Structuralism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Structuralism - Essay Example The famous structuralists, like, Roman Jakobson, Roland Barthes, Claude Levi Strauss and Ferdinand De Saussure have made their contributions in justifying the fact that "a language speaks us". All of these structuralists have tried to develop the semiology or semiotics. These structuralists always took a language as a sign that reflects the thoughts of human being. The philosophies of structuralism were emerged prominently in the 20th century. The concepts that are provided by the structuralism hold more scope for making criticism. The most of the theories given by the structuralism include a margin of objectivity is the reason of the criticism. This objection is termed as the scientific objection. The structuralists tried to prove that we do not speak a language instead language speaks us. The fact is based on the thoughts that everything is produced as a result of some force or power, but the efforts of humans are not enough to produce anything. This statement has been made as a re sult of giving more attention towards the structures, patterns and the systems. (West, 170, 1996) The theories of structuralists are quite contradictory if they are compared with the theories developed by the humanists. Now, we are going to argue on the models developed for a language by the humanists as well as by the structuralists. The model that was presupposed and developed by the humanists states that the human minds are capable of understanding the real world. The human minds are rational and can get to everything that is seen. In the same manner, the rational human mind is able to portray and define the real world precisely up to some extent. This definition is given by making a use of some languages. The approach developed by the humanists relies on the fact that some of the languages are necessarily used for illustrating the real world. According to humanists, a language is the generation of the human minds. A language is totally generated by the will of human beings and no external force is involved in it. This theory suggests that an individual has the ability to decide what he wants to say. It clearly notifies the fact that we speak a language. It also defines the fact that the human minds are able to think and what to say. The human minds are also capable of understanding the meaning of the matter that has been uttered. No other external force is used by the human minds to speak. At this point, the theory of humanists regarding a language clearly denies the theory of structuralists. Every individual makes the use of a language for explaining the self essence or feelings. The individual here gets more value as in this case an individual represents the subject as well. The way of representing ideas and thoughts is also depending totally on an individual himself. Hence, the model considers the individual as the main element. All the meanings and concepts of a language are the generation of an individual's mind, and he is not being forced by any power to speak. So this theory suggests that we speak a language. (Martinez, 1, 1999) On the other hand, if the argument is made on the structuralists' model of a language that suggests

MPH502-Introduction to Public Health (Module 4 CBT) Essay

MPH502-Introduction to Public Health (Module 4 CBT) - Essay Example ation of chosen parameters from that of the ‘best’ group from all groups under study and is generally calculated in terms of adverse events wherever possible. Thus a higher percentage generally implies a comparatively more adverse situation. Health indicators for American Indian or Alaska Native Population were the best with regard to exposure to ozone, lowest number of deaths due to stroke and occurrence of hepatitis, diabetes, tuberculosis, gonorrhea and syphilis. But in areas as health insurance coverage among persons under age 65, new AIDS cases, infant deaths and deaths of persons aged 15 to 24 years the situation twice as worse as the best group. Data are available for the combined Asian or Pacific Islander population reveal that the group has best rates in death due to cancer, injury and violence prevention and, maternal, infant, and child health. However, this group is twice as worse than the best group in HIV testing among tuberculosis patients aged 25 to 44 years and congenital syphilis. The Hispanic population was the best in nutrition, tobacco use and injuries related to violence. But this group was twice as worst as the best group in health insurance coverage among persons under age 65 years, source of ongoing care, new AIDS cases and HIV infection deaths, new cases of tuberculosis, congenital syphilis and primary and secondary syphilis. (Midcourse Review: Healthy People 2010, 2007) Though biologic and genetic characteristics of American Indian or Alaska Native Population, Asian or Pacific Islander population or Hispanic population do not provide any categorical indication, major health disparities are observed between these groups and the white, non-Hispanic population in the United States leading one to conclude that race and ethnicity do play a significant role in health indicator disparities. Income and education, on the other hand are more ostensibly related to health indicator diversities. Generally, populations that are the poorest and

Know the benefits of an online presence Essay Example for Free

Know the benefits of an online presence Essay In this assignment I have to identify and describe five principal benefits that businesses gain by having a simple online presence. Remote locations The internet is a boon to anyone who lives miles away from a main shopping centre because they can simply select the items they want and order them online. This is vastly increases the choice of goods and services available to someone who lives in the highlands and Islands of Scotland for example. Customers with travel difficulties Even people who live in urban areas may not be able to get around as easily as they would wish from mothers with young babies to the elderly. In this case, it is far more convenient to buy online particularly when the whether is bad. Poor transport links In many rural areas bus services are very limited and train services may be non-existent or mainly available during the rush hour. Whilst it may be worthwhile taking a long or tedious journey on a special occasion, most people would prefer to make routine purchases quickly and easily online. Marketing Benefits Marketing benefits relate to those gains a business makes in a relation to knowing more than its customers, being able to target its products, services ad the website itself to meet Their needs. This will also make there company well known to other foreign countries and will be willing to do a transaction knowing of there prestige Compete with competitors The aim here is to prevent competitors getting online edge. This may be improving on the products, or services offered, the speed of delivery, the cost of delivery and/or constantly reviewing the style and design of the website itself to utilize new technological developments. It is quicker and easier to understand and compare competitor activities online than by visiting their stores or obtaining information on their products and services offline. Market research There are several ways in which organizations can obtain information from users of its website methods which you can do this is Through log files and cookies both log files and cookies collect information on site usage and provide valuable marketing information. Users can set their browsers not to accept cookies and not al sites have these. Every site, though, produces log files. These are the data records created by the web server that hosts the site Website activity software provides more detailed analysis of the log files than ISP would provide. Subscribers can find out which search engines drive traffic to the site, which pages are the most popular and particular page, that might be significant. Online Market Research this can range from a small pop-up questionnaire that asks a user to assess their online experience to comprehensive customer survey sent by an e-mail to registered users of the site or to volunteers who have agreed to form an online focus group. Rapidity of response to customer interest A web presence provides the opportunity to respond quickly to customers but not all firms take advantage of this. A website can provide several opportunities for customer contact, such as call me buttons and e-mail messages, but speed of response is vital Research has shown that internet users expect a faster response than customers who enquire by telephone or letter.

Overview Of Electronic Funds Transfer Marketing Essay

Overview Of Electronic Funds Transfer Marketing Essay ABSTRACT My thesis is based on the E-banking technology in which consumers can acquire more perfect, more rapidly and quick banking services from the programmed banking system. This technology has also been implemented by the global banks as well as by banks in Pakistan to provide well-organized and efficient services to their privileged consumers. The objective of this thesis is conceded to unchain the importance that Pakistani banks are associated with this form of e-banking technology that is being executed by the banks for providing the electronic services to the consumers and in what degree this technology is significant to customers. This research work will also aid to conclude whether the e-banking services are more perfect, more rapidly and quick banking services. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1 INTRODUCTION When Internet has entered into our daily life, the most dimensions of our lives such as education, communication, business, etc, were overshadowed by this novel phenomenon. One of these dimensions is to handle banking affairs through the Internet (Shirali Shahreza, 2007). According to (Richard Nyangosi Arora, Sumanjeet Singh, 2009) banking through electronic channels has gained much popularity in recent years. This system, popularly known as e-banking, provides faster delivery of banking services to a wide range of customers. Information technology is becoming an important factor in the future development of financial services industry, and especially in banking industry (Nami. M. R, 2009). In current business environments, customers using the services products of the banks want better choice. (Avkiran, 1999) stressed the importance of the human touch in the customer services. The capability of banking staff can be expected to directly affect the customers satisfaction. However, e-banking technologies can help in better understanding customers needs and customizing the services/ products according to their needs. In the new era there is a need of bank customers to get improved electronic banking services and also better relations with the bankers. It is also the need of time to provide efficient services/products to the customers. In Pakistan however, such kind of electronic banking has started recently. Online banking system present to their consumers a set of information-related benefits that favors to adopt e-banking, including the facility for the customers to control their bank accounts at any time and any place, and to access information content for making investment and financing decisions (Howcroft B, 2002). Due to the competition among the banks in Pakistan, the banks want to provide the services, which are more efficient, rapid and enhanced the banking system. Therefore, the objective of e-banking is to create such working environment where customers can easily find about the information they require for performing financial transactions. 1.1.1 Definition of E-Banking Electronic banking, known as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), it is basically the use of electronic methods or means to transfer money electronically directly from one account to another account, rather than cash or cheque. We can use electronic funds transfer for: 1. We can withdraw money by an ATM machine with a personal identification number (PIN), for our convenience at day or night. We can guide our bank or credit union to pay automatically monthly utility bills from our account, or our auto loan even our mortgage payment. 2. We can buy food, fuel for our personal transport, and other goods at the purchasing point, using a credit card rather than cash. 3. We can use a prepaid smart card embedded for our daily purchasing like pay phone, toll expenses, daily college expense or any bookstores. 1.2 BACKGROUND The increasingly change in worldwide competitiveness in commercial behaviors has improved the volume of bank in the world. It has produced additional banking knowledge and also improved customer demand of services given by banks. This revolution has set a motion in the banking sector for the provision of a payment system that is compatible with the demands of the electronic market (Balachandher, 2001). On the behalf of increased competition, many banks and organization did not only reduce their costs but they have also increased their products. Technology has changed the preconditions for service delivery, dramatically in recent years (Fredriksson, 2003). The banks are the financial institutions to provide consumers savings services, money transmission services and credit services (Sinkey, 1990). In other terms, banks are concerned with safe transaction and collection of management functions. In this regard the main object of the banks is to making profits and giving best services to their customers. Customers are eager to a banks behavior because the customers are the most significant cause of a banks deposit and revenue creation. These customers may either be a single person or group of a person or organization. According to (Chaudhury Kuilboer, 2002) the potential of providing innovative services over the Web is limited only by ones imagination. Online services, especially banking services, are becoming more attractive and alternative to visiting service outlets or phone call centers for increasing their customers. Therefore it become easy for the customers to prefer online services (Szymanski Hise, 2000), feel more in control of the service process (Bateson, 2000) to avoid from human contact with time saving (Meuter M.L. 2000). In Pakistan however, banking organizations have been focused on censure for not given to their customers with original and suitable banking services. Therefore, the outcome that some customers, find it suitable to keep their money or reserves at home than the banks. Studies will carry out by two famous banks working in Pakistan, which have researched and applied computerized technology for the delivery of banking services. Although, banking administration has delayed to execute computer technology in banking exercises. A number of studies have concluded that IT has positive effects on bank services delivery to customers, bank productivity, cashiers work, banking transaction and banking investment. So, these have positive effects on the growth of banking system (Balachandher, 2001). In addition, delivery the high quality services is a way for the banking to improve their relationships with their customers. By the Delivering high quality services, banks can achieve customer satisfaction and through customer satisfaction banks can gain loyal customers (Grà ¶nroos, 2000). Because of the highly undifferentiated services and products, financial organizations specifically banks become main tool for competing in this marketplace (Kim J.K, Han, Choi Kim S.H. 1998). Much research has been done about the quality of services and customer requirements in the traditional banking environment, where personal interaction between the customers and the bank employees takes place (Oppewal Vriens, 2000). Therefore, this is very important for the online banking services providers to become more capable about the customers perceptions of the online banking services quality. On the other hand the customers also have more expectations and demand when they are using e-banking services either the services are satisfactory or not. Because it is quite easier for customers to evaluate and compare the benefits of competing services (Santos, 2003). 1.3 PROBLEMS DISCUSSION The study about e-banking adaptation has gained special attention during the last decade as for instance; banking journals have devoted special issues on the topic (Waite Harrison, 2002). There were a lot of grievances over the delays in traditional banking services, withdrawals and delay in processing. Time is money but the customers have to wait for a long time of their turn in the bank for any banking facility. Some time even from a remote area a customer has to travel to the concerned branch for any kind of transaction. On the closing hours it becomes more harmful if anyone want make a business deal for payment. Having the computerized operations and automated teller machine; it has made it easy that the banks would activate their e-units to support the online banking services. In Pakistan, manual-banking system was performing below standard services to the customers and it may be affected on the customers support. Transactions of the money from one manual bank to the other can take five to ten days. Some time, when the purpose of transferring the money has almost dead. Sometimes businessmen have to cancel their business deals due to the unavailability of the cash transferring facility in time in traditional banking system where services are as slow as non-secure, non-satisfactory. In order to satisfy customers needs, many banks build their set up through web sites and Internet that provide the services and information to customers and the better service can help to get higher profitability. With the studies of IT in substantial, that would put a positive effect on bank productivity, cashiers work, banking transaction, bank support, and delivery of bank service. These have positive effects on the growth of banking (Yasuharu, 2003). Now Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited is providing broadband, which has enabled the customers to adopt the e-services instead of manual banking because these are much efficient and accurate. In Pakistan there is low literacy rate of workingwoman that are in service. But now young educated generation especially woman are trying to get jobs and taking part in nation building and economy and they have to use the banking services. Therefore the e-banking services will help and satisfy them regarding their expectations for efficient, accurate services. Recently, many local banks in Pakistan have used the online services as a new market channel to offer their customers a variety of services 24 hours a day. This e-banking, compared to traditional banking, heavily involves non-human interactions between customers and online bank information systems (Furst, Lang Nolle, 2002). When the customer evaluate of the e-banking service they received from Banks, then their satisfaction depends on website features/user interface design (Doll Torkzadeh, 1988) and that can be important to analyze the designed features of banking services delivered to the customers. 1.4 STUDY PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to establish the important that how the customers fond the concept and carry out e-banking services and to determine whether the utilization from the e-banking services, make more efficient, accurate and in time of banking services and also to make a variety and excellence between automated and a manual or ordinary Banking systems. To comprehend electronic Banking system in the context of Pakistan by the way of an analysis on the factors that manipulates customers favorable reception of electronic banking services. Particularly to consider the services and products associated with ordinary banking and e-banking with their fast, rapid, efficient, enhanced are more useful methods and to provide the customers to recognize the online banking services. It is to identify the significant aspects that shape the customers view about electronic service and features and the outcome of these services on customers satisfaction in Pakistani banking sector. The current study offers and considers a model to explain how ease, rapid, efficient operation, security, enhanced reliability and reaction positively and meaningfully affect customers awareness of e- services and how these manipulates the customers satisfaction. The leading issues pay attention in the study of e-banking customers to recognize the necessary dimensions of e-service provided by the banks. The study of the literature exposes the convenience, efficient operation, security and privacy, reliability with rapidness, and responsiveness with enhanced methods of e-banking service factors. These dimensions share many general facets of those quality determinants originated within the context of traditional service industries by earlier research (Parasuraman D. Grewal, 2000). Alternatively, these dimensions have their distinct attributes inherent in automated service quality environment (Al-Hiwari ward, 2006). The convenience dimension refers to ease of use and accessibility of the service at all times. The customers prefer flexibility to meet their financial needs at all times, which affect their perception of the e service quality (Gerrard Cunningham, 2003). Lio Cheung, 2002 found that accessibility positively determines perception of quality of service. (Lockettt Litter, 1997) and (Moutinho Goode, 1995) established that time utility is a major contributor of customers perception of e service quality. A lot of studies mentioned that the location e-service delivery is a strong driver of customers perception of e service quality (Aldlaigan Buttle, 2002; Almossawi, 2001; Levesque McDougall, 1996). The second dimension of e-service quality, efficient operation, relates to efficient and speedy operation of these services. Efficient in operations enhances the resources for the customers. Customers accord priority to user-friendliness of ATM. (White Nteli 2004) found that efficient and faster delivery has positive effect on customers perception for quality. Dilijonas, D.; Kriksciun ien, D.; Sakalauskas, V Simutis, R. 2009 argues that minimum breakdown of machines constitutes the essential aspect of e-service feature. (Al-Hawari ward, 2006) talks about the efficient ATM functions positively affect the customers perception of service quality. The element of consistency and dependability describes accurate and assured service at all times. Online users want to obtain the right quantity and right feature of service at all times, as promised by the banks. The literature provides strong support that rapidness, efficient and enhanced are essential determinants of customers perceived service quality and positively relates to customersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ use of online services (Fassnacht Koese, 2006; Polatoglu Ekin, 2001). The responsiveness aspect of e-service quality relates to the ability of the bank staff to provide the agreed services timely, accurately, dependably, and promptly. Customers prefer to resolve their complaints expeditiously (Karjaluoto, Mattila Pento, 2002). Prior studies indicate that responsiveness is crucial to sustain service quality and facilitates to build long-term relationship between service provider and the customers (Bauer, Falk Hammer Schmidt, 2006; Long McMillan, 2004). The research results will reflect a positive and strong relationship between online service quality and customers satisfaction. 1.5 BENEFITS OF E-BANKING The e-banking services open seven days a week and 24 hours a day. To decrease the cost-line and no need of physical bank branches To create more deep collection  for consumers needs and expectations. Terms of services to customers for their personal choices. Easy access for all. With the e-banking money can easily be get within no time from ATM machine. In current time E-banking has open out rapidly all over the world. Almost all Banks are making much use of E-banking amenities to offer good services. The extension of E-banking has also significantly advantaged the normal customer in all purposes. 1.5.1 Benefits from the customers point of view Common customers have been much affected in an optimistic manner by E-banking. A lot of ordinary tasks have been fully computerized resulting in much ease and reliable. The main benefit from the customers point of view is major time saving by the computerized of banking services as well as online processing and an easy maintenance tools for managing customers money. Some other key benefits of e-banking for customers are as follows (BankAway, 2001; Gurău, 2002). Decreased costs in operating and using the banking e-services. Increased relief and timesaving operation can be made 24 hours a day, without consulting with the bank. Rapid and enhanced access to information. Organizations or customers will have much easy access to get information as, they can check on several accounts on click of a button. Improved cash management. E-banking services speed up cash cycle and enhance the efficiency of business operations, as large types of cash management methods are available by e banking. Decrease costs in terms using the different e-banking products and services Rapidness the reply of services is very fast therefore the customers can actually wait till the last minute before final fund transfer transaction. Customers can take their history of different funds management Consumers account is particularly accessible with in online account. Consumers can withdraw money at any time through ATMs that are now generally available all over the country. With withdrawing money, customers can also take mini banks statements, account balance on ATMs. Through online banking consumers can control their account while sitting in his office or in home. No need to go in the bank personally for such matters. E-banking has also provided the facility in payment of utility bills. There is no need to stand in long queues for these matters. All these services are generally available at bank website. The development of credit card and its usage also owes significantly to E-banking. Now a customer can purchase anything worldwide without moving paper money with him. Banking services are available 24 hours a day; seven days a week or they are only a mouse click away. 1.5.2 Benefits from the bank point of view Banking industry has also various benefits due to the development of E-Banking procedure. Some are mentioned as below. The core benefits for the banking point of view is that e-banking services are better response to the market. The main purpose of every financial organization is to boost up the profits for its vendors. Online banking services offer ideal chances for increasing the profits. Some clarifications for this pricing plan can be proposed Banks receive extra profits on transactions completed via electronic channels.The abundance of payments is not a main concern for banks. Cross subsidization in special services groups is used, for instance, profits from loan activity balance poor abundance from payment services. The development of E-banking has much helped the banks in minimizing their overheads charges and service cost. Many services and dull tasks have now been fully computerized and in better Efficiency and good time usage. The growth of E-banking has made banks more economical. It has also led to growth of banking industry, commencing of new opportunities for banking processes. E-banking has reduced the paper work in banking industry, thus give them to work with paper less environment. E-banking has also provided facility to bank in proper records and documentation of the transactions. The e-banking capabilities of computer networks, like as the Internet, are much better than any branch network. 1.6 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF E-BANKING With the fame of the Internet growing progressively, many industries are discovering new and attractive method to make it appealing medium to keep up with the continually altering preferences of clients. Nowadays, we can do almost everything over the Internet like shopping for home goods, business deals, contact with friends and so on. The Internet has apparently nonstop possibilities for the banking industry. Most of us have known about online banking services, and more than a majority has perhaps not even tried it yet. Some of us are feeling more relax and easy to work with real people, paper work and money instead of its virtual complement. At last there are a many advantages and disadvantages of online banking services. In this study there will be outline of good side as well as the bad side of online banking services. That you can feel online banking is safer way to manage your transactions and you can be overcome your fears. 1.6.1 Advantages Online banking is very suitable and convenient. It allows people to pay their bills and make transactions anytime during any time of the day and in the week. E-banking system never closes any time because people can access it through internet. There will be no matter in which country you are or anywhere in the world. Customers can make online transaction and handle your finances with conveniently. Secondly, e-banking services are very rapid, effective, enhanced and efficient. E-banking system also gives the option of transaction making in the different bank accounts from a website. Mostly e-banking websites are compatible with programs like Microsoft infrastructure, which makes organizations assets more valuable. 1.6.2 Disadvantages There are also some disadvantages in e-banking services. The main problem is that most people do not trust the transaction performed on online and almost wonder whether they did the right thing? Of course, people more relax and feel easy to find printing the transaction receipts of their transactions. The receipt will confirm them whether or not their transaction has gone successfully. For beginner e-banking can be difficult to learn and some time website could take time to start up. Some websites ask for identification, which can be very inconvenient for the new comers in e-banking. People like talking in person-to-person in case of any difficulty or problem. They like the personal touch like customer service and these kinds of people do not feel comfortable with e-banking. 1.7 ELECTRONIC BANKING IN PAKISTAN Electronic banking is the most recent in the line of technological aspects of the recent past in Pakistan. ATMs, mobile Banking, Credit Cards and Debit Cards, Internet Banking, Cyber Cash have come forward as useful delivery channels for usual banking services and products. In Pakistan, MCB RBS took as a pioneer to introduce ATMs and credit cards in the mid 1990s. The Annual Report of SBP (2003: p. 110) mentioned this delayed access of electronic banking by regulatory hurdles; much costs for startup, reforms on-going banking sector and lack of technological knowledge. The e-banking promoted with the circulation of the Electronic Transaction Ordinance 2002 by the Government of Pakistan. This attraction facilitates legal respect of digital signatures the risks associated, reducing documentation with the exercise of electronic technology in business. In current situation, almost all Pakistani commercial banks have their own setup and networks, they issuing debit and credit cards and have joined collectively in operating ATM Switch Networks with each others. As according to (Kolachi, 2006) Pakistani banks offers the following online banking services and products to their customers. Inquiry:  Account balance inquiry, Account statement inquiry, fixed deposit inquiry, Check statement inquiry Payment:  Credit and Debit cards payments, Transfer of funds, Utility bills payments and direct payments. Request:  Demand draft requests, Stop payment requests, Cheque/Check book requests, New fixed deposit requests Download:  Statement download, download Customer profile, other information and guidelines. The Annual Report (2009, p. 111) of SBP explains that domestic banks are the foremost provider of ATM facilities while foreign banks, like ABN AMRO Bank, Standard Chartered, and Citibank control the credit card business in Pakistan and over 95% of the total amount of transactions. 1.8 RESEARCH QUESTION The research question is in the sense that, the endurance of any e-banking system based on the large extent that depends on the banks ability to maintain and attract customers by offering modern and technologically enhanced banking services and products. Investigate between customer perception of e-services and the services environment in Pakistan. In order to understand and to be accomplishing the purpose, the research question of the study defined as follows: To what extent E-banking System is more efficient, rapid and offers enhanced opportunities compared with ordinary banking system in Pakistan?

The Struggle for National Identity in the Countries of Latin America Es

Following an independence revolution a nation tends to proceed into a period where they learn independence and can function on their own with their own identity. They learn to respect the rights of its citizens, provide national security, instill a sense of patriotism, and learn to handle economic endeavors in a way to benefit the nation as a whole. After their revolutions for independence, the countries of Latin America did not achieve many of these milestones. The countries of did not show any signs of becoming anything close to independent after their revolutions. They allowed Great Britain and the U.S. to come in and dictate their economic infrastructure by exploiting the masses and allowing only a few individuals to enjoy wealth. This in return led to brutal political dictators, a large number of landless farm workers, a low literacy rate, and worker repression. Latin America is a rich land with poor people as its inhabitants because leaders of each country have failed to recognize how to effectively create an independent nation. After most of the Latin American countries achieved independence from Spain in the late 19th century the issue of what type of government the countries would adopt and who would oversee them arose. Many wanted to maintain the Spanish American tradition of a monarch ruling; while others were intrigued by the teachings and doctrines of the Enlightenment and admirers of the American success and wanted to start fresh as a republic. The federalist and centralist factions became aligned with two main political currents that dominated Latin American politics during the nineteenth century: liberalism and conservatism. Generally, liberals viewed the United States as a model whereas, conservatives ... ...ndividuals in power were too selfish to worry about the nation as a whole. Their only concerns were to make themselves as rich as possible regardless of the well-being of others. In a sense, Latin America is not â€Å"detached† from Spain. The core of Colonial Spanish America was to exploit the masses and to restrict power and wealth amongst the elite. This notion has been prevalent throughout Latin American History. Until Latin American countries can break away from exploitation and the involvement of foreign powers in their economy they will never be able to ha[-]. The United States partook a large role in the lack of progessiveness in Latin American following the nineteenth century. Anything that challenged business interests of the United States in Latin America led to a radical reaction by the United States. These radical reactions put fear into many citizens. â€Æ'

The Manifestation of Pride in The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis Essay

The Manifestation of Pride in The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis suggests that choices made on earth have a consequential effect towards our acceptance into heaven or our plummet into hell. In this book pride manifests itself in a hundred subtle ways as souls whine about perceived injustices or irrational motives. Thankfully, a few tourists do humble themselves, become transformed into marvelously real beings, and remain in heaven. But most don't, about which the great Scottish author George MacDonald, Lewis' heavenly guide, says, â€Å"They may not be rejecting the truth of heaven now. They may be reenacting the rejection they made while on earth†. George MacDonald the narrator/teacher, from whom Lewis found inspiration for his book, is the guide in the journey through the gates of heaven. This provides great wisdom throughout the book which is not understood without reflection. MacDonald in essence presents Lewis with a choice while journeying in the gates of heaven. The stories of lost ghosts in the heavenly gates only provide reflection for Lewis’ own choice. This choice is not revealed by Lewis, rather it is up to the reader to make his/her own choice. MacDonald gives guidance towards our choice, â€Å"The choice of every lost soul can be expressed in the words, ‘Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.’ There is always something they prefer to joy....† (71). At one point in the book McDonald observes a ghost with Lewis and suggests that truth is a lifelong process, our life longs for this truth. Although we may not all realize truth because of lack of time, Lewis suggests it’s just a matter of obtaining the truth through good use of time. â€Å"Evil can be undone, but it cannot ‘develop’ into good. Time does not heal it† (Preface: VIII). Time is in essence, if perhaps used in the way of authentic leisure, a God given tool for overcoming evil and obtaining the truth of heaven. The women in chapter eleven loves her son so much that she has no love left to give and no room for love to be received. The spirit offers to open love to her, when she replies by requesting to see her son. This love has perhaps prevented her from receiving intellectus (receptivity of knowledge), and in my mother’s case, even the ratio (reasoning) is affected. The saying â€Å"love conquers all things† is true, even if it is not also conquering for the goo... ...tellectus. However, while painting in the ratio he noticed some things were more beautiful to paint than others. Ratio is what caused him to not enter through the gates of heaven. He had not preserved his intellectus or true beauty of things. He had lost intellectus through realization of time, of time slowing. So, instead of letting time go he grabbed it which brought him to reason his paintings through the mind rather than the spirit. â€Å"Reality never presents us with an absolutely unavoidable ‘either-or’; that, granted skill and patience and (above all) time enough, some way of embracing both alternatives can always be found† (Preface:VII). Lewis suggests here that time if spent right can bring us to self-realization of our journey, and in effect influence our choices. These choices are dependent on time. As wrong choices are made only in time, no truly rational choices can be made will out of the realm of time. Time is the evil that surrounds us. It is the letting go of this time when we truly feel void of problems. Only by letting go of our problems we will be able to communicate with God, while in the essence of being one with ourselves and finding our true inner self.

Case Study of P&G (Marketing Issues)

| Case 5: P&G | | ————————————————- Company Background Porter and Gamble (P&G), founded in 1837, is one of the biggest consumer goods company over the world. P&G sells shampoos, baby care products, medicine and food etc. It not only diversified the product range but also the product width. Therefore, P&G has several brands under one single category but aimed with different customer segments. P&G is also famous for its innovative and customer-oriented approaches. For example, it designed one kind of shampoo which is suitable for Japanese.With the competitive advantages above, P&G was developing with an appealing growth rate and became one of the top 500 companies around the world. ————————————————- Why entered â€Å"$2 a day† market segment? In the past, P&G concentrated on medium and premium market segments. From the case, it was mentioned that P&G was too big to maintain a considerable growth rate within its existing target markets. It had to enter the bottom of pyramid, the 70% untouchable potential customers.Therefore, P&G targeted Chinese low end markets. In other words, P&G wanted to absorb Chinese living in countryside or second tier cities who earned around $2 per day. ————————————————- Marketing issues Following P&G customer-oriented traditions, the worldwide organization also put many efforts on the new target customers. It developed a series of marketing strategies as summarized. * Customer-oriented research P&G send employees to live in the rural areas in order to learn about the actual living style of the residents.After that, P&G found that Chinese living in countryside concerned more about the functions and the price level of the products. Besides, P&G still had more challenges to face. Firstly, the distribution channels were dispersed and small in size. Secondly, most people in the rural areas even did not know how to use shampoo correctly since they did not have chance to access those modern consumer goods. Moreover, P&G had to spend time on building mutual trust relationship with Chinese local parties as Chinese culture highly emphasized the importance of â€Å"Guanxi†.To attack all these challenges, P&G changed the method of packaging and developed â€Å"road shows† instead of its traditions TV advertisements to promote. * Packaging and prices of the products Since the new target customers only earned around $2 a day, they could not afford the normal price of its consumer goods. To solve this problem, P&G modified the packages to be used only for once in order to make the price of the products affordable for the new potential customers. * Road Shows P&G used its own prom otion teams to penetrate the rural areas.It had its own transportation team which decorated with its posters so that people could see the advertisements whenever the cars passed by the villages. Besides, P&G held many activities which attract people to know more about the products. In the activities, the promoters showed how to use the products to the residents. In addition, free samples would be distributed in order to attract the residents to try the products. It seemed that the marketing strategies were simple to implement but indeed, it spent P&G several years before it gained significant market shares in the new market segments. ———————————————— ————————————————- Strengths of the marketing strategies P&G was successfully using the localized strategies as wel l as customer-oriented approach. In my opinion, as the purchasing power of the bottom of pyramid was low, what they need was purely the basic functions of the products. Therefore, the company must learn the new target customers very well. The company hired many local employees who definitely understand the environment and living styles.Moreover, such strategies could make its promotion going deeper in the markets. Thought the number of audiences of every road show is limited, those who actual attended would get free samples. Then, they would tell their friends or relativities about how useful the products are. The effect of word-of-mouth would occur. ————————————————- Problems of the marketing strategies Everything has its down side. The marketing strategies P&G used were largely required time and resources. Such high investment was at risk.On the other hand, since P&G had a well-known image of premium class targeted, entering the low-end markets may lead confusion to its existing customers. In other words, there may lead some losses on original area of business. ————————————————- Recommendations Although in the rural area, residents earned just around $2 a day. P&G should not continue on the same strategy to them. The economy of China is growing with a high rate. Therefore, people living in countryside are expected to earn much more than current situation.The purchasing power of these customers should increase considerably in the near future. With the help of R&D center in Beijing, I suggest that P&G should start to invent some products which can fit for the change of the targeted customers. On the other hand, to avoid the confusion of brand image, I suggest P&G to launch another sub-brand names which include all the product categories aim ed at this market segments. (People earned $2 a day) Differentiated positioning product should have different brand names so that