ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction BlaBlaCar is a web-based carpooling service that uses a revenue-sharing model. The resource allows customers to save on the expenses associated with long-distance trips by finding passengers who intend to travel via the same route and are willing to provide a share of costs. Unlike its better-known competitor, Uber, BlaBlaCar is not intended for generating revenue by the customers and serves purely for saving purposes. The company experienced impressive growth in recent years and is currently introduced to more than twenty countries. One of its strong points is the implementation of social network functionality, which makes shared rides not only a profitable but also enjoyable experience. The company also gained the considerable trust and praise from a wide array of customers. The following paper aims at analyzing the causes and critical components of the company’s success by identifying its business model, analyzing revenue streams, and determining the role of the informational technology (IT) on each stage of its functioning. The resulting analysis is intended to demonstrate the role of IT in the agility and attractiveness of contemporary business models and identify the overall value of the used business model in the context of the Arab world. Business Model BlaBlaCar utilizes two business models depending on the state of market penetration in a given country. For the countries where it is well-represented and has sufficient audience for scale, the company charges a percentage of the total fee determined for each specific ride. All the communication and agreements between the customers are made through an online portal that has characteristic features of both a social network and a booking service. A person that has vacant space in the car and wants to save on the cost of the trip creates an offer which calculates the approximate expenses based on the available details. The customers who find the conditions suitable opt-in on the cooperation and supply their share of payment to the service. After the trip is complete (which is confirmed by the participants), the provided payments are transferred to the driver with the deduction of percentage for the services offered by the company. It is important to note that the process does not generate revenue – the amount of payments does not exceed the cost of the trip. Nevertheless, both the driver and the passengers benefit from the operation since the expenses are shared and, therefore, reduced. This detail allows for a much wider audience coverage as it does not require owning a license for commercial ferrying of passengers. In essence, the company monetizes its services of co
Introduction Charlotte Perkins is a famous writer, journalist, and feminist. The Yellow Wallpaper is one of her short stories containing a feminist attitude characteristic of all her works. In her numerous works, she consistently discusses the hierarchical status of women in society regarding patriarchy. The central theme in The Yellow Wallpaper is a restriction and subordination of women in domestic spheres. That is a consequence of male dominance in marriages. The first person’s point of view effectively illustrates this theme. Symbolism also emphasizes the subjugation of women in the story. This essay focuses on how the point of view in The Yellow Wallpaper helps to develop the theme. The Yellow Wallpaper: Narration Gilman points out the conventional setup of the nineteenth-century middle-class assumptions and attitudes towards marriages that prevent women from exercising their wishes and desires. The theme of the short story is real because it is driven by the unfortunate events which occurred in Gilman’s life (Delashmit and Long 32). Loss of identity for women among American households was a common scenario in American society in the nineteenth century. Women who wished to stabilize and express themselves did not get a listening ear. The male-dominated society considered all female ideas invalid. Gilman’s story focuses on male dominance. She brings out her atrocious tale to explain what women face and how their husbands subject them to dictatorship. Gilman tells her story using first-person narration. Through the means of it, the readers empathize with the Narrator as they follow the progression of the story. First-person narration helps one get a deeper comprehension of the storyline and language. There is an epistolary style in the story because the Narrator gives the sequence of events as diary entries. The continual use of the pronoun ‘I’ makes the reader relate to the Narrator’s point of view. According to Hochman (89), first-person narration in The Yellow Wallpaper makes this story incredibly different. It distinguishes this story from other creative stories of that time. Moreover, it is an immensely challenging task for Gilman to bring out the story from her point of view, disregarding possible negative critiques from literary critics and the masses. Gilman forms an insider’s perspective to this story, thus giving an autobiographical nature to the text. Hochman further explains that such achievements were significant in America during the 1890s (89). The Narrator’s point of view connects with the central theme of the story. The story has a feminist approach that explores feminism and challenges male dominance in society that roots in most households. Men feel that they have every right to exercise authority over women. For example, Gilman’s husband does not accept any explanation from her and always imposes his will over her. The Narrator’s point of view gives the reader a mental picture of the setting for the story. Gilman’s description of the rental mansion shows the beauty of the
Introduction Total Quality Management (TQM) is regarded as the ongoing process of to improve the way individuals, groups and organizations perform in business operations (Kanji, 1995). It is all about the kind of service that a customer receives and the desire to constantly satisfy the customer (Domingo, 2003). TQM follows a set of guidelines to achieve its key object which is to enhance performance. There is a need for everyone in the organization to be fully aware of what they have to do, the way to accomplish their tasks and in addition, they must have the right tools for the job. It is also critical to put in place mechanisms for measuring performance as well as collecting feedback (Kanji, 1995). According to Talib & Rahman (2010), the main drive behind adopting total TQM is to meet the ever increasing demands of customers. With a good TQM system, it is possible to get all employees be involved in the success of the business (Edgell, 2008). Janpen, Praneetpolgrang and Horadal (2006) consider Total Quality Management to be a way of thinking directed at improving processes and one that is universally accepted. The techniques that are used in TQM offer a set of standard guidelines that have to be followed to delight customers, improve management processes and that the organization knows what has to be addressed (Janpen et al., 2006). To be effective, TQM must receive support at every level in the organization and if implemented properly it will lead to amazing benefits (CliffNotes.com, 2011). Principles of Quality Management TQM’s guiding principles include; delighting in the customer, managing by fact, implementing people based form of management and insisting on continuous improvement. All these principles play a major role in helping to improve business operations (Kanji, 1995). All these principles are meant to jointly provide the standards that should be followed by management in the journey to achieving better quality of products or services. Quality Experts As TQM evolved, a number of experts were involved at different stages and in different ways starting with Edward Deming whose study of quality management started with the use of statistical theories in controlling quality (Sowerbutts, 2004). Another key person in matters of quality is Joseph Juran who built the concept of TQM around the issues of quality planning, control and improvement. Both Deming and Juran emphasized the need to ensure that everyone in the organization was involved in qual
Introduction Aviation is an integral, even crucial, component of the globalised world. For this reason, this mode or transportation is given a great deal of attention by governments and other agencies. Modern aviation performs a wide array of tasks, from the transporting of cargo to guaranteeing a certain strategic advantage to a state. However, the unique diversity of the given workload has resulted in the increased complexity of the functioning of companies in this sphere, necessitating an efficient approach to monitoring performance. On a side note, modern aviation is also considered one of the safest means of transport. Statistics show that the number of aviation-related accidents is much lower in comparison to cars, trains, and other modes of transport (CASA 2012). The combination of all these aspects makes aviation a promising sphere that should be cultivated to enhance the further evolution of the modern world. Yet, like any other fast-growing sector, it also faces numerous challenges that result from the peculiarities of the modern environment and people’s demands. Moreover, the increased importance of aviation is resulting in the evolution of numerous hazards that should be taken into account in the effort to guarantee safety to passengers. In this regard, the evaluation of current safety and security hazards is a main task for the modern aviation industry. Background The last several decades could be characterised by increased tension in international relations. Instability in different regions has resulted in the appearance of a set of problems and security concerns. Moreover, the rise of terrorism and its spread throughout the globe has also contributed to the great importance of security measures that must be explored to guarantee the security and safety of passengers and personnel working in the aviation industry. In this regard, as one of the most strategic and important means of transport, aviation nowadays has become extremely vulnerable as it has attracted an increased level of attention. The sad experience of numerous tragic events lends credence to the fact that the given sphere remains both attractive and vulnerable. For this reason, there is a great need for efficient approaches to finding and subsequently eliminating loopholes in security systems. In this regard, a comprehensive investigation of the current safety threats and hazards to the aviation industry, along with defences that could be used to avoid hazardous complications, should be investigated to guarantee the enhanced safety of all passengers. Identification of Hazards First, to be able to improve the situation in the sphere of security and guarantee that all possible threats are eliminated, it is crucial to perform a comprehensive investigation of the current working environment of a particular airport, identifying all possible hazards that might appear in the course of its functioning. The determination of threats and the possible damage they could wreak to equipment, environment or people is one of the most important aspec
Facts of the case Robert Senske was fired from Sybase, Inc. The management of this company stated that his performance had been unsatisfactory; in particular, this worker did not complete his paperwork properly. Furthermore, he was continuously late for managerial meetings. Finally, clients often complained about his performance. In contrast, Robert Senske stated that the management had discriminated against him on the basis of his age, while other criticisms had just been pretexts. It should be mentioned that Senske was older than 52 at the time of his dismissal. The company and the employee could not resolve this conflict. In turn, this disagreement brought the parties to the court. Procedural history This case was initially tried at the district court, and at this level, the judges decided that the management of Sybase, Inc had not discriminated against Robert Senske. Later, this case was transferred to the Court of Appeals because the plaintiff did not accept the decision of the district court. These are the main events that preceded this case. Key Issues Robert Senske was eligible for the protection granted in the provisions of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Senske stated that the criticisms of his performance had just been pretext arguments for terminating his employment. Moreover, he laid stress on the idea that the criticisms of his performance had not been justified because, in the previous year, he generated considerable revenues for the company. In turn, the true cause of his dismissal was his age. In contrast, the representatives of Sybase, Inc. argued that the plaintiff had not met the performance standards which were obligatory for other employees. According to them, the age of this person was completely irrelevant to this case. Therefore, they denied the violations of the ADEA. Holding The court postulated that the provisions of the ADEA have to be applied in this case. However, the plaintiff has to demonstrate that his age was the main cause of his dismissal. Moreover, his task was to show that he was disadvantaged relative to younger employees. Overall, the court decided in favor of Sybase, Inc. The following sections will explain the line of reasoning followed by the judges. Rationale The judges argued that Robert Senske had violated the norms set by the company. Apart from that, these requirements were set for other employees of this organization. For instance, one can speak about the necessity to file and update reports within specific timelines. Moreover, they were expected to come to the meetings on time. Furthermore, his performance in the previous year could hardly be attributed only to his effort. Finally, the complaints of customers were also justified. Robert Senske’s behavior could threaten the performance of the company and its relations with customer
This paper is concerned with the post-Civil War American society up to the end of the nineteenth century. The focus is on the political and economic aspects, while only limited attention is paid to the issues related to race, social factors, and culture. The weakness of the federal government is regarded as the major reason behind the hardships of the nation during the post-war decades. The fierce struggle between Republicans and Democrats is illustrated in detail, and the rise and the fall of the Populist Party are also highlighted. The period finishes with the victory of Republicans in the last presidential elections of the century. One of the most important items covered in this period is the role the weak federal government played in the history of the United States during the 1870s-1890s. Politicians concentrated on their political prospects and the financial interests of the individuals and groups who could help in their rise to power. Both Republican and Democratic presidents failed to implement effective reforms but made the patronage system the cornerstone of their political agenda. Instead of hiring effective managers and those who could make reforms possible, presidents assigned their relatives, close allies, and those who provided financial aid (including bribes) to the major (or any) posts in the government. This system made things worse for the country that needed quick and dramatic changes. Instead, the government introduced policies that favored big businesses and landowners while depriving the rest of the Americans of any opportunities to grow financially. Tariffs increased, and prices soared (whereas farming product prices were falling each year), which was the result of the empowerment of the groups mentioned above. Moreover, the politicians who tried to address the issues (for example, enacting the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 or the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890) failed to enforce them. The second important item found in this period that is worth consideration is the life of farmers and the influence they had on the development of the country at that period. American farmers found themselves in a very difficult situation after the Civil War. The development of technology boosted the growth of the farming sector as people received new and more efficient tools. Due to the availability of new territories and novel production instruments, farmers obtained larger crops. Ironically, increased crops resulted in lower prices for farmers’ products, while the costs were still high as technological advances were expensive. Farmers had limited access to funds, and loans they got were provided at high rates. Railroad (and other) tariffs were also extremely high and rising rapidly. Farmers tried to influence politicians’ decisions and offered different initiatives that could help them improve their financial situation. One of the central concerns of farmers was the government’s focus on the gold standard, while Americans believed that the bimetal system would be more
Children with medical problems present considerable difficulties to families, caregivers, learning institutions, and communities. Medical reforms, encompassing the managed care movement, highlight that the incorporation of systems of care is vital to the provision of quality medical care. Modifications in social policy, in addition to developments in research, have generated the requirement for experts who can successfully connect systems of care to handle and avert medical challenges. Change movements in the sector of healthcare, mental health, and learning influence the provision of services to children, as well as families. Vital developments in medicine, psychology and learning have brought about modifications in research and performance. Additionally, the rising opportunities and difficulties demand the connection of fields of child psychology with other areas of study to react to strategy changes and enhancements in research associated with medical care. Chronic medical challenges, encompassing mental health problems, among children and teenagers are greatly widespread. The approximated prevalence of mental health problems among children and teenagers between nine and seventeen years of age is twenty-one percent, and the occurrence of common medical problems like asthma and obesity is approximated to be ten percent and twenty-two percent respectively. The costs of medical problems and, at times, premature death could be exceedingly expensive to families
Introduction Human migration refers to the “physical movement of people from one place in the world to another for the purpose of taking permanent or semi-permanent residence, usually across a political boundary” (Banik & Bhaumik, 2006, pp. 781-788). Migration to other countries is common among professionals, students, manual laborers and their immediate family members. Most immigrants from developing countries migrate to developed countries such as the U.S, U.K, Japan, and France among others. People often migrate due to push, as well as, pull factors. The push factors make people leave a place, and they include challenges such as unemployment, war and famine (Nguyen & Mont, 2012, pp. 431-450). The pull factors, on the other hand, attract people to a given area, and they include freedom, job opportunities, and adequate food supply among others. This paper argues for the premise that migration hurts developing countries by analyzing the positive and negative effects of migration in Philippines, Nigeria and Mexico. International migration Trend International migration is expected to increase in the twenty first century due to the rise in globalization. International migrants include seasonal workers, skilled workers, as well as, short contract workers. Other migrants include students, refugees, individuals seeking asylum, illegal migrants, as well as, victims of human trafficking. The search for higher wages and better business opportunities is the main cause of migration. Other causes of migration include famine, natural calamities, as well as, violent conflicts (International Labor Organization, 2012). Migrants from developing countries often migrate to developed countries in order to find better job opportunities. Migrants from developed countries often migrate to other developed countries. They also migrate to developing countries in order to find better opportunities, especially, in business. In the contemporary world, migration tends to be temporary rather than permanent. In 2010, there were, approximately, 214 million migrants spread across the world (International Labor Organization, 2012). Nearly, fifty percent of international migrants are women. Migrant workers account for 90% of the total number of people who migrate (International Labor Organization, 2012). Migration in Philippines Philippine is one of the major sending countries in Asia. As of 2006, approximately, 8.23 million Philip
The case of Apple iTunes discusses pricing strategies for downloaded music and how they can affect the sales. A more variable pricing policy might indeed increase sales revenue. This is because people are likely to be willing to pay more for new and popular tracks, while lower prices on old records would also encourage more purchases. Apple’s decision to change its pricing strategy from one to three pricing points fits in with this suggestion. Hence, it was motivated by the influence of prices on the users’ willingness to buy specific tracks. Before implementing the changes, the company stated that there would be a lot more songs priced at $0.69 than at $1.29 (Apple Inc., 2009). This allows suggesting that under the new scheme, the price depended on the recency and popularity of individual tracks. For instance, old records that are not very popular would be priced at $0.69, whereas recently released songs by famous artists would cost $1.29. Other options could help iTunes to increase the volume of sales. For example, subscription services are becoming more and more popular among Apple and Android users. This pricing policy includes charging users a set price every month, three months, six months, or a year while giving them access to use the application without restrictions. Subscription services are a growing market in e-commerce, and it is expected to continue expanding in the future (Columbus, 2018). Subscriptions are appealing to users because they are easy to track and can be canceled anytime. They are also beneficial for companies, including Apple, because the price of a subscription is typically higher than what an average user spends on products in a given period (Columbus, 2018). Thus, a subscription-based pricing strategy would result in increased sales revenues and volume. Another example of a beneficial pricing policy for the Music Store would be to introduce more pricing points and expand the range of prices for songs. This would have a similar effect on sales as three-points pricing, but it would result in more sales if prices for older tracks would be lower than $0.50. However, the increased complexity of pricing schemes in both cases would be associated with additional costs and risks. First of all, it would be necessary for the company to spend time and dedicate human resources for reviewing the pricing of each song or creating an efficient algorithm that would allow doing so automatically. This means that the implementation process could incur substantial additional costs, particularly if new technology is required. Secondly, there is a risk that the highest price set for the most popular tracks would be too high for consumers, and they would switch to competitors. Thirdly, it is also possible that the distribution of sales will change, with more customers buying cheap tracks than expensiv