Microsoft Swot

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington that develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing. The company was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. Microsoft is the world's largest software maker measured by revenues. It is also one of the world's most valuable companies. Microsoft was established to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800.It rose to dominate the personal computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. The company's 1986 initial public offering, and subsequent rise in its share price, created an estimated three billionaires and 12,000 millionaires from Microsoft employees. Since the 1990s, it has increasingly diversified from the operating system market and has made a number of corporate acquisitions. In May 2011, Microsoft acquir ed Skype Technologies for $8. 5 billion in its largest acquisition to date.  «About Microsoft inc. As of 2012, Microsoft is market dominant in both the PC operating system and office suite markets (the latter with Microsoft Office). The company also produces a wide range of other software for desktops and servers, and is active in areas including internet search (with Bing), the video game industry (with the Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles), the digital services market (through MSN), and mobile phones (via the Windows Phone OS). In June 2012, Microsoft announced that it would be entering the PC vendor market for the first time, with the launch of the Microsoft Surface tablet computer.In the 1990s, critics began to contend that Microsoft used monopolistic business practices and anti-competitive strategies including refusal to deal and tying, put unreasonable restrictions in the use of its software, and used misrepresentative marketing tactics; both the U. S. Department of Justice and Eu ropean Commission found the company in violation of antitrust laws. Microsoft just lost a world-record to Apple. Microsoft was valued to $619 billion during the last tech bubble in 2000, and the current value of Apple is $623 billion – so Apple currently is the most valuable publicly traded company of all time (If you ignore inflation.IBM was worth $1. 3 trillion in 1967 if you adjust for inflation). Microsoft seems to lose more and more of their market shares to competitors. Google's web-browser Chrome is the largest web-browser – Microsoft Explorer has the second place. Is Microsoft the next large tech company to fall into the graveyard of the old once mighty forgotten companies? To find out, one way is to make a SWOT analysis. SWOT analysis StrengthsWeaknesses †¢Strong brand †¢Increasing research and development investments †¢High financial strength†¢Lack of innovations †¢Bugs †¢No proud users OpportunitiesThreats Windows 8 †¢Xbox 720 †¢New logo†¢Piracy †¢Tablets competition †¢Open source model Strengths †¢Microsoft is the number 1 in the following areas: oXbox 360 – 47 percent of the market before Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii oOffice – 94 percent of the market  «Microsoft. com » oWindows is the largest operating system in the world – 92 percent of the market before Apple with 6 percent  «Microsoft. com » †¢Microsoft may not always be number 1, but they are number 2: oExplorer is the second largest web-browser – behind Google Chrome oBing is the second largest search engine – behind Google Sometimes you don't have a choice. If you are buying a PC today, you are going to buy it with Microsoft Windows pre-installed. If you are working at a large company, you are going to use Microsoft Office †¢Microsoft is a company with a high financial strength: oDistributes a dividend 4 times each year – currently $0. 23 per share oAre buy ing back shares – the 2012 outstanding shares have decreased by 16. 6 percent since 2006 oRevenues in 2012 have increased to $73,723 million from $44,282 million in 2006 oEarnings per share in 2012 have increased to $2. 72 from $1. in 2006  «Can the once mighty Microsoft rise again?  » Weaknesses †¢Lack of innovation. Microsoft and Facebook both spent about $1 billion. Facebook bought Instagram, and Microsoft bought patents  «Microsoft. com » †¢Lack of innovative company culture. The employees are competing with each other – not with other companies – thanks to the management system inside Microsoft that says that everyone in a group can't be top performers. Each unit is forced to declare a certain percentage of employees as top performers, good performers, average, and poor – no matter how good they are.One of the employees said: â€Å"It was always much less about how I could become a better engineer and much more about my need to imp rove my visibility among other managers. †  «Can the once mighty Microsoft rise again?  » †¢Bugs – Microsoft has a reputation for making software with bugs. Everyone can remember when Bill Gates was going to make a presentation and the famous blue screen appeared. Go and check it out here if you have missed it: YouTube. Have you ever seen a similar presentation by Apple?The problem with creating a software such as Windows is that Windows needs to work with many different computers from different manufacturers. It is easier for Apple to create software without bugs since they are manufacturing their own computers †¢No dedicated users. Apple users loves to show that they are using Apple devices, but who's proud of using a device from Microsoft? Opportunities †¢Next generation products such as Windows 8 and Xbox 720 †¢Microsoft has just changed its corporate logo – and the logo now includes a symbol Threats Microsoft is a PC company while mor e and more people are shifting to mobile and tablets. They are trying their best with Surface – their own tablet. It's hard to compete with Apple today since you also have to compete with iTunes Store with millions of apps. If you create a better iPhone competitor, people are still going to use the iPhone because of all the apps available †¢Open source models: oLibre Office is free and as good as Microsoft Office if you are only using the basic functions oOuya – the open source Android video game console may be a low-cost competitor to the Xbox

Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr)

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) COMPANY NAME: PETRODEC SDN BHD BY JUZITA MOHAMED ALIAS (2012) ContentsPage Executive Summary†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 1. 0 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 4 2. 0 Company Backgroun-Petrodec Sdn Bhd†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4 3. 0 Company Values †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 5 4. 0 Corporate Social Responsibility†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 5. 0 CSR Activities 2011†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 5. 1 Adopted School Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 5. 2 Welfare Activities Rumah Bakti Kulim†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 7 6. 0Next Year Plan à ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 8 7. 0CSR Challenges†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦9 8. 0Conclusion and recommendation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. References: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 10 Executive Summary Corporate social responsibility which is also known as CSR is a form of corporate self-regulated that has been integrated into a business model. It was started to be popular in 1960s to 1970s after being implemented by many multinational company. The focus on CSR in Malaysia has increased in recent years, in line with international trends. Although several companies have CSR programs that go back many years, in some cases decades, it has in recent years been possible to identify an increased awareness of the issue.The approach of CSR becomes widely accepted by community-based development approach. Today, more companies than ever before are recognizing the significance and value of integrating CSR into all aspects of their business operations and decision-making processes. Communities are seen as more than just a market for the roll-out of products and services. The long-term growth and profitability of companies are inextricably linked to the sustainability and well-being of the community. Petrodec Sdn Bhd is one of the company in Malaysia that committed to their CSR program.In year 2011, Petrodec had become more integrated in CSR where they had adopted SM (U) Al-Irsyad, Pulau Pinang and planned activities with Blind Associate in Kulim called Rumah Bakti. 1. 0Introduction This project starts with the importance of the CSR commitment to the company then followed by the background of the company, Petrodec Sdn Bhd. This will continue with the listed CSR activities done by Petrodec Sdn Bhd. Then it followed by the plan for next year and challenges faces by the company. Then it covers recommendation to conclude the whole program presented for year 2011. . 0Company Background-Petrodec Sdn Bhd Petrodec Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Focal 2000 Sdn Bhd ) was established on 21st April 2000 with a mission to provide a comprehensive range of engineering solutions and services in the construction industry. Petrodec Sdn Bhd has been registered with CIDB (G7) since year 2001 and PKK (Class A). Holding the paid up capital of RM1,000,000. 00, Petrodec Sdn Bhd is owned by two directors; En Mohd Zamri Bin Abdull Rahman and Tn Syed Lokman Bin Syed Idrus. Petrodec Sdn Bhd believes there is more to value than just the lowest price.Value means providing our clients with the highest quality product for the most economical price. Petrodec Sdn Bhd has worked hard to earn a reputation for quality work and integrity in dealing with clients, local authorit ies, suppliers and subcontractors. It’s believes in building value into relationships by using quality people and products. Their goal is to develop long lasting relationships based on trust, honesty and professionalism. The organization had worked hard to earn satisfaction and respect from customer as they believe in continuous relationship with customers.The basic philosophy of Petrodec Sdn Bhd is to offer oustanding services towards clients' goals and needs. The company provides a total package capability and solution to suit projects of any scale and magnitude. Its services will be characterized by a high standard of quality services. The company believes in the solidarity of its internal skills and knowledge in satisfying the needs of its clients (Petrodec Sdn Bhd, 2010). 3. 0Company values The values and principles are â€Å"Experience, Effective, Efficiency and Excellence † coupled with creative dynamism and vision will be the constant focus of the company †™ s work ethics. Petrodec Sdn Bhd, 2010) 4. 0Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) CSR is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into business model. It starts to be popular in 1960s and early 1970s after multinational company really putting an effort to emphasis on CSR. Basically, the most successful and accepted CSR is the community-based development approach. In this approach, organization works with local communities to better themselves. The organization that is committed to employee development normally already practicing some of the CSR components.That organization that openly shares information with employees about a move toward downsizing, and then helps displaced employees find new jobs, is actively practicing CSR. Moreover, the organization that is committed to the production of safe, reliable, and innovative products or services in line with customer needs is strategically involved in CSR. CSR is, therefore, a management approach that takes into consideration a n integrated set of indicators that map the firm's impact within the its economic, society and environmental existence.Most importantly, findings from scientific research shows that CSR is essential for the long-term sustainability of an organization (Waldman, Sully, Washburn, & House, 2006). Company that narrowly pursue the profit motive, without concern for the broad spectrum of Stakeholders that are relevant to the long run, are increasingly shown to lack sustainability. But it’s not only important to realize the importance of these groups. Organizations must also be able to â€Å"connect the dots† and understand how various Stakeholders, and the satisfaction of their needs, represent interrelated challenges.To some multinational companies and large organizations, they might have an established CSR that brings a significant impact to the company and community surrounded area. However to a small company they might have a different ways to involve with CSR activities. For Petrodec Sdn Bhd commitment to engage with CSR activities is important to ensure business continuity. It is a social obligations to contribute some and to be part of the society. The company hopes to share some of community pain in the welfare activities.On the other hand, Petrodec is a construction company that have to engage with the community throughout the duration of project completion. It is understood, whenever a constructions works involve, there always be uncomfortable situations to the involve society. Projects like earthwork clearing, building constructions, roads constructions and many more would always be unavoided disturbance to the people stay around the constructions area. Therefore, involvement with society will make them understand the situation and understand why the work need to be done at that area. 5. 0CSR Activities 2011Petrodec Sdn Bhd activities are divided into categories. First category is the adopted school and the second one is the welfare activitie s. Petrodec had chosen Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad as the adopted school when they started the construction project to build new hostel. The welfare activities carried out at Rumah Bakti in Kulim town which is the only Muslim Blind Associate in Malaysia. 5. 1Adopted School- Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad is located at Pokok Sena, Pulau Pinang. In 2009, Petrodec had been awarded to build hostel for the student that can occupied 200 students.It is also included room for warden and activity rooms. The duration for this project carried out for two years. It is long enough for the company to support the school activities. The school had their planned a lot of good programs to develop their students. But to ensure all activities can be run successfully, they need certain budget. So Petrodec had put up the initiative to volunteer to contribute RM10,000. 00 to ensure all their program smooth throughout the year. However, Petrodec only handover the RM10,000. 00 and the school had full authorities to use the money to run all the program as their planned and presented earlier.Petrodec had not engaged personally during the activities. Speech competition, motivation activities, outdoor activities, external speaker comes for motivation talks and graduation celebration are parts of the activities that had been carried out throughout the year. 5. 2Welfare Activites- Pusat Latihan Rumah Bakti Kulim (The Blind Association) Rumah Bakti Kulim (the blind association) is the only training center for muslim blind association in Malaysia. It’s accommodates around 20 people which is blinds that stayed in this Rumah Bakti.All of them are teenagers who poor vision or blinds, and orphan. Petrodec had participate actively in their activites and involve personally in the activities. Total of RM20,000. 00 was granted throughout the year but it was given when the program are planned. In 2011, there are three major activities had been carried out. Two activities had joined event with Malaysian Estima Owners Group (MEOG) to had more people involve. The first event was held a week before HariRaya Aidilfitri 2011 which is on 20th August 2011. The total budget for this event around RM6,000. 00.The MEOG team prepared the food for evening meal to break their fast, transportation (Estima) to bring the blinds to function house which is held at Kulim Golf Residents and Petrodec prepared cash donation, baju kurung and baju melayu for all the blinds. Total of 24 blinds received the cash donation and clothes on that day. Total 100 attendees participate in the event. It a very simple but a meaning full event. All the Petrodec staffs and MEOGians served the for the blinds, perform the maghrib prayers and then proceed with the clothes and cash donations sessions.It was conclude to be one of the most successful event to MEOG and Petrodec Sdn Bhd this year. The second activity was activity korban on Aidil Adha. It was done on 9th November 2011 at Rumah Bakti Kulim. Total b udget allocated was RM3,600. 00. This activity also a joined effort with MEOG. Rumah Bakti staff cooked for lunch for invited guest which included all the blinds at Rumah Bakti, Petrodec Sdn Bhd Staff and MEOGians. Korban meat was then distributed to poor people and included the residents of Rumah Bakti.The meat for Rumah Bakti will be stored properly as that will be their food stock until year end and early of first quarter next year. This is due to normally it was the last contributions received from outside organizations for that year. Next year contribution will be received later in February. For day to day income, the blinds will continue living with their own income either from massage service and photostat service run inhouse. The third activity was to hire Tahfiz to teach the blind tahfiz Al-Quran. As they cannot read Al-Quran, therefore they have to hire Tahfiz for the purpose of learning Al-Quran.This activity start in November and RM700. 00 was allocated for the Tahfiz mo nthly salary. 6. 0Next Year Plan To ensure CSR activities continuity, Petrodec Sdn Bhd already presented next year plan to the board. Eventhough the budget still under approval by board of directors, the team will continue to look forward for the benefits of the company and the involve community. There are two plans for next year, which are to build prayer room at Rumah Bakti. It is estimated around RM30,000 needed. Petrodec also will continue to adopt school but it might change to another school.The suggestion will be SK St Anne’s Convent, Kulim. Petrodec had suggested to do activities such as career week during activity week after UPSR 2012. The school will call professionals to give a talk about their career and share with the schools why is it their job is important to the society. Another activity will be participate in Hari Kantin where the Petrodec Sdn Bhd team will be coaching on the entrepreneurship to the students. 7. 0CSR Challenges CSR activities need all the part icipants actively involve during the activities to ensure it is meaningful to the community.This would be the biggest challenge to Petrodec Sdn Bhd as the company had a very limited headcount to perform their work and at the same time participate in the CSR activities. Thus, with limited resources such as small budget, time and material also had become the constrains to run CSR in more proper manner. Most of the activites had to be on adhoc basis rather than a well plan schedule. This is also can be constrains due to limited resources. However, the company had worked hard to close the gaps in ensuring the activities run smooth. 8. 0Conclusion and RecommendationCSR is part of social commitment that company need to actively engage and participate. The company might have focus the CSR activities to the project area or to the community surrounded the organizations. Then only it will be meaningful to the people stay around the area. Reference Petrodec Sdn Bhd. (2010). Annual Report 2010. , (p. 10). Petrodec Sdn Bhd. (2010). Company Profile. Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Waldman, D. , Sully, M. , Washburn, N. , & House, R. (2006). Cultural and Leadership preditors of Corporate Social Responsibility values of top management: A Globe Study of 15 Countries. Journal of International Business Studies , 823-837.

Conditions and Consequences of a Price War Essay

The objective of this essay is to â€Å"use economic theory and illustrative examples to outline the circumstances under which a price war could come about and the likely consequences for the participating firms and their consumers†. A price war is a period in which multiple firms competing within the same market will react to the other firms lowering of price by lowering their own price. They have short-term and long-term advantages and disadvantages. There are many reasons for which a price war may occur, in all cases the reason for starting the price war is different but the reason for its continuation is not to lose sales. They are when a firm attempts to maximise capacity, for survival purposes, in oligopoly markets, where there are homogeneous products and when a firm adopts a penetrative pricing strategy. â€Å"Excess capacity refers to a situation where a firm is producing at a lower scale of output than it has been designed for† Excess capacity http://stats.oecd.org/glossary/ detail.asp?ID=3209 [accessed 10th December 2006] If a firm has spare capacity to produce more of a good it is likely they will use this spare capacity to profit maximise but to achieve this they will have to lower prices to increase quantity demanded (see appendix item A). As they have decreased their prices, other competitors will likely drop their prices so as not to loose customers, creating a price war. Companies who face bankruptcy may try to lower their prices so to attract more consumers and increase sales volume. However, if they cannot manage to increase volume enough to cover the fall in contribution then it will fail to cover its variable costs and will be forced to leave the market. Other firms may recognise that the company is in trouble and in a bid to force the company out the market and not to loose their own customers will drop their prices below that of the company facing bankruptcy. An oligopoly is where â€Å"a small number of firms share a large portion of the market† Economics Handbook, David Gray and Peter Clarke. In an oligopoly price is usually stable and constant as competing firms will not wish to lower price as its competitors will also drop theirs and so all they have  achieved is lowering their profit margins (see appendix item B). However, one firm may believe it stands to gain from a price-cut by believing they can under-cut the competition through economies of scale or other factors such as slow market reaction. A price war will begin as firms will drop theirs to avoid loosing customers. If in a market the goods are homogenous meaning they are the same for example utility services then price is one of the only means for a firm to distinguish it from others. In this situation a consumer will always purchase the lower priced product. This cause’s fierce pricing competition as each firm will try to maintain sales by dropping their price below the other competitors. â€Å"Penetration pricing involves the setting of lower, rather than the higher prices in order to achieve a large if not dominant market share† Pricing strategies http://www.tutor2u.net/business/marketing/pricing_strategy_penetration.asp [accessed 10th December 2006]. If this occurs the other firms in the market will recognise this and drop their own prices to stop that firm from gaining a dominant market share. The firm adopting this strategy may then also drop their prices to try continuing their pricing strategy causing a price war. This strategy can also be used to try and force firms out of the marketA price war causes more competition between firms, it has both positive and negative aspects for the consumers and the participating firms but these are different in the short-term and long-term. Competition is seen as a positive thing in any command economy. The short-run benefits for the consumer are obvious as firms lower their prices they will receive a better deal this can be seen in a movement along the demand curve, there will also be more consumer’s demanding the product for that lower price (see appendix item C). They are also likely to see improvements to the augmented products associated with the good as firms try to compete through non-pricing strategies. These services are things such as warranties, loyalty cards and other ‘extras’. The short-run effects upon the firms in the market are negative. Firm’s profits are reduced as the price of the good is reduced (see appendix item D). All firms in the industry will be forced to improve their productive efficiency to reduce total average cost, in an attempt to retain profit-margins whilst prices fall. They may also wish to attempt a heavier marketing campaign to try to distinguish itself from the other firms, but this incurs further costs for the firm. Firms are also likely to undergo a faster pace of invention and innovation as they differentiate themselves. Some firm’s in the market will be able to use their economies of scale to combat lower prices. But, other firms will not have such efficiencies and will not be able to afford variable costs and will therefore exit the market immediately (see appendix item E). The long-run affects of a price war are that a lot of firms will leave the market, this causes the demand curve to move back to its original position, which increases market-clearing price creating a long-run equilibrium and so normal profits are re-established. This is a negative aspect to the consumer’s who will have to pay more than they have in recent periods, they are also more likely to try and shop round to find the best deal. The good itself is likely to have seen technological advances as firms competed to have the most innovative product. There will also have been improved services for the consumers. The firms left in the market are likely to have better control of costs; this allows them to increase the contribution towards profits as the average total cost has been reduced of the product. In conclusion, a price war can be initiated for many reasons such as efficiency by filling up spare capacity, as a means for survival, in intense rivalry in oligopoly markets, to differentiate a product and to build up brand name or force other firms out of the market. However, the consequences are usually very similar, some firms will emerge as dominate and others will leave the market. This can have both good effects and bad effects as consumers will initially be happy with lower prices but when the long-run equilibrium comes into effect they will search harder for bargains. They will also see improvements made to the product and services. The surviving firms do well from the price war; they are likely to see higher demand for  their product, as there are fewer competitors. They also are likely to achieve greater productive efficiency and so greater profit margins. â€Å"Vigorous competition between firms is the lifeblood of strong markets and is a central to productivity and growth in the economy† International Competitiveness (2001) UK Labour GovernmentBibliography†¢Hardwick, Khan, Langmead (1994) An Introduction to Modern Economics 4th Edition†¢Lipsey, Forrest, Olsen (1993) An Introduction to Positive Accounts†¢Hunt, Sherman (1990) Economics An Introduction to traditional and radical views†¢Sloman, John (2000) Economics 4th Edition†¢Begg, David (2005) Economics 8th Edition†¢Sloman, John and Sutcliffe, Mark (2004) Economics for Business 3rd Edition†¢http://www.tutor2u.net [accessed 10th December]†¢http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki [accessed 10th December]†¢Price War, What is it good for? http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/pages/faculty/koen.pauwels/pdf/Price%20War%20what%20is%20it%20good%20for.pdf [accessed 10th December]References†¢Excess capacity http://stats.oecd.org/glossary/ detail.asp?ID=3209 [accessed 10th December 2006]†¢Economics Handbook, David Gray and Peter Clarke†¢Pricing strategies http://www.tutor2u.net/bus iness/marketing/pricing_strategy_penetration.asp [accessed 10th December 2006]†¢International Competitiveness (2001) UK Labour GovernmentAppendixItem AAs the firm increases the supply through using the spare capacity, supply curve shifts left from S1 to S2 as a result the market clearing price falls but quantity increases. Shifts in supply curve http://www.auhy69.dsl.pipex.com/images/dd202/b2p.jpg [accessed 10th December 2006]Item BIn this diagram you can see that in an oligopoly market it is unfavourable for the oligopoly firms to change their price, so it becomes static. Price Competition in Oligopoly Market, Foundations of Economics Handbook (2006) David Gray and Peter ClarkeItem CA Movement along the demand curve will increase the quantity demanded but reduce selling price. Demand and Supply www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics3.asp [accessed 10th December 2006]Item DAs the price is set lower from P1 to P2

Nursing Agency in Nova Scotia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nursing Agency in Nova Scotia - Essay Example These are just some of the professional problems faced by nurses. Add to them some of the economic and political problems of their country, and you come up with a perfect recipe of a nursing headache faced by hundreds of nurses. These pose a huge challenge to government agencies and to the health care sector of a province. The nurses of Nova Scovia have taken up the challenge of an ever-challenging health care system. Through conjoined efforts of various sectors, the province was able to recognize problems faced by the nursing profession and to pose a strategy to combat these challenges. It is the foremost objective of the paper to present how the province of Nova Scovia has responded to the issues of nursing agency. A brief background of the province will set the mood for a more comprehensive discussion of the nursing profession in the province. The development of the nursing agency in the province will also be discussed. Current issues and trends in the health care system with focus on nursing agency will be discussed. Implications of the issues will also be tackled. Finally, future directions of the nursing agency in Nova Scovia will be discussed. Recommendations will also be presented in the last part of the paper. Nova Scotia is a Canadian province located on Canada’s southeastern coast. It is he second smallest province of Canada. The total land area of the province is 55,284 square kilometers. In 2006, the population of the province is 934,405. As such, it is the fourth least populated but second most densely populated province of Canada (Canadian Population, 2006). Between 60% to 75% of the population lives in rural areas. Nova Scotia is considerably more rural than Canada as a whole and more rural than most other provinces and territories. Only two provinces (New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) and the three northern territories have a greater percentage of their

Rhetoric and stereotype essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Rhetoric and stereotype - Essay Example 216), which is dangerous, because our perception influences our attitude and behavior towards people. â€Å"Certainly, no one objects to generalizations as long as they stay at that level and are grounded in palpable fact. Who would deny that there are categories such as rebellious teenagers, reserved Englishmen, or excitable Latinos, even though exceptions abound (Kreyche, 1996, p. 98)† not unless off course, if they are used negatively. For example, calling someone a senior citizen because you would like to impress his/her old-agedness connoting physical and mental unfitness, or comparing someone to a politician because you perceived him/her to be liar, manipulator and power hunger are negative stereotypes. Stereotyping is dangerous when it is predetermined in pursuit of one’s vested interest. This is especially so if stereotype is consciously used for political persecution. The most common example today is stereotyping Muslims as terrorists, which news facts would tell that this stereotype justify military attack against Muslim nations. Another one is using stereotype to deny one group of their basic right to equal treatment and equal opportunity. For example, a gay teacher may be stereotyped as child molester or a sex pervert that may cause a hiring board to deny him employment even if he is educationally qualified or worse he is an easy target of these accusations. From a different viewpoint, stereotype in fact tells us the level of our understanding of people’s behavior, actions, and choices, which in another way tells also who we are – in effect by stereotyping other people, we are also stereotyping ourselves. For example, stereotyping tattooed persons as drug addicts only reveals our ignorance of art or of self-expression; stereotyping a feminist to be man-hater only reveals our ignorance of feminism; stereotyping a senior citizen to be mentally and physically weak only reveals our ignorance of the wisdom that comes with age; or stereotyping

Mission Statements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mission Statements - Essay Example This definition will be a guiding point in the evaluation of the mission statements of McDonald and Dell, Incorporated. McDonald's mission statement can be classified one of the best examples in the global corporate arena. The mission statement clearly defines what the company is and what it wants to accomplish-"to be the world's best quick restaurant experience." This future goal is backed by the strategies which the company will employ-"outstanding quality, service, cleanliness and value." Furthermore, the mission statement is crafted with the company's stakeholders in mind. McDonald emphasizes that it wants that it will be looking after its employees, customers, and shareholders. Written in clear and simple language, the message that McDonalds want to communicate is clearly delivered and is understood by any individual. The mission statement is clear, precise, simple and is very suitable for the world's largest fast food chain. In comparison, Dell's mission statement is more inclined in the company's future than on what it is. It should be noted that Dell's mission statement can be applied to any computer manufacturer.

Diagnostic Report and Content Reading Inventory Research Paper

Diagnostic Report and Content Reading Inventory - Research Paper Example They will be told, not every answer is right there on the page, they will have to read between the lines, make inference, and conclusion, and sometimes they will have to use prior knowledge. Students will be informed that this is not a test but an evaluation of their reading ability, to help teacher plan appropriate instructions for them. Both student did well answering the literal question, the 7th grader could have given more detail. The 12th grader was better at inferential than the 7th grader, the 7th grader was not able to use clues well. Their limited vocabulary caused them to do poorly on applied reading. Both students need to develop their context clue skills (inferential), even though these are not every day words and a little obsolete, students could have done better if their context clue skills were developed. Discovering students reading disability in middle and high schools is an awesome task for teachers. Therefore, teachers in the elementary grades need to pay more attention to their students’ reading ability; and as soon as possible , apply reading in the content area. Steve Peha writes about reading in the content area: What begins as a relatively small problem in elementary school looms larger and larger as kids move on to middle and high school. The difficulty of the reading increases as does the volume. And so do the tasks we ask kids to perform based on what they have read. At 11th or 12th grade, school gets very, very hard for students who dont read well in content area subjects. Its hard, too, for the teachers who try to teach