Aspects of contract and Negligence Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Aspects of contract and Negligence - Assignment Example On the other hand, acceptance generally takes place at the time when a party agrees to the offer made by a party in the form of an Act or a statement. The other element of a legal contract, i.e. consideration, denotes the promise made by the offeror to pay a price in compensation to the promises made by the other party (i.e. the offeree) to supplying products or services or any other benefit to the offeror (Macmillan & Stone, 2012; Jenkins, 2011). In this particular scenario, it can be apparently observed that â€Å"Techno Products†, which act as the specialist in selling computers, especially at discount prices, conducted advertising campaign in a newspaper advertisement, which stated that â€Å"The first ten customers to enter our shop on the 12 September 2013 will be eligible to purchase one of our highest specification computers, which normally retail at ?3000.00, for ?1.00†. In response, Peter reads the advertisement and visited â€Å"Techno Products† to ava il the aforesaid offer. However, when Peter told the sales assistant of â€Å"Techno Products† that he desires to purchase it’s one of the highest specification computers for ?1.00, the sales assistant replied that the advertisement was not meant for seriously arguing that nobody of â€Å"sound mind† would imagine that they could buy a computer for ?1.00. Moreover, he was informed that if he wishes to buy the computer, he had to pay the market price i.e. ?3000.00. Based on the above situation, it can be advised to Peter that he cannot force â€Å"Techno Products† to sell him the computer for ?1.00.

International Business, Economic Integration Essay Example for Free

International Business, Economic Integration Essay To begin with, the term economic integration can be defined as a procedure in which nations work together with one other in order to trim down or get rid of obstructions to the worldwide flow of goods, individual or resources (Dalimov, 2008) . The continuing paragraphs bring to light the advantages and disadvantages of economic integration. There exist a number of advantages associated with economic integration one of them is trade creation. By means of trade creation the members nations possess broader choice of products and provisions which were not earlier obtainable, can get hold of products and services at comparatively lesser price subsequent to trade barriers because of reduced tariffs or elimination of tariffs, motivate additional trade among associate nations as the steadiness of capital used up from low-priced products and services, could be brought to play so as to purchase extra goods and provisions. Apart from this, the other advantages include the fact that a group of countries could hold considerably better political authority as compared to every country would possess independently. Moreover, this amalgamation is perceived as a vital stratagem in order to deal with the upshots of disagreements and political unsteadiness that might influence the area. It is also considered to be a very constructive implement to deal with the economic and social challenges related to globalization. Further, as economic integration motivates trade emancipation and result in marketplace growth, extra savings into the nation and larger dissemination of know-how generates additional job prospects for individual to shift from one nation to other with the purpose to search employment or to get superior salary (Alesina et. al. , 1997). Moving ahead, one of the disadvantages associated with economic integration include trade diversion. Due to trade barriers, trade gets shifted from a non-associate nation to an associate nation in spite of the incompetence in price. For instance, a nation would have to bring to a halt trade along with less price produce located in a non-associate nation and deal with a producer located in an associate nation which include a superior price. In addition to this, other disadvantages encompass the fact that it could also augment trade barriers in opposition to non-affiliate nations. Furthermore, it needs associate nations to go without some extent of power with respect to chief procedures such as trade, financial and economic guidelines. Moreover, the greater the degree of incorporation, the higher the level of authorities that requires to be sacrificed chiefly in the situation of a political league economic amalgamation that calls for countries to sacrifice a large amount of independence. Small companies typically have difficulty competing against large multinationals when their governments take part in regional trade blocs. What could governments do to help their small companies compete after the formation of such blocs? Primarily, at the time when a country’s government commits to taking part in a local trade bloc, there prevail a number of concerns that could grab hold of a number of small organizations off guard. A few of these concerns vary from incremented competition, shortfall of workers, and the incapability to acquire superior quality goods that were conventionally obtainable from non associate countries. Moreover, the function of the government entities in supporting organizations with such situation is considered to be rather complicated. The purpose of taking part in the provincial trade bloc is to augment trade that is by and large the flourishing upshot for the entire country. One of the advantages of such trade blocs is the lessening of government participation in trade. However, for government entities to offer help to its organizations could be a bit duplicitous for the bloc contract in case if it hinders trade in any manner with rest of the bloc affiliates. In the happening that an organization’s proceeds are in danger through the introduction of products from a non- bloc associate, tariffs or import taxes could be made compulsory in order to bring down the level of competition. This will require to be synchronized with associate countries so as to make sure permanence. In addition to this, other means by which the government can assist is by trimming down the amount of imported products through quotas. Moreover, this will still permit a fraction of the products into the nation at the same time guaranteeing that organizations inside the nation or bloc could still try to win. The most useful method that the government entities can carry out for its small organizations that strive hard subsequent to the initiation of a trade bloc is to make sure that each and every short term finance matters are handled by establishing help provisions and most significantly, ensuring that edifying facilities inside the nation go along nation’s effectiveness by shoring up formulated plans and bringing about fresh plans in order to handle inadequacies as and when they occur. Moving ahead, a government requires keeping an eye on the way how contribution inside a trade bloc has influenced organizations insides its limitations, the minimum extent of government contribution may prove to be most appropriate. Further, the trade blocs are incessantly being modified by initiating trade with other nations with passing time. Lastly, several negotiations that a nation adopts in the short period so as to attempt to assist circumstances inside its limitations can have enduring impacts on nations which might desire to contribute inside the bloc in the upcoming times.

Virtual Private Networks Essay -- VPN Internetworking Computers Intern

Virtual Private Networks Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are an easy and cost effective way to connect two or more networks over the Internet. This is achieved by using encrypted tunnels for security and efficiency. VPNs use encapsulated and encrypted IP packets and transport them across leased Local Area Network (LAN) lines. The benefits of using VPNs are reduced cost overhead, reduced management overhead, and added security (Microsoft Press, 2000). Least network lines are expensive and VPNs reduce then need for extra data connections. This in turn also aids in reducing the amount of overhead associated with managing a network. The added security benefits for a network include encrypted transmission of network data and user authentication. Passing datagrams across the Internet between sites can cause major security risk. When a datagram is passed internally within a private network it is secured behind a router and /or firewall. When datagrams are passed externally outsiders can monitor them as they pass over networks owned by other organizations (Comer, 1995). This can cause great security problems. Unencrypted packet headers contain valuable information about the internal structure of an organizations network. VPNs have overcome the problem of direct Internet access to servers and clients through a combination of the following security components: IP encapsulation, cryptographic authentication, and data payload encryption. For a true VPN to exi...

The Hunters: Phantom Chapter 8

â€Å"It was seriously creepy,† said Bonnie. They had al bundled into Matt's car, Elena hopping onto Stefan's lap and Meredith onto Alaric's (which, Bonnie had noted, Dr. Celia had seemed less than thril ed by). Then they'd hurried back to the boardinghouse, looking for counsel. Once there, they'd al crowded into the parlor and spil ed out the story to Mrs. Flowers, talking over one another in their excitement. â€Å"First Celia's name – in my blood – appearing out of nowhere,† Bonnie went on, â€Å"and then there's this weird accident that could have killed her, and then Meredith's name appears, too. It was al just real y, real y creepy.† â€Å"I'd put it a bit more strongly than that,† Meredith said. Then she arched an elegant eyebrow. â€Å"Bonnie, this is no doubt the first time I've ever complained you weren't being dramatic enough.† â€Å"Hey!† Bonnie objected. â€Å"There you go,† Elena joked. â€Å"Keep looking on the bright side. The latest insanity is making Bonnie low-key.† Matt shook his head. â€Å"Mrs. Flowers, do you know what's happening?† Mrs. Flowers, seated in a cozy corner chair of the parlor, smiled and patted him on the shoulder. She'd been knitting when they came in, but had laid the pink bundle of yarn aside and had fixed her calm blue eyes on them with her ful attention as they told their story. â€Å"Dear Matt,† she said. â€Å"Always straight to the point.† Poor Celia had been sitting on the couch by Alaric and Meredith, looking stunned since they'd arrived. It was one thing to study the supernatural, but the reality of a vampire, mysteriously appearing names, and a brush with death must have been a shock to her system. Alaric had a reassuring arm around her shoulders. Bonnie thought maybe the arm should have been around Meredith's shoulders. After al , Meredith's name had just shown up in the scarf's folds. But Meredith was just sitting there, watching Alaric and Celia, her face composed, her eyes unreadable. Now Celia leaned forward and spoke for the first time. â€Å"Pardon me,† she said politely, her voice shaking a bit, â€Å"but I don't understand why we've brought this†¦ this issue to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her voice trailed off as her eyes flickered to Mrs. Flowers. Bonnie knew what she meant. Mrs. Flowers looked like the epitome of a sweet, dotty elderly lady: soft flyaway gray hair drawn back in a bun, a politely vague expression, a wardrobe that leaned toward pastels or shabby blacks, and a habit of muttering quietly, apparently to herself. A year ago, Bonnie herself had thought Mrs. Flowers was just the crazy old woman who ran the boardinghouse where Stefan lived. But appearances could be deceptive. Mrs. Flowers had earned the respect and admiration of every one of them by the way she had protected the town with her magic, Power, and good sense. There was a lot more to this little old lady than met the eye. â€Å"My dear,† said Mrs. Flowers firmly, â€Å"you've had a very traumatic experience. Drink your tea. It's a special calming blend that's been passed down in my family for generations. We wil do everything we can for you.† Which, Bonnie observed, was a very sweet and ladylike way of putting Dr. Celia Connor in her place. She was to drink her tea and recuperate, and they would figure out how to solve the problem. Celia's eyes flashed, but she sipped her tea obediently. â€Å"Now,† Mrs. Flowers said, looking around at the others, â€Å"it seems to me that the first thing to do is to figure out what the intention is behind the appearance of the names. Once we do that, perhaps we wil have a better idea of who might be behind their appearance.† â€Å"Maybe to warn us?† Bonnie said hesitantly. â€Å"I mean, Celia's name appeared, and then she almost died, and now Meredith†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her voice trailed off and she looked at Meredith apologetical y. â€Å"I'm worried you might be in danger.† Meredith squared her shoulders. â€Å"It certainly wouldn't be the first time,† she said. Mrs. Flowers nodded briskly. â€Å"Yes, it's possible that the appearance of the names has a benevolent intention. Let's explore that theory. Someone may be trying to get a warning to you. If so, who? And why do they have to do it in this way?† Bonnie's voice was even softer and more hesitant now. But if no one else was going to say it, she would. â€Å"Could it be Damon?† â€Å"Damon's dead,† Stefan said flatly. â€Å"But when Elena was dead, she warned me about Klaus,† Bonnie argued. Stefan massaged his temples. He looked tired. â€Å"Bonnie, when Elena died, Klaus trapped her spirit between dimensions. She hadn't ful y passed away. And even then, she could only visit you in your dreams – not anyone else, just you, because you can sense things other people can't. She couldn't make anything happen in the physical world.† Elena's voice trembled. â€Å"Bonnie, the Guardians told us that vampires don't live on after death. In any sense of the word. Damon's gone.† Stefan reached out and took her hand, his eyes troubled. Bonnie felt a sharp stab of sympathy for them both. She was sorry she'd brought Damon up, but she hadn't been able to stop herself. The thought that he might be watching over them, irascible and mocking but ultimately kind, had briefly lifted the weight from her heart. Now that weight came crashing back down. â€Å"Wel ,† she said dul y, â€Å"then I don't have any idea who might be warning us. Does anybody else?† They al shook their heads, baffled. â€Å"Who even knows about us now that has this kind of power?† Matt asked. â€Å"The Guardians?† said Bonnie doubtful y. But Elena shook her head with a quick decisive motion, blond hair swinging. â€Å"It's not them,† she said. â€Å"The last thing they'd do is send a message in blood. Visions would be more their style. And I'm pretty sure the Guardians washed their hands of us when they sent us back here.† Mrs. Flowers interlocked her fingers in her lap. â€Å"So perhaps there is some as yet unknown person or being looking after you, warning you of danger ahead.† Matt had been sitting ramrod straight in one of Mrs. Flowers's daintier chairs, and it creaked alarmingly as he leaned forward. â€Å"Um,† he said. â€Å"I think the better question is, what's causing that danger?† Mrs. Flowers spread her smal , wrinkled hands. â€Å"You're perfectly right. Let's consider the options. On the one hand, it could be a warning for something that was natural y going to happen. Celia's – you don't mind if I cal you Celia, do you, dear?† Celia, stil looking shel -shocked, shook her head. â€Å"Good. Celia's scarf getting caught in the train doors could have been a natural accident. Forgive me for saying so, but those long, dramatic scarves can be very dangerous. The dancer Isadora Duncan was kil ed in just that way when her scarf caught in the wheel of a car many years ago. Perhaps whoever sent the message was simply raising a flag for Celia to be careful, or for the rest of you to take care of her. Perhaps Meredith merely needs to be cautious over the next few days.† â€Å"You don't think so, though, do you?† asked Meredith sharply. Mrs. Flowers sighed. â€Å"This al feels rather malevolent to me. I think if someone wanted to warn you about the possibility of accidents, they could find a better way than names written in blood. Both of these names appeared as the results of rather violent incidents, correct? Bonnie cutting herself and Stefan ripping the scarf from Celia's neck?† Meredith nodded. Looking troubled, Mrs. Flowers continued. â€Å"And, of course, the other possibility is that the appearance of the names is itself malicious. Perhaps the names' appearance is an essential ingredient in or targeting method for some spel that is causing the danger.† Stefan frowned. â€Å"You're talking about dark magic, aren't you?† Mrs. Flowers met his eyes squarely. â€Å"I'm afraid so. Stefan, you're the oldest and most experienced of us by far. I've never heard of anything like this, have you?† Bonnie felt a bit surprised. Of course, she knew that Stefan was much older than even Mrs. Flowers – after al , he'd been alive before electricity, or running water, or cars, or anything they took for granted in the modern world, while Mrs. Flowers was probably only in her seventies. But stil , it was easy to forget how long Stefan had lived. He looked just like any other eighteen-year-old, except that he was exceptional y handsome. A traitorous thought flickered at the back of her mind, one she'd had before: How was it that Elena always got al the best-looking guys? Stefan was shaking his head. â€Å"Nothing like this, no. But I think you're right that it may be dark magic. Perhaps, if you spoke to your mother about it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Celia, who was starting to take more of an interest in what was going on, looked at Alaric quizzical y. Then she cast a glance toward the door, as if expecting a hundredyear-old woman to wander in. Bonnie grinned to herself, despite the seriousness of the situation. They had al gotten so matter-of-fact about Mrs. Flowers's frequent conversations with the ghost of her mother that none of them blinked when Mrs. Flowers gazed off into space and started muttering rapidly, eyebrows lifting, eyes scanning unoccupied space as if someone unseen were speaking to her. But to Celia it must have seemed pretty strange. â€Å"Yes,† said Mrs. Flowers, returning her attention to them. â€Å"Mama says there is indeed something dark stirring in Fel ‘s Church. But† – her hands lifted, palms empty – â€Å"she cannot tel what form it takes. She simply warns us to be careful. Whatever it is, she can sense that it's deadly.† Stefan and Meredith frowned, taking this in. Alaric was murmuring to Celia, probably explaining what was going on. Matt bowed his head. Elena pushed on, already working on the next angle. â€Å"Bonnie, what about you?† she asked. â€Å"Huh?† Bonnie asked. Then she realized what Elena meant. â€Å"No. Nuh-uh. I'm not going to know anything Mrs. Flowers's mother doesn't.† Elena just looked at her, and Bonnie sighed. This was important, after al . Meredith's name was next, and if there was one thing that was true, it was that she and Meredith and Elena had one another's backs. Always. â€Å"Al right,† she said reluctantly. â€Å"I'l see if I can find out anything else. Can you light me a candle?† â€Å"What now?† Celia asked in confusion. â€Å"Bonnie's psychic,† Elena explained simply. â€Å"Fascinating,† Celia said brightly, but her eyes slid, cool and disbelieving, across Bonnie. Wel , whatever. Bonnie didn't care what she thought. She could assume that Bonnie was pretending or crazy if she wanted to, but she'd see what happened eventual y. Elena brought a candle over from its spot on the mantel, lit it, and placed it on the coffee table. Bonnie swal owed, licked her lips, which were suddenly dry, and tried to focus on the candle flame. Although she'd had plenty of practice, she didn't like doing this, didn't like the sensation of losing herself, as if she were sliding underwater. The flame flickered and grew brighter. It seemed to swel and fil Bonnie's field of vision. Al she could see was flame. I know who you are, a cold, rough voice suddenly growled in her ear, and Bonnie twitched. She hated the voices, sometimes as soft as if they were coming from a distant television, sometimes right beside her, like this one. She somehow always managed to forget them until the next time she began to fal into a trance. A faraway child's voice began a wordless off-key humming, and Bonnie focused on making her breathing slow and steady. She could feel her eyes slipping out of focus. A sour taste, wet and nasty, fil ed her mouth. Envy twisted, sharp and bitter, inside her. It's not fair, not fair, something muttered sul enly in her skul . And then blackness took over. Elena watched apprehensively as Bonnie's pupils widened, reflecting the candle flame. Bonnie was able to sink into trances much more quickly now than when she had begun having them, which worried Elena. â€Å"Darkness rises.† A flat, hol ow voice that didn't sound anything like Bonnie's came from her friend's mouth. â€Å"It's not here yet, but it wants to be. It's cold. It's been cold for a long time. It wants to be near us, out of the darkness and as warm as our hearts. It hates.† â€Å"Is it a vampire?† asked Meredith quickly. The not-Bonnie voice gave a harsh, choking laugh. â€Å"It's much stronger than any vampire. It can find a home in any of you. Watch one another. Watch yourselves.† â€Å"What is it?† asked Matt. Whatever it was that spoke through Bonnie hesitated. â€Å"She doesn't know,† said Stefan. â€Å"Or she can't tel us. Bonnie,† he said intently, â€Å"is someone bringing this thing to us? Who's causing it?† No hesitation this time. â€Å"Elena,† it said. â€Å"Elena brought it.†

Frequent Shopper Program Essay

The objective of this project request is to track purchases of individual customer’s. The customer purchases will be tracked and accumulated as loyalty points for redemption by the customer for gift items, specialty foods and other products or services as made available through partnerships with other external companies. The strategic purpose of the Frequent Shopper Program is described on the Sales & Marketing page of the Kudler Fine Foods Intranet site. Purpose: Kudlers’s new initiative is tracking purchase behavior at the individual customer level and providing high value incentives through a partnership with a loyalty points program. The customer purchase behavior patterns will help Kudler refine its processes and offerings to best satisfy their values customers. Price is not the primary differentiating factor for Kudler consumers; these consumers are focused on quality and finding specialized items. Therefore, rather than providing everyday discounts to the customers for their purchase frequency like lower end markets, Kudler has partnered with a loyalty points program to provide customers with points which can be redeemed for high end gift items, airline first-class upgrades, or other specialty foods. Technology Infrastructure and Architecture The following sections of this document will provide an overview of the hardware, network, software, databases, and security requirements for the frequent shopper program. These requirements are suggestive Hardware Platform: Kudler Fine Foods currently has an elaborate network of hardware that may be used to implement the frequent shopper program. Client-Side hardware: 1. Each store uses NCR RealPOS 82XRT terminals linked to the network through a POS server. (These terminals will be used during purchasing to initiate data collection including customer ID and purchase history data for the FSP)   2.  The nineteen (at present count) corporate management and other admin personnel all utilize Dell Vostro computers running Windows 7 OS. These administration personnel also share 3 HP networked printers. (In relation to the FSP, these computers will be used by management to query and analyze customer purchase history for business service refinement. ) Server-Side Hardware: 1. POS Servers- are used to process orders from the POS terminals and connect to the Kudler network for database file storage 2. HP Blade Server system- c3000 system, Unix OS, SAP Retail SW, Print/File, Communications, Email, Storage, Web. These Servers will be used to store data regarding individual customer purchase history and queried for business analysis as well as loyalty points addition and redemption. ) Network Platform: 1. Each of the three Kudler Stores has a Local Area Network which connects together Via T3 Dedicated high speed lines. 2. Each store’s LAN is connected via 100 base T Ethernet. The communications into and out of the stores is ported through 2 Cisco routers and firewalls. 3. Each Local Area Network is also connected to the internet via 25Mbps high speed business internet connections. 4. Network Diagrams (Shown Below) Software Development Tools: 1. The Frequent Shopper Program is an additional service that will be implemented in conjunction with the existing Information Technology System used throughout Kudler Fine Foods. Because of the complexity and functionality of the existing system, it is recommended that the use of AGILE development methodologies be used to develop the FSP system and merge the application into the existing system. 2. Visual Studio 2012- This Integrated Development Environment will be used to develop the application modules and user interfaces for the FSP development. 3. The code will be implemented in the C# language. (used for module development) b. ASP. NET & MVC – used to develop dynamic, interactive web based application for customers to access, monitor, and redeem loyalty points Databases: 1- Customer Table – The Customer Table contains demographic data for each of Kudler’s customers. The data in this table is used to access the name and address of customers for order processing and for special mailings for anniversaries and/or birth dates, etc. – Order Table – The Order Table is used to record information pertinent to each Order placed with a given store. Each order will have one or more entries in the Order Line Table associated with it. 3- Order Line Table – The Order Line table contains detail on items appearing on an order. One or more Order Lines are associated with each order and each Order Line references an item being purchased with its description, quantity, price, etc. 4- Item Table – The Item Table stores information pertaining to products that may appear on an order. It describes goods that can be purchased from a Store. The current database tables can be re-used and combined to create the FSPoints Table The FSPoints table (Frequent Shopper Points table), will include the Customer ID and all correlating information, Item purchase history, and Item Points Value. The sum of all points’ values will be expressed and added to the Customer’s redeemable points at the end of each FSP period. User Interfaces: Describe the interface for data collection and notification to store personnel and customers. 1. The initial User Interface will remain the same at the point of sale(POS). Additional software will be added to initialize the FSP on applicable transaction.  Software modules will be initialized as needed that will collect the CustomerID as well as the individual items purchased. 2. Web Applications: Through the use of the aforementioned tools including ASP. NET and MVC, an interactive web application will be available to registered customers, and personnel to access, review, and redeem loyalty points. There will be an exclusive page created for the Frequent Shopper Program. Controls: System accuracy checks will be in place to verify unique CustomerID’s at the POS terminals. Every customer that participates in the Frequent Shopper Program will have a unique customerID. Each transaction will begin by entering this identifier which when verified for accuracy will begin collecting item purchase data. Each item is scanned at the POS, and compared to its corresponding FSPoints table to add loyalty points to the Customers FSPoint record. If the CustomerID or any items purchased to not register in the verification processing system, an exception will be returned to notify the customer and cashier at the time of purchase. Each transaction will close with a printed receipt listing the order line information, as well as the points accumulated at that transaction. A points total may be requested via the internet based Frequent Shopper Program Web application on the Kudler Fine Foods website. Security: The necessary security mechanisms need to be in place when storing and moving most data entities, especially Customer personal information. Hashing and encryption techniques will be used when sensitive data is stored in all data stores, and secure data transfer protocols (e. g. , SSL, HTTPS, and WS-Security) will be used when data is Personal Information will be secured through the use of data encryption methods and secure networking protocols when data is transmitted over the network.

Free Essays on Browning

Discuss And Illustrate As Far As You Can Browning’s Search, As A Poet, For Formal And Thematic Variety? In 1851 Browning wrote an essay on Percy Bysshe Shelley, and in it he both praised the Romantic poet who had so influenced him, and also explained how he, Browning differed in his own poetic project. Shelley, according to Browning, was a subjective poet, a poet who wrote from the perspective of the inner self, while Browning wishes to be an objective poet. Browning felt that subjective poetry which is never relieved by objectivity meant that â€Å"the world is subsisting wholly on the shadow of a reality†. He wanted to present the world from a distanced objective view, not through a haze of abstraction, and to show the world and the people in it clearly and directly. Employed by Browning, among others, the dramatic monologue is one poetic strategy which allows us a vision of both worlds. The character in the monologue tells his or her story in a subjective manner, while allowing the distanced poet and reader to remain objective. The â€Å"action† in a dramatic monologue is mental, psychological and verbal. Browning also became adept at indicating physical action and gesture but the important one is the act of speaking- of arguing, pleading informing, reminiscing, of thinking aloud or of justifying oneself. The form also allowed him to indulge his fondness for eccentric or often morally reprehensible characters and opinions while, it freed him from the responsibility of bringing his villain to justice. Browning chose the Renaissance as the historical setting of many of his poems because it was a time of great energy and change. However Browning’s characters are not famous personages but minor players. They are too busy concentrating on themselves and their own needs to think about their role in history. Through these moments in history Browning discusses such themes as Love, Art, Beauty and Evil. He also shows us that it is ve... Free Essays on Browning Free Essays on Browning Discuss And Illustrate As Far As You Can Browning’s Search, As A Poet, For Formal And Thematic Variety? In 1851 Browning wrote an essay on Percy Bysshe Shelley, and in it he both praised the Romantic poet who had so influenced him, and also explained how he, Browning differed in his own poetic project. Shelley, according to Browning, was a subjective poet, a poet who wrote from the perspective of the inner self, while Browning wishes to be an objective poet. Browning felt that subjective poetry which is never relieved by objectivity meant that â€Å"the world is subsisting wholly on the shadow of a reality†. He wanted to present the world from a distanced objective view, not through a haze of abstraction, and to show the world and the people in it clearly and directly. Employed by Browning, among others, the dramatic monologue is one poetic strategy which allows us a vision of both worlds. The character in the monologue tells his or her story in a subjective manner, while allowing the distanced poet and reader to remain objective. The â€Å"action† in a dramatic monologue is mental, psychological and verbal. Browning also became adept at indicating physical action and gesture but the important one is the act of speaking- of arguing, pleading informing, reminiscing, of thinking aloud or of justifying oneself. The form also allowed him to indulge his fondness for eccentric or often morally reprehensible characters and opinions while, it freed him from the responsibility of bringing his villain to justice. Browning chose the Renaissance as the historical setting of many of his poems because it was a time of great energy and change. However Browning’s characters are not famous personages but minor players. They are too busy concentrating on themselves and their own needs to think about their role in history. Through these moments in history Browning discusses such themes as Love, Art, Beauty and Evil. He also shows us that it is ve...

Cómo notificar a USCIS el cambio de dirección

Cà ³mo notificar a USCIS el cambio de direccià ³n El deber de notificar todos los cambios de direccià ³n al Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) afecta prcticamente a todos los extranjeros presentes en Estados Unidos. En este artà ­culo se explica quià ©nes estn obligados a notificar el cambio de domicilio, cà ³mo se hace y cules son las consecuencias si se incumple con esa obligacià ³n. Finalmente, se explica cà ³mo notificar cambio de direccià ³n a una corte migratoria cuando se tiene un asunto pendiente. Extranjeros obligados a notificar cambio de direccin a USCIS La obligacià ³n de notificar el cambio de direccià ³n en el plazo de 10 dà ­as a contar desde que se hizo la mudanza aplica a todos los extranjeros presentes en Estados Unidos excepto: Diplomticos con  visa ARepresentantes en organizaciones internaciones como la ONU o la OEA con  visa GTuristas que ingresaron sin visa por un tiempo no superior a los 30 dà ­as Adems, y por razones evidentes, los migrantes indocumentados que NO tienen ningà ºn asunto pendiente con USCIS no estn obligados ni deben notificar sus domicilios o mudanzas. Cmo se notifica el cambio de direccina USCIS La notificacià ³n de cambio de domicilio sigue tres reglas distintas segà ºn las caracterà ­sticas migratorias del extranjero. En primer lugar, las personas que tengan pendiente o recientemente aprobada una de las peticiones siguientes: Peticià ³n  I-360 para VAWA, viudos, inmigrantes especiales o amerasiticosPeticià ³n  I-914 para la visa T de và ­ctimas de trfico humanoPeticià ³n  I-918 para la visa U de và ­ctimas de violenciaPeticià ³n  I-765V para permiso de trabajo de cà ³nyuge abusado de no inmigrantePeticià ³n I-485 para ajuste de estatus SOLO caso de cà ³nyuge abusado en aplicacià ³n de Ley de Ajuste  Cubano. En todos esos casos mencionados, el extranjero debe llenar el formulario de papel AR-11 y enviarlo a: USCISVermont Service Center75 Lower Welden  StreetSt. Albans, VT 05479-0001 En segundo lugar, los extranjeros con casos pendientes que no estn incluidos en el apartado anterior deben notificar a USCIS el cambio de domicilio y tambià ©n al centro local que està © tramitando su peticià ³n. Puede hacerse de dos maneras: Enviando a USCIS formulario de papel AR-11 y marcando al  1-800-375-5283. Son imprescindibles los dos pasos.Notificando online el cambio de direccià ³n. En este caso, solo es necesario un paso porque al acabar de llenar el formulario se puede elegir la opcià ³n de continuar para notificar al centro que est tramitando la peticià ³n pendiente. En tercer lugar, todos los extranjeros que no tienen ninguna peticià ³n pendiente con USCIS pueden notificar el cambio de domicilio online o por correo ordinario empleando la planilla AR-11, cualquier forma es vlida pero solo se debe utilizar una. En el caso de estar presente en Estados Unidos con una visa de estudiante internacional tipo F-1 o una visa de intercambio J-1 - o la J-2 de dependientes- la notificacià ³n del cambio de direccià ³n  puede hacerse contactando con la oficina que lleva asuntos de visas en la institucià ³n que la solicità ³, generalmente es la Office of International Affairs, pero puede ser otra dependiendo de la institucià ³n. El cambio se harà ­a modificando los datos en el Sistema de Informacià ³n de Estudiantes y Visitantes de Intercambio  (SEVIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). La obligacià ³n debe cumplirse cada vez que el extranjero se mude. Cul es la penalidad por no notificar a USCIS el cambio de direccin? La ley dice que no cumplir con esa obligacià ³n es una falta (misdemeanor, en inglà ©s) que puede ser castigada con una multa de $200 y un mximo de 30 dà ­as en prisià ³n. Adems, es decisià ³n del USCIS si decide deportar a quien no ha cumplido con esta obligacià ³n. Para esto à ºltimo, y en el caso de los residentes permanentes legales, el USCIS tendrà ­a que poder demostrar que no se notificà ³ el cambio de domicilio de forma intencional y sin excusa. 2 consejos sobre cambio de direccin En primer lugar, si se est en Estados Unidos con una visa o se tiene una peticià ³n migratoria pendiente, es altamente recomendable guardar una copia de todos los avisos de cambio de domicilio que se le hacen a USCIS. Si se hace online en la pgina de USCIS se pueden guardar pantallazos de todas las pginas cuando se est cubriendo el formulario.   En segundo lugar, si se est esperando la tarjeta de residencia, si es posible, trate de no mudarse hasta que tenga en mano la green card. El USCIS la envà ­a por correo y si llega a la direccià ³n antigua para recuperarla ser necesario llenar el formulario I-90 de reemplazo de tarjeta. Adems, si el Servicio de Correos no se la devuelve a USCIS ser necesario no solo llenar el formulario   I-90, sino que tambià ©n habr que pagar de nuevo la tarifa de $455, segà ºn las tasas actuales, ms $85 por la toma de datos biomà ©tricos. Cambio de direccincon Corte Migratoria Diferente a la obligacià ³n de notificar al USCIS es la de notificar a la Corte Migratoria y que afecta solo a los extranjeros en Estados Unidos que tienen un procedimiento pendiente ante Corte o ante el Tribunal de Apelaciones Migratorias (BIA, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). En este caso tiene  la obligacià ³n de notificar en un plazo de cinco dà ­as no solo el cambio de domicilio, sino tambià ©n el de nà ºmero de telà ©fono. Solo se admite realizar la notificacià ³n en un documento oficial de la Oficina Ejecutiva de Revisià ³n Migratoria (EOIR, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Una vez que se completan los datos, debe doblarlo y sellarlo siguiendo las instrucciones, ponerle un sello y enviarlo. Esta planilla se convierte en un sobre e incluye la direccià ³n del destinatario. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Mineral Photos - How to Take Great Photos of Minerals

Mineral Photos - How to Take Great Photos of Minerals Do you want to take great pictures of your mineral specimens? Here are some tips and tricks to help your mineral photos turn out looking wonderful. Mineral Photography Tips Know your camera.You can take wonderful pictures of mineral specimens using a disposable camera or cell phone; you can take terrible photos using a high-end SLR. If you know what works in terms of distance and lighting for the camera you are using then youll have a much better chance of taking a great shot.Be accurate.If you are taking a photo of a mineral out in the field, then take the picture of the mineral where you found it rather than moving it to a pretty location.Take multiple pictures.If youre in the field, approach your specimen from different angles and take a variety of shots. Do the same back home. Taking ten shots of the exact same angle, background, and lighting is less likely to give you a great photo than taking several different photos.Make the mineral the center of attention.If possible, make it the only object in the photo. Other objects will detract from your specimen and may cast nasty shadows on your mineral.Choose your background wisely.I take the majority of my pictures on a white plastic cutting board because it doesnt cast reflections back toward the camera and because I can apply light behind the mineral. White is great for specimens with good contrast, but it doesnt work as well for light-colored minerals. Those minerals may do better with a gray background. Be careful using a very dark background because some cameras will take a picture that washes the detail out of your specimen. Experiment with different background to see what works best. Experiment with lighting.You are going to get different pictures in sunlight than you will under fluorescent or incandescent lights. The angle of the light makes a big difference. The intensity of the light matters. Look criticially at your photo to see if it has distracting shadows or whether it flattens out any three-dimensional structure of your mineral specimen. Also, keep in mind some minerals are fluorescent. What happens in you add black light to your specimen?Process your image, with care.Pretty much every device that takes pictures can process them. Crop your images and consider correcting them if the color balance is off. You might want to adject the brightness, contrast, or gamma, but try not to go beyond that. You might be able to process your image to make it prettier, but dont sacrifice beauty for accuracy.To Label or Not To Label?If you are going to include a label with your mineral, you can photograph a (neat, preferably printed) label along with your mineral. Otherwi se, you can overlay a label on your picture using photo editing software. If you are using a digital camera and arent labeling your specimen right away, its a good idea to give your photo a meaningful name (like cordundum rather than the default filename, which is probably the date). Indicate ScaleYou may wish to include a ruler or coin with your specimen to indicate scale. Otherwise, when you describe your image you might want to indicate the size of your mineral.Try the ScannerIf you dont have a camera, you may be able to get a good picture of a mineral specimen by scanning it with a digital scanner. In some cases a scanner can produce a nice image.Take NotesIts a good idea to jot down what works and what fails miserably. This is especially helpful if you are taking a large sequence of pictures and making a lot of changes.

Southwest Airlines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Southwest Airlines - Essay Example From this essay it is clear that  the successful and effective human resource practices within Southwest Airlines are also attributed to its competitiveness in the air travel business. Effective practices emanate from the leadership of an organization. Leaders must be able to motivate their staff through effective approaches.  This discussion stresses that the importance the Southwest Airlines has for training and employee or personal development is demonstrated through the creation of the People Training Department. The effectiveness of this department is revealed by the report that it presented to the executive management illustrating that the people within the company â€Å"got together and did something that was impossible†. This means that the company endeavors to develop the skills and abilities of its employees through training and make them effectively armed to provide high quality services to the customers of the company. It is through personal development that an organization achieves its goals for performance. This is because trained employees are able to increase their productivity by applying the acquired abilities and skills in the execution of work related roles. In addition, training makes employees to be motivated during their work activities. Inability to meet the demands of work activities has been found to be the major cause of lack of motivation among employees.  The fact that the company encourages its employees to have fun shows that the employees are motivated during their work encounters.

'Critically evaluate and discuss the influence of theories and Essay

'Critically evaluate and discuss the influence of theories and concepts drawn from psychology, sociology and social policy on social work practice with a specific service user group.' - Essay Example Traditional knowledge of learning disability generally denotes chromosome deficits, poor intelligence, and other medically identified defects. Therefore, in order to resolve this issue, it is important to understand the sociological and psychological theories underpinning social work practice with children with learning disabilities (Parrish, 2009). This essay also includes a critical evaluation of the relevant current social policy context and direction. The most accurate definition of learning disabilities is as follows: â€Å"a variety of disorders that affect the acquisition, retention, understanding, organisation and/or use of verbal and non-verbal information† (Georgas, 2003, p. 16). Although learning disabilities are believed to be acquired or hereditary, development of the disability affects a person’s social performance, relationships, family life, and emotional wellbeing. There is also an increasing awareness of the effect of socio-cultural aspects on children’s learning difficulties and styles, consequently changing the perception, assessment, and treatment of learning disabilities. Learning disabilities may work together with emotional, social, and environmental forces to impair the process of personality growth. Children with learning disabilities are prone to experience weak motivation, anxiety, and depression, and to have poor self-confidence (Burke, 2008). They usually display poor interpersonal a bilities leading to social exclusion. According to Howe (2009), this vulnerable population is predisposed to antisocial behaviour, both as offenders and victims. Children in special education are especially prone to aggression, both as aggressors and victims. Numerous difficulties encountered by children with learning disabilities persist into later life. The family of a child with learning disabilities may either be helpful or harmful, which may rely

Sonnet by Shakespeare to Explicate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Sonnet by Shakespeare to Explicate - Essay Example While the sonnet is largely straightforward, it does have a number of challenging images. In the third line, Shakespeare writes, â€Å"And trouble deaf heav'n with my bootless cries† (Shakespeare 3). Here, the narrator is indicating this in his loneliness he cries out to heaven with useless (‘bootless’) cries. Shakespeare advances this theme of despondency and loneliness, indicating that the narrator wishes that he had the life of others; Shakespeare writes, â€Å"Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope† (Shakespeare 7). The sonnet follows a Petrarchan structure, which is visible in the final six lines when the narrator indicates that despite his despondency, â€Å"Haply I think on thee, and then my state,/ Like to the lark at break of day arising† (Shakespeare 10-11). In these regards, the overriding theme and rhetorical strategy indicates that while the narrator experiences considerable despondency, the thought and image of his love make the trying times bearable. In conclusion, this essay has considered Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 29’. It has considered theme and rhetorical strategy, indicating that the poem is a love sonnet with a Petrarchan structure. Ultimately, the sonnet is a powerful and unique one within Shakespeare’s canon. References Shakespeare, William. Sonnet 29. Shakespeare Online.

Marketing in a regulated market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marketing in a regulated market - Essay Example Although it is a regulated market, the government decides on the production practices it realizes the tobacco monopoly and does not try to implement measures that would eventually curb the business out of operation (Pampel, 2009:89). The script outlines the basis at which producers deceive buyers, market the product against the wish of ethics and morals, and ignore the constraints issued by the world health organizations to amass profits at the long run, and a documented inclusion of defiant states to the constraints. Further, the script entails the marketing mix variables and the ethical concerns of tobacco. Ethical issues pertaining GBT’s practices The company advertises the Gold brand uniformly through social networks and media, and this aspect catches the public equally, but fails to warn possible buyers on the consequences of smoking. Another ethical concern arises from the untamed advertising that, tobacco contains medicinal value, which is an ancient belief, and the com pany expresses it to increase demand on the output (Smith, 2003:42). The third ethical dilemma arises from the product design and packaging of the cigarettes since there are no warning signs on the Gold brand depicting the possible health hazards of smoking. Distribution of the GBT’s Gold Brand (Place) Tobacco market decline would adversely affect a nation that grows, processes, produces, and sells the cigarettes. The economy of Malu produces tobacco and depends upon it for economic growth and change in the people’s lifestyles. The government allows distribution of tobacco product brands in different channels to reach a wide range of consumer effectively. The famous homemade cigarette brand of â€Å"Gold† sells among all ages in Malu, despite the constraints to refrain from the practice, this practice is unethical to the extent that it will harm the health of the citizens. The product reaches the market via proper distribution and adequate creation of awareness throughout the potential market segments in the south Asian country (Mani and Sandhu, 2006:69). Promotion marketing mix strategy of the GBT’s Gold Brand The various promotion practices of the Gold brand cigarettes are deceptive and meant to retain buyers, entice new ones, recall old consumers, and increase the marginal consumptions. The idea of deception enables the GBT firm to survive in the market since buyers tend to retain the â€Å"value† they derive from consumption of cigarettes and avoid quitting altogether, as they feel affiliated to the product. Therefore, Fiona’s practices are unethical and morally bend to lure citizens in promoting economic growth through consumption of cigarettes and, at the expense of their general welfare and health (Weightman, 2011:87). Pricing strategy of the GBT’s Gold brand The international Tobacco products Manager at GBT, Fiona Fuller defines the best practices that the company intents to take in the process of wedgin g out possible threats that may injure the company’s operations and the desire to acquire the set goals profitably in the next decade. Fiona adapts to penetration pricing in acquiring the market that guarantees the company that the new venture is profitable (Pampel, 2009:95). She understands the presence of strong brands in the market from European nations that currently dominate 20% of market. Therefore, she strategically prices the

The 'What' and 'Why' of Employee Engagement Research Paper

The 'What' and 'Why' of Employee Engagement - Research Paper Example An engaged employee is aware of the business and works closely with the peers to improve the organizational performance (Buchanan and Huczynski, 2010). Scope of the study The present study has been confined in order to analyze the key issues related to the topic of employee engagement as well as to explore the importance of the employee engagement. The study also looks to identify the key factors influencing the level of employee engagement (Sekaran and Bougie, 2009). Over the course, the research study conducted by Dale Carnegie and MSW research has been referred in order to find out the importance of the employee engagement in the context of the organizational performance as well as to find out the key factors influencing the employee engagement programs in an organization ((Mullins, 2010). Add to this, in order to get a more holistic view, various employee engagement programs undertaken by various major organizations round the globe has also been referred to (Buelens, Sinding, Wal dstrom, Krietner and Kinicki, 2011). Research Question What is Employee Engagement and what is the importance of employee engagement in the context of the organizational performance? Literature Review Employee engagement overview Engagement at work place has been conceptualized by Kahn as the harnessing of the organizational member or employees with respects the roles and responsibilities towards the organization (Boselie, 2010). In case of engagement, the people may actually employ and express the feelings towards the workplace cognitively, physically and also emotionally (Boxall and Purcell, 2007). Another related construct to employee engagement happens to be the notion of the flow mentioned by Csikszentmihalyi (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). According to Csikszentmihalyia flow is the state in which there are very little distinction between the individual and the overall organizational environment (Simons, 2011). In this way employee engagement can be defined as the level of involvemen t and commitment that an employee exhibits towards the organization and the values of the organization (Bowditch and Buono, 2001). An engaged employee is always aware of the business perspective of the organization and work closely with the colleagues to improve individual, team as well as organizational performance (Redman and Wilkinson, 2006). Therefore the organization must look to nurture and develop engagement which needs a two way relationship between the employee and the employers. In this way it can be said that employee engagement is actually a barometer that shows the level of association of a person with the organization (Bhattacharya, 2009). Employee engagement is quite closely related to the existing structure of the job involvement. Job involvement can be described as the degree to which the job situation is matching the individual and his or her personal identity. Some researchers actually believed that the job involvement is a cognitive state of the psychological rec ognition. Job involvement depends upon both job satisfaction and saliency (Senscombe, 1998). The HR practitioners feel that engagement has a lot do with what the employees feel about the work. The engagement is also related to the way the employees are being treated in an organization (Alderfer, 1972). There would always be the presence of people who would not give the best effort

CJ403 Final Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

CJ403 Final - Research Paper Example In this paper, the author examines the Enron Corporation scandal by looking at some ethical principles and theories. By using such frameworks, it is hoped that a deeper analysis of business practices can be arrived at, one that clearly outlines the need for asking pertinent questions about moral conduct in a sector of society that is undeniably susceptible to unethical behavior. The Enron Corporation initiated various corporate means that, at the time, were seen as bold and perhaps even revolutionary. This was especially true when Jeffrey Skilling, former Enron CEO, came on board upon impressing founder and deregulation advocate, Kenneth Lay, with his consultancy capabilities. Prior to the Skilling phase of the company, Enron’s traders had been gambling without restraint using company funds, but with the knowledge of Kenneth Lay. Even with investigations and reports of misappropriation of funds, Lay intimated to traders to further continue generating money for the company. However, as is the nature of â€Å"gambling†, luck is bound to change. Enron’s traders soon gambled all of the company’s reserves. Nevertheless, the company survived and went on to employ Skilling. It was Skilling’s idea to utilize mark to market accounting, that is, the use of future projections to book earnings on deals that actually never made anythin g. This idea essentially opened up the company to unscrupulous practices, paving the way for fraudulent profit reports. Enron was also one of the first companies to form what they called, a Performance Review Committee, whose job it was to ensure that all employees were delivering the results that the company expected from them. This had the effect of pressuring employees to perform well, but had the unsavory consequence of pushing employees to adopt and utilize â€Å"less than ethical† conduct. By positioning itself as a kind of energy broker, Enron put up a number of businesses that, in reality,

The 'What' and 'Why' of Employee Engagement Research Paper

The 'What' and 'Why' of Employee Engagement - Research Paper Example An engaged employee is aware of the business and works closely with the peers to improve the organizational performance (Buchanan and Huczynski, 2010). Scope of the study The present study has been confined in order to analyze the key issues related to the topic of employee engagement as well as to explore the importance of the employee engagement. The study also looks to identify the key factors influencing the level of employee engagement (Sekaran and Bougie, 2009). Over the course, the research study conducted by Dale Carnegie and MSW research has been referred in order to find out the importance of the employee engagement in the context of the organizational performance as well as to find out the key factors influencing the employee engagement programs in an organization ((Mullins, 2010). Add to this, in order to get a more holistic view, various employee engagement programs undertaken by various major organizations round the globe has also been referred to (Buelens, Sinding, Wal dstrom, Krietner and Kinicki, 2011). Research Question What is Employee Engagement and what is the importance of employee engagement in the context of the organizational performance? Literature Review Employee engagement overview Engagement at work place has been conceptualized by Kahn as the harnessing of the organizational member or employees with respects the roles and responsibilities towards the organization (Boselie, 2010). In case of engagement, the people may actually employ and express the feelings towards the workplace cognitively, physically and also emotionally (Boxall and Purcell, 2007). Another related construct to employee engagement happens to be the notion of the flow mentioned by Csikszentmihalyi (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). According to Csikszentmihalyia flow is the state in which there are very little distinction between the individual and the overall organizational environment (Simons, 2011). In this way employee engagement can be defined as the level of involvemen t and commitment that an employee exhibits towards the organization and the values of the organization (Bowditch and Buono, 2001). An engaged employee is always aware of the business perspective of the organization and work closely with the colleagues to improve individual, team as well as organizational performance (Redman and Wilkinson, 2006). Therefore the organization must look to nurture and develop engagement which needs a two way relationship between the employee and the employers. In this way it can be said that employee engagement is actually a barometer that shows the level of association of a person with the organization (Bhattacharya, 2009). Employee engagement is quite closely related to the existing structure of the job involvement. Job involvement can be described as the degree to which the job situation is matching the individual and his or her personal identity. Some researchers actually believed that the job involvement is a cognitive state of the psychological rec ognition. Job involvement depends upon both job satisfaction and saliency (Senscombe, 1998). The HR practitioners feel that engagement has a lot do with what the employees feel about the work. The engagement is also related to the way the employees are being treated in an organization (Alderfer, 1972). There would always be the presence of people who would not give the best effort

Accounting Terms and Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Accounting Terms and Concepts - Essay Example Owner’s equity can therefore be determined by subtracting the value of all liabilities from assets’ value as shown in the following equation (Warren, Reeve and Duchac, 2011a). Communication of economic information to relevant stakeholders is one of the roles of accounting systems that ensure accurate data on an institution’s financial activities. Accounting systems also establishes frameworks for developing and managing organizational culture and interpersonal relations among an organization’s stakeholders. The systems achieve these through outlining values and standards for practice (Macintosh and Quattrone, 2010). Development of complex Information Technology systems has improved accounting work through computerized accounting and analytics for financial analysis. The technology has simplified the accounting process and improved accuracy through its electronic applications. Advanced Information Technology has also improved time efficiencies and ensures updated information for managerial functions (Warren, Reeve and Duchac, 2011b). Integrating accounting systems with systems of other departments in an enterprise is necessary because of its associated advantages to both accounting personnel and other users of financial information from other departments such as line managers and top managements. The involved data interoperability avails information to all internal stakeholders and therefore eliminates complete reliance on financial accountants for information, a factor that facilitates timely decisions in other departments. Integrating accounting systems also relieves accountants of the communication role and promotes their efficiency in consultancy services to other users of financial information. Further, integrated systems facilitate faster transfer of financial updates to all departments for informed decisions and actions (Maher, Stickney and Weil,

Antitrust Practices and Market Power Essay Example for Free

Antitrust Practices and Market Power Essay Apple was investigated, as well as several publishing companies for conspiring to keep e-book prices high. Amazon is the biggest retailer of e-books, and the publishing business has been thrown into chaos by the popularity of e-books. Publishing companies used the old publishing model of selling e-books like print books where the publisher sells the book to the retailer, like Amazon or Apple, at about half the price of the cover price and the retailer can sell the book at whatever price it chooses. (Chen Bosman, 2013) Apple entered into contracts with publishers that use an â€Å"agency model† to price e-books. This meant that publishers would set the price of e-books, and the retailer would get 30% of the sale price as profit. Apple also stipulated that publishers could not set a price lower than the price in Apple’s e-book store. (Chen Bosman, 2013) This action by Apple was investigated because the primary purpose of these contracts was to keep the e-book prices higher, and to reduce competition between booksellers. Amazon, the giant in the market, would not be able to compete on price, and e-books would cost consumers more. Identify some of the costs (pecuniary and nonpecuniary) associated with the antitrust behavior (firms having power in the market). Additionally, note the specific antitrust act (Sherman Act, Clayton Act, etc.) under which the violation was investigated. The pecuniary cost of the actions of Apple is that consumers will pay more money for books, and Apple, as well as other book sellers, will not have to compete on price with Amazon who dominates the market. This will cost Amazon, and booksellers and publishers may make more money at the expense of consumers. The non-pecuniary cost will be that books will not be as available at low prices to consumers who want them, but cannot afford the price. Price fixing is a violation of section 2 of the Clayton Act of 1914. This act prohibits price discrimination that is not based on cost differences that reduces competition. (McConnell, Brue, Flynn, 2012) Given your research and findings, are monopolies and oligopolies (firms demonstrating power) always bad for society? Be sure to provide real world examples of where this may be the case to strengthen your position. Provide at least one example of a case where having a monopoly or oligopoly may actually benefit the society. According to my research in this case, Amazon’s demonstration of oligopoly power is good for society because e-book prices are lower when Amazon tries to block other competitors from entering the e-book market, and more e-books are then available to the public. This is a good real-world example of the positive influence that an oligopoly can have for society, and an example of how regulation is needed, and anti-trust laws, when oligopolies use collusion to compete instead of letting the free-market operate. References Chen, B. X., Bosman, J. (2013, June 2). E-book antitrust trial of Apple to begin. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/ McConnell, C. R., Brue, S. L., Flynn, S. M. (2012). Economics (19th ed.). Retrieved from http://devry.vitalsource.com/#/books/0077587766/pages/50192724

A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes Essay -- Historica

Whether native or foreign, the forced laborers discussed in the five historical documents—â€Å"A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes†, â€Å"Description of a Slave Market in Rio de Janeiro†, â€Å"Notes on the Treatment of the Natives in Northeast Siberia†, â€Å"Mercury Mining in Huanacavelica and Silver Mining in Potosà ­Ã¢â‚¬ , and â€Å"The General Slavery at Achin†Ã¢â‚¬â€were impelled to fulfill responsibilities and lead lives that were believably unnatural, being that those laborers forced to work were typically exposed to extreme and destitute living conditions due to the mandatory demands of their overseer, while those â€Å"enslaved† in the country of Sumatra were allowed profuse independency in comparison to drudges elsewhere in the world. Depending on their geographic location, some forced laborers shared a similar style of governance, while the others faced severely contrasting ways of life. As part of the Atlantic chattel slavery system, Ligon explained the harsh lifestyle and living conditions that the autonomous society forced upon its laborers in 17th century Barbados through his written description in â€Å"A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes†. According to Ligon, â€Å"the grueling work†¦during the harvest season ran without stopping from Monday at 1 A.M. through Saturday night† (Richard Ligon 114). Any educated reader could infer that the mandated labor created an extreme and highly unreasonable lifestyle that is unnatural for any human being. Living conditions included scarce meals, where â€Å"the servants [ate] no bone meat at all, unless an ox died and then they were feasted as long as that lasted. And till they had planted good store plantains, the Negroes were fed with food which gave them much discontent,† and living quarters were... ...ouses, as if they were free People† (Captain William Dampier 142). In comparison to the strict, intolerant ways of forced labor discussed previously, Sumatra’s enslavement appeared significantly more permissive, allowing laborers to act more freely and independent. Whether native or foreign to the lands on which the enslaved were forced to labor, the good majority of forced laborers were impelled by their overseer to deal with extreme conditions and perform unnatural duties. Experiencing destitute conditions and intense responsibility was a major part in the lives of most forced laborers, but for the rare extremity, slaves had a more significant amount of freedom. Although the typical enslaved peoples faced similar governing dominance and autonomy, there were others who experienced differing lifestyles. This definitely makes for worlds together, yet worlds apart.

Children Are Influenced by T.V. :: Media Argumentative Persuasive Argument

Children Are Influenced by T.V.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When children are young, they tend to act different than when they are older. They are not mature yet and are still easily influenced.   Little kids are usually very easily influenced by their surroundings.   Whether it is television, friends, family members, or just plain strangers, everyone and everything are influences on a little kid.   I believe that young boys are usually more easily influenced than young girls.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, one influence that has a major effect on children's behavior is television.   Believe it or not, T.V. plays a big role in how kids act. Shows like the Power Rangers and Beetleborgs can make boys violent and want to fight.   Girls are not so easily influenced by television as boys are. Although there are some girls that want to fight along with the boys, for the most part, girls do not like those types of shows.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Along with television, children may also be influenced by people they don't know.   Although most children are taught not to talk to strangers, we would be surprised how many actually do.   Studies have shown that both boys and girls do talk to strangers, but boys are more likely to do what a stranger tells them than girls are.   A lot of young boys are easily deceived.   Girls, on the other hand, are more cautious.   Even when girls are young, they are still weary of trusting people they don't know. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Finally, kids are most influenced by their parents and their friends. Because friends and family members are people that kids trust, they tend to want to be like them.   Parents play a big role in a child's life.   If a kid sees his/her parents fight all the time at home, it will probably make the child violent or secluded.   If a kid hears his friends cuss all the time, then he/she will probably start cussing too.   If a child, whether it be a boy or a girl, places a lot of trust in a person, every

Mass Customization Strategy in Global Supply

Master of International Business Administration 12 Mass Customization International Supply Chain Management Yuliya Samokhina, Olga Baranova, Yuliya Pronkina, Alexander Manzhosov Content The basic concepts of mass customization. Principles and goals. (by Yulia Samokhina) Introduction3 Mass Customization: main definitions3 Evolution of mass customization†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 4 Mass customization strategies: advantages and disadvantages†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 4 Mass customization as a process†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 Conclusion8 Postponement strategies (by Olga Baranova) What is postponement? Postponement typology based on value chain activity9 Benefits of using postponement strat egy13 Critical success factors and ideal candidate for postponement strategy14 Modular concepts (by Yulia Pronkina) Definition of modules in the framework of global supply chain management15 Types of modularity18 Benefits and drawbacks of modularity. Requirements for implication of the concept modularity19 Modularization in automotive industry (Volkswagen’s modular strategy) 21 Shared platform strategies (by Alexander Manzhosov) Introduction23 Platform concept 24 The reasons of implementing platforms25Advantages and disadvantages of implementing shared platform strategies26 Shared platform strategies 28 Volkswagen Group. MQB strategy 29 Conclusion29 References The basic concepts of mass customization. Principles and goals. By Yuliya Samokhina Introduction Today, people live in the world with developing technologies, where everyone wants to be distinguished. Companies compete with other similar firms, because they want to attract customers as much as possible. Mass customizati on can satisfy customers’ demand to help them buy products with necessary characteristics.Previously, mass production systems can’t be sufficient for manufacturer and consumers. However, mass customization decided this problem to create comfortable conditions for all to provide individual product. For example, nowadays retailers don’t want to have more collections per season, but they want to possess more styles within the season. Companies produce new lines of clothes to their shops every four to six weeks. H&M and Zara have increased production to use computer technology.  «Zara uses data from its 426 stores to spot new trends, and offers 10,000 new products a year.TopShop sells as many as 30 pairs of knickers a minute, 6,000 pairs of jeans a day and 35,000 pairs of shoes every week ». Why it occurs? The answer is very simple: supply chain in mass customization business model has to be flexible and responsive to consumer demand. Main issues will be conside red in the essay below. Mass Customization: main definitions Usually, mass customization requires very advanced and flexible network, because the original purpose of mass customization is adapting one-to-one. Now, everyone can make products by themselves.Here, I want to give more successful definitions of Mass Customization:  «Mass customization is not a pure but a hybrid manufacturing concept, which joins the efficiency of operations and differentiation by providing highly value added products ».  «Mass customization refers to a customer co-design process of products and services, which meet the needs of each individual customer with regard to certain product features. All operations are performed within a fixed solution space, characterized by stable but still flexible and responsive processes. As a result, the costs associated with customization allow for a rice level that does not imply a switch in an upper market segment ». (Piller 2005c, p. 315; emphasis in original). Thus, now each buyer can acquire any goods, but the price for it will be higher. Commonly, it isn’t problem, because each person wants to be allocated from crowd. For instance, if two girls come in school-leaving party in one dress, it will be catastrophe for them. Fortunately, our generation has got a lot of articles with topic mass customization, and then we can consider mass customization from different foreshortenings. Evolution of mass customizationFirst, I think it is necessary to briefly describe the development of mass production to mass customization. Mass customization has been one of the causes of the economic growth in the 21st century. Below, you can see figure, which shows evolution of mass customization: Fig 1: Evolution of mass customization1 The first time our civilization has faced with mass customization in pre-industrialization era. In spite of this fact, today we also have started to develop it. Of course, these times are very different, because today peo ple use modern technologies.Between these periods we can observe mass production, which come in vogue with fundamental benefit of economy of scale and it was peak in mid century. For example, it was time of Soviet Union, and then companies produced a lot of similar clothes, shoes and etc. In late twentieth century, mass customization was back. Manufacturers offer different variation of products and customization is possible. Methods of application will examine in the next section. Mass customization strategies: advantages and disadvantages It is very important to understand how the mass customization works in practice.Generally, scientists mark out four strategies: transparent, cosmetic, adaptive and collaborative. A few words about each strategy: * Cosmetic strategy: companies produce a standard product but present it differently to different customers. Thereby customers satisfied with the product, and if they want, they can change packaging, for instance, the color, accessories, a nd other customer personalities. * Transparent strategy: this strategy is used by companies, which have specially knowledge of desires and preferences of customers. For transparent strategy is actual E-business.For example, service in website can analyses purchases, then it can recommend something based on previous purchases. * Adaptive strategy: producers try to modify standard product for the needs of customers. Thus, companies try to plan and represent of almost all possible combinations of product modules, like Microsoft. Then somebody buy software, he/she can add necessary functions. * Collaborative strategy: in this case companies don’t know what customers eventually want. Companies have to understand needs of customers and help to determine with necessary product, as in result to create its.It is very often, then strategy depends on industry there company worked. For example, companies which produce food and beverages use cosmetic and transparent strategies. In my opin ion, manufacturers have to estimate their possibilities; if they want have mighty profit. Why are companies interested in mass customization? The answer to this question is presented in the benefits of the above strategies: * Maximized market share by maximizing customers’ satisfaction and number of customers. * Cut cost of inventory and material waste: production has to work as a just in time.Companies should avoid large inventories of finished goods. * Increase cash flow: lower inventories, prepayment (thus lower receivables) increase cash flow. * Shorten time of responsiveness (accumulative time from receiving orders to delivering): organization structure and flexible manufacturing in mass customization allows the company to adapt to different demands rapidly. * Ability to supply a full line of products or service with lower costs: the purpose of mass customization is to differentiate products to particular demands, resulting in broader product lines of the company and a m uch lower risk of obsolete inventory.It is obvious, that companies can’t have only positive sides. It is important to understand, which problems may arise: 1. In mass customization costs are usually greater than in mass production. In some cases the product may not be different from standard product, but the price will be higher. Buyers will be unhappy, thus mass customization is inefficient. 2. Increasing of information in the production of individual goods could lead to costs. In this case the probability of production of defective goods rises. 3. Requirements for employees should be higher. Educated employees have to offer the optimal variant responding to the ustomer’s needs, otherwise, company can lose the loyalty of customers. 4. The production process can have difficulties with flexibility. Mass customization as a process I think that it is very important to know how the customization process can be divided into many sub-processes including the main stages of th e value chain. Moreover, it can help us to understand mass customization in details. First, I want to enumerate all sub-processes and explain at greater length. * The development sub-process; * The interaction sub-process; * The purchasing sub-process; * The production sub-process; * The logistics sub-process; The information sub-process. 1. The development sub-process. The product always should develop, if company wants that the mass customization will be successful. Requirements of buyers will be satisfied and costs of production will be reduced. The modularity is quite effective decision as it allows achieving the economy of scale and economy of scope. On the other hand, the modularity can be simple for imitation by competitors and development is more expensive. Other strategy, such as a commonality and platform strategies help to work to the companies to increase reusability in mass customization.Thus, product development in the mass customization is carried out through design e ngineers. Very high effect is reached, when the client participates in development of products himself. Companies should use customers’ innovative abilities. 2. The interaction sub-process. This process is also elicitation process. Thus, customer has to find the product that exactly fulfills his requirements. Company has to understand that everyone wants. Usually, to identify four types of elicitation process: identification (e. g. name and address), customers’ selections from menus of alternatives, physical measurements and reactions to prototypes.Usually, customers buy products in the Internet (in different Internet-shops) or go to the retail center and also buy necessary thing. Today, it is very quickly and easily to use Internet. For example, Adidas offers to buy sneakers in their web-site, there everyone can create own style. The interaction process is associated with electronic features. Another important thing that in mass customization consumers are actively in volved in production process. It is normal then customers are often called  «coproducers » or  «prosumers ». 3. The purchasing sub-process. Suppliers in mass customization are the very important part in reducing costs.Companies with good suppliers have got really competitive advantage. It is fact that the achievement of high profits lies in an effective and efficient component and material purchasing. Outsourcing strategies have been formed due to the modular architectures. The modular sourcing applies to reduce difficulty in purchasing process. In this case, companies have to trust each other and closely cooperate, if they want to achieve incredible results. 4. The production sub-process. Companies should focus on the economic order quantity (EOQ). Thus, the processes of production in mass customization should be minimized.The optimization of the production is the main task in the process. If a company wants to meet all the needs of customers, the production must be flexibl e. Companies need to understand then they want to make individual product, I mean, at what stage. Producers have got two important key terms: delayed product differentiation and postponement. They are two related concepts, whereby the means placing the decoupling point at later stages in the production processes. Another one describes that some production activities are not initiated until customer order arrives. 5.The logistics sub-process. This process includes work with clients and suppliers, plus accompanying. Usually, it call terms upstream and downstream. Upstream logistic is transportation, warehousing of materials and components for production and consolidation. The downstream logistics is the packaging and shipment of end products to customers. Unfortunately, these types of logistics face serious problems in mass customization, because costs of individualization increase. The all logistic has very heavy costs. Companies spend a lot of money for transportation and warehousin g equipment.It is a reason why these companies use outsourcing. Mass customization doesn’t have inventories of end product. The companies try to work individually with each person. Nobody wants to resemble another. 6. Information sub-process. This process cooperates with all processes described above. The purpose of the information sub-process is the providing of information stream. The effective information system should capture following stages: customers needs, develop a list of product requirements, determine manufacturing specifications with respect to routing, material processing, assembly and etc.Radio Frequency Identification can help to make identification. In spite of the fact that modern technologies are very useful, it remains very expensive. Another useful method for the coordination in mass customization is Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI). Any supplier has got timely information about stock levels of modules and components. In addition, the integration of ERP (En terprise Resource Planning) helps to improve the agility and adaptability to unforeseen events. The mass customization will make profit if the software is constantly developed and updated.Finally, companies should work with a large number of data very accurately. I try to consider mass customization not only as one whole process, but separate sub-processes. It helps to understand the nature of mass customization. However, I should mention interrelated strategies such as postponement and modularization, because usually these strategies allow the companies to work successfully. In my essay I will give short concepts of strategy as below in this work other students will describe them in details. Modularization is necessary for the success of mass customization where set-up costs are critical.Also, modularization allows making rapid assembly and costing efficiency. Modularization usually uses in this field such as computer science, construction, design engineering and production. The ma in idea in modularization is the breaking down of the product into standardized components or group of components, which is called modules. The second strategy is postponement:  «Postponement means delaying activities in the supply chain until customer orders are received with the intention of customizing products, as opposed to performing those activities in anticipation of future orders ». These strategies are quite often used.Every year, the mass customization will be more popular in the companies. Conclusion of this part In this essay, I consider the most important aspects of mass customization. First, it was given the basic concepts of mass customization. I tried to examine the most important definitions and to explain the essence of mass customization. After that, I described a little history from mass production to mass customization. History has shown that the mass customization has already been applied to date. Now companies are using modern technology, so the result of up-to-date mass customization is different.Companies produce products more quickly than ever before. Information technology is used in all stages of production, which helps companies to satisfy consumer preferences. Also, I examined mass customization not only as a single process, but also to separate the process in parts, included development, interaction, purchasing, production, logistic and information sub-processes. Each sub-process has to be adjusted in order to avoid stagnation in the production and filing warehouses. In the essay, I also mentioned the main advantages and frequently used strategies.The company chooses the strategy which it thinks it is the most appropriate strategy. Usually, the strategy depends on the industry in which the company operates. In my opinion, the mass customization is developing and is very useful for manufacturers and consumers. First, customers are satisfied with goods with necessary characteristics. Second, company in the event of mass custom ization has lower costs compared to if it was made for each customer a totally unique product. Finally, I want to emphasize that the mass customization has both advantages and disadvantages. The company has to make a choice itself.Postponement strategies By Olga Baranova What is postponement? Effective management of a supply chain includes thinking creatively about how to integrate and perform logistics and manufacturing activities. Postponement strategy offer opportunities to achieve delivery of products in a timely and cost-effective manner by rearranging the conventional production and logistics structures, which are often designed and managed autonomously. Thus, postponement, also known as â€Å"delayed differentiation,† is a supply chain strategy that delays product differentiation at a point closer to the customer.This involves designing and developing standard or generic configurable products that can be customized quickly and inexpensively once actual consumer demand is known. Postponement also entails the implementation of specific inventory strategies to deploy inventory farther away from the customer while fulfilling service level objectives and reducing inventory costs and minimizing risk, strategies for holding the right inventory, at the right place, in the right form. By pushing the point of product differentiation closer to the customer, postponement can improve customer service levels, reduce inventory costs, and increase top-line revenue.The postponement strategy is based on the following two basic principles of demand forecasting: 1. The  accuracy of the forecast  demand decreases with an increase in the time horizon. The farther the time window for which the demand is being forecasted, the more inaccurate it will be. The figure graphically represents this effect as a funnel: as time extends farther into the future, the forecast error grows, showing that the forecast demand will have larger and larger variations as time periods pr ogress into the future. 2.Demand projections for a product group are generally more accurate than projections for individual products. It is much easier to forecast the total demand for LCD TVs than it is for an individual TV of a specific brand, model, screen size, resolution, and color contrast ratio. Postponement typology based on value chain activity It is based on the review of 15 studies; Table 1 was developed to summarize the terminologies used to define different postponement types. These define postponement on the basis of activities or place to differentiate between different postponement types.The check marks in front of every study indicate the postponement terminology used for that study. The following section (table 1) summarizes these terminologies under product development, purchasing, manufacturing and logistics postponement. Table 1 Summary of postponement terminologies based on the review of studies Product Development Postponement Strategy Product development pos tponement is considered extreme form of customization with all activities including product design taking place after the placement of an order.Moreover in this case, the customers are also involved during the design stage. Product development postponement strategy is preferred in highly volatile environments, involving high levels of uncertainty in terms of consumer demands, technological developments and government regulations. 2 For instance Toyota deals with the high levels of uncertainty by letting their suppliers come up with novel ideas and designs without limiting them with strict specification constraints. The suppliers have total independence to explore different areas within a broad range of design specs.During that time, people at Toyota continue gathering market data on consumer demands and technological trends, till some convergence is achieved. 3 Purchasing Postponement Strategy In the case of purchasing postponement strategy, the purchasing of raw materials is postpo ned until the information on downstream demand becomes available. Purchasing postponement strategy is preferred when the demand is highly uncertain, raw material has high obsolescence cost and is of high value in terms of total product cost or ties up huge amount of working capital.Purchasing postponement would work when the market lead time is greater than the manufacturer’s production lead time plus the suppliers lead time. 3 However, if the market lead time constraints the manufacturer from applying purchasing postponement, it can be adopted selectively for a range of products. This would be possible if the company is able to differentiate between base demand and surge demand. For base demand it can proceed with forecasted demand and purchase raw material or even proceed with production in case of longer production lead times. However for surge emand, the company can wait till demand pattern becomes available and then it can proceed to place orders. In order to manage supp lies for the surge demand, the manufacturers can have separate design of supply chain to deal with the surge demand, since under most scenarios regular production lead time for the surge demand would be greater than the market lead time. This design would be based on speed and agility with focus on fulfilling orders quickly rather than focusing lower cost by setting up fast production lines and purchasing raw materials from a different set of suppliers.However this would be feasible when the increase in cost due to fast paced production would be less than the gains accrued by adopting purchasing postponement strategy. This fact is highlighted by the postponement strategy adopted by Benetton, an apparel manufacturer, which separates between base demand and unpredictable demand. For the base demand, Benetton subcontracts to low cost sources, which have higher lead times, while for the unpredictable part, they utilize their own flexible facilities which have higher operating costs.Howe ver for purchasing postponement to work, it is imperative to have high level of collaboration between the manufacturers and the suppliers. Suppliers are required to respond to the downstream demand in minimum possible time so that the manufacturers can deliver within the market lead times, while resorting to purchasing postponement. In recent times e- market places have sprung up, enabling the manufacturers to get linked with the suppliers without any geographical constraints3. This increases the options of the manufacturers to respond to actual demand.However, having suppliers or their stock centers in close proximity to the manufacturers would support purchasing postponement strategy. Moreover this type of impulse buying contradicts the approach of developing long-term relationships with the suppliers and could also jeopardize the relationships with the existing suppliers. From a supply chain perspective, purchasing postponement involves shifting the ownership of the goods to the most suitable location. However in case of an imbalanced power structure, a manufacturer might force its suppliers to hold finished goods inventories in order to reduce its own risk and uncertainty cost.In this situation the suppliers are left with speculating the downstream demand, often resulting in the overall inventory buildup or ‘Bullwhip’ effect in the supply chain, which reduces the efficiency of the entire chain. 3 Manufacturing Postponement Strategy Manufacturing postponement is based on holding products at platform level later to be customized as per demand pattern. This is based on the principle that it is easier to forecast demand pattern at component level as compared to finished product stage3.It involves delaying manufacturing activities and holding inventory in neutral form till the demand pattern becomes visible. Thus this strategy works where there are multiple product derivatives, which could be due to different cultural, technological or market relat ed issues. High product variation makes it difficult to forecast and hold inventory at finished stage. Manufacturing postponement allows companies to operate without holding finished goods inventory while maintaining bulk of their inventories at pre-customized form.The inventory at this level has lower risk attached to it because their raw state permits them for wide usage variations. 4 For example, fashion apparel retail business is marked by high product obsolescence costs. This is because of the fact that product are planned long before the actual demand information becomes visible. Zara on the other hand has been able to capture market trends by reducing the time required to introduce new products. Among other steps, Zara uses manufacturing postponement to reduce its lead times.Zara concentrates its forecasting efforts on the kind 14  and amount of fabric it buys. Zara gains more speed and flexibility by purchasing more than 50% of its fabric un-dyed later to be used for vario us products and lines (platform based). It reduces the cost as well as the chances of forecast errors. In un-dyed form it is easier to convert fabric to other uses, while it gives Zara the flexibility to adapt to colors close to the selling season based on the immediate market needs. 5 Assembly postponement StrategyThe computer industry selling customizable product especially through the internet practice assembly postponement strategy. The customers select from various options such as color, memory specs, processors, and the companies such as Dell, HP and Compaq assemble the required models from components received from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). HP postpones the final assembling step to the last stage at the local distribution centers and once demand becomes visible, final manufacturing/assembly activities such as power supply, packaging and labeling are carried out.Labeling postponement Strategy Labeling postponement is adopted when the products are marketed und er different brand names or are distributed to different markets. For example at times the same OEMs are used by different brands for their products and the OEMs mark the products with labels after receiving respective orders. Similarly certain apparel distribution companies keep products 16  unmarked and upon receipt of orders from various institutions print their logos before dispatching the orders. Packaging postponement StrategyPackaging postponement strategy is adopted when the products are marketed in different bundles or package sizes. 6 The final packaging is delayed till orders are confirmed. Packaging activities are generally performed in the downstream locations such as centralized distribution centers. Logistics postponement Strategy Logistics postponement involves a delay in the final movement of the goods. Instead of placing the goods at the final point in the supply chain, they are kept at a central location, with the aim of following the demand pattern for the fina l shipments. This helps to reduce the inventories in the supply chain 17 while at the same time improves customer responsiveness. 3 Maintaining inventories at final locations would increase the inventory costs while at the same time would result in stock outs at some locations and excess stock at other locations. Logistics postponement often involves the repositioning of the final manufacturing activities downstream closer to the end user. This helps particularly where local variations in terms of consumer preferences exist, which could be better, catered to by carrying out the final customization at the local distributer level.Logistics postponement suits those products, which have higher inventory cost and lower transportation costs. Logistics postponement in most of the cases requires a faster and more responsive transportation system and can result in higher transportation costs. Benefits of using postponement strategy Successful postponement implementations improve customer sat isfaction while minimizing inventory costs. By improving their ability to respond to changes in demand from local and global markets, companies are better able to compete on time while remaining cost competitive. Improvement in Customer Satisfaction: Increased ability to offer a wider range of customized goods * Reduced lead time for orders Reduction in Inventory Cost: * Inventory costs shift upstream to less expensive generic products, which also reduces inventory obsolescence costs * Enables better planning and allocation of resources by reducing the forecasting horizon * Reduces inventory costs by as much as 30% to 40% in successful implementations Improvement in Order Fill Rates: * Since finished products are manufactured from generic components, companies are better able to deliver finished goods on time as a result of postponement.Bottom-Line Benefits: * Overall, postponement’s primary benefits are to reduce the effects of market uncertainty and to meet customer needs, while effectively managing supply chain costs. In many cases, lower overall supply chain costs were achieved by respondents. Critical success factors and ideal candidate for postponement strategy The keys to a successful postponement strategy are to produce standardized products and to incorporate customization at the most advantageous point in the supply chain.Proceeding from the aforesaid it is possible to allocate the following factors: * Organizational buy-in and support is the primary critical success factor * Implementation of appropriate inventory deployment strategy * A postponement strategy is destined for failure without consistent top-down support from design through implementation * Product design modularity and business process reengineering are critical to ensure smooth execution * Collaboration among all internal functions of the supply chain, as well as with suppliers and customers * Proper metrics and incentives are also importantResolving the competing interests wi thin a company’s supply chain is also essential. Without collaboration, including changes in the rewards and metrics structures of a supply chain, the changes associated with postponement often result in poor execution. In addition, external collaboration with suppliers and consumers is critical. If suppliers cannot respond to the changes as a result of postponement, and if product design is not tailored to customer requirements, postponement can result in cost overruns and increased lead times.The foundation of every successful postponement implementation is organizational buy-in. If management is not willing to take risks, implement significant changes, and monitor adjusted metrics, they will be less likely to reap the benefits of postponement. While many industries and companies are prime for postponement, there are certain business conditions that position a company for a more successful postponement implementation. Prominent among these are companies that produce a signi ficant variety of products with short product life cycles and which have a supply chain able to support mass customization.Regardless of business conditions, effective postponement implementation still requires collaboration, organizational buy-in, concerted effort, and the right information technology backbone. Modular Concepts in the Framework of International Supply Chain Management By Yuliya Pronkina In recent years, the competitive dynamics in general and the demand for product customization in particular have increased considerably in virtually all industry sectors: partly as a result of new low-budget competitors in the global markets and partly by increasing demand for technological performance.The ability to react quickly to unexpected market changes is one of the decisive reasons for the development of modular product architectures. If a company wants to remain competitive or expand its market share, it is posed to manage the compromise between such conflicting goals as: * low costs; * short lead times; * high quality of product. Modular strategy is intended to resolve this conflict and be able to become a solution to growing complexity of customizable production. It closely links with modular platform systems.In fact, modularity enables manufacturer to combine advantages of mass production (high volume, large quantity production) and product variety (flexible and versatile manufacturing systems, product tailoring, etc. ) at reduced cost and increased economies of scale. All in all product development strategies such as modularity, product modular platform, etc are the key to achieving low cost customization The modular concept has played significant role in the development of mass customization. This article examines main aspects of modular concept in the framework of global supply chain management.Definition of modules in the framework of global supply chain management To understand what modular strategy represents we tried to give the definitions of â€Å"modules† and find its real position among other strategies of mass customization. According to the Oxford Dictionary, definition of modules in general is following: Module is each of a set of standardized parts or independent units that can be used to construct a more complex structure, such as an item of furniture or a building. There are convenient statements among authors of studies about general meaning of modularity.According to them we can conclude that modularity refers to an approach to organize complex products and processes efficiently by decomposing complex tasks into smaller parts. It allows the tasks to be managed independently and yet work together as a whole without compromising performance. Thus we can consider modularity as the ability to configure product variants by mixing and matching components within similar product architecture to create variety of configuration without losing its functionality. Examples of modules would include many components in automobiles: engines, transmissions, audio equipment, tire/wheel options, etc.In electronics, modules would include processor boards, power supplies, plug-in integrated circuits, and disk drives. In software, code could be written in modules (objects) that can be combined into various combinations. In fabrication modular strategy is applied as flexible platforms for creation a significant number of product variations, enabling a firm to gain cost savings through economies of scale from component commonality, inventory, logistics, as well as to introduce technologically improved products more rapidly.Modular architectures allow firms to minimize the physical changes required to achieve some functional changes. Hence all the physical changes can be easily combined without adding complexity to the manufacturing system and, hence, to managerial system. To explore the concept of modularity and consider it in the framework of supply chain management, we decided to compare the differen ces between integral and modular product architecture and make further comparisons between corresponding supply chain architecture.Product architecture. Integral product architectures are those in which each component is provided directly and specifically to overall performance. Parts and interfaces tend to be proprietary. On a highly integrated product like a military aircraft, every part and system has been designed to perform a specific task. Modular product architectures use standard interfaces and can employ off-the-shelf components for much of assembly. Personal computers, clothing, and many other products employ modular architectures12.Supply Chain Architecture. Integral (traditional) supply chains require vertical integration within a primary firm or tight coupling of several firms in order to meet demanding, proprietary design specifications. Modular supply chain architectures are horizontal, with many competing firms specializing in aspects of the overall product. In other words, modularity in supply chains implies that the various units of organizations are freely divided, can operate independently, may be easily reconstructed.The concepts of product modularity and supply chain modularity are rather interconnected: changes in the product architecture result in important implications for the supply chain structure and re-distribution of activities across the logistics networks. This figure 2 shows us the simple scheme of interconnections of final assembler and its suppliers in traditional supply chain and modular supply chain. (2) (1) Figure 2. Simplified scheme of integral supply chain (1) and modular supply hain (2) In modular supply chain first tier suppliers are providing modules in the form of subassemblies, are not only components, therefore a modular supply chain is characterized by the presence of value-adding tier-suppliers that coordinate the work of the second tier suppliers. In non modular supply chain the role of assemblier is played onl y by a local firm. In the result of rather different approach, modular supply chain fosters some distinctions comparing to the traditional one. In the following table we compare the main features of supply chain depending on its mode of organization. Table 2Main features of supply chain depending on its mode of organization11 | Traditional supply chain| Mass customization supply chain| Interface compatibility effects| * Integrated vertical structure * Long development lead times| * Modular product architecture * Reduction of development lead time| Component customization| * Design and manufacturing focus * In-house product development * Standardized components| * Autonomous innovation in NPD * Customer focus * Design for manufacturability| Value inputs| * Economies of scale * Exploiting advantages of market mechanism * Standardization of operations * Consolidation of outbound logistics| * Outsourcing * Flexibility towards specific customers’ needs * Economies of scale and sco pe| Supplier-buyer interdependence| * Supplier involvement in development not critical * Multiple sourcing| * Early supplier involvement in NPD * Strategic partnership * Supplier as system integrator * High interdependence| The good example of applying modular strategy in practice is the following.Two German automotive companies, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz decided to develop the auto industry's modularization in the mid-1990s. Their built new plants, which started production in 1996 and 1997 according to the new modular concept on a relatively large scale, specifically at Volkswagen’s plants in Resende (Brazil), Boleslav (Czech), and Mosel (former East Germany), and Mercedes-Benz's plants in Vance (U. S. ) and Hambach (France). These plants had two main features. One is that they have assembled cars from relatively large subassemblies. As we can know a car is a system made up of numerous components. At conventional plants, individual components —— for example, instrument panels, gauges, and wire harnesses —— one by one to a vehicle body on the final assembly line.Instead, at those new plants, these individual components are subassembled on a separate line, and then installed as a module into a body on the final assembly line14. Suppliers procure their own materials and labor force to create separate modules, while Volkswagen provides the infrastructure and designs the interface between manufacturing units. These measures let companies reduce their costs, because on its new plants there were no need in â€Å"blue collars† (administrative staff), for instance, and its modular outsourcing made significant advantages which are resulted in an ability to issue a wider variety of final products in shorter time periods and at lower cost. Types of modularityThere are six types of modularity for the mass customization of products and services: * component-sharing modularity, * component-swapping modularity; * cut-to-fit modula rity; * mix modularity; * bus modularity; * sectional modularity. The following characteristics of different types of modularity are done by contemporary authors who are mostly referring to Ulrich and Tung study â€Å"Fundamentals of Product Modularity† (1991). We supposed it is convenient typology and decided to base further information on this ground (figure 3). In component-sharing modularity, the same component is used transversely in different products to provide economies of scope.There is a base unit of common components and changeable part. This kind of modularity never results in true individual customization, but allows reducing costs and increasing variety of products. Figure 3. Types of modularity In component-swapping modularity it is possible to change options on a standard product. Modules are selected from a list of options to can be added to a base product, for example cars. The good example for this is the â€Å"Configurator† on the internet site of V olkswagen, where customers can choose additional features which can be added to the base model with several clicks. So customer can make a decision which is convenient for him.Cut-to-fit modularity is similar to component-sharing and component-swapping modularity, except that one or more of the components is variable. The module can be changed before it is combined with other modules. The good examples for it are eyeglasses, or clothing. Mix-modularity is also similar to component-sharing and component-swapping modularity, but is distinguished by the fact that when combined, the modules lose their unique identity. An example is house paint. When particular colors of paint are mixed together, those components are no longer visible in the end product16. Bus modularity uses a main platform that can add different components to it.So in the result there is the infrastructure that is really required for each consumer. Sectional modularity is the type of modularity that provides the bigges t variety and customization among other types of modularization. Functionally it is rather close to component swapping, but focuses on arranging standard modules in a new, unique form16. In this case each component is connected to another making achievable the configuration of any number of different types of components. The most popular example is Lego. To be able to use this type of modularity a manufacturer has to develop a special interface of its product that allows sections or objects of different types to interlock16.Benefits and drawbacks of modularity, requirements for implementing of the concept Taking all into consideration we can list main benefits of modular strategy: * Economies of scale and scope which mean an ability to improve overall performance of production concentrating on divided modules. Suppliers and sub-suppliers have an opportunity to produce higher volume of its â€Å"modules† and apply its core-competencies to production. * Increased possibility of product/component change and updating. Since each module interface is strictly specified, changes can be made to a module independently of other modules, as so as it is wider open for further product development. * Reduced order lead-time.Since modules are manufactured in relatively large volume, the logistics of production can be organized so as to reduce manufacturing lead time. Hence, the order lead time can be reduced. * Development of product variety. The use of modules means that a great product variety can be achieved using different combinations of modules. * Separated tasks. Since the interfaces and modules have been standardized, their interfaces enable design tasks and production tasks to be decoupled. This dividing can result in reduced task complexity and in the ability to complete tasks in parallel. For instance it is easier to test it before final assembly, quality management can become more efficient due to separated modules. The ease of product upgrade, maintenance , repair, and disposal. Customer without any problem can change one module to another, for example he can buy an improved video card for his computer, or change an engine module in his automobile17. Although applying modular design provides a number of advantages across the organization, companies must also consider the less discussed drawbacks when evaluating the decision to implement modular design or reviewing existing modular processes. * High Initial Investment. The initial costs to reconfigure existing systems and processes are high. Reconfiguring to the modular design is a complex task, which may disrupt the existing flow of the product pipeline. Lack of Customer-Centricity. Focusing on cost-efficiencies company can lose clear vision of customer needs. * Coordination Complexity. Modular design requires a significant restructuring of processes and can increase product development complexity if companies do not assign clear ownership and collaboration with suppliers in a well-p lanned implementation process to avoid duplication of processes and inconsistency across product specifications, purchase orders, and manufacturing plans. * Supplier Risk . Companies can experience delays, incorrect specifications, and poor material quality. Hence there is a necessity of well-organized control in this case.Also, companies may have to share information and technical expertise to ensure suppliers deliver according to new specifications and cost. A company surrendering too much technical expertise, especially in areas that provide a competitive advantage, may lose technical control to the supplier * Intellectual Property Risk. Producing modules simplifies the product architecture, enabling competitors to recognize without difficulty technologies and copy modules. According to that, organizations must increase patent documentation to prevent competitors using key modules in their product architectures. In modular supply chain management, suppliers have a relatively high degree of freedom in production.However it is possible only with long-term commitments and aggressive cost goals. It is clear, that modular strategy has its basic requirements for the suppliers and manufacturers which enable them work together to create value. To implement modular strategy company should be able to meet such requirements, as following: * Particular organization structure. The organization structure should be flatter with fewer levels, and creates a freedom for the coordination among processes (modules). It focuses on a high degree of cross-functional integration and employee participation. This results in a much higher degree of decentralization in decision making.Besides, the structure is open to suppliers as well as customers because they (suppliers and customers) are considered extensions of the organization; * Management focuses on three parts: supplier relation, customer relation, and resource management; * Readiness of inputs when needed (this requires an eff ective supply network), skillful, highly educated employees with excellent technical qualifications; * High standardization of components. Also adjusting a company’s organizational structure with a modular product architecture requires the constant support and enduring responsibility of the top management. The level of quality control and coordination in development of modules should be in a high level.Effective development and efficient use of modules requires changes in the existing processes in many ways. Modularization in automotive industry (Volkswagen’s modular strategy) As usual, the automotive industry is a leader in implementing and communicating a modularization strategy. The Volkswagen Group is characterized by its global presence and comprises numerous brands. The Volkswagen Group bases its great success on three major modules which are shared on a broad scale. The successfully implemented modularization strategy is one of the key factors which will enable the Volkswagen Group to become the world leading car manufacturer, not only in terms of sold units but also in terms of superior margins8.Now The VW Group is a large automotive empire encompassing 10 brands, 240 models produced across 94 sites in 153 markets, totaling over 8. 3 million vehicles made each year. The sheer scale of its operations across so many different countries meant that variability of its products is very high. Applying of modular strategy by Volkswagen meets customers’ expectations for a growing variety of vehicle models, equipment features and design. Through the modularization of the body, vehicles can be produced in different stages for the length, width and wheelbase – an approach that benefits the manufacturing process. We’ll discuss the main features of Volkswagen modular strategy created in its â€Å"Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB)† in the next chapter.To sum up, companies that are striving to be competitive and still want to h ave a relatively high profit margins and market shares in our case can choose mass customization strategies and modular strategies in particular because: * Modularity makes complexity manageable * Modularity enables parallel work; * Modularity is tolerant of uncertainty. Shared platform strategies in the framework of international supply chain management. By Alexander Manzhosov Abstract The logical order of development of international markets, industries and customers behavior led businesses to a new frontier of competition for manufacturing industries as well as for service industries – to Mass Customization.The core reason for such a change in the market concept was a dramatically increase in diversity of consumers needs within market segments. And as the world recognized guru of management Peter Drucker once said:  «It’s a customer who determines what a business is. It’s the customer alone who’s willingness to pay for a good or for a service convert s economic resources into wealth, things into goods.  » Translated to the real terms that meant for the manufacturers a new challenge of meeting various customers needs while carrying on following to basic trends of reducing costs and development times of a product and optimizing core business processes.That’s why platform strategies were designed and applied to increase the efficiency and profitability of manufacturing. This paper seeks to identify the phenomenon of shared platform strategies, research their advantages and disadvantages for supply chains and study the consequences of implementing the strategy on the case of Volkswagen Group. Key words: mass customization, shared platform strategies, supply chain. Introduction Many modern manufacturers are seeking new ways to improve their Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and concentrating their facilities on cost reducing while offering the collection of competitive goods in many different market segments. And one of the m ethods of achieving this goal is by implementing shared platforms approach.The benefit is possible to be gained because of coordinating of engineering processes with the actual production system and supply chains. The platform allows companies to share not only components, but also production tools and machinery. Thus our first effort to establish the basis of the concept of sharing platforms among the family of products is to define the term â€Å"platform†. After that there is a further problem of realization in which way does the concept affect the company and how the enterprise can get a competitive advantage by mean of implementing shared platform strategies. Platform concept The ideas of sharing platforms have received increasing attention in product development and operations management in the time when mass customization era arose.So companies had to â€Å"produce goods and services to meet individual customer's needs with near mass production efficiency†. The platform concept is closely tied to models of product architecture, modularization and standardization. The platform itself can be defined as â€Å"a relatively large set of product components that are physically connected as a stable subassembly and are common to different final models†. The definition has been stated above can be clarified by Figure 4. Figure 4. Three different products build on the same platform The figure illustrates the general idea of platforms sharing. Three different products are assembled by combining elements A, B, C, D, E.According to the illustration it can be concluded, that this product family consists of the element A (platform) and a set of other elements used in a modular way. What emerges from the definition and illustration that in general designing a platform is about creating common shared components and systems throughout a family line, while providing differentiated features and benefits to add value to each production unit (Figure 5). Figure 5. Common principle of sharing platforms . The trick here is that totally different at the first sight products from different brands and from different price segments of the market can be equal in engineering terms.Still the platform is not a universal cure. And based on empirical evidence there are some preconditions of implementing platforms: * The product family shares basic groups of elements * The product family is supposed to have a long lifecycle * The level of interconnected systems among the product family is relatively high * The technological environment of the market tends to constant updates * The core functionality of the products is stable but variable in the terms of non-core functions All these criteria are not ultimate and the suitability of decisions taken depends on specificity of organizations type and the product characteristics as well.It also should be added, that depending on criteria mentioned above and the target of the manufacturer, platforms can be categorized into 3 types: * Modular * Scalable * Generational The main difference by such a categorizing emerges owing to the strategy of launching the product line. The modular platform usually allows designing functionally different product variants. On the contrary, scalable one aims at creating functionally equal products of many capacities. And the last one, the generational platform is used to be a basis for new generation development. The reasons of implementing platforms It follows from what has been said above, that the platform concept is a quite flexible approach for manufacturers, moreover sometimes it seems vital for staying competitive on the market.And now we can pass on to the issues closely related to the platform implementation and it’s consequences for the companies operations and supply chain structure. Nowadays critical issues for consideration in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) are cost containment, development know-how and resources, product qualit y and logistics. As the supply chain can be represented as the combination of enterprises involved in activities from the supply of raw materials to the manufacturing and delivery of the goods to the customers, the success of the whole supply chain depends on how to generate the most efficient configuration of the products, manufacturing processes and supply sources. In this connection a question is bound to arise whether the shared platform approach is an effective method or not.This brings us to advantages and disadvantages of such a scheme. Advantages and disadvantages of implementing shared platform strategies The purpose with platform sharing is to reduce the cost and have a more efficient product development process. And according to the purpose announced from m point of view it’s possible to classify advantages of shared platform strategy into three key groups: * Quantitative * Qualitative * Customer-oriented Quantitative advantages by this mean include such factors as : 1. The Global standardization 2. The Economy of scale 3. The rationalization and the reduction of R&D costs The value of the standardizations is quiet obvious.By creating a common platform for the product line the company creates â€Å"flexibility†, which allows not only to produce dissimilar models according to individual customers’ and even countries’ tastes but also provides an opportunity to standardize production facilities and streamline logistics and management as well. The economy of scale in this case follows directly from the previous factor: the commonality of the exploiting components, modules, mechanisms, assembly lines reduce overall costs and simplifies the business and technological processes within the company sparing human and monetary resources. The next important issue concerns R&D costs. The unity of components under one single platform helps dramatically minimize the cost of developing product lines. Once the platform is designed, the com pany doesn’t need to spend millions on engineering new components.And platform efficiency – â€Å"the ratio between the average R&D costs (or development time) for derivative product over the cost (or time) spent for the platform† increases (the lower the ratio the more efficient the platform is). Such an effect is possible because different products share the same technology process, structure and production mechanisms. Qualitative advantages include: 1. Increased quality and innovations 2. Easer inventory management The proposed components’ commonality is a multi-oriented tool: platform sharing allows manufacturers to design parts with fewer variation. A byproduct of this is increased quality, which results in lower defect rates.On the other hand, people want value for their money they want new technologies. And eliminating the need to engineer separately thousands of parts allows research and development assets to be focused on fewer technologies foste ring innovation and quality improvements in the minor set of technologies. One more critical point is inventory management. It’s apparent that in any supply chain a tremendous amount of inventory is held in the form of components. And it’s essential to mention that the inventory amount corresponds always to the uncertainty of demand for the finished product. In that way by implementing a platform the manufacturer is able to use it in multiple finished products.So the demand for the platform and all components the platform consists of is an aggregation of the demand for all cross-platform finished products. That’s why â€Å" the use of common components (or set of components – platform) in a variety of products has been a very effective supply chain strategy to exploit aggregation and reduce component inventories†. Another clear benefit concerns the relations between suppliers and manufacturer. By implementing platforms the producer decreases the un certainty of demand on different components. That creates a win-to-win situation for both business partners by enabling them to build long-term relationships. The last group of advantages is customer oriented and includes: 1. Faster response to changing market needs 2. Greater product varietyIt’s critical to mention, that this group of pros can be clearly defined through observation on previous advantages. And faster response to changing market needs occurs because platform sharing allows manufacturers to design and launch new products faster and cheaper. And the trick is here that the development and cost of the original platform for new goods have already been paid for. Such flexibility provides an opportunity to the company to diversify its assortment and satisfy different market shares. However it’s impossible to complete the study without highlighting some possible problems when using platform approach: 1. Product dilution 2. Incompatibility 3. Risk concentrationP roduct dilution means that a platform, depending on the common machines and systems, can be extended thin if it becomes a source of too many disparate models. Moreover, platforms that span across models of different stature increase the risk of cheapening luxury products or adding unnecessary cost to lower-end segment. Another challenge is incompatibility. A platform’s differentiating technologies must be carefully engineered to integrate with the standardized systems. Otherwise, producers will have to perform modifications to make the two types of technologies compatible. These compatibility regulations first of all are not differentiating modifications and secondly they provide zero value of their own to the finished product. The last but not the least possible problem is the risk concentration.Producers may face greater overall risk if the underlying platform they’ve developed and implemented is accident-prone. A defect in a standardized technology multiplies the ri sk across the whole product line, which leads to expensive potential recalls. Shared platform strategies As has been indicated, in general implementing a platform promises much more benefits than negative consequences. And once the decision to implement platforms is considered, there are various strategies for the product implementation (Figure 6). Some of the most widely practiced platform strategies are No Leveraging, Vertical Leveraging, Horizontal Leveraging and the Beachhead Approach. Figure 6. Shared platform strategiesNo Leveraging platform is usually designed especially for a single market segment. Such strategy is implemented for high scale goods wi