Bomb and Information

His announcement is the manner by which the legislature is controlling the media about the bombarding occurrence. He needed to demonstrate me that the legislature has something to do with the assault and furthermore is controlling the media with phony or incorrect data so we can accept whatever the media says. At the point when I originally caught wind of the assault on the media I was certain to such an extent that the legislature worked admirably yet Many indicated me a video as proof to fortify his announcement. Presently I am remaining around of exact and wrong data, yet sadly I subterranean insect conclude who to trust.The media isn't in every case directly with the data that they are distributing thusly you cant consistently trust the most dependable sources when there is a news. To believe the media directly after the occasion it's anything but an impractical notion, yet we have to realize how to assess the data gave. The media controls our psyches since they have the data that we are looking for, yet we can rate the sources as precise and non-exact or off base. On the off chance that you like to watch the news on the web, you should see progressively confided in sites and match the information.Furthermore search for proof that demonstrates that the data is exact. View the creators book index and ensure the writer thinks about the theme and by one way or another has something to do with the subject. During the Marathon in Boston on April 15, 2013 there were a great deal of gossipy tidbits about the blast. The media was so frantic to locate a presume that they made an obscure number of theories about individuals who were looking dubious to them. Toward the start of the week when there were not photos of the speculates the media was thinking about whether the assault was made by an alQaeda gathering or if the individual who did it was identified with them. There was an Indian American understudy who was denounced as presume number two by a site called http://www. Reedit. Com/. The data was announced wrong following a couple of days. The head supervisor of site Reedit Erik Martin apologized in broad daylight to the understudy for the misconception (Alexander). Numerous correspondents were searching for proof where they can discover or recognize a suspect. After the assault numerous photos were sent to the TV, paper, and radio broadcasts, yet there was one picture distributed onTwitter by a long distance race observer Dan Lampooner that caused a massive gossip. Lampooner posted an image of a person on the rooftop off structure. The image quickly got 2,361 rewets and 620 top choices which is a great deal for an image posted that day of the assault. Many individuals were caution in light of the fact that the gossip and the bogus data of the alleged suspect on the rooftop were spread around by the clients of the informal organizations. The FBI declined to specify on the photograph or some other talk (Brenner).There was a hypothesis about another bomb that day f the long distance race minutes after the Bombing. This theory was about a bomb that went off at the JEFF Library in Boston. A Police Commissioner Edward Davis said during a question and answer session that other than those two bombs that went off during the long distance race, there is a third case happened at the Library and the specialists think about this as identified with the assault. During the examination the gossip was all the while being accounted for and the bogus data was being viewed at everyones house even in my house.In the night of the following day the specialists stated, The JEFF episode might not have been n blast; rather, it has all the earmarks of being fire-related (Brenner). The truth of the fire on the library was a mechanical fire that broke out about a similar time the two bombs went off (Brenner). Over the span of the shelling there were a great deal of casualties engaged with the occurrence, 144 individuals were accounted for harmed. Sadly there were 3 individuals dead. Martin Richard was one of the individuals who unfortunately passed on while viewing the long distance race. Various forms of the story were flowing by the news.The gossip was about a years of age young lady from Sandy Hook that was running the long distance race and kicked the bucket while she was running. The media wasn't right by and by with this data and numerous individuals were there wrong data conveyed to their housed by the media. Richards mother and his sister were gravely harmed in the assault. This data was proclaimed by Richards father who said My dear child Martin has kicked the bucket from wounds continued in the assault on Boston. My better half and little girl are both recuperating from genuine wounds. (Brenner).For the time of the week the FBI were gathering as such data as they could so they could examine it. Two recordings were distributed around two speculates strolling close to the spot were the subsequent bomb went off. The FBI called them dark cap suspect and white cap suspect. On the video, it is all around demonstrated how they were conveying rucksacks with them. The FBI distributed the two photos of the suspects and the communicate made a precise Showing this time since they posted and imparted the photos to the State of Massachusetts and the whole United States of America.The specialists found the speculates area when they afflicted a MIT official who was working. On Thursday, April 18, the FBI official chose to share the photos of the two speculates engaged with the assaults since they realized the media would distribute it immediately. The motivation behind it was to get the crowd mindful and call the FBI or any police office in the event that they see anything dubious. The FBI got data around two speculates who burglarized a seven eleven and shoot a few times against an official who was on his car.The police office began the pursuit against the two siblings Dashboard and Temperament Tsarinas. The police had a man on the ground in Watertown which was speculate number 1 Temperament Tsarinas. The subsequent presume was still on the run. The FBI, SWAT group, State Police and Boston police had a manhunt searching for Dashboard Tsarinas. The authorities were searching for the suspect in Watertown. Dashboard was caught around evening time inside a pontoon that was in someones garage secured by blood (The Telegraph). At the point when you are searching for sources on the web or observing any news it is consistently a smart thought to think as a basic scholar.

Developing a Medical and Fitness Standard Essay

Building up a Medical and Fitness Standard - Essay Example As the paper focuses on the clinical and wellness gauges inside each office is basic. Its need is to screen and advance security when working. The activity for the firemen is a physical one and there is have to keep the utilizes fit. Methods of keeping the representatives fit is through physical activities. Simply envision how it would be if a competitor went to a running rivalry without trainings and activities? It would be a wreck on the grounds that the competitor won't be truly fit and will tire rapidly and may not complete the race. On the off chance that the competitor needs to win a race, at that point thorough activities must be consolidated. As indicated by the report discoveries when reacting to a fire, once in a while the firemen might be associated with a physical issue. Along these lines, after each firefighting reaction, they ought to be interrogated by a clinical specialist to guarantee that they are well. Where they have been harmed, medicine should start right away. The ordinary check will even rouse the representatives to perform well when working since they have genuine feelings of serenity and their wellbeing is being dealt with by the administration. When building up the clinical and wellness norms, there ought to be injury projects to keep an eye on the general soundness of the representatives and their prosperity. Dietary patterns and diet ought to be observed. Wellbeing can be controlled by the kinds of nourishments the officials take. Additionally, it predicts the physical wellness of a person. The officials ought to be adaptable and it ought to be young.

How to Stop Overspending and Avoid Debt

How to Stop Overspending and Avoid Debt Addiction Addictive Behaviors Shopping Print How to Stop Overspending By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on April 28, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 14, 2020 Tom Werner / Getty Images More in Addiction Addictive Behaviors Shopping Caffeine Internet Sex Alcohol Use Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Spending money is part of modern life. Since spending cannot be quit cold turkey, it can be especially difficult for people who have a shopping addiction to get harmful shopping behaviors under control while they continue to purchase necessities. To make matters worse, though the DSM-5 was the first to recognize select behavioral addictions like gambling disorder, compulsive shopping is not currently recognized as a distinct disorder. It does, however, appear in the context as a symptom of other mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder. Tips to Avoid Overspending If you feel that your shopping is out of control, consider seeing your doctor to rule out a treatable medical condition. If you have a true shopping addiction, you will not only be intensely preoccupied with buying and shopping, but you will feel euphoria or relief after making a purchase, followed later on by guilt and shame. You may also grow very anxious before making a purchase. Cover Your Living Expenses First It doesnt matter whether you are scraping by on a skimpy paycheck or living a life of luxury. Before you spend on any nonessential purchases, pay your monthly bills like rent, electricity, and groceries. If there are any non-essentials you take for granted, such as phone, internet, and travel expenses, pay for them upfront, too. Food can be among the trickiest essential purchases to get right. Try stocking up on non-perishable foods at the beginning of the month, and then set aside an amount you can afford each week to cover fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. Guard Against Debt The most common fuel for overspending is the credit card. Its quick and easy to use, so you can easily make an impulse buy with no immediate consequences. With the buy now, pay later concept, you can drain your bank account for next month as well as this month. To avoid the credit trap, try taking only the cash you can comfortably afford to spend with you on each shopping trip. Use cash as a physical reminder of your budget, and stick to it. Clearing your credit card debt and ditching your credit cards will also help improve your credit rating, which can have an impact on far more than your future access to credit. Keep Track of Your Spending Start by making a spending plan, then try to stick to it. If you have a tendency to spend any money left over after covering what is included in your spending plan, start to make note of what you overspend on. If it is non-essential (such as extra clothing, shoes or other accessories, or electronics), give yourself a limit. Determine how much you can reasonably afford, in terms of money, storage, and emotional cost. Keep all of your receipts. If you find you have overspent on an unnecessary purchase, return what you can. And for anything you just cannot bear to take back, give up its predecessor. For example, if you just have to have those designer shoes you found for $100, donate the scuffed pair to charity. You wont be overwhelmed by so many items in your closet, and you will be more likely to actually use what you buy. Dont Be Lured by Discounts Shopaholics are prone to be tempted by discounts, which appear to offer a way you can have your cake and eat it, too. You may even feel like you are saving money by spending on something with a discount. In reality, youre still going to be out of pocket. Each time you are tempted by an apparent bargain, ask yourself, Do I need it? and Is it worth full price? Only consider the purchase if the answer is yes to both questions. A Word From Verywell If you have a shopping addiction, youre not alone. A 2006 Stanford University study concluded that while no study has employed a large enough sample to estimate the prevalence of compulsive shopping across the general population, of the 2,513 adults surveyed in their study,  6% of women and 5.5% of men showed symptoms consistent with compulsive buying disorder. If youve tried following these steps and are still struggling, you may want to consider joining a group that offers help. Debtors Anonymous offers support groups and various resources for those who struggle to cope with unmanageable debt but cant seem to stop spending.

The Theories of Child Development - 5420 Words

Briefly discuss the theories of child development and evaluate three different methods for teaching ESL with regard to how well they fit the theories There are a number of different theories of child development that have been issued, particularly over the last hundred years. For the most part, the different theories all agree on the fact that child development occurs in stages, and that a childs development is affected not only by the childs biological makeup but also through external stimuli. Learning English as a second language (ESL) is both easier and more difficult for children; while they have not yet acquired the cognitive faculties that they will fully develop by the time they reach adulthood, their lack of full development also makes them more receptive to learning and absorbing new material. However, deciding on the appropriate approach for teaching English as a second language to children ages 6-11 is challenging because the decision does not involve selecting the most ef fective method in a vacuum but must also take into consideration this sensitive period in the childs life. This paper examines three theories of child development: Erik Eriksons Psychosocial Theory, Lawrence Kohlbergs 3 Stages of Moral Development, and Jean Piagets Cognitive Developmental Stage Theory. After providing a brief overview of these three theories, three different approaches to teaching English as a second language are discussed: Communicative Language Teaching (CLT),Show MoreRelatedChild Development Theories1324 Words   |  6 PagesChild Developmental Theories Ashford University PSY 104 Child and Adolescent Psychology June 29, 2009 Child Developmental Theories While theorists have different ideas and perspectives, insight on child and adolescent development can assist teachers and parents in helping children reach their full developmental and learning potential. Having knowledge about the developmentRead MoreThe Theories Of Child Development1084 Words   |  5 Pagesimportant values and beliefs within their culture. All of this provides the foundations for cognitive development. As trainee teachers, it is fundamental that we have a deeper understanding of how children learn and how we can support learning. In order to do this we must first look at some of the theories of learning. Theories Prior to the early 20th century little interest was paid to how a child developed; indeed most early research appears to be based on abnormal childhood behaviour (Oates etRead MoreChild Development Theories1560 Words   |  7 PagesChild Development: An Examination of Three Theories There are a lot of theories regarding child development. Three of these theories are Bioecological Theory, Social-Cognitive Theory and Information-Processing Theory. This paper will discuss these theories by comparing and contrasting them. The first theory is the Bioecological Theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner. This theory is based on the nature vs. nurture idea. Bronfenbrenner believed development of a child was determinedRead MoreThe Theory Of Child Development858 Words   |  4 PagesSocial scientists have given us several theories on child development. There have been three influential theories that have really shaped how we look at the subject. Each one of these theories offers an insightful perspective that has been very influential in how we view child development. The first theory, we will delve into is George Herbert Meads Theory of the Social Self which focused on social interaction with developing human beings. Meads believed that, â€Å"a symbolic interactionist, saw theRead MoreThe Theory Of Child Development1053 Words   |  5 PagesArt educators that consider theories of child development when creating lesson plans, are more effective. As art educators, we understand that it is our respon sibility to educate ourselves on the latest research of art development in order to better serve our educational institutions through providing a quality art education for the future generations of innovators in America. Piaget’s stages of cognitive development stages thoroughly explain the biological transition that occurs in elementary schoolRead MoreThe Theory Of Child Development803 Words   |  4 PagesIn the early 19th Century, little attention was given to children development. Emphasis were based upon what a child would become as they get older( Green 2013)However, it was investigated by human developmental psychologist that Child development is relevant in relation to how individuals relate in the environment as well as the factors that influence human development. These psychologists developed the human developmental life span which is predominant in the society today, although remains unsubstantiatedRead MoreThe Theories Of Child Development1209 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction to development psychology From the beginning of the history, child development was not given an importance but now majority of people have understood its importance. Attachment theory is one of the major theories of child development. According to Bowlby, attachment is characterized by specific behaviours in children, such as seeking proximity with the attachment figure when upset or threatened. There were number of issues that have been debated throughout the history of developmentalRead MoreThe Theory Of Child Development2414 Words   |  10 Pagesa sound understanding of theories of child development so they can offer activities that are appropriate for the child’s particular stage of development (Early Education, 2012). This essay will compare and contrast key features of developmental theories by applying them to a particular aspect of child development, the aspect that will be investigated is language acquisition. This essay will consider differing theories of language development such as the be haviourist theory proposed by Skinner (1957)Read MoreThe Theory Of Child Development935 Words   |  4 Pages Lawrence Kohlberg was a developmental theorist who is best known for his specific and detailed theory of child development. Kohlberg believed that there were six stages of child development. He divided those stages into three levels of development. Level one; pre-conventional morality, a child doesn’t have a personal code of mortality and instead, their moral code is shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or breaking of adult rules. Level two; conventional moralityRead MoreThe Theory of Child Development1636 Words   |  7 Pages The theory of child development, Temperament, is what this case study is based off of. Temperament is a person’s style of reacting to the world and relating to others. I will be judging â€Å"Alice† on the nine temperament traits on a ten point scale. Alice is my 2 year old cousin who knows me well because I frequently babysit her. I recently observed her personality on the nine traits. These traits include; intensity, persistence, sensitivity, perceptiveness, adaptability, regularity, energy, first

Definition and Examples of Conclusions in Arguments

Apple Inc. Free Essays

A. Company Industry Position Apple is the iconic company behind the mouse-driven Macintosh computer, the phenomenal iPod music-player and the recently launched iPhone. The company’s marked inventiveness keeps it in the lead (Economist. We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Inc. or any similar topic only for you Order Now com website) and secures its place in the industry. Apple’s relentless efforts and continual investments in research and development are seen to usher in more innovative breakthroughs that will further fuel the company’s further growth and market expansion. B. Industry Characteristics. With its founder, Steven Jobs, at its helm, Apple creatively designs personal computers, portable digital music players and mobile communication devices and proceeds to manufacture and market them. The company as well offers to sell and to service related software, peripherals and networking solutions. (Google Finance website) Apple has such an immense following that is made up of the individual consumers, the small and mid-sized business (SMB) enterprises, the education sector, the government agencies and the â€Å"creative consumers. † (Apple Inc. 008 10-K) The latter pertains to Apple’s special niche market composed of young and trendy people who can afford to discard relatively new gadgets for want of more updated versions of the same products. The more recent ventures of the company include the selling of a myriad of products manufactured by other companies specifically to cater to such special market niche. These products include application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, accessories and peripherals of all sorts, and digital content that are all tailored for the Mac, iPod and iPhone. Apple Inc. 2008 10-K) Apple has an established market all around the world. It has set up a dynamic marketing network through its â€Å"online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, and third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. † (Apple Inc. 2008 10-K) It should not come as a surprise to know that Apple puts up with a lot of aggressive competition in all the markets it caters to – markets for computers, digital music devices, mobile communication gadgets, all the related paraphernalia and for the services attached to these products. Apple Inc. 2008 10-K) But no matter how stiff competition can be, Apple has emerged as an undisputed market leader. In fact, Apple has reaped increased earnings this economically difficult year (2008) while most of other companies incurred huge losses. In the same tune, Apple offered last Black Friday only 8% off its new MacBook, 4% off a 20-inch iMac, 5- 8% off iPods and none off iPhones while analysts predicted discounts to reach 15% (Frommer, Yahoo! Finance webpage). Apple is obviously no t keen on competing based on prices. As the company behind such signature products as iMac, iPod and iPhone, Apple can well afford to price its products higher without having to worry about losing the market to competitors offering cheaper products. Technology and its optimization are among the factors behind Apple’s success. Its products are deemed â€Å"new technology† and the technological aspects of its products are optimized for exclusivity. Thus, users of any one of Apple’s products are bound to be captured clients for the others in the company’s menu. The technological inter- relatedness of Apple’s products presents a distinct advantage that it is wisely making the most of. Apple’s products are theoretically homogeneous; the market is awash with all kinds of computers, music-players and mobile phones. But then, such products are more considered as rather unique. Author McNees has written that â€Å"in a mature market with highly homogeneous products, well-executed small differences can make [a given product] unique and [sought after]. Indeed, the leverage brought on by Apple’s industrial-design machine makes its product stand out in the market. This constitutes another major advantage enjoyed by the company. Meanwhile, there are also serious disadvantages that Apple is saddled with. For one, the company is highly susceptible to the adverse effects of a prevailing bad economic condition which both causes the market value of the company’s shares to take a dive and substantially reduces the earning and sp ending capacity of its market. Apple also happens to be in the middle of a litigation arising from its past stock option granting malpractices. Adverse findings of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at the conclusion of the investigation that it is conducting will materially damage the company’s name, financial condition and operating results. (Apple Inc. 2008 10-K) (Please see II to IX and a portion of X in the Excel document) X. Based on the foregoing, I do not recommend that the 10,000 shares of Apple be purchased now. I would recommend keeping it as cash and then buying the Apple shares when the macro-economic factors affecting the finance world and especially the stock markets have begun to improve. At this point, the market can generally do worse and Apple might just go with such downturn with no sufficient ammunition – like significant good news – available. Works Cited â€Å"Innovation Lessons from Apple.†Ã‚   Economist.com.   7 June 2007.   The Economist Newspaper Limited.   26 November 2008 http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm? story_id=9302662.   â€Å"U.S. SEC Form 10-K of Apple Inc. for Fiscal Year ending September 2008.†Ã‚   Apple Inc.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  26 November 2008 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/10/21results.html. Frommer, Dan.   â€Å"Apple’s Black Friday Sale:   No 15 Percent Discout.†Ã‚   Yahoo! Finance. 28 November, 2008.   Yahoo! 30 November 2008 http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/136179/Apples-Black-Friday-Sale%3A-No-15-Percent-Discount. â€Å"Apple Inc.†Ã‚   Google Finance.   29 November 2008 http://finance.google.com/ finance?q=Apple. McNees, Donald.   â€Å"Hat trick:   retaining customers, finding growth and achieving attractive returns are not easy in today’s mature financial markets, but a handful of companies are doing all three.†   The Free Library by Farlex. 29 November 2008 http://www.the freelibrary.com/Hat+trick%3a+retaining+ customers%2c+ finding+growth+and+ achieving†¦-a0158908311. White, Gerald, Ashwinpaul Sondhi and Dov Fried.   The Analysis and Use of Financial Statements.   New York:   John Wiley Sons, Inc., 1998. Brigham, Eugene and Joel Houston.   Fundamentals of Financial Management.   Orlando, FL:   The Dryden Press, 1998. How to cite Apple Inc., Papers Apple Inc. Free Essays string(79) " its roots in the Computer Industry it is no longer just focused on computers\." Team â€Å"Death Spiral† examined the stewardship and business performance of Apple Inc. by undertaking a strategic analysis of Apple Inc. ’s previous, present and potential future strategic and market performance. We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Inc. or any similar topic only for you Order Now The internal workings of the firm were examined to reveal a culture of constant innovation and a drive to create easy to use, life improving products. A two tiered corporate structure with Steve Jobs and Tim Cook being at the apex of anagement and a horizontally flat structure of vice presidents the decision making process is not complicated by various vertical levels of command and decision making. Apple Inc. ’s internal structure has become flexible as divisions are specifically established to develop the latest product and maintain a competitive advantage. Apples industry segments were than explored and it was noted that it was not possible to absolutely define a market which Apple consistently performed in. Apple Inc. ’s multi-functional product base gave a clearly indication of the underlying strategic management at play. It was accepted that Apple has defined its own market segment, that of ‘mobile electronic devices’. The four main strategic management themes of M. E. Porter (focus, differentiation and cost leadership), G. Hamel C. K. Prahalad (structuralist), W. C. Kim and R. Mauborgne (reconstructionist) and J. Ridderstrale and K. Nordstrom (intellect, uniqueness and innovation) were examined in light of Apple Inc. ’s most recent performance. The Blue Ocean Strategy and the Funky Business Strategy models were found to be the most applicable and helped explained Apple Inc. s sustained and phenomenal rise in business performance. Finally, strategy recommendations for the future direction of Apple Inc were explored by the use of a Strategy Canvas. Possible pitfalls and hypothetical futuristic products were also explored. The single most strategic liability identified was the departure of the CEO Steve Jobs from Apple which could potentially be catastrophic if not fatal for the Ap ple brand. † ! ! Apple Inc. has transformed over its 30 year existence; there have been changes in leadership, product types, company logo and name. Apple Inc. experienced decline in the early to mid-nineteen nineties but has experienced unprecedented growth and success since the return of the founding father figure of Steve Jobs. Yoffie and Kim (2010) highlight the misdirected and turbulent time Apple experienced in the 1990’s until the turn around and change (1998) in ethos/philosophy of Apple as purported by Jobs. Job’s aim was to reduce the number of product models, change the mode of distribution to larger outlets and promote Apple as a ‘hip alternative to other computer brands’ (Yoffie Kim, 2010, p. 4). Apple Inc. ’s current mission statement states ‘Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and Apps Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices’ (Apple Inc, 2010c). This mission statement highlights and gives a strong indication of where the strategic direction Apple Inc. ntends to progress; not only do they strive to have the best products but they intend to stretch vertically across product lines. To emphasis this, Ostdick (2010) comments on the personal drive of Steve Jobs and his belief that all product innovations can be recycled into other projects. The underlying guiding ethos is just because one piece of technology doesn’t work in one project, how we can pot entially use it outside its intended use to produce something new and successful. Parallel to the financial success of Apple Inc. is the longevity and stability of its board of directors and corporate structure of the firm. There are seven members on the board of directors from various professional backgrounds. The average tenure of these members is six years with more than half sitting for more than ten years (Apple Inc, 2009). Organisational structure is horizontal with Steve Jobs and Tim Cook acting as chief executive and operating officers respectively. Beneath this pinnacle are nine vice presidents who preside over areas such as retail, hardware engineering and marketing (see appendix 1 for the current executive structure of Apple Inc. ) (Apple Inc, 2010c). These vice presidents administer the day to day running of fourteen individual divisions (see appendix 2 for the current organisational chart of Apple Inc. ). In terms of strategy; Apple Inc. has dedicated divisions purely for further development of the iPhone and iPod. The flexibly of the firm is highlighted here; with † 0 research and development, Apple are prepared to specifically develop these products. It would be logical to infer when their product life cycles reach their pinnacle; new divisions may be made to further develop the current products at th time. hat Apple Inc. ’s culture internally is a positive workplace where generous employee benefits are available. Employees are subjected however to a strict process of ethics and business processes outlined in e outline their document ‘Business Conduct: The Way We Do Business’ (Apple Inc, 2009). Externally Apple Business . Inc. is embracing the latest sustainable practices in various operational areas and hence attempting to improve their triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental) or Corporate Social Responsibility credentials (Esty Winston, 2009). Apple provide educational programs for their staff Esty 2009 . and are engaging the community with educational programs and scholarships (Apple Inc, 2009 Over Apple 2009). the last five years a cultural change has occurred in relation to environmental responsibilities. Apple responsibilities. recycling programs have been established, carbon emissions saving have been implemented upstream and downstream of the supply chain; and a further commitment to produce environmentally safe products (Apple Inc, 2010b). ! † # ! The first challenge in analysing the industry that Apple operates in is defining that industry. Apple has created its own industry of â€Å"Consumer Technology† by choosing to compete in, and redefine segments of more traditional industries. Apple operates in segments of the Computer, Consumer Electronics, Music, Movie/Video, and Telecommunications Industries. positioned itself in selected segments of the market. In each industry it has Although Apple has its roots in the Computer Industry it is no longer just focused on computers. You read "Apple Inc." in category "Papers" st The change of name in January 2007 from Apple Computers to Apple Inc reflects this change of direction (Honan, 2007). . Despite this Apple generated almost 14 BN USD of sales from personal computers in 2009, its second highest † 1 level in history and 32% of the company’s total sales. Even in its traditional market segment Apple Inc. does not dominate the market with an estimated 4. 2% share of the global market in 2009 (Yoffie Kim, 2010). Apple Inc. continues to gain ground, particularly in their home market, the USA. Apple PC sales are estimated to be only 10. % of the US market in the 3 quarter of 2010 (see Appendix 3) (Ash, 2010), up from 8% in 2009 (Yoffie Kim, 2010), overtaking Acer to become a distant 3rd to Hewlett Packard and Dell Computers. The personal computer industry is a USD $425 BN industry dominated by companies producing what are still referred to as â€Å"IBM compatible† machines that predominantly use Microsoft Windows operating systems. Major industry leaders include Hewlett Packard (HP), Dell Computers, Acer, Lenovo is a Chinese company that purchased the loss making personal rd Toshiba and Lenovo. computer business of IBM in 2005. IBM no longer manufactures personal computers. The industry is can be characterised as being in a mature growth phase with rising sales and falling prices. Leading industry consultants the Gartner Group forecast sales growth in unit shipments of almost 20% in 2010 with significant falls in unit prices (Anonymous (The Australian), 2010). The industry is highly price competitive and fragmented with thousands of smaller companies competing with the major players using common commoditised components. Apple stands apart from the pack offering a highly differentiated product, with its own operating system and unique Apple design and style. It focuses on the personal usage market rather than the corporate market and commands premium prices for its products. Despite its small market share overall Apple commanded 91% of computers sales over USD $1,000 in 2009 (Yoffie Kim, 2010). This allows them to maintain industry leading margins of 40% in 2009. Apples margins have increased during recent years while their competitors have continued to decline (Yoffie Kim, 2010). The global consumer electronics market is estimated to be in excess of USD $ 700 BN a year (Anonymous, 2010b). Consumer electronics includes entertainment, office productivity and communication equipment. The boundaries of this industry are loosely defined as product innovation and technology but convergence is blurring the edges. Leading Global companies include (by one industry definition) Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, IBM and Nokia (The Engineer, 2010). The industry is characterized by product lifecycles which are getting shorter, † nd products more technologically advanced and complex. Your phone is a computer; your fridge can connect to the internet. You can watch TV on your computer or phone and watch U-tube on your television! The industry is competitive with many global players with established market presence being challenged for market share by both other established players and new emerging brands. Prices are being driven down by agg ressive competition. Manufacturers are seeking to lower costs through mass production in low cost countries, notably China. In this environment, branding is critical. Products are too complex for many consumers to rationally compare features, functionality and price in an effective manner. Products are often purchased on the basis of the perceived price performance, with consumers associating with the product brand. Apple is well positioned in this regard with a strong brand associated with Style, Quality, Useability and â€Å"Cool† despite having only a limited range of products within this broader industry definition. $ The music industry is a well-established consumer industry, traditionally controlled by the recording companies. Major players Universal Music, Sony Music, EMI and Warner Music controlling in excess of 70% of the industry with a larger number of small â€Å"independents† making up the rest. Global sales are in order of USD $ 25 Billion in 2009 (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, 2010b). The dominate trend in the industry is the rapid uptake of digital download of music as the consumer preferred method of distribution. This is undermining the power of the recording companies in favour of the internet based retailers and resulting in revenue contraction. Total recorded music sales evenue has been in decline for the past decade, declining by 7% in 2009. This is despite continued high growth in internet based digital music sales up 12% in 2009. Music sales through digital channels accounted for USD $4. 2 billion of music sales in 2009, representing 27% of global sales growing from a base of just USD $20 million in 2003 (International Federation of the Phonographic Industr y, 2010a). Apples iTunes is a leading player in the digital sales channel revolution, arguably the industry leader in legal internet music sales. This is the segment of he industry that Apple chose to compete in and † redefine for its own purposes. Intellectual property issues remain a major challenge for this industry with internet based peer to peer file sharing significantly eroding industry sales. $ % † The multibillion dollar movie industry is dominated by large movie studios with distribution traditionally handled by theatres, then a secondary market through video/DVD rentals or retail stores and a tertiary revenue stream through television rights. Apple is involved only in the distribution part of the business through film download for rent or sale. This challenges the traditional video store business, with a new model. To date, video downloading has promised more than it has delivered (Kane, 2007). The market is becoming increasingly crowded with an increasing number of companies entering the market including internet heavy weight Google which owns YouTube and retail heavy weight WalMart (Ogg, 2010). Economies of scale make this an industry that favours natural monopolies or oligopolies. Multiple large scale players as well as a myriad of minor companies are jostling for critical mass. As with most internet based businesses price and convenience are the driving factors. Apples assault on the internet movie sale and rental market leverages their success in music with i-Store, their strength in video capable devices, iPods, iTouch and iPads and established leadership in video processing computers. !# The software industry has many segments including proprietary operating systems, business applications, personal applications and entertainment applications. Most providers focus on selected sectors where they can establish market leadership. Microsoft focuses on operating systems for PC (Windows) and business productivity tools that run on PCs. IBM focuses on large scale enterprise systems and predominantly business software and integration services. A plethora of other companies large and small compete for leadership in all the gaps in between. Economies of scale are particularly important as the variable production costs are very low. Apple has maintained its own proprietary operating systems for its computing devices to preserve product differentiation and unique usability features. However this has been at significant evelopment cost. Application development has been left to third parties who compete to provide market leading solutions. With the advent of the Apps Store, Apple has entered the software distribution business with a 30% gross margin, leveraging the enterprise of thousands of independent † 2 software developers large and small. By tight integration with their systems the App Store provides a captiv e high margin marketplace for software. This is another niche segment that Apple has chosen to compete where there are synergies with the t existing businesses. By providing a distribution system Apple has been able to encourage more developers to create applications for their computing devices. More applications extend th the functionality and desirability of their products, driving sales. This is a profitable symbiotic relationship. Despite being a relatively small player in the industry segments, Apple is an undisputed financial success. It is now the third largest company in the world, as measured by market capitalisation, d behind only Exxon Mobil and Petro-China. At the close of trade on the 12th of November the Apple Inc shares were valued at USD $308. 3 (Refer to Figure 1. ) each, valuing the entire comp company at over USD $ 282 billion. During the past year the company’s shares have increased in value by over 50% increased (Yahoo Finance, 2010). The stock is trading on a Price to Earnings Multiple of 20. 42 times compared to an industry (Personal Computers) average of 15. 80 times (Stock Call, 2010). The company’s high valuation compared to its sales of 3. 5 times can be attributed to the high margin and high growth performance of the business. In the 3rd quarter of 2009 the company reported a net profit margin of 21. 8% compared to an industry average of 4. 53%. Total sales were 67% a year earlier (Stock Call, 2010). On these metrics the company share price does not seem excessive. . † 3 ! ! † Apple Inc. has been defined as being involved in the new technology industry. The products they deliver stretch across multiple industry boundaries; some products compete in established markets, others are market leaders in contemporary industries spanning product development and product delivery (Yoffie Kim, 2010). This makes an analysis of Apple’s competitive strategy challenging and difficult. Singular theories may fit individual product lines, but not reflect the true direction that this multi-faceted company is taking as a whole. Porter’s (1980) generic theories are an example of this; the three strategies of focus, differentiation and cost leadership provide information on specific products such as computers and software; but fail to examine products like the iPad and iTunes (Porter, 1998 see Part 1). An analysis of iTunes best illustrates the timeliness and limitations of the application of the out-dated theory of Porter to Apple Inc. Tunes adopts both a differentiation strategy (by providing the download of music at various download qualities, the ability to download movies and tv shows; and combining it all into an easy to use product) and a cost leadership strategy (this is achieved by providing a competitive priced service for the customer, and a cost effective way for Apple to update firmware of its products). Consideration was given to the theories of Hame l Prahalad (1994), however the structuralist approach does not encompass the true nature of Apple’s efforts over the last ten years. In contrast the reconstructive theories of Chan Kim and Mauborgne (2005) and their â€Å"Blue Ocean Strategy† in particular allow a greater analysis of the strategic positioning instigated by Apple. The Reconstructionist’s view helps accommodate advances made by Apple Inc. in redefining and creating new technology. Utilising Chan Kim and Mauborgne’s six principles helps in assessing Apple Inc. ’s value chain matrix; and their innovation in product development (Chan Kim Mauborgne, 2005), (Chan Kim Mauborgne, 2009). To contrast explanations for Apple’s recent success and to provide analysis for their future; the theories of Ridderstrale and Nordstrom (2000) in their ground breaking book â€Å"Funky Business: Talent Makes Capital Dance† will contrast a different view of competitive strategy. The use of Funky Business as an ideology helps explain the rise of emotional buying and how important the utilisation of innovation is in the 21 century business environment. Furthermore, examples will be given to illustrate the synergies which exist between the Funky Business philosophies and the creation of Blue Oceans which ultimately coalesce into a strategic position. t † 4 Swimming in a Blue Ocean A broad definition of Chan Kim and Mauborgne’s Blue Ocean strategy is the ability for a company to move from a red ocean (an industry where competitors offer similar products or services with the aim to become a cost/market leader); to a blue ocean (an undefined and new industry that may incorporate industries, or create a new industry based on differentiation and lower operating cost) (Chan Kim Mauborgne, 2005). Apple Inc. is in some respects a contradictory company when it comes to its strategic analysis for its expansive product mix delivers in more than one â€Å"ocean†. For the purpose of this strategic analysis (and recommendations for the future) specific example’s will be given where Apple Inc. has gained a competitive advantage by defining their own unique Blue Ocean. Chan Kim and Mauborgne (2005) provide a fundamental analytical tool to analyse Apple’s competitive strategies. This methodology comprises 5 formulation and execution principles to competitive advantage. They are as follows: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Reconstructing Market Boundaries Focus on the Big Picture, not the Numbers Reach Beyond Existing Demand Get the Strategic Sequence Right Overcome Key Organisational Hurdles Reconstructing Market Boundaries Apple’s current resurgence has its beginnings in one of its original blue oceans; i. e. the creation of iTunes changed how people downloaded and listened to music. iTunes was originally used to compete with the illegal download music market, the now defunct ‘ Napster’ being an example. Apple’s aims were to provide a low cost option for customers, high quality downloads and a music player interface (Chan Kim Mauborgne, 2005). From an administrative point of view iTunes gave Apple control of digital rights and with five major record labels contributing to the service gave them a distinct competitive advantage (Yoffie Kim, 2010). Blue Oceans however are not constant and as good ideas make money the competitive advantage for iTunes would have eroded if it did not diversify. To compete with growing technology demands, movies and TV shows were introduced to the iTunes store for purchase and rental. This differentiation created a new Blue Ocean for Apple Inc. / â€Å" Currently iTunes is the market leader in visual media. Concurrently the iTunes store has the largest downloadable content on the internet . It provides a catalogue of eight million tracks, two thousand films (total downloads daily average are in excess of fifty thousand) and twenty thousand TV episodes (Anonymous, 2010c). Prime Facie analysis reveals that the popularity of iTunes cannot be solely attributed to the product delivery; but a concurrent innovation and integration with the portable products that Apple has created over the last decade. It could be argued that the iTunes blue ocean was strengthened by the continual improvement in storage size and screen resolution quality of it iPod and iPhone range. Apple Inc. can now be seen entering its next stage in differentiation. To do this Apple Inc. has introduced the iPad (Feb 2010); revolutionising tablet computing. Building on its iPhone operating system, Apple is attempting to reconnect with business people. Unlike iTunes, iPad services will not be the low price of music downloads. Apple will attempt to lure high profile media conglomerates to allow subscription through their iTunes service at a higher premium price (Yoffie Kim, 2010). Even though news articles are sold at a premium price; the ability to distribute them via iTunes gives Apple Inc. a low internal cost. The most recent venture by Apple Inc. to create a unique user experience the creation of multiplayer online gaming on the iPhone; multiplayer gaming traditionally has been the domain of PC and console developers (Gametraders, 2010). With this venture Apple Inc. opes to refine how people play games with each other. iPhone customers will have the capability to game wherever they can take their iPhone (Apple Inc, 2010a). This strategic move can be seen as a blue ocean for Apple Inc. which will provide a service no other mobile phone provider offers with the quality of the gaming experience. In addition to this Apple Inc. are not actually investing in gaming; they are using their iPhone and OS4 opera ting system as a go between. With other companies vying to have their games on the popular iStore; Apple Inc. have created for them a low cost product. 1 Focus on the Big Picture, not the Numbers Apple’s current focus is on being a lifestyle company. It integrates its products and makes them easy for the end user to operate. Steve Jobs openly states that his products start with an idea and a need to alleviate customer demands (Ostdick, 2010). This strategic thinking helps formulate new Blue Oceans. It allows companies such as Apple to create products unrestricted by current industry 1 In February 2010, Apple announced that the iTunes store had recorded its 10 billionth song download (Johnny Cash’s â€Å"Guess Things Happen That Way†) (Ostdick, 2010). // standards and norms. Greg Joswiak the vice president builds on this philosophy stating they never let . vice-president technology go to waste. In an interview with Reena Jana from the Harvard Business Review blog he generalises on key points concerning the innovative strategies of Apple Inc. ‘Think of this strategy as s Think smart recycling of internal ideas and engineering, especially when cross-pollinated with other cross ollinated products’ (Jana, 2010). These comments were made in wake of the iPad release. Jana (2010) . demonstrates how the iPad is a hybridisation of the iPhone and a laptop; and how the iPhone was just hybridisation an update of the iPod. Reach Beyond Existing Demand The fundamental tenet of this principle is, ‘Instead of concentrating on customers they (companies) need to focus on non-customers. And instead of focusing on tead customer differences, they need to build on powerful commonalities in what buyers value’ ( (Chan Kim Mauborgne, 2005). Apple do this well. It is important to ). ote that there would be a minority of people that do not inority own at least one Apple product. However their competitive strategy in reaching beyond existing demand would be to sell products to existing customers in industries they would not normally consider using an Apple product. As stated in â€Å"Focusing on the big picture† tated (above), the ability to build upon and reuse technology in an innovative way is allowing apple to reach new markets and potentially new customers. ! † # $% † ‘ ( † / Get the Strategic Sequence Right Apple Inc. as excelled in their strategic sequencing when it comes to the redevelopment and innovation of their portable products. Chan Kim and Mauborgne (2005) stress the importance of price, cost and adoption. Figure 2 (Golijan, 2010) illustrates the chronology of the iPod and Apple Inc. ’s development of the product. The timeline highlights the quality of sales on the left hand side; over the ten year period models evolved and became more accessible at varying price points. The success of the products allowed Apple Inc. to diversify and continually improve the product. Within this industry no other competitor has been able to hold consistent sales growth and product innovation as the iPod. Overcome Key Organisational Hurdles Yoffie (2010) clearly highlights the trouble’s Apple has encountered with several changes in management in the 1990’s. Since the second coming of Steven Job’s Apple has been a stable entity and has not experienced the organisational problems of the past. Recent economic performance would indicate there has been no leadership or structural change within Apple Inc. It is of interest to note that otentially when Steven Job’s rejoined Apple Computers as the CEO there was a tipping point and a push towards a new Apple Inc. He changed the name, the logo and the ethos of the company and personally pushed Apple Inc. into its current successful position (Jana, 2010). Let’s Get Funky As shown above Apple Inc. has exhibited clear Blue Ocean strategy elements during its history, and yet after the dramatic decline during the 90’s to the stellar success now being experienced, Apple Inc. has also displayed some new, contemporary strategic rudiments. Examining the quirky and mildly eccentric philosophy’s of Jonas Ridderstrale and Kjell Nordstrom as extolled in their manifesto â€Å"Funky Business: Talent Makes Capital Dance† (2000) it is apparent that much of the success of the ‘second life’ of Apple Inc. (circa 2000 to the present) can be attributed to a metamorphosis in business thinking and to these ‘new’ strategic philosophy’s and ideas. As an example, central to the â€Å"Funky Business† strategic model are the three core elements of: Make Room for Grey Matter – in the ‘global village’, a company’s future depends on the intellect of its teams members. Consumers want, demand a dream, emotion, not products and services; Only the Best Rake in the Pot – In order to succeed a company must be number one in its field or even better – Unique; and Permanent Innovation – Creativity leads to the redefining of the company and its markets and yet the constantly changing † /0 environment of the market implies the constant search for innovation, with innovation being a state of the mind (Laville, 2000). Jobs and his cohorts, since the near fatal demise of Apple Computers in the mid 1990’s have reposition and focused the Apple brand with the global ‘lifestyle’ village in mind (Yoffie ; Kim, 2010). Central to this theme is the enabling of consumers to engage in quasi-voyeurism, transporting their minds and bodies into ‘Mac/Apple World’, experience music, connecting to the internet and most importantly to each other in the Global community. Apple has been an industry leader in the enabling of the consumer to participate in the web world through a number of primary senses. Steve) Jobs’ ability to reinventing himself and redefine Apple (in its second incarnation) using ideologies akin to that of the Funky Business model resonant with the changing landscape brought about by the globalization phenomenon. Thus Jobs’ ability to connect with the community through technological change, institutional change and the evolution of values (Young ; Simo n, 2005) allowed Apple to ride the crest of the wave through the first decade of the millennium harnessing the three underlying forces of excess: growth of markets (eg. China, India, Russia, etc. ), Ongoing overabundance of supply (which has exceeded demand since the 90’s and knows no bounds! ) and technological progress (lowers the cost of information, lower barriers and the world becomes a smaller more accessible environment) (Laville, 2000), (Yoffie ; Kim, 2010). Apples’ Funky Business strategy is exemplified by its innate ability to understand the dynamics of the world of competition and how it has changed. Accordingly, Apple is able to compete in this new environment by realize that the established and entrenched large scale structures of traditional companies don’t ‘hack it’ and that the single most important facet of this new age of business, is the intellectual capital to identify products and get them into production quickly (Musatov, 2001), examples include Apples industry benchmarking and leadership products: iMac (1998), iPod (2001), iTunes (2003), iPhone (2007) and the iPad (2010) (Yoffie ; Kim, 2010). Thus, it is not the production facility that is the most important, per se, but the minds who operate it. In interviews with Jonas Ridderstrale and Kjell Nordstrom (Anonymous, 2010a) (Anonymous, 2010e), it is clear that one economic model for the 21 century that conceptualize a Funky Business strategy can be illustrated by the strategic direction of Apple over the last decade plus, understanding of st † /1 market forces, individual choice (or knowledge of the individual), freedom to choose and the ability to re-invent or innovate regularly and expediently. † Apple Inc. trategy for the iPad (launched in January 2010) echo with the core elements of creating a new Blue Ocean and Funky Business principles, as described above. These (as expressed by industry commentators) were Apple’ core strategic elements for the iPad launch: â€Å"consideration of s future applications of current products as they are developed† (innovate), â€Å"crowd-source hype and ideas ar ound pricing† (sell the dream, the emotion, not so much the device) and of course the core Funky Business principle of, â€Å"Don’t focus on being first; focus on being the best† (Uniqueness) (Jana, 2010). Coincidently, as this new ‘Tablet’ Blue Ocean gathers depth and breadth for Apple, the competition are not far behind with the announcement of Samsungs new ‘Galaxy Tab’ in November 2010 (Anonymous, 2010d), the time between launch, maturity and loss of competitive advantage shrinks with each new development and innovation. â€Å"The Age of Paradox† written by Charles Handy (1995) points out that the Sigmoid Growth Curve can be used to plot out, the life of any organism, life cycle of a product or the life of an organisation. Every new life, organisation, project, or initiative, commences with some faltering at the start, grows, matures, declines and ultimately perishes. If this was the only underlying concept to this ideological graph it would not be of any use, but rather, the positive and encouraging use of this model is that a firm can proactively start its own new sigmoid curve in any new area it wants rather than watching the old curve maximise, then decline. During any new development phase an organisation will experience what is known as a â€Å"dip† or a setback; this can be due to a lack of resources, loss of direction, ineffectiveness, poor productivity and/or loss of a competitive advantage. This is completely normal and team morale must remain high through this temporary stage known as ‘ dipping’ Every time there is a new growth curve (new idea, . change in goals, new product, etc. ), it intercepts with the old Sigmoid Curve, and either climbs or descends but ultimately the cycle of a major dip will commence associated with ccompanying anxiety and setbacks. † / The dip can represent a significant challenge for any organisation, as it was for Apple Inc. with a loss of direction between 1985 until December 1997 with several changes of CEO’s at the helm (Scully, 1985 – 1993) and the (Spindler and Amelio years 1993 – 1997) (Yoffie Kim, 2010). Apple management, you could say, went through a case of ‘ Paradigm Block’ ‘the inability or refusal to see ; beyond the current models of thinking’ (JCU, Competitive strategy course notes, session two slide 11). † † † * + † , † – † † * There are different eras of product interests and management change that Apple has gone experienced its inception in the 1980’s when they launched the Apple 1. Mapping the most recent period of Apples growth on a strategic canvas, from the launch of the iMac in 1998 through to the iPad launch (2010) we can visualize a series of interconnected sigmoidial curves gradually increasing with each new innovation and product launch, as shown in Figure 3. In fact, the gradual treadline † / ncreasing to the right in Figure 3 reflects a buoyant and productive company with clear growth from strategic product development, delivery and acceptance (depending on the market KPI used). Presently, given the rapid development by other competitors in the tablet market, Apple Inc. would need to accelerate innovation and product delivery within the next 6 – 12 months to avoid another dip and loss of competitive advantage. This may require a change or transition in new management and of course a new updated product e. g. pdated iphone from 4 to 5 with more capabilities and apps (See Figure 4 Strategy canvas). . * / ! 0 1 Future strategy scenarios which Apple may need to engage in order to reinvent itself in the ensuing post 2010 era are many and varied. Given Apples’ history to date and without climbing the walls of the Apple head office and being a fly on the wall it is unwise to predict what Apple may come up with next. They w ill however need to improve their product range or innovate around their range of iPhone, iPod, iTunes and iPad etc. o maintain market capital. They need to be constantly innovative and invest in their RD department to have any chance of keeping the current Blue Oceans, ‘Blue’, and require time (which is no luxury in the Funky Business world of the 21st century), to develop new Blue Oceans. Potentially Apple could develop a strategy to have a lifestyle package called Apple â€Å"iHome† that would be able to accommodate the current avant garde movement of the new ‘energy gurus’ that are environmentally friendly and the ‘tech heads’ that enjoy the Apple brand. The iHome could be similar to the CBus system, Smart system or Building system as they are commonly known, they could † /2 incorporate their existing range and facilitate new ideas such as an iPhone that has a de novo chip which instead of using an security access card or conventional key you just swipe your iPhone to unlock your car, house front door or office. The CBus system can work in conjunction with, home appliances such as air-conditioning, automated windows, lights, security video and irrigation, effectively generating a ‘smart home or â€Å"iHome†. You can remotely set up your home with the use of your iPhone through the net, and be able to monitor your home when you are away. The innovative potential of the â€Å"iHome† package is endless but the pitfalls may include, acceptance by the market, technological maturity of the appliances in question and the competitive advantage or market acceptance of these new ‘out there’ products. In essences, it would be foolhardy to recommend a strategy for Apple post 2010, in that Jobs and his self-proclaimed â€Å"mobile-devices† company are still delivering, still leading industry segments they How to cite Apple Inc., Papers Apple Inc. Free Essays Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation with a focus on designing and manufacturing consumer electronics and software products. It was established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, and incorporated on January 3, 1977. We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Inc. or any similar topic only for you Order Now The company’s hardware products include the Macintosh line of personal computers, the iPod line of portable media players,the iPad line of tablets, and the iPhone line of mobile phones. Apple’s software products include the OS X operating system, the iTunes media browser, and the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software. As of 2008, Apple Inc had acquired twenty-one companies, purchased a stake in two companies, and made five divestments; most of them were software companies. Apple had not released the financial details for most of these mergers and acquisitions. Apple’s business philosophy is to acquire small companies that can be easily integrated into existing company projects. [4] For example, Apple acquired Emagic and its professional music software, Logic Pro, in 2002. The acquisition led to the creation of the digital audio workstation software, GarageBand, now part of the iLife software suite. The company made its first acquisition on March 2, 1988 when it purchased Network Innovations. It has also made five divestments, all in the 1990s, in which parts of the company are sold to another company. The company’s largest acquisition was the purchase of NeXT in 1996 for US$400 million. In the 2000s, Apple made the most acquisitions in a single year in 2002, with six. In the 2010s, so far the most acquisitions in a single year is 2013, with 10. Of the companies that Apple has acquired, 37 were based in the US. How to cite Apple Inc., Papers

Qualitative Methods in Hotels Customer Loyalty Strategy Essay Example

Qualitative Methods in Hotels: Customer Loyalty Strategy Essay APPLICATION OF QUALITATIVE METHODS IN HOTELS CUSTOMER LOYALTY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Lisa Galina, PhD candidate Free International University of Moldova ABSTRACT Our society is constantly changing and these changes have an impact not only on our buying habits and consumption but also on the hotel companies that must constantly adapt to meet new customer requirements. When performing market research to determine customer loyalty strategy, hotel marketers are often faced with questions that require application of both quantitative research methods and deep knowledge coming from unstructured qualitative approaches. Subsequently, the quantitative pproach is used to design and test an instrument for web-based service quality assessment and explore the relationships between service quality customer satisfaction, service value and customer loyalty. This article describe the qualitative approaches as a tools for helping hotel marketers to set up company customer loyalty strategy. Key words: customer loyalty strategy, quantitative research method, qualitative research method, hotel companies, hotel services Introduction When performing market research to determine customer loyalty strategy, hotel marketers are often faced with questions that require application of both uantitative research methods and deep knowledge coming from unstructured qualitative approaches. Measuring customer satisfaction is a prime example. In studies of satisfaction leading to loyalty, a simple result often does not provide sufficiently a marketing action with needed data to make improvements in the provision of services. One of the key factors for customer satisfaction is the perceived value of the service provided. Value is positively associated with satisfaction, intention to return and willingness to recommend their services. We will write a custom essay sample on Qualitative Methods in Hotels: Customer Loyalty Strategy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Qualitative Methods in Hotels: Customer Loyalty Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Qualitative Methods in Hotels: Customer Loyalty Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Thomas (2010) believes that qualitative and quantitative research always need one another in cience, but because it believes that qualitative research involves words and quantitative involves numbers, there are some researchers who believe that one is better (or scientific) than the other. As he mentions, in recent years the methods of data collection were expanded from group discussions focused on person-depth interviews and observations to online chats, Internet forums, online communities and internet monitoring. Also, some researchers would include here the neuromarketing research a new approach to marketing, which involves observation of physiological reactions, with the purpose of measuring emotional reactions as part of the ualitative research field [31, p. 5]. Hoteliers must find answers that would explain certain behavior and attitudes of customers and the companys motivations for some decisions. The only way to discover this is to use qualitative methods. However, the concept of loyalty, which covers this article, is very complex. To discover how the company and its customers perceive loyalty is necessary to conduct studies of all research methods being adapted to company strategies depending on the life cycle of the enterprise, the emergence of ad hoc market needs and apply the relevant ones. Chapter l. Qualitative market research Qualitative market research is a much more subjective research which derives its conclusions from a smaller, more focused group of individuals aiming in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. Qualitative method investigates decision making in the context of questions on whV and how? not Just those of the order what? where? when? . This implies greater depth interviews and surveys when it comes to the interview process, which usually involves a one-on-one interaction, but there are situations in which dyads and triads re possible. Traditionally, these settings are face-to-face and conducted directly in person, via the Internet and / or audio and / or video conferences. The benefits of this method of research consist in: 1) The probability of spontaneous and genuine reactions is higher and can be used for general conclusions market research. ) Although focus groups are conducted under controlling, can easily appear new ideas being encouraged by the more open environment. 3) The possibility of observing genuine reactions of respondents 4) Both focus groups can be very flexible and allows individuals to express their opinions reely. 5) Deeper understanding of the views and new perspectives. 6) The information received from the interviews is much deeper, often very detailed and rich. When it comes to market research qualitative versus quantitative market research, there are a lot of factors that determine what really differentiates them. This makes it important to choose the appropriate method of service and the agenda. For choosing the correct method for market research in order to establish customer loyalty strategy below are presented some tips to guide decision: A. it will be used the qualitative market research when: it requires explanation and exploration of quantitative studies determine the essence of the problems encountered to better understand the respondents and their intentions to get feedback and opinions authentic and unspoiled B. It will be used the quantitative market research when: it requires large marketing studies identify desired market share of the company and of the course of its action will gather information to apply them in statistical analysis company will opt for a faster and more conclusive research. As the hospitality industry is highly experimental, companies rely on qualitative esearch to gain insights on behavior, intentions, attitudes and motivations of tourists and consumers. Companies can target existing users and the potential for their new services to facilities and offers. This method offers the possibility to discover insights on strategies to counter offers made by competitors. The research that combines quantitative and qualitative methods is often labeled as postpositivist (Denzin Lincoln, 1994; Guba Lincoln, 1994) or triangular and is based on the concept that qualitative and quantitative methods should be seen as complementary rather than rival camps (Clark Creswell, 2008) [18, p 111]. The results of qualitative research are a diagnosis, seeking explanations why certain behavior occurs and usually investigates rather than include. In addition, qualitative data are often given orally, as opposed to numeric quantity related to quantitative research (Au, 2004) [29, p 16]. The most common qualitative research techniques are structured in-depth interviews, group discussions and focus groups. There are types of interviews: depth or ladder Laddering method is used as in-depth interview technique to discover how the attributes of a product / service, the consequences of these ttributes and personal values are related, connected in the mind of the individual. This technique allows the researcher to slowly climb the ladder to get to the real reasons that lead consumers to buy a product. The method allows starting with some obvious attributes, a superficial point of view, and reaches deeper areas, what is really relevant. In order to use properly this technique, the interviewees should be well chosen, meaning that it need the selection of those individuals who develop significant emotional reactions to the product, they are brand loyal. [34] Explorers are designed to obtain the point of view of the interviewee. Through effective use of skills of surveying, the interviewee is encouraged to report about the perception of emotional capitalizing topic. Important are the perceptions and personal interpretations (ideas, opinions, suggestions, expectations, etc. ): all the subjective information interviewee. Exploratory interviews with advisory are intended to supplement information obtained from written sources or standardized interviews with perceptions of the involved persons. Exploratory interview technical skills are bstracts related questions and reflections. Semi-structured flexible interview, allowing the introduction of new questions during the interview, as a result of what the interviewee says. The interviewer generally has a framework of themes to be explored. However, topics that the interviewer wants to explore during the interview should be usually well thought in advance. Usually it is recommended to interviewers to have developed the interview guide, an informal. These guides hel p researchers to focus an interview on a theme, without determining in a particular format. This reedom can help interviewers to adapt their questions to the interview context / situation and the people who are interviewed. Non-structured method in which questions can be changed or adapted to meet the respondents intelligence, understandings or beliefs. Unlike a structured interview the questions are predetermined and the range of responses is pre-set, the unstructured interviews support free play mode of respondents answers. These types of interviews are commonly used in ethnography and case studies or when researchers want to find as much information as possible about their topic. The advantage is that unstructured interviews often reveal information that was not exposed using structured or semi- structured interviews. Data sets collected using unstructured interviews will be higher than the rest. Outside of sociology use of such interviews is very limited. Qualitative method includes the following techniques also beings used only in sociology: focus groups, a form of qualitative research in which a group of people is asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging. Questions are asked in interactive group setting where participants are free to talk to other members. observations techniques combined with interviewing: ethnography and photo- ethnography, in which potential or current customers record actual behavior, transcribe the Journals and participate in follow-up interviews and observations at decision making place, such as interviews in stores. Using structured interviews in hotels Interviews occurred in the hospitality industry should preferably be semi-structured or unstructured, because it allows the researcher to be flexible and to get as much ata as possible. However, CODRIJ hotel marketers have used structured interviews, given that usually during the interview time is reduced and the amount of the interviewees may be higher. The objective was to understand the investigated subject in terms of the interviewee and to understand how and why they arrived at this particular point. Studying literature, they identified key issues that affect retention and loyalty, which are illustrated in a convenient general marketing mix variables: Product, Price, Placement, Promotion and People (Quality Service), shown in Table 1 . Table 1 . Key topics and subtopics for the quantitative research Product Specifications: exterior features, lobby, restaurant, bar, bedroom, public areas, leisure facilities etc, cleanliness, quality furniture and accessories, design, style. Functional attributes: reputation, style of services, timeliness of providing services, staff courtesy and empathy to customers. What technical and functional attributes of hotel customers are important to small and medium-sized independent hotels? Price Price charged; price policy of the company. Independent hotels are customers willing to accept lower technical attributes in xchange for a lower price or are willing to pay a higher price for superior technical and functional attributes delivered at the consistently increased quality? Customers prefer a transparent pricing policy or differential? Placement and Reservations Location, quality of services booking, booking method, the search for variety Shall remain loyal customers to some independent hotels each time they visit a certain area or prefer variety? Are they loyal to geographical areas or looking for something different? Promotion Loyalty cards, building relationships with customers and suppliers, branding, online romotion etc. How important is customer loyalty cards independent hotels? Encourage the practice of building customer relations loyalty to a hotel? What is the role of branding in keeping customers and their loyalty? Persons (Quality Service) Quality of services, security service delivery, management of complaints To what extent are customers interested in quality and functionality of equipment? It will encourage loyalty an effective security policy and security of supply of services? Customer retention and loyalty will encourage their effective management of complaints? Sourse: Materials from CODRU Hotel These themes and essential questions helped develop a hypothesis, which brought proposals for hotel loyalty and customer retention in a increasingly competitive market. Customers were approached at the time of check-in at the hotel. Manager responsible explained the research goal and asked for cooperation requesting an interview, which should take no more than 5-10 minutes. Face-to- face interviews were conducted in informal surroundings of the hotel lobby, time being chosen by the customer. The interviews began with the interviewers explanation about the nature and purpose of research, initially requesting any information about client ctivity. Then moved to an open discussion, the client is encouraged to explain why he chosed the hotel initially and what hoteliers should offer to further encourage this choice. Whenever necessary, the interviewer introduced the key themes of the Table 1 to continue to encourage open discussion. Responses were placed in a grid table to share comments made on the analysis of the particular key issues considered as important for the client and, respectively, as a determining factor in his retention. Conclusion In conclusion we mention that whatever method hoteliers select for market research nd investigation of needs of current and potential customers to determine their loyalty strategies, it take time, costs and specific skills of marketers researchers. However, at different stages of hotel development, it is recommended certain research techniques that would answer the question in the most appropriate way, meaning that by the initial cycle of life the author suggests to use the questionnaire, because of the economic advantages and time, can find out the opinion of a large number of customers, are easy to analyze, affordable, being filled out by guests in onfort, in their leisure time. In the companys development cycle is recommended to apply survey as a technic of investigating customer needs, coupled with the interviews, both collecting data so cantitattive and qualitative. In the Republic of Moldova would be very difficult, almost impossible, to conduct a study based on the method of neuromarketing, because of lack of specialists, so only recommending studies and ongoing computerization of marketers based on those of the colleagues from abroad to find out the latest news on the application of various hotel customer loyalty strategies. Biblography 1 . Monica Diana Bercea. Quantitative versus qualitative in neuromarketing research. http://mpra. ub. uni-muenchen. de/44134/ 2. Ahmed Mohamed Hassan Elebiary. Drivers of guest loyalty in the hotel industry in New Zealand: The role of staff loyalty, service quality, guest satisfaction and commitment, and the influence of loyalty programmes. A Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MANAGEMENT At The university of Waikato, 2012. 346 p. 3. Kellgren Cecilia. Moradi Ladan. Romppanen MaiJu. Customer Loyalty Research Can customer loyalty programs really build loyalty? J?–NK?–PING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL. J? ¶nk? ¶ping, January 2007. 65 pag. 4. http://www. psynolution. ro/ 284-1addering-%E2%80%93-metoda-calitativa-de-cercetare 5. http:// www. statistica. md 6. http://web. usm. my/aam]/16. 1. 2011 /AAMJ_16. 1. 2. pdf 7. http://geert-hofstede. com 8. Senka Sekularac-lvogevit, Sanja Sauk. Quantitative and Qualitative Basis of Customer Relationship Management Concept Development in the Adriatic Ports. University of Montenegro, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Dobrota 36, 85 330 Kotor, Montenegro. 116 pag.

Abortion as a social problem essays

Abortion as a social problem essays Abortion as a Social Problem Induced abortions have been a topic of dispute for hundreds of years. People disagree on two basic questions. The first question is whether the law should permit a women to have an abortion and, if so under what circumstances. The other is whether the law should protect the unborn child. Those who wish to legally limit or forbid abort ions describe their position as a right-to-life or pro-life. Those who believe a women should have the right to an abortion refer to themselves as pro-choice. An abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before birth. In the earlier stages of pregnancy, the fertilized egg that grows and develops is called an embryo. After three months of development, the embryo is now considered a fetus. What an abortion will do is cause either the fetus or embryo to die. Abortions can occur in two forms: Either a spontaneous abortion may take place, which is also known as a miscarriage. Miscarriages may result from natural causes as an abnormality in the embryo, a hormonal imbalance, a long-term disease, or some other disorder in the women. The other form is an induced abortion, which is where the fetus is purposely removed from the womens body. Physicians perform abortions several different ways. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the most common method is suction curettage, also known as vacuum aspiration. This method involves removing the fetus by suction, then scraping the womens uterus with surgical instruments. An abortion can also be caused in the first trimester by a drug called mifepristone or RU-486. The method of this drug is to block the action of the hormone progesterone in the womens body, which normally is the hormone that prepares the womens uterus to receive and nourish the embryo needs. In the second trimester, many physicians use a method called dilation and evacuation. In this method, the fetu...

How To Use Sin in Spanish

How To Use 'Sin' in Spanish The Spanish preposition sin generally means without and thus can be thought of as the opposite of con (with). For English speakers, its use is generally straightforward, the main difference being that it usually is not followed by an indefinite article (un or una, meaning a). Here are some examples of its use: Para el paciente sin esperanza, no existe futuro. (For the patient without hope, a future does not exist.)Nunca conduzco sin gafas. (I never drive without glasses.)Daniela no podr ir a la escuela sin computadora. (Daniela will not be able to go to the school without a computer.)Cuando la gente vive sin felicidad, no temern a la muerte. (When people live without happiness, they will not fear death.)Hay muchos hogares sin telà ©fono. (There are many homes without a telephone.) Sometimes phrases using sin are better translated using the English suffix -less or -free: Las parejas sin hijos sufren muchas crà ­ticas. (Childless couples receive much criticism.)Los diamantes sin defectos son extremadamente raros. (Flawless diamonds are very unusual.) ¿Son los refrescos sin azà ºcar la solucià ³n al problema? (Are sugar-free drinks the solution to the problem?) Fast Facts Sin is usually the equivalent of without in English.When sin is followed by a noun object, it is seldom necessary to place an un or una before the noun, although one is sometimes used for emphasis.Sin is frequently used in phrases, most of whose meanings can be determined by translating the other words in the phrase. When to Use an Indefinite Article With Sin If the indefinite article is used after sin, it often is done for emphasis. Also, if the object (the noun after sin) is followed by an adjective or a clause, the indefinite article is often used: Yo estaba en Mà ©xico sin un centavo. (I was in Mexico without a single cent.)Se fue sin un adià ³s. (He left without even saying goodbye.)No hay democracia sin un orden social liberal. (There is no democracy without a liberal social order.)La clonacià ³n de un dinosaurio serà ­a imposible sin un à ³vulo de dinosaurio intacto. (The cloning of a dinosaur would be impossible without an intact dinosaur egg.) Following Sin With Infinitives When sin is followed by a verb, nearly always the infinitive form is used. Note how these sentences are translated to Spanish. In particular, the final two examples use sin in a way that without is not used in English: Tengo que aprender a vivir sin fumar. (I need to learn to live without smoking.)Aprender sin pensar es inà ºtil. (Learning without thinking is useless.)Sin leer es imposible escribir bien. (Without reading it is impossible to write well.)Hay muchas lecciones sin aprender. (There are many unlearned lessons.)La lata sin abrir puede durar hasta 12 meses. (An unopened can can last for 12 months.) Phrases Using Sin Dozens of phrases use sin. Heres a sampling: asociacià ³n civil sin fines de lucro, organizacià ³n sin fines de lucro - nonprofit organization aun sin : Cuando uno es inteligente, aun sin estudiar puede pasar con 100. (Someone intelligent can pass with a 100 even without studying.) ausente sin aviso - absent without permission barril sin fondo, pozo sin fondo - bottomless pit (usually used figuratively) callejà ³n sin salida - dead-end street (can be used figuratively) dejar sin efecto - to invalidate, to render useless estar sin blanca, estar sin un cobre - to be penniless or broke sin motivo - for no good reason, for no known reason misterio sin resolver - unsolved mystery quedarse sin nada : La atleta puso todo pero se quedà ³Ã‚  sin nada. (The athlete gave it her all but ended up with nothing.) quedarse sin palabras - to be at a loss for words repetir sin parar - to say over and over again sin asombro - surprisingly sin cesar - without stopping, continuously sin compromiso - without any obligation sin contar con - to ignore possible consequences, to not take into account sin coste - free, without charge sin defensa - defenseless sin direccià ³n, sin rumbo - aimless, without goals sin duda - without a doubt, undoubtedly sin ganas - enenthusiastically, unwillingly sin hacer - undone sin otro particular - without further ado sin par - unique, without an equal sin pensar - without thinking sin razà ³n - with no reason sin tardar - immediately, without delay sin ton ni son - without rhyme or reason viaje sin retorno - one-way trip vivir sin : No puedo vivir con ti. (I cant live without you.)

The effect of dividend policy (announcement) on share prices Essay

The effect of dividend policy (announcement) on share prices - Essay Example However, to what extent announcement of dividend policy can influence share prices are required some empirical testing. This paper attempts to examine whether announcement of companies’ dividend policy can significantly influence share prices in UK stock market. For the purpose of this study observations on dividend policy announcements of a group of FTSE 100 firms have been taken into account for a period of 2000-2009 and an event study has been conducted to test the level of significance of the effect of dividend announcements on the selected firms’ share prices. On the basis of the findings, the study has come to a conclusion that in UK, the event of announcement on dividend policy has potential to significantly affect share prices. To obtain desired level of outcome, it is very necessary to apply appropriate method while conducting a research. The reliability and validity of the research outcomes also to a large extent depend on the method that the research has followed. After choosing a particular subject, the must vital thing is to build an appropriate research design which will be followed throughout the whole research process. Research method varies with the type, aims and objectives of the research. Before deciding on any particular research method, it is necessary to evaluate the pros and cons of this method on the basis of research outcomes of the past studies. Research techniques are basically of two types – quantitative and qualitative. However, in some studies researchers also combine these two processes to form a ‘mixed-method’ approach. Qualitative research technique is used when the researcher’s inquiry is based on the participant’s opinion about a particular situation. In that method, the researcher wants to gather subjective data, therefore his personal knowledge and research methodology influences the research to some

Annotated Soap Note Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Annotated Soap Note - Assignment Example Social history: She denies taking alcohol or drugs but admits to smoking at least two cigarettes daily. She lives a very active life where she does a lot of walking activities. Her diet consists of high calories, fat, fruits, and vegetables. From the information gathered, the patient is likely suffering from bladder infection. Flank pain is associated with renal and upper urinary tract illnesses. In addition, the pain is a sign of underlying illness which in this case is bladder infection (Lippincott & Wilkins, 2008). The illness is diagnosed through a clean-catch mid-stream urine stream specimen to perform culture and determine the presence of bacteria. Concentration that is more than 100,000 organisms per ml of urine rules out the diagnoses (Murray & Pizzorno, 2012). The culture is repeated after seven to fourteen days after therapy to check if it has cleared (Schapiro, 2014). The treatment will include Norfloxacin (Noroxin) 400mg BID for three days (Tripathi, 2013). In addition, the patient is prescribed 100mg calcium C four times daily. It aids in making the urine more acidic that makes it unfavorable for bacterial growth. The best management of bladder infections is preventing the bacterial growth. To attain this, the patient is educated on how to limit the development of bacteria. It includes urinating completely and frequently. In addition, she should avoid keeping urine in the bladder for a long time. Moreover, she is advised on hygiene tips especially how to clean herself after bowel movement. She should perform it from front to back. Furthermore, she should avoid underwear that is from synthetic fabrics that has the tendency of confining moisture. She will be trained on the significance of taking sufficient fluid that is mostly six to ei ght glasses daily, as it eliminates toxins from the bladder (Schapiro, 2014). The patient is also

Role of Solar Energy for Sustainability

Role of Solar Energy for Sustainability Environmental Sustainability Introduction This paper is based on the environmental sustainability and the role of solar energy in environmental sustainability. Maintaining the qualities such as human life, clean water and suitable climate that are valued in the atmosphere is termed as environmental sustainability. There are various resources and factors, which contribute directly or indirectly in maintaining the quality of environment. The various aspects of environment that produce renewable resources are water, solar energy and timber. In this present scenario, most people want to maintain the capabilities inherent in the natural environment to sustain the conditions of living and the beauty of environment (What is Environmental Sustainability, 2006). Thesis Statement: Eminent role of solar energy towards the establishment of environmental sustainability. Argument Solar energy plays a significant role in sustaining the environment, as it is the most valuable and environmental friendly source of energy. It is the utilization of radiant energy from the sun. Solar distillation and disinfection are the most common techniques used for the purpose of producing potable water. It also supplies energy for cooking, drying and pasteurization. Solar energy is an effective technique, which maintains the quality of environment by different mechanisms such as solar thermal, solar lightening, agriculture horticulture and architecture urban planning. It uses secondary sources of energy along with solar radiation such as wind and wave power, biomass and hydroelectricity, which produce renewable energy (Environmental Sustainability, 2008). Thermal mass is primarily used for the purpose of conserving the heat of the sun. It is the increasingly used source of energy generation because of its economic feasibility. Apart from this, solar energy has various advantag es such as it is environmental friendly and more easily accessible technique in comparison to other techniques of energy generation. It provides various technologies for heat generation and collection, which proves its importance in environmental sustainability (What is Solar Energy, 2005). Support to the argument Solar energy is the most effective source of producning energy and plays an important role in environmental sustaining. This can be explained by the help of five elements: Economoicall feasibility: It is a more feasible economic source in copmrison to other sources of energy producing, as it is cost effective(in the case of greenhouse) and technologically advanced( in the case of solar lighting ). Environmental friendly: It is an envrinmental friendly source as most of the solar electricirty generated vehicles produce no emissions. In this way, they are non pollutant and safe for the people. Non cosumptive source: The radiation of sun is a limitless resource of energy, so it does not require any destrucive process, which is another advantage of this technique. Security and distribution: The prices of solar electricity, which is produced through photovaltaic cells does not flactuate with the supply pattrens, so it is the best source of energy generation. The distribution cost is less in case of solar electricity, which is produced by the technology of solar energy. This is another positive approach of using solar enegry in environmental sustainability. Save energy and other resources: Solar energy also assists the people in saving energy and other valuabl resources by solar lighting and thermal mass. Thus, it helps in maintaining environmental sustainability. Apart from the above mentioned elements, many other arguments favoring it describe that solar energy is the vital source of producing energy for millions of people through the utilization of different technologies. Solar technologies are widely used in day to day practices and also offer various benefits, which in turn assist in sustaining the environment. Architecture and urban planning: Solar energy assists the architectures in designing of building, as it includes many aspects such as thermal mass, shading and sun orientation. Apart from this, it is also helpful in effective urban planning (Vlek Steg, 2007). Solar lighting: Solar energy implements the concept of day lighting in the interiors of many buildings, which reduces the need for artificial lighting. Hybrid solar lighting is another concept, which is used to provide illumination. /a> Source: New York Times Heating cooling and ventilation: Solar energy reduces the use of artificial methods involved in heating, cooling and ventilation by implementing the use of thermal mass. Solar chimneys are increasingly used to offset the significant part of energy used by other methods. Solar disinfection and distillation: Solar disinfection is used to produce water purifier and considered to be as the viable and safe source of household treatment. Solar distillation is the mechanism of producing potable water from the saline water through the help of solar energy and is considered the most economical source of producing water (Stipanuk, 2006). Agriculture and horticulture: Solar energy technologies assist in growing fruit walls and vegetables in an effective manner by using the solar energy. The concept of greenhouse is also used increasingly as it saves the solar heat. Water heating: This system is used to heat water by using sunlight and considerd as an effective method as it is an eco-friendly system. Counter Argument Solar energy offers various advantages of using it at broad level but there are some limitations of using it, which reject the concept of using solar energy in the energy production. Expensive source: Solar energy is useful when the sun shines but in the course of night these expensive solar equipemnts are useless. It is the drawback of using the solar energy for generating electricity and heat. Location: It is another disadvantage of using solar nergy in electricity generation, as solar equipements require large areas for installation, hence if the area is limited, it will create problems (Disadvantages of Solar Energy, 2008). Dilution: As solar energy is diluted, it requires a lot of solar collectors for the purpose of storing solar energy effectively. Solar collectors are expensive and need a heavy mainatanance for proper functioning. So, the return on investment is also maximum in comprison to other resources, which generate electricity for environmental sustainability. So these are the disadvantages of using solar energy in generating electricity and these forms the basis of not using it as the source of energy, as in the shortage of energy resources, it becomes price competitive source in comparison to other sourecs (Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy, 2008). Conclusion On the basis of above discussion on the role of solar energy in environmantal sustainability, it is concluded that it is worthy enough to implement the concept of solar energy in electricity generation. Solar energy is an important source of electricity generation, as it saves the cost included in other sources of electricity generation. It is an evironmental friendly technique, as the solar vehicles are eco-friendly and do not emmit pollutant substances in the atmosphere. It is also an economically viable source, as it uses technological advanced insturments in electricity generation. It is also an cost effective source, as there is no distribution cost involved in its distribution. Water heating through the use of solar energy teachnology is also an effective method because it saves the environment from pollution. All of these statements with regard to solar energy prove its increasing use in present scenario. Hence, solar enegry is useful in environmental sustainability in an effe ctive manner. References Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy. (2008). Retrieved July 25, 2008 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy.html Disadvantages of Solar Energy. (2008). Retrieved July 25, 2008 from http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/articles/disadvantages_of_solar_energy.html Environmental Sustainability. (2008). Retrieved July 25, 2008 from http://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/Council/Consultation/Plan_for_the_Future/Environmental_Sustainability.asp Stipanuk, D.M. (2006). Hospitility Facilities Managemnet And Design (3rd edition). Texas: Culinary and Hospitality Industry Publications Services. Vlek, C. Steg, L. (2007). Human Behavior and Environmental Sustainability. USA: Blackwell Publishing. What is Environmental Sustainability. (2006). Retrieved July 25, 2008 from http://www.ces.vic.gov.au/CES/wcmn301.nsf/childdocs/-441BB07721D61152CA256F250028C5FB?open What is Solar Energy. (2005). Retrieved July 25, 2008 from http://www.prometheus.org/research/whatissolar