...Philosophy of Science (All Science, not just social science) During the time of the ancient Greeks—that is, Socrates and Plato, but before them and after them as well, the study of “philosophy” (Greek for “love of wisdom”) began. At that time, philosophy included both the natural and physical sciences as well what we know as philosophy today. The development of philosophy created a tension between philosophy, science, and religion. Remember that Socrates was put to death for allegedly questioning the existence of the official state-worshiped gods. This tension between philosophy, science and religion continued through the 1400’s and 1500’s when the European “Enlightenment” emphasized the concept that both “rational thought” and “science” was separate from religion. Today, they are still generally in tension. Whether these methods of gaining knowledge are consistent or not is constantly debated among scientists, theologians, and philosophers. Science=observation of the physical universe which includes (beginning in the late 1800’s) the study of human behavior using our five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell); Religion=the study of the “divine” (i.e., god, however a person conceives of that notion, and it’s implications) Philosophy=the study of questions unanswerable by science through the use of “reason” (rational thought) alone. Thus, there are 4 different philosophical views on how humans can obtain knowledge: 1. mysticism/divine revelation—a...
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...company. The following report outlines where Elecdyne should internationalize to (section 1) as well as how they should internationalize (Section 2) and what products they should produce (Section 3) once they decide on the later options. Elecdyne will choose a country to internationalize to through the use of a combined SWOT and PEST analysis. The strengths and weaknesses portion of the SWOT analysis (see table 1.1) along with emails from the president, Matsumoto Toyo, spurred the genesis of the factors involved in choosing a country to internationalize to. The most important factor Elecdyne needs to consider is cost minimization, which determines if there is cost reductions associated with internationalizing to a specific country. The next factor is access to technology and determines the likelihood of accessing technological expertise within a country. Elecdyne also needs to consider not only having access to new markets, but also the size of the markets being targeted. Additionally, political and economic risk factors are important due to the fact that Elecdyne cannot afford to take high risks. Political risk is the "risk of a change in political institutions stemming from a change in government control, social fabric, or other non-economic factor"; Economic risk is defined as "the potential for detrimental changes in fundamental economic policy goals (fiscal, monetary, international, or wealth distribution or creation)1. Lastly, the culture-fit factor needs to be considered...
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...National University of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy PP5145 Political Economy of Reform Special Term 2014 – 2015 (as at 8 April 2015) (Tentative) Instructor: Office: Phone: Email: Website: YEE, (Henry) Wai-Hang, Ph.D. Li Ka Shing Building 02-03 6516 5832 sppywh@nus.edu.sg http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/Faculty_Yee_Wai_Hang.aspx Class Hours: Office Hours: Monday 14:00 – 17:00; Thursday 14:00 – 17:00 By appointment Course Description Public managers need to master the skills of not only managing organizations but also managing projects, programs, and particularly larger-scale policy reforms. Good understanding of the political economy embedded in policy and administrative reforms are thus essential. This course examines the political-economic dynamics embedded in the reform process from an institutional perspective. It is a master–level course designed for practitioners in the field of public administration and public policy. It discusses strategies for achieving and enhancing reform outcomes. Theories and practices proposed by academics and practitioners will be drawn on as learning resources for the class. Class Format To achieve a high level of synergy and make the most out of our classroom meetings, I expect students to learn from both the instructor and one another in the class. Each of our class will be divided into 2 parts. In the first part, I will begin by giving a general introduction of the assigned readings. Then...
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...Politics and Economics of the Third World viz a viz Theories of Development Student’s Name: Course: Tutor’s Name: 17/05/2013 Outline i. Abstract ii. Introduction iii. Literature Review iv. Method of Analysis v. Analysis vi. Conclusion vii. Works Cited Abstract This paper analyzes the politics and economics of the third world. It seeks to provide information about development and the steps that countries in the developing world ought to follow in order to attain economic development and growth. The rationale is that the countries in the developing world have continued to experience challenges that hinder growth. This study will use theoretical models of development and discuss various aspects of development and politics in the third world. Keys Words: Third World Development; Modernization; Globalization; Global South Introduction Various theories propose ways through which a developing country can achieve economic growth while at the same time attaining development. This has precipitated politics in the global south. This paper seeks to explore various development theories proposed by various authors. Besides, the paper will explore elements of economics that are pertinent to the third world countries. This is in recognition of the fact that many countries in the third world still grapple with poverty and slow economic development. From Immanuel Wallerstein to Rostow, the paper will...
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........... 6 1.1 2.0 2.1 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.1.4 2.1.5 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4 2.2.5 2.3 2.3.1 2.3.1.1 2.3.1.2 2.3.1.3 2.3.1.4 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3.1 3.3.2 4.0 4.1 2 Overview of the Company ............................................................................................... 7 Situational Analysis .......................................................................................................... 8 Macro Analysis ................................................................................................................. 9 PEST Analysis .............................................................................................................. 9 Political Factor .............................................................................................................. 9 Economic Factors....................................................................................................... 11 Social and Cultural Factors ....................................................................................... 12 Technology Factor...................................................................................................... 13 Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis for Hilton Hotel ................................................................. 14 Bargaining power of Customers ................................................................................... 15 Bargaining power of Suppliers .......................................................................
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...Source: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_09.htm Last accessed 11.21.2011 PEST Analysis Understanding "Big Picture" Forces of Change Also PESTLE, PESTEL, PESTLIED, STEEPLE & SLEPT. PEST Analysis is a simple but important and widely-used tool that helps you understand the big picture of the Political, Economic, Socio-Cultural and Technological environment you are operating in. PEST is used by business leaders worldwide to build their vision of the future. It is important for these reasons: By making effective use of PEST Analysis, you ensure that what you are doing is aligned positively with the forces of change that are affecting our world. By taking advantage of change, you are much more likely to be successful than if your activities oppose it. Good use of PEST Analysis helps you avoid taking action that is condemned to failure for reasons beyond your control. PEST is useful when you start operating in a new country or region. Use of PEST Analysis helps you break free of unconscious assumptions, and helps you quickly adapt to the realities of the new environment. How to Use the Tool: PEST is a simple mnemonic standing for Political, Economic, Socio-Cultural and Technological. Please see worksheet on the following page. Using the tool is a three stage process: First, you brainstorm the relevant factors that apply to you, using the prompts below. Second, you identify the information that applies to these factors. Third, you draw conclusions...
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...Case Study: MUNICIPALITY OF KAWAYAN, BILIRAN: TRANSFORMING TRADITIONAL POLITICS The case assigned for our analysis was about the leadership story of Mayor Rodolfo J. Espina, Mayor of the Municipality of Kawayan, a fifth-class municipality in the Province of Biliran in Region VIII. 4. Internal Factor Evaluation In analyzing the leadership style of Mayor Rodolfo J. Espina, we come across several significant strengths and weaknesses inherent in the individual (as case-study subject). Strengths: Experience / Family Background Undoubtedly, Mayor Espina’s performance as local executive of the Municipality of Kawayan was greatly affected by his family’s political background. Born into a politically-oriented clan, Espina was exposed very early to the affairs of his father; he had early exposure as well in political campaigning and visiting his father’s constituents. This early exposure made him comfortable with people, honed his interpersonal skills, and perhaps even made him generally likable. This would eventually prove helpful in his political career. Mayor Espina also had experience as farm manager – this developed his skills in general administrative tasks, people management, and basic human relations. His experience abroad also strengthened his personal will and character. Personality Mayor Espina’s orientation toward people was clearly among his major strengths. Through his personality, Espina was able to talk immediately to his constituents – knowing at once...
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...Marketing Plan for Starbucks Coffee BMM 364 Assessment-Part A Written by: Tianyi Wang (WAN12383771) Written for: Leo Billington 2012/10/19 * Table of Contents 1.0 Executive Summary 3 2.0 Introduction 4 3.0 Current External Marketing Situation 4 3.1 External/General Environment analysis and Trends 4 1 Demographic Segment 4 2 Economic Segment 5 3 Political/Legal Segment 6 4 Social-Cultural Segment 6 5 Technological Segment 8 3.2 Detailed Market Analysis and Projected Demand 8 1. Market Size 8 2. Market Growth Rate 9 3.3 Industry Analysis Including Porter’s Five Forces 9 1. Threat of New Entrants 9 2. Bargaining Power of Supplies 10 3. Bargaining Power of Customers 10 4. Power of Substitutes 11 5. Intensity of Rivalry 11 3.4 Competitors Analysis 11 4.0 Current Internal Analysis 12 4.1 SWOT of the Business and the Product/Service 12 1. Strengths 12 2. Weaknesses 13 3. Opportunities 13 4. Threats 14 4.2 Issues and Risk Analysis 14 1. Strategic Risk 15 2. Operational Risk 15 3. Political Risk 15 4. Country Risk 15 5. Technological Risk 16 6 Environmental Risk 16 4.3 Ethical and Corporate Socially Responsible Behavior 16 5.0 Identify a Commercially Viable Market Opportunity 17 5.1 Market Opportunity Including Potential Segments of the Market and Justification 17 5.2 Define the Value Provided 17 5.3 Positioning statement 18 6.0 Marketing Plan Objectives 19 7.0 Conclusion...
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...* ------------------------------------------------- Text analysis provides some insight into media messages but only a critical political economy approach can adequately explain how the media work today * * Whoever Controls the media, controls the mind. This is an interesting quote by Jim Morrison that shows the power of the media and its messages at the present day. Media has played a huge role in the cultures it inhabited. Starting from the Printing Press, and then evolving into the radio, the television till the World Wide Web. The evolution of the mass media took many different shapes and with this evolution, it shaped our cultures and understandings differently, which caused its effects to be more influential. Throughout the history the mass media molded our ideologies by its messages and changed the way we look at things around us. “When we consume mass media, there are a lot of physical and mental activities going on” (Fourie, 2001, p.283). At the present time when we decide to sit and watch a movie, there are millions of messages being interpreted to us as audiences that shape how we speak, dress, and behave. It is believed that the media determines what we should know and how we should think. But the vital question is who controls the media and controls its messages, and how does the media work today. This essay will therefore attempt to discuss the different approaches that are used to analyze and evaluate media messages, and how these various approaches operate...
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...Introduction Amid government shut downs and Congress passing fewer legislations, many seem to believe that the government is not working. Political scientists, Hetherington and Rudolph set out to find an explanation on exactly why Washington “won’t work.” Hetherington and Rudolph’s theorize that due to the increase in partisan polarization there is a decrease in political trust. The lack of political trust is making it impractical to construct a public consensus and nothing is getting done. Political trust is imperative because it is the backbone of stability and longevity of a government. Additionally, Hetherington and Rudolph point out that the polarization in Washington is not really based on ideology, but instead on feelings about the...
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...PEST Analysis One way of planning your business is to undertake a PEST analysis.1 PEST analysis involves looking at the Political, Economic, Socio-cultural and Technological factors that could affect your business. Every business needs to consider a range of external forces in order to take decisions. For many people imagination is very limited and is coloured solely by their own experience and personal beliefs. This can lead to wish fulfilment or a refusal to see reality or recognise the critical changes that are happening in the world around them. It can also lead to grabbing short-term solutions that, if they do not exacerbate problems, certainly ignore the longer term. In the business world pressure is often applied to take decisions quickly, acting on judgement and instinct rather than careful analysis. There are many driving forces in the external environment that might impact on your business. These can be categorised as: • Social; • Technological; • Economic; • Environmental; and • Political. Social forces Social forces include, for example, changing demography and education, etc. The population in Western Europe is relatively static, but the age bands are changing. The number of older people, for example, is growing rapidly. Technological forces Technological forces are changing dramatically quickly. What effects will this have on your production, marketing and distribution plans? Depending on your market, technology might either raise or lower entry barriers...
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...element of the infrastructure that is being developed to make the country’s commitment to a market economy a successful reality. Due to cope the tremendous and far-reaching changes occurring in today’s conditions, the department introduced again Executive MBA Programme In 2002.Furthermore, after an experience of 12 years with MBA and that of 4 years with EMBA, the Online MBA Programme was introduced in 2007 and has been in progress. External and Internal Environment reflects on MBA programme One of the core objectives of MBA programme is to ensure a steady stream of men and women trained to meet challenges managing modern businesses in an increasingly competitive environment. The study of management traditionally focused on a closed-system view within organization, such as leading, organizing, motivating and controlling. Even these views are accurate, but not complete to be effective managers. To be effective, management of an organization should monitor and respond to the environment as an open system view. The external organizational environment includes all elements existing outside of the MBA programme such as International, Technological, Social cultural, Legal and Political, and Economic condition that influence the organization. These factors are general environment, the outer layer that is widely effects to the organization. International The international environment provides new competitors, customers, and suppliers and shape social, technological, and economic trend...
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...PEST Analysis for a Company in the Tourism Industry The Tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that in 2004 Travel and tourism is expected to generate * US$ 5,490.4 billion of economic activity * 10.4% of total GDP * 214,697,000 jobs or 8.1% of total employment * 12.2% of total exports [1] My task is to conduct a PEST analysis for a company within the Tourism industry. Within the tourism industry, I have to select one area of interest like transportation, accommodation and transportation etc. and then one company doing business with these sectors related with the tourism. According to Leiper “Transportation is the only link between the tourist-generating region and destination region”[2]So, transportation was a more interesting sector to discuss in the report but I tried to find a company which is related with all these main sub-sectors discussed above in the report. I have decided to look in the U.K market for such company because “Tourism is one of the largest industries in U.K, worth approximately 75.9 £ Billion to the U.K economy in 2002 and supporting around 2.1 million jobs.” [3] During my research on internet I found many companies offering services in the tourism of U.K but I have decided to choose “Simply Travel” because of its variety of services offering related with the accommodation, transportation and attractions...
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...subcategories that should be evaluated? A) Demographics (local, city, region, SMS, with trend analysis 1. Economic indicators: - Changes in foreign currencies - Inflation rates- Unemployment rates B) Visitor Market 1. Hotels ` - Current number of hotels in market are - Age of existing hotels in market area - Occupancy rate of current hotels, as well seasonality of occupancy - Rates of new hotel construction (could indicates per year during last ten years) C) Political Risk - What type of government system is in place - Nationalization of major industries - Reduction of foreign interest in local business ventures D) Real Estate Markets - Liquidity of real estate - Current vacancy rates/occupancy rates - Number of real estate properties owned by global companies - Real estate turnover rates (how often are properties sold and converted to new business venture) - Cost of buying versus leasing commercial real estate 3. Why does the Hard Rock put such serious effort into its location analysis? Location decisions for Hard Rock Café begin with a global view which involves analyzing a country, then a region within the country and then finally a city location (Amer,1999). Specifically, within this assessment, it consists of studying and evaluating political risks, currency risks, social norms, social costs, local business practices and whether...
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...Subsea7- A market environment analysis using PEST and Porter’s five forces Contents Subsea7- 1 A market environment analysis using PEST and Porter’s five forces 1 Description of the company-Subsea 7 3 A PESTEL analysis 3 Political, a critical factor in energy industry 3 Economy, the versatile market 4 Social factors, a diversified workforce 4 Technological research and advancement 4 A Porter’s five forces analysis 5 Bargaining power of the customers 5 Intensity of existing rivalry 5 Threats of substitutes 5 Threat of new competitors 6 Strategic recommendations 6 A better management and react to market fast 6 Focus more on deep-water development 6 Build a more effective team with expertise and experience 6 Expand our services to Middle East 7 Conclusion 7 Bibliography 7 Description of the company-Subsea 7 Subsea 7 is one of the world’s leading global company in offshore engineering, construction and commissioning work. It was formed by the joint merger of two big companies, Acergy S.A. and previous Subsea 7,Inc. The company owns a wide range of fleets, including pipelaying vessels, construction vessels, diving and support vessels, which adds up to a total of more than 40 units. These vessels are equipped with the modern advanced ROVs( remote operated vehicles) and best facilities in the market. The strong track records has made Subsea 7 the major player in the energy construction and installation sector in Europe, Africa and Asia...
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