Influence contrasting economic environments Essay

Describe the influence of two contrasting economic environments on business activities within a selected organisation. There are two very important economic environments that effect Tesco, economic growth and the recession. An economic growth will be good for Tesco as business will be booming, more goods are being produced and profits are increasing. When this happens Tesco becomes a very high profit business and invest in new products or stores which can lead to Tesco being more profitable business wise. Profits are increased during economic growth as customers want more products; they have the money to spend and choose to spend it in Tesco’s. This leads to a much higher product demand, which affects the primary sector – farmers. Farmers will need more animals and more farm hands effectively as they are producing for a large company and if the demands aren’t met they will lose business. For example during an economic boom people tend to buy luxuries as they have the spare money to spend, so a customer instead of buying a ready meal might decide they will have a steak instead and there could be a large amount of Tesco’s customers with the same thought process, this will in turn mean that Tesco will order a large amount of steak’s from the farmers and if they can’t supply this they will lose Tesco’s business and also Tesco won’t be able to meet its customer demands and could also lose business. People will also stop buying Tesco value products such as cereal, canned goods and start buying branded names as they can afford it and we are a brand loving country which means that Te sco generate more money as people are buying the much more expensive goods. In 2011/2012 Tesco had a reasonable growth in profit even in a challenging economic environment, Tesco’s sales increased by 7.4% to  £72 billion. Tesco however did not make the profit that they would have liked they were running their business in a very challengeable time during 2011/2012 as the recession is still very much taking over the economy, they managed to survive by offering their customers Tesco value products at next to nothing prices which were bought a lot more due to their cheap prices offering more competition for companies such as Lidl. During a difficult economic climate consumers cut down on spending in an attempt to try and save money as the cost of living increases but wages don’t. This means that Tesco would have cut down on orders to manufacturers for example the steaks, no one would have been buying them and they may have cut their order from 1000 to 400 for example. The current interest rates can  also effect a company like Tesco because if they borrow a loan from the bank then if the interest rates are high then Tesco will end up paying back more money than the original borrowed amount, however if they are lower than it would be the best time for Tesco to borrow if they need to because although they will still be paying back more than what they borrowed however it will be a much lower amount. Inflation rates can also present problems as they decrease and increase over time; if the rate of inflation is high the Tesco will increase their prices to compensate for the rise however this will decrease their sales because customers won’t be willing to pay the higher prices. GDP (Gross National Product) is the market value of all goods and services over a certain period of time if the GDP increases by 3% it means that the economy has grown by 3%, this has an impact on everyone in the economy because it affects the stock market which is somethi ng that any potential investor will take into consideration before they invest. Tesco will see wage increase in a healthy economy and higher profits as Tesco’s products have a demand increase. Cancer Research UK will have struggled during the recession and current times as people are cutting down on spending and unlike Tesco Cancer Research are selling things that yes people need, however their products aren’t essential therefore they will be losing lots of money and may have to cut down money on research and support. They have a much smaller budget that has to be spent carefully in order to prevent a negative impact on the business; recently Cancer Research has not had the funding to research into new types of cancer and develop knowledge as they have had such little funding. During an economic boom however Cancer Research will hopefully make plenty of money to fund research and support as people will have more money to spend on clothes and shoes. They are able to offer a lot more support and can do extensive research into new kinds of cancer as t hey have the funding. Inflation can affect a business like Cancer Research UK but not as much because they don’t buy in their stock it’s all donated by customers, however they may slightly increase their prices which in such a difficult economic climate is something that they desperately want to avoid. GDP will affect Cancer Research because they may see an increase in customers if the GDP was low because typically there are high rates of unemployment at times like that and people still need clothes to wear and rather than pay high street prices people with go to the  charity shops and buy cheaper second hand clothes. However if the GDP increased then Cancer Research may see a decline the their sales and customers because there are high levels of employment during a high GDP and people with have more money to spend on high street trends.

“Recalling War” by Robert Graves and “Mental Case” by Wilfred Owen Essay

Although the poems Recalling War by Robert Graves and Mental Cases by Wilfred Owen are both concerned with the damage that war does to the soldiers involved, they are different in almost every other respect. Owen’s poem examines the physical and mental effects of war in a very personal and direct way – his voice is very much in evidence in this poem – he has clearly seen people like the ‘mental cases’ who are described. It is also evident that Owen’s own experiences of the war are described: he challenges the reader with terrifying images, in order that the reader can begin to comprehend the causes of the madness. Graves on the other hand is far more detached. His argument is distant, using ancient images to explore the immediate and long-term effects of war on the soldier. The poem is a meditation on the title, Graves examining the developing experiences and memories of war with a progression of images and metaphors. Mental Cases is a forceful poem, containing three substantial stanzas which focus on different aspects of Owen’s subject. The first stanza is a detailed description of what the ‘mental cases’ look like. Their outward appearance is gruesome, Baring teeth that leer like skulls’, preparing the reader for the even more horrifying second stanza. The second verse concentrates on the men’s past experiences, the deaths they have witnessed and the unimaginable nightmares they have lived through: Multitudinous murders they once witnessed. The last stanza concludes the poem, explaining how the men’s lives are haunted by their experiences, they go mad because the past filters into every aspect of their present lives, the men retreat away from the memories and into madness. The form of Owen’s poem is, therefore, built around three main points: the appearance of the men, their experiences, and the effect this has on their lives. In Graves’ poem the form is also key to understanding the poem, but perhaps in a less obvious way. Recalling War has five stanzas, in a form that corresponds to the psychological emotions and physical experience war provokes. The first stanza describes how Graves expects the war to be remembered twenty years after the event: the wounds have healed and the blind and handicapped men forget the injuries the war caused, as their memories are blurred by the distance of time; The one-legged man forgets his leg of wood. In the second stanza Graves moves on to question the nature of war. This verse is a description of the atmosphere and setting of war. Even when the season was the airiest May/ Down pressed  the sky, and we, oppressed, thrust out. The third stanza focuses on the battle itself, and the fourth explores the aftermath of battle and the unbearable nature of the war. The fifth and final stanza returns to the ideas expressed in the first stanza, of war being an unreal memor y. The form of this poem is crucial to its understanding. The progressions marked by the stanzas highlights the argument Graves is making. Mental Cases and Recalling War are both poems that rely on the atmosphere and tone they create, indeed this is a key source of their power. Owen creates a terrifying atmosphere throughout the poem, which is clearly a reflection of his subject matter. Not only does Owen describe in awful detail the shocking appearance of the men, he also includes horrific images of war. The tone is very powerful, with Owen asking questions in the first stanza, but who are these hellish?, a device which cleverly establishes direct contact with the reader and an engaging discourse. This connection with the reader is exploited in the second verse, in which the reader experiences the full force of Owen’s imagery. The final stanza opens with a tone that is factual: -Thus their hands are plucking at each other, summarizing the fact that these men behave the way they do because of the events they have and are experiencing. Owen ends the poem by insisting on the complicity of both himself and the reader in the fate of these men, an accusation which, after the powerful prelude, is hard to deny. Whereas Owen’s poem is powerful as a result of its consistently horrific atmosphere and tone, Graves’ poem changes tone from stanza to stanza, emulating the different stages of feeling a soldier experiences. The poem opens with a tone that is factual yet distant, as though an old tale were being told As when the morning traveller turns and views/His wild night-stumbling carved into a hill. This tone emphasizes Graves’ description of dimly remembered suffering which is fading into the distance: Entrance and exit wounds are silvered clean. The second stanza moves into a different tone, wa r is described as not only a war between countries, but a universal disaster No mere discord of flags/ But an infection of the common sky. The tone and atmosphere created are ominous, there is a feeling of anticipation and fear reminding the reader of soldiers waiting for battle: oppressed, thrust out Boastful tongue, clenched fist and valiant yard. Natural infirmities were out of mode, For Death was young again The third stanza does not immediately change tone, however the feeling  of fear increases as Graves dwells on thoughts of premature death and little on valiant yard. However, roughly half way through the stanza the tone does change dramatically. The poem becomes not fearful but simple and clear, the necessities of life are described and the tone reminds the reader of an adrenaline filled soldier, thrilled with the battle and instinct of survival, A weapon at the thigh, surgeons at call.. However, by the next stanza the battle is over and the experience of war assumes a hopeless guise. Everything good in the world has turned to ashes Extinction of each happy art and faith and the duty to fight turns into the duty to run mad. The tone of the poem is tragic, having seen hope turn to fear, exhilaration and finally collapse. The powerful climax of the poem in the fourth stanza is further emphasized in the last verse, as the tone returns to one of unreal memory. The poet’s voice is ironic with child-like naivetà ¨: Machine-guns rattle toy-like from a hill. The last lines of the poem change in tone again as the poet describes a future of despair if the past cannot be remembered with accuracy and acceptance: When learnedly the future we devote To yet more boastful visions of despair. Both poets use a very descriptive and revealing choice of vocabulary. One particular feature of Owen’s poem is the use of alliteration to emphasize the image he is trying to create: Memory fingers in their hair of murders, Multitudinous murders The repetition of the ‘m’ sound serves to increase the impact of the image, reminding the reader of a stammering, shell-shocked soldier. Thus their heads wear this hilarious, hideous is another example of alliteration. Owen’s choice of words such as slob, baring, swelters, hideous and flesh all help to increase the reader’s horror as theses words describe so well the nightmares the men are experiencing. Graves’ words also have a strong impact on the reader: his words highlight the differences between the stanzas. The second stanza describing the wait for the battle uses words like sagged, ominously, oppressed, clenched and pressed. In contrast to this the last stanza includes words such as piecrust, nibbling, rattle and dandelions, emphasizing the child-like memories of war. The contrast between the third and fourth stanzas are even more noticeable. The second half of the third stanza aims to highlight the simple and uncomplicated feelings the soldiers experience while they are in combat, this is reflected by words like roof, call, wine, rage and lack , these are all monosyllabic words stressing  Gravesà ­ point. In the fourth stanza Graves’ vocabulary changes and becomes more complex: foundering sublimities, protesting, Extinction, unendurable, again these are words which reflect the fact that the soldiers are now questioning and trying to solve a problem or paradox. The contrasts in the two poets vocabulary is intriguing. Owen’s vocabulary is far more raw and hard hitting, thought about but not agonized over. Graves’ choice of vocabulary reflects the fact that he is making a more complex series of points; the words are perhaps rather contrived. The images in Mental Cases by Owen are perhaps the most shocking aspect of the poem. There are three central images within Owen’s poem, contained within the three stanzas. The first images are those which describe the ‘mental cases’. Owen uses simile and metaphor. from jaws that slob their relish, the men are described like animals, drooling with Drooping tongues. These images imply that the experience of war for these men has taken away their humanity. Owen then describes the men as having teeth that leer like skulls’ teeth. This simile not only creates a clear picture in the mind of the reader, it also serves to show how these ‘mental cases’ are not lucky to be alive, in fact, they suffer more than their dead comrades: not only do they look like death and behave like animals, they also continue to suffer the miseries of the living world, that of memory, nightmares and madness: What slow panic/Gouged these chasms round their fretted sockets?. This image is continued to the end of the stanza as Owen claims that seeing these mad men would make anyone think they were in hell because of the ghastly picture they create. This again strengthens Owen’s argument that, although these men survived the war alive, the scars they suffer are worse than any death we can imagine. Within the second stanza Owen progresses to create images of the living hell which the mental cases experienced and are now reliving. This is the climax of the poem as line upon line brings new horrors. The first line of the stanza shows more explicitly the idea that the men are suffering perhaps more than even the dead men: There are men whose minds the Dead have ravaged. This explores the feeling that the mad men owe their lives in someway to the death of their comrades. The image of their fellow soldiers who are now dead haunts them, this is a parallel with the sentiments Owen develops at the end of the poem, that the reader and poet are somehow to blame for the madness of the ‘mental cases’, in the same way that the mad men feel guilt about the  men killed. Owen uses imagery in the poem in such away that the r eader is actually haunted by the images of the mad men, and we are also left with a strong sense of guilt at their sacrifice for our life and sanity. The images continue to horrify throughout the rest of the stanza. One of the most shocking images is that of the mad men walking on the corpses of dead men Wading sloughs of flesh these helpless wander an image which is disturbing not only because of the image it creates, but also the idea that these suffering men reached the position they are in because of the deaths of thousands of others, Treading blood from lungs that had loved laughter. This is a terribly shocking image mainly because Owen has chosen to give one of the few references to emotion in the poem to a decapitated corpse on which the mad men walk. The choice to put loving laughter next to blood from lungs is such a stark contrast that the horror of what Owen is describing cannot sink in on the first time of reading, it is further emphasized by the use of alliteration which stresses the link between the words; It is an image too terrible to comprehend so it serves its purpose, the reader is disgusted and revolted by what is described. The second stanza ends with a very powerful image Carnage incomparable, and human squander/Rucked too thick for these men’s extrication. This is a continuation of images earlier in the stanza, however the men are no longer walking on the bodies of dead men, they are being drawn under by them, unable to escape from the thousands of bodies of men whose dying was unnecessary. This image emphasizes Owen’s belief that not only did war result in millions of wasteful deaths, but the men who survived are also lost because the memories of the horror and carnage they experienced means these men can never return to sanity. The closing verse of the poem concludes that these memories are understandably too horrid for the ‘mental cases’ to face, however life and the living only serve to remind them of the dead: Sunlight seems a blood-smear; night comes blood-black . Here Owen links the images of two natural things, sunlight and night with blood, also a natural element. However when placed together and within the context of the previous stanza, the natural become unnatural and disturbing. The reader is able to identify with the suffering man because we too are repulsed by the idea of dawn breaking open like the wound that bleeds afresh. This is an image which suggests the inability for the wounds to heal, and even the dawn, an image associated with re-birth is just a  re-opening of wounds, a stark contrast with the wounds silvered clean in Graves’ poem. The close of the stanza refers back to the beginning of the poem, as the mad men are described again as being like dead men: Awful falseness of set-smiling corpses. The last lines describe the images of the ‘mental cases’ trying to touch the living and sane, the poet and the reader, who knock them back with horror, even though Owen claims it is us who dealt the war and madness Graves’ imagery, unlike Owen is subtle, not as shocking and direct, but considered carefully it is as effective and complex. The poem opens with a powerful image Entrance and exit wounds silvered clean this relies on the clever juxtaposition of the words exit wounds with silvered clean. The reader is taken by surprise as they are unusual words to find together, the poet, the reader realizes, is describing the new skin of a scar left by an old wound. The first stanza is full of images of the healed or forgotten scars of the world war, and the poet explains why: Their war was fought these twenty years ago And now assumes the nature-look of time, As when the morning traveller turns and views His wild night-stumblings carved into a hill. This image subtly argues how the distance of time does not always clarify, objectify and make accurate past events, in fact time blurs the details and obscures the negative memories. This directly contrasts with Owen’s view. Owen maintains in his poem, that the mad men can and will never be able to forget the events they experienced in the war. Their scars will not become silvered clean, but remain unbearably painful. Graves’ poem begins to examine the war that the men experienced throughout the second verse. The stanza examines the build up and anticipation of battle, using a tone that is a mixture of fear and anticipation. Graves uses pathetic fallacy, the weather reflects the feelings of pressure and suppression that the soldiers experience the common sky/That sagged ominously upon the earth. This also gives the impression that the soldiers do have to face not only the full might of the German army, but the strength of the elements too: Down pressed the sky. Graves then goes on to contrast the natural elements to the unnatural death of the young men: Natural infirmities were out of mode, For Death was young again: Patron alone Of healthy dying, premature fate-spasm. This image is particularly effective as it personifies death, a device which brings death closer: the reader feels that death is approaching the waiting soldiers. The  enemy is no longer a distant storm, but an encroaching Patron looking for his prey. This last line is also emotive of a dying person. The commas and hyphen give the line a jerky feel, like a spasm of death. The poet then moves into the battle itself as the third stanza begins. This verse is particularly interesting as it is full of images of antiqueness of romance, images reminiscent of ancient tales of fighting men, concerned only with wine, meat, log-fires, a roof over the head, an ancient chivalry and heroism. The men become purely physical beings, as your body is surely the primary concern on the battlefield and Our youth became all flesh and waived the mind.. The image conjures up pictures of young soldiers experiencing the adrenaline of danger, an emotion which leaves little time to worry about the massacre which surrounds them, only swearing when in lack of meat, wine, fire,/In ache of wounds beyond all surgeoning. The simple words Graves uses reflects the simple necessities and animal-like instincts the soldiers experience. The fourth stanza is the climax of the poem, the battle is over and the images are no longer simple and straight forward. Graves answers his question What, then, was war? with War was foundering of sublimities, Extinction of each happy art and faith. War has destroyed everything noble and impressive, everything that made life livable. After the physical exertion of the battle, Graves now presents the grim aftermath, where the mind begins to process the events it has just experienced. Graves presents an image of a fragile sanity which attempts to understand the war Protesting logic or protesting love,. The stanza ends with the image of a soldier finally breaking down under the weight of the immediate memories and his inability to reason the horrors he has witnessed: Until the unendurable moment struck- The inward scream, the duty to run mad. The last verse of Graves’ poem returns to the ideas explored in the first stanza. The poet’s voice is ironic as he uses images from childhood to describe the terrifying war he displayed the previous verses. And we recall the merry ways of guns-, the images make war sound child-like and unreal, the word recall reminds the reader of the poem’s title Recalling War. It has the effect of almost silently posing the question, ‘is this how war should be recalled?’ The answer is of course evident having read the previous stanzas, and the final lines of the poem just serve to confirm the reader’s conclusions: When learnedly the future we devote To yet more boastful visions of despair This  is a warning from Graves. He argues that our future will be filled with the despair that his generation experienced if the horror and brutalities are not remembered. Graves has used a wide variety of imagery to create a complete picture of various stages that the soldier experiences while at war, a powerful sequence of emotions that illustrate not only the damage war does and the painful memories it creates, but the damage which can be done if these memories are forgotten or blurred . This contrasts directly with Owen’s poem that seeks to describe the damage done by war when it is not forgotten. Both poets discuss the scars that war leaves, both physically and mentally. Graves’ poem is very much a detached reflection on war, focusing on before, during and after effects of a battle in order to argue the point that war should not be forgotten. The immediate effect of war is very powerfully described, but the long term scars are claimed to be forgettable and silvered clean, a strong contrast with Owen’s view. Owen’s poem portrays the very personal effects war has, he describes people whom he has met. Indeed as a poet who spent some of the war in a mental institution for soldiers called Craiglockhart, it is amazing that he is as detached as he is, considering he could well have been described as a ‘mental case’ himself, as he suffered from shell shock and nightmares.. Owen’s portrayal is gruesome and shocking, finally concluding by laying the responsibility for the madness at the feet of the reader and poet. This poem, not only demonstrates Owen’s view of the scars war leaves on people, it also serves as a useful insight into the way in which Owen was scarred by war. He clearly feels guilty at his survival, and he too is haunted by the images of the dead that he describes, how else could they be so vivid? This is perhaps the most interesting aspect revealed by Owen’s poem, the scars left by war on a real human with the ability to express and communicate the damage in such a way that the reader is not only shocked, but greatly moved. The poem has its intensity because Owen was writing it while in direct contact with the ‘mental cases’ whereas Graves is more distant as well as describing the memories of war. A poem which describes an inability to remember is far less disturbing than a poem which describes not being able to forget.

The Effects of Economic Globalization on Cultures Around the World

This paper attempts to explain the possible effects of economic globalization on cultures around the world. It concludes that there is a possibility for American culture to be spread all over the world, and become the dominant culture of the globe. In doing so there is a possibility for the loss of culture in all nations and it being replaced with American culture. This paper also discusses the potential loss of national identity among nations, and especially among smaller, lesser known, and developing countries. It also discusses possible causes for this phenomenon as well as possible solutions. Although economic globalization is often thought of as an over-hyped fad of the 1990s (Naim, 2004) it has already begun on a large scale, and the consequences of which can be seen around the world. Economic Globalization can be defined in this case as the expansion of global financial markets, the growth of multi-national organizations, and the standardization of economies on a global scale (Tavin, & Hausman, 2004). This type of globalization has a profound effect on cultures around the world. Culture can be defined as the shared ideals, values, and beliefs that people use to interpret experience and generate behavior, and that are reflected by their behavior. In this case, the effect economic globalization has on the artistic facet of culture will be the focal point. As the phenomenon of economic globalization progresses it will become easier for corporations to become multi-national. The first corporations that are able to succeed in doing this will create monopolies or oligopolies in their respective markets, making it extremely difficult or impossible for smaller corporations to compete, thus driving them out of the market. With fewer companies leading the marketplace, there will be a smaller range of different products to choose from. If these corporations’ good or service is art, this will have a profound effect on culture. Varied art forms will decrease, and of the art forms that survive they will be homogenous around the world. This has already started. Because the United States is the sole remaining global superpower, it is almost always American corporations that have the means for their corporations to spread. In doing so they spread almost exclusively American culture. Thus the more homogenous culture becomes around the world, the more it will become like that of America. This phenomenon is often referred to as Americanization. Economic globalization has and continues to create a culturally homogenous world based on American culture, which has negative consequences to both foreign nations, as well as North America. Economic Globalization has already been implemented on a large scale. In the same way the introduction of the telegraph, and the steam engine was hailed for shrinking the world, the advent of the Internet and the jet engine have done so in a colossal way (Naim, 2004). These inventions have not only allowed economies to communicate and visit each other more rapidly than ever before, but they have allowed for the rapid movement of capital, information, and labour. Companies such as McDonalds, Starbucks, and Guinness Beer have expanded their markets to almost every country in the globe, and have maintained their stringent policies of quality control. So much so, that it is said to be difficult to tell the difference between a Guinness draft straight from the St. James Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, and one brewed and bought in North America. The movement of labour has also been rapidly increasing. Automotive companies such as Volkswagen have moved almost all production to their plants in Mexico from where they were originally built, in Wolfsburg, Germany. Goods also move much more freely between countries now due to advances in technology and transportation, but also due to the removal of international tariffs between countries. The North American Free Trade Agreement, for instance, has decreased, and in some cases completely removed the tariffs between Canada, the United States, and Mexico (Stiglitz, 2004). With the free movement of labour, capital, information, and goods comes a growing interdependence between nations. In the case of Volkswagen for instance the hundreds of employees working in the VW plants in Mexico are almost entirely dependant on the German economy. If Volkswagen were to for some reason go bankrupt, all of these employees would then lose their jobs. This interdependence among nations can lead to a complete loss of national identity, an extremely important part of a nation’s culture (Dougherty, 2004). As corporations expand their hold on the global markets experiences in almost every nation become standardized. Especially when it comes to the varied art forms around the world. Huge American corporations export American culture that in turn crushes developing culture in smaller countries. This is most definitely the case in the music as well as film industries. The four largest record companies account for nearly 80 percent of the industry, and are largely U. S. owned (Van Elteren, 2004). These music giants are Universal Music, BMG & SONY Music, EMI, and Warner Music. Because these four companies own such a large part of the market share, it is almost impossible to for local and regional music forms to compete and sustain themselves, mainly because they have no means of distribution. Also, because these companies are largely U. S. owned, and their largest market is the United States, they spend more time promoting and exporting American music than any other. On April 27th 2005 The Australian and U. S. top 40 shared 25. 7% of the same singles, and 6 out of the Australian top 10 were also listed on the American top 40 (Top 40 Charts, 2005). Even more shocking is that over 60% of the artists on the Australian top 40 were from North America. Of the Australian top 40, 3 listings were most notably significant in regard to the spread of North American Culture. Firstly at number 16, was Kelly Clarkson, the winner of a completely American competition, American Idol. Secondly, at number 17 was Simple Plan, a band from Montreal, Quebec. This is a practical example of how this trend has indeed reached home. Finally, at number 27 was Avril Lavigne. This is significant as it clearly illustrates just how successful the phenomenon of globalization has become. Avril Lavigne is from a very small town in Ontario called Nappanee, which has a population of 7760 (Med Hunters, 2005). Even though she is from such a small town, with the age of globalization the world is in, it has become possible for her, through these huge multi-national music companies, to export her music to the other side of the globe. These multi-national music corporations are taking advantage of their ability to distribute their music around the world, which in turn contributes to a musically and culturally homogenous world, one of American culture. The same phenomenon that is being seen in the music industry is also being seen in the global film industry. The American film industry is by far the largest in the world, with such companies Warner Brothers and Universal leading the market. 93. 1% of all the films in the United States are made by American companies. The same can be said however for many foreign countries as well. The U. S. controls 81. 4% of the United Kingdom’s film industry, 80. 6% of Australia’s, 67. 0% of Spain’s, 65. 4% of the European Union’s as a whole, 59. % of Italy’s, and 51% of France’s (Global Policy Forum, 2005). With the American film industry controlling such a large portion of the global industry, it becomes increasingly difficult for local and regional films to sustain themselves. The reason for which is that making films requires a significant amount of money; this money is usually procured from these large motion picture companies. The difference between t he film and music industry, or any other medium for that matter is that films have an inherent ability to pass on culture more efficiently than through any other means. Films can pass on and influence such aspects of culture such as dance, art, fashion, language (such as slang), and music all at the same time. This only further encourages a homogeneity of culture. American culture continues to be spread around the world through other media as well. American television stations such as MTV and CNN are being broadcast all over the world, as are American radio stations. More recently it has become even easier for American culture to be spread, through the Internet. American television shows can be watched and downloaded from anywhere on the planet, and almost every major radio station in the U. S. now has the ability to stream their broadcasts live worldwide through the internet. One reason the spread of American culture is a problem is because of the general lack of knowledge among U. S. citizens about other countries. Without much knowledge of foreign cultures Americans truly miss out on the many positive aspects other cultures can bring to a melting pot such as the U. S. There is however more statistics about the U. S. so it is easier to make this claim only about them, but the problem is most likely stemming from Canada as well. Because it is American culture that is being spread around the world, if American culture was more knowledgeable about foreign cultures, it would be spreading a more diversified culture. One reason there is this lack of knowledge could be because American citizens don’t travel to foreign nations to experience different cultures. Eighty-three percent of U. S. citizens do not have a passport, and of those that do fifty percent of them are over the age of 60 or under the age of 5 (Goodman, 2005). If no Americans are traveling one can conclude that they either have no interest to travel, or lack the knowledge to know where to travel. American students have extremely limited contact with the outside world and are becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the world (Goodman, 2005). Traveling or not however, the ignora nce of the American people extends further. Eighty-seven percent of adults with a college degree in the United States cannot find Iraq on a map of the world. This is a country that the U. S. is at war with, and the citizens still have no interest or clue about it. This may come from a sense of superiority. A sense that the U. S. is the only country worth knowing about because they control so much of the world’s political and economical markets. Seventy percent of American are unable to name the president of Russia, a former global superpower who was the US’s rival during the Cold War (Goodman, 2005). The same amount cannot name the position that Kofi Annan holds either (Goodman, 2005). Perhaps a sense of superiority comes from the fact that sixty percent of Americans believe that they have a fully functioning missile defense system protecting them from foreign nations, terrorists and rogue states (Goodman, 2005). Although the larger countries of the world, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia may be able to somewhat resist Americanization, this is only because they have a strong cultural background already established. The same cannot be said for all countries of the world however. For developing countries, to use a cliche, â€Å"Resistance is futile†. As American culture sweeps the globe the smaller, lesser known, and developing countries are devoured in its path. With no way for these countries to spread their culture to the rest of the world, and with the constant importation of American culture, there own national identity and culture is destroyed in the process (Dougherty, 2004). The problem lies also with politics. In smaller countries is it sometimes political-suicide to suggest not siding the United States, for fear of being shunned by the developed world, and thus perpetuating the un-developed status of their country (Worth, & Kuhling, 2004). Because of this, political leaders of these countries tend to side with U. S. on foreign policy, and only increase the effect of Americanization. Although in this age of globalization it may be impossible to stop Americanization or at least the standardization of experience around the world, one can change the type of experience, and one can change American Culture. Almost undoubtedly American culture will eventually take over as the leading force around the world. Instead of trying to stop this spread, one must consider the alternative, to change American culture. If American culture were more representative of the all the cultures around the world, the standardization of experience would cause much less of a problem, because all nations would benefit from the spreading of a variety of different cultures, and not just that of the U. S. There are a few ways in which the U. S. can accomplish this task. The U. S. must increase the education of varied international art forms within their schools. American schools must teach about foreign art and music, as well as to instruct students about global events, and current political and economic topics. Another way is for America to increase the importation of different cultures. They can achieve this through traditional media such as the television, and radio, or through non-traditional ways such as thro ugh foreign exchange students. The U. S. has more than 4,000 accredited institutions of higher learning, which accounts for about one-third of the world’s capacity (Goodman, 2005). If these institutions were to strive to bring only 100 foreign exchange students to their campuses, an immense difference would be made in the way American students view other cultures. American must also be made aware of the responsibility they have as the sole remaining global superpower. America has the opportunity, as well as responsibility, to make the world a much better place by diversifying their own culture and spreading it. In doing so they would be making the world more tolerant and understanding of other cultures, as well as spreading the positive aspects of each different culture. In this new era of globalization the potential for a loss of culture around the world is high. As the phenomenon of Americanization expands, the world stands to lose its cultural variation in regard to all art forms, such as music and film. There is also a possibility for the loss of national identity as well as the complete eradication of cultural and national identity among lesser known, smaller, and developing countries. Although the standardization of experience around the world may be impossible to avoid it is possible to counteract in some regards the negative aspects that come with this homogeneity of cultures. If the world, and especially America, becomes aware of their responsibility to spread a culture that represents those of all nations around the world, many positive things can be spread through Americanization.

Market Potential Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Market Potential - Case Study Example The savings that arise from the 20% of the high income groups can then be used to facilitate the small scale businesses to develop in the rural areas, making them flourish and reducing the stark disparity between the two income classes. 2) With 65% of the population living in the rural areas, there is an opportunity to set up industries that can make the country self-sufficient in the creation of goods that it imports at present like iron, steel, telecommunication equipment etc. in this way the gap between exports and imports can be widened, improving the overall economy of the country. Rural areas can be honed to cultivate the lands by the use of locally developed modern machinery to cut down the imports of industrial inputs through backward integration. In this way new avenues can be utilized to improve the income distribution’s polarity. 3) With the HDI of 0.72 the country shows that the indicators are better and there is a potential of urbanizing the rural populations. This means that life expectancy, education and income levels are increasing in the country making people adopt a different mindset and have an increase in purchasing power. Thus, Shopping malls and brands could have a potential scope in the country and it wouldn’t be wrong to foresee a demand for such goods in the future. These brands could be developed locally as well; for example, one of the major exports of Serendib is shoes. If the focus is on creating and developing its own brand and then stepping into the international arena, there is a chance of leveraging out the lost income in form of provision of unbranded footwear to big brands abroad. 4) While the HDI of 0.72 indicates a good standard of living in the country, this can be seen as an opportunity to provide opportunities to the people. When there are adequate facilities and ample resources available, there is a scope for investment. Serendib can be profitable for technological business

New media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

New media - Essay Example pose of promoting ticket sales of Paramount Studios’ latest thriller, a combination of traditional and modern approaches to marketing has been adopted. The integration of sales promotion and direct marketing involves a particularly big clash, combining dissimilar disciplines practiced by different types of people. Direct marketers tend to think long term about building relationships, while sales promotion has traditionally focused on boosting short-term return. Direct marketing is about one-to-one relationships, while sales promotion is focused on the offer. But put together, the approach can offer great opportunities for commercial success. The first media chosen for my campaign will be Internet. Internet has unparalleled reach in todays world and is accessed by billions of people worldwide for information and entertainment. There can be no better place to promote the new thriller than internet. These days, integrating e-mail across various channels of communication has become a top priority for many marketing strategists, and their challenge lies in determining how best to utilize this tool in their integrated marketing strategy. Recent trends show that the internet is increasingly being used for shopping. In this context, combining search and email features together can be very effective. For example, a media arrangement that combines direct marketing mailing with email can captivate a a customers or prospects attention and move them along in a buying cycle, which could then result in a sale of the movie ticket. Employing such enterprise marketing management systems as are offered by multimedia companies-such as Aprimo, Eloqua Corp., Vtrenz, Bronto Software, etc are quite appropriate for the marketing campaign of Paramount Studios. With the help of these systems, Paramount Studios can come up with a sophisticated cross-channel campaign; also the performance measurement and analysis of such campaigns can be carried on the back end. In other words, the

Quality Management in Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Quality Management in Business - Assignment Example The group has a net operating cash flow of  £125.5 million. In the year 2014, Zizzi managed to sell products worth  £594.7 million. Depicting a 5.6% increase in total sales from the previous year. Zizzi’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization accumulated to  £119.1 million. There have been significant improvements in food perceptions among Zizzi customers according to The Big Restaurant survey in 2014. Zizzi restaurant is ISO certified (Woodhouse, 2014). I. Understanding the various quality management strategies/techniques that are suitable for commercial operations Zizzi restaurant is perceived to offer services of high quality. Zizzi demonstrates quality by striving to provide the best possible services to its customers. This is offered by Zizzi’s highly trained and talented chefs who cook very delicious Italian and local meals. The design of every restaurant is performed by local artists to ensure the restaurant entails local people’s tastes and preferences. The restaurant utilizes the following dimensions when measuring the quality of services to its customers (McCormick, 2002):  · Features – Zizzi examines the features of different dishes offered in its menu to measure the quality of the services it provides. Dish features include special recipes desserts and spices.  · Performance – The restaurant also scrutinizes financial reports to assess the quality of service it offers. The Increase in total sales indicates a rise in the quality of service provided. Alternatively, a decrease in total sales will imply a reduction in quality.

The films Juno and American Beauty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The films Juno and American Beauty - Essay Example The girl Juno here is a 16 year old female, who gets pregnant by her classmate Paulie and both plans to abort the baby. Juno is a girl with carefree attitude and does not care about what other people think about her. Juno in her tender age is ignorant about pregnancy and issue related to it and this quote confirms it. Juno MacGuff: I don't know, I drank like, ten gallons of Sunny D... I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're acting shockingly caviler. Leah: Is this for real? Later by the influence of her friend she changes her mind and plans with Paulie to give the baby for adoption for this she gets the support from her parents. Juno with her friend Leah finds a couple to adopt the baby and the film later shows the Juno’s experience with the pregnancy and the emotional struggle associated with it. Long before the birth of the baby, Juno also confesses her love for Paulie. Also Paulie accepts the love for Juno and soon after she delivers a baby boy. In the meanwhile, the couple who about to adopt the baby faces a marriage breakdown. In the end of the movie, Vanessa (Single mother) who is supposed to adopt the baby accepts the baby and Juno and Paulie are shown to be passionately in love. The Movie American Beauty This movie American beauty explains the life of Lester who is writer in a magazine who dislikes his job. His wife Carolyn is a rude character, and their daughter Jane despises her parents. â€Å"Carolyn Burnham: Are you trying to look unattractive? Jane Burnham: Yes. Carolyn Burnham: Well, congratulations. You've succeeded admirably†. These dialoged shows the hostile relationship held by the mother and the daughter. Lester has a neighbor who is a colonel accompanied by his less social wife and a drug addicted son Ricky. The Lester’s daughter Jane is in love with Ricky and wants to extend her relation with him. Lester on the other hand is deep down inside depressed and wants a person to share his feelings. Meanwhile he gets in touch with Jane’s friend Angela and gets infatuated with her. Lester begins to experience sexual fantasies about Angela wherein red roses are surrounded by Him. On the other side, Carolyn his having an affair with her business counterpart Buddy. Later Lester finds out about his wife’s extra -marital affair but reacts indifferently. Jane in the later part of the movie gets involved with Ricky and Lester too gets friendly with Angela. In between all this Lester gets marijuana from Ricky and uses it and tries to sexually encounter Angela and finds that she is virgin and backs out. The father of Ricky accidently sees Lester nudely exercising and his son watching it, and concludes they r gay mates. Colonel rushes to Lester home and shoot him to death. Comparison between Juno and American Beauty The movie Juno and American beauty is both centered on teenagers and their romantic life and sexual activities. The movie is basically about the culture of teenagers in American and how th ey lead an unorganized and indisciplined life as this quoted depicts it. â€Å"Angela Hayes: Jane, he's a freak! Jane Burnham: Then so am I! And we'll always be freaks and we'll never be like other people and you'll never be a freak because you're just too... perfect! â€Å"Both these movies show to the viewers that the sexual life of American teenagers is active at an early stage. The movies also display the marriage failure happening in American society and how fragile relationship is. According to (Sarris) â€Å"In American Beauty ,Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham, a man in his mid-40s going through an intense midlife crisis; he's grown cynical and is convinced that he has no reason to go on†Both the movies also show the emotional struggle undergone by teenage and adults of America. The movie Juno has an anti –

Special topics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Special topics - Essay Example While trying to maintain a balance with justice by providing food and medicine sources, peacekeeping and justice cannot work together in these instances. Bratt writes, â€Å"Although we may find that peace can exist without justice, there will never be justice without peace.† Through his extensive list of examples, Bratt proves this point. Justice is entirely dependent on the creation of peace in a state at war and cannot be executed correctly without peace. Bratt calls upon numerous examples to demonstrate his point. For example, the issue with picking a side to punish in the aftermath of war often encourages groups to keep fighting. The side that is punished is the result of a loss, not necessarily the group that committed the most atrocities. This also brings new challenges to justice seeking missions because supplying food, water, medicine, and even arms only perpetuates the desire to fight. Also, the image of imperialism can be seen through peacekeeping missions, especially with the presence of the Permanent Five many of which were once colonizers of areas with internal strife. Peacekeeping then takes on a whole new image and convolutes the issue between justice and peace even more. Bratt’s argument is convincing even though it advocates administering justice after peace. The question of preserving human life cannot be answered solely through the search for justice, but must be supported by a pact of peace between warring fa ctions within a country. The NIEO or New International Economic Organization was a product of the Second World War and the United Nations first attempt to address the issue of world economic inequality. The General Assembly convened in order to study the world economic problems especially the role of wealthier countries in the development or underdevelopment of smaller and economically inferior nations. The western world’s preoccupation with oil was a deciding force in the change of ideology behind the

Article Analysis Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Article Analysis Assignment - Essay Example The health insurance has really helped people in settling the hospital bills and they are somehow economical. However, when adopting an insurance cover all the aspects need to be considered so as to ensure both efficiency and effectiveness as the document discusses. The document analyzes an article that argues that the publicly insured Americans have somewhat poorer lung transplantation survival as opposed to the UK patients. Approximately 30000 Americans suffer from cystic fibrous (CF) which is an inherited condition. The condition makes the digestive system and the lungs to be blocked with thick and mucus. People suffering from CF tend to experience severe malnutrition, long infections, breathing difficulties and premature deaths. Some CF cases are treatable with just anti-inflammatory drugs and other medicines. However, at the condition’s advanced levels patients may be required to undergo the lung transplantation process. According to Dr. Shah, senior investigator, lung transplantation is one of the complex procedures carried out today. It requires wealth of resources as well as careful long-term management by a number of specialists (Whiteman, 2015). The study assessed the survival of patients suffering from CF in UK and USA who are covered by public insurance of these two respective nations. NHS is the British public insurance while in America Medicare and Medicaid are the effective public insurance. The study involved 2307 both British and American CF patients aged 12 years or older who underwent either the lung transplant or combined heart-lung transplant between the years 2000 and 2011. The study revealed that the British publicly insured patients had approximate survival of 8.1 years as opposed to their American counterparts who had an average of 4.7 years (Whiteman, 2015). The American patients who were privately insured also had poorer outcomes with an approximate survival of 7.9 years. It is worth

Organization Structure Simulation Essay Example for Free

Organization Structure Simulation Essay Organization Structure simulation Organizational structure is the division of labor and the patterns of coordination, communication, workflow, and formal power that guide organizational activities. An organization’s structure reflects the company’s culture and power relationships and can establish new communication patterns and align employee behavior with the company’s mission, vision and goals. The organizational structure enables effective communication and smooth workflow, but organizational culture is its underpinning. Organizational culture is the basic pattern of shared assumptions, values and beliefs that govern behavior within a particular organization. Organizational culture is a deeply embedded form of social control. It is the social glue that bonds people together and makes them feel part of the organizational experience. The culture of an organization should be compatible with its structure to ensure organizational success. Many teams fail because the organizational structure does not support them. Teams work better when there are few layers of management and teams are given autonomy and responsibility for their work (McShane Von Glinow, 2004). Understanding and addressing the need for alignment of organizational structure and culture with a company’s mission, vision and goals will help business leaders to craft effective strategies for successful change management, enabling them to deal with resistance to change effectively thus increasing the productivity of their organizations. This paper will explore several structures in organization design and organization design choices with emphasis on those that will best suit Synergetic Solutions, the company in the Organization Structure simulation. Company Background Synergetic Solutions is an information technology (IT) solutions company in the business of system integration—assembling and reselling leading computers brands. It has 300 employees most of whom are in the sales and service departments in five locations throughout the East Coast. Most of Synergetic’s employees have only basic computer assembling and troubleshooting skills, while a few higher-skilled individuals work as the specialists. Two years ago when the system integration market was suffering from stagnation Harold Redd, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Synergetic pursued some ventures in the network solutions business of designing and implementing complex computing networks. He had four of Synergetic’s brightest engineers trained and certified on networking technologies, a tactic which proved very profitable for the company. Recently Synergetic won a contract worth $1. 2 million for designing a network, and contracts worth $5 million are already on the horizon. As a result, the networking solution business is now 20% of the total revenues of the company, which currently stand at $6 million. Encouraged by the early success of this tactic, Harold Redd has made an important strategic decision to focus on the networking solutions business and raise its revenues to 80% of total sales, which are targeted at $12 million at the end of the next nine months. He has also set quarterly growth targets for revenue and measures of employee involvement such as productivity and absenteeism, based on industry benchmarks. Harold has given you a clear mandate— turn the business on its head and make Synergetic into a networking design ‘hothouse’ from just a computer trading organization within the next nine months. The challenge of the simulation is to redesign the work environment and organizational structure at Synergetic to move from the present departmental structure to the new team-based structure, developing new HR policies and programs to help employees make the transition. It is also necessary to improve current employee skill sets and/or hire new employees with relevant skills (Apollo Group, Inc. , 2003). Organization Structures In today’s turbulent business environment where most competitive advantages last eighteen months or less, change is the norm rather than the exception. Businesses like Synergetic must focus on building learning organizations that are flexible, open, adaptable, and ready to act (Apollo Group, Inc. , 2003). In the simulation as in real life, sometimes structural changes are necessary to meet the needs of rapidly changing market environment. Making one time changes is no longer enough to meet these needs. Organizations must choose flexible structures that allow for continuous improvement even after they put new processes in place. When an organization is small, a sole proprietorship or partnership where face-to-face communication is frequent, formal structure may not be necessary. As the organization grows larger into a corporation or limited liability company, a more defined structure becomes necessary to facilitate decision making in the delegation of various tasks. Business leaders respond to this need by creating and establishing management procedures and structure to assign responsibilities for essential functions. These decisions and procedures determine the organizational structure within the organization (Jones, 2004). There are several organizational structures that can be implemented by organizations. These organization structures are from two different viewpoints, traditional and contemporary. The traditional models such as hierarchies and bureaucracies are founded on the assumption that organizations exist in a basically calm environment, with changes occurring only as the occasional disturbance. Contemporary organizational structures such as product team structures and multidivisional matrix structures, however, are based on the premise that considers change a natural state and managing change a continuous process (Apollo Group, Inc. 2003). Modern contingency theory holds that to be successful an organization should design its structure and control systems to fit with its operating environment (Jones, 2004). To meet the challenges of an organization’s operating environment, business leaders differentiate and divide workers to match them to tasks that the organization must perform. Differentiation has both vertical and horizontal aspects. Vertical differentiation is the w ay an organization designs its hierarchy of authority. Horizontal differentiation is the way an organization clusters roles into subunits such as functions and divisions (Jones, 2004). A functional structure is a design that groups people because they have similar skills or use the same resources. Functional groups include finance, RD, marketing, and engineering. All organizations begin as functional structures. A functional has the advantage of being simple and straightforward, but it has a disadvantage when it comes to handling complex challenges. An organization needs to adopt a more complex structure when it starts to produce many products or when it confronts special needs, such as the need to produce new products quickly, to deal with different customer groups, or to handle growth into new regions. Synergetic needs a new organization structure because it needs to implement the production of its new product, networking technologies quickly enough to satisfy customer demand. The move to a more complex structure is based on three design choices: increasing vertical differentiation, increasing horizontal differentiation, and increasing integration (Jones, 2004). Most organizations move from a functional structure to some kind of divisional structure: a product structure, a geographic structure, or a market structure. There are three kinds of product structure: product division structure, multidivisional structure, and product team structure. Product division structure is used when an organization produces broadly similar products that use the same set of support functions. Multidivisional structures are available to organizations that are growing rapidly and producing a wide variety of products or are entering totally different kinds of industries. In a multidivisional structure, each product division is a self-contained division with the operating structure that best suits its needs. A central headquarters staff is responsible for coordinating the activities of the divisions in the organization. When a lot of coordination between divisions is required, a company can use a multidivisional matrix structure (Jones, 2004). Product team structures put the focus on the product being produced. Teams of functional specialists are organized around the product to speed product development. Product team structure is the organization structure most suited for Synergetic because the company must transform quickly to deliver a product it has never produced before. The four Synergetic engineers recently trained and certified on networking technologies can be the core of the new product team the company needs to deliver the new product. As the number of products and therefore the number of product teams increases, Synergetic can evolve its organization structure into a multidivisional matrix to more effectively coordinate the efforts of the product teams (Jones, 2004). The team approach has many advantages. One is that lower level employees gain authority and responsibility, and as a result, decision-making becomes much quicker requiring fewer managers. Team members become much more motivated and participate in the change process more often. In addition cross departmental cooperation increases as department barriers come down. It also allows the organization to more quickly adapt to customer requests and environmental changes. The team approach has some disadvantages that Synergetic must take into consideration. The team approach requires the expenditure of larger amounts of time and resources on meetings to coordinate goals rather than on the goals themselves and on productivity. If employees become members of more than one team timing conflicts can become an issue because of increased responsibilities. Because of an increase in decentralization in the team approach, teams may well lose sight of the big picture and commit to decisions that will help their teams but ultimately hurt the organization as a whole (Jones, 2004). Geographic structures are used when organizations expand into new areas or begin to manufacture in many different locations. Market structures are used when organizations wish to group activities to focus on the needs of distinct customer groups(Jones, 2004). Matrix structures group activities by function and product. They are a special kind of structure that is available when an organization needs to deal with new or technically sophisticated products in rapidly changing markets (Jones, 2004). Matrix structure may also be a viable approach for Synergetic because Synergetic is attempting to become a ‘design hothouse’ meaning that the company will need to rapidly develop and market new and technically sophisticated products in the rapidly changing IT market. The matrix structure can be advantageous because it enables total communication between all members of the team allowing for a creative cross-over of ideas and the development of a cohesive corporate culture. The focus is on the success of a particular project or product not the department or team. It is a creativity-based approach that works very well for responding to technological and market changes because it is especially effective at communicating the detail necessary for success in both of those arenas. One of its disadvantages is that the design of total communication may be limited to the senior management only. The matrix structure lacks control from the top and also formal bureaucracy which may become the target of resistance for managers (Jones, 2004). Network structures are formed when an organization forms agreements or contracts with other organizations to perform specific functional value creation activities. The network approach extends attempts to increase horizontal coordination and collaboration beyond the boundaries of the organization. To achieve this organization will create a network structure by means of subcontracting many of its major functions, such as design, transportation, manufacturing and distribution to other companies, and coordinate their activities from a entral headquarters hub. As a result, parts or a networked organization can be added or taken away at any time to meet changing needs (Jones, 2004). The network approach has many advantages. The greatest advantage of a network structure is that it allows an organization to be competitive on a truly global scale. It allows organizations to draw on resources worldwide and as a result achieving the best quality and price. It also allows products and services to be sold worldwide. It promotes flexibility in the work force. Instead of paying a full staff at all times, it allows the company to hire staff as needed. As for the permanent workers, there are challenging opportunities and job varieties because the network approach creates a lean structure in which the organization needs less supervision, smaller teams and fewer administrators (Jones, 2004). The network approach has disadvantages as well. One is that because the company subcontracts some functions, managers do not have control over all operations. Managers must rely on contracts, coordination, negotiation and electronic links to keep operations in order. Another disadvantage is that if one of the subcontracted parts of the organization fails to deliver what the company needs, the entire organization can suffer great losses and even go out of business. Lastly, there can also be a loss of employee loyalty because many employees may feel that they have lost their jobs to contracted companies and services (Jones, 2004). Conclusion Change is the norm for organizations competing in today’s rapidly changing markets. Business leaders in such organizations must have a clear vision of the future, be innovative, be prepared to take risks, and look for new solutions.

Chocolate: History and Benefits

Chocolate: History and Benefits CHOCOLATE Chocolate has become one of the most popular food types and flavors in the world. Gifts of chocolate molded into different shapes have become traditional on certain holidays: chocolate bunnies and eggs are popular on Easter, chocolate coins on Hanukkah, Santa Claus and other holiday symbols on Christmas, and hearts on Valentines Day. Chocolate is also used in cold and hot beverages, to produce chocolate milk and hot chocolate. Most of us know chocolate as a deliciously decadent sweet that we eat in cookies, cakes, candy bars, and other desserts. But around the world, many people have prepared chocolate as a bitter, frothy drink or even as part of a main meal served at dinnertime. And, chocolate isnt simply a snack or key ingredient in cooking. Over the centuries, many cultures have used the seeds from which chocolate is made cacao , as a sacred symbol in religious ceremonies. Plus, medicinal remedies featuring chocolate have been used as household curatives across the globe. You might think from where chocolate comes from or what it was chocolate below will be discussed on the chocolate : Chocolate. Chocolate comes from cacao tree. Cultivation of cacao trees can occur only in tropical climates, 20 degrees north or south of the equator. A growing regions including West Africa, Brazil, Ecuador and the Indies. Generally, it takes five years before the trees start bearing fruit in the form of pods. Each pod contains an average of 20-40 cocoa cream. Nearly 400 seeds needed to make one pound of chocolate liquor, semi-liquid mass produced by grinding the seeds. A non-alcoholic substances, Chocolate liquor is the basis of all chocolate products and cocoa. Once harvested, the beans had fermented, where they begin to develop their characteristic brown color. Then dry the seeds and sent to the United States and countries other chocolate industry, where producers of chocolate and roasted seeds clean. After the abolition of its outer shell, seeds will be broken into smaller pieces known as meat, or nibs. The nibs, which contain an average of 53% cocoa butter, and then ground, producing enough heat to melt the cocoa butter and cocoa liquor to produce. Chocolate can be processed into cocoa powder by pressing most of the cocoa butter from chocolate liquor. Dutched cocoa powder, cocoa powder is natural to neutralize the acidity. Having a darker color and different flavors. The word chocolate comes from xocoatl (Aztec language) which means a bitter drink. The Aztecs and Maya in Mexico believe that the god of Agriculture has sent chocolate that comes from heaven to them. Cortes then took him to Spain between the years 1502-1528, and by the Spanish people are mixed with the bitter drink that sugar tastes better. Brown then spread to France, the Netherlands and the UK. In the year 1765 chocolate factory was established in Massachusetts, United States. A Brief History of Chocolate from . â€Å"Creative Chocolate† History of Chocolate Christopher Columbus is believed the first European to discover chocolate. When Columbus returned to Spain in 1502 from the fourth voyage to the New World, he introduced many treasures to the palace of King Ferdinand. Among them were cocoa beans, almond-shaped seeds of the cacao tree which is the source of all chocolate and cocoa products we enjoy today. Several decades later, during the conquest of Mexico, Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortez, found Aztec Indians using cocoa beans to prepare a drink called chocolatl, which means warm liquid. Aztec Emperor Montezuma, who reportedly drank 50 or more servings each day, serving guests this royal drink ceremony at the gold cup, treat it like nectar to the gods. In fact, the botanical name of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, pays homage to the myth of origin. Translated from the Greek, Theobroma means food of the gods. Aztecs believed that the prophets had brought cocoa beans to their lands. Thus, beans are a valuable commodity, not only to be used as king beverage but also as a medium of exchange. Four cacao beans is the price of a turkey, for example. Cortez, chocolatl described as divine drink that build resistance and fights fatigue, and the like, conceived the idea of sweetening the bitter drink with cane sugar. Recipe for sweet, frothy drink undergone some more changes in Spain, where newly discovered spices such as cinnamon and vanilla are added to taste. Spain wisely began to plant cacao trees on property overseas, but leave the processing of cocoa beans to monasteries under a veil of secrecy. They save the recipe to themselves for nearly 100 years, but the secret was finally leaked to the whole of Europe. As first, chocolate is restricted to the nobility. In fact, the Spanish Princess Maria Theresa presented cacao seeds as an engagement gift Louis XIV, and brown quickly became anger of the Court of French style. Famous historical figures Casanova and Madame DuBarry both believed that chocolate was conducive to romance. So, chocolate became popular in 1657 the first of many English chocolate houses was founded, to serving drinks to the general public. Chocolate arrived in the American colonies in 1765, when the first chocolate factory opened in New England. Even Thomas Jefferson praised the goodness of chocolate, describing the benefits of chocolate for health and food. Brown mass production begins when the steam engine invented by James Watt in 1770, the engine in the cocoa grinding process, which replaces time-consuming hand-making methods. The discovery of cocoa press in 1828 by CJ Van Houten did much to improve the quality of the drink by pressing out part of the cocoa butter, the fat that occurs naturally in cocoa beans. In the mid-19th century, two significant developments revolutionized the chocolate industry. In 1847, an English company introduced solid eating chocolate. Now the public can enjoy eating chocolate out of the hands or in the form of drinks. Three decades later, in Vevey, Switzerland, Daniel Peter found that milk can be added to chocolate to create a new product, just called milk chocolate. Since then, chocolate has been made in the form of solid bar and to put candy, as well as a baked goods, ice cream, and taste of milk. The value of chocolate as a portable food for both the energy and enthusiasm has long been known. The following are some types of chocolate can be distinguished, namely: 1.Pure chocolate pure chocolate here is unsweetened chocolate, especially chocolate contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter in various proportions. It also most chocolate consumed today is in the form of sweet chocolate, the combination of chocolate with sugar. 2. Milk chocolate sweet The chocolate with added milk powder or condensed milk, or used in the call Whith chocolate contains cocoa butter, sugar, and milk but no cocoa solids. 3. Dark chocolate This serves as chocolate health benefits, because it has antioxidants in large quantities and can reduce free radical formation. Dark chocolate also has functions to reduce the possibility of a heart attack when consumed regularly in a small amount. 4. White chocolate formed from a mixture of sugar, cocoa butter and milk solids. Although texture is similar to milk and dark chocolate, but white chocolate contains no cocoa solids. Therefore, many countries do not regard as entirely white chocolate. Because not contain cocoa solids, white chocolate does not contain theobromine, which means it can be consumed by animals. 5. Semisweet chocolate that is a dark brown with a low sugar content. Bittersweet chocolate namely chocolate in form of liquor given a little sugar, with more cocoa butter, vanilla and sometimes lecithin has been added. chocolate is also less sugar and alcohol. 6.Unsweetened chocolate which is pure chocolate liquor, also known as bitter or baking chocolate. This is pure chocolate: pure, ground, roasted cacao beans instill strong chocolate taste 7. Cocoa butter is a natural fat from cocoa beans. Has a soft aroma of chocolate, but it was very bitter. It is used to give body, smoothness, and taste for chocolate. Or liquor can be poured into molds, cooled and hardened into without sugar, or cake, chocolate. The higher the cocoa butter content, the thinner the viscosity of the final chocolate product. The majority of chocolate in Europe has a cocoa butter content is higher than that made in America. Chocolate plus cocoa butter, sugar and vanilla aroma processed to produce a dark, aromatic chocolate. Different chocolate liquor ratios produce sweet, semisweet and bitter chocolate. To make chocolate milk, whole fresh milk is added to this mixture. White chocolate is a mixture of cocoa butter, sugar, milk and vanilla made flavoring. Some manufacturers use pure chocolate, not made with pure vanilla vanillin as a flavoring and use milk solids rather than whole milk. Some dark chocolate can contain milk products. Approximately two-thirds of the total world cocoa produced in West Africa, with 43% sourced from Cà ´te dIvoire. According to the World Cocoa Foundation, some 50 million people around the world depend on cocoa as a source of livelihood in the UK, most of them bought their chocolate from chocolatiers, melt, mold and package their own designs. Although some disagreement in the EU about the definition, chocolate is any product made primarily of cocoa and cocoa solid fats. Production costs can be reduced by reducing cocoa solid content or by replacing cocoa butter with non-fat cocoa. Cocoa farmers object to allowing the resulting food is called brown, because the risk of lower demand for their crops. There are two main tasks associated with creating chocolate candy, chocolate makers and chocolatiers. Chocolate makers use harvested cacao beans and other ingredients to produce couverture chocolate. Chocolatiers use the finished couverture to make chocolate candies (bars, truffles, etc.) Cacao Varieties Small cacao tree, the tree-understory trees that need rich, well drained soil. They grow naturally in 20 degrees of both sides of the equator because they need about 2,000 millimeters of rainfall per year, and temperatures in the range of 21-32 degrees Celsius. Cacao tree can not tolerate temperatures lower than 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) These three main varieties of cacao beans used in chocolate is criollo, forastero and trinitario. Representing only five percent of all cocoa beans grown : 1. criollo is the rarest and most expensive in the cocoa market and the native Central America, Caribbean islands and the north American countries Selatan.Ada some dispute about the genetic purity of cocoas sold today as Criollo, because most of the affected populations have different genetic varieties . Criollos are difficult to grow, because they are vulnerable to environmental threats and produce low results of cocoa per tree. Criollo taste is described as a complex yet delicate, classic chocolate low, but rich in secondary notes of long duration. 2. the most common are peanuts forastero, a large group of wild and cultivated cacaos, most likely the original Amazon. African cocoa crops entirely from various Forastero. They are significantly hardier and higher yields than Criollo. Source of most chocolate marketed, usually forastero cocoas strong in classic chocolate flavor, but it has a short duration and not supported by a secondary sense, to produce soft enough chocolate. 3 . Trinitario a natural hybrid of Criollo and Forastero. Trinitario originated in Trinidad after an introduction to Forastero local Criollo crop. Almost all the cocoa production for five decades is of lower Forastero or Trinitario class varieties. Chocelate is one of the snacks that are very much the favorite by many people ranging from children, young people, adults, even old people. maybe a lot of people ask if too much chocolate will be much negative impact to your body. maybe one of you who want to ask about it. a lot of people assume that the chocolate most damaging their limbs have also thinks that chocolate healthy for the body. many of the arguments coming from people who do not necessarily true certainty The following will be discussed on chocelate functions for the body Y Gynecology chocolate and function According to Mayan belief, chocolate is the food of the gods. Beans original flavor is bitter due to alkaloid content, but after going through the process engineering can produce chocolate as a food favored by anyone. Cocoa beans contain 31% fat, carbohydrates and protein 14% 9%. Chocolate is rich in protein amino acid tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosin. Although chocolate contains a high-fat, but relatively easy to rancidity because chocolate also contains polyphenols (6%) which functions as an antioxidant ketengikan deterrent. Fat in chocolate, often called cocoa butter, mostly composed of saturated fat (60%), especially stearic. But the brown fat is a vegetable fat that did not contain cholesterol. To keep pressing the saturated fat that is not too high, it is better to limit eating chocolate just one cigarette per day and consumes mebatasi supplement or other food containing catechins such as apple and tea. In research involving human subjects, found that consumption of brown fat to produce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol lower than the consumption of butter or beef fat. So although both saturated fat but the effect was produced different cholesterol. High content of stearic to chocolate allegedly the reason why brown fat is not as bad as animal fats. Have long been known that stearic acid is a neutral fat that will not trigger blood cholesterol. Why? Stearic was digested slowly by the body and also absorbed less. One third of fat found in chocolate is oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid. Oleic acid was also dominant in the olive oil. Epidemiological studies in a Mediterranean population consume a lot of oleic acid from olive oil oleic concluded positive effect on heart health. Eating chocolate will not cause addiction, but for some delicious chocolate may cause the desire to consume again. This is called Craving chocolate. The impact of chocolate on behavior and mood (mood) is closely related to Craving chocolate. Brown could miss because of the aroma, texture, sweet-bitter and so on. It is also often associated with the content Phenylethylamine is a substance similar amphetanine can increase absorption of tryptophan into the brain which then in turn produce dopamine. Impact of dopamine is a sense of fun and improved mood. Phenylethylamine is also considered to have aphrodisiac properties that give rise to a feeling like someone is falling in love (heart flowers). It is said that King Montezuma in ancient times always drunk chocolate before harem-harem rotate different every night. Catechins are powerful antioxidants contained in chocolate. One of the functions of antioxidants is to prevent premature aging that can occur due to pollution or radiation. Catechins are also found in tea even though there were not as high on chocolate. Parents are often ancient practice with a water wash of tea because it can make facial skin glowing and youthful. If they know that chocolate contains catechins is higher than the tea, maybe theyll suggest a shower scrubs with chocolate. Chocolate also contains theobromine and caffeine. Both these substances have been known to give effect to those who consume them awake. Therefore when we are dozing off at the airport or waiting for long queues, eating chocolate potent enough to make us excited again. A study reported by the BBC showed that the chocolate melts in the mouth resulted in increased brain activity and heart rate are more intense than that associated with passionate kisses, and also lasted four times longer after the activity ended. Y Circulatory Benefits Dark chocolate may have some beneficial effects on human health. This is mainly due to specific substances present in cocoa called epicatechin. Cacao has a significant antioxidant action, protecting against oxidation of LDL (bad fats), perhaps more than other polyphenol antioxidant-rich foods and beverages. Several studies have also observed modest reduction in blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation after consuming dark chocolate every day. Consuming milk chocolate or white chocolate, or drinking milk containing fat with dark chocolate, appears largely to negate the health benefits. Processed cocoa powder, processed with alkali greatly reduces the antioxidant capacity compared to the raw cocoa powder. Processing cocoa with alkali destroys most of the flavonoids. Y 1. Chocolate Power Boost Brain Function Chocolate contains many substances that are as stimulants such as theobromine, phenethylamine, and caffeine, compounds that have been found previously to be increased level of awareness and ability to concentrate. The results showed, by consuming chocolate can have stimulating effects that will make increased mental performance. Also chocolate can also improve memory both verbally and visually. Y 2. Prevent the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes and cancer Brown has the ability to inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and improve immune function, thus preventing the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer. Y 3. Increase libido and durable power Why chocolate can be included in the list of food required during sexual activity? In his report tells Akunyili chocolate contains chemicals that have very diverse, in which predicted chocolate contains more than 300 chemical substances, including caffeine in small amounts, teobromin, and a stimulant called Phenylethylamine (associated with amphetamines) are also contained in chocolate, which proved could raise the interest and sexual function in eating chocolate. Y 4. Making age a person becomes longer Besides it felt good, ate beneficial chocolate making age a person becomes longer. By controlling the physical activity undertaken, smoking, and eating habits found that those who like to eat sweets / chocolates age older than one year are not eating. Allegedly contained phenol antioxidants in chocolate is the reason why they can outliv!! From all of the above explanations, there are many functions or nutrient content in the chocolate .. for the fans of chocolate or also called chocolaters do not be afraid to eat chocolate. because some studies say that chocolate can make us healthy heart .. but of course with the right dosage and not excessive in eating chocolate .. for that lets find out what content is on chocolate and its function Chocolate made from cocoa beans are rich in aromatic compounds called flavonoids, which are also found in tea leaves, fruits and vegetables. To date, more than 4000 kinds of flavonoids have been identified, including those contained in chocolate. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, neutralizing the bad effects of free radicals that can destroy cells and body tissues. One half ounce of dark chocolate bars only have about 800 milligrams of antioxidants, or the same amount as contained in a cup of black tea. Hmm amazing is not it? It was nice useful again. Although chocolate contains a high-fat, but relatively easy to rancid, because chocolate also contains polyphenols that act as antioxidants preventing bad smells. For the fat in chocolate, often called cocoa butter, vegetable fat that is totally not contain cholesterol. Even in the research, found that consumption of brown fat to produce a total cholesterol lower than the consumption of butter or beef fat. So although both saturated fat but the effect was produced different cholesterol. This means eating much more healthy chocolate. One third of fat found in chocolate is oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid. Oleic acid was also dominant in the olive oil. Epidemiological studies in a Mediterranean population consume a lot of oleic acid from olive oil oleic conclude a positive effect on heart health. Their heart is stronger than consume less chocolate. The question that often arises is how much we should eat chocolate? In the U.S., chocolate consumption contributes only 1 percent of the total fat intake as stated by the National Food Consumption Survey (1987-1998). This amount is relatively small, especially when compared with the contribution of meat (30%), cereals (22%), and milk (20%). Actually there is no definitive recommendations for nutrition, to chocolaters chocolate 2-3 times a week or drink chocolate milk every day is acceptable. Principles of nutrition that is actually easy to eat all kinds of food are moderate. Nutritional problems generally arise when we eat too much or too little. Chocolate in general most of the existing supply is chocolate bars or chocolate blocks and there are 2 types of divided, namely: 1. Couverture Chocolate Made from 100% chocolate derived from cacao beans outlined in the content of couverture chocolate is the cocoa mass and cocoa butter and sugar (for the type of dark chocolate, while milk and white for normal use milk solids in it to replace cocoa powder ) for bitter and sweet depending on the balance between the number of real chocolatenya with sugar. Besides it feels good, good for health but had a weakness in the storage and handling (especially for praline and somewhat sensitive to heat) 2. Inside the compound chocolate compound chocolate is almost the same composition with couverture chocolate, but cocoa butter is replaced by other vegetable fats are cheaper as coconut or soya oil. Cocoa butter is also sebenernya including vegetable fat, but why is the butter may have had the same yellow color and expensive like butter. In a sense tends to compound chocolate semi-sweet or sweet because a lot of understanding of bitter chocolate reply is not chocolate, but it is much easier handling. Compound chocolate is more often used for chocolate decoration and sometimes also to make Ganache, praline and others. In consideration of the price is much cheaper than couverture. We certainly never thought that the chocolate we enjoy often have many benefits. One of them was able to inhibit dementia brown. Just a piece of chocolate (Dark Chocolate) contains a type of antioxidant flavonols. Flavonols itself helps increase blood flow to the brain significantly. And indirectly increase the power But the chocolate sold in the market today contain low flavonol because most of the flavonols which had a bitter taste is removed. Also pay attention to the caloric content, because the chocolate bars sold high caloric content, so as to consume them still have to be limited. So still recommended choosing dark chocolate with cocoa content (cocoa content) 65-95%,. In addition to safe and healthy are also more tasty, although a little bitter Chocolate can manage mood (mood) .. Eating chocolate will not cause addiction, but chocolaters already know that chocolate has a sensation of pleasure that millions of forbidden to pass away. For some people enjoy the sensation of chocolate is very diverse, able to simply express affection or just add warmth chocolaters and couples. Also a nice chocolate may cause the desire to eat again. This is called Craving chocolate. Longing for chocolate aroma, texture, sweet, bitter, and sebagainya.cokelat can affect mood or even make people feel happy and enjoy when eating cokelate.We should learn more to know about pregnancy. So far the research results reveal that there is a correlation relationship between the content in chocolate with a positive mood effects. There are two very powerful substance to this, namely Phenylethylamine and Seratonin is a substance that triggers mood. Gynecology Phenylethylamine is a substance that can increase the absorption tryptophan (sedative substance content) into the brain which in turn produce dopamine. Impact of dopamine is a sense of fun and improved mood. Phenylethylamine is also considered to have properties that give rise to a feeling like someone in love. Other substances contained in chocolate is catechins. Catechins are powerful antioxidants contained in chocolate. One of the functions of antioxidants is to prevent premature aging that can occur due to pollution or radiation. Both substances are also produced by the human brain while having fun, love or passionate romance. So do not be surprised when we feel the mood changes after eating chocolate. . INILAH.COM, London you are suffering from a heart attack? From now on, do not be too worried. Take a chocolate snack at least twice a week. Risk of death from heart attack can be reduced. At least thats the latest research in the UK. Research results show, nearly 70% who loved chocolate reduces the risk of death from heart problems than those who only occasionally. Of course, what is meant here is not chocolate with high milk content. Nor is chocolate with high fat. Findings published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, the chocolate was beneficial to health is dark brown. Previous studies have mentioned a rich dark brown with flavonoids, may reduce the risk of blood clots, protect against colon cancer, and even help prevent preterm labor. Antioxidants are compounds that protect against free radicals, molecules that accumulate in the body and damage cells. In England, the heart of the issue remains one of the largest Incredibly Deadly Viper. Approximately 270,000 people die each year due to a heart attack. One third of them died before they reached the hospital. Sometimes it happens because they put off seeking help. If someone is lucky enough to survive a heart attack, they could have had a number of disorders which drastically increases the risk of death from heart problems in the future. But, recent research conducted Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, indicating chocolate snack can be the perfect helper. They do research on 1169 patients aged between 45-70 years old who entered the hospital because of heart attack between 1992-1994. Each patient was questioned about her diet habits, including how much they eat chocolate. The results showed those who ate chocolate twice a week or more, 66% of them did not die because of heart problems than those who do not eat chocolate. While those who enjoy chocolate once a week, can reduce the risk by half. While a snack once a day or less than that, just get a bit of profit, which reduces the risk of death only 27%. The effect of chocolate on health, in recent years, attract interest. But we know, no study of possible effects of chocolate after a heart attack, said the research actors. Its just that the effect does not apply to users of milk chocolate with high calories. Actually, thats the most popular type of chocolate in the UK, also in other parts of the world, including in Indonesia. We have to interpret this study with caution because it is based on long event. Diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks that we do have ahead of time., Says Ellen Mason, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation. According to him, dark chocolate does contain antioxidants. But, the benefits of antioxidant effects also can be obtained from fruits and vegetables. So, please just make chocolate as health care, balanced diet, he said. The negative impact of chocolate and handling 1 Chocolate is not the main cause of dental decay (caries). Damage to the teeth are usually caused by the remnants of food that are not cleaned. When the children accustomed to brushing your teeth after eating chocolate, undoubtedly damaged teeth can be avoided. Moreover, good-quality chocolate such as couverture (pure chocolate), able to melt in the temperature 40 degrees Celsius. The most important thing here is to maintain healthy teeth and mouth as often as possible. Because some cases of dental caries in fact caused by our own lazy brush. 2. Against the risk of obesity Undeniable that obesity is one risk factor for degenerative diseases. But a study at Harvard University shows that if you balance the consumption of chocolate candy with enough physical activity and eat a balanced diet, then the negative effects of chocolate candy need not worry. 3. Kidney stones Brown needs to look out for, especially for people who are prone to suffer kidney stones. 100 g chocolate consumption will increase the excretion of calcium oxalate and tripled. Therefore healthy tips that can be recommended is to drink plenty of water after eating chocolate. Conclutions : Coklat Membuat Hidup Lebih Sehat In fact,chocolate is not as bad as we thought all this time, because chocolate is also contains some benefits. One of it is nutrient for our body. Besides, chocolate gives an adventage for woman beauty. Our bad feeling can also changes by eating some chocolate, maybe one of us think that chocolate make us fatty and have danger effects. Byt, we wont get that entire problem if we consume it regularly and in normal size,not too much. For all chocolate lovers, dont be so negative thinking toward chocolate . so enjoy your Chocolate.

LOreal International Strategy

LOreal International Strategy The cosmetic industry can be analysed using Porters five forces framework, by identifying threats of New Entrants, Industry Competitors Suppliers, Substitutes and Buyers. According to Euromonitor International (2008), the threat of new entrants into the cosmetic markets is low, considering that majority of the market is already owned by leading companies such as LOreal, Unilever, Proctor and Gamble (Appendix 4). Hence, it would be extremely difficult for a new firm to establish their brand name, due to the intensity of competition. Since there are few differentials between products, and due to strategic objective of growth by business rivalry is high. Porter (2004) Therefore it can be argued the American barrier to entry into the industry is fairly low, which is a key driver for globalisation. However if a new firm is unable to compete there is the possibility of business failure or threat of being acquired by leading manufactures. Due to the industry leaders acquiring a variety of cosmetics, hair and beauty companies, consumers have the option of an array of substitute products; as a result this lowers the industry attractiveness and sets a limit on price levels. However in order to overcome the issues LOreal have established a prestigious brand image based on quality and allowing them to higher price compared to their competitors. This allows the bargaining power of buyers to be greater, since there are many sellers in the industry and fewer dominant buyers. The bargaining power of supplier is currently low, since majority of the establish firms do not require dependence on suppliers to supply cosmetic products. Porter (2004) Therefore in order to identify LOreals position with in the industry a SWOT analysis has been conducted, (Appendix 2). LOreal, How it Began The French company LOreal started in 1909, with production of worlds first hair colour product. The products were first sold in Parisian hair salons, using very tight production, sales and marketing strategy and by 1912 the products were distributed in other European regions such as Italy and the Netherlands (LOreal: 2010). According to LOreal (2010), in order first build on their brand portfolio, the company had acquired a number of French companies such as Lancome and Garnier, thereby diversifying into other markets, such as upscale perfumes and cosmetics. The acquisitions had allowed LOreal to increase their range of products among mass distributors and by 1970 eighty percent of company sales were coming from France, (Cardona: 2000). Hence the company became Frances leading beauty company, however the international presence was still little and the concept of expensive Parisian products by consumers limited LOreal ability to expand into international markets. According to Cardona (2000), LOreal first entered the American Market in 1954 by forming a licensee with the cosmetics and hair product company Cosmair Inc. Licensing as method of entry into the market involves LOreal granting rights under contract to intangible property. This had LOreal at began by distributing their products to U.S. beauty salons, however the company presence was still small due to the company brands being managed individually. Hence, without a licence it could have proven difficult for LOreal to enter the market, consider that there product was unfamiliar to the American market. Also this had allowed LOreal to understand the American market, the buyer behaviour and level of competition. However, According to Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989) the disadvantage of this method is it forces LOreal to depend on the skills, abilities and resources of the licensee as the source of revenue. However it is further argued by Cardona (2000), that LOreal acquired Cosmair Inc in 1994, which enabled the company to further strategise its influence in the American market and acquire cosmetics company Maybelline in 1996. According to Ono (1995) Maybelline was Americas third largest cosmetics company, sold mostly in supermarkets, cosmetic speciality stores and mass market discount stores. LOreal believed by improving the Maybellines products, marketing and brand image would give the products huge international potential. According to Edmondson et al (1999), this gave LOreal entry into the younger consumer base from the affluent European consumer base, due to its strong American brand image. Maybelline was a cheaper product, carried a wider distribution network and a wider product range which appealed to a vast number of ethnic consumers in America and outside. As a result, LOreals sales from Maybelline outside the United States had grown by fifty percent (Edmondson: 1999). The acq uisition of these businesses gave LOreal a seventeen percent share of the $2.3 billion U.S. cosmetics industry, (Ono: 1995). Therefore it can be argued the mode of entry into the market soon developed into strategic acquisitions, in order to pursue the strategy of growth and internationalisation. This method according to Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989), allows LOreal spread risk and reduce the level of competition since rivals are take over. This has also given LOreal greater market share for horizontal integration within the industry and thus allowing them to charge higher price for their products. However Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989) further argue this mode of entry can often cause clash in cultures, which is discuss further in this report. According to LOreal (2010), during 1980s the company had purchased stakes in two additional American companies, the cosmetics maker Helena Rubinstein and Ralph Lauren Fragrances. Both firms were later fully acquired in 1988 and 1990. Weil (2006) argues, even though Helena Rubinstein had lost most of their product appeal among American consumers, LOreal believed with effective merchandising and a complete re-launch of the brand, the products would be successful in the U.S. Market. This was due to the brand having a good position in other regions such as Europe and Asia, where Helena Rubinstein products were considered upscale, according to Weil (2006). On the other hand, the acquisition of Ralph Lauren Fragrances was completed in order to strengthen LOreals luxury products division, which possessed a smaller mass market fragrances brand (LOreal: 2010). Due to Ralph Lauren established brand image and excellent distribution networks with stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, it had allowed LOreal to enter a younger consumer market. It had been identified that the key acquisition for LOreal in order to increase their global presence was through the purchase of Kiehls, in 2000. According to Anon (2000), Kiehls was a important addition to LOreals luxury product division, offering a diverse range of specialised products for the high cost segment of the market from perfumes, skin, body and hair care. Thus by acquiring Kiehls, LOreals was able to increase their product range and influence on American society. Considering that LOreal had expensive multi-million pound advertising campaigns, Kiehls did not require such advertising due to exclusivity of the products at the time and its recognition among famous individuals (Anon: 2000). This had allowed LOreal to grow, with the company revenue increasing yearly, (LOreal: 2009). Therefore the acquisitions of such major U.S. companies allowed LOreal to increase its global presence and enter new emerging markets. Also the company has been able to develop an effective internal organisation, which is split into Consumer Products, Professional Products and Luxury Products. Due to these factors approximately twenty to twenty five percent of the company annual revenue comes from the United States (Cardona: 2000). Diversifying into Other Markets LOreal had acquired the professional hair product company Redken in 1993. This acquisition had allowed LOreal improve the structure of their hair product division, due to Redkens extensive distribution networks (LOreal: 2010). Hence LOreal had reassessed the company hair care division to focus on the sales to salons and hairdressers. Compared to the European market where luxury hair products were sold in department stores, in the U.S. luxury hair products were primarily sold in hair salons and speciality beauty supply stores. According to Nichol (2010), LOreal was able to increase their revenue, since sales from salons carried a higher profit margin compared to mass market hair products. Hence, LOreals sales from the professional hair care division had provided one third of the companys sales from hair care (LOreal: 2010). According to Morais (2000), in 1998 and 2000, LOreal had made a combined strategic acquisition of the companies Soft Sheen and Carson, in order to enter the ethnic hair care market. Soft sheen was one of the leading American ethnic hair care products and Carson had an eighty two percent share of the U.S ethnic hair care market. Rhea (1997) argues in particular the acquisition of Carson had helped LOreal to entire the South African market which was worth an estimated market value of one billion dollars, due to the establish presence Carson had already developed. LOreal had saw the entrance into the American market particularly important, since African Americans represent 12.85% of the American population (Appendix 1) and accounted for thirty percent of the total U.S. hair care expenditure, totalling $1.2 billion in 1997 (Morais: 2000). The purchase of the companies allowed LOreal to increase their distribution channels further, since majority of sales come from wholesales such as Costco and beauty shops. According to Morais (2000), the market is fragmented, and mostly responsive to word of mouth, hence does not require much advertising or promotions. From the analysis it can be identified that LOreal has followed the Uppsala Model (Appendix 6) in the process of internationalisation. The model illustrates the gradual international expansion of the company by the four stages. In stage one; it was LOreals objective to first build a presence in the American market through a licensee with Cosmair rather than make a large foreign direct investment. This allowed the company to develop market knowledge in order to control the international expansion within the American market. Therefore this method of entry was the most idyllic approach for LOreal, since according to Forsgren (2002) business will enter a new market using the lowest possible resource commitment and expand from there on to establish the firm. As a result, LOreal was able to control the level of risk and eventually increase resource commitment. In Stage two, LOreal had exported their products through independent representatives in America through regional middlemen. In the third stage, LOreal had made establishment of sales subsidiary through Helena Rubinstein and Ralph Lauren Fragrances. According to Forsgren (2002), in this stage LOreal is able to collect about market conditions, leading to a more wide market experience and give greater information regarding factors of language, culture and political system. In stage four LOreal had established a foreign production facility in the American market. Intensity of Competition for LOreal As seen on Appendix 4 the level of competition in the cosmetic industry is high however due to LOreal strategic international strategy the company has been able to be the industry leader. This was accomplished due to LOreal developing brands in different market segments and vast distribution channels in mass market, hair salon products, pharmacies and department stores, (LOreal: 2009). Due to the companys operations in different markets, LOreal experiences a high number of challenges from competitors in different markets. According to Drier (2004) in the consumer cosmetics division, the main competitors for LOreal are Proctor Gamble, Revlon and Unilever. Similar to LOreal, Proctor Gamble had established brands in health, beauty as well as household care. The company become a major competitor for LOreal due to the companys acquisition of Clairol in 2001, Gillette in 2005 and majority stake in hair care brand Wella in 2003. Hence, Proctor and Gamble was one of the leading cosmetics businesses in the United States, where it had a seventy percent share of the American market from its hair colour brand Clairol (Drier: 2004). Hence a key globalisation driver for LOreal was to enter the hair care market, which was accomplished by the acquisition of Redken and rather than mass-market LOreal concentrated on specialised hair salons. In addition, Unilever had also streamlined their brand portfolio, by developing similar strategies to that of LOreal and Proctor and Gamble. The company had developed a competitive advantage by identifying potential acquisitions. For example, the purchase of American business Chesebrough-Pond, allowed Unilever to become one of the world leaders in personal care and cosmetics, (Anon: 1997). Therefore in order to compete, LOreal has developed their competitive advantage by positioning the business above the drug store cosmetic brands such as Revlon. Their marketing strategy has allowed them to establish a prestigious brand name; LOreal has been able to charge high prices. According Trout and Rivkin (2009), in order for companies to charge higher prices, the products should offer prestige, thus consumers will pay a little more for the perceived value. Hence, by putting a particular emphasis on their packaging and advertising campaigns using celebrity models, the company has perceived the brand as elegant among consumers, (LOreal: 2010). It can also be argued that LOreals factor of success in the industry is due to being able to develop a comparative advantage over competitors by making a powerful commitment to research and development. According to (La Roche-Posay: 2005), the company had invested $612 million on research in 2005, which was three percent in turnover compared to the industry average. As a result LOreal was able to significantly reduce production costs and the purchasing cost of goods for the company fell to nineteen percent of sales compared to there rivals Wella, who had cost of twenty five percent, (Morais: 2000). Therefore it can be argued that LOreal competitive strategy falls into Porters Differentiation strategy as seen on Appendix 7. This is due to LOreals high research and development costs and acquisitions of companies such as Soft Sheen which involves producing a range of products that meets the specific needs of the consumer segments. Thus by creating uniqueness and developing a prestigious brand image, LOreal is able to charge high prices for their products compared to the competitors. According to Porter (2004), this lowers the sensitivity to price of the brand loyal customers and can also act as a, entry barrier for new firms. It is further argue that, this strategy could generate higher revenue than the low cost strategy, due to the development of high barrier to entry and therefore making it difficult for new businesses to enter. However, the higher price is likely to result in a lower volume of sales and thus one strategy will not necessarily mean high profit than the other. It is argued by Kim et al (2005), the competition based strategy of Porter is not sufficient to sustain high business performance and firms should develop new growth opportunities through value innovation. In order for value innovation to be created for both the company and buyer, the company must discover unused areas of the market and create the new demand. Thereby focus is shifted towards innovation rather than competition. LOreals Organisational Structure It can be identified from Appendix 3 that LOreal has incorporated a matrix organisational structure. According to Bartlett and Ghoshal (1990), matrix structures tend to be complex and combines two or more organisational responsibilities. For example, the CEO of LOreal is placed at the Head office located in France, with the top regional leaders reporting directly to the CEO. The responsibility of the division executives is to manage the brand strategy, global brand sales, profitability and marketing. The Region Managers (i.e. Asia, U.S.A, Africa and Europe) are responsible for the sales in their region and executing sales strategies. The strategies are developed by brand teams based in their respective region; and brand teams work closely with their division executives in order to implement effective marketing strategies within the region. Hence, in order to maintain an effective level of communication, managers of each country often keep close relationship with the general managers of each brand to identify needs of the specific country. In return, the general mangers provide information on marketing strategies for their region and product development ideas, which then requires co-operation with Research Development. Cogmap, (2009) However, Bartlett and Ghoshal (1990) argue a matrix structure can prove to be unmanageable in the international context, since multiple reporting often leads to confusion and creates overlapping responsibilities. As a result distance is created between language, culture and time. LOreal have avoid such problems by keeping a strong central oversight over executives of each division, since it then allows LOreal to identify whether each executive is effectively managing the division and the responsible regional mangers, to ensure there is no redundant work or conflicting interests. Therefore the implementation of the matrix structure has allowed LOreal to save costs, as fewer people are required due to employees sharing information between different projects. In addition, resource sharing saves time and costs, since those employees engaging in different projects often share related information. Hence it has been identified by Appendix 3, that LOreals executives work on more than one project at a time and keep a regular flow of information about the progress of the company, this has made the company stronger since different departments are working together and not against each other. Cultural Issues for LOreal It has been identified that LOreal had experienced number of cultural issues, due to their international strategy to become a global brand. When LOreal had decided to enter the American market through licensee with Cosmair in 1954, the company had faced cultural differences. According to Sharma (2010), compared to the European Market, in the American market LOreal was required to have business relationship with local middlemen rather than national distributors in order to distribute product to salons. This had become significantly difficult for the company, since LOreals presence within the U.S. market was limited, such relationships was hard to acquire. In addition, American salons were also unfamiliar with the quality of the products and disagreed on selling such goods. To resolve the issue, LOreals primary goal was now to increase there global presence and was accomplished by strategic international expansion and by taking the company public in 1963. According to Sharma (2010) LOreals strategy was to sell cosmetics through different channels of distribution; which in turn affected the macro economic levels of sales. The four types of distribution channels from professional salon hair specialists, beauty advisors, medically trained advisors in pharmacies and self service department stores allowed LOreal to develop their international presence and acquire a competitive advantage over competitors. Political Risks However, LOreal had now once faced issues while operating in Europe. After the company had become a publicly traded company in 1963, LOreal was under threat of state control by the French government and feared that the company strategies for international growth would be jeopardised. Hence, LOreal took steps to internationalise the ownership structure, in order to prevent the government control by selling fifty percent of LOreal stock to french personal care manufacturer Gesparal and keeping other half of the company publicly traded (Moodie: 2004). According to Balassa (1985), the reason for the French government to take ownership was due to threat from international companies. Therefore the French political system considered that it could provide security to the French communities trade by subsidising and directing publicly owned companies. Since, LOreal had become publicly traded in 1963 the company was prone to come under state influence. Using Yips model (Appendix 8), it can be identified one of the key globalisation drivers for LOreal to enter the cosmetics market is growth of global and regional channels. This is a key market driver, since it has allowed the company to develop their distribution channels worldwide. By entering the American market and acquiring ready established brands, LOreal was able to access the acquired companys resources. Another market driver can be identified from Appendix 1, which indicates that America has an aging population, therefore demand for LOreals anti-aging products have increased. These products success were a result of the companys extensive investment in research and development. It has been identified that global acquisitions by consumer product companies also acted as a competitive driver. Since, the existence of various global competitors had indicated that the industry is good for globalisation; where global competitors have the cost advantage over local businesses, accordi ng to Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989). One of the key reasons for LOreals globalisation development is due to the lowering of trade and investment policies internationally, where GATT (General Agreement of Tariff and Trade) have made free trade agreements between participating countries. According to Hill (2007), this can also benefit the countries that do not have a large amount of sources to utilise their resources and hence encourage foreign direct investment companies to invest.