Apple Inc Strategy for iPhone Essay Example

Apple Inc Strategy for iPhone Essay Apple’s business strategy particularly for iPhone. Yes, Apple decided to cut off the price of iPhone to be an half of price, $99 in order to boost the sales. In fact, there are three steps of Apple business strategy for 2011. First they fertile platforms, second to introduce derivatives with incremental appeal and third step is to create the next exciting platform. Apple hardware will see only incremental improvements and cost reductions. Apple’s ability to align marketing strategy and business strategy with product development leaves competitors in the dust as business continuity strategy. I expect Apple might also act to leverage the color capabilities of the Apple tablet with magazine and book publishers. Milking the iCow is a powerful business strategy that Apple has done extraordinarily well for years. While it may disappoint Apple product enthusiasts, it will delight shareholders. Apple’s product platform fertility drives this number. Let’s look at the threat to Apple’s existing platforms and then examine the threat from a potential unforeseen, new platform. In current platforms, Apple’s business strategy 2010 focuses on strong defenses, starting with their elegant designs that integrate hardware, software and services. It will significantly increase Apple’s total available market in the U. S. Once consumers are introduced to the Apple family, they tend to want more. Of their current hardware platforms, the true outlier is Apple TV. We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Inc Strategy for iPhone specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Inc Strategy for iPhone specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Apple Inc Strategy for iPhone specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer As a placeholder, Apple must be pleasantly surprised to see Apple TV pop up on this month’s Amazon’s top electronic list at number 12. Apple’s business strategy for 2011 is not time-to-market or introducing breakthrough technology. Apple makes quantum leaps by using new platforms to delivery next level user experience where the existing choices are stalled. The issues with Apple TV and all the other TV box and service competitors is not hardware design but finding a compelling business model and master in business strategy.

buy custom The Impact of Technology essay

buy custom The Impact of Technology essay Technology has taken a central place in the minds of many people living today. Its constant developmental increases in fields such as communications, industry, medicine and education have generated debate on its advantages and risks on a society that is largely technological. It is right for one to claim that technology is immensely benefiting humanity but it can also be claimed that there are many problems that are rising with each and every technological development. Why should we regulate or limit technology that society defines as dehumanizing? Using technology to defy us as humans is taking away the freedoms, curiosities, and intellect we posses. The best thing to be done here is for the people deeply engaged in this, to proceed with caution. As humans, we are queerly two sided creatures who are placed in a finite world of space, biological constrains and time, yet surpassing those limits with a freedom that gets its final limit in God who has made us. It is wrong for us to control nature and turn in the direction we deem good for this is just an essential human expression for being free. But we should never assume that freedom is the only truth about human nature and that a step made beyond limits of the past is worthy praise. Such a step might just be the one that we should not be taken, one that will perhaps destroy something as important to humanity the way freedom is. If man starts doing things that are specifically reserved for the gods, he definitely meets a worse outcome eventually. One might wonder if there is anything wrong with the ambition that drives an individual to reach an understanding of nature, including him. This will definitely look strange especially in beings full of curiosity. This is the greatest danger that species have, trying to pretend that they do not need to satisfy their curiosity. Birth breeding and death are the things that offend most the dignity of man, therefore trying to find ways to take control of them is the main initiative that man is taking. With the many technological advances, man is gaining more and more knowledge about the genetic factors that are associated with health, disease and many other aspects of life such as emotional states and intelligence. But questions as to whether this information will prove destructive or liberating to humans still remain (Meilaender, 1990). But before one worries about the future, we should first look at what is happening today. New advances are emerging in the ability to diagnose genetic disorders. They are being used in decisions such as abortion or implantation of embryos; this is not treatment but simply elimination of one suffering the disorder. Technologies such as the one for prenatal diagnosis have completely redefined the meaning of motherhood. It has made it difficult for mothers to commit themselves to the unborn if the diagnosis is not assured. It is making women to think of their children as products for whose quality they must take responsibility. The freedom they were seeking has essential become less. Our natural vitalities as persons are turning out to be destructive instead of creating human possibilities. The desire that humans have to transcend the uncertainties inborn in their finite conditions has not created freedoms but chains that bind them in ways that are powerful and disturbing. There were re ports of a health maintenance organization that was planning to carry out tests on cystic fibrosis. It had proposed to cover all cost, provided mothers accepted to have an abortion if there was a disease affliction on the fetus; it later backed down after being challenged. This was a temporary measure, what will happen in future if such an attempt comes up again. This is a ground for abortion that needs to be rejected, because it proposes an approach that encourages and expresses an attitude that does not oppose disease and disorder but the diseased and afflicted being. This conflicts itself, for disease curing needs openness to the dignity of the patient and also calls for concern for them. Buy custom The Impact of Technology essay

Management Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Management Concepts - Essay Example There are several reasons for such a feeble sales growth, which are discussed in the next paragraph. Major issues faced by Hogsmeadow Glass center Inventory: Hogsmeadow offers a diverse variety of products to its customers both seasonal and year round ones. The owner finds it extremely difficult to precisely estimate the amount of products, specially the perishable and seasonal ones, and thus ultimately ends up suffering loss due to either selling the off season products on huge discounts or throwing off the spoiled products. Estimating the precise amount of the stock is a crucial financing decision as significant costs are associated with the wrong choice. Estimating too low of the product leads to stock out cost, thus waving the customers away. Keeping a stock also results in cost of maintaining the inventory. Thus it is necessary to calculate the amount at which the overall cost of inventory is minimal. There is no appropriate procedure for the calculation of the stock which resul ts in a mere guess as to the amount to be stocked. This dearly cost them. Honeydukes Restaurant: Honeydukes restaurant is the only eatable spot in the surrounding area and thus often experience a gigantic load of customers to enjoy its eatable products and services. Due to the increase in the load, the resulting large queue often enrages the customers and they turn back without enjoying their meals. Three reasons may account for the resulting long queue. 1. The misallocation of work among the available staff: As evident from the case study, from among the 12 staff members, seven are deployed for kitchen work and one each for remaining errands. This allocation of work among the staff members seem inappropriate which results in people standing for long in queue for their turn in peak time. 2. Small area over which the restaurant spreads: Though the area occupied by restaurant has not been stated, yet it is clear from the case study that restaurant does not have enough seating for peak times when people reserve their places by placing their belongings. This shows that some of the visitors may not find a place to sit in and enjoy. One other reason pointed out in the case study for the seating problem is that people, after enjoying their meals or other orders, just sit there for long without any reason thus further causing the acute shortage of chairs. 3. The part of the self-service procedure: The restaurant has a policy of partly self-service and partly assisted service for its customers. The self service results in long queues, having people to wait for long thus resulting in frustration among them. Division of service between self and assisted may be a suitable option for restaurants having organized systems with efficient and multi tasking personnel and a sufficiently larger area to accommodate for such a system. Though self service essentially reduces cost of staff scheduling but for this to work out, staff should be properly trained to work at their maximum speed so that the customers are catered to instantly. In case of Honeydukes staff members, it seems that the kitchen personnel are not trained to deal with many orders simultaneously as evident from the case study. It takes more then the usual time in peak hours to prepare children lunch boxes. Staffing issues: Hogsmeadow Garden Center also has staffing issues. As stated by Don Dursley, finding the right person for the

Reaction paper of Thiefing a Chance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reaction paper of Thiefing a Chance - Essay Example cal prospect is quite innovative, as she risks participating in the clandestine activities for the purpose of properly comprehending and learning the scope of the practice. Moreover, her analysis is pertinent because it outlines how this institutional ploy is not an oppositional scheme directed against the employer or the capitalist system (Prentice 2009). However, Prentice outlines that these women perceive â€Å"thiefing a chance† as a merely ethically justifiable act since, unlike absolute theft, it depends on their labor. Thus, this practice accomplishes their cultural ideals that date from the Caribbean work histories in which ethical rights to individual dependence and autonomy, however illegal, are immensely prized and accepted as in Creole economics. As regards Prentice’s case, the prescribed comprehension of the ethical sphere of the economy of Trinidad would not discourage illegal activity (Prentice 2009). However, numerous other Caribbean societies punish petty theft in respect of labor and entrepreneurial knowhow. Additionally, Prentice’s article bears various linkages to Browne’s study. II thus believe that the study is also innovative and qualifies as a stimulating and resourceful material that offers different cases and explicates on them according. Notably, diverse kinds of grassroots initiatives to inculcate pressure on the ethical sphere occur when volunteer affiliations aim at compensating the insufficiency of capitalist markets to deliver public merchandise. This article offers the Halperin’s instance of extreme gifting in Cincinnati that depicts grass root group involvement in running a charter school. I trust that this is an interesting prospect to highlight. Moreover, as Halperin argues, I bear true that unrecognized or unknown ethical economies may blossom. Eventually, I presume that Mauss’s notion of a gift economy requires formulation to contain gift micro economies that emanate in the context of neoliberal entrepreneurship.

Ecomerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ecomerce - Essay Example developed world, there is one upcoming piece of technology which might have a greater effect on the economies of the developing work than anything else in the past. The internet and electronic business might have got their start in America but the expansion and further development of their use will take place in countries like Venezuela, Brazil, India and other countries where the cost of computer equipment still places it out of reach for many people. This is where the $100 laptop and the one laptop per child program comes in, with the market penetration that the low cost laptop brings the number of people who are online will be increased many fold and along with that there will be additional input for e-commerce. In the coming years, EBay could get bids on products from across the world and other discount retailers could find themselves selling to individuals living in places where they wouldn’t even have dreamt of selling their wares. Fundamentally, the $100 laptop is a solution for bringing the internet to the real masses of the world that have till yet remained outside the information loop (Laptop.org, 2006). Since the laptop also functions as a capable internet device the information access and communication technology which is taken as a given by the developed world will also make their way towards the developing countries (Wikipedia, 2006). It may not be the perfect method to bring about equality in the world but it will certainly boost global e-commerce over the coming years. The central characteristic of the project is the cost of the laptop which is expected to start somewhere in the range between $130 and $140 initially when it is launched in 2007 (Zuckerman, 2005). However by the year 2008, when it is delivered in large numbers to distribution centres around the world, the cost is actually expected to be less than $100 (Stecklow, 2005). Additionally, due to the donations expected from large organizations which are supporting this initiative the

Developmental Issues in Identity Formation and Self Esteem

Developmental Issues in Identity Formation and Self Esteem Critically discuss the significance of understanding the developmental issues of identity formation and self-esteem as a guidance counsellor with reference to the work of at least 3 theorists covered on the module. Early adolescence is a period of obvious human development and growth which occurs between childhood and adolescence. Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood, its when the form of attachment with their parents change as the child begins to seek autonomy from their parents and at the same time they need to keep their sense of relatedness to them. At the beginning of the adolescence the parent-child conflict approaches its peak. (Boyd Bee, 2014) During this significant stage of the life cycle, young adolescents, 10 15 year olds, experience rapid and momentous developmental change. During this phase of young adolescents education, to understand and respond to the distinct developmental characteristics is crucial. A person is not a composite of isolated attributes, but instead resembles a system of characteristics. (Schoon, I. 2006, p. xv) Identity formation, also known as individuation, is defined as the development of the distinct personality of an individual charac teristics that are possessed by one, by which one is recognised or known. Such traits include a sense of uniqueness from others and a sense of identity within society. From research we see that development is physical, cognitive or psychosocial is unique for every child. Some young people develop in certain areas faster than others but that does not mean that a slower or a faster development than the average is not uncommon. The assumption that the potential for development continues throughout life raises the question of what we mean by development. Are we to say that change and development are synonymous? (Sugarman, L. 1996, p. 3) In this essay I will be discussing developmental issues of identity formation and self-esteem as guidance counsellor, for this I am mostly going to concentrate on Erikson, Marcia and Kohlberg and their theories. Eric Erikson (1902-1994) was a German born, American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst well known for his theory on psychosocial development of humans. The intrinsic affirmation affiliated with Eriksons theory of psycho-social development is that the personality is tenacious over the lifespan as the individual matures biologically and cognitively. Bee Boyd refer to lifespan perspective as the current view of developmentalists that changes happen throughout the entire human lifespan and that changes must be interpreted in light of the culture, and context in which they occur (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.14). The life-span perspective . Sees both the individual and the environment as potentially influencing and being influenced by each other (Sugarman, L. 1996, p. 3). At each stage of development there is an associated set of developmental tasks. The fundamental element to a successful route through lifes stages is the distinction of the social environment. Erikson referred to this development in terms of the Epigenetic Principle, an organic perspective. He referred to this in his book Identity, youth and crisis (1968), and used it to encompass the notion that we develop through an unfolding of our personality in predetermined stages, and that our environment and surrounding culture influence, how we progress. Erikson explained the factors which have been linked with healthy identity development, these include: security, trust, safety with having the freedom to explore their environment. According to Erikson, to a achieve a healthy personality, an individual must successfully resolve a crisis at each of the eight stages of development in, as summarized in the table below: (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.28). Figure 1: Eriksons Epigenetic Principle and Middle Childhood, 8 Psychosocial Stages: Stage Age Stages of Development Developmental Characteristics 1 Birth to 1 year Trust versus mistrust (hope) Attachment Bonding 2 1 to 3 Autonomy versus shame and doubt Potty training self-maintenance 3 3 to 6 Initiative versus guilt Academic success, adding, abcs, making friends 4 6 12 Industry versus inferiority Social competence, friendship network 5 12 18 Identity versus role confusion Loyalty friendship 6 18 30 Intimacy versus isolation Falling in love, maintaining a relationship 7 30 to old age Generativity versus stagnation Having nurturing children 8 Old age Integrity versus despair Imparting wisdom to others (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.29). Erikson believed the behaviour of the main caregiver (usually the mother) is critical to the childs resolve of this crisis, the caregiver must be consistently loving, and must respond to the child predictably and reliably. He goes on to state that infants whose early care has been eratic or harsh may develop mistrust. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.29). It was Eriksons belief that throughout ones lifetime, they experience different conflicts or crisis. Each of the conflicts can arise at a certain point in life and needs to be successfully resolved before progression to the next of the eight stages. Failure to successful complete a stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and therefore a more unhealthy personality and sense of self. These stages can be resolved successfully at a later time. Eriksons theory has not been without its critics. At times, he overemphasizes the symbiotic relationship between individual development and societal progress and, .. has been criticized for having a conformist theory (Sugarman, L. 1996, p. 93) Socially competent adolescents can strike a balance between their identity as individuals and as part of groups, the ability of maintaining equality, and their own wants, needs, desires and their ability to meet the needs of others. Identity is the major personality target that a child needs to achieve during this phase in order to become a content, productive and satisfied adult. The particular stage which is relevant to identity formation takes place during adolescence, known as Identity versus Role Confusion. Identity is influenced by how the adolescent sees him/herself and is also based on their relationships with others and their perception of how others see them. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.151). In development stage five, adolescents need to decide who they are, which are their strengths and weaknesses and what their path in life is. Erikson considered Identity Formation as personality and role experimentation, with the number of choices it can be overwhelming so adolescents may se em to appear to go through a period of moratorium. Moratorium is defined as A crisis in progress, but no commitment has yet been made (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.312). Many teenagers during this period can try out roles to see if they right, for example a teenage girl trying to be glamorous and flirty (her sexuality maybe blossoming), or a teenage boy who is experimenting with the tough guy image. Erikson never saw identity as static or unchangeable but believed identity formation was a life-long process, across the life span. Also pressurising someone into an identity can result in rebellion in the form of chartering feelings of unhappiness and a negative identity. Erikson also referred to identity crisis which is period by which the adolescent is troubled by their lack of identity, which can result in the inability to continue responsibilities as adults or entering into isolation, or loosing ones identity in the crowd. This change in adolescence is usually an indication of an ind ividuals development of multiple perspectives in social relationships. adolescent adjustment predicted changes in authoritative and neglectful parenting styles more robustly than these styles predicted changes in adolescent adjustment. (Eccles, J., 2012, p.2) Marcia is another significant theorist who elaborated upon Eriksons perception of identity crisis and identify confusion. James Marcia (1937 ) a Canadian clinical and developmental psychologist took Eriksons theory further. He described the process as having four basic, main steps on the continuation of identity development, the structure is designed to classify adolescents into one of four main stages of identity. The identity statuses are used to pinpoint the progression of an adolescents identity formation. In Marcias theory, he states that identity is whether an individual has explored various alternatives and made firm commitments to: an occupation, religion, sexual orientation and political values. **REFERENCE Marcias four identity statuses are in the table below: Figure 2 : Marcias identity statuses Experienced crisis Not in Crisis Degree of commitment to a particular role or values HIGH LOW HIGH Identity achievement status (crisis is past) Foreclosure status Committed LOW Moratorium status (in midst of crisis) Identity diffusion status Not Committed Degree of crisis (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.153) Marcias theory does not conclude that each adolescent will go through and encounter all four identity statuses. Some may experience only one or two identity statuses throughout their adolescence. Furthermore unlike Eriksons, Marcias theory takes into account multidirectional movement between and among the various identity statuses. For example, an adolescent may experience a traumatic event such as their parents separating, or an assault, which may cause them to re-assess their perception of the world and its value system. The type of crisis may result in them reverting to a previous enacted identity status as to adjust to this new situation. These are four identity statuses proposed by Marcia, furthering Eriksons theory. Marcia described the process as having four main, reoccurring steps. Identity formation has two key parts: Crisis and Commitment. For fully achieved identity, young people must have both examined value/gaols and reached firm commitment. For Identity achievement: Marcia suggests that adolescents who have experienced crisis and reached an undertaking to ideological, occupational or other objectives. Moratorium: is when a crisis is in progress, but no commitment has yet been made. With foreclosure: adolescents who have made a commitment without having gone through a crisis. Then identity diffusion: this represents either an early stage before the crisis, or a failure to reach a commitment after a crisis. Marcia suggested that identity involves the adoption of ideals and values, sexual orientation and work possibilities. He formulated the idea of status which allowed for a more fluid conception of identity f ormation. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.168) According to Schlossberg the best way to cope with a crisis or transition in life, is to adapt the 4 Ss System: Situation, Self, Supports and Strategies. (Schlossberg, N. K., 2011) Minority teenagers, especially those of colour in a predominantly white culture, face the task of creating two identities in adolescence. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.316) Boyd and Bee define Ethnic Identity as a sense of belonging to an ethnic group. American developmental psychologist Jean Phinney, proposed in 1990 that in adolescence, the development of a complete ethnic identity moves through three stages: Unexamined ethnic identity: which is very similar to Marcias identity status called foreclosure. Ethnic identity search: parallel to crisis in Marcias analysis of ego identity. Resolution: Of conflicts and contradictions similar to Marcias status of identity. Young people of colour often develop two identities, a psychological sense of self and an ethnic identity. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2003, p.317) In addition to establishing a sense of personal identity minority teens must also develop an ethnic identity. Some resolve this developmental task by creating a bicultural identity for themselves, one that allows them to interact comfortably with members of the majority group, individuals who belong to other minority groups and members of their own group. . (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2007, p.284) An ethnic identity is identification with definite ethnicity, usually on the basis of a presumed shared ethnic descent. Ethnic groups are often also united by common cultural, behavioural, linguistic or religious traits. They must also develop an ethnic or racial identity, including self-identification as a member of some specific group, commitment to that group and its values and attitudes. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2007, p.284). Phinneys stage model is a useful general description of the process of ethnic identity formation. While others resolve the dilemma by consciously choosing their own ethnic groups patterns and values, yet this choice could limit their access to a larger culture but they make this as an informed decision. Also adolescents from different cultural backgrounds who try to compete and succeed in the most dominant culture might be shunned by their own peers. Based on the studies which have derived from Eriksons Marcias Theories there is a need to examine the pros and cons of both theories. Eriksons can be ambiguous about the causes of development and his theory does not have a universal structure for crisis resolution. Eriksons theory is more a depictive overview of human social and emotional progression that does not comprehensively explain why or how this advancement occurs. Furthermore Erikson does not clearly explain how the outcome of one psychosocial stage influence personalities at a later stage. Then on the more positive side of Eriksons theory is, its ability to bring together important psychosocial developments across the entire lifespan. Also Erikson was more positive than Freud as he believed that negative outcomes in a stage could be resolved at a later date. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.22) Unlike Ericksons stage theory, Marcias theory accounts for multi-directional movement among and between the various identity statuses. Final ly Marcia formulated the idea of status, which allowed for a more fluid conception of identity formation. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.168) Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987), an American psychologist best known for his work on the Theory of stages of moral development, also known as a stage theorist. Kohlbergs theory was developed from the research and principles of Jean Piagets identity development. Previously, Piaget (1932) suggested a two-way theory of moral development (moral realism and moral relativism). (Hearne, L., 2017, p. 11). Kohlbergs moral development is focused on the cognitive process rather than the actual moral actions of a person. Continually people who are able to cognitively discuss appropriate moral choices do not always exhibit moral behaviour. Furthermore, persons can know the right moral decisions to make and decide to respond in the opposite manner. However, the theorist whose work has had the most powerful impact has been Kohlberg (Bergman, 2002; Colby et al., 1976, 1981). Moreover, theories of moral reasoning have been important in explanations of adolescent antisocial behaviour. (Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2006, p.335). Kohlbergs moral judgement development seems to have a parallel relationship between age and stage. Before the age of ten years of age a child believes rules are fixed, handed down by a higher authority (such a parent or adult) and subject to change. After the age of ten, the child realises that rules are flexible and can be modified, with the agreement of others. (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.120) Kohlberg based his theory on interviews he conducted with children and adolescents regarding moral reasoning. He then devised moral dilemmas, the answers to which were used to categorise moral development, one of example of this is the Heinz dilemma. Where a woman was near death from a specific cancer but there was one drug which doctors thought might save her. But the drug was very expensive to make it was made in her same town, it was $2,000 for a small dose of the drug so her husband became desperate and broke into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife. Kohlberg then suggested 6 responses for this moral dilemma to assess peoples reasoning on their decision. Listed below are the six stages of Kohlbergs moral development: Level 3 POSTCONVENTIONAL Shared standards, rights and duties Stage 6: Self-selection of universal values and principles Stage 5: -Sense of democracy and relativity of rules Level 2 CONVENTIONAL Performing right roles Stage 4: Fulfilling duties and upholding laws Stage 3: Meeting expectations of others Level 1 PRECONVENTIONAL Values in external events Stage 2: Getting what you want by trade-off or in exchange for behaving Stage 1: Punishment avoidance Figure 2: Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development Various theorists have criticized Kohlbergs theory, by those who placed more emphasis on learning moral behaviour and by those who believe moral reasoning is based mostly on emotional factors rather than on their ideas of fairness and justice. Carol Gilligan claims Kohlbergs theory is flawed because his research was based on male responses and represents a male perspective of moral development and reasoning. . (OBrien, E. Z. 2013, p.138) From Gilligans work with women she deduced that women apply an ethic of care in the judgements rather than a male ethic of justice. Eisenberg has defined empathy as an affective response that stems from the apprehension or comprehension of anothers emotional state However .an empathic response usually turns into either sympathy or personal distress (Eisenberg, 2000, p.671) In conclusion young adolescents warrant educational experiences and schools try to care for their physical, intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical, social developmental and spiritual, characteristics. Parents, practitioners and others who work with young adolescents need to be aware of both obvious and subtle changes in their developmental characteristics. Changes like these can give adults intuitive into the demands facing young adolescents and emphasise possible logic for transference in their capabilities and behaviour. Educators and career guidance counsellors and policymakers today need to persevere with their support of initiatives that allow young adolescents with developmentally appropriate environment and learning experiences. Teenage aspirations, especially educational, in combination with academic attainment are an important predictor of adult social status. (Schoon, I. 2006, p. 138). Bibliography Schoon, I. (2006) Risk and Resilience; Adaptations in changing times, 1st ed., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Boyd, D and Bee, H. (2003) Lifespan development, 3rd ed., Allyn and Bacon, Pearson Boyd, D and Bee, H. (2006) Lifespan development, 4th ed., Allyn and Bacon, Pearson Boyd, D and Bee, H. (2007) The Developing Child, 11th ed.,Pearson, International Edition. Allyn and Bacon. OBrien, E. Z., (2013) Human Growth Development, 2nd ed., Gill and MacMillan Sugarman, L. (1986) Life-Span Development, Concepts, Theories and Interventions, 1st ed., Methuen Co. Ltd. Eisenberg, 2000 .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_formation Hearne, L., (2017). Session 5: Theories of Social and Personality Development, Lecture Notes, University of Limerick. Eccles, J., (2012) Developmental Psychology, Vol 48(6), Nov 2012, 1540-1553. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0027720 Schlossberg, N. K., (2011). The Challenge of change: The transition model and its applications. Journal of employment counselling, Vol 48

Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy Essay -- Government Political Ess

Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy Although the aspirations and goals of states are often motivated by external political pressures, analysis of recent foreign policy decisions demonstrates how internal political forces can play equally crucial roles in the pursuit and execution of these objectives. Thus, it would be invalid to claim that domestic politics and the nature of regimes play minor roles in either the goals a state pursues or the means it employs to reach them. By understanding how the diffusion of power in governments affect policy decisions, one can develop increased awareness of the linkages that exist between the internal pressures of domestic politics and the external forces of foreign politics. Before discussing the impact of domestic politics on foreign policy objectives and their execution, one must first understand the different types of policies that states pursue. The foreign policy of states can be directed toward the protection and enhancement of valued possessions (â€Å"possession goals†) or intended to improve the environment in which it operates (milieu goals). More specifically, possession goals pertain to national possessions where states aim to enhance or preserve one or more things they value such as territory, permanent membership in international organizations like the UN Security Council, or access to trade areas. And while milieu goals are different from possession goals in that states that work towards achieving them are not seeking to defend or increase their possessions but instead attempting to shape conditions beyond their national boundaries, milieu goals can be seen as an indirect way of achieving possession goals. A nation that pursues a mi lieu goal—such as the promotion of peace through the signing of international treaties—provides clear benefits for the international community but ultimately serves to enhance its own national security by creating a safer environment where its national possessions are protected from external threats. But for many states, whether their foreign policy objectives assume the form of possession goals or milieu goals, the pursuit and execution of these goals are often constrained by the powers of domestic politics. And in the case of American foreign policy, the Constitution of the United States as well as recent history provides compelling support to this claim. American foreig... ...reted without reference to domestic politics or leadership. Realists argue that the interests of states transcend domestic politics and leadership change because that the broad orientation of foreign and defense policies are unchanging. Although the realist model may be most appropriate for analyzing actions when vital interests are at stake such as in times of crises, it seems to have little explanatory power for national security policy making in times without crisis. Although the aspirations and goals of states are often partially motivated by external pressures, it is important to recognize that internal forces also play equally crucial roles in the pursuit and execution of these objectives. The decisions of foreign policymakers must take into account domestic political considerations. This fact is especially evident in the political landscape of the United States, where the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branch allows Congress to act as a counterweight to the power of the president. All states, whether their governments are democratic or authoritarian, must contend with domestic political considerations when evaluating foreign policy decision.

Business Economics Essay

Cindy wants to invest in a new business that involves the installation of solar panels. In order to make an informed decision on this business venture, she will need to review potential profit/loss in the solar panel industry by considering future prospects for this type of business. Cindy also needs to decide whether she will invest her own funds or borrow the money to start the business. The imminent growth of the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is almost certain. When observing the rising costs of coal and natural gas prices, the decrease of PV system costs, and the government support of solar technology, the PV market looks to have a significant increase in volume over the next few years. According to SolarBuzz, a website dedicated to Solar Power and Energy, The solar PV industry has reached a critical tipping point, with end-market demand hitting record levels almost every quarter. This growth is being driven by leading module suppliers and project developers that returned to profitability during 2013, and which have now established highly-effective global sales and marketing networks.† (NPD Group, Inc., 2013) The article also states that â€Å"demand in Q1’14 will also achieve record-breaking status, as the strongest first-quarter ever seen by the PV industry.† (NPD Group, Inc., 2013) The cost of production for solar panels has decreased significantly. â€Å"The average cost for tier 1 solar photovoltaic manufacturers is expected to fall 6% during 2014, continuing the downward trend set in place since 2008, bringing the overall cost to a record low of $0.20 per watt, according to the latest research from NPD. (NPD Group, Inc., 2013) Further consumer incentives include lower utility bills, increased tax credits and higher resale values. â€Å"Homes with solar-power system using photovoltaic (PV) panels sell for an average of $24,705 more than homes without PV systems, research finds.† (Tanaka, 2014) The government supports the concept of solar power and aims to make it a major energy source. â€Å"Solar power as cheap as coal†¦ that is the holy grail of the solar power industry† (R. Glenn Hubbard, 2012) Government support includes generous subsidies to the consumer and producers of the PV industry. â€Å"Government agencies, utilities and others offer a variety of tax credits, rebates and other incentives to support energy efficiency, encourage the use of renewable energy sources, and support efforts to conserve energy and lessen pollution.† (Energy, 2014) I see four main factors influencing the price elasticity of demand: †¢Availability of close substitutes. Are there many available close substitutes for solar panels? The demand will tend to be elastic if Cindy and her customer can switch among the various types of PV’s for the same desired feature. †¢Are PV’s a necessity or a luxury? Currently, PV’s would be considered an elastic form of energy because there are other forms of electricity (coal/power plants). We once considered personal computers a luxury and they are now a necessity. Perhaps PV’s will be viewed the same way in the future. †¢How much of my income will PV’s consume? A large portion of consumer’s income equals elasticity. What portion of income can your client devote to the cost of solar panels? If it is a large share (elastic), what tradeoffs will client need to consider to make it a worthwhile purchase? †¢What is the time horizon when making decisions on PV’s? PV systems have productive life cycles of 30-50 years. (Brownson, 2014) A longer time horizon is said to be elastic. Recommendations Upon review of various criteria such as elasticity of demand, cost of production, etc, I would encourage Cindy to pursue this business venture. This sector is set to grow exponentially in the future. The fall in solar PV prices as well as other incentives will cause higher demand for  installation. This will benefit Cindy’s new business venture by bringing more installation business and lower input costs. This can be seen in the demand supply figure: It also makes good economic sense for Cindy to borrow money for her solar panel business venture as the government provides various subsidies to businesses involved in clean energy. â€Å"In total, the federal energy tax subsidies will cost more than $16 billion in 2013, up from only $5 billion in 2005.† (Bastach, 2013) Cindy can benefit from a piece of the clean energy subsidy pie. Bibliography Bastach, M. (2013, March 13). Most energy tax subsidies go toward green energy, energy efficiency. Retrieved from The Daily Caller: http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/14/cbo-most-energy-tax-subsidies-go-toward-green-energy-energy-efficiency/ Brownson, J. (2014, May 25). Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. Retrieved from Penn State University: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme810/node/593 Energy, U. D. (2014, may 25). Tax Credits, Rebates, and Savings. Retrieved from Energy.gov: http://energy.gov/savings NPD Group, Inc. (2013, December). Solarbuzz. Retrieved from Solarbuzz: http://www.solarbuzz.com/news/recent-findings/strong-growth-forecast-solar-pv-industry-2014-demand-reaching-49-gw R. Glenn Hubbard, A. P. (2012). Economics. VitalSouce bookshelf version. Tanaka, S. (2014, May 22). Payback Time for Solar-Power Energy Systems. Retrieved from The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304198504579571960667560156?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2F online.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304198504579571960667560156.html

Biology Lesson 3 Essays

Biology Lesson 3 Essays Biology Lesson 3 Paper Biology Lesson 3 Paper Primary producers or autotrophs are the ones that can produce complex organic substances or â€Å"food† from an energy source and inorgranic materials and in the illustration shown, these are the algae.   Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores are classified as heterotrophs or organisms that get their energy by consuming organic substances.   Herbivores feed on plants, and in the illustration shown, these are the small animals and protists which feed on algae. Carnivores get their energy from eating live animals, and these are the killer whale, elephant seal, leopard seal, crabeater seal, and adelie penguin.   Omnivores feed on both plants and live animals, and these are the cod, squid and krill which feed on algae and small animals and protists. Detritivores are animals and plants that consume decomposing organic materials or detritus.   Decomposers on the other hand are organisms that consume decomposed or dead organisms. They both contribute to decomposition and the recycling of nutrients. In the food chain or food web, detritivores can be the millipedes, woodlice, and worms that consume dead organic matter like a dead elephant, and decomposers are the bacteria and fungi that digest and decompose organic matter more fully than the detritivores. The system of feeding relationships as shown in the illustration is better defined as a food web because of the complexity of the network of interactions.   Food chain is just a simple straight-forward linear pathway from one organism to the next and so on.   In the illustration, it is obvious that the path of the flow of energy looks like a web, meaning the flow of energy from one source to another and so on is interconnected by different paths. Burning fossil fuels emit CO2, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere which in turn contributes to the increasing temperature change in the atmosphere.   The increase in temperature change in the atmosphere is a phenomenon called global climate change or more popularly known as the global warming. In the graph shown, increasing concentration of CO2 directly results to an increasing temperature change in the atmosphere as time passes.   The graph also has direct relation to the industrial revolution happening on our planet. More and more industries and power plants have come out as time passes and most of these industries and power plants rely on burning fossil fuels as their primary source of energy.   This brings a detrimental effect on our planet resulting to an increasing temperature in the atmosphere.

Marlboro Cigarette company case Study

Marlboro Cigarette company case Study Executive Summary The effects of tobacco use on human health have triggered a number of anti-tobacco campaigners; the campaigns are targeting casual/addicted users, social tobacco user and those people who have not started the habit. The anti-tobacco campaigners use both public education and legal legislations approach to control the use and sale of tobacco products.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Marlboro Cigarette company case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Marlboro is an international cigarette manufacturer and distributer, in 2010, the company’s products were the most used in Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia is among the few countries that have recorded an increase in tobacco use in the recent past. The increase in tobacco use in Saudi Arabia is evident despite governments’ and non-governmental movement’s campaigns to change peoples behavior. Anti-tobacco campaigns have been succe ssful in enacting policies that control marketing approach of tobacco products. This paper analysis the tobacco industry in Saudi Arabia; it will evaluate the effects of tobacco marketing control legislation on Marlboro Cigarettes Company as well as how the company has responded to the controls. Towards the end, the report will offer marketing recommendations that the company can enact to remain competitive in the fast growing Saudi Arabian market. Introduction The world tobacco industry has been facing challenges from strong advocacy against tobacco use by national, international, and non-governmental agencies; dispute the challenges, the companies in the industry has to sell their products. However, according to Euro-monitor report on tobacco use in Saudi Arabia, the country experienced an increase in volume and value terms of tobacco use, the country is having an increasing tobacco users. The above report was different from what was recorded in European and American Markets were tobacco consumption has drastically reduced (Euromonitor). Marlboro, is an international cigarette manufacture and distributor with its main operating base at Philip Morris USA (the Brach concentrates on the United States market) and Philip Morris International that concentrates on the company sale abroad; currently, Marlboro is the world largest cigarette company in the world and has its head quarters at Richmond, Virginia. Marlboro Company names its brands Marlboro that was a name borrowed from its initial location in the United Kingdom at Great Marlborough-Street. In Saudi Arabia, Marlboro products are imported into the country by corporate and individual importers; the brand is more considered and regarded for the well to do in the community. The tobacco industry has been facing numerous challenges, especially when it comes to marketing and advertising for the products.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your f irst paper with 15% OFF Learn More Diseases caused by tobacco use have claimed a number of lives in the world and remain to be the world’s largest killer; these statistics has been the strongest point of anti-tobacco campaigners. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has massive campaigns that advocate that there are no safe cigarettes; players in the industry are only left with the task of counter attacking these campaigns. The effects that the industry has had on human health has made the industry a monolith in terms of scope and coverage when relating to consumers; the marketing approach adopted by Marlboro minds consumers welfare at the same time selling its products; a conflict of interest (Engstrom 1-75). Since the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreements marketing has become a challenge to Marlboro, this paper diagnoses the marketing problems faced by Marlboro as it markets its in domestic and international markets; the paper will focus on Saudi Arabia. As European countries embark on campaigns that hinder the sale of tobacco and its products, Saudi Arabia is showing a reduced strength in its campaigns against the use of the products, the industry is growing and likely to grow further (Euromonitor). Company Background: Overview Marlboro first branch was established at Great Marlborough, London, it is from the name of it first location that the company derived its brand and factory name. in the company targets the United states in t1902, however the strength of the company was seen in 1924 when it when Altria Group Philip Morris International, the company’s founder, developed an advertising campaign selling filter-less cigarettes to women under an advertising campaigns named Mild as May. By then smoking was considered a social and acceptable until the late 1940’s when medical practitioners started to research on possible effects that smoking had on human health; with the wave to no smoking, the company establi shed a niche market that previous campaigns did not meet, men. It then diversified its focus and campaigns to men segment of the market. The wave of the anti-campaigns and warning from health was a big blow to the industry coupled with the Second World War; the company was pulled out of the market only to return with filtered cigarette in 1955. The company’s management team is lead by Michael Szymanczyk, the company’s chairman; the chief executive officer is William F. Gifford. The leadership mission as advocated for by the chairman is, My vision is that leadership becomes a defining factor that sets us apart from other organizations. The company’s mission and vision are contained in four operating paradigms as adopted by the company, they are:Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Marlboro Cigarette company case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Invest in Leadership: the company aims a t offering appropriate leadership that can assist the company add value to its stake holders align with Society:  the company aims to add value to societies that its operates Satisfy Adult Consumers:  the company has a target to produce satisfying brands to its customers as it tries to win others Create Substantial Value for Shareholders: the company has high value for its shareholders and aims at adding value to them To fulfill the above elements of vision and mission, the company operates under the frameworks of five values they are: Integrity, trust and respect. Passion to succeed. Executing with quality. Driving creativity into everything, we do. Sharing with others. The effect of tobacco industry products span further than the consumer of the product to have an effect on both consumer and those people around smokers, the major health complications brought about by the consumption of tobacco are pulmonary illnesses and other conditions that could be described as cancerous in nature like bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer. Despite the health dangers that the industry products on the health of human beings, the use of the products still is on the increase; Marlboro Company realized the life threatening danger that its products have , however there is insatiable market that it has to supply for (RE 996-1003). The tobacco industry in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is the world largest Muslim country, however, there are rises in tobacco use among the population despite shisha culture and efforts made by the government and international bodies to curb the use of the products. Pipe tobacco remains as the most proffered method of taking tobacco, its products in the country, in 2009, the country recorded the highest sales in cigars, and the growth of smokers is evident in the count. According to the countries industrial analysis in 2010,   Philip Morris International Inc   (Malboro) had the highest share of the market in volume and sales. The report by Eu ro-monitor suggested that the major likelihood of the increase in tobacco use in the country can be contributed to the economic well being of the country that enable the population afford luxury commodities more easily (Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia). In the country, the control of purchase of the commodity has been limited, in 2009, almost in all supermarkets had a cigarette vending machine that was efficient and offered buyers good chances of buying the commodity. other than the vending booths, the country is having increasing specialized suppliers of tobacco leading to an increased accessibility of the products in the country; the products are also sold in independent small grocers and hotels/bars/restaurants, convenience stores, and forecourt retailers. The future of the industry in Saudi Arabia is expected to be on the rise especially with the improved access of the products in among the youth.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The effects that tobacco use has had on Saudi Arabia is evident, in 2006, the government threatened to sue the national and international cigarette companies to cater for the cost of curing those people affected by use of tobacco. In 2006, the country is estimated to have been using 5bn riyals ( £683m; $1.3bn) a year. According to world health organization reports of 2006, 10% of Saudi Arabians are smokers, the figure has also been challenged for having underestimated the case with some analysts being of the view that the rate may be as higher as 30% (Euromonitor). Problem Statement The main problem facing the company is how to market its products amidst aggressive campaigns against consumption of tobacco supported by legislations against the products consumption. The  World Health Organization  (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) are among the leaders in the campaign against tobacco consumption; they have enacted restrictions to hinder and contr ol marketing and advertising tobacco. In Saudi Arabia, the ministry of health during Ramadan of 2009, launched an anti-tobacco campaign and legislation; the program was launched to enforce the countries Tobacco Control Program, it aimed at setting the platforms of selling tobacco in the country, it controlled the use of the product in public places and advertising. Advertisement is means to reach a certain target market with certain information that a company intends to pass, when the information gets to the customer, then he can be persuaded to use the advertising company’s products. In the case of Marlboro, the marketing team has the role of ensuring that cigarette brand from the company are getting to the market segment they were meant to reach as well as increase the market base. However, the efforts are controlled and limited by legislations controlling the industry; other than coming up with marketing strategy, the company has to ensure the strategies do not contravene legislations regulating the industry. Coming to think about it, who are new entrants that the company are trying to get to the net of using the products, are they are the innocent youth and non-smokers in a community? According to the company’s website, it does not aim at increasing smoking rates in a country but it competes for available adult smokers, the market becomes further competitive from other companies, and the fast dying (from tobacco related diseases) and quitting (after being convinced of the dangers of smoking) population. The controversy comes between the company’s core objective of increasing business through offering satisfying products and services to its customers. The following are the specific problems that the company is facing: How can the company advertise and sell its products without negative effects of anti-tobacco campaigns How can the company sell and market its products to people of majority age without influencing the desire of taking to bacco on people of the age of minority Which tools can the company use to give back to the community after â€Å"killing† its people What is the best way to enlarge their market and remain an accepted company in the community Marlboro marketing team is actively involved in getting answers to the above burning questions; it want to be a country with high reputation and one that adds value to community and people around, however in the industry has been blamed for causing harm to the communities. To market and remain a respected company among community that company has to build a name despite the already existing negative perception and it need to build its own platform. Specifically, the study will focus on how the company can convince existing adult smokers to use its products; this will call for persuading consumers from other companies to use Marlboro products in the growing market of Saudi Arabia. To give an elaborate analysis, the paper will be divided in different parts each having certain issue, it aims at tackling; all the issues will be tied to the company’s strategies (Dewhirst and Brad 81-92). Historical background of the problem or contributing factors The cigarette market segment has been skewed to a minimal number, the population that the major players are expected to target is adult smokers, and the players in the industry should not try to increase the number of smokers. however, it should only be interested with the existing groups in the community who are smokers and of the age of 21 and above. The  American Cancer Society International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Tobacco Control Program in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian anti tobacco policy, Tobacco Settlement Agreements and the  U.S. Surgeon General, prohibits promotion of tobacco products to non-users and the youth, the agencies also regulate the marketing approaches that companies in the industry should use. Other than the skewed market, the market is suffering fro m high death rates fro use of tobacco products and quitters from smoking after an effective â€Å"stop-smoking-campaign†, this has made the market smaller and more competitive (Tobacco Industry Profile: United States 1). Literature review According to Reuters Anti-Smoking Society, every year, 22000 people in the Saudi Arabia die out of tobacco products use; report by Ministry of Health  in  Saudi Arabia in 2009 said that the world had lost 29 million people of tobacco use; this alarming statistics has yielded less to the behavior change in Saudi Arabia. Adverting is a crucial part in selling of a company’s products; it creates awareness and used as a tool to enlarge a company’s market base. In the tobacco sector, different people have their own tastes that they seem to be loyal and persuading a customer to shift to ones products needs a lot of energy and use of resources. On the other hand, it is more ethical to persuade customers leave their smoking behavio r instead of persuading them to change brands. Marlboro as well as other companies in the industry opts to concentrate on getting convince the existing ones to shift to its products than new smokers on board than tying. The main form of advertising and outdoor customer reaching method that Marlboro has been using (before the ban on public advertisement in Saudi Arabia) is the use of billboards and sports, the sport that the company is known to support is rallying. the young and the old are the target of the advertisement campaigns however the campaigns have influence minors to take the products, which is against the requirements of World health Organization as well as the company’s intentions/motives. Ministry of Health  in  Saudi Arabia, anti-tobacco legislations are hindering the company’s traditional marketing approach has been challenged by legislations controlling the industry (Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia). Other than the difficulty that the company fac es from convincing existing smokers to shift to the company’s products, the rate of death from tobacco related products is on the increase, the death is in among the old smokers, thus the company has minimal option other than target the young population. According to statistics, user of tobacco products are more likely to start taking the products before they are of the age of majority, if the company has to campaign aiming at getting the non smokers, then the adverts must be seen to be inclined towards the age of majority, this is unethical and unaccepted. the company is left at deadlock of the way forward since the most probable way that it can earn customers is against the societal expectations and needs. Tobacco is addictive thus, when a company is able to win a customers, it is on the higher side to have earned a lifetime customer, this is reinforced by the loyalty that smokers have for their brand. The notion and the behavior of consumers make marketing cigarettes chall enging especially if the focus is to win existing adult smokers. When using direct means of marketing like advertising, health advocators are of the opinion that continues advertisement of the companies’ products is likely to result to an increase use of the products among the youth and children. they have thus pushed for enactment of policies that limit direct advertising of cigarettes, the move is seen as one aimed at controlling the growth of the number of smokers in the community (Mejia and PM 78-87). The nature of Saudi Arabian tobacco industry market-situation is that that can be classified as a sticky market where players earn customers for â€Å"lifetime†. this sticky character means that the growth of the industry can only be attained if the new entrants exceed the total of those dying because of smoking and those quitting smoking; it is a give take industry. The very nature then determines the approach that a company in the industry is going to use; it is the approach to attract more smokers as the old ones are retained. With the trend and approach as used by tobacco industry, Saudi Arabian anti-tobacco campaigners are using the same approach but in a different angle. Anti-tobacco campaigners target the young population in the community to warn them on the dangers that smoking tobacco is likely to have on their health, they directly ask the young to keep off the smoking behavior/menace. To do this the campaigners give statistical data on the effect that tobacco has done in the world and suggest the best most method to keep off the problem is through complete abstinence the product, they also target those people taking the products with a message of hope and the will to rehabilitate and help them change the behavior. Their approach is more direct and seen as more ethical than the approach adopted by Marlboro and other companies in the tobacco industry. For example it is more welcoming for anti-tobacco campaigners to go to high schools se lling their products but its is never welcoming to have cigarette manufacturing companies advertising in high schools, which can be seen as unethical and as a promotion o deviant behavior among community. The ethical approach of the market and anti-campaigners leave the company at cross road on the right approach it can get an increased business. Anti-tobacco campaigners suggest that cigarette-manufacturing companies should switch their campaigns to prevention of the use of the products since it leads to more damage among communities than the goods it brings. The benefit that comes from the companies in the form of taxes, employment and agriculture promotion is highly lower than the health implications that the uses of the products have. The Ministry of health in Saudi Arabia is on the forefront enacting campaigns that target at reducing the rate of consumption of tobacco in the country; for example, it is illegal for the use of the products in public offices and buildings (Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia). The sale and marketing department at Marlboro has to come-up with an approach that erode and deletes the negative perception created by anti-campaigners and enforce the habit of smoking among the youth. This is a double sword that the company needs to employ; the approach to advertising is seen as a marketing from a negative market persuasion and going to the building to a positive market (CL 283-294). In Saudi Arabia, over 20% of those people who are suffering from lung cancer and other complications from the use of tobacco continue to use the products despite their health and medical advice. Cigarette smoking yield some poisonous gasses and thousands of chemicals that find their way to human system, the chemicals are harmful and affects the health and physical appearance of the smoker and those people around him/her as smoking takes place. The ingredients found in cigarettes are toxic and addictive; thus when someone starts the behavior he is more unli kely to leave; campaigners against smoking used the weapon of the deadly diseases that can be gotten with the use of the drug to warn people against the products. Marlboro has been targeting the existing users of its products with the aim of maintaining and winning their loyalty; to do this the company tries to put a face that discourages the behavior however, it ensures that it sells its products effectively. In recognition of the danger and according to the law, the company has to give a warning on its products that smoking is dangerous for one’s health. Individuals suffer from tobacco related ailments like heart failures and emphysema, which is a fatal illness that affects lungs and entire respiratory system; however, users of tobacco products continue to use them despite the dangers; one strong point of the industry that maintaining the existing customers is not a challenge. Numerous marketing and advertising controls that have been made by the company, they include not a dvertising for the youth and not using television and radios to advertise the products, on the other hand, advertising of tobacco has been controlled by national and international legislation promoting health (Chee-Ruey 795-804). The main players or actors who contributed to this problem Marlboro is facing challenges from different corners; they are from people who are advocating for anti-tobacco players at national and international players they include: Anti-tobacco players and ministry of health They are groups sponsored by governments and other financing channels with the aim of information the youth about the dangers they are exposing themselves to when they are taking tobacco products. In Saudi Arabia, the ministry of health has a Tobacco Control Program at the ministry; the main aim of the program is to ensure that the population stops tobacco use. These groups target the youth who have nit started the behavior as well as those people who are using the products. When these gr oups conduct their sensitization, which they do with verifiable facts on how tobacco products have affected people, then the population that is likely to form customer base for the likes of Marlboro is limited. The approach of these organizations has stepped a notch higher when they have included the parents and advised them on how to smoke away from their children, and not to send their children cigars and cigarettes, these groups are determined to hamper campaigns that lead to the use of cigar and their products. The Saudi Arabian government and ministries of health are other players who have anti-tobacco campaigns, they feel the behaviors has resulted to an increased budget in the economy; they feel the economy can be relieved this duty. One of the main roles that a government aims at is to improve the welfare and health of its population, when the government is doing this task; they discourage people from taking tobacco products. In different countries, governments have enacted rules that hinder the use and advertising of the products, for example in Kenya, an African country, cigarettes are not supposed to be advertised through the national media, companies in the industry has to look for other measures advertise their products; this has limited the use of the products. In the United States, there is a legislation that defines the where people should be taking the products; local councils have the responsibility of maintaining smoking zones and ensuring that everybody smoking is in the zones. As much as this is seen as a good policy to prevent the effect of the products, it has influenced negatively to the companies in the industry. The Saudi Arabian health policy has a number of legislations aimed at protecting the health of the people; they include Anti-tobacco rules and Tobacco Control Program at the ministry. The legislations were aimed at prohibiting the use and sale of tobacco to underage people; the following are some of the specifications of the l egislations: Prohibit the sale of tobacco using â€Å"self service† Establish the minimal age of selling cigarette (the age was set at 18 years) Required that all consumers should get identification document to people expected t be of less than 27 years In 2009 alone, there was none underage legislations that were made to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to underage and prohibit the use of tobacco in public places. In the United Kingdom, advertisement of tobacco and their products has been limited, the legislators in the country are of the opinion that advertising the products have a close link between their uses among the youth so they have controlled the marketing approaches used. One such approach that seems to have been accepted internationally is the use of a warning message with every advert and on the packets with the message that smoking of tobacco is harmful to one’s health. For example, The United States of America Food Drug Administration (FDA  orà ‚  USFDA), is mandated with the role of protecting and promoting  public health. It fulfills its task through delegated powers from United States Department of Health and Human Services to regulate and supervise the provision of food and medical service/product. One of the areas that the body looks into is the tobacco consumption and the use of tobacco products. The authority was mandated with the rule of regulating tobacco on June 22, 2009, when President Obama signed a clause that allowed the authority to regulate tobacco industry. It has set high standards of tobacco use and discouraged the use of the commodity in human arenas and prevents any move that could give the impression that smoking is less risky or contains low nicotine, it prohibits the use of the words like â€Å"light,† â€Å"mild,† or â€Å"low†, they were thought to create a perception that smoking. Such corporations are also placing blame on tobacco manufacturing companies that they are resp onsible of the current tobacco consumption trend in the world. The power that such organizations are getting from the acts of parliaments that have enacted them is making them able to use direct attacks method to campaign against the use of tobacco products (Any tobacco use in 13 States behavioral risk factor surveillance system 946-950). In Australia, the use of mass marketing for campaigning against the use of tobacco was started when there was Sponge advertisement in the original Quit. For life, this was in 1970’s. National Tobacco Strategy 2004–2009, has the mandate to ensure has the mandate to ensure that there are campaigns that are aimed at reducing the consumption of tobacco in the society. It aims to attain this strategy by alighting users on the dangers that they are posing to their bodies when they use tobacco, the country aims at informing its citizens on the danger that can be suffer from when they take tobacco products Encourage users to quit using thes e products, the country has developed some coaching, counseling and rehabilitation centers that aim at assisting people already addicted by tobacco use to change their addiction behavior developed a quitting process and increase understanding of the quitting process, and Enhance treatments and services to those who are already using the products; the heath care sector has been enhanced with modern equipments to cure those people suffering from tobacco related complications. When such government and ministry policies have been set in places, then marketing and advertising of tobacco products have been hampered. It acts like a pull push game where the powerful side wins the battle. China has the world largest market for tobacco products followed by Brazil, the United States fall in third in production and use, while Saudi Arabia is the second largest growing user of tobacco products, the sale of the product and importation has been restricted in many countries with tariff and not tar iff approaches. For example in the 1985, the United states was challenged for bleached agreements made under General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), when it refused the importation of tobacco products from China, although the move was condemned the country under USTR was able to convinces the world the need to contain the use of tobacco in the country. This made tobacco an exemption from some international trade laws. Heath personnel’s and practitioners Saudi Arabian government and private good health campaigners and the growth of health industry and ease of passing information among people is contributing negatively to the industry, health workers are having programs to train people on how they should be save from diseases especially life threatening diseases, tobacco is a culprit in life threatening diseases. When the practitioners are aiming at improving the welfare of the people, they are injuring the company on the other side. One special and positive attribute th at tobacco companies benefit from is the fact that the products are addictive, medical experts who have come up with tools that can cure any addition have hindered the move. The international community Internationally, some programs that target tobacco and its use directly, they include world cancer day that creates awareness on the dangers that can be gotten when someone is taking tobacco products. Tobacco control movement is an international body that aims at creating more awareness on the danger of tobacco use, the programs has the main role of educating the young people on the advantages of not engaging into smoking at the same time offering hope to the addicted people. Some rehabilitation centers have been established with the aim of changing the addition behavior. For a number of years World Health Organization and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) has been concerned on the use of Tobacco among the people, it pointed out the dangers that consumption of the same hav e on the users and on partial smokers. The two international organizations are of the opinion that if appropriate measures are put in place, then tobacco consumption can be reduced. In periodical health results and analysis, WHO has been condemning the use of tobacco; in some countries that rely heavily on the production of tobacco, the organization has sponsored farmers to plant other plants that they advise are more economical than tobacco but the main aim is to fight the tobacco tread. Indirect players The danger of tobacco has become real in some people and is using every opportunity to discourage its use, for instance parents might have suffered from their tobacco use habits and children learn from them. Environments conservatisms have also a role to play, they are discouraging the use of tobacco products as they damage the environment. There have been concerns that the growth of tobacco has negative effect on soils that they are grown. Taxation in the industry is another move that different government have used in the efforts of discouraging the use of the drug, in the republic of south Africa, the country has high taxation on tobacco products; many are the times that budgets have increased the products tax rates. The government has also regulated the packaging and displays that cigarettes should have in the country; for example, shops should not display the products and should only sell in packages of ten. This discourages the expansion of the market as the products become expensive and unaffordable. Challenges, issues, and prospects Despite the prevailing campaigns against smoking, the Saudi Arabian Market is on the rise, Marlboro has to advertise and come up with strategies to win more customers. According the company’s website, sales for 2009 declined by 8% in the United States but in 2010, the company’s sales were at their peak in Saudi Arabia, the trend was expected to increase because of anti-tobacco campaigns as well as competition in the industry. The design of the approach aimed at increasing the company’s share of the market without recruiting other smokers. To remain afloat in the fast growing and competitive Saudi Arabian tobacco industry, the company has embarked on brand strengthening strategy where adult smokers are targeted to buy the company’s brands. The advertising and marketing approach adopted by the company aims at creating brand awareness, recognition and loyalty among adult cigarette smokers; to attain this goal, the company has enacted a personalized selling approach where it sells via emails to customers, retails outlets and running of occasional promotional campaigns to support the marketing campaign. The advertising strategy operated by the company has made the company’s brand to be the ninth strongest brand in the world; though the target of the adverting cannot be really be stated as a certain age, there are some successful adverts that even a ten-year-old person can establish and relate with Marlboro. An example of the advert is Joe Camel, in the advert, the company presented a case that a horse was seen restless but after smoking a stick of cigarette, the animal is seen to relax and becomes rejuvenated. Such an advert is a psychological approach where the company communicates in depth but using a rather indirect method. The characters chosen in adverts are characters that show boldness and the boldness is associated with the brand that the company is trying to promote. Marlboro uses image-character adverting, in the billboards it uses characters that are seen to be bold and highly valued among communities; when such an approach is adopted, then people are more likely to associate the character in the advert and the products and eventually they end up smoking. When posing the adverts, Marlboro seeks to create an impression hat it has the aim of entertaining the community however a close analysis of the adverts can revel the intention that they want to create, they always aim at associating greatness with the products. The form of image advertising is mostly very successful among the youth people and has a psychological effect on smokers who feel their mightiness when smoking the product; this creates loyalty to the products. Since there is a challenge in direct advertisement, the company uses some elements of the same in private areas and places, for example, it uses the adverts in movies and television shows, whether directly or indirectly. for example, the main character of a movie may be portrayed taking a stick of the Marlboro, in most case, this is the person whom the youth can associate or would like to be associate with, in so doing, the young get persuaded to use the products. The company has been using paid adverts in feels and movies to ensure that when the movie is selling the message has been passed to the customer. The move however was present in the 20th century but the government has strengthened and contr olled the film industry to avoid such moves. As a form of indirect marketing, the company supports youth activities especially sporting activities, like sports. There are some sporting clubs and organizations that the company supports. For example in Latin America, the company runs a football-sporting tournament where it aims at creating awareness of its products indirectly. When looking for the function to support, the company is keen to venture in those projects that can calls for high mass following of the youth. In times of peaceful and guaranteed demonstrations, the company chips in to assist in the preparation and even offers some packets of the products to the demonstrators. This creates the brand identity and increases awareness of the brand among the youth (Michael 222-233). Implications for future use In November 1988, the company with other major tobacco producer signed an agreement with some American and European countries on how the industry could be managed. Some of th e countries involved in the signing were Florida, Minnesota, Mississippi and Texas, the agreement was called Tobacco Settlement Agreements, and the agreement was aimed at monitoring the use of tobacco products. The agreement was entered for health interests but offered restrictions that affected Marlboro and other companies in the industry, the following are some of the restrictions as per the agreement: The companies should not engage in adverts that target the youth; the adverts were aimed to be to already existing adult smokers The agreement prohibited the use of cartoons and animations in advertising, promotion, packaging or labeling of tobacco; the use was thought to have the likelihood of influencing the youth to take tobacco products The agreement barred the use of billboards, stadium and outdoor/transit advertisements like on vehicles, taxis, trains, ships, boats and bus stops The agreement prohibited the distribution of caps, shirts and backpacks, bearing tobacco brand nam es and logos; this was a challenging decision but the companies had to comply The following were the advertising areas that the agreement allowed: Advertising on magazines and periodicals, however the adverts should not target youth and children Since 2005, the company placed no restriction to advertising news papers and dailies (Sundaram and Kaushik 194-204) In the future if the company maintain effective marketing approaches, then it can outdoes other players in the industry and earn an increasing share of the market despite a reduction in cigarette consumption rate. Alternative solutions as to how this problem can be implemented Saudi Arabian tobacco industry seem to be offering a future to Marlboro’s sales, in 2010, the company was the leader in the sale of cigarettes in the country, however, Marketing cannot be ignored for the success of Marlboro. the challenging thing is the approach that the firm should use that is likely to benefit the company and create no harm to the community, and the most strategy is an indirect marketing and selling approach. Under this approach, the company should aim at creating a strong brand name and if possibly try to win the already existing smokers. The marketing department has the role of establishing what can be referred to as soft selling and psychological selling; by this approach, the company will not target groups and the youth directly. However, it will create such needed relationship that can trigger the minds of people of the company’s superiority, the approach should be in line with the legislations enacted in the industry. When promoting the products, the company should use a push approach of marketing, this is an advertising approach where the company makes its products so good to resist, for example, it can have cheap products for the masses and have some other products sold at a premium for the well to do in the society. Some of the indirect marketing exercises that the company can adopt inclu de the use of corporate social responsibilities and corporate governance. In the efforts to ensure that it has created healthy suppliers relation, the company should target farmers. It should empower farmers to produce sorter by the use of good pays, guaranteeing that they will buy the products as well as selling shares to farmers. When such an approach is used, then the company will have guaranteed supply of tobacco in its lifetime. When selling to consumers, there is always, the feeling that a consumer feels attracts him or her to a certain brand, Marlboro should engage in massive market research to establish the approaches that it can adopt to win the masses, there should be continuous development of products, tastes and processes. When the company come up with better and more diversified tastes, the masses are likely to divert their attention to the company’s products. In the massive campaigns against smoking and use of tobacco products, the company should aim at a campai gn that does not seem to contradict the campaigns since at the end of the day they have an upper hand and when fighting them the company is likely to face repulsion from the communities. The approach should be tactical and well through; creating an impression of promoting bad life threatening behavior should be avoided. On the other hand, in the efforts of ensuring there is no confrontation with the authorities, the company should aim at complying with all set regulations. Domestic legislations varies with countries, there are some countries who have lose legislations on tobacco and its products for example Saudi Arabia; the company should consider tapping such markets as a way of diversifying sales and increasing the sale volume. Such countries include Cambodia and Jamaica; they seem to have little concern on the advertising methods and the use of tobacco products among its population. When venturing in these markets, the company will be greatly be assisted by having a variety of b rand. The company should aim at developing smoking not as a habit but a social thing, an approach that aims not to create addicts but to have some people who smoke occasionally. Such an approach should be borrowed from beer companies; in the world the greatest position of alcohol products consumed in the world is by social drinkers, they take the products over the weeks or such times, this has no effect on the communities. When such a policy has been enforced, then the company will be able to grow sales without having a huge negative effect on the community taking the products. The approach can be reinforced further by the manufacture of low nicotine Products, they should be seen as products that have minimal effects on human health, and thus people can use the products without considering much danger. Although high restriction of tobacco advertising in the Saudi Arabia, some areas that the country has allowed for advertising; the county prohibits advertising of the products through televisions and radio stations but it does not prohibit the use of print media. This should be seen as a loophole that the company should exploit. The most important thing in an advertising campaign is to create awareness, print media may have limited assess to the people that the case world have been for televisions however if well utilized the message can be passed effectively. The company should diversify its resources in buying space in dailies, periodical and magazines. Periodically, the company should be producing a magazine that handles different issues in life and market its products inside. The magazines should be attractive to the target customers to increase their sales. Marlboro is known for the use of billboards, although it has been successful in this area, it has not exhausted the approach; it should diversify the approach in all it selling countries. Although the company has diversified in different countries, the company has not fully taken advantage of internation al trade and globalization; the marketing should have developed aggressive foreign countries marketing approach to win a larger market. Another area that the company has not exploited fully the use of internet as a marketing tool, with the high rise of use of computers, the company can tap the international community and the youth. The company should have entertaining and catching adverts posed in the internet and places like you-tubes and social network. Although the company has a social network page, it should be more robust advertising and marketing its products via the website. For instance, it should have an automatic friend’s acquisition and a site where smokers can offer their experience with the products. So far you tube is considered a private affair and when used to air out interesting scripts advertising Marlboro products can be an effective method. The videos created can be passed over in the social net works; when there is an interesting video, it is likely to re ach a number of people. It should carry a message that can persuade customers to use the products. Social networks are growing fast and the young are the main users of the sites so when targeted they can be of great benefit to the company. The use of sports as an indirect advertising tool can be an effective way of advertising cigarettes; although Marlboro is using golf and rally sporting to advertise, the company is seen to have concentrated on one segment of the market and forgot there are other people who can offer it good market. The use of the bottom of the pyramid approach should be implemented; when such an approach issued, then the company will aim at targeting the masses with great tastes at an affordable price. When the approach is used, the company is likely to benefit from increased sales. Some of the games that the company can use are football tournaments fully supported and named as the company and when the game is on, and then the company will have a chance to sell it s products to the communities. From the way things look, the company can only be successful if it personalizes its sales and advertising campaigns, they should target micro groups and individuals. The company should use the general behaviors of the youth who are known to cope with each other, when one section of the young is taking cigarettes then the entire group of the young is likely to start taking the product. When among other smokers, the company should aim at winning the markets and persuading people to start taking its products; the policies to win such groups include products improvement and having more tastes that can attract a higher customer base. The use of mail advertising is a good approach by the company however, the company should consider other form of individualized customer approach like the use of mobile phones and social networks accounts. The company should also use a retailer marketing approach; this is where the company offers incentives to consumers to stoc k its products, the advantages include a higher profit margin doorstep delivery and ensuring that retail outlets are well stocked with the commodity. This should be done alongside line extension and strengthening relationship between adult smokers and their preferred brands; study of the market will assist the company establish the new tastes they can come up with for more customer base (Oriola 828-840). Retailers should be well advised on the approach they should take when selling the company’s products so that at any one point, they will not be violating the legislations by domestic and international bodies. Conclusion and Recommendation Marlboro is an international cigarette company that has been in the business for over a century; marketing in the tobacco industry is challenging because of restrictions put by national and international anti-tobacco campaigns. Restrictions in the industry have limited the advertising campaigns enacted by Marlboro however, the company is us ing the limited allowed tools of advertising, and they include magazines, social networks and mail advertising. Despite the successful campaigns, in 2009, the company recorded an 8% decline in sales; however, the sales were at their pick 2010 only in Saudi Arabia. The best marketing approach in Saudi Arabia that the company can adopt is one that targets adult smokers and persuade them switch to its products, instead of targeting non-smokers. To target effectively the existing smokers, the company should embark on corporate social responsibilities programs and creating good smokers-company relationship. â€Å"Any tobacco use in 13 State behavioral risk factor surveillance systems, 2008. MMWR. Morbidity And Mortality Weekly Report 59.30 (2010): 946-950. Print. Chee-Ruey, Hsieh. Health risk and the decision to quit smoking. Applied Economics 30.6 (1998): 795-804. Print. CL, Perry. Associations between tobacco marketing and use among urban youth in India. American Journal of Health Be havior 32.3 (2008): 283-294. Print. Dewhirst, Timothy, and Brad Davis. BRAND STRATEGY AND INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION (IMC). Journal of Advertising 34.4 (2005): 81-92. Print. Engstrom, McClave. Adult Tobacco Survey 19 states, 2003-2007. MMWR Surveillance Summaries 59.3 (2010): 1-75. Print. Euromonitor. Tobacco in Saudi Arabia. Oct 2010. Web. Marlboro Official Website. Responsibility, 2011. Web. Mejia, AB, and PM Ling. Tobacco industry consumer research on smokeless tobacco users and product development. American Journal of Public Health 100.1 (2010): 78-87. Print. Michael, Cummings. Usage patterns of stop smoking medications in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States: findings from the 2006-2008 International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 8.1 (2011): 222-233. Print. Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Health In Saudi Arabia Launches Anti-smoking campagin During Ram adan. Web. Oriola, TA. Ethical and legal analyses of policy prohibiting tobacco smoking in enclosed public spaces. Journal of Law, Medicine Ethics 37.4 (2009): 828-840. Print. RE, Malone. If you know you exist, its just marketing poison: meanings of tobacco industry targeting in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. American Journal of Public Health 98.6 (2008): 996-1003. Print. Sundaram, Davis, and Kaushik Mitra. ETHICAL EVALUATION OF MARKETING PRACTICES IN TOBACCO INDUSTRY. International Journal of Business Research 7.2 (2007): 194-204. Print. Tobacco Industry Profile: United States. Tobacco Industry Profile: United States (2010): 1.Print.

Teaching of Advanced Mathematics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Teaching of Advanced Mathematics - Essay Example But before that, we must delve further into the importance of the questioning mechanism, thus I shall bring out opinions presented by established mathematicians in relation to this study, as applied to classroom teaching of Mathematics. Ainley, J. as mentioned above, interprets her findings about questioning techniques, on the premise that, when, applied to classroom study, everytime the teacher asks a question, it merely implies her underlying desire in testing the student's learning outcome. Therefore, a teacher's questioning style is described as "guess what is in my mind" tactics. Some of the frequent techniques of mathematical questioning range from using open questions, not commenting on answers but waiting for more, bringing in other people, collecting a range of responses on the board, seeking agreement, alternatives and dissent, using or not using "hands-up", using names to generate particular response, remaining silent until something else is said, and eventually all effort s culminating towards a successful learning outcome. Jim Smith, in his article "Questioning Questioning" (1986) in the same study as Ainley, advises to maintain a balance between saying too much so that things become repetitive, to saying nothing at all. Suggesting that students be encouraged to talk enthusiastically about how they have helped other students, be allowed to interrupt teachers with relevant questions, and thereby, enable them to take part in the scheme by Skemp called "relational" learning (1976 & 1993), which is a flexible methodology that imparts in the student, a genuine interest in the deeper aspects of learning Mathematics, not only through methods and formulae but also by developing in them the much-needed grasping power to form powerful connections, interpretations, eliminate unnecessary fear of complex figures and symbols (such as surds, integrands, graphs, tables, etc.) and a chain of unbroken knowledge to further advance their learning capabilities. Both mathematicians have affirmed the potent power of "testing" methodologies over simple "seeking" questions. As discussed in relevant examples above, upon our own close introspection, we can find that several of these questioning techniques are already followed by us in enhancing day-to-day learning activities whatever be the subject of study. In the course lesson example mentioned in this paper, I have designed my scheme to accommodate this very school of thought. In an effort to understand the constructive ideas behind methods of questioning, we have at our disposal, a

Analysis Of GE, Clean Energy Group and Yingli Solar Energy Company Essay

Analysis Of GE, Clean Energy Group and Yingli Solar Energy Company Profiles - Essay Example A number of studies have been taken up to assess the actual achievability and practicability of the renewable resources of energy. Issues have been raised about the concerns on sustainability of the alternative energy resources. One of them is the requirement of a detailed analysis of the suitability of the diverse technologies and expertise in the sector and efficient utilization of the by-products, and managing of natural resources. This also consists of nature conservation issues, pollution control, demand supply of energy and the social acceptance by the society. The use and viability of this technology cannot be evaluated until it has been put to use on a large and long-term scale and assess the results in the social and environmental contexts. Moreover, the complex social systems may lead to uncertainty in the minds of the project planners which might be enhanced by the lack of flexibility of the technology system to meet the demands of the social, economic systems of the socie ty. However, all these concerns related to the development of the clean energy sector will not possibly hamper the continuing growth and production in the sector and the increasing importance of maintaining sustainability in the business sector. The renewable energy sector has continued to grow along with the climate change and control issues, high rise in the prices of oil, increasing international community support and encouraging energy regulation laws. Studying the various, environmental social technological and economic benefits arising from the sector, there are a number of them which can be counted upon. Sustainable clean energy business contributes to the environment with reduced carbon emissions, deceleration in the climate, reduced flood rate, improved air quality and landfilling prospects, (Scott, 2010). Among the economic benefits, the chances of job creation, manufacturing and research – development expertise, increased supply as compared to the existing levels, higher investment in the sector are some of them. Among the social issues that may be benefitted due to a long-term sustainable clean energy business are direct employment, retention of population in remote cities, increase in the skill and expertise of the remote population that gets employed and higher quality of life. Challenges to the Clean Energy Sector In this section, the challenges to the clean energy sector shall be studied. In spite of the fast growth of the renewable energy resources, there exist many challenges. Some of them are discussed below – Reliability?†¢ The most popular renewable sources of clean energy – wind and solar are variable in nature and cannot be a reliable round the clock resources.