Should You Be Worried About Lead Pipes

Lead was commonly used to make pipes in plumbing for many centuries. It is cheap, rust resistant, and easy to weld. Eventually, health concerns encouraged a switch to alternate plumbing materials.  Copper and specialized plastics (like PVC and PEX) are now choice products for water pipes in homes.  Ã‚   However, many older homes still have the original lead pipes installed. In the United States and Canada, homes built before the 1950s should be suspected of having lead pipes, unless they have been replaced already. Lead soldering, applied to join together copper pipes, continued to be used well into the 1980s.   Lead Is a Serious Health Concern   We absorb lead through the  air, our food, and the water we drink. The effects of lead on our body are very serious. The consequences of lead poisoning range from kidney damage to reproductive problems including declined fertility. Lead poisoning is especially worrisome in children, as it affects the development of their nervous system and causes permanent changes in behavior and in the ability to learn. In the last few decades, we generally have been well educated about the problem of lead in old paint and about what we needed to do to prevent children from being exposed. The issue of lead in the water, however, recently only became a public topic of conversation in the wake of the Flint lead crisis, wherein, in an ​egregious case of environmental injustice, an entire community was exposed to lead-tainted municipal water for far too long. It Is Also About the Water   Old lead pipes are not automatically a health threat. A layer of oxidized metal forms on the pipe surface over time, preventing water from directly contacting the raw lead. By controlling the pH of the water at the water treatment plant, municipalities can prevent corrosion of this oxidized layer, and even add certain chemicals to facilitate the formation of a protective coating (a form of scale). When the water chemistry is not properly adjusted, as the case was in Flint, lead is leached out of the pipes and can reach consumers’ homes at dangerous levels. Do you get your water from a well instead of a municipal water treatment plant? If you have lead in your house pipes, there is no guarantee that the water chemistry is not at risk of leaching lead and bringing it to your faucet. What Can You Do? If you have concerns about your pipes, run water from your tap to flush out your pipe before you drink it, especially in the morning. Water that has been sitting around for several hours in your house pipes is more likely to pick up lead.  Water filters can remove most lead from your drinking water. However, the filter has to be specifically designed for lead removal – check whether it is certified for that purpose by an independent organization (for example, by the NSF).  Ã‚  Hot water is also more likely to dissolve lead and carry it to your faucet. Do not use hot water directly from the faucet to cook or make hot drinks.  Have your water tested  for lead. ​While your municipality may have changed all of its delivery conduits to non-lead materials, the pipes inside your older home (or connecting to the municipal system under your front lawn) may not have been replaced. To confirm your water is safe to drink, contact a reputable, certified water testing lab and have them do an analysis. It is more costly, but its better to choose an independent company that will not try to sell you a treatment system.Your child’s blood level can also easily be tested for lead by a pediatrician. Detecting an elevated lead blood level early is important and would give you time to determine where it’s coming from.Children spend a lot of time in school – how’s the water there? Request water quality tests from your school district. If they do not have them done periodically, require they do so. Hunters are leaving lead out of their bullets, and ​​anglers are encouraged to choose alternatives. Getting lead also out of our homes and our drinking water will take more work, but it is important.

Snapping Beans Poem Analysis - 1483 Words

Aspirations The poem â€Å"Snapping Beans† by Lisa Parker speaks to all college students who leave home to go to school. This poem speaks about the insecurities kids face when they start to interact with the world. As children we learn first from our parents and close family and friends. We learn how to model our behavior from learning form those that surround us. Sometimes when we emulate our close relatives we contract the good along with the bad. So as the granddaughter comes back home to her grandmother who is the pillar of support that gives her warmth and comfort. She Is yearning to speak all about her travels and people she has met. Yet as she goes of to college for the first time interacting with vastly different†¦show more content†¦I will start with the world, â€Å"heartsick† because this word relates to the feelings that the granddaughter felt for the yarning of the comforts of her home. The sorrows drowned out by the panels of the quilt her grandmother made her. The comfort of her home away form home for those nights she felt sad and wanted to be home. The granddaughter could easily drown her fears and tears into this quilt and be reminded of the strength and the bond she has with her Grandmother. â€Å"Heartsick† was an powerful word to use to understand how the granddaughter must have felt on those miserable days. But, to tie it in to the quilt like she did was like she quilted the words together to show how and what it meant to be alone and struggled and how the granddaughter coped with her emotions. I believe that the word loose, this word was placed all the way at the end of the poem. I feel like this word speaks loudly throughout this poem significance. This poem is about the granddaughter being blown â€Å"loose† by the natural forces that cary us. In this case she is blowing â€Å"loose† of her home and her centric ideas. To explore and be â€Å"loose† in the world to experience it through her eyes t o develop her own point of view by simply enacting her own beliefs and adopting others. I felt compelled to react to the word, â€Å"slant†. â€Å"Slant†, has a great meaning in this poem for it is used in the beginning of the poem. Slant can mean aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem Snapping Beans By Lisa Parker1371 Words   |  6 PagesIn Snapping Beans by Lisa Parker, she strategically utilizes figure of speech such as tone, imagery, and symbolism. She expresses the poem in the first-person view while including diction which helps enhance the overall mood and attitude that Lisa s poem initially conveys in her piece. Including the title Snapping Beans itself, Lisa marvelously showcase the poem s concentration on two individuals’ in correlation to the connection amongst two individuals . She presents the adaptation of human

Indian Financial System Free Essays

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT ON INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM amp; SOURCES OF LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM FINANCES SUBMITTED BY, PREMJITH. A P10144 PGDM 2010-12 INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The financial system in india refers to the system of borrowing and lending of funds or the demand for and the supply of funds of all individuals, institutions, companies and of the government. Commonly the Indian financial system is classified into: * Industrial finance: funds required for the conduct of industry and trade * Agricultural finance: funds needed and supplied for the conduct of agriculture and allied activity * Development finance: funds needed for development; actually it includes both industrial finance and agricultural finance * Government finance: relates to the demand for a nd supply of funds to meet government expenditure The mobilization of savings and the effective distribution of the savings among all those who demand the funds for investment purposes. We will write a custom essay sample on Indian Financial System or any similar topic only for you Order Now The banking system, the insurance companies, mutual funds, investment funds and other institutions which promote savings among the public, collect their savings and transfer them to the actual investors * The investor in the country composed of individuals investors, industrial investors, industrial and trading companies and the government, these enters in the financial system as borrowers. FUNCTIONS OF INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The Indian financial system performs a crucial role in economic development of india through saving investment process also known as capital formation. Sometimes it is also calls financial market. The purpose of financial market is to mobile savings efficiently and allocates the same efficiency among the ultimate users of funds, ie: investors * Increase in savings, that is resources that are would have been normally used for consumption purposes should be released for other purposes. * Mobilization of savings – domestic savings collected by banking and financial institutions and placed at disposal of actual investors; and * Investment proper, which is the production of capital goods. COMPOSITION OF THE INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The Indian money market is the market in which short term funds are borrowed and lent. The capital market in india on the other hand, is the market for medium- term and long term funds. Reserve bank of india Organized sector Sub Market Unorganized sector Public sector banks Private sector banks NBFC IDFC, GIC, LIC Call money T- Bills Certificate for Deposit Commercial Papers SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM FUNDS SHARES Shares comes in the Long term funds. A share is a unit of capital of the company. It has a definite face value. It represents ownership rights of their holders. Buyers of shares are called shareholder and they are legal owners of the firm whose shares they hold. Each shareholder invest their money in the shares of a company in exception of a return on their investment capital. The return of shareholder consists of dividend and capital gain. Share holder make capital gain or (loss) by selling their share. Each share carries a distinct number. Shares are transferable units. Shareholders are of two type ORDINARY and PREFERENCE shareholders. Preference share: These shares have preference over the ordinary shares in terms of payment of dividend and repayment of capital if company is wound up. They may be issued with or without a maturity period. REDEEMABLE PREFERENCE SHARE are shares with maturity and IRREDEEMABLE PREFERENCE SHARES without any maturity. The holder of preference shares get dividend at a fixed rate. With regards to dividend, preference shares may be issued with or without cumulative features. In the case of CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES unpaid dividends accumulate and are payable in the future. Dividends in arrears do not accumulate in the case of NON CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES. Features of Preference share Claim on income and assets: preference share is a senior security as compared to ordinary share. It has a prior claim on the company’s income in the sense that the company must first pay preference share dividend before paying the ordinary dividend. Fixed dividend: The dividend rate are fixed in the case of preferences share, and preference dividend are not tax deductable. Cumulative dividend: that all past unpaid dividend be paid before the ordinary dividends are paid. Ordinary Shares: represents the ownership position in a company. The holders of ordinary shares called shareholders are the legal owners of the company. Ordinary shares are the sources of permanent capital since they do not have a maturity date. However, the ordinay shareholders are entitled to receive dividends. The amount or rate of dividends are not fixed. An ordinary share is called variable income security. Being the owner the company, shareholders bear the risk of ownership; they are entitled to dividends after the income claims of others have been satisfied. Similarly, when the company is wound up, they can exercise their claim on assets after the claims of other suppliers of capital have been met. Features of Ordinary shares: Claims on income: Ordinary shareholders have a residual ownership claim. They have a claim to the residual income, which is earnings available for ordinary shareholder after paying expenses, interest charges, taxes and preference dividend. Claim on asset: Ordinary shareholder have residual claim on company asset in case of liquidation. Voting rights: Ordinary shareholder are required to vote on a number of important matters. The most significant proposals include: election of directors and change in memorandum of association. RIGHTS ISSUE When company distributes all earnings to shareholders, then, it can reacquire new capital from the same sources by issuing new shares called rights shares. BONDS A bond is a long term debt instrument or security. Bonds issued by the government do not have any risk of defaults. The private sector companies also issue bonds, which are called debentures. A company can issue secured and unsecured debenture. In case of bonds and debentures, the rate of interest is generally fixed and known to investors. Features of Bonds * Face value is the par value. A bond is generally issued at a par value of Rs:100 or Rs:1000, and interest in paid on face value. * Interest rate is fixed and known to bondholders. Interest paid on a bond is tax deductable. Interest rate is called coupon rate. * Maturity bond is generally issued for a specified period of time. It is repaid on maturity. * Redemption value The value that a bondholder will get on maturity is called redemption or maturity value. A bond may be redeemed at par or at premium or at discount. * Market value A bond may be traded in a stock exchange. The price at which it is currently sold or bought is called the market value of the bond. Market value may be different from par value or redemption value. Bonds may be classified into three (1) Bond with maturity (2) Pure discount bonds (3) Perpetual bonds Bond with maturity The companies issue bonds that specify the interest rate and the maturity period. Pure discount bonds These bonds do not carry an explicit rate of interest. It provides for the payment lump sum amount at a future date in exchange for the current price of bond. Perpetual bonds These bonds are also consols, has an indefinite life and therefore, it has no maturity value. Types of Debentures * Convertible debenture (CD) * Non convertible debenture (NCD) * Fully convertible debenture (FCD) * Partly convertible debenture (PCD) WARRANTS A warrant entitles the purchaser to buy a fixed number of ordinary shares at a particular price during a specified time period. Warrants are generally issued along with debentures as sweeteners. Warrants are used in conjunction with ordinary or preference shares. Characteristics of Warrants Exercise price of a warrant is the price at which its holder can purchase the issuing firms ordinary shares. Exercise ratio states the number of ordinary shares that can be purchased at the exercise per warrants. Expiration date is the date when the option to buy ordinary shares in exchange of warrants expires. Detachability the warrant can either be a detachable or non detachable. Detachable warrants Warrant can be sold separately from debentures to which it is originally attached Non detachable warrants cannot be sold separately from the debenture to which it was originally attached. Some of the other methods used for raising long term capitals, * CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERNCE SHARE * DERIVATIVE SECURITIES * BORROWING FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (BANKS) SHORT TERM FUNDS It is the market for near money, or it is the market for lending and borrowing of short funds. It is the market for lending and borrowing short term surplus investible funds of banks and other financial institution are demanded by borrowers comprising individual companies and the government. The composition of Indian money market consist of Call money market One important submarket of the Indian money market is the Call money market, which is the market for very short term funds. This market is also known as money at call and short notice. This market has two segments (a) the call market or overnight market and (b) short notice market. The rate at which unds are borrowed and lent in this market is called the call money market. Call money rates are market determined by demand and supply of short term funds. The public sector banks account for about 80% for the demand and foreign banks and Indian private sector banks account for the balance of 20% of borrowings. NBFC’s like IDBI, GIC, LIC are call money market lenders. Bill market in India The bill market ir the discount market is the most important part of the money market where short bills normally up to 90days are bought and sold. The bill market is further subdivided into commercial bill market and treasury bill market. The 91 day treasury bills are the most common ways the government of india raises funds for the short period. Government has also introduced the 182 day T-Bills and 364 day T-bills, In 1997 government introduced 14 day T-Bill. Dated government securities The government of india has also decided to sell dated securities on an auction basis. The purpose of this government decision is: * To develop dated securities as a monetary instrument with flexible yields * To provide financial instrument to suit investors expectation, and * To meet Government needs directly from the market. Repo and reverse repos Repos are now a regular feature of RBI’s market operations, If the banking system experience liquidity shortage, then RBI comes to assist banking system by repurchasing government securities. When the government securities are repurchased from the market, payment is made by RBI to commercial banks and this adds to their liquidity and enables them to expand their credit to industry and trade. Reverse repo is to sell dated securities through auction at fixed cut off rate of interest. The objective is to provide short term avenue to banks to park their surplus funds. Certificate of Deposits (CD) The CD’s are another important money market instrument. They were issued by banks in multiples of Rs:25 lakhs to expand the investor base of CD’s, the min: value was reduced and is presently Rs: 1 lakhs. The maturity is between 3 months and one year. CD ‘s are freely transferable after 45 days after the date of issue. CD’s became immediately popular with banks for raising resources at competitive rates of interest. Commercial papers (CP) The commercial papers are issued by companies with networth of Rs 10 crores, later reduced to Rs: 5 crores. The CP is issued multiples of Rs. 25 lakhs subject to minimum issue of Rs 1 crore. The maturity of Cp is between 3 to 6 months. The purpose of introducing CP is to enable high level corporate borrowers to diversify their source of short term borrowings on the one hand and provide an additional instrument to the banks and financial instrument in the money market. Reference: Financial Management by I M Pandey How to cite Indian Financial System, Papers

Indian Financial System Free Essays

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT ON INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM amp; SOURCES OF LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM FINANCES SUBMITTED BY, PREMJITH. A P10144 PGDM 2010-12 INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The financial system in india refers to the system of borrowing and lending of funds or the demand for and the supply of funds of all individuals, institutions, companies and of the government. Commonly the Indian financial system is classified into: * Industrial finance: funds required for the conduct of industry and trade * Agricultural finance: funds needed and supplied for the conduct of agriculture and allied activity * Development finance: funds needed for development; actually it includes both industrial finance and agricultural finance * Government finance: relates to the demand for a nd supply of funds to meet government expenditure The mobilization of savings and the effective distribution of the savings among all those who demand the funds for investment purposes. We will write a custom essay sample on Indian Financial System or any similar topic only for you Order Now The banking system, the insurance companies, mutual funds, investment funds and other institutions which promote savings among the public, collect their savings and transfer them to the actual investors * The investor in the country composed of individuals investors, industrial investors, industrial and trading companies and the government, these enters in the financial system as borrowers. FUNCTIONS OF INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The Indian financial system performs a crucial role in economic development of india through saving investment process also known as capital formation. Sometimes it is also calls financial market. The purpose of financial market is to mobile savings efficiently and allocates the same efficiency among the ultimate users of funds, ie: investors * Increase in savings, that is resources that are would have been normally used for consumption purposes should be released for other purposes. * Mobilization of savings – domestic savings collected by banking and financial institutions and placed at disposal of actual investors; and * Investment proper, which is the production of capital goods. COMPOSITION OF THE INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The Indian money market is the market in which short term funds are borrowed and lent. The capital market in india on the other hand, is the market for medium- term and long term funds. Reserve bank of india Organized sector Sub Market Unorganized sector Public sector banks Private sector banks NBFC IDFC, GIC, LIC Call money T- Bills Certificate for Deposit Commercial Papers SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM FUNDS SHARES Shares comes in the Long term funds. A share is a unit of capital of the company. It has a definite face value. It represents ownership rights of their holders. Buyers of shares are called shareholder and they are legal owners of the firm whose shares they hold. Each shareholder invest their money in the shares of a company in exception of a return on their investment capital. The return of shareholder consists of dividend and capital gain. Share holder make capital gain or (loss) by selling their share. Each share carries a distinct number. Shares are transferable units. Shareholders are of two type ORDINARY and PREFERENCE shareholders. Preference share: These shares have preference over the ordinary shares in terms of payment of dividend and repayment of capital if company is wound up. They may be issued with or without a maturity period. REDEEMABLE PREFERENCE SHARE are shares with maturity and IRREDEEMABLE PREFERENCE SHARES without any maturity. The holder of preference shares get dividend at a fixed rate. With regards to dividend, preference shares may be issued with or without cumulative features. In the case of CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES unpaid dividends accumulate and are payable in the future. Dividends in arrears do not accumulate in the case of NON CUMULATIVE PREFERENCE SHARES. Features of Preference share Claim on income and assets: preference share is a senior security as compared to ordinary share. It has a prior claim on the company’s income in the sense that the company must first pay preference share dividend before paying the ordinary dividend. Fixed dividend: The dividend rate are fixed in the case of preferences share, and preference dividend are not tax deductable. Cumulative dividend: that all past unpaid dividend be paid before the ordinary dividends are paid. Ordinary Shares: represents the ownership position in a company. The holders of ordinary shares called shareholders are the legal owners of the company. Ordinary shares are the sources of permanent capital since they do not have a maturity date. However, the ordinay shareholders are entitled to receive dividends. The amount or rate of dividends are not fixed. An ordinary share is called variable income security. Being the owner the company, shareholders bear the risk of ownership; they are entitled to dividends after the income claims of others have been satisfied. Similarly, when the company is wound up, they can exercise their claim on assets after the claims of other suppliers of capital have been met. Features of Ordinary shares: Claims on income: Ordinary shareholders have a residual ownership claim. They have a claim to the residual income, which is earnings available for ordinary shareholder after paying expenses, interest charges, taxes and preference dividend. Claim on asset: Ordinary shareholder have residual claim on company asset in case of liquidation. Voting rights: Ordinary shareholder are required to vote on a number of important matters. The most significant proposals include: election of directors and change in memorandum of association. RIGHTS ISSUE When company distributes all earnings to shareholders, then, it can reacquire new capital from the same sources by issuing new shares called rights shares. BONDS A bond is a long term debt instrument or security. Bonds issued by the government do not have any risk of defaults. The private sector companies also issue bonds, which are called debentures. A company can issue secured and unsecured debenture. In case of bonds and debentures, the rate of interest is generally fixed and known to investors. Features of Bonds * Face value is the par value. A bond is generally issued at a par value of Rs:100 or Rs:1000, and interest in paid on face value. * Interest rate is fixed and known to bondholders. Interest paid on a bond is tax deductable. Interest rate is called coupon rate. * Maturity bond is generally issued for a specified period of time. It is repaid on maturity. * Redemption value The value that a bondholder will get on maturity is called redemption or maturity value. A bond may be redeemed at par or at premium or at discount. * Market value A bond may be traded in a stock exchange. The price at which it is currently sold or bought is called the market value of the bond. Market value may be different from par value or redemption value. Bonds may be classified into three (1) Bond with maturity (2) Pure discount bonds (3) Perpetual bonds Bond with maturity The companies issue bonds that specify the interest rate and the maturity period. Pure discount bonds These bonds do not carry an explicit rate of interest. It provides for the payment lump sum amount at a future date in exchange for the current price of bond. Perpetual bonds These bonds are also consols, has an indefinite life and therefore, it has no maturity value. Types of Debentures * Convertible debenture (CD) * Non convertible debenture (NCD) * Fully convertible debenture (FCD) * Partly convertible debenture (PCD) WARRANTS A warrant entitles the purchaser to buy a fixed number of ordinary shares at a particular price during a specified time period. Warrants are generally issued along with debentures as sweeteners. Warrants are used in conjunction with ordinary or preference shares. Characteristics of Warrants Exercise price of a warrant is the price at which its holder can purchase the issuing firms ordinary shares. Exercise ratio states the number of ordinary shares that can be purchased at the exercise per warrants. Expiration date is the date when the option to buy ordinary shares in exchange of warrants expires. Detachability the warrant can either be a detachable or non detachable. Detachable warrants Warrant can be sold separately from debentures to which it is originally attached Non detachable warrants cannot be sold separately from the debenture to which it was originally attached. Some of the other methods used for raising long term capitals, * CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERNCE SHARE * DERIVATIVE SECURITIES * BORROWING FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (BANKS) SHORT TERM FUNDS It is the market for near money, or it is the market for lending and borrowing of short funds. It is the market for lending and borrowing short term surplus investible funds of banks and other financial institution are demanded by borrowers comprising individual companies and the government. The composition of Indian money market consist of Call money market One important submarket of the Indian money market is the Call money market, which is the market for very short term funds. This market is also known as money at call and short notice. This market has two segments (a) the call market or overnight market and (b) short notice market. The rate at which unds are borrowed and lent in this market is called the call money market. Call money rates are market determined by demand and supply of short term funds. The public sector banks account for about 80% for the demand and foreign banks and Indian private sector banks account for the balance of 20% of borrowings. NBFC’s like IDBI, GIC, LIC are call money market lenders. Bill market in India The bill market ir the discount market is the most important part of the money market where short bills normally up to 90days are bought and sold. The bill market is further subdivided into commercial bill market and treasury bill market. The 91 day treasury bills are the most common ways the government of india raises funds for the short period. Government has also introduced the 182 day T-Bills and 364 day T-bills, In 1997 government introduced 14 day T-Bill. Dated government securities The government of india has also decided to sell dated securities on an auction basis. The purpose of this government decision is: * To develop dated securities as a monetary instrument with flexible yields * To provide financial instrument to suit investors expectation, and * To meet Government needs directly from the market. Repo and reverse repos Repos are now a regular feature of RBI’s market operations, If the banking system experience liquidity shortage, then RBI comes to assist banking system by repurchasing government securities. When the government securities are repurchased from the market, payment is made by RBI to commercial banks and this adds to their liquidity and enables them to expand their credit to industry and trade. Reverse repo is to sell dated securities through auction at fixed cut off rate of interest. The objective is to provide short term avenue to banks to park their surplus funds. Certificate of Deposits (CD) The CD’s are another important money market instrument. They were issued by banks in multiples of Rs:25 lakhs to expand the investor base of CD’s, the min: value was reduced and is presently Rs: 1 lakhs. The maturity is between 3 months and one year. CD ‘s are freely transferable after 45 days after the date of issue. CD’s became immediately popular with banks for raising resources at competitive rates of interest. Commercial papers (CP) The commercial papers are issued by companies with networth of Rs 10 crores, later reduced to Rs: 5 crores. The CP is issued multiples of Rs. 25 lakhs subject to minimum issue of Rs 1 crore. The maturity of Cp is between 3 to 6 months. The purpose of introducing CP is to enable high level corporate borrowers to diversify their source of short term borrowings on the one hand and provide an additional instrument to the banks and financial instrument in the money market. Reference: Financial Management by I M Pandey How to cite Indian Financial System, Papers

Suitability of an Integrated Cost and Differentiation Competitive Strategy

Introduction At the moment, the business environment is characterized by a high rate of dynamism as a result of technological advancement, coupled with a high rate of globalization. To survive in such an environment, firms operating in different economic sectors are increasingly considering ways through which they can develop a competitive advantage in the facing of the mounting competition.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Suitability of an Integrated Cost and Differentiation Competitive Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A firm only attains a competitive advantage over its rivals after the implementation of a unique competitive strategy. A competitive strategy refers to the decision regarding how a firm intends to establish itself in a certain domain. The competitive strategy entails both offensive and defensive mechanisms which are aimed at dealing with the five competitive forces (Vallabhaneni, 2009, p. 15). These forces include barrier to entry, rivalry from firms in the industry, the threat of substitute, supplier bargaining power and lastly, buyer bargaining power. There are a wide range of competitive strategies that firms may decide to incorporate in their daily operations. The main strategies include cost leadership, differentiation strategy, cost focus, broad differentiation, and low cost strategy (Schermerhorn, 2010, p.223). Firms adopt different competitive strategies depending prevailing environment in the market. For example, Fiat Motor Company integrated a broad-line competitive strategy in its operations. This competitive strategy means that the car manufacturer is a regional producer of a wide range of automobiles. Through an effective implementation of a competitive strategy, a firm is able to create value for its products. The resultant effect is that the firm attains a high competitive edge over its rivals in the market. On the other hand, to survive in the long r un, it is important for firms to ensure that they implement a sustainable competitive advantage. In the 21st century, the purchasing behavior of consumer has undergone a major change and if at all firms do not keep pace with these changes, they are likely to lose a large share of their market to their dynamic rival companies that have embrace the changes. The change in the purchasing behavior of consumers is worsened by the increase in the degree of complexity within the business environment as a result of technological advancement arising from innovation and the high rate of globalization (Hoskisson, et al., 2008, p.121).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To attain a high competitive edge, firms have deemed it appropriate to adopt the integrated cost and differentiation strategy. The research paper endeavors to examine whether or not it is suitable for forms to implement inte grated cost and differentiation competitive strategy in an effort to attain competitive advantage. Arguments for integrated cost and differentiation competitive strategy According to Hoskisson, Hitt and Ireland (2009, p.147), a firm which has adopted integrated cost and differentiation strategy is more efficient in its operations compared to a firm that has incorporated only one business-level strategy. For example, a firm that has incorporated an integrated strategy is able to respond to the changes in the business environment more effectively. This is due to the fact that the firm is not constrained in the implementation of its strategy. However, the firm can easily change its competitive strategy depending on the prevailing business conditions. An integrated cost and differentiation strategy also provides a firm with an opportunity to enhance its human capital. For example, the firm’s employees can easily learn new skills. According to Ogbor (2009, p.254), developing the s kills of a firm’s employees play a vital role in the firm’s efforts to attaining a competitive advantage in the market. Alternatively, a firm can also easily take advantage of technological advancement in the industry. The acquisition of current technologies and new skills means that there is a high probability for firms to advance in their core competences. The result is that the firms will be able to produce highly differentiated products that add value to the customers. Currently, consumers are increasingly demanding differentiated products and services at low prices (Manning 2001, p. 32). Further, the integration of new technology may result in a firm undertaking its production cost effectively. Consequently, the firm in question is better placed to attain competitiveness owing to the low cost of its products.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Suitability of an Integrated Cost and Differentiation Competitive Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Integrated cost and differentiation competitive strategy greatly enhances the attainment of competitive advantage through low pricing and ensuring that customers attain value for their money (Hoskisson, et al., 2008, p.121). For example, the differentiation strategy can enable a firm to adopt an integrated premium pricing strategy. On the other hand, the cost leadership contributes towards a firm being effective in its pricing strategy. For example, a firm can be able to set the price of its products at a relatively low point compared to its competitors. This may culminate into an increment in the firm’s sales revenue considering that consumers are price sensitive in their purchasing patterns (Viney, Winchester Boojihawon, 2010, p.244). A study conducted by researchers revealed a strong correlation between a firm adopting integrated cost and differentiation competitive strategy and attaining above-average returns (Warner , 2010, p.105). Findings of other researchers conducted by different scholars revealed that firms that have adopted multiple strategies outperformed those which adopted only a single strategy (Hoskisson, Hitt Ireland, 2009, p. 148). For example, the most successful firms in the Korean electronic industry are those which have adopted the integrated strategy. Arguments against integrated cost leadership and differentiation strategy Despite the fact that the adoption of multiple competitive strategies enhances a firm’s ability to attain above-average returns, there are a number of costs associated. According to Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson (2009, p.120), integrated strategy may lead to a firm being inefficient in undertaking some of the primary and support activities. These activities are core elements in the firms’ effort to attain competitiveness. However, undertaking these activities is costly. For example, in order to attain low cost in its operation, the firm may be required to enhance its process engineering activities and also undertake product changes. On the other hand, to implement its differentiation strategy, firms may be required to improve its marketing and research and development activities. Improvement of these activities will enable firms to operate cost effectively which means that firms are able to undertake effective and cost efficient production. The resultant effect is that firms are able to create value to the customers through differentiation and low prices. For a firm to effectively adopt the integration strategy, it must be effective in implementing reducing cost and product differentiation.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Failure to execute the various support and primary activities optimally may culminate into the firm being ‘stuck in the middle’ (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2009, p.120). This means that the firms will not be able to implement either of the competitive strategies. The resultant effect is that the cost structure adopted by firms will not be optimal enough to enable the firm implement a low pricing strategy. Additionally, firms may not be in a position to undertake effective differentiation. In the long term, the firm may not be effective in attracting its target customers thus limiting their ability to earn above-average returns. For example, in its operations, South West Airlines has been efficient in undertaking its support and primary activities. This has greatly enhanced the success of the firm’s integrated approach to attaining competitive advantage (Hill Jones, 2008, p.75). Pursuing integrated cost leadership and differentiation strategy can be costly for a f irm. This arises from the fact that the firm has to implement both differentiation and low cost strategy. To attain this, a firm may be required to undertake other corporate strategies such as partnering with other firms in the industry. However, such alliances may not culminate in a firm attaining cost leadership. Additionally, the firms may be required to undertake acquisitions in an effort to enhance its ability to differentiate itself by increasing its product portfolio. For example, a firm may consider offering products that are not offered by competing firms. In order for generic strategies to contribute towards a firm attaining competitiveness, Michael Porter asserts that the strategies should be given complete focus so as to ensure that the intended benefits are achieved. In the event of focus lacking, there is a high probability of competing firms taking advantage (2008, p.3). Conclusion The analysis illustrates that there are benefits and costs associated with the adoption of an integrated cost and differentiation strategy in firms’ effort to attain competitive advantage. Integrated strategy can contribute towards a firm attaining above-average returns. This means that the integrated cost and differentiated strategy can enhance a firms’ probability of attaining its profit maximizing objective. Additionally, an integrated cost leadership and differentiation strategy can enable a firm to attain an effective market position. According to Porter (2008), the attainment of an effective market position acts as a defensive mechanism against intense competition. As a result, a firm is able to improve its competitive edge. Integrated strategy can also contribute towards a firm’s competitiveness by ensuring that it is effective in its pricing strategy. This is made possible by the firms’ ability to implement a low pricing strategy. Integrated strategy also contributes towards a firm satisfying its customers as a result of the differe ntiation strategy. For example, the differentiation strategy can enables a firm to deliver value. Considering the fact that customers are increasingly demanding differentiated products and services at a low price, integrated strategy can enable a firm to attract a large number of customers. Despite the contribution of integrated cost leadership and differentiation strategy, implementing the strategy may be costly for a firm. A number of support and primary activities have to be undertaken for the strategy to be effective. However, these activities are costly. Additionally, undertaking these activities requires a firm to have adopted a flexible organizational structure so as to establish a balance between the low cost strategies and differentiation strategies. In order to achieve flexibility, firms are required to adjust their systems, methods and procedures. This will increase the firms’ effectiveness in responding to changes in the business environment. Failure to undertake support and primary activities may lead into inefficient implementation of the integrated strategy. The resultant effect is that the firm may lose on all the benefits associated with each strategy. Considering the high rate of globalization and technological advancement, implementing integrated cost and differentiation strategy can enable a firm to attain a high competitive advantage compared to a firm that has undertaken a single competitive strategy. Reference List Hill, C. Jones, G., 2008. Strategic management: an integrated approach. Houghton: Houghton Mifflin. Hitt, M., Ireland, D. Hoskisson, R., 2009. Strategic management; competitiveness and  globalization; concepts and cases. Mason, OH: South-Western. Hoskisson, R., 2008. Competing for advantage. Mason, OH: Thompson. Manning, A., 2001. Making sense of strategy. Cape Town: Zebra. Ogbor, J., 2009. Entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa: a strategic management  perspective. Bloomington: Author House. Porter, M., 2008. On competition. Boston, Harvard Business School Press. Schermerhorn, J., 2010. Management. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Vallabhaneni, D., 2009. Whats your MBA IQ? a managers career development tool. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley and Sons. Viney, H., Winchester, N. Boojihawon, R., 2010. The strategy toolkit. Walton, Hall: The Open University. Warner, A., 2010. Strategic analysis and choice: a structured approach. New York: Business Expert Press. This essay on Suitability of an Integrated Cost and Differentiation Competitive Strategy was written and submitted by user GwenStacy to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Role of Women in Ancient Mesopotamia Essay Example

Role of Women in Ancient Mesopotamia Essay Example Role of Women in Ancient Mesopotamia Paper Role of Women in Ancient Mesopotamia Paper From Suffering to Suffrage As Mary Wollstonecraft once said, â€Å"I do not wish them to have power over men, but over themselves. † In this quote, â€Å"themselves† is referred to as women of course. It is somewhat customary to pick up a paper in today’s light and perhaps see read about Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, or First Lady, Michelle Obama, even media specialist, Oprah Winfrey. The list could go on and on, but the point remains the same. If King Hammurabi of Babylon were living in today’s world and saw how dramatic the power of women has transformed over the years, he would perhaps declare himself Queen of Babylon. Kevin Reilly accurately depicts the struggling role of women from this early period of civilization through Assyrian law, a palace decree, and Hammurabi’s Code. The first text that is mentioned by Reilly, is that titled, Assyrian law. These codes tell us many things about the role of women in early civilization. The following code comes from two official documents that were from an empire based in Mesopotamia as far back as 1,100 B. C. E. The Assyrian law which will be discussed first, gives knowledgeable understanding of the attitudes of the men towards the women in that time period. The Assyrian law introduces many different concepts relating to the role of women during this early civilization. The first concept considers the daily attire of a woman upon presenting herself in public. â€Å"Wives of a man, or [widows], or any [Assyrian] women who go out into the main thoroughfare [shall not have] their heads [bare]† (Reilly 34). This Assyrian law calls for the wearing of a veil, when seen in public. Although in the United States you would be hard pressed to find a female wearing a veil, it is not uncommon to travel out to the Middle East and witness this occurrence. This rule applied to not only the wives of the husband but any existing daughters that wish to go out into the main. The status changes quite a bit when describing the role of an unmarried woman. It was said that any unmarried woman was to leave her entire head bare when walking out into public. A prostitute as well must be bare while addressing the public. The Assyrian law had a way of putting the prostitutes, and unmarried women below the status of married women, and then married women also found themselves on an entire level below men. There were evere consequences to any prostitute who decided to wear a veil. â€Å"They shall not take away her jewelry, but he who has seized her takes her clothing; they shall strike her 50 blows with rods; they shall pour hot pitch over her head. † (Reilly 34). This quote is very powerful in the way that these acts which occurred often back then, would not be anywhere near tolerated today. The physical pain that the female would endure in t his process, not to mention the embarrassment of being stripped of all clothing leaving only jewelry, would be more than enough to relegate the role of the female. Perhaps the most disturbing part of the Assyrian code involves the tormenting of a slave that chose to wear a veil in public. The slave would be brought to the palace and stripped naked only to have her ears cut off. This is an extreme punishment that is unheard of in today’s terms. These punishments do serve a purpose however, in showing how the role of women in early civilizations was nearly absent. A palace decree was issued by the king of Assyria, Tiglath-Pileser. This decree mentioned the harsh punishments that would take place to man if he entered the palace without first being castrated. If an official knows a man is not castrated who enters the palace, then both the man and the official are subject to harsh punishment as well. â€Å".. they shall amputate one foot of each of these officials. † (Reilly 34). The interesting part about the palace decree would be how it fails to mention the role of the woman of the early civilization; it fails to even notice she existed. The woman was treated so unfavorably that it was not even a thought of whether or not she could gain entry into such a prestigious palace. The palace decree shows how the role of a woman from this era was basically absent and not in effect. In the latter part of Reilly’s text there is another code that shows the role of women in early civilization. Hammurabi’s code is a text that gives us an idea of people’s sense of justice and proper punishment. The concepts discussed in Hammurabi’s code include family, marriage, economics and contracts. From the family and marriage passage it was said that if a woman is wayward or unruly in an attempt to declare herself free from any marital relations with the husband she would receive harsh punishment. â€Å"†¦they shall cast that woman into the water. † (Reilly 60) This is a severe punishment and shows how limited a woman’s role was during the early civilization. In today’s world there would never be any punishment for a woman refusing to marry a man. Today, the role of a woman has drastically changed from being almost suppressed to more of an imperative role. In the economics and contracts portion of Hammurabi’s code it was said that a daughter or wife could be put up for debt services for up to three years. â€Å"†¦they shall perform service in the house of their buyer of the one who holds them in debt service for three years. † (Reilly 60). This slave like description of Hammurabi’s code is something that is not existent and has not been existent ever since the abolition of slavery. Back in the early era it was permissible to allow another buyer to acquire the services of a wife or daughter if there was an outstanding obligation that needed to be fulfilled. Times have changed dramatically for the better for the role of women, and if Hammurabi’s code was still in effect today it would be hard for people to take it seriously. Kevin Reilly did a remarkable job in using various texts to help illustrate the limited role of women back in the early civilization. The Assyrian law and Hammurabi’s code especially contributed the most to help portray the way that women were treated and thought of back during this early era. Women could not be trusted and were always placed on a level below that of a man. Today things are different and women have become a powerful force that lead different political and social sectors in the country. It is safe to say that the role of women has changed and has changed for the better for women. Instead of women not having power over anything including themselves as seen in the early civilization, they now have a well developed role in society and an immense power over themselves.

Acyl Group Definition and Examples

Acyl Group Definition and Examples Organic chemistry defines several moieties or functional groups. The acyl group is one of them: Acyl Group Definition An acyl group is a functional group with formula RCO- where R is bound to the carbon atom with a single bond. Typically the acyl group is attached to a larger molecule such that the carbon and oxygen atoms are joined by a double bond. Acyl groups are formed when one or more hydroxyl groups are removed from an oxoacid. Even though acyl groups are almost exclusively discussed in organic chemistry, they may be derived from inorganic compounds, such as phosphonic acid and sulfonic acid. Acyl Group Examples Esters, ketones, aldehydes and amides all contain the acyl group. Specific examples include acetyl chloride (CH3COCl) and benzoyl chloride (C6H5COCl). Sources IUPAC (1997). Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the Gold Book). Acyl groups. doi:10.1351/goldbook.A00123Smith, Michael B. (2013). Marchs Advanced Organic Chemistry. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. p. 857. ISBN 978-0-470-46259-1.