Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Dissertation Example Based on the discussion of the results of these statistics, a few recommendations like improved customer relations, improved the additional amenities, improved supply chain management and other retail management methods, following government guidelines like PPG6 and Town Centre Partnerships. Chapter 1 - Research Introduction 1.1. Chapter Introduction : 1.2. Research Scenario: 1.3. Aim and Objectives of the Research : 1.4. Research Questions and Hypotheses: 1.5. Scope of the Research: 1.6. Research methodology: 1.7. Research Organization: 1.8. Chapter conclusion: Chapter 2 - Literature Review 2.1. Introduction: 2.2. The Retail scenario: 2.3. Impact of globalisation: 2.4. Retail changes in UK and Cyprus: 2.5. Impact of changes on small supermarkets: 2.6. Steps to recover the Town Centres / small supermarkets : 2.7. Chapter conclusion: Chapter 3 – Research Methodology 3.1. Introduction: 3.2. ... Primary data processing and data presentation 4.3. Descriptive statistics of the Research data: 4.4. Histogram and Tally analysis: 4.4.1. Histogram and Tally analysis of questions towards customers: 4.4.2. The Histogram and Tally analyses of the questions towards retail owners: 4.5. Correlation analysis: 4.6. Chapter Conclusion: Chapter 5 – Discussion and Recommendation 5.1. Discussion based on statistical Analysis: 5.2. Recommendations: Chapter 6 - Research Conclusion Chapter 1 - Research Introduction 1.6. Chapter Introduction : This chapter introduces the research concept in terms of the research background and the scope of the research work. The aim of the research, main research question, research hypotheses are introduced to give an in depth understanding of the purpose of this research. Finally the pattern of organizing this research work has also been given. 1.7. Research Scenario: During the past decades the shopping trends among people have changed tremendously. The p eople who were purchasing from market towns have started their shopping in out of town large super markets. This transition from traditional shopping to shopping under globalized and monopolized conditions was quite noticeable during the transitional period in the UK from 1950’s. The concept of supermarkets (all under one roof) was emerged that, indeed, provided greater variety, accessibility and choice of products to potential customers. The phenomenal growth of out-of-town supermarkets because of changing lifestyles of people all across the world (this will be elaborated in chapter one) compelled British government to conduct its own survey in September 1998 on nine market town locations in Britain to know the impact of these new supermarkets on small businesses and markets in

The financial issues behind Christopher Columbus's journey to america Term Paper

The financial issues behind Christopher Columbus's journey to america - Term Paper Example As was the prevailing story of European competition and balance of power politics, the nations that held on tentatively to their nation’s respective crowns were abjectly paranoid about any one of their neighboring states/competitors gaining an advantage. Likewise, each of the nations of Europe hoped to garner a larger share of the ongoing trade with Asia which served to generate such wealth. Had it not been for the fact that a very small possibility existed that Columbus’ plan might succeed coupled with the extreme riches that were related, it is doubtful that any of the European monarchs would have even considered funding such a fanciful mission. In this way, a type of competitive advantage paranoia gripped the Queen of Spain as she and her advisors recommended that even though the trip was one of great uncertainty with regards to the percentage chance it held for success, the gamble may indeed pay off. Prior to approaching the Queen of Spain, Columbus had been on a ti reless quest to obtain funding for this endeavor. Columbus first approached King John II of Portugal in the hopes that the Portuguese would choose to fund the mission. Rather than making a decision on the evidence that Columbus gave to the King, the king turned over the information to his trusted advisors and counselors and had them perform what we might today call a risk assessment of the possible rewards of such an endeavor as compared to its overall costs and risks. King John’s Portuguese advisors soon returned to him with their determination. The advisors noted that the proposal was indeed a risky one; however, they did not turn it down based on this point alone. The reason the advisors/counselors suggested that the trip should not be funded was due to the fact that they considered Columbus’ own calculations with respect to the actual distance that Asia was from the coast of Europe to be fundamentally flawed. Columbus himself noted to the King that he believed Asia was a mere 2,400 miles from the Portuguese mainland.1 As such, by the calculations of the cartographers and contemporaries of Columbus the actual number was far greater. The answer of â€Å"no† from the advisors and counselors of European monarchs would come to be an expected result for Christopher Columbus on his sojourn through the monarchical courts of Europe around the end of the 1480s. Somewhat disheartened by the rejection of the Portuguese, Columbus next turned to the English court in the hopes that they might fund his expedition. It is interesting to note here that Columbus did not necessarily target those wealthiest nations in all of Europe in a quest to fund his exploration; instead, he targeted those that had a long history of sea-faring and navigation. Perhaps in this way, Columbus made it difficult on himself to obtain funding as those advisors of kings and queens oftentimes would deny Columbus’ request based on the fact that he was providing incomplete a nd/or faulty information regarding the total perceived distance in which he would locate the continent of Asia. Eventually, Columbus plied his request with the Spanish court of Queen Isabella her husband Ferdinand. Upon presenting his request to the Spanish court, the response was initially much the same that he had received at various other European courts up until that time. Queen Isabella referred the matter to her advisors/counselors and said that a decision would be initiated and based upon

A Profitable Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A Profitable Business - Research Paper Example After adding up these costs, the value of unsold goods (closing stock) is deducted to give the cost of goods sold. When the COGS is deducted from total revenues from sales, the gross profit is achieved. Gross profit is also known as operating profit because it is a measure of the manufacturing operations of the business. Net profit is calculated after deducting general, selling and administrative expenses from the gross profit. These expenses include items like electricity expenses, depreciation, salaries of office staff, and other expenses related to the day to day running of the business (Pride, Hughes, and Kapoor 513). Sometimes, other income such as interest on loans, etc. is added to the gross profit. The net profit is a measure of the profitability of the business as it represents the amount that would be shared among the shareholders. For this reason, investors use net profit to determine the earnings per share (EPS) by dividing the net profit by the number of outstanding shar es. This tells investors how much return each share of the business earns for shareholders. 2. Misconceptions about Revenues and Expenses A common misconception new business owners have about revenues is that they are the same as profit. Revenues measure what a business received by selling its products. Profit is calculated after deducting expenses from revenues. ... Secondly, when accounting for business operations, the amount of revenue and expenses reported may differ. Under the cash-based accounting method, revenues and expenditures are identified when cash is collected or paid. But under the accrual accounting system, revenues and expenditures are identified when the right to receive or duty to pay has been established. The cash may be received at a later time. New business owners also sometimes fail to distinguish expenses from costs. For accounting purposes, cost is usually used to mean the price of a long-term benefit such as a fixed asset. On the other hand, expenses such as electricity payments and office stationery are payments in the course of the normal running of the business. Some new business owners also hold a misconception that all expenses involve payment of cash. In some cases, such as depreciation expense, there may be no payment of cash. Depreciation and amortization expenses simply involve the spreading of a cost over the p eriod during which the benefits of the cost are realized by the business. 3. Business Management Software InFlow is one of the most popular inventory management software for small and medium-sized businesses. Launched in 2007, it allows for products to be organized into categories with picture and price identification. Furthermore, the system also allows items to be tracked at the aisle and bin level. It supports bar code scanning for efficient point of sale operations. Users can have real-time access to the updated data. The system also produces invoices, purchase orders and other documentation. Customized sales, profit and cost reports can also be produced. The company offers a free edition of the software that has a capacity of storing up to 100 products (InFlow, 2013). QuickBooks is

Management and Society Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management and Society - Assignment Example However, I would like to offer some clarification and deliberations over the issues that need to be addressed, before the problem is curtailed permanently (Blackman 119-123). Further, I would like to differ with the accounts given, regarding the causes of the massive death and the reduction of the world’s bee population. First, I would like to acknowledge that the recent bee population reduction of 2012 is critical, and its impacts will be felt in the present as well as the future. The areas where I would like to differ with your recommendations of addressing the problem include that I would like to point out that pesticides are not used by fruit farmers only, but also vegetable farmers among others, who are similarly affected by the problem at hand (Harding 229-232). Secondly, I would like to point out that the elimination of pesticide use will result in major economic and environmental impacts in the short as well as in the long term. These impacts include that the productio n of fruits will reduce acutely, which will reduce the economic health of the farmers as well as the economy in general. Besides this, the immediate banning of pesticide use will affect the potential of the agricultural sector, which is likely to cause a food supply imbalance in the future. The solutions to this problem, from my point of view, include that your institution, my company and the farmers can channel resources and research towards the exploration of the problem, in an in-depth manner. Through the in-depth exploration of the problem, the combined forces will expose the specific causes of the colony collapse disorder. I have full confidence in the fact that the problem of pesticides may be a contributor to the problem, but it is not the only cause of the colony collapse disorder. For example, scientists have noted that the problem could be traced to the effects of a virus infection in the bee world, which could be the cause of the massive reduction. Considering these alter native causes of the problem – it is important to note that through the implementation of the strategy you directed my company about – which is requiring all fruit farmers to stop the use of pesticides, may not stop the reduction of the bee population. This is mainly because pesticides may not be the main contributor to the bee population-reduction crisis (Blackman 119-123). Alternatively, the research to be administered through the cooperative efforts of your institution, my company and the farmers can also explore the specific effects of pesticide use and the reduction in bee populations (Harding 229-232). Through the study, the study teams will draw inferences on the alternative ways of reducing the impacts of pesticide-use on the current crisis. Further, this study could incorporate other farmers and groups using pesticides, and not fruit farmers alone, because the other group may be the main contributor to the pesticide release problem. Through the different outlo oks, the study will offer inferences on the best channels of exploring the possibility that the problem is caused by the use of pesticides. Further, in the case that the studies show that a relationship exists between pesticide use and the reduction in bee populations, we could petition the manufacturers of the pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids. By

Leader of a Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Leader of a Business - Research Paper Example One more thing that justifies the discussion about the person in this paper is that the hotel belonging to this group (Taj Mahal, Mumbai, India) has born the brunt of terrorist attacks and has been reopened within a month. As a result, the author of this paper felt that one can find organizational behavior/management as well as conflict management techniques in the actions of the person mentioned in this paper; Ratan Tata, who succeeded the group as part of the legacy of Tata's family. The personality of Ratan Tata is reflected in his activities as he developed management of Tata Sons into a think tank that contemplates group's vertical as well as horizontal expansion. His leadership prompted the directors of the company as well as heads of various industries to innovate the products and to reach a common man as well as middle-class people in third world countries as well as targeting the rich customers. Regarding personality development of this person, he has transformed a lot from the date he received his bachelor degree in 1962 and transformed his company to a strategic think tank from just a manufacturing think tank. The important trait in Ratan Tata is that he inherited the fact that the holding company can manage with minor share along with the fact that enables a company to expand through acquisitions. With the revenues of his group companies, his group successfully acquired Corus Group Plc for 6.2billin GBP, which demonstrates his cash utilizing techniques for expansion of the business. Hence, one can state that he has good management techniques as his group is able to manage the companies with a minor stake and he is able to convince the group companies to mobilize cash for acquisitions. This demonstrates his planning that is able to convince the majority shareholders and directors, who have real control over the company with a major amount of shares. As a result, his personality is a mix of organizational management (managing the group with minor share) and planning future endeavors.

Hedge Funds and Their Role in 2008 Financial Crisis Essay

Hedge Funds and Their Role in 2008 Financial Crisis - Essay Example They are not regulated in the same sense as mutual funds. Mostly, high net worth individuals and some pension funds invest in hedge funds. It is not mandatory for them to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission because they are not supposed to provide information regarding their operation and valuation in public. The paper tries to explore the early history of hedge funds and how prima facie they are different from mutual funds. The paper also focuses on their role and the impact they created during 2008 financial crisis and also what regulatory measures are currently in force to regulate them. Genesis of Hedge Funds Mallaby emphasizes that Alfred Winslow Jones was the first global hedge-fund manager starting his operations in 1949 without any formal qualification and perhaps he set the tone and style of the functioning of hedge funds that are in vogue today. His way of charging the performance fee was different wherein a straight 20 percent cut was made on net gain s while distributing the profits. This deduction was over and above the management fee and even today most hedge-funds continue to have their performance fee policy in the same line. The fund was called so because all along investments were hedged simultaneously – short-selling some of the weaker stocks to mitigate the systemic risks. He used leveraging as a tool to hedge investments. It is worth noting that Jones’s firm made an astounding return of around 5000% during the year 1949 through 1968. Investopedia states that in 1968, around 140 hedge funds were in operations in the US though most of them were out of business due to slump in subsequent years. The hedge funds saw renaissance in the early 1990s but again, many of them including high-profile hedge funds such as Robertson's were in trouble during dotcom crisis of 2000. Hedge Fund Is Not a Mutual Fund Hedge funds are not mutual funds and they differ in several ways. Mutual funds have a large number of retail inv estors while hedge fund is not interested in a retail exposure and limit itself to a few high-net worth investors. After a minimum lock-in period, investors are free to withdraw the funds in mutual funds but hedge funds usually have a longer lock-out period during which investors cannot withdraw their investments. A mutual fund needs to register with Security Exchange Commission while hedge fund does not have such compulsion. Mutual funds do not undertake speculative activities and focus on returns relative to the bench-mark index. For example, if the bench-mark index goes down by 7 percent but the mutual fund investment goes down by only 4 percent then that will imply that mutual fund has performed better. In contrast, hedge funds focus on absolute returns regardless of the movement of market index. That is why hedge funds employ numerous strategies to earn high returns such as long or short positions on derivative instruments, options and futures. Mutual funds do not resort to suc h strategies to enhance their returns as they are governed by a host of regulatory measures (Investopedia). Role of Hedge Funds in 2008 Financial Crisis Chung argues that hedge funds were not behind the financial crisis of 2008; however, there is no guarantee that they will not cause one in future. Regulatory authorities, fund managers and lawyers believe that banks and financial institutions were largely responsible for the recent financial crisis because they invested heavily in subprime mortgages. The study also revealed that short-selling done by hedge funds did not aggravate the crisis. Hedge funds are not required to be brought under the scanner of policy makers; nevertheless, it is suggested that regulators need to keep a watchful eye on their activities. Accordingly, now hedge-funds firms are needed to register

How Does a Cookie Work Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

How Does a Cookie Work - Assignment Example Sometimes, the websites also update the cookies in order to customize the site according to the preference of the users. For example, a user visiting eBay might be shown with a range of fitness equipment if he has searched for such equipment in the past. The sight might also welcome the user by name while recommending fitness equipment. Another example of a website which tracks through cookies is DoubleClick. This site develops a repertory of the user by tracking online behavior and purchases. However, the user’s names and addresses cannot be directly obtained from cookies. These can be obtained only if the user has registered himself on the website by giving personal information. Data from cookies and other analysis tools can be used by the online sites to track a visitor. Moreover, this data can be combined with other data collection methods such as offline surveys to build a user’s profile. The cookie text files are embedded on the hard disk of the visitor. When the user returns, tracking ID of the visitor is requested from the cookie and the data stored on the websites’ servers is accessed. In this way, the customized data can be shown to the visitor. All these technology advancements come with some moral implications. The cookies, in particular, are used by the websites to formulate electronic dossier of the visitors with complete information regarding their purchasing habits and online surfing behavior. This is called profiling. For example, DoubleClick offers its partners detailed information or profile of its visitors so that other websites can target customers with appropriate ad contents. Similarly, credit card purchases by the customers can make it possible for the companies to gain access to private or personal information of the visitors raising privacy concerns.