My last farewell

Therefore, the government undertook large-scale reclamation to†¦ Premium Words Pages Major Problems Young Couples Face Major problems young couples face Many young couples rush to marry because they believe they're ready for the long-term commitment. Unfortunately, young couples are at a higher risk for divorce than couples who marry later in life. A large percentage of young married couples face more issues in the†¦ Premium Words Pages Major Problems in Stone Production Line Stone production line is mainly composed of vibrating feeder, Jaw crusher, Impact crusher, vibrating screen, electronic control and belt conveyors, etc.As the most common material and valuable non-renewable resources, the ore processed by the cry†¦ Premium Words Pages Inflation, Unemployment and Poverty: Still Major Problems of Pakistan Inflation, Unemployment and Poverty: Still Major Problems of Pakistan Ooze Suicide Forman Christian College University Since Pakistan came into being, it's going t hrough hard times. From newly born country to getting sixty four year old country, sometimes it has given sacrifice†¦Premiums Words Pages What Are the Major Problems with Regard to the Collection of Crime Statistics What re the major problems with regard to the collection of crime statistics? There are two main sources for published crime statistics; the British Crime Survey, a face to face factorization survey, covering experiences of crime in the previous twelve months, and police recorded crime which is†¦ Premiums Words Pages Major Problems in Europe During the Fourteenth Century In the fourteenth century, European states faced many major problems that are evident in the history of the entire continent.These problems drastically changed the culture, religion, economy, and land. Throughout the 14th century, Europeans faced overall catastrophes that changed the continent's†¦ Premium Words Pages Major Problems Faced by Indian Agriculture Major Problems Faced by Indian Agriculture The major problems confronting Indian agriculture are those of population pressure, small holdings, depleted soils, lack of modern technology and poor facilities for storage. (a) Population Pressure: India has a huge population of over one billion and it†¦Premiums Words Pages Major Problems in American History Transition Why Change Policy Now? Changing Influence Changing Direction Discussion of Individual Nation Case Studies 1 . Mexico 2. ) Kenya 3. ) India 4. ) Italy 5. ) China 6. ) The United States†¦ Premium's Words Pages China Non-Metallic Mining Solved Major Problems In the past two years, the two pillars of China's non-metallic mining industry, and non-metallic mineral products industry industry tax revenues showed a rapid, sustained and steady growth.At present, China's non-metallic mining has been basically established exploration, mining, processing, market†¦ Premium Words Jollied International Expansion JOLIET CASE ANALYSIS Summary Jollied, a fa st food chain, based in Philippines was blew to obtain a competitive advantage in its local market by keeping tight control over the operations and catering to the taste and appetite of the local people.With the success in the home country, the comma†¦ Premium Words Pages Major Issues and Problems at Nordstrom Major Issues and Problems at Nordstrom Nordstrom, though successful in pleasing their customers and provided superior customer service when compared to other industry players, it appeared that the company sacrificed the employees' satisfaction with their work. One of the major problems cited in the†¦

An Overview Of Organic Foods Environmental Sciences Essay

Under the criterions that adopted by the U.S. Agriculture Department ( USDA ) , organic nutrients bring the significance that nutrients raised without chemicals and processed without additives. Man-made fertilisers, pesticides and antibiotics may non be used in raising organic nutrients. Besides that, usage of irradiation, biotechnology, and sewer-sludge fertiliser is besides banned. Farming patterns used before the 1900 ‘s are classed as organic. It was merely after this that added chemicals such as urea and DDT were brought into agriculture. By and large, organic nutrients included organic veggies, fruits, dairy merchandises, meat, and olive oil. Animals can be classs as organic if they are feed with organic nutrients like organic maizes and organic harvests. Based on the information of All for Natural Health, familial alteration is non allowed throughout the whole elevation procedure. Furthermore, additives and seasoning are forbiding to be added into meats. Because of these patterns, organic nutrients bring more nutrition and healthier if comparison with conventional nutrients. Some consumers believe that organic nutrients are tasty due to the agriculture and raising patterns. From a research conducted by Organic Monitor towards organic planetary market, single-digit market growing was observed for the first clip in 2009 because of the economic lag cut downing industry investing and consumer disbursement power. Organic nutrients and imbibe gross revenues expanded by approximately five per centum to 54.9 billion US dollarsA in 2009. Global grosss have increased observed each twelvemonth, except in 2009. Based on the information that collected by Willer and Kilcher ( 2009 ) , more than 140 states are now bring forthing certified organic nutrients with 32.2 million hectares of agricultural land being managed organically globally by more than 1.2 million manufacturers. The states with the largest markets are the US, Germany, and France ; the highest per capita ingestion is Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria which shown in the tabular array below:Table 1.1: The states with the highest per capita ingestion of Organic nutrients 2009Organic Foods Market in Malaysia It is undeniable that the demand for organic nutrients is on the lifting tendency in Malaysia. This lifting tendency fundamentally caused by the alterations of consumer life style as they are more concern about nutrients safety. Harmonizing to IFOAM & A ; FiBL ( 2003 ) , there are 600 hectares of land under organic direction ; with a portion of entire agricultural land of 0.01. Domestic production is mostly limited to veggies and fruit with perchance one organic domestic fowl operator in East Malaysia. Whilst turning, entire estimated norm is still statistically undistinguished ( UNEP/UNCTAD, 2006 ) . Most organic production is sold domestically with some being exported to Singapore. So far, thereA isA no dependable market statistics available. Some supermarkets such as Jusco, Carrefour, set up an organic corner to advance organic merchandises. Based on the information provided by Department of Agriculture Malaysia, Malaysia Organic Scheme ( SOM ) is a enfranchisement programme to r ecognize the husbandman who operates his farm in conformity with the standard conditions set by the national organic criterion, MS 1529:2001. An inspector from SOM will be send to transport out for farm review and the determination to attest whether a farm is organic or non is made by a enfranchisement commission consisting of members from assorted authorities sections. Once the application is successful, a logo of Organic Malaysia will be labeled on the merchandises. A merchandise with this organic logo fundamentally is more expensive comparison to others. In wide, SOM brings benefit to whole society because environmental pollution is minimized and consumers are assured that the merchandises they purchase are genuinely organic.Research BackgroundIt is a fact that the demand for organic nutrients are lifting dramatically in these few old ages. Foods safety and wellness consciousness are turning quickly in late old ages. Therefore, some consumers tend to buy organic merchandises whic h are healthier and higher quality. Under the 9th Malaysia Plan ( 2006-2010 ) that unveiled by the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia, A Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the authorities is aiming the organic agriculture industry to be deserving RM800 million in 5 old ages ‘ clip. The Ministry of Agriculture plans to hold 20,000 hectares under organic farming methods by twelvemonth 2010, increasing local production by 4,000 hectares per twelvemonth. Organic ingestion is expected to turn by 20 % per annum ( DoA ) . Besides this, authorities encourages little scale manufacturer endeavor into organic agriculture. Compare to conventional nutrients, organic nutrients bring a batch of advantages and organic agriculture patterns may minimise environmental pollution. Organic farming method creates organic veggies and fruit contains more 50 % vitamin, nutrition and mineral than farmed nutrients. With a chemical free agriculture method, organic nutrients may cut down nutrient toxic conditio n and forestall some diseases. Pesticides and antifungals are spray on veggies and fruits straight on commercial agriculture method and excessively much ingestion of these chemicals in long term can do malignant neoplastic disease because of it can non be to the full digest by our organic structure system. Therefore, organic nutrients are better pick to cut down the opportunity to develop malignant neoplastic disease. From environment facet, organic agriculture method takes good attention of dirt and land because it encourages the recycling of foods back into the dirt so it can really make better long term sustainability for our land resources.Problem StatementIn facts, there are many research workers making research on the facet of organic nutrients but there are non much research sing Malaysia organic nutrients market. This has triggered the involvement and avidity to analyze more about this subject. Despite authorities has mark to increase organic farming industry, but there are still some consumers do non aware about the particular properties of organic nutrients compare to conventional nutrients. Furthermore, organic market in Malaysia can be considered as little comparison to other western state such as United State and Australia. Besides than these, factors and motivations that influence families to alter their purchase attitudes from conventional nutrients to organic nutrients is besides one of the factors that triggered the involvement to analyze more about this subject.Research AimsThis research paper is conducted for the intent of: To place is at that place any relationship between 3 factors ( economic, psychological science, direction ) and purchase determination of organic nutrients among Malaysia families. To find what is the chief factor to act upon Malaysia families on buying organic nutrients. To research the relationship between demographic background ( age, instruction degree, gender and faith ) and purchase determination for organic nutrients.Research QuestionsBased on the research aim that stated in 1.4, this research will set up several inquiries: What are the relationship between 3 factors ( economic, psychological science, direction ) and purchase determination of organic nutrients among Malaysia families? What is the chief factor to act upon Malaysia families on buying organic nutrients? What is the relationship between demographic background and purchase determination for organic nutrients?Definitions of Key FootingsTable below is the list of cardinal footings with accounts of definitions that the writer will concentrate on in this survey.Table 1.2 Definitions of Key FootingsCardinal TermDefinitionBeginnings1 Organic Foods Foods produced without utilizing most conventional pesticides ; fertilisers made with man-made ingredients or sewerage sludge ; biotechnology ; or ionising radiation. U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) 2 Economic A scientific discipline which surveies human behavior as a relationship between terminals and scarce agencies which have alternate utilizations. Lionel Robbins ( 1932 ) 3 Psychology A scientific survey of human behaviour and mental procedures Feldman, ( 1990 ) 4 Management 5 Demographic A characteristic used to depict some facet of a population and that can be measured for that population, such as growing rate, age scope, income degree, and instruction background Laura Klappenbach, n.dScope of StudyIn order to increase readers ‘ involvement, this research paper is titled as multidimensional selling positions of organic nutrients. In a simpler word, this research paper is conducted to look into what are the chief factors to act upon consumer from Johor Bahru and Malacca to buy organic nutrients. Therefore, the lone dependant variable is organic nutrients purchase determination. Four independent variables had been established to mensurate this relationship. The four independent variables that have been employed in this research are economic, psychological science, direction and demographic. Survey signifier will be established and administer to aim respondents, family from Johor Bahru and Malacca province who age from 20-65 old ages old. 200 sets of questionnaires will be every bit distributed to aim respondents based on demographic background which is gender. In other words, 100 sets questionnaire will be distributed to male while the re mainder will reply by female.Significance of the StudyFirst, this research paper can be use as a mention to consumers particularly families who are sing to buy organic merchandise, this research might assist them through giving a clearer image about some elements and advantages of organic nutrients. Furthermore, this will take more pupils to take organic nutrients. Second, this survey of organic nutrients shall besides alarm organic husbandmans on some betterment needed. Through this paper, organic husbandmans will understand more about consumers ‘ consideration before they purchase. Some installations can be added to increase the production of organic nutrients. In add-on, organic husbandmans will be provided a clearer image about Malaysia organic nutrients market and organic label. Third, this paper shall give information to those organic nutrients retail merchants. Through understanding consumers ‘ outlook towards organic nutrients, organic nutrients retail merchants can pull off their merchandise from the facet of pricing, wrapping and labeling to excite gross revenues volume. In add-on, this may make more occupation chances and assist to foster better Malaysia ‘s economic system. Last, this paper can be contributed as a mention to future research worker who intends to carry on research in related field. This paper can be a guideline to assist researcher hold a clearer image and smoothen their research advancement.Organization of the ResearchIntroduction about organic nutrients and overall of this research are discuss in chapter 1. Organic nutrients market in Malaysia is defined here and follows up with research background that focuses on some information about organic nutrients. Research aims and inquiries are established in chapter 1 that discuss about aims to be step in this research. Chapter 2 is concentrate on the past literature reappraisal that are related to organic nutrients, which has been published by a big figure of research worker. The chief independent variables will be explained in this portion which consists of economic system, psychological science, direction, and demographic. A really specific account of each variable will be provided in this portion. Chapter 3 will calculate out the research methodological analysis that will be used in this research paper in order to happen out the relationship of independent variables towards purchase determination of organic nutrients. In add-on, hypothesis and theoretical model will be besides shown in this chapter. Apart from these, informations analysis method and trying design will be explained in item. Chapter 4 will continue with the analysis of the information that have been collected by utilizing Statistical Process for Social Science ( SPSS ) Version 18. Analysis of demographic background of the respondents is provided in this chapter. Chapter 5 illustrates the treatment of the hypothesis. Each of the hypotheses that established in chapter 4 will be farther explain in this chapter and follow by deductions. Furthermore, restriction of the survey and some recommendations for this research paper will be provided in this portion. Last, a simple decision will be usage to stop the full research.Chapter SummaryIn overall, chapter 1 has explained the definition and organic nutrients market. In this portion, the research worker has besides set up the research aim for this survey. In add-on, the definition of dependant variable and each independent variable has been explained in a table signifier. Last, range of survey and important of the survey besides has been explained in inside informations in this chapter.

Onet

Week 3 Assignment 1. The occupation I researched was in the field of corrections. Finding specific information on this occupation using O*NET was not difficult at all. For this assignment I was provided with step-by-step instructions on how to get to the â€Å" My Next Move† page where a person can type in keywords to research careers. At first glance the site can look intimidating but like any other site if you read the information provided the page will help guide you in the right direction.I feel that a person navigating through the site can still reach the locations they desire if they familiarize themselves with the page and once again, read the information given. As I began reading information I noticed that each heading or subtitle was followed with examples or descriptions on what to do or how to operate the function and I like how they incorporate links to reach the next page in the description as they guide you on where to go. They couldn’t make using the site any easier other than typing and doing the research for you.The page itself reads like a job analysis the way it defines and tells duties of a job. I was impressed by the information on the page in particular two areas, the heading under education where it tells you what kind of education is associated with the field of occupation and the heading under job outlook where it tells you average salary per your for that job but also allows a person quick access to view job opportunities in each state, view local job opportunities, and/or find a job throughout the U. S. 2. The correction officer occupation I am preparing for was not listed as part of my matching skills, on the opening page.But as I explored different links I found that my match was listed on those pages as related matches. In my opinion attaching fields that are closely related along with the initial search add value to the site by giving the researcher access to explore other occupations that the he or she may never hav e thought of before. I feel that the information on the page, in particular defining the skills, education, and abilities for the job will direct the right applicant by discouraging those who already know they don’t fit the bill from wasting company time and expense well as their own time.What continues to impress me is not all the information provided on a page, even though it is more helpful than just reading about the job description, but that it is the right information along with helpful tools like links to help you locate jobs and apprenticeships. Overall I like how O*NET matches occupations to your skill and provides related suggestions because I felt as though it help open my mind to new ideas as it broadened the range of consideration for job enquiries. 3.O*NET is a very good tool for conducting a job analysis because it already provides a lot of information about many occupations, â€Å"the O*NET database contains information on hundreds of careers, and is continua lly updated and provided online at no cost† (O*NET, 2010). If it had not already been done I would conduct a job analysis of the company using one or a combination of the traditional job analysis methods. Once the data was a collected, organized, and compiled into useful information I would then utilize the O*NET database for comparing information.With O*NET’s extensive database HR can locate exact occupations and use the information to see just how well their companies job analysis measures nationwide. Available tools on the site can assist on changing or fine-tuning an analysis. One tool that can quickly become an HR’s number one asset is The Toolkit for Business function that â€Å"helps business professionals who want to make the most of the information in O*NET† (O*NET, 2010). This function goes further with assisting by giving examples and â€Å"easy to follow steps for creating accurate job descriptions† (O*NET, 2010). The material describes how to effectively use O*NET Online to aid in HR planning and employee reskilling and retention† (O*NET, 2010). Another function I think many HRM will find may come in handy is located under the developers tab. The Spanish version database â€Å"maintains the same format and file structure as the English 4. 0 version. This can be a pretty accurate tool to answer questions HR may have involving language barriers and a good format for Spanish speaking â€Å"job seekers, students, and other career explorers† (O*NET, 2010) to utilize the same wealth of information. . I would most certainly have my staff use this site for several reasons. As mentioned earlier, this site contains so much information and different helpful tools to assist with HRM I think a company would do itself an injustice not utilizing all that it has to offer. Consistently updated information, easy to read instructions, examples, and point and click functions available at no cost all wrapped up in a comp lete package make this at tool HR should not be without. I would have my staff use this site to keep our job analysis up to date and accurate.When seeking potential employees it is in the interest of the company as well as the applicant that the job seeker understands exactly what the company is in search of and what they expect from them. Since the company web site has become the most popular recruiting method it is that much more important that job listing be accurate with the job specifications that â€Å"state the minimum acceptable qualifications that the incumbent must possess to perform the job successfully† (DeCenzo, Robbins, 2012).The job specifications provide information on â€Å" knowledge, skills, education, experience, certification, and abilities† (DeCenzo, Robbins, 2012) required for the position. Another reason to have my staff use the O*NET site is for the testing and assessment consumer guide. There are three different guides HR can use to fit the ap propriate application.Testing and Assessment helps with workforce development, Test and Other Assessments â€Å"focus towards clients of workforce development† (O*NET, 2010), and another Testing and Assessment guide â€Å" can help managers with and workforce development professionals understand and use employment testing and assessment practices to meet their organization’s human resource goals† (O*NET, 2010). References D. DeCenzo, S. Robbins 2012 Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ O*NET (2010). Retrieved from http://www. mynextmove. org O*NET (2010). Retrieved from http://www. onetcenter. org

Case Analysis Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Analysis - Case Study Example Therefore, In the case of Disney, its strengths are the corporate values along with its legacy. Its weakness is financial forces. It had opportunities like having over 500 Rabbit Products while competition from other companies is the threat it has. Hence, SWOT assigns sales, management, operations, other internal strengths, and other factors like, new competitors and supplier’s bargaining power. Disney can be recommended to maximize its theme park profits and coordinate with other businesses like in advertising. The parks can be updated and expand its attraction to generate rapid profit growth and revenue. For example, including special events, media broadcast events and national television adverts. Disney businesses need to be coordinated with other corporate sponsors promotional campaigns. For example, allocation of free minute of advertising granted to Disney in The Disney Sunday Movie. The recommendations will, therefore, help Disney improve its performance. According to the SWOT analysis, maximizing theme park profits using their strengths will lead to increase of income; hence, reducing their weaknesses. Coordinating with other businesses like the TV in advertising their quality products made with Rabbit products, makes it more competitive hence, dealing with its threats. The graph fig.1 shows the corresponding earnings with price of tickets from 1983 to 2000. .Between 1983 and1987, the price of tickets increases at the parks accounted nearly $300 million. From 1988 to 2000, the price of the tickets did not increase in high figures; hence, the park did not account much in those years. Therefore, maximizing theme parks profits helps in increase of revenue as it is reflected in the years 1983 to 1987. Challenges Eisner faced like managing synergies, poor brand management and poor managing creativity led to Disney downfall. Therefore, Disney had to come up with strategies for its growth. Good

Russian Politics - Instructions attached Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Russian Politics - Instructions attached - Essay Example The Russian Federation despite formally gaining its independence from the Soviet Union in December 1991 stuttered through to the end of the decade despite grave economic, political, and social problems, which President Yeltsin seemed incapable of dealing with. The Soviet Union had an economic system that proved to be highly ineffective, with the black market frequently providing essentials as well as luxury items. Hand in hand with the black markets went corruption and bribery. Black marketers frequently resorted to bribing communist party officials, the police and the KGB or they in turn extorted money off the black marketers. The Soviet leadership started to have concerns about economic stagnation, organised crime and to a lesser extent corruption in the early 1980s without understanding the extent of the economic malaise. Brezhnev had done nothing to halt economic decline and in fact worsened it by accelerating the arms race with the United States. It has been estimated that as much as 50% of the Soviet Union’s annual budgets was spent on weapons. By the 1980s the idea of abandoning the communist command economy in favour of capitalism and liberal democracy gained support in the USSR. For the reformers could look at the neo-liberal experience of the Thatcher and Reagan governments, the devastating economic effects in Argentina and Chile would have been more relevant. There was one group of pro-capitalist economists that hoped to bring in a market system to Russia, the ‘young reformers’.

Operation Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Operation Management - Essay Example 5. The experience of the visitors is very poor, especially about the entrance from one of the sides of the park. 6. The size of the park and the amount of the amenities of the park is not being exploited. This may be due to the lack of the availability of complete idea of the park. 7. The size of the park is a great reason for the tagging of a number of the private events in the area; include the display of the fireworks. This leads to a great degree of the pressure. 8. The decrease of the amount of the space also plays a part in the lack of the services. There is the lessening of the space of the park that can be considered of any artistic value. These are the various kinds of the issues that are being faced by the park. The decrease in a number of the green areas has an important impetus on the services of the park in a significant manner. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The park has been facing a period of the distress in a number of the areas. The study aims to provide with a comprehensive p lan to improve all the areas. The objectives have been developed in conjunction with the proposed outcomes. They are as follows: The stopping of the decline of the number of the visits of the park by the restoration of the value of the park. The increase of the number of the visitors in the park. The subsequent increase of the income of the park. The spreading of the natural value of the park by the use of the different kinds of the mechanisms. The proliferation of the audiences of the park into a number of new age groups. The increase of the number of the volunteers of the park. The improvement of the basic levels of the skills and learning of the different constituents of the park. This can involve the use of the different kinds of the... This essay stresses that the new kind of the facilities needs to be developed for the growth of the park. There is a need for the over haul of the amenities of the park. There is a need to look at all the basic kind of the facilities of the park. The development of the facilities shall play an important part in the reclaiming of the lost audience. There are a number of problems that are being faced by the club. The primary deliverables of the park involves strategy is the increase of the number of the audience that visits the park. There is also the need to increase the range of the audiences of the firm. The basal part of the strategy is to increase the reach of the park. This is the strategy that has been outlined for the firm. This paper declares that the park has been suffering due to the lack of the branding. All the parks in the area in the area have been at the forefront in the area have number of the facilities, which they provide. The level of the branding is very high. The concept of the park as a popular place to hang-out has to be re-enforced in the mind of the consumers. This can be done increasing the number of the promotional activities that surround the park. This shall help in the development of the ideas that need to be taken into the consideration. The large part of the population that comes in the park, generally comes for the activities in the park. This can be used as an opportunity for increasing the number of the visitors of the park. They can be used as a medium for increasing the amount of the sales of the entries of the park.

Lying is Universal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Lying is Universal - Essay Example For our elders who have already passed most parts of their lives such as our grandparents lying is such a trivial phenomenon that they hardly realize when they are undergoing it. Virtually they make themselves believe that whatever they are thinking is right and is based on nothing but facts! It has often been noticed that their thoughts about any matter in particular are based over a series of continuous lies that they have made themselves believe as facts rather than otherwise! Even if it is pointed out to them that what they are sayin is incorrect they claim to have never lied about anything ever before. Below is a narration of such a happening in which an elderly person lies about certain things without realizing what she is doing. A few weeks ago on a sunny afternoon I was lazily reclining on my armchair engrossed in the servitude of my summer vacations. â€Å"I cannot find my Ring! I have looked every where!† exclaimed my grandmother. There was nothing else that could ha ve taken my attention off from the suspense novel that I was reading other than my grandmother’s remarks. What was so special about them was that she was talking about the so very famous ring that had a myth behind it. It was our family’s ancestral ring. ... But today, when she had come back into her room after her morning chores she had suddenly realized that she was not wearing her ancestral ring. She could not recall when she had taken it off and where she had put it. The only thing she knew was that she had looked up all the possible places where the ring could supposedly have been but in-vain. She could find it nowhere. I and my siblings offered our services to her and each one of us took up a separate room to conduct the â€Å"Ring-Hunt† in it. Under the sofa, over the cabinet, beside the refrigerator and below the room carpet, after about 3 hours of continuous search there was no place left on our ground floor that we hadn’t looked up. In the meantime when we were busy searching we could continuously hear grandmother complaining to each and everyone of her children and friends over the phone that she had lost the ring and that she suspected the cleaning lady of having stolen her centuries’ old ring. She was so very convincingly telling everyone that the maid had taken her ring that the listener would get the idea that grandmother was cent percent sure in her saying and that it was not just an imaginary assumption that she was making. Is she not lying? I thought to myself while looking up the ring in her closet. But she was talking as if she had seen the maid take the ring with her own eyes whereas only a few hours earlier had she mentioned that she did not recall where it that she had last seen the ring was. The next thing I heard was that she had extended her Pretend-Story of Stolen Ring Even more. She had linked it with every time the maid had ever mentioned to grandma that she really appreciated the antique jewels that she possessed. She quickly

I have a very important lab for statics class Report

I have a very important for statics class - Lab Report Example A fracture may be experienced if a strain continues beyond the proportionate limit. At zero the graph is starting to form linearity, however it reaches at 100 when it starts to decrease which can be associated with the proportionate limit. b) The graph of stress against strain reduced in a range just larger than the original portion. 2. a) Straine) is the fractional length change of a stretched material, while stress (?e) is the force per unit area of the stretched material. Therefore, deformation is a change in the size or shape of the object. Strain=  Stress =  and has SI units which are the same as those of pressure N/m2 or Pa . Where A is the initial cross-sectional area, Lo is the initial gauge length , and L is the change in gauge length. According to Hooke’s law, the deformation is proportional to the deforming forces as long as they are not too large. F= k L where k is constant and it depends on the length and cross sectional area of the object. So Hooke’s law written in stress will be  = And length change is ( L) is proportional to the magnitude of the deforming forces, Y depends on the inherent stiffness of the material from which the object is composed. k = Y , therefore, Y is the constant of proportionality called Young’s modulus which will be given by the slope of the stress-strain curve. Young’s modulus or elastic modulus has the same units as those of stress (Pa or N/M2) and can be thought of as the inherent stiffness of a material because it measures the resistance of the material to elongation or compression. So, materials that stretch easily and are flexible such as rubber have low Young’s modulus. While materials that are stiff such as steel have high Young’s modulus; it takes a lager stress to produce the same strain. From data young’s modulus is calculated as change in y-axis divided by change in x-axis Y (slope) = = = 2.117610 Young’s modulus (E) from the data is 2.117 610Pa b) Yield stress is the stress which is required to deform the material it is at that point when a permanent deformation takes place. It is usually at 0.2%; in this case of aluminum yield stress begins at 0.4%. At the point there is intersection between strain and yield stress and strain is called off-set stress. As strain is increased, many materials eventually deviate from this linear proportionality, the point of departure being termed the proportional limit. This nonlinearity is usually associated with stress-induced â€Å"plastic† ?ow in the specimen. Here the material is undergoing a rearrangement of its internal molecular or microscopic structure, in which atoms are being moved to new equilibrium positions. This plasticity requires a mechanism for molecular mobility, which in crystalline materials can arise from dislocation motion. Materials lacking this mobility, for instance by having internal microstructures that block dislocation motion, are usually brittle ra ther than ductile. The stress-strain curve for brittle materials are typically linear over their full range of strain, eventually terminating in fracture without appreciable plastic flow. c) Ultimate stress/ strength is the maximum stress that can be withstood without breaking. It is the stress which is called true stress it is calculated as  = ?u - ?0.2 The stress at the ultimate strain is calculated as shown below ?t= ?u (l+e) where ?t= 0.2, e=11918.55 ?t= ?u

Social Security System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Security System - Essay Example But there is more to the Social Security System than a mere pension arrangement. The economic gait is that Social Security is a mechanism whose functioning ensures the provision of revenue for disfavored members of the society such as the old, the handicapped, the ill and the unemployed, so as to enable them meet up with basic necessities. Like the Balance of Payment (BOP) and the business cycle, the Social Security System experiences many set backs but there exists a Social Security problem. The interest here is to identify this problem and propose a way of fixing it. It shall therefore be important to view the functioning of the Social Security System then identify the Social Security problem before proposing a possible solution to this problem. In an article entitled 'Solving the Social Security Problem in America', published in his website; Russell Bailyn's Financial Planning Blog, the New York Wealth Manager, states that: 'Social Security is a federal program which provides retirement and disability income to workers through the collection of Social Security taxes. Every worker in the United States is responsible for paying these taxes during their working years and entitled to receiving benefit checks when they are eligible for retirement.' Bailyn's explanation is a perfect illustration of how the Social Security System functions. ... Bailyn further explains that the people who are most concerned with the system are often unaware of it. 'I'm unaware that 12.4% of my paycheck goes towards these taxes, I'm just too far from receiving benefits to worry about it. Perhaps part of that irresponsible logic stems from how the system is organized. Rather than each taxpayer's Social Securitydollars getting earmarked for their own retirement, they get paid into a common pool of money allocated by the federal government. (Bailyn, Russell. 'Solving the Social Security Problem in America'). The Social Security is an 'unjust' system as it the origin of a major problem. The problem of the Social Security lies in its impracticable nature and its tendency towards monetary difficulty. In effect, the problem lies in the fact that for any given economy, if there exists a rapidly increasing ageing population and a small working population, then the amount of money placed in the Social Security fund will not be enough to salvage the problems of both the present and future ageing populations as well as other disfavored sections of the population. In the same line, the system is not a viable one since those who are currently paying their money into the system may later not benefit from it. This is explained by the simple fact that the Social Security system is not like a private bank account where one places his income and later on retrieves it at will. On the contrary, the money one pays into the Social Security is used for the needs of others and if later on the payee is unable to also benefit from the system due to a lack of funds then the system is clearly an unworkable one. 'Perhaps part of that irresponsible logic stems from how the system is

Warranty and Contracts Essay Example for Free

Warranty and Contracts Essay Did the â€Å"I accept† note scribbled on the napkin mailed to Ms. Daughtery create a binding contract between the two parties over the sale of 1965 Corvette Stingray, even though she has not received the acceptance note yet? Yes this is a binding contract between the two parties. While this may be an unconventional acceptance of an offer, it is still binding contract between our client, Mr. deCapo and Ms. Daughtery.  Ms Daughtery sent our client an offer note on February 13, 2008, selling her 1965 Corvette Stingray for the amount of 25,995 plus all title transfer fees. Approximately thirty days later our client Mr. deCapo sent Ms. Daughtery his acceptance of her terms for the sale of her vehicle with the additional cost for title transfer fees. Our client chose accept her terms, via a note on a napkin and sent in the mail. The note sent from Ms. Daughtery is in fact a valid offer of sales to Mr. deCapo. It was a simple offer and only asking the price of the car as well as transfer title fee. Once Mr. deCapo accepted the offer it became a binding contract. Even though Ms. Daughtery has not received the acceptance note from our client, according to the mailbox rule once it went into the mail it became a binding contract. There were no stipulations in Ms. Daughtery’s note to a specific timeline, the thirty days it took our client to respond has no bearing. The performance is the means of acceptance in this case under the mailbox rule. The mailed acceptance is a reasonable form to commit to the offer. If our client was responding with a revocation of his offer this would not be acceptable under the mailbox rule. Especially if it was sent after the acceptance was sent. The offer of acceptance would  arrive first therefore making it a binding contract between the two parties. In the case Adams v. Lindsell, â€Å"The acceptance was mailed on September 5; was not received until September 9. The offeror changed his mind in the meantime and claimed there was no binding contract. But the court held the contract was formed on September 5 when the acceptance was mailed† (www.kentlaw.edu). There is nothing about this process that would cause this to not be a valid binding contract. The note was sent by Ms. Daughtery and the acceptance was sent by our client. The acceptance became valid once the scribble acceptance napkin by our client was put in the mail. Even though Ms. Daughtery has not received the communication from Mr. deCapo it does not change the fact that he has accepted the offer from Ms. Daughtery. There was never a communication of an in-person delivery of the acceptance nor was there a stipulation of an expired time period for the acceptance offer, thus making this a binding contract between our client and Ms. Daughtery. Seller warrants that: (1) Clarice Daughtery (seller) is the sole owner of the vehicle; (2) such vehicle is free of all encumbrances, security interests, and other defenses against seller; (3) the cash price of $25995.00 and the additional amount all transfer title fees; (4) the vehicle will be delivered to and accepted by Leo deCapo (buyer) on day of payment; (5) Leo deCapo is of legal age and legally competent to execute the contract on the date thereof; (6) all disclosures to buyer and other matters in connection with such transaction, are in all respects as required by, and in accordance with, all applicable laws and regulations governing them. (7) Inspection and Acceptance of Vehicle: the buyer will assume cost of the inspection of the vehicle, if the vehicle is not found to be mechanically sound per sellers description; buyer  shall return vehicle and cancel payment of check. Inspection and Acceptance of Vehicle: 4 hours prior to completion of transaction. (8) The seller and/or buyer agree to sign related documents necessary to complete the sale to establish title. Dated: Resources Mailbox rules cases, retrieved on February 5, 2011, www.kentlaw.edu//classes/contracts/Docs/offer_acceptance/​mailbox%​20rule%​20cases.rtf South University Online Lectures, retrieved on February 5, 2011 http://myeclassonline.com Twomey, D. and Jennings, M. (2008) Business Law and Legal Environment 21st ed.

Failures of Transactional Marketing: An Analysis

Failures of Transactional Marketing: An Analysis A. R. Lacey (1996), in Dictionary of Philosophy explains paradigm as a shared assumption or an accepted theory which governs the outlook of an epoch and its approach to scientific problems [giving] standard forms of solutions to problems. Within the physical and social sciences, it is common for one paradigm, a dominant paradigm to be prevalent. Currently, the dominant marketing paradigm, the accepted model of how marketing works and should be integrated with the rest of the world, is what has come to be called Transactional Marketing (TM) (Gronroos, 1996; Aijo, 1996; Gummesson, 1987; Berry, 1983; Jackson, 1985; Payne, 1995). This research is principally concerned with what has been called Relationship Marketing (RM), a term alluded to by Thomas (1976), but first explicitly used by Berry (1983: see Kotler, 1992; Gronroos, 1990, 1991; Hunt and Morgan, 1994; Berry, 1995; Sheth and Parvatiyar, 1995; Turnbull and Wilson, 1989). The foundations of Relationship Marketing are inextricably mixed with the development and practice of Transactional Marketing. The underpinning theories and conceptualisations of RM often only exist in relation, or opposition to the theory and practice of Transactional Marketing. It is therefore necessary to understand Transactional Marketing before RM can be fully comprehended. The American Marketing Association has defined (transactional) marketing as the process of planning and executing conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organisational objectives. (AMA Board, 1985). The marketing concept is a very simple but powerful idea. The best way for a company to meet its objectives, profit making or otherwise, is by satisfying customers-the achievement of corporate goals through meeting and exceeding customer needs better than the competition (Jobber, 2001). This is best done by all members of the firm seeking to serve the needs of the customer, even at the expense of producer inconvenience. If this concept is adopted by the organisation, it leads to what is called a marketing orientation. The analysis and subsequent review of transactional marketing will be in two parts, an appraisal of its theoretical origins, development and weaknesses and an examination of the standard wa ys in which firms implement it. The next section will critique the Transactional Marketing Paradigm on two main fronts. These being firstly, criticisms based on theoretical weaknesses or omissions, and secondly, criticisms about the way in which theory and models have been misunderstood or ignored by firms. Both of these categories however, emerge out of the unique economic and social environment within which the transactional marketing paradigm developed (Webster, 1992; Aijo, 1996). 1.1. THE BIRTH OF MARKETING THEORY The origins of Transactional Marketing are in microeconomics, North America and the 1950s. Prior to WWII, economists developed price theory to embrace what they called oligopolistic competition (Chamberlain, 1933; Sheth, Gardner and Garrett, 1988; Waterschoot and Van Den Bulte, 1992). This theoretical development led early marketing theoreticians (McGarry, 1950; McKitterick, 1957; Alderson, 1957: see Gronroos, 1994, 1996) to create lists of marketing variables deduced from econometric, profit optimising equations- the so called functionalist school of marketing (McGarry, 1950). In turn, this inspired Borden (1954) to introduce the concept of the marketing mix, a list of 12 variables (product, price, branding, distribution, personal selling, advertising, promotions, packaging, display, servicing, physical handling, fact finding and analysis which the marketer would have to consider in any given situation. [And] would blend the various ingredients or variables of the mix into an integr ated marketing program. (Gronroos, 1994b:350). In a seminal work, McCarthy (1960) presented the marketing mix management approach, reconstructing Bordens original 12 variables into the now familiar 4P model (Price, Product, Promotion and Placement). The theoretical foundations of this model have been severely questioned (Waterschoot and Van Den Bulte, 1992; Gummesson, 1987; Sheth et al, 1988; Webster, 1992; Duncan and Moriarty, 1998). Principally, these questions stem from the fact that the original microeconomic variables, derived through empirical induction had solid theoretical foundations, whilst Bordens list had only second-order links to these foundations and, crucially, was not intended as an exhaustive definition or method of implementation but merely as a set of guidelines within a fully integrated marketing program. Real world developments and its inherent simplicity ensured the rise and rise of the 4P model and its attendant Marketing Mix Management theory. 1950s North America -a huge domestic market of apparently homo genous and insatiable customers -led to rapid increases in the demand for standardised consumer goods and the crowning of the United States as the dominant marketing culture. In time it became the basis of modem transactional marketing (Takala and Uusitalo, 1996; Kotler, 1992; Aijo, 1996).The simplicity and communicability of the marketing mix paradigm, in combination with its apparent success, combined to turn marketing into a highly effective impact machine (Gr6nroos, 1996c: 16). Transactional Marketing rapidly became the overwhelmingly dominant marketing paradigm (Dixon and Blois, 1983, Kent, 1986). 1.2. MARKETING IN CONTEMPORARY ORGANISATIONS Given the great number of organisations which pay at least lip-service to the importance of marketing, a diversity of methods of implementing transactional marketing is inevitable (Brodie et al, 1997). The most typical structure, and one commonly found within the context of end-user orientated firms (Christy et al, 1996) is to have within the organisation a sub-unit, separate from the rest of the firm, with responsibility for marketing market analysis, advertising, sales promotion, pricing and distribution (Buttle, 1996; Deshpande and Webster, 1989; Gurnmesson, 1994). The principal focus of this research is on the relationship between such firms, and their customers. In everyday marketing vocabulary.marketing department, an organisational unit, is used as a synonym for marketing function (Gronroos, 1994). The implication is clear, Transactional Marketing theory suggests that marketing can be treated as a separate, discrete function, rather than as an integrated one (Berry and Parasuraman,1995; Waterschoot and Van Den Bulte, 1992; Palmer, 1994; Payne, 1995; Thomas, 1996). The existence of these marketing departments echoes much about the functionalist, scientific [econometric] origins of transactional marketing. The philosophy of implementation prevalent within western business is that specialists should themselves take care of a task for specialists (Gronroos, 1996). In many businesses, the marketing department is seen as having total responsibility for various marketing tasks, such as market analysis, market planning, advertising, sales promotion, pricing, distribution and product packaging (Gronroos, 1994). This begs the question that if the ma rketing department takes care of these entire fundamental issues, what exactly is the rest of the business for? One of the primary and most traditional Justifications of adopting a marketing orientation rather than a sales or production orientation is that marketing integrates the other functions of the business (Bennett, 1996; Jackson, 1985) into a more coherent whole, built around the needs and wants of the customer. The outcome of creating a marketing department is to bring about a situation where, within an organisation, marketing department is used as a synonym for marketing function, which is the process of taking care of the fulfilment of customer needs and desires. As a consequence, the rest of the organisation is alienated from marketing, and the marketers are isolated from design, production, deliveries, technical service, complaints handling, and other activities of the firm (Gronroos, 1994). Marketing is being treated as a specialist management function, rather than a general management issue (Gronroos, 1996). Within such organisations, there is a clear-cut distinction [inferred from marketing mix management theory] between those who are involved with marketing, and those who arent. This process has been called the Ghettoisation of marketing (Gummesson, 1987). It has been strongly argued (Gummesson, 1987,1990,1994; Duncan and Moriarty, 1998; Aijo, 1996; Christy et al, 1996; Heide and John, 1995) that the distinction between the marketer and non-marketer is an artificial one. Opportunities for marketing activity are not limited to those inside the marketing department. What do the following people have in common: a telephone operator connecting a customer with a salesperson; an installation team from the supplier spending two weeks on the buyers premises installing and testing new equipment: a management consultant presenting a progress report in an assignment? (Gummesson, 1991). The answer is of course, that these are all people outside the marketing department, [therefore by definition not responsible for marketing] where, nevertheless, their attitudes and way of doing their job have an impact on the customers perception of the firm (Gronroos, 1996).These non-marketers, with their influence on the firms ability to market itself efficientl y and effectively have been called part-time marketers (Gummesson, 1987). 1.3. SUMMATION OF THE PROBLEMS INHERENT TO THE MARKETING MIX The origins of marketing mix management theory, and the transactional marketing paradigm it gave rise to be in the USA, the nineteen-fifties and microeconomics. The theoretical foundations of this paradigm are questionable in terms of its translation from econometric modelling and its pedagogical simplification. At best, the 4P model was suitable for the unique marketing environment created by the post WWH American autarchy. The theoretical weaknesses of the transactional marketing paradigm have been highlighted by radical changes in the business environment, such as the globalisation of competition and the increasing sophistication of consumers and products. These weaknesses are especially apparent in contexts that are significantly different from that of its origins -most noticeably services marketing and European markets. The academic response has been to avoid the problem by papering over the theoretical cracks. Within firms, the creation and stagnation of marketing departments h as ghettoised, neutered and isolated marketing from the consumer and even the rest of the firm. As a result of this, transactional marketing treats the consumer as passive and fails to fully recognise the marketing importance of interaction between front-line staff and customers. Transactional Marketing fails its own definition. It is a production orientated definition of marketing, not a customer orientated one. THE ORIGINS OF RELATIONSHIP MARKETING THE OTHER MARKETING THEORIES The origins of Relationship Marketing are in Europe, the nineteen-eighties, and dissatisfaction with the Transactional Marketing paradigm. It was noted earlier that transactional marketing theory was principally developed from its origins in end-user, consumer markets. Relationship Marketing draws on a broader theoretical base (within a marketing context), with concomitant development within the services and business to business (B2B) marketing literatures. The term Relationship Marketing, alluded to by Thomas (1976) was first explicitly used by Berry (Berry and Parasuraman, 1991; Berry, 1995; Gummesson, 1987; Gronroos, 1996; Payne and Richard, 1993; Robicheaux and Coleman, 1994; Payne and Frow, 1997). It has also been called customer-focused management (Gummesson, 1994), or relationship management (Payne, 1996). Berry (1983) used the term within the context of criticising services marketing literature, arguing that researchers and businessmen have concentrated far more on how to att ract consumers to products and services than on how to retain those customers. He advocated a switch from a transactionary approach, where marketing effort was focussed on customer attraction, to a relational approach, where the attraction of new customers should be viewed only as an intermediate step in the marketing process (Berry, 1995), and the primary objective was retaining customers. Berry (1983) defined Relationship Marketing as attracting, maintaining and -in multi-service organisations -enhancing customer relationships. Simultaneously, Hammarkvist, Hakansson and Mattson (1982), working within the arena of business-to-business marketing (Gronroos, 1996), advanced similar definition (Andersson and Soderland, 1988; Anderson, Hakansson and Johanson, 1994) all activities by the firm to build, maintain and develop customer relations. (Hammarkvist et al, 1982: cited Gurnmesson,1987). That relationships should be managed and built has become a cornerstone of both the Nordic and the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) School of marketing (Mattsson, 1997; Gronroos, 1996c). This parallel development within separate areas of research is far from coincidental (Takala and Uusitalo, 1996). As with the Transactional Marketing literature, each of these streams of research emanates from within a specific business environment (Aijo, 1996). SERVICES MARKETING It was argued earlier that the Transactional Marketing Paradigm habits origins within a unique and highly specific business environment, that of the North American consumer goods markets of the 1950s. It was further suggested that these origins limited the value of TM as a universal theory of marketing, and that primarily within the context of end-user orientated literature, development consisted of re-jigging a redundant theoretical format. The deviation from this specific business environment was greatest within the domains of service marketing and business to business marketing (Mattsson, 1997), albeit in very different ways. The theory and practice of transactional marketing assumes that consumers are available in great numbers and behave passively. Within industrial and service markets, the interactive Participation of the customer is required to successfully complete the exchange (Gummesson, 1987), within business, customer-firms are often limited in numbers. An ancillary implication of treating the customer as passive, someone to whom things are done (Dixon and Blois, 1983) is to instil within the business the philosophy of competing with customers, rather than interactive co-operation. Transactional Marketing Theory maintains the assumption of its microeconomic origins in that the marketing mix is a tool used to help a company optimise [maximise] its profit function (Waterschoot and Van den Bulte, 1992; Gronroos, 1991). It is because of this that firms consider marketing objectives met at the point of customer attraction -i.e. moment of exchange. When marketing a service, it is argued that the objectives should not only be to only to attract, but to then keep and maintain the customer-to develop a long-term relationship with them (Bitner et al, 1994; Cravens and Piercy, 1994; Gronroos, 1991; Gummesson, 1987b). When selling a physical product, the costs of production are offset by the revenue of the purchase. With a service, the majority of costs are often incurred whilst setting-up the service (Berry and Parasuraman, 1991; Booms and Bitner, 1981), for example; accountancy and banking. The implication of this is that longer-term strategy, in conjunction with placing significant emphasis on customer retention will yield dividends (Berry, 1995; Payne and Richard, 1993; Parasuraman et al, 1991; Gronroos, 1990), and indeed, empirical evidence to support this has been found. Reichheld and Sasser (1990) have demonstrated across a variety of service industries that profits climb steeply when a company successfully lowers its customer defection ratethe researchers found that the firms could improve profits from 25 percent to 85 percent by reducing customer defections by just 5 percent. Not only do loyal customers generate more revenue for more years, the costs to maintain existing customers frequently are lower than the costs to acquire new customers (Berry, 1995). Other studies have provided further evidence of the benefits of a long-term, customer retention strategy within competitive consumer-service markets, Storbacka (1997), Gwin (1988) and Perrienet al (1993) in banking, Crosby and Stephens (1987) in insurance. Moments of Truth and the Crucial R ole of the Part-Time Marketer. Firms producing end-user products often sell through an intermediate, retailing company. As such, opportunities for marketing are indirect via mass-media and market research (Henry, 1994). The interaction required within service and business-to-business marketing enforces a more direct approach (Gronroos, 1994). The image and reputation of the firm cannot solely be constructed through promotion. Interaction between a consumer and the firms part-time marketers (Gummesson, 1987) will result in that consumer have a positive or negative perception of the company (Price et al, 1995; Cravens and Piercy, 1994) a process that Gronroos (1982) calls perceived service quality. Given the intangibility of service products, this perceived service quality is of the utmost importance, the consumer has little else by which to judge the firm outside of his direct interaction with it (Ferguson,1996; Bitner et al, 1994). The marketing effort of the part-time marketers therefore forms the bulk of the firms marketing impact (Gronroos, 1996), often they are the only marketers around (Normann, 1983). Research shows that the customer will judge the quality of the service and form an attitude to the provider both from the experience of the production1delivery process and of the future benefits of the service (Lehtinen, 1985). In a situation where the majority of marketing activity does not come from the full-time marketers within the marketing department, it makes little sense to plan the activities of this department separately. It was argued earlier that if such a department is considered by the rest of the firm to be taking care of the marketing function, it will become increasingly difficult to create an interest in marketing amongst unwitting part-time marketers (Gronroos, 1982; Christy et al, 1996). A marketing orientation is only achieved when all members of an organisation has asked them how do I contribute to excellence in customer relations and to revenue (Gummesson,1991: 60). An auxiliary concept to that of the part-time marketer is that of points-if-marketing (Normann, 1983), more poetically called moments of truth. These are natural opportunities emerging in the production and delivery process; for example, the interaction between a doctor and a patient (Gummesson, 1991). For these occasions to be positively resolved, marketing must be designed-into the process, rather than tacked-on. RELATIONSHIP MARKETING DEFINITIONS FROM SERVICE LITERATURE Since Berry (1983), other authors have presented alternative definitions of Relationship Marketing within the services marketing literature. RM concerns attracting, developing, and retaining customer relations (Berry and Parasuraman, 1991). establishing a relationship involves giving promises, maintaining a relationship is based on fulfilment of promises; and, finally, enhancing a relationship means that a new set of promises is given with the fulfilment of earlier promises as a prerequisite. (Gummesson, 1991). The core of these ideas from services marketing is the interpersonal interaction between buyer and seller interaction. The organisation should be structured and managed so that promises worth making can be kept. Clearly, a relationship between two parties is something that grows in strength through repeated exchanges over a period of time, it is not instantaneously generated. BUSINESS TO BUSINESS AND NETWORK MARKETING Such moments of truth also exist within a business-to-business context. If the interaction between producer and consumer is crucial in services marketing it is doubly so within B2B marketing -principally because of the relatively low number of customers/suppliers (Andersson et al, 1994; Blois, 1997; Dabholkar et al, 1994). These dyads do not exist in isolation. Within the business marketing literature it has become clear that the theoretical foundations of contemporary work are not shared with the Kotlerian (Andersson and Soderland, 1988) marketing mix theory, which has microeconomic ancestry. Instead, network-theory, which attempts to model the process of resource exchange in markets where both buyer and seller are firms or other organisations has its origins in empirical work conducted over the last 20 years, principally in Northern Europe (Mattsson, 1997). The results of these studies, when assessed as a body of work, highlight several commonalities in the exchange behaviour betw een firms that contradict business philosophy derived from the transactional marketing paradigm (Elg and Johansson, 1996). B2B partners are characterised as active and mutually dependent, with the buyer and seller both able to initiate an exchange. Interaction between the organisations was not the sole purview of a marketing department but instead between the equivalent departments in each firm -inter functionally. In practice, it was recognised that the marketing emphasis had switched from optimising the marketing mix to the management of the firms relationships (Andersson and Soderland, 1988). Network theory suggests that markets are heterogeneous, rather than homogenous (Matthyssens and Van Den Bulte, 1994). The marketing objectives of the firm became to establish, develop and decide when to terminate its relationships with the customers and suppliers in its network (Hammarkvist et al, 1982). This divergence from the transactional marketing paradigm was driven by factors in the business environment (Blois, 1997; Andersson and Soderland, 1988). Many of the economic and social characteristics of Scandinavian countries [where much of the empirical work was conducted] helped to highlight the differences between consumer markets and business to business markets (Andersson and Soderland, 1988). These economies have been traditionally noted for high levels of concentration in industry, a considerable amount of interaction between firms, the state and labour unions, and the national dependence on the export of highly complex products (Porter, 1985). In general terms, business-to-business markets are characterised by a limited number of potential customer-firms, encouraging businesses to maintain relations with their partners over-time (Anderson and Narks, 1984, 1990), rather than the start-stop philosophy of transactional marketing. The increased level of interaction between the partners and the individualistic requirements of each customer obviate the need for a standardised marketing program (Dabholkar et al, 1994). Relationships must be tailored, not off the peg (Harland, 1996). The management of relationships is a complex issue, Hakansson and Johanson (1992) acetones relationship management problems as either limitation or handling problems. Limitation problems concern the firms management of its portfolio of relationships -its collection of dyadic interactions. These problems concuern which, if any, of the firms relationships should be emphasised (Andersson and Soderlund, 1988). To misquote Clausewitz, he who emphasises everything, emphasises nothing. Handling problems concern the manner in which relationships are established, and once established, how they are maintained, developed and judged appropriate for termination. Within a network, what are the relational objectives of an organisation? Transactional Marketing advocates a competitive stance, the results of any interaction between a buyer and seller must result in one winning -and one losing (Doyle and Engermann, 1992; Donaldson, 1996). Network theory espouses co-operation to produce a win-win situation (Deshpande and Webster, 1989). Despite this, network theorists consider that firms must work to deepen chosen relationships, to achieve some level of power -also called bonds over their partners whilst striving to remain free of such bonds themselves (Andersson and Soderlund, 1988). Relationships can create bonds of several types, planning, knowledge, legal and social (Berry, 1985).The end of the relationship will incur switching costs, not necessarily purely financial. The original quote being He whose fends everything, defends nothing BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP MARKETING DEFINITIONS Since Hammarkvist et al (1982) defined relationship marketing within the context of business network marketing, others have proposed alternatives. RM is an emergent disciplinary framework for creating, developing and sustaining exchanges of value between the parties involved, whereby exchange relationships evolve to provide continuous and stable links in the supply chain (Ballantyne, 1994) .. Is not directly aimed at immediate transactions but is based on building, supporting and extending customer relationships (Matthyssens and Van denBulte, 1994). RM is the process of co-operating with customers to improve marketing productivity through efficiency and effectiveness (Parvatlyar, 1996). At the heart of these ideas is the concept of a partnership where both parties require co-operative behaviour from the other in order for the relationship to be mutually beneficial -neither has many other alternatives, to buy from or supply to. The focus is not at the level of one-on-one interaction of services marketing, but is instead much wider -it is necessary for large groups on both sides to contribute. THE RELATIONAL CONSTRUCTS OF COMMITMENT AND TRUST Until quite recently, little attempt had been made to provide network theory with the conceptualisations necessary to understand the processes of relationship maintenance and development. Whilst an initial model was presented by Dwyer, Schurr and Oh (1987), the first serious attempt test a model in a structured manner was in a seminal paper by Morgan and Hunt (1994), (see Kalatatis and Miller, 1996; Hunt, 1997; Gronroos, 1996a; Gummesson, 1997). Relationship Marketing refers to all marketing activities directed towards establishing, developing and maintaining successful relational exchanges. Morgan and Hunt (1994) They further argue that Relationship Marketing requires the successful management of relationships with the firms partners. Such management requires the establishment, maintenance and development of relationships, in which understanding of concepts like commitment and trust are keys. Morgan and Hunt have suggested that commitment and trust are amongst the key mediating variables that distinguish productive, effective relational exchanges from those that are inefficient and ineffective (Morgan and Hunt, 1994). Furthermore, commitment and trust between partners in a network leads directly to co-operative behaviours in three ways. Firstly, they predispose the partners towards actively preserving relational investments. Secondly they help to prevent partners from adopting short-term, opportunistic behaviours. Thirdly, they help to support the view of high-risk actions as being prudent in the longer term (Hunt, 1997). Morgan and Hunt construct what they call a KMV (Key Mediating Variable) model to show the central importance of commitment and trust in marketing relationships. THE BEGINNINGS OF A RELATIONAL PARADIGM? The increasing awareness of the limitations of the Transactional Marketing Paradigm, in conjunction with the development of Services marketing and Network marketing has led to calls for a substantial change in the marketing philosophy, practice and ethos (Daskou, 1997; Clarkson et al, 1997; Palmer, 1994). in the authors view, the present marketing concept, as it appears in research, textbooks and seminars is unrealistic and needs to be replaced (Gummesson, 199 1). The need for a paradigm shift in Marketing, based on a Relationship Theory is being advocated more and more strongly ( Gronroos, 1990). This change is not skin-deep, it will not be quick, and it will not be painless. RM suggests different focus and different underpinning values for marketing that, in my view; justify calling RM a new paradigm and the beginning of a new marketing theory. (Gummesson, 1994). It requires a totally new approach to some of the fundamental thoughts in marketingthe transition from a transaction-orientated marketing mix-based practice of marketing to a relationship-oriented one is not an uncomplicated process. The old paradigm has deep roots in the minds of marketers as well as non-marketers in a company. (Gronroos, 1996). What then, is the association between Transactional and Relational marketing? Any meaningful answer to this critical question requires a definition of Relationship marketing. The first definition of RM offered as a general rather than a business/services/consumer marketing specific definition is to be found in Gronroos (1991). Marketing is to establish, maintain and enhance, and where necessary end relationships with customers and other parties at a profit so that the objectives of the parties involved are met. This is done by a mutual exchange and fulfilment of promises. As Aijo (1996) notes from the work of Sheth et al (1988), Throughout its historymarketing has been generally dominated at any one time by one prevailing perspective. The implication of this is firstly, that the transactional paradigm will be completely replaced by the relational paradigm, and that secondly, the association between the alternative paradigms is competitive, rather than complementary. For some brief time, this view received wide support, no doubt influenced by the weaknesses of the transactional paradigm and incredible growth of relational literature (Berry, 1990; Gronroos, 1989; Dixon and Blois, 1989; Gurnmesson, 1991). Quickly, this simplistic view of the (non) association between transactional and relational was superseded by more sophisticated thoughts (Brodie et al, 1997;Aijo, 1996). Gronroos (1991) considered that the true decision facing firings was not Transactional Marketing or Relationship Marketing, but rather where on a marketing strategy continuum the comp any should place itself In some cases, a firm could be justified in maintaining a purely transactional approach. For some types of products and in some situations or for some types of customers a one-deal-at-a-time approach may be good strategy (Gronroos, 1991). This idea has great appeal, especially when it is considered that some sections of the wider marketing literature have discussed for years the interaction between the customer and aspects (we might say avatars) of the impression/relationship the firm has made in the mind of the customer-obvious examples of this would be store location strategies and especially branding. Indeed, the argument could be made that if the objective of the research project is to examine customer perspectives on their relationships with firms, an assessment of branding would be a key part of the literature review and would feed into the design of the research questions and fieldwork. A subtle but important distinction needs to be made between the re lationship a customer has with a firm and the perspectives that customer has on relationship marketing as applied to them by the company. This research project is centred on the latter, not the former. This Transactional Marketing-Relationship Marketing continuum forms the basis of a simple model that developed by Gronroos. In this model he attempts to place various categories of goods/services at the appropriate place