Effects of information system and information technology on Amazon.com Essay - 3

Effects of information system and information technology on Amazon.com - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that there are many ways that Amazon as a company uses information systems and information technology to perpetuate its success. First, an information system is the system that uses information technology in order to manipulate, retrieve, capture or even display data. Information systems serve several purposes which fairly lead to achieving success by a company or a business. Such roles that the information system and information technology play in a business include attaining excellence in the operation of the business, business models, offering services, and also invention of new products, the information system, and the information technology has also been a tool to attaining intimacy between the customer and the supplier, for the company to attain competitive advantage and finally so that the business can survive in the business environment. Therefore, Amazon Company seeks to achieve all these advantages through the use of the informati on system and technology. There are other factors resulting from the use of information system and information technology. Such factors include the transformation of business enterprises, the fact that the digital firms have emerged, industrial economies have transformed, and a global economy has emerged and thus giving room for a lot of competition. Information systems and information technology enable the where many businesses and companies are competing

Motives for European expansion in Africa in the 19th Century Essay

Motives for European expansion in Africa in the 19th Century - Essay Example The reliance of these nations on raw materials for industries damaged the balance of trade forcing the countries to seek other sources of raw materials and cheap labor. Competition from newly industrialized nations such as Germany forced other European countries to seek expansion into Africa. Europe started by establishing trading relations with African leaders and encouraged the rulers to trade exclusively with them and not any other nation. At first, the European traders had no interest expanding into the interior of Africa. The partnership was such that the African rulers had assured them of a constant supply of slaves from the interior. However, the rapid expansion of industries in Europe made the colonialists look for more supply of raw materials and cheap slave labor from Africa. The European industries and economy depended particularly on West Africa for development. The palm oil developed from Africa was in high demand as an industrial oil in Europe. There was greed among the Europeans for greater profits and economic growth. The greed meant intensifying and increasing industrial production that meant expanding deeper and deeper into Africa. European conquest of Africa was majorly driven by economic motives and the desire to increase economic growth back in Europe. The Europeans realized that by conquering Africa, they could secure a very cheap supply of raw materials hence success and overall economic prosperity at home. The economic conditions in Europe in the 19th century fueled the scramble for Africa.

Human relationship and responsibility to the natural world Essay

Human relationship and responsibility to the natural world - Essay Example The natural world is the world where aspects of life interact in ways that create eco-systems in order to create spaces of survival. As human beings, the natural world should be a responsibility in which nature is preserved and protected. The way in which human beings have behaved, however, is to create the concept of the world as a resource rather than a responsibility to be protected. As stewards of the Earth, human beings should have tended to nature rather than stripping and using up resources many of which cannot easily be replenished. Just like locusts come and strip plant life down to that which is no longer usable, human beings have created a planet that is suffering because of the uses to which it has endured. As stewards of the planet, it is the job of human beings to begin to nourish and enrich the natural world so that much of it can be put back to its natural state. Rather than destroying species and allowing them to disappear for the Earth, the natural environment shoul d be cared for so that it can once again evolve into a beautiful and rich space in which nature thrives and flourishes. Resources for this paper will be works from A Sand County almanac: With essays on conservation by Aldo Leopold, as well as a variety of sources which describes the current human condition. The following paper will discuss the concept of stewardship in order to answer the question about the relationship of human kind as it has a responsibility to the natural world.... In order to discuss this topic, the first question that must be examined is how the human cultures have continued to evolve away from the natural environment and use it as a place to strip natural resources. Modernity means taking what is natural and using it as a resource rather than living within it as a part of its ecosystem. When human beings involve themselves with nature, it comes in the form of ‘going’ to it. The terms ‘going fishing’ or ‘going skiing’ suggest that a human is going to a place where they can begin to enjoy the abundance of nature. Modern human beings are not involved in nature in the way that a fox or a rabbit would be involved. They are not hunted, nor do they hunt for their food. They live in packaged environments that deny nature as they sit in their air-conditioned offices and shop in the chilled regions of the frozen food aisle. Industrialization was the capstone of the divorce from nature as needs became packaged so that inconvenience and direct work was supplanted for making money to pay for the industrialized nature of survival. Buying an apple takes more than plucking it from a tree just as making a bed is no longer about finding the right leaves and branches in which to lay. It could be said humans have grown lazy because they are no longer required to run from tigers or chase down buffalo. It is the convenience of modern life that has taken us from lean, strong fighters to artificial leanness when it is chosen to be manufactured or soft bellied beings that wait for the doorbell to ring in order to eat pizza. Modern humanity is about packaging what nature would otherwise provide

A report on a piece of qualitative research - The Impact of Price Essay

A report on a piece of qualitative research - The Impact of Price Changes on the Brand Equity of Toyota in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example The focus groups participated in a price simulation exercise followed by interviews. The price simulation exercise exposed the participants to price changes to their preferred vehicle and observed how they responded to those changes. The follow-up interviews were calculated to determine why the participants responded as they did to the price changes in the price simulation exercise. Research findings indicate that most customers will at the very least consider an alternative brand when confronted with a price change. However, the more affluent and loyal customers will not change brands when price changes are insignificant and are reasonable. These results are analyzed by reference to a conceptual framework drawn from the work of Villargeo-Ramos and Sanchez (2005) and Yoo, Donthu, and Lee (2000) who established a link between marketing communications and brand equity including brand awareness, brand association, brand loyalty and perceived brand quality. The results of this study conf irm that price changes as a marketing communication strategy is received and interpreted in the context of the different dimensions of brand equity. This is a qualitative case study that investigates the responses of consumers in Saudi Arabia when experiencing sudden price adjustments to the leading models in automobile categories of small sedans, medium sedans, and small SUVs in Saudi Arabia. In particular this qualitative case study seeks to determine from the perspective of Saudi Arabian consumers the extent that price influences their purchasing behavior; the impact of price changes on the brand equity of Toyota in the context of brand awareness, brand association, brand loyalty, and perceived quality; and whether or not effective price management would improve or maintain Toyota’s competitive edge in Saudi Arabia’s market. This chapter will explain the research methodology used for achieving the goals of this research study and the justifications for the methodology

How a new company deal with orgnizational behavior in a new country Essay

How a new company deal with orgnizational behavior in a new country - Essay Example nced by, or learnt from their superiors since an enabling organizational behavior can be achieved if leaders set a good example to employees, and practice ethical behavior towards everyone in the organization. Leaders need to be emphatic, and be considerate on how such as decision shall affect the total morale and attitudes of the organization as a whole (Bonin, 2012). In addition, the notion of leaders giving instructions or making ethical judgments, while they themselves do not apply it would create a negative impression on employees hence affect organizational behavior. Secondly, the author relates the influence of changing technology on organizational behavior, and organization as a whole. He argues that changes in technology create a competitive advantage for the organization, and if handled well it enables the organization to increase its bottom line. Moreover, when these changes are introduced to the organization they usually lead to the production of higher quality products and services. With this change in technology, employees work performance may be affected as they have to adapt to these changes. Changes in technology may affect the employees work performance negatively; in turn, increase work related stress among them. This stress levels affect them physically and mentally and if not handled well shall affect the work performance of employees, reduce job satisfaction and in the long run the overall organizational output (Bonin, 2012). The article provides a solution in handling this work related stress in the workplace that may be caused by technological change. It states that in order to create better organizational behavior among employees, organizations need to provide training to employees on the changes in technology to enable them adapt well. There is also need to provide information on literature on stress, and if possible provide counseling to employees to help reduce stress. In the case of a new company in a new country, it should consider

An Inspector Calls Essay Example for Free

An Inspector Calls Essay I believe that An Inspector Calls is a successful play because all audiences enjoy suspense and tension, and in this story they run rampant. The tense atmosphere and great pace means that the audience never gets bored. The feelings from the characters can be related to real life and this makes the play that bit more believable. The issues in the play are also issues of today, the prejudice and social class, mean a lot in the play and to some extent they also appear in modern day life. The rich expect different treatment from those of lower classes and also expect a different set of laws. The way the inspector talks to the Birlings and to Gerald Croft brings them down to a different level to the one that they are used to. The inspector questions things that Mr Birling thinks are not for him to question. Mr Birling: . I refused of course Inspector: Why? Mr Birling (surprised): did you say why? The inspector, it seems, will not be intimidated by Mr Birling. Mr Birling: How do you get on with our Chief constable, Colonel Roberts? Inspector: I dont see much of him. Mr Birling: Perhaps I ought to warn you that hes an old friend of mine, and that I see him fairly regularly. .. Inspector (dryly): I dont play golf. This shows that the inspector means business and will not be threatened off the case. This conflict runs through the play and the audience is awed by the way that the inspector coolly and calmly handles the investigation. He has an aura of mystery about him that audiences love. The name Goole, could be a clever trick on words, Goole sounds the same as Ghoul. One meaning a supernatural beast and the other a simple name. This theory fits in with the content of the play, the inspector is not intimidated by threats, each line of enquiry has a result, this is incredible almost as if he knew what they were going to say, as Sheila notes Sheila (slowly): We hardly ever told him anything that he didnt know. Did you notice that? It is almost as if the inspector has been sent from the future to show the Birlings the error of their ways. Sheila points out again; Sheila (passionately): Youre pretending everythings just as it is before. And Sheila: I tell you whoever that inspector was it was far from a joke. You knew it then. You began to learn something. And now youve stopped. The inspector wrenches them from their cosy world and shows them a bit of the real world. None of the family (Except the younger generation) knows what their town is really like, as Mrs Birling exclaims; Mrs Birling (staggered): Well, really! Alderman Meggarty! I must say, we are learning something tonight. The atmosphere also has a large influence on the audience. It fluctuates greatly from being light and airy when they are celebrating to when the inspector is questioning and during the final part it is dark and sombre. This has a very dramatic effect and compels you to continue reading the play if you are watching the play unfold before you the effect, I expect, is magnified. Most plots have one twist but this play has several. The audience is enthralled that a respectable middle class family could be responsible for such a death. The audience waits patiently for the inspector to implicate and arrest one but much to their surprise he implicates all of them in the suicide, each accusation getting worse from firing her as an employee to being impregnated by a young drunkard. This fact means that the audience gradually build up their suspense for the final character Eric. But another twist is evoked and the inspector does not arrest anybody. The final twist though is the greatest. As the play draws to a close, the phone rings it is the Police Station phoning to say that a young girl has just died and that an inspector will be over to ask a few questions. This is ironic in the extreme, the play has come full circle and is about to start all over again it seems. Any thing that keeps the audience waiting or does not expect, the audience likes and this final twist is certainly not expected. Another factor to the written marvel that is this play is the timing of bells or the telephone. At the beginning of the play when Mr Birling is giving the two young boys some good advice he is interrupted by the arrival of the inspector. Mr Birling (solemnly): .. that a man has to mind his own business and look after his own and We hear the sharp ring of a frond door bell. BIRLING stops to listen. It is ironic that Mr Birling is saying that every man has to mind of his own business and should look after himself. The inspector makes them see other peoples problems and not just there own. Each of the characters are implicated, this is ironic because they all say that they had nothing to/or to do with the girl. It is also ironic that Mrs Birling implicates her son. Mrs Birling(severely):. And if youd take some steps to find this young man and then make sure that he is compelled to confess in public his responsibility- instead of staying here asking unnecessary questions then you would really be doing your duty. ..Mrs Birling (understanding now): But surely I mean. its ridiculous The whole play is set in one room. This means that the characters have to focus on the characters because there is no new scene for their eyes to explore. As a result they can get an understanding of the characters that some other plays dont allow, the audience feels that they are a part of events they can relate to images and ideas explored in the play and so this makes the play that bit more vivid and exciting. It is for these reasons that the play is so successful. There are many topics that can be related to todays life, this provokes thoughts from the audience that they would not otherwise had. The characters in the play are easy to relate to and are a masterful creation, because of this the story is easy to follow and involving for the audience. The plot has been written so that things you expect to happen, happen, but they still surprise you, and things that you as the audience dont expect to happen still happen. All of these things contribute to a beautifully crafted and thought out play and this makes it one of my favorites.

Understanding Medical And Social Model Of Disability Social Work Essay

Understanding Medical And Social Model Of Disability Social Work Essay The understanding of disability is still unknown to many people. The way people see disability have different meaning to the way society see disability. Different cultures have different meaning to the term disability. There are some people, who consider people with disability are paying for their sins. It is believed that they must have done something bad in their pervious life and are paying for it in this life. Because of some cultural differences, they mostly are labelled to be look through negative perspectives. Swain (2003) says that what term societies are meant to use? Disable People or People With Disability. Using the term People with Disability is considered more human and more positive compared to Disabled People it makes people feel part of the society instead of being left out. To make people with disability feel more part of the society the government bought laws so that everyone was equally, the DDA Act 1995. However it got change in 2005. The (Disability Discrimination Act) DDA Act 2005 states that as having a disability for the purposes of the DDA where they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. (Department of work pension 2005) Yet what can be considered day to day activities? It is not clearly defined correctly as some people with disability could use some part of their body where there are some who can not. Because of this people with disability are often labelled and left out. Calling someone handicap or dump or deaf and dump is being labelled. Being labelled is quite negative towards people with disability. It makes them feel that the society does not consider them equal. This discourages some people to make friends or go out into the society. Shakespeare (2006) explains that labelling is viewed negatively in the disability communities. It is because, people with disability do not want to be labelled and ask other people for help. Some people do not want to ask for charity. If people do need help, how do they come across it? Do they have to provide evidence that they are disabled? Which moves to the medical and the social model of disability? The medical model of disability is sees the disabled person as the problem. They are meant to adapt and fit in to the world and if its not possible then they are shut away. (Rieser 2002) The social model of disability the social model is a concept which recognises that some individuals have physical or psychological differences which can affect their ability to function in societies.  (Brain.HE 2006) The medical model is used for those that need help. It is with the medical model that people can get support. If individual needs help from the government and need money or any other support they need to go through a series of process where they would have to under assessment to see if they can qualify for help. The medical model is used through examination or testing or by professional expert which will then give evidence if you have a disability or not. The advantage of the medical model is that it can provide support to those that need help. It can provide finical support and can also provide information to those individual that need operation and can also provide guidance to a cure. The medical model can also share understanding towards others as it can make other people understand the similar dilemmas that they may be facing as well. However, a cure was something that could help in understanding that the medical model and gave people the belief that their disability would go away. Yet like any other model that have been discovered the medical model has its fault. For example in the medical model the individual is the one that has an abnormality. That the disability is in the person and the only way is to cure it. Another problem with the medical model was that the environment was ignored. If someone had an accident, it was considered a tragedy yet if someone had been born with impairment, it was considered a disability. The medical model also considered that they are independent on themselves and will always need help from others or charities. It made them look pitiful and helpless. However, the problem was that the medical model is still dominated because, to know what is happening to an individual, they need to be asses. It was also used more as a critique than by the medical professional themselves. It is the job of the professional to find a cure and to help those that need help. Because of the medical model, people began to think differently and the social model comes into process. The social model of disability was the big idea, in the British disability movement. (Shakespeare and Watson 2003 p3 It was a starting point to those who felt that the medical model did not help. It gave those individual the point where they did not need to depend on others. The social model of disability was there to help people with disability feel part of the community. With the model, it can overcome barriers such as labelling and any other barriers that society can come up with. (Crow 1996) pp66) states that the social model was a means to escape. It was meant for those individuals who wanted to overcome any issues regarding disability. The people see that being disabled is not a bad thing. That you can do many day to day activity like any other person. It makes a better social relationship with the society. However, like the medical model, the social model had its fault. Where an individual needs help, now believes that the social model is making them feel that they are too being pitied that they can not do anything by themselves. The model is important because it enables the identification of a political strategy and its main focus was to try and remove barriers, which helped, because the medical model did not try to remove barriers such as external ones. The social model also focuses on the influence of the family, the income, the education and any other factors as well. However, there is now a shift. Once where the medical model was dominated and was the answer to most questions has transfer to the social model. But, here lies the problem as well. The social model is now considered outdate as well. Union of the Physical Impairment Against Segregation (UPIAS) called for an alternative model of disability. Mark, 1999 said that the social model argues that the key issues are that the individual must have a positive identity as disabled. With this it showed that unless you have a label, you can not be given help. This shows that, even though the social model is there to help, the medical model still dominates and now the social model is outdated because people with disability do not want to be looked at as needy. Tom Shakespeare is one of those who believe that the social model is an outdated and that need much more updating. In the journal research in social science and disability he wrote an article dedicating that the social model of disability is now outdated. He explains that the model needs to be improved from new direction. It needs to be improving as social cultures are need and different views are need as its more focus on the British people and needs to be view from different culture as well. The social model of disability is also being criticised by Grabe and Peters (2004) who explain that the social model needs to recognise the significance of bodily experience. That it is not easy to distinguish between people with disability and people without disability. They also explain that the model does not cover everything. The model is there to make a person feel important about them and that they would feel that the model is helping them. Oliver 2009 (p49) criticise that, there are five important things have come from the social model of disability. The first one is that the model does not consider the realities of impairment, as the model is based on misunderstanding because the model is not based on personal experience. The second is that the pain of impairment and disability is ignored by the society. The third is that it is unable to incorporate social sates and social division. The fourth is issues of otherness. This is where it is viewed from other persons perspective, and the final is that the social model is inadequate. This shows that the social model of disability now is outdated as there are many problems that model is facing. In conclusion, it is shown that the social model is outdated and the society needs a new view. But there lies that problem. Because where the social model was a new thing now has become outdated, what will happen when there might be a third model. Will they consider the new model outdates when its time will come. It seems to be going in a cycle. The social model of disability has its fault like the medical model disability. However, unlike the social model the medical model of disability, it is still dominated despite the trend towards the social model, the medical model is needed for those individual who need support finically and support from the government. Yet at the same time they do not want to become dependent on the government as well. This also causes the issues, as the social model of disability is there to support those individual who need to feel that they want to do something for their lives and not just depend on others. Author such as Liz Crow, Tom Shakespeare and Michael Oliver, all believe that the social model of disability is outdated. Their factors are that the social model of disability does not cover all factors that are necessary and needed. They believe that the model needs to be looked at a new angle or modify or even bring in a new model, as the current one is giving problems. If the society does bring in a new model will it not criticize the model as well? As all it seems that people do is criticise that this model is not good or that model is not good. True the social model of disability needs a new change, but despite the model being outdated, the model still helps those individual feel better about them. The model has given encouragement to those individual with disability, the ability to give something back to the society. The medical model of disability is there for the medical professional as guidance in attempt to find a cure as the medical model of disability gives facts only and the social model is there for support and moral and encouragement and is effective to those people with disability. There will be some individual that will complain about their situation compared to others, and will say that they need extra support, but what these people need to understand is that they need to stand up and become braver. True, there have been cases where individuals with disability have had hardships and have had no support, but what they need to understand is that the models do not run their lives; they merely are guidance on how they should live morally and finically. The medical model of disability gives facts and the social model gives support. So despite the social model being outdated, the social model of disability makes it feel to those individual people that they have support that they need, thus the model is still affective. Word Count: 2000