Streaming Media and Netflix Essay Example for Free

Streaming Media and Netflix EssayNetflixs main issue is they face profitd mart competition from newentrants into their industry. In addition, Netflix suffers poor relationships with suppliers, which interferes with their ability to meet commercialise demands direct to increased costs and the need to increase prices. This affects Netflixs ability to increase market sh ar, and maintaining core values, resulting in declining subscribership, and declining margins.ANALYSISCOMPANY ORIGINS. Thorough analysis of Netflix begins with a discussion of the companies origins. Netflix was founded by Reed Hasting (CEO) and Marc Randolph in 1997 in Scotts Valley, California, with main headquarters now located in Los Gatos, California. The skipper business model was as an cyberspace TV company providing online streaming and DVD/Blu Ray rentals shipped direct to a subscribers home. This subscription and selling service implemented in 1999, and in 2000 launched their personalized movie tribu te service CineMatch (Funding Universe, 2014). Shortly thereafter Netflix exe slasheded their IPO in 2002 with approximately 600,000 members in the US and by 2005 membership rises to 4.2 million. Perhaps most important is Netflix introduces idiot box streaming in 2007, and later in 2008, partners with consumer electronics companies to incorporate Netflix video streaming on consumer electronic devices. Further growth is achieved in 2010 when Netflix launches internationally in Canada, Latin America, and Caribbean (Netflix Media Center, 2014).THE BLUNDER YEAR.Mid-July 2011 Netflix announces Qwikster, which was an look for to separate online video streaming services and DVD rentals, resulting in an immediate 60% devaluation of Netflix stock and take downtually to a low of $62.37 by December of that year. Ultimately, on October 10, 2011 the Qwikster proposal is scrapped by Netflix. However, the damage was already done because on July 13th their stock price was at an all time risque of $304.79, and eventually bottomed out(p) at $55.19 on December 31 of that year (Thompson, 2012).RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.Once the disaster of 2011 passed, Netflix rebounded by expanding into the Latin America and Caribbean markets. afterwards in 2012,Netflix expands its international market further by becoming obtainable in Europe that included the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Nordic countries. In addition, Netflix wins its first Primetime Emmy design Award. Further more than, in 2013, Netflix expands to the Netherlands, and debuts authoritative programming that earns Netflix 31 primetime Emmy nominations including outstanding drama series, comedy series, and documentary or nonfiction special for _House of Cards_, _Orange is the red-hot Black_, and _The Squ ar_ respectively. much importantly, _House of Cards_ wins three Primetime Emmy Awards do Netflix the first internet TV network nominated, and winning, a primetime Emmy award. Furthermore, in 2014, Netflix launches in 6 new c ountries in Europe that included Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Again, Netflix wins 7 creative Emmy Awards for _House of Cards_ and _Orange is the revolutionary Black_. Moreover, Netflix now has over 50 million global subscribers (Netflix Media Center, 2014).FINANCIAL STRENGTH.Netflixs performance has been solid, although they underperformed in the third quarter of this year, 2014, perhaps due to over forecasting which Netflix does often, creating the science to investors and analysts that the company has underperformed (Seward, 2014). Their numbers remain strong and stock is currently valued $379.01per share (Yahoo Finance, 10/30/14). Moreover, Netflix had $4.3B in Revenues in 2013 and revenue is projected to $4.7B by year end 2014, and current ratio is 1.42 demonstrating the moderate ability to cover current liabilities, See Appendix A, Financial Sheets, Tables 1 through 6 on pages 15 through 20, for additional details of Netflixs strong financia l performance. Generally speaking, all key financial statistics are trending upwards over the past basketball team fiscal years (Market Watch, 2014). Furthermore, as of the third quarter of this year, Netflix has 53.1 million subscribers worldwide and that is forecast to climb to 57 million subscribers at year end 2014 (Netflix letter to Shareh olders, 2014).FIVE FORCES MODEL OF COMPETITION.See Figure 1 in Appendix B, Netflix-Porters Five Forces Model, page 21, for a graphical analytic tool that summarizes the spare-time activity forces._COMPETITION AND RIVALRIES._ contestation and rival threats remain high. Netflixs rival, for capability and subscribers, is now Time Warner, who owns Home Box Office (HBO) and possesses a large subscriber base as well as pilot subject matter. However, when competition involves subscribers, virago Prime Instant Video is becoming a direct competitor. Soon, Amazon will air original programming thusly becoming a competitor for confineed as well (Casteele, 2014). In addition, Hulu, Apple TV, Google TV, Google owned YouTube, and CBS All Access has, or will run through, original content available in the near future. Although Amazon does not have the number of subscribers that Netflix has, approximately 5 million versus 50 million plus for Netflix, both have the edge against traditional networks by using customer info instead of market research and Nielsen data for developing original content (Kleinman, 2013). Furthermore, competitors would include production line and satellite TV companies such as DirectTV, Comcast xfinity, and the movie theaters._SUBSTITUTES_.The threat of substitutes remains high. Products viewed as close substitutes include Hulu Plus which may also be considered a rival in some respects but exist more as a complementary product to Netflix and focuses on current run and older TV shows targeted at a younger market. Moreover, Hulu provides fewer movies compared to Netflix and forces subscribers to view com mercials when streaming content. Another substitute would include Amazon Prime Instant Video (APIV) available only through a year subscription through Amazon Prime, a free two-day shipping service, and provides an extensive movie and TV library (Shanklin, W, 2014). Furthermore, Vudu is Wal-Marts offering of online streaming and similar to what one finds on YouTube or iTunes but providing more full length feature films (Prindle, D., 2014). Other substitutes include Google Play, RedBox Instant, and Microsofts Xbox video streaming (Shanklin, W, 2014). These substitutes are unlikely to threaten the market in excess, and Netflixs threats remain with APIV._NEW ENTRANTS._The threat of new entrants is strong. In addition, there exists a strong likelihood of suppliers offering content on their ownwebsite because of low barriers to enter the video streaming market. The TV market is increasingly moving to the on-demand online streaming model. The recent entry of Time Warners HBO, and CBS into the on-line streaming realm is a testament to new entrants. More Web based enterprises will shift or add on-line streaming content because the barriers are already low for these enterprises (Lever Estienne, 2014). In addition net neutrality rulings leave open the window of opportunity for new companies to enter the market (Selyukh, 2014)._BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS._ negotiate power of suppliers is high. Moreover, suppliers can withhold content and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can intentionally without quality service to Websites using large portions of bandwidth. Until a net-neutrality regulation is in place, this will remain a major issue for companies providing on-line streaming content such as Netflix (Selyukh, 2014)._BARGAINING POWER OF CONSUMERS._Bargaining power of consumers is high because on-line video streaming is highly price elastic and consumers will migrate to the perceived better value. Therefore, there is great sensitivity to price and content. Consumers wi ll run to the best suppliers of content and a bargain price without much loyalty. Netflixs slower subscriber growth in the third quarter of this year was attributed to price increase that the company undertook recently (Sikka, 2014). In addition, the industry must contend with the distribution and use of illegal downloads and the lack of established enforcement of pirating content. Content is king and consumers demand content, and original content is even better.SWOT ANALYSIS.See Figure 2 in Appendix C, page 22, Netflix SWOT Analysis, for a graphical analytic tool that summarizes the following described strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats._STRENGTHS._Netflix will invest a total $3 billion (US) by years end in program content to provide content and meet the diverse tastes of its more than 36 million U.S. and 14 million international online subscribers. In addition, Netflix will spend $600 million (US) on marketing and $ cd million(US) on technology upgrades. (Netflix u ps ante, 2014). Moreover, Netflix possesses brand recognition and the word Netflix even becoming a verb among Internet users.Furthermore, the Netflix App has created greater accessibility and enabled subscribers to stream media on intimately all Internet enabled devices. Perhaps most important of all is Netflixs original content of award winning programs such as House of Cards, Orange is the virgin Black, and Hemlock Grove enhancing international growth. In addition, Netflix has signed a number of interconnection agreements with Internet Service Provider (ISPs) to ensure faster Internet speeds for subscribers (Sikka, 2014). More importantly, Netflix has positive financial ratios although profit margins remain low internationally, and continues to demonstrate outstanding stock market growth._WEAKNESS._One Netflixs largest weakness is their cost of content relating to the mass of licensing packages and the in-house original content production company Netflix is accumulating a large amount of debt and profit margins are low relative to the international market. Furthermore, the DVD and Bluray domesticated subscriber market is declining, from 7.0 million paid subscribers at the end of the third quarter 2013 to 5.9 million subscribers at the end of the third quarter 2014 (Letter to Shareholders,.2014). Moreover, Netflix has had a write up of subscriber ascension when raising subscription prices and their recent $1 increase was not having any significant impact on subscriptions, however may impact subscriptions nonetheless (Steel, 2014).The last attempt to raise monthly subscription prices left current subscribers upset and Netflix stock tumbling. In addition, Netflix accounts for about 57% of daily internet craft (Sikka, 2014). Therefore, with net neutrality laws world struck down, Netflix will either need to assume more debt, which they will spend $1 billion (US) or the next 15 months, or cut content, which they will do the complete opposite. Perhaps most i mportantly, both Amazon Prime Instant Video (APIV) and Google owned YouTube have announced their own original content productions becoming a direct competitor to Netflix._OPPORTUNITIES._Netflixs greatest opportunity lies in International Expansion and their ability to create original content will enhanceinternational growth. In addition, the international opportunities will depend on Netflixs superior software apps and service created from their own global technology investment, process knowledge, data acquired from related markets, and their globally recognized brand (Netflix Long term View, 2014). Moreover, Netflixs original in-house programming should take full emolument of the many entertainment related bruise devices with Internet capability. Households that have a TV or other device connected to the Internet, as of 2013, stood at 49% up from 24% in 2010 and is doubtlessly higher in 2014 (Sikka, 2014). There exist an opening for Internet TV and Netflixs exclusive in-house con tent will allow the company to take full advantage of that demand._THREATS._Because Netflix accounts for about 57% of daily Internet traffic, ISPs have lobbied to require major website traffic contributors pay for the infrastructure ask to support this heavy volume of traffic (Sikka, 2014).. Until net neutrality is resolved one way or another, this will remain a top threat for Netflix. Furthermore, competition such as Amazon Prime Internet Video (APIV), and Googles YouTube are implementing their own original content and are direct competitors to Netflix. Moreover the expense of licensing and renewing license agreements remain a threat to Netflixs ability to increase margins. However, in-house production of original content benefits the company by generating a word-of-mouth advertising and elevating the company into an Emmy award winning content producer. In addition, there exists the threat of brand loyalty as subscribers are price conscious and sensitive to price increases.ALTERNA TIVESPossible alternatives range from doing nothing to centre completely on the international market. If Netflix does nothing and continues their physical delivery of DVDs and Bluray discs will continue to cost more over time because of the need for maintain even a minimum of distribution centers for delivery to subscribers. Another alternative may be to simply pay the premium price required to acquire more and more content through expensive licensing agreements. This alternative as a stand-alone strategy and may notprovide the competitive advantage needed to rip the number of subscribers needed for desired growth. A third alternative could be to combine the purchasing of content and licensing with original content programming to attract domestic subscribers and increasing international market penetration in the video streaming market.RECOMMENDATIONThe recommendation made by the author is a combination of the reducing and phasing out the physical DVD delivery model combined with the purchasing of content and licensing, and using original content programming to attract domestic subscribers, and increasing international market penetration.IMPLEMENTATIONInternet television is replacing linear television, at the same time that apps are replacing network channels. indeed creating the proliferation of viewing screens for streaming content. In addition, Technology is improving and more available than ever before making this technology less expensive. Furthermore, streaming is the leading mention for Ultra HD 4k video, and TV everywhere provides an economic transition for existing networks. Hence, new entrants into the Internet streaming realm, including Netflix, are innovating rapidly and driving improvements (Letter to Shareholders, 2014). See Appendix D Graph 1, Netflix Market Share Bubble Graph on page 24 for a graphic representation of Netflixs market share compared to APIV and Hulu.Netflix should phase out of the physical DVD via mail service market and t hat will help reduce operating costs. Meanwhile, focus on Internet streaming of content, and producing original content will expand viewership and subscribers, both domestically and internationally, as well as help limit supplier control. This will help contribute to increased margins leading to increased revenue and stockholder confidence. Netflix is in a growth strategy in the international market where investment needs are high. Therefore, margins will be lower than desired expectations, and growth potential in the international market remains very high. Therefore, Netflixshould remain on this strategy.ReferencesCasteele, J. (February 24, 2014), Netflix vs HBO Is the Rivalry as Intense as it Seems? The Motley Fool. Retrieved from http//www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/24/is-the-netflixhbo-rivalry-as-intense-as-it-seems.aspxFrance-Presse, A. (April 25, 2014). Netflix announces content agreements with several cable companies, RawStory.com. Retrieved from http//www.rawstory.co m/rs/2014/04/netflix-announces-content-agreements-with-several-cable-companies/Funding Universe (2014). Netflix, Inc. History, _International Directory of Company Histories_, Vol. 58. St. James Press, 2004. Retrieved from http//www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/netflix-inc-history/Kleinman, A. (March 3, 2013). Netflix vs. Amazon Could Be The Cool impertinent Rivalry, Huffington Post. Retrieved from http//www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/05/netflix-vs-amazon_n_2811454.htmlKline, D. (July 26, 2014). Amazon Prime Continues to Grow Despite Price Bump, The Motley Fool. Retrieved from http//www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/26/amazon-prime-continues-to-grow-despite-price-bump.aspxLetter to Shareholders, (October 15, 2014). Netflix Corporate Website. Retrieved from http//files.shareholder.com/downloads/NFLX/3556910032x0x786677/6974d8e9-5cb3-4009-97b1-9d4a5953a6a5/Q3_14_Letter_to_shareholders.pdfLever, R., and Estienne, S. (October 19, 2014). Weve Hit a Watershed atomic number 42 For Streaming TV, Business Insider. Retrieved from http//www.businessinsider.com/afp-with-new-entrants-streaming-tv-sees-watershed-moment-2014-10Market Watch (2014). Netflix Key Statistics, MarketWatch.com. Retrieved from http//www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/nflx/profileNetflix Long term View, (October 15, 2014). Netflix Corporate Website. Retrieved from http//ir.netflix.com/long-term-view.cfmNetflix Media Center (2014). Netflix, A brief history of the company that revolutionized watching of movies and TV shows. Retrieved from https//pr.netflix.com/WebClient/loginPageSalesNetWorksAction.do?contentGroupId=10477Netflix ups ante in streaming. (2014, Oct 27). _Investors Business Daily_ Retrieved from http//search.proquest.com.ezproxylocal.library.nova.edu/docview/1615897570?accountid=6579Perez, S. (April 30, 2014). Hulu, Now With 6 Million Subscribers, Will Make Some TV Episodes Free On Mobile, TechCrunch.com. Retrieved from http//techcrunch.com/2014/04/30/hulu-now-with-6-millio n-subscribers-will-make-some-tv-episodes-free-on-mobile/Prindle, D. (May 13, 2014). Best Media Streaming, Digital Trends.com Website. Retrieved from Serviceshttp//www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-media-streaming-services/Selyukh, A. (May 15, 2014). Amid protests, U.S. FCC proposes new net neutrality rules, Forbes. Retrieved from http//www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/15/us-usa-internet-neutrality-idUSBREA4C0SF20140515Seward, J., (October 16, 2014). Analysts Believe Netflix Is Victim Of High Expectations, Benzinga Retrieved from http//www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/14/10/4929716/analysts-believe-netflix-is-victim-of-high-expectations?utm_campaign=partner_feedutm_source=marketwatch.comutm_medium=partner_feedutm_content=analyst_ratings_pageShanklin, W (August 21, 2014). Netflix alternatives These 7 services are the closest youll get, Geek.com Website. Retrieved from http//www.geek.com/news/netflix-alternatives-these-7-services-are-the-closest-youll-get-1472327/Sik ka, P., (October 20, 2014). Analyzing the must-know business trends affecting Netflix, Market Realist. Retrieved from http//marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/Sikka, P., (October 20, 2014). Why deals with Internet service providers are helping Netflix, Market Realist. Retrieved from http//marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/Sikka, P., (October 20, 2014). Why Netflix has long been demanding net neutrality laws, Market Realist. Retrieved from http//marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/Sikka, P., (October 20, 2014). Why Netflix doesnt consider HBOs streaming service a threat, Market Realist. Retrieved from http//marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/Steel, E. (July 21, 2014). Netflix, Growing, Envisions Expansion Abroad, _The New York Times._ Retrieved from http//www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/business/media/netflix-says-it-topped-50-million-subscribers.html?_r=0Thompson, A. A. (2012). Netflix in 2012 Can It Recover from Its Strategy Missteps, _Business Strategy Game._ Retrieved from https//www.bsg-online.com/users/CorporateLobby.htmlYahoo Finance (October 30, 2014). Netflix, Inc (NTFLX), Yahoo Finance Website. Retrieved from https//finance.yahoo.com/q?s=NFLX

Carbon Footprint of an Egg Essay Example for Free

Carbon Footprint of an Egg EssayWhite, round, smooth ar picturesque descriptions of an addict. An clod has a simple exterior that is easy to describe. However, this simple egg has a complex ecologic footprint that contributes to the destruction of our planet, people, and prosperity. egg atomic number 18 essential to every dimension of the earth. An egg is a nutritious source protein and vitamins, triggering the performance of health maintenance in humans. Not only atomic number 18 testis an exceptional source of nutrients, they are also linked with preserving memory, and lutein and zeaxanthin, which may protect against vision loss (Egg Nutrition Heart Disease). Eggs possess intrinsic value that is considered to benefit the planet eggs are part of the natural ecosystem services that powers all life on the earth. Without egg drudgery, a snowball effect will prompt species extinction, hampering income, and another(prenominal) destructive outcomes. Thus, the importance of eggs in todays world is revealed finished a finger of balance among the ecosystem cycles of the planet. In actuality, the fruit process of a chicken, to an egg, to a mouth yields unsustainable dazes that contribute to the destruction of the triple bottom line.The process of moving a laying chicks egg from the coop to a frying pan influences destructive practices ranging from the profit-oriented American who practices industrialized farming techniques to the pollution of our planets non-abundant body of water supply. Every input of egg production travels the final nutritious, commercial good. But, is this process nutritious for the earth? Animal welfare, societal values, the environment, economics, human health, as well as food safety and quality are many of the elements incorporated in a sustainable production system (Mench, Summer, and Rosen-Molina 1).Egg production has a large-sized ecological footprint compared to the small size of an egg. This ecological impact begins a t production and peels back layers of unsustainable inputs and outputs as the sequential process advances. The causal relationship of egg production and unsustainable inputs and outputs al pitifuls an in-depth look at the root cause of this footprint. In purchase order to initiate a sustainable movement toward an efficient, effective, and healthy egg, we must start at the fund of an egg. Innovative efficiency lies within the real chicken, who must execute forward-thinking actions for a sustainable future.The coupled States is the second largest egg producer in the world (Mante 298). The egg perseverance in the United States has evolved from small, family farms into huge, factory farms with the goal of fast, high profit and low input costs. These factory farms play a major role in current unsustainable lifestyles due to their intensive agricultural methods. In the United States, the majority of poultry farmers use a method called cage systems. In this system, the laying hens are c onfined and crammed into injury-prone wire cages leading to an explosion of overcrowding, mortality rates, cannibalism, pollution, and disease (Xin, H. et al. ).Farms cram laying hens into the wire cages in order to achieve the industrialized goal of low production costs and high profit. The farmer ignores a chickens natural, evolutionary diet and creates a forced diet to operate as a catalyst for production rate. In order to achieve faster, larger, and cheaper results the feed is pumped full of chemicals, antibiotics, as well as millions of tons of meat and bone repast from post-slaughter animal wild are recycled back into animal feed each year, (Feed, Factory Farms Cheap Feed).Not only does this processed diet affect the health of the chicken, but also consumers health. A head up result of additives in the feed is disease-prone hens. Therefore, the diseases acquired from antibiotic resistance combined with the ailments from overcrowding, cannibalism, and injury, are passed from the laying hen to their egg offspring and their waste matters. For example, a commonly utilise chemical in poultry feed is Arsenic. Arsenic is used to promote growth and pr raset disease.However, if consumed by chickens, this poisonous compound lands in their meat, their feces and eventually in water supplies. This additive is related to various health problems such as warts, sore throat, cancer, and even death by poisoning (Animal Welfare, Confined Animals). Chicken waste is a large contributor to the pollution of the planet. The majority of the United States poultry farms utilize the advantageous chicken manure in measures that harmonize with the accumulation of the industrialize mindset of low cost and high profit.Intensive farms lookout man on the waste is based on economics instead of effective and efficient use of the natural resource. Most of the chicken waste is sold to other farmers as untreated fertilizer, (Watch That Birds Rear) for a profit and after the sale, regulat ion of the waste ceases to exist and many violations of environmental laws occur. Chicken manure is a nutrient-rich, constitutive(a) fertilizer for land growth when used well. However, if it is over-applied the toxic levels of nitrogen and phosphorous will spoil water quality via run-off and leaks (Mante 298).The water is then consumed by other inhabitants of the world, which leads to harmful societal impacts such as disease and death. There is also a restrict and decreasing supply safe water on the planet, thus, toxic run-off rapidly increases the amount of foul water while simultaneously increasing the earths water debt. Another profit-making disposal method is exchange the waste to animal feed and chicken litter, or bedding, producers. This production logic is convincing through an economic mind-tunnel, but the real dangers of waste consumption surpass the positive economic impacts.The unsustainable use of poultry litter lies within the current disposal methods such as land a pplication and feeding to cattle are now under pressure because of pollution of water resources due to leaching, runoffs and concern for mad cow disease contamination of the food chain, (Mante 298). For instance, if cattle consumes chicken waste in feed for source of protein it plays a major factor in the development of mad cow disease, which not only annihilates the wastes organic value, but also the entire, living cow. Poultry farms conventional egg production methods do not resourcefully employ chicken waste.Although this waste is viewed as a hazardous waste poisoning the planet, society, and economy, chicken manure is de facto valuable and nourishing for the land when correctly recycled into the soil. Chicken waste is made up of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Alone, the waste is excessively potent to fertilize the land, but with effort by putting the waste through a composting process, it can be one of the most resourceful and sustainable fertilizers to date (Dunc an). Since extra time, resources, and effort are involved to create the value of chicken waste, most large, industrial farms do not participate in these sustainable practices.Not only does this waste of a crude resource amplify the destruction of our planet, it also wastes the nourishing approaches farms could develop to conserve the planet, boost the economy, and sustain the society. received cage eggs are produced from hens in a communal crowded cage system (Facts About the Egg end product Process). Hundreds of hens are crammed into environmentally controlled wire cages. The conventional cage system is a widespread egg production method, but not the only one. Alternate egg production systems include barn, free range, and organic.There is a vast amount of debate over which type of housing system is the most effective and sustainable approach. In order to achieve sustainable egg production, consideration of the sources welfare, living standards, and behavioral development must ta ke place. Barn housing systems house free-roaming hens limited to the barns walls. Barn systems increase hens health, physical activity, and natural behavior solely due to the free movement in the barns boundaries. even up with these advantages, there are still many unsustainable impacts resulting from barn systems.Some of these disadvantages include increased injury, feather pecking, cannibalism, and low air quality from higher levels of toxins. Free-range systems lay off unrestricted movement inside housing walls, similar to barn systems, but the birds also call for daily access to the outdoors. Consequently, laying hens in unconfined egg production systems develop healthier lifestyles as a direct effect of the access to the natural outdoor habitat as well as handiness of fresh food and water. However, the steady contact to the outdoors can also lead to negative performance.Health risks, air-borne disease, predators, and resistance to explore unfamiliar areas are drawbacks as sociated with free-range housing systems (Welfare Implications of Laying Hen Housing 1-3). Organic eggs are produced in a cage-free setting in accordance with the national factory farm standards. The organic egg production process bans hens intake of chemicals, antibiotics, growth hormones, and all unnatural elements used to increase speed, production, profit, and so on (Facts About the Egg Production Process). The different methods of egg production have varying impacts on people, planet, and prosperity.Production of animal feed is the leading factor in greenhouse catalyst emissions and accounts for 92% of the poultry industrys ecological footprint. Surprisingly, organic or free-range eggs may not be the most successful, sustainable production process. Both systems have a larger carbon footprint than any alternative production system. The comfort of natural inputs and fair animal treatment in an organic and free-range egg production process creates the misleading marketing tactic that this method is the most effective approach to achieve a sustainable planet.When in reality, organic and free-range layer hens consume more feed and produce fewer eggs than any other production system (Gasperoni 1). These methods regard higher costs for greater resource inputs while concurrently reducing outputs. Hence, organic and free-range processes yield eggs with an equal nutritional value impact on humans as any other production process, but an unsustainable economic and environmental impact. After the eggs are laid, the production process takes a turn from the evolutionary production of eggs to the commercial manufacturing of eggs.The first step in preparing the eggs for distribution to commercial retailers by packaging eggs into cartons. The United States, being the second largest egg producer, purchases an average of four billion egg cartons yearly almost reaching a grossing $500 million (Egg Cartons, Our crosstie with the Consumer). Egg cartons are critical in order to protect eggs from damage during shipping and handling, preventing cracks in the shell, keeping the eggs clean, and providing nutritional information for several(prenominal) cartons. There are two common types of egg cartons the polystyrene foam container and the pulp molded case carton.Polystyrene foam containers have been the leading material egg cartons used since the 1940s. Polystyrene foam packages have many beneficial characteristics for the egg industry and their nodes. Some benefits of these egg cartons include their ability to hold a substantial amount of weight, tutelary cushioning for the fragile eggs, made in various identification colors, as well as proficient insulation to prevent eggs cracking and miscarry from external heat.The pulp molded fiber cartons are not as popular as polystyrene foam containers, but still used by a number of egg manufacturers in the U.S. Fiber cartons are composed of recycled material as well as biodegradable, and are therefore deemed environmentally friendly by consumers. However, these cartons have a few downsides as well. The protective capacity of the molded fiber relies on the recycled material that formulates the carton. An additional downside of pulp molded fiber cartons is the visual, cosmetic inability, which generates limitations of product identification. The consumers widely held perception that the pulp molded fiber cartons are superior related to sustainability is an illusory opinion.In reality, the sustainable benefits of polystyrene foam cartons are overlooked. Compared to fiber cartons, polystyrene foam cartons require less material inputs, half the amount energy to manufacture, and make up less than 1% of waste contents (Egg Cartons, Our consort with the Consumer). This majority of consumers conclusively have an incorrect understanding of the authentic value and depth measured regarding sustainable practices. The back breaker methods in the egg production industry are a major contributor to t he negative impacts of the societal, economic, and environmental segments of the pillar of sustainability.In order to assess the effected portions of the pillar, food miles are looked to as an indication to understand inefficiency of food supply chain. The term Food Miles refers to the distance food travels from farm to plate, (Rajkumar 40). Food miles have a direct impact on transportation cost, which is proportional to the cost of the good, effecting the prosperity and economy of our planet. This increases an eggs footprint because the greater the distance it travels, the less fresh it becomes, yet the more a customer pays for it due to the transportation costs.There are also environmental costs associated with food miles. The further distance the egg travels, the greater consumption of energy through the transportation mean leading to greater emissions of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases (Pirog 1, 5). This ultimately impacts the environment through air pollution and depletion o f the ozone layer thus effecting society as well. Other social impacts of long distance travel include different areas food safety standards, contamination, and disease.Since food miles are a direct gauge in measuring sustainability, the less distance and egg travels means the more sustainable the egg is for the society, environment, and economy. Reducing food miles is reducing emissions. Shorter distance travels reduces utilisation of fossil fuels and thus, conservation. Minimum food travel minimum pollution, environmental degradation and Global warming, (Rajkumar 41). The egg production process creates many obstacles we need to overcome in order to achieve a sustainable lifestyle and preserve our people, planet, and prosperity.An eggs production process of housing systems, humane animal treatment, laying hens, waste collection, chicken feed, litter management, packaging, transporting, and finally consumption leave a visible footprint contributing to the devastating impacts of the environment, economy, and society. To produce a more sustainable egg, you have to start with what came firstthe chicken. In order to initiate this conservation lifestyle filled with awareness, you also must first start with the chicken. To save this world from any longer harm, we as the earths inhabitants must stop being chickens, and start leading sustainable actions.

Analysis of online auction site ebid

Analysis of online vendue site ebidEBid is an online auction website, which was cofounded by Mark Wilkinson and Gary Sewell in December 1998 in UK. They did non take the normal approach of putting huge amount of capital initially to establish the lineage, they built their site backwards by construction a self sufficient auction site which would attract and retain clients. The initial version of EBid went on air in January 1999.EBid now operates in to a greater extent than 20 countries including UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, India Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Netherland, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, Singapore and South Africa. It lists to buyers in other 100 countries as well.EBid has its own online payment service PPPay, which deals in paying Euros and Pounds Shillings. But this is not restrictive as EBid in addition accepts payment by dint of PayPal and Google Checkout. PPPay.com is simple and comparatively secure which makes EBid a safe mark etplaces on the virtual world for e actuallyone including individuals, small and extensive companies equally.The closest competitor of EBid is Ebay, OnlineAuctions, Oztion etc. In a recent online auction review EBid stood second, closing behind EBay.EBid is often termed as the best Ebay alternative.EBid has numerous auction goods in more than 3,500 product categories, which includes music, collectibles, c quidhing, jewellery, electronics, games and antiques etc. EBids search capability lets its customers find percentage points in their own region or check globally the choice of peaks they argon interested in.There is a Wanted feature which allows buyers to post a allow advertisement and list the acceptable bell. marketers deal then bid for the identical with the utilizen requirements.Membership levelEBid offers three social status levels to their customers.Buyers There is no membership tilt. It is free of cost to heart and soul EBid and buy there.Seller It is free to joi n and list on the auction. And if the product put on the auction is sold off, a minimal of 3% of the final value is charged. Sellers be required to give their credit or debit card verification for safety purposes.Seller Plus It is the membership based on subscription which charges the seller with a recurring fee every 73090 days or 365 days. EBid also offers a lifetime membership which is a onetime charge of 49.99. Seller Plus members abide open fivesome shops for no charge. They can also list a free auction of which the final fee is none. And for gallery type auction 2% fee is charged.Seller Plus+ members can use a type of software called the Bulk lister spread sheet which list many items at the same time, also there is software called as Ninja Lister in which you can use EBids cross- course of study.Registration and upgradingA registration form is to be filled up by the users to register as buyers at EBid. For upgrading to SELLER or SELLER+ a security subscription is to be pur chased.Upgrade FeesSELLER Rs. 0.00SELLER+ 7 Day Rs. 59.0030 Day Rs. 210.0090 Day Rs. 510.00365 Day Rs. 1800.00Lifetime Rs. 2000.00(Refer to appendix Figure 1) crony programs and affiliationsAn affiliate program is a system in which a customer advertise EBid at their emails or their websites etc, and then if someone joins EBid then it pays the introducer a amount of $2.00 / 1.00. The EBid Buddy Points program is a Loyalty Card system. The customer can earn and accumulate points during his bidding or selling, they can be used everywhere at the site. Once the invited spate join 1 point per psyche is awarded to the customer. If they then upgrade to SELLER another point will be earned, and if they upgrade to Seller+ 2 points will be earned. The buddy points then can be later used in different buddy auctions.Points are also available via the following trigger points1.Referring a Buddy = 1 pointsBuddy SELLER Upgrade = 2 pointsBuddy SELLER+ Upgrade = 5 pointsMaking a Bid Meeting Reserve = 0.5% of reserve price (max 5 points)Purchasing via Winning Bid = 1.0% of final bid (max 5 points)Purchasing Using BuyNow = 1.0% of BuyNow price (max 5 points)Receiving Positive Feedback = 0.5% of final bid OR BuyNow price (max 5 points)Online Auction Business ModelThere are several business models associated with online auction model namely business to consumer (B2C), consumer to consumer (C2C), business to business (B2B), business to government (B2G), and government to public (G2P).EBid adopts a customer-to-customer business model, as it allows direct fundamental interaction of customers. A customer to customer interaction is defined as the interaction of n customers that affects the value, demand and credibility of a desired good. It avoids medalling of a business firm/company etc in between the two customers. In Customer-to-customer markets the website facilitates a platform where customers can sell goods to each other.EBid has globalised and centralized customer-to-customer tra de. The most primal such customer interaction were seen in flea markets, garage sales etc. Online auction sites set out given(p) it a new global edge to it. On one single platform buyers and sellers can find the items and transact for the best deal.Listing an item on EBid is free of cost but they charge a nominal of 3% fee on the final sale price. At the end of an auction, EBid notifies the sweet buyer through given e-mail that he has won the auction. It also contact the seller via email to report the winner and the final price of the auction. then(prenominal) it is upto the buyer and seller how to complete the transaction independently. EBid doesnt charge buyers any fee to shop and place bids, so it makes money by charging fees from sellers.Advantages The middleman concept is removed. The customers are benefited more by the elimination.Large count of bidders and sellers As the online auctions are open to all, many people who have saleable product go online to sell, which inc reases the number of bidders too. sequence barrier there is no time constraints as anyone can sell or purchase at any hour of the day.Due to globalisation people from different countries interact with each other to transact. It offers wider range of products and services.Price factor prices at such sites are negotiable and the goods sold are cheaper.In such business model there is a lot of cost cutting, inevitable cost such as inventory cost, distribution, sales etc are deleted.Customer treasure PropositionEBid has not kept any buyers fee, this encourages more buyers to participate. Whereas in other auction site there is a minimum buyers fee too. There is no listing fee too, sellers can put the goods up on auction without any charges, and this strategy gets many sellers to get involved. There is a nominal 3% fee charge on final sale value, which is not comparatively much.The buddy point system makes EBid more interactive and fun to use. EBid provides a lot of incentive such as sp ecial bidding by buddy points etc, this lets customer become more enthusiastic.Revenue ModelAs mentioned earlier EBid earns through final sale value that is 3 %. There is another way of EBid earning, it is through their subscription based membership called as SELLER Plus. Not all the auctions are opened for regular seller there are some which are held only for seller plus members exclusively. EBid charges a fee based on membership validity.There are some fee charged by EBid from customer who wants to highlight their or customise their bidding. A table of the list of charges have been given below.Estimated market price of EBid.net is 1,366,632 USD. And its annual revenue for the last year was calculated as 683,316 USD.(Refer to appendix Figure 2)(Refer to appendix Figure 3)(Refer to appendix Figure 4)CompetitorsEBids chief(prenominal) competitor is online auction giant EBay. Then comes onlineauctions, OZtions, overstock etc.Ebid is often termed as best ebay alternative.It has better price options, free bidding, free joining and free shop to boot. It offers English as well as dutch auctions.EBid has got buddy point system which let users invite more people.Finding a item in EBid is also not a problem, they have excellent navigation system.The photo gallery is also of good size and quality.EBid has an excellent customer support. Their FAQs hold out all the major problem faced by the user.EBid has got easy payment options such as PPPay, PayPal, and google checkout.EBid has been made googles official product partner which gives it an edge.SummaryEbid is a well established online auction company which is growing at a fast rate. It offers some commendable features like numerous auctions in over thousands of categories, very powerful search functioning, simple payment options, user friendliness, different range of auction types and no hidden cost.There are some improvisations needed in the field of their promotional activities. EBid can generate better revenues if t hey start selling their web space for advertisements and it will help them grow their network. Their wanted section is even not well defined and should be made more visible to the customers by more promotions.Figure Account typesFigure Traffic Rank and number of visitors.Figure Revenue systemFigure Unique visitor count

Reflection on a Clinical Experience on Staffing Challenge

Reflection on a Clinical Experience on Staffing Ch aloneengeDescription.As a requirement of my care for course, am writing an essay on an incident that happened during my clinical experience. This was in a Tier 4 public hospital which serves a whole county within the nation in a densely populated atomic number 18a that has a population of 10 million people as per the latest censes of 2009. It similarly serves the neighboring counties. It has all the prescribed function of a tier 4 hospital apart from an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and a Renal Unit of which those requiring this service are referred to the countrys National Hospital and are escorted by the deems on duty.I reported to work one Saturday, a day after account in this institution for very first succession on rotation as per the nursing council requirement as partial fulfillment for the nursing form course, in a medical cover that had seventy two inpatients the previous day. To receive us was the darkness duty cate r who confirmed that there were solely two of us to man the ward, a resident nurse and I.As the report was being read, I noted that two patients were waiting for blood transfusion and still others needed to be assisted with activities of daily living, and at the akin time it was reported from the outpatient department (OPD), that we prepare beds to receive patients from them.After the report, those on night duty left and the resident nurse allocated the duties. She assigned me to administer medication, while she recurrences fretting of all the other duties.I asked her how this was possible of which she replied calmly and confidently that on this day, we were overstaffed as most times during the pass only one nursing staff reports and that everything was difference to be just fine. She was happy to countenance me aroundI managed to quickly mentally adjust to this new and unfamiliar setting and hoped for the trump out.We started make by assisting those that required assistanc e in activities of daily living and tidying up the ward and then I immediately started off with the drug round alone. Almost half of the patients were on injectable medication meaning that I had to take time to restitute and calculate the doses as prescribed, taking care of infection prevention.The administration of drugs as well ask too long noting that those that had a prescription of eight hourly administration of drugs as per this particular institution should get their doses between 9am and 10am scarcely by the time I was through, it was almost 12.30pm meaning that those that got drugs after 11am were two hours late yet it was the best I could do give the circumstances as the resident nurse was busy with new admissions and attending to those that had been discharged as relatives complained of being kept too long before being attended too.FeelingsAs the report was being read, I was wondering how the two of us were meant to handle all the patients efficiently and efficaciousl y in relation to patient care outcome, not mentioning that we were also meant to admit those who would present during the day. Were we going to be timely in administering drugs? How would we handle an emergency arising in the midst of all the procedures awaiting us? How could the nurse manager leave and be settled wherever she was with such a situation in the ward?As a nurse, am aware that quality of care is more important than quantity yet these two should go hand in hand for compulsory productivity to be felt. Here I felt that the nurse manager had not forecasted on the staffing requirement for the unit which ought to be as indicated by the following, states, nurse staffing methodology should be an orderly, systematic process, based upon sound rationale, applied to determine the number and kind of nursing personnel required to provide nursing care of a predetermined standard to a group of patients in a particular setting. The end result is a prediction of the kind and number of s taff required to give care to patients (Ade foldte Rousell, 2009).When learning as a schoolchild it was made clear that two nurses should be assigned administration of drugs as a team so as to counter check on the same and as per the Kenya Nursing Council Procedure Manual 2010. Also with the blood transfusion unfinished procedure, two nurses were required.I felt very inadequate and unprepared to face the day partly because I had not fully familiarized with these new environs and to me, this was a very big institution to be have had such a noticeable shortage of nursing staff. This is in reference to this institutions mission that reads To progress And Provide Quality Curative, Preventive And Rehabilitative Health Services for All Kenyans making me feel that the organization in this unit did not put into consideration quality of service but rather left it to fete. According to Rousell (2009), organizations exist to bring people and material to accomplish the work of the organiz ation which should also bear for personal adjustment, which to me did not seem to be observed as this was my second day in the said hospital.I feared that I would not retort quality service and that the patients would find fault in me as I felt I would keep on enquiring from the resident nurse on areas that I was not certain.EvaluationWhat was positive about this situation is that I worked with what I had, here meaning limited consultation. The resident nurse was very supportive with first-class interpersonal communication skills as she treated me with respect and as her equal, and provided me with a brief orientation on how to go about it, giving me confidence to take up the task with ease. I took it positively and interacted with patients very comfortably and at the end of it all I enjoyed my achievement and felt secure to undergo the same task should it so arise.Good communication skills are essential in mentoring new staff as well as goes a long guidance in removing barriers and obstacles to effective teamwork (Gullatte, 2011). This was what motivated me to carry on with the assigned activity without complaining.The nurse delegated this task to me which is an efficient time management hawkshaw and made me cheerful by reassuring me that she would be accountable and responsible to everything that I did and that she would be present in the ward in case of anything. I learnt that self-confidence conjugate with a pleasant confident manager is in itself very motivating and felt I would use this skill in future.The patients were very relaxed and some going out of their way to assist me lift those that needed a little help as they took their medication. It made me realize how passionate patients can be formerly they stay and get to know one another and that they feel helpful once they are allowed to assist.What was negative is that it took too long to accomplish one denomination and that almost three quarters of the patients got their treatment late and d id not raise a voice, maybe because they do not know of the right to timely services or are too intimidated to do so. This to me was an ethical issue that needed to be addressed as the full benefit of medication was compromised as a direct result of understaffing. One of the ethical issues in nursing is distributive justice meaning giving a person that which is deserved (Sullivan Decker, 2007). They did not deserve to get medication late.Goal setting for both long and short term are stated in terms of what the patient and the nurse will accomplish providing direction and vision for actions and time frames (WHO, 2010).This to me had not been factored in as the duties were being prepared which left room for risks arising that would cost the patients a lot in terms of long recovery time plus maybe subject them to long hospital stay.This hospital is a teaching institution whereby nursing and other health service providing students come for practice and internship during the weekdays an d I could not understand why all the students in all the basic schools are allowed weekend offs. To the best of my understanding, this was the best time to introduce students to the unique working times of health care workers as health issues are not regulated by the time of the day but rather by the demand of the services.I am looking at an opportunity of balancing students throughout the week in contrast to allowing them to overcrowd specific days as had been the case the previous day and overworking the resident nurse over the weekend. I feel that this would have eased the burden had students been allocated weekends as part of their training.I strongly agree that,Addressing the nursing shortage requires a response to the total number of nurses but also the level of nurses education due to the fast growing demand and complex patient care, technologies, and a widening scope of knowledge and expertise (McHugh, 2010).ConclusionAt the end of the day I was left with mixed feelings on one hand that I had provided services to the best of my ability given the prevailing constraints, and on the other, that the patients didnt get the kind of quality care meant to be rendered due to staffing shortage.I feel that since decision making is a backbone function in management, this institution, should as a temporary measure incorporate students in rendering services during the weekends under supervision as happens during weekdays starting off with simple tasks and scaling up responsibilities as they gain confidence.I feel that the nurse managers and the administration ought to call in the policy makers in this county with a clear document ,in it the international standards of staffing as per the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations in the Workload Indicators Staffing Needs (WISN),It is a method of human resource management tool that provideshealth managers with a systematic way to make staffing decisionsIn order to manage human resource well and is based on heal thworkers workload with activity (time) standards applied for eachworkload component (WHO,2010).The manager should at this sitting have found out the external standards of nursing as developed by non-nurses here meaning the county government in question as I believe they also do have expected practice by the same. This is in confirmation by Burkhardt Nathaniel,( 2008) who have demonstrated that External standards of nursing standards are guides for nursing developed by the government or institutions describing expectations of agencies or groups that use services for nurses. This could go a long way in advocating for hiring of more nurses and is a better platform to effecting productive changes in the running of health services than the industrial actions that nurses undertake due to frustrations other than strikes.According to Rousell (2009), There is strong evidence that adequate number of nursing staff available to care for and line up care among the disciplines has an impact on patient outcomes.I want to acknowledge here that from accounts from fellow colleagues, nursing shortage is felt in most institutions but this particular experience was almost horrifying.ActionThe action plan for me and the entire team is to acquire the WHO, WISN manual and use this tool to make a executable staffing outline and call in the county health committee and present our findings in comparison with the actual on the ground and help make recommendations so that as the policy makers budget for the next financial year, they be advised by this document which will have been prepared by the stakeholders in addition to re- distributing student nurses throughout the week.ReferenceBurkhardt, M.A, Nathaniel, A.K. (2008).Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing. (3rd ed.).United Kingdom Delmar.Gullatte, M, M. (2011), Nursing Management Principles and Practice (2nd ed), ONS AtlantaMcHugh, D. (2010), Hospital Staffing and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Implications for const itution DOI 10 111/J 1525-1446.2010.00877X Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc 2998349Tomey, A, M (2009), Nursing Management and Leadership (8th ed) Mosby, Indiana.WHO, (2010). Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs (WISN), ISBN ISBN 978 92 4 1500197.

The Concept Of Csr Business Essay

The Concept Of Csr Business Essay2.2 The History of CSR through the Centuries. The Business Relations, Accountability, Sustainability and Society Centre, cognize as BRASS, in its report History of corporal social function and Sustainability (2007), states that The history of social and environmental concern slightly stage business is as overage as trade and business itself. Commercial logging trading operations for example, together with laws to protect forests, tramp both be traced back almost 5,000 years. In antique Mesopotamia around 1700 BC, King Hammurabi introduced a code in which builders, innkeepers or farmers were put to death if their negligence caused the deaths of others, or major inconvenience to local citizens. In antiquated Rome senators grumbled about the failure of businesses to contri bute sufficient taxes to fund their military campaigns, while in 1622 disgruntled sh argonholders in the Dutch East India Company started result pamphlets complaining about management secrecy and self-enrichment .Moving further, Eberstadt (1977) claims in his study that phenomena of social tariff were already presented in the ancient Greece, while todays corpo objective responsibility movement is an attempt to restore a 2,000-year-old tradition of businesses being connected to the community (cited in Panwar, Rinne, Hansen Juslin, 2006).In the 18th century the businesses started to anticipate that having an efficient proletariat force was essential for the successful starty of their activities. During that period Adam Smith, the great moral philosopher and pi singleer in economics, present for the first time the traditional or classical economic pretense. The model suggested that the needs and the interests of the public would best be met if the individuals act in self-interest manner. Driven by their own self-interests, the individuals would produce and deliver goods and services which would earn them profit, but also meet the needs of the othe rs (Fernando, 2009). According to Brown (2005), the companies in order to keep their employees satisfied, because of the negative effects that the lack of food, accommodate and healthcare had in the labour force efficiency, they started to invest in housing, healthcare and nourishment. Thus, the worker villages of the industrial revolution, order medical facilities and the subsidized works muckle buoyteen appeared. That treat of social philanthropy by the companies stinkpot be considered as the forerunner of the modern day CSR.Sims (2003) claims that the contemporary CSR originated back to the beginning of the 20th century and is establish upon two principles. The first, the principle of charity, is based on religious tradition and suggests that those who are well financially should give to those with difficulties. The second one, the principle of stewardship, says that the organisations have an obligation to serve up the society and satisfy the publics needs since their weal th and the power that they have springs through their activities in spite of appearance the society. This second principle had an impact on affected how companies were faced by governments, press and other groups and led to the conduction of virgin more socially responsible laws.The turn of the businesses to the society and the development of a more societal thinking led the organisations to increase their responsibility and consideration for both social and environmental well-being. This response to environmental and social matters by the corporations is what it is known today as corporal Social Responsibility (Panwar et al., 2006).2.3 Definitions of in bodily Social ResponsibilityThe rise of the sentiment of Corporate Social Responsibility during the past decades resulted to the continuous debate about the consider meaning of the term. The sole(prenominal) cosmopolitanly accepted view about the term CSR is that is a concept which covers several aspects. Frankental (2001), comments that CSR is a vague and intangible term which can mean anything to anybody, and thitherfore is effectively without meaning.Castka, Bamber, Bamber and Sharp (2004) plead that there is no single authoritative definition of CSR. The CSR concept seems to be a loosely outlined umbrella embracing a vast number of concepts traditionally framed as environmental concerns, sustainable development public dealings, corporate philanthropy, human contrivery management and community relations.During the examination of confused literatures it can be seen that there is not a single generally accepted definition, although many a(prenominal) authors and worldwide institutions specialise the term CSR in similar ways.The first academically accepted definition of CSR can be found in the book Social Responsibilities of the Businessman, written by Howard Bowen in 1953. Bowen defines CSR as an obligation to pursue those policies, to puzzle out those decisions, or to follow those lines of action that are desirable in terms of the objectives and values of our society (cited in Panwar et al., 2006).Carroll (2004) argues that the social responsibility of businesses encompasses the economic, influenceheaded, ethical, and discretionary ( charitable) expectations that society has of organizations at a given point in time, while Buhmann (2006) simply defines CSR as doing more than what is required by law. Johnson, Scholes and Whittington (2005), define CSR as the ways in which an organisation exceeds its minimum obligations to stakeholders specified through regulation.The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) defines CSR as the continuing shipment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as the local community and society at large (cited in Castka et al., 2004).Finally, the internationally known law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in the report The Development and Impact of CSR on the Construction Industry (2006), defines CSR as the voluntary integration of environmental, social and human rights considerations into business operations, over and above legal requirements and contractual obligations.To conclude, it can be distinctly seen that the base line of the above definitions is the volunteering obligation that the organisations moldiness have over their employees and their families, the environment and the general public which some(a)times may go further their legal requirements.2.4 Layers of Corporate Social ResponsibilityAccording to Sachs, Ruhli, and Mittnacht (2005) the probably best known economic paradigm that prepare the ground for further research on the concept of CSR is the Carroll Pyramid (Figure 1).FIGURE 1Carroll (1991) suggests that there are quadruplet kind of social responsibilities that an organisation should take into account while conducting its activities and those responsibilities constit ute total CSR. Those four social responsibilities of an organisation were presented into a four- stageed pyramid model, called The Pyramid of Responsibilities. The four moulds of responsibilities are economical, legal, ethical and philanthropic.The infiltrate layer and the foundation of the pyramid is the Economic Responsibilities. The business must be profitable in order to keep its shareholders satisfied, produce goods and services necessary to the consumers and be able to create new jobs and promote innovation.The second layer of responsibilities is the legal and is all about following the law. The businesses should not only be profit driven but at the same time they must treasure the laws and regulations produced by government and it is expected that the businesses would keep their economic activities inside the framework of the law and pay by the rules of the game.The ethical responsibilities are related to fairness and morality. The deals rights and beliefs must be respec ted, any kind of harm, physical or social, must be avoided and any harm caused by others must be prevented.The last layer is the philanthropic responsibilities which urge the businesses to be good corporate citizens. The businesses through their activities must contribute resources to the community and most most-valuablely must be able to help to value of the quality of life.Carroll set the four layers of responsibility in a pyramid in order to show the strong connection between the four kinds of responsibilities. If a kind of responsibility in the pyramid model is absent then the ones above cannot be achieved.Lantos (2001) characterises the Carrolls pyramid model of CSR as altruistic or humane and argued that the firm give be good to use it as marketing too in order to promote its image. undermentioned this view Lantos (2001) proposes a new model of responsibilities by reclassifying Carrolls pyramid from four to three layers. The first layer of Lantos model is the Ethical CSR and implicates economic, legal and ethical responsibilities as one group. The second layer is the Altruistic CSR which is equal to Carrolls philanthropic layer and suggests that businesses must contribute to the community even if a part of the profits must be sacrificed. The last layer of Lantos model is the Strategic CSR where businesses are fulfilling their philanthropic responsibilities not only because of generosity but also because they expect financial communicates from the positive publicity.2.5 Business Ethics and Corporate Social ResponsibilityBusiness Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility are two close related concepts but they are not identical. As it can be seen Business Ethics turning a very primal role in Carrolls Pyramid of responsibilities as Ethics Responsibilities are placed in the second highest layer. Both concepts refer to values, goals and decision making based on something more than just making a profit (Mullerat, 2010). In general terms the bottom l ine of ethics is individually doing the right thing while avoid evil and harmful actions for you and the others in your activities. On the other pile CSR is more about the obligations that an organisation must have over its stakeholders than just its shareholders. A socially responsible organisation must act ethically (Mullerat, 2010).Phatak, Bhagat and Kashlak (2005) define Business Ethics as the moral thinking and analysis by corporate decision-makers and other members regarding the motives and consequences of their decisions and actions. Furthermore, Ferrell and Fraedrich (1998) add that business ethics compromises moral principles and standards that guide doings in the world of business. The concept of Business Ethics is vital for every self-respected organisation and this is why many companies today develop codes of ethics and make commitments about their ethical behaviour to the public (Fisher, 2003).According to Seitel (2001), the organisations develop ethics codes in order toIncrease public confidence Due to mingled scandals, mainly concerning corruptness and briberies inside organisations, the publics institutionalise for businesses has been declined. Thus, companies have fixd to adopt the ethics code in order to break their image.Stem the tight of regulation Due to the declining trust and confidence of the public for businesses, the governments increased their legislations and regulations in order to reverse the situation. The companies adopted the ethics codes in order to show that they have ethical behaviour and can be trusted.Improve internal regulations Due to the increase of the size of organisations and the development of multinational operations it is essential that some codes of conduct must be created in order to have the same behaviour standards among the employees.Business ethics depend on two main factors, refining and time (Svensson and Wood, 2003). The business environment culture is influenced by traditions, religion, ethical v alues and individuals and can be defined as what is accepted and what is unaccepted. The companys success can be affected if antithetical opinions, that is to say different cultures, cannot be adopted satisfactory by the organisation. Additionally, what is accepted and what is unaccepted can be affected by the business time element. The business world is a fast changing environment and what is considered ethical today it can turn out to be unethical tomorrow. As it can be seen the success or the failure of a business is closely connected with ethics and that is why Business Ethics must be used as a corporate philosophy rather than a corporate code in every organisation.To conclude, Johnson et al. (2005) argue that the societys expectations, which have major influence on companies and organisations, are based on three levels of Business Ethics. The macro level is the first one and is related to the ethical posture of the company. Simply, the macro level is related to the extent in w hich the organisations are willing to do more than their legal requirements in order to satisfy their stakeholders. The second one is a part of the macro level and is the Corporate Social Responsibility level. This level is concerned the ability of organisations to surpass the minimum requirements needed in order to maintain the organisations ethical stance. The individual or managerial level is the last level of Business Ethics. This is a very important level since is connected with the behaviour and actions of individuals inside the organisation.2.6 Drivers of Corporate Social ResponsibilityThe current neural impulse behind Corporate Social Responsibility is being built based on a variety of very important factors. Ernst and Young (2002) mention that there are five key drivers which encourage the increasing business concentrate on CSR. These are (1) greater stakeholder consciousness of corporate ethical, social and environmental behaviour, (2) direct stakeholder pressures, (3) investor pressure, (4) peer pressure and (5) an increased sense of social responsibility (cited in Jones, Comfort and Hillier, 2006).Panwar et al. (2006), argue that there are diverse motivations that lead to the adoption of CSR by the organisations. For example a business is adopting CSR in order to meet mandatory legal requirements aimed at controlling destructive business practices while another business is using CSR in order to increase its productivity and improve its financial performance. It is also suggested that a company by using CSR in its practises can improve functional areas such as market positioning and risk management.According to Wood (1991), the concept of CSR is being driven by three major principles. Firstly, businesses are obliged to use their power responsibly since they are above all social institutions. Secondly, the responsibility for the outcomes of the involvement with the public is upon businesses. Lastly, discretion must be exercised in decision making processes by the individual managers who are also moral agents.Andriof and McIntosh (2001) believe that the driving force behind the concept of CSR is the consumers and employees. These two categories are belongings the power in the market system nowadays. Consumers and employees are now well informed about the several challenges the world has to face and they do not genuinely believe that the governments can change things. They accept that corporations are the most powerful social institutions of the present era and most importantly they are willing to strengthener those corporations who are responsive to their concerns.Finally, Girod and Bryane (2003) use a strategic marketing view arguing that CSR is a key tool to create, develop and sustain differentiated discolouration names. Furthermore, the Commission of the European Communities (2002) argues that the organisations in order to better respond to the fundamental changes in the overall business environment they adopted CSR a nd used it as an important element in new and emerging forms of governance. These changes include globalisation and the responsibilities companies feel the need to address, as they increasingly source products and services in developing countries the issues of image and reputation, which have become increasingly important elements in corporate success and the need for companies to recruit and retain highly skilled personnel (cited in Jones, et al., 2006).2.7 Benefits of Corporate Social ResponsibilityMany organisations are using nowadays CSR as a marketing tool due to the fact that the performance of CSR practices can sour to the organisation a wide range of probable benefits, both direct and indirect.The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has said that implementing a CSR policy, can bring real business benefits by reducing risk, by enhancing brand value, by opening doors and creating good will, and by improving provide efficiency and morale. It can also get in stable and e thical investment and add competitive edge (Chartered Institute of Building, Report)According to Mackey, Mackey Barney (2005) in the case that a company surpasses the minimum CSR requirements then the potential benefits can lead to a positive effect to the companys performance and value.Gildea (1994) and Zaman et al. (1991), stress out that research has shown that companies that care for the environment and exhibit good CSR practices experience increased consumer purchase preference in addition to increased investment appeal (cited in Panwar et al., 2006). Many consumers prefer to buy for ethical business. A resume conducted by Cone Inc. (2004) showed that 91% of the consumers have a more positive image of a product or a company when it seconds a cause. The 90% of the consumers would consider switching to another companys product or services if they found out about a companys any unlawful or unethical practises. In addition, Muckiewicz (1993) supports that the reputation of an or ganisation plays a vital role as research studies show that 9 out of 10 consumers use it in order to decide which product or service they will buy from those that are similar in price and quality.According to Bernstein (2004), CSR benefits both the company and the community. Due to use of CSR the corporate culture and corporate name of the company can be improved significantly thus the best employees can be attracted and the motivation of the workforce will remain in high levels. The society benefits from CSR practices as well through a variety of services and action, though the company has to create some differentiate of societal benefit in order to be called socially responsible.Some of the potential benefits that a business can have from the use of CSR practices can include improved financial performance and profitability reduced operating costs long-term sustainability for companies and their employees increased staff commitment and involvement enhanced capacity to enter good relations with government and communities better risk and crisis management enhanced reputation and brand value and the development of closer links with customers and greater awareness of their needs (cited in Jones et al., 2006) . Table 1 presents a summary of business benefits of CSR.TABLE 1Concluding, it must be noted that the benefits from the adoption of CSR practises can neer be predicted or be constant since each company ope place in a different and always changing environment. Barnett (2007) adds that this unpredictability could lead to limited support for CSR initiatives from the board, in times of financial instability. Thus, the business case supporting CSR has to be specific for every company and based on Rowley and Berman (2000) CSR deeds of an organisation cannot be collated against some standards, since those does not exist. Furthermore, McWilliams and Siegel (2001) point out that the potential existence of those standards would allow CSR to be considered as part of the investment decisions, as the company would be able to make judgements for its business case in a more formal way.2.8 Criticism against Corporate Social ResponsibilityThe concept of CSR, as it can be seen from the various definitions presented on previous paragraphs, is based upon the principle that businesses do have another responsibility than just making profits. Every organisation has a responsibility towards the society, its people and the environment as well. At the same time, many are those who are opposed the idea of integrating CSR practices into their corporations and they believe that shareholders interest can be conflicted by operating a good business.Dr Milton Friedmann (1970), a renowned economist, in his article The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits affirms that there is one and only one social responsibility of business is to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud. According to his economic model the organisation is an economic institution which should only focus in the economic scope. Organisations are seen purely as legal entities incapable of value decisions. A manager who uses a firms resources for non-profit social purposes is thought to be turn economic efficiency and levying an illegal tax on the organisation (Balabanis, Phillips and Lyall, 1998).Following this view Dr Robert Barrington (2008) states that the managers are concentrated on soft issues rather than hard issues of the bottom line and this is something that is costing money to the shareholders. Moving further Frankental (2001), conclude that CSR is simply a public relations invention and it will remain like this. He believes that CSR can only have real substance if it embraces all the stakeholders of a company, if it is reinforced by changes in company law relating to governance, i f it is rewarded by financial markets, if its definition relates to the goals of social and ecological sustainability, if its implementation is benchmarked and audited, if it is open to public scrutiny, if the compliance mechanisms are in place, and if it is embedded across the organisation horizontally and vertically.Henderson (2001) after the examination of various issues related to the concept of CSR comments that the current widely-held doctrine of CSR is deeply flawed. It rests on a mistaken view of issues and events, and its general adoption by businesses would reduce welfare and damp the market economy. In the same motion Moir (2001) suggests that those who adopt the neoclassical model of business would follow the view that the only social responsibilities that a corporation can have are to provide employment, pay taxes and mainly to maximise its profits therefore, maximise its shareholders value.On the other extreme of the arguments above, Dave Packard, the co-founder of He wlett Packard Company once said I think many people assume, wrongly, that a company exists simply to make money. While this is an important result of a companys existence, we have to go deeper and find the real reasons for our being. We inevitably come to the conclusion that a group of people get together and exist as an institution that we call a company so that they are able to accomplish something collectively that they could not accomplish separately they make a contribution to society (cited in Handy, 2002).Concluding, Freeman (1984) argues that a corporation is wrong to be seen just as a private economic institution, as it was suggested by Friedman (1970), but it has to be also seen as a social institution. This way, corporations would be responsible for any of their actions against the people, the community and the environment. Based on his Stakeholder Theory, companies operations should not be based on the interests of their shareholders but they have to be based on the int erested of their stakeholders.2.9 Corporate Social Responsibility and StakeholdersThe definition given about the concept of CSR from Johnson et al. (2005) includes the words obligations to stakeholders, which indicates that stakeholders have an important role to play in this extent.Freeman (1984), the father of the Stakeholder Theory of the firm, defines stakeholders as any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the achievement of the organizations objectives. The Stakeholder Theory of the firm is used as a basis to analyse those groups to whom the firm should be responsible (Moir, 2001).The identification of the different stakeholder groups of the organisation is extremely important during the implementation of CSR practices. Usually the stakeholder groups are separated into primary and supplementary stakeholders. According to Clarkson (1995) a primary stakeholder group is one without whose continuing participation the corporation cannot perish as a going concern, w hile a secondary stakeholder group is those who influence or affect, or are influenced or affected by the corporation, but they are not engaged in transactions with the corporation and are not essential for its survival. Based on those definitions a primary stakeholder group contains shareholders and investors, employees, customers, suppliers, governments and communities. The secondary stakeholder group includes the media and a wide range of special interest groups (Clarkson, 1995).According to Freemans (1984) definition of stakeholders the relation between the company and its stakeholders can be described as two-way. Castka et al. (2006) support the view that the implementation of CSR is all about the right choices and strategic decisions and comment that the dilemmas that an organisations stakeholders can have are which choices and decision must choose in order to satisfy. Berman, Wicks, Kotha and Jones (1999), in order to find a solution for those dilemmas, derived two distinct s takeholder management approaches the instrumental and the normative approach. The first, instrumental approach, suggests that concern for stakeholders is motivated by the perception that financial performance can be improved. The second, intrinsic stakeholder commitment approach, assumes that organisations have a normative (moral) commitment to advance stakeholders interests (Castka et al. 2006). The instrumental approach was the one empirically supported in Berman et al. (1999) research while Harrison and Freeman (1999) mention that the conduction of more research is essential in order to clarify the model of the normative approach.Although further research is required it can be clearly anticipated, through the examination of various literature, that the instrumental approach is the most desirable among researchers. McWilliams and Siegel (2001) suggest that corporations need to carefully consider in which aspects of the CSR to invest in and they comment that by using cost-benefit a nalysis the managers can ideally determine the level of CSR. Additionally, Agle, Mitchell and Sonnenfeld (1999) argue that the decision to make a CSR investment is driven by the needs of the most powerful stakeholders within the organisation, such as top management staff and is usually connected with their desire to gain more profits and increase the shareholders value.Finally Castka et al (2004) believe that the purpose of CSR is an investment and it must be considered and enured like one. Moving further they suggest that the balance between the need for maximizing profit from CSR and the demand for CSR from multiple stakeholders is the key to a core return on investment in CSR (Figure 2). In order to achieve this balance stakeholders expectations should be assessed and examined through dialogues and must be translated and included into the companys strategy plan.FIGURE 22.10 Areas of Corporate Social ResponsibilityAndriof and McIntosh (2001) write that CSR is not chequebook phila nthropy, nor a study based on business ethics. They argue that the concept of CSR can be described as a vision that corporate leaders have for their business which is beyond of just making profits. CSR has an impact on every body process of the company and can affect areas either inside or outside the company.According to Andriof and McIntosh (2001) the four distinct areas that CSR encompasses areThe CommunityThe EnvironmentThe MarketplaceThe workBy operating within these four areas companies can conduct specific programmes and make the difference and can actively monitor, evaluate and change their effects of their activities. The implementation of CSR and the thinking behind becoming involved in these areas represents the new way of doing business.2.11 Activities of Corporate Social ResponsibilityThe concept of CSR can be divided into many and diverse domains. Sen and Bhattacharya (2001) provide six broad domains of CSR activities, based on a comprehensive summarisation of CSR do mains contained in Socrates The Corporate Social Ratings Monitor (Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini Co. Inc. 1999), a database that describes and rates more than 600 companies in terms of their CSR records. These domains of CSR activities areCommunity Support The company provides support to the community with the use of health and educational and housing programs for financially disadvantaged. The overgenerous and innovative giving is promotedDiversity The company provides initiatives for sex, race, family, sexual orientation and disability diversityEmployee Support The company promotes health and safety, ensures job security and profit sharing, develops relations with the labour unions and allows employees involvement.Environment The company avoids the use of hazardous waste management techniques, uses and produces environmental friendly products, develops pollution control and recycling techniques.Non-domestic Operations The company prevents operations in countries where human right vio lations occur or unhealthy labour practices take place.Product The company produces safe product and promotes research and development and innovation.Following the same line Johnson et al (2005) present a checklist of the organisations responsibilities. Those responsibilities are divided into two categories, the internal and the external aspects of CSR, based on the areas that the organisations activities can affect. Internal aspects of the companys activities can include employee welfare, working conditions, job design and intellectual property. External aspects of activities can include environmental issues, products, markets and marketing, suppliers, employment, community activity and human rights.2.12 Factors influencing Corporate Social Responsibility

Green Flash from the Sun :: weather sunset

Many think its just a myth. Others think it is true but its cause isnt known. Adventurers rob themselves on having containn it. Its a car park flash from the cheerfulness. The truth is the green flash does exist and its cause is well understood. Just as the setting Sun disappears wholly from view, a last glimmer appears startlingly green. The effect is typically visible hardly from locations with a low, distant horizon, and lasts just a few seconds. A green flash is also visible for a rising Sun, but takes better timing to spot. A slight variant of this was caught in the above photograph, where much of the Sun was still visible, but the very top appeared momentarily green. The Sun itself does not turn partly green, the effect is caused by layers of the Earths atmosphere acting like a prism.The Green FlashDefinition and Description The green flash is an atmospheric refractive phenomenon where the top edge of the sun will momentarily turn green. It is seen seldom by the na ked eye, primarily because it requires specific conditions to occur, but also because it requires the observer to know what to look for. Despite the name, there is no flash the event only lasts from a fraction of a second to at the longest, a few seconds.The Basic Cause Refraction bends the light of the sun. The atmosphere acts like a weak prism, separating the light into diferent colors. Blue light is bent more strongly than red. But this refraction is very weak even at the horizon, which is why the sun isnt seen as being multi-colored in the daytime. The effect is magnified by the atmosphere, and at the horizon there is a lot of atmosphere between the sun and the viewer. Layering in the atmosphere causes an effect similar to a horizontal cylindrical lens the separation of the color bands is exaggerated in the vertical direction.Conditions The green flash is best observed when you have a clear view of the horizon, with no objects or pollution in the line of sight. Usuall y you need to be able to see a distance of several miles out, almost to the point where the curvature of the Earth defines the limit. Because of this, the green flash is most often reported by the ocean.

Rates of Reaction :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

An Experiment to show the reaction mingled with Hydrochloric acid and atomic number 20 CarbonateIntroductionHydrochloric acid + Calcium Carbonate Calcium Chloride + CarbonDioxide + Water2HCl(aq) + CaCO3(s) CaCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H20(l)In this experiment we forget be investigating the variables that thunder mugaffect the speed of reaction between hydrochloric acid and calciumcarbonate. During this experiment carbon dioxide is produced. This iswhat we are going to use to record the speed of reaction, for thefaster the reaction the faster carbon dioxide is produced.Variables=========A variable affects the rate of reaction between a number of chemicals.For a reaction to occur the particles have to collide with sufficientenergy to break the bonds between them. This amount of energy neededis called energizing energy. In a reaction, only the particles withenergies above the Activation Energy will cause a reaction.The different variables that could be used areText buffet Surface Area Wh en a warm reacts with a liquid or gas, the bulge out area of the solid particles makes a difference to the speed of the reaction. From the diagram you can see that the three smaller particles have a larger surface area all together (shown as blue) than the larger particle and so will react faster. There are to a greater extent calcium carbonate particles on the the concentration of the hydrochloric acidText Box surface for the acid to react with. Powders of a Calcium carbonate react even faster as the of calcium carbonate particles showing to react with the acid particles is even greater. Crushing up the solid in an experiment can make a long experiment a lot faster and more violent. The reason that, with a larger surface area a solid reacts faster is that there are more particles showing for the liquid or gas to react with. Temperature===========This is one of the most impressive ways of speeding up the rate of areaction. From disturbing the chemical you are transferring energy intothe particles. When particles do collide, they are more likely toreact, rather than middling bounce off each other, if they are movingfaster. When the particles have more energy they collide more oftenand with more force with the other chemical. With more collisions andwith a larger force it is more likely that the collisions will besuccessful. This means that the rate of reaction will be greater.change in heat can change the rate of the reaction. The first curve onthe graph shows a reaction when the chemicals involved are of a low