ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction The 21st century has brought a range of technological advancements, which transformed multiple areas of business. The broad implementation of internet resources in the spheres of tourism and hospitality entailed the creation of new services that imposed competition on traditional accommodation forms. The Airbnb company appeared in 2008 and has grown significantly since then. Consequently, millions of domestic and international tourists are now able to book affordable apartments at various locations. Airbnb offerings have become the new reality of the industry, changing the status quo and causing concerns on behalf of traditional hotels. Nevertheless, the extent to which Airbnb affects the industry is not universally acknowledged. Despite doubts concerning the nature of disruptive innovation, an in-depth assessment of the new industry reality is required. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of Airbnb on the hospitality industry within the context of Marigold Star Hotel’s situation and propose a viable strategy for both hotel management and equity company. Airbnb’s Impact on Hospitality Industry Airbnb is a recent innovation that reflects the spirit of the 21st century. The company was founded in the year 2008, and its development has been rapid since then (Glusac, 2016). As the core of its business activities, Airbnb offers peer-to-peer accommodation opportunities, meaning that travelers can rent a listing from another individual, rather than a commercial organization. This format appears to be beneficial for a wide array of people. Firstly, travelers receive a broader variety of accommodation options, which are often cheaper than hotel rooms or better located within the same price range. Secondly, property owners have a new way of earning money through safe Airbnb deals. Mobley (2020) says that Airbnb devotes increased interest in risk scoring and background checks of network participants. As a result, the company has had resounding success and has become the largest home-sharing network worldwide (Glusac, 2016). Overall, Airbnb offers about two million listings, most of which are targeted at regular low-to-mid range clients (Glusac, 2016). The popularity of the company is explained by its innovative, Internet-based approach, making it a fresh addition to the market in the eyes of the public. Nevertheless, despite Airbnb’s evident advantages for guests and property owners, there are players in this market that were negatively affected by its emergence. The company has been conquering large portions of the hospitality market due to its unique position in the travel industry. Moreover, Airbnb envisions further expansion, as it aims at entering other segments than its usual affordable accommodation. According to Glusac (2016), the organization’s plans are connected to business travelers and high-range clients. Nevertheless, low-to-mid-range guests have always been the core of Airbnb’s customer base. Mobley (2020) states that most low-end hotels could not offer their customers a desired level of
Introduction In the days that followed World War II, there was a desperate effort in almost all parts of the world to ensure that the basic needs of every single person were met. There was a struggle for shelter, food, and clothing that led to the re-aligning of powers both within a country as well as between two countries. If one were to think about the kind of relations that existed between two countries, it is important to note that this depended entirely on the availability of resources and the bargaining power of each of these countries. It was therefore quite obvious, that any country that claimed to have access to resources for reconstruction and development, was able to regain lost ground and establish itself as a power, in as short a period of time as possible. Post-war scenario – the role of the state In a situation where basic needs are available at a premium, it becomes important for the state to step in. Here ‘state’ refers to the ‘government’, which again in a democratic setup refers to the political party that is in power (at a particular point of time) after having won an election. It is not enough if the state just intervenes in what goes on in a country; it is necessary for a high level of ‘neutrality’ to be maintained in spite of opposing views and ideologies. If the state maintains a balance in society, making sure that all is fair, then there is a good chance of the survival and betterment of those living in a war-torn country. Therefore, it is the decision-making process that marks the actual importance of a state and determines the role that it plays in the reconstruction of a country. Robert Dahl (1961) avers that it is necessary for an overall balance of interests to be maintained when it comes to making crucial decisions at both local as well as national government levels. Realism vs. idealism – which way is the best? Since it is clear that the decision-making power of the state is of great importance, it now rests on how this is to be carried out, with specific reference to international relations. Pluralism, globalism, realism, and idealism are far from being mere ideologies. They are the beliefs of a number of people who are completely convinced by the power of each of these isms as routes to economic and political stability and freedom. Since the most important problem of any age is that of balancing demand with resources, it is the state that has to step in to ensur
In his essay, Dahl investigates exactly who governs the modern state in the country where every adult has the right to vote, but not everyone has access to knowledge, wealth, and social lifts. Dahl states that understanding US power dynamics requires dissecting the decision-making process to see who has the chance to participate and who benefits from the outcomes. In the paper, the researcher points out the three key domains that are especially important for capturing the power struggle: public education, urban development, and the party nominating process. While Dahl does not deny that the US environment is prone to systemic inequalities, the researcher puts forward a hypothesis that, in actuality, the political stratum is homogenous and not as enclosed as it may seem. A political stratum is defined as a group of individuals who take an active position in the political life of the country. They ensure the reciprocal relationship between the leaders and the followers because their concerns, preferences, and desires inform the decisions of the former. A political stratum is characterized by constant communication, conscientiousness, and refined political knowledge. At first glance, one might think that joining a political stratum is only possible for the elites. Dahl counters this misconception by showing that such communities consist of aristocracies, the middle class, and the working class, all at once. The first reason as to why the heterogeneity of a political stratum is not only possible but also common is because it does not discriminate against views. Dahl writes that within a stratum, there is no domineering paradigm of political thinking, to which all members need to adhere. Therefore, regardless of one’s political affiliation and stand on relevant issues, he or she can find their place in the community. The political landscape of the United States only confirms this hypothesis made more than 60 years ago: today, the country is highly fragmented and polarized. The second reason that is worth to be mentioned is the meritocracy inherent to the United States. Meritocracy is the principle behind building social hierarchies that discriminate by a person’s ability and not his or her origins. Dahl explicitly states that many US citizens have the same resources at their disposal but show vastly different outcomes. This discrepancy can be explained by each person’s ability to utilize what they have, exert an effort, and achieve their goals. Therefore, a political stratum may be available to anyone who tries hard enough and uses their resources most efficiently. Lastly, the author associates the penetrability of a political stratum with the rise of professionalism in the United States. Since the year
Carlyle Group was associated with the politically powerful such as former presidents, cabinet members, and foreign heavyweights in politics such as British Prime Minister John Major. Its lucrative business was built on the use of these contacts to influence deals. It dealt with buying, transforming, and selling companies; mainly defense companies especially those doing business with the government. After a series of events that threatened to finish the company completely, the founders decided to change the strategy they used to do business. This was done in three stages that saw the company position itself well in the market, become profitable, and grow immensely. The discussion that follows covers the events that led to its decision to change its business strategy, the risks or “red flags” it faced after the drastic change of business strategy, and the various steps of implementing the strategic business plan. The Carlyle Group was highly scrutinized as a result of the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore. The documentary made the group look like an illegal dealer with a tarnished image which other businesses should avoid. The documentary warned companies that wanted to preserve their good images and reputations to avoid doing business with Carlyle hurt the group’s reputation. The group, which was shrouded with secrecy, was also doing business with wealthy Saudi investors such as the Bin Laden family. Bin Laden was the mastermind of the 9/11 bomb blast in New York City. The firm was seen as a co-conspirator with the attackers and therefore a traitor, which destroyed its reputation. Its relationship with political figures such as George H.W. Bush and British Prime Minister John Major, who were losing influence on the populace in their countries, hurt Carlyle Group and damaged its reputation. This is the reason the Great Experiment started with discussions with both the Prime Minister and US president to step aside as its senior advisors. After these events, it was necessary for Carlyle to transform its image and business by looking not only for people with a good image but also experts in business issues. Carlyle in its transformation had diversified and increased its business portfolio to investments that had not been covered before. This kind of strategic decision brings with it benefits and risks. Since its makeover, Carlyle has begun to raise suspicions with its ever-increasing assets worldwide. The group has extended and diversified its portfolio to all sectors of the economy. These companies are bought at record time and sold withi
Reading Summary The word “modern” refers to a period of postmedieval Western history, which is distinctly different from the ages preceding it. This period is characterized by the extensive social, political, and technological change unprecedented in history. Diversification of values and social lifestyles, economic systems and political forms, artistic expression and technological advances – have all distinguished the modern period as fundamentally different from everything that came before. A common division of history incorporates three major eras – the Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and Modernity. The Antiquity is seen as the dawn of civilization, associated with light, knowledge, and wisdom. It is followed by the Middle Ages, which are also labeled Dark Ages – the time of ignorance and oblivion. What comes next is Modernity, which represents the awakening from darkness and reemergence of ancient wisdom. In essence, it synthesizes all previous values, information, and achievements in the form of the ultimate expression of human knowledge. However, Modernity is not necessarily a temporal concept. It also has a spatial dimension as many historians attribute Modernity to Europe exclusively. The author notes a certain bias towards the European progress among historians. The underlying message is that the only way for nonwestern societies to become modern is to accept the European values and lifestyle. This viewpoint still has some basis today, as many westerners consider Islam to be an expression of tradition. At the same time, Europe is juxtaposed to the other world as the more developed, modern society. As a result, there is a conflict between the tradition and the Modernity. As the author writes, “the dichotomy of tradition and modernity is a modern theoretical axiom on social change, according to which modernization stands for the decrease and eventual disappearance of tradition” (Anttonen, 2005, p. 34.). Subsequently, all societies are divided into traditional and modern, with the latter meaning European. Although it is a recognized fallacy, categorical opposition of tradition and Modernity exists and is still entertained in scientific circles. Critical Reflection Overall, the author tackles a distinct Eurocentric viewpoint. Following his line of reasoning, it becomes evident that the European civilization is presented as the powerhouse of development and ad
The case scenario involves Don, an entrepreneur who owns the Don’s Market in the central city for twelve years. The state has adopted the new “shoot the burglar,” which provides for the lawful defense with the use of deadly force for any citizen faced with intrusion by a burglar. Ultimately, Don was charged with assault and battery due to the events occurring during his defending attempt against the group of intruders, where he used a fire gun against a police officer. It is crucial to analyze the case to understand whether Don committed a crime or was charged unfairly. An assault and battery charge received by Don typically refers to both threats of bodily harm and the actual following through with physical contact (Lippman, 2016). It is evident that the defending system created by Don and set up at the market was a dangerous construction that served as a threat to any person that would enter the store building. Don should have considered that the police could investigate the market at night in order to control the marketplace. Don’s defense was not well-thought-out because it could harm any person entering the market. Therefore, a market’s owner lacked the criminal intent for the committed assault. If Don engaged in an unjustified violation, given that his victim ended up being a police officer is not a defense to assault charge. The self and property defense excused the use of deadly force in case of an imminent threat to the victim. However, given that Don was not at the store defending himself at the time of the committed shooting, harm to the market’s owner was not imminent, excluding any risk to Don’s life. Finally, it is critical to analyze the mistake of the shoot-the-burglar law, which expands to defending one’s residence. The defense can be justified in the case when Don’s grocery store is proved to be his residence. The exception may be argued concerning that the Model Penal Code anticipates a mistak
A study of the impact of chronic pain on an obese adult’s quality of life is a sensitive subject. This is because society often stigmatizes obese people making them emotionally and psychologically vulnerable. Researchers, therefore, have to observe several ethical issues to avoid harm to participants and uphold honesty and fairness (Kimmel, 2007). We intend to seek permission from the college’s department of nursing. Informed consent is one of the basic ethical principles in research. We intend to inform our participants so that they are thoroughly aware of the questions and risks involved if any. The group will formulate a consent sheet indicating clearly who we are, our college, and a description of what we are doing. It will also explain to the participants why we have chosen them for the study. As an ethical principle, the group will not exert pressure on individuals. Participation will be through consent and we will inform participants of their liberty to withdraw at any point in the research. We will neither coerce nor pester participants. Though we will issue consent forms, we will explain the liberty to pull out and ask for the removal of certain information. The research will uphold the confidentiality and anonymity of participants. Under no circumstances will the process reveal the identity of participants to a third party. Obese people are a vulnerable group because of the stigma the society has attached to the condition. However, the research anticipates minimal pain. To protect the participants from emotional distress, the research will not pester them. Rather, researchers will ask questions in a positive way while upholding privacy. A friendly attitude will benefit participants by allowing them to speak about their condition in a relaxed atmosphere (Oliver, 2010). Cargan (2007) argues that qualitative research should “strive to be empirical and minimize bias” (43). The research intends to achieve credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability using a combination of strategies. Boswell and Cannon (2011) define credibility as “the yardstick to establish whether results are believable or not” (54). In the research on the effect of obesity on participants’ quality of life, the focus will be more on the quality of information rather than quantity. Questionnaires will be short and the interview time will be less with more emphasis on collecting rich information. Alongside credibility, the research will ensure transferability in the study. To achieve this, the study will provide detailed information on methods used to enhance the readers’ ability to transfer it to a different context. The research will ensure that the findings are consistent to the extent that the whole process if repeated will yield similar results. This will enhance the dependability of the study. Wood and Kerr (2011) provide the yardstick for dependability as
Introduction The European Union began in the 1950s with great hopes that it would aid in both political as well as economic development in the European world. Political development was viewed in the perspective that the EU would be in a position to eliminate the military discrepancies that existed between European countries at the time. Efforts directed to this objective by the union have been quite large and its effects conspicuously experienced. The economical development role is aimed at eliminating possible economic distracters such as war. This facet of the EU has not been able to provide quite substantial results if the unequal development among its members is anything to go by. Welfare gains arising from its growth have also been quite low, this begs for a critical view of the effects of the growth of the EU (Coe D. T., 1999). The EU has continuously expanded since its inception and has always promised to expand even more. Its growth is evident from the number of countries that are subscribing to its members. Despite its increase in membership one question that lingers is whether its constant expansion in membership also translates to the relative expansion of its members as should be the case. Surprisingly this expansion seems to have little or no effect on the development of most member countries. It is expected that with the gradual expansion, of the trading bloc, there should be a relative increment in the GDP over time in the respective countries that are signatories to the union (Jacob, 2008). In an attempt to critically evaluate the effects of the expansion of the EU, this paper is keen on objectively analyzing facts that point to the expansion of the union as well as comparing how the union’s growth over time has affected different countries and why this is the case. An economic theory will be used in an effort to argue out the effects that should be anticipated in the event a union such as the EU experiences an expansion over a given period. The theory will attempt to shed some light as to why members of a given trade bloc may differ significantly in their GDP despite being under one union that is constantly expanding in both its membership as well as resources. Evidence of the varying impact of the growth of the union will also be put forth, in a bid to clearly illustrate the diverse impacts of the EU expansion based on current economic as well as political state of the member countries. Consequently an objective conclusion on the topic of discussion, which critically questions the significance of the EU expansion to its members, is drawn. This is aimed at establishing the relationships that exist in the findings and the possible effects that they are likely to pose in both the present and the future (Krugman, 1992). Theoretical perspective of the growth The economic
Businesses vary in size depending on the structural formation followed in the development of businesses. This is because, some require more input than others. For this reason, the structures of businesses are termed as the foundations of how big the business will grow and expand over a certain period. Despite the size of any business, there are set guidelines followed in developing the business structures that hold a business together. These include the sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporations. Sole proprietorship is a business structure set on one individual owning and running an enterprise. This is a good structure for businesses that are not labour intensive or startups with prospects of expanding in the future. The main advantage is that the owner is their own boss and they make all the business decisions independently without involving others. The tax aspects are also favourable since the business owner includes all the business expenses and incomes in their personal tax returns form 1040 (Frey, 2003). Therefore, any losses in the business may offset the income earned from any additional sources. Taxation on the business is once, unlike other businesses. Disadvantage is that one takes all the liabilities of the business and raising the start-up can be difficult. Partnerships are businesses formed by multiple people and are in two categories. General partnership has partners running the business together thus take up all debts and other obligations together. In limited partnerships, the business has both general and limited partners. Limited partners are investors only in the business while the general partners own and run the business thus assume all liability. The limited partners have no control in the business. The main advantage of a partnership is the tax treatment in that the partnership does not pay tax on its income rather; it passes all profits or losses to the individual partners. The disadvantage is personal liability since the partners are liable for the partnerships’ debts and any accruing financial obligations. They also require more legal and accounting services thus are expensive to start. Corporations are independent legal business entities, separate from the owners. They have to abide to more rules and tax requirements. Advantage of corporations is that the business owner has protected from any liability since the corporation’s debt does not constitute as the owners. Some of the profits may retain without paying taxes on them (Frey, 2003). The corporation can sell stock to raise money, and it lives beyond the lifetime of the shareholders. Advantage is that it requires high start-up costs and the owners pay double taxes on their earnings. All states with an exception of Louisiana practice Common Law in dispute resolutions (Cavenagh, 2000). Common law is based on statutory basis, therefore, judges will establish it with the use of written opinions,