Entrepreneurial ventures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Entrepreneurial ventures - Essay Example Business finance is a wide area and an exhaustive examination of each is not possible. However, the essay will bring out the disadvantages of each method of financing (Galloway 382). The bias may lie on the start-ups given that the initial stages of the business are the most difficult to finance since the risk is usually highest. There are two broad categories of business finance: debt financing and equity financing. These are ways of sourcing the capital that a business requires either to start operating, continue its day to day operation operating, or to attain a given strategic objective. Debt financing has the characteristic that the business or the entrepreneur has to repay with interest. The debt capital is a liability. Equity financing is the investment of the entrepreneur and other owners into the business (Krulikowski 245). This is risk capital. The distinction between debt and equity is that debt is a "loan" to the business while equity represents the extent to which one "owns" the venture. This leads to the issue of ownership and control of a business venture which complicates many startups. Debt financing maintains ownership while equity financing cedes some percentage ownership of the business venture. This is a significant consideration when choosing the type of financing for the business. There is no shortage of investors in the world, but there is a shortage of successful entrepreneurs. However, regardless of the source of financing, the entrepreneur must carefully evaluate the type of financing that the business requires (Krulikowski 267). This will depend on several factors. Firstly, there is a distinction on whether it is a startup or an established business. The size of operations will also determine the financing. The entrepreneur must have a business plan for the particular venture he or she plans to undertake. This means that

Library Ict Essay Example for Free

Library Ict Essay Introduction Rapid developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) and their wide application in all aspects of life have led to dramatic changes. These changes are so revolutionary that is not realistic to expect stability in their wake 1 . Information technology (IT) entered into libraries, especially academic and research libraries, during the 1960s. Libraries employed IT to speed up their daily activities and reduce their operating costs. Many repetitive activities were upgraded using IT 2 . IT allows integration of library activities and increases efficiency and enables users to have remote access to information and around the clock access. New technologies provide unlimited information from different sources and facilitate reformatting data from different sources 3. Definition Ebijuwa and ToAnyakoha (2005) 4-5 define ICT as tools and as well as means used for collection, capture, process, storage, transmission and dissemination of information†. The American Library Association (1983) 5 defines IT as the application of computers and other technologies to the acquisition, organization,storage, retrieval and dissemination of information. The computers are used to process and store data, while telecommunications technology provides information communication tools, which make it possible for users to access databases and link them other computer networks at different locations. IT and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) are used somewhat interchangeably. Objectives of the Study The major objectives of this study are 1. To identify the ICT infrastructure facilities available in the university libraries. 2. To identify the ICT based software implemented in the university libraries. 3. To find out the various types of electronic resources available in the university libraries. Methodology The study is based on the primary data collected from the government university libraries and deemed university libraries given in table 1. Table 1. List of University Libraries S. No Name of the University 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Anna University,Chennai University of Madras, Chennai The Tamil Nadu. Dr. Ambedkar Law University,Chennai Tamil Nadu Dr. M. G. R Medical University,Chennai M. G. R . Educational and Research Institute, Chennai SRM University,Kattankulathur Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences,Chennai B. S. Abdur Rahman University,Chennai Bharath University,Chennai Sri Ramachandra University,Chennai Deemed universities Type of university Government Universities 8. 9. 10. A structured questionnaire was designed to obtain data. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: Hardware, Software, Technologies, and Electronic Resources. Sixteen questionnaires were distributed among university librarians, of which 10 university librarians were responded (62.5%). Review of Literature Walmiki and Ramakrishnegowda (2009) 7 studied ICT infrastructures in university libraries of Karnataka and found that most of the libraries were uâ€Å"lack sufficient hardware, software facilities and do not have adequate internet nodes and bandwidth†. The campus LANs were not fully extended to exploit the benefits of digital information environment. Ahmad and Fatima (2009) 8 found that researchers use a variety of ICT products and services for research and further remarked that ICT products help â€Å"to find  information, access information, manage, integrate, evaluate, create, and communicate information more easily†. It was recommended that training be organized to increase the use of ICT-based products and services. Adeleke and Olorunsola (2010) 9 studied ICT and library operations found that ICT facilities were the major constraints facing libraries in the use of tools. Shafi-Ullah and Roberts (2010) 10 found that ICT infrastructure is necessary to make provide a research culture in higher education institutions and recommended allocating funds for ICT infrastructure. Etebu (2010) 11 studied ICT availability and found a situation that is not encouraging. Patil (2010) 12 found that users were not trained to use ICT- based products and services and further recommended an ICT training programme to increase the use of ICT products and services. Data Analysis The study was carried out in ten university libraries. The demographic information related to these respondents is shown in table 2. Table 2. Demographic Information about Respondents S. No Description 1. 2. Total Percentage 40% 60% 100% Government University 4 Deemed University Total 6 10. Five ICT infrastructures such as computers, printers, laptops, scanners and photocopiers were identified for this study and same is shown in table 3. Table 3. ICT infrastructure vs. University Libraries S. No Description ICT Infrastructure 110 1. Computers 1 4 11-20 21- 31 30 above 2 3 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 1. 5 5 2. 1 2 3. 2 1 Total WAM Rank (10) (40) 2. Printers 9 1 (20) (30) 0 0 (90) (10) 3. Laptops 9 0 (0) (0) 0 1 (90) (0) (0) (10) 4. Scanners 9 1 0 0 10 (100) 10 (100) 2. 1 2 (90) (10) 5. Photocopiers 9 1 (0) (0) 0 0 2. 1 2 (90) (10) (0) (0) It can be seen from table 3 that 4 (40% ,WAM 3. 2, rank 1) libraries were between 11 and 20 computers, followed by printers, scanners, and photocopiers ranging between 1 and 10. ICT infrastructure mentioned in table 3 were further distributed library-wise, shown in table 4. Table 4. ICT Infrastructure vs. University Libraries S. N Description Government University Libraries n=4 Total Deemed University Libraries n=6 110 11- 21- 31 20 30 above 1 0 2 (50) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4 N 1A 10 (0) 0 1120 3 (50) 0 (0) 0 2130 2 31 above 1 6 Total N A 1. Computers (0) 1 (0) (25) (25) (0) 2. Printers 0 3 1 0 (100) (0) (0) 4 0 6 (33. 33) (16.67) (100) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 6 (100) 6 (100) 6 (100) 6 (100) (0) (75) (25) (0) 3. Laptops 3 1 0 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (100) (0) (60) 4 0 5 (75) (25) (0) 4. Scanners 0 4 0 (100) (0) (83. 33) (0) 4 0 5 1 (0) (100) (0) 5. Photocopiers 0 3 1 (100) (0) (83. 33) (16. 67) (00 4 0 6 0 (0) 0 (0) (0) (75) (25) (0) (100) (0) (100) It can be seen from table 4 that 2 (50%) government university libraries had more than 31 computers and 3 (50%) deemed university libraries had from 11 to 20 computers. All libraries 4 (100%) from government universities and 5 of those from deemed university libraries had scanners. Three government university libraries and 6 deemed university libraries had between 1 and 10 photocopiers. Four important software applications library automation, digital library, e-learning, and digitization were identified and further ascertained using an Objective Scaling System. The results are shown in table 5. Table 5. ICT based Software in University Libraries S. No Description ICT based Software Total WAM Rank Yes No 1 (10) 9 (90) 9 (90) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 1. 0 4 1. 1 3 1. 9 1 1. 9 1 1. Library Automation Software 9 (90) 2. Digital Library Software 1 (10) 3. E-learning Software. 1 (10) 4. Digitization Software 0 (0) (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) Ninety percent of the libraries have implemented library automation and digital library software. Most of the libraries have yet to implement e-learning software and digitization software. The software were further distributed library-wise and are shown in table 6. Table 6. ICT based Software vs. University Libraries S. No Description ICT based Software Government Universities Libraries Deemed Universities Libraries Yes 1. Library Automation Software 3 (75) 2. Digital Library Software 0 (0) 3. Digitization Software 0 (0) 4. E-learning Software 1 (25) No 1 (25) 4 (100) 0 (0) 3 (75) Total 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) Yes 6 (100) 1 No 0 (0) 5 Total 10 (100) 10 (16. 67) (83. 33) (100) 0 (0) 0 (0) 6 (100) 6 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) Three-quarters of government university libraries and 6 (100%) deemed university libraries have implemented library automation , while one (25%) government university and one (16. 67%) deemed university had implemented both e-learning and digital library software. Technologies such as barcode, smart card, RFID, videoconferencing, and Internet technonologies were identified and are shown in table 7. Table 7. ICT based Technologies vs. University Libraries S. No Description ICT based Technologies Total WAM Rank Yes 1. Barcode Technology 2. Smart card Technology 9 (90) 3 (30) 3. RFID Technology 3 (30) 4. Video Conference Technology 0 (0) 5. Internet Technology 10 (100) No 1 (10) 7 (70) 7 (70) 10 (100) 0 (0) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 2. 00 1 1. 00 5 1. 3 3 1. 3 3 1. 9 2 (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) All the libraries surveyed provide internet facilities, while 90% have implemented barcode technology. Three libraries have implemented smart card and RFID technologies. None of the libraries has implementing videoconferencing. The technologies mentioned in table 7 were distributed library-wise and are shown in table 8. Table 8. ICT-based Technologies Universities Libraries S. No Description ICT based Technologies in University Libraries Government Universities Deemed Universities Yes 1. Barcode Technology 3 (75) No 1 (25) Total 4 (100) Yes 6 (100) No 0 (0) Total 10 (100) 2. Smart card Technology 2 (50) 2 (50) 2 (50) 0 (0) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 1 5 10 (16. 67) (83. 33) (100) 1 5 10 3. RFID Technology 2 (50) (16. 67) (83.33) (100) 6 (100) 0 (0) 0 (0) 6 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 4. Internet Technology 4 (100) 0 (0) 5. Video Conference Technology (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) All libraries in government and deemed universities provide Internet facilities. Seventy-five percent of government university libraries and 100% of deemed university libraries have implemented barcode technology. Nine electronic resources were identified for this study and are shown in table 9. Table 9. Electronic Resources vs. University Libraries S. No Description E-Resources in University Libraries Yes 1. E-Books 6 (60) 2 E-Journals 9 (90) 3. Full text Databases 5 (50) 4. Bibliographic databases 4 (40) 5. CD-ROM databases 8 (80) 6. E-Learning Resources 7 (70) 7. ETD 4 No 4 (40) 1 (10) 1 (10) 6 (60) 2 (20) 3 (30) 6 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 1. 4 7 1. 7 4 1. 8 2 1. 4 8 1. 1 9 1. 9 1 1. 6 6 Total WAM Rank (40) 8. DVD 7 (70) 9. Library Consortium 8 (80) (60) 3 (30) 2 (20) (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 1. 8 2 1. 7 4 (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) Nearly all the libraries subscribe to electronic journals, and an almost equal number belong to a library consortium. Electronic resources mentioned in table 10 were further distributed library-wise and are shown in table 10. Table 10. Electronic Resources vs. University Libraries S. No Description Electronic Resources in University Libraries Government Universities Deemed Universities Yes 1. E-Books 2 (50) 2. E-Journals 4 (100) 3. Fulltextdatabases 1 (25) 4. Bibliographic databases 2 (50) 5. CD-ROM databases 3 (75) 6. E-Learning Resources 3 (75) 7. ETD 1 (25) 8. DVD 2 No 2 (50) 0 (0) 3 (75) 2 (50) 1 (25) 1 (25) 3 (75) 2 Total 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 Yes 4 No 2 Total 6. (66. 67) (33. 33) (100) 5 1 6 (83. 33) (16. 67) (100) 3 (50) 2 3 (50) 4 6 (100) 6 (33. 33) (66. 67 (1) 5 1 6 (83. 33) (16. 67) (100) 4 2 6 (66. 67) (33. 33) (100) 3 (50) 5 3 (50) 1 6 (100) 6 (50) 9. Library Consortium 4 (100) (50) 0 (0) (100) 4 (100) (83. 33) (16. 67) (100) 4 2 6 (66. 67) (33. 33) (100) (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) All the libraries from government universities and a large number from deemed universities subscribe to e-journals. large number have acquired other electronic resources and belong to library consortia. Conclusion and Recommendations. The application of ICTs are increasing in academic libraries, especially in the university environment. Users’ expectations have increased due to developments in technologies. The study recommends the following The University Libraries must increase the numbers of computer available to enable the users to maximize the usage of ICT-based resources and services. The Digital Library Service† is one of the most useful services in the university library. Users can access digital resources using a number of different open source digital library software packages. The libraries should implement digital library software. It is found that no library was implemented digitization software. It is very useful to digitize rare collections such as older and out of print editions. References 1. Webster, F. (2001). A new politics. In Webster, F. (Ed. ), Culture and politics in the Information Age. London: Routledge. 2. Igwe, P. O. (1986). The electronic age libraries: Present and future prospects. International Library Review, 34(1):43-52. 3. Haglund, L. , Olsson. (2008). The impact oo university libraries of changes in information behavior among academic researchers: A multiple case study. The Journal of Academic librarianship, 34 (1):51-69. 4. Ebijuwa, A. A. (2005). Information and Communication Technology in university libraries: The Nigeria experience. Journal of Library and Information Science, 7(12) :23-30. 5. ToAnyakoha, M. W. (2005). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in library services. Coal City Libraries, 2(12) :. 2-12. 6. American Library Association (1983). The ALA glossary of library and information science. Chicago. ALA. 7. Walmiki, R. H. , Ramakrishnegowda (2009). ICT infrastructures in university libraries in Karnataka. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 56:236-241. 8. Ahmad, N. , Fatima, N. (2009). Usage of ICT products and services for research in social sciences at Aligarh Muslim University. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 29(2):. 25-30. 9. Adeleke, A. A. , Olorunsola, R. (2010). ICT and Library operations: More on the online cataloguing and classification tools and techniques in Nigerian libraries. The Electronic Library, 28(3):453-462. 10. Is ICT infrastructure capable to accommodate standardized library management systems? : Case studies of library automation from public sector universities in Islamabad (Pakistan). Available: http://www. crl. du. ac. in/ical09/papers/index_files/ical-44_191_402_1_RV. pdf 11. Etebu, A. T. (2010). ICT Availability in Niger Delta University Libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Available: http://unllib. unl. edu/LPP/etebu3. htm 12. Patil, S. G. (n. d. ). Usage of ICT Products and Services for research at MET’s institute of engineering, Bhujbal Knowledge City (met-bkc-ioe): A case study. Available: http://knol. google. com/k/usage-of-ict-products-and-services-forresearch#

Julius Caesar - Tragic Hero Essay -- essays research papers

Julius Caesar as a Tragic Hero Julius Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare during the year 1597. Julius Caesar’s story involves a conspiracy against Julius Caesar, a powerful senator. The play involves a highly respected senator, Brutus, who decides to join the conspiracy to kill Julius Caesar, in the effort to keep democracy intact. Brutus believes that if Julius Caesar is allowed to live, Caesar will take a kingship and turn the government into a monarchy. Brutus, Cassius, and the other conspirators kill Julius Caesar, yet they find Antony, a loyalist of Caesar, seeks revenge on them. Plato set out rules on the traits a tragic hero must possess. A tragic hero must neither be an evil villain nor a great hero, instead the tragic hero must be either a flawed hero or a villain with some good traits. Also, the tragic hero must not deserve what mighty punishment is dealt to him. Another key feature of a tragic hero is the fact that a tragic hero must be a high-standing individual in society. The tragic hero must not deserve his punishment for the play to be a tragedy. Also, a tragedy happening to someone in high authority, will affect not only the single person but al so society as a whole. Another reason for the tragic hero to be in high authority is to display that if a tragedy may happen to someone such as a king, it may just as easily happen to any other person. Julius Caesar fits the role of a tragic hero. Julius Caesar is a high standing senator that possesses hamartia, failings of human nature. Julius Caesar’s imperfections may be seen in three distinct aspects of Caesar, such as the following: his pride, his vacillation, and his ambition. Julius Caesar has much pride, a hamartia, which brings him to not be wary of the conspiracy. Caesar is given much warning on the threat of his life, yet due to his pride he thinks himself to be too great of a person to have such a downfall. Julius Caesar is warned by a soothsayer, "Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March."(1,2,18) Julius Caesar rebukes the soothsayer by stating, "Caesar. He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass."(1,2,23) Caesar does not take warning to be wary the middle of the month, the day of his assassination. Later, Caesar’s wife Calpurnia has a nightmare that Caesar is slain at the Capitol. Caesar calls for the priests to do a sacrifi... ... for more ruling. This occurrence, that Caesar is surpassing his peers and creating a monopoly, is a very dangerous and serious threat. Cassius expresses his opinion by his statement, "Cassius. †¦but for my single self, I had lief not be as live to be in awe of such a thing as I myself. I was borne free as Caesar; so were you."(1,2,94-97) Cassius also shows that he sees that the Senate and senators are falling in power as Caesar is selfishly acquiring it. "Casca. He fell down in the market place and foamed at the mouth and was speechless. Brutus. ‘Tis very like; he hath the falling sickness. Cassius. No, Caesar hath it blueye3 not; but you and I, and honest Casca, we have the falling sickness [in reference to their falling in power versus Caesar’s rise]."(1,2,254-258) Caesar’s ambition, surely, is a hamartia and is the reason behind the heart of the conspiracy. Through these examples, Julius Caesar can be seen as having the traits of a tragic hero. Upon closer inspection, Brutus is the real tragic hero of the play. This displays how William Shakespeare is able to create realistic and multipurpose characters that inspire his works. Julius Caesar - Tragic Hero Essay -- essays research papers Julius Caesar as a Tragic Hero Julius Caesar is a play written by William Shakespeare during the year 1597. Julius Caesar’s story involves a conspiracy against Julius Caesar, a powerful senator. The play involves a highly respected senator, Brutus, who decides to join the conspiracy to kill Julius Caesar, in the effort to keep democracy intact. Brutus believes that if Julius Caesar is allowed to live, Caesar will take a kingship and turn the government into a monarchy. Brutus, Cassius, and the other conspirators kill Julius Caesar, yet they find Antony, a loyalist of Caesar, seeks revenge on them. Plato set out rules on the traits a tragic hero must possess. A tragic hero must neither be an evil villain nor a great hero, instead the tragic hero must be either a flawed hero or a villain with some good traits. Also, the tragic hero must not deserve what mighty punishment is dealt to him. Another key feature of a tragic hero is the fact that a tragic hero must be a high-standing individual in society. The tragic hero must not deserve his punishment for the play to be a tragedy. Also, a tragedy happening to someone in high authority, will affect not only the single person but al so society as a whole. Another reason for the tragic hero to be in high authority is to display that if a tragedy may happen to someone such as a king, it may just as easily happen to any other person. Julius Caesar fits the role of a tragic hero. Julius Caesar is a high standing senator that possesses hamartia, failings of human nature. Julius Caesar’s imperfections may be seen in three distinct aspects of Caesar, such as the following: his pride, his vacillation, and his ambition. Julius Caesar has much pride, a hamartia, which brings him to not be wary of the conspiracy. Caesar is given much warning on the threat of his life, yet due to his pride he thinks himself to be too great of a person to have such a downfall. Julius Caesar is warned by a soothsayer, "Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March."(1,2,18) Julius Caesar rebukes the soothsayer by stating, "Caesar. He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass."(1,2,23) Caesar does not take warning to be wary the middle of the month, the day of his assassination. Later, Caesar’s wife Calpurnia has a nightmare that Caesar is slain at the Capitol. Caesar calls for the priests to do a sacrifi... ... for more ruling. This occurrence, that Caesar is surpassing his peers and creating a monopoly, is a very dangerous and serious threat. Cassius expresses his opinion by his statement, "Cassius. †¦but for my single self, I had lief not be as live to be in awe of such a thing as I myself. I was borne free as Caesar; so were you."(1,2,94-97) Cassius also shows that he sees that the Senate and senators are falling in power as Caesar is selfishly acquiring it. "Casca. He fell down in the market place and foamed at the mouth and was speechless. Brutus. ‘Tis very like; he hath the falling sickness. Cassius. No, Caesar hath it blueye3 not; but you and I, and honest Casca, we have the falling sickness [in reference to their falling in power versus Caesar’s rise]."(1,2,254-258) Caesar’s ambition, surely, is a hamartia and is the reason behind the heart of the conspiracy. Through these examples, Julius Caesar can be seen as having the traits of a tragic hero. Upon closer inspection, Brutus is the real tragic hero of the play. This displays how William Shakespeare is able to create realistic and multipurpose characters that inspire his works.

Private Schools vs. Public Schools Essay -- Public Education vs Private

Plato said, "You must train the children to their studies in a playful manner, and without any air of constraint, with the further object of discerning more readily the natural bent of their respective characters" (Plato). Education has increased as a topic of conversation among parents in America today. The importance of a good education has increased in value, and parents are searching for the best possible school for their child in preparation for college. Many believe the most opportune way for their child to succeed in studies is by attending a private school. On the other hand, another group of parents thinks that public schools are the better route. Nevertheless, public schools have been proven to be more successful in the education of a maturing child. Students who attend public schools are faced with many different challenges that differ in comparison to a private school student. Whereas, many private schools are small in population, public schools usually have a larger number of students resulting in a great diversity of pupils. Students from every race, culture, and religious background come together in one school system. This diversity allows students to develop ways of associating with many different people that would not typically be found in a private school. Learning how to deal with others, no matter what their race, culture, or religion, is a vital asset to learning how to work with others in the future. Private school teachers have been shown to be less qualified teachers that many public school teachers. Some of the most interesting contrasts explain private schools have fewer minority teachers and principals, public school teachers appear to be more education than private school teachers, a... ... agrees with Mrs. Dyckman explaining, "I don't think that just because you pay money for something makes it better. There isn't a better place for my daughter to be going to school than here" (Wilkenfeld par. 13). In fact, on average, private schools aren't any better than public schools, or so says a new book on the subject, All Else Equal: Are Public And Private Schools Different. In conclusion, several points could be drawn on the issue of public schools versus private schools. Nevertheless, statistics, reports, and articles are continually explaining that private schools are mostly equal or less qualified than public schools. Parents should be educated in this matter. If more parents knew about the comparison of public schools to private schools, more families would be able to offer their children a better education and future for a cheaper price.

Slavery in Brazil

Edmund Burke, the acclaimed author and philosopher once said, â€Å"Slavery is a weed that grows on every soil. † Between the 16th and 19th century in the Americas, millions on millions of slaves were brought to the New World. There purpose was to work. The economy of most European colonies in America was dependent on slaves. The land that was discovered in Americas was useless with out sufficient slave labor to exploit it. In this essay, I will focus on two nations where slavery played an enormous role in the development of that country. First, The United States, where in 1860 in South Carolina over 50 percent of the population were slaves.Next, Brazil, the nation where about one third of all salves from Africa were brought. In this essay I will compare slavery in The United States to slavery in Brazil, I will dissect the similarities and differences while focusing on why and how the slaves came, the demographic and religious aspects, the treatment of the slaves, and the afte rmath on both countries due to slavery. Around the year 1530 the Portuguese came to Brazil in search of land and natural resources, specifically sugar. As the Portuguese and the indigenous people of Brazil battled for land, the Brazilians resisted against being enslaved.As the Portuguese presence grew in Brazil so did disease, causing the death of most of the working indigenous people. As the number of sugar plantations grew, the demand for workers did as well. This is the main reason why Brazil began to import slaves from Africa. Although the origin of slaves in The United States was similar to Brazil, there were some differences. In the year 1619, only around 10 years after the British began to colonize US, a Dutch slave trader exchanged about 20 Africans for food in Jamestown, Virginia. Like Brazil, the U. S needed workers for plantations, but while Brazil focused on the sugar plantations, the U.S was focused on the tobacco plantations. In general, both Brazil and the U. S lacked a major resource in order to maintain a strong economy, that resource being workers. Although Brazil used more slaves towards sugar and the U. S used more towards tobacco, in general the slaves worked in mines or they worked in a sugar, rice, tobacco, or cotton plantation. Although the U. S played a larger role in the process, both Brazil and the U. S participated in the Triangular Slave Trade. Some say the Triangular Slave Trade is the reason why 10 to 15 million of Africans were shipped to the Americas between 1650 and 1860.The slave trade was simple yet wrong on so many levels. The slave trade took several different routes, but there were two popular ones. The most common route would first start in Europe where the Europeans would trade manufactured goods for slaves in Africa. Next, the slaves were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to Brazil and the Caribbean where the slaves were sold for huge profits or traded for sugar, coffee, and tobacco. The journey from Africa to the Americas was known as the middle passage. Olaudah Equiano was a slave captured and sold into slavery.In his book, The Life of Olaudah Equiano the African, when describing the middle passage he writes, â€Å"I was soon put down under the decks, and there I received such a greeting in my nostrils as I had never experienced in my life; I became so sick and low that I was not able to eat. I now wished for the last friend, death, to relieve me; but soon, to my grief, two of the white men offered me eatables; and, on my refusing to eat, one of them held me fast by the hands, and laid me across, The white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among my people such instances of brutal cruelty.The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, almost suffocated us. The air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died. The shrieks of the women, and the gr oans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable. As you can tell, the conditions were brutal to say the least. Another popular triangular route taken was ships from the U. S colonies would take rum and other products to Africa in exchange for Slaves.From there, the slaves were taken to Brazil and the Caribbean and sold for profit or sold for sugar and molasses to take back to the U. S where then the sugar and molasses was sold to rum makers. In general, the slave trade was horrific and inhumane, however, it is the reason that the U. S and Brazil were able to maintain a steady economy. Although there were many similarities between the Brazilian slaves and the U. S slaves, there were quite a few specific differences as well. One of the largest differences in slavery between Brazil and the U. S was demographic.Generally speaking, the Brazilian slaves were usually decreasing while the U. S slaves were usually increasing. This is due to several reasons. First , the Brazilians had a much lower proportion of female slaves compared to the U. S who had an equal sex ratio. In Brazil, due to the lack of female slaves, they had a much lower birth rate then the U. S did. Both the death rate and suicide rate was also higher in Brazil compared to the U. S. Due to the low birthrate and the high death rate, Brazil had trouble to maintain a population resulting in having to continuously import slaves.On the other hand, the average number of children born to an early 19th century U. S slave woman was 9. 2; this is twice as many as Brazil and the Caribbean. All these reasons are why Brazil had a much larger number of recent arrivals from Africa while the U. S had a predominately American slave born population. Also, this is why out of the millions and millions of Africans who were brought to the New World, over one-third landed in Brazil and between 60 and 70 percent ended up in Brazil or the sugar colonies of the Caribbean.According to Henry John Temp le, the well-known British Prime Minister of the 19th century, he suggests that there were about 3,000,000 slaves in Brazil in the 19th century. Although it is hard to know the exact number, most historians agree that it was around 3,000,000, which would be about forty percent of the whole population. On the other side, in 1860, the slaves in the U. S were only about 13 percent of the entire population. Generally speaking, in Brazil slaves worked on much larger plantations then in the U. S.Most Brazilian plantations held about 150 slaves per plantation. In the U. S, it was quite different. According to Carl Deglar, who wrote, Slavery in Brazil and the United States, he states, â€Å"Out of all the plantations in the U. S, more the half the slaves worked on units with 20 slaves or less. † In the U. S it would not be uncommon for the slaves to deal with their owners on a daily basis, while in Brazil some worked on plantations with hundreds and hundreds of other slaves where it would be rare to encounter your owner. When comparing Brazil and the U.S today, the demographic differences during the days of slavery is one of the main reasons why the two countries are so different One may think that since the slaves were brought to the U. S and Brazil for similar reasons then they all were treated the same, had the same rights, and were viewed the same. Although this is by no means entirely false, there are a few specific differences on how the slaves were treated in the US compared to how the slaves were treated in Brazil. Religion among the slaves was vital for some while non-existent for others. In the U.S, religion was discouraged for the slaves. The average white American slave owner thought there was no need to ever have a slave practice a religion. This could be due to the fact that nowhere in the Catholic Christian teachings does it say it’s acceptable to enslave and treat a fellow Christian as the owners were treating their slaves. In 1831, Virgi nia passed a law stating, â€Å"Slaves and free Negroes were forbidden to preach, exhort or teach in any prayer-meeting or other association for worship where slaves of different families are collected together on penalty of not more than thirty-nine lashes. In Brazil, the Christianity of a slave was viewed quite different. Some slave owners even viewed it as an essential for a slave to work on his farm. In some cases the slaves would even have to perform a religious ritual even before they stepped foot in Brazil. Instead of being viewed as complete property, the slaves in Brazil were given a chance to practice a religion, in particular, practice the teachings of the Catholic Church. The slaves that departed from Angola, Africa to Brazil were baptized before they got on board the ship.When they arrived in Brazil, the slaves were acknowledged as baptized and had to begin learning the prayers, doctrines, and functions of the Church. In Brazil, marriage was actually acceptable and val id. In 1711, the Constituicoes Primeiras of the Archbishopric of Bahia reaffirmed the legitimacy of marriages between slaves, and between free persons and slaves. According to the Constituicoes, masters could not prevent their slaves from marrying, nor could they separate them once they had wed. Although this may sound promising, it sounds better then it actually was.Most slave owners did not abide by the law that you could not separate a married slave. In general, they still viewed them more as property then people. According to Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the former president of Brazil, he states, â€Å"Of the 660,000 slaves in all of Brazil in 1875, who were 14 years or older, only about 1 out of 6 was recorded as married or widowed. † In terms of religion, it is true that the Brazilian slaves had more rights then the U. S slaves, but not by much. As you can see both the U.S and Brazilian slave owners were more determined on making profit by making the slaves strenuously wo rk then anything else. Although both Brazil and U. S slave owners had complete ownership and control over their slave, the way they treated them did differ between countries. Theoretically, both Brazil and the U. S had laws against murder, abuse, and over working the slave. The difference is, generally speaking, in Brazil some of those laws were carried out while in the U. S, it was rare to see anyone ever defend a slave. In the U. S, the slave owner acted as the judge and jury for any issue involving his slave.In Brazil, a slave had somewhat of a right to a jury. For instance, say a slave owner murdered his slave in the U. S. In most cases it would go unheard of, but even if it were taken to court, it would have been extremely rare if the owner were prosecuted for anything. Now, if a slave owner murdered his slave in Brazil, by law the court should have prosecuted the case as if the slave was a free man. Although it may sound that slavery in Brazil was a lot less harsh, in reality, this judicial approach in Brazil is what should have happened, but as you can guess, it rarely ever did.Henry Koster, a famous German author and film director, in his novel, Travels to Brazil, he states, â€Å"occasionally a cruel master was fined for maltreating his slaves but, I have never heard of a punishment having been carried farther then this trifling manner of correction. † Although by law, the Brazilians compared to the U. S had stricter laws protecting the slaves, when it comes down to the truth, in both countries the slave was viewed more as property then human, mistreating your slave was seen as mistreating your property. One of the biggest differences when comparing U.S slavery to Brazilian slavery concerns manumission. Manumission, meaning the act of freeing a slave, was undoubtedly less common in the U. S compared to Brazil. The number proportion of free slaves in Brazil compared to the number proportion to free slaves in the U. S proves that manumission was more frequent in Brazil. In 1818, for every one free African in Brazil, there were only three slaves. This ratio is compared to with that in the U. S in 1860, when for every one free African, there were eight slaves. By 1872, the number of free Africans in Brazil was more then double the amount that were still slaves.The numbers show that there’s indisputable evidence to prove that manumission was more frequent in Brazil. It is important to note that Brazilian slave owners were freeing the sick and the old more so then the U. S, however, the sick and the old simply would not have been capable to produce offspring in numbers to explain the large number of free Africans in Brazil. Marvin Harris, the famous American anthropologist, along with many other historians suggests another explanation to why there were such a higher percentage of free Africans in Brazil compared to The United States.As stated before, in Brazil in the late 19th century, the free Africans greatly outnumber ed the slaves. The big difference was that Brazil needed those free Africans in order to maintain their economy. The free black slaves in Brazil produced food, were craftsmen, and even slave catchers. They performed the tasks that slave labor was too hard to achieve and the whites thought they were too good to do. This was not the occurrence in The United States. First, the U. S was importing more food rather then growing it like Brazil did, and the food that was being produced in the U.S was produced by whites in the South and Northwest. Also, the U. S had enough white men to perform the tasks that the free Africans in Brazil were doing. Therefore, for the U. S there was no economic reason for the whites to turn towards manumission as Brazil did. It did not matter if you were a slave in Brazil, The United States, Caribbean, Central America, or anywhere else, something that they all had in common was the attempt to run and become a free man. Some succeeding, some did not. In Brazil, escaped slaves formed communities like the ones they were forced to leave in their homeland.These communities were called quilombos. Compared to the U. S, the slaves in Brazil had a greater and a better chance for escape. The number of escaped slaves, the number of revolts, and the size of the quilombos were all greater in Brazil. Although there were plenty of revolts and escapes in the US, generally speaking, there were fewer participants then Brazil. In most of The United States, the climate was to cold in the winter to survive on your own compared to Brazil where the climate was reasonable. Also, Brazil was full of forests to hide in compared to the U. S where the areas were policed heavier.The large quilomobs communities in Brazil may contribute to the fact that today, in Brazil the blacks are seen as Brazilians while in certain parts of The United States, the blacks are still seen as Africans. During the days of slavery, discrimination towards blacks was clearly brutal and rut hless. The horrific and saddest result of slavery in The United States is that race prejudice still exists today. I am not saying that blacks are thought of as they were in the 18th century, but in The United States today, especially in the South, there is still discrimination towards colored people.After slavery was abolished in The United States, by no mean did that make the whites and blacks have equal rights. Even after the abolition of slavery, a black man still could not vote, give testimony in court for a white man, marry white women, hold office, and many other terrible things. Brazil, on the other hand, as writer Herbert Alexander puts it, â€Å"the race problem had been allowed to solve itself. † For example, in the seventeenth century, one of the three main officers when the Brazilians fought the Dutch was Henrique Diaz, a black man.This is something you would have never saw in The United States. The United States and Brazil were one of the last nations to abolish slavery in all of the Americas. The Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, ended slavery in the United States. In 1888, due to international political pressure, Brazil being the last nation to do it in the Americas, finally abolished slavery. Unlike The United States, Brazil was able to abolish slavery with out catastrophic violence. In both Brazil and The United States, the horrific terror of slavery in the 16th to 19th century is something everyone would want to forget.However, during that time period slavery was the reason why both The United States and Brazil’s economies were both stable and on the rise. Overall, when looking into the history of slavery in both The United States and Brazil, although there are differences and similarities, the time period of slavery explains greatly to why present day life in both unique countries is what it is. Bibliography Alexander, Herbert B. â€Å"Brazilian and United States Slavery Compared. † – Wikisource, the Free Online Library. N. p. , 2 Feb. 2001. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Bergad, Laird W.The Comparative Histories of Slavery in Brazil, Cuba, and the United States. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2007. Print. Brogan, Hugh. The Penguin History of the United States of America. London: Penguin, 2001. Print. Carmody, Padraig. â€Å"Unit Three: Studying Africa through the Humanities. † Exploring Africa. N. p. , 4 Nov. 2002. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Carter, Tom. â€Å"Race and Slavery in America. † Opinion Forum RSS. N. p. , 28 Feb. 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Davis, David Brion. Inhuman Bondage: The Rise and Fall of Slavery in the New World. New York: Oxford UP, 2008. Print. Degler, Carl N.Slavery in Brazil and the United States: An Essay in Comparative History. 4th ed. Vol. 75. Washington, D. C.? : American Historical Association. , 1970. Print. â€Å"Differences In Slave Laws In Colonial Brazil And Colonial British North. † 123HelpMe. com. 10 Dec 2012 Dodson, Howard. â€Å"How Slavery Helped B uild a World Economy. † National Geographic. N. p. , 3 Feb. 2003. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Equiano, Olaudah, and Shelly Eversley. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or, Gustavus Vassa, the African. New York: Modern Library, 2004. Print. Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2008. Print. Gomez, Flavio S. Africans and Slave Marriages in Eighteenth-century Rio De Janeiro. N. p. : Sheridan, n. d. Print. Koster, Henry. Travels to Brazil. New York: Kessinger, 2012. Print. Mattoso, Katia MAE. To Be a Slave in Brazil, 1550-1888. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers UP, 1986. Print. Mintz, Sean. â€Å"American Slavery in Comparative Perspective. † Digital History Copyright. Mintz S and McNeil S, 3 Jan. 2003. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Paine, Thomas. â€Å"African Slavery in America. † Pennsylvania Journal and the Weekly Advertiser. Philadelphia] 14 Apr. 1775: n. pag. Print. Reis, Joao Jose. Slave Rebellion in Brazil: The Muslim Uprisi ng of 1835 in Bahia. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1995. Print. Tony, Dunnel. â€Å"History of African Slavery in Brazil. † Suite101. com. The University of Nottingham, 8 Sept. 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Laird W Bergad. The Comparative Histories of Slavery in Brazil, Cuba, and the United States. Print. 115-120 [ 2 ]. Herbert B. Alexander â€Å"Brazilian and United States Slavery Compared. † Web. 12 Dec. 2012. [ 3 ]. Olaudah Equiano.The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Print. 35 [ 4 ]. Sean Mintz. â€Å"American Slavery in Comparative Perspective. † Web. 12 Dec. 2012. [ 5 ]. Laird W Bergad. The Comparative Histories of Slavery in Brazil, Cuba, and the United States. Print. 115-120 [ 6 ]. Jose Joao Reis. Slave Rebellion in Brazil: The Uprising of 1835 in Bahia. Print. 8 [ 7 ]. Laird W Bergad. The Comparative Histories of Slavery in Brazil, Cuba, and the United States. Print. 117 [ 8 ]. Carl N. Degler. Slavery in Brazil and the United States: An Essay in Comparative History. Print. 006 [ 9 ]. Herbert B. Alexander â€Å"Brazilian and United States Slavery Compared. † Web. 12 Dec. 2012. [ 10 ]. Flavio S. Gomez. Africans and Slave Marriages in Eighteenth-century Rio De Janeiro. Print. 42-50 [ 11 ]. Carl N. Degler. Slavery in Brazil and the United States: An Essay in Comparative History. Print. 1009 [ 12 ]. Henry Koster. Travels to Brazil. Print. 77 [ 13 ]. Carl N. Degler. Slavery in Brazil and the United States: An Essay in Comparative History. Print. 1012 [ 14 ]. Herbert B. Alexander â€Å"Brazilian and United States Slavery Compared. † Web. 12 Dec. 2012.

Free Essays on Grandpa Tech

. He left the room, slowly walking down the split-level hallway, his mug held tightly in his knobby hand as my brother and I watched from our bunk bed. His walk was tired as he shuffled down the hallway, painted beautiful early-nineties off-white. His marbled grey hair was up in its typical perm, tightly curled about his small, thin head. His frame showed the wear from seventy plus years of work, bent over ever so slightly to reach a minute height hovering 5’5† in space. His gnarled hands sprouted skinny fingers connected through thick knuckles. His hands shook at a slow pac... Free Essays on Grandpa Tech Free Essays on Grandpa Tech As I begin my freshman year of college, I find myself attaining a degree entirely based upon the teachings of my grandfather. As a young adult of 18, I realize that a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology could simply be the B.S. of Tom Goranson. He awakened the tinkering gene within me, passed down through the ages. Indoctrinated as a small child, engineering has become a part of my life. He was responsible for molding my constructive abilities into something worthwhile for the general public. I can remember a specific incident with my grandfather when I lived in Kansas. My grandpa, who migrated south from the north woods of Minnesota, decided that he would help his three grandchildren take advantage of the enormous hill that they lived on. Yes, Kansas is not renowned for its gigantic hills; however, 84th Street East was known for its dogleg hill to the south, covered by ancient oak trees. Duplexes lined the streets, every third one or so mimicking the previous few, with the exception of the occupant’s personal belongings littering the lawns and driveways. The morning began promptly at 8:00, because hard edged Swedes are never late for anything. He woke us up in his heavy Minnesotan accent, a straight black coffee fragrance filling the room. â€Å"Hey now, time to get up boys,† his thick accent modifying all of his words. He left the room, slowly walking down the split-level hallway, his mug held tightly in his knobby hand as my brother and I watched from our bunk bed. His walk was tired as he shuffled down the hallway, painted beautiful early-nineties off-white. His marbled grey hair was up in its typical perm, tightly curled about his small, thin head. His frame showed the wear from seventy plus years of work, bent over ever so slightly to reach a minute height hovering 5’5† in space. His gnarled hands sprouted skinny fingers connected through thick knuckles. His hands shook at a slow pac...

Creating Effective Matching Questions for Assessments

Creating Effective Matching Questions for Assessments As teachers create their own tests and quizzes, they typically want to include a variety of objective questions. The four major types of objective questions include multiple choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, and matching. Matching questions are made up of two lists of related items that students must pair up by deciding which item in the first list corresponds to an item in the second list. They are appealing to many teachers because they provide a compact way to test a great deal of information in a short amount of time. However, creating effective matching questions requires some time and effort. Advantages of Using Matching Questions Matching questions have a number of advantages. As already stated, they are great at allowing teachers the ability to ask a number of questions in a short amount of time. In addition, these types of questions are quite useful for students with a low reading ability. According to Benson and Crocker (1979) in Educational and Psychological Measurement, students with low reading ability scored better and more consistently with matching questions than the other types of objective questions. They were found to be more reliable and valid. Thus, if a teacher has a number of students who have lower reading scores, they might want to consider including more matching questions on their assessments. Hints for Creating Effective Matching Questions The directions for a matching question need to be specific. Students should be told what they are matching, even if it seems obvious. They should also be told how they are to record their answer. Further, the directions need to clearly state whether an item will be used once or more than once. Here is an example of well-written matching directions:Directions: Write the letter of the American president on the line next to his description. Each president will be used only once.Matching questions are made up of premises (left column) and responses (right column). More responses should be included than premises. For example, if you have four premises, you might want to include six responses.The responses should be the shorter items. They should be organized in an objective and logical manner. For example, they might be organized alphabetically, numerically, or chronologically.Both the list of premises and the list of responses should be short and homogenous. In other words, do not put to o many items on each matching question. All responses should be logical distractors for the premises. In other words, if you are testing authors with their works, do not throw in a term with its definition.Premises should be approximately equal in length.Make sure that all of your premises and responses are on the same test printed page. Limitations of Matching Questions Even though there are a number of advantages to using matching questions, there are also a number of limitations that teachers must consider before including them in their assessments. Matching questions can only measure factual material. Teachers cannot use these to have students apply the knowledge they have learned or analyze information.They can only be used to assess homogenous knowledge. For example, a question based on matching elements with their atomic numbers would be acceptable. However, if a teacher wanted to include an atomic number question, a chemistry definition, a question about molecules, and one about states of matter, then a matching question would not work at all.They are most easily applied at an elementary level. Matching questions work quite well when the information being tested is basic. However, as a course increases in complexity, it is often difficult to create effective matching questions.

Whats a Good SAT Score for an Honors Student

What's a Good SAT Score for an Honors Student SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips e It can be hard to tell the difference between a goodSAT score and a bad one, especially for high-achieving students. To help you see how you stack up against your peers,we've done a thorough statistical analysis to determine what counts as a good SAT score for an honors student. In this guide, I'll give you a sense of what a high score looks like for a top student and help you understand what that means for you. But before we get into the data,let's define our terms. What Is an Honors Student? Honors students are high achievers. Whether we think of them as student enrolled in honors classes, students on the honor roll, or students earning a certain class rank, the basic premise remains the same: they strive towards loftier academic standards than most of their colleagues do. Since this is certainly true when it comes to grades in school, it ought, by rights, to extend to standardized testing. What qualifies, then, as a "good" SAT score for any given student is determined largely by the performance of that student's scholastic peers. What Is a Good SAT Score? When you think about it, there's really no universal cut-off between a "great" score and a "not-so-great" score- not one that every single student will agree on.What trulymakes a score a good one is its ability to get you where you want to gothat is, its ability to make you attractive to the schools you'd like to attend. Honors students are generally gearing towards more competitive schools. Thus, they're going to need more exceptional scores to earn their way in! I'm not sure what the statistics in this picture mean, but they sure do look official! Good SATScores for Honors Students We at PrepScholar ran some statistical analyses to answer the delicate question of what a good score really looks like for an honors student. We used what's called a Monte-Carlo method, which is a lot more accurate than just lining up percentiles and comparing those. You see, just because you're in the top tenth of students at your school, that doesn't necessarily put you in the top tenth of standardized test takers. Why not, you may ask? Well, high schools select honors students based on different criteria than the SAT. Based on our analysis, we've compiled high, average, and low scores for both honors and high honors students. Honors Students We're defining these as the top third of high school students. It's possible that some of these students are not recognized as honors students at their schools, and it's possible that some students recognized as honors students at their schools are not among this third. Let's look at the range of scores for this group: A low score(25th percentile) is 1117 An average score (median) is 1207 Ahigh score (75th percentile) is 1285 Now, statistically, for the best of the best... High Honors Students We're defining these as the top tenth of high school students. These students are the ones most likely to be in high honors programs, though the same disclaimer applies here as it did before. Let's look at the range of scores for this group: A low score(25th percentile) is 1885(or 1257on the New SAT) An average score (median) is 2000(or 1333on the New SAT) Ahigh score (75th percentile) is 2102(or 1401on the New SAT) Take-Aways Sadly, there's truly no rest for the weary. The competition is a lot stiffer among more elite groups of students. It takes a much higher SAT score to stand out among high honors students than it does to stand out from among the common crowd. Having a good class rank combined with a stellar SAT score, though, is totally worth the effort. What's Next? Put in the work preparing for the test. Let us clue you in as to why it's so crucial. Aiming high along the way? A perfect score is tough to get, but it's possible. Are you still unclear on what a good SAT score is- or do you want a more general picture? We've got you covered. Want to improve your SAT score by 160points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

The problems and development of preschool education in China Dissertation

The problems and development of preschool education in China - Dissertation Example As such, it is important that the quality of management and teaching staff is up to certain standards nationwide so that young children are more adequately prepared for transition into primary school at age 4. That is the focus of this study. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 4 Statement of the Problem 5 Purpose of the Study 6 Summary 6 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature 8 Chapter 3: Methodlogy 16 Research Method and Design Appropriateness 17 Research Questions 18 Population 19 Sampling Frame 20 Informed Consent 22 Confidentiality 23 Geographic Location 23 Data Collection 24 Data Collection Procedures 25 Instrumentation 27 Validity and Reliability 27 Internal validity. 28 External validity. 28 Reliability 28 Data Analysis 29 Summary 30 Chapter 4: Results 32 Data Collection Procedures 32 Interview Questions 36 Data Analysis and Results 40 Experience, Qualification, and Training 40 Current Training Opportunities 41 Leadership Style 42 Level of Work in Chinese Preschools 43 Pre paration for Primary School 44 Chapter Five: Conclusions 45 Appendix A: Pre-Screening Interview 47 Appendix B: Personal Interview Questions 48 Appendix C: Informed Consent 50 References 51 1. Introduction Many countries around the world have long debated the importance of preschool programs. Some tout the developmental advantages of children who attend such educational institutions from a very young age, while others insist that just as many advantages exist when children stay and play at home during this time. In China, preschool education begins as early as 1 year old. Typically, Chinese youngsters will attend preschool until 3 years of age, when they graduate into a more formal kindergarten program. In China, however, part of the problem exists in the disparity between urban and rural areas. In regards to preschool education, this separation is particularly noticeable and telling. In urban areas of China, preschool is a full time business. Parents can send their children to schoo l, as young as one year of age, either full time or part time. In addition, there is a growing trend towards boarding preschools, where parents can send their children during the week and bring them home for the weekend. Arguably, many contend that such a serious focus on educating such young children is a bit pretentious, while others insist that children attending such preschools gain a valuable edge as they enter primary school. The concept of preschool, however, has hit a difficult patch in rural areas. Most rural families either must pay to have their young children boarded in an urban preschool, or they are forced with the option of far inferior programs in their neighboring villages. Rural, remote, and poor areas of China typically see preschools that are more typical of Western style nursery (day care) centers. In addition, preschools in rural areas are often seasonal in nature, as the teachers typically have other duties to attend to on farms during certain times of the yea r. Recent years have seen an explosion in the number of preschool’s offered nationwide, primarily as a result of a government initiative that provides such educational offerings to children as young as one year of age. Basically, a combination of state, collective bodies, and private citizens has worked together to expand preschool offerings throughout the country of China. This is response

Climate change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Climate change - Essay Example Researchers have the view that the temperature has risen by 0.8 -1o on the Celsius scale globally. The increase in the temperature may look small but it may bring a bigger difference in some of the temperature sensitive environments. The melting of the Atlantic Glaciers and glaciers at some other regions depicts the situation due to the climate change. Ecosystems and Climate Change Ecosystem plays a significant role in shaping the livelihood of the earth. However, the observed effects of the climate change are not such adverse that are estimated, as some of the organisms have the capability to adjust with the climate change. Some of the organisms within the island ecosystem such as coral reefs are much influenced with the little degree rise in the temperature (FAO 3-79). Like the Pacific Island’s mangrove area may decline from 1% to 13% as the temperature increases from 2o to 4o. In the Islands at higher altitudes, the temperature increase is causing the show to melt and thus endangering some species by increasing the amount of invasive species. Moreover, the increase in the level of the sea water might become a reason for the bleaching of the coral reef and effecting the reproduction of the coral reefs and thus lessening the life of the coral reefs. Coral reefs are important in becoming a reason for providing the other species like fish, shelter and food. Biodiversity can be influenced by the events such as the cyclones, where the repetitions of the cyclones are increased. With just an increase of 2% in the temperature, the intensities of the cyclones are increased by 12 or 15% (IFAD, n.pag.). Moreover, the climate change impacted the generation of ice over the... Natural processes have a set impact on the earth’s climate; however, the utilization of the fossil fuel sources to produce energy has produced many problems. The most distinguished problem of the burning of the fossil fuel is the emission of the green house gases. The green house gases are named due to having the ability to trap the solar radiations inside the earth’s atmosphere in the presence of water vapors in the atmosphere. In this way, the solar radiation never go back to the space and constantly warm up the earth’s atmosphere. The green house effect is created artificially in the green houses to develop certain plant species. Human activity is the major cause of the climate change. The utilization of the fossil fuel resources to attain energy is highly impacting the earth’s climate. There is a need reduce the utilization of the fossil fuel resources, as fossil fuels produce green house gas emissions that are capable of trapping the solar radiations. It is recommended to utilize the sustainable and renewable resources to produce energy like solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, etc. as sustainable and renewable resources produce no or little green house gas emissions. If it is not feasible to utilize the renewable resources, the fossil fuel resources that lave lower percentage of emission must be utilized like natural gas is better than both coal and oil, as it has lower quantity of emissions. There is need to control the climate change for the existence of the human life and for the existence of our planet.

Rusnak Auto Group Human Resource Management Research Paper

Rusnak Auto Group Human Resource Management - Research Paper Example The organization has experienced company certified technicians offering general and critical repairs to different vehicles. The company has focused very well towards customer satisfaction. The organization offers services for both pre owned and new cars. The organization is very famous for all luxury brands and personalized services. The organization belongs to automobile industry. Over the years the company has offered one umbrella solutions to its customers. The organization has recorded $800 million revenue in 2013. The group was founded in 1961. The organization is selling 11 famous brands. The company is very closely related with different corporate social responsibilities. Rusnak Group maintains high quality and ethical behaviors. In USA there are many automobile dealers. The organization is one of the 100 top most dealers in the country. The organization is located into 15 different locations in the country. Over the years the organization has maintained very friendly relation ship with its customers. Providing good quality customer service is one of the most important core competencies of the organization. The company offers multi dimensional services to its customers. Rusnak sales 11 top brand cars. Cars can be pre owned or new car. Rusnak also offers services for those new and pre owned cars. The organization has designed their services according to different brands. The organization provides quick and real time services to its customers. The company has online system for scheduling different car services. Rusnak maintains certain standards. Highly skilled workers are strengths of the organization. Best professional sells personnel and technicians are very important part of the company. The organization cultivates good quality professionals into their company. Association with world’s famous automobile brands is also a core competency for the organization. The company has very close and

Managing Information and Technology in Samsung Electronics Case Study

Managing Information and Technology in Samsung Electronics - Case Study Example This helps develop strategic information systems, which support the competitive position as well as strategies for the enterprise. The various information systems like the TPS, MIS and DSS help organizations gain competitive advantage, decrease competitive disadvantage and meet strategic objectives for the enterprise (Stair & Reynolds, 2014; Khosrow-Pour, 2006). Michael Porter shows that a firm is capable of having long-term success once the business successfully creates strategies for confronting the five competitive forces which shape the structure of competition within an industry. It is possible to develop various competitive strategies to assist a business to confront the five competitive forces. This can be achieved through knowledge presented to business professionals by information systems that include the main forms of IS. Information systems can provide knowledge regarding strategies on cost leadership, differentiation, innovation, growth and even alliance (KhadraouI & Herr mann, 2007; Heijden, 2009). Just over a decade ago, In 1993 Korea’s Samsung launched an initiative with the goal of rising to the ranks of global leading companies. From that time onwards, the company worked hard in refining its business focus and even alter the prevailing businesses strategies to achieve the ambition. Today Samsung is among the finest global corporations in terms of sales and earnings as well as innovative technological design. The company’s earnings and sales performance have surprised the world. As one of the planet’s largest makers of memory chips, Samsung creates many digital consumer gadgets, appliances, semiconductors, and even telecommunications devices. Since the 1993 initiative, Samsung electronics invested heavily in establishing its presence as an international iconic brand and manufacturer (Lee, 2006).

Human Anotomy and Physiology Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Anotomy and Physiology - Case Study Example The spine is made up of approximately 33 individual vertebrae; seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral, and four coccygeal. In our 70 year old subject, this number is closer to 27 since the five individual bones of the sacrum have long since entirely fused into one unit. Similarly, the fused individual components of the coccyx can probably be considered as two bones. One of the first structures to appear during embryogenesis, the spine develops from the mesoderm layer and shares a common origin with the skin, muscles, and gonads. It continues to develop throughout infancy and puberty. Each vertebra of the spine is composed of minerals and protein. Calcium is the predominant mineral, with several others. Collagen and cartilaginous structures form the protein matrix of the bones. Calcium salts such as calcium phosphate in the form of hydroxyapatite are embedded in a collagen matrix containing osteocytes and vascular tissues. The vertebrae are mostly compacted bone, which supports the weight bearing function of these structures. Our post-menopausal subject is losing bone mass at a rate of about 1% per year (see Calcium). The spine is interdependent with the paraspinal muscle groups (longissimus, multifidus, and rotatores).

Managing Information and Technology in Samsung Electronics Case Study

Managing Information and Technology in Samsung Electronics - Case Study Example This helps develop strategic information systems, which support the competitive position as well as strategies for the enterprise. The various information systems like the TPS, MIS and DSS help organizations gain competitive advantage, decrease competitive disadvantage and meet strategic objectives for the enterprise (Stair & Reynolds, 2014; Khosrow-Pour, 2006). Michael Porter shows that a firm is capable of having long-term success once the business successfully creates strategies for confronting the five competitive forces which shape the structure of competition within an industry. It is possible to develop various competitive strategies to assist a business to confront the five competitive forces. This can be achieved through knowledge presented to business professionals by information systems that include the main forms of IS. Information systems can provide knowledge regarding strategies on cost leadership, differentiation, innovation, growth and even alliance (KhadraouI & Herr mann, 2007; Heijden, 2009). Just over a decade ago, In 1993 Korea’s Samsung launched an initiative with the goal of rising to the ranks of global leading companies. From that time onwards, the company worked hard in refining its business focus and even alter the prevailing businesses strategies to achieve the ambition. Today Samsung is among the finest global corporations in terms of sales and earnings as well as innovative technological design. The company’s earnings and sales performance have surprised the world. As one of the planet’s largest makers of memory chips, Samsung creates many digital consumer gadgets, appliances, semiconductors, and even telecommunications devices. Since the 1993 initiative, Samsung electronics invested heavily in establishing its presence as an international iconic brand and manufacturer (Lee, 2006).

Almarai and Anaam firms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Almarai and Anaam firms - Essay Example The foregoing data are consistent with the following performance indicators which reflect that Almarai has achieved better profitability levels for the year 2012 as compared to Anaam: Of the two companies, Almarai provided better returns for its shareholders for the year 2012. The following tabulation shows the standard deviation of the two companies: Stock prices of Anaam for 2012 turned out to have higher standard deviation, which peaked in July 2012 at 7.297. Closing at SAR 36.02 in June 2012, Anaam shares went up by SAR 10.32 or 28.65% in July 2012 in response to the approval by the company’s General Assembly of the proposed capital increase which was seen to boost its liquidity and profitability. In comparison, Almarai’s equivalent figures deliver the highest point in March 2012 at 4.271. From its closing price of SAR 60.81 for February 2012, Almarai’s stock rose to SAR 65.84 at the end of March 2012. This may have been the market’s positive reaction to the news declared on 28 March 2012 regarding Almarai’s increased stake in one of its subsidiaries, Global Co. Anaam stock prices are more volatile and, therefore, bring in more risk compared to Almarai’s. Incidentally, the beta figures of the two companies – 0.64 for Almarai and 1.39 for Anaam – consistently reflect that Anaam has more price volatility. 2. Capital Structure There are material differences in the annual levels of indebtedness of Almarai and Anaam for the years 2008 to 2012. Almarai has turned out to be a highly leveraged company, with its long-term debt to equity ratios ranging from 70.13% in 2010 to a high of 96.10% in 2012. This means that Almarai’s creditors have lent the company SAR 96.10 (for 2012) for every SAR 100 invested by the shareholders in the company. In fact, Almarai’s total debt to equity ratio – also called the leverage ratio – has consistently been over 100% from 2008 to 2012, peaking at 150. 31% in 2012. This means that the company’s total liabilities, both current and long-term, is higher than the company’s equity by as much as half of it (equity). It is, thus, not surprising that the total debt to total assets ratios of the company from 2008 to 2012 yield figures above 50%. In the same year when both the long-term debt to equity ratio and the total debt to equity ratio are at their highest during the 5-year period, the total debt to total assets ratio for the year stand out as the highest. By the year 2012, 61.32% of the company’s assets are financed by its creditors. The fact that Almarai is highly leveraged is further demonstrated by a comparison between the company’s leverage ratios and those of the industry that the company belongs to. Almarai’s total debt to equity ratio is 150.31% while the equivalent for the Agriculture and Food Industries Sector is 123.69%. Almarai’s long-term debt to equity ratio is 96.10% as against the Sector’s 56.49%. In the light of the foregoing, it is clear that Almarai has managed to maintain the confidence of its investors and creditors in spite of its high-leverage capital structure. The company has successfully ensured that its cash flows are stable and are capably generating all the cash requirements of its operations and treasury. As cited in the company’s Board Report for the year ended 31 December 2012, it is its efficiently controlled cash flows that have given Almarai access to additional financing

Paradise Lost Essay Example for Free

Paradise Lost Essay Paradise Lost is a poem by John Milton that is about the Fall of Man, how Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent who is Satan, and how God sent them out of the garden. Satan makes the angels turn against God leading to his expulsion out of paradise as well. God’s mercy, the son of God and the ultimate salvation and redemption are brought out in this epic poem. The poem is a series of arguments that were an expression of the characters in the poem. On further reading the poem, one understands that these poems are an expression of what Milton holds as the truth. He employs the use of analogies are digression to explain his belief with Satan considered a hero. Puritans were the extreme Protestants who were within the Church of England who held a strong belief that the Reformation did not make enough changes in the teachings and structure of the church. Puritans therefore found it upon themselves to purify their church by doing away with whatever they regarded as Catholic influence. They are extremely strict especially with regard to morality and religious matters. Puritans hold strong convictions regarding various aspects on the Biblical teachings. First, that personal salvation was from God alone. Secondly, that the Bible is the Bible was the true guide to life. Thirdly, that the way a church lives should be in accordance with what the scriptures say and finally that the society was unified as one. This paper will explain how the poem Paradise Lost is a reflection of John Milton’s Puritan beliefs. Milton discusses topics like the reality of evil, divine providence and the unification of the human race as one. As mentioned above, these are the strong convictions of Puritans. Paradise Lost is seen to be Milton’s expression of his Puritan belief which is mainly truth and purity despite the decadence of the society. In Book V, Abdiel, who was confronted by Satan refused to rebel against God and jealously guarded his faithfulness to God. The poem begins with a civil war in heaven. Here, Lucifer was exiled out of heaven after revolting against God. Together with Beelzebub, they form an alliance. This is a reflection of the civil war that happened in England with the puritans characterized as Lucifer and England as God. The Puritans had tried to take over England the same way Lucifer tried to overthrow God. Many Puritans were killed. Milton was excommunicated from the society just like Lucifer was sent away from heaven. Conclusion  Milton argues in his poem that just as God is not to blame for the fall of man, neither was Milton to take blame for the corruption and subsequent trials that were faced in England at the time of Oliver Cromwell. That the failure of Puritanism was as a result of the people not accepting God’s will in the ruler ship of England. The conclusion of the poem is based on Milton’s belief that absolute obedience to God will lead to order and sanity in the society and the world at large. According to John Milton, Paradise Lost is a parallel to the civil wars in England and the English Reformation that led to the emergence of the Puritans.

Marketing strategy of vegetable distribution system

Marketing strategy of vegetable distribution system This research paper examines the overall marketing strategy of a consumer product of vegetable distribution system. More specifically, this study addresses the marketing strategy of Colombo district. This paper will deeply analyze the effectiveness of the vegetable distribution system and customer satisfaction on that and also the success and failure of the system. The research will carry out by way of self completed questionnaire to identify the households attitudes on vegetable distribution system and awareness on that. Other than households responses, an interview will carry out data will analyzed by giving high concentration to the prevailing practical situations and thereby the conclusions will carry on. In the current modern world marketing touches all of us every day of our lives. This marketing system facilitates the traditional exchange systems and also provide us high standard of living consists of many large and small companies, where all looking for success. Therefore to emphasize the significance of marketing in this present era is important. The specific research study is also based on the marketing aspect, which is analyzing the vegetable distribution system in a specific area. This paper especially analyzes the current distribution system in Colombo district using the relevant theory and current news. Also I am interested in evaluating customer satisfaction on that system. Through this study I can find the cost effectiveness in this study and also I can find out the success or failure on the distribution system. So that it will help to find the solution for the problem it means we can find the reason for the failure so it will help to find the solution for the failure and we can recommend the best strategy. 1.2 Background of the Study 1.2.1 Vegetable Distribution System in Sri Lanka The conservative Vegetable Distribution system in Sri Lanka is having High public sector involvement, Markets were stagnate and less dynamic, Low or no processing (no value addition), High price instability Long supply chains with little integration, High wastage, Low accountability in the system, Large number of supply chain partners, operating independently, High market uncertainties at both producer consumer ends. The Emergence of a new demand and responsive supply Chain increases the competition the reason for the Changes Includes Rapidly growing urban population, rising income levels, changing socio-cultural environment, Changing taste and preferences, Explosive growth in information/communication capacity, High level of coordination/ integration of stakeholders and business orientation in the marketing system. 1.2.2 Vegetable Distribution System in Colombo For Vegetables to reach the Colombo consumer it must pass through many hands and often through a number of channels. Several participants are involved in a variety of marketing, negotiation and organizational systems. Each of these participants has their own need for infrastructure, services and legislative and regulatory support. The Main Components of vegetable Distribution Systems in Colombo district is vegetable comes into cities utilizing a variety of transport modes such as head loads, hand and animal drawn carts, small vehicles, large trucks, trains, and river and seagoing vessels. All these modes need to be accommodated in terms of facilities and access. Then vegetable is usually distributed to one or a number of wholesale markets. Other thing is from the wholesale markets the vegetable is distributed to a variety of retail outlets such as retail food markets, local food shops, and modern supermarkets. It can be seen in the Following diagram. Farmer Transporting Agent Commission agent at the Colombo wholesale Retailer Wholesaler Consumer (Fig 1.1) 1.3 Objectives of the Study Objectives of this Investigation are, To evaluate the performance effectiveness of the Retail Shop (in terms of customer satisfaction, Reasonable Price, Freshness and Quality product availability, Located in convenience Place, method of collecting information and transferring) To discover the cost effectiveness in Distributing Vegetables. To identify the reasons for success and failure of performance of Distribution system. Identifying (Marketing Strategies) Solutions for the problems identified during the investigation. 1.4 Research Question My research question is the Empirical Study on Vegetable Distribution System in around Colombo Metropolitan Area. I select this topic because Im very much interested in marketing area. This study will give the knowledge of the current vegetable distribution system in Colombo and how effective this system for the consumer. In Sri Lanka vegetable is a main food used in the day to day life. It has the high demand comparing to the other product. So it is important to know the system of vegetable distribution. Sri Lanka is a developing country many people are not affordable to buy high price products but it is not the issue in Sri Lanka but also most of the country. People are looking for high quality product with lower price. Effective distribution system can provide the people high quality product with low price. Distribution system means how the product make available for the people. It is very much important to know about the marketing channel because various channels used to distribu te the product to the consumer. Vegetable are transformed from the farmer to wholesaler and wholesaler to retailer and retailer to consumer. It is important for the marketing channel how ability to deliver the vegetables quickly to the consumer with the lower cost. The city of Colombo in Sri Lanka does not have dedicated wholesale markets for products with the existing three markets for grains, fruits and vegetables and fish conducting both wholesale and retail trading. Although originally recognized as wholesale markets the incorporation of retail actions due to inadequate planning of retail markets has meant that the markets are now highly congested and the whole area around and inside the markets is severely affected by traffic congestion during the morning hours. Buyers frequently spend over two hours in the market to purchase. Maintenance of greatly used facilities is difficult and the inadequate drainage has resulted in flooding and damage to road surfaces. Sri Lanka has an international trade deficit in vegetables, mainly because of high imports of onion and chilies from India. The country could save much foreign exchange by encouraging domestic production of vegetables. For this, however, a systematic effort would be required to identif y the vegetables most suited for production in Sri Lanka, and to identify barriers limiting their cultivation. More transport facilities will be needed for bringing production to wholesale areas and then to retail markets. This movement will result an increasing traffic congestion and pollution. Higher transportation costs, a main component of food prices, will contribute to increasing food prices for the metropolitan poor. I am interested to identify how effective the distribution system for vegetable in Colombo area currently. How they are satisfying the customer in that particular area. I need to identify the customer perception on the available distribution system. Whether, customer satisfied through this system. If the particular distribution system satisfies the customer or if it is very efficient and effective I can find the reason how it is effective and the strategy of the system. If not we need discover the reason for the failure of the distribution system on that particular area. My hypothesis for the research is: Ho: Vegetable Distribution System in Colombo is Effective. H1: Vegetable Distribution System in Colombo is Not Effective. CHAPTER 2: LITTERATURE REVIEW It is highly important that the theoretical aspects on which the study is based are clearly understood. It is especially emphasis on basics of marketing, distribution system etc. which are significant for this study. 2.1 Marketing According to American Marketing Association (2007) Marketing is an organizational function and a set of process for creating, communicating and delivering value to customer and for managing customer relationships in ways that benefit the organization and its stakeholders. 2.1.1 Activities Included in Marketing Marketing activities are various and it also varied because they fundamentally include everything need to deliver the product into the customers hands. The marketing activities are Designing the product to design a product we need to do a market research. Through that we can identify the customer needs and wants according to the customer desires we can design the product. Promoting the product how we are going to introduce the product to the market. It includes advertising, marketing communications etc. Setting a price it is important to capture the market producing in low cost will give high profit. People expect high quality product with lower price if we satisfy them only we can survive in the market. (Mary, [no date]). 2.1.2 Marketing Strategy A marketing strategy identifies customer groups which a business can serve well than its target competitors. Providing tailors product offerings, prices, distribution, promotional efforts, and services toward those market segments to capture the market. Preferably, the strategy should address customer needs that offer adequate potential profitability. A good strategy helps a business to focus on the target markets it can serve best. By analyzing the product portfolio and customer segment, assess distribution channel we can generate our own customer strategy (Angele, 2000). 2.1.3 Marketing Plan When we developed a marketing strategy, it is written down as a marketing plan. The plan frequently go further than the strategy, it includes detail such as budgets. We need to develop a marketing strategy before write a marketing plan. The marketing strategy is to understand and match the capabilities of business opportunities available in the market. So we need to collect more information regarding that such as: data about the market ( size, growth, Potential customer), Competitive data ( Direct competitors, product and price of competitive product) (Matt, 2010). 2.1.4 Target Market Owners of small businesses usually have limited resources to spend on marketing. Concentrating their efforts on one or a few key market segments gives the most return from small investments. We should select to whom we are going to market. Target marketing method is help to reach the customer efficiently. (Chelle, 1994). It is also no agreed that health of the company is largely depends on Customer behavior and attitude needs. (Margret, 1985). 2.1.5 The Marketing Mix Marketing mix is a choice of the organizations to bring a product or service to market. In order to achieve marketing goals we need to have a strategy. The marketing mix elements help to determine the strategy (Gummesson, 2002). The marketing mix elements are: Place Product Price Process Promotion Marketing Mix People Physical evidence (Fig 2.1) Price In marketing selecting the price is one of the strategies. We need to identify the cost of production and other cost to determine the price. Right price will maximize the profit. Promotion It is the way to introduce the product to the market. It includes advertisement. Product Product strategy may include developing a highly specialized product and high quality product to the customer in a attractive way. Like special packing etc. Place It is the way of distributing the product to the customer. People People in the market cannot be underestimated. People have the direct impact on the product perceived. People are the important element in the marketing because products are for the people. (Mind Tools 1994). Process It is the manner of handling sales process and after-sale service it help to achieve marketing strategy. Physical Evidence Showing the tangible product to the customer is giving the chance to the customer to make a decision. Customers like to know about the product through the smell and touching. Offering free trial or advertisements are physical evidence. The marketing mix model helps to decide how to take a new offer to the market. Through that we can evaluate the current marketing strategy (Clarity Marketing, 2005). 2.2 Distribution System Initially it is necessary to consider about what is Distribution system. Frequently there may be a chain of intermediaries; each passing the product down the chain to the next level, before it finally reaches the consumer. This process is known as the distribution chain or the channel. Each of the elements in these chains will have their own specific needs. The Distribution system is also clear-cut as a set of interdependent organizations involved in making a product or service available to consumers or industrial users. Usually a number of different institutions are involved in a distribution Channel because such specialization increases the efficiency by marketing activities are performed. The Main thing is to select the distribution aspect is that marketing of a product highly depend on its distribution efficiency, even the best Quality, Brand, Price, Promotion will not be successful if the product wouldnt reach the consumer hands by utilizing a good distribution system. Therefore the distribution systems are very important where the channel management leads to attain the product availability, cost effectiveness, Promotional activity, Channel members satisfaction etc. The cost of selling and distributing is becoming high due to high transport charges wages and commissions etc. But the benefits are not sure that it is achievable, so it is important to achieve the maximized benefit and minimized cost through good distribution systems. Companies can design their distribution channels to make products and services available to customers in different ways. The figure below shows some examples of channel levels for consumer marketing channels: Consumer Manufacturer1 Retailer Consumer Manufacturer Wholesaler Retailer Consumer Manufacturer Wholesaler Jobber Retailer Consumer Manufacturer (Fig 3.1) In the figure first one is called a direct-marketing channel, since it has no intermediary levels. In this case the manufacturer sells directly to customers. An example of a direct marketing channel would be a factory outlet store. Many holiday companies also market direct to consumers. The remaining channels are indirect-marketing channels. Second one is contains one intermediary. In consumer markets, this is usually a retailer. The consumer electrical goods market in the UK is typical of this arrangement whereby producers such as Sony, Panasonic, Canon etc. They sell their goods directly to large retailers such as Comet, Dixons and Currys which then sell the goods to the final consumers. Third one is contains two intermediary levels a wholesaler and a retailer. A wholesaler typically buys and stores large quantities of several producers goods and then breaks into the bulk deliveries to supply retailers with smaller quantities. For small retailers with limited order quantities, the use of wholesalers makes economic sense. This arrangement tends to work best where the retail channel is fragmented i.e. not dominated by a small number of large, powerful retailers who have an incentive to cut out the wholesaler. A good example of this channel arrangement in the UK is the distribution of drugs. Distribution is important because it affects the sale of the product. It also affects the competitiveness as well as profit because the margin is squeezed by distribution cost. Delivery is the part of activity that influencing the customer satisfaction (MMC learning [no date]). 2.2.1 Functions of a Distribution Channel The main function of a distribution channel is to provide a link between production and consumption. Organizations form any particular distribution channel. So that they can overcomes the major problems. Members of the Marketing channel perform many key functions: Information Gathering and distributing marketing research and intelligence information about actors and forces in the marketing environment needed for planning and aiding exchange. Promotion Developing and spreading persuasive communications about an offer. Contact Finding and communicating with prospective buyers. Matching Shaping and fitting the offer to the buyers needs, including such activities as manufacturing, grading, assembling and packaging. Negotiation Reaching an agreement on price and other terms of the offer so that ownership or possession can be transferred. Physical Distribution Transporting and storing Goods Financing Acquiring and using funds to cover the costs of the channel work. Risk Taking Assuming the risks of carrying out the channel work The first five functions help to complete transactions; the last three help fulfill the completed transactions. 2.2.2 Importance of Channel Members Many producers lack of financial services to carry out direct marketing; these direct marketing would require many producers to become middlemen for the in order to achieve mass-distribution economies. The use of retailer or middlemen largely boils down to their greater efficiency in making goods available to target markets. Through their contacts, experience, specialization and scale of operation, middlemen usually offer the firm more than it can achieve on its own. From the economic systems point of view the role of middlemen or a retailer is to transform the assortment of products made by producers into the assortments wanted by consumers, Producers make narrow assortment of products in large quantities, but consumer want broad assortments of products in small quantities. In the distribution channels, middlemen but the large quantities of many producers and break them down into the smaller quantities and broader assortments wanted by consumers. Thus middlemen play an important role in matching supply and demand. 2.2.3 Goals of Logistics System Some companies state their logistics objective as providing maximum customer service at the least cost. Unfortunately, no logistics system can both maximize customer service and minimize distribution costs. Maximum customer service state that fast delivery, large inventories, flexible assortments, liberal returns policies, and other services. All those activities are raising distribution cost. In contrast, minimum distribution costs imply slower delivery, smaller inventories, and larger shipping lots which represent a lower level of overall customer service. The goal of marketing logistics should be to provide a service to targeted level of customer at the lower cost. A company must first research the importance of various distribution services to customers and then set desired service levels for each segment. The objective is to maximize profits. Therefore, the company must consider the benefits of providing high quality of product and services against the costs. (Kotler and Amstrong 1992) . 2.3 Related Research Findings It has found that as in many European countries, the food retailing industry in France is dominating powerful companies. The research aimed at examining the idea that small producers are limited or even totally lacking in the supplier portfolios of bunch merchandisers in France. The common principles used by the retailers to select manufacturers are summarized. It has discussed using evidence from ten companies. Choosing a supplier is a critical step in a distribution firms buying process. It is a influential factor not only in the firms competitiveness but also in its corporate image. In the French food distribution channel, manufacturers products advertise directly to customers but sells to retailers. Retailers prefer to purchase from the suppliers who capable of launching large advertising. These are seem to be the required conditions for the retailer to sell large quantities of products to consumer. As a result the supplier incurs extra cos. Since the ability to assurance stock y ield depends on marketing resources and skills, French mass merchandisers concentrate mainly on assessing the potential marketable performance of the various manufacturers. In conclude that because they do not spend much on sales promotion programs small producers find difficulties in competing with larger producers in making sales in the distribution channel (Gilles, 1996). Natilia (2010) states that how the food supply and distribution systems took place in Accra, Ghana compare to Colombia. His study also made some recommendation to the policymaker to improve the efficiency of market distribution system. He analyzed the success, failure and challenges of urban food market in Accra. He also emphasis the market reform strategies on his research. Ross (1995) states that according to his research on marketing strategy he found the dynamic of appliance retail business also he estimated major customer decision making criteria. CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY 3.1 Research Design The most suitable research method is determined by the research problem and the objectives of the research problem. According to that the Descriptive research method will be used to perform the research study, since the research problem is based on evaluating the performance of a Retailer in distributing Vegetables around Colombo Metropolitan. And also it is a kind of a basic research because it is being conducted primarily to improve the understanding of general issues in distributing vegetables. And also secondary data such as journal articles will be used. The Reason for selecting Descriptive Research method is because it describes the phenomenon as they exist and also used to identify certain information on the Characteristic of a particular Situation or problem.The study will be conducted as a qualitative study by using primary and secondary data. 3.2 Data Collection Techniques. (Methods Tools) The type of data will be used for this specific study is mainly primary data. The Study is based on the Colombo Metropolitan. Therefore the primary data for the research will be collect within the Colombo Metropolitan region. Secondary data will used to analyze the relationship between the customer satisfaction and the sales volume of the vegetable. It is a qualitative research The Data will be collect from consumers. Data will be collected by Personal Interviews with the retailer and Questionnaires are distributed to consumers of that specific area. A questionnaire will be developed with questions based on the customers perception on Vegetables. Under interviewing people both the open ended question and closed ended question will include. The whole Colombo Metropolitan area is defined as the universe for this study, and the sampling unit is basically the vegetable consumers of that area. The Sampling Frame that is the source list from which the sample may be drawn is set with in the Colombo metropolitan. The size of the sample is 100 vegetable consumers. The non Probability technique will be applied in order to obtain a representative sample from the sampling frame the sampling unit which is vegetable consuming individuals especially the home makers. The consumers above age of 25 are included in the sample, because according to the research topic these consumers will be the best sample to achieve the efficiency and reliability. The sample does not afford any basis for estimating the probability that each item in the population has of being included in the sample. 3.3 Analysis of the Empirical Data The Data will be code and analyzed by using statistical software program, and also the data will be analyzed using analytical techniques such as mean, mode and averages. Appropriate graphs and charts will be use to interpret and present data in this study. Since the ordinal Measurement will indicate the relative position of two or more objects it will be used in this investigation to rank the Customer satisfaction factors and other factors. Using the information from the questionnaire can conclude the results of this research. This research methodology follows the research onion. F:Powerpointpe_ukPE083-SaundersFinal_FilesGifch04C04NF001.gif (Sources: Mark, 2006) (Fig 4.1) 3.4 Significance of the Study Competition between retailers has increased due to new super markets operation in the surrounding area and also due to Economical Condition of the country including Cost of living, inflation, Transport cost etc. Factors which is affect the firms profitability and to meet the customers expectation and satisfaction. Therefore it is important to analyze the problems faced by the retailer in distributing vegetables and give him a solution for the problems. The significance of this research is to identify whether the retailer can meet the customer expectation and satisfy them continuously and also to identify the exact problems prevailing during the research period how the distribution system effecting and then providing solutions, analyzing the cost benefits or cost effectiveness for the consumer. 3.5 Limitation of the Study Being an individual assignment, the effort exerted in to this study will be limited. Specially in selecting of the sample it is very difficult to take a complete representative sample as the population is high. The significant lack of secondary data specially in competitors data will be a major limitation to analyze data Because of the qualitative research it will very much time consuming. Financial limitation also there. Conclusion I can conclude that by conducting this research I can improve my knowledge in the distribution system on Colombo area. It will help me to apply these findings in other area too. I can identify the distribution system in a particular area and how effective that system also how that distribution system provide the customer satisfaction. Through this study I also can identify the success and failure of the distribution in a particular area and I can find the reason for that. It will help me to identify and recommend the solution for the existing problems. CURRICULAM -VITAE OF L.J.Shakthivel 12, Longford Gardens Hayes. UB4 OJW E-mail: [emailprotected] Contact No.07574957290 CAREER OBJECTIVE To become an individual who possess a wider knowledge and ability on things what she does and uses it for the enhancement of the work place and the society. PERSONAL PROFILE 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Name in Full  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lenita Jency Shakthivel 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gender   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Female 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Date of Birth  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3rd June 1983 4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nationality  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sri Lankan 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Married / Single  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Single 6.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   School Attended  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   St.Annes Girls Maha Vidyalaya Colombo -13. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS  Ã‚  Ã‚   Doing Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies at Icon College, London.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     B.Com (Special) Degree University of Sri Jayewardenepura Gangodawila, Nugegoda. General Pass   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   G.C.E A/L  Ã‚   Examination (2002)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      Accounting A, Economics A, Business Studies A. G.C.E O/L  Ã‚   Examination (1999) 5 Distinctions include Mathematics (111), Religion, Tamil and Science (1). 5 Credits including Science (11), Commerce, Social, Arts and English PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION Æ’ËÅ"  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Computer Literacy  Completed MS Office Æ’ËÅ"  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Completed DIPLOMA IN ENGLISH at Nalravi English Language Centre. Studied SAGE Accounting Package Following Post graduate Diploma in Management Studies in London.   EXTRA AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚ ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Secured Places in athletic meets  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Secured Place in Essay Competition  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Served as a Games Captain.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Participated in English Speech. EXPERIENCE I have worked at Belcon agency Ltd (Shipping Company) as an accounts trainee for 1 year. (Book Keeping) I have worked at Peoples Bank Dam Street for 1 year under the internship program. (Customer Serve and Cheque Clearings) I have worked as an Assistant Accountant at SPS Enterprises for 1 year (Book Keeping and Customer serve) I hereby affirm that the above particulars furnished by me are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Yours faithfully L.J. Shakthivel