Economic Downturn Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Economic Downturn - Assignment Example Therefore, in this paper, we will first look at the type of economic recessions that are determinable and then we will try and extrapolate the mechanisms which can be implemented by businesses I order to cope with the downturn. We are also of the opinion that budgeting encompasses a major part of any business's planning and forecasting activities, and takes a doubly important role in the time of recession, therefore, we would like focus on that aspect of business in our paper by providing a case analysis of a business and its budgeting process in times of recession which would help it recover from the murky economic conditions. We believe that this portion of survival mechanism is as important, if not more, than any other mechanism of survival which we will discuss in this paper. A large of number of bankrupt firms and work-outs have beset the financial market, yet the market has been able to soak up these fatalities and stronger limits on credit has quickly been able to restore the credit reserve to its original levels. This outcome will be a small period of decreased growth, maybe a negative GDP in a quarter and numerous volatilities in the credit and the financial markets in the way. It is pivotal to note that the decline in stock market prices was nearly 20% in 1998 but the recovery was as fast and strong after the decline. [1] In this case, our framework is simi... [1] Conventional Recession: In this case, our framework is similar and in fact has some aspects influenced by the structure programmed by the Resolution Trust Corp; which was created in a bid to ascertain homeowners were not thrown out of their abodes as well as allow the balance sheets to restore to normal for all the banking institutions that are in place, similar to the actions of 1990 in the aftermath of the oil crisis at that time. The outcome was decreased growth for 2 or 3 quarters in the doldrums and a more profound unconstructive effect on the economy. A gold rush for the better assets in the bond market and the poorly performing equity market would ensue. Assets sensitive to interest rate i.e. with large asset duration would perform exceptionally well in this time period and a depreciation in dollar will increase the likelihood of better returns on investments made in other currencies. This is the most likely scenario in our opinion. [2] Recession like the one seen in Japan: The worst possible scenario and what we consider to be the more unlikely is the current is the one the global economy becomes a model of the Japanese economy of the past whereby the whole economy would keep struggling forward at a snail's pace all the while unaware of which assets are not profitable and which institutions have been contaminated completely. The result would be slow yet steady decline in growth for a number of years with a steady decrease in housing valuation, smaller spending by the population and national investments and businesses in jeopardy. Value of national assets would reduce gradually and the dollar would decline in value. Assets in currencies other than the dollar and

Analyze how globalization has impacted political and economic systems Essay

Analyze how globalization has impacted political and economic systems and appreciate America's role within global, political, - Essay Example North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) etc are some of the regional trade blocs formed to exploit the opportunities of globalization. This paper focuses more on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) to analyze the impacts of these trade blocs on globalization. Impacts of globalization on political and economic systems The history and formation of the trade bloc Since the mid-1980s there has been a profound change in the structure of the international economy due to the widespread growth and internal enhancement of regional trading blocs in all parts of the globe. The World Trade Organization (WTO), for example, notes that almost all of its 134 members are signatories to regional trade agreements with other countries. As of February 1999 the GATT/WTO has been notified of 184 regional trade agreements of which 109 are currently in effect. These re gional trade groups, according to Fred Bergsten of the Institute for International Economics, account for approximately 60 percent of world trade. The United States, Mexico, and Canada created a free-trade area (NAFTA) that became effective in January 1994 (Reardon et al, 2002) NAFTA has proposals to expand the size of this trade bloc to the entire American continent. Same way, Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was formed on January 6, 2004 at Islamabad, Pakistan during the 12th SAARC summit. The members of this trade bloc are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The role that the countries involved in the trade bloc play in the global economy â€Å"Regional trade blocs have the effect of lessening trade restrictions between members, while increasing or standardizing trade restrictions for non-members. In terms of worldwide trade, the net effect is arguable† (Reardon et al, 2002). One of the major barriers in increasing trade acti vities between different countries before the entry of globalization was the governmental trade restrictions imposed by countries. Globalization has brought the concept of free trade between countries and many of the countries which implemented globalization started liberalize the governmental restrictions on trade activities between countries. American economy has the ability to affect the entire global economy. Any fluctuations taking place in American economy is watched with lot of concerns by other countries because of the increasing interdependence of global economy and the trade activities many of the global countries have with America. However, most of these liberalizations of trade rules between countries were taken place between countries which have warm relationships. Countries in the same region with political and economic problems between them have failed to liberalize trade rules. Such problems created more problems to other countries also in doing free trade activities . For example, India and Pakistan are enemy countries and their enmity created problems in signing an agreement between Iran and India in establishing a gas pipe line from Iran to India through Pakistan. However, the formation of SAFTA helped these enemy countries to assemble under one umbrella and currently the problems in establishing the gas line is going to be solved amicably. In short, countries started to realize that the

Classic Airlines Marketing Solution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Classic Airlines Marketing Solution - Essay Example The airline’s CEO is under immense pressure to turn around the fate of the company. The most problematic situation for the company is that it is currently incurring a large cost per customer per mile, and, to add to this problem, the company has just made a mistake in its marketing program. Thus, in this scenario, a new and a fresh marketing approach is required, implications of which should trickle down to the entire organization. This marketing strategy should keep customers as its focal point, because current customer satisfaction level is very low for the organization. Another important crisis which this marketing strategy should resolve is that of positioning. The current positioning statement of the company is taking it nowhere in terms of differentiating its services. Another implication of this is that the employees of the company are feeling an identity crisis. This situation is further made complex by the inability of the airline’s CEO act effectively regardin g the utility of the functional areas of the airline. Her focus on numbers is creating a friction between her and the various departments of the organization, especially the marketing department. This friction is being felt at various levels of the organization and thus is a reason of worry because of its potential negative impact on the airline’s organizational culture. This report recommends a market driven strategy to be adopted by the airline. The major aspects of this strategy are the customers and the market; the company is required to tailor its business processes keeping customers as its focal point. In order to effectively implement this strategy, the airline needs to identify its distinctive capabilities and match them with the needs and aspirations of the customers. The company needs to identify all of its distinctive capabilities so that it can come up with a sustainable value proposition. The airline needs to make considerable efforts to align its various busines s processes. It needs to build systems which help in the coordination of different organizational activities and facilitate the flow of information. Last but not the least, an articulated vision from the CEO of the airline can do wonders for it. 9-Step Problem Solving Model and its application on Classic Airline Problem Definition Today’s airline industry is undergoing or has undergone a paradigm shift. This paradigm requires from airliners to seek operational excellence and nurture customer loyalty. The fundamental variables defining this new face of the industry are increased fuel cost and rising level of inflation. These two variables have severely hurt the profit margins of airline companies. By increasing the cost per mile per customer for these airliners, these variables have dried the operating profits of these airliners. As a result of this, many airlines have declared bankruptcy. These dynamics show that those airlines which are not operationally efficient and lack c ustomer loyalty are bound to be eradicated from the industry. Framework of the Problem As mentioned above, the two variables which have changed the face of airline industry are fuel cost and inflation level. Due to these variables, airlines have to come up with strategies which allow them to absorb these costs. Airlines also need to come up with some

Political Power in France 1780-1815 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Political Power in France 1780-1815 - Essay Example The period 1780-1815 was marked by various happenings in France. In the years before the French Revolution, France was experiencing difficult times. The cost of necessities had gone up tremendously. Bread, which was the staple food of the French, had its cost sky rocketing. The reason behind the price of bread going up was that a severe drought and extreme winter hit France. These conditions affected wheat yield which consequently affected bread production. Due to the law supply of bread and the high demand for the same from people, the prices went high. The poor Frenchmen could not afford bread. During the same period, King Louis XVI was in reign. He was weak and could not make decisions in time. He married Marie Antoinette with whom they lived lavishly at the expense of their countrymen. France was in huge debts following the policies of rulers before Louis XVI. Louis XIV and XV had used foreign policies that led France to costly wars. France was driven into deeper debts with the r oyal family and the nobility living lavishly. A taxation system that exempted the Nobility and Clergy was put in place. This was unfair since these were the well off people in society yet they were not to pay these taxes. All these and more factors that will be discussed in the paper will explain the unfolding that took place in France during the period 1780 to 1815. As mentioned earlier, the wars that were initiated by Louis XVI had put France in serious debts. Food scarcity was also becoming a very big problem. Economic problems were on the rise during this period. Suggestions by some ministers to tax the nobility were met with contempt. The problem of the serious debts was not going to be sorted if the nobility and the clergy continued to be exempted. By 1788, the attempts to salvage France from these debts were registered a failure. A meeting of the Estates-General was called by the King. The First Estate was made up of church members or the clergy. The second Estate constituted of the nobility, then the third Estate constituted of the remaining Frenchmen. The issue of classism was not uncommon during meetings. The third Estate, which constituted mostly of the Bourgeoisies, had the majority of members. The last meeting of the Estates-General had been held in 1614. Being the majority, the third Estate demanded greater representation in the house. Their demands were not met which led to their breaking away and forming the National Assembly. This group was the voice of the whole nation thereby challenging the King and the two orders. Liberalism that was fueled by the spirit of Enlightenment led to liberal-minded members of the clergy and nobility joining the National Assembly. The members of the National Assembly accentuated the need for the parliament in France being similar to that in Britain. These people swore to see to it that a constitution was written and sanctioned. The Tennis Court Oath as it came to be known was the movement by the National Assembly in their bid to get a new constitution for France. King Louis XVI, rallied up his troops against the supporters of the National Assembly, as well as, on the National Assembly members. Paris and Versailles were besieged by the King’s defense force. However, the king vacillated bringing the first act of the movement come to a stand. For the first time in the history of the French monarchy, Louis capitulated some of the power that was held absolute. This power had been considered absolute for over two centuries and many say that Louis XVI surrender jeopardized his authority over France. When France’s finance minister, Jacques Necker was dismissed, many were displeased. During the severe climatic conditions, food

Adaptive Landcapes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Adaptive Landcapes - Essay Example Besides, Lansing (2009) also affirmed that with the use of ecological simulation, cultural as well as historical analysis modeling, the priests in the temples reflected the manner in which the water can be used in the different landscape of production. Hence, it can be affirmed that the book is a comprehensible narration of technical and social aspects of water management in Bali (Lansing, 2009). Ulun Danu Batur (a.k.a. Pura Ulun Danu Batur) was built during 1926 and is the second most important temple of Bali, which is dedicated to Dewi Danu. The temple comprises of nine different worship areas and contains around 285 different shrines and pavilions. The temple is donated to the goddesses of water, holy springs, and agriculture among other spiritual symbols of Bali. In the Balinese Hindus religion, Dewi Danu is referred as water goddess. She is one of the two ultimate deities of the Bali tradition who commands Balinese lakes, which is an important source of water and sustenance (Bali Safari and Marine Park, n.d.). Green revolution indicates the period between 1940’s until late 60’s, on which, the productivity of the agriculture has significantly increased due to high amount of advancements in the production of chemical fertilizers, artificial herbicides as well as the pesticides. Moreover, the advancements made it possible to increase the productivity of nutrients, which correspondingly increased the yield (Fitzgerald-Moore & Parai, n.d.). GoogleMap. (2015). Map of Mt.Batur. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Mt+Batur,+South+Batur,+Kintamani,+Bangli+Regency+80652,+Indonesia/@-8.2008252,115.3564797,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x2dd1f403ce5a1e5d:0x8851b0c51ddaa2eb GoogleMap. (2015). Map of Lake Batur. Retrieved from

Analyzing the Market Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Analyzing the Market - Research Paper Example The paper concentrates more on factors that influence demand and supply, discusses the price elasticity of demand that produces a kinked demand curve in the oligopolistic airline’s service competition, and the point of equilibrium. It also describes the benefits of the intellectual property (patents and trademarks), and how it protects the owning airlines in their operations. It finally includes the input factors used in generating airline services. Keywords: Passengers, Airline, Flight, Demand Supply, Price Elasticity, Oligopoly, Product Differentiation, Trademark, Patent, Pricing Strategy, Competition, Market Introduction The success or failure of airline services depends most critically, with the established efforts to attract and retain customers to their services. Several airlines have failed before, some able to rise up again, others still struggle to cover losses while most of them end up merging with other well performing airlines. The entry into the airlines business is not only difficult in a field considered to be an oligopoly market, but maintaining and thriving while in competition with large airlines is quite a challenge. Providing airline services require a keen and clear strategy in management and operational activities, to facilitate the services required by the passengers in time. It is therefore a core factor that any airline should build good relationships with their customers as a marketing strategy, so that their future long term profitability can be safeguarded, by retaining more customers and influencing the choice of most undecided passengers in the market. The airline’s reputation, ticket prices, safety record, possible delay times, and services provided (ranging from different travel classes and the associated beneficial facilities, services by the cabin crew) among others, influence the customer preference or satisfaction with an airline, and generally its performance in the market. Airline’s Services Market Comp etition Competition in the airline industry is very high and sensitive, such that with the high fixed costs in their operation, the profit margins are usually low. However, the competition and profit margins may vary with the small changes brought about by the sizes of the airlines, the capacity of the aircrafts, the routes served by airlines, means of customer attraction (such as the in flight services) and discounted fares, which make it possible for some airlines and their services to have a competitive advantage over the others. According to Papatheodorus, the modern airline services competition arises from the differentiation or the best cost provider strategy, while considering the marketing initiatives and the economic advantage, to ensure they consistently provide the service in the market place (2006). Airlines both large and small, whether providing long haul and short haul services struggle to retain and add a market share. Large airlines may compete against others throug h its popularity, and if it has a good safety record, or high quality services, it makes it worse for its smaller rival companies. Most of the times, competing airlines have used generic strategies to achieve their fair share in the market. Differentiation has been a major factor among airlines, as

Hitlers rule Essay Example for Free

Hitlers rule Essay However, historian Geoff Layton appears to disagree. He states that Although the idea of Nazism as a form of totalitarianism held great sway in the 1950s, such a view is not now so readily accepted. However, he also said that there emerged in the SS an organisation which was the mainstay of the Third Reich which would supports the view that force was the main factor in keeping the Nazi Party in power. This essay intends to analyse the significance of force as a tool to stay n power, through their creation of a Police State, the reformation of the German Courts as well as their elimination of both external and internal political opposition and their indoctrination of the German youth. It will also be necessary to analyse the various other factors which were employed by the Nazi Party between 1931 and 1939 such as control of the economy. Central to the forceful methods the Nazi Party used was undoubtedly their creation of a Police State. The SS, or Schutzstaffeln, was formed in 1925 as an elite bodyguard, due to Hitlers uncertainty regarding the loyalty f the SA, or Sturmabteilung. The SS had several functions, the first of these being as an internal security service. The SS police, the SD, worked in conjunction with the Gestapo to perform arrests and often interrogations by way of torture, and murder on citizens who were viewed as opponents of the regime. A separate sector, the Totenkopfverbande, or Deaths-head Unit, had the duty of guarding the concentration camps. The concentration camps were initially created in 1933 to hold political prisoners and opponents. The SS also provided elite troops who were fanatically loyal o the F?hrer to fght alongside the Wehrmacht. This meant that Germany, and more significantly, the Nazi Party, always had supporters in the army, meaning they were highly unlikely to face mutiny. Crucially, the SS were also in charge of the genocide against Jews, and this was furthered by their status as an example of racial purity. The Police system of Nazi Germany was extremely well organised, though it had many branches and subsections. Initially split into the SS and the Police, there were several further splits. The Police consisted of, of course, the regular Police, however, this also onsisted of the Security Police, under which fell the Criminal Police and, more significantly, the Political Police, or Gestapo. It is no secret that the regime used extreme cruelty as a means of policing, and in fact, Hermann Goring stated that men who used firearms in their duty would benefit from his protection, as well as saying that those who failed in this duty would be punished. In 1936, all of the police powers were united under Heinrich Himmler as Chief of Police. This police force was answerable only to Hitler himself and as such, had considerable powers. It was, ssentially, above the law, as its actions were not open to review by the These extensive powers placed the Gestapo in a strong position of almost boundless authority. If there was any doubt regarding a persons loyalty or ability to fit into the Nazi regime, the Gestapo could punish them as they saw fit. To go against the Party was almost always fatal, and this certainly contributed to the low profile kept by many anti-Nazis. Alongside this went the atmosphere of fear which was prevalent in Nazi Germany. The country under Nazi rule was permeated with Nazi spies and nformers, making it almost impossible to talk openly for fear of being overheard and harshly punished for any oppositional views. In this way, much of the potential opposition to the Nazi regime was suppressed, as it was extremely difficult to share any oppositional views. As such, little opposition was expressed, and this effect was further abetted by the terrible punishments of torture, interrogation and murder which were performed on those citizens who became outspoken. It is also possible to see how far the influence of the SS extended, as historian Andrew Boxer explains that he network of concentration camps became the basis of a vast SS economic empire controlling enterprises involved in quarrying, brick-making, forestry, clothing, furniture and even soft drinks. The SS in itself was far more than a barbaric police division; it was an institution. This is supported by historian Geoff Layton, who says that the SD system not only preserved the Nazi regime by its brutal and repressive policies of law enforcement, but gradually extended its influence into the vital areas of military and economic affairs. In this way it became the key interest group in the Third Reich. However, the power of the SS would have been greatly reduced were it not for the reformation of the German courts. The system known as Independence of the Judiciary requires that the Judicial system is not influenced by politics or the Government, so as to prevent the Government from persecuting opponents through the Justice system. However, in 1933-4, all anti-Nazi and Jewish Judges were sacked to ensure verdicts were in keeping with Nazi ideology. Judges who were thought to have een too lenient or to have misconducted trials were severely admonished, and in some cases, Hitler was known to correct sentences. From 1934, cases of treason were transferred to Peoples Courts which were run by Nazi Judges. This meant, of course, that opponents could be dealt with without any semblance to genuine law. By 1935, people could be tried for Acts hostile to the National Community without having violated any written law. This essentially meant that the Nazis could punish anyone beneath the guise of a legal procedure. People could also be convicted as enemies of the state as a result of their racial origins or their mentality hostile to the state. Two particular concepts were also created, known as protective custody and preventive arrest, which were used to Justify the detention of people who had completed their sentences or who had been acquitted by the regular court. These violations of the Judicial system allowed for the removal of any known or suspected opponents, which helped to secure the Nazi rule. The political measures taken by the Party must also be taken into consideration. Firstly, it is necessary to examine the olitical events outside the party which helped the Nazis to keep power. A political coup for the Nazis was the Reichstag fire of 1933. This destroyed the Parliamentary building and was blamed on a young, Dutch Communist named Marinus van der Lubbe. The man was of questionable sanity and was possibly framed; however the German Communists, including leaders of the German Communist Party on grounds of conspiracy to stage a putsch. This meant that the Nazis managed to increase their share of the vote significantly. In the 1933 election, the rules were significantly bent o favour the Nazis, and the Power of the State was turned against anti-Nazi parties, as the left-wing parties were disadvantaged. Once the Nazi Party was in power, the next step in their political domination was the elimination of any remaining political opposition. The KPD and SPD, both left-wing parties, were banned, and many other parties dissolved themselves. In March 1933, the Nazi Party successfully campaigned for the Enabling Act, which would allow Hitler to govern for four years without consulting the Reichstag. However, at the time of the proposal, the SS were present, hus presenting a distinct threat to those who may vote against it. This was another step along the road to a dictatorship. As of July 1933, a law was passed which stated that the Nazi Party was the only party in the Reich. This meant that there was no other option for the people of Germany. There were no longer any other political parties to replace the Nazis, so the Nazis remained in power. To quote historian Andrew Boxer, German democracy had been destroyed in less than six months. Another central aspect of this internal political change was undoubtedly the Night of he Long Knives, on the 30thof June 1934. This was an internal purge of members of the SA, as Hitler saw them as, in short, too independent. SS men shot around 400 people, including Ernst Rohm, the leader of the SA, and several other senior members. This asserted Hitlers power within the Party, making the Nazi Party inevitably stronger from the inside, as Hitler had removed those whom he suspected may be potentially disloyal, or even simply too free-thinking. The Nazi regime was irrefutably strengthened by the indoctrination of the German youth. Hitler clearly aw the significance of loyal, Nazi youth, saying in a speech in November of 1933: When an opponent declares, l will not come over to your side, l calmly say Your child belongs to us already What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community. This was, though chilling, certainly true, and great focus was placed on youth policy.