Orgniasing and managing across cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Orgniasing and managing across cultures - Essay Example As such, this report seeks to critically analyse the significance of culture in the management systems in organisations in Africa. The report will also attempt to establish if the ideas that characterise the concept of ubuntu can be applied in other cultural contexts. The philosophy of ubuntu The concept of ubuntu mainly originated from the culture of African people which puts more emphasis on social behaviours such as sharing and treating each other equally (Schultz, 2005). Ubuntu is a metaphor that describes the significance of group solidarity, morality, humanness, hospitality and understanding (Mbigi & Maree, 2005). This concept is very important on survival issues in African communities which as a result of poverty have to survive through brotherly group care and not individual self reliance. This concept is applicable to poor communities and the main idea behind it is to empower the marginalised people and the idea has been harnessed in the management of people in the organisat ions to reflect their interests. With regards to organisations, the concept of ubuntu emphasises the need to harness the solidarity tendency of the African people in developing management practices and approach. Western and African cultures are very different and behaviour of people from these places is also different. In Africa, the philosophy of extended family is given priority while in western cultures, emphasis is on the nuclear family and the individual and competition is encouraged. From an African perspective, reality of underdevelopment cannot be ignored and ubuntu can be possible because of the individuals in the group who collectively pull their efforts towards the attainment of set organisational goals. This philosophy can be harnessed in the nation building process and in the workplace. By gaining a full and deep understanding of the cultural and philosophical basis of the people in a business team or community, one is better positioned to harness their energies (Boon, 2006). One can synergise the operations of an organisation towards a shared vision and comprehend interdependence through the adoption of the ubuntu philosophy in managing business. Without a deep cultural understanding, it may be difficult to coordinate the efforts of the people towards the attainment of the set goals. Managing diversity Africa is comprised of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and these people are often unique and different from the others. The cultural diversity concept of human resources (HR) posits to the effect that the leaders must emerge from the workplace to motivate and direct workforce towards the attainment of the set goals (Grobler et al 2006). Managing diversity in the workplace has become an important part of HRM. Every individual is unique but at the same time we share common characteristics with other people. Therefore, diversity in the workplace means recognising in a positive way that groups of people share common characteristics and others have different characteristics (Kleynhans et al 2007). Thus, the HR professional has a duty help the organisation to comply or go along with the legislation that prevents unfair practices or discrimination because of these differences between people. The concept of ubuntu comes in handy to solve problems likely to be related to managing diversity at the workplace. Managing diversi

Representation of women in the media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Representation of women in the media - Essay Example Such long winded but common public discussions pertinent to Senator Clinton’s cleavage or demeanor only provided irrevocable evidence that in fct, sexism in the media was very much alive and well. â€Å"The highlight reel included lengthy discussions about the senators cleavage and comments about how men hear "take out the garbage" when she speaks. The video was a reminder that, at least where Hillary Clinton was concerned, sexism remained very present in the media†(Seligson, 2008). Senator Clinton’s confidence mistaken for masculinity was only the beginning of the sexist fueled media frenzy which all but defined the 2008 presidential campaigns. When Senator John McCain appointed Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate on the republican party ballot; sexism was seemingly reborn not only in the media but in the very individuals who would wish for the public to see them as anything but sexist. John McCain made a grossly offensive mistake by quickly selecting Palin when it would appear that Senator Clinton was no longer a contender for the office of the presidency. Most of the media and the general public for that matter, quickly saw his all too timely choice as one which seemed to desperately attempt to draw as many votes from would be Clinton voters; presumably because Clinton voters were only interested in a female candidate. This was an enormously poor oversight on the part of the McCain campaign which did not go unnoticed by many voters. This was not the extent however, of the highly sexualized, recent election. Palin was criticized for everything from her wardrobe to her pregnant teen daughter to her home state of Alaska. Even well known conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh made lewd references to Governor Palin’s legs while other well known media commentators referred to her in a number of highly inappropriate ways, â€Å"CNBC host Donny Deutsch commented numerous times on her "sex appeal." Liberal

Relationship Between Meat Intake and Breast Cancer Risks

Relationship Between Meat Intake and Breast Cancer Risks COOKED MEAT INTAKE AND THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER M. MOGA*, I. MANITIU, N. BIGIU Abstract. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are carcinogens formed in or on the surface of well-done meat, cooked at high temperature. The aim of this analysis was to assess the risk of breast cancer related to the intake of cooked meat. The data support the accumulating evidence that consumption of meats cooked by methods that promote carcinogen formation may increase risk of breast cancer. Keywords', breast cancer, cooked meat, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines, carcinogens. AIMS AND BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in developed countries. Foods and food groups that have individually shown potentially important associations with breast cancer risk include alcohol, fruit and vegetables, fat, red meat, sugar, low-fat dairy products, fish, and tea. Red meat intake has been hypothesised to increase breast cancer risk. Both case-control1 and ecologic2 studies have supported a positive association, and an expert panel described red meat intake as a possible cause of breast cancer3. Cumulative evidence suggests a possible interaction of cooking methods with diet in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Meats cooked to well-done at high temperatures contain heterocyclic amines (HCAs), such as 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-/]quinoxaline (DiMelQx). 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-/]qumoxaline(MeIQx), and2-amino-l-methyl- 6-phenylimidazo[4,5-6]pyridine (PhIP) (Ref. 4). The amounts of these compounds vary according to cooking technique, temperature, cooking time, and type of meat5. Experimental evidence over more than two decades has led to the proposal that heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) may be causal factors in human breast cancer. HAAs are formed as a result of cooking meat for long durations by common high temperature methods such as barbecuing, grilling and pan frying. Mammary carcinogenesis has been demonstrated as a 'cell proliferation'mode! in which hormones, such as estrogens, both induce and promote mammary tumors ' For correspondence. increasing mammary cell division6. It is plausible that cells during division are re susceptible to carcinogenic stimulus, or hormones trigger the progression of rumor cells initiated by carcinogens. After menopause, adipose tissue is the r site for estrogen synthesis, and women with a high body mass index (BMI) e an elevated level of endogenous estrogens7. Therefore, it is possible that (estrogens and estrogen-related factors, such as BMI, may modify the association kxween intake of carcinogens from foods cooked at high temperature and breast ceicer risk. Adolescence may be a period of increased susceptibility to breast cancer due x regular division of undifferentiated cells that occurs between puberty and first tarth. Red meat consumption during early adult life has been associated with breast ^ncer risk. EXPERIMENTAL Experimental evidence over more than two decades has led to the proposal that ie:erocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) may be causal factors in human breast can- csr. HAAs are formed as a result of cooking meat for long durations by common temperature methods such as barbecuing, grilling and pan frying. Several epidemiological studies have revealed an increasedrisk of breast cancer associated ~ high meat intake8-11. Evidence from some recent epidemiological studies has suggested that intake ;: well-done meat and concomitant mammary carcinogens may be associated with i substantially elevated risk of breast cancer9-12. Similar to grilling and pan-frying, deep-frying, although rarely studied previ- : usly, is a high temperature (typically 240-270 °C) cooking method and may also result in the production of many chemicals, including heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons13. In addition to volatile mutagenic compounds, nonvolatile detrimental products, such as hydroperoxides, trans fatty acids, and aldehydes can be detected in deep-fried soybean oil. Deep-frying cooking is one : f the most common cooking methods in China and many other countries. Q. Dai, X. Shu14 evaluated the association of animal food intake and degree of browning by deep-frying with breast cancer risk in a population-based case- :ontrol study conducted during 1996-1998 among Chinese women in Shanghai, a population with a traditionally low risk of breast cancer. The study suggests that high intake of deep-fried, well-done red meat may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, and the positive association may be modifiedby body weight. The same study also suggests that nonhydrogenated soybean oil, if not used in high- temperature cooking, may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. The preponderance of evidence from animal and human studies has substantiated a causal relationship between postmenopausal estrogen levels and the risk of breast cancer15-17. Mammary carcinogenesis has been demonstrated as a 'cell proliferation'model in which hormones, such as estrogens, both induce and promote mammary tumors by increasing mammary cell division6. It is plausible that cells during division are more susceptible to carcinogenic stimulus, or hormones trigger the progression of the tumor cells initiated by carcinogens. After menopause, adipose tissue is the major site for estrogen synthesis, and women with a high BMI have an elevated level of endogenous estrogens7. Therefore, it is possible that estrogens and estrogen-related factors, such as BMI, may modify the association between intake of carcinogens from foods cooked at high temperature and breast cancer risk. One previous case-control study conducted in Uruguay found a stronger positive association of breast cancer risk with fried meat than with broiled meat9. Oil temperature is normally at approximately 240-270 °C when used for deep-fried cooking. It has been reported that deep-fried cooking oil not only produces fumes containing mutagenic compounds, such as 1,3-butadiene, benzene, acrolein, and formaldehyde18, but also generates nonvolatile hazardous compounds, such as hydroperoxides, trans fatty acids, and aldehydes19. Both hydroperoxides and aldehydes are endogenous reactive chemicals and have mutagenic and carcinogenic potential20. Other factors related to insulin resistance, such as high insulin, C-peptide, and insulin-like growth factor-1, and low physical activity have also Ijeen shown to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in several studies21-23. It is plausible that high levels of insulin and estrogens may stimulate the transformation of breast cancer cells initiated by carcinogens from well-done meats and heated cooking oils23 and, therefore, promote the development of breast cancer. Several recent epidemiological studies have suggested that trans fatty acids may be a risk factor for breast cancer24. Steck and Gaudet25 estimated breast cancer risk in relation to intake of cooked meat in a population-based, case-control study (1508 cases and 1556 controls) conducted in Long Island, NY from 1996 to 1997. Modest increased risk was observed among postmenopausal women consuming the most grilled or barbecued and smoked meats over the life course (OR = 1.47; CI = 1.12-1.92 for highest versus lowest fertile of intake). Postmenopausal women with low fruit and vegetable intake, but high lifetime intake of grilled or barbecued and smoked meats, had a higher OR of 1.74 (CI = 1.20-2.50) and the results support the accumulating evidence that consumption of meats cooked by methods that promote carcinogen formation may increase risk of postmenopausal breast cance25. Rohrmann26 conducted a study to examine the association of the consumption of meat in general, meat prepared by different cooking methods and the dietary intake of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCA) with the level of DNA adducts in  ±e breast tissue of women undergoing reduction mammoplasty. They observed strong correlations of dietary HCA intake and consumption of fried and processed neat with DNA adduct levels in breast tissue of 44 women. De Stefani and Ronco27 studied the effects of meat intake, including heterocyclic amine exposure, on the risk of breast cancer. They conducted a hospital-based case-control study involving 352 patients with breast cancer and 382 controls. A strong effect of red meat, total meat, beef, fried meat, and heterocyclic amine exposure was found, after controlling for potential confounders. The odds ratio for the highest quartile of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-/|quinoline exposure was 3.34 (95% confidence interval 1.85-6.02). According to these results, meat intake and chemicals formed during the cooking process appear to be strong risk factors _n human breast carcinogenesis. Heterocyclic amines found in well-done meat require host-mediated metabolic activation before initiating DNA mutations and tumors in target organs. Polymorphic N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) catalyses the activation of heterocyclic amines via O-acetylation, suggesting that NAT2 genotypes with high O-acetyltransferase activity (rapid/intermediate acetylator phenotype) increase the risk of breast cancer n women who consume well-done meat. To test this hypothesis, Deitz and Zheng28 o btained DNA samples and information on diet and other breast cancer risk factors from a nested case-control study of postmenopausal women. A significant dose- response relationship was observed between breast cancer risk and consumption : J well-done meat among women with the rapid/intermediate NAT2 genotype trend test, P = 0.003) that was not evident among women with the slow acetylator genotype (trend test, P = 0.22). Among women with the rapid/intermediate NAT2 genotype, consumption of well-done meat was a ssociated with a nearly >-fold (odds ratio, 7.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-50.4) elevated breast cancer risk compared with those consuming rare or medium-done meats. These results are consistent with a role for O-acetylation in the activation of heterocyclic amine carcinogens and support the hypothesis that the NAT2 acetylation polymorphism is a breast cancer risk factor among postmenopausal women with high levels of heterocyclic amine exposure. Also other studies have suggested that the rapid NAT2 acetylator phenotype is associated with breast cancer risk2930 or advanced disease at first presentation. Many heterocyclic amines are mammary carcinogens, and, a recent study31 found that another N-acetyltransferase polymorphism (NATlj was associated with breast cancer risk in individuals who consumed consistently well-done meat. To test the hypothesis that variations in the NAT1 gene are related to breast cancer risk, particularly among women who consume high levels of well-done meat, a nested case-control study was conducted by Zheng and Deitz32 in a prospective cohort study of 41 837 postmenopausal Iowa women. Genomic DNA samples obtained from 154 cases and 330 controls were assayed for 11 NAT1 alleles. The NAT 1*4 allele was the predominant allele observed in this study population, accounting for 73.2% (72.4% in cases versus 73.8% in controls) of the total alleles analysed. Compared to controls, breast cancer cases had a slightly higher frequency of the NATl*10allele (18.8% in cases versus 17.3% in controls) and a substantially higher frequency of the N ATI *11 allele (3.6% versus 1.2%). In multivariate analyses, they found a 30% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-1.9) elevated risk of breast cancer associated with the NAT1 * 10 allele and a nearly 4-fold (95% CI = 1.5-10.5) elevated risk associated with the NAT 1*11 allele. The positive association of breast cancer with the NAT 1*11 allele was more evident among those who consumed a high level of red meat (OR = 6.1, 95% CI = 1.1-33.2) or consistently consumed their red meatwell done (OR = 5.6, 95% CI = 0.5-62.7). It has been shown that the O-acetylation of 2-amino-1 -methyl-6-phenylimida- zo[4,5b]pyridine and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-(4,5-/)quinoline, two of the most abundant heterocyclic amines in well-done meat, is largely carried out by NAT1 in human mammary glands33. Linos and Willett34 aimed to assess the relationship between red meat intake during adolescence and premenopausal breast cancer. They examined the incidence of invasive premenopausal breast cancer prospectively within the Nurses Health Study II. A total of 39 268 premenopausal women who completed a validated 124-item food frequency questionnaire on their diet during high school, were followed for 7 years, from 1998 to 2005. 455 cases of invasive premenopausal breast cancer were diagnosed between 1998 and 2005. Compared with women in the lowest quintile of red meat intake during high school, the multivariate-adjusted RR for the highest quintile of intake was 1.34 (95% CI, 0.94-1.89; Ptieni = 0.05). A significant linear association was observed with every additional 100 g of red meat consumed per day (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.00-1.43; P = 0.05). This association was more pronounced in hormone receptor-positive tumors (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.70; P = 0.008) and was not significant in hormon e receptor-negative tumors (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.61-1.61,/> = 0.97). Several biological mechanisms may explain the positive association between red meat intake and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer risk. Because hormonal risk factors are more strongly related to hormone receptor-positive cancers, meat intake may operate through hormonal pathways. First, cooked or processed red meat is a source of carcinogens, such as heterocyclic amines. Second, exogenous hormone treatment of beef cattle for growth promotion, which is banned in European countries but not in the United States, has been of concern. Third, red meat is a source of heme iron, a highly bioavailable form of iron and a major source of stored body iron, which has been shown to synthesis and secretion of PRL in those cells. Together with previous reports that describe the potent estrogenicity of PhlPand its ability to influence progesterone receptor expression, c-Myc expression, and MAPK signal transduction pathway, the present findings provide clues about the mechanisms involved in the tissue-specific carcinogenicity of PhIP and, in particular, mammary carcinogenesis39. DISCUSSION Consumption of PhIP may play a role in the development of breast cancer. Experimental evidence over more than two decades has led to the proposal that heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) may be causal factors in human breast cancer. High intake of deep-fried, well-done red meat may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, and the positive association may be modified by body weight. There is also evidence that nonhydrogenated soybean oil, if not used in high- temperature cooking, may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. The data support the accumulating evidence that consumption of meats cooked by methods that promote carcinogen formation may increase risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. There is an association between the consumption of meat in general, meat prepared by different cooking methods and the dietary intake of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCA) with the level of DNA adducts in the breast tissue. Meat intake and chemicals formed during the cooking process appear to be strong risk factors in human breast carcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS The results of the studies presented are consistent with a role for O-acetylation in the activation of heterocyclic amine carcinogens and support the hypothesis that the NAT2 acetylation polymorphism is a breast cancer risk factor among postmenopausal women with high levels of heterocyclic amine exposure. There is also evidence suggesting that postmenopausal women with the NAT1*11 allele (aNATl allele) may be at increased risk of breast cancer, particularly if they smoked cigarettes or consumed a high level of well-done meat indicating the importance of the NAT1 enzyme in the in situ activation of heterocyclic amines in human breast epithelial cells, and point to the need in future studies to investigate potential interactions of genetic factors with intake of foods, food constituents, and nutrients in the etiology of cancer. Higher red meat intake in adolescence may increase the risk of premenopausal breast cancer. Red meat intake was strongly associated with an elevated risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer but not hormone receptor-negative cancers. Postmenopausal women who are homozygous for the His allele at codon 213 of the SULT1A1 gene may be at an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly'if they have risk factors related to higher endogenous estrogen exposure. 1

The Easter Vigil Mass Essay -- Process Descriptive Religion Essays

The Easter Vigil Mass   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Easter Vigil is celebrated on the eve of the resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ. Easter is the holiest and most important event in the Christian religion. The Easter Vigil Mass is celebrated in a deep, spiritual, solemn way. Although different Churches and Christian orders may have minute differences in some of the rituals during the mass, but the overall feeling in the Easter Vigil liturgy is of solemnity and holiness. The ceremony begins in almost complete darkness and is slowly lighted by the flames of the congregation's candles paralleling Jesus symbolically lighting the world we live in. Also all Easter Vigil liturgies include four parts, the Service of Lights, the Liturgy of the Word, Celebration of the Rites of Initiation, and Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Service of Light is composed of three parts. The Service of Light opens the Mass. The first part of this ceremony is the lighting of the Paschal Candle. The minister sprinkles the candle with holy water and blesses the fire. The minister carves the letter for the Greek word "Alpha" on the top of the cross, and the Greek letter for the word "Omega" below the cross. These letters symbolize the beginning and the end of the life of Christ. The Paschal Candle is then lit and brought to the front of the Church as the Catholics cry out in harmony, "The Light of Christ!" The harmony of the Christian community's hymns and songs illustrate the events we are celebrating...

British American Tobacco, Strategies Planning and Management

Content Pages1. Executive Summary2 2. Introduction 3-4 3. 1 Company Background3 3. 2 Organisation Structure3 3. 3 Cultural of Company3 3. 4 Leadership Style4 3. Analysis 5-10 4. 5 External Environment 4. 6. 1 General Environment – PESTEL Analysis5 4. 6. 2 Industry Environment – Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis6 4. 6 Internal Environment 4. 7. 3 Vision/ Mission7 4. 7. 4 Long Term Objectives/ Grand Strategies 7-8 4. . 5 Business Objectives/ Strategies – Value Chain Analysis9 4. 7. 6 Financial Analysis10 4. Discussion 11-22 5. 7 Key Issues 5. 8. 7 Cigarette smuggling and illegal trading 11-12 5. 8. 8 Government regulatory12 5. 8. 9 Protecting Ecosystem13 5. 8. 10 External Environment13 5. 8 SWOT Analysis 5. 9. 11 Strength 14-15 5. 9. 12 Weaknesses16 5. 9. 13 Opportunities17 5. 9. 14 Threats18 5. 9 Balance Score Card 5. 10. 15 Financial 19-21 5. 10. 16 Internal Business Process21 5. 10. 17 Customers22 5. 10. 8 Learning and Growth22 5. Recommendations23 6. References 24-25 7. Appendixes 26-27 1. Executive Summary During past 100 years, British American Tobacco (Malaysia) (BAT (M)) has sustained and slowly become the market leader in Malaysia since established in 1912. Core competence of BAT (M) is the strong financial support from the mother company and it ranked among 25 top companies on Bursa Malaysia in terms of capital. Besides that, it owned 61% of market shares in the tobacco industry of Malaysia (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). By carry out the internal and external analysis can help to determine how BAT (M) manages their internal resources to reduce the burden of external forces’ impact. External factors are unpredictable, thus BAT (M) has to set up risk management and strategic planning to overcome or reduce the impact from the forces. However, analysis the value chain of BAT (M) can determine how the support and primary activities add value to the products and services in order to generate more profits and differentiate itself among its competitors. Key issues that brings a major impact to British American Tobacco is cigarettes smuggling across the country. It causes the loss of tax revenues for the government and to the company which will also affect the economy of the country. Under the government regulatory, it stated that smoking is risky for health problems. While BAT introduces harm reduction products, some governments agencies refuse to accept the product that passes laboratory test in successfully reduce content of tobacco in a piece of cigarette. Participating in biodiversity project to protect the ecosystem after tobacco planting had incurred more operation cost to the company. Another major key issues to BAT is cause external environment which is natural disaster. BAT can prepare to face the disaster but cannot prevent it from happening. In conclusion, there are several strategies which are suitable and specifically recommended to the company in order to perform better. These strategies include purple ocean strategy, blue ocean strategy and horizontal integration. The purple ocean strategy is a strategy that poises the company’s position before it could proceed to the blue ocean. A blue ocean refers to an unknown market space that is untainted by any competition (Business Dictionary, 2012). Both oceans strategy assist in helping the company to establish the new market and search for fresh customers. While the horizontal integration is a strategy that able to increase the company’s market share in the tobacco industry, at the same time converting competitions into partnerships. 2. Introduction 3. 1 Company Background British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)) that formed in 3rd November 1999 is merger between Rothmans of Pall Mall (M) Bhd. and Malaysia Tobacco Company Bhd. , it is the children company under the British American Tobacco Group. BAT (M) had employed around 1,200 employees to carry out its business activities and there are 200 brands in BAT (M)’s portfolio that successfully distributed to worldwide. Core competence of BAT (M) is the strong financial support from the mother company and it ranked among 25 top companies on Bursa Malaysia in terms of capital. Besides that, it owned 61% of market shares in the tobacco industry of Malaysia (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). 3. 2 Organisation Structure Organisational Structure of BAT (M) is categorized as functional structure which classified in 5 functional groups (Appendix 1) that under the control of Board of Director (BOD). The current composition of BAT (M)’s BOD includes 4 Executive Directors and 3 Non-Executive Directors that come from different professional background (Appendix 2). Main duty of these BODs is to identify risk, examine and decide strategic plan, management of regulation and rules in the company. . 3 Culture of Company Culture of BAT (M) on discussion and decision making is very concern about their employees as they are the key stakeholders and their greatest asset. Every year BAT (M) will conduct an employee dialogue program named â€Å"Your Voice† (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012) by Human Resource Manager to survey on employee’s issues, opinions or expectations on functional and cross functional sessions. â€Å"Your Voice† includes three processes of Listen, Decide and Deliver. 3. 4 Leadership Style The current Managing Director of BAT (M), William Toh Ah Wah encourages the transparent style on leading method. Therefore, the Standard/ Principle of Business Conduct are applied for leading and to ensure the governance on decisions and judgments made by all employees is legal and comply with regulations (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). BAT (M) used this standard as a requirement to its employees’ behavior and honesty so that it can effectively prevent unwanted issues such as conflict of interest, corruption, insider dealing, whistle blowing and misuse of company’s resources. . Analysis 4. 5 External Environment 3. 1. 1General Environment PESTLEI Analysis Sources: 1) British American Tobacco Malaysia, Regulation and Engagement 2011 2) British American Tobacco Malaysia, Operating Responsibility 2011 3) British American Tobacco Malaysia, the illegal cigarette trade 2011 4) British American Tobacco, regulation and lobbying 2011 Conclusion: The unpredi ctable changes in the environment are the critical factors for British American Tobacco Malaysia to set the planning strategic. The changes of external environment factors like political, economic, social, technology, environment and legal would direct or indirect affect BAT (M) primary and support activities such as procurement, marketing and sales, inbound and outbound logistics, productions and others. Thus BAT (M) has to do in depth analysis by using PESTEL analysis in order to set strong planning strategies. 3. 1. 2 Industry Analysis Porter’s Five Forces High Threat of New Entrants * Huge amount of capital investment needed * Existing loyalty to Major brands -Dunhill, Marlboro Strict government rules and regulations * Difficulty in achieve economic of scale * Difficulty in product differentiation * Scarcity of raw material-tobacco High Bargaining Power of Buyer * Low switching cost * Some other alternatives for consumers * Customers are price sensitive * Purchase large volume – Food court, grocery shop * The products are not extremely important to buyers High Bargaining Power of Supplier * There are only few suppliers of tobacco * No raw material substitution * High switching costs High level of Industry Rivalry * Rarely competitors about same size JTI, Philip Morris * Slow market growth * Undifferentiated products and services Low Threat of Substitute * Prices range of tobacco in Malaysia is quite close * Illegal products may be the alternatives * Substitute products – Nicotine patches, gum Sources: British American Tobacco Malaysia, 2011 British American Tobacco, 2011 Conclusion: Porter’s five forces shows that BAT(M) is currently facing high level of industry rivalry, high threat of new entrants, high bargaining power of buyer, high bargaining power of supplier, but low threat of substitute. Overall of the tobacco is unattractive, but by understanding the threat and opportunity of the industry, BAT(M) can now look for resolution to maintain their sustainability. 3. 2 Internal Environment 3. 2. 1 Vision/ Mission BAT (M) vision is to obtain more market shares and become the market leader for the global tobacco industry so that it can ensure the sustainability of business and follow by bring more values. It missions is improve the productivity in terms of quality and quantity, as BAT (M) believes that act responsibly in productivity will bring the growth to its brand and also value of the business. . 2. 2 Long Term Objective/ Grand Strategies Source: British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report 2011, Pg 78- Pg 126 Growth In order to improve the growth on sales and distribution channel, BAT (M) introduced the in-house Direct Store Sales (DSS) operation in 2005. However to continuity growth, BAT (M) decides to further set up Exclusive Distributors (EDx) that different from the past process Exclusive Distributors (EDs) and currently the best practice in the in-house operation is the hybrid combination of DSS, EDs and EDx. Productivity BAT (M) with strong competitive position but slow market growth had developed few strategies in order to achieve its company vision and mission which aim to add value for its company shareholders. In order to ensure the supply chain and production of the main materials which is tobacco leaf is smooth and sustainable, BAT (M) had introduced a tobacco plantation â€Å"Leaf Program† from 2007 that cooperate with worldwide farmers to produce quality tobacco leaf at the same time continuity in growth for organization and its market. Winning Organization In order to boost up the financial and management synergy as a winning organisation, BAT (M) set up a policy of Director’s remuneration that aimed to motivate directors for more competitive and aggressive to achieved higher sales and better manage the business. This reward strategy is evaluated all director’s individual performance on an annual basis and then giving remuneration as benefits to attract directors for further improvement. The effort that all directors put in business will virtually become a good models or examples for employees to follow. Responsibilities For Corporate Social Responsibilities, BAT (M) is concerned on its customer’s health risk therefore it never stops on product development. Recently it introduced a harm-reduction cigarette into the market, Swedish style Smokeless Snus. According to several independent health experts, this new product is 90% less harmful compare to the normal smoking cigarette (British American Tobacco, 2011). At th e mean while protecting the environment with harm reduction by effectively reduce the energy use, carbon dioxide produced, waste, water use and other material use. 3. 2. 3 Business Objectives/ Strategies Primary Activities Supportive Activities The Value Chain analysis for BAT is as below: Recruiting, Hiring, Training, Developing Purchasing raw materials, fertilizers, pesticides, equipments, machinery 1. Channels to market 2. Product, Pricing, Promote 3. Sales force effectiveness 1. Warehousing 2. Order Processing 3. Shipping Manage feedback 1. Harvesting 2. Drying 3. Conversion 4. Packaging 1. Material Handling 2. Inventory Control Research & Development, Product Innovation, Product Design General Management, Finance, Corporate Strategy Sources: Pearce and Robinson 2009, Pg 249 – Pg 251 Conclusion: The business strategy for British American Tobacco (BAT) refers to the long term plan by management in order to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. The current business strategy for BAT focuses on the company’s growth, responsibility, productivity and wining organization (BAT Malaysia, 2012). The current effects resulting from BAT’s business strategy are making the company in a strong financial position and strong management team. While the future effects are improve the quality of BAT’s products and attract more customers. 3. 2. 4 Financial Analysis Financial position of British American Tobacco Malaysia Ratios and Working Capital| 2009RM’000| 2010RM’000| 2011RM’000| Interpretation| Liquidity ratio:Current ratio=Current Asset Current Liabilities| 240,220466,340=0. 52=0. 52:1| 363,018526,910=0. 69=0. 69:1| 152,984719,362=0. 21=0. 21:1| The current ratio of BAT (M) is below 1, this means that BAT (M) may face the problems of paying its debts on time. However, a low value does not show the critical problems, but BAT (M) has to concern the management. High level of current ratio indicates that BAT (M) is making efficient in its assets. | Leverage ratio:Debt-to-total Assets ratio=Total Debts Total Assets| 1,378,1261,635,849=0. 4=0. 84:1| 1,490,4761,801,751=0. 83=0. 83:1| 1,278,4231,585,160=0. 81=0. 81:1| The debt-to-total-assets ratio of BAT (M) is above 0. 8, thus its means the company is depend on debt financing. | Activity ratio: Total asset turnover=Sales Total assets | 697,371 1,635,849=0. 43=0. 43:1| 784,477 1,801,751=0. 44=0. 44:1| 802,832 1,585,160=0. 51=0. 51 :1| Total assets turnover ratio of BAT (M) is increasing on each year, thus it indicated that BAT (M) is efficient in using assets to generate revenues. | Fixed assets turnover=Sales Fixed assets| 697,371 1,137,906=0. 61=0. 61:1| 784,477 1,127,458=0. 0=0. 70:1| 802,832 1,125,439=0. 71=0. 71:1| BAT (M) has an increasingly ability to generate sales from fixed-asset investment (property, plant & equipments). | Profitability ratio:Return on total sales=Net income (before tax)Sales| 650,936697,371 =0. 93=0. 93:1| 741,805784,477 =0. 95=0. 95:1| 775,278802,832 =0. 97=0. 97:1| ROS of BAT (M) is increasing every year from 2009 to 2011, it might indicate BAT (M) is growing efficiently and has a good sign for future. | Return on total assets=Net income(after tax)Total assets| 640,8491,635,849=0. 39=0. 39:1| 736,3811,801,751=0. 41=0. 41:1| 774,2441,585,160=0. 9=0. 49:1| The ROA of BAT (M) is increasing since 2009 to 2011. This means the higher the return on assets ratio, the more efficiently th e company is using its asset base to generate sales. | Sources:British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report 2011, Pg 141- Pg 144 British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report 2010, Pg 150- Pg 153 Conclusion: The inventories turn over in tobacco industry is much more rapidly than the account payable becoming due. Although the debt-to-total assets ratio of BAT (M) is slightly over the normal level 0. 5, but for BAT (M) it is still consider safe in this stable industry. Overall of the BAT (M) financial performance is consider healthy, in this high level rivalry industry, BAT (M) still can maintain increasing their revenues and fully utilize the assets to generate more profit. 4. Discussion 5. 6 Key Issues 4. 1. 1 Cigarette smuggling and illegal trading Cigarette smuggling had caused huge losses on revenue for British American Tobacco (BAT) and government around the world. One of the countries that had been hit hardly by this problem is China. China market are accommodate with cigarette smuggling that are possibly the largest smuggling effort in the world. Amount up to US$1. 8billion in lost tax revenues annually (British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, 2006) had been recorded cause by these activities. The main reason cigarette smuggling is popular is because the government effort to reduce or stop the amount of people from smoking. Government of China uses the method of increasing the tax opposes to cigarette. Tax rises up to 200% in Hong Kong in year 1991 (British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, 2006) that subsequently increase the trade in black market. The method did not successfully reduce the amount of smokers but pathetically shifted smokers towards illegal trade in black market. The demand in black market rises because the price of cigarette is relatively lower than the cigarette in legal trade market. This encourages the cigarette smuggling in that country. British American Tobacco is interested in entering the huge potential market in China. Although China government is in effort of reducing smokers in their country, BAT remains their interests in their market. Under the Chinese Law, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration is the sole agency allowed to trade in tobacco (British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, 2006). Collaborating with the government agencies seems to be a success for Bat in entering the market but cigarettes smuggling activities had cause BAT to face difficulties in entering the market. Annually, China market losses 30%-50% in total to illicit trade in cigarettes. BAT sales figure to China declines dramatically in year 1991 at the beginning of implementing China’s method in reducing smokers. It is difficult for BAT to sustain their business in China and the amount of Tax revenues losses to cigarettes smuggling are huge. Government agencies are revising another method in reducing smokers in the country while custom officials in China have been preventing the worst impact on cigarettes smuggling in the nation every day. Economy in Malaysia faces negative impact from the current illegal trade all over Malaysia. British American Tobacco Malaysia reveals that the illegal trades of cigarettes in Malaysia had raises from 20 per cent in year 2002 to 36. 3 per cent in 2010. While the legal volume of cigarettes trade had reduces. This lost in legal volume in cigarettes trade had resulted in the losses of tax revenues up to at least RM2 billion annually. The illegal trade also impacted on the health issues of citizens in a country. Government tends to increase or remain the price of cigarettes in high prices in an effort of preventing, reducing and encouraging smokers to quit smoking. Illegal trade of cigarettes became popular among smokers because the price are lower, thus forcing them to purchase cigarettes from illegal traders. With the low price on illegal cigarettes, people are tend to pick up smoking that will cause an increasing health risk and issues in that country either to the smokers nor to the public’s cause by environmental tobacco smokes (ETC) (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 2011). 4. 1. 2 Government regulatory Smoking had been classified as risky to health issues by World health Organizations. British American Tobacco (BAT) introduced harm reduction on cigarettes became the key elements in their business strategy (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 2011). Research and development team has been put up on finding methods for smokers to minimise their health risk without them completely quitting smoking. Research and development team in BAT had successfully found a way in reducing the tobacco content in cigarettes that may possess minimizing health risk for smokers. BAT believes it will brings benefits for smokers in the future as the content of tobacco are reduced but most governments agencies suggested it should be prevented rather than reducing the tobacco content in cigarettes. Reducing health impact on tobacco use is BAT long-term strategy in benefitting the smokers. Harm reduction program are still carrying on in researching and developing methods. 4. 1. 3 Protecting Ecosystem The recent establishment of British American Tobacco (BAT) Biodiversity Partnership with Fauna and Flora International (FFI), the Tropical Biology Association (TBA) and Earth-watch Institute (Earthwatch Institute Case Studies, 2010) is to protect and maintain the environment after it had been used for tobacco planting. In this partnership, they aim to provide social responsibilities towards the public and also environment. There are steps and procedures to be followed in protecting the environment. BAT are recognize as the sectors leaders (Earthwatch Institute Case Studies, 2010) because their initiative in proper forestation and social responsibility programs. In completing these activities, extra cost are incurred. Efforts of forestation required extra funding from the company. This increases the operational cost of BAT and left those answering investors question on their return of profits margin. Extra investment might be needed to ensure the program to be proceeding. Cost incurred are in huge amount because BAT’s tobacco leaf suppliers are in different regions, therefore, proper planning is advise before programs can be fully carry out for all their suppliers. 4. 1. 4 External Environment An external environment factor is also an unpredictable problem towards British American Tobacco. External environment in the like of natural disaster such as fires on plantation cause by weather, plantation infected by insects, typhoon and more cannot be predicted. This natural disaster will destroy the whole plantation and there is no possible ways that BAT’s suppliers can do to prevent it. The tobacco plantation destroyed will cause the company to losses entirely in the plantation cost. It will also causes shortage of supplies towards BAT manufacturing plant and delayed their manufacturing process. This mishap can cause huge losses to the company annual profits. Insurances are not covered because damages done by natural disaster is not included. BAT will suffers a total lost in the event of strike of natural disasters. 5. 7 SWOT Analysis Source: Pierce and Robinson 2009. Conclusion: From the above SWOT analysis diagram, BAT (M) is currently located in Cell 2 as it’s company substantial internal strength might affected by the major environment threats in the long run basis. . 2. 1 Strength BAT (M) main strength is that it has a strong financial position or support from the mother company, The British American Tobacco Group. Furthermore, it also ranked among top 25 companies in Bursa Malaysia in terms of capitalization. BAT (M) is the market leader of local tobacco industry as it owned 61% of the market shares and it has comprehensive distribution network that can reach whole nation (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). Besides that, the collaborative commerce relationship that linked business-to-business (B2B) with its key customers such as 7-Eleven, Carrefour, Shell, Tesco and Wal-Mart is convenient channel to distribute its products. The numerous types of products that provided by BAT (M) can fulfill several types of customer’s preference and following by have stronger customer royalty that automatically generated from the strong brand equity. 4. 2. 2 Weaknesses One of the internal weaknesses of BAT (M) is the company not diversified in investing other segment of industry or businesses. Therefore, BAT (M) is easily will be affected whenever there are any external issues that impact on tobacco industry. Besides that, there is no online presence for BAT (M)’s customers to place order or check the pricing information and other details of the products. This may caused it to lost potential customers that interested to purchase in bulk amounts as for retail purposes. Furthermore, the numerous types of brands and products that BAT (M) offers to their customers is causing diseconomy of scale to its production line and procurement department. The fewer amounts it purchases from its suppliers, the less negotiation power BAT (M) had. 4. 2. 3 Opportunities The strong financial support or capitalization of BAT (M) can give it chances of take over and acquisition the small company that have less market shares in the local Tobacco industry, this can save its time of retraining new batch of human resources and purchasing new machineries. Furthermore, BAT (M) can easily expand its product’s portfolio by take over others brands. The influences of technology, it encourage BAT (M) to provide another business model that offer more flexibility to customers which is online basis. This will easy for customers to placing order and get products without spending extra time and cost such as petrol to travel from one place to another. 4. 2. 4 Threats The external changes of Government in terms of regulations on taxes rate leading to BAT (M) further contraction. Furthermore, the small sizes of local brands that using cheaper technology to produce similar types of products but selling it with lower price bring impact on BAT (M) market. The illegal smuggling is another external impact that cost BAT (M) to lose its business as in the illegal products is cheaper due to refuse pay tax. Annual average Illegal cigarette trade in Malaysia was 36. 1% in 2011, which means 1/3 of the country is not going to purchase any products from BAT (M) (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). 5. 8 Balance Score Card Financial Objectives| Measures| Targets | Initiative| Achievement| 1) Maximizing shareholder interest towards the company 2) Contributing part of profits as social responsibilities towards the market| * Profits & cash flow * Interpret financial ratio for evaluating performance| * Growth in earning per shares (EPS) * Maintaining share’s market value level| * Ensure employee understand and acknowledge financial goal of business * Maintaining good relationship with bankers, financial adviser and insurance agent to improve company’s performance| * Successfully increase revenues and sales * Efficiently using acquired assets| Internal Business Process Objectives| Measures| Targets| Initiatives| Achievements| 1) Channelling momentum to operate at a faster, better and smarter way| * Encourages employee work smarter and more efficientlySources : British American Tobacco’s Annual Report, 2011| * Reduction on requirement of man-days | * Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions| * Pilot market in Malaysia tobacco industry * Introduce subcontract manufacturing for large volume productions * Implement various key information technology to support globally-integrated business| Customers Objectives| Measures| Targets| Initiatives| Achievements| 1) Maintaining in responsibility 2) Build stakeholders and shareholders values| * Sustaining share values and improving company commercial’s sustainability * Participating in afforestation program| * Community * Awarding scholarships * Marketplace * Financial aids * Workplace * Employee Volunteer Program (EVP)| * Community Pillars * Poverty alleviation * Education * Employee volunteerism * Environment * Underprivileged & disabled community| * Offset carbon dioxide release to environment through afforestation * Improve company’s commercial’s ability * Completing targeted groups responsibilities * Completing initiatives in bringing a better quality life for community pillars| Learning and Growth Objectives| Measures| Target| Initiative| Achievement| 1) Continuing to drive goals momentum| * Measuring British American Tobacco Malaysia versus competitor’s shares of market in the Value for Money (VFM) segmentSources : British American Tobacco’s Annual Report, 2011| * Achieving good reputation and response from customer with their new products| * British American Tobacco choose to use strategic brand in enhancing market growth * Introduce different brand of cigarettes * enhance market capabilities and strong distribution network * Different brand has different unique capabilities | * Winning in premium Lights and Menthol segment of cigarettes. A portfolio’s strategy by BAT planned years ago before winning the awards. | Balance Score Card (BSC) 4. 3. 1 Financial In the financial view of British American Tobacco (BAT), the key objectives is to maximize their shareholders interest towards the company and also contributing parts of their profits as social respons ibilities towards the market. BAT regularly measures revenues and focuses on company cash flows to maintain their shares market values level. Another effort BAT took is to interpret their financial ratio and use the information gathered to evaluate their business performances. This had lead to the growth in earning per shares (EPS) and successfully increases their revenues and sales annually. Efficiently in using their acquired assets with minimum wastage also assisted BAT in achieving their business financial goals. Employees in BAT are well lead in understanding the financial goal and also acknowledging the way to achieve the business goals. They took the initiative to maintain good relationship with banker, financial adviser and insurance agent to improve the company’s profits in order to maintain the shares market value level of the company. 4. 3. 2 Internal Business Process Internal business processes is essential in maintaining and building a trust from shareholders and customers. Analyzing the best business processes can help the company to perform better to achieve the desire outcome. British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)) adopted channeling the business processes momentum into operating faster, better and smarter to meet their strategy requirement. Efficiency in performing business process and delivery effectiveness results is suitable in engaging into nowadays globally-integrated environment. BAT (M) targets productivity in their processes by encouraging employees to identify ways to work smarter and more efficiently. A campaign name as â€Å"Make Time to Win† had been introduced to the employee. These measures are done by reducing unnecessary workload such as completing work with zero errors to create effectiveness, reduce complexity and bureaucracy in the company’s business process to enable employee to perform faster and create efficiency in their work and lastly to enhance work-life balance enablers which focuses on the culture and working environment in the company by providing a comfortable environment and adaption to company’s culture program. The outcome of this campaign had been accomplished with the results in total man-days reductions of the company and generated a total savings of RM10. 4million for the company worldwide in 2011 (British American Tobacco Malaysia annual report, 2011). Other than that, BAT (M) took the initiatives in implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions in daily business processes and became the pilot market for ERP solutions in Malaysia’s tobacco industry. This also guided the company into introducing subcontract manufacturing method for large volume productions in Japan, Australia and Global travel retail (British American Tobacco Malaysia annual report, 2011) and thus, implementing various key information technology initiatives to support the globally-integrated business. 4. 3. 3 Customers Customers play a huge role in the company strategy planning. Providing clear and quality products to customers is vital for British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)). Maintaining BAT (M) responsibilities on their products had been set from the past to ensure the company promotes their products responsibly. Collaborating with government agencies in promoting the products only to legal age customer became one of the major objectives of BAT (M). Besides that, participating in forestation program became part of BAT (M) annual event in order to perform their social responsibilities towards the social in a way that offset carbon dioxide emission to the environment cause by smoker using the company’s products. This had managed to sustain the shares value and shows improve in company’s commercial ability. BAT (M) targets 3 major segment in the society which is the community, marketplace and workplace. In the company appearance to the community, BAT (M) awards scholarships to talented students in helping them to persuade their studies. Selected students are giving these opportunities by British American Tobacco Malaysia as part of the contributions towards the society. While in marketplace, the company provides financial aids for higher education to the tobacco growing community to ease their financial difficulties. Studies on the growing and managing the plantation assist the tobacco growing communities in producing more quality products for BAT (M). Lastly in workplace, the company organize employee volunteer program for a deserving causes. Employee Volunteer Program (EVP) is the company culture of giving back to the community. EVP allows employees dedicating their time and efforts for good cause towards the community. To give a helping hand to the community pillars, BAT (M) took the initiatives steps in allocating budgets and lends their helping hands to the community that needed the most. The activities done are such as poverty alleviation on building homes for poor family, providing education in awarding scholarships, employee volunteerism that promotes company culture of giving back to the community with employee volunteer program. It has done across the Peninsular Malaysia. On the other hand, the important of environment has lead the company’s employee to volunteered time towards environment conservations by cleaning waterfall and a beach and also to support the underprivileged and disable community. Volunteered time by the company EVP program throughout Malaysia to assist them in different aspect, thus improving their health, benefits and living standard. 4. 3. 4 Learning and Growth Learning and growth is an important segment in the framework because it supports the visions and ability to sustain the company in long-term. British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)) visions are to obtain more markets shares and become market leaders for global tobacco industry. BAT set an objective of continuing to drive goals momentum in achieving their visions. In the current situation, BAT (M) had strengthened the company leadership in the Malaysia’s tobacco industry with the healthy and positively growth trend in their financial analysis. Measuring the Value for Money (VPN) segment from 2009 to 2011 of BAT (M) and their competitor is crucial for the company survival in the market. This ensures the sustainability and also their vision in becoming the industry leader in the Malaysia’s tobacco industry. Along the year from 2009 to 2011, BAT (M)’s VPN are recorded at 7. 7percent, 8. 9percent and 9. 4percent while their competitor had 10. 2 percent, 11. 0percent and 10. 3percent relatively. The figures shows that BAT (M) share of market had been increasing positively against their competitor and successfully reduced the VPN gap between BAT (M) and their competitor from 2. 6percent to 0. 9percent (British American Tobacco Malaysia annual report, 2011). BAT (M) target of gaining good reputation and response from customers with their products is achieved by obtaining awards in premium â€Å"Lights† and â€Å"Menthol† segment of cigarettes. This is a portfolio’s strategy planned years ago before being awarded the success. In order to meet their vision, BAT (M) practice strategic brand as their initiative in market growth. Introducing various brand of cigarettes to enhance their market capabilities such as Pall Mall, Kent, Dunhill, Peter Stuyvesant is few types of cigarettes brand innovates by BAT(M) and strengthen their distribution network is part of the strategic steps taken. These different brands of cigarettes have different unique capabilities for the smokers such as triple filter charcoal technology, menthol and spearmint flavor cigarettes. These innovations assisted the company in obtaining more markets share and becoming the market leader in the industry. Conclusion: The activities and programs organize by British American Tobacco in alliance with British American Tobacco Malaysia in different segment and aspect had significantly improve the business operation, the social responsibilities and managing the company strategy plan in a proper way. It fits accordingly to the company visions of obtaining more market shares and become market leader for global tobacco industry so that it can ensure the sustainability of business and follow by bring more values. 5. Recommendations It was found out that British American Tobacco (BAT) is facing huge competition among the tobacco industry due to numerous brands in the market. In addition, cigarettes typically bring a bad perception to people lately. So, instead of scrambling around, the company is proposed to get rid of the red oceans by moving its business slowly toward the blue oceans, but not immediately. Thus, applying the purple oceans strategy could be the first step for BAT. The phase â€Å"purple oceans† means to stay in the combination of both red oceans and blue oceans. Hence, this strategy enables the play safe method and allows BAT to maintain its existing loyal customers, at the same time generating new extra customers through the product innovation. According to Dr Joe Leung, the first scholars that propose the purple ocean strategy, there are total 5Cs needed to be master before an enterprise could position itself in the purple oceans and the 5Cs are namely as cost, cash, customer, competence and counterpart (Fortune Making, 2012). Only when BAT able to mastered the 5Cs and poises themselves in the purple oceans, then only the company could explore toward the blue ocean. For BAT, the blue ocean could be established through product innovation. Since the company has their own research centre which is located at Southampton UK (BAT, 2012), therefore BAT could make use of it to develop their new products. For instance, create cigarettes that bring harmless to our health by replacing those harmful ingredients inside the cigarette. Once cigarette is harmless, it is not only creating the new market for BAT, but also changing people’s perception toward smoking. Furthermore, the government no longer got the reason to resist cigarette. Besides than using the oceans strategy, horizontal integration could be an alternative strategy recommended to BAT in order to improve the company’s business strategy. The horizontal integration is a strategy that allows the company to increase its market share in the tobacco industry through merging or taking over the similar companies (Biz Dharma, 2012). Since BAT is having a strong financial position, therefore the company may utilize this advantage in order to merge with those weaker companies. By applying this strategy, BAT able to grow its market share rapidly and what most important is it could reduce the number of competitors for BAT and switch them to become partners. 6. References British American Tobacco Malaysia, About Us: Who We Are, 10th April 2012 Fortune Making, Purple Ocean Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco, Research and Development, 2012 British American Tobacco (Malaysia), Our Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad, 2011, Reports and Financial Statements, viewed 20th June 2012, . British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad, 2010, Reports and Financial Statements, viewed 20th June 2012, . British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad, 2011, viewed 20th June 2012, British American Tobacco (Malaysia), Our Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, â€Å"Keys to the Future†, 2006 http://www. plosmedicine. org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10. 1371%2Fjournal. pmed. 0030228 British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report, Government Regulatory, 2011 http://www. batmalaysia. com/group/sites/bat_7ryj8n. nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO7SUKSJ/$FILE/medMD8SFEPS. pdf? openelement British American Tobacco Malaysia, Illegal trade in Malaysia, 2011 http://www. batmalaysia. com/group/sites/BAT_7RYJ8N. nsf/vwPagesWebLiveO8PBFUP? opendocument&SKN=1 Earthwatch Institute Case Studies, integrating biodiversity into business management and operations, British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership, 2010 http://teebforbusiness. earthmind. net/files/Earthwatch_Case_Studies-HSBC_SHELL_-American_Tobacco. pdf Fortune Making, Purple Ocean Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco, Research and Development, 2012 Biz Dharma, Horizontal Integration, 2012 < http://bizdharma. com/blog/what-is-vertical-and-horizontal-integration/> 7. Appendixes Appendix 1: Organization Structure of BAT (M) B. O. D Appendix 2: Corporate Information of BAT (M)

Plato biography

Greece had given to us many ideas, inventions and genial persons, and now days it is difficult to imagine our world without them. One of the most famous names of that age was Plato. He was philosopher, mathematic and teacher. Never the less, a few persons know why actually he was so famous. So, do you know where words â€Å"Academy' and Ð’Â «BenefitÐ’Â » came from or who created â€Å"Metaphysics† as field of science?Unfortunately, the extant data, which showed dates and place of Plat's definitely were sweep away by wind of history, but sorority of historians and sources indicate what it was in period between 429 to 423 BC in Athens. As well as we know, Athens was city-state in Ancient Greece, also many historians calling it â€Å"Heart of Greece† or â€Å"Cradle of knowledge†. We can conclude that place of born play an important role at formation of Plat's personality, along with his family was rich and very influential.High social status of his family gave to him opportunity to have best education. As Plato said lately: quickness of mind and modesty as a boy, and the â€Å"first fruits of his youth infused with hard work and love of duty†, and he had learned grammar, music, gymnastic and philosophy. Until 409 BC, Plato was studying at his teacher Socrates; moreover Socrates had big influence at his views of life. Plato was loyal follower and disciple of his teacher, also he created all main ideas with Socratic help. From 409 BC to 404 BC, Plato was in military service.In 403 BC, he returned to Athens, and he was trying himself at political career. Unfortunately, In 399 BC his teacher and friend Socrates had died. It was as knife to Palates back. After this tragic event, Plato disappointed In politics, he and there follower of Socrates left Athens and started to travel. As well as we can see from historical sources Plato travel was from 399 BC to 387 BC, during his travel he visited Italy, Libya, Serene and Egypt, while he was writing and exchanging of knowledge with other great scientists and philosopher.In the year 387 BC, then he came back to Athens, Plato founded his school and called Academy. This Academy gave to us a lot of great people, and one of them was Aristotle. In 367 BC, Plato arrived to Syracuse and become a personal tutor of Dionysus II. Furthermore, Plato reamed about state where Philosophers will have reins of government, but not bowl with poison. Unfortunately, the war broke his utopians dreams In 360 BC, after that he came back to Athens and stayed there until his dead In 347 BC.Plato biography By Tossing-Too career. Unfortunately, in 399 BC his teacher and friend Socrates had died. It was as knife to Plat's back. After this tragic event, Plato disappointed in politics, he and In 367 SC, Plato with poison. Unfortunately, the war broke his utopians dreams in 360 BC, after that he came back to Athens and stayed there until his dead in 347 BC.

The Good Earth; Importance of the Setting Essays

The Good Earth; Importance of the Setting Essays The Good Earth; Importance of the Setting Essay The Good Earth; Importance of the Setting Essay In the book The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, the setting is very essential, as it is with most all books. The setting shapes the entire book, and it could not have been set in a different time or place and still have had the same effect. Throughout the book there are hardships as well as times of prosperity, but there is no validity that the city is a â€Å"bad† place and the country a â€Å"good† place, for both good and bad happenings fall upon the people from both places.Without the setting, or with a different setting, the book The Good Earth would be an entirely different story. The Good Earth has a setting that sets the hardships that Northern China faced; drought, flood, famine, cold, heat, and war. The setting also creates character by putting important obstacles in the paths of the characters in the book. How each character deals with these obstacles shows what kind of character they are, and helps to create the plot of the book itself. The themes of the book a re also created by the setting.The setting especially effects Wang Lung, for conflicts influenced by the setting proves one of the themes that â€Å"the land has control of the life of a farmer†. A different time or setting would completely change the story, and it wouldn’t of had the same effect. Wang Lung’s love for the earth is the main driving force in his life. The only thing Wang Lung loves with consistency is the earth, because the earth is consistent as well. He always returns to the land and yearns for it w

The Rainmaker Essays - Cinema Of The United States, Film

The Rainmaker Essays - Cinema Of The United States, Film The Rainmaker The Rainmaker The world is full of great novels. From Sherlock Holmes to the three musketeers. As the years progress more novels are written and more money is made. John Grisham is a rising star in literature. His books have enticed readers and has given the people something good to read. What makes his books great is that they are so realistic. He applies his personal law and trial knowledge into the books he writes. What it is about ? It was his last semester of law school. Rudy Baylor was assigned to give free advice to a group of seniors. It is at that very time, and that very place, that Rudy encounters his first true clients. Dot and Buddy Black. They have been robbed by a powerful insurance company. A company with millions of dollars in assets. They have caused the suffering of a young man. They have ruined his chances to live by not issuing their coverage that they were obligated to give. Donny Ray, son of Dot and Buddy is dying of Lukemia, he is going to die, his chances for survival are over and it is a matter of months. Rudy doesnt realize the case that has fallen into his lap until phone calls are made. There is a great problem, however, Rudy is broke, he hasnt even passed his bar exam yet. And will go head to head with one of Americas most experienced and accomplished defense attorneys. From the beginning of the novel to the last word, Rudy is plagued with a series of mishaps and problems. When something looks bright the clouds come in and ruin the hope. Rudy is in Luck. As the big trial begins, he is given a judge that is definetly on his side and 12 jury members that think the same way that he does. After researching great benefit, the insurance company, Rudy discovers cover ups by the company. He also discovers Great Benefits harsh way in getting rid of their numerous mistakes. n How it relates to your audience The Trial Obviously Rudy is not stupid. He enters all the facts he has discovered and uses them to help solidify his position in the minds of the jurors As the trial goes on Rudy is given another problem. A beaten girl is discovered by Rudy at the hospital during his studying. Her husband has repeatively beaten her with an aluminum softball bat. Her ankle is broken and her life is in shreds. Rudy knows that these beatings will continue if the couple divorces but the young girl of 18 is unable to leave because she believes that she is still in love with him. n John Grisham does not maintain one single story, instead he creates numerous events so that the reader does not get bored with the main story. From minor cases to FBI investigations, John Grisham does a swell job in creating a global society. He shows that lawyers have cares concerns about what is going on in the world and contrary to popular belief, lawyers dont focus mainly on cases and they have lives to. Ever-since The Firm was published, in 1991, John Grisham has been in a creative state. His five books that followed the firm, combine to form a total of approximately 50 million copies in print. Why ? The answer is because his thrilling stories and intense legal intrigue is in such a great demand. Now in The Rainmaker Grisham has weaved his talent into the storyline and has created a powerful, and at times humerous , tale of one young lawyers quest for fame,fortune and most importantly, hapiness. I am positive that this novel will rise to the best sellers list, And after reading this book, you will think alike. This novel is for all ages and all types. If the book you are searching for, is for excitement or pleasure. The Rainmaker is a great novel and provides a goood read. John Grisham has done his homework now do yours and read this good book. Bibliography The Rainmaker, John Grisham.

Chronology of American History From 1726 to 1750

Chronology of American History From 1726 to 1750 1726 Log College at Neshaminy in Bucks County is founded. It will be important in training evangelists who will become involved in the Great Awakening movement that will occur in the 1730s and 1740s.Riots occur in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania colony governor will forcefully put down the riots. 1727 Anglo-Spanish War breaks out. It lasts a little more than one year, with skirmishes mainly in the Carolinas.George II becomes King of England.History of the Five Indian Nations by Dr. Cadwallader Colden is published. It details information about the Iroquois tribes.Benjamin Franklin creates the Junto Club, a group of mostly artisans who are socially progressive. 1728 The first American synagogue is built on Mill Street in New York City.Horses and carriages are banned in Boston Common. It will eventually be called the oldest park in the United States. 1729 North Carolina becomes a royal colony.Benjamin Franklin begins publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette.The Old South Meeting House is built in Boston. It will become a key meeting place for revolutionaries and was where the Boston Tea Party meetings occurred. 1730 North Carolina and South Carolina are confirmed as royal provinces by the British parliament.The city of Baltimore in the Maryland colony is established. It is named after Lord Baltimore.The Philosophical Society is founded in Newport, Rhode Island which has become a vacation destination due to its spa. 1731 The first public library in American colonies is founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and his Junto Club. It is called the Library Company of Philadelphia.The American colonial legislatures are not allowed to place monetary duties on imported slaves according to royal decree. 1732 Georgia becomes a colony out of land from the South Carolina territory when the Charter of 1732 is issued to James Oglethorpe and others.Construction begins on the Pennsylvania State House, better known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.George Washington is born on February 22nd in the Virginia colony.The first Catholic church in the American colonies is founded. It will be the only Catholic church erected before the American Revolution.Benjamin Franklin begins publishing Poor Richards Almanac, which will become a huge success.The Hat Act is passed by parliament, banning hats to be imported from one American colony to another, in an attempt to help London hatmakers. 1733 James Oglethorpe arrives in Georgia with 130 new colonists. He soon founds Savannah.The Molasses Act is passed by parliament setting heavy import duties on molasses, rum, and sugar from Caribbean islands other than those controlled by the British.The New York Weekly Journal begins publication with John Peter Zenger as its editor. 1734 John Peter Zenger is arrested for seditious libel against New York Governor William Cosby.Jonathan Edwards preaches a series of sermons in Northampton, Massachusetts that begins the Great Awakening. 1735 The trial of John Peter Zenger takes place after the newspaper editor spent ten months imprisoned. Andrew Hamilton defends Zenger, who is acquitted, for the statements he published were true, and thus could not be libelous.The first American fire insurance company is founded in Charleston. It will be bankrupt within five years, when half of Charleston is devastated by a fire. 1736 John and Charles Wesley arrive in the Georgia colony at the invitation of James Oglethorpe. They bring the ideas of Methodism to the American colonies. 1737 The first citywide celebration of St. Patricks Day is held in Boston.The Walking Purchase of 1737 occurs in Pennsylvania. William Penns son Thomas employs swift walkers to pace the boundaries of land given by the Delaware Indians. According to their treaty, they are to receive the land a man can walk in a day and a half. The Indians feel that the use of professional walkers is cheating and refuse to leave the land. The colonists enlist the help of the Iroquois Indians in their removal.A border dispute between Massachusetts and New Hampshire begins that will last for over 150 years. 1738 English Methodist evangelist George Whitefield, a key figure in the Great Awakening, arrives in Savannah, Georgia.The New Jersey colony gets its own governor for the first time. Lewis Morris is appointed to the position.John Winthrop, one of the most important scientists in the American colonies, is appointed to the chair of mathematics at Harvard University. 1739 Three uprisings of African-Americans occur in South Carolina resulting in numerous deaths.The War of Jenkins Ear begins between England and Spain. It will last until 1742 and will become part of the larger War of Austrian Succession.The Rocky Mountains are first sighted by French explorers Pierre and Paul Mallet. 1740 The War of Austrian Succession begins in Europe. The colonists will officially join the fight in 1743.James Oglethorpe of the Georgia colony leads troops along with Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek Indians to capture two forts from the Spanish in Florida. However, they will later fail to take St. Augustine.Fifty slaves are hanged in Charleston, South Carolina when their planned revolt is discovered.Famine in Ireland sends many settlers to the Shenandoah Valley area, along with other southern colonies in America. 1741 New Hampshire colony gets its own governor for the first time. The English crown appoints Benning Wentworth to the position. 1742 Benjamin Franklin invents the Franklin Stove, a better and safer way to heat homes.Nathanael Greene, American Revolutionary War General, is born. 1743 The American Philosophical Society is founded in Philadelphia by the Junto Club and Benjamin Franklin. 1744 The American phase of the War of Austrian Succession, called King Georges War, begins.The Six Nations of the Iroquois League grant the English colonies their lands in the northern Ohio territory. They will have to fight the French for this land. 1745 The French fortress of Louisbourg is captured by a combined New England force and fleet during King Georges War.During King Georges War, the French burn the English settlement of Saratoga in the New York colony. 1746 The boundary between Massachusetts colony and Rhode Island colony is officially set by parliament. 1747 The New York Bar Association, the first legal society in the American colonies, is founded. 1748 King Georges War concludes with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. All colonies are restored to their original owners from before the war including Louisbourg. 1749 The Ohio Company is at first granted 200,000 acres of land between the Ohio and Great Kanawha Rivers and the Allegheny Mountains. An additional 500,000 acres is added later in the year.Slavery is allowed in the Georgia Colony. It had been prohibited since the colonys founding in 1732. 1750 The Iron Act is passed by parliament, putting a halt to the growth of the iron-finishing business in the colonies, to help protect the English iron industry. Resource and Further Reading: Schlesinger, Arthur M., editor. The Almanac of American History. Barnes Noble, 2004.

Merchants of Cool Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Merchants of Cool - Essay Example This film discovers the contemporary teenagers’ culture and their standpoints on themselves and their parents. In order to target the teenagers, companies explore the teenager’s tastes and preferences, perspectives, and their aspirations to identify what they desire. Needless to say, as according to the film â€Å"Merchants of Cool†, companies survey the symbiotic association between the present day teenagers and the media, as they depend on the other for their identity (Merchants of Cool, 2001). Marketing happens to all people at all time, and no individual is invulnerable from its influence and free from its reach (Ewen, 1976, p. 36). The absolute size and purchasing power of the contemporary teenagers creates a windfall of inexorably insistent brand messaging that is both omnipresent and goes to extraordinary lengths to hold on to the most significant canon in convincing this demographic segment. The â€Å"Merchants of Cool† notes that teenagers are the hottest demographic in United States. Marketing to the youth is a challenging task and not as easy as it sounds. Marketers have to seek ways to seem real: authentic to the lives and perspectives of teens and to be cool to themselves (Ewen, 1976, p. 1118). In essence, they seek the next trendy thing and have implemented approximately anthropological strategy to examine the youth and their every move. Ewen (1976, p. 124) notes that the creation of a fancied desire is significant to the contemporary marketer. The youths have the need to experience self-conscious perspective and a marketer should focus on this. A marketer can identify this need through examining the youths’ behavior and ways of life (Ewen, 1976, p. 128). The â€Å"Merchants of Cool† (2001) delineates a response circle in which marketers carry out comprehensive ethnographic studies of teens to identify what’s fashionable, and then augment it and nosh it back to them through media managed by fewer

Operating system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Operating system - Essay Example As a result, there is a need for a communication interface between the computer and the human users. Interfacing the peripheral with the CPU For the central system to function, it requires a number of peripheral units which helps the system to work. Such peripheral units include the memory, the hard drive etc. The processor also needs input and output devices such as the keyboard, the mouse and the monitor in order for it to be able to receive data and give data from the results of processing the raw data. All these resources need to be managed and that is where the operating system comes in. The operating system sits between these peripheral components and the central hardware (the processing unit) and regulates the way these units access and use the operating system. The operating system manages the application systems as well and acts as the intermediary between the applications which are not able to communicate directly with the computer hardware. Advantages of an operating syste m Multitasking and time sharing One of the greatest advantages of an operating system is the ability to multitask. Multitasking refers to the fact that the processor will be handling more than one process concurrently. This is done through time sharing and the operating system in any computing environment is very useful in determining which functions will be given which computing resources. Before the modern operating system architecture was developed in the 1950s and the early 1960s, computer processors only processed one process at a time (Meyler, Fuller and Joyner 584). The main disadvantage of processing one process at a time is that valuable processor time is lost every time there is a delay in data execution or memory access for that particular process. An operating system schedules the access of the processor of the computer and makes sure that the processor is busy throughout the uptime. Using complicated algorithms, the operating systems also determine which application or device to be given access to the processor. Based on how complicated a process is, it can be given preference or denied preference. The operating system also is able to determine which processes are critical and therefore gives them preference in order to avoid fatal errors. For instance, if a printer is asking for a timeslot in the processor, it may be given preference over other processes because delays in processing the printing data may lead to the whole process failing. In this regard, a computer operating system not only schedules processes but also acts as an error handling system which prevents the computer as well as the various processes from failing. Programmers don’t need to know the processor architecture One of advantages of operating systems is that programmers never have to worry about the architecture of a computer as long as they code programs which can be executed by the operating system. This also means that programs can be run in computers with different hardware architectures since the applications don’t have to communicate directly with the hardware (processor). In this regard, the operating system separates the functions of application developers from computer architects. The computer programmer does not have to understand the internal working of the computer because the operating system will do most of the communication between the applications developed by

Business Plan on topic Launch Party TV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Business Plan on topic Launch Party TV - Essay Example The basic and primary business model of this web based TV channel is likely to remain the same. The company will generate its core revenue from subscriptions received. These subscribers will include both individuals and TV networks all around the world. The characteristic that will make the launch party TV channel a unique experience for the users and is likely to be a breath of fresh air in the market, is its exclusivity in providing behind the scenes footage of TV shows and movies. These behind the show footage will mainly include ‘bloopers’ a colloquial term for the mistakes made by the stars of the show during the shooting of the program and interviews with the stars, directors, producers and other related staffs. In addition, the contents of the TV channel will also cover the buildup events and the entire procedure through which a film or TV show is likely to go through before it is finally presented to the audience. The content of the channel will be spread from mo vies to TV channels, music and reality shows, sports, news and other high profile events. The main concept behind the TV channel is to make the viewers acquaint with the stars of the shows and what their true aura is behind the camera. ... ver, the survey also showed that people are more curious in obtaining more and more knowledge about these behind the scene footages, director’s cut and exclusive interviews with the celebrities. Based on this entire concept, the ‘Launch Party TV’ is based which will strive to eliminate the gap between the stars and the viewers and provide a unique experience to its viewers by acquainting them with the entire process of showbiz production. Although due to the uniqueness of the content of the channel, the TV channel is likely to have a target audience of vast demography, but the main chunk is likely to fall between the age group of 18-30 years. Teenagers are more curious about the pre-production process and are inquisitive about knowing how their ‘super and action’ heroes go by in their daily life and how they cope with the challenges and process of production. The main marketing event of the Launch Party TV Channel would be the launching party which wi ll be held in the headquarters of the company. The event will showcase the basic theme of the company and portray its entertainment philosophy. In order to grab the attention of the print and electronic media, a press conference will also be conducted before the start of the main ceremony in which all the major newspapers, tabloids and TV channel will be invited. This will give Launch Party TV a presence in the press and will likely to create awareness among the masses within a short period of time. The main event of the launch party will include performances by some of the current famous rock and alternate music band which will likely to drag teenage audience. In addition, it is also being planned to set up a stand up comedic act in order to lighten the mood and create more amicable environment. The rest of the

Philosophy Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Philosophy Ethics - Essay Example The paper also describes the methods to keep ethical code in priority in order to maintain rule of morality and law in society in general and within the organization in particular. I have been working as CEO of ABC Tobacco Company for the last five years, and maintain the credit of multiplying the business volume of my company to almost three fold from the time I assumed the position afore-mentioned. We prepare high quality tobacco for the cigars and cigarettes that produce alluring aroma, and hence, captivates the attraction of smokers and even non-smokers too to some extent. Thus, refined high quality, bewitching fragrance, delicate presentation, stylish packing and economical cost make our product as a very popular brand at regional level. It is therefore the sales volume of our cigarettes is in constant increase, and our company has also brought the characteristics of the product in limelight through advertising campaign at print and electronic media. Somehow, arrival of new brands at low prices has affected our sales, and profit volume may also witness downfall. Consequently, our marketing and advertising department has proposed the advertising of our pro duct outside schools, colleges, universities and health clubs, so that it could fascinate the youth and thus they start buying and consuming the product both secretly and openly. It is a fact beyond suspicion that youth serves as the most emotional and thrilling stratum of society, which appears to be ready to enter into adventures and create excitement in one way or the other. Additionally, harmful, destructive and risky adventures particularly capture their attention, and they are determined to violate the law and thus get involved into the activities the norms, values, mores, traditions and statutes of prevailing law of their society prohibits them to do the

How did the American Revolution impact Concordians, and Americans, not Term Paper

How did the American Revolution impact Concordians, and Americans, not just physically, but emotionally and politically - Term Paper Example This laid the foundation of a democratic society where everyone had the right to voice their opinions in important matters. This also had the effect of bringing ruling class closer to the working class and consequently more rights began to be granted to them. In addition to this, the revolution also stirred up positive emotions among the Americans. After their role in the Revolution, women started to stand up for their rights and they began to get hired in important positions without being looked down upon. Also, even though slavery did not end with the end of revolution, people started to recognize its menace and began to raise their voice against it (A.Gross, 2001). The Revolution, in other words united the hearts of the different communities living in Concord and America, who all had the same purpose of seeing their country achieve the epitome of success. American Revolution certainly influenced a major change in American thinking, which marked the beginning of the America’ s journey to become a superpower. Works Cited A.Gross, R. (2001). The Minutemen and Their World. Hill and Wang; First American Edition edition.

The gains and losses that come with women's liberation Essay

The gains and losses that come with women's liberation - Essay Example However, it is no secret that Freud has been much criticized on many points, and his theory of femininity has been among targets of such criticism. This fact does not really demote the value of Freudian insight, and I think that study of his views on femininity and the opposing ideas of other scholars can give us a better comprehension of the subject of study itself. In this regard, let us undertake a closer examination of Freud's theory of femininity, and try to see what objections to it were offered by Karen Horney, an outstanding theorist of psychology, and Simone de Beauvoir, a famous French existentialist philosopher. One of the tasks that Freud set before psychoanalysis was to explain how a woman develops from a child with initial bisexuality. The very method of psychoanalysis developed by Freud was in essence a psychological therapy that was dealing with interpretation of dreams, free association, and with investigation of displacement of feelings in relation to other people in order to uncover unconscious and repressed motives, conflicts, and anxieties of people and liberate their psychic energy. Besides, Freud viewed the period of childhood as an extremely important developmental stage that to a large degree defines and determines our personality. ... For one, according to Freud, women develop a greater attraction to narcissism which becomes a decisive factor in the psychological development of girls and begins to influence them in such a way that for women it becomes more important to be loved than to love. As one of the hidden reasons of this developmental tendency Freud offers the concept of penis-envy, which describes an unconscious feeling of sexual inferiority that women have in relation to men. Due to this complex that challenges the physical vanity, women tend to highly estimate their charms, in this way compensating for their sexual inferiority dictated by penis-envy. Freud also thinks that another unconscious manifestation of perceived genital deficiency of women is represented by the sensation of shame that is traditionally considered to be a feminine quality. In an intricate twist of reasoning, he suggests that female feeling of shame in its later period of development in women can even be linked with the invention of weaving and plaiting, which are arguably among few inventions introduced by women. Now, Freud theorizes that the unconscious motive behind the mentioned techniques is the attempt to mimic through artificial adherence of threads the natural phenomenon of the growth of the pubic hair that hides the genitals. Another essential characteristic of women in accordance with Freuds theory of femininity is seen in a marriage after the birth of the first child. At this point, when a woman who had previously been a daughter becomes a mother herself, she may reinforce the previously opposed identification with her mother. This event may in its turn attract libido to itself that may work to repeat the

How did the American Revolution impact Concordians, and Americans, not Term Paper

How did the American Revolution impact Concordians, and Americans, not just physically, but emotionally and politically - Term Paper Example This laid the foundation of a democratic society where everyone had the right to voice their opinions in important matters. This also had the effect of bringing ruling class closer to the working class and consequently more rights began to be granted to them. In addition to this, the revolution also stirred up positive emotions among the Americans. After their role in the Revolution, women started to stand up for their rights and they began to get hired in important positions without being looked down upon. Also, even though slavery did not end with the end of revolution, people started to recognize its menace and began to raise their voice against it (A.Gross, 2001). The Revolution, in other words united the hearts of the different communities living in Concord and America, who all had the same purpose of seeing their country achieve the epitome of success. American Revolution certainly influenced a major change in American thinking, which marked the beginning of the America’ s journey to become a superpower. Works Cited A.Gross, R. (2001). The Minutemen and Their World. Hill and Wang; First American Edition edition.

Form and Structure Essay Example for Free

Form and Structure Essay `A Taste of Honey is in two acts, both containing two scenes, and set in two flats. The play could be described as episodic, due to the fact that within the same situation by using a blackout, the play has moved on months from the previous scene (i.e. Jos pregnancy in Act II). Delaney has used a Brechtian device with using episodes to show different aspects of the characters lives, and how they fit together in the plot. The structure of the play is fairly basic as it follows the Brechtian influence of a Linear plot(beginning, middle, end) i. e. the play is easy to follow which symbolises the characters lives monotonous and basically the same situations arising from one day to the next. However, a element of Stanislavski is used as the technique of naturalistic/realistic drama (soap opera effect) is apparent. `A Taste of Honey follows the life of a young girl call Jo over the period of approximately 12 18 months. It is realistic in the sense that it portrays how working class people live and the struggles they have to endure, which would therefore allow the audience to relate to this and affect them emotionally. This relates to Stanislavskis aim of wanting to depict the working class and show the rich and privileged how they live (realities of society). This idea is also indicated throughout the outcome of the play the initial characters in the play Helen and Jo end up as they begun, rejected and the relationships they developed throughout the play have failed( Peter has gone off with another woman, Jimmie left Jo pregnant and does not come back to see her, and Geof leaves Jo). There is only Jo and Helen left, and Helen portrays selfishness and illustrates dislike towards her daughter, as shown on the final page( 86), which was the case in the opening of the play. This situation of the characters not progressing in their lives symbolises the genre of the play as they have no hope for the future because of the lives they lead. Due to their lack of education, morals and the general way they conduct their lives, (e.g. Jo dating a coloured man) they are outcasts of society. However, due to their working class status in the 1950s, they wouldnt be given the chance. Therefore, I feel the that Brechtian idea of current political factors playing a part in this play when written, is illustrated by the characters lives due to their working class status, the feminist issue of two of the male characters(Jimmie and Peter) only after Helen and Jo for sex, and the racism and discrimination towards coloured people. Stanislavski uses methods of traditional, realistic drama such as method acting, where the actor becomes emotionally involved with their character to gain a deeper understanding. Delaney intended on using this idea, as in the early rehearsals for the play, improvisation lessons were used. Avis Bunnage, who played Helen in a `Taste of Honey described this experience as an actor: When we came to bits that didnt seem to work, we ad-libbed around the ideas, made it up as we went along. We used things that were around like an aspidistra that someone had left on the stage which became incorporated in the production. I said some of my lines to it. Jean gave us hell during the rehearsals. She had us running from the stage to the paint bay and back over and even again, to give us feeling of real tiredness Example of method acting used in rehearsals for the play I would describe the genre of this play as kitchen sink as it has certain characteristics such as being set in a working class environment (Salford, Manchester in a flat). It deals with domestic issues such as conflicts between people who live in these poor conditions (e.g. Jo and Helen). The language even insinuates this genre of theatre, as it is simplistic and could be described as ordinary, everyday language, which is sometimes crude. An example of this is in Act II, scene I, where Helen and Peter have come to see Jo: Helen: Take your bloody money and get out Peter: Thank you Helen: You dirty bastard (Act II, scene 1, page 66 ) Another example of the language reflecting the genre of the play is Helens description of the flat: Theres a lovely view of the gas works. We share a bathroom with the community (Act 1, scene 1, page 7) Another element of this drama is the conflicts which arise due to the conditions in which the characters live (Jo and Helen). Helen kicks Geof out/makes him leave without Jo knowing about this, and she knows Jo wants him there. Another example is Helen arguing with Peter for touching her. Peter ( touching her) Now you know I like this mother and son relationship Helen: Stop it Peter: Arent you wearing your girdle? (Act 1, scene1, page 18) Helen argues with Peter about this because really she likes him touching her. This relates to Jo s situation as she doesnt want `boy (Jimmie) to touch her, due to the fact that she enjoys it too. This dismissal of affection is due to both the female characters not being really used to affection, as their relationship as mother and daughter certainly doesnt entail this behavior. Therefore, the characters dont know how to conduct themselves in a loving relationship, and are unaware of how to respond to affection, care and attention. The hostile relationship between Jo and Helen is established due to the many arguments they have, for example, when Jo tells Helen shes getting married, Helen is angry. Jo: My boyfriend, he asked me to marry him Helen: Well, you silly bitch. I could choke you (Act 1, scene II) The domestic relationship is between Helen and Peter (mother and boyfriend). For example, when Peter finds out that Helen has a daughter he states: That puts another 10 years on her (Act 1, scene 1) This portrays Peters attitude towards Helen, as he talks about her here in a rather disparaging tone as he knows Helen always tries to act and look younger than she actually is. This idea of making fun of characters is displayed again in Act II, scene 1, when Peter finds out Jo is pregnant: Peter (singing): Whos got a bun in the oven? Whos got a cake in the stove? Within the play the Brechtian device of including music is used, as there is many musical interludes which represent the beginning or mark the ending of a scene. For example, in Act 1, scene II the boy (Jimmie) exits whilst singing to the audience. This music within the play seems to be a contrast to the harshness and reality of it i.e. the characters are portraying happiness or humour when singing. However, even at times with the singing there is comic sarcasm intended. For example; when Peter finds out Jo is pregnant, he sings: Whos got a bun in the oven? Whos got a cake in the stove? This idea of music being an important factor in the play is indicated in Act 1, scene 1, when Helen is reminiscing about her experience of working in a pub, and she starts to sing a song she use to apparently perform, at which she asks the orchestra to join in and play the piece. The fact that the script indicates that there is an orchestra in the play gives us the impression that Delaney intended to make music a definite aspect of the play. Singing is also a element frequently used in the play, as Helen performs a old song she used to sing in the pub, Peter portrays his sarcasm by singing many statements, i.e. Walter, Walter, take me to the alter!. We also see boy (Jimmie) in Act 1, scene 2 (page 26) singing to the audience as he exits. This Brechtian device portrays the characters mood and temperament at the time, which also adds to the overall atmosphere. Another example of this is when Jo is reminicing about Jimmie in Act two, scene one(page 53) which indicates to the audience th at she still thinks about him and how she regards him as a liar. Another Stanislavski device used is sub-text. For example; is Act 1, scene 1, when Jo has gone to make coffee, Helen talks about her daughter to the audience: I suppose Id better clear some of this stuff away. She wouldnt think. Well they dont at their age, do they. Oh! it gets me right here when I try and do anything when I bend you know. Have you ever had it? This device allows us (the audience) to witness Helens personality and how self-obsessed she is, moaning about her cold and generally ordering Jo around. There is no real silences in the play, due to the fact that this portrays the monotony of their lives, always doing something, moving from one place to another, arguing, fighting, different relationships etc. The relationships throughout the play are fuelled by anger, where every couple seem to have disputes which lead to rash decision making, with no real thought of the consequences, i.e, boy asking Jo to marry him, Geof kissing Jo due to confusion etc. Therefore, the suspense is built up by the language, how the tempo of the dialogue speeds up as arguments take place, and the questions raised by the characters. For example, Jo inquires about her father and Helen divulges to her that he wasnt exactly normal. This leads the audience into thinking what actually was wrong with him and how will it effect Jo in later life? This device links to Stanislavskis idea of realism and how, for example, Helen is ashamed to admit firstly being adulterous and how this changed her life,(turned into a whore) and that she slept with the apparent village idiot, which in the 1950s would have been the gossip of everybody (fits in with the era). An element within the play which has had the influence of Brecht is the idea of Forum theatre. Brecht liked the audience to be involved in the play and in A Taste of Honey, Delaney has tried to incorporate an aspect of this by having the some of the characters speaking and interacting with the audience. For example, Helen addressed the audience frequently in Act one, scene One: She cant do anything for herself, that girl. (page 10) Another example is Jo on page 7: You packed em. Shed lose her head if it was loose. This device allows the audience to actually get feel a of what the atmosphere is actually like for the characters, and therefore this incorporates Stanislavinskis idea of wanting the audience to be able to react emotionally to the play.