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Friday, December 27, 2019

Renewable vs Nonrenewable Resources Essay - 1527 Words

Renewable vs Nonrenewable Resources The United States has 4% of the worlds people, but as a country consumes 25% of the worlds oil. The U.S. and Western Europe are obsessed with a standard of living that is reliant on energy consumption maintained by the burning of fossil fuels. These nonrenewable resources continue to be depleted, despite the fact that solar power, wind power, hydropower, biomass, and many other renewable resources are available and accessible. The switch to these renewables would stop the extensive pumping of CO2 and other pollutants into the air we breathe. Acid rain, oil spills and global climate change and other environmental disasters might have a chance to abate. In addition to the impact on our†¦show more content†¦Photovoltaic or solar energy is another burgeoning resource, right behind wind power, and has been increasing 16 percent each year throughout the 1990’s.1 This is an extremely tantalizing option in remote places such as the islands of Hawaii where it may cost as much as $66,000 per mile for grid extension of conventional electricity. It is evident that these wind and solar resources work and that they are feasible as well as reliable. It seems, also, that these ‘alternative’ resources are catching on†¦. but why so slowly? Why are the polluting, finite fossil fuels still the overwhelmingly predominate choice in the United States? Part of the answer to this question is that they are cheaper, that is, however, for the time being. The price of a barrel of oil is based on the availability of above-ground oil. As we are currently at peak extraction, eventually the energy required for extraction will exceed the energy being extracted and this fossil fuel will be extinct as an energy source. Moreover, while initially more expensive, solar or wind power, in the long run will pay for its own cost. When pollution clean-up, environmental degradation and quality of life factors are added in, it seems that renewable energies are actually economically sensible. Why then, has the national focus not switched to these cleaner energy resources? The Unites State Government andShow MoreRelatedMiddle School Curriculum Map Essay1323 Words   |  6 Pagesenergy change?  · How do humans use and manage their resources? Content: Science Energy 6.2 The student will investigate and understand basic sources of energy, their origins, transformations, and uses. Key concepts include a) potential and kinetic energy; b) the role of the sun in the formation of most energy sources on Earth; c) nonrenewable energy sources; d) renewable energy sources; and e) energy transformations. Skills:Read MoreEnergy Resouce Plan1122 Words   |  5 PagesEnergy Resource Plan (Conservation) Kasandra Hunter SCI 275 08/29/2010 Cindy Hall Energy Resource Plan (Conservation) You are a board member of your Home Owner’s Association. At your next meeting, your goal is to educate other homeowners about energy conservation. †¢ Review the following Energy Resource Plan outline: †¢ Introduction: †¢ Provide information about why conserving energy is important. †¢ Renewable versus Nonrenewable †¢ Briefly distinguish between these two typesRead MoreRenewable Energy And Solar Energy Essay1564 Words   |  7 Pages Memorandum Statement of Purpose For this report, I will conduct extensive research pertaining to the idea of solar renewable energy. Within the research, I will look to inform the reader on advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. Also, how solar energy will affect human in later years in the universe. Once research is conducted the report will then be organized into an informational report. The informational report will be shared with U.S solar marketers, John Barbour, and others whom areRead MoreRenewable Sources Of Energy And Energy1983 Words   |  8 Pagesday-to-day lives and operations of the entire world population are nonrenewable. This energy is created from the fossil fuels: coal, petroleum and natural gas. Fossil fuels are still cheap and high in supply, but the rate at which we are consuming them, which is only expected to increase, vastly exceeds the rate at which they regenerate. This creates the aforementioned problem of mankind running out of the required natural resources to fuel its own ener gy demands. The only solution to this problemRead MoreAlternative Fossil Fuel Is Nonrenewable, And It Damages Our Environment Essay1536 Words   |  7 PagesAs we all know the energy we use form fossil fuel is nonrenewable, and it damages our environment badly. The most energy is used in the industrials (31%), the second is used in transportation (28%), the third is used in residential (22%), and the last is used in commercial (19%). We also know that the more we use fossil fuel, the more greenhouse gas effect to our earth and killing our atmosphere by trap the gases and it make our earth getting warmer and warmer. In this paper will go deep more intoRead MoreEssay on Hydrogen Fuel Cells Vs. Gasoline1210 Words   |  5 PagesCells Vs. Gasoline: Who’s Down With HFC? ABSTRACT: The world’s oil supply is a diminishing nonrenewable resource. Soon, a new fuel for automobiles will be needed. Hydrogen fuel cells may very well become the chief replacement for gasoline in our society. INTRODUCTION: In our busy world today, we often find ourselves surrounded by vehicles. But how often do we ponder about by which means these vehicles are running? Vehicles are fueled by gasoline, a gradually diminishing resource. As a replacementRead MoreAn Open System Of Energy1469 Words   |  6 Pageswages and income inequality, social and economic sustainability tend to overlap. Environmental Sustainability is defined responsibility using natural resources in a responsible way to ensure that immediate demands do not affect future generations. Examples of environmental sustainability include using renewable resources vs. nonrenewable, using resources that create the least amount of waste possible while maximizing energy output. Such as global warming, depletion of the ozone layer and reductionsRead MoreRenewable Energy: Is It the Solution?1571 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Renewable energy is considered a revolutionary thing, something that can save us from peak oil and climate change, but is it really what it seems? Renewable energy can help ease our predicament. There are multiple ways to achieve this, including the use of newer, greener technologies such as wind, solar power, and biomass. The purpose of this paper is to educate, theorize, and discuss various aspects of renewable energy, such as its history, development, and the advantages and disadvantagesRead MoreGoing Nuclear : How Nuclear Energy Could Save The Planet1374 Words   |  6 PagesGoing Nuclear: How Nuclear Energy Could Save the Planet Logically it s not hard to see that if there is a limited supply of something, one day it will finally run out. What happens when society relies on a resource that is nonrenewable? This is something that scientists are struggling with more and more each passing day. Though this is true of many substances that humans use (helium, chocolate, gold...), the most important substances that our lives rely on are fossil fuels. While there is a wideRead MorePaul Krugman Microcononomics 16-172940 Words   |  12 Pagesversus Emissions Taxes 18 9 19 Use of Natural Resources Natural resources – farmland, petroleum, minerals, clean water and air, scenic beauty, endangered species, healthy ecosystems, et cetera – can be either renewable or nonrenewable. For much of human history, many natural resources were free goods: large sustainable supply, small demand. Rise in human population and technological improvements increased demand for resources. â€Å"Free goods† will always be preferred to priced goods, and

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Essay about War in Iraq - 713 Words

The war in Iraq brings up a lot of questions, about the future decisions of President of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush. After the terrorist attack on the United States, which shook the whole world, US went to war with Iraq. I believe that this is a war on terrorism, and not an â€Å"Oil War†, how other like to refer to it. United States want to liberate people in Iraq and bring up the standards of living in that very rich, but at the same time poor country. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Before I come to my main topic of this essay, which is â€Å"Which Prince should G.W. Bush put in the Middle East?† I would like to talk a little about the history of international behaviors of the United States of America. After the Second World†¦show more content†¦Socrates had different ideas for democracy and different presidents. He talked about who and how should rule the country, for it to be a kind of a utopia. Socrates tried to make everybody feel good and live even greater, but it did not worked out very nice for him. You probably ask me why? Of course I can tell! His own people killed him. The â€Å"presidents† or princes whom Socrates wanted to rule and how they should behave were a little soft. Soft as: too kind, do everything for everybody, not mean, not a good warrior. Not a good warrior is my opinion. All this brings me to one thought how would this work out in Iraq. There is no way for this kind of president to rule a c ountry like Iraq. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The other philosopher is Machiavelli, who also had ideas for democracy, and princes. I like his prince: strong, powerful, mean, and self-reliant. Machiavelli said that obtaining new territory is more difficult than holding onto old kingdoms, as they require a †great good fortune and great resourcefulness† (Machiavelli, 9) Machiavelli had an interesting idea which is the Prince need to master two things in him-self which are, fortuna and virtu. The prince need to learn how to balance this two, and than and only than he will can become prince. Taking this out of Machiavelli’s book The Prince he suggested that â€Å"fortune is a lady†¦..if you want to master her †¦beat and strike here†Show MoreRelatedThe Iraq War1487 Words   |  6 PagesIn his 1988 Republican National Convention acceptance speech former U.S. President George H.W. Bush proclaimed that, â€Å"Weakness and ambivalence lead to war.†. For better or worse a states ability to influence world politics is primarily based on much power they have. In purely academic terms, power is the ability of Actor A to get Actor B to do something that B would otherwise not do; the ability to get the other side to make concessions and to avoid having to make concessions oneself (Frieden PRead More war in iraq1122 Words   |  5 Pagesfor the failed Iraq war. Congress is gearing up to pour more money to quot;stay the coursequot; of the past two tragic years. Tell your Member of Congress that not one more dime should go to waging war in Iraq. Instead, the U.S. must end the occupation, bring our troops home, and support Iraqi sovereignty. Many good-intentioned people in the United States say we cant withdraw our troops now and abandon Iraqis to chaos and disorder. Yet the U.S. presence on the streets of Iraq is fueling animosityRead MoreThe War Of The Iraq War958 Words   |  4 Pageswith the terrorism that went on in Iraq. March 20, 2003 marked the day that President George W. Bush announced the start of the war against Iraq (1). This was the beginning of a very costly war on both America and Iraq. The cost of the Iraq War was not just the amount of money spent, but the impact of war on the soldiers and the toll that it took on the families of those who were involved, as well as the amount of time and dedication of resources put into the war by the Government. The amountRead MoreThe War Of Iraq War Essay1198 Words   |  5 Pagescontroversy, and terror. The capital of Iraq was shaking not only by their new government that reflected dealmaking not meritocracy but, also with an internal religious struggle that was peaking with seventy or more deaths a day. Death was far too easy in Iraq, the United States was in the search for the for the best approach in a hostile environment where the identity of the enemy is masked by the surrounding civilians. The pending question that comes from the war in Iraq war, What is the right approach toRead MoreThe War And The Iraq War862 Words   |  4 PagesThe Gulf War and the Iraq war can reflect the tension between a phenomenon is that the United States and the Middle East. The American media reported on the two Gulf War had many similarities. In the recent ten years, with the development of social economy and media technology has increased democratization, media reports and presents new features about the media. The topic of what the role of wars in the society has been discussed for many people. Some people argue that during the war, everythingRead MoreThe Iraq War1926 Words   |  8 PagesThe Iraq War began in 2003 and lasted until 2011, and stands to be among the most controversial conflicts of modern times. It was a war that proceeded without the approval of the United Nations (UN) and was said to be a failure on all counts, for despite managing to end Saddam Hussein’s regime did not lead to an improvement in the situation in Iraq, and instead led Iraq to becoming a failed state and being on the brink of a civil war. According to then Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Iraq WarRead More War in Iraq Essay801 Words   |  4 Pages War in Iraq nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Picture this, you, in a 3rd world country, no friends no family for thousands of miles, hungry, not feeling so well, tired, exhausted and being forced to fight thousands of people who want you out of there country? Fun? I wouldn’t think so†¦ This is a reality for thousands of American Soldiers stationed in Iraq and maybe your reality if the draft is reinstated. Now, picture this. You’re watching the news, they are calling out birthdays, oh they choose yoursRead MoreThe Iraq War Of 20031350 Words   |  6 PagesThe Iraq war of 2003 is a blueprint of tyranny, which is full of controversial ideas, and works of individuals who believe that the United States of America is a crusader of freedom and democracy. And killing or unintentional homicide of substantial amount of civilians alongside with the targets of the U.S marines (Saddam’s armed forces) was a successful mission in the Middle East. An operation that was to be executed in a tim e limit, transformed into a war, which began in March 19th 2003 InvasionRead MoreIntervention Of The Iraq War Essay1465 Words   |  6 PagesIn the years leading up to and during the Iraq War, the United States pursued a neo-conservative agenda that aimed to dismantle Saddam Hussein’s regime, eliminate the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), and install a democratic government in Iraq. To do so, U.S. policymakers deployed military forces and diplomatic ambassadors to intervene. This strategy, clearly seen during the early invasion in 2003 and the surge of 2007, produced mixed reactions. Indeed, more than a decade after the URead MoreThe Just War : The Iraq War1132 Words   |  5 PagesBush, announce, â€Å"At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger† (â€Å"War in Iraq Begins,† 2003). Bush and his advisor’s actions were b ased on the information that the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, was building weapons of mass destruction. The Iraq War is a â€Å"just† war because it was a reasonable response with a moral purpose. The United States is known for helping other countries and

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Report for Strategic Analysis of Zara in Singapore

Question: Discuss about the Report for Strategic Analysis of Zara in Singapore. Answer: Introduction Zara, a flagship brand of Inditex group, is an influential Spanish apparel retailer based in Arteico, Galicia, but with stores stretching across 94 countries, including Singapore (Inditex, 2013). It classifies itself as a fast fashion that quickly adopts high-fashion apparel to reach the consumers affordably. Zara employs a direct channel mode of supply and adequately invests in consumer knowledge. The company utilizes a team of creative of designers, sourcing specialists, and product development personnel in its three lines of products of Zara for Men, Women, and children (Inditex, 2013). In the 2015/2016 financial year (From February 1, 2015, to January 31, 2016), Zaras earnings before amortization, interest, tax, and depreciation rose by 15% to 4.7billion up from 4.1billion recorded in the previous year. Environmental Analysis A deep assessment of the environment will effectively aid Zara in the decision to expand Singapore retails from the current nine, and in setting its future goals. The section will analyze Zaras current choices including potential risks and opportunities in Singapore, and will specifically focus on PESTLE analysis. Political Factors Political considerations include the involvement of the government in the economy and legal aspects (Yksel, 2012). The government of the day takes notice of almost every business activity and may interfere with the private sector either directly through restriction of certain products, and indirectly through taxation. According to Political and Economic Risks Consultancy (PERC), Singapore has the lowest political risk of doing business in the continent. Zara can quickly expand its business in Singapore because of the existing peace and stability that translates to a safe working environment and improved business opportunities. Economic Factors Singapore has ASEANs highest per capita- income. The economy is developing at a fast pace. The motivated, well- educated workers, as well as financial and legal framework, assist in strengthening it (Reyes, 2014). Another factor that contributes to the success of businesses is the strategic location. Cheaper labor from the neighboring countries has added to saved costs. Some of the constraints to Zaras performance include rising labor costs, labor shortages, and declining productivity (Jackson Buchanan, 2013). Social Factors The factors are critical because variations in the social trends may affect the demand for Zara products as well as the willingness of people to work (Yksel, 2012). The younger generation in Singapore has the tendency to follow western values and culture. The residents are hard working and are continually seeking to satisfy their material desire. Their urge to do well has helped to increase the nations productivity and their purchasing power.The level of literacy is very high. Residents have a good command of English and Chinese languages. Technological Factors The internet is playing a central role in Singapores advancement. It has increased connectivity and eased communication. The time and cost of doing business have significantly reduced. Singapore has boosted social networking, enabling residents to connect to the rest of the world. The penetration rate for household broadband internet is well over 70 percent. More than 10 Mbps of broadband internet connection are available to the homes. Legal Factors The government holds the view that a favorable business climate depends on transparency and market favorable regulations and legislation. The country has introduced some e-commerce initiatives and cross-border policies, and laws. Some of them include Intellectual Property Rights, Content Regulation, Tax Issues, Electronic Transactions Act, and Export and Import Procedures. Environmental Factors The Ministry of the Environment is relentless on air quality and other environmental factors. Any organization violating environmental measures will face a tough time in Singapore market and may find itself banned from the country. Zara needs to consider whether its products are made from environmentally friendly materials and have strict policies regarding waste materials and the byproducts. Summary of PESTEL Factor Favoring factor Constraint Political - Democratic country - Lower risk of doing - business - Peace and stability - Corruption free - No bureaucracy Economic - High per capita income - High purchasing power - A growing economy - Cheaper labor from neighboring countries - Rising cost of labor - Labor shortages - Declining productivity Social - Hardworking residents - High literacy levels - Good command of Chinese and English languages - Language barrier (the company is Spanish based) Technological - High-speed internet connection - Good transport network Legal Environmental - Favorable legal framework - Intellectual property rights - Tax issues - Content regulation - Long import and export procedures - Strict environmental laws Conclusion It is evident that Singapore is an outstanding country. It houses a hardworking, talented and well-educated population. It has great business opportunities. The favorable government policies enhance domestic business. Its enterprise-friendly approach also helps to boost business. Internal Analysis The company continually trails users preferences and trends and places orders with internal and external suppliers to meet the demand on time. It takes approximately two weeks for Zara to design a product, make it to the market to meet users preferences, as opposed to competitors, who on average take 6-8 weeks. Because the fast fashion industry is dynamic and hard to predict, the retailer has the keys to success in its flexibility. While the product is classified into three lines, extensive distribution is avoided. Zara manufactures products based on high turnover, fast fashioning concept, that is, more than ten thousand products a year. The apparel is made according to the varying trends in the market. Zara products are affordable. It has mastered the art of cheap production, yet it has no cost management leadership. It has also succeeded in maintaining a low operating capital. More than 450 million items are produced each year. To do it, Zara controls its supply chain and manufacturing more than any other retailer. The company has its competitive advantage in its supply chain. It competes with only itself in the speed in the market, adapts designs, makes them, and distributes them within 14 days of the new design appearing on fashion shows (Tsai and Tombs, 2015). When a particular design suddenly becomes a rage, Zara responds quickly and delivers to the stores while the trend is still on the peak. Zara uses just in time process to produce trendy fashions to cater for different tastes. Production is significantly in-house, which helps with the flexibility in the frequency, variety, and amount of new products launched (Day et al., 2011). About 85 percent of their factories capacity is reserved for in-season adjustments. While the industry on average gets 60 to 70 percent of the full price on clothes, Zara gets 85 percent. The industrys average of unsold stock is 17-20 percent in comparison to Zaras 10 percent. Unlike its competitors, Zara believes that it does not need to discount as much. It capitalizes on the rhythm in the supply chain, and for this reason, it can afford shipping costs and extra labor required to meet the seasonal change in consumer demand (Mo, 2015). Zara avoids the piling of inventory in any part of the supply chain, be it the raw materials or the finished product. Inventory is well managed. Each store only receives the needed amount, and this helps to avoid unnecessary stock build-ups. SWOT Analysis Strengths - Seamless distribution strategy - Less inventory stocks - Centralized management - Fast changing collections - Strategic location - Strong research and development designers - Vertical supply chain - Strong branding (loyalty and awareness) - High financial performance - Just in time system Weaknesses - Limited stocks - Lack of proper marketing - Tagging by competitors - High costs of vertical integration - Lack of e-commerce sector - Risks associated with single distribution - Less variation in styles Opportunities - Increasing demand for high fashion - Growing market - Online markets offer a huge chance to grow and expand - They can enter into segments and areas they havent explored - Providing more customer oriented products Threats - Competition may saturate the market - Lawsuit risks as a result of environmental issues - Possible brand imitation - Exchange rate risks - Cost up in labor - Tax, and import-export related procedures - Change in customer demand Strategic Implication Zara is facing fierce competition in Singapore market from both the global and local brands such as HM, Top Shop, and Uniqlo. Competition is a major issue. Competitors have the potential to saturate the market with cheaper products and drive Zara out of businesses. Zara is positioning itself as a fast fashion, investing in knowing consumer needs, providing high-end products affordably and creating a strong brand to beat the competition. Strategic Options and Choices Zara has thrived in the concept of fast fashion. Managers in Singapore retails continually work to identify new trends, who then inform a team of designers in Spain, including more than 300 stylists (Kim and Lee, 2014). The developers take the information, analyze it, and propose new designs. Unlike competitors, Zara is moving parallel to the emerging market trends. The industry on average takes 6-8 weeks to respond to new trends as opposed to Zara, which takes two weeks. Since consumers are on the look for new trends, Zaras fast response gives it a significant competitive advantage. By the time other competitors are responding to emerging trends, consumers have already bought them from Zara, and another trend is already emerging. Other companies are moving towards a consistent and continuous communication with the market in the bid to keep contact with the customers- the primary target of the business- taking their feedback, and developing products to meet their demands. Zara has dominated the market as no other rival has succeeded in reaching a faster delivery of inventory in the store. In the bid to minimize the operating costs, Zara has focused on customers short- term needs. However, it would be better to introduce long-lasting styles in the market. There is still a domain of customers willing to try them, but Zara has not yet started to produce it (Lloyd Luk, 2012). The company should move into the market segment of clients needing stylish clothes over an extended period, while still concentrating on short term needs. To do it, Zara would need to advertise its products effectively through both print, television, and the internet. It is worth noting that Zara uses 0.3% of its sales revenue in advertising, in contrast to its competitors, who use 3-4% of their income. Zara currently utilizes the prime retail locations to advertise its products instead of the traditional media. It ensures that the displays and storefronts are kept fresh, attractive, and the items on display are regularly changed. To market effectively to the untapped segment of customers needing stylish clothes for a long time, Zara should consider increasing the advertising budget. There is the need to tap into new advertising channels. The internet is a better platform to market to the young generation looking for stylish and affordable clothing, and the older generation. Zara should regularly post on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. It should post at least twice a week. To create brand awareness, there is the need hold frequent photo sharing contests (Kang and Sung, 2010). The company should have an initiative where, by liking its page, one gets at least 10% discount on the next purchase. There is also the need to promote new arrivals using Twitter and excellent blogs, hoping for a return of favorites and retweets (Royo Vela Casamassima, 2011). Other platforms that Zara needs to capitalize on include Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Wanelo. Zara has taken some serious steps to strengthen its brand and corporate identity in the market (Keller, 2012). Corporate identity refers the means by which an object or a product becomes known to the people and through which people can relate to, describe, and remember. The company has become synonymous with high-end fashion. Unlike its competitors, it has opened retail locations in areas where traffic is high. It is also making some efforts to have online stores to have customers make purchases on the go. Zara has a clean, bright, and spacious space on the rack for a comfortable shopping experience. A good brand image is one of Zaras most useful tools. A better image ensures survival and sustainability in the market. It is important to appreciate the fact that the present day customer is well aware of environmentally friendly products and belongs to organizations that take care of the environment. In the times when global warming has attained a wide attention, the benefits of going green cannot be underestimated (Tanwar, 2013). Issuing quarterly reports about their eco-friendly activities will go a long way in not only assuring the government of its commitment towards the environment but in giving it a competitive advantage. Zara should continue in its environmental protection agenda and seek to obtain eco-efficient and eco-friendly certificates and awards in Singapore. The most prestigious award is the Singapore Environment Achievements Award (SEAA), which was launched in 1997 to recognize organizations efforts towards environmental stewardship. The criteria used by SEAA focuses on the organizations leadership, environmental improvements achieved, and the ability of the organization to train staff, innovate, and establish procedures to make breakthroughs in the environmental protection. So far, more than 90 organizations have been awarded, but none of them is from the fashion industry. By achieving the award, Zara can market to the customers as the first fashion retailer to attain SEAA in Singapore, hence achieve the competitive advantage. Another way Zara can show its commitment to the environment is through the use of eco-friendly packaging. Many companies in Singapore offer customized eco-friendly packagings that are reusable, collapsible, and returnable so that the clients may reduce waste and save money. Zara should seek to source these products or make its eco-friendly packaging. Zara should encourage proactive approach towards environmental challenges. Water is increasingly becoming a scarce resource in Singapore. By advocating for water conservation on its websites and social media pages, Zara can significantly influence consumers perception of its products. The retailer will not only become synonymous with high-end fashion but also to minding the consumers welfare. The use of green technologies and appliances in its Singapore outlets and involving the staff in reforestation can significantly help. The retailer should mention its mission its commitment to environmental protection. Following this objective will give Zara a competitive edge. Some major competitors are in the process of getting this milestone and Zara Singapore should make new plans and market its commitment in its website and through social media and create more benchmarks in this eco-friendship race. Recommended Strategy Major manufacturing tasks such as assembly of components are done at a center in Spain, so as to benefit from economies of scale, cut the costs, and compete effectively. Through this, Zara has been able to stay ahead of completion and deliver products to consumers affordably. Corporate Social Responsibility is an untapped area, where Zara can use to fight emerging competition. The ministry of environment in Singapore is working tirelessly to protect the environment, promote air quality, and curb pollution. Water shortage is also a major issue in Singapore. About 30% of Singapore mangrove has been lost. As part of its corporate social responsibility, Zara should seek ways to address environmental concerns through engaging in reforestation and through other means. The importance of corporate social responsibility cannot be underestimated. It brings benefits such as costs savings, risk management, human resource management, and improved customer relationship (Peters, 2014). The time set aside to cater for the societys needs through reforestation not hamper work but will enhance personal learning, team interaction, and will promote team spirit. Engaging in environmental protection as part of corporate social responsibility can also help to change the perception of the business beyond profit driven, and create a new partnership with the media, social and interest groups, and policymakers. Environmental protection, being a felt need in Singapore market, is a good area to capitalize. Implementation Issues To achieve on the opportunities discussed above, Zara Singapore will need a team of personnel with strong management, leadership, and internet marketing skills. The current administration has already taken some positive steps, some of which have been implemented successfully. The time is ripe for Zara to expand Singapore retails from the current nine. A skilled HR team will also be required if Zara is to enter new market segments with lower products cost. To balance the brands image in the market, a consistent and continuous representation of companys outlook in the marketplace will also be necessary. Entering newer segments will cause supply issues since the company currently does not have numerous distribution centers. Conclusion After analyzing Zaras internal and external factors, we come to the conclusion that it is an active player in the industry and derives its major competitive advantage in the competitors lacking sufficient customer responsiveness. While Zara does not have many investments in the market, it relies on the most active aspect of the business- the clients. The retailer listens to its customers, obtains the feedback, and uses the information to evaluate its production, resulting to more consumer gratification. Zara uses complicated means of production and is at the forefront in producing the latest designs that the customer has requested in the least period. However, to compete effectively, the company needs to enter new segments, open multiple distribution channels, and use newer methods of advertising. References Day, J., Ward, L., Choi, S. and Zhao, C. (2011). Catching the long tail: competitive advantage through distribution strategy. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 2(3), pp.204-215. Inditex. (2013). Our team. [online] Available at: https://www.inditex.com/en/who_we_are/our_team [Accessed 29 Aug. 2016]. Inditex. (2014).Timeline. [online] Available at: https://www.inditex.com/en/who_we_are/timeline [Accessed 29 Aug. 2016]. Jackson, J. and Buchanan, I. (2013). Singapore in Southeast Asia: An Economic and Political Appraisal. The Geographical Journal, 139(3), p.534. Kang, J. and Sung, Y. (2010). The Impact of Information Technology on the Process Innovation and Competitiveness in the Fashion Industry -Case Study of Fast Fashion: ZARA-. Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, 34(1), pp.1-13. Kim, G. and Lee, S. (2014). Business Strategy of Fast Fashion -A Case Study of Zara-. Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, 38(2), pp.175-190. Keller, A. A. (2012). Zara Strategic Marketing Plan. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from Oeconomicae: https://www.oeconomicae.com/documents/Author/Strategic%20Marketing%20Plan,%20Zara,%20Arteixo,%20Spain.pdf Lloyd, A. and Luk, S. (2012). The Devil Wears Prada or Zara: A Revelation into Customer Perceived Value of Luxury and Mass Fashion Brands*. Journal of Global Fashion Marketing, 1(3), pp.129-141. Mo, Z. (2015). Internationalization Process of Fast Fashion Retailers: Evidence of HM and Zara. IJBM, 10(3). Peters, J. (2014). Social Responsibility is Free Sustainable - Why Doing Good While Doing Business is Good Business. Nang Yan Business Journal, 2(1). Reyes, V. (2014). Issues of Citizenship, National Identity and Political Socialization in Singapore: Implications to the Singapore Education System. Studies of Changing Societies, 2013(1). Royo Vela, M. and Casamassima, P. (2011). The influence of belonging to virtual brand communities on consumers' affective commitment, satisfaction and word of mouth advertising. Online Information Review, 35(4), pp.517-542. Tanwar, R. (2013). Porters Generic Competitive Strategies. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 15(1), pp.11-17. Tsai, Y. and Tombs, A. (2015). FASHION IS ME TOO STYLE IS ONLY ME: CONSUMER PREFERENCES TOWARDS FAST FASHION AND LUXURY FASHION. GFMC, 1(2), pp.45-46. Yksel, I. (2012). Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model for PESTEL Analysis. IJBM, 7(24).

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Social Learning Theory Essays - Motivation, Self-efficacy

Social Learning Theory You asked us in class how did we learn how to act in class. I swear I would have never been able to answer that question had somebody else not answered that. How interesting to find out at age 25 how I learned how to do everything. I often wondered how I learned to be nice. Then I think how it must of come from my mother and father. They are very nice people. Even more interesting is I think of a childhood friend of mine who I occasionally talk to. Her parents were evil people. They were always saying mean things and giving dirty looks. This childhood friend of mine has always been and is still an unpleasant person. After reading Bandura's theory, it becomes very clear (attention -- the individual notices something in the environment, retention -- the individual remembers what was noticed, reproduction -- the individual produces an action that is a copy of what was noticed, motivation -- the environment delivers a consequence that changes the probability the behavior will be emitted again (reinforcement and punishment). I do not really understand the concept of self-efficacy. On one hand, it almost seems to be similar to self-esteem. However, it would seem very reasonable that I would not feel very confident about juggling because I have never learned how to juggle and every time I've tried to juggle in the past I could not do it. So one would say that I had low self-efficacy. But is that bad? I think I would venture to say in some cases it might have to do with confidence. For example, the book makes an example of trying out for the lead role in a school play. Now, I know I am not a great actress but I may be more gutsy for something like that. I suppose low self-efficacy would not be that bad depending on the circumstance. Another example the book gave was about people who were not the best at mathematics not taking many math classes. Well, that's me! But I don't necessarily see that as being so bad. I know I have taken a lot of psychology classes where a mathematics major would not do that. So I guess I've convinced myself that low self-efficacy is not that bad; it just effects behavior. It could be bad for some things like shyness or poor reading/writing skills. But as far as being a juggler or a math major, you can count me out! I have read a little bit of the book "Emotional Intelligence". Boy was I relieved when that came out. Not only did I not feel alone anymore in the appreciation of myself but I was relieved to find out that my average IQ score wasn't the only important thing about me. I have always prided myself on my social behavior (or my behavior in public). I realize I may not be perfect but if you tell me my hair is sticking up in a specific place I am certainly not going to cry. I have also always been very "street smart", which is another element of emotional intelligence. I may not be able to solve a trigonometry equation but I can get around the city of Chicago merely on the number system and a little help from North, South, West and East. Being 25-years-old this might seem appropriate. However, as I observe my peers, I start to feel very above-average! This, of course, not to be a put-down but simply to show how emotional intelligence plays such an important role in the United States. The last thing I would like to comment on is your illicit presentation of motor reproduction. I could easily watch you fold your paper and follow instructions that way but when it came to explaining it to other people I was lost. Because there were previous folds in the paper, I could not go back and explain to them how to use those lines. Because I am a visual learner, it was easier for me to follow. Had you just told us what to do, I'm sure my paper would never see the light of a sailboat!