Business Plan for YSDPC Waterproofing Company

Business Plan for YSDPC Waterproofing Company BUSINESS PLAN – COMPANY WRITE UP 2. OPPORTUNITY, INDUSTRY AND MARKET YSDPC Waterproofing is a proudly South African Brand. YSDPC Waterproofing is a South African Company that Manufactures, supplies and applies a range of building maintenance products country wide, with our systems and solutions for: Torch-on waterproofing Acrylic waterproofing Cementitious waterproofing Concrete roof slabs Zinc and tiled roofs Retaining walls Foundation walls Balconies and patios Multi-level boarded systems Roof flashings and valleys Reservoirs, ponds and tanks Flower boxes Parapet walls Face brick sealing Damp proof applications Rising damp Lateral damp Penetrating damp Chemical injection DPC Exterior and interior walls Basement and cellars Showers and bathrooms Subsoil and drainage systems Slurry coatings Tanking LOCALLY MANUFACTURED At YSDPC Waterproofing, we recognize the various challenges posed to maintaining buildings, due to our harsh South African climate. We manufacture all our products specifically for the South African market. We ensure that your building is maintained, be it a residential building, commercial building or an industrial building, so that you can be satisfied with the long term value added to your property. ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS YSDPC Waterproofing products are all manufactured from the highest quality Environmentally Friendly raw materials that are available to us globally. Not only do we incorporate Environmentally friendly and Eco-Friendly raw materials into our products, but our Manufacturing processes, are also based on minimizing the use of our natural resources. AIM YSDPC Waterproofing’s aim is to provide all our clients at the residential level, commercial level or industrial level, with cost effective, long term solutions, at the first instant. We provide you, our valued Customer with, environmentally-friendly Building Maintenance, long term Professional solutions. GAPS IN THE MARKET DURAM proudly produces the best high quality coatings for our South African market place. This range includes coatings for waterproofing floors and metals. With vast knowledge and experience you can be assured that DURAM product manufacturers use their innovative thinking to manufacture intelligent paints that are guaranteed to improve the lifespan of your assets. DURAM is a South African product which is manufactured to survive in our unique climate and it fully adheres to the local and international standards. ABE is a leading provider of innovative and cost effective waterproofing products within our South African market. ABE is a supplier of custom and specialised products to our retailers, construction and maintenance industries, including civil engineering industries. They distribute from their two manufacturing plants in South Africa, which makes supply easy and efficient for ABE. These products are a good value for your money local waterproofing solution. With the growing global emphasis being put on Eco-friendly products there has been a strong interest in the new environmentally friendly waterproofing products that was recently launched on the South African market by ABE construction chemicals. 7 new environmentally friendly products ABE Proof Acrylic Primer ABE Proof Anti Root ABE Thermal Shield ABE PU Eco ABE Proof Acrylic Matrix K11 Duraproof Dekflex System THE MARKET How fast is the market growing? There has been a growing infrastructure demand in the South African development sector, which is related the investment that is taking place in South Africa and Africa. The areas of investment which include water sanitation, power, energy, transport, logistics, accommodation and facilities, telecommunications health and education, and beneficiations infrastructure. We give support to the growing infrastructure of South Africa through the strategic partnerships with our local and international suppliers The engineering and construction industry is a growth filled sector locally and in the rest of Africa The engineering and construction sector creates and sustains jobs, contributes to the national fiscal revenue and it seeks to improve the well-being of the many of its citizens who are employed by the sector. Without infrastructure, sustainable social and economic development will not be possible. INDUSTRY WATERPROOFING FEDERATION SOUTH AFRICA (WFSA) Is dedicated to the support, promotion and protection of the company of the common interests of its clients specifying authorities, its contractors and its manufacturers to ensure that there is integrity and professionalism in the waterproofing industry. The waterproofing industry sector comprises of the membership of WFSA Waterproofing contractors Waterproofing materials and manufacturers Affiliate and associate members from the building technology division of the C.S.I.R Institute of S.A Architects, the SA Institute of building ,the South African bureau of standards, as well as other professional and education bodies. HOW MUCH POWER DO THE CUSTOMERS HAVE? The concerns of customers generally lie in the three basic areas The customer needs to be sure that she/he obtains expert advice during the selection of the product and system right at the outset That the waterproofing will be correctly and professionally installed to the industry standards That after installation she/he will know how to go about maintaining the waterproofing correctly. By the customer dealing with any of our WFSA members they can be assured that they will obtain the best advice and service according to the above. CUSTOMER INSTALLATION COMPLAINTS Whilst the vast majority of installation work that is carried out by the WFSA contractor the member is trouble free. The federation also acknowledges that there may be certain occasions when the standard of work considered by the customer is less than what are desired industry standards. It is particularly in this area that WFSA will assist. When a customer has a cause for a legitimate complaint against any contractor member WFSA can be contacted to offer impartial advice and assistance as the occasion demands STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF AN INSTALLATION COMPLAINT Firstly it is essential that the WFSA member is afforded a reasonable opportunity to rectify any defect as complaints can usually be settled in this manner WHAT TO DO IF THE COMPLAINT CANNOT PROMPTLY SATISFACTORILY BE SETTLED If for whatsoever reason the complaint against the member cannot be settled the customer must contact WFSA who will be ready and willing to ‘Conciliate’ in the matter. Once the details of the complaint is obtained, the conciliation will usually involve getting into contact with the member and then if necessary, arranging for a site inspection to help establish the facts and to evaluate the circumstances. This conciliation action will normally lead to the matter being resolved. TYPES OF WATERPROOFING SUPPIERS ABE – Is a leading supplier in the South African market that is committed to provide cost effective innovative products DURAM – Is a proudly South African brand and is the leading producer of top quality metal coatings and waterproof flooring RB10 – Is a local manufacturer of a wide range of waterproofing and priming paints and chemicals SIKA – Is a trusted brand within the SA building and construction industries supplying specialized solutions. POWER OF MANFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS To protect the common interest of suppliers and manufacturers to ensure they do not receive adverse publicity, unfair blame, or loss of sale due to misuse of their products To thoroughly investigate complaints and too assist in a quick, cost effective solution of the problems To act as a distribution centre for information on new products the manufacturer wishes to bring to the notice of the industry To arrange training for members and manufacturers, supplier’s premises in order to ensure the correct usage and increased customer satisfaction.

Essay --

There are many similarities and differences in the readings of Plato’s The Allegory Cave, Descartes’ Mediation and The Matrix. These stories share an alternative perception to reality and the implications that it is caused on the individuals who are affected by this alteration. These stories share skepticism of validity in the perception of reality. Firstly, these three stories, The Matrix, The Allegory Cave, and Mediation, share common similarities that questions the authenticity of the world around them and doubts their perceived perception of reality and its validity. Descartes discussed the possibility that everyone is dreaming and that our actions involving eye opening, moving our head, hands and our body are illusions.(Descartes, 1641) Plato also regarded the perception of men who were restrained to look forward only could only perceive objects and passersby as their shadows. Plato stated that these prisoners’ perception of reality would be no more than just shadows of objects.(Plate, 514-518) The Matrix relates with Descartes theory based on the fact that in The Matrix, there is a computer system that controls everyone’s mind in a computer-generated virtual dream world. These stories ask deeper questions on the basis of man’s perception of reality and the possibility that our minds and perceptions ar e controlled by something else and that something else determines our reality. (Wachowski, 1999) Secondly, although these three stories share common similarities about the validity of reality, they have distinguishing differences that separate them from one another. The Matrix depicts a stepford-like society that is completely controlled by the computer system. However, there is a group of individuals who have overcome their p... ...me where those who are living in an illusion will have to come to terms with reality eventually. The time in which that happens, those who are living in the illusion will have a much harder time trying to comprehend the true reality which would cause more troubles and problems than living with the harshness in the first place. Finally, The Matrix, The Allegory Cave, and Mediation all have significant importance is revelation of the perceived perception of reality and the validity of that reality. Each story has its own unique twist to whom or what has the control over that perception. The stories give the reader the opportunity to dive deeper into this meaning of reality. The skepticism that is used is relatable in each individual’s lives. Individuals have to determine what they perceive to be real and true and what they believe to be opinions that are truly false. Essay -- There are many similarities and differences in the readings of Plato’s The Allegory Cave, Descartes’ Mediation and The Matrix. These stories share an alternative perception to reality and the implications that it is caused on the individuals who are affected by this alteration. These stories share skepticism of validity in the perception of reality. Firstly, these three stories, The Matrix, The Allegory Cave, and Mediation, share common similarities that questions the authenticity of the world around them and doubts their perceived perception of reality and its validity. Descartes discussed the possibility that everyone is dreaming and that our actions involving eye opening, moving our head, hands and our body are illusions.(Descartes, 1641) Plato also regarded the perception of men who were restrained to look forward only could only perceive objects and passersby as their shadows. Plato stated that these prisoners’ perception of reality would be no more than just shadows of objects.(Plate, 514-518) The Matrix relates with Descartes theory based on the fact that in The Matrix, there is a computer system that controls everyone’s mind in a computer-generated virtual dream world. These stories ask deeper questions on the basis of man’s perception of reality and the possibility that our minds and perceptions ar e controlled by something else and that something else determines our reality. (Wachowski, 1999) Secondly, although these three stories share common similarities about the validity of reality, they have distinguishing differences that separate them from one another. The Matrix depicts a stepford-like society that is completely controlled by the computer system. However, there is a group of individuals who have overcome their p... ...me where those who are living in an illusion will have to come to terms with reality eventually. The time in which that happens, those who are living in the illusion will have a much harder time trying to comprehend the true reality which would cause more troubles and problems than living with the harshness in the first place. Finally, The Matrix, The Allegory Cave, and Mediation all have significant importance is revelation of the perceived perception of reality and the validity of that reality. Each story has its own unique twist to whom or what has the control over that perception. The stories give the reader the opportunity to dive deeper into this meaning of reality. The skepticism that is used is relatable in each individual’s lives. Individuals have to determine what they perceive to be real and true and what they believe to be opinions that are truly false.

Stereotypes Essay -- essays research papers

To adequately investigate the question as to whether stereotypes are the psychological lubricant on intergroup behaviour, several areas need to be considered. In the context of this essay the concept of stereotypes needs to be defined. Although Lippmann (1922) is credited with first using the term 'stereotype' in this context it is perhaps Brown (1995) who offers the most applicable definition when he wrote that "to stereotype someone is to attribute to that person some characteristics which are seen to be shared by all or most of his or her fellow group members." (p.83). With this definition in mind this essay will, firstly, in an attempt to address the question make a brief review of some of the research that has been conducted on the formation of stereotypes. Secondly, this essay will move onto examine the function of these stereotypes in the individual, both from the perspective of intergroup conflict and also in intergroup co-operation. Thirdly this essay will also exa mine the research that has been carried out into the persistence of stereotypes. Because of the vast amount of research that has been conducted in this area, this essay will, as far as possible, concentrate primarily on the more recent research conducted within the last decade. It appears from some of the research (for example Hamilton and Gifford, 1976; Hamilton and Sherman, 1989 and Chapman, 1967) that stereotypes are often derived from an over-awareness of statistically infrequent events. More specifically that if an event occurs infrequently amongst a group then it is remembered more vividly than events which might occur on a more regular basis. In a study carried out by Hamilton and Gifford (1976) they divided their participants into two groups with a disproportionate number of participants in the first group. The participants were then informed of a number of desirable and undesirable behaviours. It was found that despite the fact that members of both groups were just as likely to engage in undesirable activities an 'illusionary correlation' of the smaller group meant that a far higher number of these activities was perceived. Schaller and Maass (1989) found that this illusionary correlation would occur for positive as well as negative traits, al though not when the perceived negative trait was perceived to be associated with the in-group, o... ...m. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Schaller, M., & Maass, A. (1989) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206. * Snyder, M. & Miene, P. K. (1994). Stereotyping the elderly: A functional approach. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 62-82. * Tajfel, H. (1969) as cited in Haslam, S. A., Oakes, P. J., McGarty, C., Turner, J., C., Reynolds, K., J. & Eggins, R., A. (1996). Stereotyping and social influence: The mediation of stereotype applicability and sharedness by the views of in-group and out-group members (1996) British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 369-397. * Tajfel, H. & Turner, J. C. (1979) as cited in Platow, M. J., Harley, K., Hunter, J., A., Hanning, P., Shave, R. & O'Connell, A. (1997). Interpreting in-group-favouring allocations in the minimal group paradigm. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Turner, J. C. (1987) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206. Stereotypes Essay -- essays research papers To adequately investigate the question as to whether stereotypes are the psychological lubricant on intergroup behaviour, several areas need to be considered. In the context of this essay the concept of stereotypes needs to be defined. Although Lippmann (1922) is credited with first using the term 'stereotype' in this context it is perhaps Brown (1995) who offers the most applicable definition when he wrote that "to stereotype someone is to attribute to that person some characteristics which are seen to be shared by all or most of his or her fellow group members." (p.83). With this definition in mind this essay will, firstly, in an attempt to address the question make a brief review of some of the research that has been conducted on the formation of stereotypes. Secondly, this essay will move onto examine the function of these stereotypes in the individual, both from the perspective of intergroup conflict and also in intergroup co-operation. Thirdly this essay will also exa mine the research that has been carried out into the persistence of stereotypes. Because of the vast amount of research that has been conducted in this area, this essay will, as far as possible, concentrate primarily on the more recent research conducted within the last decade. It appears from some of the research (for example Hamilton and Gifford, 1976; Hamilton and Sherman, 1989 and Chapman, 1967) that stereotypes are often derived from an over-awareness of statistically infrequent events. More specifically that if an event occurs infrequently amongst a group then it is remembered more vividly than events which might occur on a more regular basis. In a study carried out by Hamilton and Gifford (1976) they divided their participants into two groups with a disproportionate number of participants in the first group. The participants were then informed of a number of desirable and undesirable behaviours. It was found that despite the fact that members of both groups were just as likely to engage in undesirable activities an 'illusionary correlation' of the smaller group meant that a far higher number of these activities was perceived. Schaller and Maass (1989) found that this illusionary correlation would occur for positive as well as negative traits, al though not when the perceived negative trait was perceived to be associated with the in-group, o... ...m. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Schaller, M., & Maass, A. (1989) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206. * Snyder, M. & Miene, P. K. (1994). Stereotyping the elderly: A functional approach. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 62-82. * Tajfel, H. (1969) as cited in Haslam, S. A., Oakes, P. J., McGarty, C., Turner, J., C., Reynolds, K., J. & Eggins, R., A. (1996). Stereotyping and social influence: The mediation of stereotype applicability and sharedness by the views of in-group and out-group members (1996) British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 369-397. * Tajfel, H. & Turner, J. C. (1979) as cited in Platow, M. J., Harley, K., Hunter, J., A., Hanning, P., Shave, R. & O'Connell, A. (1997). Interpreting in-group-favouring allocations in the minimal group paradigm. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 107-117. * Turner, J. C. (1987) as cited in Maass, A. & Schaller, M. (1991) Intergroup biases and the cognitive dynamics of stereotype formation. European Review of Social Psychology, 2, 190-206.

protien synthesis Essays -- essays research papers

Protein Synthesis The Expression of a Gene   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The process of Protein Synthesis involves many parts of the cell. Unlike other similar productions, this process is very complex and precise and therefore must be done in proper sequence to work effectively. The slightest error during this process could cause the action to experience difficulty or even fail. For example, in the production of starch, glucose molecules are combined to be stored and eventually utilized as usable chemical energy. The cell can break down the starch with little difficulty as if each molecule was identical, even though there is a wide variety of molecules. This is a different case in Protein Synthesis. In Protein Synthesis, there are twenty different amino acids and if one is out of place than is will effect the specificity of the protein. In a healthy person, the protein hemoglobin can be found in red blood cells, hemoglobin is helps with the transfer of respiratory gases from the blood to the tissues of the body. With an illness called sickle-cell anemia, the red blood cells are changed from a round, disk shape to a floppy looking sickle shape. These cells therefore cannot pass through small blood vessels due to their divergent shape. The actual cause of this mutation is a gene disorder, where the sixth codon of the protein glutamaric acid is changed with valine. This small change in the genetic code can cause severe defects in the effected such as blood clots, severe disorders and even death. All this can result from a misinterpretation in one codon in a chain of hundreds! Protein synthesis acts in this way, that is if there is only the most minuscule mistake it can have monstrous effects. THE BASICS OF DNA AND GENES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Protein synthesis first begins in a gene. A gene is a section of chromosome compound of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. Each DNA strand is composed of phosphate, the five-carbon sugar deoxyribose and nitrogenous bases or nucleotides. There are four types of nitrogenous bases in DNA. They are (A)denine, (G)uanine, (T)hymine, (C)ytosine and they must be paired very specifically. Only Adenine with Thymine (A-T) and Guanine with Cytosine (G-C).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To form a polynucleotide DNA, many nucleotides are linked together with 3`-5` phosphodiester linkages. In a compl... ... structure of many chromosomes ( chromosomal mutations). Mutations are not always bad because they can cause adaptation and variation in people. Point Mutations and Base Pair Mutations   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most common type of mutation involves a change in only a single base pair. This change only effects a single codon of the gene. There are three types of base pair mutations: silent, missense, and chain termination. Silent mutations involves the repositioning of the third codon. This does not effect the amino acid sequence. Missense mutation is where one codon is altered to code for a different amino acid (sickle cell anemia). Chain termination mutations involve the codon being changes to a stop codon. This causes the protein synthesis to remain incomplete and lose most of the biological activity. Frame shift Mutations and Mutagens   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This is the addition or deletion of one or more base pair but not multiples of three. This causes the ribosome to read the codon incorrectly causing and entirely different amino acid sequence. Mutagens are agents that increase the frequency of mutations. X-rays or other radiation are causes of mutagens.

Archetypes Case Study Essay

1. Which are the archetypes does Verbeke distinguish? Draw the figures associated with these archetypes. Verbeke distguish between 4 types of archetypes and they are the following: Centralized exporter: Home country managed firm. Firm specific advantage in its final products. Standardized products manufactured at home. Only the transferable firm specific advantages are taken to the host country, meaning that they try to make exporting successful in international markets. No development of location bound firm specific advantages. International projector: Clones home operations into host countries. Knowledge based firm specific advantages are replicated from home country. Only the internationally transferable firm specific advantages are taken to the host country. No development of location bound firm’s specific advantages. The international projector MNE seeks international expansion by projecting its home country success recipes abroad. International coordinator: Its main firm specific advantage is that it can coordinate location advantages (e.g., production capacity to access abundant natural resources) present in multiple countries. International operations are specialized in specific value-added activities across borders. Use internationally transferable firm specific advantages in each host country to develop location-bound firm specific advantages that fit the host country location factors. Multi-centered MNE: Each host county develops own location bound firm specific advantages, only transfers core routines (e.g., financial management). A set of entrepreneurial subsidiaries go abroad, to acquire knowledge for future firm specific advantage development. Local adaptation is the foundation of the international strategy. 2. Is there one best model? Why or why not? There is no best model because these models all depend on the firm specific advantages that an organization has its power on, and also on the host countries appeal for business. Firm specific advantages in the home country  can be a success, but the question is if those firm specific advantages are also a success in the host country? 3. Do you consider a centralized exporter a true multinational? A centralized exporter can be a true multinational if it derives a quarter of its revenue from operations outside of its home country and also if it operates in different host countries, and its managed by a core headquarter in the home country. Warner Bros. Pictures, a major US motion picture studio is a multinational which is operational through exporting its motion pictures. Most of its revenue is attained from its exports and of course from its home country the US. 4. What does it mean that the FSA is embodied in the product in case of an international projector? A product that has embodied a firm specific advantage means that the product contains in it a feature that makes the company with greater success than its former competitors. This firm specific advantage cannot be seen as a stand-alone component in the organization, in order to leverage success it can only be seen as a firm specific advantage within its final product. So this firm specific advantage is not from its operations such as great employee relationship, but only through the final product. This is seen in the centralized exporter. In the international projector this is not the case because they replicate their firm specific advantages to go abroad and use them, such as an advanced technology or secret recipe like Coca cola has one. A good example is Ford, which cloned its American operations into Canada and Europe. Europe was a challenge for Ford due to a widespread prejudice against American cars sold in Europe. 5. Does the firm develop FSAs in the host country in case of the international projector? No the firm which uses the archetype of international projector as a strategy does not develop firm specific advantages in the host country, what this organization do is cloning their home country firm specific advantages to the host countries, so in other words just using success firm specific advantages from home country to the host country. 6. Why is the international coordinator an example of global value chain? The international coordinator archetype is an example of global value chain because it can coordinate different location advantage operations in a wide variety of different geographies in the same period. Global value chains now contain activities that are tightly integrated. This means that firms and workers in widely separated locations affect one another more than they have in the past. So for example BP an international coordinator, when there where oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, it suddenly affected all other BP operations, because their branding image was looked in a worse way, decreasing its organization reputation. 7. Why is a multi-centered MNE characterized by maximum local responsiveness? A multi-centered MNE is characterized by maximum local responsiveness because the foundation of a multi-centered archetype is local adaptation. This local responsiveness is evaluated and analyzed by different entrepreneurial subsidiaries from the organization that go abroad, so that new firm specific advantages can be developed. This newly firm specific advantage in the host country will conform with its host customers and through those means a good local adaptation can be attained. 8. The FSA is also framed in terms of core competences. That is the FSA is strongly related to the core competences of a firm. What key characteristics does Verbeke list for these core competences? There are 4 key characteristics of core competences: – Be difficult for competitors to imitate in terms of achieving the required internal coordination and learning. – Provide potential access to a wide variety of markets – Make a significant contribution to customer needs. – The loss of a core competence would have an important negative effect on the firm’s present and future performance, in terms of value creation. 9. What critique does Verbeke have on the concept of core competences? Core competencies are the company’s most important FSAs: its vital routines and recombination abilities. Recombination abilities are Locating resources, especially knowledge, as response to differences between national and foreign environments, and to satisfy new stakeholders’ demands. Verbeke has a few critiques regarding the concept of core competences and they are the following: Core competences of organizations in industries may differ. Prahalad & Hamel don’t include country factors in their analysis. Their theory overestimates the role of strategic management. Strategic management role is to develop strategic architecture. Develop a road map for the future which identifies core competencies to build the required technologies. In the other side their theory underestimates the role of host country location factors. Another critique from Verbeke is that core competences are historically driven. 10. What are the five forces Porter distinguishes? Explain these in your own words. The five forces Porter distinguishes is about how location advantages that affect firm competitiveness and firm specific advantage development. -Factor conditions: This is a force which is related to production factors such as capital, labor, infrastructure, scientific knowledge, technology. It gives improvement to problematic issues through innovation and continuous learning. A good example from the book is: In case of Japan, firms in several industries such as steel, shipbuilding and automobiles developed technological and design expertise to overcome a lack of natural resources and the just-in-time production process was pioneered in response to lack of affordable warehousing space. -Demand conditions: If customers increase their demand increasing external pressures to firms, then it gives the firm a good competitive advantage. So in order to gain this demand to customers the firm has to innovate a nd respond to the customer sophistication by adapting its technology and design features. This is good for future global  expansion, because the firm already gains early insights into future needs of customers or in other words buyer sophistication. -Related and supported industries: High quality home based suppliers which have great insight into international competition. These suppliers with good know how innovate through more efficient inputs, and spill knowledge between other suppliers within the firm through exchange of ideas, and different ways of communication. This is great for international competition. -Firm strategy, industry structure and rivalry: Domestic rivalry is good for international competitiveness. This forces firms to focus on firm specific advantages development beyond their home location advantages. This helps the firm become an international rival. So this is a well-functioning industry. -Government and chance: Luck plays a role, for example, a lucky innovation process that was coincidentally created and a valuable product with good technology or process knowledge was attained. This is often a long-term consequence. Government are the general governments of which are not corrupt. 11. How does Porter’s model fit in figure 1.2? Where does it belong? Porters fit model fit in figure 1.2 because the model is all about how to use location advantages to increase competition and force its firm to develop a firm specific advantage in order to go across the international border and use it as a competitive advantage abroad. This firm specific advantage can get them access into the development of a location bound firm specific advantage across borders. I think Porters model fits in the location advantages section at home country triangle and then it moves across to all the other host sections according to its force. 12. What is the big problem of Porters model when applied in the context of international business? Each industry has its own characteristics leading to different patterns of international competitiveness. According to Verbeke’s critique, firm specific advantages are home market determined, and Porters model has too much focus on the home market. In international business you need to take  account both markets, so the home market as well as the host country. International business is about how to succeed abroad, and only having emphasis on the home market that is not very attainable. Firms only go abroad if they can establish a match between their firm specific advantages and the location advantages to the host markets.

Love with Vronsky Essay

The younger of the two boys is the epitome of innocence and mischievousness. A blonde haired, blue-eyed boy who is lying in the grass, day-dreaming. This symbolizes all that is pure in the book, all which is innocent. The characters of Levin and Kitty seem connected with this young boy. They are both very vulnerable characters, and those who take love earnestly and base their lives around it. The older boy is working, absorbed in his work and was being very cautious and wary about his line. This boy seems to represent the character of Karenin, someone who is too absorbed in his own work to even notice what is going on around him, to be looking at the water just dreaming. When monetary expenses are discussed, Mihailov squirms and becomes irritated. This shows his loathing towards money, and how he looks beyond those aspects of life. It seems that Anna’s quirky attraction to Mihailov may have sprouted from the welcome change between a life where money and finance was a key element of daily life with Karenin, to this figure that chooses fervor over funding. After meeting Vronsky for the first time, Anna’s perception of Karenin becomes very distasteful. She notices all his faults. His hair seems to have been cut incorrectly, the cracking of his joints becomes irritating. The same happens to Vronsky in this section. Once he realizes that he is not a ‘talented’ artist, and once he stops short his experimenting because he realizes Mihailov’s ability far exceeds his, he becomes utterly bored. He notices all the faults of his situation.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"..struck them as intolerably boring in the little Italian town. The palazzo suddenly seemed so noticeably old and dirty. The spots on the curtains, the cracks in the floors, the stucco falling away form the cornices were constant eyesores.† This exposes one of Vronsky’s traits. He loves to try out different hobbies, much as he does in love (as he earlier admits that settling down seemed unreasonable to him). He becomes frustrated and grows progressively more restless. This impatience is shown by his sudden realization that he needs something new, needs to return to Russia. Anna’s company is not enough for him, yet Anna is â€Å"unpardonably happy,†4 as even though she has left her whole life behind, she has no complaints and fall even more deeply in love with Vronsky. Vronsky notices in Mihailov’s portrait of Anna a peculiar beauty.  Ã¢â‚¬  ‘One needs to know her and love her, as I have loved her, to discover the very sweetest expression of her soul,’ thought Vronsky, though it was only through this portrait that he himself learned this sweetest expression of her soul.†Ã‚  The fact that Vronsky, until he sees the painting, has not been aware of Anna’s true soul implies that he doesn’t know enough about her, (and although his love for her seems authentic) Vronsky feels he loves her more than he truly does. That a painter, someone who barely knows Anna (on a platonic level), can see something her lover cannot shows that Mihailov sees something in Anna undetectable by her closest contacts.  Therefore, this episode involving Mihailov, although not particularly important to the plot, gives the reader a deeper insight into the lives and emotions of Anna and Vronsky and the situation in which they have placed themselves. It is this episode that allows Vronsky to realize his boredom, and arguably what drives Anna to suicide (by returning to Russia.)

Pilgrimage Toward Social Equality

The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 declaring African’s freedom from slavery and officially making them part of the United States was mandated a century prior to Martin Luther King Jr’s historical speech calling for social justice and abolition of racial discrimination against African Americans. Between the two historical periods, the black communities all over America have suffered subtle and savage forms of discrimination and oppression from the whites. The black community strived to seal their place in society amidst hostility and negative criticisms.One short story that very well illustrates their struggles is Ralph Ellison’s Battle Royal. The story provides a very descriptive narration of a black man’s pilgrimage to overcome oppression from an overly-racist community ruled by the economically-powerful white men and to find his opportunity to shape the destiny of his people. This paper aims to provide a vivid presentation of inhumane and savage oppre ssion that the African Americans encountered in Southern America before gaining their voice and place in American society.Battle Royal was narrated in a first-person perspective with a nameless narrator. He suggests that twenty years back, he has been struggling to find his own identity through other people’s acceptance and affirmation. He further explained that his dilemma for self discovery rooted from his grandfather’s last words on his deathbed, â€Å"Live with your head in the lion’s mouth. I want you to overcome ‘em, with yeses, undermine ‘em with grins, agree ‘em to death and destruction. Let ‘em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open.† (Ellison, 2000, p 935) He calls his grandfather’s lines a â€Å"curse† haunting him whenever he feels accepted as the narrator describes, â€Å"When I was praised for my conduct, I felt a guilt that in some way, I was doing something that was really against the wishes of the white folks, that if they had understood they would have desired me to act just the opposite, that I should have been sulky and mean, and that they really would have been what they wanted, even though they were fooled and thought they wanted me to act as I did.†(Ellison, 936) The narrator’s statement represents his mindset of his actions and attitude toward the white folks. His current partially confused mindset is influenced by his grandfather’s words. In layman’s term, his grandfather’s words can be translated to a call to action to fight a good fight by acting according to the opponent’s will until they take you all in with acceptance until they destruct themselves in their own volition.One such incident where the orator became accepted and triumphant is when he delivered a graduation speech, which he describes by saying, â€Å"On my graduation day I delivered an oration in which I showed that humility was the secret, indeed, the ver y essence of progress. (Not that I believed this — how could I, remembering my grandfather? — I only believed that it worked)† (Ellison 938). His speech received accolades from his professors that he was given the opportunity to deliver it again in a â€Å"gathering of the town’s most leading white citizens†.When he arrived at the venue where he was supposed to deliver his speech, he was informed that before delivering his speech, he needs to join the Battle Royal. The hotel he’s in at that moment was indeed full of economically powerful people all dressed up with their tuxedos, intoxicating themselves with whiskey, and getting themselves a good spot among the chairs neatly lined up along the three corners of the ring. Inside the ring, a pool of black men were lined up blindfolded and were forced to do engage in a violent boxing war against each other.After torturous moments of fighting like headless chickens on the ring, the narrator was abl e to see slightly behind his blindfold. His awareness enabled him to keep a good fight without drawing attention to himself so the white men wouldn’t notice that he’s starting to dodge his hits. In the end of the first round, the narrator remained on the ring together with the biggest boy in the group to fight. While they were fighting it out on the ring, the narrator tried to negotiate with his opponent by scripting the fight and he’ll give him a proportion of the winning pot.His opponent refused and they continued to fight until the narrator was knocked out. Allegorically, the narrator’s unexpected battle before delivering his speech is a symbolic representation of the African American’s years of pains and struggles before they were given the chance to be heard. The battle royal may well represent the fights that black men wage against each other just to gain money, position, and prominence, as is the case of the narrator’s opponent.The co ncept of the fighters blindfolded can be allusion to some of the black men’s blindness of allowing the economically powerful white men to use them as a means of entertainment as if they were freaks of nature. After the first round, the fighters were then called out again for another round of activity where they were attracted to scourge over gold coins and bills scattered in a rug. They urged the fighters to gather the coins for themselves saying it’s all good â€Å"American cash†. In the process, they soon discovered that the rug was electrified.This narration emphasized the white men’s racism through barbaric treatment to the black men, as they treat them like animals. When the show ended, all the participants were paid and the narrator was about to leave the nightmare when the MC called him back to deliver his speech in the congregation of intoxicated people who have earlier gained pleasure through his pains. The narrator proceeded to deliver his Booke r T. Washington inspired speech while trying to conceal his aching physique while gulping down his blood.The narrator described that his audience continued with their incessant chatting and laughter as he delivers his speech and though he was tempted to do something else, the presence of the school superintendent who is still closely listening to him kept him going. In the process of his oration and swallowing his own blood, the narrator accidentally yelled â€Å"social equality†, a phrase had â€Å"often seen denounced in newspaper editorials, heard debated in public. † (Ellison, 940)Upon uttering the word, a deep silenced covered the whole room and the narrator received hostile reactions from his intoxicated audience, until a mustached man asked him upfront what he just said, and he got the chance to correct himself. The interrogator then asked him if he’s not being smart and that social equality was indeed a mistake. The narrator nodded and the man dropped th is statement, â€Å"We mean to do right by you, but you’ve got to know your place at all times. † (Ellison, 944)This man’s powerful statement is a general representation of the white men’s attitude towards racism over the negroes. They are aware of such discrimination, but they gain pleasure in treating them as inferior human beings as it constantly feeds them the feeling of superiority and power. The man’s statement may mean well as to change the narrator’s current status but he commands him to keep his head and mouth in its’ proper place. Upon the end of his speech, he was greeted with applauses as if the entire audience listened with so much enthusiasm to his speech.The school superintendent then came up to the stage to present him with a gift- a scholarship to the State College of Negroes. He then turned to the narrator and addressed him, â€Å"Prize it. Keep developing as you are and someday, it will be filled with important pap ers that will help shape the destiny of your people. † (Ellison, 947) The scholarship the narrator received is a symbol of an opportunity presented to him to â€Å"shape the destiny of his people†. That by going to college, he might become more knowledgeable and able so as to create a better society for his people.The scholarship becomes the first step to his pilgrimage towards social equality. Battle Royal is a very compelling short story that Ralph Ellison eventually made it the first chapter of his greatly-acclaimed novel, the â€Å"Invisible Man†. Every black man in that horrifying period might have been represented by the nameless narrator and all the pain he was inflicted during the Battle Royal is a representation of every black man’s pain and struggle for years.If the readers at that period view it as an allegory to the harsh conditions of the African American people within the American society, it would have been a wakeup call to those who were op pressed to unite and to those oppressors to change the society. References: Ellison, Ralph. â€Å"Battle Royal. † Making Literature Matter. Ed. John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston: Bedford, 2000. Ellison, Ralph Waldo. Invisible Man. New York: Random House, 1952.