not sufficient to initiate export. Secondly, the strength of managerial aspirations for various business goals, such as growth profits, and market development are a second set of drivers. The importance that managers attach to internationalization is believed to be a direct determinant of a firms export behavior. Thirdly, management expectations about the effects of exporting on business goals reflect the managers knowledge and perceptions of possible risks and profitability of export. These expectations are also influenced by external factors, such as unsolicited orders from foreign buyers and fluctuations in exchange rates. Lastly, the level of organizational commitment to export marketing indicates the willingness to devote adequate resources to export-related activities. As reporting involves many new tasks and requires commitment of financial and managerial resources, this is a critical factor for an effective internationalization strategy. 4.2. Barriers to Internationalization In order to identify the term internationalization with the main focus of the thesis, Coviello and McAuley (1999) stated that not only large organizations, but also small and medium sized organizations, can become global. In addition, they also state that the international expansion of an SME is certainly useful when it comes to contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of a country. However, one thing that should be remembered is that not every SME is ready to expand into international markets. Despite the fact that they have small or medium sized organizations, there must be some factors and limitations in terms of finding global market opportunities. There have been a number of studies which have focused on the barriers to internationalization (Leonidou, 1995; Campbell 1994; Katsikeas and Morgan, 1994, Morgan 1997). The barriers to internationalization can be categorized into five broad areas: financial, managerial, market based (including both the domestic and international markets), industry specific and firm specific. It is widely acknowledged that barriers to internationalization can exist at any stage in the internationalization process (Morgan, 1997). Furthermore, the perception of the barrier

Free Essays - Holden and Modern Teenagers :: Catcher Rye Essays

The Catcher in the Rye - Holden and Modern Teenagers The characteristics of Holden from the book The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, will be compared to the "modern teenager". The characteristics of both sets of teenagers are basically similar, but in some parts, they are different. I chose myself as the modern teenager to be compared to Holden. There will be four major subjects to be talked about in the essay. The main subjects that are going to be discussed in this essay are academics, family, experiences and slang. I thought these four categories are interesting and easy to explain. In school, we are very similar in many ways. Both of us do not do well academically. We both have problems with grades in our classes. Holden failed four out of five of his classes while I failed none. But instead I received four "C's" from four out of eight of my classes. Although Holden has problems with grades, ironically he does well in his English. Holden stated, "I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot." (p.18) Reading books improves your grammar and vocabulary. This was be the reason why Holden does well in his English class. I do not read much and therefore I have problems in my grammar. The family background of Holden and I are fairly similar, both of us come from opulent families. Holden and I are both very lucky to be studying in eminent institutions. Unfortunately, Holden does not take this advantage. Holden's mind is elsewhere in a reverie, day dreaming how to save the virtuous children from the evil. While studying away from his family makes Holden's relationship with his family worst. I study in a private school with my sister and we go home every day and meet our parents when we get home. Since Holden does not spend quality time with his parents long enough, he rarely talked about them in the book. Holden even wrote about his brother in a negative way, "Now he's out in Hollywood, D.B., being a prostitute."(p.2) Using the word prostitute means a lot, maybe he did not know him as much as he needed to. Unlike me, I will never insult my sister a prostitute because that is like insulting yourself.

The Four Primary Symptoms of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a rare sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep at any place or time. After a 10 or 15 minute sleep attack, the person feels rested only brief period of time, then returns to an uncomfortable feeling of intense sleepiness. Many narcolepsy patients describe attempting to stay awake during the day like trying to stay awake after 3 days without sleep. Attacks may occur while driving, talking, or working. The central nervous system is involved. This disorder begins in adolescence or young adulthood and continues throughout life. Narcolepsy is a potentially disabling, life-long condition estimated to afflict about one in every one thousand people in the United States. Although it is not uncommon, narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed, or diagnosed years after symptoms first appear. The four primary symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy. People with narcolepsy are unable to resist the temptation of falling asleep and do so regardless of the number of hours slept the previous night. The excessive daytime sleepiness experienced by people with narcolepsy has been described as being like trying to stay awake after going several days without sleep. Frequently, people with narcolepsy fall asleep at inappropriate times, for example while eating or in the middle of a conversation. These moments often frequently occur during periods of intense emotion such as surprise, laughter, anger, or excitement (even in some of the most passionate situations). Cataplexy is the sudden loss of strength in voluntary muscles triggered by these intense emotions. The cataplectic attack can range from partial muscle weakness in a few muscle joints to almost complete loss of muscle control and last for several minutes. Sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations are also extremely common among patients afflicted with narcolepsy. Although these four symptoms are considered the four key symptoms of narcolepsy, all four symptoms only occur in small portion of the patients most other patients experience some combination of the four symptoms. A. Extensive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) This is probably one of the most persistent and disabling conditions that can be experienced by someone with narcoleopsy. This feeling typically lasts the entire day and occurs on a daily basis. When a patient with narcolepsy experiences a period where they do fall sleep it is more tan likely due to a failure to resist sleep instead of a sudden attack of sleepiness. Although this strong desire to sleep is constant, recent prior sleep does seem to relieve for momentary periods of time. Other factors that appear to prevent a sleep attack are physical activity and stimulants, but it also prolongs the period of feeling sleepiness. EDS has had a rather significant negative affect on narcoleptics' job performance at school and at the workplace. Narcoleptics experience severe problems with and are typically unable to work with automobiles and dangerous equipment. Narcoleptics are more impaired than epileptic patients in terms of job performance and how prone they are to accidents. Narcoleptics lack many physical, emotional, and family supportive needs, even when compared to patients with cerebral palsy and alcoholism. Cataplexy is the condition in which the skeletal muscles experience extreme muscles. This can vary from paralysis in one limb or throughout the entire body. During an attack, the person is conscious and aware of the environment surrounding him or her and if the paralysis is only partial maybe capable of carrying on a conversation. After the attack, the patient is fully conscious and experiences no confusion. This nearly always triggered by some form of emotional stimulus. The occurrences of attacks vary from patient to patient; it can happen daily or happen only once in a patient's life. These are realistic dreamlike hallucinations that occur either from consciousness to sleep or sleep to consciousness. The hallucinations are typically visual with occasional auditory or other sensory components. It often occurs in conjunction with sleep paralysis (see below). One of the most common hallucinations is to get out of bed and moving about while simply lying in a bed and not even moving a leg. Other hallucinations are more threatening as if a possible attacker enters the room and the patient is unable to move. This is form of paralysis that is the failure to move any skeletal muscle during the period from transition of consciousness to sleep or sleep to consciousness. This occurs frequently to narcoleptic patients. These experiences are extremely traumatizing to a patient and make it difficult for the patient to breathe. The attack usually lasts about 5 minutes but can be broke either by an extreme effort by the patient or external force such as being spoken to or touched. The precise factor that causes of narcolepsy is not clearly understood. Narcolepsy seems to be a biological problem, possibly involving abnormalities of brain chemistry. Narcolepsy or a predisposition to it may run in families suggesting a genetic influence. However, the way the predisposition might be inherited remains unknown. There is no evidence for a psychological basis for the disorder. The most accepted theory is that there is something disturbing REM sleep. The impaired REM system is the theory that explains EDS as well as cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. This was based upon the similarities between cataplexy and REM sleep. In both cases, skeletal muscles experience impairment, due to motor neuron blocking. This blocking of motor neurons occurs along the spinal causing excitation of the neuron in the spinal cord.. Cataplexy occurs when this inhibition of mental neurons are blocked during consciousness. Sleep paralysis may occur when motor neuron occurs prior to actual sleep or extends beyond the waking up period. Hypnagogic hallucinations occur when shifting between REM and wakefulness, this results in the unusual hallucinations experienced during hypnagogic hallucinations. The precise neurological abnormality that causes the symptoms of narcolepsy. The symptoms of narcolepsy are usually first noticed during teenage or young adult years although it can strike at any age. Most often the initial symptom to appear is excessive daytime sleepiness. Later, after several months or even years, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, or sleep paralysis typically develop. Different individuals experience wide variations in both the developments, the number and the severity of their symptoms. Family, friends, educators, employers and even those with narcolepsy often have a hard time understanding the problem and just what is happening. There is no known cure for narcolepsy. Narcolepsy symptoms can be treated with varying degrees of success with medications and adjustments of life-style and educational. Treatment is primarily intended to cope with the symptoms of narcolepsy. Stimulants are often given to promote alertness and to cope with EDS. The two stimulants that are prescribed the most frequently are methyphenidate and pemoline. Dosage is usually scheduled to promote alertness at the most crucial times. The one difficulty is that tolerance can rapidly develop to stimulants so it is recommended that stimulants be used only when truly needed. Adapting your work schedule to provide for naps at the time most crucial times of the most intense sleepiness can help prevent some of the affects of EDS. This also reduces the need and possible dependency upon medication. Funds for research are needed to advance knowledge about narcolepsy and test the effectiveness of methods of treatment and management.

The Influence Of Sulphur Dioxide Emissions Environmental Sciences Essay

Biogeochemical cycling is the term which describes the transportation of chemical elements and compounds between compartments, whilst taking into consideration the influences of biology. ( Harrison. R. M and Mora. S. J, 1996 ) . Anthropogenetic activities can impact on these rhythms, for case the consequence of sulfur dioxide emanations on the sulphur rhythm. A big proportion of these sulfurs dioxide emanations are sourced from the combustion of fossil fuels ( Hewitt and Jackson, 2009 ) , which has given rise to an addition in atmospheric deposition of sulfur, a term we may recognize as acerb rain. The undermentioned treatment analyses the beginning of these emanations, how they cause acerb deposition and the effects of it. The sulphur rhythm is comparatively complex and involves several gaseous species ( Manahan, 2005 ) . On land it is found chiefly as sulfide and sulfate ores, whereas in the oceans, it is present as dissolved sulfate ( Cullis and Hirschler, 1980 ) . In the ambiance the key sulphur compounds include hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and sulfate aerosols and mists, where in footings of pollution the presence of sulfur dioxide is the most important portion of the sulphur rhythm ( Manahan, 2000 ) . The rhythm operates whereby sulfur is continuously transported between the different stages. Ivanov ( 1981 ) has attempted to place the major sulfur fluxes of both anthropogenetic and natural beginnings. Annually about 120b Tg S are extracted by adult male from the geosphere in fossil fuels and sulfur incorporating natural stuffs for the chemical industry. Of this sum 70 Tg S are emitted to the ambiance. Around half of the staying 50 Tg S straight enters rivers, and another portion is applied wi th fertilisers to agricultural land. Natural beginnings lending to the sulphur rhythm include 29 Tg yr-l from volcanic gases. River overflow is the major transportation of sulfur from continents to the ocean with an one-year burden of 224 Tg, where 109 Tg of this is accounted for by anthropogenetic pollution. The entire flux of assorted sulfurs signifiers from pelagic H2O to deposits and farther to the lithosphere sums to 130 Tg yr-l. Anthropogenic sulfur fluxes have now reached a degree that is comparable with natural fluxes and this is expected to increase in most parts of the universe ( Ivanov, 1981 ) . Sulphur dioxide emanations are now one of the largest fluxed in the sulphur rhythm. Sulphur dioxide can arise from natural and semisynthetic beginnings. Natural beginnings include gases from vents, forest fires and from the oxidization of other sulphur compounds such as H sulfide ( Environment Agency, 2010 ) . On the other manus, anthropogenetic activities ensuing in sulfur dioxide emanations include the smelting of ores, warming of pyrites, sulfur excavation and burning of fossil fuels ( Moller, 1984 ) . We are chiefly interested in the emanations from the combustion of fossils fuels, since the oncoming of the industrial revolution has increased the sulfur load in the ambiance dramatically. Hewitt and Jackson ( 2009 ) stated that the anthropogenetic part to the entire sulphur emanation budget, chiefly in the signifier of sulfur dioxide, approaches 75 % , with around 90 % of this derivation from the northern hemisphere. The most abundant beginning of atmospheric sulfur is the combustion of coal and its byproduct ; nevertheless this is hard to quantify due to the ass ortment of coals such as difficult coal, lignite and coal for cookery ( Cullis and Hirschler, 1980 ) . The following most of import beginning of atmospheric sulfur is the combustion of crude oil merchandises, where the coevals of sulfur from this is still increasing ( Cullis and Hirschler, 1980 ) . Even in the absence of air pollution, rain H2O is somewhat acidic ( pH 5.6 ) due to the presence of C dioxide, therefore why the phrase acid rain refers to rain with a pH of below 5 ( Clarke and Tomlin, 1999 ) . Acid rain is caused by sulfur and N oxides come ining the ambiance, where they are converted to sulphuric and azotic acids severally. When these combine with hydrochloric acid from lifting H chloride emanations, these acids so cause acidic precipitation ( Manahan, 2005 ) . Acid deposition is the general term for acid rain, acerb sleet and acid snow etc. There are two types of deposition, moisture and prohibitionist, where moisture involves the transition of sulfur dioxide to sulphuric acid in the presence of wet from the ambiance, and dry deposition occurs when sulfuric acid is converted into sulfate atoms which straight hit the Earth ‘s surface ( Hill, 1997 ) .The same applies to nitrogen oxide. Beginnings of nitrogen oxide include buoy uping and natural combustion of biomass whereas for semisynthetic beginnings the chief 1 is vehicle emanations ( Clarke et al, 2001 ) . Sulphur dioxide is oxidised in the ambiance by a figure of mechanism. In low humidness conditions the most of import reaction is with the hydroxyl extremist ( Harrison and Mora, 1996 ) : SOa‚‚ + OH > HOSOa‚‚ HOSOa‚‚ + Oa‚‚ > SOa‚? + HOa‚‚ SOa‚? + Ha‚‚O > Ha‚‚SOa‚„ Due to sulfuric acid ‘s low vapor force per unit area it can quickly attach to the condensed stage such as aerosol atoms. The majority of Ha‚‚SOa‚„ is lost via wet deposition mechanisms in cloud droplets and precipitation ( Hewitt and Jackson, 2009 ) . In wetting agent climes different reactions occur since cloud H2O droplets are of import in transition of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid. When sulfur dioxide is dissolved in H2O it is in equilibrium with sulphite and bisulphite ions. This can be seen in the undermentioned equations ( Harrison and Mora, 1996 ) : SOa‚‚ ( g ) + Ha‚‚O a†¡? SOa‚‚ ( aq ) SOa‚‚ ( aq ) + Ha‚‚O a†¡? Ha‚?Oa + HSOa‚?a? » HSOa‚?a? » + Ha‚‚O a†¡? Ha‚?Oa + SOa‚a? » Sulphite may be oxidised by atmospheric O but this is a slow procedure unless it is catalysed by a passage metal ion such as Fe. The overall procedure can be seen below, which shows how sulfurous acid, which is a weak acid is converted to Ha‚‚SOa‚„ , a stronger acid ( Harrison and Mora, 1996 ) : 2SOa‚a? » + Oa‚‚ > 2SOa‚„?a? » Sulphur dioxide has a short mean abode clip as it has an atmospheric life-time of yearss, so it may come in the free troposphere but is improbable to come in the stratosphere ( Harrison, 1999 ) . This makes it a regional job since the gas does non transcend the planetary horizontal commixture clip, so it can do taint of the ambiance, hydrosphere, and dirt ( Ivanov, 1981 ) . ‘Sulphur emanations lead to acid deposition far from the beginning ‘ ( UNDP, 2000 ) and can hold inauspicious effects on aquatic ecosystems, trees, dirt and substructure. Schindler ( 1988 ) stated that it is now clear that acid rain has caused widespread acidification of many aquatic ecosystems in the north eastern United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Recent information has shown that juvenile fishes and other beings lower in the nutrient web have seen to be intolerant to higher pH values ( Schindler, 1988 ) . This can do trouble at higher trophic degrees as marauding fish may hunger, which can be the cause of decease even before the direct toxication of the H ion ( Schindler, 1988 ) . Persson ( 1981 ) besides found a lessening in reproduction caused by egg and fry mortality, which once more can impact further up the nutrient web. Damage to woods by acerb rain became noticeable in Germany in the early 1980s, shortly following this other states besides reported similar incidences ( Harrison, 1999 ) . Numerous field and research lab surveies have taken topographic point in peculiar with the ruddy spruce in the Northern hemisphere, as it has suffered widespread freezing hurt, growing decrease and mortality ( DeHayes et al, 1999 ) . The freezing hurt instances in ruddy spruce woods has increased over the past 40 old ages, which coincides with the clip of increased emanations of sulfur and N oxides. However the mechanism for the ruddy spruce diminution is non clearly understood. One account is that exposure of trees to promote SOa‚„?a? » in acerb rain may change C metamorphosis of trees, which can worsen the effects of natural emphasis such as cold and drouth ( Schindler, 1988 ) . Another theory is that acerb deposition mobilizes aluminum in the dirt which reduces soils storage of Ca and its handiness for root consumption. Freezing hurt consequences in the loss of leaf which is critical for photosynthesis and hence growing ( DeHayes et al, 1999 ) . Acid deposition can do corrosion on edifices constructed of limestone such as celebrated cathedrals. In damp conditions sulphur dioxide will change over Ca to carbonate to gypsum ( CaSOa‚„ ) which is more soluble than carbonate, therefore the reacted rock can be removed by disintegration ( Harrison, 1999 ) . Solid gypsum occupies a larger volume than carbonate which leads to flaking and checking of stuff from the surface. To reason we can see that sulfur dioxide emanations from the burning of fossil fuels have greatly impacted on the sulfur rhythm, peculiarly in the last 100 old ages, to the extent where it is now the largest flux in the rhythm. One of the remotion mechanisms of sulfur dioxide emanations is acerb deposition, which has found to hold had black effects on aquatic ecosystems, trees and workss and substructure. Reducing these emanations would be good to the latter and may reconstruct the anthropogenetic flux to a degree below the natural flux in the rhythm.

Lighter-Than-Air Craft History

Lighter-Than-Air Craft History The history of lighter-than-air flight began with the first hot-air balloon built in 1783 by Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier in France. Immediately after the first flight - well, float might be more accurate - engineers and inventors worked toward perfecting a lighter-than-air craft. Although inventors were able to make many advancements, the biggest challenge was to find a way to successfully steer the craft. Inventors conceived numerous ideas - some seemingly reasonable, like adding oars or sails, others a little far-fetched, like harnessing teams of vultures. The problem wasnt solved until 1886 when Gottlieb Daimler created a light-weight gasoline engine. Thus, by the time of the American Civil War (1861-1865), the lighter-than-air crafts were still unsteerable. However, they quickly proved to be an invaluable military asset. In a tethered balloon several hundred feet in the air, a military scout could survey the battlefield or reconnoiter an enemys position. Contributions of Count Zeppelin In 1863, 25-year-old Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin was on a years leave from the Wurttemberg (Germany) army to observe the American Civil War. On August 19, 1863, Count Zeppelin had his first lighter-than-air experience. Yet it wasnt until his forced retirement from the military in 1890 at age 52 that Count Zeppelin began to design and build his own lighter-than-air crafts. While Daimlers 1886 lightweight gasoline engine had inspired many new inventors to attempt a sturdy lighter-than-air craft, Count Zeppelins crafts were different because of their rigid structure. Count Zeppelin, partly using notes he had recorded in 1874 and partly implementing new design elements, created his first lighter-than-air craft, the Luftschiff Zeppelin One (LZ 1). The LZ 1 was 416-feet-long, made of a frame of aluminum (a lightweight metal not commercially produced until 1886), and powered by two 16-horsepower Daimler engines. In July 1900, the LZ 1 flew for 18 minutes but was forced to land because of some technical problems. Watching the second attempt of the LZ 1 in October 1900 was an unimpressed Dr. Hugo Eckener who was covering the event for the newspaper, the Frankfurter Zeitung. Eckener soon met Count Zeppelin and over several years cultivated a lasting friendship. Little did Eckener know at this time that he would soon command the first lighter-than-air ship to fly around the world as well as become famous for popularizing airship travel. Count Zeppelin made some technical changes to the design of LZ 1, implementing them in the construction of LZ 2 (first flown in 1905), which was soon followed by LZ 3 (1906), and then followed by LZ 4 (1908). The continued success of his lighter-than-air craft changed Count Zeppelins image from the foolish count his contemporaries had called him in the 1890s to a man whose name became synonymous with lighter-than-air crafts. Though Count Zeppelin had been inspired to create lighter-than-air crafts for military purposes, he was forced to concede the advantage of paying civilian passengers (World War I again changed the zeppelins into military machines). As early as 1909, Count Zeppelin founded the German Airship Transport Company (Deutsche Luftschiffahrts-Aktien-Gesellschaft DELAG). Between 1911 and 1914, DELAG carried 34,028 passengers. Considering that Count Zeppelins first lighter-than-air craft had flown in 1900, air travel had quickly become popular.

Crystal Frost Window Paint

Crystal Frost Window Paint Grow non-toxic crystals on your window that look like frost. These easy crystals grow in a few minutes and give you the effect of frost, even if its warm! Crystal Frost Materials 1/3 cup Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)​1/2 cup hot waterFew drops liquid dishwashing detergent Prepare the Crystal Frost Paint Dissolve the Epsom salt in the hot water.If the salt doesnt completely dissolve, microwave the solution for about 30 seconds.Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent. The detergent helps make the crystals easy to wipe away when youre done with them.Use a paper towel or rag to wipe a window with the solution. Crystals will form in a matter of minutes. Helpful Tips and Tricks Make certain the Epsom salt is dissolved. If there are salt grains in the solution then the window will have uniform crystals rather than random-looking frost.Use your finger to write on the window. The invisible text will act as a center for crystal growth, producing an interesting effect.Other smooth surfaces work well. Try a mirror, a metal pan or a translucent plate.When youre done with the frosted window, you can wipe it away with a damp cloth. View a video of this project, including time-lapse photography of crystal growth.

Case Study Of Care Group Health And Social Care Essay

Case Study Of Care Group Health And Social Care Essay 100 years after the first heart surgery less than 8% of the world’s population can afford it. If a solution is not affordable it is not a solution† says Dr.Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya. His thought to make cardiac surgery affordable and cater to the needs of those who are in the most need of it triggered the birth of Narayana Hrudayalaya. Dr.Devi shetty did his post graduate studies in cardiac surgery and worked at cardio thoracic surgery unit at Guy’s Hospital, London. He returned to India to work and serve the poor. His initial setups and work with other private hospitals didn’t give him the desired satisfaction and thus he ventured out to start a hospital of his own. With the support from his family owned business ‘Shankar Narayana Construction Company’, he started Narayana hrudayalaya a 250 bedded cardiac hospital in Bangalore city, India on 8th May 2001, with an initial investment of around Rs. 70 crore ($).The group has grown 25 to 30 per cent year on year. The hospital/health care group was instituted and is run under the name of Narayana Hrudayalaya private limited incorporated on 19 July 2000 according to the norms of the companies act, 1956 of India. All its present possessions come under the same name. Present stature: In a decade of starting its operations the health care group has grown and expanded its services nationally and internationally. Today the company holds many hospitals and health care institutions under its name. Starting with a single cardiac hospital in Bangalore it has now branches in various cities of India and planning to open branches in Mexico City, Mexico and Cayman Islands, USA in the coming years. The rate of growth and expansion of the hospital to other parts of India has been phenomenal. Narayana hrudayalaya pioneered the Indian health care market with a vision towards high quality but low cost health care. It helped to fill in the gap left by the other private hospi tals which catered to the few rich at the top of the pyramid with high costs for care and the government health care setup which struggled to provide basic medical services with only around 0.9% GDP (WHO) for over a billion people. Even as its expansion strategy was mainly oriented at the prospects of delivering affordable health care to the lower and middle income sections of the society. In doing so Narayana Hrudayalaya followed a flexible policy to establish itself in other cities of India. It brought in the concept of Management agreements where in it started to acquire hospitals that could not run to capacity due to lack of funds and other resources or institutions/trusts that showed interest to participate in bringing affordable care to the people in their regions. Narayana Hrudayalaya leased the hospital and the existing infrastructure from such hospitals. The hospital was managed by Narayana Hrudayalaya according to their standard protocols but a monthly/annual payment was m ade as per the lease agreements. In some instances Narayana Hrudayalaya was invited by state governments by provision of land subsidies or in the forms of potential investments to open new hospitals. A huge spurge can also be seen in the expansions during and after financial year 2007-2008 due to external investments coming into the group. Biocon Pvt.Ltd, an Indian biotechnology company came forward to collaborate in building a specialty oncology hospital in Bangalore, India. In February 2008 Global investment banks American International Group Inc. (AIG) and JPMorgan have taken a 25% stake in the company for Rs 200 crore ($) each.

Consumer Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 3

Consumer Behaviour - Essay Example In the modern business scenario, sustaining customer relation is more important that the old and often unsustainable "sell-it-forget-it" attitude. To build consumer loyalty and brand appreciation, marketing managers are increasingly turning to consumer psychology to create products and ad campaigns that are more compelling to the human psyche and easily retained in the human mind. In business, everything has a life cycle. Products, services, ad campaigns etc. have a vibrant period of activity after which it loses its sheen and becomes a liability on the company that promotes it. Even concepts have a life period after which they lose their relevance. This applies to ad campaigns as well. Ad campaigns have to be devised, modified, upgraded and dispersed at the right time and with optimum intensity in order to be of any value. Ad campaigns have to be devised keeping the consumer in mind. This means that each ad campaign will have an intended audience as its focus. Depending on the focus, ad campaigns will have to change its tone and tenor to attract the attention of the audience. A textbook definition of consumer behaviour is "The study of individuals, groups, or organizations and the processes they use to select, secure, use, and dispose of products, services, experiences, or ideas to satisfy needs and the impacts that these processes have on the consumer and society." 1 Not every ad is suitable for all age groups. Ads that are targeted at the young must be suited to their style and concepts. In addition, a very important point that campaigners have to adhere to is that ads must also satisfy peer pressure and not only the demands of the individual. Many young customers are easily swayed by peer pressure while older folks are more practical while considering the services that they plan to buy. Hence, while ads with a practical message often work well with older people, younger consumers

Wheelchair Basketball Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Wheelchair Basketball - Essay Example The fact that these soldiers were recently paralyzed led to a lot of frustration and no outlet for them to channel their energy. As they began rehabilitation and searched for a physical outlet to relieve stress they decided what better than sports? (Schweiker: 1954) The soldiers began with sports such as ping-pong, catch and pool, then it went to bowling, volleyball and swimming, then to the more energy requiring sports such as water polo, touch-football, softball and basketball. Although several other sports have now been added, it was basketball that overshadowed the others in a few years time in overall popularity. In 1946, other historical documents reveal that the California Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America played the very first match of organized wheelchair basketball, two weeks prior to the New England Chapter. According to these facts, it thereafter spread across the nation to the VA hospitals in Chicago, Memphis, Boston, Richmond and New York. Not before long, the sp ort had spread across the border to the UK and to Canada as well. (Schweiker: 1954) By time 1948 rolled around, there were six teams in total in the United States. All were members of the PVA and all functioned from Veteran hospitals. This was the same year that the Birmingham, California team obtained a sponsored tour to travel by plane, and play other paraplegic teams across the nation. The immediate result of the first sponsored tour of the Birmingham Flying Wheels was the development of the first wheelchair basketball team outside of VA hospitals in Kansas City. The first ‘civilian’ hometown team was known as the Kansas City Wheelchair Bulldozers (later known as the City Rolling Pioneers). (Schweiker: 1954) In 1955, the Touring U.S. Pan Am Jets team was the first to bring wheelchair basketball to England, when they participated in the first international competition at Stoke Mandeville. (GBWA.org: 2011) Now, there are several teams throughout the United Stated, UK, and rest of the world. The first World Championships for Men, the G old Cup, took place in Bruges, Belgium in 1975, but has long since continued on thereafter. In the UK, The Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association governs wheelchair basketball. The GBWA is a registered charity and forms the representative body of wheelchair basketball in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Teams in the GBWA league consist of the RGK TCAT Rhinos, Sheffield Steelers, Teamside Owls, GLL Capital City Raiders, Essex Outlaws, Knights and Aces. However there are several more teams at different divisional levels. GBWA.org: 2011) Aside from the GBWA there is also the Welsh Wheelchair Basketball Association WWBA. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) governs the sport itself. The height of the basket and the size of the court are the same as in the running version of the game (10 feet from the floor and 28mx 15m, respectively). The duration of for all international games is 40 minutes. In terms of eligibility, athletes using wheelchairs play wheelchair basketball, and whose disabilities might include lower limb amputations, paraplegia, polio and cerebral palsy. In general terms, any individual who cannot participate in stand-up running basketball as the direct result of an injury, disabling condition, etc. is eligible to play wheelchair basketball. It is important to note that not all participants in wheelchair basketball use a wheelchair for daily living. (Paralympics.org: 2011). Other important classifications to notice are the points rating system. Athletes in wheelchairs are classified by their physical

SARS Pandemic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

SARS Pandemic - Essay Example Vaccine is in the preparatory phase. Once vaccine has been finally prepared would it possible to meet the demand of the world to prevent an event of pandemic through herd immunity. This is big question that is not an easy task to answer. Apart from availability, the cost of the vaccine would be an important factor. Developing countries would be at the worst hit because of affordability issues related to the cost of the vaccine. But pandemic will not be prevented if only the developed is vaccinated. It would have been possible to control the syndrome through directly observed treatment strategy (DOTS) if a drug of choice was available. Since no drug of choice is available and the vaccine does not seem to be of any substantial benefit so the only option left is the prevention. Prevention can be achieved through personal hygiene, sanitation of the environment especially with overcrowding like schools, aircrafts, etc. After a diagnosed case, the strategy used by the Canadian health authorities during 2003 outbreak seems an excellent guideline to follow when required. Coronaviruses are the causative agent for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). These are positive strand RNA viruses of about 100nm and contain the largest genome among the RNA viruses. These viruses belong to the group of nidovirales, the other members of the group are: toroviruses and arteriviruses. Coronaviruses have helical nucleocapsides and envelops which are derived from intracellular membranes (Hunt 2005, Lwinson 2004). The coronaviruses discovered in the fourth decade of the last century but received attention in early 2003 when it was found that a new disease, SARS, which was started in the late 2002, was caused by these viruses (Hunt 2005, Lwinson 2004). SARS was responsible for the sickness of more than 8000 people while more than 700 people died of this syndrome around the world (SARS 2006). The habitat is animal body but the disease is spread when the animal-human barrier is crossed due to any factor (Peiris 2003). The virus is transmitted through droplet and contact (Hunt 2005, Lwinson 2004, Poutanen 2003, Yu 2004). Airborne mode of transmission is still not confirmed. There are some supporting data available but more information is needed to declare it as a mode of transmission. The contact of mucous membranes, of a potential candidate for SARS, with infected material seems important for the spread of the disease (Peiris 2003). The viruses are in different secretions of the body, like urine and faeces but the evidence for feco-oral route is missing (Olsen 2003). The SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is actually less transmissible as, the ratio of one primary case to its secondary cases is only two to four but once it starts spreading and measures are not taken to control then the toll is very high (Olsen 2003). The incubation period estimated by various research teams have been in the range of two to ten days with mean duration of six days (Olsen 2003,Donnelly 2003). It has also been observed that it is very unlikely for the transmission to occur before the start of the symptoms and after 10 days of the resolution of fever (Olsen 2003). Based on the incubation period, the period of infectivity and the mode of transmission the viruses have infected humans in a variety of environments, like: workplaces of health care providers, lab

Migrant women Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Migrant women - Essay Example It is the movement of people from one place to another, either as an individual or in masses. People may either move over long or short distances to stay over long or short periods of time. This is because people tend to move to the industrialized areas that present employment opportunities as well as market created by a large number of people who seek employment in the established industries. Financial globalization has also encouraged globalization of labor leading to high levels of migration, especially from the less developed economies to the developed economies. Initially, men were predominant amongst the migrants. However, with recent empowerment of women in acquiring skills, their competitiveness in the labor market has improved. The need to satisfy financial needs has seen women actively participating in the labor market. With high dependence on agriculture in the less developed countries, population increase has led to reduced agricultural land and people have to look for al ternative ways of earning a livelihood. Migration of women is mainly triggered by the desire to feed their families. With modern transportation, migration has been made easy. People can move conveniently all over the world so long as they can afford to meet the cost. Most of the migrants from the less developed economies move to developed ones to offer cheap and unskilled labor. Women from Asia and Africa have been migrating to the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada to seek employment.

The economic crisis and the city of London Essay

The economic crisis and the city of London - Essay Example n just the financial market but it is also a hub of extraordinary financial innovation as well as the ability to evolve new ways of life in which society actually flourishes. The current financial crisis therefore has also hit hard the city of London- the first major financial hub of the world. City has remained an active participant in the overall financialization of the British economy and played major part as a market to fill the gap between demand and supply of funds. (Klimecki, 2011).  This rise to the fame however, took place gradually due to de-regulation of banking sector which many interest groups are now demanding to be regulated again. The current crisis therefore is not only resulting into loss of jobs but the overall prestige of world’s first financial hub. Banks as important segment of the economy Banks play important role in economy because they serve as the intermediary between savers and consumers. By playing the role of intermediaries, banks actually serve as a link between those who want to save and those who want to borrow. This role therefore has allowed banks to become one of the most important segments of any economy. It is critical to understand that the existence of banks often serve the economic purposes of channeling the savings of those who want to save to those who want to borrow. By doing so, banks actually help other sectors of the economy to access a large pool of funds which can be used for the expansion purpose. Banks therefore serve not only as the creators of money within an economy but also provide essential economic support to other sectors of the economy. (Rubinstein, 1993)   The history of banking in UK is more than 400 years old when first banks started to operate during 17th century. Over the period of time, the sector grew... This paper presents the comprehensive analysis of post-crisis role of the banking system in the UK economy. The essay also outlines the political connections of the London city’s financial district with the ruling Conservative party. What started as a simple subprime mortgage crisis slowly engulfed the whole economy and created the contagion effect on other sectors of economy also. The inter-linked nature of modern economy has created a chain reaction of events in which bad performance in one segment of the economy also affected other segments. The presence of almost all international financial institutions as well as other major financial institution. has given a unique significance to London as a major global financial hub. Banks play important role in economy because they serve as the intermediary between savers and consumers. By playing the role of intermediaries, banks actually serve as a link between those who want to save and those who want to borrow. The traditional organization of banks is based upon their links with the central banks and other regulatory organizations. In a highly de-regulated environment, banks therefore tend to focus on organizing themselves in a manner which can give them an opportunity to develop significant influence over the policy making issues. The current Conservative Government and Party are considered as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the link between the two as most of its funding comes from the financial institutions and private equity firms.

Interest Groups GP210 Wk 5 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Interest Groups GP210 Wk 5 - Research Paper Example er example can be seen in China which is working towards approving non-animal tested cosmetics in the country following an initiative led by PETA (Gallon, 2012). In order to influence policy and public agenda, PETA conducts activities like holding campaigns and working towards changing the law concerning ‘required’ animal testing. It is also involved in creating public awareness about animal abuse in the entertainment, research, fashion and food industries. Several celebrities like Paul McCartney and Russell Simmons support PETA and this is a major strength as common people look up to them as idols. Their strengths include being creative and highly visible. Their major weakness is their crude and uncaring manner of communicating their purpose. For example, PETA came up with a billboard before Easter 2004 that pictures a pig with the caption ‘He died for your sins – go vegetarian’ (Strom, 2004). This brought about a huge uproar from the Christian community.

The economic crisis and the city of London Essay

The economic crisis and the city of London - Essay Example n just the financial market but it is also a hub of extraordinary financial innovation as well as the ability to evolve new ways of life in which society actually flourishes. The current financial crisis therefore has also hit hard the city of London- the first major financial hub of the world. City has remained an active participant in the overall financialization of the British economy and played major part as a market to fill the gap between demand and supply of funds. (Klimecki, 2011).  This rise to the fame however, took place gradually due to de-regulation of banking sector which many interest groups are now demanding to be regulated again. The current crisis therefore is not only resulting into loss of jobs but the overall prestige of world’s first financial hub. Banks as important segment of the economy Banks play important role in economy because they serve as the intermediary between savers and consumers. By playing the role of intermediaries, banks actually serve as a link between those who want to save and those who want to borrow. This role therefore has allowed banks to become one of the most important segments of any economy. It is critical to understand that the existence of banks often serve the economic purposes of channeling the savings of those who want to save to those who want to borrow. By doing so, banks actually help other sectors of the economy to access a large pool of funds which can be used for the expansion purpose. Banks therefore serve not only as the creators of money within an economy but also provide essential economic support to other sectors of the economy. (Rubinstein, 1993)   The history of banking in UK is more than 400 years old when first banks started to operate during 17th century. Over the period of time, the sector grew... This paper presents the comprehensive analysis of post-crisis role of the banking system in the UK economy. The essay also outlines the political connections of the London city’s financial district with the ruling Conservative party. What started as a simple subprime mortgage crisis slowly engulfed the whole economy and created the contagion effect on other sectors of economy also. The inter-linked nature of modern economy has created a chain reaction of events in which bad performance in one segment of the economy also affected other segments. The presence of almost all international financial institutions as well as other major financial institution. has given a unique significance to London as a major global financial hub. Banks play important role in economy because they serve as the intermediary between savers and consumers. By playing the role of intermediaries, banks actually serve as a link between those who want to save and those who want to borrow. The traditional organization of banks is based upon their links with the central banks and other regulatory organizations. In a highly de-regulated environment, banks therefore tend to focus on organizing themselves in a manner which can give them an opportunity to develop significant influence over the policy making issues. The current Conservative Government and Party are considered as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the link between the two as most of its funding comes from the financial institutions and private equity firms.

Atomic Bombing on Japan Essay Example for Free

Atomic Bombing on Japan Essay On the morning of August 6th, 1945 at around 8:16 a. m. , the United States dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima. This bomb was given the nickname â€Å"Little Boy. † Three days after the first atomic bomb was dropped, on August 9th, 1945 at around 11:02 a. m. , the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. This bomb was given the nickname â€Å"Fat Man. † These two bombs immensely destroyed these cities and took the lives of many people. There was an estimated 200,000 lives taken in the atomic bombing on Japan. The war on the Pacific had been going on for over four years before the atomic bombing occurred. There were two big battles that could have led to the United State’s decision of dropping the atomic bomb, the Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In these two battles there was an astounding amount of deaths taken in these battles from both sides. While both sides of the Japanese and American soldiers fought vigorously taking the many lives of one another, the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima was a military necessity for the United States. The reason why the dropping of the atomic bomb was a military necessity is because there was nothing else to force Japan to surrender. President Harry S. Truman asked the Japanese to surrender on August 3rd, 1945 or face devastation, but the Japanese failed to meet the deadline. Truman ordered the air force to use the new atomic weapons against Japan. Some argued that if we would had waited a few more weeks, Japan would have surrendered. Others argued that there was no other way to persuade the Japanese to surrender but the atomic bombing. Truman said this was a simple military mission. He said a weapon was available to quickly end the war so he sees no reason not to use it. The alternative to dropping the atomic bomb was a ground invasion in Japan, which would have caused heavy losses to our American troops. From my perspective, I believe that the atomic bombing of Hiroshima was necessary for the preservation and security of our nation. At the time of this incident, the United States was involved in World War II serving as part of the Allied Powers. Therefore, on the morning of December 7th, 1941, the Japanese decided to implement surprised attacks on Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor was a US Navy base located in Hawaii. The United States was not expecting these attacks at all. I feel that the attack on Hiroshima was retaliation for the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Although we may have gone a little over board, it had to be done to establish that the US was not a nation to be messed with. The Japanese’s opportunity to fight back was over after the first atomic bomb was discharged because the navy was taken out, the inability to import food and the lack of industrial supplies. In addition the second atomic bomb was dropped to seal the victory over Japan. Although both Japan and the United States suffered great losses from the altercations, Japan was left with much more trauma. The first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima immediately killed an estimated amount of 66,000 people out of a population of 255,000. The second bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki instantly killed about 35,000 people. However, a numerous amount of soldiers and citizens of Japan did not immediately die. These bombings lead to an awful amount of physical effects that dismembered the country of Japan for many years. Many individuals of Japan either died or suffered from radiation burns, cancer, leukemia, and many other physical disorders. Research shows that radiation increases the long-term risks of cancer. At the time of the bombing, many pregnant women gave birth to children with congenital malformations because of the contact with radiation. After the bombing, there were said to be 6,500 orphans in the city of Hiroshima. Despite the many people that were killed in the bombings, Americans saved many lives on both sides by not invading Japan. The city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was essentially wiped out by the two atomic bombs. The bombs fiercely took out anything in its path. Not one thing or person within 800 meters of the bomb’s blast survived. Only parts of two buildings were standing after the bomb at the explosion site. The survivors in Japan had to clean up over 11. 5 square kilometers of debris and dead bodies after the bombing. This process took Japan four years to clear up. The bombings also cost Hiroshima $2 billion in damage. There were an estimated 60,000 to 90,000 buildings destroyed by the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. And an additional 14,000 buildings destroyed in Nagasaki. To conclude, the atomic bomb dropped on Japan by the United States was indeed a military necessity. The position of the United States at the time left our country with no other choice but to establish superiority; we needed to end the war. There was little sympathy for an enemy who had stimulated the fight and had behaved the way Japan had. Also, Japan’s surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor had left many Americans pleading for revenge. The atomic bomb did just that, wiping out almost entirely two cities in Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although much tragedy and trauma had resulted from the attacks of both countries, the sacrifices were necessary and appropriate.

M-Pesa innovation products of Safari

M-Pesa innovation products of Safari CHAPETER 1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM M-Pesa is one of the ingenious innovation products of Safari- com Kenya, it is a mobile money transfer that enables Safari-com subscribers to send and receive money to anyone of the mobile network. It was developed by Vodafone, which holds a 35% share in Safari-com. The M stands for mobile. Pesa is Swahili for money. Since its introduction in March of 2007, the M-PESA money transfer system has seen its popularity with the un-banked population surge, making the application a great success all over the country. For example, between March 2007 and September 2008, M-pesa person to person transfers hit the Sh54 billion mark with December alone last year accounting for an additional Sh14 billion. To call M-PESA a success would be an understatement. Today you can use your phone to pay for cab rides and electricity, to get money out of ATMs without owning an ATM card or even having a traditional bank account. This has caused jitters in the banking industry. It is worthy noting here that most of the Kenya’s live in local remote areas and do not have access to banking services. The M-PESA service does not require users to have bank accounts. All they need to do is register at an authorized M-PESA agent by providing their Safari-com mobile number and their identification card. Once registered, the user can buy digital funds at any M-Pesa agent and send that electronic cash to any other mobile phone user in Kenya by SMS. Recipients can either redeem this for conventional cash at M-Pesa agent outlets or buy Safari-com airtime for themselves and other subscribers. An M-Pesa-enabled mobile phone can also function as an electronic wallet, holding up to â‚ ¬500 (50,000 Kenyan shillings). The service has lowered transaction costs for users in terms of money, time and risk. An urban dweller that used to send money to his nuclear family, other relatives or anyone else using the post office, bus services or friends traveling home can now remit funds quickly and safely for a small fee. The recipient can then obtain cash using an M-pesa agent of choice. The service is being used to make payments for lower value goods and services, thus increasing the velocity of business. You can haggle with a hawker on the street and make an electronic payment for whatever you buy. Instead of traveling upcountry to pay school fees or cater for unforeseen expenses, parents can now agree with friends or teachers to make payments on their behalf after getting the money transferred electronically to them. People who were too poor to open a bank account can now have a transaction account at their disposal. Only about 2 million Kenyans have bank accounts out of a population of around 36 million. Therefore, the potential to broaden access to financial services is massive. Though the product has is clearly gained prominence among the low income earners, high income earners Small and medium organizations it has not gone down well with the major Banking key players who are opposing it. 90% of Kenyans do not have an account in a regular bank. Across Africa, only 20% of families have formal bank accounts, according to a World Bank survey. In Tanzania the percentage is as low as 5%, and in Liberia 15%. But the proliferation of mobile telephone services around the continent has opened a new way to extend financial service 1.1 Research questions What are the financial needs that M-Pesa meets as an agent of money transfer? Is the M-Pesa product reliable and accessible in meeting the financial needs in Kenya? 1.2 Research Objectives 1. To find out the effects/ contributions of M-Pesa as a product of Safari com to society 2. Find out the impacts of M-Pesa in the banking sector in Kenya 3. To find out who are the main population segments targeted by M-Pesa product in Kenya 4. To find out the methodologies used by Safari com as an M-Pesa provider to satisfy customers needs RATIONALE OF THE RESEARCH Known as M-pesa, or mobile money, the service is expected to revolutionize banking in a country where more than 80% of people are excluded from the formal financial sector. Apart from transferring cash; a service much in demand among urban Kenyans supporting relatives in rural areas, customers of the Safaricom network will be able to keep up to 50,000 shillings ( £370) in a virtual account on their handsets. Mobile phone growth in Kenya, as in most of Africa, has been remarkable, even among the rural poor. In June 1999 Kenya had 15,000 mobile subscribers. Today it has nearly 8 million out of a population of 35 million. In time, M-pesa will allow people to borrow and repay money, and make purchases. Companies will be able to pay salaries directly into workers phones; something that has already attracted the interest of larger employers, such as the tea companies, whose workers often have to be paid in cash as they do not have bank accounts. The M-pesa project is being watched closely by mobile operators around the world as a way of targeting the multibillion pound international cash transfer industry long dominated by companies such as Western Union and Money gram. According to the World Bank, remittances sent from nearly 200 million migrant workers to developing countries totalled  £102bn in the year 2007. The GSM Association, which represents more than 700 mobile operators worldwide, believes this could quadruple by 2012 if transfers by SMS become the norm. Vodafone has entered a partnership with Citigroup that would soon allow Kenyans in the UK to send money home via text message. The charge for sending  £50 is expected to be about  £3, less than a third of what some traditional services charge. SME’s in Kenya are making use of M-pesa. This is mainly because the service has been found to be liquid, flexible, acceptable, safe and reliable. M-pesa has also had an impact on microfinance institutions since members send virtual funds to their group leader, and the group leaders give the funds to the microfinance organization. Users can send between 100 Kenyan shillings ($1.5) and 35,000 shillings ($530) via a text message to a desired recipient; even someone using a different mobile network. The recipient then can obtain the cash from a Safaricom agent by entering a secret code and showing personal identification. M-pesa gives people too much access (24/7) to their cash which could undermine saving culture. Analysis shows that the M-PESA-based cash transfers are secure, enable a quick emergency response, are cost-effective and empower communities. Cash transfers give households access to a wider range of commodities. The injection of cash also strengthened the local economy. The role of information technology in empowering the poor the ability of mobile phones to send SMS expands the range of cheap communication available to the poor. Isolated communities now know how to receive remittances by using M-PESA. Communities also see advantages in using their mobile phones to develop early warning and security alarm systems to prevent cattle-rustling. Women also see income-generating opportunities by offering informal payphone services to other members of the community. Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW The increasing speed of transactions has been a critical part of the innovation process. At the cutting edge of money technology, corporate America is moving beyond batch processing and air couriers, to networks for integrated accounting and payments processing systems. The definition of an instantaneous money transfernot by check, but by ATM or direct computer connectionis moving inexorably toward real time, on a par with exchanges of currency, but without the need to be physically face-to-face. And the closer technology brings us to real-time remote payments, the closer we are to genuine 24-hour banking and trading, and a worldwide set of assets that might be used for wealth storage, at least for those who are willing to accept some currency risk. Firstly, it is the young, male, urban migrants who are driving the uptake of services – customer adoption. Being early adopters of technology, these migrants are usually better educated and earn higher incomes than those in the vil lage. Because these migrants are the senders, they can choose the channel for money transfer. They then influence recipients in the rural area—who are usually female, less educated and poorer—to also use M-pesa. M-pesa has been successful because it relies on traditional practices and structures and modernizes these features. It is indeed a model based on indigenous payment practices, extended mobile phone networks and a large distribution network. With this service, Kenyans can open up a digital account on the cell phone, send and receive money, pay bills like electricity and obtain credit. Users can also withdraw money from ATMs The distribution network is based on agents who were already present in markets. Agents receive basic training from M-pesa. Only three months after the launch of M-pesa, the service had 400 agents, compared to 450 bank branches and 600 ATMs in Kenya. By mid 2009 M-pesa had 3400 agents. Safaricom’s M-pesa service in Kenya was one of 10 private sector initiatives in 2008 to be recognized by the World Business and Development Award as making a significant contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals. M-pesa has also been recognized by several other awards, including: Stockholm Challenge 2008 – Winner, Economic Development category ( M-pesa) Kenyan Banking Awards 2007 and 2008 – Special Award for Product Innovation (M-pesa) Global Mobile Awards 2008 – Nominated, Best use of Mobile for Social and Economic Development (M-pesa) Global Mobile Awards 2008 – Winner, Best Broadcast Commercial (M-pesa ‘Send Money Home’ TVC) AfricaCom Awards 2008 – Changing Lives award and Best Solution for Rural Services award MSK Warrior Awards 2008 – Best Innovation. Kenya’s independent Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSD), which aims to support the development of inclusive financial markets in Kenya, carried out a survey of M-pesa use in 2008. The survey aimed at establishlishing the opportunities and challenges presented by the service and how it could be introduced in other countries. The survey of 3,000 randomly selected households across Kenya, 300 randomly selected M-pesa agents and 50 M-pesa Head offices found almost 40% of households use M-pesa, with 63% sending regular financial support. Of those surveyed: 90% believe their money is safe with M-pesa 81% find M-pesa very easy to use and a further 15% say it is quite easy to use 84% say losing M-pesa would have a large negative effect. Compared with alternatives, those surveyed find M-pesa is: Quicker (98%) More convenient (96%) Safer (98%) Cheaper (96%) Concern Worldwide pioneered the use of M-pesa for bulk cash transfers during the post-election emergency in early 2008 in the Kerio Valley, one of the remotest parts of Kenya. During the violence, cattle rustlers attacked communities in the Kerio Valley, looting their livestock and displacing them. Concern’s initial response was to provide food aid, but carrying and distributing food proved very costly and insecure. Cash transfers were seen as a way of overcoming the challenges posed by the terrain and the security situation. Chapter 3 METHODOLOGY The study will be based in Nakuru a town which is surrounded by a network of small village towns, also comprising of low and middle income earners The study proposes to use both secondary data and primary data to achieve its objectives. The secondary data will be obtained from Safari-com website on issues of corporate and social responsibility, monthly newsletters and annual reports. The research will prefer qualitative as it is considered as the most appropriate on account of it being amenable to use of innovative techniques in exploring relatively unexplored research areas (kamoche, 2001; Yin 1994). The researcher will also use mixture of research methods and these are; semi structured questionnaires, surveys and oral interviews to collect data. Quota sampling will also be used to collect data regarding population segments targeted by M-Pesa product. 3.1 Data analysis and methods The data will be summarized and classified in terms of variable objectives of the study in order to enhanced further analysis and processing. The responses to the various items will be coded then keyed in a matrix for this purpose. The data will be entered, edited and cleansed to ensure correct entry of the response. Descriptive (frequencies, means, standard deviations and graphical illustrations) will be used for the analysis to help in establishing the findings on the objectives of the study 3.2 Information Validity and Reliability The questionnaire will be pre-tested with Safari com to authentic reliability. The pre- testing study/pilot study will be done, 100 km from Nakuru away from the study area and will be done to avoid any possible influence on trial respondents before the actual survey 4 REFLECTIONS Due to the size of general population in Kenya, time within which the research should be completed and the cost that would be involved if all the country were studied, the study will cover a cross section of Nakuru residents who will be represent the rest of the country. This study therefore proposes to use cross sectional survey because it is cheap to do and the results from the sample can be inferred to the larger population The M-Pesa product has been in the market for a barely two years and therefore there isn’t much literature about it however the results from this research will guide future research in this area 4.1 Ethical issues The first step was to seek permission from management by writing a letter to Safari-com management. This was important get authorization. Since various people including Safari- com employees, general public and other stakeholders will be interviewed it is important to seek permission from these people before interviewing or giving them questionnaires. Before commencement had the researcher will seek permission from management by writing while assuring them that the copy of research would be provided and none will be published outside without their permission. Under no circumstances would personal details to be divulged according to the data protection Act. It will be responsibility of the researcher to assure participants that it will be their sole decision to comment or give opinion. Another important issue is time and therefore it is upon the researcher to find time for interviews not to disrupt any organizations business. REFERENCES Alice t. Liu Michael K. Mithika- the credit bureau and m banking research study- USAID, April2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/business: Mobile phone lifeline for worlds poor, 27/02/07 http://www.cato.org/pubs/books/money15.html http://globaltechforum.eiu.com/index, Kenya: Safaricom aims for the big game 02/08/2007. http://www.gurdian.co.uk/: Kenya sets world Kenya sets world first with money transfers by mobile, 20/03/2007 http://www.safaricom.co.ke, Annual results presentation, 21/05/2009 http://www.the times100.co.uk/ case study: Kenyans to use mobile phones to pay utility bills