Australian Aboriginal Dot Art Essay

Aboriginal art has been overshadowed by the idea that it is primarily presented in dots. It has got to the point where people believe that certain Aboriginal people own the dot and artists both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal are hesitant to use consecutive dots within artwork. Explain how the above has evolved and where dot art has come from Dot paintings today are recognised globally as unique and integral to Australian Aboriginal art. On the surface the dot is simply a style of Aboriginal painting, like the use of cross-hatching or stencil art. Exploring deeper into the history of the Aboriginal dot painting a world of camouflage, secrecy and ritual is discovered. The term ‘dot painting’ stems from what the Western eye sees when faced with contemporary Aboriginal acrylic paintings. This painting style arose from the Papunya art movement in the 1970s. Papunya Tula artists used a process which originally mirrored traditional spiritual ceremonies. In such rituals the soil would be cleared and smoothed over as a canvas (much like the dark, earthy boards used by the Papunya Tala) for the inscription of sacred designs, replicating movements of ancestral beings upon earth. These Dreaming designs were outlined with dancing circles and often surrounded with a mass of dots. Afterward the imprinted earth would be smoothed over, painted bodies rubbed away, masking the sacred-secrets which had taken place. This ritual was shifted from ground to canvas by the Papunya Tula who eventually added an array of naturally produced colours to the restricted palette of red, yellow, black and white produced from ochre, charcoal and pipe clay. Such pieces reveal a map of circles, spirals, lines, dashes and dots, the traditional visual language of the Western Desert Aboriginal People. However these marks were permanent and due to arising interest made public, creating internal political uproar. Consequently representations of sacred objects were forbidden or concealed through the dotting technique. Now that the collecting of pieces of Aboriginal art has become so popular world-wide, a common, mistaken belief is that the Dot Painting Style of Central Australia is a recent development. This belief arises because it was in the 1960s that a Central Australian school teacher encouraged the old men of the tribe to record their art on European sheets of board, using acrylic paints. This use of acrylic paints on flat board dates from that time. However, the art style itself, with geometric designs, is seen in the petroglyphs (rock engravings) dating back thousands of years. Ancient petroglyphs showing concentric circles (non-naturalistic art style), inland South Australia The use of dots was once Australia-wide, particularly seen on body decoration when people are painted for ceremonies, and paintings in the remote Kimberley region where dots are clearly seen on the body decoration of some of the earliest human figures, likely to be older than 20,000 years. See accompanying photo. ) Dot decoration on the body of an ancient human figure, Kimberley Aboriginal Art: Traditional to Contemporary The resurgence of Australian Indigenous art has become one of the ‘most brilliant and exciting new eras of modern art. ‘ It has grown with such amazing diversity and enthusiasm that art critic, Robert Hughes, has described it as ‘the last great art movement. ‘ For indigenous Australians art has been a part of their culture and tradition for thousands of years and is recognised as one of the oldest living art traditions. Though, over the past 30 years it has progressed from being confined primarily to the tourist industry, to become a richly, evolving international art movement. Since the Renaissance of Aboriginal art during the early 1970’s, Aboriginal artists have been encouraged to find new, innovative ways of incorporating cultural traditions into their imagery. This encouragement first began through an art teacher, Geoffrey Bardon, who became the catalyst for contemporary Aboriginal art. Fascinated by the traditional sand designs created by Indigenous children in Papunya, Bardon encouraged the Aboriginal community to re-create their Dreamtime stories through paintings. He introduced them to acrylic paint and from there Aboriginal art gained a more permanent form and the style, popularly known as ‘dot art’, emerged as the most recognisable form of Aboriginal art. It was a new form of art which also allowed Aborigines to, for the first time, express to the rest of Australia and the world, the ancient traditions of their culture. Many Aboriginal artists have chosen to continue practicing traditional art as a means of conserving the conventional method of creating, inherited from their tribal ancestors. Their content, which is explicitly aboriginal, is usually derived from their history and culture, as a continuation of the spiritual link they possess with their country. Research When The emergence of ‘dot’ paintings by Indigenous men from the western deserts of Central Australia in the early 1970s has been called the greatest art movement of the twentieth century. Prior to this, most cultural material by Indigenous Australians was collected by anthropologists. Consequently, collections were found in university departments or natural history museums worldwide, not art galleries. Where That all changed at a place called Papunya. Papunya was a ‘sit-down’ place established in the early 1960s, 240 kilometres northwest of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory (NT). The settlement brought together people from several western desert language groups: the Pintupi, Warlpiri, Arrernte (Aranda), Luritja, and the Anmatyerr, who were unaccustomed to living in close proximity to each other. Dot Painting or Aboriginal Dot Art originated in the desert using natural substances on the ground in the sand. Those pictures in the sand are not unlike the paintings we see today produced using acrylic paints. The acrylic paintings are usually done using acrylic paint and it is applied to canvas or art board with various diameter sticks dipped into paint and then applied one dot at a time. The Australian Aborigine of the western desert constructed their stories using ochre, sand, blood, coal from their fires and plant material placed together on the ground clump by clump for various ceremonial occasions. If you look at the desert landscape from the height of any small bluff or hill what you see looking down are clumps of growth scattered about a red landscape. The spinifix grass, desert hardwood bush and occasional rocks or rock outcrops make up the myriad of dots that seem to cover the landscape. Because everything in the desert has meaning to the Australian Aborigine these seemingly unimportant arrays of pattern in the desert have special meaning to the Dot painters of the western desert. If you were to ever fly over the desert low enough to see what was on the ground you would see what he dot painting has replicated for you to see. These dots are a myriad of clumps of natural splendour which might go unnoticed had you not seen a dot painting and looked to see what it was about. The arrangement of the plants, rocks and water are all part of the spirit of creation and it is because of this placement that Aboriginal people have traversed the deserts safely without printed maps for th ousands of years. The placement and arrangement of all of these natural things are in songs and these songs are often sung while the painting is being created. Nearly every painting has a song and the songs often disclose important ceremonial facts about a particular region or area. These important ceremonial places are often in the paintings but because they are sacred to Aboriginal people they are camouflaged in some way, visible to the initiated person but invisible to others who do not know what to look for. Many paintings contain these special hidden meanings and the new owners of these paintings will never know what the whole story of their purchased painting is about. Only over time may some insight be gained from looking at the painting. This is a point of pride among the Australian Aboriginal artists because they see the purchase of their art or for them the sale of their art, as a validation of their race and culture by others. This is because a value has been placed on the art. Since the Australian Aboriginal culture is depicted in all traditional paintings they are passing down their knowledge in the only way they are able, to those who have yet to understand it. The Aboriginal people do not have a written language so these painting of their stories and ceremonies are all they have to save this culture for future generations. The colour and the placement of the dots are important to depicting the visible message and camouflaging the hidden message in Aboriginal dot art. Even the over painting of an area of the work has special significance and may convey different messages. Some people gifted with a since of tactile feeling are able to feel a special vibrancy emanating from their painting. Who Many of the significant early artists at Papunya were senior men who had vivid memories of their first contact with white people. Typically, they came out of the desert as adults during the 1950s drought and their connection to ritual law was strong. The first artists’ collective, Papunya Tula Artists, was set up in 1972 by men from this settlement. Papunya Tula Artists was the inspiration and model for many other Indigenous artists’ collectives. In 2009 there are 42 desert Indigenous art communities represented by Desert. The artwork was seen as a way to keep the culture alive, and carry Indigenous stories to the world. The movement was seen as being about recollection and cultural memories linked to Dreaming’s’ or story types. Why the modern aboriginal â€Å"dot art† movement started? Geoffrey Bardon AM (1940–2003) Geoffrey Bardon began working as an art teacher at Papunya Special School in 1971. Concerned that the school’s curriculum, appearance and ethos seemed out of step with Aboriginal culture, Bardon attempted unsuccessfully to involve his class in painting a series of murals on the school walls. Thereupon Kaapa Tjampitjinpa, Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra, Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri and others created the Honey Ant Mural, which inspired many senior men to ask Bardon for painting materials and eventually begin painting in the Men’s Painting Room. The Men’s Painting Room, Papunya – Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula can be seen in the middle ground painting a Kalinypa Water Dreaming. His two boomerangs are placed in front of the board as percussion instruments, ready to be used to accompany the verses of the Water Dreaming, sung at intervals during the painting process, June-August 1971 Photo: Michael Jensen Convinced of the groundbreaking importance of what he was witnessing, Bardon made comprehensive photographic, moving film and written records of the artists and the paintings that they produced while he was at Papunya. From his primary research, Bardon wrote three books and made three films that initiated public interest in Western Desert art. In 1988 Bardon was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his unique contribution to the Western Desert art movement. The Honey Ant Mural, July 1971 Geoffrey Bardon and his Arerrnte assistant, Obed Raggett, had noticed people drawing designs in the sand at Papunya. Following this precedent, they drew circles and spirals on the blackboard in an unsuccessful attempt to encourage their class of adolescent boys to paint a series of murals on a whitewashed, cement-rendered wall of the Papunya Special School. In late July 1971, after painting a series of smaller practice murals, seven painters collaborated in the painting of a monumental mural representing the Honey Ant Dreaming specific to the site of Papunya. Working under the direction of custodians Mick Wallangkarri Tjakamarra and Tom Onion Tjapangati, the artists included Kaapa Tjampitjinpa, Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri, Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra, Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula and Don Ellis Tjapanangka. The Honey Ant Mural, a bold expression of Aboriginal culture in a government settlement, occasioned great rejoicing at Papunya and inspired immense pride in the community. Geoffrey Bardon in front of the Honey Ant Mural, Papunya, August 1971 Photo: Robert Bardon  © artists and their estates 2011, licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited and Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd Pintupi people from the Western Desert Pintupi is the name of a Western Desert language spoken by Aboriginal people who belong to a large stretch of country in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia and the western edge of the Northern Territory. When the Pintupi arrived in the government settlements east of their traditional lands between the 1930s and the 1950s, they adopted the term ‘Pintupi’ to distinguish themselves from the surrounding Aboriginal inhabitants as the ‘people from the west’. They were among the last Aboriginal people in Australia to abandon their nomadic lifestyle, the last family arriving into the newly established community of Kiwirrkura in 1984. In Papunya, the Pintupi, bound to each other by their dominant loyalties of relatedness and kinship, were ostracised due to their lack of conversance with kartiya (non-Aboriginal) customs and their perceived lack of sophistication. Diversity within â€Å"dot art† – showing two different artists works. Uta Uta Tjangala – Traditional Artist Uta Uta Tjangala, who is an exemplar of the historical cultural tradition, Uta Uta’s painting career and reputation is closely aligned to the artistic renaissance that began at Papunya in 1971. He was a founding member of the men’s painting group, inspired other Pintupi tribesmen, and becoming one of the most senior and influential painters amongst the group. Born in Western Australia in Drovers Hills, he made the epic journey to Haasts Bluff with his family during the severe drought of the mid to late 1950’s in the company of Charlie Tarawa. Two years later, after returning to his homelands, he made the journey once more with Timmy Payungka, Pinta Pinta and their families. Uta Uta Tjangala (early years) Employed as a gardener at the Papunya school Uta Uta, then in his 40’s, became one of the original group drawing and painting on composition board with encouragement from art teacher Geoff Bardon. When supplying paints to Uta Uta and his gathering group of enthusiastic friends, Bardon suggested the men use their existing cultural symbols to depict their Dreamings and links to the land. The Pintupi men, having been pushed from their traditional homelands by government policy and European development, painted under a bough shelter behind the camp ‘pouring into their work their acute longing for the places depicted †¦ and chanting the song cycles that told the stories of the designs as they worked’ . These early works aroused strong protest within Aboriginal communities when first exhibited in Alice Springs in 1974 because of the disclosure of secret and sacred knowledge. A period of experimentation followed, resulting in the development of a symbolic language of classic ideograms and the characteristic dot covered areas that veil sacred elements from the uninitiated. The large, tribally mixed population of Papunya intensified the interaction, but under the influence of artists like Uta Uta, the painting group was able to break through the political and cultural constraints toward a safer stylistic conformity, and prepare the way for personal and distinctive styles to emerge. Uta Uta in particular, with his exciting and charismatic personality as well as his bold and dynamic style, played a vital role in these developments. Bardon recalled many years later, ‘everything that came from him was genuine’ . Uta Uta’s 1971 and 1972 paintings generally featured major story elements with only the barest dotted in-fill within the iconography and small sections of the background. The aesthetic balance and harmony of these works is derived through colour and weight rather than by a geometric division of the painted surface. The rather crude dotting and line work of these early paintings on board embues them with an energy and power that is less apparent in his later more technically proficient works. His paintings are far stronger and more powerful when the clean unadorned background remains, unlike paintings by his contemporary Kaapa, whose early works became more aesthetically appealing as he began to in-fill the background. In developing a style that censored the more secret and sacred content in his painting, Uta Uta added more dot-work as the years went by. He painted more Tingari sites completely surrounded by neat dots that became less and less detailed. Despite his advancing age during the late 1970’s he continued to paint as he spent increasing time at outstations west of Papunya and, at the beginning of the 1980’s, he completed what was to become one of the most important and revered works of the entire Western Desert art movement. Yumari 1981, possibly his largest and most significant painting, reveals the mythical Tingari ancestors traveling across vast stretches of country as they create sites and institute rituals. Yumari is a rocky outcrop in his home country and the key ceremonial site of the area. Story elements and natural features blend seamlessly into a beautifully balanced geometry of concentric circles and connecting lines that enclose a central, abstracted figure. This body continues rather than interrupts the intense, minutely dotted background configurations, yet still holds the central focus. The work is characterised by the sinuous movement of converging regular and irregular shapes, accentuated by outlining white dots. The predominant use of an earthy red alongside vivid yellow ochre, further emphasizes the assertive quality in this cohesive and powerful statement of Aboriginal tradition. The work was exhibited at the XVIII Bienal de Sao Paulo in 1983 and is now in the collection of the National Museum of Australia. While painting Yumari, important discussions were taking place at Papunya concerning the move back to the Pintupi homelands at Kintore. Land rights legislation during the 1970’s returned ownership of the land to its traditional owners and Uta Uta was a strong advocate for resettlement.

Gothic Story Essay

The advancing darkness overwhelmed his senses and the fear of the night crept upon him. Distant screams beyond the unavoidable forest seemed to draw him towards the tall trees ahead. He fearfully entered the overpowering forest, after a few footsteps in, the trees surrounded him at every angle and there was no escape. The journey had to continue, there was no turning back now. The scattered leaves and twigs crunched below his feet as he advanced further into the colossal forest, his nose was conquered by the dominant scent of burning wood and mud. The whispering footsteps of wild beastly animals seemed to be following his every motion, then the sudden roaring wind threw him off balance and he plummeted to the ground with a colossal thud. He rose to his feet immediately and a distance ahead of him he could see the moon light fighting through the dense trees. He proceeded in the direction in which he was originally travelling in. After a while of walking he became aware that the night was at its peak and nothing but death could be heard. He fearfully darted as rapid as he could and now the opening of the forest was near, he cleared the last of the trees, and he was now out of the mighty forest. In front of him stood an isolated castle, he sceptically approached the mammoth cast iron gates that towered far above him. The gates had huge rusted chains securing them, but they were not locked. He heaved the gates with great difficulty and managed to open a small gap that he was able to squeeze through. The gravel in advance of him seemed disturbed as if someone had already past over it recently, he continued anyway and the gravel crunched beneath his feet, the old cold stone castle was in front of him. He approached the huge rotting wooden doors, which were wide open and he slowly entered the vast hallway, a mighty bash was heard behind him, he spun around and realized that the doors had fastened. The hallway was damp, with a stale smell, it was decorated with ancient wallpaper and rotting furnishings, it seemed as if the place had been abandoned years ago and any previous owners are long dead, but judging by the size of the doors and gates the people who lived here must have been humongous. He progressed deeper into the ancient castle, he could hear dripping echoes around the corridor he had entered, the smell changed it was now a disgusting rotting smell as if something or someone had died in the area. Further forwards he saw an object hanging in the centre of the corridor in the distance but he could not tell what it was, the smell had become more dominant as he continued it was becoming unbearable, he reached the hanging object and to his disgust and astonishment was a man’s leg dangling from a piece of wire tied to a pipe above his head, the leg had already begun rotting away but a lot of flesh still remained, it appeared as if the leg was chopped of by a butchers knife or an axe. He had now reached the end of the corridor and was lingering at the top of a dark spiralling staircase, he descended slowly but fearfully into the darkness of the staircase that was slowly absorbing him, unable to see anything but his feet and the step he was treading on he would be unable to tell how many steps he would have to descend. Trusting himself he gripped onto the railing at one side of these stairs and went down one step at a time, he had descended masses of steps, he must have been going down for at least half an hour. Finally some light began to creep in as he continued downwards; he could now see the vast remaining number of steps beneath him begin to reveal themselves. He touched the walls for balance as he descended; they were as cold as ice. At last he discovered that the never-ending staircase was coming to an end. He reached the final step and felt a mixture of relief because the journey had ended and yet he was nervous as to what lay ahead. At the end of the stair case was a poorly lit room that was damp and dirty. There was blood everywhere; all over the walls and a huge puddle where he was standing. In the centre of the room he found a bleeding man tied to a small wooden chair with thick ropes. In the man’s leg a large butcher’s knife had been wedged deep into his flesh. The room was empty except for a large steel door at the back of the room. The door swung open and a giant man with a huge blood soaked knife stood at the door saturated in shadow.

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Statistical Estimation of Healthy Life Expectancy - Research Paper Example Model selection was performed using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 11.01. Values for Mallows' Cp were computed manually based on values derived from the computerized models. Scatter plot of the models are, however, performed in Microsoft Excel (2003) for more presentable rendition. To facilitate estimation of the most significant predictors of healthy life expectancy (HALE), one-variable linear regression was performed on each of the 22 predictor variables. To assist in the refinement of the first multi-variable model, a scatter plot of p vs. Mallows' Cp is shown in Figure 1. It may be gleaned from the scatter plot in Figure 1 that four predictor variables X2, X9, X20, and X22 are outliers, while the rest of the other predictor variables were concentrated in the area on the plot encircled in red. The predictors were divided into three blocks: (1) block 1 variables consist of those assumed from the results of the one-variable regression models which can most significantly predict HALE; (2) block 2 variables were those assumed to be moderate predictors of HALE; and (3) block 3 variables were those assumed to be least significant predictors of HALE. Criteria used in grouping the results of... Model selection was performed using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 11.01. Values for Mallows' Cp were computed manually based on values derived from the computerized models. Scatter plot of the models are, however, performed in Microsoft Excel (2003) for more presentable rendition. Preliminary Analysis To facilitate estimation of the most significant predictors of healthy life expectancy (HALE), one-variable linear regression was performed on each of the 22 predictor variables. To assist in the refinement of the first multi-variable model, a scatter plot of p vs. Mallows' Cp is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Scatter plot of p vs Mallows' Cp It may be gleaned from the scatter plot in Figure 1 that four predictor variables X2, X9, X20, and X22 are outliers, while the rest of the other predictor variables were concentrated in the area on the plot encircled in red. Modeling and Analysis The predictors were divided into three blocks: (1) block 1 variables consist of those assumed from the results of the one-variable regression models which can most significantly predict HALE; (2) block 2 variables were those assumed to be moderate predictors of HALE; and (3) block 3 variables were those assumed to be least significant predictors of HALE. Criteria used in grouping the results of the one-variable regression models were: (1) computed values of Mallows' Cp which most closely approached the value of p; (2) coefficient of determination (R2), delimited to those capable of predicting the variance in HALE by at least 50% (R = > 0.500); (3) highly correlated, based on the Pearson correlation coefficient (0.70 < r < 1.00); and (4) values of the sum of squares of the residuals are to be less

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Critque of counselling session DVD - Essay Example It is imperative for families not to view a problem as caused and owned by any particular member, but family therapies help in identifying ways in which specific problems result from various family dynamics. This has led to five major theories of family therapy as would be discussed considering the therapy session of Paul & Lisa counseling session. Psychoanalysis described how unresolved family problems from the past may continue to haunt the family in the present (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2004), with many mental illnesses according to Bowen’s school resulting from dysfunctional patterns in the family system (Nelson, 2003). One hypothesis that can be formed from Paul and Lisa Counseling session is that effective communication among the family members had already broken down, and the counselor failed in defining a favorable communication atmosphere where the clients considered themselves as individuals with a common perspective. This is against Minuchin’s family perspective of not viewing any member as an individual, but the person within the family (Minuchin, 1974). In Paul and Lisa’s family, every member was a separate individual, as noted from their tendencies to have diverse and different perspectives with a blame game among the family members. Every individual in such a case has to be considered as â⠂¬Å"an individual in his social context† (Minuchin 1974, 3). A family is thus a natural association of individuals who take and develop specific structures recognized by the â€Å"patterns of interaction† in their lives (Minuchin & Fisherman 1981, 11). Another hypothesis as can be derived from the session is that the therapist overlooked important issues in refusing to include the children in the session, but are brought out as a major cause of the family conflict. Paul comments that mark was â€Å"just spoilt and rotten.† Parents had also played a major role in defining a

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FEASIBILITY REPORT ON A CALL DIRECTORY SUPPLIER Research Paper

FEASIBILITY REPORT ON A CALL DIRECTORY SUPPLIER - Research Paper Example Therefore, the Reens Nigria Limited will purely sell directional information to its customers. Nonetheless, the information is intended to change very moment; thus, the company has considering running or operating on state of heart information providing service that will ensure that the customer is provided with accurate information (Dowling and Reinke 47). Additionally, the same information devises shall ensure that the customer never fails to be informed on their concern. Notably, the company will deal with professionals who will be able to multitask, in this sense they will be able to provide the customers with all the information that they require only on a one call service. Moreover, the company intends to tell on providing entertainment information including information clients on what movies are scheduled in their cinema halls. The Reens Nigria Limited intends to make its services affordable to its entire customer. Notably, it call service number 07009009000 will cost a custom er N30 per minute of call. The calls will be on second billing and will be available for customers using landline phones as well as mobile phones. The company’s head office is physically on the Plot 6A Tecee Drive, in the Ehoru Estate along School Road, Elelenwo, and Port-Harcourt of the Rivers State. The call center agents are expected to be friendly and accommodative of the clients’ questions and concerns of their directions; below are some images expected of our call center agent. Pictures retrieved from http://www.canstockphoto.com/images-photos/callcenter.html. Pictures a, b, c, e, f, and g show our clients at work while d shows the network of client that each of our call service employee can service with 59 minutes. Notably, pictures a, b, e, f, and g show how workers at the call center will be verifying clients’ information for accurate information delivery. Introduction Many people usually seek information concerning place, transport systems, and enterta inment services. Most of this information is usually available at the disposal of persons seeking such information. Therefore, it will be quite advantage to the clients and persons seeking such information. However, it will be vital for the Reens Nigria Limited to seek the use of numerous technologically related business ventures that will help it ensure that it has all the information that the client may require. It should be noted that failure to provide sucking formation needed by the client will be deemed as a failure on the delivery of the company and this may lead to bad reputation; thus, affecting the functionality and profitability of the company (Dowling and Reinke 72). The Reens Nigria Limited aims at providing local and to certain level, long distance telephone services. Therefore, it must seek the consultation and collaboration of advanced technologies in the communication sectors that include wireless communication services, fiber optics, internet, and satellite service s. Additionally, since Reens Nigria limited is not only encompassed with providing geographical information only, but also entertainment information services, Reens Nigria Limited must incorporate cable TV systems to help it in providing the entertainment services. The use of high speed internet will never be an option but a must thing for the Reens Nigria Limited (Abels and Klein 132). It is through such speedy internet services that it can access Google maps among other GPR services to provide information to the customer without delay. It should be not

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The characteristics of small business owners‟, and the nature of small business in general - Essay Example Small businesses are usually sole proprietorship companies that are run by individuals or families. The success of small businesses largely depends on their owners and the resources available to them (English, 2006). There are many desirable characteristics of small business owners, namely (a) opportunity seekers, (b) risk-takers, (c) persistent, (d) committed to work, (e) goal setters, (f) information seekers, (g) knows how to demand for quality and efficiency, (h) good in planning and monitoring, (i) persuasive and knows how to communicate ideas, and (j) confident ((English, 2006; English and Moate, 2009; Deakins, and Freel, 2009). To get a clearer picture of how small businesses work and what important characteristics small business owners should have, let us discuss these things one by one. II. Characteristics of Small Businesses in General One of the main advantages of small businesses is flexibility and the ability to move quickly (Deakins, and Freel, 2009). Note that in small businesses, the owners are usually at the helm of the operations and can decide immediately on issues concerning the business. Also, in small businesses, there are very few management levels which make decision-making processes less complicated (Deakins, and Freel, 2009). Since small businesses are flexible, it can easily jump into certain opportunities. ... This kind of open and fluid communication is usually absent in bigger companies so it takes longer time for bigger companies to decide on certain production issues and meet the demands of the market. Small businesses have many disadvantages but they also have disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantages of small businesses is limited capital. Most small businesses are financed directly from the pocket of their owners so they do not usually have that much start-up capital (Gerber, 2001). Generating capital through bank loans may also prove to be quite a challenge for small businesses since they establishments do not have enough assets to serve as guarantee for loans (Gerber, 2001). In most cases, small business owners have to mortgage their personal properties to finance their businesses. Since small businesses have limited capital, these establishments may find it difficult to development their products properly and reach their target market efficiently (Gerber, 2001). Operating o n shoe-string budget often takes its toll on small businesses and many of these establishments go bankrupt during the first six months of operation. III. Characteristics of Small Business Owners Running a small business is challenging and it takes a special breed of entrepreneurs to set-up and run this kind of establishment. According to Zahra et al. (2009), running a small business is like running a guerilla army with limited resources in a flexible environment that allows the entrepreneur to innovate and be creative. As earlier mentioned in this essay, there are many desirable characteristics of small business owners. In order to survive in a very competitive market, small business owners must know how to spot opportunities and act

Why patient outcomes are improved when cared for on specialised Stoke Essay

Why patient outcomes are improved when cared for on specialised Stoke Units - Essay Example Advances in diagnostic aids and medical treatment have come to the aid of the treatment of stroke. Multidisciplinary specialized stroke units have evolved as a sequel to these developments. Specialized stroke units have demonstrated the capability of improving the outcomes of stroke patients. Recommendations: Sound development of specialized stroke units as the means for treatment of stroke patients. Medical, nursing and therapist educational facilities to incorporate educational strategies to provide for the development of these members of the multidisciplinary specialized stroke unit. Additional research into is required into areas for which, evidence is currently not completely validated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of specialist stroke units, when compared to other medical care modes like speciality wards and general wards, on the outcome of patients that have undergone a stroke event. A further aim of this study is to show that specialist stroke units provide better outcomes for stroke patients, as opposed to general wards or other speciality wards, by evaluating the outcomes of patients treated in stroke units as compared to speciality and general wards. The outcomes that would be investigated to provide clarity in the comparison of stroke units to general wards or other speciality wards would include mortality and disability rates, length of stay, development of complications, rehabilitation potential, cost effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Around the world stroke is attracting more and more attention as a medical problem of growing dimensions. The attention is not restricted to the field of medical studies, but has also drawn the attention of the health authorities and the media. This is because stroke has a considerable impact on the socio-economic status of communities around the globe. It was initially thought that stroke was a problem of the western developed

Property Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Property Law - Essay Example rchase; Dave has an equitable interest in the leasehold of the garage for the duration of ten years, and; Max has at least a vested interest in the property because he has been living in its grounds during those times when Bob was not around. The circumstances under which Peter bought the property seemingly fall squarely with the textbook definition of the term â€Å"bona fide purchaser for value without notice.† A bona fide purchaser for value without notice is defined as a buyer of the land for a considerable sum of money without knowledge of existing equitable interests over the land. Title at law is enforceable against the whole world. â€Å"A person who is such a bona fide purchaser for value and without notice is known as ‘equity’s darling’, and will take a legal estate free from equitable interests.1 In other words, a bona fide purchaser for value with legal title and without notice therefore has a right against everyone including equitable titles and interests. Bob contributed to the purchase price in the amount of GBP 50, 000 and took up residence within the Wimbledon Property, first in the main house and later, when his relationship with Vicky went sour, converted the barn to a residential building and continued his residency there. His clothes and his other things are left in the converted barn. Albeit that he now lives during the weekdays with a girlfriend in the city, he showed no intention of abandoning his stay in Wimbledon. As a matter of fact, he allowed his brother Max to keep house during the times he was away. On the basis of his contribution to the purchase of the house, Bob has acquired an equitable right over the property, notwithstanding that this was an amount not so huge vis-à  -vis Vicky’s GBP 400.000. Prior to the present land registration law viz., The Land Registration Act of 2002, there was no need to register equitable interests, only ownership over the land. As discussed above, however, even equitable rights can be defeated.

Cost of delivery Essay Example for Free

Cost of delivery Essay 1. The chain stores’ request to reduce cycle time by shipping directly to the stores would seriously affect the service model and delivery costs for BKI. Because, the proposed model would mean that BKI would have to process more number of deliveries in smaller quantities and transport them separately to each store. Cost of delivery will increase due to smaller quantities to be delivered directly to stores resulting in more trips, farther distances and lower economies of scale. This is in complete contrast to the more structured and systematic current model of weekly deliveries of standard quantities to the stores’ warehouses. 2. In my opinion, Joe Rutner’s proposal of establishing a set of six company-owned facilities to act as regional DCs seems to be a step in the right direction for taking on the supply chain requirements of BKI’s customers in the future. Rather than dismissing this store’s request as a one-off case and handling it on a temporary basis, Rutner has proposed a solution that is likely to take the company forward into the future. He understands that the retail stores are themselves are looking to cut costs by improving their inventory and supply chain management and such requests would become common from most if not all of the existing customers. Moreover the new retail stores mushrooming in the market are likely to have less regional facilities and would need the proposed arrangement from BKI. 3. The matter of ownership of these facilities is very important for the success of this proposed supply chain arrangement as the management of BKI needs to study the long term impact of the costs involved. In the long term it would be better if BKI goes for direct ownership of the facilities as it would benefit the profitability of the operations by keeping the costs of maintenance lower than those involved in the alternatives such as co-owned or franchisee structure. However, the management will have to consider the availability of capital resources if it opts for direct ownership. The capital required for the facilities could be lowered to an extent by going for rented building rather than constructing new premises. This would decrease the time required to implement the new proposal also.

Devised Work Challenging Established Ideas Of Drama Film Studies Essay

Devised Work Challenging Established Ideas Of Drama Film Studies Essay Foremost, it is important to establish what is meant by the devising process. The devising process is an approach; an approach undertaken by a whole Company, in creating a performance of some kind. It focuses on the long process of exploration allowing the performers to free their imagination and bodies(Complicite, 1). Each branch of the process develops from play and improvisation, instigated by games and exercises. The more traditional and established ideas of conventional drama, focuses upon the often patriarchal, hierarchal relationship between playwright and director (Oddey 1996, 4). The practises of conventional drama therefore rely upon the interpretation of the playwrights text, and the handling of the text by the director and actors, and how this then becomes realised on stage, through a production process in a theatre building (Oddey 1996, 4). Historically, Post War British theatre has rooted its practises with the play text and playwright. Thus the emphasis has always been upon the relationship between the writing and the performance. However, as an alternative the devising process offers a collective creation of theatre, rather than the importance being solely upon the writer. As Oddey states Devised work or the process is more of a response and a reaction to the playwright-director relationship(Oddey 1996, 4). Yet it is still met with a sub-genre perception in terms of theatre form, with the only reason being, it has not been constructed in the establishedway of making theatre from playwright, via director and actors, to performance(Oddey 1996, 4). Surely the devising process should be accepted as an approach nonetheless than traditional approaches in theatre. For even though it takes the opposite view, inevitably challenging established ideas, its purpose is not in replacing traditional forms but instead creating a new path where artistic endeavour can be expressed. The devising approach allows different forms and mediums to come together, rather than the focus being on traditional text-based performances or the exploration of naturalism. It reveals an inclination almost always towards the physical, surreal, and the abstract and is often instigated by a conceptual genesis that potentially eventuates in to its own language of non-verbal forms (Oddey 1996, 5). This was definitely found true during the semester, in which our focus was on devising our summative performances. Initially, after receiving our stimulus, of Hansel Gretel, we were encouraged immediately to start working on our feet. We participated in games and exercises that seemed to be far from the outcome of any performance. However, the utilising of this process enabled us to experiment from scratch and help initialise our final ideas. For example, the use of balloons and toys incorporated into the games we played helped establish the foundations for our final piece. Abstract notions certainly grew out of these games, where we tended to explore the space using our physicality rather than prompts from a premeditated script. Physical expression seemed to grow out and become the dominant form, whilst experiencing the devising process. However, there were still concerns about the approach and whether, in comparison to the traditional forms of drama, the outcome of our piece would be just as relatable and comprehendible to our audience. Thus it carried the unknown risk of whether we would be able to actualise our ideas into a tangible creation. All dramatic form encompasses a certain amount of risk. However, it is appropriate to comment that through the experience of this module, Devising encounters the highest factor. This probably stems from creating something initially from scratch that revolves potentially around the physicality of the body, more so than the written word. Furthermore, as Joan Schirle states There is no guarantee that the best ideas will emergeor that the simultaneous contributions of numbers of people can unite in a work of power and vision(Schirle 2005, 91). During our summative projects, we had to combat this barrier in particular, as effectively as possible. Everyone wanted to see their own vision realised and sometimes this meant it was difficult to maintain a calm composure and not bombard or pressure others into taking on your idea. On the other hand, we found holding back was just as detrimental. We discovered that it was important to determine the balance of vision, enthusiasm and acceptance and respect for others and structure our rehearsal processes by this policy, so that we could utilise our development time successfully. Another factor that suggests the Devising process carries more risk than other art forms is the developmental time allotted. Of course with any approach, traditional or alternative, there is a finite amount of time to explore and create. Still the traditional approach uses the script, which potentially dictates every aspect of the production, therefore assumingly making work the more easier; for example, the characters, the set, the length of the piece have already been decided, to name a few. However, the devising process can be infinite to an extent and therefore challenges the established approaches as aforementioned. For it is not bound by a play-text, but instead, is a process of un-layering and exploring a world of tangents. Yet with this supposedly new found freedom of breaking away from the traditional rules that are laid down within script work, there was still a reluctance to compromise personal artistic ideals(Schirle 2005, 91). I experienced this certainly within our group, where there was an overwhelming concern of what others might think. I found this frustrating as it wasnt related to the task at hand, of which was to create a comprehendible piece of drama. It was more about the testing of barriers, and how others would react to new drama. Surely drama, conventional or alternative, aims to provoke, disturb, question or consolidate thought, for its audience, for society. This timorousness towards the devising process, probably instigated by entrenched traditional approaches, seemed to echo the words of Raymond Chandler There is no art without resistance from the medium(Schirle 2005, 91). Devising is an approach that challenges traditional forms of drama through its ability to constantly redefine performance. It entices us as artists to formulate new techniques to communicate our reflection to society. Upon reflection of the process of our Devised work it was interesting to experience a new way in working with drama. We saw our initial idea of Hansel and Gretel encounter many tangents along the way. There was a constant battle of vision after vision, which led us down far away paths. However, working through this maze it was always important to come back and realise the aims and the outcome that we collaboratively wanted to create. Within the process of devising, the many tangents and themes that can potentially be discovered, was at times overpowering. Trying to incorporate too many ideas, in such little time, was almost an impossible feat. In comparison to established practises of drama, this approach was much more challenging. For example, a script in some respects has done the legwork for you. It has been carefully constructed and planned with a vast amount of time in perfecting it. Within the devising process there is no initial structure of which to fall back on, therefore making the struggle for ideas to be realised on stage or in performance that much harder. Nonetheless it does provide the opportunity, in contrast to established approaches, to be boundless in creativity. Furthermore, within the devising process, the initial genesis of a piece can be changed and its original intention significantly altered. Throughout our summative piece we encountered such a happening. It came to be justified in changing the intention of our piece to reflect a specific theme, food. Initially, we wanted to recreate the Hansel and Gretel story, with the incorporation of different forms of theatre, and the exploration of many themes. However, due to time constraints, it became clear that the focus on one particular theme would be more appropriate. It was through discovery in games and exercises that we came back to the relatable theme of food. Throughout the rehearsal process, we tried to re-create this, and eventually came back to our fairytale, interweaving its plot line through our performance. It was then realised that the problematic relationship of writing to devising cannot be ignored(Heddon 2006, 110). In comparison to traditional approaches to drama this conund rum is practically non-existent (Heddon 2006, 11) and therefore the decision to incorporate a director figure head, of which we would all take turns at, was undertaken. This benefited our piece positively as we were able to gain an objective insight in to the work we were creating. In hindsight we perhaps needed more of a figure head to aid the process in devising our final piece. We discovered how easy it was to lose track of our vision and it was always beneficial to have someone listening in to make sure we didnt lose focus or stray too far away from our vision. In terms of my personal development I feel the devising approach as a process, has enlightened me to the endless possibilities of interaction between different forms and mediums of drama; that necessarily wouldnt take place using a Shakespearian text for example. We did decide to explore different forms of drama, and considered naturalism and realism as one of the routes to explore in our piece. However, due to the physically expressive nature of our piece, it did not fit well, suggesting that introducing more traditional forms of theatre wasnt going to work in this type of performance. The practitioners that our group were mostly influenced by were the theatre companies whose expressivity lay in physical theatre. For example, Frantic Assembly, and Shockheaded Peter were a great inspiration to our group. We specifically looked at Frantic Assemblys production of Stockholm, an interesting collaboration that interweaved amazing physical scenes around food. It was through this inspiration that we came to create unison movements that would achieve the effect of being both shocking and mesmerising to our audience. Shockheaded Peter was influential in inspiring our costume and makeup designs. Their fun and fabulous use of masks and elaborate makeup, juxtaposed with sometimes normal outfits, engaged our group in creating a similar contrast. We particularly wanted to overindulge the face, seeing as it is such a prolific body part relating to food, and create it as the centre of focus for the audience. There were times during the process where we experienced low momentum, simultaneously stumbling across a devisors block. At times this was bitterly frustrating, as we were all significantly aware of time constraints placed upon this process. In restoring our motivation, we went back to our roots, to become invigorated. This encompassed researching and reflecting on music, art or drama that we felt was inspiring to us. It worked very well, as more often than not a quick emergence into such creativity produced a flash of thought that provided a way out of the darkness. In conclusion, it is clear that the devising process has initiated a change in my concept of the text, expanding it to various forms of media, of which can all equally be as successful as a written piece. Furthermore, I have fortunately been able to gain a new skill set, enabling me to develop another way in approaching material. The process has been both a flexible and fun approach that has helped to initiate the breakdown of barriers between colleagues and the material presented to us at the very beginning. The journey has been one of discovery and opportunity, opening a new spectrum to the world of creative expression.

The factors that affect venture creation

The factors that affect venture creation ABSTRACT This research was conducted to examine the factors that positively or negatively affecting venture creation. Previous of researches concentrate on discussing the variable affecting the formation of new business; while this research intends to examine a new set of barrier and motivation variables influenced entrepreneurship. Random sample of entrepreneurs who were formed a small business, another group of respondents who intended to create new business, but they were found barriers to create the business. 73 participants take part in this research to identify the motivation barrier factors in the process of new venture creation. Factor analysis was performed to examine the aspects that motivate or barrier the creation of new business in Egypt. Correlation matrix analysis was performed to examine the motive and barrier causes to determine its importance. Variable should be over 0.50 Factor loading to be included in the factor. The relative importance of the result motives and barriers factors were determined by undertaking a descriptive analysis. Finally, testing if there is or not any difference in terms of the result factors. Significant difference between education level and both (Independence and Lack of Skills), result show that respondent with high education level are independent and have skills more than respondent with low education level. Age group is significantly affecting the independence factor. Moreover affect the complaint cost, implies that older respondent are more independent and have a capital more than younger respondents. Marital status found insignificant on motivate or barrier to create a new venture. Years of Experience found significant in terms of intrinsic rewards, lack of capital and compliant cost. Type of business found significant in terms of Extrinsic Rewards, Lack of Capital and Lack of Skills. Keywords: Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, New Venture, Small Business INTRODUCTION Entrepreneur creates value by carrying out new combinations causing discontinuity (Schumpeter 1936). According to (UNCTAD, 2007), business size defined based on the number of employees within the company, 0-9 (micro-businesses), 10-49 (small businesses), 50-249 (medium-sized businesses), 250 or more (large businesses). Numerous of Egyptian governmental authorities hardly work to foster the activities in different industries; The Industrial Modernization Program (IMP) is one of many initiatives of the Government of Egypt (GOE) supported by the European Commission (EC). Objective of this initiative is to help small business to develop global competitiveness in the industrial sector, to be able to benefit from the new opportunities that will follow the introduction of free trade and exposure to international markets. The Industrial Modernization Centre (IMC) is the implementation arm of the Program. Under IMP, Integrated Technical Assistance to Egyptian industrial companies will be delivered using business upgrading, training and export promotion services. This will address both companies determined to meet the competitive needs of the domestic market place, as well as those targeting export markets. Social Fund for Development (SFD), one of the most important mechanisms of society to change for the better as a safety net, reduce unemployment, create job opportunities and financing of small and micro business. Many aspects control the ability of create new ventures. Legal, political, and cultural environment directly impacts entrepreneurial activities and the ability to contribute to the economic development. International organizations, i.e., World economic forum (WEF), OECD and EUROSTATE designed indicators to measure the entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide and publish the indicators result in international publication in different languages and distributed worldwide. Networked readiness index (NRI) and Global competitiveness report (GCR), Global information technology report (GITR), is the most important report that produced by WEF. However, these publications determine the rank of each country. Investors depend on these reports to recognize investment opportunities. Several of barriers halt the creation of new venture; regulatory barriers come in the first important reasons affecting business formation. Regulations described as the policies that venture face during the formation phase, i.e. tax, labor market, fund, governmental regulations. Cultural and social barriers influence the creation of new venture. Lack of information and logistics about the market hold the business and exposed to risk. The promotion of entrepreneurial culture must be fostered in order to improve the motivation of persons for entrepreneurial activities. Economic and financial barriers strongly affect entrepreneurship, the risk of loss and fail is always dominant to stop the business. The tendency of self-employment is an important indicator of the success in creating a market economy. According to Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (2010 Q2), 14.5 % of the national workforce were self-employment managing employees, 12.1 % of the national workforce were self-employment and doesnt have employees to manage. According to (The Global Information Technology Report 2009-2010), Egypt ranked 41 for Venture capital availability, 63 for Business sophistication. 34 for Number of procedures required to start a business. 21 for Time required to start a new business, over 133 economy economies from the developing and developed world. That imply that governmental policies and procedures taken to foster the creation of new business and encourage SMEs to growth. Egyptian government gives especial interest to small business to enhance their capabilities to growth and face the local and international market. Egyptian government gives a different type of incentives for small business in different industries; information technology, agricultural and manufactures activities in the front of government interest to foster the economic and social development. Government gives donations and rebate for exporting goods outside Egypt reach to 10% of the total export sales amount. Therefore, the company can compete, take more international market share and enlarge business. To foster entrepreneurship, we need to recognize the barriers that affect entrepreneurship to overwhelm the barriers and create new policies, procedures to create a new venture. Many studies concentrate on the opportunities and challenge the entrepreneurs face in starting up new business. However, (Shaver Scott, 1991) have argued that traits approach would be a productive perspective in studying entrepreneurship. (Finnerty Krzystofik, Jul 1985) found insignificant influence among five demographic groups, gender, age, education level, salary and years of experience. Research raised some interesting result guide to some sort of deeply research, why gender position and number of dependents related to male or female affect the formation of new business, result also found that three important factors most influence creation of new business: 1) Market potential, 2) ability to secure finance, 3) return of investment and satisfaction of creation the business. This implies that family commitment enforces ones and becomes under stress to fulfill family needs. Ones will do anything possible to save reasonable life for his/her dependents. (Gendron, Feb 2000) Innovation involves a lot of trial and error. Entrepreneur tries on a small scale, and if he/she success, enlarge the scale of experiment, and if not, tries another. Big companies not built as big, i.e. Hotmail. It was a small entrepreneurial idea then developed and become the very large project. (Bhide, 2000) The characteristics of promising new venture and their founders are carefully defined and contrasted with those of more established firms, and we must examine the issue of the entrepreneurial personality. (JoAnn C Carland, Oct 2000) Although the concept of entrepreneurship still new, there is a big deal of researches in that area and more is being planned as entrepreneurship has finally come into fashion as a popular concept today. Recognize the phenomenon of entrepreneurship is unlikely given that we seem to jump into the middle of the process, business performance and growth, while neglecting its backgrounds. They explain the evidence that venture initiation acts of human choice, and to recognize why a person and not another chooses to create a venture. Over the past two decades, huge corporate reducing has led governments around the world to increasingly acknowledge entrepreneurs as key contributors to new job creation and economic growth. Egypt has joined the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research project in 2008. Place Egypt on the global map of entrepreneurship and benchmarks its entrepreneurial performance against that in 42 developed and developing economies. According to (World Bank, 2011) Egypt has risen to 94th out of 183 economies in the 2011 Doing Business report, issued jointly by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), after coming in 99th in the last years report. That implies the significant progress in the process of improvement undertaken by the Egyptian government to fostering the creation of new business. Why new venture is important? The new business role in enhancing community and developing economies was studied widely in prior researches, since new ventures to contribute significantly in economics development. Small Business is a job generator, and it has a great part in solving the unemployment problems. So, the Egyptian government has strongly emphasized on developing and encouraging entrepreneur to start and gives them many incentives. We cannot business startup a business without motivation (Robertson, et al. 2003). The common possible factors that affect entrepreneurial performance are the individual, social and environmental (Kavitha, et al., 2008). According to (Gibb, 1993) social factors may involve individual knowledge, family background, and stage of career, life experiences and growth environment. Small businesses form the largest business sector in every world economy (Culkin Smith, 2000). Research shows that small firms play a vital role in the flourishing economy. Since it shares in the real gross domestic product, employ a huge number of workforce. Moreover, self-employment serves as an opportunity for many of the people to better themselves by taking their fate (and risks) into their own hands and generating new businesses. In countries such as Malaysia, Brazil, Philippines, and India, small businesses can comprise as much as 60% of all companies. Even in Africa, businesses create more employment and generate more output than large businesses. However, In spite of small business dominance and its role both in terms of absolute numbers and its contributions in economic activity), small businesses are known by high failure rates and poor performance levels (Jocumsen, 2004). Previous studies outline some challenges and some opportunities facing entrepreneurs. People vary in their willingness and ability to engage in the entrepreneurial Process because of how they perceive the surrounding environment -challenges and. motivations- and translate their perceptions of risk and opportunity according to their norms and preferences. This variation influences the entrepreneurial decisions. Challenges facing the small ventures like, Taxes and Regulation. Small business owners frequently cite tax and regulatory policies as a concern, global competition (Chad Moutray, October 2008). In another survey which focused on the challenges and growth strategies of small businesses conducted by accounting group. The main findings were reported from 6000 independent small and medium businesses across 19 countries find that the competitive environment, the availability of a skilled workforce, financial problem, bureaucracy, lack of knowledge about markets, and political and social instability were the main challenges face small business. Global competition, lack of human resource/ development skills and access to adequate finance are the main challenges face all business in Africa (Brinders et al., 2003). The challenges differ from country to another but in all countries these challenges affect negatively on the success and survival of the enterprises. Motivations It is often said that a person cannot win a game that they do not play. In the context of entrepreneurship, this statement suggests that success depends on peoples willingness to become entrepreneurs. A business will neither start up nor succeed without motivation (Robertson et al, 2003). Motivation is reported as an individuals positive inner desire to start a business like, owners need to take control and change his/her work status as an employee, being ones own boss, wealth creation, lifestyle change and the desire to use or apply personal experiences and knowledge (Burke, et al., 2002); (Birley Westhead 1994); (Mason Pinch 1991); (Singh DeNoble 2003). The positive inner called pull forces. Furthermore, there are some negative motivations affect this decision. It is called negative drivers or negative motivation such as job frustration, lack of advancement opportunities, avoidance of low-paid occupations, escape from supervision and unemployment and retrenchment (Mo ore Buttner, 1997). These negative inner called push forces. Typically, small business ownership occurs from the combination of both pull and push forces. Combination of pull and push motivations that drive small venture is determined by the expectations of a positive change in personal circumstance, being ones own boss, personal freedom, personal satisfaction, a less rigid, more flexible lifestyle and more job satisfaction. (Al-Zubeidi, 2005) Then educational level combined with age, gender, ethnicity, and industry, to determine the relationships between founders educational background, and business success. (Harada, Nov 2004) examine whether the total factor productivity is affected by the human capital and gender of entrepreneurs, Empirical results also show that age has a significantly negative effect on productivity, and the negative effect increases after 60 years of age. The results specify the importance of starting up while young. Feasibility study, assessment of entrepreneur characteristics for some extent determines the approval of the project and the amount of governmental funds. (Liang, et al., 2007) in their study to examine the triggering factors to create the new venture found that the popular reason to start the new business was saw an opportunity 80.5%. A large proportion of the respondents indicated want to reach my full potential. (Shaw, et al., 2009) discuss the interaction between gender, entrepreneurial capital and firm performance; they examine how gender forms the possession of entrepreneurial capital and discusses the effects of capital variance for business performance. They found that male owners were more than double as likely to hire staff. In total, 33 % of male owners, but only 17 % of female owners hire additional staff, another finding that significant gender differences in two out of seven personal goals, with female business owner rating, personal achievement, challenging yourself and personal vision more highly than their male counterparts. (Krasniqi, 2009) The males, those who live in urban areas in a larger family, have a higher chance to involve in entrepreneurial activities, while a feeble positive effect of age and insignificant effect of marital status are found. (Orser Dyke, 2009) for some extent the importance of success criteria differed by gender, but not all success criteria: male and female managers and entrepreneurs did not differ with respect to the importance related to work-life balance. For female, an increase in the importance related to professional autonomy was associated with decreased chance of being employed in a management role. For male, an increase in importance related to financial issues was reflected in an increase chance of being employed in a management role. (Korunka, et al., 2010) build a model based on literature and case research. Family inactivity is considered to be a barrier factor to prevent the creation of forceful capabilities. They also found that family inactivity depends on characteristics of the family business culture, where entrepreneurial orientation influence family inactivity positively and negatively, respectively. The objective of this research is to identify the aspects triggers of barriers the creation of new venture. Study of these aspects helps government authorities to set policies and procedures to facilitate the growth of small business that leads to more contributions in domestic growth product (GDP). The previous literature forms the body of analysis and tries to answer the questions. 1) Does the demographic variable have a significant influence on motivation to create the new venture? 2) Does the demographic variable have a significant influence on the barrier to create the new venture? This paper will study external motivation/challenges and also the internal traits which affect the entrepreneurs decision to start up or stop venture in the rural area in Egypt. The study will concentrate on Giza, Cairo and Helwan governorates While, it does not discuss the policy solutions. Two hypotheses emerged. They are: H1: Demographic variable has a significant influence on motivation creating the new venture. H1a: Extrinsic Rewards H1b: Independence H1c: Personal Rewards H1d: Intrinsic Rewards H2: Demographic variable has a significant influence to the barrier creating the new venture. H2a: Lack of Capital H2b: Lack of Skills H2c: Compliant Costs MATERIALS AND METHODS The data from entrepreneurs was collected in several areas, including the entrepreneurs business motivations information, problems and barriers they faced. Setting: The research was conducted two questionnaires, one to measure the motivations and the second questionnaire to measure the obstacles and barriers the entrepreneurs found in starting up new ventures. The frequency analysis was used to describe the many types of variables, which were related to the entrepreneurs. Participants: A total number of 73 participants took part in the research article. From the sample, respondent sample stated below in Table 1. The data used for this research was collected from Giza, Cairo and Helwan governorates in the period November and December 2010; methodology of collecting data was a face to face interview. Reliability: Test Reliability test was concerned with the degree to which a measurement was free of error, and we can depend on it to measure. The result revealed a value of 0.73 for motivation factors and 0.81 for barrier factors, which suggest a fair level of internal consistency within the data collected, since the acceptable value is 0.70 or higher (McKinniRE:s et al. 2001). RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Table 1 show demographic variables into two groups that create a new venture and those didnt. There were no significant differences between the groups in five areas: marital status, education level, age group and years of experience. Significant difference is found in two areas: gender and type of business by 90% confidence interval. Table 1: Demographic Profile of Start-Up vs. Non-Start-Up New Venture Item Create New Venture Percentage Responding in Each Category à Ã¢â‚¬ ¡2 Sig. Gender Male Female 3.25a 0.07 Yes 26 (76.5%) 8 (23.5%) No 22 (56.4%) 17 (43.6%) Marital Status Single Married W Children Married WO Children 0.34b 0.84 Yes 27(79.4%) 3 (8.82%) No 5 (74.4%) 29(12.82%) Education Level Lower Tertiary Tertiary Master Doctorate 0.89c 0.64 Yes 24(70.6%) 10(29.41%) No 1 (2.6%) 27 (69.2%) 11(28.2%) Age Group 30-40 41-50 51-60 5.03d 0.17 Yes 4 (11.8%) 26 (76.5%) 3 (8.8%) 1 (2.9%) No 6 (15.4%) 23 (59.0%) 10 (25.6%) Years of Experience 5-10 11-15 15-20 > 20 years 2.25e 0.69 Yes 5 (14.7%) 11 (32.4%) 8 (23.5%) 9 (26.5%) 1(2.9%) No 3 (7.7%) 13 (33.3%) 9(23.1%) 10(25.6%) 4(10.3%) Type of Business Product Service Both 5.15f 0.08 Yes 9 (26.5%) 19 (55.9%) 6 (17.6%) No 3 (7.7%) 30 (76.9%) 6 (15.4%) Table 2: Correlation and Importance of Motivation Variables to Create New Venture Motivation Factors Mean Std. Dev. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1. To challenge myself 4.12 1.01 -0.02 0.15 0.13 .34** 0.00 0.17 .33** 0.17 0.17 -.10 .24* .27* -0.07 -.080 0.20 .28* 2. To realize my dream 4.23 0.91 0.16 0.19 0.22 .60** 0.13 0.18 .37** .29* 0.09 -.18 -.41** .24* 0.08 -0.09 -.33** 3. To earn more money 4.12 1.13 0.04 .26* .37** 0.22 .37** 0.04 -.18 .40** 0.19 0.00 -.29* 4. To provide a comfortable retirement 3.96 1.21 .31** -0.08 .49** 0.19 -.34** -.29* 5. To keep a large proportion of the proceeds 3.90 1.12 .33** -0.05 0.09 0.19 0.00 0.03 0.09 -0.06 6. To work at a location of my choice 3.78 1.12 .44** 0.18 .25* 0.16 0.09 7. To be my own boss 3.67 1.24 0.09 0.22 .36** 0.10 0.16 0.04 -.14 0.17 0.09 0.09 0.20 .59** .39** 8. To have an interesting 3.60 1.16 .40** .25* 0.12 .40** 0.12 0.13 0.10 0.08 0.15 0.14 0.03 0.15 9. To take advantage of a market opportunity 3.58 1.31 .46** .59** 0.02 0.02 .26* 0.10 0.13 0.09 0.09 10. To make my own hours 3.30 1.42 .40** .41** .46** -.30** 0.03 .43** -0.09 0.10 .36** .39** 11. To invest my personal savings 3.30 1.28 .43** -0.20 0.08 12. The need for a job 3.27 1.40 -0.09 0.13 .34** .37** 13. To increase my status/prestige 3.26 1.43 -0.01 0.10 14. To take advantage of my creative talents 3.25 1.46 0.13 0.16 0.15 .41** .360** 0.13 .56** -.26* -.15 .24* -0.04 0.16 0.14 .32** 15. To receive a salary based on merit 3.03 1.42 -.05 -0.14 .33** -0.01 0.12 0.10 0.04 16. To follow the example of a person I admire 2.73 1.44 .50** 17. To maintain a family tradition 2.30 1.21 **. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). *. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed) The respondents were motivated by a plenty of factors for starting new business. The motivating variables and its correlation with other factors exposed in Table 2. To challenge myself was ranked as the most important variable followed closely by to realize my dream and To earn more money. These findings are consistent with (Choo Wong, 2006). Entrepreneurs were found also motivated by a set of variables that relate to the issue of extrinsic rewards that include, To take advantage of a market opportunity, To receive a salary based on merit, To take advantage of my creative talents, The need for a job, To make my own hours, To keep a large proportion of the proceeds and To provide a comfortable retirement. Another set of variables in terms of independence. To be my own boss is consistent with (Choo Wong, 2006). Second motivation factors are related to independence that included: To be my own boss, To realize my dream and To have interesting. Third motivation factors in terms of personal reward include: To challenge myself, To Work at a location of my choice and To earn more money; this result is consistent with (Mazzaro, et al., 1999) Fourth set of motivation factors include: To invest my personal savings, To increase my status/prestige and To maintain a family tradition. important factor that conceded to create new business. The fourth set includes called intrinsic rewards; include investing my personal savings, to increase my status/prestige and To maintain a family tradition. Table 3: Rotated Component Matrixa for Motivation to Create New Venture Factors Rotated Component Matrix(a) Extrinsic Rewards Independence Personal Rewards Intrinsic Rewards Q8. To take advantage of a market opportunity 0.91 Q10. To receive a salary based on merit 0.88 Q3. To take advantage of my creative talents 0.86 Q13. The need for a job 0.84 Q7. To make my own hours 0.73 Q9. To keep a large proportion of the proceeds 0.66 Q11. To provide a comfortable retirement -.65 Q4. To be my own boss 0.78 Q2. To realize my dream 0.72 Q5. To have an interesting -.60 Q1. To challenge myself 0.74 Q12. To work at a location of my choice 0.74 Q6. To earn more money -.70 Q14. To invest my personal savings 0.78 Q15. To increase my status/prestige 0.66 Q17. To maintain a family tradition 0.58 Eigenvalues 4.82 2.44 2.02 1.82 Percentage of Variance Explained 28.34 14.33 11.90 10.72 Scale Reliability 0.83 0.59 0.58 0.51 Extraction Method: Principal Component Analysis. Rotation Method: Varimax with Kaiser Normalization. a. Rotation converged in 7 iterations. The respondents were faced plenty of barriers for starting new business. The barrier variables and its correlation with other factors exposed in Table 4. The barriers and their descriptive statistics are shown in Table 3. Bad economic indicators in general were ranked as the most constraining start-up barrier to create new business that is consistent with (Choo Wong, 2006) who found these variables, which are general business environment in nature, were perceived as a major barrier among non-starters. Lack of info about biz start-up and High taxes and fee are closely the following the important factors. Three sets of barriers factors are extracted, the first is related directly to a lack of capital that include: Risk greater than initially expected, Lack of marketing skills, Lack of savings or assets, Lack of managerial/financial expertise, Difficulty in obtaining finance, Fear of failure and Finding the right partner, This was consistent with (Robertson et al, 2003) reported that lack of resources, in terms of financing was the major factor to forming a business. The second set is lack of skills that includes: Lack of support from family/friends, No one to turn to help me, the uncertainty of the future, convincing others it is a good idea and Lack of info about biz start-up. The third set of factors is complaint cost. That includes: Compliance with government regulations, finding suitable labor, Lack of suitable premises and High taxes and fee. A factor analysis was conducted to formulate the structure of motivation among studied variables. Factors were extracted from Extraction Method: Principal Component Analysis, Rotation Method: Varimax with Kaiser Normalization. Variable should be over 0.50 Factor loading to be included in the factor. In terms of the motivation factors, the resulting factors were interpreted as Extrinsic Rewards (seven items), Independence (three items), Personal (three items) and Intrinsic Rewards (three items). Only one item, which is To follow the example of a person I admire, failed to load onto any factor. Previous researches resulting three factors (Kurakto et al, 1997; Volery et al, 1997; Yusuf and Schindehutte, 2000; Choo Wong, 2006). Moreover, we have extract personal rewards as the forth factors affect creation of new business. The item loadings of the four resulting factors, collected with their respective eigenvalues and percentage of variance as shown in Table 3. This resulting factor solution accounted for 65.29 % of the variance. The resulting coefficient Cronbachs

Possibility of a Future Avian Flu Pandemic Essay -- Bird Flu Influenza

Possibility of a Future Avian Flu Pandemic Influenza is a dangerous virus and highly contagious that has potential to devastate populations should an outbreak occur. A common influenza virus that humans are familiar with is the human influenza. Researchers and scientists are concerned about an especially threatening strain of influenza virus called H5N1, commonly known as the avian flu. Although this flu is mainly susceptible to wild birds, there have been outbreaks that show that humans also become infected. Predictions that the H5N1 strain may lead to a global pandemic are fueling further research of the virus. Studies show that although this virus is currently under control, it is possible that it could mutate and become a worldwide catastrophe. Influenza is a virus that attacks the upper respiratory tract. Influenza, known most, as the Flu is usually painful and can perpetuate symptoms for up to 2 weeks. If everyone had the Flu all of mankind will vanish. Because influenza is a virus there are not any antibiotics that will cure an infection. The human body is designed to fight viral infections through the immune response. Although rarely fatal, the virus usually kills people with weak immune systems, which are often elderly people and young children. About 35,000 people die each year. (Paul Tambyah-pg 6) More public education is needed so that the general population can identify symptoms and seek timely treatment. Getting the flu shot can really save the hassle of being infected. If someone has come down with this virus, stressing out about everyday things can irritate the immune system. Influenza, which belong to a family of viruses called Orthomyxoviruses was first discovered in 1918 and was thought of as a fragile vir... ... ? If handling an infected patient be sure to sterilize all instruments used. The world can never be too cautious for certain illnesses such as this one. There are many strains of the influenza virus. These two viruses are similar and different in a way. Universally scientists and researchers are trying to keep this issue from becoming the worlds next pandemic. Although the virus mutates and changes each year we should not worry, but we should be concerned and follow safe steps as shown above. Keeping the world safe is what we all want and need which will be beneficial for the generations that are soon to come. Bibliography 1. Nemours Foundation- http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/bacterial_viral/flu.html -Title: Flu facts 2. Bird Flu by Paul Tambyah 3. World health organization- http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/ -Title: avian influenza

Maxwells Demon - Not a Perpetual Motion Machine :: Physics Essays

Maxwell's Demon - Not a Perpetual Motion Machine Entropy is not a difficult concept to just take at face value, but it is a difficult topic to gain a good understanding of. To do this some background must be given such as the first and second law of thermodynamics. The second law of thermodynamics states that any event that occurs spontaneously must result in an increase in the randomness of lhe syslem. This means that as an ice cube melts the water molecules that it is composed of will progress toward a less ordered arrangement. The leaves that fall from the trees do nol arrange themselves in a pile on the ground because the second law of thermodynamics is against it. Entropy is a concept that most high school chemistry and physics students enjoy learning about because the now have an excuse for having a messy room, they are fighting nature. For a better understanding of the theory of entropy it helps to understand the first law of thermodynamics, energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it may only change forms. In other words the energy of the universe is constant. For the universe (the ultimate system) to give up energy to increase ordered is not a likely event. Therefore ,for a system, a persons room for example, to become more ordered, energy must be put into the system, cleaning the room. Everything in the universe is governed by entropy through the Gibbs free energy equation which states; the heat content of the system, minus the temperature of the system times the entropy, or randomness will dictate whether the event will be spontaneous. Entropy is actually centered around the probability of an event occurring. The greater the statistical probability of a particular event occurring, the greater the entropy. A good example of this is an experiment with a new deck of playing cards. When the cards are first unwr apped they are arranged in numerical order and according to suit, if the cards are thrown into the air and allowed to fall to the floor. When they are swept up and restacked, we will almost certainly find that the cards have become disordered. We would expect this disordering to occur because there are millions of ways for the cards to become disordered and only one way for them to come together again in their original sequence. Another result of the second law of thermodynamics is that spontaneous changes are always accompanied by a dispersal of energy into a more disordered form.

Putting Children First: Guidelines for Divorcing Parents Essay

Raising children presents challenges. When parents live in separate homes, the challenges are greater because relationships become more complicated. Sometimes parents disagree about how much time children should spend with each parent. Unless special circumstances exist, preserving a healthy and ongoing relationship between children and both parents after divorce or separation is of greatest importance. Positive involvement with both parents furthers the child’s emotional and social development, academic achievement, and overall adjustment. The following guidelines are helpful to remember when divorced or separated parents interact with children. Children benefit when parents: †¢ Keep predictable schedules †¢ Help the child have regular contact with the other parent by phone, letter, audio and video, Skype, e†mail, and other forms of communication †¢ Are on time and have the child ready when it’s time for the child to go with the other parent †¢ Exchange the child without arguing †¢ Support the child’s relationship with the other parent †¢ Let the child carry â€Å"important† items such as favorite clothes, toys, and security blankets with them between the parents’ homes †¢ Follow similar routines for mealtime, bedtime, and homework time in each home †¢ Handle rules and discipline in similar ways †¢ Support contact with grandparents, stepparents, and other extended family so the child doesn’t lose these relationships †¢ Are flexible so the child can take part in special family celebrations and events †¢ Give as much advance notice as possible to the other parent about special occasions or necessary changes to the schedule †¢ Provide the other parent with travel dates, destinations, and places where the child and the parent can be reached when on vacation †¢ Establish workable and respectful communication with the other parent †¢ Plan their vacations around the child’s regularly scheduled activities. Children are harmed when parents: †¢ Make their child choose between them †¢ Question their child about the other parent’s activities or relationships †¢ Make promises they don’t keep †¢ Drop in and out of the child’s life †¢ Are inconsistent in using their parenting time †¢ Argue with or put down the other parent in front of the child or where the child can overhear †¢ Discuss their personal problems with the child or where the child can overhear †¢ Use the child as a messenger, spy, or mediator †¢ Stop or interfere with parenting time because child support hasn’t been paid †¢ Don’t show respect for each other

Analysis of Subways internal and external environments Essay

This essay will analyse the organisation Subway’s internal and external environments and their impacts on this organisation. This will include a swot analysis on resources and capabilities which are a part of the internal environment and on customers, suppliers, competitors, pressure groups, economic, political, technological, natural environment and emerging trends in the external environment. â€Å"A SWOT Analysis is a useful technique for understanding your Strengths and Weaknesses, and for identifying both the Opportunities open to you and the Threats you face† MindTools. com (2013). Internal environment Resources: 1. The Workforce Strengths – Subway restaurants operate out of over 36,000 locations in 99 different countries. Subway is an equal opportunity employer, where every employee can be assured that they will be treated with respect and not be discriminated or harassed for any reason. They continuously provide employees with training and encouragement through teamwork, against shared goals and benchmarks and to be accountable for their actions. Weaknesses – Many subway employees are younger generations and are particularly inexperienced in the workplace. This can be a weakness for subway as this younger group of employees have other priorities such as school/university which can make it difficult when creating the roster for shifts and being unskilled can cause delays in service and not properly organised meals going to the customers. Opportunities – Subway has the opportunity to train their unskilled employees in a way that suits them and is in line with the organisation’s goals. Threats – Subway’s direct competition offer similar workplace conditions and environments which can be a threat to Subway by these companies attracting higher skilled workers in the industry away from Subway. 2. Capital Availability Strengths – As Subway is operated as franchises, the overall company has a large amount of capital coming in from the franchises. Subway (2013) states â€Å"The SUBWAY ® chain’s start up costs are exceptionally low for a franchise of its size and stature. Total investment will depend on many factors, including location, rent, outlet size and equipment†. Weaknesses – There are many economic conditions, such as unemployment that contribute to weaknesses concerning Subway’s capital. Combine these economic issues with poor marketing strategies and it can affect the capital dramatically. For example the new â€Å"$5 Combo Deal† that they are offering, has resulted in a decrease in sales, as the average customer is now spending less money per purchase. Opportunities – Start-up costs of the franchises is low compared to similar organisations, it makes Subway more appealing to potential owners, there for encouraging more people to purchase a Subway franchise which will increase the capital of the overall company. Threats – Economic issues such as the Global Financial Crisis, unemployment and inflation can cause a threat to subway from opening more stores, which in turn affects their available capital. Capabilities: 1. Marketing Strengths – â€Å"Eat Fresh, Live Green† is Subway’s commitment to making a positive impact in all that they do. This is very appealing to consumers, as Subway’s beliefs and values are in line with theirs. Subway restaurants are also navigating the world of online social media to bring their message closer to consumers. Subway is experienced in international marketing. Weaknesses – Subway restaurants lack the interior design and quality that would welcome everyone to stay and feel more comfortable than in the competitor’s restaurants Opportunities – Subway employs superior marketing techniques and promotional strategies to attract and grow their customer base. The most successful Subway’s promotional offer was to offer footlongs for only $5. Threats – Subway runs the risk of decreasing their client base if they fail to meet consumers’ wants and needs if continuous innovation and new processes are not being developed and used. 2. Production Strengths – Restaurants are clean and maintained. Preparation goes into getting the food ready to be served so quickly before, after and during store hours – veggies need to be washed, diced, sliced and stored. All of this preparation contributes to the productivity of the store. Without these steps, the restaurant would not run efficiently. Weaknesses – Old equipment that is no longer working at its best and staff not being available to work can be weaknesses in the production process. Opportunities – Focusing their sustainability initiatives on energy efficiency, water & resource conservation, waste reduction, sustainable sourcing and supply chain management. Threats – Equipment failure and power outages are a huge threat to Subway concerning production. If either of these occur the Subway store would not be able to operate or produce any products. 3. Research and Development Strengths – Develops and test markets the food that they serve, making sure it is of high standards and quality. Weaknesses – The markets are constantly changing and they cannot always source produce from the same suppliers. Research needs to be done constantly and they do not always have the resources to do so, Opportunities – Do customer surveys in different demographic areas to provide what those areas are in demand for. Threats – Data recorded may be incorrect depending on what type of information they require and can come from unreliable sources. 4. Financial Management Strengths – Subway’s finance team is responsible for tracking, organizing and reporting on all financial activities and storing this data for future reference. This data can help them find better ways of financially running the organisation. Weaknesses – Variables in costs for produce depending on time of year and certain promotions. Variables in labour as employees come and go, more staff required for busy times of the year (holidays). Opportunities – With the support they provide and the low start-up costs they offer with their franchises, they can attract more buyers and expand the Subway chain even further. Threats – Price fluctuations, for example oil, can dramatically threaten Subway’s financials as consumers will have lower disposable incomes which will stop them from freely spending their money. 5. Information Systems Strengths – Subway has a loyalty card system which they use to gather information on their customers. Each card has a unique 16-digit identification number. The card enables Subway to collect data on its customers from its point-of-sale (POS) terminals to its CRM applications. Weaknesses – The first loyalty card they developed was easily copied. Opportunities – To introduce this card throughout all Subway stores so they can collect a larger amount of data for their information system. Threats – Without security measures in place with their loyalty cards people could produce fraudulent cards to receive rewards from the company. External Environment Customers Strengths – Subway already has a strong client base because of their fresh and more nutritious products. These factors appeal to the customers. Weaknesses – Customers do not always feel like healthy options and on occasions want a greasy alternative that Subway does not provide. Opportunities – Subway provides customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on their products and service. By doing this the customers have the opportunity to influence Subway’s decisions with how to do things better and to discover what products sell the best and what the customers like about the service they receive. Threats – Poor customer service is a major threat to any business that deals with customers. Subway, without its customers, would not be able to operate. Another threat is if negative feedback from customers is spread around then this could potentially stop customers from returning Suppliers Strengths – Subway sources as much produce as possible locally. They try to support their locally communities as much as possible. They source this produce from suppliers that share their commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. Weaknesses – Some suppliers can be unreliable and not provide stock when ordered. Opportunities – There are more opportunities to source more locally grown products and help support local businesses grow and stay in the market. Threats – The supplier may not have enough produce/stock to provide Subway at certain times and the supplier may think that the price they are receiving for their products is too low, causing them to refuse supply. Competitors Strengths – Largest fast food restaurant chain in the world by the number of outlets. Currently the Subway operates over 38,181 restaurants in 99 countries, more than McDonald’s or any other fast food chain operator. Weaknesses – Majority of Subway’s competitors offer cheaper meals than what Subway can, based on the price they purchase their products at. Opportunities – Subway has many competitors, so they need to stay innovative and keep their products on top of the others that are available. They have the opportunity to promote their products as healthy options and deep-fryer free compared to their competitors to encourage more sales. Threats – McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks and KFC are some of subways main competitors. These competitors all offer family meal deals and cheap snack sizes on their menu’s which makes them more appealing to consumers. Pressure Groups Strengths – Subway takes input from pressure groups and community members so they can improve the operations, products and service. Weaknesses – Subway cannot rely on the information that pressure groups provide them with as it does not always represent the majority. Opportunities – Pressure groups can be a huge opportunity for Subway to listen to their opinions and issues with the organisation and how the pressure groups think Subway can resolve these issues and develop their company to be more socially responsible. Threats – Pressure groups however can be a threat as they don’t always have the majorities input on these issues and are misrepresenting the whole community when the push their ideas and beliefs on Subway which can make other customers stop returning to purchase goods from them. Economic Strengths – Subway opens stores when the economy is doing well. By doing this they establish their presence in the demographic and build up a good amount of returning consumers. Weaknesses – Subway needs to have a contingency plan in place for when the economy in their area decreases. If they do not, potentially they will reduce in the amounts of sale because they cannot control consumers disposable incomes. Opportunities – When the economy is strong, consumers have higher disposable incomes. This give Subway the opportunity to slightly increase prices and promote their products more as consumers are more willing to spend money. Threats – Not all geographic areas have the same amount of disposable income and Subway needs to take this into consideration. In these areas Subway may need to offer special promotions or lower their prices to cater for this otherwise they will lose sales. Political Strengths – Subway follows and adheres to government legislation including the Fair Trading Act and policies relating to environmental conservation. Weaknesses – Each state has different standards and restrictions in place which means not every Subway store can fully operate the same. Opportunities – With these policies, it creates a safer work environment at Subway and helps them become innovative on how they can reduce their environmental footprint. Threats – If Subway does not follow these regulations on how they operate, produce and promote their products they can be fined hefty amounts of money or even closed down. Technological Strengths – As a global brand, Subway continues to make strides in sustainable packaging, and waste management as well as look for more efficient equipment and operational practices Weaknesses – Not all technology is good just because it is new. Subway needs to research thoroughly before investing in new technology to make sure that it operates with their commitments to a cleaner, healthier environment. Opportunities – To obtain newer technology and apply it in aspects of their business would be a big opportunity for Subway. Threats – Some local markets may not be ready for new technologies and don’t have a full understanding of how they work, therefore consumers not trusting or believing in the new technologies. Natural Environment Strengths – An organization cannot survive without the support of its environment. Subway takes in resources such as labor, money, and raw materials from outside its boundaries in the natural environment. Weaknesses – Subway cannot control the climate or the weather in the areas that have stores operating in. Opportunities – There are opportunities that arise depending on the weather. In the hotter season Subway can promote their salads more for a meal that is more refreshing in the heat. In the cooler seasons they should promote there â€Å"subs† toasted for something to warm the belly. Threats – Depending on locations some areas may experience unpredictable natural events like cyclones or tornados. These can cause a dramatic threat to Subway stores in areas where events like this occur as there can be damage to roads and buildings, no electricity and no stock or fresh produce from suppliers. Emerging Trends Strengths – Subway franchises are involved with the communities surrounding them so they are always aware of the current and emerging trends happening in their locations. Weaknesses – Subway cannot follow all emerging trends as there are too many and it would be too costly for them to do so. Opportunities – To expand their online ordering (catering for meetings/offices) to be made available for individuals to order and then pick it up, or start a delivery service. Threats – Often trends don’t last for long periods of time, making it costly for Subway. Conclusion As you can see from the above analysis, there are many different factors, both internal and external, that effect the organisation, Subway. There are many internal and external forces that Subway needs to consider and stay on top of so they do not fail. References MindTools. com, (2013). SWOT Analysis. Retrieved on 11 September 2013 from http://www. mindtools. com/pages/article/newTMC_05. htm#sthash. 86tx07Tn. dpuf SUBWAY (2013). Corporate Opportunities. Retrieved on 13 September 2013 from http://www. subway. com. au/info/franchise_information/corporate_opportunities/ Unknown Publisher, (2012). Evaluating the External Environment. Retrieved on 13 September 2013 from http://2012books. lardbucket. org/books/strategic-management-evaluation-and-execution/s07-evaluating-the-external-enviro. html