McKenzie Shea Essays - Witchcraft, Religion, Culture,

McKenzie Shea April 10, 2013 English 9 3rd Hour The Mystery of the Salem Witch Trials In 1692 the puritan town of Salem, located in present day Danvers, Massachusetts, was the place were two hundred people were accused of witchcraft and twenty were executed in the Salem witch trials. The Salem witch trials began with a group of young girls who started to exhibit strange behaviors such as, shouting out in church ,having fits, making strange sounds, feeling like they were being pinched or pocked, and experiencing hallucinations (Annika L. pg. 1) . the girls were later told by a doctor that there strange behavior was the result of bewitchment. Then in February,two of the young girls that had supposedly been bewitched ,began to name off some women that they believed were the withes that had done that to them. Some of these witches included a slave from the Caribbean named Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osburn. These accusations were the start of the Salem witch trials. There are many theories to what made the young girls act the way that they had other than being victims of bewitchment. There are many things that could have played a role into this behavior such as, mental illness, physical illness, greed, or the puritan way of life. One such thing that could have played a role in the young girl's behavior was mental illness. The group of young girls was thought to have developed a violent case of hysteria. Hysteria causes strange uncontrollable symptoms which might have come across as bewitchment. Some of these symptoms include uncontrollable outbursts of emotion, irrationality, laughter, or weeping. This could explain the girl's strange actions and accusations. It is also thought that the girls of the Salem Witch Trials could have been developed or have been born with a physical illness. It was common back then to get ergot poisoning which is caused by fungus that grows on rye and other grains that would have been grown in Salem. Ergot poisoning can get passed down from mother to child or can be caused by eating the fungus covered grains. Like hysteria, ergot poisoning causes symptoms similar to t the girl's behaviors. Symptoms of ergot poisoning can cause convulsive fits, muscle spasms, nausea, and hallucinations. In Salem during this time ,they had a list on how to tell if someone is bewitched one of the signs was that the victim would see visions of the alleged witch, this could easily be explained if the girls in fact had ergot poising. Another theory that is thought to have caused the abnormal behavior was that it was done out of greed. Thus would have given the girls a motive to accuse all those people of witchcraft. Some say that the parents of the group of girls were extremely greedy and the only reason that they accused so many of witchcraft was so they could take over more land. The girls also accused the poor .This could have been so no one would notice that they were trying to take over lager amounts of land. One of the most believable theory of the Salem Witch Trials that would explain why the girls act in such strange ways was that it was caused by the pressures of the puritan lifestyle. Puritans live a strict and harsh lifestyle; daily life consisted mainly of work. Children were rarely allowed to play games or with toys because puritans believed that it was a sinful distraction. Puritan life was the hardest on girls. They were not allowed to show any emotions and could only act a certain way and if they did not they were severely punished. Many girls in Salem would fake illness to get attention and be rewarded. This extremely strict life style could be the reason for the girls of the Salem Witch Trials to act the way they had. Many historians have tried to find a reasonable explanation for these peculiar actions. But many people still like to believe that the Salem Witch Trials were the result of real witches. There of stories in Salem of young girls that would follow women around, and to some one of that day and age who seen that it would expect something supernatural was going on. The theory of the Salem witches has yet to be dis-proven .Although story's very on what really caused the Salem witch trials ,there are mainly logical explanations to what really cause the strange behavior. There could have been many things that could have played into the girls

College Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

College Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Compare and Contrast Essay Topics If your teacher has just asked you to write a comparative essay, it is a good choice to start working on the paper right away. At first, you will have to read our list of compare and contrast essay topics that are the most popular and easy to cover. Spend enough time to read the list till the end because much depends on your choice. No matter what topics for a compare and contrast essay you choose, always pay attention to the audience and purpose of writing. It will help you generate proper ideas and choose a writing style (it does make a difference if your reader will be a friend or a professor). To successfully deal with a compare and contrast essay topic, you will have to create an outline and produce ideas that will be further extended in the first draft. We have good topics for compare and contrast essays, but you should always handle the subject matter according to professor’s instructions. Check the task file and see what your paper should discuss (in other words, how many comparison and contrast paragraphs it should include). Though compare essay topics are pretty easy, the most challenging part is to present a proper discussion of similarities and differences, which will not confuse the reader. You can discuss both similarities and differences simultaneously or divide them into separate paragraphs. The Most Effective Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Feeling confused vs. scared Small against big college campuses Singing and dancing Chelsea FC vs. Manchester United Madonna vs. Beyoncà © The best friend and an acquaintance Extremely poor and almost homeless Donation vs. charity Compare and contrast the book â€Å"Goon with the Wind† and the movie Compare hurricanes to earthquakes Developed countries and developing countries Slim and overweight Happy and sad Friendship and hostility Friendship between females and males The President Bush vs. Obama Lying and acting Being active and being lazy A car and a bicycle Democratic power and dictatorship Properties of mammals against reptiles Living at home vs. dormitory Commuting or working at home Using a lap top or a tablet Sitcoms vs. reality shows Emotional and physical beauty Country music vs. Western Hip hop vs. RAP Attending traditional classes and visiting online courses Playing a video game vs. reading a book Reading a printed book vs. reading an electronic copy WWI and Civil War Functions of Microsoft and Apple Go to the cinema and stay at home to watch a movie Participation in extracurricular activities or studying only The poor and the rich Going abroad vs. staying at home Responsibilities of having a dog and a fish Your arch-rival and your best friend Songs of Rihanna and Madonna Cosmetic beauty or natural beauty School friends and college friends Classes at school and in the university Celebrities of the past and the present Max Weber vs. Karl Marx Fitness classes and yoga Classical treatment vs. homeopathy Being on a diet or engaging in sports Low carbohydrate diets vs. low fat diets Vacation abroad vs. vacation at home We hope that our topics for compare and contrast essay will be helpful if your professor asks you to select a topic on your own. Remember about the primary writing stages and follow all of them to submit a good piece of writing. Include all major paper parts (introduction, main body, and conclusion) in your comparative essay. Your task is to provide explicit details about each aspect of comparison and include at least an approximate amount of similarities and differences.    Creativity and rich imagination Education opportunities in the US and abroad Permissive parenting and authoritarian upbringing Being a child and being an adult The USSR and modern Russia The US of the past vs. present days Democrats and Republicans Females 200 years ago and now Being a teenager vs. being an adult Friendship between women and men Living alone and living with your family Divorce and separation Marriage and cohabitation Camping and hiking A college student and a university student The influences of the World War I and World War II Water vs. juice Visiting the US and visiting Canada The worst and the best employer ever A dream and a nightmare A feeling of anxiety and anger Facebook vs. Twitter Spending all money on vacation or buying a luxurious car Reading a book or watching a reality show Being beautiful or being smart Cooking or buying take-away food Windows or Mac Storms and blizzards Having a dog or having a cat The beauty of deserts or mountains Discoveries vs. inventions Having an apartment vs. having a house Vegetables vs. fruits MacDonald’s and Tacos’ The most desired birthday party and the most dreadful birthday party Soccer and football Odysseus and Beowulf Comedy and tragedy Studying in a public school or private school Uniqueness of Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes The best boss ever and the worst boss ever Rules in baseball and rugby Judaism and Christianity Watching a comedy and watching a thriller Google vs. Yahoo Democratic leadership and communism Parents’ influence vs. influence of friends Typing vs. handwriting Learning at home and attending school classes Friendship and love.

Strategy management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 1

Strategy management - Essay Example According to the author innovation is a discipline that can be learned and practices through different levels and strategic movement of an organisation. Drucker (2014), has evaluated that entrepreneurial strategies are the practices and policies of organisations to establish as well as re-establish the fundamental relationship with the external organisational environment. The author has illustrated that innovation in entrepreneurial strategies assist organisation to adopt changing economic characteristics of market, product, process and industry. It also enables entrepreneurs to search and occupy specialized as well as ecological niche (Drucker, 2014). Druker (2014), has evaluated the importance of innovation in the entrepreneurial approach towards the formulation and implementation of organisational strategies. The analysis of the role of innovation and entrepreneurial approach in the organisational strategies has illustrated various important attributes which as aimed to lower down the barriers towards changes that often discouraged by top management. The author has explained that innovation and entrepreneurial approach has allowed organisations to reform their strategies to secure the leadership position by introducing new products, processes and services. This approach influences the organisations to become more risk-averse while offering greater rewards upon success. The innovative approaches of the business strategy of Blackberry can serve as an important example in this context (Drucker, 2014). Their undeniably captivating and irresistible mobile e-mail facility innovation has assisted the marketers to gain a rapid popularity within global market. Their market strategy to become first-to-market has neutralized the effects of their premium pricing strategy. Hence, the incorporation of innovation and entrepreneurial approach has assisted the organisation to secure leadership position in the market. Alternatively,

Project management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10

Project management - Essay Example ves activities and processes that determine quality objectives, policies and responsibilities, which are required to ensure that the project’s goals are, met (Project Management Institute 13). 6. Project Human Resource Management: This aspect of project management primarily involves the organization and management of a project team. A project team includes people with different knowledge, skills and responsibilities. This, therefore, requires strong coordination between these individuals. 7. Project Communications Management: This knowledge area plays a significant role to ensure that members of the project management team are kept on the same page. Adequate communication within a project management team is a necessity that ensures that all processes are implemented as they were predetermined (Project Management Institute 13). 8. Project Risk Management: This component of project management deals with the identification and moderation of risk on a project. Its main objective is to maximize and increase the probability of achieving positive goals. 9. Project Procurement Management: This process is required to process and achieve products and services, or other outcomes that are required out of the project management team. It involves processes such as administering contracts, closing out contracts, and planning and achieving product and services from outside sources (Project Management Institute

Midterm Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Midterm - Assignment Example The present study involved a between-subjects design. This was pertinent in determining whether the participants who read a vignette about a 13 year old were as more likely to sentence a defendant to LWOP as those who read a vignette about a 16 year old. In this context, the dependent variable was life without parole â€Å"LWOP† while the independent variable was the defendant’s age. There were two main variables to be examined in the present study; LWOP and defendant’s age. The vignettes were randomly assigned to the participants. The participants recorded their responses for variable LWOP on a 5 point Likert-type scale (1 = very unlikely, 5 = very likely). On the other hand, the variable defendant’s age had two categories; 13-year old defendants and 16-year old defendants. The results (as in table 2) indicated lack of significant differences between participants who read a vignette about a 13-year old (M = 1.89, SD = 1.21) and participants who read a vignette about a 16-year old (M = 2.14, SD = 1.34); t(185) = 1.30, p = .19. This implies that the participants who read a vignette about a 13-year old were as likely to sentence the defendant to LWOP as those who read a vignette about a 16-year

Cigarette Excise Taxes in Pakistan

Cigarette Excise Taxes in Pakistan Executive Summary Cigarettes are inexpensive in Pakistan and are by far the most widely sold tobacco product in the country . The most popular brands cost PKR 18.40 per pack of 20 (USD 0.25 per pack at the current exchange rate). In part because cigarettes are inexpensive, annual consumption of cigarettes has increased (from 292 cigarettes per capita in 1994 to 406 cigarettes per capita in 2007). This raises serious health concerns. A proven intervention to reduce smoking is to raise the price of cigarettes relative to other products by increasing excises on cigarettes. Although Pakistan adjusts its cigarette excises almost every year, the rates have not kept pace with inflation and the growth of per capita income. Excise revenue has fallen from 0.5 percent of GDP in 1994 to 0.3 percent of GDP in 2007. This report assesses Pakistans excises on cigarettes. Domestic cigarettes are classified into three tiers based on the retail price before value added tax (VAT). Each tier is subject to a different excise regime. Cigarettes in Tier I (the lowest-priced cigarettes) are subject only to a specific excise of PKR 6.34 per pack. Cigarettes in Tier II (cigarettes in the mid-price range) are subject to mixed regime comprising a PKR 6.34 per pack specific excise and an incremental 69 percent ad valorem excise. Cigarettes in Tier III (the highest-priced cigarettes) are subject only to a 63 percent ad valorem excise. To reduce consumption, increase government revenue, and simplify the excise regime, Pakistan should return to a two-tier regime similar to what was abandoned in 2001. For cigarettes priced lower than PKR 28.00 per pack-the first tier-the excise would be a specific rate of PKR 15.00 per pack. For cigarettes priced PKR 28.00 per pack or higher-the second tier-the excise tax would be 63 per cent of the retail price before VAT. Going forward, the specific rate and the price bracket between the two tiers would be automatically indexed for inflation. Under the proposal, over 80 percent of all cigarettes would be in the first tier and subject to the specific excise. Assuming the excise tax is fully passed through to consumers, adoption of this proposal will lead to a 50 percent increase in the price of the most popular brands and more than double the excise tax on these brands. Consumption of cigarettes will decline by 18 percent, providing significant health benefits, and the governments revenue from cigarette excises will increase by 47 percent. A. Current Situation Taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products Cigarettes are by far the most important tobacco product in Pakistan. The federal government levies excises on cigarettes, which are collected at the manufacturing stage by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR).  [1]  Domestic cigarettes are classified into three tiers based on the retail price before value added tax (VAT), which is printed on each pack, along with the VAT-inclusive price. Each tier is subject to a different excise regime. Cigarettes in Tier I (the lowest-priced cigarettes) are subject only to a specific excise (based on quantity). Cigarettes in Tier II (cigarettes in the mid-price range) are subject to mixed regime comprising a specific excise and an incremental ad valorem excise (based on value). Cigarettes in Tier III (the highest-priced cigarettes) are subject only to an ad valorem excise (Figure 1). From June 2008, the rates are as follows: Tier Retail Price Per Pack (Before VAT) Excise duty Tier I Below PKR 14.86 PKR 6.34 Tier II From PKR 14.86 to PKR 32.00 PKR 6.34 + 69% per incremental rupee over PKR 14.86 Tier III Above PKR 32.00 63% of the retail price before VAT Figure 1. Tax per pack of 20 cigarettes and current prices before VAT All imported cigarettes, of which there are only limited quantities (less than 3 percent of the market), are subject to an ad valorem excise of 63 percent of the retail price (before VAT). Thus, all imports are excised the same as Tier III domestic cigarettes.  [2]  Unmanufactured tobacco is excised at a rate of PKR 5 per kilogram. To avoid tax on tax, this input tax may be claimed as a credit against the excise charged on manufactured cigarettes (or other final tobacco products). The credit is available at the time when excise duty is paid on the manufactured tobacco products.  [3]  Tobacco products other than cigarettes are excised at 63 percent of their retail price. In addition to the excise, cigarettes are subject to the 16 percent VAT which is collected at each stage of production and distribution.  [4]   There are a number of exemptions for tobacco products included in the Third Schedule of the Federal Excise Act: (i) if made by hand in the tapered shape of biris (or bidis) without the use of any manual or power-operated machine in any process of their manufacture; (ii) if supplied to the Navy for consumption on board its vessels; (iii) if supplied for consumption by the President of Pakistan, the President of Azad Jammu Kashmir and the Governors of the Provinces, members of their families and guests; and (iv) if supplied to duty free shops. According to documents from industry, cigarettes cannot sell for less than PKR 14.48 per pack (about USD 0.20 per pack at the current exchange rate).  [5]  This is not being enforced, as lower-priced cigarettes are available.  [6]   In 2007-08, the excises on tobacco products raised PKR 28.52 billion. Tobacco excises have steadily declined from 0.52 percent of GDP in 1992-93 to 0.28 percent of GDP in 2007-08 (Table 1) and from 5.6 percent of federal taxes in 1992-93 to 3.4 percent in 2006-07 . The declining importance of tobacco excise revenue amidst a stable share of total federal taxes in GDP reflects, in part, a decline in all excise taxes, and the growing importance of the sales tax. Table 1. Share of excise taxes on tobacco in GDP Fiscal Year GDP (PKR billions) Tobacco excise tax (PKR billions) Tobacco excise tax as a share of GDP 1992-93 1,620.62 8.51 0.52% 1993-94 1,897.88 8.61 0.45% 1994-95 2,268.46 10.03 0.44% 1995-96 2,577.56 11.59 0.45% 1996-97 2,952.18 11.71 0.40% 1997-98 3,255.31 13.12 0.40% 1998-99 3,572.28 15.12 0.42% 1999-00 3,826.11 14.34 0.37% 2000-01 4,209.87 16.36 0.39% 2001-02 4,452.65 16.56 0.37% 2002-03 4,875.65 17.28 0.35% 2003-04 5,640.58 18.40 0.33% 2004-05 6,499.78 21.88 0.34% 2005-06 7,593.85 23.10 0.30% 2006-07 8,706.92 28.41 0.33% 2007-08 10,009.68 28.52 0.28% Source: IMF, Federal Bureau of Revenue, authors calculation. Structure of the industry There are 42 registered cigarette manufacturers, but only 24 manufacturers are currently producing cigarettes.  [7]  The market is dominated by two companies: Lakson Tobacco Company (LTC), which is a subsidiary of Phillip Morris International (PMI) and Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC), which is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT) (Table 2). LTC has gradually increased its market share from 36 percent in 2000 to 47  percent in 2007. Small companies now produce only about 5 percent of the duty paid domestic cigarettes. Table 2. Market shares of the main tobacco manufacturers Manufacturer Affiliation 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Lakson Tobacco Company PMI 35.6 42.2 45.7 47.1 48.1 46.8 46.0 47.0 Pakistan Tobacco Company BAT 53.9 47.5 46.4 46.5 46.7 50.4 51.0 48.4 Other manufacturers NA 10.5 10.3 7.9 6.4 5.2 2.8 3.0 4.6 Source: Tobacco Merchants Association The two leading brands are Morven (produced by LTC 37.6 percent market share) and Gold Flake (produced by PTC 29.5 percent market share), both in the first tier. Along with Embassy and other first tier brands, they account for about 85 percent of the market, with the remaining 15% split between second and third tier brands. Non duty paid illicit cigarettes are widely available. The general industry consensus, which is also shared by the government, is that such cigarettes account for about 20 percent of all cigarettes sold in Pakistan and most of them are produced illegally in Pakistan by small manufacturers active in the North-West Frontier and the Northern Areas. B. Issues Rising Consumption and Declining Revenues Annual consumption of cigarettes in Pakistan has increased from 292 cigarettes per capita in 1994 to 406 cigarettes per capita in 2007 (Figure 2). During this same period, tobacco excise revenue has fallen from 0.5 percent of GDP to 0.3 percent. The decline in revenue is primarily due to excise rates not keeping pace with the growth of per capita income, and to adding a new tier in 2001, which reduced the tax on cigarettes in the mid-price range (Figure 3). Figure 2: Per capita consumption of cigarettes and excise revenue as share of GDP Figure 3: Tax per pack before and after the introduction of the three-tier system Total Tax The total tax on cigarettes is too low to meet public health objectives. The World Bank found that in countries with comprehensive tobacco control policies, taxes (excise plus VAT or sales tax) accounts for two-thirds to four-fifths of the retail price of cigarettes.  [8]  In Pakistan the three most widely sold brands have a total tax burden of slightly more than 50 percent (Table 3), well below the World Bank recommended tax burden. Up-market brands such as Gold Leaf, just fall within the World Bank Standard, with a total tax burden of 68 percent.  [9]   Table 3. Total tax on cigarettes for major brands, in 2008 (in PKR per pack)       Gold Flake Morven Embassy Capstan Gold Leaf [A] Estimated market share (2006) 29.5% 37.6% 6.7% 7.8% 9.4% [B] Retail price 18.40 18.40 17.24 34.30 49.00 [C] VAT (13.8 percent of final retail price) 2.54 2.54 2.38 4.74 6.76 [D] Excise tax 7.03 7.03 6.34 16.48 26.61 [E] Pre-tax price = [B]-[C]-[D] 8.83 8.83 8.52 13.08 15.63 [F] Total tax = [C]+[D] 9.57 9.57 8.72 21.22 33.37 [G] Share of excise = [D]/[B] 38.2% 38.2% 36.8% 48.0% 54.3% [H] Share of taxes = ([C]+[D])/[B] 52.0% 52.0% 50.6% 61.9% 68.1% Ad valorem vs. Specific Over the period 1986-2007, countries within the Asia Pacific region have been switching from ad valorem excises or ad valorem and specific excises on cigarettes to specific excises.  [10]  Currently, 19 of the 27 countries in the Asia Pacific region impose specific excises on cigarettes,  [11]  some of which adjust taxes for inflation on a mandated regular basis. Seven of these countries (Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan) impose a single specific rate; that is, there are no tiers.  [12]  Four countries impose only ad valorem rates on cigarettes,  [13]  and four countries (including Pakistan) impose both specific and ad valorem rates.  [14]   A strong case can be made for Pakistan adopting a specific tax regime for excising cigarettes: If a primary purpose of the cigarette excise-in addition to raising revenue-is to discourage consumption, the tax should be levied on the number of cigarettes (or packs of cigarettes) consumed. Specific excises limit brand switching to cheaper cigarettes and thus are more effective in reducing smoking prevalence. In contrast, ad valorem excises, all other things equal, lead to a greater spread in prices between cheaper and higher-priced cigarettes. This, in turn, leads to greater potential for switching to cheaper cigarettes when excise rates are increased. Keeping all low-priced cigarette on a specific regime is therefore key to the success of the proposed tax change. Ad valorem rates may encourage price wars, as the government shares in any price reduction.  [15]  In contrast, when the rate is specific, the amount of excise paid is not reduced when prices are cut.  [16]   Specific excises are also easier to administer because it is only necessary to determine the physical quantity of the product taxed, and not necessary to determine its value.  [17]   International experience suggests that ad valorem taxes may keep pace with inflation better than specific taxes, even specific taxes that are adjusted fairly frequently, and because of this, some experts favor ad valorem excises. To avoid this problem, specific excises should be adjusted each year automatically (i.e., by an administrative order, which does not require a decision by an executive agency or approval by a legislative body). Pernicious effect of the second tier Since the three-tier scheme was adopted in 2001, there have been annual adjustments, except in 2003 when inflation was quite low, to the first-tier specific rate and in the price brackets between the tiers (Table 4). In 2002, the large real increase in the specific rate and the bracket between the first and second tiers lowered the tax on mid-priced cigarettes, as explained further below. Since then, the annual adjustments until 2008 have lagged the increase in the CPI, which has reduced the inflation-adjusted tax on low-priced cigarettes. In addition, the tax on mid-priced cigarettes continued to fall in nominal (and inflation-adjusted) terms. Table 4. Annual adjustments of the specific excise rate and brackets Date of Adjustment Prior Fiscal Year Increase in CPI (In Percent) Increase in the First-Tier Specific Rate (In Percent) Increase in Bracket between First and Second Tiers (In Percent) Increase in Bracket between the Second and Third Tiers (In Percent) June 2002 3.6 18.6 18.6 June 2003 1.9 June 2004 8.5 8.1 8.1 20.0 July 2005 8.7 7.9 7.9 8.3 June 2006 7.6 7.3 7.5 7.7 June 2007 7.0 6.5 6.5 7.1 June 2008 12.3 13.1 13.1 6.7 This approach to annually adjusting the excise schedule has the pernicious effect of reducing the tax on cigarettes in the mid-price range. This can be seen by comparing the excise tax per pack for 2007 and 2008 (Figure 4). When the bracket between the first and second tiers was increased to PKR 14.86, the 69 percent incremental rate applies to a smaller portion of the retail price. Therefore, the excise on cigarettes priced between PKR 14.86 and PKR 32.00 per pack was reduced. For example, the excise on Capstan, with a retail price before VAT of PKR  27.21 per pack, fell from PKR 15.31 to PKR 14.86 per pack.  [18]  There does not appear to be a sound tax policy or health policy reason for increasing the tax on low-priced cigarettes, lowering the tax on mid-price cigarettes, while leaving the tax on high-priced cigarettes unchanged. Figure 4. Tax per pack of 20 cigarettes, before and after the June 2008 changes to the excise tax on tobacco, with pre-June 2008 prices before VAT C. A Way Forward Proposed excise rates To reduce consumption, increase government revenue, and simplify the excise regime, Pakistan should return to a two-tier regime similar to what was abandoned in 2001. The specific excise would be increased to PKR 15.00 per pack of 20  cigarettes and the price bracket between the first and second tiers would be increased to PKR  28.00.  [19]  For cigarettes in the second tier, the excise tax would be 63 percent of the retail price before VAT. Going forward, the specific rate and the price bracket between the first and second tiers would be automatically indexed for inflation.  [20]  Under this proposal, over 80 percent of all cigarettes would be subject to the specific excise. Only the higher-priced cigarettes would be subject to the 63 percent ad valorem excise (Figure 5), allowing the government to tap some of the up-market value. Figure 5. Tax per pack in current and proposed tax regime for tobacco excise Administrative reforms As excise tax increases, some consumers will switch to non duty paid illicit cigarettes, most of which are manufactured domestically. Therefore, a strengthened tax administration is essential and it should accompany the reform program. The Federal Excise Act gives the FBR adequate powers to assess and collect excise taxes. However, the critical factor-political will to allow inspectors, with appropriate protection for their safety, to access and/or find suspected sites of illicit manufacturing-appears to be lacking.  [21]  In this respect, fully implementing the array of measures already included in the Federal Excise Act will be important to reap the full benefits of the tax increase, although scenario analyses in the appendices show that the effect of the proposed tax change on government revenue is robust to increased smuggling. D. Effects of the Proposal The proposal increases cigarette prices, reduces consumption, and increases government revenue. Price effect The incidence of excises and other indirect taxes is generally assumed to be shifted forward to consumers. Manufacturers will raise their prices to cover any increase in excises. Of course, manufacturers may increase prices by more than the tax increase  [22]  or less than the tax increase depending on competitive factors, and this possibility is discussed further in Appendix 1. The initial assumption is that prices will increase to fully pass through the tax increase. Table 5. Current price per pack and estimated new price per pack under proposed tax regime, assuming full pass-through of the tax increase to consumers*    Current pre-VAT price (PKR) New pre-VAT price (PKR) % Change Current excise tax per pack (PKR) New excise tax per pack (PKR) Embassy 14.86 23.40 57.5% 6.34 15.00 Morven 15.86 23.80 50.1% 7.03 15.00 Gold Flake 15.86 23.80 50.1% 7.03 15.00 Capstan 29.56 35.20 19.1% 16.48 22.18 Gold Leaf 42.24 42.24 0.0% 26.61 26.61 Other brands NA 23.40 NA 6.34 15.00 * The assumption of full pass-through implies that tobacco manufacturers increase prices to preserve their pre-tax revenues per pack. Some will argue that the excise on low-priced cigarettes must be kept low to protect the low-income consumers from spending more on tobacco. However, because the prevalence rate and ensuing burden of tobacco use is higher among low-income consumers and because these consumers are more sensitive to price, low-income consumers reap maximum benefit from higher taxes through reduced consumption. Savings are therefore generated not only through lower expenditures on tobacco itself but also on related conditions (e.g., hospitalization for cancer) and higher productivity. In addition, many countries also help low-income tobacco users through increased support to cessation programs and mass awareness campaigns that are often funded by higher taxes. In this regards, it is clear that governments have more effective ways of helping low-income consumers than providing cheap tobacco products. Although the proposal would result in a sharp increase in the price of cigarettes at the lower end of the market, cigarette prices would nevertheless remain significantly under the level of most countries in the world (Figure 6), and most notably well under the price of popular brands in India. Figure 6. Price of a pack of 20 cigarettes in various countries at purchasing power parity *,+ Source: WHO. Global Report on the tobacco Epidemic, 2008. The MPOWER package. World Health Organization. 2008 * All prices are converted to US dollars and adjusted for differences in affordability across countries, hence very high figures for India, for example. + All figures are based on 2006 data, except for Pakistan (after tax increase), which is based on a price of PKR 23.80, the price of Gold Flake under the proposed tax change. Consumption effect Raising the price of cigarettes relative to other products will encourage consumers to reduce their purchases of cigarettes. It may also encourage consumers to substitute non duty paid illicit cigarettes for duty paid cigarettes. How much consumption is reduced depends on the elasticity of demand,  [23]  which in low- and middle income countries varies widely, but is generally assumed to be around -0.8.  [24]  However, there are many reasons to believe that the elasticity of demand is very low in Pakistan. First, tobacco prices are low: a pack of Gold Flake costs PKR 114 in India and only PKR 18.40 in Pakistan (using the current exchange rate).  [25]  Second, the proposed price increase is significant and using a standard point elasticity is likely to overestimate the change in consumption in such a context. Last, comparable countries such as Egypt have price elasticities of around -0.4 or even lower.  [26]  For these reasons, Table 6 provides estimated changes in con sumption based on an elasticity of -0.4. Appendix 2 assesses the impact of changing the elasticity and of increased illicit consumption on these estimates.  [27]   Table 6. Impact of proposed tax regime on sales of cigarettes*    Forecasted sales for 2008/09 under current tax regime (million packs of 20 cig.)+ Estimated sales for 2008/09 under proposed tax regime (million packs of 20 cig.) % Change Embassy 248 191 -23.0% Morven 1,395 1,115 -20.0% Gold Flake 1,094 875 -20.0% Capstan 289 267 -7.6% Gold Leaf 349 349 0.0% Other brands 334 257 -23.0% Total 3,709 3,055 -17.6% * Assuming 5% growth from the 2007/08 production figures and a -0.4 price elasticity of demand. + Source: Pakistan Economic Survey (production) and Tobacco Merchants Association (market shares for 2006), authors calculation. Revenue effect Increasing excises on cigarettes would increase government excise revenue by almost 50%, compared to what would be collected under the current tax regime.  [28]  Most of the increase is generated by brands at the low-end of the market, because changes in tax per pack mostly occur at that level (Figure 5). This increase in revenue would raise the share of tobacco taxes in the GDP to 0.45%, the same level as in 1993-94, up from 0.28% in 2007-08.  [29]   Table 7. Impact of proposed tax regime on excise tax revenue from cigarettes    Forecasted revenue from tobacco excise tax for 2008/09 under current tax regime (million PKR) Estimated revenue from tobacco excise tax for 2008/09 under proposed tax regime (million PKR) % Change Embassy 1,575 2,871 82.2% Morven 9,804 16,729 70.6% Gold Flake 7,692 13,125 70.6% Capstan 4,768 5,926 24.3% Gold Leaf 9,278 9,272 -0.1% Other brands 2,116 3,856 82.2% Total 35,233 51,779 47.0% E. Conclusion A strong case can be made for increasing excises on cigarettes. First, cigarettes are inexpensive-the most popular brands cost PKR 18.40 per pack of 20 (USD 0.25). Second, per capita cigarette consumption has been growing, raising significant health concerns. Third, the current three-tier regime for excising cigarettes is complex and pernicious. The governments annual adjustment to the rates and brackets increases the excise payable on the low-priced brands but reduces the excise payable on mid-priced brands while leaving the excise payable on high-priced brands unchanged. There is neither a sound health policy reason nor a tax policy reason for this pattern of changes. Pakistan should return to a two-tier regime similar to what was abandoned in 2001. The specific excise would be increased to PKR 15.00 per pack of 20  cigarettes and the price bracket between the first and second tiers would be increased to PKR  28.00. For cigarettes in the second tier, the excise tax would be 63 percent of the retail price before VAT. Going forward, the specific rate and the bracket between the first and second tiers would be automatically indexed for inflation. Assuming the excise tax is fully passed through to consumers, adoption of this proposal will lead to a 50 percent increase in the price of the most popular brands. Consumption of cigarettes will decline by 18 percent, providing significant health benefits, and the governments revenue from cigarette excises will increase by 47 percent. The forecasted impact of the proposed change is robust to the assumptions used in the model regarding the pass through to consumers of the tax increase, as well as elasticity and the potential impact of smuggling, as demonstrated in Appendices 1 and 2. Appendix 1: Sensitivity analysis for pass-through of the tax increase to consumers How much of the new tax will be passed through to consumers by the tobacco manufacturers will determine the new market prices and therefore consumption levels, hence an impact on government revenue. The proposal assumes pass-through of 1, i.e., the entire tax increase is passed through to consumers in the form of higher prices. In this appendix, five more pass-through scenarios are assessed. It is first assumed that manufacturers cannot pass the entire tax increase to consumers, hence pass-through of 0.75 and 0.90. Next, it is assumed that manufacturers pass-through more than the tax increase, as was the case with Capstan in 2008. Three more pass-through are therefore tested: 1.10, 1.25, and 1.40. The impact on government revenue and consumption is calculated in Table A1.1 Table A1.1 Impact on consumption and government revenue of various pass-through scenarios* Pass-through Impact on consumption (%) Increase in government revenue from excise on cigarettes (%) 0.75 -13.2 53.4 0.90 -15.9 49.6 1.00 -17.6 47.0 1.10 -19.4 44.4 1.25 -22.1 40.5 1.40 -24.8 36.6 * The base case scenario is highlighted. The impact of the pass-through rate on consumption is quite limited, with a difference of 10 percentage points between the two extreme scenarios. The increase in government revenue also is not very sensitive to higher pass-through rate. The same applies to a less than unity pass-through rate, as the smaller reduction in price results in a smaller reduction in consumption than in t

Mathematical Impacts :: essays research papers

Mathematical Impacts The art of mathematics is an intrinsic part of the many physical sciences which humanity strives to learn; it began as a way to explain the celestial guides, which became the science of astronomy and astrophysics. This essay will explain the use of math in astronomy, chemistry, physics, and their relation. The study of astronomy is the oldest of the physical sciences it began as an inspiration. For the purpose of this essay, the study will begin with the ancient’s knowledge of this science. They had many different views on how those nocturnal guides worked. Many of these civilizations studied their arrival and departure along with the weather to understand their own existence. Humboldt (1849) stated, â€Å"Physical laws depend upon mean numerical values; which shows us the constant amid change.† This change was the foundation of time, time that would assist in measuring and explaining how those guides work. Boorstin (1985) explains that, â€Å"The first grand discovery was time, the landscape of experience.† He went further with his explanation of how important it was for humans to measure time, if it had been simple, humans would have, â€Å"lacked the incentive to study the heavens and to become mathematicians.† With the use of this curiosity, humans searc hed and learned how they worked. Math had made it possible to understand this aspect of the cosmos, yet there were some differences on how they really worked. The Greeks were the first to â€Å"propose explanations for the motions of astronomical objects that relied on logic and geometry† Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit (2004). Math, helped explain, and defy the beliefs held for many years. The Greeks created a geocentric model, which places the earth in the center of the universe. This was attributed, to Thales (c. 624-546 B.C.), which many other Greeks held to be true even after another Greek named Aristarchus (c. 310-230 B.C.) â€Å"Suggested that the Earth goes around the Sun, a view that ultimately prevailed, but until almost 2,000 years later† Bennett, Donahue, Schneider, and Voit (2004). With all of this in mind, the mathematicians who followed these great men of genius will utilize the ideas and mathematical equations in search of the truth. It is important to understand that in order for these new discoveries be found, the evolution of logic, math, and other sciences, which derived from the mathematical ideals of the past. To put it in a better perspective of how these evolutions helped these advancements, it is important to understand that before the discovery of the telescope, calculations and logical premises made the old discoveries.

The Role Of Energy In Human Development Environmental Sciences Essay

In November, 2009 the UN Development Programme ( UNDP ) office noted that 1.5 Billion people of the universe, about one-fourth of current universe population are still without electricity ( EIA World study, 2009 ) . They are largely in rural developing universe. The UNDP besides highlighted the pressing demands to guarantee that the energy demands of developing states are cardinal to any new clime alteration understanding. The bulk of them who live in the dark are in the least developed states ( LDCs ) of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, harmonizing to the study ( The Energy Access Situation in Developing States: A Review Focusing on the Least Developed Counties and Sub-Saharan Africa. ) Mr. Olav Kjorven, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Development Policy, told newsmans in New York at the launch of the study: â€Å" Expanding energy entree is indispensable to undertake planetary poorness. It needs to go on at the lowest cost and in the cleanest manner possible to assist developing states set up a low-carbon path to development, † He besides noted: â€Å" Almost half of the humanity is wholly disconnected from the argument on how to drive human advancement with less emanations and greener energy because their world is much more basic than that. They carry heavy tonss of H2O and nutrient on their dorsums because they do n't hold transport ; they cook over wood fires that amendss their wellness, non with electricity, gas or oil, † â€Å" We must guarantee that energy demands of these people are cardinal to a new clime understanding, † he added, mentioning to the treaty to control nursery gas emanations that states are trusting to accomplish when they meet in the Danish capital in December, 2009 Kjorven noted that two million people die every twelvemonth from causes associated with exposure to smoke from cooking with biomass and coal and 99 per cent of those deceases occur in the development states. In LDCs and Sub-Saharan Africa, half of all deceases from pneumonia in kids under five old ages, chro nic lung disease and lung malignant neoplastic disease in grownups are attributed to the usage of solid fuel, compared with 38 per cent in developing states overall. Interestingly, most of these people live in a part where there is plentifulness of sunlight ( see Figure 1.1 and 1.2 ) , and it is no â€Å" projectile scientific discipline † that sunlight can be converted to electricity. The Photo-voltaic ( PV ) engineering that converts the sunshine to electricity has been known since 1950s, and the agencies to hive away PV electricity when the Sun is reflecting and do it available when it is dark has been applied for old ages. Furthermore, electricity generated in this manner is local and distributed. It can be used where it is needed, and therefore wo n't necessitate transmittal of electricity from a cardinal bring forthing station to remote rural countries, and thereby would extinguish all electricity transmittal related issues or costs which would be Millions of dollars in order to convey the electricity grid to these distant rural countries of the universe. Among the assorted energy utilizations, run intoing illuming demands affordably and faithfully is frequently the basic demands for human life, and the underlying key to any economic development, and riddance of human poorness. Lighting helps people gain extra clip for working, reading in the eventide, basking greater security and more comfort. The quality of visible radiation from a electric beginning is many times better when compared with kerosine lamps or tapers, and is less risky to wellness, and safe. Compared to the visible radiation provided by electricity that the people in the developed universe usage, the visible radiation from a kerosine lamp is really subdued. In order to read under this light 1 has about put the books straight over the lamp. In add-on, being at so close propinquity with these lamps, the kids are bound to inhale the exhausts from these lamps which are toxic and unhealthy. Therefore, the absence of modern visible radiation as provided by the electricity im pedes non merely the analyzing ability of these hapless kids but besides it creates serious wellness jobs. Pode ( Pode, 2008 ) noted â€Å" In footings of costs, visible radiation from kerosine is far more expensive than provided by electric visible radiations. The cost of utile light energy ( $ /Lumen Hour of visible radiation ) for kerosine is more than 300 times higher than the inefficient incandescent bulbs, is more than 1600 times higher than a Compact Fluorescent visible radiation bulb and more than 3000 times higher than a LED † . The International Finance Corporation ( IFC ) estimates that $ 38 Billion is spent yearly, chiefly by the hapless, on fuel-based lighting ( World Bank Group Progress on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects in Fiscal Year 2006: Bettering Lifes ) . A alteration to electric visible radiations ( CFL and LED based ) would be less than 1/2000 of this tremendous costs for illuming, a economy of mammoth proportion. 2.1 Introduction Every twenty-four hours about 122 PW of sunshine reaches the Earth ‘s surface. This is plentiful compared to the 13 TW of entire energy consumed by worlds. Solar energy ( electricity ) is created by the sunshine. When the sunshine strikes a PV cell, a stuff made from Si or sand that is similar to the stuff used in doing computing machine memory french friess, the energy contained in the sunshine ( the photons ) excites the atom within the semiconducting material stuff, and motion of these loose atoms creates electromotive force ( direct current electromotive force ) and electric current. Therefore every bit long as there is Sun, and the sunlight hits a PV cell at that place will be PV electricity. This is sustainable and is plentiful. 2.0 System Installation Issues End product of solar PV panel can change significantly with its siting- location every bit good as its disposition ( tilt angle ) relation to place of the Sun. Since the PV electricity is generated by the Sun, the sum of sunshine hitting the PV cell will find how much solar electricity can be obtained from a PV cell at a location. The disposition of the Sun with regard to the PV cell is of import as it would order the sum of Sun ‘s energy that would hit the surface of the PV faculty, and its continuance. Therefore, a solar PV panel that can track the Sun as it moves from E to west during the twenty-four hours can bring forth the most sum of solar electricity at a location. Where such trailing solar PV is non executable, the solar panel should be mounted at an angle so that it hits the Sun sheer for most of the clip and gets the sunshine during most of the twenty-four hours, Similarly, shadowing will impact the sum of Sun received on the PV panel and will impact the sum of end p roducts. A Solar Pathfinder ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.solarpathfinder.com ) or similar instrument should be used to find the optimal location of the faculty, and topographic point it. The UNDP has postulated that â€Å" The most basic demands for human development are to take long and healthy lives, to be knowing, to hold entree to the resources needed for a nice criterion of life and to be able to take part in the life of the community. Without these, many picks are merely non available, and many chances in life remain unaccessible † ( hypertext transfer protocol: //hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/indices/hdi/ , accessed 5/1/2010 ) . Since 1970s international Keynesiasm highlighted the planetary mutuality with two major countries of concerns: a new international economic order ( NIEO ) and transportation of resources to the hapless population of the universe ( the 3rd universe states, 3W ) to run into the basic demands in development ( Preston, P.W. , ( 1996 ) , Development Theory, ISBN 0-631-19554-8 ) . See figure below. The function of energy in human development was foremost highlighted in an UN Report, prepared by the Brundtland Commission ( Brundtland Report, ( 1987 ) , United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development ( WCED ) , 1987, hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brundtland_Commission, accessed June, 2010 ) . Lack of entree to affordable energy was besides noted as one of the major causes of poorness and deficiency of human development. The disparities in energy usage between the developed universe and the under-developed universe was besides noted, with a suggestion that the developed universe take a broader function in taking this huge disparity. The authoritiess of the First universe states and the cardinal establishments of the post-second universe war broad capitalist systems, the IMF, the World Banks, the NGOs realized that they must suit to force per unit areas of reform, and pay attending to this NIEO by transportation of resources to the hapless stat es to run into their basic demands, and turn toing the energy poorness was on top of the docket. ( Preston, P.W. , ( 1996 ) , Development Theory, ISBN 0-631-19554-8 ) . We will discourse how this development attack for the full universe specially for the energy hapless states was addressed under this NIEO ( see Figure I.1 ) . Modern energy as provided by electricity provides many chances for human development. It reduces the clip needed to execute basic family jobs. The clip therefore saved could be used for income coevals, increased societal activities and educational intent. It has been determined that energy ingestion has important correlativity with GDP every bit good as HDI. A study published by IEA indicates that the states with high ingestion degree of per capita electricity, attain upper rank of both economic activities ( GDP per capita ) and HDI as shown Figs. I.4 and I.5, severally. Figures I. 4 and I. 5. Electricity Consumption and GDP ; and Electricity ingestion and HDI Income Generation -Enterprise development through electricity creates occupations -Higher productiveness through Mechanization–-Small scale industries such as, weaving, knitting etc. for rural development Education -Lights enable easiness of analyzing after dark–-Reduced clip needed for executing regular family jobs. The saved clip can be used for analyzing and fostering instruction – ( ICT ) Modern energy enables one to entree computing machine, communicating and information based chances which are causes for digital divide, and cognition based societies Health – Unhealthy pollutants such as ensuing from toxic dodo fuel based energy are reduced – – Arduous work related to roll uping firewood is reduced specially for adult females and kids–– Handiness of modern inoculation and medical specialty storage installations improves wellness of the local population Environment -Reduction in usage of fuelwood prevents devastation of trees and woods – Energy efficient contraptions could cut down energy wastes -Promotes climate protection -Fosters globalisation of community and more societal interaction

Innocence Compassion and some Crazy Cliff essays

Innocence Compassion and some Crazy Cliff essays A novel, which has gained literary recognition worldwide, scrutiny to the point of censorship and has established a following among adolescents, The Catcher in the Rye is in its entirety a unique connotation of the preservation of innocence and the pursuit of compassion. With certain elegance the writer J.D. Salinger, substantiates the growth and perils, which lie between childhood and adulthood. Embellishing the differentiation between innocence and squalor in the grasps of society. The bridge that lies between these contrasting themes are personified through the novels protagonist, Holden Caul-field and his visualization of a cliff, which depicts a dividing point between the evident beginning and end. The connection, which binds this gap in reality, was made clear through a new found compassion, consummating Holdens place in society through the realization of his surroundings from which he successfully crosses over. Focusing on the rebellious and confused actuality of adolescents stuck between the innocence of childhood and the corruptness of the adult world, this novel strikes a cord, which most adolescents can relate. The essence of the story The Catcher in the Rye follows the forty-eight hour escapade of sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield, told through first person narration. After his expulsion from Pency, a fashionable prep school, the lat-est in a long line of expulsions, Holden has a few confrontations with his fellow students and leaves shortly after to return to his hometown, New York City. In the heart of New York City, Holden spends the following two days hiding out to rest before confronting his parents with the news. During his adventures in the city he tries to renew some old acquaintances, find his significance in the adult world, and come to grips with the head-aches he has been having lately. Eventually, Holden sneaks home to visit his sister Phoebe, because alone on the streets he feels as...

Downsizing rightsizing or Dump sizing Essay Example

Downsizing rightsizing or Dump sizing Essay Example Downsizing rightsizing or Dump sizing Paper Downsizing rightsizing or Dump sizing Paper Organizations try to maintain profit ratio by one way or the other. However, not all strategies used by the company result as successful adoptions. The most frequently heard term in the Human Resource management is layoffs and restructuring. Downsizing being one of the form of such employee cutting have many faces of its effect on the corporate values. So the current study tries to understand the overview of downsizing and the HR skills required to execute down sizing in an organization. Also the study tries to analyze the good and bad forms of the concept down sizing under the section by taking the concerns of rightsizing and dumb sizing. What is Down Sizing Downsizing: Downsizing is kind of organizational restructuring. The term is mostly used when organization adopts a workforce reduction. Downsizing or Workforce Reduction: According to Steven Applebaum and his colleagues (1987) as cited in Alexis A. Halley refers the definition of term downsizing as coined to define the scaling down of car sizes by automobile manufacturers. However the term was adopted to HR field in cutting down the employees during 1980s. Downsizing is a strategy to resize, streamline and shrink the organizational structure with respect to employee number. Usually it is assumed that companies down size people to restructure their existing employees by number wise. However, Restructuring can also be defined as rebuilding the strength of an organization by changing its asset structure and its resource allocation patterns (see Hoskisson Hitt, 1994). Why Use Downsizing: Companies mainly during the period of recession, try to increase the costs in many possible ways. One among those quick fixes is cost cutting through Employee layoff. In order to prove their profitability CEOs show up the reduced HR costs under profitability accounting. However, when firms use this tool cautiously, downsizing can be a life saver to the company. But repeated usage of the tool can result in the erosion of the human capital. Role of HR in Downsizing: The HR should play a vital role in cutting back the employees, yet retaining the life blood of the company. A company needs some employees in key positions with required skill set to be adhered to their competitive responsibilities all the time. HR need to identify which skill set or professionals to be retained during the period to void disturbance in the existing process. Also the HR should take care of the effort load of the removed employees which ultimately falls on the retained employees due to the cut down on employees. The major challenge for HR in such circumstances is to deal with the remaining employee morale. The employee security becomes shattered and HR has to affirm them of their position in the organization. For this the HR should be communicative with management a well with the employees in getting their concern and feedback from time to time. Also the HR should assist management in planning the downsizing in an approached way. There are different approaches and tools available to the HR to perform the Downsize efficiently and in a strategic way. Downsizing is a kind of change adoption. Change is observed in two ways: The Incremental Approach: This approach starts with denial of wrong followed by patching and crisis and then by rightsizing. However, this approach may create tension and anxiety in the organization. The phases and events are unpredictable in this approach. 2. The strategic approach: This approach involves rethinking, and searches for new mental maps and new tools. The strategic approach though lengthy results profitable in long run.

Kodak and fujifilm Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Kodak and fujifilm - Essay Example This did not last for long, as later in 1990s, the company started to experience financial strains as a result of decline in sales of photographic film (Garcia, 2004). This decline in Eastman photographic film sales was also enhanced by it slowness in shifting from the analogue to digital photography. Fuji Film Company was started in 1924, with a core purpose of becoming one of the first Japanese producers of photographic film (Hill & Jones, 2010). Ten years after its formation, Fujifilm started to produce x-ray films and motion picture films. Fujifilm is one of the main Japanese famous multinational photography firms with its headquarters in Tokyo, japan.The company deals with the production and sale of color photographic films, medical imaging equipment and materials. Both Kodak Company and Fujifilm Company have much in common. In their early stages the two companies enjoyed huge market share in their local markets, with Kodak almost dominating 90% of the American film market share (Garcia, 2004). Later in the late 90s, both companies saw their traditional business’s rendered obsolete with the changing technology. With Kodak company management failing to respond adequately to the changing technology, Fujifilm has rapidly transformed itself to be a prosperous company with its market capitalization policy. Both Kodak and Fujifilm companies saw the change coming in the Kodak industry. With both management bodies aware of the changing markets, they planned on how to adopt the new innovation in the market. The Fujifilm company management quickly responded to the changing technology by developing various pronged strategy. To adopt the new innovations in the market, the company decided to develop new business lines (Hill & Jones, 2010). On the other hand, in its attempts to perfectly embrace the new innovations in the photography markets, Eastman Kodak management allocated large sum of money on research (Garcia, 2004). But

Personal paper on SoHo, NYC. First-person Essay

Personal paper on SoHo, NYC. First-person - Essay Example . Geographically, Soho is a neighborhood located in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is a zoned neighborhood bounded by Houston Street and Lafayette Street, with the Centre Street on the East and Canal Street on the South. As a place, one can immediately observe that there is more to the city than its geographical location evident with the characters of its more than 250 iron cast buildings. Indeed there is more that meets the eye because what made Soho special are not only its buildings but its inhabitants and its history. Dreams and perfection were created in that community, a dwelling place were great artworks were conceived and worked during the stillness of its night and the brightness of its day. Soho’s nature to become the nest and breeding place of so many artists can be said to be a happy accident or perhaps even by Divine Providence. In the early part of Sohos history, the place was virtually empty where its historic buildings became unattractive to factories or any form of business. At some point, it was thought of as a miserable place, without place to work, all space and no money from industry where abandoned buildings litter the community. For a time, there may be no money coming in during in Soho but its historic buildings and its lofts that has large unobstructed space where light can get in freely, has a special charm to artists. It could provide them the space to work and for their art to flourish. Its bane of being absent of industry and factories actually became an advantage and an asset because it afforded artists rent cheap to do their creative works. Just imagine a place, or a community where all of its residents are dreamers or purveyors of beauty whose heads are always on the cloud even if their feet touches ground. Many may have been gone but you can still feel that artistic aura, to explore and to open up, and pour ourselves in creative ways that only God understand.