Bus Transport Essay -- Economics

Bus Transport A) The nature of the competition in the bus transport market is very specific. The article suggests competition is used to keep out new entrants to the market thus maintaining market share for the larger firms, "active competition takes place between small operators or between a large and a small operator." Further evidence suggests the competition was not of substantial benefit to the consumer and only used to get one over on the firms rivals, "more services run on routes which where already reasonably well serviced." However some methods of competition showed reasonable benefits to consumers, "charged lower fares than the incumbent." Yet in the long run predatory pricing is not a good thing, as it will eventually push out competition, creating a monopoly where the price will soon go back up again. Non-price competition is lacking in the market, " difficult for suppliers to differentiate their products." As long as the price is reasonable consumers will act on which service requires them to wait for the shortest amount of time, i.e. the first bus to arrive or the most reliable service, "not prepared to wait for a later bus which maybe more comfortable." Cumulatively this type of competition in a market has negative effects, "can lead to congestion, pollution, and instability of services." Large companies that actively compete are likely to loose out in the long run due to the nature of the Kinhed demand curve theory suffering, as...

Increasing Productivity in SMEs Essay

Introduction The literature indicates that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute a significantly to a country’s GDP. In addition, they employ large numbers of people. According to the Bank of England Quarterly Report on Small Business Statistics (2001), almost 99.8% of businesses in the UK, one for every 10 workers, are SMEs, employing less than 250 people. This means that one out of eight workers is self-employed. Similarly, according to Cole (n.d.), the World Bank believes that one significant difference between high and low income countries is the percentage of SMEs in each. In a typical high-income country about 57% of employment comes from the SME sector, while in a typical low-income country only 18% of employment comes from the same sector. An example of a high-income country is the US, with 85% of companies designated at SMEs, contributing 50% of the GDP and employing 50% of the labor force (Cabello, 2010). Another example of a high-income country is Japan with 99.5% of bu sinesses designated as SMEs employing fully two-thirds of the entire labor force (Cabello, 2010). Given the sizeable contributions SMEs make in terms of employment and adding to a country’s GDP, it is tremendously important they increase their competitiveness in a globalized economic environment. Unfortunately, there is significant evidence that SMEs lag in productivity—the reasons vary based on what line of business the SME is in. For example, in a small factory, low worker output may be due to problems with the machines or low morale because of bad worker-manager relations (Calzado, 2003). However, another reason that SMEs are unproductive is their inability to effectively utilize Information and Communication Technology (ICT), sometimes simply referred to as Information Technology (IT) (Calzado, 2003). According to Qureshi and York (2008), Ho, Kauffman, and Liang (2008), and Bharadwaj (2000), there is a large consensus among scholars and policymakers that the adequate use of ICT increases the competitiveness of employees and strengthens the position of companies in the global economy (as cited in Millis, 2008). This literature clearly shows that companies who integrate ICT in a proper way score significantly better than their competitors in the field of cost control and profit. In fact, a high level of computerization and networking is perceived as a crucial factor to enhance the efficiency of employees and thus to remain competitive, which is one reason that governments around the world have responded to these finding by launching initiatives to encourage companies to adapt ICT more aggressively (Millis, 2008). However, while there is agreement that SME productivity must be increased and that this can be achieved by the successful integration and use of ICT, the literature also indicates that SMEs are not successful at acquiring, utilizing or integrating ICT. Therefore, while large corporations have successfully integrated ICT so as to generate more output with fewer resources, SMEs have been left behind (Wielicki & Arendt, 2007). Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate the reasons why SMEs do not utilize technology effectively and possibly provide some recommendations for dealing with this situation. The Problem with Technology Integration and Utilization in SMEs Why Government Initiatives Fail In an analysis of policy measures designed to advance the computerization levels of SMEs, Millis (2008) indicates that governments around the world have launched initiatives to encourage companies to adapt ICT more aggressively. However, while this has met with success in larger companies, adaptation of ICT in SMEs has not yielded the same return on investment. He found the following reasons for this lack of success: Inadequate standards. Generally, hardware expenses are used as a benchmark standard to measure level of computerization in companies. However, this does not work well in SMEs because some companies rent rather than own hardware, and ownership does not equate with effective usage. This has resulted in a lack of empirical data by which to assess the effectiveness of government initiatives (Millis, 2008). Oversimplified assumptions and underestimation of SME diversity. All initiatives to encourage the adaptation of ICT are based on a model that assumes a structured sequential process for optimal use of new technology. The model oversimplifies the complexity of the process and overlooks the individual differences between SMEs. For example, some SMEs with an export component are better positioned to computerize faster than companies that do not have an export component. As a result of the diversity of SMEs, government initiatives are too bureaucratic to be effective. Moreover, they lack in SME engagement. This results in many initiatives missing their goals (Millis, 2008). Mismatched expectations. It is ultimately the SME manager’s decision to adapt ICT. This means that each manager must be well informed about the opportunities and threats of the market that they are operating in. In addition, they need to have some knowledge of how to integrate the technology effectively. Oftentimes SME management is suspicious of government initiatives. That, coupled with the lack of engagement between government agencies and SMEs, results in mismatched expectations between managers and government bodies (Millis, 2008). Integration of IT Alone does not Guarantee Increased Performance Francalanci and Morabito (2008) took an in-depth look at the literature regarding the relationship between Information Technology (IT) and business performance. They concluded that integrating IT does not automatically guarantee increased business performance, unless the organization completes the learning curve associated with the integration of data and applications, also known as Information Systems (IS). The authors, labeled this integration of IS as the organization’s â€Å"absorptive capacity† and claimed that it plays an intermediary role between IS integration and business performance, where IS integration is the degree to which data and applications have become routine in the day to day activities of an organization. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that â€Å"IS integration leads to greater business performance through absorptive capacity, that is, that absorptive capacity has a mediation role [in how a business performs]† (Francalanci & Morabito, 2008, p. 298). The hypothesis was tested on 466 Italian SMEs who lacked economies of scale in the business setting; exhibited a general lack of IT literacy; and were led by management that was rarely IT-oriented. Absorptive capacity defined. Cohen and Levinthal (1990) and Zahra and George (2002a) defined â€Å"absorptive capacity† as an SME’s ability to first identify/recognize knowledge from external sources, then to assimilate this knowledge in relation to its needs, and finally to exploit this knowledge to its advantage (as cited in Francalanci & Morabito, 2008). This might include the ability to imitate competitors’ products or processes, or to exploit less commercially focused knowledge (e.g., scientific research or IT solutions). Integrating anything external requires a learning curve on the part of the entity attempting its integration. Since IT is a complex technology, it too requires a learning curve so that data and applications may be effectively integrated with the company’s day to day functioning. If this is achieved, IT will have a positive impact on business performance. However, if this is not achieved, then the company not only does not perform better, but also fails to achieve a return on its investment in the IT. Francalanci and Morabito (2008) found that in order for IT to be successfully absorbed, the company first needed to align its processes with the new IT in order for it to result in the desired increase in efficiency. Next, the company needed to make sure that all IT users were sufficiently trained in its uses and applications. In addition, management must ensure that the organization is ready to embrace the change that IT integration and use will bring. And finally, the organization needs to display flexibility in adapting to the new IT integration so that there is little loss of time and cost. However, if a company has management that is not IT oriented or that is unwilling to train its employees in IT use, then the absorptive capacity of the company is low resulting in little or no increase in business performance even after an investment in IT. The Digital Divide Wielicki and Arendt (2007), agree with Francalanci and Morabito (2008) in their findings as to what barriers prevent the successful integration of IT. According to Wielicki and Arendt (2007), these barriers include a lack of elementary digital experience caused by lack of interest; computer anxiety and unattractiveness of the new technology; lack of computers and network connections; lack of digital skills caused by insufficient user friendliness and inadequate education or social support; lack of significant usage opportunities. These barriers are not dissimilar from the characteristics of the 466 SMEs chosen by Francalanci and Morabito (2008)—lack of economies of scale in the business setting; lack of IT literacy and management that was not IT-oriented. It is these barriers that, according to Wielicki and Arendt (2007), constitute the â€Å"digital divide† between SMEs and larger companies that have successfully and willingly adopted and absorbed IT to increase their competitive advantages. According to Wielicki and Arendt (2007), it is the failure to understand the digital divide which may have a profound impact on operations of business in this information-driven century. In other words, far from being a luxury, IT has become a necessity in this globalized economic environment. Without successful integration of IT, that is, moving beyond the basic use of the Internet and e-mail for basic communication purposes, a company might find itself unable to take advantage of e-commerce ventures due to the limited level of computer literacy of both employees and broad market participants. In particular, in developed and emerging markets, a company may find that the presence of the digital divide may prevent it from appreciating the benefits of technology-driven opportunities. As a result, the dynamic growth of the e-commerce economy could turn out to be somewhat deceiving unless we can move more businesses and more of society onto the right side of the divide. Implications and Recommendations Across the literature there is no doubt that integration of ICT has become a necessity for business success for SMEs. However, the literature also agrees that there are many barriers in the way of successful absorption and implementation of ICT in SMEs. In addition to the widespread agreement on these two points, the literature also provides proposals and recommendations for overcoming the barriers. One important factor in creating solutions is government involvement due to the lack of financial resources on the part of individual SMEs. However, one size does not fit all, and Millis (2008) provides the following suggestions about how government should proceed: * Creation of a proper standard for measuring the progression of ICT and e-technology adaptation * Taking into account the complexity of the reality and circumstances in SMEs that prevent computerization proceeding as a structured, sequential process. * Taking into account that a holistic approach to IT integration cannot work because of the large diversity between SMEs * Avoidance of high-level approaches and over-bureaucratized project structures * Avoidance of overestimating the impact of government initiatives on the behavior of participating SMEs * Provision of direct and specific support to SMEs designed to elicit concrete results * Creation of realistic and measurable goals and models that support the choices of the company rather than something generic that is imposed on the company be the government Another recommendation comes from Wielicki and Arendt (2007). Since the US is the most advanced country with regard to IT use and integration, they suggest that it be used as a model of study to determine how the barriers to successful IT integration be overcome in other countries. In addition, they counsel continued research to track the progress of SMEs in crossing the business digital divide, tracking the level of implementation of ICT-based solutions at the business process level and the role of ICT training in SMEs or of ICT in integrating business processes of SMEs. In an effort to successfully define these research objectives, Thurasamy, Mohamad, Omar, and Marimuthu (2009), have proposed an empirical study across 1500 Malaysian SMEs in order to determine the following: 1. To profile the type of technologies adopted by SMEs. 2. To profile the extent of usage of each of those technologies. 3. To develop an index for performance and technological adoption tracking of SMEs. 4. To investigate factors that encourage, as well as those that remain barriers to technology adoption. 5. To establish the extent of technology adoption and performance (financial and non-financial) plus Internationalization. As we can see, the objectives of this study mirror the suggestions of Wielicki and Arendt (2007) as to the nature of further research into IT integration in SMEs. Another reason cited for the unsuccessful adaptation of IT was lack of employee training. Therefore, government initiatives like the ones featured in a report released by the Directorate-General for Education and Culture in Belgium (2003), could be utilized towards increasing the effectiveness of employees in relation to the use and adaptation of IT. The report profiles 10 European employee training programs ranging from Worldwide web-based information and communication technologies training for manufacturing SMEs to a CD-Rom based program to help SMEs define their training needs. Conclusion As can be seen from the above discussion, there is a definite need to foster the integration of IT/ICT in SMEs in both developed and developing economies. While this need has been documented by the literature, it is also clear that there are many obstacles that stand in the way of the successful implementation of the technology. It would seem, therefore, that the stage is set for further investigation into the technological and educational needs of SMEs around the world. It would also seem that there are employment and business opportunities for those with the necessary know-how and skills to offer their services as consultants and trainers to SMEs desiring to integrate IT/ICT into their day to day activities. References Bank of England Quarterly Report on Small Business Statistics. (2001, January). Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:JvJUI7yMYv8J:www.accaglobal.com/pdfs/smallbusiness/EESME.doc+SME+percentage+of+GDP&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Cabello, N. (2010, March 1). Looking at some SME successes in developed countries. Manila Bulleting Publishing Corporation. Retrieved from http://www.mb.com.ph/node/245735/looking- Calzado, M. M. (2003). Productivity Management Guide for SMEs, 1, 25-28. Retrieved from http://www.ilofip.org/Documents/Module3-Causesforlowproductivity.pdf Cole, K. (n.d.). Technoserve and the Google Foundation spark Ghanaian economy through needed Small and Medium Enterprise development. Believe, Begin, Become. Retrieved from http://www.believe-begin-become.com/Ghana/morenews.asp?NewsID=23 Directorate-General for Education and Culture in Belgium (2003). Building Skills and Qualifications among SME employees. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier EBSCO database. Millis, K. (2008). Critical analysis of policy measures for the advancement of the level of computerization of SMEs. Information Technology for Development, 14(3), 253-258. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from Academic Search Premier EBSCO database. Thurasamy, R., Mohamad, O., Omar, A., & Marimuthu, M. (2009). Technology adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s): A research agenda. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 53. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier EBSCO database. Wielicki, T. & Arendt, L. (2007). ICT Training—Key to closing digital divide among businesses: Case of SMEs in central California. International Journal of Learning,organizational absorptive capacity in SMEs. Journal of Information Technology, 14(6), 181-186. Retrieved from EBSCO Host database.

Helping the Needy Essay

Remember those precious moments of sitting around and trying to comfort; hearing the soothing, slow, and experienced voices. It is time consuming to sit and hear such stories, but a smile spills acrossed your face as you listen to their never ending stories, sometimes it is the same story that you heard yesterday or an hour ago. Each time you attempt to talk your words are abruptly cut off and the story continues. Some are filled with wisdom others too delirious to take serious. With time, listening and helping them, a bond of friendship is made. The days seem to go by fast and your friendship becomes stronger as you spend each day serving these types of people, and sharing experience with them as well. In one day it all comes to an end, they are no longer there to be assisted. Life appears to be like that in the every average day at the Avalon Care center. In a training session from Avalon Care Center Annie Wayment became a qualified Certified Nursing Assistant to help others as they make an end to the journey in their lives. Depending on the state where you are at, the training course to become such a person can take six to eight weeks. Where you are trained to up lift people. What will you do, â€Å"working closely with patients, you are responsible for basic care services such as bathing, grooming and feeding patients, assisting nurses with medical equipment, and checking patient vital signs. CNAs give patients important social and emotional support and also provide vital information on patient conditions to nurses. † For Annie the training was a long, hard jammed packed four weeks. She stated, â€Å"I almost died (Annie Wayment, personal communication, May, 22, 2013). In the course there are plenty of hands on experience and memorization. Then after passing all tests and training satisfaction you are qualified to assist people. She takes Avalon’s statement to heart â€Å"we embrace a reverence for life, and a heart for healing. † After going all through this and then actual helping people Annie continues with an energy that most people do when they are doing what they enjoy. While on a high school job shadow Annie was introduced to the field of helping and then made the decision that was her future job, helping someone. She began her work at Avalon Care Center aiding those who can on loner help themselves. Confused like most people in their first job experience she floated about for a couple of weeks but slowly understood her role. Distressed, frustrated, and irritated to not be able to do what they use to do all their lives this group accepts help from others. They tell them of their problems, and their long life experiences. They don’t only need physical assistance but also mentally. Being a good listener, with a caring heart is part of the job. Though Annie cannot see herself doing this particular work all her life she still goes about with a smile on her face enjoying every minute. Those moments of doing all you can, and then seeing a face of gratitude for what you have done gives you that extra step to do another good deed. A swelling of an inexplicable satisfaction fills you up. Working in this nursing home Annie has gained many new friends. They share all their joyous moments with her and she helps them through their moments of pain and frustration. As time goes on she becomes more than just a friend to these people with all the time she has spent with them. â€Å"When working in a nursing home, as an aide, you spend 1/3 of your day with these residents and you become part of their families (Annie Wayment, personal communication, May, 22, 2013). † Even at times when she thinks she is aiding someone she receives help in return from these this time worn people. A piece of advice here and there and a phrase that sticks in your mind. They just seem to grow on you as the time passes and an inner connection is made with them. She recalls one of the many residents of the caring center in which she helped. The elderly woman was sick for some time. She knew how the woman wanted her room to be organized and helped her daily. The woman got better and was later discharged from the care center. They kept in contact even afterwards. The job like most other jobs also has its down side. After spending quality time in helping, listening, and strengthening people and being strengthened by them, it all seems to be lost in a moment. Sometimes the question of why is asked in most of these circumstances. This woman who Annie kept in contact with became sick again and was hospitalized. She was informed that she would be returning back to the care center back under her care. Excited to see again her room was prepared and fixed up the way the patient liked it. Later on Annie was told that she would no longer be coming. In most incidents Annie has to be the one who needs to get over her grief first and fast. After the passing of those who she has helped she then needs to face the family of the person who she lost, but she is happy for having the knowledge that the church has given her about life. She understands the purpose of why we are here and gives yet another comforting hand to the families of those who have passed on. With the knowledge of the gospel she can comfort and ease the pain of the family members that do not have this knowledge. Hard at times and good at others this is what Annie Wayment does. The good seems to outweigh the bad and she continues on her way of assisting others who are in need. It is what she finds the most enjoyable thing to do.

Bachata

Bachata Music and dance go hand in hand. Just like Bachata music, the dance is also simple and uncomplicated, containing a series of the simplest of steps. The dance moves or step variety, during a performance, strongly depends on the music, (such as the rhythms played by the different instruments), mood, setting, and the performers’ interpretation. The leading is done like in most other social dances, with a â€Å"pushing and pulling† hand and arm communication. The original dance style from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean is a basic dance arrangement in a full 8 count moving within a square. Others in the Western dancing world later developed a more simple style and pattern, which incorporated dance elements from other dances as well. The basic is also in a full 8 count, but with a side to side motion. Both of these styles consist of 3 normal steps and then a tap step, which is often accompanied by a â€Å"pop† of the hips, and can sometimes be substituted with syncopations. The music has an accent rhythm at every 4th count, this is normally when the dancers will tap-step and pop their hips- this is called dancing Bachata to the basic rhythm of music. Bachata can be danced to other music as well if the dancers just focus on a particular instrument. The early slow style of the 50s was danced only closed, like the Bolero. The Dominican style of Bachata is danced today all over the Caribbean, now also faster in accordance to faster music, adding more footwork, turns and rhythmic free style moves which alternate between closed (romantic) and open positions (more playful). While men may perform the music, women and men alike take part in Bachata dancing. It is a dance of sensuality and seduction, relating strongly with its roots in heartache and bitterness and unrequited love. Dominican Bachata is created by the people over many years for social dancing, and is still evolving. There are many different styles of Bachata dance, here is just a few: * Original Bachata Traditional (the Western Traditional: the first Fusion Style) * Modern/Moderna (later Fusion Style) * Bachatango/Bachata Tango (later Fusion Style) * Ballroom (later Fusion Style) There are â€Å"many other Fusion Styles† of Bachata from the West, pioneered and promoted by different teachers around the world, each with its own distinct flair. Whether these are considered completely different styles or simply variations of the main styles, is often argued by teachers and students alike.

Choose a topic that you can argue about with passion Essay

Choose a topic that you can argue about with passion - Essay Example Facial expressions play a very important role in communication. If a person feels that the other person is not feeling good to hear certain things from him by reading the other person’s facial expressions, the first person feels like changing his point in an attempt to please the second person whereas in the communication through computers, the first person is able to convey his true thoughts as there are no disturbing facial expressions to be noticed along the way. The person is able to speak his mind out because the feeling that he is actually talking to a human being is a bit suppressed as compared to the face-to-face communication. Overall, use of computers for communication enhances an individual’s tendency to speak to others. It is a psychological phenomenon in which the person discovers his hidden oratory power and interpersonal skills with the passage of time while practicing in front of the screen. Friends made online in the virtual world are often life-long friends in the real

Race, Politics, and Reconstruction, 1865-1875 Assignment

Race, Politics, and Reconstruction, 1865-1875 - Assignment Example Thompson worked at the radical end of the party. He was against the conservative compromises involved. He wanted the national government to reject it because it was coated with ethnicity and discrimination. Ruby was the first Black to be chosen into the state council. This became possible only because fewer Whites contested in the elections than Blacks. George ensured all races were treated with equivalence. He advocated for the fortification of civil constitutional rights of the Blacks. As the president of Texas Colored Labor Convention, he was able to assemble Republican electors in Texas. George built a foundation for black power and governances in Galveston. He cleverly advocated for their civil and party-political civil liberties. He worked cautiously with the hostile White politicians. This way, he opened more occasions for the Blacks through â€Å"compromise† politics. In the post-civil war period, Thompson had significant political power (Rabinowitz 265). He had to ensure he gratified both his goals and that of the wider social order. Through his political dispositions, Ruby compromised to ensure that his race was at least prosperous. In his efforts to safeguard the welfares of the Blacks, Ruby made some compromises in the aim of satiating later goals. In 1874, the Democrats efficaciously reclaimed power. He did not seek re-election because the Whites were prevalent in the assembly. The White politicians exhaled hostility, and Ruby had to tread carefully to guarantee his interest, and that of the Black community received the preferred

Biological Factors Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Biological Factors - Term Paper Example Families with weak family bonds and poor communication are predictors of future offensive behavior in the child. Parents who do not take disciplinary action against children as and when needed are likely to contribute to development of antisocial behavior in their children. Another predictor of criminal behavior is abuse and neglect in childhood. Peer groups also have an influence on criminal attitudes and behaviors. Poor peer relationships and company of criminal attitude peers contribute to criminal activity tendencies. 2) What biological factors appear to influence criminal propensity? Behavior of human beings is multidimensional and both biological and environmental factors play a major role in the development of human behavior. The limitations of biological influences on human behavior is evident from family, adoption and twin studies. Evidence from these studies has shown that genetic factors alone are not responsible the complex human behavior and that environmental factors al so have an influence on behavior. Biological factors contributing to criminal behavior can be genetic or neurochemical. Twin studies have shown that there is high hereditary factor in criminal behavior. This is evident from a study in which follow up was done on monozygotic twins who were reared separately and despite different environmental influences, strong criminal behavior was noted among the twins.