Case Study about Tourism in Kuala Lumpur Term Paper

Case Study about Tourism in Kuala Lumpur - Term Paper Example Is it to explore the new countries and the historical monuments? Or, to get rid off from the daily hectic life? The tourism industry generates many business opportunity for the citizen of the country, it also generates different employment opportunities which leads to the improvement of the GDP. For the Asian countries the Malaysia has been one of the main tourist destinations and Kuala Lumpur has always been the main attractions in Malaysia. There are many diversified tourism have shown up in the recent advancement of the tourism industry and few of the most promising kinds are Wine tourism, medical tourism, education tourism and job tourism. The new paradigm of tourism industry has emerges with a brand new look. And for this enormous effect of the tourism the globalised world will hire more people to sustain the high quality services for the tourism. 2 The Expectation Theory plays a vital role to understand why people love tourism. This theory portrays that the social behavior and the communication are very much influenced by people’s expectation about the behaviors of other The tourism has grown from the psychological pursuits of few privileged individuals to a mass. The tourism has become the mass movement to discover the unknown.5 Kuala Lumpur is having the rich natural beauty and dense forest, advanced education structure, ultimate shopping experiences, the rich cultural historical values and obviously the ultimate business opportunity. Culture: The culture is one of the important socio-economic factors in the Kuala Lumpur for the success of its fabulous tourism industry. The Kuala Lumpur is the cultural center of peninsular Malaysia. The art style has a rich cultural attachment in Kuala Lumpur 6. The main dominating cultures in Kuala Lumpur are Malays, Chinese and Indians 7. There is a great barrier of the present as far as the religion in concern. However, the effect of Islamic ideology has become the central element in the Malay

My Ántonia, Individualism Essay Example for Free

My à ntonia, Individualism Essay (Individualism: Its Influence over Lena, Jim and à ntonia During Their Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood) â€Å"The longest journey is the journey inwards. Of him who has chosen his destiny, Who has started upon his quest for the source of his being† Dag Hammarskjold.1 This individualist journey, Hammarskjold refers to, consists of two very important elements which contribute to individualism: (1) having the awareness of personal accountability before the Lord and Savior and (2) having a self-sufficient nature as a fountainhead of a person’s individuality which was required to settle the American frontier. These key ingredients mixed with an untamed land tempered the settlers into what we know them today as Americans which may be observed within Willa Cather’s My Antonia as the reader follows the lives of three key characters: Lena, Jimmy, and Antonia. Cather herself searched for her own individualism which she juxtaposed in this 1918 literary work with the character Jimmy. Both he and the author of the story were born in Virginia and at an early age were sent to Nebraska to join their grandparents. And much like the author, he had the pleasure of growing up with a variety of immigrants and stories. Such narratives inspired the author throughout her writing career. My Antonia follows the endeavors of the female protagonist, Antonia, and her foil, Lena, as they struggle in a new country, language, and culture seeking happiness and fulfillment in their lives which Cather so often observed in her childhood immigrant neighbors. Likewise, the reader learns about Jimmy with his own personal struggles as he strives for autonomy in a rugged territory with strict moral codes. Willa Cather’s My à ntonia addresses the notion of individualism which is best seen through direct and indirect characterization of three dynamic characters: Lena, Jimmy, and à ntonia by means of analyzing three stages of life: childhood, youth, and adulthood. A remarkable example of individualistic growth is depicted in Lena Lingard who lived in the countryside with her newly transplanted Norwegian family outside Black Hawk, Nebraska. The reader first encounters Lena through direct characterization as she is described as being â€Å"bareheaded and barefooted, scantily dressed in tattered clothing† (106)2 when she was just a child looking after her family’s herd. In the first part of the book she is introduced as a wild, poorly dressed working girl in charge of farm tasks much like other foreign girls: â€Å"Lena lived in the Norwegian settlement west of Squaw Creek, and she used to herd her fathers cattle in the open country between his place and the Shimerdas† (106). Further along in the novel, there is a clear change in this character’s life. She grows-up and changes her worn out rags for dressmaker quality clothing with hat and gloves as she begins a new phase in her life as a dressmaker’s apprentice in the town of Black Hawk: â€Å"’So you have come to town,’ said Mrs. Harling, her eyes still fixed on Lena.  ´Where are you working?’  ´For Mrs. Thomas, the dressmaker. She is going to teach me to sew. She says I have quite a knack’† (104). As a young adult, Lena strikes-out on her own to the city of Lincoln in a supreme final exhibition of the independence she has forged for herself throughout her life through hard work and determination. â€Å"‘I live in Lincoln now, too, Jim. Im in business for myself. I have a dressmaking shop in the Raleigh Block, out on O Street. Ive made a real good start’ (170-171). The path Lena has walked since her childhood, through her adolescence, and then adulthood has illustrated a noticeable achievement in becoming a self-sufficient young woman who quested for her destiny in an untamed land far from her native home. Lena’s personal accountability should also be explored, being one of the key elements of individualism, as she never turned her back on her family but always sent them money from her sewing work: â€Å"’After I learn to do sewing, I can make money and help . . . [my mother]’† (104). These individualistic elements were key in developing her character as she was noted in taking care of herself as well as her parents and siblings which was required of those immigrants who founded America and became a new breed of people known as Americans. Individualism was also reached by two other primary characters within this classic American literature novel: Jimmy and Antonia. Jim Burden, the narrator of the story and also one of the major characters of Willa Cather ´s My Antonia, is as well and important example of how a human being can evolve trough his life to find completeness and self-sufficiency. At the beginning of the book, Jim had just suffered the loss of his parents; and sent to his grandparents. While he was in the train on his way to Nebraska he was in deep grieve and uncertain about his future. â€Å" ´ I dont think I was homesick. If we never arrived anywhere, it did not matter. Between that earth and that sky I felt erased, blotted out. I did not say my prayers that night: here, I felt, what would be would be ´Ã¢â‚¬ . Nevertheless, that sad passage in his life did not let Jim down. In the same train that he was travelling there was a Bohemian family. One of the members of that family was à ntonia Shimerda, who would become his best friend in the near future. When Jim had enough age to start studying at School, coincidentally his grandparents also had to move to Black Hawk due to Mrs. Burden health situation. There he met new friends, worked hard on his studies, and also had fun. Despite being sad and scared in the past, Jim managed to overcome these difficulties and successfully improve at school. So much so, that soon he would move to Lincoln to start his college career. There he met Gaston Cleric who joined him in his new adventure, and helped Jim to get over some obstacles that he had to face while living in Lincoln. â€Å"At the university I had the good fortune to come immediately under the influence of a brilliant and inspiring young scholar. Gaston Cleric had arrived in Lincoln only a few weeks earlier than I . . .† (165). Cleric also convinced him to move to Boston to finish his career, where Jim would finally reach his goal of becoming a professional. â€Å"Two years after I left Lincoln I completed my academic course at Harvard. Before I entered the Law School I went home for the summer vacation.† (191) Just after getting his college degree, Jim travelled back to Black Hawk where he would find everything different, his friends either dead or gone, the kids were not the same, and even the town itself was all changed. He left Black Hawk being an adolescent with dreams and now he had returned as a professional. He felt he was complete, despite of the fact that he still had very present that sorrowful night in which he was moving from Virginia to Nebraska. â€Å" ´I had only to close my eyes to hear the rumbling of the wagons in the dark, and to be again overcome by that obliterating strangeness. The feelings of that night were so near that I could reach out and touch them with my hand. I had the sense of coming home to myself, and of having found out what a little circle mans experience is ´. (238)† By the time he came back to Black Hawk he knew that he had seized the opportunities he had and felt that his life had been worthy living. While back in town, he went to visit his beloved friend à ntonia, which also was happy. The happenings in Antonia’s life, and how she evolved from being a little girl in a foreign country to the women she became will be thoroughly developed next. à ntonia Shimerda is the main character that we find in Willa Cather’s My à ntonia. As well as Lena and Jim she is characterized during different stages of her life (childhood, adolescence and adulthood). One example of this characterization is portrayed in how à ntonia was developing her new language (English) and how it was influenced by the different periods of time she went through, as well as the places she moved to. At the beginning of the story we find à ntonia and her family moving from Bohemia to the prairie of Nebraska. In the prairie and as a child she met Lena Lingard and Jim Burden who would become one of the most important persons in her life. Jim was going to be the one in charge of teaching English to à ntonia who did not speak much English before the arrival to the prairie; â€Å" ´Ãƒ ntonia had opinions about everything, and she was soon able to make them known. Almost every day she came running across the prairie to have her reading lesson with me. Mrs. Shimerda grumbled, but realized it was important that one member of the family should learn English’† (24). It is evident that Mrs. Shimerda did not like the idea of à ntonia learning English. But, she understood it was important for à ntonia to learn the language in order to adapt herself and to find herself in her new country and home, also this would help à ntonia to take care of her family as she felt it as an obligation. As à ntonia was evolving her English was growing with her and with this some traits of her personality too. As explained before in the paper, Jim had to move to Black Hawk due to study reasons, but it was not going to be a long time before à ntonia also moved to Black Hawk, but with different intentions from one’s of Jim. à ntonia moved to Black Hawk to get a job, here she runs into Jim and Lena again. Now in her adolescence Jim says that à ntonia has very good English, â€Å"Tony learned English so quickly that by the time school began she could speak as well as any of us† (107). This shows that à ntonia kept practicing English to improve herself, as she felt that was one way to become better to help her family, and now in Black Hawk and with her job it was evident how the improvement in her English helped her. However, à ntonia would began to attend to dances with her friend Lena and this would carry a lot of problems with it for her, including losing her job because she did not want to quit attending to dances as requested by her bosses. The story carried on and further ahead in the story, when Jim comes back from Lincoln and the time he spent at Harvard to finish his studies, he finds a happily married grown-up à ntonia with children. à ntonia had married a bohemian guy called Anton and now she has a family, and she is very happy with them. While Jim is talking with à ntonia, he notices that her English has become bad as it used to be when she was a child and she was learning it. à ntonia tells him that now she has many troubles with English because at home they speak almost only in Bohemian,  ´I cant think of what I want to say, youve got me so stirred up. And then, Ive forgot my English so. I dont often talk it any more. I tell the children I used to speak real well. She said they always spoke Bohemian at home. The little ones could not speak English at all—didnt learn it until they went to school† (224). Now in her adulthood à ntonia was really worried and a good mother as well as a good wife who take care of her family. Here is where the change that à ntonia suffered from childhood to adolescence to adulthood is characterized, how she passed from a little girl to a loving mother. Throughout this essay three fundamental characters that we find in the novel My à ntonia by the author Willa Cather have been characterized, these characters are: Lena Lingard, Jim Burden and à ntonia Shimerda. The characterization of these characters has been done under the perception of individualism that is represented with each one of them. This perception of individualism of the characters has been shown based on the pursuit for autonomy that each character went through. At the same time three different moments in characters lives were chosen to describe them; the childhood, adolescence and adulthood. These moments in characters lives were chosen because they are prior important stages in a person’s life. So, it was important to illustrate how the notion of individualism of each character could be characterized in these stages, taking into account crucial aspects that the characters faced in the search for themselves. Examples of these important aspects faced by the characters are a new country, language and culture in the case of Lena and à ntonia. Another example is the personal struggles of Jim as he attempts for autonomy in a rugged territory with strict moral codes.

Comparing Spinoza’s Ethics and Dostoyevsky’s Notes from the Underground :: comparison compare contrast essays

Comparing Spinoza’s Ethics and Dostoyevsky’s Notes from the Underground Perhaps my choice of the subject may come across as a little eccentric, to say the least. To appear quaint and whimsical, however, is not my intention, so I figured as an introduction, I would explain my choice. From so far as I can tell, philosophy, or the search for truth, has all too often been equated with certainty. This quality of certainty has been especially magnified in the rationalist branch of philosophy. Starting with Descartes’ vision of a philosophy with a mathematical certainty, rationalists claimed to have grasped a rather large portion of reality, including the world, God, consciousness, and whatever falls in-between. As empiricists argued, most of this "knowledge" was in effect assumed, a habit, as it had no representation in the real world. The rationalists’ notorious abstractness and their disregard for the seeming discrepancy between their proofs and the real world have been the main reasons for the fearsome opposition and caricature they faced: eve n Voltaire, though influenced to a great extent by Leibniz’s philosophy, ridicules it in his masterpiece Candide in the form of ludicrously optimistic Pangloss. . Kant, especially, has put a rather impressive dent in the hull of rationalist philosophy, branding it dogmatic metaphysics. As he pointed out, rationalist philosophy ignores the sensory component of human perception when embarking on its ill-fated quest to find a metaphysics with absolute knowledge. I find this criticism the most powerful, as it points out the discrepancy between the real world and the abstract world of rationalists. Spinoza’s system stands on the cutting edge of rationalist thought, attempting to establish the certain, necessary and universal truths of reality and nature by reducing Descartes’ philosophy to a set of axioms and definitions, like one would do with a geometry proof. Dostoyevsky stands on the opposite side of the spectrum, exposing the shortcomings of reason with frightful realism. He, in my opinion, makes incredibly insightful points about this discrepancy between how things "should" be and how they are. When comparing the manifestos of these two thinkers, Spinoza’s Ethics and Dostoyevsky’s Notes from the Underground, one can easily see the difference in language. Spinoza’s language is strictly mathematical. He is not concerned with engaging the reader. His primary concern is with presenting his idea with clarity and consistency. Dostoyevsky’s language differs due to the difference of his intention.

Women of the Medieval Period

Women during Medieval Times: Imagine living your life as a women during the Medieval times. No personal or legal freedom, you can not do anything with out having permission from a male in your family. In this paper I am going to talk about what life was like for the women who lived through the medieval period compared to women living today in the 20th century. Living life during the medieval period was much different than the life we live today for many reasons, but especially being a women. Women during the medieval period were below men, they were ruled by the males in their families, or once married by their husbands. They were to obey and serve the male family members. Girls that did not respect and do what the men said, were beaten, and not obeying the men was considered a religious crime. But women with a lot of land were considered equal to men and had the same rights a men. If the wives husband dies, the wife would be responsible for taking care of the large estate. At this time it was believed that the purpose for women was the be servants for the males, do as they say, take care of the house, and have to children and take care of them. Marriage at this time was much different than what we think of marriage today. During this time, you did not mary because you were in love with someone. The reasoning for marriage during medieval period was just the opposite. Most of the time you did not get to choose who you were going to be marrying, it was arranged by the families, depending on wealth. The law said that the males had full rights over his wife, once you were married, your husband owned you. The wife was the husbands property. Duties of wives during this time were to take care of the house and have children. A married women would usually have anywhere from four to eight children, and normally one will die. Women on average would live to about fourty years of age. Marie de France, a noble French women, was the first female writer from France. She wrote the story, Laustic which is a story of two knights and their wives and the love scandal they have going on between their homes. In this story, the wife of one of the knights is in love with a knight that lives in the house next to her and her husbands. This knight is also in love with her. Every night the women gets out of bed with her husband and goes to her bedroom window which looks at the knights house, and they look at each other and talk. The women's husband begins to notice her out of bed and at the window ever night. He asked her the reasoning for this and she says that she is listening to a bird, because it brings her much joy. Her husband gets angry at this and tell his servants to kill the bird. They do so and bring it to him, where he kills it with his bare hands. He then throws the dead bird at his wife. She is very upset that he would do such a thing, but the woman can not do anything about this. She can not disobey her husband, or let him know that she is in love with another man. She has no choice but to stay with him and do as he says. In todays world, sadly if you are married and are not happy, or are in love with someone else you get a divorce, and its over, you move on. During the medieval time never would you ever hear of a women not happy with her husband so she left him. Today women have every right that men do. You can say and do pretty much anything you want. Women today can get the same education that men can, but during medieval times, most women did not get any education.

Army. the Military Accountability

The importance of accountability. In the military accountability is very important. Your NCOs need to keep accountability at all times, the need to know where you are going to be so they find you in case you have formations, or something else important comes up. If you are not accounted for and your NCO does not know where you are a lot of things could happen as far as being listed as AWOL. You could get in so much trouble over being in a AWOL status like an article 15 or worse, prison time. Accountability is also very important during deployments. Being deployed is a serious situation. Anything could happen out there. Your NCO must know where you are at all times. It’s a serious issue when someone is not accounted for while deployed. If you come up unaccounted for the company will need all personnel for one hundred percent accountability. If that missing person still doesn’t show. He or she is listed as AWOL and a search occurs. Now, most cases the soldier just didn’t let their NCO know where he or she was. In other cases the soldier was having life issues and couldn’t handle it anymore. When you are found consequences will occur such as an article 15 which includes extra duty, loss of pay and loss of rank. Some people like myself can’t afford for this to happen as most of us have families. Formations are one way to keep accountability. You may have three formations a day. One for the rising of the flag, one before starting your work day and one at the end of the day and lowering of the flag. If you are not there this could happen lited above, or a negative counseling statement. It is also important because it tells the unit commanders how many personnel are available to perform certain tasks. If a leader does not know how many troops are available then he/she will not know who is available to do what. Being accountable means being dependable, arriving to work, and appointments on time, meeting deadlines, being in the right place at the right time, and doing the right things at all times even when no one is looking. Being accountable also includes being in the right uniform, and having all necessary equipment, gear, and documents that you might need for that day in order to accomplish that days mission. The importance of accountability, are being on time and in the right uniform. The main reason we have formations and that we are trying to keep account of personnel to know where everybody is at, at all times. accountability is the most important asset here for work. In doing so it makes sure that everybody is on the same page at the same time in order to do that you have to follow orders that were given to you.

Free Essays on Genetic Double Whammy

In the article entitled â€Å"Genetic double-whammy in blacks bad for their hearts†, it is implied that two pairs of genes that rarely occur in whites appear to be responsible for an accelerated risk of heart failure among black people who have both pairs. According to Dr. Stephen B Liggett of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, this particular combination plays a role in at least one-quarter of the cases of congestive heart failure. Dr. Liggett’s study has produced some rather interesting results. Doctors have long know that heart disease among people of African origin is more likely to occur than in people who have descended from Europe. Some doctors have even suggested that blacks receive inferior care, possibly from unconscious prejudice from health care providers. This study helps disprove that theory and sheds light on the genetic conditions rather that racism. Of the nearly 4.8 million American citizens who suffer from congestive heart failure, 733,500 of them are of African decent. The study also shows that the disease shows up earlier and is more apt to cause serious complications in blacks than whites. It’s interesting that blacks do not get the full benefit from, or they need higher doses of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. These are the most common groups of medicines for heart disease. Dr. Liggett could not determine why these differences occur. It is known that some preventable conditions such as high-blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and obesity increase the risk of heart disease regardless of genetics. One of the pairs of the genes in question increases the production of a chemical that causes an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and the hearts ability to contract and relax. The other pair of genes makes heart cells that can take up the chemical, norepinephrine, more sensitive to it. Since the pair that produces that excess norepinephrine is tem times as ... Free Essays on Genetic Double Whammy Free Essays on Genetic Double Whammy In the article entitled â€Å"Genetic double-whammy in blacks bad for their hearts†, it is implied that two pairs of genes that rarely occur in whites appear to be responsible for an accelerated risk of heart failure among black people who have both pairs. According to Dr. Stephen B Liggett of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, this particular combination plays a role in at least one-quarter of the cases of congestive heart failure. Dr. Liggett’s study has produced some rather interesting results. Doctors have long know that heart disease among people of African origin is more likely to occur than in people who have descended from Europe. Some doctors have even suggested that blacks receive inferior care, possibly from unconscious prejudice from health care providers. This study helps disprove that theory and sheds light on the genetic conditions rather that racism. Of the nearly 4.8 million American citizens who suffer from congestive heart failure, 733,500 of them are of African decent. The study also shows that the disease shows up earlier and is more apt to cause serious complications in blacks than whites. It’s interesting that blacks do not get the full benefit from, or they need higher doses of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. These are the most common groups of medicines for heart disease. Dr. Liggett could not determine why these differences occur. It is known that some preventable conditions such as high-blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and obesity increase the risk of heart disease regardless of genetics. One of the pairs of the genes in question increases the production of a chemical that causes an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and the hearts ability to contract and relax. The other pair of genes makes heart cells that can take up the chemical, norepinephrine, more sensitive to it. Since the pair that produces that excess norepinephrine is tem times as ...

Performance Appraisal

Performance Appraisal Performance appraisal is a process in which an employ contribution and worth to an organization is valued using accepted performance appraisal methods. There are a number of performance appraisal methods notably essay, forced distribution, graphic ranking scale, and behavioral anchored rating scale appraisal methods.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Performance Appraisal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, this report is going to give much credence to the management by objective method, 360-degree performance appraisal, and forced ranking/distribution performance appraisal. A detailed explanation of the three methods will be done bringing into perspective features that these three performance appraisal methods share in common and how they contrast to each other (Stone 1). Forced ranking/distribution performance appraisal method This performance appraisal method tries to order employees by comparing them to thei r colleagues. This helps in assessment of employees divorced from the usual specific judgments done on basis of job components. When straight ranking is to be done it is expected of the evaluator in terms of those who have the best attributes to those who have the worst attributes and those who are effective in their daily undertakings to those who are least effective in the way they do their job. It is imperative in this respect that a criterion is used. Alternative ranking slightly differs from straight ranking in the sense that it has to be done in a specific manner. Ranking like any other comparative evaluation system is fast becoming unpopular because it is discriminatory. This is so because even if employees perform well, a group will always find itself at the bottom and another group highly ranked. Ranking can also not be used to fairly compare employees across different groups, it is absolutely difficult to conclusively say that an employee ranked second in unit X is as good as or better than that employee who has been ranked second in unit Y. Nevertheless, if an organization has limited resources with which they can conduct other performance appraisal methods, the best performance appraisal they can make use of is the ranking method because it can successfully help in differentiating among employees (Stone 1).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In forced distribution, evaluators tend to rate subordinates in a given distribution. Forced distribution can be used in evaluation of myriad components of job performance as opposed to the ranking method that uses only one component. Forced distribution method is strictly used by managers who undertake to rate his or her subordinates in a given distribution. Some subordinates will fall into 10 percent low category, others in 20 percent below average, others 40 percent average, others 20 percent above average, and finally 10 percent high category. If there were 20 subordinates, 2 of them will be in the low category, 4 below average, 8 of them in the average, 4 in the above average category, and finally, 2 in the highest category. Forced distribution helps to eliminate errors that arise due to rating. These errors are normally attributed to leniency and central tendency. However, forced distribution can cause some grave rating inconsistencies because it tends to discriminate employees in cases where job performance is quite similar. This has caused a problem of acceptability of the results by the raters and ratees hence its unpopularity with this category of people. Problems of acceptability have been grave in circumstances where group members all have high ability (Stone 1). Management by objectives (MBO) performance appraisal method This performance appraisal method has much to do with the evaluator setting up specific measurable goals with employees. The evaluator has to periodically discuss with the employee if he or she is meeting these goals that he or she set to achieve. This performance appraisal program has six main steps that have to be adhered to. Featuring prominently among these steps is the need for setting up the organizations goals. The organization should come up with a clear cut plan for what they intend to do in the next year and stipulate goals that have to met. Secondly, various organizational departments must come up with their departmental goals. This is the duty of the heads of the departments and their superiors.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Performance Appraisal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thirdly, the conceived department goals have to be discussed and allocated. It is at this stage that the subordinates in the department have to be brought on board. It is important that these subordinates come up with their own individual goals to make sure that ev ery member of the department has an input into attainment of departmental goals. As a matter of fact, expected results have to be defined by setting individual goals. Heads of departments and their subordinates have to come up with performance targets that are short term. A review of the performance has to be done and results subsequently measured. It is the role of departmental heads to measure up actual performance of every member of staff with the projected results in their minds. Finally, there has to be a feedback mechanism where heads of departments conduct performance review periodically with their subordinates with a view to discussing and evaluating progress made towards achieving the set out goals and objectives (Stone, 11). This method of performance appraisal enhances better communication and coordination in an organization because of frequency within which reviews are conducted hence harmonious relationships. 360-Degree performance Appraisal In this method, the performa nce of an employee is evaluated by consulting different types of people (Farhaan, para. 1). These may be an organization’s customers, its suppliers, and an employee’s peers. Direct reports can also be used. If the performance of a manager is to be appraised using this method, it is the work of the employees to give an upward feedback on how this manager manages them. This performance appraisal method requires the human resource managers to coordinate the whole process to dispel fears associated with the leakages of ones performance among his or her peers. This can be very disappointing within an organization. This method of performance appraisal is mainly conducted to find the gap between ones own appraisal and how others may feel about it. This is critical in analyzing ones strengths and weaknesses and how this can help in improving his or her own performance. The system helps in elimination of biases among employees that is inherent with the forced distribution metho d.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is imperative to note that the system has got its own shortcomings in the sense that if many employees are unhappy it is likely that they can become potential targets. It is therefore important that a right culture is inculcated into an organization before this method of performance appraisal is made use of. This performance appraisal consumes a lot of time and its complexity may eat into an organization time and resources. Its results are always very difficult to interpret. The feedback that is continually received after the evaluation can intimidate the employees and in the process interfere with their output. Conclusion Despite the fact that Forced ranking/distribution performance appraisal method tends to discriminate against employees, 360 degree performance appraisal and MBO also have their weaknesses. The feedback that is continually received in 360 degree performance appraisal interferes with an employee’s morale and can interfere with their performance. MBO enhanc es cohesiveness in an organization because of the frequent reviews. Farhaan, Panagar. 360 Degree Performance Appraisal. 2009. Web. Stone, Thomas. Understanding Personnel Management. New York: Dryden Press, 2002. Print.

The Greek Colony of Miletus

The Greek Colony of Miletus Miletus was one of the great Ionian cities in southwestern Asia Minor. Homer refers to the people of Miletus as Carians. They fought against the Achaeans (Greeks) in the Trojan War. Later traditions have Ionian settlers taking the land from the Carians. Miletus itself sent off settlers to the Black Sea area, as well as the Hellespont. In 499 Miletus led the Ionian revolt that was a contributing factor in the Persian Wars. Miletus was destroyed 5 years later. Then in 479, Miletus joined the Delian League, and in 412 Miletus revolted from Athenian control offering a naval base to the Spartans. Alexander the Great conquered Miletus in 334 B.C.; then in 129, Miletus became part of the Roman province of Asia. In the 3rd Century A.D., Goths attacked Miletus, but the city continued, waging an ongoing fight against the silting of its harbor. Early Inhabitants of Miletus The Minoans abandoned their colony in Miletus by 1400 BC. Mycenaean Miletus was a dependency or ally of Ahhiwaya though its population was mostly Carian. Shortly after 1300 BC, the settlement was destroyed by fire- probably at the instigation of the Hittites who knew the city as Millawanda. The Hittites fortified the city against possible naval attacks by the Greeks. Age of the Settlement at Miletus Miletus was regarded as the oldest of the Ionian settlements, though this claim was disputed by Ephesus. Unlike its near neighbors, Ephesus and Smyrna, Miletus was protected from landward assaults by a mountain range and developed early as a sea power. During the 6th century, Miletus contested (unsuccessfully) with Samos for possession of Priene. In addition to producing philosophers and historians, the city was famous for its purple dye, its furniture, and the quality of its wool. The Milesians made their own terms with Cyrus during his conquest of Ionia, though they joined in the rebellion of 499. The city did not fall to the Persians until 494 at which time the Ionian Revolt was considered to be well and truly over. Rule of Miletus Though Miletus was originally ruled by a king the monarchy was overthrown early on. Around 630 BCE a tyranny evolved from its elected (but oligarchic) chief magistracy the prytaneia. The most famous Milesian tyrant was Thrasybulus who bluffed Alyattes out of attacking his city. After the fall of Thrasybulus there came a period of bloody stasis and it was during this period that Anaximander formulated his theory of opposites. When the Persians finally sacked Miletus in 494 they enslaved most of the population and deported them to the Persian Gulf, but there were enough survivors to play a decisive part in the battle of Mycale in 479 (Cimons liberation of Ionia). The city itself, however, was completely razed. The Port of Miletus Miletus, though one of the most famous ports of antiquity is now marooned in an alluvial delta. By the middle of the 5th century, it had recovered from Xerxes attack and was a contributing member of the Delian League. The 5th-century city was designed by the architect Hippodamas, a native of Miletus, and some of the extant remains date from that period. The present form of the theater dates to 100 A.D., but it had existed in an earlier form. It seats 15,000 and faces what used to be the harbor. Source Sally Goetsch of Didaskalia provided notes for this article. Percy Neville Ure, John Manuel Cook, Susan Mary Sherwin-White, and Charlotte Rouechà © Miletus The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Simon Hornblower and Anthony Spawforth. Oxford University Press (2005).

Business Management & Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Management & Decision Making - Essay Example Strategies can be complicated and the decision-making process has to consider many factors. Ryanair is one such low-cost carrier that entered the market as pioneers in the budget airline industry and adopted a classical airline business model focusing on customer service. Their strategies in different areas like market segmentation, e-relationship with customers, marketing communication, their distinction in offering or abstaining from on-board and ground services have reached them this position. Ryanair, the Dublin based carrier, started its operations in 1991 on the very successful, Southwest Airlines Low Cost Leadership Model. Like most European flights, this airline offers a point-to-point rather than hub service. It offers no frills like seat allocation, meals or frequent flyer programs (SD, 2006). It aims to turnaround flights in 25 minutes and they have the shortest routes. Ryanair’s CEO is an accountant by training but an entrepreneur by inclination and he has amply demonstrated this ability in the success of this airline (Box & Byus, 2007). He has gone against the trade unions, the government officials and the competitors but he has achieved dramatic growth and profitability in this industry. Ryanair flies only Boeing 737s and is currently facing challenges escalating fuel costs, intense competition and regulatory framework in the UK. Despite these challenges, Ryanair has been able to create its own market due to its strategic decision making process. Success in marketing can be achieved by matching the organizational capabilities with the requirements of the marketplace. This matching is based on market segmentation. Expectation based segmentation is a powerful marketing tool in the services sector because it provides knowledge for customer identification, which aids better customer service (Diaz-Martin, 2000). They can tailor their actions to suit the individual requirements. Ryanair followed the expectation based

Ecotourism industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ecotourism industry - Essay Example Venice, Florida, is the place of implementing the action (Alexander 2013). Generally, nature walk opens up the area for positive interactions and dealings with the neighbourhoods. Inhabitants will particularly find prime chance to watch amazing beaches, fruit farms, waterfalls, rivers, and the vegetation cover. Nature Walk will further embrace tourists emanating from different parts of Florida and beyond its borders. Besides, the activity would help visitors discover and learn the cultural values and practices of the locals from different outlooks (Alexander 2013). Significance of Nature Walk to ecotourism and humanity is the critical aspect the project seeks to accentuate. According to the proposal, hospitality and tourism units of Venice city will play pivotal role in arranging and managing series of nature walks for different categories of people. First, the unit will accord residents and their families the opportunity to watch and feel the splendour of nature of Venice together w ith its neighbourhoods (Alexander 2013). All the revenues collected from the tourists and inhabitants shall assist in maintenance and repair of various ecotourism facilities as well as construction of advanced hanging bridges, pathways, eatery and boats. The array of activities that characterize nature walk will provide significant back up to environmental conservation and management policy (Alexander 2013). 2.0 Overview of Environmental Impacts Nature Walk and related activities have momentous impact on the environment and nature conservation approach. The negative impacts of nature walk include the following: i. Might result to destruction of wildlife habitation Such activity might contribute to widespread destruction of animals’ habitats. It is imperative to clear a part of the vegetation to pave way for establishment of pathways for tourists and residents. Since the activity contributes to destruction of certain habitats belonging to certain animals, birds, microorganisms in the soil among others, it is important that size and frequency of the pathways be regulated. Adults and even children taking part in the nature walk might accidentally cause fires in forests. Sometimes, they spill chemical substance in water hence putting at risk the lives of certain animals and aquatic life (Davis & Davis 2011). ii. Killing of wild animals Individuals who take participate in this activity might resort to killing or inflicting serious injuries on wild animals they come across for fear of their own security. Although the measure seeks to give assurance to participants of their safety and security, it is a threat to wildlife just like unauthorized hunting and poaching (Davis & Davis 2011). Rampant killing of certain rare species of animals might render such species becoming extinct. iii. A hindrance to wildlife movements Nature Walk will compromise unrestricted movements within the ecosystem. In the process, some animal species will migrate from the forest or wate r body as they scamper for safety. Killing of wild animals will further scare away such animals, which would then mean they are confined to their habitats for much longer period (Davis & Davis 2011). The higher the population of participants during the nature walk the more the animals get restricted to their habitats. iv. May lead to pollution of air, water and soil Careless fires, decomposing food items and chemical substances are a threat to the surrounding. 3.0 Environmental Benefits of Project Apart from the negative effects, nature walk result to a number of benefits to the environment. These include: Nature walk as an ecotourism activity will the locals realize the significance of conserving nature. The

Globalization and Economic Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Globalization and Economic Development - Essay Example However, extra legal means of bringing products into a country normally result to an increased in smuggling activities. These practices will eventually corrode if not slowly disintegrate the economy of the country. â€Å"Corrosion in the system of trade relations does not produce a blow-up from one day to the next. When nations find the rules too constraining and no longer appropriate to their needs they find ways of flouting them. The effects tend to be more subtle and show up over time in a gradual retreat from the cornerstone principles of multi-literalism and non-discrimination† (Rodrik). Trade in a globalized economy provides equal opportunity for all players as provided for by the WTO and the GATT. Goods can now be produced in another country without too much impact on the price and in fact can be lowered since products from another country can be produced or assembled locally and be given the same benefits as that of the local brand. Adverse effects of short cuts and ot her extra legal means of trading is not only avoided but governments earn the advantage of taxing the goods. Healthy trade between countries are assured by the WTO and GATT for member nations providing equal opportunity for the products with that of the local products. ... However a move towards ensuring that making each country a member of WTO and compliant to GATT, BASEL and other UN directives remains a challenge. WTO and other agreements prevent several archaic trading imperatives that existed and accepted in the better part of the last century. These trading practices sometimes result to war or conflicts because of its predatory nature. Equal opportunity is given to all players that wish to transact with the other WTO members preventing favouritism and preferential treatment. Globalization in its purest form makes it more efficient for trade to be concluded by moving manufacturing plants to where the market is. Long are the days where waste in the manufacture, shipment and distribution of goods are left not only to normal market forces but also to the devices of the elements and environmental factors because of the lag in shipment and distribution. Positioning for better prices due to a more efficient manufacturing process within the country where the market is if not where the actual raw materials are manufactured will also be more competitive. A more sustainable manufacturing process that will safe guard the environment if not reduce carbon emission. Corporate strategy that could include reduction of operating expense while increasing the level of quality is due to globalization. Technology as an enabler of globalization makes it easier for company to monitor and manage their remote facilities or offices that could be on the other side of the globe. In sum, decrease operating cost, immediate response to market forces that dictate price and supply under an economic environment that do not discriminate between local and imported products when it comes to tax will make the global economy more prudent. Another

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Essay Example Daisy is Nick's cousin, Tom's wife, and the woman that Gatsby loves. She had promised to wait for Jay Gatsby until the end of the war, but after meeting Tom Buchanan and comparing his extreme wealth to Gatsby's poverty, she broke her promise. Daisy uses her frailty as an excuse for her extreme immaturity. A brutal, hulking man, Tom Buchanan is a former Yale football player who, like Daisy, comes from an immensely wealthy Midwestern family. His racism and sexism are symptomatic of his deep insecurity about his elevated social position. Tom is a vicious bully, physically menacing both his wife and his mistress. He is a thoroughgoing hypocrite as well: though he condemns his wife for her infidelity, he has no qualms about carrying on an affair himself. Daisy's longtime friend, Jordan Baker is a professional golfer who cheated in order to win her first tournament. Jordan is extremely cynical, with a masculine, icy demeanor that Nick initially finds compelling. The two become briefly involved, but Jordan rejects him on the grounds that he is as corrupt and decadent as she is. An earthy, vital, and voluptuous woman, Myrtle is desperate to improve her life. She shares a loveless marriage with George Wilson, a man who runs a shabby garage.

CASE ASSIGNMENT MODULE 4 Union Organizing Essay

CASE ASSIGNMENT MODULE 4 Union Organizing - Essay Example Current Issue: The case does not provide a clear idea of the current issues within the company. However one of the many possible issues in the company is the fact that the employees have already been faced with a major change in the company without any prior notice or even a chance to discuss the change. The company has had a change in the teams, change job titles, work assignments and the pay structure, and the only thing that was very strongly communicated to the employees was, â€Å"this is how it will be†. This has obviously caused a major uproar among the employees and has also led to a distasteful change for the employees. This can be one of the possible reasons for the employees to take a serious decision and work towards unionization. Plan: The first step that needs to be taken here is to identify the source of the issue. To do so, the first step will be to conduct a meeting with all the managers and team leaders across the organisation. Here the main task that will be given to all the managers will be to bring out the possible reasons that the employees have chosen and are attempting this change (Grossman). This will further be followed by a report stating the worse case scenarios of the implementation of the unions both for the company as well as the employees. Here several different elements like the policy details as well as the company have a number of policies against the unionization. The next step will be to bring in a training professional to assist the managers and every top level management in terms of responding to the employees and the unions (Gerson). Here a detailed understanding of unionisation and the impact it has on the company will be discussed. These supervisors should also be trained properly in responding to questions from employees about unions.  Ã‚  Another crucial aspect of the overall scene is the need for good communication with the employees and also an attempt of the organisation to take up the responsibility to un derstand the needs of the employees (Gerson). Here to do so, the managers can include individual meeting with the employees or team meetings where everyone can voice their concerns. Also, a complaint redressal team needs to be included in the company to help get all the issues and complaints that the employees are facing and to address them well at the earliest. The company also needs to focus on the supervisor training and as explained by Gerson (1998), â€Å"employers who fail to provide supervision with periodic labor law training are asking for trouble. Once a union campaign is under way, it may be too late to provide the necessary training. Often, legal mistakes made at the beginning of a union drive can seriously undermine an employer's ability to counter the union's organizing efforts† (Gerson). It is crucial to look at all possible areas where the possible issue arises from, hence one of the many which can be a cause is the issue of low pay for the employees. Hence he re the focus will be to check and in any case try and make the work place a more flexible and also better, pay structure, benefits, and working conditions for the employees (Grossman). Also, it is important to note that competition information is also an essential aspect of the business and needs to be considered as well (Segal). Also, to help ensure that the company is working in line and effectively,

Ethical Dilemma at the Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Dilemma at the Workplace - Essay Example Value of Life – Human life has inviolable sacredness; b. Goodness or Rightness – Doing good, in addition to refraining from doing evil, is required so that the consequences are good for the individual and for society; c. Justice or Fairness – This principle relates to equality of treatment among the members of society; d. Truth-telling or Honesty – Although ethical action should be based on the truth, confidentiality (contact-keeping), related to honesty and individual freedom; e. Individual Freedom – Ethical decisions should consider the principle of self-determination; and f. Trustworthiness - Trust defined, is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of a business. 3. Application of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics: Following are the Ethical Standards as per the Organization’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable on the present situation: I) Conflicts of Interest: As your private interest may interfe re in any way with the interests of the Company; II) Fair Dealing: This might affect our honesty and ethical behavior and we might not be able to act in good faith, with due care; and III) Honesty, Integrity and Objectivity: As this situation leads to conflict between honest and objective approach to recruitment and favor of any sort. 4. The Nature and Dimensions of the Dilemma: Following avenues were examined in order to ensure that the problem in all its various dimensions has been considered. This situation falls in the category of Ethical Dilemma as it violates the following ethical principals: c) Justice or Fairness – As it would be equal treatment of all the candidates; d) Truth-telling or Honesty – As by hiring the candidate of your choice my honesty would be impaired; and e) Individual Freedom – Further my objectivity and self determinacy would also be affected in this situation. Further this situation also has the potential to affect my moral behavior a nd this also constitutes ethical dilemma. Consultations with the ethics committee comprising of the HR personnel and supervisors, presented the following basic options: a) it would be violation of the general ethical principles as well as the Organization’s ‘Code of Business Conduct and Ethics’ to some extent as are discussed above, however, as all the candidates are of equal footings as yet and are equally compatible and capable as their results of the tests and the experience proves, we can also consider hiring Mr. McDonough. But for that effective interviews need to be conducted as these may result in certain other observations about the candidates too. I have also considered the ethical Theory that is suitable in the situation that we are facing now. The applicable theory is ‘Consequentialism’, which presents that the right action is one which produces the best consequences. 5. Potential courses of action: The following actions or rather decision s are open to me to consider: i) Carry on the interview proceedings of all the candidates, keeping in mind your request and considering Mr. McDonough above others. ii) Appoint Mr. McDonough without any further proceedings. iii) Conduct interview with no consideration or favors regarding appointment and appoint the most suitable candidate.  

CASE ASSIGNMENT MODULE 4 Union Organizing Essay

CASE ASSIGNMENT MODULE 4 Union Organizing - Essay Example Current Issue: The case does not provide a clear idea of the current issues within the company. However one of the many possible issues in the company is the fact that the employees have already been faced with a major change in the company without any prior notice or even a chance to discuss the change. The company has had a change in the teams, change job titles, work assignments and the pay structure, and the only thing that was very strongly communicated to the employees was, â€Å"this is how it will be†. This has obviously caused a major uproar among the employees and has also led to a distasteful change for the employees. This can be one of the possible reasons for the employees to take a serious decision and work towards unionization. Plan: The first step that needs to be taken here is to identify the source of the issue. To do so, the first step will be to conduct a meeting with all the managers and team leaders across the organisation. Here the main task that will be given to all the managers will be to bring out the possible reasons that the employees have chosen and are attempting this change (Grossman). This will further be followed by a report stating the worse case scenarios of the implementation of the unions both for the company as well as the employees. Here several different elements like the policy details as well as the company have a number of policies against the unionization. The next step will be to bring in a training professional to assist the managers and every top level management in terms of responding to the employees and the unions (Gerson). Here a detailed understanding of unionisation and the impact it has on the company will be discussed. These supervisors should also be trained properly in responding to questions from employees about unions.  Ã‚  Another crucial aspect of the overall scene is the need for good communication with the employees and also an attempt of the organisation to take up the responsibility to un derstand the needs of the employees (Gerson). Here to do so, the managers can include individual meeting with the employees or team meetings where everyone can voice their concerns. Also, a complaint redressal team needs to be included in the company to help get all the issues and complaints that the employees are facing and to address them well at the earliest. The company also needs to focus on the supervisor training and as explained by Gerson (1998), â€Å"employers who fail to provide supervision with periodic labor law training are asking for trouble. Once a union campaign is under way, it may be too late to provide the necessary training. Often, legal mistakes made at the beginning of a union drive can seriously undermine an employer's ability to counter the union's organizing efforts† (Gerson). It is crucial to look at all possible areas where the possible issue arises from, hence one of the many which can be a cause is the issue of low pay for the employees. Hence he re the focus will be to check and in any case try and make the work place a more flexible and also better, pay structure, benefits, and working conditions for the employees (Grossman). Also, it is important to note that competition information is also an essential aspect of the business and needs to be considered as well (Segal). Also, to help ensure that the company is working in line and effectively,

Applied management accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Applied management accounting - Essay Example Furthermore, since its NPV of $20,149.83 is greater than the NPV of Machine 2 therefore we will give it a higher priority because of higher NPV. This equipment has a payback period of 3 years and 11 months therefore it lags behinds in terms of recovering the initial capital expenditure than Machine 2 or Machine 3. However, the payback period is not the ultimate criterion in accepting and rejecting projects therefore we will first look at this project’s NPV. This project has the highest NPV of $169,311.58 therefore we will invest in this Machine as it has the power to add greatest value to the company. However, this is the most risky project as the larger cash flows will be generated during the long-term which are most of the time difficult to exactly predict due to uncertainty. The Net Present Value Method takes into account the time value of the money plus it also determines how much of the wealth will be added to the company’s net worth. Or we can say that it gives us an idea of the profitability of the project The payback period calculates how much time it would take the project to recover the capital expenditure invested in the project. It is useful when the time horizon is short as it becomes vital to know how quickly the investment will be recovered. The payback period does not incorporate the time value of money. Another inherent flaw in this method is that it does not take into account the future cash flows which will be available after the initial expenditure has been

The United Nations And Human Rights Essay Example for Free

The United Nations And Human Rights Essay The developments that immediately preceded the Second World War in field of state-relations irreversibly changed the landscape of the international communities.   The biggest development, if not the most significant, was the establishment of the United Nations.   This move to theoretically unite a war-ravaged world was ambitious and prone to many pitfalls.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Among the immediate developments that were ushered in by the creation of this supranational institution was the Human Rights Machinery. This significant progress came   â€Å"[a]fter centuries of inadequate, piecemeal efforts to protect citizens from abuse by their own governments, in 1946 the international community founded a global human rights institution.    The United Nations Commission on Human Rights became the first international body empowered to promote all the human rights of all the world’s peoples. The founders assumed that improved respect for human rights would help individuals and would also serve the United Nations’ primary peacekeeping gal by eliminating repressive practices which provoked war.†[1] The importance and legitimacy of the respect for Human Rights and the international promotion of it among the different nations of the world was further â€Å"highlighted in Chapter IX of the Charter dealing with international economic and social cooperation in terms of a pledge or commitment of all Member states.†[2]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Like with many other issues in the political arena, there is a wide schism between the word and the act. â€Å"The contributions of the UN must neither be understated nor overstated.   The UN has been an intellectual pioneer in the issues of economic and social development, much more than is often recognized.   At the same time, there have often been omissions and distortions in its work.†[3] While the ideals proclaimed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, through the different Conventions and texts are many, there is a vocal number of people that believe that the United Nations, together with the mentioned Commission is all rhetoric. In this, there is a â€Å"[s]trong tendency†¦to put blame for this unsatisfactory state of affairs on the United Nations and it is true that the Organization is in many respects inapt and ineffective in converting the theory of its own words into actual practice.   However, those circles who for good reasons criticize the United Nations would be well advised to do some more soul-searching as to their own direct or indirect share of complicity in bringing about and maintaining structures of injustice.†[4]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The human rights machinery refers to the different organs and procedures dealing directly with human rights in the United Nations system which includes: Intergovernmental organs established on the basis of the Charter of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the Commission on Human Rights. The commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice also address human rights issues within their respective mandates; Bodies established by human rights treaties; Reporting, communications, and investigating procedures established by policy-making organs and treaty based bodies; the parts of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for human rights activities, especially the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Division for the Advancement of Women and the centre for International Crime Prevention have also human rights responsibilities.   The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Decision for the Advancement of Women adopt joint work plans.[5]                  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Charter of the United Nations, with respect to Human Rights bridged the gap between human rightly established a close link between human rights and other world-wide concerns, viz. the maintenance of peace and the promotion of economic and social development.   (†¦) The United Nations played a dynamic role in strongly supporting the quest for independence of colonial countries and peoples was instrumental in terminating colonial domination and combating racial discrimination.   In no other area did the United National proclaim and defend human rights principles with so much vigour as in the fields of decolonization and racial discrimination.†[6]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is said to be three stages of differently focused activities that capture the essence of the Commission’s work in the domain of Human Rights: (1) Standard-Setting (2) Promotion (3) Protection.   These three stages are essential in analyzing the work, whether in a positive or negative light, of the Commission.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Standard-setting stage started the inception of the body of the United Nations itself and lasted a decade after (1945-1955).   The most significant output of this stage, and perhaps one of the most significant in human history, was the articulation of the International Bill of Rights; and for this one must give credit to the Commission who was entrusted with this enormous task.   During the first decade, the Commission â€Å"spent most of its time on the elaboration of the draft international covenants and concluded its drafting work with respect to those instruments in the mid-fifties.†[7]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Despite adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, concern with and promotion of human rights as such often played little part in the UN’s early work on economic and social development.   The fulfilment of many economic and social rights was certainly implicit in UN concerns and actions for economic and social advance, but references to rights in this work were few and far between.    Moreover, political and civil and cultural rights mostly got forgotten or ignored in economic writing on development and were treated more as a matter of political and ideological debate in the U.N.   Indeed, in development discussions, the belief became popular that authoritarian regimes had some advantage and even some justification because of their ability to take the tough decisions requiredfor example, to raise the rate of savings in poor countries.   It was argued that more democratic leaders would find it difficult to take these hard decisions.†[8]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was and is considered a huge achievement for the international community, the acceptance was not as ready, much like all the new ideas that come into the field, like gender mainstreaming. When a popular support for the ideas embodied in the Declaration did not appear on the horizons, the United Nations began a widespread promotional campaign, the second stage (19955-1965). â€Å"It was assumed that studies, advice and measures in the field of education and information would in the long run provide a more fruitful basis for enhancing the cause of human rights that the treaty-making process which was undertaken with the elaboration of the International Covenants.†[9]      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, this particular stage did not receive resounding success either.   The interest that was sparked was not proportionate to the resources of time, energy and money expended to undertake the promotional activities. â€Å"[T]hey failed to grasp the interest and the imagination of the United Nations membership and of the public at large.   Moreover, they were too far removed from the main political currents in the World Organization.   The human rights program was functioning in isolation and it seemed to lack the political relevance and for that matter the impetus which is needed for dynamic evolution.†[10]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Apparently, the fact that â€Å"[i]t is one thing to draw up international standards, it is quite another thing to have those standards implemented†[11] began to painfully dawn on the Commission.   It must be said, however, that this unforeseen lack of support was entirely due to the incompetence of the United Nations in general and the Commission, in particular.   External factors of the current times have to be taken into consideration as well. Despite the end of the war, there was still prevalent â€Å"[d]istrust and tensions between nations and peoples, extreme disparities in economic and social conditions between and within nations, religious and ideological antagonism, persistent patterns of racial discrimination and class domination and numerous other factors, including selfishness of individual human beings, affect the realization of human rights with the various societies.   It should also be taken into account that any approach from the viewpoint of violations of human rights is, in the context of inter-State cooperation, a most precarious and delicate undertaking inasmuch as it focuses mostly on weaknesses and failures.†[12]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is undeniable, looking at the United Nations history, that the machinery met great difficulties in the human rights ideals across the world and to effectively integrate it into existing government practices.   Due to the few successes of the first two stages, the stage of protection started off with a bumpy ride and is subject to much criticism, which will discussed in the later paragraphs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Despite the shaky two decades, it is undeniable that   â€Å"the Commission has contributed to the inadequate but nevertheless incremental growth of supranational authority capable of scrutinizing practices that had previously been exclusively within governments’ sovereign jurisdiction.†[13] The third stage, protection, came right after the standards were set and the same were promoted to the individuals and national governments.   The protection stage is actually the collection of events, still undergoing now, that enforces the standards by â€Å"responding to specific complaints against over seventy governments.   The process has increased the Commission’s visibility ad dramatically transformed its operation while exacerbating fundamental differences over whether political or economic, individual or collective rights deserve priority.†[14]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To guide the protection of the world’s population, the Commission refers to now only their shining accomplishment that was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but other treaties such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination (1966), the Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. â€Å"There can be little doubt that the three greatest intellectual contributions of the United Nations have been human rights on a global scale†¦Ã¢â‚¬ [15]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Despite the pioneering efforts of the Commission, those that have resulted in both failure and success, a large number of people are highly critical of the United Nations, in general and the Commission, in particular, citing inefficiency, redundancy and an overly-bureaucratic structure as primary reasons. â€Å"American critics have made the sharpest attacks, venting their greatest anger prior to 1980 and since then against the UN in general and the Assembly in particular.   The Commissions harshest critic claims that unfair procedures have been manipulated to subvert democratic governments and fundamental rights.   The Commission’s defenders lament it limited impact on government practice and propose a variety of structural reforms.†[16]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the biggest concerns aired by the Eastern bloc is the supposed prevalence of Western values embodied in the different Declaration and Treaties. â€Å"Judging by the time spent in drafting and the norms adopted, the Commission appears to have given higher priority to Western sponsored political and civil than to Third World initiated economic and social standards.† [17] Economic concerns were definitely more pressing in the third-world countries where starvation trumped political freedom any day. Although in its defense, the Declaration did have economic rights included in the text. However, many complain that while that is true,† [t]he Universal Declaration and the two covenants give nearly consideration to economic rights, but create more effective enforcement procedures for civil liberties. The conventions on race discrimination and apartheid affirm the rights of groups as well as individuals but give no special priority to economic concerns.   (†¦) The consensus decision-making procedure delayed and weakened the 1986 declaration on development. If any standard setting priority exists, the Commission has given the greatest attention to individual civil and political rights. Despite the strident rhetoric about balancing economic and political rights, the gross violations identified have involved considerably more political than economic injustice.   (†¦) Complaints about forced labour, particularly involving children, have not prompted a response unless the violation involved mass killing or another top priority.†[18]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Assuming but not conceding that this prioritization were true, it must be said that such would be essential in the smooth running of an organization in order not to spread oneself too thin. This is particularly true for the United Nations because a   â€Å"society must establish value priorities about which rights to protect by law and which violations to punish most severely.   The international community is even more ideologically divided than its constituent members, therefore attempts to enforce universal human rights exacerbate fundamental political differences.†[19]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Among the popular criticisms of the United Nations Human Rights machinery, the most troubling would perhaps have to be the accusations of the employing double standards; standards that heavily favor Western aggression.   These complaints found legitimacy in the now-infamous UN inaction during the Rwandan genocide. Furthermore, the deafening silence on the part of the UN during the American military operations against Afghanistan and Iraq hit the UN credibility hard and many more joined the others in crying foul. â€Å"Some critics have concluded that politically motivated double standards, selective enforcement and disparate treatment totally discredit the Commission’s enforcement program.   When the Commission acts selectively, its exceptionally rare actions appear arbitrary and capricious.   While Commission supporters also complain that too many serious violation escape scrutiny, they favor imperfect enforcement to none at all.†[20]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion, the Commission was â€Å"ill-equipped to cope with the underlying military and economic causes of the worst human rights violations.   At best its measures temper and moderate the most extreme offenses.   Once the killing has begun, human rights remedies, like United Nations relief for refugees, merely alleviates symptoms.†[21]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With that said, a new chapter of Human Rights’ protection through the United Nations system was ushered with the extinction of the Commission of the Human Rights in 2006.   Its successor is dubbed the Human Rights Council.   This brings to the playing field a shift in the field of Human Rights and is significant in several aspects. First, it addresses the issue of a much-needed ‘face-lift’ for the image of the United Nations main machine of human rights.   The former Commission had its share of bad publicity and the creation of the Human Rights Council, even if will heavily base its action on those of its predecessors, makes the evolution in thinking and practice much more understandable by the general public.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Moreover, the Council ushers in a new era in which the Commission would have been hard-pressed to fit in.   This misfit can perhaps be attributed to the fact that the former Commission was created during a different international field, at a time when war was still a fresh memory.   In so many ways, the global community has progressed far beyond the nature of Post-World War II.   Therefore, this new change will hopefully reflect mandates that would be more faithful and effective in these current times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A cursory look at the working groups under the Human Rights Council shows that not all was changed, however, and rightly so.   The Council is still carrying out the standard-setting stage, which the Commission excelled at.   Under a standard-setting goal, the Council is currently looking into the expansion of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in order to more accurately portray the Human Rights’ needs of these rapidly changing times.   In addition to this potential expansion, there is also a working group under the auspices of the Human Rights Council that is currently drafting a legally binding instrument for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances.   This latter on is merely a continuation of the Commission’s work.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The other working groups of the Human Rights Council do show that they are treading into new territory, which the Commission was criticized for not doing enough.   Under the working groups for special procedures, there are experts on People of African Descent, Arbitrary Detention and Mercenaries.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is incredible potential for the Council to do great work in the field of human rights and it is not weighed down by decades of bad publicity.   Although it is too early in the game to call the outcome, this significant change in the United Nations framework will only be effective if the new Council learns from its predecessor’s mistakes in enforcement.   Although the textual and intellectual contribution of the Commission cannot be disputed, these contemporary times need more than non-binding conventions that do not seem to scare those militant with complete disregard for the sanctity and dignity of human life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Being a watchdog of human rights in the world cannot be constrained to formulating conventions and treaties. This was where the Commission excelled at and the Council should build on them but concentrate on actual groundwork where they are needed, on the ground and not from some lofty and comfortable climate controlled environment in New York.   In many ways, this shows that the United Nations System has evolved with the times and the old complaints with the old machinery will slowly be forgotten.   This is a perfect time for any enormous changes within the United Nations system in that there is an actual change of face, literally, with the new Secretary-General; therefore any new victories will be counted as part of the new Council, even if it were heavily rooted in the Commission’s work. [1] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.xiii [2] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.119 [3] Jolly, R. et.al. (2004) UN Contributions to Development Thinking and Practice. Indiana: United Nations Intellectual History Project Series. p.276 [4] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.120 [5] Symonides, J., (2003) Human Rights: International Protection, Monitoring, Enforcement. UNESCO Publishing. p.5 [6] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.120 [7] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.121 [8] Jolly, R. et.al. (2004) UN Contributions to Development Thinking and Practice. Indiana: United Nations Intellectual History Project Series. p.8 [9] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.122 [10] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.122 [11] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.125 [12] Cassese, A. ed. (1979) UN Law: Fundamental Rights. van Boven, T., United Nations and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal. p.125 [13] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.xiii [14] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.xiii [15] Jolly, R. et.al. (2004) UN Contributions to Development Thinking and Practice. Indiana: United Nations Intellectual History Project Series. p.276 [16] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.187 [17] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.193 [18] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.193 [19] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.194 [20] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.203 [21] Tolley, H., (1987). The UN Commission on Human Rights. London: Westview Press. p.220

Case Study Analysis Ryanair The Low Fares Airline Management Essay

Case Study Analysis Ryanair The Low Fares Airline Management Essay The key objective of this report is to critically evaluate the strategy of Ryanair against the backdrop of the European air line industry and the bludgeoning Budget sector, in response to the challenges facing the Industry as a whole and Ryan air in particular also has evaluated the Ryan airs bid for fellow Irish carrier, Aer Lingus. This evaluation is done by using a strategic analysis of environment and the industry as well as the company, present strategic choices recommended new strategic initiatives and areas for improving strategy implementation using Macro-environment analysis, Industry analysis and Internal analysis. The analysis has been done by using significant theories such as PESTEL analysis, Porters five forces, Strategic group model, key success factors and value chain etc. knowledge on Ryanair. Through the Ryanair environmental analysis unproductive strategic decisions have been identified and finally suggest the recommendations to develop Ryanairs competitive gain in the future. (2.0) Introduction This document is based on the case provided; Ryanair the low-fairs Airline which was written by Eleanor OHiggins, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland in 2007. Ryanair is Europes first and largest law fares airline which started 1985 by Ryan family. (Ryanair website) Its an Irish airline with head office in Dublin and its biggest operational base at London Stansted Airport in the UK (Ryanair Europes greenest airline n.d).Ryanairs has grown steadily to now in the most environmentally friendly way by investing in the latest aircraft and engine technologies which have reduced fuel burn and CO2 emissions and the implementation of certain operational and commercial decisions. According to the case the report has critically evaluated the strategy of Ryanair against the backdrop of the European air line industry and the bludgeoning Budget sector, in response to the challenges facing the Industry as a whole and Ryan air in particular also has evaluated the Ryan airs bid for fellow Irish carrier, Aer Lingus. For this evaluation as a member of the management consulting firm I have provided a strategic analysis of environment and the industry as well as the company, present strategic choices recommended new strategic initiatives and areas for improving strategy implementation using Macro-environment analysis, Industry analysis and Internal analysis from this document to the senior management team of Ryanair. The analysis of this report was done with the support of the provided case information, Ryanair website, industry related information from academic books, journals, websites, and other publicly available secondary data sources. (3.0) Overview of Ryanair Ryanair is a global airline which provides scheduled passenger airline services between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Starting in 1985 Ryanair followed the example of Southwest Airlines. It was set up with a share capital of just  £1 and a new staff base of 25. Since 1985 to now it has grown massively into one of the Europes largest low fare carrier. In 1990 the company suffered a  £20 million loss and was forced to completely restructure and a new management team was brought in headed by Michael OLeary who made major changes to the airline. Ryanair restructured itself and became a low-fares, no -frills carrier. After the next few years Ryan air significantly slashed its fares further and managed to open up many new routes. Today, Ryan Air has destinations in 26 countries with 950 routes. Also the headquartered in Dublin, employs about 4,200 people, operates with a fleet size of 120 Boeing 737-800, carries approximately 35 Mio passengers a year and had a turnover of 1,692.5 Mio in 2006 with a net profitability of about 10% (Mayor, 2007). Furthermore revenue has risen from à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬231 million in 1998 to à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬2,714 million in 2008 and net profits have increased from à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬48 million to à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬480 million, over the same period despite the worldwide recession and the high oil prices. (3.1) Vision Ryanairs CEO, Michael OLeary, has a vision of a world where the fare could drop to nothing as local communities would subsidize the airline to bring a steady traffic of business people and tourists to their region. (Ryanair Report, 1997) Mission Statement Ryanair will become Europeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ²s most profitable lowest cost airline by rolling out our proven `low-fare-no-frillsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ² service in all markets in which we operate, to the benefit of our passengers, people, and shareholders. (Mayor, 2007) Ryanair aims to offer low fares that generate increased passenger traffic with a continuous focus on cost-containment and operating efficiencies. Moreover Ryanair has main objective and other objectives to stay as the favorable and low cost airline in Europe. (Please Refer Appendix 01). Also refer Appendix 02 for financial analysis. (3.3) Critical Issues Though Ryanair has gone quite well all the way to now I have identified below critical problems through out the case. Major critical issues are; Negative public image due to aggressive CEO and unfriendly staff. Immature handling of sensitive issues such as criticizing politicians, disabled passengers Misleading advertisements and messy website. Unreasonable ancillary charges for example wheelchair charges, check in baggage charges, refund handling charges etc. Leadership issues (4.0) Environmental Analysis Environment has a great impact on functioning of any business. Environmental analysis is the process of monitoring the organizational environment to identify both present and future threats and opportunities that may influence the firms ability to reach its goals. (Certo Peter 1991). Its important to a business to adapt to the environment to be successful hence it needs to be analysis both internal and external environment. (4.1) External Environment Analysis Purpose of an external environment analysis is to identify or develop a finite list of opportunities that could benefit a firm and threats that could be avoided. Firms should be able to respond either offensively or defensively to the factors by formulating strategies that take advantage of external opportunities or that minimize the impact of potential threats. The external analysis can be divided into macro environment and industry analyses. (4.1.1) Macro Environment Analysis There are several influences of macro-environment on Ryanair within their operating countries. Political, Economical, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal factors had created a considerable impact in macro environment on the performance in a company. This is known as PESTEL Analysis. Please Refer Appendix 03 (4.1.2) Industry Analysis Industry can be defined as a group of organization or business unit producing close substitutes (Fletcher 2003). The aim of this analysis is to assess the industry environment and answer the following questions. Whatre the forces within the industry which are determining the profitability of the industry? Howre the forces changing and expected to change overtime? How will those changes affect future profitability? For the analysis of Ryanair industry environment have used porters five forces model and Strategic group. Please refer the Appendix 04 05 (4.2) Internal Environment Analysis An internal analysis should be conducted in-order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an organization. It also assist the firm to find-out its resources and capabilities in-order to utilize those resources to the best potential. The main objective of internal analysis for this case is to measure the Ryanairs resources in terms of other major competitors such as Easy jet and South West air lines. For the internal analysis have used value chain model and key successes factors. Please Refer Appendix 06. (4.2.1) Key successful Factors Key successful factors are some of the important factors which are necessary in business. It brings a comparative advantage to the business. It is highlighted that low-cost companies concentrate on offering the lowest prices as the first critical success factor. Although Ryanair had encountered different problems especially in line with its cost structures, the company had been able to survive and grow in the marketplace. They have implemented different marketing strategy to make the company survive in the competition and to gain a competitive position in the airline market.   Ryanair has recognised recently as the most punctual airline between Dublin and London and also recognised as the second largest airline in United Kingdom and Europes largest low-fares airline because of the strategy of it. Technology related Expertise in given industry technology Scientific technology expertise in airline industry Making Internet the primary base of distribution and marketing Distribution related Accurate filling of customers orders A strong network of communication via internet Low distribution cost Marketing related Fast, accurate technical assistance Courteous customer service Clever advertising Manufacturing related Access to adequate supplies of skilled labor A strong brand identity among the buyers Low cost marketing and distribution methods Skills related Superior work power talent Ability to develop new products and product improvements. Expertise in technology Organizational capability Superior information system Experiential top management SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis given below is to help Ryanair to achieve their mission and objectives by capitalizing on opportunities using their strengths and reducing their weaknesses and threats. Strengths Ryanair is the 1st to launch low cost flights in Europe and has continuously maintained the low fare policy. They have a strong brand image and strong bargaining power in airport deals. Aggressive and Innovative leadership (CEO- Mr. Michael OLeary). Larger market share New fleets results in maximum aircraft utilization. Weaknesses Earn publicity through negative press reporting which affect brand image. Very poor customer relations which is damaging to the success. Low level of understanding for employees Misleading advertisements about ticket fares and destinations. In-flight mobile phones and gambling can deter some customers Opportunities Withdrawal of traditional companies from most of the less traffic intense point to point routes using regional airports. Industry growth in European air travel industry Being an fine choice of most of the market due to recession Threats Upper middle class economy travelers may seek greater value proposition than just low fares. Increasing Prices of Oil Markets and fluctuating currency issues Terrorism Impending legislations for environment protection. Recommendation. The whole analysis has summarized both pluses and minuses in the company. Through examining the Treats and weaknesses the following recommendation could be illustrates. Following strategies can be used to decrease the weaknesses and avoid threats of the company and improve its competitive upgrading. Total Quality Management The low cost strategy has hided the quality of the service. To attract and retain the customers Ryanair has to follow an effective total quality management process. Efficient total quality management values could make a great difference in the service quality. It will not only enhance the quality but also it will increase the productivity. Thus effective quality management will make the brand identity stronger and make a more brand loyalty with in customer base. Competitors Competitors like easyJet, Air Berlin, Basic Air are catering to the value market division and have established slots at some main airports and providing basic cost effective services. Later acquiring the Aer Lingus would increase Ryanairs showings in stock market and faster growth in to the value oriented market segments. Therefore Ryanair need to be more concern about the low price strategy. Customer Relationship Management In the service sector what is important is the satisfaction of the customers. Due to poor facilities and ancillary services Ryanair has lost their customer relationship. Therefore, a strong CRM strategy should be implemented to minimize the weaknesses of the company. Apart from the CRM strategies Ryanair could move on to CSR projects to draw the corporate position to the organization. (7.0) Conclusion Ryanair is the most favorable low fare airline in the Europe and with this they have been successful all the way so far. But now I can conclude from the above analysis that Ryanair have to develop a successful strategy not for only winning the low fare strategy but gaining a stable position in the value segment and in new non-European markets. References Barrett, S., (2000), Journal of air transportation of Transport Management Vol.6, pp. 13-27 (Butterworth-Heinemann; Oxford) David, F. R. (2005). Strategic Management (10th Ed.). NJ:Prentice hall Fletcher, J. (2003). Strategic Management à Ã‚ ¨ study guide and plan. Edith Cowan University. Lynch, R. (2003), Corporate Strategy, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall Financial Times Mayer, S. (2007). Ryanair and its low cost flights in Europe. University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland (Business Faculty). Retrieved April 23, 2010, from http://www.grin.com/e-book/87815/ryanair-and-its-low-cost-flights-in-europe Paul, V. (2007). French Accent Ryanair Slow on Emotion, Retrieved from April 27, 2010, from http://www.brandchannel.com/brand_speak.asp?bs_id=72 Ryanair case study analysis (2009), Retrieved from April 27, 2010, from http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2009/04/case-study-analysis-ryanair.html Ryanair and its low cost flights in Europe (2007), Retrieved from April 28, 2010, from http://www.grin.com/e-book/87815/ryanair-and-its-low-cost-flights-in-europe Ryanair Europes greenest airline. (2006). Retrieved from April 28, 2010, from http://www.ryanair.com/en/about/ryanair-and-the-environment (9.0) APPENDIX Appendix 01 Ryanair main objective is to: Offer the lowest fares at all time on all routes: Ryanair main objective is to establish itself as Europes leading low-fares scheduled passenger airline through continued improvements and expanding offerings of its low-fares service. Ryanair other objectives are to; Continue to find ways of reducing costs Though Ryanair has the lowest cost base of any of its competitors Ryanair can continue to lower its cost base as it grows even if at a slower pace. Ryanair 100% online Ryanair expect continuing to use the internet as its primary point of sale and over the next 5 years the aim is to have 100% of bookings via the internet so as to reduce the costly call centers. Increase the Frequency of Existing Routes On the moment Ryanair have an average of 3.88 flights per day per route. This figure, compared to Easyjet and traditional carriers, is very low. It means that Ryanair is losing out on business passengers who need more flexible timetables. If Ryanair can enhance the frequency on some of their routes they possibly will effectively steal some of the passengers from the traditional carriers thus increasing market share. Open New Routes in Europe There are many possible routes still un-served by low-cost carriers. Ryanair can also open routes where the competition is a more expensive for traditional carrier while attracting customers with the cheaper, no-frills option. Develop Its Smaller Continental Operating Bases Ryanair must look to other operating bases to expand their network. Although there is not the same demand outside there is still sufficient demand to make a considerable profit. Source: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfHYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkHYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkcd=1HYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkHYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkhl =enHYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkHYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkct=clnkHYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkHYPERLINK http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:FfQQcO538yAJ:solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdf+http://solvay.ulb.ac.be/cours/alle/BuspPresRyanair04.pdfcd=1hl=enct=clnkgl=lkgl=lk) Appendix 02 Financial Analysis Appendix 03 PESTEL ANALYSIS Political In political factor focused on Government stability, Taxation policy, foreign trade regulations and Social welfare policies but in the Ryanair case according to the provided information affected to; Increase of route charge by the government In 2006, airport and handling charges increased by 21%, slower than the growth in passenger numbers, reflecting a net reduction in costs from deals at new airports and bases despite increased costs at certain existing airports such as Stansted. Increase in trade union pressure Some of the countries in Europe have formed a trade-union among each others and due to this it gives the pressure for Ryanair to do business in these countries. Furthermore the Europe Union (EU) has expanded in the past few years and it is a big factor that affects the direction and strategy planning for Ryanair. Government passed The law for carbon emission to aviation industry to compensate further taxes Ryanair replaced its fleet of old aircraft with new more environmental friendly aircraft. The newer aircraft produced 50% less emissions, 45%less fuel burn and 45% lower noise emissions per seat. UK government put on compulsory security measures and restrictions due to terrorism attacks on airlines in August 2006, UK authorities imposed severe security measures at all airports in the face of an alleged imminent terrorist plot to attack up to 10 aircraft on transatlantic routes. Economical According to the Fletcher, 2003; The health of a nations economy affects the performance of individual firms and industries. The economic environment refers to the nature and direction of the economy in which a firm competes or may compete (Fletcher, 2003, M.3, P. 4) Economical Analysis consists of GDP, Price fluctuations, unemployment trends, depreciation of U.S dollars, interest rates and economies of scale etc. In Ryanair case they have affected by; High price ceiling of petroleum products and fuels From 2005 fuel prices are increased and Ryanairs fuel costs represented 35% of operating costs in 2006 compared with 27% the year before. Energy and fuel costs are cause of uncertainty Also jet fuel cost fluctuations are unpredictable and not controllable. Social The socio-cultural environment represents the set of values, ideals and other characteristics that distinguish members of one group from those of another according to the Fletcher, 2003, M. 3, P. 3). Organizations need to be aware of these factors because they can straightly affect the way the organizations manage the operations, more importantly human resources and marketing. Change in the mode of travelling due to the terrorist attacks Because of the terrorists attacks there was a treat that passengers would choose other forms of transport such as trains rather than facing to the inconvenience and expense of checking in luggage and extra time spent in airport security queues. Increase in travelling life style and flying patterns. Technology Many new advances in technologies can affect the way businesses are competing. Technological developments represent a real opportunity for the skillful people who can understand and apply them appropriately. It also helpful to reduce its costs effectively and furthermore can maintain good relationship with customers. Technological analysis consists of new communication technologies, product innovations, new product development and application of knowledge etc. Related to the Ryanair occurred; Technological expansion Ryanair has introduced new technological environmental friendly airlines in order to make profits High fuel efficiency, less noise pollution and lessening of carbon pollution using Boeing 737 planes Ryanair tries to reduce pollution. Web sales/services Ryanair tries completely to do online check-in in the future. Environment This consists of changes in environment that can impact on industries such as tourism and farming etc. nowadays more and more people are concerned about global warming and green house gas effects. According to the case Ryanair affect environment by; Contributing Global warming though Ryanair contribute to the global warming up to some certain they have introduced new aircrafts that reduce fuel burn in 45%. Noise level controls Also they have lower the noise emission in 45% in their new aircrafts. Legal Legal analysis consists of competition law, health and safety, employment law and product safety. As in the case Ryanair affected by; Allegations of misleading advertisement Ryanair accused it of misleading passengers on its website by exaggerating the prices of its competitors in making comparisons. Safety measures; pilots and passengers In July 2006 the Irish high court found out that Ryanair had bullied pilots and forced them to agree to a new contract, pilots had to pay à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 15000 for retraining on a new aircraft if they left the airline. In 2006 pilots of Ryanair lodged a pay claim stating that there is significant difference in take home pay between Ryanair and Aer Lingus pilots it also claimed that training pilots were working for nothing. Also the case says Ryanair has charged more money for the insurance than its actual amount. Appendix 04 Porters Five Forces Model. This five forces model is developed by Michael Porter and it described five forces which are Bargaining power of Suppliers, Bargaining power of customers, New entrants, Threat of Substitutes and Competitive Rivalry. These forces have analyzed below according to the Ryanair. Source: http://notesdesk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/porters-five-forces-model.jpg Bargaining Power of Suppliers Aircraft Suppliers Boeing is Ryanairs main supplier. There are only 2 possible suppliers of planes. They are Boeing and Airbus. Fuel Suppliers Price of aviation fuel is straightly related to the cost of oil (Ryanair controls these through hedging Regional and Bigger Airports Regional Airports have little bargaining power as they are heavily dependent on one Airline. Bigger airports, where Ryanairs competitors operate, have greater bargaining power. Ryanairs policy is to try and avoid these airports. Bargaining Power of Customers Low price Customers are price sensitive and they know about the low cost of supplying the service from Ryanair. Distribution power of travel agents was decreasing as prospects used to book tickets from internet or through direct booking. So it was a threat to travel agents, so they employed to offer complete travel solutions to customers. Direct bookings on the Ryanair website has meant that there have been savings in the region of 42.6% in marketing and distribution costs. New Entrants Some barriers to entry there are some regulations when entering to the European countries. High capital investment at the beginning of the new airlines need big financials otherwise there is a threat of losing money. Restricted slot availability makes it more difficult to find suitable airports European countries have many landing slots that were reserved or used by national carriers. Also for new entrants have a need for low cost bases. Threat of Substitutes Other modes of transport the treat of substitutes to the airline industry comes in three main forms. These are road, rail and boat service. Of these, rail would seem to suggest the maximum threat because, certainly around Europe, it offers a brilliant continental service around the main cities that Ryanair fly to. No switching costs for the customer there is no switching cost when changing the traveling mode and there is no close relationship between customers. Competitive Rivalry Most cost advantages can be copied immediately However if any company does choose to race on the same basis as Ryanair there will be heavy pressure on prices, margins and hence on profitability Low frills and low price Ryanair has a benefit over other airlines because their policy of bundling low frills and low prices together means that they are competing for the more price responsive customer. Appendix 05 Strategic Group Model Strategic group is a group of firms in an industry following the same or a similar strategy along the same strategic dimensions. (Fletcher 2003) It consists of competitors competes with similar strategic dimensions such as product, quality, target market, geographical area. Firms are competing directly with the aligned strategic groups as they hold same strategic scope. (Porter 1980) The below graph represent the strategic group analysis for the airline industry. The grouping has been done accordance to the dimensions of quality and price. 1st strategic group This is the basic strategic dimensions of this strategic group and Ryanair provides low cost fares with no frills. Ryanairs major competitor in this strategic group is Easy jet as they contain a similar resource promise in the industry. 2nd strategic group These companies targets the middle class hence they offer fares for a moderate cost and the service contain reasonable quality. The major players in this strategic group are Ethihad, Thai, Qatar and Kuwait air ways. 3rd strategic group: Emirates, British airways and Singapore airways generally targets the high end people. They provide a luxuries service with a high pricing system. According to the Strategic group Model Identifying Strategic group layers would enhance the understanding about the direct competitors, Different bases of competitive rivalry within the strategic group and also the threats and opportunities could be examined very clearly as it narrow downs the major players in the same category.