Factors Affecting Essay Example for Free

Factors Affecting Essay Few markets avoid change, which involves new products or new ways of making existing products. Some industries are more likely to undergo substantial changes brought about by new technologies and new adaptations of existing technologies. The IT, computer and mobile phone markets are experiencing more innovation than most. How do businesses benefit from introducing radical new products and what factors influence the range and pace of innovation? Spending on research and development (RD) is growing globally and in most industrial sectors. The benefits to a country of encouraging RD spending include: †¢creation of high-tech jobs †¢creation of high-added-value products that may then be manufactured in that country †¢prestige – a country being linked to scientific and technological breakthroughs †¢Attraction of investment by multinational corporations. Several factors may influence the level of research and development (RD) and innovation by a business: †¢The nature of the industry. Rapidly changing technologies – and consumer expectations – in pharmaceutical products, defense, computer and software products and motor vehicles lead to the need for substantial investment in RD by leading firms. Other businesses, such as hotels and hairdressing, would need to spend much less as the scope for innovation is more limited. †¢The RD and innovation spending plans of competitors. In most markets, it is essential to innovate as much as or more than competitors if market share and technical leadership are to be maintained. However, a monopoly may limit RD spending if it believes that the risk of a more technically advanced competitor entering the market is limited. On the other hand, profits from a monopoly could be used to finance research into innovative products if the risk of competitor entry into the industry is high. †¢Business expectations. If business managers are optimistic about the future state of the economy and the rate of economic growth and consumer demand, then they are more likely to agree to substantial budgets for RD and aim to introduce more innovative products. †¢The risk profile or culture of the business. The attitude of the management to risk and whether shareholders are prepared to invest for the long term will have a significant effect on the sums that businesses can inject into RD programmes. ‘Short-termism’ is an accusation made towards many major UK financial institutions and the need to satisfy these investors could discourage managers from investing in RD. Government policy towards grants to businesses and universities for RD programmes and the range and scope of tax allowances for such expenditure will influence decisions by businesses. †¢Finance is needed for effective RD. In many firms this may be limited and will restrict the number of new innovations that could be made. Reference: http://classof1.com/homework-help/operations-management-homework-help View as multi-pages

Comparing Existentialism in The Trial and Nausea :: comparison compare contrast essays

Existentialism in The Trial and Nausea  Ã‚   The Trial and Nausea  Ã‚   Webster's Dictionary defines Existentialism as a "philosophic doctrine of beliefs that people have absolute freedom of choice and that the universe is absurd, with an emphasis on the phenomena of anxiety and alienation." As Existentialism was coming to the foreground of the philosophical world during the 1940's, a group of Existentialist philosophers became well-known public figures in America. Their philosophies were commonly discussed in magazines, and their concepts of man's ultimate freedom of choice were quite intriguing to readers. Two philosophers who embodied this set of beliefs were Jean-Paul Sartre and Franz Kafka. These men displayed their beliefs mostly through novels. Sartre wrote Nausea, the story of a man's struggle to find meaning in a world in which most everything gives him a paralyzing sense of sickness. Kafka relayed his thoughts through Joseph K., a man who has been put on trial without being given any information about what he's done. The outcomes of Kafka's The Trial and Sartre's Nausea are two examples of the effects on a man who questions his existence. The main focus of Nausea is Antoine Roquentin's experience with what he describes as the "Nausea." The overwhelming absurdity of his everyday experiences create this sickness. Roquentin's first experience with this sickness is described when he reaches down to pick up a slip of paper: "Objects should not touch because they are not alive. You use them, put them back in place, you live among them: they are useful, nothing more. But they touch me, it is unbearable. I am afraid of being in contact with them as though they were living beasts" (Sartre 10). The term "Nausea" has since become common when the subject of Existentialism is brought up. It is an excellent term to describe the sudden realization that things are not as one had previously perceived them to be and that there is great weight in the matter of existence. Roquentin's battle with his own mind to find meaning in life has become one of the most effective manifestations of Existentialist thought in literature. Along with the writings of Albert Camus and Samuel Beckett, Sartre's writings are among the most highly regarded of the Existentialist works. Franz Kafka wrote a novel which evaluates a similar state of mind. The Trial deals with a much different situation, in which a man's freedom, and possibly even his life, literally hangs in the balance.

Cultural Diffusion, Space-Time Compression and the Limitations on Spatial Interaction Essay

â€Å"Globalization in a Bottle† and â€Å"The Tipping Point– Three Rules of Epidemics† Chapter 1 Basic Concepts Essay Question: How do the two articles relate to Chapter One: Basic Concepts through cultural diffusion, the limitation of spatial interaction, and space-time compression? Whilst reading â€Å"Globalization in a Bottle† and â€Å"The Tipping Point– Three Rules of Epidemics† three key concepts of â€Å"Chapter One: Basic Concepts† become inherently apparent: cultural diffusion, the limitation of spatial interaction, and space-time compression. The two articles clearly depict these three theories, through their choice use of real world examples. In each of these articles, cultural diffusion is a steady theme throughout. World War II marked the diffusion of Coca-Cola on a global scale, as stated in â€Å"Globalization in a Bottle.† The physical movement of soldiers from the US to other parts of the globe facilitated the spread and globalization of the drink and furthermore the brand name. When soldiers were shipped off to foreign lands so was Coca-Cola, and so it became a universal term. This action of spreading an idea through movement earns this incident a spot under the category of relocation diffusion. In â€Å"The Tipping Point– Three Rules of Epidemics† hush-puppies become popular once more through contagious diffusion, a subcategory of expansion diffusion, meaning an idea spread through rapid and widespread contact. The origin of this so-called â€Å"epidemic† is believed to have originated among the urban â€Å"hipsters† of downtown Manhattan. These young trendsetters would go out to clubs or just simply be seen wearing these shoes and suddenly everyone wanted a pair. Diffusion is a large concept covered throughout these articles. Another underlying idea covered in the extent of the two articles is the limitation of spatial interaction—the interaction of people whether through physical contact or by other means of communication. In â€Å"Globalization in a Bottle† this is covered by the resistance of the  numerous other countries to building more Coca-Cola processing plants in their territory. Many nations looked at the company as a way to spread Americas demoralizing traditions, therefore they refused to allow Coca-Cola to initially be diffused into their cultures. In â€Å"The Tipping Point– Three Rules of Epidemics† the author writes about the sexu al promiscuity of homosexual men and their so called aid in the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In turn, this â€Å"lewdness† has led members of society with different sexual orientations to look at the gay community as a negative aspect of modern humanity, impeding spatial interaction between the two. One final concept embedded in the two articles is space-time compression, which is the reduction in the time it takes to diffuse something to a distant place as a result of improved communications and transportation systems. Due to the advancements in transportation, the soldiers of World War II were able to transport, and therefore facilitate the diffusion of, Coca-Cola. The same is seen with the newfound demand of hush puppies through word-of-mouth with the upgrades in communication. Overall, both articles clearly portray a society in which space-time compression is fully functioning. In conclusion, â€Å"Globalization in a Bottle† and â€Å"The Tipping Point– Three Rules of Epidemics† are both distinctly ingrained with the theories of cultural diffu sion, limitations of spatial interaction, and space-time compression. The articles utilise great examples of the three ideas and truly give them meaning.

French Passive Constructions

Passive constructions are those in which a verbs action is performed on the subject, rather than the subject performing the action as in active (normal) constructions. The passive voice is the most common French passive construction, but there are a couple of others to watch out for as well. Other French Passive Constructions Passive Infinitive: Even though the French infinitive translates as to verb, the French infinitive sometimes needs to be preceded by a preposition. This is the case with the passive infinitive, which is commonly used with indefinite and negative words, such as Il ny a rien à   manger - Theres nothing to eat.Passive Reflexive: In the passive reflexive construction, a normally non-reflexive verb is used reflexively in order to express the passive nature of the action, as in Ça se voit - Thats obvious.Reflexive Causative: The reflexive causative (se faire infinitive) indicates something that happens to the subject, either per someone elses implied action or wish or unintentionally. Passive Reflexive in Detail In French (and English) it is preferable to avoid the passive voice. French has numerous constructions which are commonly used in place of the passive voice, one of which is the passive reflexive. The French passive reflexive is used in place of the passive voice in order to avoid naming the agent of a verb. The passive reflexive is formed with a noun or pronoun, then the reflexive pronoun se, and finally the appropriate verb conjugation (third-person singular or plural). In essence, this construction uses a non-reflexive verb reflexively in order to demonstrate the passive nature of the action. The literal translation of the French passive reflexive (something does something to itself) is strange to English ears, but its important to recognize this construction and understand what it actually means. Ça se voit. - Thats obvious.Ça saperà §oit à   peine. - Its hardly noticeable.Cela ne se dit pas. -  That isnt said.Ce livre se lit souvent. - This book is often read.Comment se prononce ce mot  ?  - How is this word pronounced?Comment à §a sà ©crit  ? (informal) - How is that spelled?Un homme sest rencontrà © hier. - A man was found yesterday.Un coup de tonnerre sest entendu. - A crash of thunder was heard.Les mà »res ne se vendent pas ici. - Blackberries are not sold here.Ce produit devrait sutiliser quotidiennement. - This product should be used daily.