ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Many companies globally find it necessary to engage in substantial financial ventures. The companies, however, have to make a choice between different competing projects that they wish to undertake. That is the reason why they have to employ the concept of project selection to evaluate the most profitable project in the long-run. A company should calculate discounted-cash-flows that the company is expecting from the project in the long-run. These cash flows should be compared with the cost. A project’s lifetime has an end. Therefore, long-run may be long or short. Project selection is a detailed process that tries to find and define the best project that a company should undertake. The characters that a project should have include a budget, timeline and objectives it sets out to achieve. Many managers face challenges when defining projects and scholars have set out the three as the defining factors (Wiley Media, 2010). How to Select a Project Before selecting a project, the company should consider a number of factors. These factors may or may not apply to the company’s situation, but they are universally recommended for consideration. These include: financial factors, personnel factors, production factors, marketing and administrative factors. These factors delve deep into the impact that the project in question will have to the company’s internal and external environment. After looking into these factors, the company goes on to select the project. This is done by engaging models that are favorable to project selection. Models should however be realistic and people should be the ultimate decision makers, not models. According to scholars, these models should portray some characteristics such as easy computerization, should be realistic, flexible, not too costly and easy to use and understand. These will make it easy for the employees to have easy time when working on the project. It wi
Introduction Since the introduction of commercial landscape, many local and international thinkers have explored the field of marketing and developed new concepts. The 4 P’s marketing mix by McCarthy is one of the theoretical concepts introduced into the market scenes. Moreover, there are the new P’s established in additions to the old traditional 4 P’s. This is simply meant to face up high competition in the current marketing environment. McCarthy four P‘s framework The four P’s marketing framework developed by McCarthy popularly known as the marketing mix falls into four major categories all with one aim of attracting the target; who is the customer. It is the efforts of McCarthy who assembled the ingredients that today are recognized as the 4 P’s of marketing mix (The Marketing Mix and 4Ps 2010). Based on what McCarthy developed, these four marketing parameters are what any marketing manager across the world can control. One primary goal of the 4p’s is simply to enable the manager make decisions that centers the 4p’s precisely on the customer, just to clear values and generation of positive responses as far as marketing is concerned (Marketing mix 4Ps model 2011). In order for any marketing manager to achieve better marketing objectives, there is need to employ the 4p’s strategies and balance them appropriately. For example, in a case where the newly priced service is poor, as a manager, the solution may be either to change the service or upgrade the service delivery in a way it impresses the users (The Marketing Mix and 4Ps 2010). The first P presents the product. This simply refers to tangible products or services offered to customers. McCarthy stipulated that the marketing manager has a role of making decisions based on the product. Such product decisions include; product brand name, styling of packaging, quality, repair and support (The Marketing Mix and 4Ps 2010). The marketing manager has also the mandate of issuing the warrant on the product or service. The second P presents the price. This empowers the marketing manager to decide on the pricing strategy. Nevertheless, it is not guaranteed that all decisions by the marketing manager will always be positive. This is just a pricing strategy. Sample of pricing strategi
Introduction Gap Inc. was founded in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher in San Francisco, California, with a single store and a handful of employees. Today, the Gap is one of the world’s largest specialty retailers with three of the most recognized brands in the apparel industry – Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. In 2004, the Gap boasted fiscal revenues of $16.3 billion. The Gap began creating its own private label clothing in 1982 and had stopped carrying other labels altogether by 1991. The name came from the growing differences between children and adults, called “the generation gap”, which reached its peak with the hippie movement. This paper aims to understand the feasibility of the French market and make a strategy for Gap Inc. to enter France. To come to the strategy of Gap we first need to determine the market conditions of France. To do so we will conduct a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat) analysis of the French economy. Then we will try and ascertain the best possible plan for Gap to enter the French retail market. SWOT Analysis Strengths French Economy France is world’s sixth largest economy with a GDP of $2 trillion. France’s population of 63 million people has a high disposable income of USD 33,855 per capita. France is a member of the G-8, the European Union, the World Trade Organization and the OECD, confirming its status as a leading economic player in the world. After Germany, France is the second-largest trading nation in Western Europe. France ran a record-setting $48 billion global trade deficit for the 12 months ending in November 2007. Total trade for 2006 amounted to slightly over $1 trillion, over 45% of GDP, 75.0% of which was with EU-24 countries. Trade Environment As a member of the European Union, France shares common external tariff, and, in many cases, non-tariff barriers with other members of the Union. Product safety and sanitary standards affecting imports into France are increasingly established at the EU level. The United States and EU have negotiated Mutual Recognition Agreements covering certain product standards that should ease entry into EU and French markets for U.S. firms. Import Climate There are no barriers for foreign-owned franchised companies in France. They are no quotas on imports of apparel manufactured in the United States. French importers pay VAT (Valued added Tax) at the rate of 20.6 percent on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value on imported goods. They also pay customs duties of 14 percent when clearing goods through customs. Weakness Market Challenges Government economic policy aims to promote investment and domestic growth in a stable fiscal and monetary environment. Creating jobs and reducing the high unemployment rate through recovery-supportive policies has been a top priority. Despite significant reform and privatization over the past 15 years, the government continues to control a large share of economic activity. Regulation of labor and product markets is pervasive. The government continues to own shares in corporations in a range of sectors, including banking, energy production and distribution, automobiles, transportation and telecommunicat
Abstract Recent researches show that the rate of suicide among the First Nations young people is increasingly frightening, more so among Aboriginal people of North Ontario region of Canada. Estimates show that the rate of suicide among Aboriginal is 2-3 times higher as compared to that of non-Aboriginals of Canada (Health Canada, 2003) and when the overall youth population is analyzed, estimates show that Aboriginal youth suicide rate is 5-6 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal youth (Health Canada, 2003). Numerous factors have been cited to cause suicide among the Aboriginal people such as socio-psychological, economical, political, religious and cultural (Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, n.d). The government together with other stakeholders has established numerous suicide prevention strategies, but as many researchers and analysts state, the program has largely failed to accomplish the stated goals, thus suicide cases and rates are still prevalent and high. Therefore, the emphasis of this paper will be to evaluate the Suicide policy in Aboriginal communities in Northern Ontario and provide recommendations for possible re-invention of the policy. Reinventing Suicide Policy in Aboriginal Communities in Northern Ontario The issue of suicide in society has attracted numerous literatures where each piece of writing tries to explain the origin or source of suicide. Such literatures utilize the numerous theories that exist in explaining and analyzing the issue of suicide. Today, there are many theories that have been formulated by many researchers, which explain why people commit suicide in society. For example in 1935, Freud formulated a theory, which postulated that people commit suicide to express their aggressive behaviors (Johnson, 2010, p.36). Shneidman and Farberow (1957) had a theory where they examined suicide in the context of comparing individuals with others using indicators of social acceptance. On his part, Durkheim (1979) argued that suicide results from absence of social integration and social regulation (Johnson, 2010). Further, to Linehan (1993), suicide can be explained as a process which individual opts to in order to eliminate pain and suffering especially when the individual lacks appropriate coping mechanisms (Johnson, 2010). Jamison (1999) was categorical on the issue of suicide where he noted that suicide manifested a wide impacts of pain and continuous disappointment among the victim and when such victims choose to terminate their lives, the general impression is that their life is characterized by absence of appropriate coping mechanisms (Johnson, 2010). All these theories foster one important aspect about suicide, which is; suicide, as a concept is multidimensional and complex problem, which makes it more difficult to make assessment and treatment, but at the same time, it is clear that almost all suicides share some mental conditions. Suicid
Recent Developments in the Attraction Market As mankind continues to socialise, the need to ensure continuity and interaction has created a series of ties that has made the process continuous across the globe. Basically, the interaction has become an instrumental part for exchanging ideas through hospitality, cultural events, festivals, and tourism. The benefits of the interaction process have expanded as the interaction level become global due to shared values, cultural exchange, and new business opportunities to the parties interacting during these events. The recent developments in the attraction market are music museum, Dismaland art exhibition, Indiana art festival, Girona Park, Gotherburg Park, and casino. These attractions are supported by services such as private chatter flights, music, special shows, and concert themes. The main socio-cultural products are entertainment, lotteries, and cultural interaction among others. The other products such as edge walk, red rocket, and night lighting offer entertainment satisfaction to tourists. These products are non-tangible since tourists only pay for the entertainment experience without having to personally own any of the products after making payments. Basically, tourists only pay for the services of using these products without having to assume ownership (Winchester, 2006). Role of Events within the Attraction Offer Promoting the Attraction product and Promotional Mix The brand of the community is presented in the most attractive way with simple but clear messages of pleasant experiences in the museums, parks, festivals, and exhibitions. The touch points include the affordable prices, private entertainment, one-on-one conversation with the agents, and the unique experience of accommodation services. At the centre of each event, a potential client can have different entertainment plans with different packages to cover for the different tastes and preferences within and without the local culture (Shimp, 2007). Such plans are classified as regular or premium, depending on the bundle chosen by an individual. The regular alternative enables tourists to reduce expenses due to pooled services. Upon selection of a tour package, a potential tourist is able to request for a special tour guide. Communication is characterised by integration of different channels of encoding and decoding information between parties involved. The communication channels may be multiple or singular, depending on the nature of information and complexity of the interaction process. With the rapid modernization, the use of technology and information system within the tourism industry is necessary in increasing market catchments. The industry has quickly embraced the e-marketing strategies to be at par with other industries. The most common e-marketing platforms in the industry include social media, the internet, and cable television. Besides, the event tickets are significant tools for self advertising that targeted different classes of clients. Social media has played a central part in the liberalization of communication across the industry.
Introduction Kevin Bales describes modern slavery as, “adapting an old practice to the new global economy” (11). He uses this statement to refer to the methods through which modern slaveholders disguise their activities. According to Bales, modern slaveholders take advantage of vulnerable groups of people in their hunt for slaves. They do not consider color, religion, or ethnicity while taking people into slavery (10). Modern slaves Modern slavery is the absolute control over another person’s rights without necessarily having the legal rights to own that person. Bales argues that this form of slavery arose from the realization that full ownership of slaves exposes slaveholders to unnecessary maintenance costs. Therefore, slave merchants decided to adopt short-term ownership of the slaves. Short-term ownership entails selecting the most productive age groups among the vulnerable groups. Slaveholders only use the people they select when they are still energetic enough to perform their duties. They get rid of them as soon as they show signs of aging. Modern slave owners also avoid legal involvement regarding slave ownership. However, some of them take advantage of legal contracts to hide their cruel intentions. They sign the contracts to make the slaves believe that their masters will treat them well. The contracts contain lucrative terms that easily lure the slaves into accepting their offer. They also use the contracts to hide from the authorities. In modern slavery, ethnicity is not important. Slaveholders do not consider the color, tribe, nationality, or religion of their slaves. They only take advantage of their vulnerability. They usually take advantage of the groups they can easily take into slavery through coercion or enticement (Bales 8). Characteristics of the modern economy The modern global economy prioritizes cost reduction and profit maximization. Countries and businesspersons apply the principle of “the end justifies the means” in all their undertakings. Slaveholders avoid holding slaves for long periods to reduce their maintenance costs (Bales 19). They also avoid taking slaves from places that are far from where they live to reduce the cost of transporting them. Some governments do not ask slaveholders and other illegal traders to stop carrying out their activities. Instead, they ask them to pay taxes. They only have problems with them when they do not pay taxes (Bales 24). The modern economy and past trends Most of the tenets of the modern economy originated from historical occurrences. Many governments adopted their operations from past activities. Modern slave traders altered their manner of operation after realizing that slave traders in the 1800s did not make enough profits from their activities (Bales 18). Therefore, they decided to change by taking slaves for short periods, unlike the old system, where slaves and their families stayed with their masters for all their life. This decision aimed at reducing the cost of production and maximizing profits. The collision between civilization and old cultures also contributed to the rise
Problem-solving is a routine practice for any manager, doctor, teacher, student, or even a stay-at-home dad. However, effective approaches to decision making in troublesome situations is a rare occurrence, as often people facing problems tend to feel afraid, uncomfortable, and wish to run away (Hicks, n.d.). The present paper describes and compares two problem-solving strategies found on business management websites and provides a critical analysis of their essences. Hicks’s Seven Steps Figure 1. Tim Hicks (Hicks, n.d.). One of the most referenced and acknowledged problem-solving guidelines is the strategy described by Hicks (n.d.) that includes seven steps. First, Hicks (n.d.) recommends identifying the problem from different perspectives. Second, the author offers to outline the interests of all the stakeholders. The third step is to create a list of all the available options and, consequently, the fourth step is to evaluate possibilities. The fifth stage includes sorting through the described variants and choosing the most balanced alternative. After that, Hicks (n.d.) insists on making a documented agreement on the decision to revise the option and to avoid forgetting any detail. Lastly, the author recommends agreeing on contingencies, monitoring, and evaluation of the decision. In short, the seven-step method seems to be a comprehensive and concise strategy presented by a qualified specialist that does not have any signs of bias. Tracy’s Ten Steps Another strategy is Tracy’s creative problem-solving process that includes ten steps. The steps are presented in the following list:   * Look at the situation from a positive perspective;   * Give a precise definition of the case and include every possible detail;   * Approach the problem from all directions and use critical thinking to evaluate options;   * Describe the ideal outcome of the situation;   * Choose the most balanced solution to the problem;   * Develop a plan to overcome the worst possible result of the issue;   * Set measures for evaluating the progress;   * Specify deadlines;   * Take action. While the guideline seems similar to Hicks’s problem-solving strategy, it adds crucial points that make it more effective. Comparing the Two Strategies The str
Introduction Despite a broad system of developmental achievements in the field of healthcare, the modern world encounters severe health threats that impact various populations across the globe. The quality and security of people’s lives are measured by their health status and the ability to access high-quality care on demand. The disparity of populations and countries with different developmental statuses implies the varying levels of exposure to health threats, one of the most dangerous of which is infectious diseases. Global health depends on the contribution of all the countries of the world. Therefore, it is crucial to collect and analyze data concerning the most important global health issues to protect people and prevent adverse outcomes. In this paper, the populations impacted by Ebola and the measures to eliminate this disease are discussed. Ebola Virus Disease as a Threat to Global Health The modern world is exposed to a variety of viruses that develop and mutate endangering lives of millions of people. Ebola virus disease (EVD) is one of the most dangerous infectious illnesses, as recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Christian et al., 2017). This illness was discovered in 1976 when the first outbreaks of EVD emerged in African countries. The symptomatology of the disease is characterized by high body temperature, diarrhea, significant loss of fluid, and vomiting. The largest global outbreak of the disease occurred in 2013 and started in a Guinean village where a two-year-old child got ill and died (Varkey & Ribner, 2016). The disease rapidly spread among relatives and healthcare workers who interacted with the infected individuals and caused multiple deaths in West Africa, the United Kingdom, and Italy (Christian et al., 2017). This case has provided a basis for the global community of health care professionals and organizations to research the factors accompany EVD and the possible ways of treatment and prevention. As it is seen from the sources of EVD outbreaks, the populations that are most impacted by the disease are of lower socioeconomic status. The inhabitants of rural villages of West African countries, such as Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Uganda, Gabon, and others, were vastly impacted by the virus and were identified as the initial points of outbreaks (Varkey & Ribner, 2016). However, people who traveled to these countries and returned to the USA or Europe were also infected. This data implies that
Introduction According to Bell (2012), diversity is the difference among different people based on race, mental ability, sex or ethnicity. Although efforts are being made to promote diversity and discourage discrimination, diversity in different spheres of life is still a challenge. There are many cases of people who have been sidelined at the workplace or other social places all because of race or ethnic background. It is thus important for everyone to understand the benefits of diversity (Bell, 2012). My Background Over the years, I have learnt the importance of diversity by living and working alongside people of varying backgrounds. We all have different strengths and as such, embracing diversity presents us with an opportunity to learn from others and become better individuals. Despite having had a chance to socialize with various groups of people, I recently realized that I have so much to learn as far as dealing with diversity at the work place is concerned. My Experience I encountered a serious challenge when I got an opportunity to work in a company that was dominated by White employees. I thought that my experience would help but this was never to be the case. Time and again, I got caught up in very unhealthy arguments with my White colleagues that almost made me quit work. After three months in employment, I started feeling rejected and secluded from some of my colleagues, especially those from the White community. This made me wonder whether I made the right decision to accept this particular job offer. During my fourth month at the company, I was asked by the head of my department to head a team that was to work on a newly identified project. The team was comprised of ten members and seven were from the White background. Whereas the head of department believed that I was the best person to lead the team, there was so mu
Introduction Democracy is a form of government where people have equal rights, make decisions concerning their lives and have a direct or indirect participation in the social, economic, cultural and political pillars within their country. This represents a political system where the choosing and replacing of the government is done by use of a free and fair election where there is active participation of citizens both in politics and civic life. Democracy in Canada Canada is not only a fe