ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
(A) Threat of New Entrants : Market segments with high barriers of entry and exit creates challenges for existing firms. An exit would be difficult and the companies would remain in business. For example, it would be difficult to start a grocery market because existing firms use product differentiation and other aggressive marketing strategies to improve their sales. The threats of new entrants are encouraged by the capital requirements of the investment, the economics of scale and the ability to switch products, poor brand techniques and poor product differentiation. If the barrier of entry and exit are low, new companies are formed easily and this would reduce the profit of similar products. When the barrier of entry is low and the barrier of exit high, the firms would operate at different speeds. Product Differentiation: High barriers will help the company utilize market strategies to gain 5% of its customers in the grocery market. The company will reduce the cost of transportation utilized by the customers thus, using package differentiation to increase sales. For example, Fresh Direct would remain in business if it delivers refrigerated products such as beef, milk, and chicken using home delivery vans. Another way of establishing product differentiation is quality management. Fresh Direct has a board online system that manages its order catalogue, creating a simple but unique access to online customers. The standards of packaged foods are high and its delivery vans uses quality control procedures to verify the safety of its fresh products. Direct business transaction encourages home delivery and reduces middlemen transactions thus, controlling the price and strategy of operations. Product identity encourages customers desire to maintain a particular supplier. Capital Requirement: High barriers would require new firms to invest huge capital. This will be used for operational cost, product delivery, product preservation and maintenance. This will be a difficult task and will limit new entry. Switching Costs: Segments with low barriers would improve the marketing strategy of similar markets. Each firm would use an aggressive marketing strategy to maintain its customer’s strength. Consumers may switch from one shop to another without much difficulty. The consumer may decide to shop directly from a supermarket thus, reducing his or her online activities. Customers would maintain his or her present supplier if the cost of switching is expensive. The location of the suppliers affects this segment. When suppliers are concentrated in one location, the customer may switch without difficulty. When the suppliers are scattered in different locations, the customer is forced to buy from a particular store. The customer will consider the cost of moving from his or her location to find another suppl
This paper focuses on Auerbach Enterprises’ implementation of job costing. The obvious aim for Auerbach’s operations is to make profit (Murphey and Laczniak, 2007). Profit can be achieved when the expenses associated with the business are less than the generated revenue. It will be impossible for the management of an organization to ascertain whether it makes profits without effectively identifying the costs incurred and revenue generated through business operations. While it is may be easier to identify the generated revenue, understanding the costs associated with production may be difficult. Although few activities (via sales) contribute to revenue generation, numerous activities contribute to the inputs necessary for production. These activities are usually responsible for the costs incurred during production. Owing to the imperativeness of cost management for profit optimization, it is important for the management of an organization to make incessant efforts for costing its operations (Murphey and Laczniak, 2007). The job costing method allows the management of an organization to departmentalize the costs associated with the production process. The table below shows the company’s records. Also, the air conditioners are produced in batch sizes of 20 units at a time. A production batch of 20 units requires the following number of hours in each department: The material and labor costs for Auerbach’s two product lines (MaxiFlow and Alaska) are
There is no use denying the fact that since ancient times people have a great thirst for knowledge. This desire became one of the main forces which influenced development of humanity. It is even possible to say that knowledge, obtained due to this thirst, saved human race from extinction. However, this very knowledge should be transferred to next generations and, that is why, education, as the way to perform this transfer, also became a very important issue. The thing is that world changes constantly and the approach to education and knowledge, which is needed for a person, also obtains some new peculiarities. Different epochs can be characterized by different subjects and thoughts which students are taught. These differences are determined by the peculiarities of the epoch. That is why, nowadays, the approach to education should also be changed. Modern world can be characterized by blistering development of different issues and, with this in mind, it is important to determine things which are important for students and teach them. Talking about changes which happen every day, it also should be said that they become possible due to the blistering development of society. Under these conditions, the world and people should be ready to adapt to new environment. However, it is impossible to do it without deep and clear knowledge of all modern realities. That is why, all significant changes which happen nowadays should be included in the curriculum for students to be able to live and become successful in the modern world. That is why, a great number of scientists nowadays draw their attention to the question of education and changes which are needed in this sphere. Resting on these facts, it is possible to say that people should be ready to face realities of the 21st century after they have received their diplomas. There are many different concepts which are connected with the issue of modern education and the bundle of knowledge which a person should have. However, all these concepts state that students should obtain knowledge which will guarantee their successful existence in the modern world. Under these conditions, the issue of diversity obtains great significance. This term is connected with different spheres of activity. Studying, a person should be given the opportunity to face diversity which exists in modern world and be ready to respond properly. Additionally, such issues as tolerance, humanism and democracy also obtain great importance as coherent society praises them very much. It should also be said that nowadays diversity is often connected with the possibility to interact with people who represent different races and cultures. Nowadays, it is a very important issue.
Background to the Onset of COVID-19 The aviation sector altered dramatically in March 2020 for a number of reasons. The worldwide COVID-19 epidemic affected the air transport performance and efficiency as it forced everybody to frantically strive to keep safe and isolated. The performance of the majority of aviation industries also showed a significant decline. The aviation industry’s patterns altered rapidly, leaving companies shuttered, suffering tremendous losses, and even bankruptcy. With the advent of COVID-19, airlines began experiencing unprecedented effects such as a decreased number of customers. Airline companies were forced to introduce incentives and bonuses to attract customers. As the weeks progressed, the truth of the epidemic became apparent, and traveling was prohibited in an attempt to halt the further spread of COVID-19 (Miani et al ., 2021). Unfortunately, travel was halted too late to limit the virus. This essay explores the communication, safety, and security factors from COVID-19. Effects of COVID-19 on Aviation Industry In nine months, the airline sector’s trends shifted from excellent to deplorable and then back to optimistic. COVID-19 has harmed people’s lives and has caused companies to fail. Families are trying to earn a living, and millions of people are still unemployed. The airline sector faces billions of dollars in losses, federal loans, and a lack of customer trust (Liu, Kim and O’Connell, 2021). While domestic limitations are being lifted, COVID-19 continues to rise in the United States, without any evidence of the curve flattening within the nearest future (Kumar and Kumar, 2021). Despite Europe and Asia experiencing another spike, it does not seem that international travel will become more common within the observable future. COVID-19 has also wreaked havoc on companies, causing massive job losses and company closures. Most nations have enforced travel bans and airport border restrictions, which impact airport and airline revenue. If it is reduced or no passengers travel in flights, the income for airlines and their operators subsides. Some airlines have suffered significant losses due to a lack of income, and some may go bankrupt as a result (Belhadi et al ., 2021; Albers and Rundshagen, 2020). Aside from that, the travel prohibition has caused significant disruption to be local and international aviation industry—furthermore, the closure of airport businesses and routes due to COVID-19 influences the airline sector supply chain. Alternatively, the cost of the airline industry’s market share has dropped (Dube, Nhamo and Chikodzi, 2021; Tisdall, Zhang and Zhang, 2021). Airports’ operating revenue is declining due to low passenger volume; market share is also declining, and travel restrictions on domestic and international routes are in place. Human Factor Issues from the Newly Rising COVID-19 Cases Safety concerns have exponentially increased among the aviation sector workers from work pressure amidst preventing from contracting COVID-19. The emotional
Bidirectional associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) on the one hand and psychological stress on the other have been extensively documented. Indeed, researchers and psychologists have positively correlated postulated long-term psychological stressors to the rapid progression of CVD and deaths that are directly related to the condition. This section aims to offer facts relating to psychological stress, poor health behaviors, and the manifestation of CVD. A multiplicity of psychological stressors, such as loss of a loved one, financial instability, job strain, low job control, unstable marital relationship, lack of social support, and loss of a job, may trigger psychological distress, negative affectivity, and social isolation to unprecedented levels, in the process becoming potential risk factors for both the etiology and the prognostic effects of CVD (Groble & Grande, 2008). In addition, studies have shown that some conditions occasioned by psychological stress such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can adversely alter CVD outcomes through the disrupted hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). Such alteration, according to Lin et al (2010) propels disease progression and re
Introduction As an actor Bill Murray has displayed a significant career evolution. From Saturday Night Live to the collection of Ghostbuster movies, Murray’s early work can be considered some of the best in the comedic genre, establishing for Murray a cinematic persona classified as deadpan, sarcastic, at times a little dark, yet always with a sense of emotion, even sentimentality. This seeming contradiction between emotion and monotone is what defines Bill Murray’s acting style and provides the foundation for the chameleon-like career moves he’s made in the past decade. Like comedic actors such as Jim Carrey and Robin Williams, Bill Murray has proved that his talents as a funny man are suited just as well for dramatic roles, to which he brings an understated quality that no dramatic actor can capture quite as well. Main text One Murray film that denotes his potential success as a dramatic actor is Groundhog Day . The film shows Murray trapped in a world in which he wakes up to the same day, Groundhog day, every morning. In this film we see our first evidence of the understated sadness that Murray conjures up with his demeanor. After he realizes that he’s not living in a dream, Phil Connors settles into a heavy sense of resignation. This hopeless restlessness foreshadows the since immortalized characters of Bob Harris and Don Johnston of Lost in Translation and Broken Flowers respectively (IMDB.com: Bill Murray). Roles like that of Phil Connors suggest that Murray was always part comedic actor and part dramatic actor, what changed was the roles he was given. Both Lost in Translation and Broken Flowers feature Murray in a dramatic role infused with some innate sadness and sense of loss and, unlike many of his less successful colleagues, Murray’s talent with the genre actually emphasizes his comedic talents instead of making viewers think that’s all he can do. In this way, Murray creates his own dramatic archetype—the man on the brink of change, struggling with emptiness and a sense of meaninglessness whose ability to relate to the human condition makes his on screen appeal undeniable. In Lost in Translation we have Bob Harris, a world famous actor rapidly approaching his expiration date, struggling with what seems like an existential crisis. He has it all—money, family, fame, yet finds himself dissatisfied and confused about what he really wants (IMDB.com: Lost In Translation). His attachment to Scarlet Johansson’s character comes from something within him the reaches out through his inwardness. In an interview for Broken Flowers Murray recalls the character of Bob and how he related to the man’s life. “There were many threads in the film he recognised from his own life. ‘You are always away from home, as a film actor. Look at me now. You can be stuck in a hotel, several thousand miles away in a whole different time zone, and it is never glamorous’ ” ( Old Stone Face Cracks , 2005). It seems evident that Murray brings his experience as an actor to the role like a true professional, showing us not only his incredible talent but at the same time we see Murr
The Technology Façade Checklist is an important concept that entails carrying out of a comprehensive assessment based on the instructional technology program in a certain school within which individual works or studies. The Technology Façade Checklist is made successful by field experiences conducted by the concerned individuals or individuals on the discussion. The rapid growth in technology is considered as fertile ground for the origin of the Technology Façade Checklist in many district schools in the world. Multimedia, as an important tool in teaching and learning institutions, has led to the introduction of computer discipline in school curriculums. Educators and students have responded quickly in the use of computers for online studying, which has been considered vital due to advancements in technology in the world. Therefore, the Technology Façade Checklist is critical because it enables both the students and educators to construct a checklist that would guide them in their progress. The checklist enables both educators and students to know the far they have gone with the syllabus by listing chapters covered. It is a critical tool in education because it focuses on what to be covered at a particular time. Following the rapid use of technology in schools, my school is planning to spend more on computers. The school has come to the realization that the use of computers in teaching improves the quality of education. The Technology Façade Checklist in school was made to assess the use of technology. Below is an example of Technology Façade Checklist formed from field experiences conducted by students in a district school. The checklist comprises of 6 items that students should provide answers to them (Pour, 2006). 1. Who uses technologies in your school, the computer teacher or the classroom teachers? Choose one  Points Available  Points awarded Several classroom teachers use computers routinely.                                                  2                                Not all teachers use technology                                                                      4                                Computer teacher only                                                                                6                                Only a few teachers use computer routinely                                                           8                                This question is more detailed in chapter 4you can confirm from it.                                                                   Your score( 8 possible)                                                                                                               2. How are the computer facilities in your school?                       Points Available  Points awarded Choose one                                                                                                Used when there are no classes                                           0                                Closed during classes                                                    4
Introduction This report presents the financial performance analysis of Covidien PLC (COV) for Financial Years (FY) 2008-09. The analysis is carried out by employing top-down approach which presents economy and industry analysis before evaluating the financial ratios performance of the company. The economy and industry analysis helps indentify external factors which are beyond the influence of management, but affect he performance of the company to a great extent. Moreover, to provide a comprehensive analysis, Covidien’s financial performance is compared with Johnson and Johnson’s financial performance during the same years. The paper concludes by highlighting the weaknesses and providing recommendatory actions for Covidien so as to improve its financial performance. Covidien Plc (COV) Profile. Figure 1 Covidien Plc is an Ireland-based company which operates in three segments namely, Medical devices, Pharmaceutical and medical supplies. The $10.7b company has various industry-leading products and brands in its portfolio. Currently, COV employs 42,000 people in more than 60countries and enjoys its customer base in over 140 countries globally. Figure 1 shows the contribution of each segment to the total sales of the group (COV, A: 2009, p. 1). Competitor’s Profile Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Figure 2 JNJ is engaged in R&D, manufacturing, marketing and selling of various health care products. It is currently operating in three business segments; namely Consumer, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices and Diagnostics. JNJ employs 114,000 people in over 250 companies operating in 60 countries globally (JNJ, A: 2009, p. 7). Figure 2 presents JNJ’s segments’ analysis. Economic analysis Financial markets during 2009 exhibited exponentially rising pressure on businesses to de-leverage their operations. Despite the consistent and in-depth support of their respective governments to advanced economies, the pressure on financial markets did not subside. It was because of this consistently rising stress that financial institutions had to support their balance sheets by employing assets sales and retiring of maturing loans (IMF, 2009). Consequently, credit availability for corporations from financial institutions reduced. The downward pressure was not experienced by financial institutions only but by the economies at global level. Thus, businesses did not only have choking of financing alternatives, but the economic downturn resulted in increase in inflation, increase in unemployment; hence decrease in consumer spending. This decrease along with increased cost of doing business resulted in deteriorating revenues, profits, margins, turnovers and returns for businesses in all the industry sectors. The major US economic indicators during 2009 experienced serious setbacks, for instance,   * Real GDP declined by 4.9% and 0.7% during t
Milton Friedman’s goal of the firm is viewed by many people as one of the most senseless ideas that have ever been made in the business world. The idea, which made its first appearance in a New York Times’ article in 1970, would raise a lot of controversy as many entrepreneurs refuted it for various reasons. In this popular statement, Milton Friedman had expressed his controversial stand that the only purpose behind business activities is to bring profit to shareholders (Carroll & Shabana, 2010). Many people viewed this as a provocative statement that can be translated as a greedy perception. Myriad discussions were constantly raised as people in the business world continued to express their criticism on the matter, with majority of them arguing that there is more in business than just generating revenue for the shareholders. As a matter of fact, Milton Friedman’s goal of the firm does not apply to our understanding of the role of business in society. The truth of the matter, however, is that businesses have a large responsibility of taking care of employees, customers, and the society at large. Employees, who happen to be one of the most reliable assets that companies can ever have, deserve to be recognized and taken care of by the businesses they serve. Businesses also have the responsibility of paying tax to relevant government bodies, thus enabling the government to provide public services to the citizens. Companies also have the responsibility of ensuring that certain business essentials and requirements are fulfilled in order for them to thrive and survive in the market. This would have the meaning that the society today expects businesses to offer more than just focusing on maximizing profits and revenues for the shareholders. For example, consumers will always expect to see the best in terms of quality and value in everything that they purchase, and it is therefore the responsibility of businesses to ensure that these attributes