It has been said that the UK supermarket sector is an oligopoly Essay

It has been said that the UK supermarket sector is an oligopoly - Essay Example ...................................... Conclusion............................................................................................................ References It has been said that the UK supermarket sector is an oligopoly Introduction The UK supermarket sector is most definitely properly defined as an oligopoly based on the market structure that guides its business principles, the relevance of the consumer in building business strategy, the level of interdependence between competing supermarket companies, and the sector’s influence in pricing and supply within its market. An oligopoly is defined as â€Å"a market dominated by a small number of participants who are able to collectively exert control over supply and market prices† (investorwords.com, 2011, p.1). It is the interdependency between the few firms, such as Morrison’s and Aldi, that makes this market sector an oligopoly in relation to marketing efforts and pricing structures that drive strateg ic intentions. This paper describes the market characteristics of the supermarket sector in the UK that label these businesses as part of an oligopoly. The market structure All of the major supermarket competitors in the UK maintain a high degree of market share in the foods industry and are affected little by smaller competitors in terms of profitability. An oligopoly is able to affect the market by maintaining this high market share and control by being able to influence pricing negotiations with suppliers who rely on their continued successes in order to, themselves, remain profitable. This is what characterizes an oligopoly when a market is dominated by only a handful of large-scale competitors. In this structure, firms can have either differentiated or non-differentiated products offered to consumers where advertising and marketing objectives characterize one of the most important features related to business strategy and competitive behaviours (Boyes & Melvin, 2005). Why is th is? Supermarkets rely on consumer attitudes and behaviours to ensure they remain profitable which are always subject to fluctuating demand schedules and eating habits. Also based on price, consumers will choose one competitor over another in this market structure which drives the necessity for more innovation in marketing and the routine environmental and competitive analyses required to remain successful and profitable. Under macroeconomic theory, an oligopoly is considered to be the most realistic market structure since there are a diverse range of externalities and internal business behaviours that impact whether the firms gain higher volumes of market share in a local or international region (Boyes & Melvin). These supermarkets in their oligopoly maintain a downward-sloping demand curve where the shape of the curve is directly related to consumer behaviour patterns and the behaviours of competition in relation to strategy, marketing and advertising. This is why the supermarket s ector in the UK is considered the most realistic of market structures as the importance of competitive behaviours and marketing are in-line with contemporary business practices with most non-supermarket organisations. Because of their dominance in this market sector, suppliers are made weak when considering consumer-based commodity products (quickmba.com, 2011) as they rely directly on the purchasing power of the supermarkets to maintain their production levels, adequate staffing and overall operational strategies related to the intent of building higher profitability. This gives

Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 14

Discussion - Essay Example Thankfully, we live in the United States, where this battle has been fought, and has gained  a substantial amount of ground. Womens rights in the US are equal mostly, with the exception of salary differences between men and women. Unfortunately, in other parts of the world, women are still treated as less superior and some are not even allowed to work. Sadly, this will be a battle I believe will never go away. Yes, you are right. Women’s rights are a critical issue in our society today. Many people do not seem to even consider them because they may think that it is so old fashioned, but I am pleased to see that this issue is important to you. You are also right when you say that even people who aren’t feminists need to get behind and supports these issues because this is simply a matter of self-respect, nothing more. Compared with much of the world, the United States treats women equally and fairly. That doesn’t mean that you should not accept any unfair discrimination against women in the United States because it does still happen occasionally. One example you mentioned was the differences in salary. This is true because the research does show that there is a gender gap in terms of salary. For you own information, this is commonly known as the glass ceiling. There have been many activists who have fought over the years to try to get this barrier removed so women can be treated equally in the workplace, but it is yet to happen for reasons that are still contentious. Many other countries do not afford the same freedoms to their women. You only have to look at most Islamic countries and see that women are inferior to men. These women are banned from doing activities that we take for granted. Finally, you are spot on when you comment that this is a battle that will never go away because there will almost always be resistance to women’s rights from some men. When I was thinking about and researching human rights, I

Should America have stronger Gun Control laws Term Paper

Should America have stronger Gun Control laws - Term Paper Example The debate seldom applies to hunter’s rights. However, outlawing handguns outright would affect hunters as well as people that simply wish to protect themselves. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, â€Å"A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed† (â€Å"The Constitution†, 2006). This, as were all of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was added by the Founding Fathers so as to provide a more clear definition of the specific rights guaranteed to Americans. Gun control advocates consider the Second Amendment to be â€Å"obsolete; or is intended solely to guard against suppression of state militias by the central government and therefore restricted in scope by that intent; or does not guarantee a right that is absolute, but one that can be limited by reasonable requirements† (Krouse, 2002). However, they only question the need for people to own firearms that are not primarily designed for sporting purposes such as hunting. Obviously, the right to own arms was of supreme importance to the Founders given that it was listed second only after the freedom of religion and speech was documented in the First Amendment. The Founders knew that by ensuring the right to own arms, citizens would have the ability to protect themselves from that which might endanger their life, liberty or pursuit of happiness. This could include bodily protection from persons and animals or from an oppressive government that threatened the freedoms outlined in the Constitution. â€Å"The Second Amendment reflects the founders’ belief that an armed citizenry, called the ‘general militia’ was a necessary precaution against tyranny by our own government and its army. The idea that government has a constitutional right to disarm the general citizenry is totally foreign to the intent of the Constitution’s framersâ₠¬  (Reynolds & Caruth III, 1992). Attempting to disarm criminals is a great plan in some fairy-tale land but is a fruitless venture in the real world. â€Å"The ratio of people who commit handgun crimes each year to handguns is 1:400; that of handgun homicides to handguns is 1:3,600. Because the ratio of handguns to handgun criminals is so high, the criminals supply would continue with barely an interruption† (Department of Commerce, 1986: 171). The prohibition of guns in an effort to diminish criminal activity is as reasonable solution in much the same way the prohibition of alcohol would diminish the occurrences of driving while intoxicated (Kopel, 1988). Gun-control advocates argue that handguns serve no purpose except to shoot people. Any hunter will tell you that this is untrue. This underscores the lack of knowledge these advocates possess concerning the activity they denounce. Handguns are bought mainly for reasons of self-defense but nearly 20 percent buy handguns to use for sport-shooting, target practice and about 15 percent buy handguns as collector’s items. Hunters regularly use handguns as a protection against snakes and to hunt game animals (Aagard, 1987: 32). Anti-Thesis The prohibition of guns in an effort to diminish criminal activity is as reasonable solution in much the same way the prohibition of alcohol would diminish the occurrences of driving while intoxicated. The concept that the easy access to firearms has an important impact on the homicide rates in this country is supported by the preponderance of the evidence.

Health and Saftey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Health and Saftey - Essay Example Carbon monoxide is odourless and so increase in the ambient concentration will not be detected by smell and there is no equipment in the warehouse for detecting carbon monoxide increase in ambient concentration. Therefore the reasons for this situation are the presence of carbon monoxide in the exhaust of the gas fuelled fork lifts, due to the incomplete combustion of the fuel (Rimmer & Yarnell, 2009). The first action is to move the ladies that are complaining of dizziness and nausea out of the warehouse to breathe fresh air with more oxygen to remove the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. The second step consists of using the basic air sampling tubes to test for the ambient concentration of carbon monoxide and confirm its excess presence (Rimmer & Yarnell, 2009). 4. Gas masks to be made available in the warehouse for use in case the air sampling tubes indicated elevated levels of ambient carbon monoxide. In case ambient carbon monoxide levels exceed 400ppm, all personnel to be cleared from the warehouse and the sealed doors opened to lower the ambient carbon monoxide levels. Rimmer, T. W. & Yarnell, S. H. (2009). Controlling Forklifts Exhaust Emissions. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from Occupational Health & Safety Web Site:

I will upload the file Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

I will upload the file - Essay Example The orientation program will be conducted on all new employees upon arrival at the company. The orientation program covers a presentation on the company history, the mission statement, vision statement and goals. The program will also include a recruitment process, in which the employee learns about the scope of their new jobs, their personal responsibilities and rights. Another aspect of the orientation program is to familiarize the new employee with the organizational structure and the chain of command. The program will also include a visit to all the departments so that the employee can learn about their interdependence. After going through the orientation program, the employee is bound to be more comfortable working in the company. According to McDonald & Hite, training forms an integral part of any career development system since it lays the foundation for good performance within an organization (420). At Superior Roses, both new and current employees will undergo intensive training in their areas of specialization. As for the new employees, training will come right after the orientation process. As soon as the new employee settles in their specific department, then the department members under instruction from the departmental manager will guide the employee on how to go about their duties. For example, an employee joining the sales department will be trained on how to book customer orders, how to prepare order forms, and how to ensure proper shipment of flowers. The employee will also be trained on how to ensure proper coordination of activities in all departments to guarantee customer satisfaction. For those employees who have worked longer in the company, training will also be conducted to ensure that they keep up with variations in the industry. For example, the people within the production department, which basically deals with the production of flowers, will require frequent training on the effects of weather change on flower quality. Most

MOTIVATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

MOTIVATION - Essay Example 2010). As such, motivation is may be referred to as an inner drive, which arouses action or behavior in a particular manner. Motivation is characterized of having three components: intensity, persistence and activation. Intensity is seen in the ability of an individual to have vigor and concentration in pursuing attainment of a given goal. Persistence depicts a continuous effort that individual places in a goal irrespective of the various obstacles that may exist in the process of pursuing this goal. Finally, activation depicts the process or decision of behavior initiation, which is geared towards attainment of the goal. Motivation is characterized of various theories. Drive reduction theory is one of these theories, which argue that people tend to act such that their needs are reduced and a constant psychological state is maintained (Jiming & Xinjian 2013). An example is that, people will eat so that the need for food is reduced. Homeostasis, which depicts maintenance of a constant physiological equilibrium, is a common idea in this theory. The other theory is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory, which suggests that people are highly motivated because of the needs hierarchy. The first level is characterized of physiological needs like security, safety, water and food, the second level is characterized of social interaction needs like need to belong, the third level is characterized of self-esteem needs like need for individuals respect, and the fourth level is characterized of self-actualization needs like needs for one to realize his or her full potential. Maslow has a believe that people will only have an attention for higher needs in times when lower needs have been satisfied satisfactorily (Hayenga & Corpus 2010). These needs of people include learned needs and innate needs, which are influenced significantly by culture and society. There are limited innate needs that include elimination of wastes, oxygen, water and food, and numerous learned needs that include power, autonomy, and achievement. The determination of the level of needs among people is based on the values or perceptions, which people may perceive to be essential in their life. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Intrinsic motivation depicts a motivation facet that is triggered by enjoyment or interest in the task being performed. This motivation exists internally within an individual and does not depend on desires for reward or external pressures such as recognition for the performance (Mirabela-Constanta & Maria-Madela 2011). Intrinsically motivated individuals tend to focus on completion of their tasks in a willingly manner in order to improve their skills level and increase capabilities. People in an organization may be intrinsically motivated in case of: Them attributing the performance results to factors, which are under their control, or autonomy, If they posses self-efficacy beliefs, skills of making them the best agents of attaining the key goals of the or ganization, and Have the ability of mastering the culture and ethics of the organization towards attainment of a better performance. Extrinsic motivation on its own is focused on outcomes of performing a given activity. This indicates that extrinsic motivation is not inherent in an individual, but emerges from outside an individual (C?nar et al. 2011). Examples of common extrinsic motivation include rewards like bonus for an improvement in the performance level of an individual. Another example is competition, which triggers an individual to focus on attaining better results in the field of work in comparison to the other individuals in the same field. Comparing extrinsic to intrinsic motivation

Characters of Romeo and Juliet Essay Example for Free

Characters of Romeo and Juliet Essay In The Prologue of Romeo And Juliet, the fate of the star-crossed lovers, the title characters, is already told. They have been doomed to take their [lives] before the play has even begun. This foretelling of what the audience is about to see displays that the play is about how and why the events unfold, and not what happens. Act Two, Scene Two is an important scene in the play, which is because this is where Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, the two children born of the fatal loins of their feuding parents, meet for the second time, after Capulets Masquerade. They fall in love, starting the chain of fated events that cause their deaths. Before meeting Juliet, Romeo was seen to be melancholic; he was supposedly in love with Rosaline, which was unrequited. He seemed to be introspective, and have a very negative outlook; in Act One, Scene One his father, Montague, said that Romeo had been shutting himself [a]way from light in his room. Romeo appeared to have a very poetic, yet bleak, attitude to love. This is demonstrated by Romeos use of extended oxymoron in Act One, Scene One, where he talked of loving hate, and misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms. His poetic words seemed to indicate that perhaps Romeo was not in love, rather in love with the idea of being in love. He spoke of Rosaline, the object of his love, as though she was a deity, even stating she has characteristics of the goddess Diana (she has Dians wit). The goddess Diana was an emblem of chastity, and the object of Romeos affections has taken a vow of chastity. Ironically, Romeo refuses to examine other beauties, as his friend and kinsman Benvolio suggests at the end of Act One, Scene One. In Act One, Scene Five, when Romeo firsts saw, spoke to, and kissed Juliet, he still used decorative language, and said similar to what he had previously said about Rosaline. He said that Juliet doth teach the torches to burn bright, a metaphor, after first seeing her in Act one, Scene Five, after calling Rosaline the all-seeing sun in Act One, Scene Three. This seems to indicate that Romeo is too quick to announce his love, saying of Juliet what he had said not long ago about Rosaline. He did, however, denounce his previous love and say that his love of Rosaline was not comparable to his love for Juliet in Act One, Scene Five, with the rhetorical question [d]id my hear love till now? . In Act One, Scene Three Juliet is seen to be polite and respectful young girl. Her mother, Lady Capulet, who is less close to Juliet than her Nurse, tried to persuade Juliet to marry a suitor that has been chosen for her. Marriage was an honour that [Juliet] dream[ed] not of, being only thirteen years of age. Lady Capulet, in Act One, Scene Three, told her daughter that [t]he valiant Paris seeks [Juliet] for his love. Juliet seemed in no rush to fall in love and marry at such a young age, she stated she would look to like, but no more deep [ ] endart [her] eye. She appeared grounded, with no unrealistic expectations about love, and in no hurry to find a husband, despite her mothers insistence that girls younger than Juliet [are] made already mothers. When Juliet met Romeo for the first time in Act One, Scene Five, although she echoed Romeos poetic and metaphor rich language, she appeared more playful and flirtatious, telling Romeo he kiss[es] by thbook. In Act Two, Scene Two, Romeo speaks of his love for Juliet and watches her after she appears at the window. He compares her beauty to that of the sun: [it] is the east and Juliet is the sun/Arise, fair sun, when she appears at her window. Shakespeare uses this language to depict that Romeo has elevated Juliet to the stature of a goddess. This is reinstated, with Juliets beauty repeatedly being compared to (and bettering) the brightness of celestial objects; Romeo says that the brightness of her cheek would shame [the] stars. Shakespeare used more positive metaphor, repetition, and a less structured and poetic approach to Romeos speech to show that Romeos newly found love of Juliet has effected a change in his language. Romeo is presented as more happy to love, and simply be in the presence of Juliet: he is eager for her to speak again, rather than strike up a conversation instantly. When Romeo begins speaking to Juliet, after hearing her speak of her love and asking why she must love a member of the family she hates, asking wherefore [is he] Romeo? , Shakespeare wants us to understand Romeos devotion to Juliet. Romeo offers to forsake his name, saying that [h]enceforth [he] never will be Romeo demonstrating his willingness to make sacrifices for the love of Juliet. During this scene Shakespeare repeatedly uses names, or words referring to names (for example, name, or called) to show the conflict between language, the words and names, and experience, reality; Juliet states that a rose/By any other word would spell as sweet. Romeo is eager to exchange [Juliets] loves faithful vow for [his], which shows not only Romeos eagerness to prove his unchangeable love to Juliet, but his need to be loved in return. He tries to swear his love many things, including yonder blessed moon, Juliet takes vowing love much more seriously, and asks Romeo not to swear by the inconstant moon as it is too changing to vow such an important thing on. This presents Juliet as a mature girl, who tries to consider the consequences of actions and promises, whereas Romeo is completely absorbed in the idea of love. Juliet is concerned that her and Romeos love is moving too fast, saying that it is too like the lightening. Shakespeare uses this again showing Juliets rationality, but also showing that she is young, love is new to her and she is in no rush. Romeo does not appear to share these concerns; he is more concerned with loving and being loved, only satisfied by Juliets faithful vow. She is however in love with Romeo, and is not happy to see him go, [p]arting is such sweet sorrow, but is eager to see him again. Towards the end of the scene Juliets language becomes more like Romeos in eagerness to vow love, and in use of simile, comparing Romeo to a wantons bird, tethered by her love. Romeos rashness, loyalty, and need to love Juliet and be loved in return are important characteristics that will end up sealing his grim fate at the end of the play. Juliets young age, and contrasting maturity, grounding in reality and strong will in her love will be ever important, and her need to see a plan through will be important factors that help lead her towards her tragic ending. For never was there a story of more woe/Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.