Monday, December 30, 2019

Plato s Simile Of The Cave - 1149 Words

Imagine living in a world of false impressions, of course how would know that they were living in a world of lies. They would probably believe that every action performed by their senses were true. Plato’s Simile of the Cave sheds light on this this idea which is also adapted by the 1999 movie by Andy Wachowski Lana Wachowski, ‘The Matrix.’ Both works have allegorical meanings which explains how people are trapped by some sort of limitations they have which could also serve as a deterrent to their further understanding. This movie ‘The Matrix’ shares a common philosophical basis with Plato’s Simile of the Cave. First, Plato argues that the mind is susceptible to false ideas because of the limitations of our senses. This is shown in the conversation between Socrates, a speaker in his allegory, and Glaucon, the second speaker. Socrates explains to Glaucon that the prisoners in Plato’s metaphorical cave are bound to assume that the shadows thrown on the wall, by the fire, are real and that the objects held by the passers-by, walking along the road, belong to the shadows. â€Å"And so in every way they would believe that the shadows of the objects we mentioned were the whole truth.† (Plato, 26). Plato believes that the world perceived through our senses is not a real world, but a poor copy of it. This prisoners do not know that they are prisoners, which makes them to be completely unaware that the reality they know is false. In similar fashion, his claim shares a commonShow MoreRelatedThe Allegory Of The Cave1307 Words   |  6 PagesAllegory of the Cave there are prisoners are chained up together in which they are all facing the back wall. There is a firing behind the prisoners and the only thing that they can see are the shadows of the people behind them. The fire casts shadows on the wall so this is the only thing that they see. Their entire lives have been based on these shadows on the wall. These prisoner s have been chained up since birth, so what they see on the walls is all they know. In the Allegory of the Cave, they let oneRead MorePlato s Allegory, And Glaucon, The Second Speaker1345 Words   |  6 Pages First, Plato argues that humans are vulnerable to false ideas because of the limitations of our senses. This is shown in the conversation between Socrates, a speaker in his allegory, and Glaucon, the second speaker. Socrates explains to Glaucon that the prisoners in Plato’s metaphorical cave are bound to assume that the shadows thrown on the wall, by the fire, are real and that the objects held by the passers-by, along the road, belong to the shadows. â€Å"And so in every way they would believe thatRead MorePlato Vs Aristotle On Politics And Philosophy1899 Words   |  8 PagesPlato versus Aristotle Plato and Aristotle, two philosophers in the 4th century, hold polar views on politics and philosophy in general. This fact is very cleverly illustrated by Raphael s School of Athens (1510-11; Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican), where Plato is portrayed looking up to the higher forms; and Aristotle is pointing down because he supports the natural sciences. In a discussion of poli tics, the stand point of each philosopher becomes an essential factor. It is not coincidental thatRead MoreHuman Nature In Fahrenheit 4511349 Words   |  6 Pagestensions that occur between one s perception of what is moral according to human nature when constrained by a theocratic society. Fahrenheit 451 a dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury, shows how oppressive governments can never succeed in trying to force conformity in one s human nature. The Lottery is a dystopian shirt story, by Shirley Jackson and demonstrates conformity and rebellion, and how overpowering a community can be against an individual. Para 1: Miller s criticises the controlling nature

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Pros And Cons Of The Samsung Smartphone - 1819 Words

I didn’t have to try too hard to find a subject for my project. We live in a society that runs on technology. Everyone wants the next big thing. Celebrities help push these things and make them the must-haves. I do not remember people spending so much money on designer hand bags, designer make-up, and the newest technology. I have seen people get ridiculed for having an outdated phone or a phone that is not an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. You are not worth their time if you do have these brands to represent you. I took a look at Samsung and noticed there was much to be uncovered. They are falling behind Apple fast. How can this be? What effects does supply and demand have over a product? I will look at the cellphone business in specific. I will note the pros and cons for the Samsung smartphone. I will identify the cost of the product. What were the shortcomings of the Galaxy’s launch? How will they turn things around? I myself am a big fan of Samsung electronics. Once you see the name it has brand recognition. I think of reliability and comfort. I know their product is not going to break down. While shopping for a washer and dryer for my new home, I immediately wanted to purchase the brand. While almost clicking â€Å"check-out† online I was stopped by my sister-in-law and she said that her washer and dryer repair guy said there was a reason why there were so may returns on their product. Here I was going for the brand again. There are so many comparable products out there andShow MoreRelatedMobile Operating Systems1268 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION Over the past decade, smartphones have taken the world by storm and recently, tablets have entered into the arena as well. These mobile devices are having a significant impact on our lives and are in fact redefining the way we access information and communicate with others. This is due to not only the hardware but the specialized software that these devices run and most importantly, their operating systems. Just like a PC can run different operating systems (like Windows, Linux, BSDRead MoreVirtual Reality : Reality Or Reality?1165 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferent systems to achieve virtual reality and they all come at a wide range of price ranges. With the continuing development of virtual reality, consumers and producers are beginning to see much more pros than cons, even though there still are some. In this paper, I will discuss the Pros, Cons, and the impact that virtual reality can potentially have in many occupations. Virtual Reality is the â€Å"term used to describe a three-dimension, computer generated environment which can be explored andRead MoreUsage of tablets 1) The first article described the overview of tablets and its usage. For example,700 Words   |  3 Pagesexample, iPad is a tablet and its usage of customers gets profit to business organizations such as restaurants, automobile showrooms, doctor offices, etc. by developing their apps in iPad tablet. IPad tablets compared with mobile devices such as Smartphones for accessing data and inputting the information.The second article describes by using mobile devices by employees to access enterprise systems will increase the performance of the organization and employees will be aware of new technologies,Read MorePros Of The Samsung Incident Essay1057 Words   |  5 Pageshad been discovered to have several flaws in the design. This report will summarise the impact of this on the mobile industry and how it affected different companies in the same expertise. Pros of the Samsung incident Apple iTechPost, in their article about the note 7 drama says that due to the Samsung incident Apple has seen a huge rise in sales. This allowed Apple to sell their newest device (iPhone 7) to more customers than they have originally planned. This allowed apple to pre sell moreRead MoreComparing Apple iOS and Google Operating Systems756 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction The intent of this analysis is to define the differences between the Apple iOS and Google Android operating systems, in addition to discussing the newest features for each. The Pros and Cons of each operating system are discussed, in addition to a chart of relative market share on smartphone and tablet PCs. In addition to relative market share, the number of application downloads will also be shown. Analysis Of Differences Between Android And Apple iOS Mobile Operating Systems TheRead MoreTechnology, Wearable Electronic Body Adaptable965 Words   |  4 Pagesparagraphs, I will explain Advantages and Disadvantages of Wearable Electronics. Now a days, due to advancement in technology, there are various types of wearable devices are available such as Fitbit Flex, Samsung Gear, Pebble Watch and so on. Firstly, I want to explain the advantages of wearable devices. 1. Pros of Fitbit Flex The Fitbit Flex is easy way to record or track steps, sleep, and calories. The Flex devices is light, rubber and easy bracelet to wear on wrist. This device uses by people to stay activeRead MoreBusiness Law876 Words   |  4 Pagesthe case regarding Apple vs. Samsung, â€Å"the jury was diverse, but decidedly not a panel of patent experts: among the two women and seven men were a social worker, an engineer, and an unemployed video game enthusiast† (Wilhelm). The jury of this particular case delivered its â€Å"much anticipated decision† in only three days time, ordering that Samsung was to pay Apple $120 million for copying some of the Apple iPhone’s technology and applying it to some of their smartphones (Mintz). In cases where thereRead MoreEssay on Market and Features of Lumia 2520 Tablet by Nokia1543 Words   |  7 Pagesthe MNC positioning the new product? (e) How successful will this product be and why? 1. The Product – Lumia 2520 tablet by Nokia Nokia’s Lumia 2520 is the Finnish smartphone-maker’s take on a Lumia-style tablet. Despite Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Nokia, the Lumia 2520 sees Nokia directly competing with the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablet for market share. 2. Key Product Features The Lumia 2520 tablet features a 10.1inch 1920x1080 resolution touchscreen, powered by a quad-core 2.2GHz QualcommRead MoreIs The Best And A Proven Solution For Rooting Your Favorite Huawei Y6351232 Words   |  5 Pagesto Root Huawei Y635 in Easy Steps This article will teach us about the best and a proven solution for rooting your favorite Huawei Y635 in simple and easy steps. Huawei is one of the leading Android smartphone makers of China. It is ranked as the third largest smartphone vendor in the world after Samsung and Apple. In the year 2015, Huawei came up with yet another flagship model the Huawei Y635 which ranked among the top Android smart phone devices. With cutting edge technology and excellent featuresRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Digital Technology829 Words   |  4 Pagesthemselves. To survive in the current workforce, a smartphone is arguably mandatory; additional pieces such as smartwatches and laptops come with advantages. When the Information Age came about around the 1960’s, parents had concerns about the effects the digital products could have on their children because they were uninformed about the growing culture. Fast forward to 2017 and there are an increasing number of studies about the pros and cons of our new technological world. Now understanding the

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Critically discuss the Strategy in Action of Tesco plc Free Essays

INTRODUCTION Tesco plc is the food and drink retail sector represents the major industry in the UK, providing, manufacturing, employment for over three million people in the main production and retailing. In 2004 retail accounted for 9% of (GDP) gross domestic product (Datamonitor, 2003). In latest years UK supermarkets have come under increased analysis over their management of suppliers, yet the increase of strategic supply networks has been essential part of largely supermarket strategies for the past decade. We will write a custom essay sample on Critically discuss the Strategy in Action of Tesco plc or any similar topic only for you Order Now This report is provides Tesco, with emphasis on its external environment and company’s analysis of resources, competence and culture strategic and the resources based on strategies. One of the largest food retailers in the world, Tesco operating about 2,319 stores and employing over 325,000 people. It provides online services through its subsidiary, Tesco.com. The UK largest market company where it operates under four banners of Superstore, Extra, Metro and Express. The company sells about 40,000 food products, non-food lines, clothing and other. The company’s own-label products are at three levels, normal and finest, value,. As well as convenience produce, several stores have gas stations, becoming one of Britain’s largest independent petrol retailers. Other retailing services Tesco Personal Finance. PESTEL FRAMEWORK 2.1 Political Factors the company Operating in a globalized environment. Tesco has stores around the world now operates in the Republic of Ireland, Europe , Slovakia, Poland , Czech Republic, Hungary and Turkey. It also operates in Asia in Thailand Japan Taiwan, South Korea, and Malaysia it is performance is greatly influenced by the political and legislative situation of these countries, including the (EU). For employmentthe government encourages retailers to provide a mix flexible job opportunities, lower-paid and locally-based jobs to highly-skilled, higher- located jobs paid and centrally- (Balchin, 1994). Moreover to meet the demand from population categories such as working parents senior citizens and Students. 2.2 EconomicalFactors Tesco economic factors are of concern, because they are likely to influence demand, prices profits, and costs. One of the mainly influential factors on the economy is high unemployment levels, which decreases the effective demand for several goods. The economic factors are largely outside the control of the company, but their effects the marketing and performance can be deep. while international business is still increasing (Appendix A), and is expected to contribute better amounts to Tesco’s income over the next few years, the company is still highly dependent on the market. therefore, it would be badly affected by any slowdown exposed to the market concentration risks and in the UK food market 2.3Social/CulturalFactors present trends show that British customers have moved towards ‘bulk’ shopping, which is due to a range of social changes. Tesco have, therefore, improved the quantity of non-food stuff available for sale. Demographic changes such as the aging of people, the female workers are increase and a decline in preparation home meal mean that UK retailers are also focusing on services and added-value products . adding, the focus is now towards; the share of the own-label in business mix, the operational improvements and supply chain , which can drive costs out of the business. National retailers are increasingly reticent to take on new suppliers (Datamonitor Report, 2003Clarke, Bennison and Guy,1994;). The type of goods and services demanded by customers is a meaning of their consequent attitudes and beliefs and social conditioning . customers are becoming more and more aware of their attitudes towards food are constantly changing and health issues. For instance to accommodate an increased demand for organic products Tesco adapting the product mix, and also the first company to allow customers to pay in cash and cheques at the checkout. 2.4 Technological Factors Technology is a main macro-environmental changeable which has influenced the increase of several Tesco products. The new technologies benefit the company and customers satisfaction raises because services can become more personalised and shopping more convenient, goods are readily and available.The launch of the Efficient Consumer Response initiative provided the shift that is now apparent in the management of food supply chains (Datamonitor Report, 2003 2.5 Environmental Factors In 2003, there has been improved pressure on several companies and managers to admit their responsibility to society. (Johnson and Scholes, 2003) The major societal concern threatening food retailers has been environmental issues, a key region for companies to proceed in a socially responsible way. therefore, by recognizing this tendency in the broad ethical stance, the company corporate social responsibility is concerned through the ways in which an organization exceeds the minimum obligations to stakeholders particular through regulation and business governance PORTER’S FIVE FORCES Threat of New Entrants The UK grocery market is mainly dominated by competitors, including the major brands of Tesco ,Sainsbury’s Safeway ,and Asda, that take a market share of 70% and small chains of Somerfield, Waitrose and Budgens with a further 10%. Over the last 30 years, Ritz (2005), the grocery market has been changed into the supermarket-dominated business. The Majority of the large chains have built their power due to operating efficiency, major marketing-mix expenditure and one-stop shopping. This power had a large impact on the small traditional shops, such as, bakers, butchers and etc. therefore, these days it possesses a strong barrier for new companies who want to enter the grocery market. For example, it becomes rather difficult for new entrants to increase sufficient capital because of large fixed costs and highly developed supply chains. in advanced technology This is also evident in huge investments done by large chains, like Tesco, for stock contro l systems that impact new entrants and the existing ones and checkouts . Other barriers include economies of scale achieved by Tesco. Bargaining Powerof Suppliers This force that can be influenced by major grocery chains and that fear of losing their business to the large supermarkets. Therefore, this consolidates more leading positions of stores like Tesco and Asda in negotiating betterprices from suppliers that small individual chains are unable to match Ritz (2005). UK based suppliers are also threatened by the rising ability of retailers to source their products from abroad at cheaper deals. The relationship with sellers can have same effects in constraining the strategic freedom of the company and in influencing its margins. The forces of competitive rivalry have reduced the profit margins for suppliers and supermarket chains. Bargaining Power of Customers Porter M. (1980) more products that become standardized or undifferentiated, the lower the switching cost, and therefore, more power is yielded to buyers. Tesco’s famous loyalty card – Club card remains the successful customer retention strategy that increases the profitability of Tesco’s business. In meeting customer needs, better choices, customizing service, ensure low prices, constant flow of in-store promotions like Tesco enables brands to control and retain their customer base. In recent years the food retailing has changed due to a large demand of consumers doing the majority of their shopping in supermarkets that shows a larger need for supermarkets to sell non-food items. Also it has provided supermarkets with a new strategic expansion into new markets of banking. moreover Consumers have become more aware of the issues surrounding fairer trade and the influence of western consumers on the expectations and aspirations of Third World producers. Ethically and ecologically benign sound production of consumer produce such as coffee, tea, and cocoa is viable, and such products are widely available at the majority of large chains. Threat of Substitutes for a particular product General substitution is able to reduce demand, while there is a threat of consumers switching to the alternatives Porter M. (1980). In the grocery industry this can be seen in the form of the substitute of need or product-for-productand is further weakened by new trends, such as the way small chains of convenience stores are emerging in the industry. In this case Tesco is trying to acquire existing small-scale operations and opening Express and Metro stores in city centres and local towns Ritz (2005). 3.5Bargaining Powerof Competitors The grocery environment has seen a very significant growth in the size and market dominance of the larger players, with greater store size, increased retailer concentration, and the utilisation of a range of formats, which are now prominent characteristics of the sector. As it was mentioned above, the purchasing power of the food-retailing industry is concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of retail buyers. Operating in a mature, flat market where growth is difficult (a driver of the diversification into non-food areas), and consumers are increasingly demanding and sophisticated, large chains as Tesco are accruing large amounts of consumer information that can be used to communicate with the consumer Ritz (2005). This highly competitive market has fostered an accelerated level of development, resulting in a situation in which UK grocery retailers have had to be innovative to maintain and build market share. Such innovation can be seen in the development of a range of trading formats, in response to changes in consumer behaviour. The dominant market leaders have responded by refocusing on price and value, whilst reinforcing the added value elements of their service. SWOTAnalysis mus,,,, Tesco is the top grocer and leading retailer in its home market of the UK. Pitched at the broad middle mass-market, it has maintained its position through a clear focus, well targeted product offer and excellent record both in product and format innovation. Tesco also leads the world in online grocery retailing. In the UK the company concentrates on running grocery superstores, c-stores and an online service. Elsewhere the focus is usually on hypermarkets. In 2003, the group’s trading record around Europe and UK has been outstanding. The full SWOT analysis of Tesco is presented in Appendix B, summarizing the key issues from the business environment and the strategic capability, including resources and competence, of the company that are most likely to impact on strategy development Strengths Increasing market share: Tesco holds a 13% share of the UK retail market. Its multi-format capability means that it will continue to grow share in food, while increasing space contribution from hypermarkets will allow it to drive a higher share in non-food. Tesco’s general growth and ROI show no sign of abating: In the UK, Tesco’s late 2002 investment into West-midlands based convenience store group TS was billed as the most aggressive move into the neighborhood market by a big-name retailer so far. The deal has turned Tesco into the country’s second biggest convenience store chain after the Co-operative Group, and the company also plans to open up 59 new stores in the UK this year. Tesco has grown its non-food division to the extent that its revenues now total 23% of total group earnings. Tesco’s international business segment is growing steadily, and is predicted to contribute nearly a quarter of group profits over the next five years. If geographical spread continues to grow, this will ensure Tesco’s continued regional strength. Insurance: In fiscal 2003 Tesco Personal Finance reached the milestone of one million motor insurance policies, making it the fastest growing motor insurance providerever.The group’s instant travel insurance allows Clubcard holders to buy their holiday insurance conveniently at the checkout. Pet insurance now has over 330,000 cats and dogs covered, while the life insurance policy followed on from the success of last year, when it was voted The Most Competitive Life Insurance Provider in the MoneyFacts Awards 2003. Tesco online: Tesco.com is the world’s biggest online supermarket and this year the group had sales of over ?577 million, an increase of 29% on last year. Tesco online now operates in over 270 stores around the country, covering 96% of the UK. With over a million households nationwide having used the company’s online services, the company has a strong platform to further develop this revenue stream. Brand value: Profits for Tesco’s operations in Europe, Asia and Ireland increased by 78% during the last fiscal year. The company has a strong brand image, and is associated with good quality, trustworthy goods that represent excellent value. Tesco’s innovative ways of improving the customer shopping experience, as well as its efforts to branch out into finance and insurance have also capitalized on this. UK market leadership reinforced: Since acquiring number one ranking in 1996, Tesco has developed a successful multiformat strategy that has accelerated its advantage. Its UK sales are now 71% larger than Sainsbury’s. Also the Competition Commission’s report makes it very difficult for a competitor to challenge its scale and has effectively scuppered Wal-Mart’s chances of stealing UK leadership. Therefore, Tesco is in an enormously strong position in its domestic market. Weaknesses Reliance upon the UK market: Although international business is still growing, and is expected to contribute greater amounts to Tesco’s profits over the next few years, the company is still highly dependent on the UK market (73.8% of 2003 revenues). While this isn’t a major weakness in the short term, any changes in the UK supermarket industry over the next year for example, like the Morrison’s group successfully purchasing the Safeway chain could alter the balance of UK supermarket power, and affect share. Debt reduction: Tesco is not expected to reduce its debt until at least 2006. Tesco has a large capital expenditure program mainly due to its huge investment in space for new stores. Since its expansion is so aggressive, Tesco has little free cash for any other operations. Signs point to serial acquisitions: With an enterprise value of ?23 billion, Tesco clearly has enormous firepower. Also, its product range is vast and almost any acquisition can be justified, particularly in the UK. While ‘fill the gap’ strategy would be useful to the company, as has been the case with the UK convenience market, there is the danger of Tesco becoming a serial acquirer, as this tends to reduce earnings visibility and quality. 8.0 CONCLUSION The success of the Tesco shows how far the branding and effective service delivery can come in moving beyond splashing one’s logo on a billboard. It had fostered powerful identities by making their retiling concept into a virus and spending it out into the culture via a variety of channels: cultural sponsorship, political controversy, consumer experience and brand extensions. In a rapidly changing business environment with a high competitors’ pressure Tesco have to adopt new expansion strategies or diversified the existing in order to sustain its leading market position in an already established retailing market. The company must constantly adapt to the fast changing circumstances. Strategy formulation should therefore be regarded as a process of continuous learning, which includes learning about the goals, the effect of possible actions towards these goals and how to implement and execute these actions. The quality of a formulated strategy and the speed of its implementation will therefore directly depend on the quality of Tesco’s cognitive and behavioural learning processes. In large organizations as Tesco strategy should be analysed and implemented at various levels within the hierarchy. These different levels of strategy should be related and mutually supporting. Tesco’s strategy at a corporate level defines the businesses in which Tesco will compete, in a way that focuses resources to convert distinctive competence into competitive advantage How to cite Critically discuss the Strategy in Action of Tesco plc, Essay examples

Friday, December 6, 2019

Globalization And Political Culture World -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Globalization And Political Culture World? Answer: Introducation According to the article, globalization is an intricate interconnection among nations which is experienced at both a cultural and economic viewpoint. Shell, Mitsubishi, Samsung, among others are some of the significant multinational companies that engage in complex relationships with various global countries. One of the considerable benefits of globalization, as pointed out by the sociologists, is that it enables cultural leveling. In other terms, the companies mentioned above and others will be in a position to supply identical products across the globe. As a result of globalization, the similarity of distinct cultures increases, the same stores are seen in every countrys shopping mall, every television airs Toyota advertisements, and so forth. The results, as the experts point out, will be a standardized global culture. Conversely, the article also outlines some drawbacks associated with globalization. One of the firm arguments against globalization, according to other schools of t hought, is that it may cause erosion of individual cultures. However, the article argues that this may not be the case. In fact, many nations are keen on the issue individual culture erosion and are ready to protect their culture at any cost. The French government, for instance, has worked very hard to prevent its citizens from adopting the Hollywood culture. Indeed, the issue of globalization and its impact on culture has been the subject of unrelenting debates for many decades. Majority of thinkers suggest that the benefits of globalization outweigh the drawbacks. For instance, citizens of a particular country may be subjected to oppression by their government. However, upon seeing the excellent life of other cultures under a non-abusive administration, they are convinced that they need change (Cleveland, Rojas-Mndez, Laroche, Papadopoulos, 2016). Globalization has been argued to be the cause of revolutions in many nations, and especially those under dictatorial rule. Culture is dynamic. In any society, the ability to incorporate new cultures is a crucial part of human life. One thing that is important to note is that globalization has hastened the process culture adaptation. Also, the argument that continuous penetration of foreign cultures will cause erosion of individual cultures does not seem to hold any truth. Haynes (2016) notes t hat as different people come together, they adopt new customs but maintain their distinctive characteristics. References Cleveland, M., Rojas-Mndez, J. I., Laroche, M., Papadopoulos, N. (2016). Identity, culture, dispositions and behavior: A cross-national examination of globalization and culture change.Journal of Business Research,69(3), 1090-1102. Haynes, J. (Ed.). (2016).Religion, globalization and political culture in the Third World. Springer.