Push and Pull Factors in Business

Push and Pull Factors in Business Companies decide to go global and enter international markets for a variety of reasons, and these different objectives at the time of entry should produce different strategies, performance goals, and even forms of market participation. However, companies often follow a standard market entry and development strategy. The most common is sometimes referred to as the â€Å"increasing commitment† method of market development, in which market entry is done via an independent local partner. As business and confidence grows, a switch to a directly controlled subsidiary is often enacted. This internationalization approach results from a desire to build a business in the country-market as quickly as possible and by an initial desire to minimize risk coupled with the need to learn about the country and market from a low base of knowledge. International markets evolve rapidly and very often companies struggle to keep up in terms of their strategy. It is therefore reasonable to deduce that many companies’ international operations will consist of a collage of country market operations that pursue different objectives at any one time. This, in turn, suggests that most companies would adopt different entry modes for different markets. More commonly, however, is for companies to evolve a template that is followed in almost all markets. This usually starts with market entry via an indirect distribution channel, usually a local independent distributor or agent. Factors leading to wide acceptability of international business: The factors leading to the wide acceptability of international business are: Globalization of economics: The policy of liberalization was adopted which led to the globalization of various economics including the former communist countries and socialist pattern of the society. The globalization of economics has been instrumental in the growth of international business. Rapid technological advancement: Many firms have emerged up with innovated products or with improved process technology. With the demand for such products and technology being price-inelastic, these firms have moved abroad in order to reap large profits. The development of information technology has bought different countries closer and has encouraged firms to move abroad with the minimum of difficulties. Establishment of WTO: In today’s highly competitive globalized business environment, WTO is indispensable enables a country to attain the status of MFN clause which is required for scaling the international competitiveness and it implies that any concession given to any nation becomes available to all the member countries. Enlargement of European Union: Since 1991 the membership of EU has increased. It increased from 15 members to 27 members. This has also led to the promotion of internationalization of business. Increase in Competition: With increasing competition, firms have preferred not only to source raw material and intermediate goods from the least-cost country but also to set up their units in different countries, which minimises the cost of operation and reduces financial risk. The growing concept of cost minimization and risk reduction, with a view to surviving in a competitive environment, has led to rapid growth of the internationalization process. Higher growth rate of GDP in developing countries: Higher growth rate of GDP of China, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil and Mexico and other developing countries has also been one of the significant factors for changing scenario of international business. Increase in business alliance In degree and variety: During last 15 years international business alliances, joint ventures, mergers, amalgamations and takeovers have occurred in the world by the companies of different countries. This has further led to widening of international business. Increase in educational and career orientation opportunities: These factors resulted in enhancement of opportunities for higher value addition in developing countries. The developing countries started attracting multinational companies to establish their businesses in their countries. Why companies engage in international business? There are several drivers of international business. The driving forces that motivate companies to go global can be classified into pull forces and push forces. The pull forces are proactive which pull the business to foreign markets. The push forces on the other hand are reactive forces which promote the companies to go international. Pull/ Proactive Forces- Attractiveness of the Foreign Markets: Profit advantage due to increase in volume: For companies, mostly in the developed countries, which have been operating below their capacities, the developing markets offer immense opportunities to increase their sales and profits. Low wage/ cheap labour attraction: Many multinational companies (MNCs) are locating their subsidiaries in low wage and low cost countries to take advantage of low cost production. Taking advantage of growth opportunities: MNCs are getting increasingly interested in a number of developing countries as the income and population are rapidly rising in these countries. Foreign markets, in both developed country and developing country, provide enormous growth opportunities for the developing country firms too. Growth of regional trading blocs: Regional trading blocs are adding to the pace of globalization. WTO, EU, NAFTA, MERCOSUR and FTAA are major alliances among the countries. Trading blocs seek to promote international business by removing trade and investment barriers. Integration among countries results in efficient allocation of resources throughout the trading area, promoting growth of some business and decline of others, development of new technologies and products, and elimination of old. Declining trade and investment barriers: Declining trade and investment barriers have vastly contributed to globalization. The free trade regime, business across the globe has grown considerably. Goods, services, capital and technology are moving across the nations significantly. Push/ Reactive Forces- Compulsion of the Domestic Market: Saturation of domestic demand: The market for a number of products tends to saturate or decline in the advanced countries. This often happens when the market potential has been almost fully tapped. For example, the fall in the birth rate implies contraction of market for several baby products. Businesses undertake international operations in order to expand sales, acquire resources from foreign countries, or diversify their activities to discover the lucrative opportunities in other countries. Scale economies and technological revolution: Economies of scale are reductions in unit production costs resulting from large-scale operations. The technological advances have increased the size of the optimum scale of operation substantially in many industries making it necessary to- have foreign market, in addition to the domestic market, to take advantage of scale economies. Technological revolution: Revolution is a right word which can best describe the pace at which technology has changed in the recent past and is continuing to change. Significant developments are being witnessed in communication, transportation and information processing, including the emergence of the internet and the World Wide Web. Domestic recession: Domestic recession often provokes companies to explore foreign markets. One of the factors which prompted the Hindustan Machine Ltd. (HMT) to take up exports very seriously was the recession in the home market in the late 1960s. Competition as driving force: Competition may become a driving force behind internationalization. There might be intense competition in the home market but little in certain foreign countries. A protected market does not normally motivate companies to seek business outside the home market. Government policies and regulations: Government policies and regulations may also motivate internationalization. There are both positive and negative factors which could cause internationalization. Many governments offer a number of incentives and other positive support to domestic companies to export and to invest in foreign investment. Improving image of the companies: International business has certain spin-offs too. It may help the company to improve its domestic business; international business helps to improve the image of the company. There may be the ‘white skin’ advantage associated with exporting- when domestic consumers get to know that the company is selling a significant portion of the production abroad, they will be more inclined to buy from such a company. Strategic vision: The systematic and growing internationalisation of many companies is essentially a part of their business policy or dtrategic management. The stimulus for internationalisation comes from the urge to grow, the need to become more competitive, the need to diversify and to gain strategic advantages of internationalisation. Importance of International Business: High living standards: Comparative cost theory indicates that the countries which have the advantage of raw materials, human resources, natural resources and climatic conditions in producing particular goods can produce the products at low cost and also of high quality. Increased Socio-Economic Welfare: International business enhances consumption level, and economic welfare of the people of the trading countries. For example, the people of China are now enjoying a variety of products of various countries than before as China has been actively involved in international business like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s range of products, electronic products of Japan and coffee from Brazil. Wider Market: International business widens the market and increase the market size. Therefore, the companies need not depend on the demand for the product in a single country or customer’s tastes and preferences of a single country. Reduced effect of Business Cycles: The stages of business cycles vary from country to country. Therefore, MNCs shift from the country, experiencing a recession to the country experiencing ‘boom’ conditions. Thus, international business firms can escape from the recessionary conditions. Reduced risks: Both commercial and political risks are reduced for the companies engaged in international business due to spread in different countries. Large scale economies: Multinational companies due to wider and larger markets produce larger quantities, which provide the benefit of large-scale economies like reduced cost of production, availability of expertise, quality, etc. Potential untapped markets: International business provides the chance of exploring and exploiting the potential markets which are untapped so far. These markets provide the opportunity of selling the product at a higher price than in domestic markets. Provides the opportunity for and challenge to domestic business: International business firms provide the opportunities to the domestic companies. These opportunities include technology, management expertise, market intelligence, product developments, etc. Division of labour and specialisation: International business leads to division of labour and specialisation. Brazil specializes in coffee, Kenya in tea, Japan in automobiles and electronics. India in textiles garments, etc. Economic growth of the World: Specialisation, division of labour, enhancement of productivity, posing challenges, development to meet them, innovations and creations to meet the competition lead to overall economic growth of the world nations. Optimum and proper utilisation of World Resources: International business provides for the flow of raw materials, natural resources and human resources from the countries where they are in excess supply to those countries which are in short supply or need most. Cultural Transformation: International business benefits are not purely economical or commercial; they are even social and cultural. It does not mean that the good cultural factors and values of the East are acquired by the West and vice versa. Thus, there is a close cultural transformation and integration. Knitting the World into a Closely Interactive Traditional Village: International business ultimately knits the global economies, societies and countries into a closely interactive and traditional village where one is for all and all are for one.

The Advantages of Global Expansion Essay

Recent interviews of top international executives by the Myrddin Group in San Antonio have revealed they thought they could create value by transferring their business model and American style of product and marketing to foreign markets. Many initially treated foreign markets much like the United States but soon found that this was not the correct approach. Many American products drew big yawns in Europe and Asia where most of the successful products were local. These national differences in customer tastes and preferences require a change in approach to marketing. This requires a redefining of the actions managers can take to compete more effectively as an international business. The Advantages of Global Expansion Expanding globally allows a business to increase its profitability in ways not available to purely domestic businesses. Companies that operate internationally are able to: Expand the market for their product offerings by selling those products in international markets. Achieve location economies of scale by distributing value creation activities around the globe to where they can be performed most efficiently. Earn a higher rate of return by leveraging any expertise developed in overseas operations and shifting it to other parts of the company’s global operations. While this sounds simple, it is constrained by the need to customize products, marketing, and business strategy to each of the different national locations. Most multinationals started out by taking their goods or services and selling them internationally. Companies like Toyota for example found out that the small vehicles that were popular in Japan were not as popular in the US as the larger sized autos. They adjust ed their product strategy to the US market and enjoyed the ensuing growth in market share and profitability. McDonald’s adapted likewise in India where cattle are revered and the typical Big Mac was doomed as a product. Location Economies The same principle holds true for location economies. Due to differences in feature costs, certain countries have a comparative advantage in the  production of certain products. As an example, Japan might excel in the production of automobiles, the United States in the production of computer software, and China in the production of clothing. For a company attempting to prosper in a global market this might mean that it would benefit by basing every value creation activity it needs in the country where economic, political, and cost considerations are most conducive for that activity. For example, if the most productive labor force for assembly operations is in China then any assembly operations should be there. If the best marketers are in the US then the marketing plans should be developed in the US. Companies that use a strategy such as this can realize these location economies and in doing so they can lower the costs of value creation and arrive at a low-cost position. Advantages Faster growth: Firms that have operate internationally tend to develop at a much quicker pace than those operating locally Access to cheaper inputs: Operating internationally may enable the firm to source raw materials or labor at lower prices Increased quality and efficiency: Exposure to foreign competition will encourage increased efficiency. Doing business in the international market allows firms to improve the quality of their product in order to gain a competitive advantage. New market opportunities: International business presents firms with new market opportunities. These new markets provide more opportunities for expansion, growth, and income. A bigger market means more customers, increased revenue, a larger profit margin, and allows the business to realize economies of scale. Diversification: As the firm diversifies its market, it becomes less vulnerable to changes in local demand. This reduces wild swings in a company’s sales and profits. Disadvantages Increased costs: There are increased operating expenses including the establishment of facilities abroad, the hiring of additional staff, traveling of personnel, specialized transport networks, information and communication technology. Foreign regulations and standards: The firm may need to conform to new standards. This may require changes such as in the production process, inputs and packaging, incurring additional costs.  Delays in payments: International trade may cause delays in payments, adversely affecting the firm’s cash flow. Complex organizational structure: International business usually requires changes to the firms operating structure. Training/retraining of management may be necessary to facilitate restructuring.

Objectivity and Subjectivity in History - 1597 Words

According to Benny Morris, historical truth is a ‘truth about a historical event that exists independently of, and can be detached from, the subjectivities of scholars . Hence, is Morris implying that historical truths are objective? If they are indeed objective, why are historians constantly rewriting history books? Although the objectivity of some historical truths is indisputable, one must realise that most truths in history are influenced by the historians biases, limitations and his subjection to external influences. In other words, subjective elements (as mentioned above) undermine the objective interpretations of historical events. Thus, using Morriss definition of historical truth, this essay aims to marshal the argument that to†¦show more content†¦Just like the Indian historians, these Sinhalese historians have been influenced by the anti-Tamil governments in power and thus, having been subject to the influences of such governments, Sinhalese historians continu e to ostracise the Tamils even though there is significant evidence that the Jaffna Tamil Community is not at fault (Spencer, 1990). Thus, with historians being victims to political, social and religious influences, the historical interpretations made by these historians would always be shrouded with subjectivity. In all, historical truths will always be subjective for they are eclipsed by external influences which dominate a historians interpretation towards historical events. Lastly, to echo the views of Edward Hallett Carr, historical truths can never be objective because of ‘the historians need for imaginative understanding of the minds of the people with whom he is dealing, for the thought behind their acts . Historians have always been limited in the sense that unless they imagine as to what went in the minds of historical figures, they will never be able to interpret most, if not all historical events. In all, historical truths can never be objective for as Robin George Collingwood asserts, ‘in historical enquiry, the object to be discovered is not the mere event, but the thought expressed in it For example, nineteenth century historical works (by British historians) on British medieval society areShow MoreRelatedInvestigating the Extent to Which Historians Can Be Objective1137 Words   |  5 PagesObjective ‘You have reckoned that history ought to judge the past and to instruct the contemporary world as to the future. The present attempt does not yield to that high office. It will merely tell you how it really was’ - Leopold Von Ranke ‘There are no facts, only interpretations’ – Nietzsche Here we encounter two diametrically opposed views concerning objectivity. It can be argued that â€Å"true† objectivity cannot exist, as history is more exposed to differing interpretationsRead MoreLiterary Devices Of An Oral Performance Essay1537 Words   |  7 Pagesduring an event or the morality of a decision of which someone had to face consequences for. Books use facts and statistics to formally document. Books also use their own appearance of objectivity as an attraction to the truth it may hold. Griots use explicit subjectivity in contrast to books appearance of objectivity. More specifically, it is known that is in best interest of the griot to tell his truest version of the story because his lineage and patriotism is indelibly intertwined with the truthRead MoreThe Objectivity Of The Social Researcher Is Fatally Compromised When He Or She Takes Sides2469 Words   |  10 PagesTopic: Critically analyse the claim that the objectivity of the social researcher is fatally compromised when he or she takes sides. Introduction: There are different major concepts in sociology for the research purposes including objectivity, subjectivity and value freedom. Social researcher is not allowed to influence his view due to his values in value freedom concept. It is generally accepted idea that the human being has got values but in will be considered that the sociologist has no valuesRead MoreCan History Be Unbiased?770 Words   |  4 Pagestheorists—the lack of objectivity in history books and school textbooks is not hugely problematic. The reason for the previous claim is that, simply, when it comes to historical occurrences, bias and inclinations of perspectives—though can hypothetically be eliminated—are totally inevitable. Historians are human beings, with brains to know, comprehend, and evaluate historical events and consciousnesses to feel and sense the underlying meanings of those events. Similarly, history itself deals withRead MoreThe Beauty Of The Beholder1198 Words   |  5 PagesAn all too familiar phrase â€Å"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder† has been blanketed in the minds of society throughout history. However, how much truth lies in that phrase or belief? If one is to examine the nature of this concept, beauty first and foremost needs a specific definition. Beauty is that which brings enjoyment to the person who observes or contemplates. The answer may seem self-evident when examining different cultures around the world. Ethiopian women for example, wear a lower lipRead More History and Memory Essay example4335 Words   |  18 PagesHistory and Memory ‘Is there such a thing as â€Å"history† which is more objective than memory?’ For many years now there has been a strong debate, as regarding wether or not there is such a thing as ‘history’ that is more objective than memory. Due to memories completely subjective nature, history although also being somewhat subjective, it is a great deal more objective than memory. To discuss such a statement first one must define the terms ‘history’, ‘objective’ and ‘memory’. TheRead MoreThe Importance Of Objective Observation And Socialization944 Words   |  4 Pagessituation or environment is beneficial. Herman states that objective observation and empathy might be valuable cognitive tools in socialization and those tools can be used at Westfield State. Although, the conflict or tension between empathy or objectivity isn’t discussed because it doesn’t seem related to a sharper perception, there’s a conflict between the two cognitive tools of socialization. Is empathizing with another being a subjective process? Herman states that we need to be more objectiveRead MoreObjectivity Of Social Research : Free Of Bias Or Prejudice1643 Words   |  7 PagesObjectivity of Social Research: Free of Bias or Prejudice There is a change of belief of people: some believing that objectivity in social research is possible, others believe it to be not. Five diverse kinds of advices are progressive for Social Research not being objective: 1. Sociological decisions are biased, being painted by researcher’s personal life experiences. 2. All intentions are restricted to their connotation to specific linguistic backgrounds belonging to the similar manner. 3. AllRead More A Taxonomy of Moral Realism Essay1637 Words   |  7 Pagesclearly demonstrated what is involved in moral realist theory. I provide a framework which distinguishes three different versions of the theory while at the same time showing the interrelations between them. I also demonstrate how issues such as objectivity, cognitivism, and truth can be related into the discussion by means of this framework. Since morality exercises a deep influence over the way we live our lives, it is easy to appreciate why the question — whether the subject is, or can be, objectiveRead MorePsychological And Physical Aspects Of Science1683 Words   |  7 Pagesscience today, relating them to the contested notion of objectivity in which they strive for. Feminism in science will be proved significant in the sense of providing a paradigm for exposing human values suppressed within scientific work by demonstrating how assumptions of gender have influenced scientific practice. As science is not and can never be wholly objective, it will be argued that the feminist critique does not undermine the objectivity of science, nor does its contributions make it more objective

Teenage Alcoholism - 1175 Words

Teenage Alcoholism By Austin J. Russell December 14, 2011 Teenage drinking. What is it about drinking that teenagers find so attractive? Social influences? Confidence? Respect from others? The focus of this article is on why the highest percentage of alcohol drinkers is young people and teenagers like me and the reasons behind that percentage. Statistics show that the highest percentage of alcoholics, at least in the United States lies in the younger population. This figure is 31.5% (www.alcoholism.about.com). Further investigation will show the average age teenager’s first drink, along with reasons teenagers begin to drink in the first place. What is known regarding the types of teenage alcoholism, or young adult†¦show more content†¦The next chart (http://www.drugfree.org), shown below, also chosen for this investigation, depicts the age at which teens, who reported drinking, in this survey, had the first alcoholic drink. Shockingly, 25% of the 100 teens had taken their first drink by 12 or younger. Indicated on the chart was the average age, when a teenager had taken his or her first drink. The age indicated, was the age of 14. Roughly by the age of 15  ½ most teenagers have taken their first drink . The smaller percentage of first drinkers being in the 17-19 age range. In an article posted in top news US (Jonathan Sanders, Article published 12/10/11) it was said that â€Å"1.2 million people in the United States were hospitalized due to over drinking last year.† The worst part, about 7, 000 of those were teenagers. Peer pressure has contributed to an increase in teen drinking. Society for teens, looks, at them as an â€Å"outcast† if they do not drink. Very sad to see that society, advertising and friend and/or parent influence has cause a greater part of our younger generation to feel they need alcohol to prove a point or to feel better about themselves. In summary, teenage alcoholism has become increasingly high. American teenagers start drinking at younger ages every year. In fact, the United States, even though the legal drinking age 21, countries like Italy where the legal age is 16, teenagers do not drink as much as AmericanShow MoreRelatedTeenage Alcoholism1078 Words   |  5 Pages1. According to statistics on alcoholism and alcohol abuse statistics, even though alcohol has been used in a number of diverse ways. a. Throughout history these ways can be called useful, however, known thousands of years ago that abusive and excessive drinking led to negative outcomes and adverse alcohol side effects. b. The symptoms associated with this are mostly societal and personal problems. 2. Research studies have shown that teenage alcoholism is correlated to the age at which teensRead MoreThe Dangers Of Teenage Alcoholism863 Words   |  4 PagesAlcoholism is classified as a chronic illness, an addiction that affects the physical condition of a person as well as the mental. With one in every twelve adults living with alcohol abuse, it is a possibility that the children of these people will grow up and follow their parents. In this pattern there is a never ending cycle of alcohol abuse and dependence that has resulted in alcohol being ranked as the third leading cause of behavior related deaths in America (Facts About Alcohol. 2015, July)Read MoreEssay about Teenage Alcoholism1629 Words   |  7 Pages ALCOHOLISM This research paper is on alcoholism and its affect on teenagers and adults. This piece will fully outline alcohol from its origin, and different types of alcohol, all the way to the treatment of alcohol addiction. Reading this paper will hopefully shed some light on the fact that people with an alcohol addiction do not only hurt and affect themselves, but also make the people around them susceptible to the same fate. I.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ethyl alcohol (also known as drinkingRead MoreEssay about Teenage Alcoholism1759 Words   |  8 PagesTeenage Alcoholism What is alcohol? Alcohol is many things to many people: To little kids, it is a curiosity. To teenagers, it is ?cool?. To responsible drinkers, it is a relaxant. To bartenders, it is a job, their lives. To restaurant owners, it is a moneymaker. To probation officers, it is a frustration. To actively drinking alcoholics, it is heaven. To wives and husbands of drinking alcoholics, it is a waste. To recovering alcoholics, it is a painful old friend. To us, it is somethingRead More Teenage Drinking and Its Effects on the Development of Alcoholism Later1613 Words   |  7 PagesTeenage Drinking and Its Effects on the Development of Alcoholism Later Teenage drinking is something that goes on every day. No matter how many videos you show to kids about drinking they will still drink. Surveys show that the average teen seventeen and up spends $475.00 a year on liquor, mostly beer; thats more than books, soda, coffee, juice and milk combined. Most parents dont know about teenage drinking unless they catch their kids doing it. Parents usually say oh, my my kid would neverRead MoreTeenage Drinking Essay1261 Words   |  6 PagesTeenage Drinking According to Lang nine out of ten high school seniors have used alcohol, one out of twenty use it daily, and one out of three will get drunk during any given weekend (back cover). Teenage drinking is a very serious problem that is growing by the day in our country. I want to know what kids who drink are getting themselves in to when they decide to start in high school or junior high. What types of health and psychological problems will they be facing? What are the chancesRead MoreEssay on Teenage Drinking In America920 Words   |  4 Pagesmany causes of teenage drinking and effects that prove that drinking is an important issue that needs to be dealt with to preserve American teenagers. Teenage drinking will become worse of a problem if it continues unchecked on its current path to destruction. Alcohol abuse among teenagers in the United States is a plague that is destroying the structure of American society. Statistics show that there certainly is a problem with teens and alcohol in America. Half of the teenage deaths in AmericaRead MoreAlcoholism in College Students1558 Words   |  7 Pagesgeneration in high percentages since the beginning of college education. Today in America it is estimated that approximately 29% of college students are regular alcohol abusers. Another recent study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism performed showed that college students suffered 1,400 deaths, 70,000 date rapes and assaults, and 500,000 injuries each year as a result of alcohol. (McDonald) Although binge drinking (5+ drinks in one sitting) is considered a normal part of theRead MoreEssay about A Better Solution to the Underage Drinking Problem759 Words   |  4 PagesA Better Solution to the Underage Drinking Problem Recently, the issue of underage drinking has become a major problem for our society. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2009), about 10.4 million young people between ages 12 and 20 have drank more than â€Å"just a few sips† of alcohol. Moreover, 5,000 people under the age of 21 die each year in alcohol-related deaths including car crashes, homicides, and other injuries such as falls (NIAAA, 2009). When adolescentsRead MoreEffects Of Alcoholism On The American Medical Association1016 Words   |  5 PagesLiterature Review Definition of alcoholism: According to the American medical association alcoholism is a chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing development and manifestations. Alcoholism has had a tremendous impact on the human condition and its relationship to society. The evolution of alcoholism, its behavior and quality of life impact will be addressed; as well as treatments and fiscal impact in the literature review. â€Å"Alcoholism is a complex disorder with

The Tragic Flaw Of Oedipus The King - 1310 Words

The Unfortunate Fate of a Tragic Flaw An individual’s strengths can eventually become their greatest weaknesses. A tragic flaw is a trait viewed as being favorable to a character at first, but it leads to their later downfall. It was often used in ancient Greek tragedies to show that mankind was susceptible to flaw. This was present in Sophocles s tragedy, Oedipus the King. The protagonist of the tragedy,Oedipus, was not exempt from his own flaws. Oedipus’s traits of excessive pride and desire for knowing the truth were advantageous to him in the beginning, yet were the very things that contributed to his tragic downfall. Oedipus possessed an excessive amount of pride, otherwise known to the Greeks as hubris. This was necessary for†¦show more content†¦When demanded the answer as to who the murderer was,Tiresias told Oedipus that he, was the â€Å"defiler of this land,†(30).Essentially, Tiresias was telling Oedipus that he was the unclean that needed to be driven out of the land. Angered, outraged, and confused, Oedipus could not accept this truth of hearing he was the murderer, and further insulted the blind prophet.Similarly, Oedipus’s pride falsely led him to think that he could escape his fate that he was told about in the prophecy. While in Corinth, Oedipus went to a shrine of Apollo, where he was told a prophecy in which he would marry his mother, have unnatural children, and murder his father. â€Å"The oracle of Phoebus Apollo said that I/ Must kill my father, lie with my mother. /This drove me out of Corinth. I regret nothing - /I have married happily, raised a family, known the sweetness of power† (61). Oedipus believed that since he escaped his â€Å"parents† from Corinth, he escaped his fate and was free of murdering his father and marrying his mother. Because he did not believe in oracles nor know Laius was his father, he was certain at this point that he indeed was not king Laius’s murderer, despite Tiresias’s words. As the tragedy unfolded, it showed further evidence that he had fulfilled the prophecy. Oedipus’s pride, which was once seen as favorable to him, destroyed him in the end. A need for knowing the truth was considered noble andShow MoreRelatedThe Tragic Flaws Of Oedipus The King1352 Words   |  6 Pagesbecome their greatest weaknesses. Their strongest traits can turn into their tragic flaws. A tragic flaw is a trait viewed as being favorable to a character at first, but it leads to their later downfall. It was often used in ancient Greek tragedies to show that mankind was susceptible to flaw. This was present in Sophocles s tragedy, Oedipus the King. The protagonist of the tragedy, Oedipus, was not exempt from his own flaws. Oedipus’s traits of excessive pride and desire for knowing the truth wereRead MoreEssay on Tragic Flaws in Oedipus the King3561 Words   |  15 PagesOedipus the King, Sophocles’ classical Greek tragedy, presents tragic flaw(s) as the cause of   the near-total destruction of the life of the protagonist. This essay examines that flaw. In his essay â€Å"Sophoclean Tragedy† Friedrich Nietzsche agrees that there is an â€Å"error† within the protagonist, but refrains from specifying exactly what it is: The most pathetic figure of the Greek theatre, the unfortunate Oedipus, Sophocles takes to be a noble man called to error and alienation in spite ofRead MoreOedipus the King: The Tragic Flaws of Oedipus Essay852 Words   |  4 Pagesmarry his mom, and discover it all in Oedipus Rex, Sophocles’ tragedy. Oedipus was so determined to save Thebes from the plague bestowed on them by Apollo. But little did he know that he was the source of it all. His constant reversal of fortune, neutrality, and suffering make him the perfect example of a classic Greek tragic hero. One moment, Oedipus is brimming with hope; the next, he’s sure that he is the killer of his father, King Laius. Every time Oedipus thinks that it can’t possibly be himRead More tragoed Essay on the Tragic Flaws of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex)696 Words   |  3 Pages The Tragic Flaws of Oedipus Rex nbsp; At one time in our lives there is a moment that we may think of ourselves as better than someone or something else. There may also be a point when making a decision leads to a great error in judgment. In the play Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, both of these characteristics can be seen in the main character. These characteristics are known as tragic flaws. These flaws are known as hubris meaning excess pride, leading to overconfidence, and hamartiaRead MoreOedipus As A Tragic Hero1094 Words   |  5 PagesIn the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus struggles to accept the truth and lets his temper over power him. He can be displayed as a tragic hero. His refusal to accept the truth led to Oedipus’ down fall. A tragic hero, as defined by Aristotle, â€Å"is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction.† Sophocles’ Oedipus exemplifies Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. In the play, Oedipus unknowingly has cursed the entire town of Thebes. He was cursedRead MoreOedipus Rex : The Tragic Hero735 Words   |  3 Pagesa hero must possess a tragic flaw that leads to his or her ruin. An example that backs up this argument is Sophocles’s tragedian play, Oedipus Rex, in which its protagonist was a victim of such fatal flaws that caused ruination in his life. In this case, Oedipus tragic flaws were both his anger and his pride. Furthermore, the fate that Oedipus suffered because of such flaws not only caused his downfall, but also the death of those he cherished. The tragic flaws that Oedipus possessed made fate andRead MoreThe Tragic Hero Of Sophocles Oedipus The King1518 Words   |  7 Pagesaudiences so well. A tragic hero plays the most essential role in this. Tragic heroes can be defined differently for whoever is trying to force a character into the tragic hero mold. However Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher, established an outline of th e requirements a tragic hero has to meet in order to be considered one. These requirements include a downfall, a hamartia, and recognition of said tragic hero’s condition. Oedipus, the protagonist of Sophocles’ play Oedipus The King fits the mold.Read MoreA Comparative of Shakespeares Othello and Oedipus Rex1511 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s Othello and Oedipus Rex In Shakespeare’s work Othello: The Moor of Venice, Othello’s over trusting nature was revealed when his trust in false accusations about his wife Desdemona’s unfaithfulness causes him to kill her and himself, conveying Othello as a tragic hero. Oedipus, the main character in Oedipus Rex, is characterized as a tragic hero when he tries to run away from his fate and finds out that the cause of his fate was his attempt to escape it. Oedipus Rex and Othello share aRead MoreJocasta as a Tragic Hero Essay1222 Words   |  5 Pages2012 Upholding Jocasta as the Tragic Hero What makes a tragic hero? Aristotle lays down groundwork of a tragic hero as being essentially good. They are neither villain nor saint because they have flaws. Several elememts are nevcesary to have a tragic hero, they are the tragic flaw, the reversal, recognition, and hubris. These generally make up the story of the tragic hero, and in the case of Jocasta, the wife and mother of Oedipus in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, she posses all three. Yet sheRead MoreHamlet vs. Oedipus Essay898 Words   |  4 Pagesby William Shakespeare and Oedipus in Oedipus King by Sophocles In Aristotles literary discourse, Poetics, he discusses his theory of tragedy, wherein he introduces the concepts of tragic flaw or hamartia, which serves as the catalyst for the protagonists downfall or the tragedy of the story to happen. He determines a tragedy as a drama that brings about a sorrowful conclusion, arousing fear and pity in the audience (Roberts and Jacobs, 1998:1189). Tragic stories are identified through

The Return Shadow Souls Chapter 27 Free Essays

string(143) " her with a red rose in his hand, so hastily picked from one of the arrangements that a thorn had pricked him and blood welled from his thumb\." Elena felt confident and just a little light-headed as they set out for the Silver Nightingale’s gala. However, when the four of them arrived on litters – Damon with Elena, Meredith with Bonnie (Lady Ulma being forbidden by her doctor to go to any festivities while she was pregnant) – at the Honorable Lady Fazina’s palatial home, she was struck with something like terror. The house was truly a palace, in the best of story-telling tradition, she thought. We will write a custom essay sample on The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 27 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Minarets and towers soared above them, probably painted in blue and lavish gilt, but turned lavender by the sunlight, and looking almost lighter than air. To complement the sunlight, torches had been lit on either side of the path of the litters up the hill and some chemical had been added – or some magic used – to make their lights shine in varying colors so that they changed from golden, to red, to purple, to blue, to green, to silver, and these colors shone true. They took Elena’s breath away, as the only things that were not tinged with red in the whole world that she could see. Damon had brought a bottle of Black Magic with him and was almost too high-spirited – no pun intended, Elena thought. As their litter stopped at the top of the hill, Damon and Elena were helped out and down a hallway that cut out much of the sunlight. Above them hung delicate, lighted paper lanterns – some larger than the litter they’d been in a moment ago – brightly lighted and fancifully shaped which gave a festive, playful air to a palace otherwise so magnificent that it was a little intimidating. They passed by lighted fountains, some of which had surprises – like the line of magical frogs that constantly leaped from lily pad to lily pad: plop, plop, plop, like the sound of rain on a rooftop, or a huge gilded serpent that coiled among trees and over the heads of visitors, winding from there to the ground and then back up to the trees again. Then again, it was the ground that would turn transparent with all manner of magical schools of fish, sharks, eels, and dolphins cavorting, while in the dim blue depths far below loomed the figure of a gigantic whale. Elena and Bonnie hurried quickly over this portion of the path. It was clear that the owner of this estate could afford any kind of extravaganza her heart desired, and that above all things what she enjoyed the chiefest was music, for in each area, splendidly – sometimes bizarrely – dressed orchestra were playing, or there might be only one famous soloist, singing from a high gilded cage perhaps twenty-five feet above the ground. Music†¦music and lights everywhere†¦ Elena herself, although thrilled by the sights, sounds, and glorious scents coming from huge banks of flowers as well as from the guests, both male and female, felt a slight fear like a small rock in her stomach. She had thought her dress and diamonds so elaborate when she had left Lady Ulma’s estate. But now that she was here at Lady Fazina’s†¦well, there were too many rooms, too many people, as fancifully and finely clad as herself and her sister â€Å"personal assistants.† She was afraid that – well, that that woman over there, dripping jewels from her delicate three-tier diamond and emerald tiara to her delicate diamond-circled toes, made her own unadorned hair look dowdy or laughable, at such a grand affair. Do you know how old she is? Elena almost jumped to hear Damon’s voice in her head. Who? Elena replied, trying at least to keep her envy – her worry – out of her telepathic voice. And am I projecting that loudly? she added in alarm. Not all that loudly, but it never hurts to tune it down. And you know perfectly well â€Å"who†: that giraffe you were eyeing, Damon replied. For your information, she’s about two hundred years older than I am, and she’s trying to look around thirty, which is ten years younger than when she became a vampire. Elena blinked. What are you trying to say? Send some Power to your ears, Damon suggested. And stop worrying! Elena obediently increased slightly the Power to what she still thought of as her burst ear nodes, and conversations suddenly became audible all around her. †¦oh, the goddess in white. She’s just a child, but what a figure†¦ †¦yes, the one with the golden hair. Magnificent, isn’t she?†¦Oh, by Hades, look at that girl†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Did you see the prince and princess over there? I wonder if they’d swap†¦or – or – do a quartet, dear? This was more like what Elena was used to hearing at parties. It gave her more confidence. It also, as she allowed her eyes to sweep more boldly across the opulently costumed crowed, caused her to feel a sudden surge of love and respect for Lady Ulma, who had designed and overseen the construction of three glorious dresses in only a week. She’s a genius, Elena informed Damon solemnly, knowing that through their mindlink he would see who she meant. Look, Meredith already has a crowd around her. And†¦and†¦ And she’s not acting much like Meredith at all, Damon finished, sounding slightly uneasy. Meredith didn’t seem uneasy in the least. She had her face turned deliberately to show off a classical profile to her admirers, but it wasn’t the profile of level-headed, serene Meredith Sulez at all. It was a sultry, exotic girl, who looked as if she might very well be able to sing the Habanera from Carmen. She had her fan open and was gracefully, languorously fanning herself. The soft but warm indoor lighting made her bare shoulders and arms gleam like pearl above the black velvet dress, which seemed even more mysterious and striking than it had back at home. In fact, it seemed to have stricken one devotee to the heart already; he was kneeling before her with a red rose in his hand, so hastily picked from one of the arrangements that a thorn had pricked him and blood welled from his thumb. You read "The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 27" in category "Essay examples" Meredith didn’t seem to have noticed. Both Elena and Damon felt for the young man, who was blond a nd extremely handsome. Elena felt sorry†¦and Damon felt hungry. She certainly seems to have come out of her shell, ventured Damon. Oh, Meredith doesn’t ever really come out, Elena replied. It’s all playacting. But tonight I think it’s the dresses that are doing it. Meredith is dressed like a siren, and so she’s acting all sultry. Bonnie’s dressed like a peacock and†¦look. She nodded down the long hallway that led to a huge room in front of them. Bonnie, dressed in what looked like real peacock feathers, had a crowd of her own followers – and that was just what they were doing: following. Bonnie’s every movement was light and birdlike and her jade bracelets clinked together on her small rounded arms, her earrings chimed with each toss of her head, and her feet seemed to twinkle in golden sandals in front of her peacock train. â€Å"You know, it’s strange,† Elena murmured, as they reached the large room and at last sound was muted so she could hear Damon’s physical voice. â€Å"I didn’t realize it, but Lady Ulma designed our dresses at different levels of the animal world.† â€Å"Hm?† Damon was looking at her throat again. But fortunately at that moment a handsome man dressed in formal Earth clothes – tuxedo, cummerbund, and so on – came by with Black Magic in large silver goblets. Damon drained his in one gulp and took another from the gracefully bowing waiter. Then he and Elena took seats – on the outside of the back row, even if this was a rudeness to their hostess. They needed to be free to maneuver. â€Å"Well, Meredith is a mermaid, which is the highest order, and she’s acting like a siren. Bonnie is a bird, so that’s the next highest order, and she is acting like a bird: watching all the boys display themselves while she keeps laughing. And I’m a butterfly – so I suppose I’ll be a social butterfly tonight. With you beside me, I hope.† â€Å"How†¦cute,† Damon said heavily. â€Å"But what exactly makes you think you’re supposed to be a butterfly?† â€Å"Well, the designs, silly,† Elena said, and she lifted her mother-of-pearl and gold and diamond fan and gave him a tiny butterfly rap on the forehead with it. Then she opened it to show him a masterly sketch of the same design as her necklace on its front, decorated with tiny dots of diamond, gold, and mother-of-pearl where they would not be harmed by the folds. â€Å"You see? A butterfly,† she said, not displeased with the image. Damon traced the outline with one long, tapering finger that reminded her so much of Stefan’s that it hurt her throat, and stopped at six stylized lines above the head. â€Å"Since when do butterflies have hair?† His finger moved to two horizontal lines between the wings. â€Å"Or arms?† â€Å"Those are legs,† Elena told him, amused. â€Å"What kind of thing with arms and legs and a head has six hairs and wings?† â€Å"A tipsy vampire,† suggested a voice above them and Elena looked up, surprised to see Sage. â€Å"May I sit with you?† he asked. â€Å"I couldn’t manage a shirt, but my fairy godmother did conjure up a vest.† Elena, laughing, scooted over a seat so that he could take the aisle seat by Damon. He was much cleaner than when she had last seen him working around the house, although his hair was still in long wild unruly curls. She noted however, that his fairy godmother had scented him with cedar and sandalwood, and provided him with Dolce Gabbana jeans and vest. He looked†¦magnifique. There was no sign of his animals. â€Å"I thought you weren’t coming,† Elena said to him. â€Å"You can say that? Garbed as you are in celestial white and gold? You mentioned the gala; I took your wish as a command.† Elena giggled. Of course, everyone was treating her differently tonight. It was the dress. Sage, murmuring something about his latent heterosexuality, swore that the image on her necklace and fan was a phoenix. The very polite demon on her right, who had deep mauve skin and small, curling white horns, deferentially submitted that it looked to him like the goddess Ishtar, who had apparently sent him to the Dark Dimension a few millennia ago for tempting people to sloth. Elena made a mental note to ask Meredith whether this meant tempting them to eat sloths, which she knew were some kind of wild animal that didn’t move around much, or something else. Then Elena thought that Lady Ulma had called the dress a â€Å"goddess dress,† hadn’t she? It was certainly a dress you could only wear if your body was very young and very close to perfection, because there was no way to fit corsetry into it or even to drape it to minimize an unflattering feature. The only things under the dress were Elena’s own firm young physique and a pair of scant, soft flesh-colored lace underwear. Oh, and a spray of jasmine perfume. So it’s a goddess I feel like, she thought, thanking the demon (who stood and bowed). People were taking their seats for the Silver Nightingale’s first performance. Elena had to admit to a longing to see Lady Fazina, and besides, it was too early to try for a restroom trip – Elena had already noticed that guards were posted at all the doors. There were two harps on a dais in the middle of a great circle of chairs. And then suddenly everyone was on their feet and clapping, and Elena would have seen nothing, if the Lady Fazina had not chosen to walk down the same aisle Elena and Damon had taken. As it was, she paused right beside Sage to acknowledge the roar of acclamation, and Elena had a perfect view of her. She was a lovely young woman, who to Elena’s surprise looked hardly older than twenty, and was nearly as small as Bonnie. This diminutive creature obviously took her sobriquet very seriously: she was dressed entirely in a gown of silver mesh. Her hair was metallic silver, too, swept high in front and very short in back. Her train was barely attached to her, by two simple clasps at the shoulders. It floated horizontally behind her, constantly in motion, more like a moonbeam or a cloud than like real material until she got to the central dais and ascended it, then walked once around the tall uncovered harp, at which point the suspended part of the cape fell softly and gracefully to the floor in a semicircle around her. And then came the magic of the Silver Nightingale’s voice. She began by playing the tall harp, which seemed even taller in comparison to her small body. She could make the harp sing under her fingers, coax it to cry like the wind or make music that seemed to descend from heaven in glissandos. Elena wept throughout her first song, even though it was sung in some foreign language. It was so piercingly sweet that it reminded Elena of Stefan, of the times they had been together, communicating by only the softest words and touches†¦ But Lady Fazina’s most impressive instrument was her voice. Her tiny body could generate an extraordinary volume when she wanted it to. And as she sang one poignant, minor-tuned song after another, Elena could feel her skin break out into gooseflesh, and a trembling in her legs. She felt that at any moment she might fall to her knees as the melodies filled her heart. When someone touched her from behind, Elena started violently, brought back too quickly from the fantasy world the music had woven around her. But it was only Meredith, who despite her own love for music had a very practical suggestion for their group. â€Å"I was going to say, why not start now, while everyone else is listening?† she whispered. â€Å"Even the guards are out of it. We agreed on two by two, yes?† Elena nodded. â€Å"We’re just having a look around the house. We may even find something while everyone is still here, listening, for nearly another hour. Sage, maybe you could sort of liaise between the two groups, telepathically.† â€Å"It would be my privilege, Madame.† The five of them set out into the Silver Nightingale’s mansion. How to cite The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 27, Essay examples

Competitive Strategy of Hewlett Packard †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Competitive Strategy of Hewlett Packard. Answer: Introduction: Hewlett Packard started by two engineers William Bill Hewlett and David Dave Packard in 1939. The company has its headquarter in California. The HP is known as worlds largest technology provider. Its main activity is to manufacture storage devices, software networking, and many more. HP manufactured its initial computer named HP-85 in 1980. HP competitive strategy is explained through Porters 5 forces model. Competitive strategies by Porter 5 forces model are: Rivalry: In an economic setup, competition amongst rivalry companies decreases profit of company to negligible. In the IT industry competition is huge as there are various company offering identical services. In achieving the competitive advantage, HP has remained in top to innovate its products. This is attained by providing cost effective products in competitive world. For maintaining competitiveness companies are selling their products at low price resulting lower profits. Threat of substitutes: Substitutes means product from other industry that resemble the companys product. A threat in substitute happens when demand of companys product is affected by other industries product. HP believes in providing standards products representing chance to select product of choice. HP attempts to remove trade barrier by regularly updating software and representing brand new product in industry to remain at top. Buyer power: Bargaining power in case of IT industry is high. Consumers are price conscious as they prefer to purchase cheap and superior quality product (Porter 1998 pp 100-130). In case of HP the buyer power is low as demand of its product are high which means that company has power to monitor quantity of production and prices as well. HP has gained advantage over buyers power by stabilising prices which are user friendly. Supplier power: Every industry needs supplier for raw material and labour to manufacture its products. In the IT industry there are erroneous numbers of raw material supplier hence industry is not affected by suppliers. HP is not benefitted by economies of scale due to its low purchasing power (Kinyuira, 2014). However it manages to secure best deals in providing superior quality of raw material at best price. Barriers to entry: Threat of entry in case of IT industry is moderate. Customer usually examines prices of same product with different brands and purchases accordingly. HP and its competitors have low product differentiation (Martin, 2017). Due to absence of government regulation and lower economies of scale in manufacturing indicates threat of new entrants. HP is securing its market share by innovating regularly and opening new stores to reach potential customer. Conclusion: HP is having good competitive strategies. Strategies adopted by HP are helping it to enhance its popularity amongst people and increase sale. It is defeating its rival firms by adopting different strategies. References: Kinyuira, D., 2014 Effects of Porters Generic Competitive Strategies on the Performance of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Saccos) in Muranga County, Kenya, Journal of Business and Management,16(6), 94-110. Martin, M., 2017, Porter's Five Forces: Analyzing the Competition, Business News Daily, [online]. Available at: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5446-porters-five-forces.html. [accessed 1st august 2017]. Porter, M.E., 1998, Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors,pp 100-130, Newyork: The free press.