Posh Pastries and Economic Environment

The economic environment in Colombia is more promising than that of Venezuela. Colombia now boasts of a GDP of $365.4billion, which makes it the 29th largest economy in the world.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Posh Pastries and Economic Environment specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In 2012, it grew by 4.3% and was a continuation of growth rates of 4% and 5.9% in 2010 and 2011 respectively (CIA, 2013). Venezuela has a GDP of $402 billion, which leads to position 34 in the world rankings. The country experienced a growth rate of 5.7% in 2012 but this was a dramatic shift from negative growth patterns in the previous years. In 2010, Venezuela reported a decline of 1.5% in its economy followed by an increase of 4.2% in 2011. Therefore, Colombia appears to have a more stable economic environment in comparison to Venezuela. An international business such as Posh Pastries needs to select a country that has sustainab le economic growth rather than peaks and plunges at different times. Inflation is a significant problem to Venezuela as this reached a record 26% in 2011 and reduced slightly to 21% in the subsequent year. Conversely, Colombia has a manageable inflation rate of 3%. High inflation rates are never desirable for businesses because entrepreneurs could get less value for their money irrespective of their input. Obtaining foreign exchange will also be a problem for businesses. Posh Pastries needs to consider this fact before it expands into Venezuela. Venezuela is highly dependent on oil as its source of revenue. In fact, only 5% of the country’s exports come from non-oil related industries. Therefore, the country is increasingly vulnerable to fluctuations in international fuel prices.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Even the high growth rates that have been reported rec ently are due to increases in oil prices. Similarly, Colombia depends on oil exports. The country has also suffered from changes in crude oil prices. However, it has mitigated this vulnerability by promoting other exports that include coffee, bananas and flowers. While both countries are oil dependent, one of them is worse off than the other. This implies that consumers may appear to flourish in one year and then do poorly in the next year. Such a pattern could cause them to cut back on luxurious spending. Some people may consider pastries luxurious and this could hurt Posh Pastries. The political environment of Venezuela has been relatively tumultuous over the past decade. The country’s key political stakeholders disagreed with their leader President Chavez concerning his socialist leanings. This led to a series of infrastructural and communication failures. Furthermore, the country has undergone unconventional political decisions. In certain instances, the executive authori zed nationalization of key business sectors and instated price controls. This has led to a high degree of mistrust from foreign and local investors (CIA, 2013). Colombia’s political situation is quite promising. Their government has entered into free trade agreements with several countries around the world, including the US. Therefore, Posh Pastries could benefit from doing business with such a partner. Additionally, the country’s political leadership is moving towards privatization as seen through the sale of Ecopetrol, which was the nation’s oil corporation.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Posh Pastries and Economic Environment specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Foreign direct investment is much higher in Colombia than Venezuela as a result of the political decisions that the country’s leadership has made. If foreign investors lack goodwill and support from the political leadership , then Posh Pastries may not do so well in that country. Political stability also guarantees the security of the business when it targets any potential foreign market. One should note that insecurity is a serious problem in Colombia. The country has struggled with rival armed groups that stem from the drug trade (Verma and Soydemir, 2006). One such entity is known as the FARC. Colombia’s leadership is trying to promote dialogue with the group but this has not yielded lasting results. The groups sometimes attack civilians. Furthermore, because Colombia has one of the highest unemployment rates in the region, it is susceptible to violence and other social ills like drug trafficking. In fact this country is the largest supplier of cocaine to the US. Conversely, Venezuela’s security situation is not as problematic as Colombia’s. The country has a lower unemployment rate, and this makes it less complimentary to social ills. Posh Pastries will need to consider the rel ative safety of its employees and partners prior to selection of a target market.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Transportation and infrastructural challenges exist in both countries. However, Venezuela has a worse record than Colombia. Venezuela is still struggling with a housing crisis that stems from the unfavorable social policies of the Chavez regime. Additionally, the electricity producer is inefficiently managed thus leading to a series of blackouts in 2010 and 2011 (CIA, 2013). This crisis in electricity production also emanated from an overreliance on one organization for provision of all electricity needs in the country. Conversely, Colombia has not reported any infrastructural crises. However, it is still relatively undeveloped compared to western nations. The country must invest in infrastructure for it to compete with key production centers of the world. Posh Pastries should consider a country that has stable electricity supply and transportation systems that work. Transport capabilities might be at par in both countries but Colombia fares better with regard to electricity supply. Cultural environments in both countries are somewhat similar to each other but different from the US market where Posh Pastries is based. Both countries speak Spanish and have strong Latin American cultures. They are relatively friendly people who have collectivist traditions and pay attention to indirect communication. Even their food preferences are quite similar, their national diets consists of a range of dishes combined in one plate. They often place meat at the heart of their meals and even use it to make pastries. In Colombia, famous desserts include the Arroz con Coco, which is a pudding made from rice, coconut, lemon and cinnamon. Most pastries are deep fried rather than baked. In Venezuela, Arepa is one of the famous dishes; it comes from baked, fried or grilled cornmeal. Many of the pastries consist of meat or other types of fillings. Posh pastries would fill a gap in both markets as minimal western-style baked goods exist. The company would have an edge over locals as i t would be offering something they have not encountered (Teixeira et. al., 2008). In conclusion, Colombia would be a better foreign market than Venezuela. The country has enjoyed sustainable economic growth and political stability. Furthermore, its infrastructural climate is better than Venezuela’s. Nonetheless, Posh Pastries must take caution because of its insecurity. It can address this by choosing a city or location that is relatively safe. When entering the market, this organization must also market the exclusivity and exotic nature of its products as they are significantly different from the local diet. References CIA (2013). The world fact book. Washington DC: CIA. Teixeira, M., Klotzle, M. and Ness, W. (2008). Determinant Factors of Emerging Markets Risk: A Study of Specific Country Risk. Bogota, D.C.: Colombia Verma, R. and Soydemir, G. (2006). Modeling country risk in Latin America: A country beta approach. Global Finance Journal, 17(2), 192–213. This proposal on Posh Pastries and Economic Environment was written and submitted by user Yoda to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Australia Post †Case Study

The Australia Post – Case Study Executive Summary There are many organizations that have been able to stand the test of time in business. This enables them to remain strong and competitive in business. One such organization is Australia Post. This paper presents a comprehensive case study of Australia Post. The paper concentrates on change aspects in the organization that have enabled it to remain strong in the competitive mail delivery industry within Australia.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Australia Post – Case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The paper is divided in several parts. The background part of the paper gives the general overview of the organization. The introduction part of the paper introduces the general organization. This part goes further to narrow on change that has occurred within the organization. It gives a transition into the main body of the paper. This presents a deep look into how change is being intro duced and implemented by Australia Post. The main body analyses the major strategic change initiatives that have been taking place in the Australia Post. In addition, the way these change initiatives have helped the corporation to position itself within the industry is analysed. There are several changes that are noted and analysed under this section. They include partnerships that the company has entered into, adoption of information technology in its functions, and the integration of e-commerce in diversifying the organisations operations. The other change initiative analysed is how the corporation is working on improving the delivery of its labour force. A number of recommendations are crafted at the end of the paper. These could serve as a basis for future development initiatives by the corporation. Background Information The Australia Post is state owned agency in Australia. The name Australia Post is the brand name of the Australia Postal Corporation. It operates in the Austra lia mail dispatch industry. This is one of the oldest agencies under the Australia Public sector and which has been operating since the early 1800s. Since then, it has managed to undergo transformation in order to cope with the changing business environment. The agency deals with the delivery of a wide range of mails in the country. Also, the company has been expanding its business operations, which now include electronic mail delivery services and the distribution of electronic mail services (Herr and Herr, 2011). Introduction Australia Post is operating in an industry that is very competitive. The competition arises from active firms in the industry including TNT, DHL and FedEx. The company has undergone transformation that has greatly contributed to its success. Most of the changes have been aimed at broadening and diversifying the range of service delivery by the company. The company’s operations are focused on various aspects.Advertising Looking for report on bus iness economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One of the areas of focus is letters. It also focuses on parcels and logistics services among other areas. The firm has expanded its operations, which are now discharged via various subsidiaries and joint ventures (Brimson, 2008). Overview of the organizational structure of the Australia Post The Australia Post has an elaborate system of corporate governance that is stipulated in the way it spreads and discharges organizational responsibilities. The organization has various administrative hierarchies eminent in the administrative bodies running the company. These include the shareholder ministers and the board that has two administrative committees. However, it is evident that there is little hierarchy in the organization due to the little number of administrative organs. This denotes reduced centralization in the organization which is a precursor to faster communication and discharge of duties for improved performance of the corporation (Financial Review, 2012; Australia Post, n. d). Many organizations are working on de-bureaucratization as a means of pacing up work and delivering best results. Australian Post has little bureaucracy that is contrary to many other government agencies. This is the reason why the corporation has managed to position itself in the industry which has many private and competitive firms (Palmer, 2007). The overall administrative body of the company is the board which is led by a chairman and deputy chairman. There are nine directors who form the board of the Company. Out of the nine directors, eight of them serve as nonexecutive members. The only executive member who sits on the board is the managing director who is also the chief executive officer of the corporation. The board is the overall decision making organ of the organization. It deliberates on the strategies of the companies before either approving or disapproving the m (Australia Post Website, 2012). The second powerful organ of the Australia Post is the executive committee, which is chaired by the chief executive officer of the company. This committee is composed of executives heading different operational sections of the company. They are the main strategists of the organization. The committee meets to deliberate on the strategies of the company and then forwards their recommendations to the board, which further deliberates on them and makes the final recommendations. Each operational section of the company is headed by the general, chief executive officers who are directly accountable to the chief executive office of the company. The chief executive officer of the company is answerable and accountable to the organization’s board (Australia Post Website, 2012).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Australia Post – Case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The b oard is the chief accounting body to the shareholders of the company. It sets the objectives of the company and lays down the strategies to help in meeting the objectives. Planning is done on a three year basis. The board prepares and rolls out its corporate plan after every three months. The plan is closely monitored as it continues to be implemented. A progress report is prepared quarterly and forms a basis on which the plan is streamlined. There are two main board committees for the organization: the human resources committee and the audit and risk committee. The audit and risk committee concentrates on handling matter to do with finance, accounting, auditing and risk control for the organization. The human resources committee concentrates on the matter to do with the employees of the corporation. These include the formulation and deliberation on human resource policies, remuneration and structural issues. The formulation of different administrative units in the organization help s in the deliberation of different issues in the organization (Australia Post Website, 2012). The organization has many employees working on both permanent and temporary basis. By end of the year 2011, the organization had 23,369 permanent employees and over 10, 000 non permanent employees (Australia Post Website, 2012). Operating as a government agency and utilizing the government resources, the Australia Post has undergone tremendous strategic changes that have helped to position the company in the industry. This has enabled it to become self sustainable in the sense that it funds its own operations and makes profits (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 2006). This has enabled the company to have the widest coverage and clientele in Australia which surpasses the clientele of the private competitors by far. This is a great achievement for an agency of the government that offers services at subsidized rates. From simple delivery of parcels and mails, the Australia Post n ow deals in a wide range of business activities that make the company match the prevailing demand for services. Financial and banking services have been fully incorporate into the operations of the company. Also, direct marketing functions and database management operations have been fully adopted and are being discharged by the company. Logistical and fulfillment functions are also among the operations of the company. All these denote huge growth and the aspect of business adaptability by the company. The company has had a strong transformational growth curve that has been prompted by the strategic changes that have been implemented by it (Australia Post, n. d).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Notable strategic, organizational development and change in the Australia Post In the year 2009, the National Archives of Australia joined hands with Australia Post in developing the Records Authority. This set the requirements and guidelines for either keeping or destruction of records in the core areas of operation. These areas include commercial operations, customer relations, corporate governance, collection management, mail operations, external relations, stamp management and post fleet and logistics management and strategic management. Under this deal, the National Archive of Australia was to commit to understanding, creating and managing the records on behalf of Australia Post. This eased activities for Australia Post as it gave the company the permission for the destruction, retention, and even the transferring of records to the National Archives of Australia. The authority assesses the records and sets timelines of the retention period for the records. The assessment report is the basis on which Australia Post disposes records that are no longer in need. This has improved record management by Australia Post. Therefore, this has positively impacted on the general, administrative practice of the company. Important information is sorted and safeguarded for future reference (Australian Government and National Archives of Australia, 2009). Areas of focus for the company as it enters into the future Bryan (2005) noted that futuristic prospects are important for any company that has a vision, and which intends to have sustainable growth. The future prospects of growth are based on the present developments and the opportunities that are imminent in the industry. So far, it can be argued that the organization has done well in capturing a number of opportunities that are prevailing in the business environment in which it exists (Australia Post, 2009). The company needs to work on broadening of its market and business shares in certain business segments which lo ok more promising. These include the banking and the financial services sector. More customers are found here, and the company can attract if it deeply ventures into offering these diversified services. Strengthening the market share in the delivery of express mail is another can further enhance the performance of the company (Australia Post Website, n. d). The prospective areas of growth for the Australia Post lie in the improvement and upgrading the way they deliver their services. Improvement of service delivery systems is one of the most effective ways through which an organization can improve its performances. Effective organizational change often originates from within the organization. Internal change strengthens the internal systems thus fastening the quality of services that are delivered by a company. One way of improving efficiency in the organization is by strengthening of automated systems to enhance the speed and efficiency of delivering services to customers. Automate d systems are faster and result into a cut overhead costs that emanate from the use of analog systems of delivering services to customers. Automation can be a precursor to attaining one-stop shopping services. This is in respect to the range of services that the company is offering (Waddell, Cummings and Worley, 2011). Organizational transformation using Information Technology Child and McGrath (2001) observe that information technology is the key too that is being used by organizations to transform their services and improve the performance. The Australia Post is one of the organizations that have realized the essence of employing information technology in service improvement. The program to use information technology in improving service delivery was fully initiated in the year 2006. This was to serve as part of a retrenchment program that was supposed to relieve the inefficient staffs by replacing them with IT systems controlled by few employees (Tay, 2012). As of today, the orga nization has approximately 1000 IT staffs. However, the overhead costs of the organization have not significantly dropped as was expected. This is because the organization has been forced to retain most of the staffs by reassigning them to other tasks within the organization. Sizable progress has already been made in improving the service delivery using IT systems in the company. In addition, significant progress is projected to come from the projects being initiated. More positive outcomes from IT projects are expected as the company continues to embrace it. The overhead costs or operation costs are often higher in the initial stages of application or use of IT in the organization. It takes quite a long time to realize the full benefits of information technology use in business. The introduction of technology into the operations of an organization is a whole business process and a big step in organizational change (Hutchinson, 2011). One of the major information technology projects that are being implemented by the corporation is the offering of digital mailboxes to their customers. This mailbox is expected to enhance timely and fast delivery of mails to customers. This digital service is aimed to foster secure access to mails by customers. Physical mails will be availed digitally to customers in a single location on the web. Therefore, there will be no need for multiple password and login details as has been the case. A single secure channel will be used by customers to access their bills, notices as well as other statements. The corporation has in the recent times been capitalizing on e-commerce. This has been aimed at expanding the companys business range of products. This has also aimed at improving service delivery to customers hence raising profits for the company. The corporation has already begun implementing its plan to venture in online marketing business. The company has already opened over 30 superstores in the country (Chillibreeze, 2012). Online marketing was seen as an opportunity by the corporation due to a substantive increase in the number of online shoppers in Australia. The new superstores are well furnished with diversified services in the offing to attract a significant number of customers. The stores have 24-hour shopping zones with parcel lockers, vending merchandises and self-service terminals. Also, postal services will be accessed in these stores. Online services will be available to allow for online product research by the customer and ordering of the products (Stafford, 2012). Present in the stores are also Australian Post Automated Teller Machines and the American Express currency exchange. This is a well planned venture especially in this modern business era. In this era, one stop shopping is becoming a business trend that is enormously applauded by customers. This venture is helping the company in exploring many business opportunities that are present both in the industry and outside the industry. Child a nd McGrath (2001) noted that the major goals of change strategies of organizations are to identify, learn, and capture new opportunities that exist in the business environment. The Australian can be considered as a business development benchmark for many government-owned corporations in Australia and the entire globe (Chillibreeze, 2012). Australian post has launched a renewal program dubbed future ready. This is a business development program that aims to propel the company into the future. It is meant to help the organization to focus and position its operations in accordance to the prevailing and expected changes in the industry and market. It is vital for companies to plan into the future because the business environment presents both opportunities and challenges (Dunford, Palmer, Benveniste and Crawford, 2007). The initiation of the program was done three years ago to aid the organization to become more customer-centered and by effect more sustainable. One of the main divers in the program is the embracing of digitalization of operations due to availability and importance of information technology. Physical operations have been the modalities of working for the company for a long period of operation. They are seen as having inconveniences and prevented the corporation from reaching and serving more customers as they as they are slow and inefficient. The program focuses on strategic units of operation in the corporation which are retail services, postal services, e-services and express distribution services (Australia Post Website, 2010). Collaborations and partnerships are founded ways in which firms breach obstacles and enhance the development of business projects. Australia Post has not working solely particularly on projects do with the adoption of information technology systems in service delivery. As a component of strategic development, the firm has signed a strategic working partnership with Telstra concerning the use of IT networks and mailboxes. This agreement was signed in January this year and was meant to enhance the sharing of network in discharging services to customers of both companies: Australia Post and Telstra. The channels of provision of information to customers are being enhanced as the partnership is streamlined. This will be more beneficial to the company as the customers continue to realize improvement in service delivery of the company (Australia Post Website, 2012). The labor problem The major problem that has been hindering change in the organization is the problem of labor. The company has been having many cash-in-workers who are often blamed for poor service delivery. This is coupled with the earlier mentioned problem of hardship in replacing the underperforming employees even amidst the introduction of information technology systems. However, negotiations between the corporation and the union representatives representing the employees of the organization have been in progress. Early this year, the unio n recommended that the casual workers be replaced with more qualified staffs who will be employed on a permanent basis by the corporation. This has been thought to be a positive step which will help eliminate inconsistencies in service delivery to customers by the corporation. As the company works on the modality of implementing the recommendations, it remains with one major challenge. The casual employees form a reasonably large percentage of the staffs of the organization. Therefore, it is difficult for the organization to lay them off (Ham, 2012). Conclusion Australia Post is a state owned company that has been in operation for almost a century. This can be cited as one of the best performing government agencies, not only in Australia, but also on the global scene. It can serve as a benchmark of how government agencies ought to embrace change and operate for profits. The corporation operates under a limited bureaucratic structure. Therefore, it has been easy for Australia Post to effect change that has helped the company deliver good services to its customers. This has also helped the company in improving its services and remaining competitive in the industry. Recommendations The effectiveness of change and improvement in an organization is dependent on a number of things within the organization. One of them is the organizational structure of the organization. Therefore, it will be important for Australia Post to continue embracing de-bureaucratization of operations. The company has to enhance its human resource practices. This will help it get employees who are modern and competent enough to handle the tasks. Embracing modern human resource practices can help Australia Post to solve the labor problem. Strategic partnerships are also important for a company that aims to expand its operations. Australia Post can develop business partnerships with like minded companies especially in the IT sector. This will help it in upgrading and using information technolo gy while hastening the delivery of services to its customers. E-commerce seems to be promising for the corporation. Therefore, the company is likely to increase and diversify its operations by investing heavily in e-commerce related investments. This includes venturing significantly in the e-marketing business that has been initiated. Reference List Australia Post 2009, Getting Future Ready. Australia Post n. d., The Strength Within. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 2006, Assessing cross-subsidy in Australia Post, An ACCC report. Australia Post Website 2012, Australia Post and Telstra sign strategic partnership on Digital Mailbox and IT network. Web. Australia Post Website 2012, Corporate governance. Web. Australia Post Website 2010, Future Ready Australia Posts business renewal program. Australia Post Website, n. d., Banking and identity. Web. Australian Government and National Archives of Australia, 2009, Records Authority Australia Post. Brimson, C 2008, An integ rated action research action learning leadership development program for managers of Australia Posts delivery business unit in SA/NT, Gibran Journal of Applied Management, vol.1, pp. 85-108. Bryan, L 2005, ‘The 21st century organization’, McKinsey Quarterly, no. 3, pp. 24†33. Child, J and McGrath, RG 2001, ‘Organizations unfettered: Organizational form in an information†intensive economy’, The Academy of Management Journal, vol. 44, no. 6, pp. 1135†1148. Chillibreeze, 2012, Australia Post reveals digital mailbox plan. Dunford, R, Palmer, I, Benveniste, J Crawford, J 2007, ‘Coexistence of ‘old’ and ‘new’ organisational practices: Transitory phenomena or enduring feature’, Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 24†43. Financial Review, 2012, Australia Post: The enduring power of paper as an effective means of communication. Financial Review. Ham, L 2012, Stamp out illegal po sties: union. Herr, P and Herr, P 2011, U. S. Postal Service: Foreign Posts Strategies Could Inform U. S. Postal Services Efforts to Modernize, Diane Publishing Company, Washington D. C. Hutchinson, J 2011, Australia Post eyes billion-dollar e-commerce, IT News for Australian Business. Palmer, I 2007, ‘New organizational forms: towards a generative dialogue’, Organization Studies, vol. 28, no. 12, pp. 1829†1847. Stafford, S 2012, Australia Post losing $70 million a year on international pricing structure. Tay, L 2012, Lessons from Australia Post’s IT transformation.

Quote by Bill Cosby on Success Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Quote by Bill Cosby on Success - Assignment Example During that time, I experienced the fear of failure many times. I was often not sure whether I had made the right decision or not. The first year that I was here, the language year, I studied and worked hard without thinking about my fears. I attempted to make my desire to succeed more than my fear of failure, and so that’s what I did. I had expected to be studying language for a whole year, but after only six months I passed the TOEFL test needed to enroll in Embry-Riddle. After taking some time for reflection, I realize that if I did not make my desire for success greater than my fear of failure, then I never would have made it to ERAU. When Christopher Columbus set out to find India, he was not sure of what he was getting himself into. No one had ever sailed far enough west before to discover new lands. Columbus already knew that the world was round (he also knew that India was in the east), so if he sailed west he would eventually find it. There was a chance that Columbus would die in his voyage to discover India. However, Columbus was determined enough to travel through uncharted waters that his desire for success was greater than his fear of failure. Of course, we all know that Columbus did not find India, but in fact discovered the Caribbean and then what is now known as the United

Speaker Presentation Response Papers Assignment

Speaker Presentation Response Papers - Assignment Example He was very effective in his explanation of his career graph and explained how he tasted the cable television business at different places moving from Portland to Miami to Phoenix to Houston to Washington DC in an eight year period. In this time period he enjoyed various posts such as regional manager for marketing, sales manager etc. According to Bob Thomson, â€Å"He got a good taste of Cable television world over through this†. He steadily progressed throughout his career and by 1998 he was made the Vice President of Fox Sports International. According to Bob Thomson, Fox Sports International at that point in time comprised of various channels across the US such as Fox Soccer, a Spanish service for Fox as well as channels in Latin America, Central America, Middle East and Eastern Europe. Under his leadership, they had also started selling FOX rights to people throughout the world. These were some of the biggest milestones in his career. He was made the CEO in 1999 and Presi dent of FOX Sports Network by 2000. He got tired by 2009 and he retired. Bob Thomson managed to make the audience stifle some giggles as he spoke about his retirement in 2009. He maintains that he still does some work for FOX sports, for Direct TV cable networks and Yes TV. When Thomson had left the company the operating profit was 1.1 billion dollars and the revenue was 3.2 billion dollar and has a net worth of 18 billion dollars today. How Sports changed over the years? Thomson moved on to explain how TV has changed over the years. He began with the time of World War II. At that point, sports was being broadcasted by one or two channels only—CBS and Dumont. Sports was being used as a means to propogate the selling of TV sets back then but today Thomson explained, it is used as a means to sell subscriptions world over. Thomson was very sound on his knowledge as he drew comparisons between what happened then and what happened today. Back then, he explained most of the shootin g would take place in the sun as there would not be enough lights at night. The cameras used to be big. Thomson said they are big today but they were even more big at that point in time. The sets were nonexistent and there was non concept of rights then. Thomson raised a very valid statistic regarding how back then the total no of TV sets in United States were only 10 billion while today there are as many as 110 billion TV sets. This in my opinion raises a very valid point regarding the growing integration of TV world over. 1960s and 1970s: The 1960s and 1970s as explained by Bob Thomson, I feel were a very important era in the world of Sports Television. He termed this era as the start of â€Å"explosion of sports programming†. A very important point of this era, I felt was the growing commercial nature of advertising. By the 1960s, there was no longer one sponsor but multiple sponsors were called in. This was to capitalize on advertising revenew. Advertisers sought to targe t 19-54 male population through these sports channels. The challenges that arose: By 1980, the real challenges for Sports TV started emerging. This was when niche channels and non sports programming channels, started taking viewership away from mainstream networks. This was a very crucial period in Sports TV programming. Traditional sports sponsors began moving their advertising dollars into other areas as networks tried to raise advertising rates. An important point raised by Thomson was the importance of

Virtue Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Virtue Ethics - Essay Example (Maria 16) The people that have this kind of virtue based ethics tend to ask the major question on which action to choose when they are faced by a dilemma where a basically moral decision has to be taken. The theory also tends to train people on how to overcome the vices such as that of greed or even unnecessary anger that may stand in the way and stop someone from being a good person. The theory of virtue ethics has been in the background of all forms of discussions whereby they have been given a low profile when people meet to discuss issues of morality and the theories involved. In western philosophy, the ancient Greek thinkers had the thought that this kind of ethics was the oldest in terms of time. According to Aristotle, who dealt with the issue of virtue ethics in detail, when a person acquires forms of good habits, then such a person has the ability to regulate emotions and reason in instances that require rationality. Aristotle, therefore, points out to the idea that such un derstanding can help people make decisions that are morally correct when they are face with situations of difficulties. (Maggio 28) The major reason as to why virtue ethics can be said to remain popular and relevant is because it makes a major contribution that would enable us get to understand morality in depth. The discussion also talks majorly of the kind of role played by motives in the whole agenda of morality. Certain forms of virtues remain relevant as they are quite necessary for the actual accommodation of acceptable moral decisions thereby making it rather necessary for the moral decisions to engage correct motives so as to get more desirable end results of the ethical appreciation. Moral decisions are further scrutinized and it is discovered that moral theories do not rely heavily on motives so as to be able play a vital role in the evaluation of our moral decisions. (Maria 19) Correct motivations should be, therefore, encouraged so as to facilitate the evaluation of mora l education that the young people are taken through. The practitioners of this understanding point out the importance of selecting the desire of achieving a certain outcome then keep up with the need to accomplish the said goals by the kinds of actions that can make it acceptable when fully scrutinized. It is also important to note that the other reason why the theories under virtue ethics are prone to be more attractive as compared to the other theories is the idea that most of the other theories have the common way of facing difficulties and challenges that come as a result of calculations that are conducted under moral understanding as well as further problems that arise as a result of the lack of knowledge on the kinds of actions to accompany which kinds of moral duties that have to be emphasized. Theories under virtue ethics point out the understanding that once we are successful in selecting the type of person we want to be, it is possible that arriving at decisions that are m orally acceptable will most obviously come out naturally. Virtue ethics has the tendency of making individuals dig deep into their thoughts to establish the sort of people we want to be, the virtues that are expected of the persons we are trying so hard to be, the kinds of actions that will make us as individuals cultivate the kinds of actions that virtue ethics require us to have if we are to be successful in becoming the people we want to

Power And Interdependence In The Information A Media Essay

Power And Interdependence In The Information A Media Essay Introduction: In the article Power and Interdependence in the Information Age, Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, Jr.1 focused on the idea of complex interdependence2 in international system this concept is characterized by an increase in interconnections and the decline of military forces in order to achieve cooperation between states and various actors. This article aimed to provide further evidence to what extent is the international politics transformed by interdependence in modern global environment. It also highlights that the contemporary globalized world is significantly driven by information technology and the Internet, because soft power3 is becoming more utile for states and non-state actors. Keohane and Nyes approaches to the Information Age and to faces of power are bound up with neoliberal theories so the principal focus is the neo-liberal institutionalism. 1 Robert O. Keohane is a professor of International Affairs at Princeton University and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the National Academy of Sciences.  (Princeton University, 2008) Joseph Nye Jr. is current dean of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and former Under-Secretary of State. (Harvard Kennedy School, 2009) 2 Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, Jr. define complex interdependence as a state of affairs where institutions and interstate reliance play an important role such that it transforms the nature of the relationships between states and possible strategies that choose to pursue. (Future of European Foreign Policy Seminar, 2007, p.2) 3 Soft power is the capability to achieve required goals because others agree with what one wants. It grounds largely on the persuasiveness of the free information that an actor seeks to transmità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦information technology, broadly defined, is likely to be the most important power resource. (Keohane Nye, 1998, p.86-7) Summary: Over the 20th century, modernists pronounced that the technological progress will lead to transformation of world politics where states and their control of force will dwindle in importance but non-state actors will experience boom. Whereas futurists assume that the information revolution results in a cyber-feudalism where the government is replaced by communities aspiring to achieve citizens allegiance. States are more tenacious and continue to control peoples loyalties and frame politics in an information age, but they tend to be far more credible to a public. Critique: First of all, Keohane and Nye assert that earlier transnational flows were heavily controlled by large bureaucracies like multinational corporations and institutions.4 However, in these days, there is practically no institutionalized control over the free dissemination of information the power is widely spread to individuals and private organizations (NGOs) who undermine the monopoly of traditional bureaucracy 5, and governments possess less control of their agendas.6 Therefore the easy availability of technology and the Internet plays a key role in the decline of initial need for official institutions in the Information Age. Secondly, the main weakness of the article is the assumption that the information technologies are mainly located in the West. This seems to be irrelevant nowadays because the article was written ten years ago and from that time very significant shift in technological development has taken place throughout the world. For example in 2008 China said the number of Internet users in the country reached about 338 millionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ helping China overtakes the United States as the worlds biggest Internet  market [253 million].7 (China Today, 2009) Both authors primarily concentrated on the future progress of Western countries and underrated the emerging powers, such as China and India. 8 Furthermore, Keohane and Nye assumed that the dominant American market share in  ¬Ã‚ lms and television programs in world markets isà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ to continue 9 but this prediction proved to be inaccurate. 4 Keohane, Robert and Joseph Nye (1998), Power and Interdependence in the Information Age, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 77, Issue 5: pp. 83. 5 Nye S. Joseph (2002), The Information Revolution and American Soft Power, Asia-Pacific Review, Vol. 9, Issue 1: pp. 61. 6 It is essential to realize that the persuasion and influence increases as more channels of contact between societies and organizations are created and states have to recognize other key actors in world politics. 7 China Today, 1/06/2009, China Statistics. http://www.chinatoday.com/data/data.htm, accessed 9 November 2010. 8 Chinas biggest Internet companies, including Baidu, Sina, Tencent and  Alibaba, are thriving, and in many cases are outperforming the China-based operations of American Internet giants like  Google,   Yahoo   and   eBay. (Barboza in New York Times, July 26 2008) According to Screen Digest research, in 2005, India produced 1,041 feature films, compared to 699 films made in USA. 10 These figures clearly indicate that other nations have increased their competitive ability and surpassed Hollywood. Apparently, the evolution of West modernity seems to be superseded by more rapacious East Asia. 11 Lastly, according to Keohane and Nye democratic states are more likely to familiar with the free exchange of information 12 because they are able to form information and use soft power. 13 The article emphasizes the necessity of ideology, context, credibility and transparency in democracy to form a truth and relevant information. However some scholars argue that democracy as well as totalitarianism could not be possible without the mass communications. 14 Unlike democratic states, totalitarian states repress competitive sources of information and are not reliable and transparent enough. But authors ignored that the sovereignty of democracies is influenced by free information flow because the decision-making of political leaders may be affected by other actors. Conclusion: In conclusion, it has to be admitted that the article is quite critical towards political realism and focuses mainly on the development and progression of Western world in the Information Age. Further studies and theories must be taken into account to present a current situation and improve our understanding concerning the complex interdependence as well as neo-liberalism in the Informative Revolution. Despite obsolete presumptions, the article has provided some detailed insights to demonstrate the values of power and the importance of interdependence in the Information Age. 9 Keohane, Robert and Joseph Nye (1998), Power and Interdependence in the Information Age, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 77, Issue 5: pp. 88. 10 Screen Digest, June 2006, World Film Production/ Distribution: http://www.fafo.at/download/ WorldFilmProduction06.pdf, accessed 9 November 2010. Most prolific feature film producing nations in 2005: China 260 films; Brazil 90 films; Russian Federation 160 films; Latin America 275 films. (Screen Digest, June 2006, p. 206) 11 Despite the fact that China still controls the assess to the Internet and monitor a certain number of users (Keohane and Nye, 1998, p.93), it has maintained a dominant position in the Information Age. 12 Keohane, Robert and Joseph Nye (1998), Power and Interdependence in the Information Age, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 77, Issue 5: pp. 93. 13 The Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990 serves as an example of American soft power in action when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, the fact that CNN was an American company helped to frame the issue, worldwide, as aggression. Had an Arab company been the worlds dominant TV channel, perhaps the issue would have been framed as a justi ¬Ã‚ ed attempt to reverse colonial humiliation. (Keohane and Nye, 1998, p.91) This case shows that CNN acted its role of reliable source of information very skillfully; it gained a respected international reputation due to its credibility and professionalism to frame the issue. (Keohane and Nye, 1998, p.91) 14 Nye S. Joseph (2002), The Information Revolution and American Soft Power, Asia-Pacific Review, Vol. 9, Issue 1: pp. 61.

Effects of Technology on People Essay -- Technology Essays

Does technology affect people or do people affect technology? Technology affects every aspect of our lives, we all use it every day with little thought. People take it for granted, sometimes knowing little about what brought that technology into existence. At the same time older generations have a hard time adopting the new technologies and continue to favor technology they are accustomed. The idea of technology is as old as the human race. To understand technology; first we need a common definition. Technology is anything that makes a task easier for someone or something. There are many different authorities that attempt to answer this question. Quotes, journals, and other various sources lend themselves to the topic of technological evolution as an attempt to answer this big question. There are eight sources that I feel do the best job of answering the question. Sources argue that technology is only effected by us, others suggest that technology affects us. Surprisingly none of my sources suggest that it works both ways. My first artifact is a college thesis by Jane R. Thiebaud titled â€Å"The Effects of Technology on People†. This thesis clearly details how technology affects all aspects of our lives. Ranging from social interactions to medical applications. Thiebaud believes that technology has sped life up, made it impossible for us to keep up with others, and basically pushed us head first onto the hamster wheel of evolution. The rapid evolution of technology has blinded us and that society has created its own downfall. Online interactions remove certain face to face social aspects like body language, which sometimes make it harder to understand the meaning of what has been said (Thiebaud). Technology has decreased our use of ... ...Technology and Human Interaction (2011): 13. Online Archive. 10 May 2014. . Sood, Ashish and Gerard J. Tellis. "Technological Evolution and Radical." Journal of Marketing 69 (2005): 152-168. Online Archive. 11 May 2014. . Thiebaud, Jane R. "Effects of Technology on People: Living F2F Conversation and Social Interaction." Association, Media Ecology. Proceedings of the Media Ecology Association. Vol. 11. 2010. 117-127. Online Archive. 10 May 2014. . Whipps, Heather. How Gunpowder Changed the World. 6 April 2008. Online. 10 May 2014. . Effects of Technology on People Essay -- Technology Essays Does technology affect people or do people affect technology? Technology affects every aspect of our lives, we all use it every day with little thought. People take it for granted, sometimes knowing little about what brought that technology into existence. At the same time older generations have a hard time adopting the new technologies and continue to favor technology they are accustomed. The idea of technology is as old as the human race. To understand technology; first we need a common definition. Technology is anything that makes a task easier for someone or something. There are many different authorities that attempt to answer this question. Quotes, journals, and other various sources lend themselves to the topic of technological evolution as an attempt to answer this big question. There are eight sources that I feel do the best job of answering the question. Sources argue that technology is only effected by us, others suggest that technology affects us. Surprisingly none of my sources suggest that it works both ways. My first artifact is a college thesis by Jane R. Thiebaud titled â€Å"The Effects of Technology on People†. This thesis clearly details how technology affects all aspects of our lives. Ranging from social interactions to medical applications. Thiebaud believes that technology has sped life up, made it impossible for us to keep up with others, and basically pushed us head first onto the hamster wheel of evolution. The rapid evolution of technology has blinded us and that society has created its own downfall. Online interactions remove certain face to face social aspects like body language, which sometimes make it harder to understand the meaning of what has been said (Thiebaud). Technology has decreased our use of ... ...Technology and Human Interaction (2011): 13. Online Archive. 10 May 2014. . Sood, Ashish and Gerard J. Tellis. "Technological Evolution and Radical." Journal of Marketing 69 (2005): 152-168. Online Archive. 11 May 2014. . Thiebaud, Jane R. "Effects of Technology on People: Living F2F Conversation and Social Interaction." Association, Media Ecology. Proceedings of the Media Ecology Association. Vol. 11. 2010. 117-127. Online Archive. 10 May 2014. . Whipps, Heather. How Gunpowder Changed the World. 6 April 2008. Online. 10 May 2014. .