ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The 1920s by Kathleen Drowne and Patrick Huber was first published in 2004 and is focused on the developments in the popular culture of a particular time period in history. Popular culture refers to the framework of attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, customs, and developed tastes that define the population of a particular society. Thus, the way in which people entertain themselves, who are their idols, and what are their rituals can define an era. When assigned to reach the book, I was very excited because the popular culture of the 1920s is notable for its loud parties, a boom in film entertainment, music, and literature. Since The 1920s is a non-fictional book, it is imperative to mention that there will be no main characters that will be developed in the story. In the first part of the book, which the authors called “Life and Youth During the 1920s,” the authors explore the everyday life of American people. This part is of great importance because it provides a background for the discussion of the popular culture of the time period. The rise of big business brought people an unprecedented level of prosperity, which influenced their purchasing habits and the desire to get entertained. As a reaction to the changing economics, advertisers started being more proactive in marketing expensive products to the population ranging from silk stockings to automobiles. Henry Ford was the best example of the new business ethos of America as he pioneered the methods of mass production and labor relations. In the second part of the book, “Popular Culture of the 1920s,” Kathleen Drowne and Patrick Huber proceeded with the discussion of mass consumerism and its influence on popular culture. The increase in purchasing power fueled by persistent advertisement efforts led to the rapid development of media and entertainment. Radio became an important part of daily life as national programs became sponsored by manufacturers and distributors of brand-name products. Movies were also a new form of mass entertainment, with such films as The Great Train Robbery becoming the first story sequence to reach the big screen. The budgeting of movies also increased dramatically. In the last part of the book, the authors dedicated more attention to recreation and leisure activities embedded in the culture of the 1920s. The Flapper lifestyle became very popular during that time as the allure of women contributing to the effectiveness of the advertisement. Women started proclaiming their freedom by making bolder choices in their fashion, such as shortened hemlines, a new bob hairstyle, as well as more noticeable and vibrant makeup. The flapper lifestyle coincided with the jazz age in major cities, contributing to the increased popularity of loud parties as well as a new sense of racial pride (Drowne and Huber 194). Overall, the book was interesting for delving into the lives of people in the 1920s. The authors showed that there was a
Since the turn of the century, the business environment in the contemporary world has become more dynamic and competitive. This phenomenon has been necessitated by factors such as globalization, advancements in technology, increased access to education, economic empowerment, as well as the development of viable and effective business models (Gordon & Ringe, 2018). The investment culture across the world is highly dependent on the ability of financial institutions and investors to collaborate in addressing various issues relating to corporate governance and the principle of the common good. In the recent past, some of the notable global trends relating to sustainable business practices are shareholder activism and responsible investment. This essay will critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the two trends in relation to their impact on decision-making for corporate social responsibility. Shareholder Activism According to economic experts, shareholder activism refers to a process through which an individual with equity in a publicly traded corporation attempts to use his or her shareholder rights to pressure the management team into making changes (Carlisle, 2014). Shareholders are partial owners of a corporation. Thus they have rights they can exercise to influence a change of behavior. However, achieving this feat is highly dependent on one’s share classification. Major shareholders have a greater influence over the running of a corporation compared to minority shareholders who only have limited options such as proxy battles, publicity campaigns, litigation, as well as writing formal proposals that are voted for during annual meetings (Carlisle, 2014). An activist shareholder focuses on pressuring the management to make financial and non-financial changes that range from the corporate policy, financing structure, disinvestment, adoption of environmentally conscious policies to cost-cutting measures, among others (Reed & Storrud-Barnes, 2015). Several publicly listed companies in the United States have been the subject of activism where shareholders mainly ask for disinvestment from politically sensitive countries and revision of sustainability strategies. Reports indicate that the efforts of activist shareholders have been escalating at an alarming rate over the last decade. This observable fact has been influenced by the high dissatisfaction of shareholders with the poor performance of the management team, which is often characterized by elements such as low profitability, reduced support for workers’ rights, and lack of accountability (Walker, 2016). Advantages of Shareholder Activism Research has shown that shareholder activism has a number of benefits to a corporation in terms of making the right corporate social responsibility decisions (Gong, 2013). Experts argue that shareholder activism has numerous benefits to an organization as long as it is done at the right time, using the appropriate channels, and with a precise intention. For it to have a positive impact on a corporation, it is important to ensure that its objectives reflect the long-term interests of everyone and not just a group of shareholders.
Introduction The modern competitive marketing world presents a variety of challenges for companies. Considerable competition in the market provides a wide range of diverse products for consumers to choose from, thus compelling marketers to leverage all available opportunities for attracting customers by influencing their purchasing behavior. Online platforms and digital technologies contribute to the scope of methods of customer decision-making (CDM) influence and guarantee companies’ high profits. The understanding of the stages of the CDM process amplifies the power of influence and is capable of developing many different ways of directing customers’ attention to a product a company wants to sell. Therefore, in the advanced digital environment, marketers should utilize online techniques of influence on CDM at every stage of this process to sell more efficiently and increase profit. CDM Stages The behavior a consumer experience in the process of buying has similar features in different individuals. According to Karimi, Papamichail, and Holland (2015), there are some typical patterns in CDM behavior that might differ depending on personal characteristics concerning needs, knowledge of product information, or availability of data about alternatives. These characteristics reflect different stages of CDM that every customer goes through when being engaged in a purchasing process. There are five commonly recognized stages of the buying process that includes problem recognition, search for information, evaluation of alternative products, purchase decision, and post-purchase behavior (Kotler & Keller, 2016). At each of these stages, marketers may influence a customer leading his or her purchasing behavior toward a company’s profit – the case when a customer buys the company’s particular product. The advanced internet technologies provide a scope of essential techniques based on online marketing principles that facilitate the process of marketers’ influence on customer decision-making. The online-based approach greatly differs from the offline one due to its speed and the broader scope of prospective buyers who use the internet. Also, the manner of selling is different because online techniques make it possible to influence people constantly thus contributing to their decision-making on a greater scale. Starbucks’ Strategy of Online CDM Influence Many large companies utilize CDM influence methods to increase their selling rates. The advancement of online techniques that are capable of tracking the users’ preferences on the basis of their search history and likes on social media takes the st
Introduction Receiving education and being good at one’s job is not enough to become a great specialist. Professionals need to keep working on their skills constantly. Continuing professional development (CPD) is necessary for those who strive to achieve the best results at their workplace. Activities That Constitute CPD CPD is the process of maintenance, enhancement, and enriching skills, knowledge, and personal qualities needed for the performance of professional duties (1). CPD is significant for laboratory medicine specialists since it helps to provide patients with the best service (2). CPD is constituted by such activities as formal or educational learning, professional activity, work-based learning, and self-directed learning (3). The following categories of CPD may be identified:   * distance learning (teleconference, e-conference);   * activities suggested by National Society and other professional associations;   * continuing learning events (workshops, congresses);   * publishing articles in professional scholarly journals or performing activities related to them (reviewing, editing);   * authoring professional books or book chapters;   * professional training (practical laboratory work);   * patents in the professional field;   * supervision of Ph.D. students or specialist training (2). To acknowledge the efforts and achievements of the professionals engaged in CPD, a credit system has been developed. According to this scheme, a particular number of points is designated to every hour spent on CPD activities (2; 3). The Ways of Recording CPD Activities Recording CPD enables specialists to reach their objectives faster and helps to target the educational demands more effectively (4). A CPD log should include such data as the location, date, and affiliation of the activity. Also, it is necessary to define the type and title of activity and the person (people) who arranged it. Further, a specialist describes the venue and leaves comments and suggestions about it. Also, the log should contain a list of the main points of the session. The CPD log should be checked and signed by a supervisor. Some companies prefer online logs to handwritten ones. A CPD scheme suggested by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries presupposes using an online record (5). When using this method, a participant has to classify the event into “external” or “other” (5). Depending on the chosen activity, a person needs to describe it in a more detailed form. Further, the number of hours spent on the activity should be mentioned. Participants should keep evidence of all activities for two years (5). Audit and Recognitio
Introduction In an increasingly growing skills gap across many industries in the United States, it is direr than ever for companies and institutions to replace their talent pipelines. While executives have tried to comprehend and work coherently with millennials in recent few decades, they must now accustom to even a younger and larger demographic of Generation Z (Gen Z). From this perspective, Millennials are a population group born from around the early 1980s to 2000 (Feingold, 2019). The generation experienced vast technological revolutions as most of these advancements started from the era they were born. Contrarily, Gen Z refers to individuals born from around 1997 to 2012, translating to more members than millennials in the United States (Feingold, 2019). The essay provides deepened analysis of the core beliefs that guide Gen Z’s daily lives while also reflecting how this generation differs from others. Core Beliefs of Gen Z and the Differences from Millennials and Other Generations First, Gen Z principally believes in turning to the web for practically everything, from news and lifestyle to entertainment. Just like Millennials, Gen Z has been nurtured in the era of social media, and most of them acquire smartphones as early as ten years old. Recent generational research conducted by Fullscreen reveals that Gen Z devotes roughly fifty hours each week surfing social networking channels (Bond, 2020). Social media and such similar outlets make them feel motivated and empowered coupled with availed opportunities to make instant connections through stories, reposting content, or direct messaging. Therefore, Gen Z has natural relations with technology more than any other demographic cohort. Second, Gen Z is pragmatic when matched with Millennials who appear idealistic. Millennials are an optimistic generation regularly seen to be pandered by their parents as ostensibly reflected in the axiomatic millennial involvement trophy. Gen Z experiences the challenge of being raised during the global financial recession but can withstand and comprehend the economic pressure, which communities and even most of their parents encountered. The group saw their parents struggle with financial and employment issues but have remained rational about the situation. Millennials are idealists nurtured during a period of economic boom (Bond, 2020). Consequently, the global economic meltdown positively impacted Gen Z by becoming exceptionally practical with money. They are more oriented to saving money compared with Millennials during that age who are inclined in having wholesome experiences. Gen Z would love to make acquisitions that maximize the value of the money spent, perhaps a direct consequence
In terms of responding to the post on strategic errors made by Kodak since 1990, I tend to disagree with the student’s argument that this company paid much attention to boost the future of the shrinking film industry rather than identifying innovative changes. In my opinion, I think Kodak was right when it applied a resource-based view approach to ensure that it utilizes available opportunity to save the shrinking future of the film market. It is imperative to note that a company cannot employ innovative changes without having clearly defined strategy on its future performance (Hill & Jones 2012, p. 382). Therefore, I advocate that this was not an error and instead, Kodak was on the right track as opposed to the argument presented in the post. In addition, despite the fact that the company missed a chance to be the first one to enter digital imaging market, it does not necessarily indicate that it lacked a competitive advantage amidst other film companies. It is notable that there are film companies that could be leading in the digital market especially due to innovation but fail to succeed especially if the internal environment is not conducive. Contrastingly, industries which consider their market-based view to evaluate the external and internal environment of the business are likely to take off quite easily (Thompson et al 2012, p. 53). Secondly, in as much as innovation is important as the student notes in the post, marketability of film products cannot be excluded since it can boost the performance of company in spite of minimal innovation (Thompson et al 2012, p. 53). Nevertheless, I agree with the student’s argument that innovative changes are essential since they enable a company to produce topnotch services to clients (Barney 2001, p. 44). For this reason, I concur with the opinion that failure by Kodak to adopt digital technology in 1990s led to the emergence of other film industries that slowly took its position. Therefore, despite the fact that Kodak has maintained its competitive advantage, other upcoming film companies have dominated the market and consequently low returns for Kodak. Comments on the alternative strategic moves which Kodak could have made since 1990 to produce better outcomes for its stakeholders It is definite that information provided by this post is a clear indicator that the main goal in an organization is to increase the profitability and better outcomes that will benefit the shareholders. Previous studies have revealed that there are strategies that can be applied in order boost share prices. I tend to disagree with the student’s argument presented in this post that Kodak
Introduction Article Overview Marketing environment refers to different factors and forces that affect the capacity of businesses to maintain or build effective and successful relationships with customers. Micro and macro elements form two major issues that shape the debate on the marketing environment. Microenvironmental factors entail all internal aspects that affect organisations’ capacity to serve their customers. It is crucial to note that these elements can also influence companies’ external environments. This section focuses on firms’ internal settings. In the business article published in the Financial Times newspaper, accessible in the website, FT Reporters (2015) examines various internal environmental issues that influence the operations of McDonald’s in its home and overseas markets. According to the article, if the company does not consider addressing threats and weakness that range from meat scandals, contracted workers’ issues, and conflicts with its appointed franchises to allegations concerning unhealthy foods, it risks tainting its hard-earned global image. The article is credible because it relies on data regarding the company’s performance from 2002 to 2015. Topic Overview This section examines the area of the marketing environment. However, it focuses on the subtopic of companies’ internal and external environment. Here, McDonald’s home and foreign market settings will be assessed before developing an appropriate strategy that can help to overcome the challenges raised in the article by FT Reporters (2015). Evaluating organisations’ internal and external environments requires the use of various tools, including the SWOT analysis technique. Sarbjit (2017) defines SWOT analysis as a mechanism for identifying strengths, limitations, prospects, and threats associated with a particular institution. Alternatively, Siciliano (2016) presents the concept as a diagnostic system that gauges what an organisation can engage in or disregard based on its in-house and peripheral environments. According to the article by FT Reporters (2015), in the home market environment, upcoming rival businesses are outperforming McDonald’s in meeting consumers’ demand for fresh and healthier foods with more natural ingredients. In its overseas market environments, such as China, the article reports that a televised investigation raised accusations that McDonald’s relabelled expired meat through its chief supplier. This situation interrupted the company’s productivity, bearing in mind that food safety issues are a major public concern in China. Questions were raised regarding McDonald’s capacity to manage its logistic network in its expanding market environments. According to the article
Credit Risk Models The Black-Scholes-Merton Model There are various credit risk models, which have been proposed by researchers in order to reduce the risks associated with future transactions. One of these models is the BSM framework structured models. This model was proposed by Merton in 1974. He derived the value of an option from a company, which could default loan repayment (Merton, 1974). The Black-Scholes-Merton model assumes that there is a latent firm asset value, which is determined by the company’s future cash flows. This model is used to determine the firm’s debt and equity value. This model includes components, such as risk free interest rates, asset payment ratio, and asset risk premium. Merton (1974) argues that the asset return rate and the risk free interest rates are the constants which are non-stochastic. The model also assumes that the company’s capital structure relates to a pure equity and a single zero coupon debt, which matures within a given time. Incase of a default experienced by a company, the stock price of the defaulting firm is expected to go to zero. According to this model, the debtor is assumed to be a seller in the European put option. On the other hand, the equity holder is assumed to be a buyer of European call option (Merton, 1974). The model uses the Black –Scholes option pricing in order to determine the relationship between the equity market value and the bond market value. Shibita and Yamada (2009) proposed the BSM structural model to a bank, which was just this side of bankruptcy. This helped the bank in its recovery processes. According to Shibata and Yamada (2009), the bank’s choice to continue operating or be liquidated plays a vital role on the losses of the loan. They assumed that this decision should be made severally at a certain time after the bankruptcy. Individual-level reduced-form models This refers to the models which are not of the class of structural models. At the individual level, a reduced form model can also be described as the credit scoring one. This model was developed by Altman (1968). The credit scoring model uses linear and binomial models to regress the defaults among companies. It identifies various accounting components, which have statistical explanatory capability, in order to differentiate between the defaulting and non defaulting firms. After estimating the coefficients of the model, the loan applicants are given a Z-score in order to classify them as good or bad. Several decades after its proposal, the credit scoring model got a significant development. Altaman and Saunders (1998) discussed the wide spread of the individual level model and its major developments over the years. Altman and Narayanan (1997) evaluated the historical accounting variables used in the credit scoring models across the world. According to them, most of the studies proposed the use of financial ratios, which determine profitability, and liquidity. These financial ratios may include market value eq