Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Domestic Partner Benefits

Domestic Partner Benefits According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, a family is "the basic unit in society having as its nucleus two or more adults living together and cooperating in the care and rearing of their own or adopted children." Despite this definition, a lesbian or gay couple or two heterosexuals living together with or without children is not the image conjured up when most people think of a family. Who gets to decide what it takes to make up a family? When two or more people love and take care and accept responsibility for each other and their children if they have them this would seem to be the definition of a family. Insisting that it takes a piece of paper to determine that two individuals are legally considered to be a family seems to be unfair and biased. Not to offer the same benefits based on whether a couple has a marriage license or not is unfair.Cathy Freeman talks to survivors of domestic viole...AsMary Beth Hamilton (2002) states "Plan sponsors usually define domestic partners asunmarried adult couples who live together, are in an exclusive relationship for anextended period of time, and take mutual responsibility for each other's welfare and/orliving expenses" (para 7). There are perks to companies offering domestic partnerbenefits. When a company offers domestic partner benefits, they are allowing thepartner of an unmarried employee to be eligible for all benefits available to the spouse ofa married employee. These benefits can include: medical, dental, disability and lifeinsurance, family and bereavement leave, education and tuition reimbursement, creditunion memberships, relocation and travel expenses, and inclusion of partners in companyevents. However, one benefit that is still not...

Friday, November 22, 2019

Biography of Brian May, Rock Star and Astronomer

Biography of Brian May, Rock Star and Astronomer In the late 1960s, Brian Harold May was an eager student in physics, studying to become an astronomer. He also happened to be a gigging musician. In 1968, he came to musical attention with the band Smile, and later went on to headline tours as part of the band Queen. In 1974, he put his studies aside to perform and tour with Queen.   With the death in 1991 of lead singer Freddie Mercury, Brian May embarked on a solo career as a musician even while performing with Queen and other musicians. Yet, as he has often noted, his past as a scientist never strayed far from his mind. Eventually, Brian May went back to school to finish his work. In 2008, he was granted his Ph.D., and since then has  gone on to do more work in planetary science.   Fast Facts: Brian May Known For:  His astrophysics research on dust in the solar system as well as his role in the band QueenBorn: July 19, 1947 in Hampstead, EnglandParents: Fred and Ruth MayEducation: Hampton Grammar School;  Imperial College London, B.S. in 1968 with honors; Imperial College London, Ph.D. in  2008Key Accomplishments: Knighted  by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Early Years and Music Career Brian Harold May was born in Hampton, Middlesex, England on July 19, 1947. His father, Harold May, worked for the Ministry of Aviation. His mother Ruth, was of Scottish descent. May attended schools in the area, and  went on to study physics and mathematics at Imperial College, London. He graduated in 1968 and began studies toward his Ph.D. that year. He was first married to Christine Mullen in 1974 and they had three children. In 1986, he met actress Anita Dobson and subsequently divorced his first wife so they could marry. Dobson has been with May throughout his musical career with Queen as well as his solo musical performances. Brian May went on to become a world-famous musical performer both with his band, Queen, as well as a noted solo performer.   Career in Astrophysics As a graduate student, May had been interested in studying dust particles in the solar system and had published two research papers. Eager to resume that work, he enrolled as a graduate student again in 2006. He finished his studies and got himself back up to speed on studies of dust particles during the years hed been away touring as a musician. His thesis work, titled A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud was submitted in 2007,  37 years after he started the research. He used techniques of absorption spectroscopy and Doppler spectroscopy to study the light scattered by dust particles in the solar system. He did his work at Teide Observatory in the Canary Islands. After review by his advisors and a thesis committee, Brian Mays thesis was accepted. He was awarded his doctorate on May 14, 2008.   May went on to become a visiting researcher at Imperial College, where he continues to do work.  He has also been involved the New Horizons mission to the planet Pluto as a science team collaborator due to his solar system work. He acted as chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2008-2013 and has appeared numerous times on such programs as BBCs Sky at Night show. He wrote books with the late astronomer Sir Patrick Moore and writer Chris Lintott. Activism and Additional Interests Thanks to his work with the late Sir  Moore, May participated in the efforts to save Moores estate and effects. He is also an avid supporter of animal rights and animal welfare. He continues to raise funds and awareness of issues involving wildlife in the UK and elsewhere. May has contributed his musical talents to spread the word about issues involving hunting and culling of animals in his home country.   Quite apart from his activities in astronomy, music, and animal rights, Brian May is also a collector of Victorian stereography.  He has written a book about T.R. Williams, the English stereographer. This hobby started when May was still in graduate school in the 1970s and has given him a massive collection of stereo pair images. He has also patented a viewer called the Owl Viewer, which  can be used to examine the stereographic scenes in his latest book.   Accomplishments In addition to his immense success with the band Queen, Brian May has achieved notable success in the field of astrophysics. Asteroid 52665 Brianmay was named after him, as was a species of damselfly  (heteragron brianmayi). In 2005, he was given a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his achievements in music.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Sources â€Å"BRIAN MAY BIOGRAPHY.†Ã‚  BRIANMAY.COM || THE OFFICIAL BRIAN MAY WEBSITE, brianmay.com/brian/biog.html.â€Å"Secret Science Nerds: Queens Lead Guitarist Brian May Is an Astrophysicist.†Ã‚  Nerdist, 22 Aug. 2016, nerdist.com/secret-science-nerds-queens-lead-guitarist-brian-may-is-an-astrophysicist/.Talbert, Tricia. â€Å"Rock Star/Astrophysicist Dr. Brian May Backstage With New Horizons.†Ã‚  NASA, NASA, 21 July 2015, www.nasa.gov/feature/rock-starastrophysicist-dr-brian-may-goes-backstage-with-new-horizons.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Ethics in IT Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ethics in IT Systems - Essay Example An IT system, just like any other formal system, incorporates ethical, social, and political issues. Some of the ethical issues facing IT systems originate from political and social debates. Let us consider an example in order to understand the issues that concern an IT system. Let us visualize the society as a calm pond in summer time, reflecting a society at equilibrium with individuals and political and social institutions. The individuals in the society adhere to a given code of conduct developed by social institutions, like organizations, family, education, and enforced by the political institutions. In that calm society, let us now throw a stone inside the pond. The action will most definitely disturb the calm society. This stone is IT systems in the current society, and it sure does cause ripples. The individuals in the calm society face issues not covered by the social or political institutions. This conceptual model illustrates the current society and the continually develop ing IT systems. Results of such IT systems raise several moral issues of concern to the society, which include information rights and obligations, property rights and obligations, accountability and control, system quality, and quality of life.   Information rights and obligations concern the information in IT systems and possession power of the same by employees and the organizations. Questions like what the employees should protect, and their obligation and that of the company concerning the information fall under this moral category.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Managing Multinational Operations IP 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing Multinational Operations IP 4 - Essay Example Foreign investors need to consider many factors when planning their investments in China. There are many restrictions which apply only to them. In addition, the complex approval process, layers of government bureaucracy and consequent time delays are often difficult for investors unfamiliar with doing business in China to grasp. It is therefore recommended that specific and tailored professional advice is sought prior to commencing business in China. Comprehensive professional advice is available from legal officers in Greater China region. Due to the above discussed issues it is important for any foreign investor to consider the following factors when doing business in China. This is based on the fact that long term investment project require a thorough understanding of all business attributes of doing business in that country. From the onset, any potential foreign investor needs to understand that China is very restrictive on most direct investments into the country unless their ne ed is thoroughly justified. Foreign investments in China are strictly regulated on differential basis depending on the sector or industry. The catalogue for guiding foreign investments (Investment catalogue) is issued by the Ministry of Commerce and National Development and Reform commission and sets out the specific industries which are classified as â€Å"encouraged†, â€Å"restricted† or â€Å"prohibited† for foreign investment industries (Smithson, 2010). The ones that are not specified in the catalogue are classified as permitted for foreign investment. A consideration of the investment is one of the first tasks which should be undertaken by a foreign investor contemplating any investment in China. Business scope is also an issue to be considered. All business in China is required to operate within the terms of their business scope which must be approved by the relevant government authority. Approved business scope is evidenced by a business license issued by the State Administration of Industry and Commerce or its local office. Business activities are generally restricted to defined activities. As an entity may not act beyond its scope it is important that in determining the business scope it is not defined so narrowly that it restricts the permitted operations of the company. A foreign investor in China needs to consider too the accounting requirements that the regulatory framework imposes on all businesses in the country. Accounting laws and regulations have been formulated for enterprises with foreign investments and are generally close to internationally recognized accounting standards although slight differences exist. Statutory audits are required for enterprises with foreign investments. This is the surest way to win the trust of the Chinese that you are worth conducting a business in their country. It also shows the level of commitment and financial worthiness. Another decisive factor that also comes into focus in the pre-inv estment analysis and should never is ignored is the type of incentives to be offered is also a factor to consider. It is very necessary in a competitive business enterprise as it determines customer’s choice. At the same time it increases the expenses lowering the profit to be made so it must be selected wisely. In

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Fashion and Zara Essay Example for Free

Fashion and Zara Essay At the announcement of her engagement to Spains Crown Prince Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano wore a chic white pant suit. Within a few weeks, hundreds of European women sported the same look. Welcome to a fashion, a trend that sees clothing retailers frequently purchasing small quantities of merchandise to stay on top of emerging trends. In this world of hot today, gauche tomorrow, no company does fast fashion better than Zara international. Shoppers in over 70 countries are fans of Zara’s knack for bringing the latest styles from sketchbook to clothing rack at lightning speed and reasonable prices. ot replenished. Instead they are replaced with new designs to create scarcity value-shoppers cannot be sure that designs in store one day will be available the next. Store managers track sales data with handheld computers. They can reorder hot items in less than an hour. This lets Zara know what’s selling and what’s not; when look doesn’t pan out, designers promptly put together new products. According to Dilip Patel, U. K. commercial director for lnditex, new arrivals are rushed to store sales floors still on the black plastic hangers used in shipping. Shoppers who are in the know recognize these designs as the newest of the new; soon after, any items left over are rotated to Zaras standard wood hangers. Inside and out, Zaras stores are specially dressed to strengthen the brand. lnditex considers this to be of the greatest importance because that is where shoppers ultimately decide which fashions make the cut. In a faux shopping street in the basement of the companys headquarters, stylists craft and photograph eye-catching layouts that are e-mailed every two weeks to store managers for replication. Zara stores sit on some of the worlds glitziest shopping streets—including New Yorks Fifth Avenue, near the flagship stores of leading international fashion brands— which make its reasonable prices stand out. Inditex gives people the most up-to-date fashion at accessible prices, so it is a real alternative to high-end fashion lines, said Luca Solca, senior research analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein in London. That is good news for Zara as many shoppers trade down from higher-priced chains. Catfights on the Catwalk Zara is not the only player in fast fashion. Competition is fierce; but Zaras overwhelming success (recent sales were over $13 billion) has the competition scrambling to keep up. San Francisco-based Gap, which had been the largest independent clothing retailer by revenue until Zara bumped them to second place in 2009, recently posted a 23% decline in full-year sales and had plans to open a modest 50 new stores. Only time will tell if super-chic Topshops entry into the American market causes a wrinkle in Zaras success. Some fashion analysts are referring to all of this as the democratization of fashion: bringing high(eR) fashion to low(er) income shoppers. According to James Hurley, a senior research analyst with New York-based Telsey Advisory Group LLC, big-box discount stores such as Target and Wal-Mart are emulating Zaras ability to study emerging fashions and knock out look-a- likes in a matter of weeks. In general: Hurley said, the fashion cycle is becoming sharper and more immediately accessible. In Fast Fashion, Moments Matter Because style-savvy customers expect shorter and shorter delays from runway to store, Zara International employs a creative team of more than 200 professionals to help it keep up with the latest fashions. It takes just two weeks for the company to up-date existing garments and get them into its stores; new pieces hit the market twice a week. Defying the recession with its cheap-and-chic Zara clothing chain, Zaras parent company Inditex posted strong sales gains. Low prices and a rapid response to fashion trends are enabling it to challenge Gap, Inc. , for top ranking among global clothing vendors. The improved results highlight how Zaras formula continues to work even in the economic downturn. The chain specializes in lightning-quick turnarounds of the latest designer trends at prices tailored to the young—about $27 an item. Louis Vuitton fashion director Daniel Piette described Zara as possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world. Inditex Group shortens the time from order to arrival by utilizing a complex system of just-in-time production and inventory reporting that keeps Zara ahead. Their distribution centers can have items in European stores within 24 hours of receiving an order, and in American and Asian stores in under 48hours. â€Å"Theyre a fantastic case study in terms of how they manage to get product to their stores so quick, said Stacey Cartwright, CFO of Burberry Group PLC. We are mindful of their techniques. lnditexs history in fabrics manufacturing made it good business sense to internalize as many points in the supply chain as possible. Inditex controls design, production, distribution, and retail sales to optimize the flow of goods, without having to share profits with wholesalers or intermediary partners. Customers win by having access to new fashions while theyre still fresh off the runway. During a Madonna concert tour in Spain, Zaras quick turnaround let young fans at the last show wear Madonnas outfit from the first one. Twice a week Zaras finished garments are shipped to logistical centers that all simultaneously distribute products to stores worldwide. These small production batches help the company avoid the risk of oversupply. Because batches always contain new products, Zara’s stores perpetually energize their inventories. Most clothing lines are A Single Fashion Culture With a network of over 1,600 stores around the world, Zara International is Indites’s largest and most profitable brand, bringing home 77% of international sales and nearly 67% of revenues. The first Zara outlet opened shop in 1975 in La. Coruna. It remained solely a Spanish chain until opening a store in Oporto, Portugal, in 1988. The brand reached the United States and France in 1989 and 1990 with outlets in New York and Paris, respectively. Zara went into mainland China in 2001 and expanded into India in 2009. Essential to Zaras growth and success are lnditexs 100 plus textile design, manufacturing, and distribution companies that employ more than 80,000 workers. The lnditex group began in 1963 when Amancio Ortega Gaona, chairman and founder of Inditex, got his start in textile manufacturing. After a period of growth, he assimilated Zara into a new holding company, Industria de Diseno TextiI. Inditex has a tried-andtrue strategy for entering new markets: start with a handful of stores and gain a critical mass of customers. Generally, Zara is the first lnditex chain to break ground in new countries, paving the way for the groups other brands, including Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka. lnditex farms out much of its garment production to specialist companies, located on the Iberian Peninsula, which it often supplies with its own fabrics. Although some pieces and fabrics are purchased in Asia—many of them not dyed or only partly finished—the company manufactures about half of its clothing in its hometown of La Coruna, Spain. HM, one of Zaras top competitors, uses a slightly different strategy. Around one quarter of its stock is made up of fast-fashion items that are designed in-house and farmed out to independent factories. As at Zara, these items move quickly through the stores and are replaced often by fresh designs. But HM also keeps a large inventory of basic, everyday items sourced from cheap Asian factories. lnditex CEO Pablo Isla believes in cutting expenses wherever and whenever possible. Zara spends just 0. 3% of sales on ads, making the 3-4% typically spent by rivals seem excessive in comparison. Isla disdains markdowns and sales as well. Few can criticize the results of Islas frugality. Inditex recently opened 439 stores in a single year and was simultaneously named Retailer of the Year during the World Retailer Congress meeting, after raking in net profits of almost $2 billion. Perhaps most important in an industry based on image, Inditex secured bragging rights as Europes largest fashion retailer by overtaking HM. According to Jose Castellano, lnditexs deputy chairman, the group plans to double in size in the coming years while making sales of more than $15 billion. He envisions most of this growth taking place in Europe—especially in trend-savvy Italy. Fashion of the Moment Although Inditexs dominance of fast fashion seems virtually complete, it isnt without its challenges. For instance, keeping production so close to home becomes difficult when an ncreasing number of Zara stores are far-flung across the globe. The efficiency of the supply chain is coming under more pressure the farther abroad they go, notes Nirmalya Kumar, a professor at London Business Schoo1. Inditex plans to launch its Zara online store in the United States in 2011. There is every indication that it will do well. A Zara application for the iPhone has been downloaded by more pro spective clients in the United States than in any other market, according to chief executive Pablo Isla—more than a million iPhone users in just three months. In 2010 Zara rolled out its online store in six European countries and plans to progressively add the remaining countries where Zara operates. Analysts worry that lnditexs rapid expansion may bring undue pressure to its business. The rising number of overseas stores, they warn, adds cost and complexity and is straining its operations. Inditex may no longer be able to manage everything from Spain. But Inditex isnt worried. By closely managing costs, lnditex says its current logistics system can handle its growth until 2012. Jose Luis Nueno of IESE, a business school in Barcelona, agrees that Zara is here to stay. Consumers have become more demanding and more arbitrary, he says—and fast fashion is better suited to these changes. But does Zara International have what it takes to succeed in the hypercompetitive world of fast fashion? Or is the company trying to expand too quickly? 1. In what ways are elements of the classical management and behavioral management approaches evident at Zara International? Specify exactly which elements are evident and how they are evident. 2. How can the systems theory and the theory of contingency thinking explain the success of some of Zaras distinctive practices?  List specific points as to how these theories are directly or indirectly related to Zaras practices. 3. Zaras CEO has asked your management consulting firm for advice on how the firm can make immediate improvements to stay ahead of competition. You must choose one of the consultants mentioned in Chapter 2 for this job (ex: Frederick Taylor, Max Weber, Mary Parker Follett). Which one/s would you assign to Zara, and why? Explain your option in detail by discussing exactly what points of the consultant from his/her well-known theories are applicable to Zara and how these may be applied to the company in modern day. . Discuss each of your suggested improvements for Zara in detail. (More specific information, examples). 5. Gather the latest information on competitive trends in the apparel industry, and on Zaras latest actions and innovations. Then answer the following: a. Is the firm continuing to do well? What makes you say so? (List statistics of competition, reviews, etc. Cite sources. ) b. Is Zara adapting in ways needed to stay abreast of both its major competition and the pressures of a changing global economy? What makes you say so?

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Irony Depicted in Shakespeares Henry V Essay -- Henry IV Henry V

The Irony Depicted in Shakespeare's Henry V As Norman Rabkin has observed, Henry V is a play which organizes critics into "rival camps" of interpretation (35). It can be seen as a play that is ambiguous; a play that exposes the playwright's own indecision; a play that aggressively takes sides in favour of nationalistic fervour which Shakespeare himself didn't believe in (35). All of these views, writes Rabkin, are wrong since according to him the play's "ultimate power" lies in its ability to "point in two opposite directions, virtually daring us to choose one of the two opposed interpretations" (36). In fact, it is Rabkin that is wrong: not in his supposition that the play "dares" the audience to choose, but rather, that a reading of Henry V cannot simultaneously contain all of the above. Another view would be that the ambiguity, the indecision, the disbelief and the forced choice, are all part and parcel of an urgently ironic reading. This can be justified through the ultimate irony of the play: that as "character driven," i t lacks a real character to drive. "The King," after all, is an abstract concept bounded by prescribed rules of conduct in contradiction to subjective agency. This reading borrows from post-colonial critiques such as Spivak, since it leads to authority as being responsible for generating its own excesses by virtue of what it is; it winds up parodying itself. It is a devastating critique of governance and for those that seek to govern; in this reading, Henry V may go beyond Machiavellian orchestrations to undermining the entire project of governance. Many literary critics have argued that Henry can be interpreted as Machiavellian in some respects, and this can be related to recurring themes of interio... ...polemic-- does not diminish but rather provokes and sustains a dialogic discourse. Admittedly, there is little danger of this not happening without an ironic reading; Henry V, after all, continues to be performed hundreds of years after it was written. But certainly an ironic reading brings us closer to unexplored theatrical potentials, not to mention the dismantling --if only temporarily--of societal assumptions of governance. Bibliography: Brennan, Anthony. Henry V. NY: Twayne Publishers, 1992. Rabkin, Norman. "Either/Or: Responding to Henry V," William Shakespeare's Henry V. NY: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. Siemon, James R. "The 'Image Bound': Icon and Iconoclasm in Henry V," William Shakespeare's Henry V. Shakespeare, William. Henry V. The Norton Shakespeare Histories. Stephen Greenblat, General Editor. NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997. The Irony Depicted in Shakespeare's Henry V Essay -- Henry IV Henry V The Irony Depicted in Shakespeare's Henry V As Norman Rabkin has observed, Henry V is a play which organizes critics into "rival camps" of interpretation (35). It can be seen as a play that is ambiguous; a play that exposes the playwright's own indecision; a play that aggressively takes sides in favour of nationalistic fervour which Shakespeare himself didn't believe in (35). All of these views, writes Rabkin, are wrong since according to him the play's "ultimate power" lies in its ability to "point in two opposite directions, virtually daring us to choose one of the two opposed interpretations" (36). In fact, it is Rabkin that is wrong: not in his supposition that the play "dares" the audience to choose, but rather, that a reading of Henry V cannot simultaneously contain all of the above. Another view would be that the ambiguity, the indecision, the disbelief and the forced choice, are all part and parcel of an urgently ironic reading. This can be justified through the ultimate irony of the play: that as "character driven," i t lacks a real character to drive. "The King," after all, is an abstract concept bounded by prescribed rules of conduct in contradiction to subjective agency. This reading borrows from post-colonial critiques such as Spivak, since it leads to authority as being responsible for generating its own excesses by virtue of what it is; it winds up parodying itself. It is a devastating critique of governance and for those that seek to govern; in this reading, Henry V may go beyond Machiavellian orchestrations to undermining the entire project of governance. Many literary critics have argued that Henry can be interpreted as Machiavellian in some respects, and this can be related to recurring themes of interio... ...polemic-- does not diminish but rather provokes and sustains a dialogic discourse. Admittedly, there is little danger of this not happening without an ironic reading; Henry V, after all, continues to be performed hundreds of years after it was written. But certainly an ironic reading brings us closer to unexplored theatrical potentials, not to mention the dismantling --if only temporarily--of societal assumptions of governance. Bibliography: Brennan, Anthony. Henry V. NY: Twayne Publishers, 1992. Rabkin, Norman. "Either/Or: Responding to Henry V," William Shakespeare's Henry V. NY: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. Siemon, James R. "The 'Image Bound': Icon and Iconoclasm in Henry V," William Shakespeare's Henry V. Shakespeare, William. Henry V. The Norton Shakespeare Histories. Stephen Greenblat, General Editor. NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Education Is Life Iself Essay

Once John Dewey said, â€Å"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.† It is quite difficult, even impossible to contend for the statement. We should clearly understand that education is a long process which lasts for the whole life. More than that life is the best teacher we might ever have. In other words, we can denote that we live educating ourselves and educate ourselves for living. First of all, it is interesting to note that the notions â€Å"education† and â€Å"life† can be regarded as identical ones. The matter is that speaking about education we keep in mind that it is not just a period of life but a lifelong process of learning. As Albert Einstein once noticed, â€Å"Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at growth.† Keeping to the point it should be also mentioned that education can be given and taken anywhere – at school, university or home. It doesn’t matter. However, there is no better teacher than life itself. Nobody can dispute it. People learn much deeper and more effectively through their own actions and mistakes. Life motivates, directs, controls and evaluates us. Life teaches us. What is more important, life is always fair towards us. That is why we consider life to be the best teacher. To sum up, it should be said that every person has his own attitude towards education. For some people education seems to be an obligation, even a burden, for others it is the meaning of life, for the rest it can be a means to achieve some higher goals†¦ but there is no doubt, education is the most powerful tool that has a certain impact on our lives. The other question is how to use this tool. Nukhayeva Kamila

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Scholarly Writing Awareness

While the paragraph focuses on the social reaction towards the development and evolution of computers through the years, the reader can immediately notice in the introductory sentence that the author of the paragraph does not provide scholarly research to support the presumptive claim that there is the â€Å"widespread availability of the personal computer. † Had the author indicated a recognized research or study on the widespread availability of the personal computer, the claim that such a widespread phenomenon has been â€Å"one of the greatest breakthroughs in the past 50 years† could have easily been upheld. Further, substantiating the claim that such a widespread phenomenon has been a breakthrough would have also played a contributing role to the latter arguments stated in the paragraph. The second sentence in the paragraph indicates that the personal computer is a â€Å"powerful learning tool† because of two primary stated reasons: one is its revolutionizing influence on commerce and education, and; two is its effect on â€Å"the very way everyone conducts his or her daily lives. While it is good to indicate the reasons behind qualifying the personal computer as a powerful learning tool, the author failed to take note of the other influencing ‘side’ of the personal computer, which is that the use of it has also already turned into an addiction to some people that it has altered their ways of dealing with other people. The exposition of the other ‘side’ of personal computers is important so as to avoid bias in writing an essay with a scholarly voice. Inasmuch as it balances the pros and the cons pertaining to personal computers, providing a view of both negative and positive influences of these tools is equally significant as it gives the reader a broader understanding of the issue at hand. Moreover, the third sentence of the paragraph shows the hasty generalization of the author by denying the fact that there still remain significant debates surrounding the â€Å"digital divide between those who could afford computers and those who could not. By neglecting that fact, the author then proceeds to assert the claim that â€Å"poor people can now save enough to buy their families a computer for home and school use. † In writing scholarly papers, one should avoid using opinion as a premise or evidence for further arguments as it weakens the very arguments of the author. The opinion that there is almost no more â€Å"digital divide† is not enough to stand as a factual evidence and to support the claim that less fortunate individuals can now actually â€Å"save enough† money for them to be able to purchase personal computers. If the target audience of the author is a group of people who experts or who have sufficient knowledge on the effects and history of personal computers, it is highly probable that the audience will be unable to connect with the statements of the author precisely because there is little evidence used to back-up his arguments. Worse, the audience might simply disagree with the author, with the latter failing to convince the audience or failing to send his message across effectively. If, on the other hand, the audience of the author is a group of individuals who have little to no background knowledge about personal computers and are expecting an objective presentation of ideas from the author, it is most certain that the tendency is for the audience to believe in the claims of the author and, eventually, hold these beliefs as close to being treated as facts. Both of these two instances are not commendable as far as scholarly writing and scholarly voice are concerned because both fail to consider the fact that the author’s writing should be fair and objective, or should render no bias and should make use of accepted facts. In essence, the substance of the paragraph can be improved by citing facts and removing opinion. Doing both things can give the paper and the author more credibility and will not be suspect of unsound arguments and invalid points.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Possible Solutions for CSC

Possible Solutions for CSC CSC is facing a certain kind of decline and the company is selling its facilities to gain some revenue. The company is selling one of its units in Australia, Paxus, to Adcorp a service company (South Africa).1Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Possible Solutions for CSC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is possible to note that one of the major issues CSC is facing now is emergence of new competitors.2 Many new businesses are entering the market (including quite large corporations that were not the company’s competitors previously, e.g. Microsoft, Amazon, etc.). The company has to come up with new strategies to overcome one of the most burning issues, i.e. significant competition. Notably, competition is an inevitable part of the business world. However, it is quite a serious issue for CSC. Competitors offer more services at lower prices and many of the company’s clients cease to work with CSC. This is sue has another impact. The company can lose many professionals as they can be offered higher salaries One of the major causes of the serious issue is that the company has long used a strategy of avoidance. CSC has tended to avoid competition by moving to other niches.3 Therefore, the company has no experience in operating in a competitive environment. The company has not worked out specific strategies to keep clients loyal to the company. The company’s attitude towards human resources development is also quite hazardous as they tend to invest in development of few professionals who have already made a considerable contribution.4 This can make many employees less motivated to work for the company. These employees can leave CSC and started working for competitors. Some claim that the company can focus on providing services to vertical industries and â€Å"move away from the commodity market†.5 It can help the company meet short-term goals as this will help them to find their clients in other niches.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, this solution can be quite hazardous in terms of long-term goals. Leaving some niches in the market, the company will lose its clients. Besides, when the company enters new niches, it will face competition there, sooner or later. The company may end up losing all possible niches in the market. A better solution is to change the very strategy of the company that focused on niches where competition was low. The company should focus on development of new strategies to remain competitive in the changing environment.6 This will help CSC remain in the market as well as keep its customers and/or gain new clients, which is the major goal of any company. This will also help the company be focused on further development, rather than looking for other niches and possible ways to escape from competition. With this major goal in mind, the company can make certain steps to pursue the aim. CSC should continue developing relations with existing clients. The major advantage of the company is its being a global and diversified business. CSC has already developed a reputation of a reliable company. Therefore, it is important to emphasize these advantages. Bibliography â€Å"Computer Sciences Corporation: CSC Agrees to Sell Australian IT Staffing Unit.† 4-traders, 2012, accessed from 4-traders.com/COMPUTER-SCIENCES-CORPORA-12190/news/Computer-Sciences-Corporation-CSC-Agrees-to-Sell-Australian-IT-Staffing-Unit-15595309/. Horton, Michael. Interview, Business Capstone Interviews, 2011, accessed from https://mcmaweb01.curtin.edu.au/content.php?content_id=382. Schermerhorn, John R., Paul Davidson, David Poole, Alan Simon, Peter Woods, So Ling Chau. Management Foundations and Applications. Milton: John Wiley Sons, 2012.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Possible S olutions for CSC specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Footnotes 1. â€Å"Computer Sciences Corporation: CSC Agrees to Sell Australian IT Staffing Unit,† 4-traders, 2012, accessed from 4-traders.com/COMPUTER-SCIENCES-CORPORA-12190/news/Computer-Sciences-Corporation-CSC-Agrees-to-Sell-Australian-IT-Staffing-Unit-15595309/. 2. Michael Horton, Interview, Business Capstone Interviews, 2011, accessed from https://mcmaweb01.curtin.edu.au/content.php?content_id=382. 3. Ibid. 4 Michael Horton, Interview, Business Capstone Interviews, 2011, accessed from https://mcmaweb01.curtin.edu.au/content.php?content_id=382. 5. Ibid. 6. John R. Schermerhorn, Paul Davidson, David Poole, Alan Simon, Peter Woods, So Ling Chau, Management Foundations and Applications (Milton: John Wiley Sons, 2012), 14.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The 11 Best Jesuit Colleges

The 11 Best Jesuit Colleges SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Interested in attending a Jesuit college? You’ve probably come across a few in your college search and didn’t even know it. Jesuit colleges are private colleges affiliated with the Jesuit order (a form of Catholicism). However, you don’t need to be a Jesuit or a Catholic in order to attend one of these schools- or to get the most out of your experience at one. If you’re strongly considering going to a Jesuit college, you're probably wondering just how good these colleges really are, academically speaking. In this guide, we introduce our picks for thetop 11 Jesuit colleges in the US.We then offer sometips on whether you should attend one or not. Before we go over our list of Jesuit colleges, though, let's briefly go over what a Jesuit college is. What Is a Jesuit College? Jesuit colleges are private colleges and universities with a Jesuit affiliation in addition to a history of strong Jesuit influence. All Jesuit schools are affiliated with theAssociation of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. So what is a Jesuit? A Jesuit is a member of the Society of Jesus, an order of Roman Catholic priests founded in Spain in the 16th century. In other words, all Jesuit colleges are Catholic, but not all Catholic colleges are Jesuit. Jesuit colleges are known for being welcoming to students of all faiths andstrive to instill values of meaning and empathy in students. That being said,these schools typically offer a particularly wide array of resources and opportunities for students of the Catholic faith.These can include activities such as religious retreats, mission trips, and community service projects. Jesuit colleges stress key Jesuit principles, such as ethics, leadership, and community service. Students must usually take core courses in several disciplines in order to provide them with a well-rounded intellectual foundation. Many Jesuit colleges also encourage students to participate in volunteering projects outside of school. Here’s howthe Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universitiesdescribes its network of schools and their academic principles: "A Jesuit education is grounded in the liberal arts tradition with a focus on quality teaching, critical thinking, and rigorous academic standards and scholarship. †¦ Jesuit higher education is guided by a spirituality that seeks justice. Inspired by the tenets of Catholic social teaching and its intellectual and social justice traditions, a Jesuit education places great emphasis on forming 'women and men for others.' Students are engaged in a process of exploring the distinctive and constructive ways in which their knowledge and talents will best serve society." In total, there are27 Jesuit colleges in the US. Primarilysituated along the coasts, these schools range from small liberal arts colleges to large research universities. All of them aremembers of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities: Boston College Canisius College College of the Holy Cross Creighton University Fairfield University Fordham University Georgetown University Gonzaga University John Carroll University Le Moyne College Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Marquette University Regis University Rockhurst University Saint Joseph’s University Saint Louis University Saint Peter’s University Santa Clara University Seattle University Spring Hill College University of Detroit Mercy University of San Francisco University of Scranton Xavier University Generally, Jesuit colleges placea high emphasis on living on-campus, volunteering, and assuming social responsibility. Finally, Jesuit schoolsdon’t appear all that differentfrom other private schools in the US. Many students enjoyJesuit colleges' unique focus on making positive contributions to society as well as their lack of an overtly religious atmosphere. Seattle University's got a fountain ... and dogs! (SaintIggy/Wikimedia Commons) The Methodology Behind Our Ranking of Jesuit Colleges To determine which schools belong on our list of Jesuit colleges, we developed a methodology that took into consideration several key factors. For each factor, the school was assigned a point value on a range of 1-5 (1 = worst, 5 = best).These points were totaled to get a final score out of 40 for each school. So the closer a school was to 40, the higher it ranked on our list. Overall, we used eight criteria to create our list: National college ranking lists:We looked at the most recent college lists on US News, Forbes, and Niche (whose rankings are strongly based on student satisfaction). Each Jesuit school was then assigned a point range from 1 to 5 based on the average of its rankings from these lists. Acceptance rate: The lower the acceptance rate, the better the school did on our list, as this shows selectivity and competitiveness. Freshman retention rate: This is a percentage that indicates what percent of freshmen stay on for the next year. Though it can be used as a general indicator of student satisfaction, it is important to note that many factors, such as students' financial situations, can influence this rate. Four-year graduation rate: Schools with high graduation rates earned more points (again, up to 5) than those with lower rates. Student/faculty ratio: Lower student/faculty ratios mean there are fewer students per teacher and thus more individualized instruction. Schools with lower ratios than others scored more points. Variety of majors: Schools offering a lot of majors and academic programs for students scored higher than those with a more limited array of options. Number of clubs and student organizations: Extracurriculars can play a key role in student satisfaction and school spirit; thus, Jesuit colleges with more clubs received more points. Median salary upon graduation: US News reports the median salary upon graduation for each school on its best colleges/universities lists. Schools whose recent graduates typically earned higher incomes were ranked higher. The 11 Best Jesuit Colleges for Undergraduates Below, we reveal our picks for the top 11 Jesuit colleges in the US. Each school includes a ranking (remember that these are still somewhat subjective), information about the school, and links to the school’s official website and our PrepScholar admissions page for it. #1: Georgetown University Ranked among the top 25 schools nationwide on several rankings lists, Georgetown is one of the most well-known and competitive Jesuit colleges in the US. Each year, more than 20,000 applicants vie for spots in Georgetown’s freshman class- and less than 20% are successful. In addition to being a highly prestigious research university, Georgetown is the oldest Jesuit college in the country. The school takes immense pride in its rich history and Jesuit roots. Students can choose from more than 200 clubs, from religious and cultural groups to academic and social organizations. More than 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students, ensuring that all students receive ample individual attention and assistance. Lastly, the school has a 96% freshman retention rate- one of the highest among Jesuit colleges. Location: Washington, DC Acceptance Rate: 16% Popular Majors: Social sciences, business, marketing Georgetown Admission Requirements The very majestic-looking Georgetown University (Flapane/Wikimedia Commons) #2: Boston College A well-known liberal arts college, Boston College ranks highly on several best colleges lists and offers a vast array of more than 60 undergraduate majors. Boston College maintains strong ties to its Jesuit roots and strives to share tenets of Catholicism with students of all faiths and backgrounds. The school offers a daily Catholic Mass service and regular talks and symposia on Catholicism. It also provides more than 200 options for student organizations. The freshman retention rate at Boston College is particularly high at 95%. Location: Chestnut Hill, MA Acceptance Rate: 32% Popular Majors: Economics, biology, psychology Boston College Admission Requirements #3 (Tie): College of the Holy Cross College of the Holy Cross is a small college located in the vibrant college town of Worcester (about 45 minutes from Boston). With more than a dozen schools in the area, Worcester offers Holy Cross students tons of dining, nightlife, and recreational options. Even on campus, students have access to numerous activities, includingmore than 100 student clubs. Holy Cross has a predominantly Catholic student body, though students of all faiths are welcome. Every year, the school presents opportunities to participate in spiritual retreats and other religious events. Holy Cross is also the only Jesuit school that caters specifically to undergraduates (meaning that there are no graduate programs). So if you’re looking for a college that focuses on undergraduate education, this could be a great choice for you. Its student/faculty ratio is 10:1- one of the best ratios of all Jesuit colleges. Nearly 60% of all Holy Cross classes have fewer than 20 students, so you can rest assured that you'll receive ample attention and guidance in your studies. Holy Cross currently has an impressive freshman retention rate of 95%. Location: Worcester, MA Acceptance Rate: 40% Popular Majors: Foreign languages, English, psychology College of the Holy Cross Admission Requirements #3 (Tie): Santa Clara University Based an hour outside of San Francisco in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University has a very high 95% freshman retention rate and more than 50 undergraduate majors. Founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus, SCU closely follows the traditional Jesuit principles of ethics and social justice, andoffers aJesuit School of Theology. Additionally, the college strongly emphasizes sustainability and was named a top Green College in 2018 by The Princeton Review. Many of SCU’s 500+ professors are renowned Fulbright scholars, famous authors and poets, and successful scientists. What is perhaps most impressive about SCU, however, is that its graduates hold the honor of havingthe highest median salary of any Jesuit college: $63,300. Location: Santa Clara, CA Acceptance Rate: 54% Popular Majors: Business, engineering, communication Santa Clara University Admission Requirements #5: Saint Louis University Saint Louis University was founded in 1818 and is the second-oldest Jesuit college in the US. Open to students of all faiths, SLU offers more than 90 majors and academic programs- more than most Jesuit colleges do- as well as tons of extracurricular opportunities, including more than 150 clubs and more than 20 sororities and fraternities.SLU’s Campus Ministry organizes multiple mission trips and retreats throughout the school year as well. As a Jesuit college, SLU is committed to aiding the community. Each year, SLU students contribute more than one million hours of community service. The school also has an overseas campus in Madrid, where students can study for all four years or just a semester. Of all Jesuit colleges, SLU offers the lowest student/faculty ratio at 9:1, and around 43% of its classes contain fewer than 20 students. SLU has a high freshman retention rate of 90%. Location: St. Louis, MO Acceptance Rate: 64% Popular Majors: Health; business; parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies Saint Louis University Admission Requirements DuBourg Hall at Saint Louis University #6: Loyola Marymount University The biggest Catholic university on the west coast, Loyola Marymount University houses more than 6,000 undergraduates as well as seven schools that specialize in fields such as education, law, and business administration. Withmore than 150 student organizations, including 22 Greek chapters, LMU provides easy access to recreational and employment opportunities in Los Angeles, where regional offices for companies such as YouTube, Buzzfeed, and Google are based. LMU is proud of its diversity; its student body contains not only representatives from almost every US state but also international students from numerous countries, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.LMU has a student/faculty ratio of 10:1, with more than 50% of its classes containing fewer than 20 students. The freshman retention rate is fairly high at 90%. What's more, 97% of graduates are currently employed, volunteering, or attending graduate school. Location: Los Angeles, CA Acceptance Rate: 52% Popular Majors: Visual and performing arts, marketing, journalism Loyola Marymount University Admission Requirements #7: Fordham University Based in the vibrant and urban New York City, Fordham University offersa ton of extracurricular, intellectual, and spiritual opportunities for students across three campuses: Rose Hill, Lincoln Center, and Westchester. Fordham espouses traditional Jesuit principles, including the promotion of ethics, excellence in teaching, and student care. It has more than 80 undergraduate majors and is well known for its highly ranked School of Law.Students may also use the esteemed Louis Calder Center to conduct environmental and biological research. Although Fordham doesn’t have a Greek system, it offersmore than 180 student clubsat its Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. The freshman retention rate is very high at 91%. Location: New York City, NY Acceptance Rate: 46% Popular Majors: Economics, business administration and management, finance Fordham University Admission Requirements #8: Creighton University Founded in 1878, Creighton University is currentlyranked #1 on theUS Newslist of best regional universities in the Midwest. It consists of nine undergraduate, graduate, and professional colleges, and offers more than200 clubs and organizations. Creighton is also home to a vibrant Greek community, with more than 10 sororities and fraternities. As a Jesuit college, Creighton gives students plenty of chances to get in touch with their spirituality through activities such as spiritual retreats and volunteer projects.Creighton is well known for its undergraduate research, with about 33% of undergraduate students conducting research. Its current freshman retention rate is high at 90%. Moreover, a whopping 98% of recent graduates are employed, in graduate school, or volunteering. Location: Omaha, NE Acceptance Rate: 72% Popular Majors: Health, biological and biomedical sciences, psychology Creighton University Admission Requirements St. John's Parish at Creighton University (NewTestLeper79/Wikimedia Commons) #9: Gonzaga University Located less than half a mile from downtown Spokane, Gonzaga University is an absolute haven for those interested in outdoor activities and sports. More than 60% of its students participate in intramural sports clubs, and its successful men’s basketball team is one of the university’s most highly valued sports teams. Moreover, students can run or walk on the 37-mile-long Spokane River Centennial Trail or enjoy a leisurely day at the 100-acre Riverfront Park. Gonzaga offers more than 50 undergraduate majors. Its School of Law is one of three law schools in Washington State and has produced several state Supreme Court justices. The college adheres to Jesuit traditions by working together with Bishop White Seminary to provide theology courses to students interested in becoming priests. Its freshman retention rate is very high at93%. Location: Spokane, WA Acceptance Rate: 65% Popular Majors: Business, engineering, psychology Gonzaga University Admission Requirements #10 (Tie): Loyola University Chicago One of the biggest Jesuit colleges in the US, Loyola University Chicago currently houses more than 11,000 undergraduates and 11 colleges. In total, it offers undergraduates more than 80 majors to choose from, with several of these focusing on interdisciplinary coursework. Outside of classes, Loyola Chicago participates in more than a dozen NCAA Division I sports. It also provides students with more than 250 clubs- one of the largest arrays of any Jesuit college. Based in Chicago, Loyola Chicago gives ample chances for internships, careers, entertainment, and volunteering. As a Jesuit institution, it also encourages all students to participate in service projects and events. Students can even earn academic credit for certain volunteer efforts. The freshman retention rate is high at 84%. Location: Chicago, IL Acceptance Rate: 71% Popular Majors: Health, marketing, social sciences Loyola University Chicago Admission Requirements #10 (Tie): Loyola University Maryland Established in 1852, Loyola Maryland is a smaller Jesuit institution that is currently home to around 4,000 undergraduates. The university offers more than 170 student clubs and a highly selective Honors Program in which 50 qualified freshmen enroll each year. The school also maintains a variety of Jesuit-oriented traditions, including the fall-term Mass of the Holy Spirit and the Christmas event Lessons and Carols. Loyola Maryland is deeply committed to giving students a well-rounded liberal arts education that aligns closely with the Jesuit value of helping to develop the "whole person." More than 30 majors are available, and the university's urban location allows students to explore many opportunities for personal and educational growth outside of classes. Loyola Maryland has a high freshman retention rate of 87%. Location:Baltimore, MD Acceptance Rate: 75% Popular Majors: Psychology, business, journalism Loyola University Maryland Admission Requirements Should You Attend a Jesuit College? We now know what the 11 best Jesuit colleges are. But is a Jesuit school right for you? Let’s go over some of the key factors to consider before you decide whether you should apply to a Jesuit college. #1: Do You Like the School Overall? First off, think about what you really like about the school and what draws you to it. What will you likely enjoy as a student there? What kind of atmosphere, location, or classes are you looking for? Here are some good questions to ask yourself before you apply: Do you plan to participate in any organizations or clubs? If so, consider looking for Jesuit colleges that offer a wide variety (100+) of on-campus clubs. Similarly, if you want the chance to join a sorority or fraternity, make sure it's got a Greek system. Do you like the area? There’s a big difference between urban and suburban environments. It’s important to make sure you like what the area around the school has to offer as well. For example, are there ample job opportunities for recent graduates? What about internships? Does the school offer good financial support? If money is a big concern for you (as it is for most students!), spend some time looking up how much money the Jesuit college you want to apply to usually provides incoming freshmen with. #2: Do You Agree With the Jesuit Principles? Another factor to consider is how strongly your own values align with those of Jesuit colleges. In other words, do you enjoy these schools’ emphasis on ethics? Are you excited about the idea of doing community service? Are you looking forward to gaining a broad foundation of knowledge in a variety of fields? If you answered yes to these questions, a Jesuit college might be good for you. Furthermore, if you are Catholic and would prefer a school with lots of Catholic-oriented activities, such as retreats and mission trips, you'd likely enjoy the offerings available at a Jesuit college. #3: Do the Classes and Majors Sound Interesting to You? Even if you're not sure what you want to study or major in (most high school students don't have everything figured out so soon!), it's important to make sure that the school you're interested in has classes and academic programs that sound appealing to you. For example, maybe you like the idea of studying a few foreign languages. In this case,Santa Clara Universitymight be a good fit for you since it offers an extensive modern languages program with languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, and Japanese. Key Takeaways: The Best Jesuit Colleges There are 27 Jesuit colleges in the US, all of which belong to the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Jesuit colleges are private institutions that range from small liberal arts colleges to large research universities. While Jesuit colleges are open to students of all religious backgrounds, they typically make a strong effort to abide by traditional Jesuit principles through their emphasis on ethics and core classes, and their ongoing commitment to community service. For the list of Jesuit colleges above, we analyzed multiple factors for each school, from its freshman retention rate to its student/faculty ratio, in order to offer a more well-rounded look at which Jesuit colleges are better than others. Ultimately, through our findings, we came up with a list of 11 top Jesuit colleges: 1: Georgetown University 2: Boston College 3 (tie): College of the Holy Cross 3 (tie): Santa Clara University 5: Saint Louis University 6: Loyola Marymount University 7:Fordham University 8: Creighton University 9: Gonzaga University 10 (tie): Loyola University Chicago 10 (tie): Loyola University Maryland If you're not sure whether you should attend a Jesuit school, make sure toask yourself these three questions: Do you like the school overall (including its location, atmosphere, etc.)? Do you agree with the Jesuit principles of ethics, knowledge, and community service? Do the school's classes and majors sound interesting to you? What’s Next? If you've decided to apply to a Jesuit college, be sure you know what the most common college application deadlines are as well aswhat to expect during the college application process. What are thebest graphic design schools? The best architecture schools?Check out our other lists of top schools to learn more about what makes them great choices for college.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

International business(fail in emerging economies) Essay - 1

International business(fail in emerging economies) - Essay Example This is because globalization of markets, as Czinkota, et al (2010) says, has also led to the globalization of business risk. There can be a myriad of reasons for these divestments but there has not been any detailed research to investigate the underlying factors that affect the divestment. The most generic definitions of divestment is a situation where a business willingly sells off some of its assets as a result of a discontinuation of part of it operations (Nees, 1978). Divestments can therefore happen locally or in a situation where a firm requires divesting from a one of its overseas branch (Davis, 1974, p. 16). There are some generic reasons why a firm may opt to divest. These include raising funds, need to focus on core business, specialization, asset consolidation and cleansing (removing dysfunctional parts of the firm) etc (Hamilton & Chow, 1993, p.479). The current trend to divest from international markets may indicate that none of these may be involved and therefore there is a need to investigate the real dynamics behind multinational divestments from emerging markets. Wal-Mart is one of the oldest and most successful retail chains in the US. The firm runs hundreds of stores in America and across a number of other countries across the world (Wall Mart, 2013). Wal-Mart was one of the first retail chains to use information technology to help in meeting customers’ needs and also in increasing efficiency. To achieve this, the firm uses high end computer servers and system that make data sharing easy and efficient. The firm is able to have a real time data sharing using a wide area network that connects all its stores. With this kind of sharing of data the firm is able to increase efficiency and therefore make customer service better (Wall Mart, 2013). For instance, data collected at the point of sale units in every Wal-Mart satire is sent to a computer in real time. This data is used in managing inventory and also in helping