Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Executive summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Executive summary - Essay Example The People’s Insurance, known to the Mexicans as Seguro Popular, was a new public insurance scheme that assured legislated access to comprehensive health care by most of the citizens in Mexico including the ones in the rural areas. Concurrently, in 2009, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico came testing the country’s complex health system as thousands of apprehensive people poured into hospitals and clinics for diagnosis and care. Significantly, the health-care system in Mexico is a collage of developing and frequently confusing services as a hundred and five million people in the country continue to suffer from ailments of the developing world like tuberculosis and malaria, with other emerging maladies such as diabetes being listed by the World Health Organization as the leading cause of death in the country followed by liver and heart disease (Tracy 2011). More pressure prevailed as the influenza crisis caused by the H1N1 virus unfolded with the ill frequently visiting lo cal hospitals and clinics but one getting the facilities depended on a few factors i.e. where they lived, their employee and their total income. All the same, Mexicans have everything from a small private system to enormous global health insurance programs that comprise of private, public and employer funding; however, despite the selection of facilities, it is still an unequal system according to the Pan American Health Organization stating that since the different care providers get different levels of payment, they also provide different levels of care at various levels of quality (Sheila 2009). Extensively, even though public health care in Mexico has been rising, it still has the lowest per capita expenditures among the OECD countries having just a 6.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) which worked out to be about 800 dollars per person in 2006 while Canada spent close to $3,700 per person which has duly increased to $5,000. Mexican private health system is structured in a way that about three million wealthy and middle class Mexicans, which includes the foreigners employed in Mexico, pay private insurers to gain access to high quality state of the art medical services and facilitates; on the other hand, most of the Mexicans insured through the public insurance system pay from their pockets to get better services through the private care (Tracy 2011). The private sector is booming with new clinics and specialized hospitals growing hastily in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and the most affected Monterrey that is becoming a major centre for medical tourism for the many Americans who are trying to escape their own expensive health care system. The Americans and other foreigners are gathering to the city’s growing number of glinting new hospitals to get services like obesity surgery, angioplasty, hip replacements etc; for instance, replacing a hip in the United States goes for about $43,000 to $63,000, but in Mexico one can bargain at around $12,000. The Mexican health system also has public

Monday, October 28, 2019

Why Soft Drink Industry Is Profitable Essay Example for Free

Why Soft Drink Industry Is Profitable Essay 1. Why was the soft drink industry so profitable? Soft drink industry observed growth rate from its inception 1886 to 1990, the consumption of soft drinks saw remarkable growth, below data shows the growth in United State’s consumption. Year| 1899| 1970| 1980| 1990| Consumption| 0. 6| 22. 7| 34. 5| 47. 4| #Consumption: Gallons per person per year Financial figures also back the growth story of the Soft Drink market. ROE %| 1972| 1975| 1980| 1981| 1982| 1983| 1984| 1985| 1986| 1987| 1988| 1989| 1990| Coke| 22| 21| 20| 21| 18| 19| 23| 24| 27| 29| 31| 49| 36| Pepsi| 16| 18| 20| 20| 14| 17| 12| 30| 22| 24| 24| 23| 22|. ROE is even higher across years and it increased to 36% for Coke and 22% for Pepsi in 1990 from 22% and 16% in 1972 respectively. The main reason for being profitable is that the United States market took the soft drinks overwhelmingly and gradually it became a part of their life style also the manufacturing process for concentrate was simple and required small investment, significant cost were to advertise, promotion, market research etc, while bottling process was extremely capital-intensive and involved specialized, high speed lines, but there was no considerable investments required on Advertisements, promotions and market research etc. This way Concentrate Manufacturers and Bottlers complemented each other for higher profit margins by sharing cost on in procurement, production, marketing and distribution. Many of their functions overlap; for instance, Concentrate Manufacturers do some bottling, and bottlers conduct many promotional activities. Balance Sheet data for year 1986 shows that pretax profit as % of assets was $. 40 per case for Concentrate Producers and $. 37 for Bottlers. The Cola war between Coke and Pepsi played significant role to increase the consumer base as both came up with new strategies and ideas to grab the market share from others that resulted to new markets and new consumers.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Justice and Aeschylus Oresteia :: Oresteia Essays

Justice and Aeschylus' Oresteia      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At first glance, the picture of justice found in the Oresteia appears very different from that found in Heraclitus. And indeed, at the surface level there are a number of things which are distinctly un-Heraclitean. However, I believe that a close reading reveals more similarities than differences; and that there is a deep undercurrent of the Heraclitean world view running throughout the trilogy. In order to demonstrate this, I will first describe those ways in which the views of justice in Aeschylus' Oresteia and in Heraclitus appear dissimilar. Then I will examine how these dissimilarities are problematized by other information in the Oresteia; information which expresses views of justice very akin to Heraclitus. Of course, how similar or dissimilar they are will depend not only on one's reading of the Oresteia, but also on how one interprets Heraclitus. Therefore, when I identify a way in which justice in the Oresteia seems different from that in Herac litus, I will also identify the interpretation of Heraclitus with which I am contrasting it. Defending my interpretation of Heraclitean justice as such is beyond the scope of this essay. However I will always refer to the particular fragments on which I am basing my interpretation, and I think that the views I will attribute to him are fairly non-controversial. It will be my contention that, after a thorough examination of both the apparent discrepancies and the similarities, the nature of justice portrayed in the Oresteia will appear more deeply Heraclitean than otherwise. I will not argue, however, that there are therefore no differences at all between Aeschylus and Heraclitus on the issue of justice. Clearly there are some real ones and I will point out any differences which I feel remain despite the many deep similarities.    It is definitely possible to find views of justice in the Oresteia which appear to be very different from what we see in the fragments of Heraclitus. I will identify and describe what I think are the four major differences which one notices on an initial reading of the trilogy. These differences are with respect to 1) the apparent linear movement and progress in the Oresteia. 2) the necessity of conflict and its relationship to justice and harmony 3) the origin/creation of justice and 4) the implications for justice of the fundamental unity of nature.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Essay --

The Irises Plant is a bush with hundreds of flower’s on it. Currently the plant is dying because the Irise plant needs at least half a day of sun and well drained soil without both the plant will not bloom, that’s why they are mostly planted in the summer. Usually this plant when bloomed attracts a wide variety of animals and insects such as Verba bud moths, white flies, iris weevil, Thirps, slugs, snail, aphids, and nematodes may also be troublesome to the iris plant. There are three inner petals called standards, and three outer petals called falls which make up the irises plant. There are three hundred species of this plant and they come in all different colors and sizes, and some colors they come in are pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, white as well as multi-color. The most common irises is the bearded German iris. Even though â€Å"The Extinction of Experience†, â€Å"Where have all the Animals Gone?† are referring mostly to animals, plants and ani mals are both apart of nature. Without plants some animals could not survive because they feed off of them. All of the stories are similar in a way because each one of the main characters are forcing themselves to face or confront something that is personally affecting them. For instance â€Å"I’ve always enjoyed my visits to our cities’ old public zoos. It was there harsh Juxtapositions, I think, the very characteristic that make them so sad, so unconscionable to some, that made them so compelling to me.† (Siebert 16). This quote expresses how the way they had these animals in cages was so unnatural because these different creatures would never be by each other in a natural habitat peacefully it would be chaos. This was compelling to Siebert because he knew this would never happen outside of... ...an never replace.† (Pyle 261). This quote to me is explaining how people find animals fascinating as far as the unknown about animals life’s even though we can see whales and fish we will never get to experience their lives and things that they go through on a daily basis. We could never live in their habitat and that unknown about not only there lives but the lives and habitats of other animals keeps us imagining what it would be like. That is what keeps us as humans interested and fascinated with animals. The overall concept of these three stories are focusing on animals, nature and how if we continue to take animals out of there natural habitats it may continue to cause animals to be extinct because they animals are not adapting. So if we do not face this problem head on we not only will face local extinction but they have a chance to face global eradication.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Frontline: Camera and Current Affairs Programs

How do the creators of â€Å"Frontline† convey the main issues in the text? The truth in the media is a subjective commodity which is often sensationalized, fabricated and manipulated for a number of reasons. Therefore, realistically the media only represents certain facets of the truth to suit their purpose and context. Rob Sitch’s Frontline is a satirical examination of current affairs programs and explores the media’s selective dissemination of information to construct the desired truth. Though being disturbingly accurate in their sarcastic attack on the deceit and hypocrisy of the media, the producers of Frontline use wit and parody to challenge the reliability of the media and such concepts are explored through a number of film techniques in episodes such as ‘The Siege’ and ‘Add sex and stir’ The commercial nature of the media dictates that the content of the broadcast must rate well and be profitable. The episode ‘The Siege’ exemplifies the commercial nature of current affairs programs and re-emphasizes the media’s potential to regard the truth as a subjective commodity to further gain higher ratings. Frontline seeks little more than authenticity to convince their audience that they are a credible resource. In ‘The Siege’ Rob Sitch blurs the boundary between fiction and reality, through illustrating a story based on a real incident which occurred in 1994 making it harder to discern the truth. Frontline pursues a story about a father who has held his children hostage during a custody battle. This episode exposes the true nature of journalism and the unethical practices that the media undertakes to win the ratings war. Marty ironically says ‘you’ve crossed the line mate’, this pretense of ethics is juxtaposed with ‘you beauty’ when he realizes that it was the Frontline team itself that got through to interviewing the gunman. Marty further sensationalizes and exaggerates the truth by wearing a flak jacket and crouching down to make it appear that he is in a dangerous situation, when in reality he is five kilometers away from the danger zone. Through the use of dialogue ‘How about if I crouch down like this? To make it look like I’m in danger’ Marty illustrates his blatant disregard for the truth thus emphasizing the importance of appearance and ratings over the depiction of the truth within the media. Brooke further epitomizes the media’s motives through the use of incongruity in the dialogue ‘Mrs. Forbes do you have any nine volt batteries? ’ Such dialogue accentuates Brooke’s superficiality as she is not at all concern ed about Mrs. Forbes feelings. The camera close up of Brooke’s exceedingly concerned facial expression when she interviews Mrs. Forbes is juxtaposed with Mrs. Forbes misery and Brooke’s deception when she asks – ‘would you be able to cry again Mrs. Forbes? ’ The on and off camera persona evidently shows that the truth is subverted by the media to construct a desired representation, portraying the truth to be a subjective commodity. The media’s relentless pursuit of higher ratings to ensure commercial success plays a significant role in determining the representation of the truth they present to their audience. The episode ‘Add sex and Stir’ epitomizes the media’s selective dissemination of information to construct a desired truth, thus exemplifying truth to be a subjective commodity. Frontline pursues a story about the unfair dismissal of a sportswoman who is supposedly dropped from the team because she is not gay. Although Brooke acknowledges that the sportswoman was dropped from the team because of poor form, she decides to portray the misleading sex angle of the story in the pursuit for higher ratings to ensure Frontline’s commercial success. Frontline’s clean crisp picture quality, still camera and immaculate sets gives a sense of professional respectability and authority to create a sense of credibility. Rob Sitch employs caricature to emphasize the potential for the media to regard the truth as a subjective commodity to gain more ratings. Sitch satirizes the limited value that the media places on the truth through Brooke’s satirical comment ‘Well there’s a lead story, Stu, lead player dropped due to bad form, out breaking. ’ The truth is further manipulated through filming Brooke’s nods separately and out of context which further amplifies their falsity, emphasizing her lack of integrity. Brooke completely distorts the truth through creating a re-enactment, in which the story is further exaggerated through the steamy atmosphere in the girls change rooms, demonstrating that it is sleaze that sells rather than the truth. The dramatic background music in the re-enactment further satirizes the media’s pursuit for higher ratings, portraying that the media’s ‘essential objective is profit, rather than saving the world’ Chris Masters (ABC correspondent). Through this it is clearly evident that the truth to the media is a subjective commodity that can often be manipulated, fabricated and sensationalized for a number of reasons.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on The Magic Of The Theater

Art as music, plays, or poetry, is a language, not as syntax or structure, but it can be communitive at a visceral level. Art may be defined in many ways. For instance, â€Å"Art is the creation of beautiful or thought-provoking works, in painting, music, or writing. Art is beautiful or thought-provoking works produced through creative activity. Art is a branch or category of art, especially one of the visual arts. Art is the skill and technique involved in producing visual representations. Art is the study of a branch of the visual arts.† [4] The theatre is a paradigm way of viewing the world. One’s world incorporates ones’ psyche and spirit. The theatre is an ever-changing process, it an end- product. Theatre is art, which is a reflection of pleasure- it can be communicated at an instinctive level. One can feel its emotional pull, and thereby, have a true understanding of the one’s conflict or vulnerability. The aesthetic distance of the theater allows the audience to be consumed with the action. It allows the audience to be a part of the foretelling story, as though they are a character in the play. Aesthetic distance allows the audience to feel the appreciation of the collaboration of the artist. It deals with the visual aspects as well as the psychological experience. Phenomenologically, theatre is an experienced event. It allows a person, the most basic, and fundamental agent, an understanding of an experience. Influences to aesthetic distance are the types of genre of the play. For instance, a comedy maintains distance, thereby, allowing the audience to engage an objective involvement, which is a direct, presentational acting style. On the other hand, tragedies reduce the distance from the audience, thereby, maintaining a subjective perspective, an engagement of the heart, which is a indirect, representational acting style. Theatre represents a certain way of performing something or stylization. In ... Free Essays on The Magic Of The Theater Free Essays on The Magic Of The Theater Art as music, plays, or poetry, is a language, not as syntax or structure, but it can be communitive at a visceral level. Art may be defined in many ways. For instance, â€Å"Art is the creation of beautiful or thought-provoking works, in painting, music, or writing. Art is beautiful or thought-provoking works produced through creative activity. Art is a branch or category of art, especially one of the visual arts. Art is the skill and technique involved in producing visual representations. Art is the study of a branch of the visual arts.† [4] The theatre is a paradigm way of viewing the world. One’s world incorporates ones’ psyche and spirit. The theatre is an ever-changing process, it an end- product. Theatre is art, which is a reflection of pleasure- it can be communicated at an instinctive level. One can feel its emotional pull, and thereby, have a true understanding of the one’s conflict or vulnerability. The aesthetic distance of the theater allows the audience to be consumed with the action. It allows the audience to be a part of the foretelling story, as though they are a character in the play. Aesthetic distance allows the audience to feel the appreciation of the collaboration of the artist. It deals with the visual aspects as well as the psychological experience. Phenomenologically, theatre is an experienced event. It allows a person, the most basic, and fundamental agent, an understanding of an experience. Influences to aesthetic distance are the types of genre of the play. For instance, a comedy maintains distance, thereby, allowing the audience to engage an objective involvement, which is a direct, presentational acting style. On the other hand, tragedies reduce the distance from the audience, thereby, maintaining a subjective perspective, an engagement of the heart, which is a indirect, representational acting style. Theatre represents a certain way of performing something or stylization. In ...

Monday, October 21, 2019

32 Interesting Facts About Princess Diana

32 Interesting Facts About Princess Diana Diana was popularly called Princess Diana, but this is not her proper title. Before marriage, and after her father became Earl, she was Lady Diana. After marriage, she was Diana, Princess of Wales. She was permitted to keep that title, though not Her Royal Highness, after her divorce from Prince Charles. Lady Diana had an aristocratic upbringing in England and quickly became an adored member of the British royal family. Her passions included interest in music, dance, and children. Diana passed away in a tragic car crash in 1997 while visiting Paris, during an escape from the paparazzi, where it was soon discovered that the driver of her taxi was under the influence of alcohol. 32 Interesting Facts About Princess Diana Diana, Princess of Wales, was 510 tall.Diana was a commoner and not royal at her marriage. She was, however, part of the British aristocracy, descended from King Charles II.Dianas traces her lineage to King Charles II through her father. Diana was related to Winston Churchill and 10 U.S. presidents: George Washington, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, Millard Fillmore, Rutherford B. Hayes, Grover Cleveland, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and both Bush presidents.  She was also related to the actor Humphrey Bogart.Her stepmother was the daughter of famous romance novelist Barbara Cartland.She grew up with two sisters and two brothers.  The siblings were close in childhood.Charles dated one of Dianas older sisters before he dated Diana.Diana won an award at school for taking good care of her guinea pig.At school, she was talented in music and especially on the piano.After graduation, she took a course in cooking on the advice of her mother.Queen Elizabeth II is the godmotherà ‚  of Dianas brother. Four of Dianas ancestors were mistresses to British kings.Diana was the first British citizen to marry an heir to the British throne since 1659 when the future James II married Anne Hyde. Queen Elizabeth IIs mother was a British citizen, but when she married the future King George VI, he was not the heir apparent to the throne; his brother was.Prince Charles proposed at Buckingham Palace on February 3, 1981.At the time of her engagement, Diana was working in a preschool playgroup as an assistant.Dianas ring, with 14 solitaire diamonds and a 12-carat sapphire, is worn today by her sons wife, Kate Middleton.Diana was 12 years younger than Charles.Her wedding had a television audience of 750 million.Diana met several times with Mother Teresa, including in the Bronx, New York, in June of 1997. Ironically, Mother Teresas death on September 6, 1997, was practically eclipsed by the news surrounding Dianas funeral. Diana was buried with a set of rosary beads given to her by Mother Teresa. Prince Charles 1994 television interview with Jonathan Dimbleby drew a British audience of 14 million viewers. Dianas 1994 television interview on BBC drew 21 million viewers.Dianas tragic death has been compared to that of Marilyn Monroe and Princess Grace of Monaco. Diana attended Princess Graces funeral as her first official state visit abroad. Elton John adapted his tribute to Marilyn Monroe, Candle in the Wind, for Dianas funeral, and recorded the new version to raise money for causes Diana had supported.Some 2.5 billion people around the world saw at least some part of her funeral via television or in person.Her grave is on an island in an ornamental lake on her familys estate, Althorp Park. The site is surrounded with four black swans guarding the tomb and oak trees numbering 36, for the years of her life, are on the path to the grave.$150 million in donations were received in the week following the creation of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund right after her death. This fund continues to support many causes that were important to her during her lifetime. Among many charities supported by Princess Diana was the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. This effort won a Nobel Peace Prize a few months after her death.Another issue important to Diana was HIV/AIDS. She worked to end the stigma against people with the illness and for equality and compassion for those affected.In 1977, Diana taught Charles to tap-dance. They did not start dating until 1980.While Charles loved polo and horses, Diana had little interest in horses after a fall from a horse. However, she developed an interest in her riding instructor, Major James Hewitt.In a 1995 BBC interview, during her separation from Charles and before their divorce, she admitted that she had committed adultery during her marriage.  This was after it was revealed that Charles had had an affair.Her autobiography details mental health issues including eating disorders and suicide attempts.Her divorce settlement included a lump sum of $22.5 million and an annual income of $600,000 per year t o continue funding her office. Diana was on the cover of Time magazine eight times, Newsweek seven times, and People magazine more than 50 times. When she was on the cover of a magazine, sales soared.Camilla Parker-Bowles, after her marriage to Prince Charles, could have used the title Princess of Wales but chose to use Duchess of Cornwall instead, deferring to the public association of the former title with Diana.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

15 Top NYC Colleges How to Decide If Theyre Right for You

15 Top NYC Colleges How to Decide If They're Right for You SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips New York is the most populous US city, and there are dozens of colleges in New York City. Should you go to college in NYC? If you want to be close to Gray’s Papaya, Madison Square Garden, Broadway, and Wall Street, then going to schoolin New York City might be a good option. In this article, I’ll provide you with a list oftop-ranked collegesin NYC. Furthermore, I’ll explainthe benefits and disadvantages of attending college in New York City and offer some advice on decidingif you should attend college in NYC. The 15Top-Ranked Schools in NYC I've listed the top-ranked collegesin NYC in the order of their Forbes rankings for the best overall colleges because Forbes includes all colleges in its rankings. TheUS News divides colleges into 4 categories for its rankings: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges. I listed each school’s category after its US News ranking. The majority of the most prestigious schools are in the National University or National Liberal Arts College category.The Regional Colleges and Universities are still good, but they’re typically not as well-known nationally. Forbes and US News use many variables to determine their rankings. Their ranking methodologies are different, but they both use factors like graduation rates and freshman retention rates in their ranking lists. Forbes focuses more on student outcomes and incorporates alumni salary and student debt in its rankings while US News focuses more on the academic reputations of colleges. There are private and public colleges of varying sizes on the list. The CUNY colleges are the public colleges in New York City. There are four-year CUNY colleges. Also, some of the colleges on the list have a particular focus.Barnard is a women’s college. Cooper Union offers programs exclusively in architecture, fine arts, and engineering. Manhattan College is a Roman Catholic school and Yeshiva University is a Jewish college. School Forbes Ranking US News Ranking Average SAT Score Average ACT Score Acceptance Rate Columbia University #15 #4 (National Universities) 2215 33 7% Barnard College #42 #29 (National Liberal Arts Colleges) 2020 30 21% Cooper Union #73 #2 (Regional Colleges-North) 1987 31 8% New York University #77 #32 (National Universities) 2015 30 32% Fordham University #153 #66 (National Universities) 1870 28 43% CUNY- City College #177 #66 (Regional Universities-North) 1030 (on Reading and Math only) N/A 34% Manhattan College #198 #17 (Regional Universities-North) 1623 25 66% Yeshiva University #209 #52 (National Universities) 1840 26 82% CUNY- Baruch College #262 #32 (Regional Universities-North) 1229 (on Reading and Math only) N/A 27% CUNY- Brooklyn College #280 #83 (Regional Universities-North) 1096 (on Reading and Math only) N/A 28% CUNY- Hunter College #297 #47 (Regional Universities-North) 75 (on Reading and Math only) N/A 31% CUNY- Queens College #308 #47 (Regional Universities-North) 1624 N/A 37% The New School #314 #127 (National Universities) N/A N/A 67% CUNY- Lehman College #409 #6 (Regional Universities-North) 1425 N/A 23% Pace University #443 #180 (National Universities) 1090 (on Reading and Math only) 24 81% Butler Library at Columbia University (Susan Sermoneta/Flickr) Other Popular NYC Colleges New York City is known for its prestigious art schools like thePratt Institute, the Fashion Institute of Technology, andThe Juilliard School. Additional well-known colleges in New York include St. John's University and the other CUNY colleges. Benefits of Going to College in New York City If you go to one of the many colleges in NYC, you'll be able to reap all of these benefits. You’ll Never Be Bored Many colleges are in remote locations. If you ever get tired of on-campus activities, there aren’t a ton of options for off-campus fun.If you go to college in New York City, you’ll be in one of the most vibrant, exciting cities in the world. You’ll have easy access to museums, plays, sporting events, bars, clubs, and restaurants. You can check out The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Guggenheim. If you're a basketball fan, you can attend a New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets game. You may want to go see The Book of Mormon on Broadway. If you're like me and you enjoy some programming on The Food Network, you'll probably be excited to try the restaurants of Bobby Flay and Marcus Samuelsson. Many NYC colleges offer deals to students so they can take advantage of New York’s cultural offerings.Through its Arts Initiative, Columbia University offers students free admission to over 30 museums and discounted rates to theater and musical performances.Similarly, NYU Ticket Central offers discounted tickets to movies, Broadway and off-Broadway shows, sporting events, musical performances, and more. The Vine at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (ketrin1407/Flickr) Internship and Job Opportunities One huge advantage of going to college in NYC is that there are so many industries and companies that are based there. There are numerous opportunities for college students to get internships or jobs that will give them meaningful experiences and lead to employment after graduation.Here’s a list of over 200undergraduate intern jobs in NYC on LinkedIn. If you’re interested in theater, fashion, journalism, or finance, there are few cities with more opportunities in those fields than New York. Diversity If you go to a large state school in a college town, you’ll probably be surrounded by mostly traditional college-aged students who are from the state in which the college is located. In NYC, you’ll be able to interact with tons of people from all over the world.There are more foreign-born immigrants who live in NYC than there are people who live in Chicago.You’ll be able to explore the many different ethnic neighborhoods in NYC where you can experience the cuisines and cultures of different nationalities. Especially in today's global economy, graduating college with a global perspective and knowledge of different cultures can benefit you in your professional life. Transportation At many colleges, students often complain that they feel like they’re in a bubble or trapped in a very insulated environment, especially if they don’t have a car and can’t easily get off campus. In New York, you’ll have no issue exploring the city without a car.Between the subway, trains, cabs, and Uber, you shouldn’t have any problem getting around the city or accessing other cities on the east coast.An added bonus is that the subway is pretty cheap and efficient. The Food Maybe I’m only emphasizing food because I really like to eat.When I was in college at Stanford, I remember being hungry late at night, and because I didn’t have a car, I had to convince my roommate to take us to go get some grub. Our only real option off-campus at that time was Jack in the Box, a mediocre fast food establishment. NYC is known for having some of the best restaurants in the world. There are cheap, tasty restaurants, food stands, and food trucks representing every type of food imaginable.If you live on campus and get sick of dorm food, you’ll have access to so many different types of food at all hours.I’m a little jealous that I didn’t have Shake Shack near me when I was in college. You can even get chicken and waffles in NYC! (Arnold Gatilao/flickr) Disadvantages of Going to College in New York City While going to aNew York City college can offer you many advantages and excitement, there are some potential downsides of going to school in NYC. Distractions Since you’re primarily in college to learn, you may find it distracting to try to study and go to class in the â€Å"City That Never Sleeps.†Because you’ll have access to so many social opportunities and entertainment options in New York City, you’ll have to maintain discipline to ensure that you’re taking care of your academic responsibilities. Less School Spirit and Less of an On-Campus Community At colleges in college towns, everything revolves around the college. People sport their school colors with pride, enthusiastically cheer on their sports teams, and seem to have a strong bond with the school. At colleges in New York City, the colleges are a very small part of the city.Students are likely to spend less time on campus because they’re out exploring the city and all it has to offer. There can be less of a sense of community going to school in such an urbanenvironment. Also, none of the colleges in NYC have big-time football programs, and athletics aren’t a huge part of the college experience. If you want to experience cheering on your school in a stadium with 100,000 screaming fans, you won't get that at a New York City college.However, St. John’s does have a storied basketball program, and they play some of their home basketball games in the historic Madison Square Garden. New York City Is Expensive Even though you can find cheap food, discounted tickets to events, and the subway doesn’t cost much, almost everything you do off campus will cost you some money.If you have limited funds, you may not really be able to take advantage of what the city has to offer. Furthermore, if you don’t have money and your friends are going to fancy NYC restaurants and getting tickets to Broadway shows, that can make you feel isolated and negatively impact your college experience. Additionally, housing in the NYC Is extremely pricey.If you don’t live on campus, it can be very difficult to find an affordable place to live. You may end up having to live far from campus or in an undesirable location.As of August 2015, the average price of a one bedroom apartment within 10 miles of NYC was$3245 per month. NYC Can Feel Overwhelming New York City has so many people and so much activity that it can feel like a bit much if you prefer being in an environment with a laid-back vibe.Especially if you’re from a rural or suburban environment, being around so many people who seem to always be in a hurry can make you feel unsettled or claustrophobic. Even simple tasks like getting groceries can become chaotic adventures due to to the throngs of people.My friends who live in New York and love it enjoy a fast-paced lifestyle or are at least unaffected by the hustle and bustle of the city. How Do You Decide If an NYC CollegeIs Right for You? If you've never been to New York City, you should try to visit before committing to attend a college in NYC.New York is such a unique place, and it’s hard to determine if you’d enjoy living there for 4-6 years without ever having visited. Check out some of the different neighborhoods and the colleges there that interest you to get a feel for the city and what it would be like to go to school there. If you love New York when you visit, then going to college there may be a good option for you. Keep in mind, though, that even if you enjoy a visit to New York City, it doesn't necessarily mean that you would enjoy living there. If you visit, try to imagine spending years there going through day-to-day activities to help determine if going to college there would be a good decision for you. Also, take note of the specific locations of different NYC colleges. Each neighborhood within New York City has its own personality and offers a slightly different environment. Remember that you’re deciding on a college, and the location should only be one factor in your college search. You should also consider other factors in a college like the cost, its academic reputation, and the majors offered. Try to find the school that’s the best fit for you. Use guidebooks, search websites, and college finders to help you in the college selection process. I believe that going to college in New York City is a great option for students who enjoy urban environments and thrive on the activity in a big city setting.Consider the benefits and disadvantages of attending college in New York City. Do the pros outweigh the cons for you? If so, then you may want to attend college in The Big Apple. Michael Pick/Flickr What's Next? Maybe you're thinkingthe colleges in NYC aren't right for you after all. Check out our guide to the differenttypes of locations to determine if you might be happier at a suburban or rural school. Regardless of where you decide you want to go to college, make sure you're familiar with the application process and know how to apply. Also, learn strategies for the common application essay prompts. Finally, check out this post on how to write about extracurriculars on your college applications. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Article review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Review - Article Example The procedure and results of the experiment are briefly explained in easy words right in the beginning of the article so that readers get maximum information in the first few seconds of reading.  The editors have written  how the mice that had been bred to be more exercise-loving over generations (high voluntary wheel-running) had a 13% larger volume of the midbrain. A 3D reconstruction of the brain of a mouse is also presented alongside the article to provide the readers with a visual idea of the location and size of the midbrain of a regular mouse.   The author has also incorporated the comments of the professors involved in the research project to make the article more interesting and additional information is also provided to the reader along with the personal opinion of the experts.  They have  quoted professor  Garland  saying that it is the first study which has shown a particular mammalian behavior resulting â€Å"in a change in the size of a specific brain region† (Science Daily).  Ã‚   As the reader goes further, the author has provided more important details of the experiment such as the selection of the mice which has been going on for 65 generation in the lab (20 years), and the functioning of different parts of the brain. This section of the article answers any questions that might have occurred in the mind of the reader and deals and deals with them one at a time. From the sample selection to the procedure adopted by the researchers to reach conclusions, the briefly explains them all in easy language. Other findings of the research are also mentioned toward the end of the article including how the high voluntary wheel-running mice also had a larger volume of non-cerebellar brain mass.   The article also mentions  what the researchers  wanted to achieve through these experiments and whether or not they have been successful. In order to provide a concise answer to these questions,  they have  provided yet another direct quotation of the

Friday, October 18, 2019

The Foundation of Orthodoxy and the Canon Research Paper

The Foundation of Orthodoxy and the Canon - Research Paper Example The best-selling book of all time is itself a compilation of books written by different authors. This paper shall outline how these books earned their place in the Bible. This paper shall discuss the key events and movements that were influential in the recognition of the canonical book. In addition, it shall look into the methodology used in determining these books as the inspired word of God. The canon of the Old Testament was apparently inherited from the Jewish faith. Jesus Christ himself recognized the authority of these books by making constant references to these books in his teachings to the apostles and to the very lucky people who had walked the earth with him and had listened to the voice of Jesus with their very own ears. The mere fact that Jesus Christ himself recognizes the authenticity and authority of the books in the Old Testament far exceeds any proof of its authority and divine inspiration. Moreover, majority of the contents of the Old Testament is also accepted as historical accounts of the ancient days. Hence, this paper shall focus on the canon of the New Testament. Although the New Testament is centered on Jesus Christ, not one book is attributed to him as the author. The books in the New Testament are accounts about the life and the teachings of Jesus Christ during his lifetime as well as the teachings of his disciples as they fulfill their duty of spreading the Word of God with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the furtherance of this divine duty, the Apostles and other learned followers of the young Christian faith wrote their eye-witness accounts of the acts and teachings of Jesus Christ. These writings are then passed around as the disciples’ letters to different groups of people as the Christian faith slowly grew in number. â€Å"About the end of the first century we find two collections of Christian writings beginning to circulate as collections among the churches: the Fourfold Gospel and the body of Pauline Epistles. Thi s was a step towards the acceptance of an authoritative collection, or Canon, of books of the New Covenant, as distinct from the authority which the individual Gospels and Epistles already had for those who first received them.†1 For years, the early Christianity blossomed on this collection of Gospels and Epistles. However, its authenticity and divine inspiration was challenged by the rise of the Gnostics, one of which was Marcion who declared that the entire Old Testament was nothing but a mere legend, that is, without divine authority and authenticity. As such, he published his own version of a Gospel wherein he removed all references to the Old Testament. In response, Apologists also came into existence to defend the faith and concomitantly its teachings and writings from those who want to destroy it. The Church Fathers, those who have been the students of the Apostles themselves, and who took over the reins of the young Christian faith when all of the Apostles passed away , also went into action in order to protect and preserve the faith. In response to Marcion’s heretic challenge, they declared that, â€Å"We do not believe that the New Testament books supersede the Old Testament; we place them alongside it as its proper sequel and fulfillment. We do not acknowledge one Gospel only, but four, and one of the four is the genuine edition of that Gospel which Marcion has mutilated. We do not acknowledge ten Pauline Epistles only, but thirteen: and in addition to these we also acknowledge the

Chinese Silk Road Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Chinese Silk Road - Essay Example It plays a momentous part in the development of social and economic situations of China. The Chinese Silk Route resembles the advent of globalization within China, which influences economic, social & cultural conditions of the nation in a favorable way (Wood 9-15). Urbanizations results in growth in population and accordingly these increase the demands of basic needs. Thus, to satisfy the country’s need, the Chinese Silk Route was introduced for the betterment of lives. Moreover, to boost the process of transferring goods through export and import quickly, Chinese Silk Route is being established. It enables the tourists to visit such countries that are connected by routes and thus helps to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) in respective counties. After introducing the Chinese Silk Route, national and international trades and investments are identified to grow rapidly with generating varied positive outcomes. Maritime commerce is playing a decisive part in connecting divers ified industries, culture and economy of different countries. As the trade relationships between countries are growing, distinct sorts of new pioneering ideas are implemented to enhance the productivity of the routes (Agnew 3-17). The essay intends to analyze the history of Chinese Silk Route, which has been introduced with the advent of globalization. Apart from this, the essay attempted to describe the process of the above stated history and also its influence on developing the social as well as economic conditions of China. Chinese Silk Route continuously developed within the period of second century BC to fourteenth century AD. During the 500 BC, Chinese people adopted nomadic style and rode horses for exporting along with importing goods. This route was initiated by Zhang Qian in Hun Dynasty and during the growth of this dynasty, the Chinese Silk Route gained immense power to expand across

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Misconceptions about Other Peoples Religions Research Paper

Misconceptions about Other Peoples Religions - Research Paper Example To me, Holi was merely a spring festival that was celebrated in fun and colorful way. Until then, I did not know that this religious festival had some kind of history, and it celebrated the battle between the good and the bad. I was informed by my host that we shall have to come for two days: firstly for the religious service, and secondly for the festivities. The religious service was performed a day prior to Holi and it is called ‘Holi pooja’. It is performed on the day before Holi, called ‘Holika Dahan’. â€Å"People light bonfires on the eve of Holi festival to celebrate the victory of good over bad which is called Holika Dahan.† (SCFI) The religious devotion of the people in that ceremony really inspired me and I could not help relating the phenomenon of victory of good over bad with my own religious faith. I was surprised to feel that the sense of unfamiliarity started to fade away as the service proceeded and I began to understand what the history of Holi was all about. The name Holi comes from a princess named Holika. A story relates that many years ago Holika tried to kill her brother Prahlad. She did so at the instance of her father [who] wanted to be worshipped as a god, but one person stood in his way. That person was his son, Prahlad... [the King] ordered Holika to sit inside a bonfire and hold Prahlad on her lap... Instead of Prahlad being burned to death, it was Holika who perished. (Haze, pp. 20-21) I had not the slightest idea that the history of this religious festival dated back to ancient times and how important the victory of good over bad was important to them. Thus, the bonfires that are lit on the eve of Holika Dahan are a re-enactment of the trial of the good and the bad. Hindus put the effigies of Holika (that symbolizes the bad) and Prahlad (that symbolizes the good).  

Public Policy - Resources assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Public Policy - Resources - Assignment Example mated population of 25 million, the state must deliberate on water usage and storage to quench a population that is estimated to reach 46 million by 2060 (Artz 8A). The magnitude of water problem in Texas was manifested by the 2011 drought. Most of the cities in Texas could not afford to keep the homes taps flowing without a huge expense, for example, in Spicewood Beach, the water ran out completely and the town had to bring in water using trucks. Consequently, the city of Wichita Falls has resorted to conservation by banning unnecessary usage of water. The shortage has also affected agricultural activities such as irrigation in order to divert water to domestic use. According to water experts, the water problem in Texas can have varied solutions. First, the state can adopt an expansive water conservation agenda in which any unnecessary usage of water is prohibited. The ordinances need to be set in order to deter people from wasting water at the expense of other citizens. Watering of private lawns, refilling of swimming pools and regular car washing should be banned in the state. Conservation of water is an expensive sacrifice that has to be made by the civilians. Although it is inconveniencing, it is the cheapest way of ensuring availability of water for basic needs (Texas Water Development Board). Second, the state can embark on water storage. Several states in the United States have the projects where water is stored in underground aquifers (ASR). The water in the aquifers can be then used in times of scarcity. The idea of constructing water aquifers is ideal since it reduces water loss through evaporation. An example of how aquifer storage and recovery is beneficial is depicted by the importance of the Twin Oaks aquifer that has the ability to supply 20% of water needs in the city of San Antonio. Broadening the sources of water is another concept that can be used in Texas. The state government can embark on alternative measures such as recycling

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Misconceptions about Other Peoples Religions Research Paper

Misconceptions about Other Peoples Religions - Research Paper Example To me, Holi was merely a spring festival that was celebrated in fun and colorful way. Until then, I did not know that this religious festival had some kind of history, and it celebrated the battle between the good and the bad. I was informed by my host that we shall have to come for two days: firstly for the religious service, and secondly for the festivities. The religious service was performed a day prior to Holi and it is called ‘Holi pooja’. It is performed on the day before Holi, called ‘Holika Dahan’. â€Å"People light bonfires on the eve of Holi festival to celebrate the victory of good over bad which is called Holika Dahan.† (SCFI) The religious devotion of the people in that ceremony really inspired me and I could not help relating the phenomenon of victory of good over bad with my own religious faith. I was surprised to feel that the sense of unfamiliarity started to fade away as the service proceeded and I began to understand what the history of Holi was all about. The name Holi comes from a princess named Holika. A story relates that many years ago Holika tried to kill her brother Prahlad. She did so at the instance of her father [who] wanted to be worshipped as a god, but one person stood in his way. That person was his son, Prahlad... [the King] ordered Holika to sit inside a bonfire and hold Prahlad on her lap... Instead of Prahlad being burned to death, it was Holika who perished. (Haze, pp. 20-21) I had not the slightest idea that the history of this religious festival dated back to ancient times and how important the victory of good over bad was important to them. Thus, the bonfires that are lit on the eve of Holika Dahan are a re-enactment of the trial of the good and the bad. Hindus put the effigies of Holika (that symbolizes the bad) and Prahlad (that symbolizes the good).  

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Experience - Essay Example They are caught either by the nets specifically designed for their hunt or sometimes harmed by the nets used for normal fishing. â€Å"More than 58000 blue sharks were killed accidently when 32 fishing boats embarked on an excursion to capture squid in Japan in the late 1980’s† (Killing of sharks, n.d.). The very valuable shark fin soup is generated by extracting the fins of sharks when alive; and they are left to gradual death by dumping into water. The increasing demand for shark fin soup has led to the mounting level of shark hunt in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. According to WildAid director Peter Knights, fishermen in all countries experience the decline of sharks in number and in size (Shark fin soup). Human-shark encounter has become one of the important subjects for several movies across the world. Unfortunately many of these films have depicted humans as shark preys. For instance, the Hollywood movie the â€Å"Deep Blue Sea† is a fulltime thriller ba sed on shark human encounter. Obviously, the films of such sorts have a negative impact on the human approach to sharks. Some of the books like â€Å"Shocking shark stories† which describe human encounters with sharks have well influence on intimidating people that eventually compel them to hate this species.

The Crucible Literary Essay Essay Example for Free

The Crucible Literary Essay Essay Abigail commits many sins and manipulates many people so she can prevent herself from getting in trouble. It all began when she committed adultery. According to the Old Testament, lust is one of the seven deadly sins. Abigail’s lust for John Proctor provokes her to commit adultery with John who is married to Elizabeth. Even though John Proctor isn’t free of blame, Abigail has more responsibility for the affair. After John Proctor realizes that it is wrong to have an affair behind Elizabeth’s back, he tells Abigail â€Å" Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched. † (Miller, 23) But Abigail says: â€Å"You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you loved me yet. † (Miller, 24) She tries to convince John to be with her even though she knows it is wrong. She thinks John will be with her if his wife is gone and tries to curse Elizabeth when she is in the woods dancing with Tituba and other girls. Then she tries to manipulate other girls to help her get what she wants. Abigail is very manipulative. After being accused of witchcraft when she was caught dancing in the forest, she manipulates other girls to do as she says to avoid getting in trouble. At the beginning of Act I, Abigail says to the girls: Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. Miller, 20) This shows that Abigail is threatening the girls to listen to her and do as she says so Abigail can stay out of trouble. When Abigail knows that she is able to easily influence the girls, she abuses her power by making false accusations. Abigail starts to make false accusations when she is at Parris’s house after seeing Tituba confess and get saved by God. She knows confessing and accusing other people of associating with the Devil wi ll allow her to be saved too. At the end of Act I, Abigail says:† I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil†¦ I saw Goody Booth with the Devil! (Miller, 48) Afterwards, Abigail starts to gain more power because people believe she has the ability to see who has associated with the Devil. Abigail abuses her power to accuse even more innocent people. One day, Elizabeth Proctor finds out that Abigail accused her of practicing witchcraft. She says to John: â€Å"It is her dearest hope, John, I know it. There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? She thinks to take my place, John. † (Miller, 61) This shows that Abigail is accusing Elizabeth because she is spiteful that Elizabeth is married to John. Many other people are accused and eventually, those who are accused but do not confess are put to death. The power and influence Abigail has over the people of Salem has resulted in the death and misery of many people. Her false accusations made the court suspicious of the accused victims. Those who didn’t want to lie to the judges, such as John Proctor and Martha Corey are hung. However, â€Å"twenty years after the last execution, the government awarded compensation to the victims still living, and to the families of the dead. This means all of the people who were executed or convicted were punished wrongfully. Abigail is indirectly responsible for the death of many citizens of Salem. If she hasn’t practiced witchcraft or accused people, the witchcraft hysteria in Salem wouldn’t have started. Abigail is a hypocrite who falsely accuses others of practicing witchcraft while committing countless sins herself. Her influence over the people of Salem has caused the death of many innocent people. Ultimately, she is the villain of â€Å"The Crucible†.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Marketing Sustainable Operation and Development

Marketing Sustainable Operation and Development Zhang Xia Field of Research This research will be carried out in the field of marketing, economic, and theme restaurant. Topic of Research The topic of this proposed dissertation is titled: The Marketing Sustainable Operation and development of Theme Restaurant in China Brief Literature Review of the Topic Along with the increasing requirements of customers on dining experiences, theme restaurants have become a trend in F B service industry. Numerous entrepreneurs and investors are attracted by this new concept and want to adventure in this business. It seems that a theme restaurant business will have a bright future. However, with only a short term of popularity at the initial stage, most of them had to close down. Only a few of the theme restaurant manage to sustain in the market, developed their own customer groups and grow rapidly. Based on the previous studies, this thesis attempts to carve out a way of stable operation and sustainable development for theme restaurants from the perspectives of marketing strategic, customer value and corporate life cycle through comparison, illustration and analysis. (Ai, D, S, 1997) With rapid economic growth and high standard of living, food and beverage industry has develop tremendously. Some of the consumers expect to the environment and ambient when they consume the products. Current consumers are interested not only in buying products but also to have feeling enjoyment and fulfilling experiences while dining out. Customers prefer to have a unique and distinctive experience under a certain atmosphere that is different from common restaurant. When experience economy encounter restaurant, theme restaurant is born. However, theme restaurant sustainable development not really optimistic in the marketing. F B industry has been developing for so long but certain restaurant facing big challenge to capture the consumers and to sustain in the market. Compared with others, homogeneity is very serious in dining business. Theme restaurant makes customer active participator instead of passive recipient comes with the tide of fashion. Theme restaurant can be simply defined as a dining place marked with one (usually) or more themes based on which all the structure, decoration, design, product, service etc. are created to produce a particular cultural atmosphere that can be recognized and felt by customers. There are three main idea from researchers of theme restaurants in China. First, the main ideal, this view consider theme as a carrier of operation which is mainly used to attract customers. However the food is still the main concern in the restaurant. Second, the core ideal, the function of theme is created by the need and want of the consumers. They affirm the primary status of theme based on which all the other elements in restaurant will be defined, such as dish, menu, space design, decoration, color, music, service, marketing strategy and so on. Third is the experience that the customers will feel while dining in the restaurant which the ambiance is different from other restaurant. Emphasizes the unique and memorable emotional experience and psychological experience customers can get from different theme environments, service and cooked food. Researchers turn their sights from suppliers to receivers, from restaurateurs to consumers. (Fu, Y, 2012) Theme restaurants are established on niche market. Each theme restaurant is its own given theme, a specific culture, and a unique style, exclusiveness is more or less inevitable. In addition, the average expenditure is relatively high. As a consequence, the customer source of theme restaurant is much more limited than traditional ones. For example, enthusiasm and curiosity of music lovers are easily sparked by Hard Rock Cafe, but when facing a restaurant with football or sea world theme, they may show more calmness and rationality. What they can obtain is not only delicious food and considerate service, but also a taste of exclusiveness and privilege, a perception of emotional and psychology identification. In 1970, Alvin Toffler came up with experience economy in his book Future Shock. From his view, after product economy and service economy, human being will enter an Experience Economy Era. Then Pine, J, B. and Gilmore, J, H confirmed this prediction and further developed Alvin’s idea by publishing their work Experience Economy in 1999. They described an experience occurs when a company intentionally uses services as the stage, and goods as props, to engage individual customers in a way that creates a memorable event. Commodities are fungible, goods tangible, services intangible, and experiences memorable. In answer to consumers’ desire for experience, more and more businesses engage on considering how to design experiences and promote them. The famous Disney Park should be one of the most typical and successful cases of experience economy. Experience is identified as the fourth economic offering that is distinct from service as service is from goods. Like goods and services, experiences have their own distinct qualities and characteristics and present their own design challenges. Five key experiences design principles are summarized by Pine, J, B. and Gilmore, J, H: Theme the like-to-deliver experience Harmonize impression Offer positive cues and eliminate negative cues Mix in memorabilia Engage all five senses Experience is essentially a form of behavior where feeling plays an important part. The state of emotions always affects on how an individual deals with surrounding environment. Experiences are not static like products but variable. Experiences occur in a process where interactions take place under a certain setting both physical and virtue between the individuals. Boswijk, A, Thijssen, T, and Peele, E (2007) describe characteristics from the perspective of individual in A New Perspective on the Experience Economy. Every meaningful experience should satisfy all of these characteristics: There is a heightened concentration and focus, involving all one‘s senses. One‘s sense of time is altered. One is touched emotionally. The process is unique for the individual and has intrinsic value. There is contact with the raw stuff the real thing. One does something and undergoes something. There is a sense of playfulness One has a feeling of having control of the situation. There is a balance between the challenge and one‘s own capacities. There is a clear goal. Objectives of the research Theme restaurant concept meet the current consumer demand. When compared with other normal restaurant, theme restaurant has it own advantages and disadvantage. Theme restaurant is a result of catering reform, a symbol of economy developing into a certain advanced stage. In the development stage in the market, theme restaurant markets in most major western countries has enter the maturity stage. Theme restaurant had not appeared in domestic market until late 20th century. Apart from few amount, small scale, and limited types, kinds of stubborn defects and unceasing problems are also annoying. Due to many constraint in sustaining theme restaurant such as limited kind of food, not so attractive themes and increasing of overhead , business restaurant owner find it very difficult to manage. Many restaurant close down within a year, part of them survive, and only a few of them make a hit. What makes all the differences? (Tong, J, Q, 2008) From economics rules we should understand every product has its life cycle in market. Ron Paul concludes that the life cycle of theme restaurant is even shorter than expected. Does it mean theme restaurant has high risk to be well operated? Of course not, every industry has its risk, just at different levels. Business enjoying low risk cannot be guaranteed safe and profitable all the time. Conversely, business facing high risk also can succeed only if equipped with scientific management and adaptive strategies. The truth is that it is impossible to allow life cycle of one theme restaurant extend infinitely. But it is achievable to make full use of resources, to optimize structure, rationalize operation, and keep vitality to the maximum. Methodology of Research Based on the topic, which is the marketing sustainable operation and development of theme restaurant. I will choose qualitative methodology for the research. Qualitative methodology explanatory paradigm which supports the view that there are many truths and multiple realities. This type of paradigm focuses the integral perspective of the person and environment which is more coincident with the nursing discipline (Weaver and Olson, 2006). Additionally, the explanatory paradigm is associated more with methodological approaches that provide an opportunity for the voice, concerns and practices of research participants to be heard (Cole, 2006; Weaver and Olson). Cole further argues that qualitative researchers are â€Å"more concerned about uncovering knowledge about how people feel and think in the circumstances in which they find themselves, than making judgments about whether those thoughts and feelings are valid†. Since, Theme restaurant sustainable operation development have d ifferent method, depends the specific theme and customer. Literature Research Method By collecting and reading pertinent literature, data and material to develop a comprehensive understanding about related theories and empirical studies including theme restaurant’s definition, characteristics, defects, history, status quot, future prospects and so on. To summarize its strengths and weaknesses, achievements and challenges. To clear the relationship between theme restaurant and experience economy, culture, and consumer psychology. Case Analysis Method By analyzing and interpreting typical successful cases and fail lessons in recent years to find out influencing factors on operating state of theme restaurants in domestic catering market. To extract efficacious and practical suggestions or cautions. To come up with strategies assisting restaurateurs achieve sustainable development and extending life cycle. Interview Survey Method Interview survey is the most important part of this research. Investigating several representative theme restaurants in China to get first-hand data. To provide supplementary information, exam reliability and feasibility of proposed recommendations. I will design the interview questions, according to the theory. That are experiences design principles are summarized by Pine, J, B. and Gilmore, J, H, and Boswijk, A, Thijssen, T, and Peele, E, (2007) describe characteristics from the perspective of individual in A New Perspective on the Experience Economy. According to Creswell (2003; 2007) includes (a) the preparation for the interview, (b) the constructing effective research questions, and (c) the actual implementation of the interview. Preparation for interview: McNamara (2009) applies eight main points to the preparation stage of interviewing which includes the following ingredients: (1) choose a setting with little distraction; (2) explain the objectives of the interview; (3) address terms of confidentiality; (4) explain the format of the interview; (5) indicate how long the interview usually takes; (6) tell them how to get in touch with you later if they want to; (7) ask them if they have any questions before you both get started with the interview; and (8) dont count on your memory to recall their answers (Preparation for Interview section, para. Selecting participants: Creswell (2007) discusses the importance of selecting the appropriate candidates for interviews. In my research I will choose the theme restaurant owners to do interview. At same time, the owners of normal restaurant also important for my research. The research questions designing for the interview process is one of the most crucial elements to interview design. I desiring to conduct such an investigation should be careful that each of the questions will allow the examiner to dig deep into the experiences or knowledge of the participants in order to gain more data from the interviews. There are several recommendations for creating effective research questions for interviews which includes the following elements: Wording should be open-ended, respondents should be able to choose their own terms when answering questions. Questions should be as neutral as possible, avoid wording that might influence answers, e.g., evocative, judgmental wording. Questions should be asked one at a time. Questions should be worded clearly, this includes knowing any terms particular to the program or the respondents culture. And be careful asking why questions. (McNamara, 2009) As with other sections of interview design, some recommendations for the implementation stage of the interview process.It includes the following tips for interview implementation: occasionally verify the tape recorder is working. Ask one question at a time. Attempt to remain as neutral as possible, dont show strong emotional reactions to their responses. Encourage responses with occasional nods of the head, uh huhs, etc.. Be careful about the appearance when note taking (that is, if you jump to take a note, it may appear as if youre surprised or very pleased about an answer, which may influence answers to future questions). Provide transition between major topics, e.g., weve been talking about (some topic) and now Id like to move on to (another topic); Dont lose control of the interview (this can occur when respondents stray to another topic, take so long to answer a question that times begins to run out, or even begin asking questions to the interviewer) (Turner, D, W, 2010) Work Schedule Sample Checklist Month Refine topic with tutors 1, 2 Create a work schedule 2 Review the literature 3, 4, 5 Select analytical method 6 Draft proposal 7,8 Pilot test methodology 9 Schedule data collection, begin collection 10, 11, 12 Data entering into SPSS 13 Analyze and interpret the data 14 Update literature review 15 Write conclusions and implications 16 Submit the research draft to tutors 17 Schedule, prepare for and take oral exam 18 Bibliography Ai, D, S(1997), The Enterprise Life Cycle [M]. China Social Sciences Press Boswijk, A, Thijssen, T, and Peele, E, (2007), A New Prospective on Experience Economy, Pearson Education. Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry research design: Choosing among five approaches, (2nd ed.), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Fu, Y. (2012),Theme Restaurants the Problems Existing in the Management and Development Strategy in China , Business Culture Journal, pp04. Hsieh, T, F, (2009), Interactive Quality Control of Service Encounters in Theme Restaurants, Taiwan, The Journal of Global Business Issues – Volume 3 Issue 2 McNamara, C. (2009). General guidelines for conducting interviews. Retrieved January 11, 2010, from http://managementhelp.org/evaluatn/intrview.htm Pine, J, B. and Gilmore, J, H. (1999), The Experience Economy, Harvard Business School Press, Boston Shi, L, Y, Du, X, J Yang, J, J, (2012), Innovative theme restaurant business analysis and development model to explore the advantages and disadvantages , Journal of Business in China (12) Tong, J, Q, (2008). Themed Restaurant Management Situation and Development Trend of the China , Modernization Journal, pp22 Turner, D, W, (2010), Qualitative Interview Design: A Practical Guide for Novice Investigators, The Qualitative Report Volume 15 Number, Florida USA Weaver, K., Olson, J. K. (2006). Understanding paradigms used for nursing research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(4), 459-469 Weiss, R, Feinstein, A, H, Dalbor, M, (2004), Customer Satisfaction of Theme Restaurant Attributes and Their Influence on Return Intent, Journal of Foodservice Business Research, Vol. 7(1), The Haworth Press, Inc. Zhang Xia

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Genetically Engineered Organisms Essay -- seeds, monsanto, food

Genetically Engineered Organisms Without vigorous experimentation or public consent genetically modified foods have been introduced into our daily kitchens without much notice from the general public. Widespread use of genetically modified (GM) seeds began in 1996 and since then has spread to cover 167 million acres around the world; two-thirds of that quantity being in America (Figure 1). Figure 1 Monsanto is the main developer of these seeds and controls over 90% of the American market, alerting a possible crisis in the democratic system. (Cummins and lilliston, 2004). Alarmingly, some of the largest biotechnological companies have also introduced toxic pesticides into our environments, including but not limiting to: Agent Orange, DDT, and PCB’s, causing much worry worldwide. This report will cover the basics of genetic engineering, genetically engineered seeds, possible effects on human health and affects on the environment. The four most common genetically engineered (GE) crops grown on a commercial scale are soybeans, corn, cotton and canola. Among these, two main traits have been added: herbicide resistance (75 percent of all GE crops), pesticide resistance (17 percent) or both (8 percent), (Genetically Engineered Food, Page xiv). The first steps in genetically modifying organisms is identifying the trait you want the plant to have, and finding another organism that has it. Then, the gene can be inserted into the plant using a 22-caliber charge that fires a metal particle coated with DNA, called a â€Å"gene gun†. Another method of inserting the desired gene includes heating the seed and placing it under stress causing it to be susceptible to a bug called Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This bacterium tricks the organism into b... ...wever possibly inaccurate, allow us to speculate on new technologies which could help feed the growing population of humans on earth. Works Cited Wolfenbarger, Laressa L., and Paul R. Phifer. "The ecological risks and benefits of genetically engineered plants." Science 290.5499 (2000): 2088-2093. Jesse, Laura C. Hansen, and John J. Obrycki. "Field deposition of Bt transgenic corn pollen: lethal effects on the monarch butterfly." Oecologia 125.2 (2000): 241-248. Anal Bioanal Chem. Oct 2008; 392(3): 333–340. Seralini GE, Cellier D, Spiroux de Vendomois J. New analysis of a rat feeding study with a genetically modified maize reveals signs of hepatorenal toxicity. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2007;52:596–602. The Ecological Risks and Benefits of Genetically Engineered Plants L. L. Wolfenbarger, et al. Science 290, 2088 (2000); DOI: 10.1126/science.290.5499.2088

Friday, October 11, 2019

Speech Recognition Software :: Essays Papers

Speech Recognition Software Throughout the past 100 years, we have had visions of what the future would be like thanks to the creative minds behind movies and television shows. Many predictions as to what the future would be like have come true, while others are still far off. One element that can be seen in almost all futuristic fictional forms is that of speech recognition. Right now, developers are hard at work trying to make speech recognition an aspect of every day life. It is far from this final destination, but that’s not to say it isn’t a technology that is being used today. Several elementary products are available now that utilize speech recognition software technology. Speech recognition is a revolutionary technology in software development that will change the way we interact with our digital world. Speech recognition has been created and researched for many valid reasons. The main purpose of the technology is a way for humans to interact with computers and other digital devices by simply speaking. They can not only tell the computer commands, but they can speak normally while the computer converts the speech into text. This improves input speed to the computer because a person can speak much faster than they can use their hands typing or controlling the mouse. This is also an advancement that helps people with disabilities (Connections). People with arthritis, weak bones, or other medial conditions may have a hard time typing and using the mouse. Blind people can’t even see computer screens to check for spelling mistakes or to see where the mouse cursor is on the screen. Speech recognition can help these disabled people interact with computers in ways that were previously impossible. The software itself does most of the work, and the user essentially only has to speak at the speed the program can operate. There are a few different types of voice recognition software, all programmed to interpret a vocal signal inputted by the user. In order to use the software, the user must use a headset or some other microphone-type device that allows for vocal input. The technology works as follows: the analog signal from the voice cones in through the microphone, that signal is converted to digital, and the voice software interprets the digital signal.

Product and Geographic Departmentalization Essay

est for a company managers are faced with several decisions/dilemmas. The following should be considered: †¢The products they produce †¢Who their customers are †¢Where their customers are located Once the above considerations has been taken, a manager can then look at the advantages and disadvantages to the different types of departmentalization. Two types of departmentalization are product and geography. Product departmentalization is when a company is organized by specific products. Take a look at 3M Corp; they make both consumer and industrial products. All of 3M Crops products operate under different divisions (Griffin, 2013). For example their Post-it and Scotch Brite brands could be located in the same building, but do not have the same managers or staffing resources. Basically the mangers and staff for both brands are coexisting with no business interaction. This type of departmentalization can also apply to retail stores. Most retail stores are broken into different departments. The advantages of product departmentalization are: †¢Allows people to specialize in one area of expertise †¢Makes it easier to assess performance †¢Makes decision making faster The disadvantages of product departmentalization are: †¢Duplication of functions †¢Coordination across different product departments †¢Limited view of organizational goals The above advantages and disadvantages taken from (Zararain, 2012) Geographic departmentalization is creating departments in the geographic areas they service. Coca-Cola is a company that operates using geographic departmentalization. They have 6 operating regions: Eurasia & Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, Pacific and Bottling Investments – in addition to Corporate (Unknown, 2011). The advantages of product departmentalization are: †¢Effective and efficient management. †¢Reduces costs by locating organizational resources closer to customers The disadvantages of product departmentalization are: †¢Duplicates functions †¢Functions are dispersed, therefore control cannot be exercised effectively †¢Isolates organizational areas from one another. The above advantages and disadvantages taken from (Zararain, 2012) I feel managers are challenged to try and decide what departmentalization type will best suit their company’s needs. Just because one fits today, that may not be the case in years to come. A manager may need to revisit the different departmentalization types and pick a new one that best fits the company’s structural needs. Note: Only two of the five-departmentalization types have been discussed. For more information on the other types please refer to page 219, chapter 7 in Business.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Global video games market Essay

?Introduction The global video game market, or the so called interactive entertainment industry, is the economic sector which focuses on the development, marketing and sales of video games. The worldwide video game sector includes video game console hardware and software, online, mobile and PC games and has reached $ 93 billion in 2013, up from $ 79 billion in 2012. Currently, the video game industry is a massive source of development; profit still stimulates technological advancement which is then applied by other industry sectors. Though not the main driving force, casual and independent games proceed having a considerable incidence on the industry, with sales of some of these titles such as Minecraft exceeding millions of dollars and over a million users. While outgrowth for consoles and PCs is not inert, development of mobile games is still active. As of 2014, newer game companies arose that vertically incorporate live procedures and publishing, rather than relying on a traditional publishers, and some of these have increased to significant size. The computer and video game industries have expand from small-scale markets to mainstream. They took in about US$9. 5 billion in the US in 2007, 11. 7 billion in 2008, and 25. 1 billion in 2010 (ESA annual report). The video game industry settled in 1971 with the launching of the arcade game. The insertion of video games to the domestic market with the release of the early video game console was effective the following year. Nevertheless, the video game crash of 1977 was the result of a one game domination and a market’s saturation, sparking a renascence for the video game industry and paving the way for the golden age of video arcade games. The game’s success influenced arcade machines to become widespread in mainstream locations such as shopping malls, traditional storefronts, restaurants and convenience stores†¦ By the end of the 1970s, the personal computer game industry initiated designing from a hobby culture, when personal computers just set out to become broadly available. The industry augmented along with the headway of computing technology, and often drove that progress. Modern personal computers owe many advancements and innovations to the game industry: sound cards, graphics cards and 3D graphic accelerators, faster CPUs, and dedicated co-processors like Physx are a few of the more notable improvements. Sound cards were promoted in addition of digital-quality sound to games and only later mended for music and audiophiles. Since the beginning, graphics cards were displayed for more colors. Subsequently, graphics cards were valorized for graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and games; GUIs drove the necessity for high resolution, and games led off using 3D acceleration. They also are one of the only pieces of hardware to enable numerous hookups (such as with SLI or CrossFire graphics cards). CD- and DVD-ROMs were instituted overall for mass distribution of media, notwithstanding the capability to store more data on inexpensive readily distributable media was instrumental in driving their ever higher speeds. Modern games are amongst the most demanding of applications on PC resources. Many of the high-powered personal computers are purchased by gamers who seek the rapidest equipment to power the latest cutting-edge games. Thereby, the inertness of CPU improvement is due partially to this industry whose games require faster processors than business or personal applications. The first part of the decade acknowledged the lift of home computing, and home-made games, particularly in Europe and Asia. This time also saw the uprise of video game journalism, which was later expanded to include covermounted cassettes and CDs. In 1983, the North American sector crashed due to the output of too many gravely marketed games (quantity over quality), resulting in the drop of the North American industry. The industry would ultimately be regenerated by the launching of the Nintendo Entertainment System, which resulted in the home console market being overpowered by Japanese companies whereas a professional European computer game industry also began materializing with great sized companies. Segmentation The global video games’ market can be divided into several parts according to several criteria. Technical factor-different platforms: Table 1: global video game sector revenue (Data source: GLOBAL GAMES INVESTMENT REVIEW 2014). The platform refers to the specific combination of electronic components or computer hardware which, in conjunction with software, allows a video game to operate. 1 Based on this technical factor, we can separate the whole market specifically. The global video game has 4 types. It follows console games, online games, mobile games and PC games. Currently, the console games is prominent in the market because of higher revenue. In every subset market, the competition is very fierce among international and domestic corporations. Geographic factor: Table 2 : regional video game market revenue. (Data source: GLOBAL GAMES INVESTMENT REVIEW 2014) Regarding the geographic location, generally in business and administration, lots of global corporations tend to segment the market into four parts: North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America. From the view of market revenue, we can see that video game market in Asia Pacific has increased significantly. It is also a huge potential market to develop. World video game market Key Success Factors The video game industry is balanced with an important growth, but many sectors have already matured. Video games are a vast and expanding market. Our goal is to highlight the major sectors, which are interesting for reasons including significant technological evolution, high growth rates, new products’ development. The core hardware and game software markets are quite mature. The best markets for investment are those that supply valuable goods and services to game developers, publishers and gamers themselves. These are the areas that will build out the industry as it undergoes significant growth. Key success factors of Console games: Brand: It’s a tautology, but the brand is important. 10 years ago, before the advent of the Playstation, we can say that Nintendo and SEGA were synonyms of â€Å"console videogames†. When Sony decided to â€Å"attack† the console market, they pushed on marketing, on brand valorization, on advertising. They made a lot of investments to become popular in this market too. And they were successful. The same did Microsoft 5 years ago, with their first XBOX. Nintendo strategy was different and the result was that both the XBOX and the Playstation brand became really popular. Nintendo lost some of their popularity, but thanks to the portable console segment they were able to â€Å"survive†. Now, these 3 competitors can count on greats and strong brands, which make really unlikely the arrival of new comers. Costs: Costs are critical. Even if we are talking about big companies, this aspect should be taken into consideration not to transform a well-done strategy into a failure. Nintendo kept the productive costs low, so to make revenues from each console sold and at the same time being aggressive on the price. Microsoft did a long-time strategy. Their console cost more, but they took advantage from being the first in the market. Unfortunately their hardware is not reliable, obliging the company to spend a lot in free assistance. Sony did the worst: they produced an expensive console, with expensive components. Exclusive games: Each company has its own game and it makes difference to the other. For example, Nintendo can benefit from their own games (maybe the best in terms of gameplay). Plus a set of exclusives like the RE: Umbrella Chronicles and Monster Hunter 3 by Capcom, Microsoft worked hard on exclusives. Apart from halo3 or Mass Effect or Bioshock, Microsoft was able to steal a lot of titles to Sony: Devil May Cry 3, Ace Combat 6. Sony is losing advantage, and this is mainly due to Microsoft efforts. But the game is not over: Little Big planet, Gran Turismo 5, Metal Gear Solid 4 are titles that no real gamer should miss. Innovation: There are a lot of ways to innovate: game play, graphic, audio, online†¦ Microsoft and Sony focused on the last 3 aspects, while Nintendo made the game play the basis of their strategy (and the result was Wii and its incredible Wii remote). Online features: No console can be considered successful without an online platform. Even Nintendo had to admit it. Microsoft has the lead, with its Xbox live service. Sony is trying to reach Microsoft, with a free service (Playstation Network) but still to be improved. Nintendo is only tasting the market, with a light. Price: Value for money or Premium price? Nintendo chose to sell hardware less powerful, but at low cost. Sony did the opposite. And Microsoft positioned their product in the middle, thanks to the modularity of the Core and Pro versions of their console (†¦WI-FI only optional†¦). Technology: It’s clear: games must be more and more beautiful to see. However, with the Wii, Nintendo demonstrated that this is â€Å"only one key success factor†, not â€Å"the only one†. And everything depends on the market segment to be covered. For example, Sony and Microsoft focused on hardcore gamers. Timing: Timing is fundamental. Microsoft was the first this time, and they benefited from that. Imagine what could have happened if Sony had been able to be in the market during the same time, with a console more expensive, ok, but reliable. We can say that Microsoft were both good and lucky. There would be a lot to say about â€Å"timing†. Key success factors of mobile games : Compatibility: Playing a mobile game as an activity might meet the needs of a specific consumer group, including commuters with time to spare. Facilitating conditions: Payment options impact adoption, billing conditions and support options might impact on users’ willingness to adopt. Trialability: Mobile gaming has a level of â€Å"addictiveness†. Free trial might lead to addiction and subsequent adoption. Self-efficacy: Due to device limitations, a large group of potential â€Å"aged† gamers might not be able to play and also, technical serviced need to match the requirements need of different customer segments. Complexity: The ease of use of an entertainment application is of utmost importance as it is expected to be an enjoyable experience. In mobile game playing clear navigation influences response time and might have implications for the decision to play. Trust: Perceived fear of privacy invasion and/or lack of security might influence consumer choice. Relative advantage: The ubiquity and accessibility of mobile entertainment may satisfy the demand for a â€Å"killing time† and relaxing â€Å"fun† service. A technology based advantage is the offer of interactive multi-player games. Observability/ communicability: Refers to the ability to communicate with a peer group; to be observed playing which might be of social importance. Image: The personalized use of a mobile phone might lend its owner status-related features. Normative beliefs: Playing the same game as one? s friends might facilitate social acceptance; social pressures influence customer perceptions and decision making and facilitate building a critical mass. High-speed networks conjugated with the technological capabilities of smartphones (delivery of data). Key success factors of PC games: Sociable: The PC games enable to socialize with some friends for cybernetics with a combination of fun. Accessible: It is more common for people to have a pc at home that a console and almost everyone has at least one computer in their home. Low cost: Only need to buy the game to play, however, to play with console the cost increases because you have to buy the console and games separately. PC games make it so real that people feel they belong to play to that reality, for example, when playing car race people also feel that adrenaline you feel when driving a real car. Key success factors of online games: Ability to quickly adopt new technology: Being online can make any changes or updates directly Aggressive marketing/franchising: Now everyone remain constantly connected which is easier and faster to get to them to publicize products or services. Also, when you are playing you can go to receive more information or upgrade without having to resort to a place Accessible and cheaper: You can buy and purchase the game wherever you are, because you only need to be logged in and you don’t have to go to a specific place to buy the game and the machine. Safe time: Since you only need to be logged in, you save time to find a store where they sell and then go there to buy it. Massively Multiplayer Onlie Games (MMOGs) allow players to participate in all worlds’ areas. The derivatives’ sales (â€Å"advergaming†) represent a vast part of the market through advertising that encourage primary gamers to buy products related to the reality of each game. Geographic factors: Key success factor of video game in Asia: IP, part one: Major licenses may be easier but be aware of the localization and culturalization challenges. Major brands do carry significant weight in Asia, but not all western brands will succeed there. IP, part two: Original IP needs great design and technology. Using proven engines and middleware would be an option worth considering. Experienced development teams: If you’re not from Asia, then allow Asian companies and players to be involved in early testing. Listen and understand their comments. Funding: You must allow enough money for changes to the game later on. Incorporating Asian MMO traits will make the game ultimately better for the western markets too. Great Asian contacts: Look for contacts across multiple markets. There are different elements and requirements to be learned from each major market. Partnering in Asia: Find companies you can have shared goals with and trust. The ongoing support of the market partner for beta testing, updates and specific changes is absolutely critical. Support and listen to them. Openness and local help: The ability to communicate across different languages and cultures is critical. Unlike single player games, you do not walk away from them after launch. The development and support needs to be market focused and ongoing. Time: Unfortunately funding can direct launch timing. As with most games there is no second chance. Developers use various technologies to ensure faster and cheaper conception of online games: there is real opportunity to explore new kinds and methods of gameplay. Key success factor of video game in Latin America and North America: In the mid 1990s when Latin America privatized its telecommunications industry and saw the return of important flows of investment into the region for that specific area (Inter-American Development Bank Annual Report 2000). Significant amounts of capital were allocated to telecommunications, media and computing sectors, especially in Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Argentina. Latin America is today one of the fastest growing regions in the world, even though is still a marginal market in comparison to the US, Europe and Asia. Latin America is interested in developing manufacturing lines and infrastructures to satisfy the local market, since US high-tech companies are interested in both the current potential of the local market and the future use of Latin America as a platform to export to the US and Canada. Latin America not only lies with the market itself, but also with the unrealistic perception of the region as a possible platform for exporting and improving global sales. Latin America could respond more to its potential as a low-cost producer and exporter rather than to its potential as a consumer-market like North America. Latin America has important social disparities of income from one social stratum to the other, â€Å"the patterns of consumption are very similar to the developed world. † (Euromonitor International, 1999) Latin America has knowledge, technology and a manufacturing capability to develop hardware. The model of the Maquila has been operating since the 1970s and takes advantage of the potential of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which not only facilitates access to cheap labour, but also provides exporting facilities based on a substantial reduction of tariffs to the US market. Evidence suggests that companies such as Microsoft and Nintendo are investing in Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil in order to develop low-cost production centers capable of exporting to the US market using the opportunities that NAFTA and other inter-regional agreements provide. Key success factors of video games in EMEA: The production costs of video games are growing, as is increasingly required greater technical and visual quality. Despite this, note that the cost of sequel is significantly lower due to the reuse of components and technological developments of the previous versions. Merger of companies: For example, buying video game developer Activision by the French company Vivendi to merge with its subsidiary video game Blizzard, becoming the largest game development company in the world or the merger of Parmenion and solutions group. Low cost: Its production is technically simpler and therefore cheaper, also can be produced in large quantities allowing entry into this sector to smaller companies. Have casual games that are simple, both in game play and developing and easy to learn. Launched innovative product, targeting new demographics (adult female audience†¦). French Foreign Ministry created an internet portal called FRANCE GAME which aims to promote French videogame industry abroad. Competitive System Matrix Console games Mobile games PC games Online games Brand Compatibility Sociable Quickly adopt new technology Cost Facilitating conditions Accessible Aggressive marketing/franchising Exclusive games Trialability Low cost Accessible and cheaper Innovation Self-efficacy Real effects Safe time Online features Complexity Price Trust Technology Relative advantage Timing Observability/ Communicability Image Normative beliefs Competitive system analysis: †¢ Console games: – Relatively strong differentiation(Brand,Cost,Exclusive games,Innovation,Technology) – Strong advantage †¢ Mobile games: – Strong differentiation (Compatibility, Facilitating conditions,Complexity, Device advantage, Observability/ Communicability) – Relatively strong competitive advantage (As mobile devices continue to grow, mobile game category will show the biggest growth) †¢ PC games: – Relatively weak differentiation (sociable and accessible, technology) – Relatively weak competitive advantage (more common for people to have a PC than console at home) †¢ Online games: – Relatively strong differentiation (quickly adopt new technology and Aggressive marketing/franchising) – Relatively strong differentiation (â€Å"online revenues set to reach US$30bn in 2017, consumers are merely shifting from pay to own to pay to play†). Conclusion Nowadays, the video game industry has a considerable incidence on the economy through the sales of significant and complex systems and games. Over the next five years, video games will extend at a CAGR of 6. 5% to attain US$86. 9bn in 2017, up from US$63. 4bn in 2012. Consumers’ spending on console games will increase by a CAGR of 5% from US$24.9bn in 2012 to US$31. 2bn in 2017 as Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s rumored new Xbox console revive appeal in console gaming. That development will lead to North America surpassing Western Europe to regain in 2014 its number one position in console sales. â€Å"In many entertainment and media segments, China will overtake Japan in terms of size by 2017; in some cases, it has already. This is not the case in video gaming, however, because Japan will retain its position as the world’s second-largest market, at US$13. 7bn in 2017, behind the US at US$18. 2bn but ahead of China at US$11. 4bn. Although PC revenues remain stagnant, consumers are not abandoning the platform. With online revenues set to reach US$30bn in 2017, consumers are merely shifting from pay to own to pay to play. Online spending will increase by an average of 8% per year over the next five years. By 2017, the online platform will have almost reached parity with consoles; and US$97 will be spent on online games for every US$100 spent on console games. Driven by strong mobile gaming and video game consoles and software sales, the market is forecast to reach $ 111 billion by 2015, it added. The research firm said mobile games are the fastest growing segment of the (gaming) market, with revenue set to nearly double between 2013 and 2015 from $ 13. 2 billion to $ 22 billion. As mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) continue to grow, mobile game category will show the biggest growth due to the entertainment value provided by games compared with other app categories. This growth is fuelled by healthy sales of premium mobile devices globally and consumers’ desire to play games on these multi-function devices that are capable of displaying increasingly sophisticated game content, he added. 2013 was an important year for the game industry as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are releasing their next generation video game consoles to a market that may be moving in another direction due to the popularity of mobile devices†(quotation, see the bibliography). Sony and Microsoft have released their game consoles in November 2013 and a repressed demand for them has caused a temporary reduction in console hardware sales during the last year. But, the augmentation will restart in 2014 and sales of existing console hardware are foreseen to increase from $ 15. 9 billion today to $ 22. 7 billion in 2015. Video game industry customs are comparable to those of other entertainment sectors (e. g. , the music recording industry), but the video game industry in particular has been charged of handling its development predisposition poorly. This promotes independent development, as developers leave to establish new companies and projects. In some notable cases, these ingoing companies grow extensive and impersonal, having endorsed the business habits of their forebears, and ultimately perpetuate the cycle. However, unlike the music industry, where modern technology has permitted a wholly professional yield to be scheduled exceedingly inexpensively by an independent musician, modern games necessitate crescent amounts of manpower and equipment. This dynamic makes publishers, who fund the developers, much more important than in the music industry. The industry insists on software piracy being a proper issue, and implement repressive measures to struggle against this widespread phenomenon. Nonetheless, digital rights management and other restraints have proved to be obviously unpopular among gamesters. Bibliography http://www. pwc. com/gx/en/global-entertainment-media-outlook/segment-insights/video-games. jhtml http://www. gartner. com/newsroom/id/2614915 http://www. wikinvest. com/industry/Video_Games http://www. theesa. com/games-improving-what-matters/families. asp http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Video_game_industry Gretz, R. T. 2010. Hardware quality vs. network size in the home video game industry, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization Palmer, R. a. and Millier, Segmentation: Identification, intuition, and implementation, Industrial Marketing Management T. N. S.and Project, M. B. A. F. The Video Game Industry: an Industry Analysis, from a VC Perspective, Online Smith, Product differentiation and market segmentation as alternative marketing strategies, Journal Of Marketing http://www. wepromite. com/2007/10/14/strategy-analysis-of-the-console-market-%E2%80%93-part-1-key-success-factors/ http://www. irma-international. org/viewtitle/32750/ http://www. gamasutra. com/view/feature/132098/a_path_to_western_online_games_. php? print=1 http://www. gamestudies. org/0202/lugo/ http://www. pymesonline. com/uploads/tx_icticontent/R02403_lbvideojuegos. pdf.