The Return Nightfall Chapter 8 Free Essays

The clock’s antiquated hands indicated threeA.M . at the point when Meredith was out of nowhere animated from an erratic rest. We will compose a custom article test on The Return: Nightfall Chapter 8 or on the other hand any comparable subject just for you Request Now And afterward she bit her lip, smothering a shout. A face was twisting around hers, topsy turvy. The exact opposite thing she recalled was lying on her in a camping bed, discussing Alaric with Bonnie. Presently Bonnie was twisting around her, yet with her face modified and her eyes shut. She was bowing at the head of Meredith’s cushion and her topsy turvy nose nearly contacted Meredith’s. Add to that an odd whiteness in Bonnie’s cheeks and quick warm breath that tickled Meredith’s temple, and anybody †anybody, Meredith demanded to herself †would be qualified for a half-shout. She trusted that Bonnie will talk, gazing in the anguish at those shockingly shut eyes. Be that as it may, rather, Bonnie sat up, stood, strolled in reverse perfectly to Meredith’s work area, where Meredith’s portable lay charging, and got it. She more likely than not turned it on for a video recording for she opened her mouth and started to motion and talk. It was unnerving. The sounds that came out of Bonnie’s mouth were very recognizable: in reverse discourse. The tangled, throaty or sharp commotions all conveyed the rhythm that blood and gore flicks had made so famous. In any case, to have the option to talk that route on purpose†¦it wasn’t workable for a typical human or an ordinary human psyche. Meredith had a spooky feeling of something attempting to extend its psyche toward them, attempting to contact them through inconceivable measurements. Possibly it lives in reverse, Meredith thought, attempting to divert herself as the terrifying sounds went on. Perhaps it figures we do. Perhaps we just don’t †intersect†¦. Meredith didn’t figure she could stand considerably more. She was starting to envision that she heard words, even expressions in the regressive sounds, and none of them were lovely. If it's not too much trouble let it stop †presently. A moaning and mumbling†¦ Bonnie’s mouth shut with a conflict of teeth. The sounds halted in a flash. And afterward, similar to a video being moved back in moderate movement, she strolled in reverse to her hiking bed, bowed, and back-crept into it, resting with her head on the pad †all without making her fully aware of look where she was going. It was perhaps the most unnerving thing Meredith had ever observed or heard, and Meredith had seen and heard a considerable measure of startling things. What's more, Meredith could no more have left that recording until morning than she could have flown †without help. She got up, pussyfooted to the work area, and took the cell phone to the next room. There she joined it to her PC, where she could run the regressive message forward. When she’d tuned in to the message backward more than once she concluded that Bonnie should never hear it. It would startle her insane, and there would be no more contact with the paranormal for Elena’s companions. Therewere creature sounds in there, stirred up with the contorted, in reverse voice†¦that wasn’t Bonnie’s voice in any capacity. It wasn’t any typical person’s voice. It nearly sounded more regrettable going ahead than in reverse †which possibly implied that whatever being had expressed the words typically expressed the other way. Meredith could make out human voices over the moaning and contorted giggling and the creature commotions directly from the veldt. In spite of the fact that they made the hairs on her body stand up and shiver, she attempted to assemble the words in the middle of the rubbish. Assembling them she got: â€Å"Aaahhh†¦waggge†¦n†¦ing wuh illllilll†¦be†¦sud-ud-ud†¦den†¦ANDshhhh†¦ohhh†¦ging.YOOOOU †¦hand-and-nd†¦Iiii†¦mmmust†¦BEtherefore†¦herrr†¦aaahhh waggge†¦ning†¦Wewone†¦BE therefor-or-or-or-r† †(was there a â€Å"herrr† next, or was it simply part of the snarling?) †â€Å"LADE†¦ errrrrrrrrrrr†¦ahhn.Thaaass†¦FORRRRR†¦oththth†¦ERRR†¦handandnd†¦ssssssssss†¦t-t-todo†¦.† Meredith, working with cushion and pen, in the end got these words on paper: Arousing will be unexpected and stunning. You and I should be there for her Awakening. We won’t be there for (her?) later on. That’s for different hands to do. Meredith put the pen decisively adjacent to the deciphered message on the cushion. Also, after that Meredith proceeded to lie slouched in her hiking bed viewing the unmoving Bonnie like a feline at a mouse opening, until, at long last, honored sluggishness brought her into the dull. â€Å"I saidwhat ?† Bonnie was really stupefied the following morning, crushing grapefruit squeeze and pouring oat, similar to a model host, regardless of whether it was Meredith who was scrambling eggs at the oven. â€Å"I’ve revealed to you multiple times now. The words won't transform, I promise.† â€Å"Well,† Bonnie stated, abruptly exchanging sides, â€Å"it’s clear that the Awakening will happen to Elena. Since, for a certain something, you and I must be there for it, and for something else, she’s the person who needs towake up .† â€Å"Exactly,† said Meredith. â€Å"She needs to recall who she truly was.† â€Å"Precisely,† said Meredith. â€Å"And we’ve got the chance to help her remember!† â€Å"No!†said Meredith, taking out her indignation on the eggs with a plastic spatula. â€Å"No, Bonnie, that’s not what you stated, and I don’t think wecould do it in any case. We can show her easily overlooked details, perhaps, the way Stefan has. The most effective method to tie her shoes. The most effective method to brush her hair. Be that as it may, from what you stated, the Awakening will be stunning and abrupt †and you didn’t say anything regarding us doing it. You just said that we must be there for her, in light of the fact that from that point forward, by one way or another wewon’t be there.† Bonnie mulled over that in desolate quietness. â€Å"Won’t be there?† she said at last. â€Å"Like, won’t be with Elena? Or then again won’t be there, like†¦won’t be anywhere?† Meredith peered toward a morning meal that she unexpectedly didn’t need to eat. â€Å"I don’t know.† â€Å"Stefan said we could come over again today,† Bonnie encouraged. â€Å"Stefan would be neighborly while he was being marked to death.† â€Å"I know,† Bonnie said out of nowhere. â€Å"Let’s call Matt. We can go see Caroline†¦if shewill see us, I mean. We can check whether she’s any extraordinary today. At that point we can hold up until it’s evening, andthen we can call Stefan and inquire as to whether we can come over again to see Elena.† At Caroline’s house, her mom said she was wiped out today and was going to remain in bed. Them three †Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie †returned to Meredith’s house without her, however Bonnie continued biting her lip, thinking back at times toward Caroline’s road. Caroline’s mother had looked debilitated herself, with shadows under her eyes. What's more, the tempest feeling, the sentiment of weight, had been crushing Caroline’s house practically level. At Meredith’s, Matt dabbled with his vehicle, which never-endingly required work, while Bonnie and Meredith experienced Meredith’s closet for garments that Elena could wear. They would be huge, however that was better than Bonnie’s, which would be excessively little. At fourP.M . they called Stefan. Truly, they were welcome. They went first floor and got Matt. At the boardinghouse, Elena didn’t rehash the kissing custom of the earlier day †to Matt’s clear frustration. However, she was charmed with the new garments, despite the fact that not under any circumstances that the old Elena would have been. Drifting three feet off the floor, she continued holding them to her face and taking profound, glad sniffs, and afterward radiating at Meredith, despite the fact that when Bonnie got a T-shirt, she couldn’t smell anything other than the cleansing agent they’d utilized. Not even Meredith’s Beach cologne. â€Å"I’m sorry,† Stefan said vulnerably as Elena went into an unexpected wheezing fit, nestling a sky-blue top in her arms as though it were a little cat. However, his face was delicate, and Meredith, while looking somewhat humiliated, consoled him that it was ideal to be so valued. â€Å"She can tell where they come from,† Stefan clarified. â€Å"She won’t wear anything that’s originate from a sweatshop.† â€Å"I just purchase from places recorded on the Sweatshop-Free Clothing website,† Meredith said essentially. â€Å"Bonnie and I have something to tell you,† she included. While she related Bonnie’s late-night prescience, Bonnie took Elena into the washroom and helped her change into the shorts, which fit, and the sky-blue top, which nearly fit, being only somewhat long. The shading set off Elena’s tangled yet great hair impeccably, however when Bonnie attempted to get her to glance in the hand reflect that she had brought †the old mirror’s shards had all been gathered up †Elena appeared as befuddled as a little dog held up to see its own appearance. Bonnie continued holding the mirror before her face, and Elena continued jumping out on some side from behind it, similar to an infant playing surprise. Bonnie must be happy with a decent brushing out of the knot in that brilliant mass, which Stefan unmistakably didn’t realize how to deal with. When Elena’s hair was at long last luxurious and smooth, Bonnie gladly took her out to be flaunted. What's more, was speedily heartbroken. The other three were in profound, and it looked like troubling, discussion. Hesitantly, Bonnie let go of Elena who quickly flew †truly †into Stefan’s lap, and went along with them herself. â€Å"Of course we understand,† Meredith wa

Managing Rental Property Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Overseeing Rental Property - Essay Example Property the board is a tough undertaking, may it be rental, business or private. There are distinctive expert organizations that can do the administration task for the proprietors yet the decision of settling on proficient assistance or assuming the liability all alone is absolutely person. There are unquestionably sure focal points of looking for help from the offices as it makes different undertakings bother free yet it has its own confinements like the expanded costs. Numerous fantasies and desires are set while purchasing a property. It is a significant speculation and when taken care of appropriately, land can return great benefits for the proprietor. Having one home for individual use, if a family can purchase another or a business land, it can win enormous rental salary and encourage the proprietors pay their own home loan and spare the rest for the home. Lease can be an additional salary for the family. In any case, any issues with the inhabitants like non-installment of the standard lease, a similar property can end up being an additional weight on the accounts of the family. It can turn appalling for the monetary equalization of the proprietor and result in a distressing life as opposed to backing out the weight. So appropriate property the board and making arrangements for all the dangers already is significant, may it be on close to home or expert front (Washington The stuff To Be A Landlord - overseeing investment properties | Black Ente rprise |

Career Fair Thoughts

Career Fair Thoughts There have been plenty of posts about MITs career fairs, mostly talking about the massive quantities  of free stuff (water bottles, shirts, pens, cupcakes, etc.) you can acquire from hundreds of companies set up throughout the Z-Center.  This year, I didnt succumb to the frenzy of: This is mostly because Ive given away far too many company shirts to justify getting more, especially when theres no chance of me working for most of these t-shirt bearing tech companies in this reality. Instead, I tried to approach the career fair with hesitant optimism and figuring out if any companies 1) interested me or 2) would be interested in a CMS/7 major. I vlogged my experience and random thoughts throughout the day, so Im not going to paraphrase all of that in text. But I think the most important takeaway for any prefrosh reading this is to please not worry about summer jobs pre-MIT! Do what you love, whether thats working in a lab or becoming a camp counselor or taking time off to spend with your friends and actually relax. Theres this increasing pressure to be thinking about college in your every waking moment before college, and thinking about a career in your every waking moment during college. And neither of those pressures is very conducive to happiness. So, even though Im currently being hypocritical as I worry about careers while typing this, just remember that sometimes life works in funny ways :)

The Nazi Party and The Holocaust - 1119 Words

A horrid event known as The Holocaust took place in 20th century Germany. It all began when Adolph Hitler was appointed as chancellor of Germany on January 30th, 1933. Soon after, Hitler gained a numerous amount of followers and rapidly developed his Nazi Germany. Led by visions of racial purity and spatial expansion, the Nazis mainly targeted Jews. In addition, Nazis also targeted Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovahs Witnesses and disabled people along with anyone who resisted them. This tragic event lasted a total of 12 years. On April 1, 1933, the Nazis announced a boycott of all Jewish businesses. This was the first of many actions taken to slowly exclude Jews from public life. Later, on September 15, 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were issues. These laws were solely made to exclude Jews from German citizenship and limit their rights. The laws forbid marriages between Jews and German nationals as well as relationships between the two. Jews were not allowed to employ German females in their households and forbidden to hoist the Reich and national flag or to present the colors of such. The punishments for breaking any of the laws were either hard labor, imprisonment or fines. Over the next few years, other anti-Jew laws were issued such as laws excluding them from parks, firing them from government jobs, laws to register their property and a law which permitted Jewish doctors to only work with Jewish patients. Children were also banned from many public places. A night known asShow MoreRelatedThe Holocaust And The Nazi Party1312 Words   |  6 Pages This Jewish girl was one of the many orphaned during the Holocaust, forcing her to live on the streets of the ghetto amongst the filth and grime. She lies on the street, holding her sister who is dying of starvation and disease. Many walk past and neglect to help the girl; for fear that they will draw unnecessary attention to themselves and attract the Jewish Ghetto police. This picture only illustrates the suffering of two girls, but acts as a representation of the many millions of Jews that wereRead MoreThe Holocaust Of The Nazi Party791 Words   |  4 PagesBy 1933 the Nazi Party had fully risen to power. Their policies included â€Å"purifying† Germany, taking over the world, and exterminating any group of people that contradicted their idea of a perfect society, namely the Jewish. By 1945 twenty million people died, including gypsies (Romanian), the Polish, Soviet citizens, the disabled, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals and yes the Jewish. The Holocaust is a prime example of genocide. The Nazis sent their prisoners to concentration camps where they wereRead MoreThe Holocaust And The Nazi Party1505 Words   |  7 Pagesinner beast. Some likely never knew this inner brutality existed within them and others had kept it hidden deep inside intentionally. Irma Grese used the Holocaust to express her inner most anger and hate. She abused, killed, and controlled the people in the camps she worked at, all with the blessings of the German Nazis she worked for. A Holocaust survivor, Olga Lyngel, later described Grese as a â€Å"twenty-two year old girl†¦completely without pity.† This description of Irma Grese only gives a glimpseRead MoreThe Holocaust And The Nazi Party1719 Words   |  7 Pagesgenocide is viewed in various ways by every party involved and has eight specific steps. In Germany, Adolf Hitler’s persistent lectures on the Jews and their role in World War One created tension in the government and in the people. The Holocaust can be looked at through eight itemized stages. Genocide can only be stopped with intervention on a worldwide scale. It disheartens me to know that mass murders have taken place throughout Europe because the Nazi Party declared themselves the higher being andRead MoreThe Nazi Party and The Holocaust Essay610 Words   |  3 PagesThe Holocaust was a terrible time. This terrible time was all a plan, led by Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler was sent to prison for treason. Even after he got out, he worked with the government of Germany. He even rose to be the Dictator of Germany, with the luck of the last leaders passing. He blamed others for his struggle. He passed laws, to make it legal to descriminate and to single out groups of people, races, and religions. During the Holocaust, terrible and devistating things happened. JewsRead MoreThe Holocaust Was The Systematic And Bureaucratic Murder Of Six Million Jews By The Nazi Party1099 Words   |  5 PagesAnalyzing Night Style The Holocaust was the systematic and bureaucratic murder of six million Jews by the Nazi party and its collaborators. During the era of the Holocaust, German authorities targeted many groups of people because of their perceived racial inferiority including Gypsies, the disabled, and some of the Slavic peoples. Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral grounds. Several authors have written about the Holocaust, but one author that touched manyRead MoreThe Holocaust : A More Perfect Union1060 Words   |  5 Pagesper 3 Although many recognize the Holocaust as one of the most catastrophic genocides in history, few acknowledge its underlying causes. Historians often attribute the combination of German aggression and foreign appeasement with the Nazi rise to power and success in completing the Final Solution. However, the power of the totalitarian regime originated from its domestic policy, allowing one man to manipulate the thoughts and actions of an entire nation. The Nazi indoctrination of Germany with propagandaRead MoreDifferent Perspectives of The Jewish Holocaust 1641 Words   |  7 PagesThe Holocaust tends to be a bitter memory and an unpleasant subject to discuss. Although this event took place many years ago, repercussions are still present in the twenty first century. Especially in Germany, the Holocaust not only influences patriotism, but it also influences education and immigration policies. In contrast to other countries where nationalism is common, Germany has been forced to lessen t he sense of nationalism in order to dispose false beliefs some individuals have of GermanRead MoreThe World Of The Holocaust934 Words   |  4 PagesThe Holocaust was the systematic, organized, frighten, vicious event that sponsored by Nazi Party throughout the Europe continent that approximately took away six million Jews’ life with assisted from Nazi Germany and its collaborators, the event also caused different extent of casualties to contemporary third party countries in the Europe simultaneously. The official beginning date of event started from January 1933 when Adolf Hitler first came to power in Germany with Nazi as his backup to openlyRead MoreAdolf Hitler : Leading The Genocide1182 Words   |  5 Pages5 23 March 2015 Adolf Hitler: Leading the Genocide The Holocaust was the mass murder of Jews under the German Nazi regime in 1941 to 1945. There are many components of this significant event. One important component was Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party and Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945. Hitler contributed to the execution of Jews during WWII through his ideology, his dictatorship, and his leadership of the Nazi Party. To initiate, Hitler’s early life had a great impact on his

Oral Pessimism And Depression Depression - 1376 Words

Depression in psychotherapeutic terms suggests that depression starts in childhood by pleasurable or restrictive oral experiences that could influence depression later on in adulthood (Abraham, 1927; Fenichel, 1946; Freud 1917 et all Maltby, Lewis, Hill, 1998). A study has been completed by Professor of Psychology, Lewis’ (1993), to examine that oral pessimism is important to the aetiology of depression within the contact of social psychological, cognitive and personality explains depression. Results have shown that there is a significant positive relationship between oral pessimism and depression, but not a significant association between oral optimism and depression. Therefore this suggests that oral pessimism characters, neuroticism and the use of stable attributions are important to depression (Maltby, Lewis, Hill, 1998, pp. 1-6). Similarly Melanie Klein 1988 (et al Ilson, n.d.) is saying that depression starts in the childhood were the baby is having disturbances in how it was allowed to handle feelings towards the mother. Furthermore, Frederick Perls 1989 (et al Ilson, n.d.) refers to depression as being the result of an â€Å"incomplete gestalt†, where the energy is blocked. Liebler Moss (2009, pp. 8-14) are saying in their book about Ayurveda (form of mind-body medicine that is based of the traditional system of medicine in India) that depression is a condition that involves physical being as well as mental health, emotional, social, and spiritual self. TheyShow MoreRelatedBipolar Depression : A Common And Serious Mental Disorder1464 Words   |  6 PagesOne minute she was happy, smiling, and laughing, but then out of know where, 20 minutes later, she is upset, crying, and saying there is no point to life. Bipolar depression otherwise known as manic depression, is a very common and serious mental disorder. The disorder can be caused by how the brain is wired and how it is functioning. The disorder is not a male or female dominate disorder, just as many men as women have the disorder. There are three different types of bipolar disorder. They are BipolarRead MoreAlcohol and Depression1759 Words   |  8 PagesAlcohol and Depression: Is There a Link? Alcoholic beverages are the only consumable products in the U.S. that do not have nutrition labels. Consumers are being kept in the dark about serving size, alcoholic content, calories, carbohydrates, fats, protein, cholesterol and other nutrition information. Alcohol, specifically ethyl alcohol or ethanol, is produced by fermenting the starch or sugar in various fruits and grains. Alcoholic beverages produced by fermentation and distillation include beerRead MorePsy 270 Week 4: Assignment: Depression Paper1774 Words   |  8 PagesDepression Paper Mark Miles Psy/270 4/3/2011 Ratonya Bennett Depression Paper Unipolar and Bipolar Disorder Many people go through a normal day and have their emotions fluctuate due to some sort of stimuli. It is quite normal for people to feel emotions like depression or elation because of certain situations or circumstances. It is when moods like depression or mania that affect people for a longer than normal period of time or when they constantly fluctuate between depression andRead MoreThe Revised Bdi Test Review.Doc5525 Words   |  23 PagesOF THE REVISED BECK DEPRESSION INVENTORY Testing and Assesssment: Comprehensive review of the revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-IA) Daniel Beaulieu McGill University The Revised BDI (1993) Publication Dates: 1961-93 Authors: Aaron T. Beck and Robert A. Steer. Acronym: BDI-IA Price Data, 1994: $46 per complete kit including 25 record forms and manual ( 93, 24 pages); $25.50 per 25 record forms; 22.50 per manual Introduction The revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-IA)Read MorePsychological Measure2049 Words   |  9 PagesTeam B examines the aspects of psychological tests and measurements by focusing on the Beck Depression Inventory. Examining the two articles over the Beck Depression Inventory aids Team B in deciding services, servers, and backgrounds of the measure. The psychological testing that has developed and progressed and is used in a wide variety of settings by a wide variety of individuals is called the Beck Depression Inventory. Testing aids in serving professionals in figuring out sickness or deficiency andRead More Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in the Elderly Essay2394 Words   |  10 PagesDiagnosis and Treatment of Depression in the Elderly Mental disorders are becoming more prevalent in todays society as people add stress and pressure to their daily lives. The elderly population is not eliminated as a candidate for a disorder just because they may be retired. In fact, mental disorders affect 1 in 5 elderly people. One would think that with disorders being rather prevalent in this age group that there would be an abundance of treatment programs, but this is not the case. Read MoreCna Code Of Ethics For Registered Nurses1611 Words   |  7 Pageshopelessness to Mr. C no matter how mentally competent he is, especially if he sees no chance for improvement with continued treatment (Gulanick Myers, 2014, p. 97). Hence, a nurse must provide opportunities for him to express any feelings of pessimism because this will create a supportive environment if he/she listens to him in a nonjudgmental manner. During a period of hopelessness, patients may not be able to recognize their strengths and fostering that awareness can exp edite use of these strengthsRead MoreAbnormal Psychology - Mood Disorders4501 Words   |  19 Pagesstate, whereas the former refers to the external expression observed by others. Definition Depression: A low, sad state marked by significant levels of sadness, lack of energy, low self-worth, guilt, or related symptoms. Mania: a state of or episode of euphoria or frenzied activity in which people may have an exaggerated believe that the world is theirs for the taking. Symptoms of Depression †¢ Affective symptoms: The most striking symptom is depressed mood, with feelings of sadness, dejectionRead MoreComparing Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Domestic Violence and Women Victims of Rape2123 Words   |  9 Pagestowards women that is perpetrated by their husbands is less traumatizing than violence by others (Cascardi, O’Leary, Schlee, 1999). PTSD has been shown to be strongly associated with suicidal behaviors (Sanders, 1994). In addition to PTSD, depression, and substance abuse, other mental health problems have been noted in victimized women, such as but not limited too; cognitive difficulties, somatization, anxiety disorders, phobias, sleep disorders, fearfulness of spouse, and obsessive compulsivenessRead MoreEssay The Use of Drugs by 1950s Artists4691 Words   |  19 Pagesgive some insight into these artists world. At the end of World War II, American culture experienced an overhaul that ushered in a period of complacency beneath which paranoia seethed. A generation that had lived through the privations of the Depression and the horrors of world war was now presented with large suburban homes, convenient and impressive appliances, and pre-packaged entertainment. Such wonders so soon after extended hard times were greeted enthusiastically and even treated with a

International Humanitarian Law Free Essays

INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW and THE IRAQ CRISIS SUSAN SOUX April 2003 International Humanitarian Law ? the RULES which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict, protect people who are not, or are no longer taking part in the hostilities, and to restrict the methods and means of warfare employed IHL ‘the law of armed conflicts’ or or ‘law of war’ †¢ Geneva †¢ Hague Geneva ‘the law of Geneva is designed to safeguard military personnel who are no longer taking part in the fighting and people not actively involved in hostilities’ Hors de combat †¢ Civilians †¢ Medical/religious personnel The Hague ‘the law of The Hague establishes the rights and obligations of belligerents in the conduct of military operations, and limits the means of harming the enemy’ International humanitarian law prohibits all means and methods of warfare which: †¢ fail to discriminate †¢ cause superfluo us injury or unnecessary suffering †¢ cause severe or long-term damage to the environment. Other agreements prohibit the use of certain weapons and military tactics and protect certain categories of people and goods. ? he 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, plus its two protocols; ? ? ? the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention; the 1980 Conventional Weapons Convention and its four protocols; the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention; ? the 1997 Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines; ? the 2000 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. We will write a custom essay sample on International Humanitarian Law or any similar topic only for you Order Now Many provisions of international humanitarian law are now accepted as customary law – that is, as general rules by which all States are bound. HENRI DUNANT ‘BATTLE OF SOLFERINO’ History †¢ 1859 – Battle of Solferino †¢ 1863 – ICRC †¢ Geneva Conventions – 1864 †¢ Hague laws – 1899/1907 †¢ 1949 –Geneva conventions †¢ 1977 – Additional Protocols Geneva Conventions 1949 Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Geneva, 12 August 1949. Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea. Geneva, 12 August 1949. Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949. Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949. Iraq ratified Geneva Conventions 1956 US ratified in 1955 Additional Protocols 1977 †¢ Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), 8 June 1977. Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), 8 June 1977. Neither Iraq nor the US have ratified the Protocols International Human Rights Law †¢ Universal Declaration of Human Rights –1948 †¢ International Covenant on Social,Economic and cultural Right †¢ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights †¦other conventions/covenants†¦ †¢ Convention on the Status of Re fugees – 1951 †¢ Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement 1998 International Tribunals †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Nuremburg ICTY – Hague ICTR – Rwanda Sierra Leone International Criminal Court (Rome – 1998/2002) †¦ Universal Jurisdiction †¦ ‘Genocide’ ‘War Crimes’ ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ Current Issues †¢ Allegations of indiscriminate bombing †¢ Targeting under IHL †¢ Ensuring Humanitarian Access †¢ Status of Combatants, Civilians and Civilians Taking Up Arms †¢ Suicide Attacks – ‘Perfidy’ †¢ Occupying Forces International Red Cross Protectors of the Geneva Conventions impartial, neutral and independent from any political objective’ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ ‘Right to be present’ when conflict breaks out Protect the lives and dignity of victims of war Monitors compliance with Geneva Conventions Visits POW’s Provides medical/humanitarian assistance IRAQ ICRC – in battle areas †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Hospitals Water Pow’s Tracing IFRC and Red Crescent Societies – outside the battle †¢ Refugee camps †¢ Tracing †¢ Humanitarian assistance International Delegates Water Systems Medical Assistance Family Tracing Refugee Camps Orthopaedic Centres Orthopaedic Centres Resources: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ www. icrc. org www. ifrc. org www. redcross. ca http://www. ihlresearch. org/iraq/ http://www. reliefweb. int/ocha_ol/civilians/ www. unhcr. ch â€Å"As human beings, we cannot be neutral, or at least have no right to be, when other human beings are suffering. Each of us†¦ must do what he or she can to help those in need, even though it would be much safer and more comfortable to do nothing. † – Kofi Annan UN Secretary-General How to cite International Humanitarian Law, Papers

International Competitiveness Of Asian Firm - Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about the International Competitiveness Of Asian Firm. Answer Introduction: Solutions of Enterprise Resource Planning initialized on the market from the first half of the 1980s. They usually comprised of modules related to Logistics, finance and manufacturing that permitted the management of sales, purchases, productions and stocks. These solutions were generally termed to be the Planning of Enterprise Resources as they allowed the elaboration of stage along with the integrated administration regarding major resources of the company (Ahmad and Cuenca 2013). This included the utilization of resources in fixed inventory, finance, human resources and materials along with the associated processes. Prior to the development of ERP, in-house developed or purchased software that is less or more interfaced was considered to be the sole solution that was offered to organizations in order to the management of events while a segregation was maintained between tasks, departments, input, tasks and databases. This research paper would produce several insights regarding the significance of the integration of ERP with the organizational policies. It would also address the issues that take place because of minimal integration between process, people and information. It would also demonstrate the various ways that ERP systems utilize to address the issues of integration, along with the benefits that organizations achieve upon the integration of resources. The latter would be justified with 2 case scenarios that would depict the issues they confronted because of minimal integration and the various ways in which ERP systems have helped them to overcome the challenges. Discussion: Importance of integration to companies A company without any policy for ERP would be executing its functions on several kinds of software that do not facilitate communication. In several cases, customization might also turn out to be problematic. This would negatively influence the optimized performance of the business activities of the company. The organization would be confronting hardships in several functional regions. The design of engineering related to the software would be required for the improvement of products and the behaviour of the clients need to be abided by for the improvement of the product along with the following of the behaviour of the consumer and the choices as the initial contact is extremely vital. Supervision of various interdependent receipts would be extremely complicated, like invoices of purchased materials, salaries or general expenditures. When an integrated ERP system is implemented on behalf of the company, all of these issues are addressed simultaneously. Data flows constantly and the pr ocess of the client are allowed to be followed at any instance, irrespective of the component of the process which the organization is implementing. Expenditures and purchases are registered in a core database that permits to maintain a close monitoring of activities (Ram, Corkindale and Wu 2013). Regarding this aspect, ERP supports the prevention of possible abuse. With the implementation of an integrated powerful ERP system, interactions regarding sales, marketing and control over these events are enabled. This can all be stored in a single database. As a result, retyping of errors and occasional losses would be eliminated. All functions and departments would be integrated by it across the organization in a solo computer system which would be capable to serve every individual needs of the company. Business processes are also automated by the ERP system by their placement in a capable format that is regarded to be standardized and is considered to be common for the entire company. In addition to this, it can also be used between the manufacturers and their consumers. When an integrated ERP system is implemented, better management of information takes place via automation of the business (Laurent, Chollet and Herzberg 2015). Measurements and performance metrics are necessary in the evaluation of the programs of the business and also to support the development of the future goals. However, with the flourishing of the business, problems would continue to take place regarding manual calculation of the margin of sales, ratios of profit and other similar metrics. An extent of automation is brought about by ERP that allows the employees across the company to access shared information without the necessity of maintenance of manual records (Tanzeel and Idrees 2016). The generation of synchronized reports is also enabled regarding the metrics of major businesses. Immediate access to information is necessary for taking timely business decisions (Laudon and Laudon 2016). Workflow is also improved as every process is streamlined and simplification of access takes place via user-friendly interfaces (Riaz et al. 2014). The employees are better equipped with the acquisition of relevant data that would be important to carry out their jobs. These jobs can be the extraction of a standardized or customized reports or the formulation of a report regarding its presentation. Each employees job is made easier with the implementation of ERP software that results in improved productivity. The main objective regarding any ERP is the integration of every function related to a business into a single platform (Parvizi, Oghbaei and Khayami 2013). Several businesses are still utilizing the inevitable position where information is stored in several systems and locations. When this data is centralized and the means of streamlining are accessed along with the addition of information, ERP contributes too much better productivity within the model of the business. The software of ERP integrates several different processes that are considered to be mandatory for carrying out an enterprise of business into a single database. These processes comprise of order and inventory management, human resources, accounting, management of consumer relationship amongst other needs (Ijaz et al. 2014). When the processes are streamlined into a single effective system, a shared database is provided by the ERP that supports several functions across the organization. It also helps in the simplification of accounting of business. A developing business would struggle with the procedures of accounting if they are either still manual or if accounting, sales, finance and the departments of HR are devoid of access to shared information. The financial reports and daily accounting would particularly need a lot of effort and time that can be easily minimized with the utilization of the ERP (Ram, Wu and Tagg 2014). When ERP is implemented for analysing and integrating finan cial information, the productivity of employee would enhance manifold and the delays would be reduced considerably. It also helps in maintaining a state of transparency in the company. Any organization values its assets of data and the corresponding security attached to it. The integrity and security of information is extremely necessary for ensuring the strategic information of business is accessed and processed by the right personnel. With the utilization of an ERP, the accessibility and safety of data can be ensured, along with the provision of utmost security (Altamony et al. 2016). In addition to this, strategic data can be regulated at a single place while updates are received regarding similar information can be carried out by several authorized personnel. As a result, role based systems result in the transparency and security of the ERP. Issues which occur due to lack of integration In the absence of an integrated ERP, the execution of functions related to any kind of software would not result in any kind of interaction. In most cases, there is also the added issue of customization. This would minimize the optimization of performance related to human activities. The company would be facing several hardships in several areas of functioning (Nordin and Adegoke 2015). The engineering design with respect to the software would be mandatory for improvement in the quality of services and products along with the behaviour of the consumers that are needed to be followed regarding the improvement of services and products. Monitoring several interdependent receipts would turn out to be extremely complex such as the invoices of salaries, purchased mails or general expenditures. In the absence of a well-established ERP, several issues related to multi-platform of IT take place. Over time, companies might find themselves executing several different types of systems of softwar e across several departments. These systems might be inherited with the absorption of organisations or might be combined together for the capability of working with vendors or partners. Problems take place when the systems turn out to be incompatible, outdated or too costly for the maintenance or are unable to be updated. When it turns out that improvements are needed by the systems, the planning of an integrated ERP starts taking place. Without the devising of an effective ERP, the high growth related to medium sized organisations are expected to expand in a continuous manner and support would be needed for the nourishment of this internal growth. With the applications of the ERP, the performance of the organisation and the activities of the business can be better controlled and supervised. With the implementation of an ERP system, interactions can be increased and improved internally between the suppliers and the consumers (Hidayanto et al. 2013). When the suppliers effectively communicate with the sales, finance and marketing, or even combine with the system of the ERP, a considerable increase in productivity takes place. How do ERP systems address these integration issues? Integration has become extremely important process for better business management for almost all the companies (Zikmund et al. 2015). Using different software for each process makes the whole system very complicated. Integrating different software in a single ERP platform makes the process easier to handle (Tenhiala and Helkio 2015). Using different software for different process results in difference in communication between each department of a company (Chang 2016). This issue create confusion among the employees and authorities of a company and results in error in product management, financial department and employee management. ERP addresses these issues while operating in the management system. Despite of using ERP, companies tend to face these issues unless a fully integrated ERP within the company is implemented (Kapp, Latham and Ford-Latham 2016). What benefits can companies achieve when this integration occurs? Integrating ERP software can hugely benefit the companies. Some of them are discussed as below: With increase in volume of data in all the businesses, it is highly necessary for the companies to ensure that flow of data is maintained without any error and speed of the whole process become faster for better customer service. Integrating ERP with business intelligence tools can make the data flow quicker (Teittinen, Pellinen and Jrvenp 2013) . The accuracy and scalability of the data will improve, which will help in accurate decision making and overall improvement of the company. Integration helps in reducing operation cost as there will be decrease in employee hiring as no manual work is required to maintain the data (Behrangrad 2015). Employees will be able to access the data from any location and it will ease their workload. Implementing ERP integration will help in better data synchronization and result in better optimisation of inventory management (Peterman et al. 2014). Company authority will be able to manage all the products. Production planning and distribution will be managed better. Due to reduction in manual entry of the data, the errors and duplicity in data will be reduced significantly (Huang and Handfield 2015). The companies will be able to track preferences of the customers which will help them to provide better customer service. Case Studies of companies and the issues they faced due to lack of integration and how ERP systems helped overcome these: In the earlier data management system that the companies used to follow, the whole system was more of employee effort which mostly resulted in data error, duplicity of data and error in data management (Zanoun and Wison 2015). One of the companies that got high benefits from integrating ERP is electronic giant LG Electronics. With expanding over 40 countries, and having more than 80,000 employees (Rugman and Hoon 2008), the company was facing serious issues of employee and product management. The maintenance cost became too high; there were many errors in decision making and the resources were quite limited for better training for the employees. These issues made company operations extremely difficult for LG Electronics (Park, Hong and Li 2016). They were lagging behind many international brands in the same field. This made them implement ERP method for better company management. LG Electronics made a centralized system with integrating Oracle technology which helped them hosting large amount data, better data migration, increased scalability and performance of the employees. This central managing system reduced their maintenance cost and increased productivity and time management. Implementing ERP helped LG Electronics minimize the challenges that they were facing earlier and increased their brand name further in the electronics market. Another company that introduced ERP in the working system was Fuze Energy Drinks. The business of the company had grown considerably but they were facing extreme challenges to cope up with the needs of their growing business. The main challenges that they faced were managing increased production and inventory, management of products according to market demand and flaws in financial management. This made them implement ERP in their business, which made their business management a lot easier and profitable than earlier. The company was aiming for a low cost management and easy to implement methods for inventory management (Stadtler 2015). It helped them maintain stocks according to expiry dates. It significantly reduced the costing of maintenance and ensured high profitability. Implementing ERP also helped Fuze in better and real time decision making. Conclusions: ERP has become the most popular business management software for the companies who want to make their whole system run smoothly, without any errors. Many famous companies have implemented ERP in their business to manage their growing branches, employees and products. Despite of implementing ERP, some companies continued to face similar issues. Many popular companies have faced serious issues of managing business by implementing old methods. To avoid these issues, integration of ERP system should be implemented. It will result in improved management system, reduction of error in data input, decreased workload of the employees and better product management. This report highlights the need of integrated ERP system in the business of a company. The introduction part reflects the basic knowledge about integrated ERP system. There are discussions about necessity of integrated ERP system in all the companies. The issues that occurs without integrated ERP has been analyzed. The processes of how ERP addresses the integration issue have been discussed. The benefits of ERP integration have also been evaluated. Further, case study of two companies using integrated ERP system has been provided along with their previous experience of not using ERP in their business and how integrated ERP has helped them overcome all the problems. With better and easier business facilities available by integrating ERP, it will be a better option for all the companies to implement this method and make their business strong in all departments. Reference List Ahmad, M.M. and Cuenca, R.P., 2013. Critical success factors for ERP implementation in SMEs.Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing,29(3), pp.104-111. Al Za'noun, A. and Wilson, L., Accenture Global Services Limited, 2015.Data quality analysis and management system. U.S. Patent 8,984,360. Altamony, H., Al-Salti, Z., Gharaibeh, A. and Elyas, T., 2016. The relationship between change management strategy and successful enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations: A theoretical perspective.International Journal of Business Management and Economic Research,7(4), pp.690-703. Behrangrad, M., 2015. A review of demand side management business models in the electricity market.Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,47, pp.270-283. Chang, J.F., 2016.Business process management systems: strategy and implementation. CRC Press. Hidayanto, A.N., Hasibuan, M.A., Handayani, P.W. and Sucahyo, Y.G., 2013. Framework for Measuring ERP Implementation Readiness in Small and Medium Enterprise (SME): A Case Study in Software Developer Company.JCP,8(7), pp.1777-1782. Huang YY, Handfield RB. Measuring the benefits of ERP on supply management maturity model: a big data method. International Journal of Operations Production Management. 2015 Jan 5;35(1):2-5. Ijaz, A., Malik, R.K., Lodhi, R.N., Habiba, U. and Irfan, S.M., 2014, January. A qualitative study of the critical success factors of ERP system-A case study approach. InProceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Bali, Indonesia(Vol. 7, No. 9, pp. 2556-2566). Kapp, K.M., Latham, W.F. and Ford-Latham, H., 2016.Integrated learning for ERP success: A learning requirements planning approach. CRC press. Laudon, K.C. and Laudon, J.P., 2016.Management information system. Pearson Education India Laurent, P., Chollet, T. and Herzberg, E., 2015. Intelligent automation entering the business world. Nordin, N. and Adegoke, O., 2015. Learning from ERP implementation: A case study of issues and challenges in technology management.Jurnal Teknologi. Park, Y., Hong, P. and Li, S., 2016. Free trade agreements and maritime supply chain costs: Competitiveness of Korean firms.Maritime Economics Logistics,18(1), pp.3-18. Parvizi, R., Oghbaei, F. and Khayami, S.R., 2013, May. Using COBIT and ITIL frameworks to establish the alignment of business and IT organizations as one of the critical success factors in ERP implementation. InInformation and Knowledge Technology (IKT), 2013 5th Conference on(pp. 274-278). IEEE. Petermann, A., Junghanns, M., Mller, R. and Rahm, E., 2014. Graph-based data integration and business intelligence with BIIIG.Proceedings of the VLDB Endowment,7(13), pp.1577-1580. Ram, J., Corkindale, D. and Wu, M.L., 2013. Implementation critical success factors (CSFs) for ERP: Do they contribute to implementation success and post-implementation performance?.International Journal of Production Economics,144(1), pp.157-174. Ram, J., Wu, M.L. and Tagg, R., 2014. Competitive advantage from ERP projects: Examining the role of key implementation drivers.International Journal of Project Management,32(4), pp.663-675. Riaz, U., Sair, A., Shrafat, M. and Malik, M.E., 2014. Effect of organization culture and top management support on ERP implementation.Science International,26(3). Rugman, A.M. and Hoon Oh, C., 2008. The international competitiveness of Asian firms.Journal of Strategy and Management,1(1), pp.57-71. Stadtler, H., 2015. Supply chain management: An overview. InSupply chain management and advanced planning(pp. 3-28). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Tanzeel, S. and Idrees, M.W., 2016. Role of Change Management in Successful Implementation of ERP: A Case Study.Abstract of Business Strategy and Social Sciences,5. Teittinen, H., Pellinen, J. and Jrvenp, M., 2013. ERP in actionChallenges and benefits for management control in SME context.International Journal of Accounting Information Systems,14(4), pp.278-296. Tenhil, A. and Helki, P., 2015. Performance effects of using an ERP system for manufacturing planning and control under dynamic market requirements.Journal of Operations Management,36, pp.147-164. Zikmund, W.G., Babin, B.J., Carr, J.C. and Griffin, M., 2013.Business research methods. Cengage Learning.

Frederick Douglass Essays (221 words) - Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass In Frederick Douglass' writings I learned that his physical struggles and his writing as resistance are nearly parallel. When Douglass is living in Baltimore with the Auld family, Mrs. Auld began to teach him the alphabet. After this was discovered by Mr. Auld, the teaching ceased, and Douglass was carefully watched to be sure that he was not reading when alone. Despite this, Douglass was insistent upon learning to read because he knew that his literacy would lead to his freedom. His means of resistance through writing was going against what he was allowed to do and doing what he knew was key to his survival as a human being. "In learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master, as to the kindly aid of my mistress."(p. 58) Douglass' physical struggle as a means of resistance is very similar to his learning to read. They were both forbidden. A good example of one of Douglass' physical struggles was his fight with Mr. Covey. "My resistance was so entirely unexpected, that Covey seemed taken all aback."(p.78) After winning this "victory" Douglass felt as he did when learning to read. It made him feel sure of himself, and it made him feel like a real person in charge of his own destiny. "It was a glorious resurrection, from the tomb of slavery, to the heaven of freedom."(p.79)

Education Without Borders Essays

Education Without Borders Essays Education Without Borders Essay Education Without Borders Essay Education Without Borders Superintendent Tom Boasters has put Denver Public Schools (DIPS) on the fast track to be the first school district in the nation to hire fully qualified, previously undocumented immigrants to teach in classrooms. Boasters trailblazing decision to hire undocumented educators under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACCA) initiative will bring a much desired wealth of diversity into Deniers multicultural classrooms. This progressive course of action will positively impact the educational development of undocumented students by providing culturally expensive teaching, bilingual educators, and mentors who share the same life experiences. The DACCA memorandum, authored by the Obama Administration, took effect on August 1 5th, 2012. It provides the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CUSCUS) with a clear process for exercising deportation relief. Such relief is intended for individuals who meet specific guidelines and who have been approved for deferred action under DACCA. This directive will provide thousands of undocumented children and young adults brought to the United States before the age of sixteen, the opportunity to further their education and obtain gainful employment while working toward permanent citizenship. In order to teach under the DACCA initiative, all applicants are required to attain a bachelors degree from an accredited university, and have an undergraduate GAP 2. 50 or greater. During the first year, approved applicants will receive a alternative provisionary teaching license issued by the Colorado Department of Education. Following the initial year, educators will be issued a traditional teaching license after completing a series of predatory educational programs offered at the University of Colorado Denver (CUD). DIPS officials, with cooperation from Teach For America (TEA), have been responsive to the DACCA initiative by hiring and actively pursuing suitable individuals that meet this specific criteria. One of the first teachers hired under the DACCA charge is Alexandra Funnies Mean. Mean was brought to the United States from Chile when he was four years old. He graduated from Whitman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and is currently a fifth grade teacher at the Denver Center for International Study at Ford Elementary School in Deniers Monticello neighborhood. Mens experience of coming to the U. S. As a child, while living under the contemptuous veil of an illegal immigrant, has given him a unique perspective that helps him connect emotionally and culturally with impressionable students. Mens students can very easily relate to his plight and envision the possibility that they, too, can successfully graduate from high school, go on to earn a college degree, and use that education to give back to their community. Mean proudly explains, The impossible that existed in my childhood is something that is plausible and a reality now. I now have the opportunity to impact my students and show them that they too can achieve at the highest levels (Denver Public Schools: Communications Office 2014 ). Cultural influence and motivation from educators like Mean, leave long lasting impressions on undocumented and documented students alike. This in turn, expands educational equality, boosts civic participation, and increases economic opportunity in local communities. These young men and women bring extraordinary talent to our classrooms, explains Boasters. We have many, many kids whose stories are like Alexandria. When they [students] see the accomplishments of a nouns man like Alexandra, and hes their teacher with such ability and enthusiasm, I think he brings tremendous hope (Garcia 2014). Hope, inspiration, and a sense of self-worth are valuable components educators like Mean can bring to students in Deniers urban classrooms. As Denver schools become more ethnically diverse, DIPS will need to continue to find new and improved ways to keep students engaged. Hiring teachers with a bilingual skill set, along with the implementation of culturally responsive teaching, are two crucial components DIPS officials need to effectively empower and enrich the classroom experience of immigrant students. Colonization in the classroom starts when educators consciously bring care and empathy into the learning environment. In an ethnographic study of bilingual classrooms, Dry. Sheila M. Shannon states, in several studies, the teacher is clearly seen as the determiner of the culture of the classroom (322). This authority gives bilingual teachers the ability to shape the cultural narrative and linguistic context of classrooms, to fit the distinct needs of students. The ability to interact and teach students in their native language helps educators transform from the moniker of ordinary teacher, into a leader and role model, in the hearts and mind of students. Cultural familiarity stimulates comprehension Comprehension spurs interaction Interaction manifests into participation, and participation is a catalyst for validation. This is the gap in bilingual responsiveness Boasters is attempting to bridge in Deniers public school system. The theory of culturally responsive teaching is defined as using the cultural characteristics, experiences, and perspectives of ethnically diverse students as conduits for teaching them more effectively (Richly, and Graves 2012, Gay 2002). It is believed that students become more engaged and absorb information more fluently when they are comfortable in their learning environment. Engagement is advanced when English-language learners, which account for thirty percent of the DIPS student population, are immersed into bilingual and culturally familiar classrooms that present a curriculum that reflects students values and traditions. Geneva Gay, a Professor of Education at the University of Washington-Seattle asserts, Students feel validated and capable of learning presented information when the methods used to resent information is culturally responsive (Gay 2002). This reasoning gives a certain gravitas to Boasters edict to hire educators like Mean during a time when immigration reform is a hot-button issue in the U. S. Political landscape. Non-profit organizations like The Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform (CAIRO) do not agree with the Boasters decision to employee undocumented teachers under the DACCA initiative . CAIRO claims hiring undocumented teachers will take Jobs away from qualified and experienced American teachers who are currently unemployed. This argument is a hasty generalization that contradicts Dips insistent challenge to find effective bilingual educators willing to teaching in urban classrooms. Boasters explains, In order to meet the demand [for bilingual teachers], we actually go overseas (Garcia 2014). In fact, undocumented teachers like Mean have to apply for open Jobs and go through the same application and interview process as everyone else, insists Shares Dairy, the Managing Directors of Regional Communications of TFH (You-His Lee, 2014). Cairns nationalistic and xenophobic stance on the DACCA initiative is extremely short-sighted and based on political talking points. The decision by DIPS officials to hire DACCA recipients as educators in Deniers urban classrooms contributes to Colorado cultural mosaic, and promotes equality in Deniers evolving educational system. Engagement and participation is primed when emotional and cultural connections are made between teachers and students. The relationships forged by teachers and students with familiar backgrounds, visavisa undocumented and bilingual, positively affect a broad scope of outcomes for children and young adults in society. Students who feel validated in classroom will be empowered to further their education, which will impede high school drop-out rends, reduced crime, and hinder staggering minority incarceration rates. I believe history will Judge the DACCA initiative as progressive and revolutionary shift in ongoing civil rights battle.

Marketing analysis-Charity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing analysis-Charity - Essay Example The charitable sector offers its citizens a variety of services such as care, support, accommodations, and counselling, training to the children or families, people with disabilities, the unemployed, older people and also offers its services to those who are suffering from different harmful addictions, the homeless people and the refugees (Industry Commission, 1995). According to the statistics, it has been noted that around 700,000 young people are being taken care of at their home at Australia deserving choice in care and accommodation (Youngcare, 2010). Australian Red Cross Out of the various national Red Cross societies, Australian Red Cross Society is one of the members. It was founded in the year 1914 by Lady Helen Munro Fergusan. The mission of this organisation is to serve the people in Australia with the aim to improve the lives of the helpless people through the promotion of the humanitarian values and laws and is being recognised as a humanitarian organisation in Australia . The main competitor of the organisation is the Lions Club. The number of trained volunteers is more than 30,000 and the entire program is funded with the help of the donation by the public and the corporate partnership. The structure of the Australian Red Cross has been divided into high levels namely the council, the boards and the chief executive officer (Australian Red Cross, 2010). It has been found that the financial position of the organisation has been improving since last few years. Literature Review Revenue & funding Providing services Branding reputation Cost of advertising There are large numbers of non profit organisations in Australia that embrace the idea of participating in the market in order to maximise their revenue. The non profit organisations raise funds from the government grants and contracts, fees that are paid by the members and other fund-raising activities (Barraket, 2008). Volunteering is one of the activities that are chosen in the non profit organisat ion as a means of providing services (Zappala, 2000). Brand reputation or status provides communication regarding what the charity organisation did, what are its values and causes (Hankinson, 2006). Cost of advertising depends upon the nuisance cost towards the viewers, the expected advantages to advertisers from the viewers and the substitutability of program factors as this affects the equilibrium advertising levels to be low or high (Anderson & Coate, 2005). Development of trust between non-profit organisation and its constituencies (Ritchie & Et. Al., 2006). Inconsistency in the delivery of services is a real challenge for the organisation (Dall’Olmo Riley & Chernatony, 1999). According to Stride (2006), it has been noted that the concept of branding is being adopted by the charities at an increasing rate. The charities are value-based organisations. The author opines that a clear understanding of how the values are conceptualised in branding is imperative for the establi shment of whether branding is suitable and an efficient tool in the charity business (Stride, 2006). According to Ritchie & Et. Al. (2006), brand plays a vital role in the non profit sector as it provides innumerable benefits making the non profit sector a powerful tool. It is to be remembered that the branding may not be good or appropriate for all kinds of

Introduction to Business Law Master Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Introduction to Business Law Master - Essay Example Therefore, to avoid problems, it is necessary that international corporations, or business forms which intend to expand internationally, have an understanding of the sources of international law and the function of the relevant international organizations. International law, according to the Cambridge professor of international relations and law, Malcolm Shaw (2003), is derived from four sources. These sources are international conventions and treaties, customary law and commonly accepted practices, conventional law as defined and implemented by nation-states and judicial interpretations and decisions, as would establish a rule of precedent (pp. 44-46). As Shaw (2003) further explains, international law can basically be understood as comparable to national laws but implemented over the international community, as opposed to the national one (p. 48). Identifying the sources of international law is the first step towards understanding how the mentioned can influence international business. As regards the first source, which is international or bilateral treaties and conventions, it has a direct impact on international business if the treaties in question are relevant to trade and investment. For example, some nations have laws which specify the areas of investment and business which foreigners can engage in.

E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Analysis of innovation of e-commerce in small and medium-sized enterprises In the last decade large organisations have realised the increasing impact of new and cutting edge technology. Clark (1989) emphasized on the importance of technology to gain competitive advantage but at the same time he warned that building and maintaining such advantage will always be a challenge. Information technology in the form of internet has allowed organisations and their management to benefit from better quality information and better decision making. White (1997) adds that the internet is extremely effective in attracting computer literate people. Especially Internet has made a prolific influence on the business world. The internet has become an area where consumers are able to find what they need (Amor, 2002). This is clearly evident by the growth of internet in the last few years as shown in figure 1. Being involved with the new technologies brought many opportunities and easiness to reach products to consumers anywhere, anytime in the world (McKenna,2002). The new technological innovations have allowed organisations to conduct business in a completely new way by using online electronic transaction mechanisms and the concept of E-Commerce evolved(Gunasegaram Love, 1999; Westland and Clark, 1999). Today in most of the business and commerce sector IT has taken the form of E-Commerce. Figure 1 Growth of internet E-commerce is a major innovation, which has benefited industries across the globe even the Small and Medium Industries. The SME’s in Itself amount to a large part of the economy, at the moment there are12000 SME’s using EDI, electronic data interchange to further their businesses. Although the SME’s are contributors to the national economy of any country, the whole framework used to build them lacks transparency. There are problems around the financial resources available to keep them going; there is not enough legislative and administrative support from the government. On the business front these enterprises lack the right kind of management vigour, style, knowledge, and experience in handling more developed innovative technologies, which are inundating the markets. This is something they need to be aware of in order to survive the competitive environment. The SME’sdon’t have a single development system, which can safeguard theirinterests. They need an integrated approach, which encompasses threelevels, strategic, institutional, and enterprise. The government andthe public/private sector need to offer support for the fulfilment ofthis long-term strategy, which will make SME’s into profit centres’-commerce brings in a host of advantages as well as disadvantages tome’s and this project is an attempt to learn more and develop deeper understanding into the effect of technical innovations in e-commerce on Small and medium sized enterprises [Kyiv, 1997]. This study attempts to add to the existing literature by looking at hawse’s are approaching to incorporate e-commerce into their business strategy or how they are trying to improve their existing approach. This study will also evaluate consumer experiences of online shopping and how e-commerce has impacted on their expectations and goes on to suggest how online stores may need to improve if they are to meet these new expectations. 2. Aims and Objectives Aims The main aim of this project is to explore how the SME’s are important to the national economies and how the use of e-commerce help them gain a better position in terms of growth and profitability. There search context is based on SME’s in England to get an even background to this research question. As one knows technology and innovation always have repercussions, this project would also explore how theses ME’s deal with the disadvantages and convert them into viable benefits. This project will also find out to what extent do small firms use-commerce in their business processes and what are the barriers to the adoption of e-commerce? Customers as well as organization’s perspective towards e-commerce will be found out. Alongside the study will also try to find out how much electronic transaction have influenced the small-scale industry? Additionally this dissertation will also provide with accurate, up-to-date, research-based information about possible future trends in e-commerce. And lastly, this research will provide some suggestions and recommendations to be considered for the improvement of-commerce for small firms to develop ideas for further research in this context. This study on SME’s under different situations and circumstances would help present an overall portrayal and even help understand the issues under a magnifying glass when faced in certain sectors like manufacturing. To summarize some of the questions that will be addressed through this research are as follows: †¢ What is the status of SME’s in today’s global business environment? †¢ What is the contribution of the SME’s in the national and global economies? †¢ How will innovations like the Internet in e-commerce help the businesses in SME’s grow and become more profitable ventures? †¢ What are the problems/mistakes in the E-business strategy adopted in general by small firms in U.K? †¢ What are the problems faced by customers and organisations while dealing on internet? †¢ What are the factors that influence the development of e-commerce? †¢ Does e-commerce open up new markets for small scale industries in the United Kingdom? Objectives 1. Critically evaluate the relevant literature on small firms and the importance/usage of the internet. 2. Understand small firms’ problems and barriers to the use of e-commerce through articles, newspapers, interviews and surveys. 3. Gain specific knowledge of internet usage for small firms in business through interviews, publications and company information. 4. Provide recommendations to improve the usage of internet as a competitive tool. 5. The advent of the e-commerce, its advantages and disadvantages. 3. Literature Review E-Commerce E-commerce may be defined as â€Å"The sharing of business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions by means of Internet-based technology† (Riggins Rhee, 1998, p. 90). Alternately it may also be defined as â€Å"Anything that enhances your relationships with an existing customer and increases the revenue you get from the customer.† (Sullivan, 1998, p.24). The Internet and Electronic Commerce have made the world market smaller place to trade in. The Internet has opened up many possibilities of organising and running an online business. It has created a universal platform for buying and selling of goods which has resulted in faster transaction times and reduced transaction costs. Colin Turner (2000), in his book on the information of e-economy, talks about the e-commerce business accomplishment and strategies. E-commerce has its benefits and shortcomings, along with this belief; the companies are also battling with the pressures of information technology revolution coming to an end. â€Å"Despite all the hype surrounding electronic commerce, and the recent failure of many of that com companies, it does present real opportunities to small entrepreneurs in many countries.† (Fatal and Janet, 2004) Classification of E-commerce According to the applications or the nature of transaction of E-commerce, it can be categorized as follows: Turban et al (2000) divided E-commerce into three categories in terms of its applications: a) Electronic markets: It refers to buying and selling goods and services at an electronic marketplace, where the business centre is not a physical building but rather a network-based location. The market handles all the necessary transaction, including response to information request, purchase acknowledgement, shipping notice, purchase/service delivery, payment acknowledgement, and the transfer of money between banks and so on. In electronic market, the principal participants transaction handlers, buyers, brokers, and sellers, are not only at different locations but seldom even know one another. The means of interconnection varies among parties and can change from event to event, even between the same parties. b) Inter-organisational systems: They are facilitating inter and intra-organization flow of information, communication and collaboration. An IOS (inter-organisational information systems) involves information flow among two or more organisations. Its major objective is efficient information and transaction processing. All relationships are predetermined and there is no negotiation, just execution. A typical IOS includes a company and its suppliers and/or customers. Through it, buyers and sellers arrange routine business transactions and information is exchanged over communications networks using prearranged formats. Its main types aired (Electronic data interchange), extranets, electronic funds transfer, electronic forms, integrated messaging, shared databases and supply chain management. c) Customer service: It is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction, helping customers to resolve problems they encountered in any phase of the purchasing process. E-commerce plays a dual role in customer service. First, it provides customer service to a process that is done completely offline. Second, it provides help to online transactions. Types of customer service include answering customer inquiries, providing search and comparison capabilities, providing technical information to customers, allowing customers to track order status, and allowing customers to place an online order and so on. Kalakos Whinstone (1997) contended that there are three distinct general classes of electronic commerce applications: a) Inter-organizational Electronic Commerce: Like Turban et al above, Kalakos Whinstone consider that-commerce can be applied in following inter-organizational business: Supplier management: Electronic applications help companies reduce the number of suppliers and facilitate business partnerships by reducing purchase order (PO) processing costs and cycle times, and by increasing the number of Pops processed with fewer people. Inventory management: It shortens the order-ship-bill cycle and time of transmitting information. Businesses can also track their documents to ensure that they were received, thereby improving auditing capabilities. This also helps reduce inventory levels, improve inventory turns and eliminate out-of-stock occurrences. Distribution management: Electronic application facilitate the transmission of shipping documents such as bills of lading, pur chase orders, advanced ship notices, and manifest claims, and enable better resource management by ensuring that the documents themselves contain more accurate data. Channel management: Electronic application quickly disseminates information about changing operational conditions to trading partners. By electronically linking production-related information with international distributor and reseller networks, companies can eliminate thousands of labour hours and ensure accurate information sharing. Payment management: Linking companies with suppliers and distributors enables payment to be sent and received electronically. Electronic payment reduces clerical error, increases the speed at which companies compute invoices, and lowers transaction fees and costs. b) Intra-organizational commerce The purpose of intra-organizational applications is to help a company maintain the relationships that are critical to delivering superior customer value. Its applications are as follows: Workgroup communications: It enables managers to communicate with employees using electronic mail, videoconferencing, and bulletin board, hence increase the dissemination of information, resulting in better-informed employees. Electronic publishing: It enables companies to organize, publish and disseminate human resources manuals, product specifications and meeting minutes using tools such as the World Wide Web. Meanwhile, it reduces costs for printing and distributing documentation, faster delivery of information and reduction of outdate information. Sales force productivity: These applications improve the flow of information between the production and sales forces, and between the firms and customers. The goal is to allow firms to collect market intelligence quickly and to analyse if more thoroughly. c) Consumer-to-Business Electronic Commerce Social interaction: Consumers can communicate with each other through e-mail, videoconferencing, and news group etc. Personal finance management: El ectronic applications enable consumers to manage investments and personal finances using online banking tools. Purchasing products and information: Consumers can find online information about existing and new products/services. Turban et al (2000) further goes on to describe E-Commerce based on the types of transactions and are more popularly known as: B2B (Business-to-Business): Most of E-commerce today is of this type. It includes the IOS transactions and electronic market transactions between organisations. B2C (Business-to-Consumer): These are retailing transactions with individual shoppers. C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): In this category, consumers sell directly to consumers. C2B (Consumer-to-Business): In this category, consumers sell directly to organisations. Challenges to E-Commerce Although the Internet offers great deals of advantages to electronic commerce and businesses, it also provides a number of challenges. Some of these challenges as mentioned by Turban et al (2000) are discussed below: 1. Unsuccessful Business Models Not all companies that implement electronic commerce make benefits. Technologies changes so rapidly that keeping pace with change ultimately becomes too expensive or results in a failure. 2. Channel Conflicts Sometimes a company uses more than one distribution channel (Online as well as traditional channels) to sell its products and services. This can cause conflict between the dealers as it becomes important in such case to maintain a balance between the different channels. For e.g.it might be possible that a particular company tries to sell its product online at a lesser cost with some discount and maintains the original cost while selling it offline. This disparity can cause its dealers to create a problem. 3. Legal Issues Internet Law s are confusing and mostly non-existent. Also the Internet’s global and is used by individuals from different countries and thus it becomes difficult to decide which law to apply if a conflict arises. 4. Security Privacy This is the most important issue concerned with online transactions and businesses. Important information and valuable data like credit/debit card details, personal information, business plans and other company data can be easily leaked and tracked by hackers. Security risk in electronic payments has been one of the major reasons in making online businesses not to grow rapidly over the Internet. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Different countries define small medium enterprises in different ways. Teethe and Burn (2001) define small medium enterprises (SME) as â€Å"firms with less than 500 employees. This is further broken down into micro companies, those with less than 5 employees; small companies, those with 5 to 20 employees and medium companies, those with between20 and 500 employees. On the other hand, the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI, 1999) define SME’s as firms with 250 employees or fewer. The European Commission (2003) defines SME’s as follows: microenterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 10 employees, maximum turnover of 2 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of total of 2 million euros. While small enterprises are enterprises with maximum number of 50 employees, a maximum turnover of 10 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 10 million euros. Finally medium enterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 250employees, a maximum turnover of 50 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 43 million euros. Figure 2 SME Thresholds (European Commission, 2003) Buncombe (1999) points out that a number of studies have attempted to collect information on the make-up of Botswanas SME sector, by gaining access to official statistics and by conducting field surveys in connection with various research projects. According to the report, he defines enterprises according to the number of employees, annual turnover, and level of formality. There is no real universally standard definition for Small firms. In a study carried by the ILO, more than 50definitions were identified in 75 different countries, with considerable ambiguity in the terminology used. For the purpose of this study the author will go with the definition of Small firms which defines Small firms as firms with 49 or fewer employees. From the foregoing definition of small medium enterprises (SME’s) by different researchers, it can be seen that the number of employees and turnover are the determinant factors in the definition of SME, but, the criteria is different from country to country. SME’s and E-Commerce Internet became a main way for effective marketing in business. It is one of the most effective media all over the world and this makes it compulsory channel to use for market entries. Specifically, small firms have major problems with strong companies and existing small firms about market entries in the market. They have to prove their identity in the market as an enterprise despite all these rivalry and difficulties such as web design, domain name, site security responsibilities to customers, etc. They have to let customers know that they are in the market and internet is an efficient way to do so. Furthermore, cost advantages which come with e-commerce are reasonable for market entry. Small firms have a lot of to do as they are new tithe market or they need to grow in the market. They try to cut costs and increase investments in their business. Internet provides great opportunity to small firms for their activities in the market. Even as they serve a local or regional market rather than a national or an international market, it might be difficult to enter market or to reach customers. E-commerce appears as the most efficient way to gain successor small firms in existing fierce rivalry. The small firms generally provide the majority of the jobs and are significant contributor towards the national economy (Baldwin, 2001).Small and medium scale enterprises are considered to be the core out’s economy. According to Smith et al (2000) 99% of UK business firms can be categorized as small businesses and they employ up to 58% out’s total workforce. Hence small firms are extremely important in UK’s economy and the government expends considerable resources to support this sector. The UK government admits that small firms are neglected and left behind while the larger companies getting advantage over small businesses in the e-commerce world (Simpson; Docherty, 2004) Thus it’s very important to study the problems and barriers encountered in adopting a new economy cycle by the sector which represents the majority of the countries businesses. Sadowski et al (2002) notes that even after the widespread use of internet technologies in the corporate world, the amount of Internet use varies to a great extent in the small-scale sector. The adoption of any new technology in this sector is influenced by the several variables as stated by Martens et al (2001). These factors may include the characteristic of the firm, its competitiveness, the influence it has on third parties in the decision process, the management strategy and the characteristic of the new technology itself. All these factors lead company to strategic advantage if they used as they should be. It is important that the company sustains strategic advantage from e-commerce. Competitive business environment makes this matter more important (Hiding, 1999).As long as the company provides well designed web-site that suits with business and its requirements, then strategic advantage can be sustained. Thomas H. Davenport (1993), in his book, ‘Process Innovation –Reengineering work through information technology talks about, how revolutionary approach to information technology and its integration in our business processes can change the scenario. This can dramatically change the way business is conducted in small and medium enterprises also improve the performance keeping in view the competitive environment. New technologies and process innovation brings a new commitment and strategic evolution to these enterprises. Resources like information technology and e-commerce are largely untapped by the SME’s but once that scenario changes, there will be a lot of improvisations and growth avenues. Mandel (2001) says that every technological innovation and discovery finally has it downturn. When these new opportunities like e-commerce come into play, all businesses want ashore of this market. In their rush to get more profits, the investments are so heavy and lacking direction that invariably it leads to a loss since the economy infrastructure cannot support it. This has been proven with the dotcom burst and doom. According to some authors, these SME’s can actually use the innovation of e-commerce to march forward and become integral contributors to the economies. Due to their sizes they lack the initiative and financial power to go all out and compete in different markets, e-commerce could be the solution to some of the marketing gaps, which hold them back from becoming more successful. Importance of SME’s to countries’ economies Baraka (2001) reports that growing evidence indicates that Small Medium Enterprises play an important role in promoting the national economic development of any country. They create a lot of new jobs and produce much of the creativity and innovation that fuels economic progress. Ninety present of the total number of companies in most countries is comprised of small medium enterprises, which provide on average 70% of job opportunities (OECD, 1997). 26% of OECD exports and35% of Asias export are directly produced by small medium firms as suggested by Tendon (2002). The existing literature from research in different studies points out that Small medium enterprises (SME) world-wide have found that Internet use has become a critically important aspect of their business. Porter(2001) supports this view and suggests that companies of all sizes should have a strategy of reacting to competitors and increased adoption of the Internet technology, which will lead to increase in competition within markets. He further points out that e-commerce reduces the difference among competitors offerings and frequently migrate competition to price rather than products features or brand perceptions. He also suggests that smaller businesses could improve their business competitiveness with either other small businesses or larger companies by adopting e-commerce. Porter (2001) is backed up by an earlier study (Jacobs and Rowland 2000). They suggest that smaller businesses have, in particular, been encouraged to adopt e-commerce as a means of improving their competitiveness, either with other small medium enterprises or with larger companies, where they have been promised that e-commerce can level the playing. According to Daniel and Wilson (2002), small and medium-sized enterprises are now increasingly making use of e-commerce. Daniel further suggests that â€Å"responding to competitive pressure was the main reason leading to companies to adopt e-commerce. Information sharing and communication between employees within the firm were found to bethe e-commerce activities where firms are realizing the greatest benefits. Hence, though the future of e-commerce is still unpredictable, it is important that developing countries, their governments and businesses should prepare for these new developments. Benefits of e-commerce to SME’s A growing number of organisations have implemented e-commerce in the hope of improving decision making, lowering costs and improving customer satisfaction levels. A major benefit of e-commerce is cost reduction as Tagliavini et al (2001) pointed out a correct adoption of-commerce could lead to a reduction of transaction costs and coordination costs. Also, Davies and Garcia (1999) argue that benefits for SME’s are faster communication, effective dissemination and collection of information and closer relationships throughout the supply chain. Meanwhile, Liu and Arnett (2000) suggested theatre-commerce can help business organisations cut costs, interact directly with customers, run more smoothly and in a timelier manner, and even better, it can help an organization outperform its competition. Further driving factors of e-commerce for SME’s are also identified by Auger and Gallagher (1997) as follows: access to an Affluent Customer Base, lower Information Dissemination Costs, lower Transaction Costs, broader Market Reach, increased Service, additional Channels for Customer Feedback and Consumer and Market Research. Reducing costs, better communication with customers, access to larger customer base, and extended market are the major benefits of using-commerce agreed by a number of authors. At the same time, the more detailed benefits of e-commerce to SME’s are summarized as follows: †¢ Innovative products, better services and exploring new market opportunities; †¢ Shift in value added and content components of what is made and sold; †¢ Changes to economies of scale and the traditional barriers and advantages of large enterprises; †¢ Untying work functions from specific locations and time constraints; †¢ Flattening and disaggregating of organisational structures; †¢ Scope for customization at low cost; and †¢ Commercialization of in-house content and know-how. However, a study conducted by Poon (1999) found that the benefits of Internet commerce could be classified into long-term and short-term benefits, direct and indirect benefits. He suggested that the short-term benefits should be achieved within a few months, while the long-term benefits may take longer and unable to be predicted. The use of e-commerce can benefit SME’s in terms of reducing costs and access to larger customer base in the short term, and business transformation in the future. The use of e-commerce will also have a great deal of effect on the SME’s business activities as Tagliavini et al. (2001)indicated that E-Commerce has an important influence on SME’s; range of activity, providing increased competition on a global scale and allowing them to access wider markets. From the above literature it could be rightly said that E-Commerce adoption is an essential business strategy for SME’s to obtain competitive advantage. Opportunities and Threats faced by SME’s There are major opportunities for new entrepreneurs and small- to medium-sized businesses to flourish in the maturing of e-commerce(Drew, 2003). The use of e-commerce has provided a variety of benefits for SME’s as well as a number of potential opportunities. â€Å"The Internet’s usually presented as an opportunity for smaller firms because it helps reduce transaction costs and level the playing field (Evans and Wurster, 1997). The opportunities for SME’s include expanding scope of marketing, wider and richer communication, reaching new market and reducing cost of operations and partnering with suppliers (Drew, 2003). According to a report conducted by Prevost (1998), there are variety of opportunities added to SME’s, including efficiency and productivity for business process, the development of new market opportunity (B2C andB2B) as well as access to global market. Also, the e-commerce give SME’s opportunity to exploit competitive and know how benefits as suggested by Tagliavini et al. (2001). Nevertheless, how to use e-commerce as an opportunity to SME’s will depend on the industry and firm factor implied by Drew (2003). These influenced factors include: The smaller firm’s technical and Internet knowledge; The rate at which the market is growing; The pace of innovation and change in the industry; The technical and Internet strengths of the larger competitors; The sources of competitive advantage for the smaller business; The strategic intent of the larger competitors; and The structure of the industry in which the firm competes. Generally, the market, industry structure, and macro-environment will be the major influenced factors that decide e-commerce as an opportunity or threat for SME’s. Therefore, although it is not doubt that e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity for SME’s in the range of business activities, the external and internal factors must be considered strategically while adopting e-commerce. However, Tagliaviniet al (2001) argued, the real opportunity of E-Commerce adoption force’s is still unclear(p.211). Global Trading The significant opportunity for SME’s is to extend existing market to international market addressed by a number of authors (OECD, 1998;Webb and Sawyer, 1998; Walczuch et al., 2000 and Giessen et al., 2001).Giessen (2001) remarks â€Å"the twin phenomena of globalization and-commerce pose new challenges and provide competitive opportunities for large and small firms alike†. It is an imperative opportunity force’s to access the global market, as the one of the important feature of e-commerce is global reach as stated by Loudon (2001). Therefore, ME’s are expecting the opportunity to extend existing market into globalization by using e-commerce. Undoubtedly, Internet has provided chance for SME’s to diminish the entry barrier and costs into global trading market as electronic commerce offers companies the possibility to sell internationally, effectively removing constraints of time and location and substantially enhancing their competitiveness, and it is the most imperative opportunity for SME’s to increase productivity andthe capability to entry markets and discover business partners globally(OECD, 1998). Indeed, the reach of global market is an exciting opportunity for SME’s to grow in terms of the size of company and competitive advantage. However, Jutland et al. (2002) proclaims that â€Å"globalization pressures arising from e-commerce operations often mean that SME’s have to acquire international trade knowledge. Publishing company’s website in the Internet is simple but trading in the global market is not so simple task for any of the SME’s. As Teethe and Burn (2001) points out that the challenge for SME’s are complicated byte general lack of clearly defined frameworks for analysis of the entire processes of strategy building, implementation and management with aspect to the emergent global information economy. However-commerce truly provides the great opportunity for SME’s to increase competence with lager firms in variety of business opportunities as well as an opportunity to extend trading geography. The various opportunities offered by e-commerce are the significant riving factors that encourage a firm to adopt e-commerce as its business operation. Threats Although the use of e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity force’s in range of business activities, e-commerce might become a threat for SME’s while trying to explore a variety of opportunity by using-commerce. As Drew (2003) indicates there are a number of threats of-commerce for SME’s. These threats include increasing competition from larger firms as the new medium allows larger firms to mimic the traditional strengths of SME’s in serving niche markets, developing customer intimacy E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Analysis of innovation of e-commerce in small and medium-sized enterprises In the last decade large organisations have realised the increasing impact of new and cutting edge technology. Clark (1989) emphasized on the importance of technology to gain competitive advantage but at the same time he warned that building and maintaining such advantage will always be a challenge. Information technology in the form of internet has allowed organisations and their management to benefit from better quality information and better decision making. White (1997) adds that the internet is extremely effective in attracting computer literate people. Especially Internet has made a prolific influence on the business world. The internet has become an area where consumers are able to find what they need (Amor, 2002). This is clearly evident by the growth of internet in the last few years as shown in figure 1. Being involved with the new technologies brought many opportunities and easiness to reach products to consumers anywhere, anytime in the world (McKenna,2002). The new technological innovations have allowed organisations to conduct business in a completely new way by using online electronic transaction mechanisms and the concept of E-Commerce evolved(Gunasegaram Love, 1999; Westland and Clark, 1999). Today in most of the business and commerce sector IT has taken the form of E-Commerce. Figure 1 Growth of internet E-commerce is a major innovation, which has benefited industries across the globe even the Small and Medium Industries. The SME’s in Itself amount to a large part of the economy, at the moment there are12000 SME’s using EDI, electronic data interchange to further their businesses. Although the SME’s are contributors to the national economy of any country, the whole framework used to build them lacks transparency. There are problems around the financial resources available to keep them going; there is not enough legislative and administrative support from the government. On the business front these enterprises lack the right kind of management vigour, style, knowledge, and experience in handling more developed innovative technologies, which are inundating the markets. This is something they need to be aware of in order to survive the competitive environment. The SME’sdon’t have a single development system, which can safeguard theirinterests. They need an integrated approach, which encompasses threelevels, strategic, institutional, and enterprise. The government andthe public/private sector need to offer support for the fulfilment ofthis long-term strategy, which will make SME’s into profit centres’-commerce brings in a host of advantages as well as disadvantages tome’s and this project is an attempt to learn more and develop deeper understanding into the effect of technical innovations in e-commerce on Small and medium sized enterprises [Kyiv, 1997]. This study attempts to add to the existing literature by looking at hawse’s are approaching to incorporate e-commerce into their business strategy or how they are trying to improve their existing approach. This study will also evaluate consumer experiences of online shopping and how e-commerce has impacted on their expectations and goes on to suggest how online stores may need to improve if they are to meet these new expectations. 2. Aims and Objectives Aims The main aim of this project is to explore how the SME’s are important to the national economies and how the use of e-commerce help them gain a better position in terms of growth and profitability. There search context is based on SME’s in England to get an even background to this research question. As one knows technology and innovation always have repercussions, this project would also explore how theses ME’s deal with the disadvantages and convert them into viable benefits. This project will also find out to what extent do small firms use-commerce in their business processes and what are the barriers to the adoption of e-commerce? Customers as well as organization’s perspective towards e-commerce will be found out. Alongside the study will also try to find out how much electronic transaction have influenced the small-scale industry? Additionally this dissertation will also provide with accurate, up-to-date, research-based information about possible future trends in e-commerce. And lastly, this research will provide some suggestions and recommendations to be considered for the improvement of-commerce for small firms to develop ideas for further research in this context. This study on SME’s under different situations and circumstances would help present an overall portrayal and even help understand the issues under a magnifying glass when faced in certain sectors like manufacturing. To summarize some of the questions that will be addressed through this research are as follows: †¢ What is the status of SME’s in today’s global business environment? †¢ What is the contribution of the SME’s in the national and global economies? †¢ How will innovations like the Internet in e-commerce help the businesses in SME’s grow and become more profitable ventures? †¢ What are the problems/mistakes in the E-business strategy adopted in general by small firms in U.K? †¢ What are the problems faced by customers and organisations while dealing on internet? †¢ What are the factors that influence the development of e-commerce? †¢ Does e-commerce open up new markets for small scale industries in the United Kingdom? Objectives 1. Critically evaluate the relevant literature on small firms and the importance/usage of the internet. 2. Understand small firms’ problems and barriers to the use of e-commerce through articles, newspapers, interviews and surveys. 3. Gain specific knowledge of internet usage for small firms in business through interviews, publications and company information. 4. Provide recommendations to improve the usage of internet as a competitive tool. 5. The advent of the e-commerce, its advantages and disadvantages. 3. Literature Review E-Commerce E-commerce may be defined as â€Å"The sharing of business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions by means of Internet-based technology† (Riggins Rhee, 1998, p. 90). Alternately it may also be defined as â€Å"Anything that enhances your relationships with an existing customer and increases the revenue you get from the customer.† (Sullivan, 1998, p.24). The Internet and Electronic Commerce have made the world market smaller place to trade in. The Internet has opened up many possibilities of organising and running an online business. It has created a universal platform for buying and selling of goods which has resulted in faster transaction times and reduced transaction costs. Colin Turner (2000), in his book on the information of e-economy, talks about the e-commerce business accomplishment and strategies. E-commerce has its benefits and shortcomings, along with this belief; the companies are also battling with the pressures of information technology revolution coming to an end. â€Å"Despite all the hype surrounding electronic commerce, and the recent failure of many of that com companies, it does present real opportunities to small entrepreneurs in many countries.† (Fatal and Janet, 2004) Classification of E-commerce According to the applications or the nature of transaction of E-commerce, it can be categorized as follows: Turban et al (2000) divided E-commerce into three categories in terms of its applications: a) Electronic markets: It refers to buying and selling goods and services at an electronic marketplace, where the business centre is not a physical building but rather a network-based location. The market handles all the necessary transaction, including response to information request, purchase acknowledgement, shipping notice, purchase/service delivery, payment acknowledgement, and the transfer of money between banks and so on. In electronic market, the principal participants transaction handlers, buyers, brokers, and sellers, are not only at different locations but seldom even know one another. The means of interconnection varies among parties and can change from event to event, even between the same parties. b) Inter-organisational systems: They are facilitating inter and intra-organization flow of information, communication and collaboration. An IOS (inter-organisational information systems) involves information flow among two or more organisations. Its major objective is efficient information and transaction processing. All relationships are predetermined and there is no negotiation, just execution. A typical IOS includes a company and its suppliers and/or customers. Through it, buyers and sellers arrange routine business transactions and information is exchanged over communications networks using prearranged formats. Its main types aired (Electronic data interchange), extranets, electronic funds transfer, electronic forms, integrated messaging, shared databases and supply chain management. c) Customer service: It is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction, helping customers to resolve problems they encountered in any phase of the purchasing process. E-commerce plays a dual role in customer service. First, it provides customer service to a process that is done completely offline. Second, it provides help to online transactions. Types of customer service include answering customer inquiries, providing search and comparison capabilities, providing technical information to customers, allowing customers to track order status, and allowing customers to place an online order and so on. Kalakos Whinstone (1997) contended that there are three distinct general classes of electronic commerce applications: a) Inter-organizational Electronic Commerce: Like Turban et al above, Kalakos Whinstone consider that-commerce can be applied in following inter-organizational business: Supplier management: Electronic applications help companies reduce the number of suppliers and facilitate business partnerships by reducing purchase order (PO) processing costs and cycle times, and by increasing the number of Pops processed with fewer people. Inventory management: It shortens the order-ship-bill cycle and time of transmitting information. Businesses can also track their documents to ensure that they were received, thereby improving auditing capabilities. This also helps reduce inventory levels, improve inventory turns and eliminate out-of-stock occurrences. Distribution management: Electronic application facilitate the transmission of shipping documents such as bills of lading, pur chase orders, advanced ship notices, and manifest claims, and enable better resource management by ensuring that the documents themselves contain more accurate data. Channel management: Electronic application quickly disseminates information about changing operational conditions to trading partners. By electronically linking production-related information with international distributor and reseller networks, companies can eliminate thousands of labour hours and ensure accurate information sharing. Payment management: Linking companies with suppliers and distributors enables payment to be sent and received electronically. Electronic payment reduces clerical error, increases the speed at which companies compute invoices, and lowers transaction fees and costs. b) Intra-organizational commerce The purpose of intra-organizational applications is to help a company maintain the relationships that are critical to delivering superior customer value. Its applications are as follows: Workgroup communications: It enables managers to communicate with employees using electronic mail, videoconferencing, and bulletin board, hence increase the dissemination of information, resulting in better-informed employees. Electronic publishing: It enables companies to organize, publish and disseminate human resources manuals, product specifications and meeting minutes using tools such as the World Wide Web. Meanwhile, it reduces costs for printing and distributing documentation, faster delivery of information and reduction of outdate information. Sales force productivity: These applications improve the flow of information between the production and sales forces, and between the firms and customers. The goal is to allow firms to collect market intelligence quickly and to analyse if more thoroughly. c) Consumer-to-Business Electronic Commerce Social interaction: Consumers can communicate with each other through e-mail, videoconferencing, and news group etc. Personal finance management: El ectronic applications enable consumers to manage investments and personal finances using online banking tools. Purchasing products and information: Consumers can find online information about existing and new products/services. Turban et al (2000) further goes on to describe E-Commerce based on the types of transactions and are more popularly known as: B2B (Business-to-Business): Most of E-commerce today is of this type. It includes the IOS transactions and electronic market transactions between organisations. B2C (Business-to-Consumer): These are retailing transactions with individual shoppers. C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): In this category, consumers sell directly to consumers. C2B (Consumer-to-Business): In this category, consumers sell directly to organisations. Challenges to E-Commerce Although the Internet offers great deals of advantages to electronic commerce and businesses, it also provides a number of challenges. Some of these challenges as mentioned by Turban et al (2000) are discussed below: 1. Unsuccessful Business Models Not all companies that implement electronic commerce make benefits. Technologies changes so rapidly that keeping pace with change ultimately becomes too expensive or results in a failure. 2. Channel Conflicts Sometimes a company uses more than one distribution channel (Online as well as traditional channels) to sell its products and services. This can cause conflict between the dealers as it becomes important in such case to maintain a balance between the different channels. For e.g.it might be possible that a particular company tries to sell its product online at a lesser cost with some discount and maintains the original cost while selling it offline. This disparity can cause its dealers to create a problem. 3. Legal Issues Internet Law s are confusing and mostly non-existent. Also the Internet’s global and is used by individuals from different countries and thus it becomes difficult to decide which law to apply if a conflict arises. 4. Security Privacy This is the most important issue concerned with online transactions and businesses. Important information and valuable data like credit/debit card details, personal information, business plans and other company data can be easily leaked and tracked by hackers. Security risk in electronic payments has been one of the major reasons in making online businesses not to grow rapidly over the Internet. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Different countries define small medium enterprises in different ways. Teethe and Burn (2001) define small medium enterprises (SME) as â€Å"firms with less than 500 employees. This is further broken down into micro companies, those with less than 5 employees; small companies, those with 5 to 20 employees and medium companies, those with between20 and 500 employees. On the other hand, the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI, 1999) define SME’s as firms with 250 employees or fewer. The European Commission (2003) defines SME’s as follows: microenterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 10 employees, maximum turnover of 2 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of total of 2 million euros. While small enterprises are enterprises with maximum number of 50 employees, a maximum turnover of 10 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 10 million euros. Finally medium enterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 250employees, a maximum turnover of 50 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 43 million euros. Figure 2 SME Thresholds (European Commission, 2003) Buncombe (1999) points out that a number of studies have attempted to collect information on the make-up of Botswanas SME sector, by gaining access to official statistics and by conducting field surveys in connection with various research projects. According to the report, he defines enterprises according to the number of employees, annual turnover, and level of formality. There is no real universally standard definition for Small firms. In a study carried by the ILO, more than 50definitions were identified in 75 different countries, with considerable ambiguity in the terminology used. For the purpose of this study the author will go with the definition of Small firms which defines Small firms as firms with 49 or fewer employees. From the foregoing definition of small medium enterprises (SME’s) by different researchers, it can be seen that the number of employees and turnover are the determinant factors in the definition of SME, but, the criteria is different from country to country. SME’s and E-Commerce Internet became a main way for effective marketing in business. It is one of the most effective media all over the world and this makes it compulsory channel to use for market entries. Specifically, small firms have major problems with strong companies and existing small firms about market entries in the market. They have to prove their identity in the market as an enterprise despite all these rivalry and difficulties such as web design, domain name, site security responsibilities to customers, etc. They have to let customers know that they are in the market and internet is an efficient way to do so. Furthermore, cost advantages which come with e-commerce are reasonable for market entry. Small firms have a lot of to do as they are new tithe market or they need to grow in the market. They try to cut costs and increase investments in their business. Internet provides great opportunity to small firms for their activities in the market. Even as they serve a local or regional market rather than a national or an international market, it might be difficult to enter market or to reach customers. E-commerce appears as the most efficient way to gain successor small firms in existing fierce rivalry. The small firms generally provide the majority of the jobs and are significant contributor towards the national economy (Baldwin, 2001).Small and medium scale enterprises are considered to be the core out’s economy. According to Smith et al (2000) 99% of UK business firms can be categorized as small businesses and they employ up to 58% out’s total workforce. Hence small firms are extremely important in UK’s economy and the government expends considerable resources to support this sector. The UK government admits that small firms are neglected and left behind while the larger companies getting advantage over small businesses in the e-commerce world (Simpson; Docherty, 2004) Thus it’s very important to study the problems and barriers encountered in adopting a new economy cycle by the sector which represents the majority of the countries businesses. Sadowski et al (2002) notes that even after the widespread use of internet technologies in the corporate world, the amount of Internet use varies to a great extent in the small-scale sector. The adoption of any new technology in this sector is influenced by the several variables as stated by Martens et al (2001). These factors may include the characteristic of the firm, its competitiveness, the influence it has on third parties in the decision process, the management strategy and the characteristic of the new technology itself. All these factors lead company to strategic advantage if they used as they should be. It is important that the company sustains strategic advantage from e-commerce. Competitive business environment makes this matter more important (Hiding, 1999).As long as the company provides well designed web-site that suits with business and its requirements, then strategic advantage can be sustained. Thomas H. Davenport (1993), in his book, ‘Process Innovation –Reengineering work through information technology talks about, how revolutionary approach to information technology and its integration in our business processes can change the scenario. This can dramatically change the way business is conducted in small and medium enterprises also improve the performance keeping in view the competitive environment. New technologies and process innovation brings a new commitment and strategic evolution to these enterprises. Resources like information technology and e-commerce are largely untapped by the SME’s but once that scenario changes, there will be a lot of improvisations and growth avenues. Mandel (2001) says that every technological innovation and discovery finally has it downturn. When these new opportunities like e-commerce come into play, all businesses want ashore of this market. In their rush to get more profits, the investments are so heavy and lacking direction that invariably it leads to a loss since the economy infrastructure cannot support it. This has been proven with the dotcom burst and doom. According to some authors, these SME’s can actually use the innovation of e-commerce to march forward and become integral contributors to the economies. Due to their sizes they lack the initiative and financial power to go all out and compete in different markets, e-commerce could be the solution to some of the marketing gaps, which hold them back from becoming more successful. Importance of SME’s to countries’ economies Baraka (2001) reports that growing evidence indicates that Small Medium Enterprises play an important role in promoting the national economic development of any country. They create a lot of new jobs and produce much of the creativity and innovation that fuels economic progress. Ninety present of the total number of companies in most countries is comprised of small medium enterprises, which provide on average 70% of job opportunities (OECD, 1997). 26% of OECD exports and35% of Asias export are directly produced by small medium firms as suggested by Tendon (2002). The existing literature from research in different studies points out that Small medium enterprises (SME) world-wide have found that Internet use has become a critically important aspect of their business. Porter(2001) supports this view and suggests that companies of all sizes should have a strategy of reacting to competitors and increased adoption of the Internet technology, which will lead to increase in competition within markets. He further points out that e-commerce reduces the difference among competitors offerings and frequently migrate competition to price rather than products features or brand perceptions. He also suggests that smaller businesses could improve their business competitiveness with either other small businesses or larger companies by adopting e-commerce. Porter (2001) is backed up by an earlier study (Jacobs and Rowland 2000). They suggest that smaller businesses have, in particular, been encouraged to adopt e-commerce as a means of improving their competitiveness, either with other small medium enterprises or with larger companies, where they have been promised that e-commerce can level the playing. According to Daniel and Wilson (2002), small and medium-sized enterprises are now increasingly making use of e-commerce. Daniel further suggests that â€Å"responding to competitive pressure was the main reason leading to companies to adopt e-commerce. Information sharing and communication between employees within the firm were found to bethe e-commerce activities where firms are realizing the greatest benefits. Hence, though the future of e-commerce is still unpredictable, it is important that developing countries, their governments and businesses should prepare for these new developments. Benefits of e-commerce to SME’s A growing number of organisations have implemented e-commerce in the hope of improving decision making, lowering costs and improving customer satisfaction levels. A major benefit of e-commerce is cost reduction as Tagliavini et al (2001) pointed out a correct adoption of-commerce could lead to a reduction of transaction costs and coordination costs. Also, Davies and Garcia (1999) argue that benefits for SME’s are faster communication, effective dissemination and collection of information and closer relationships throughout the supply chain. Meanwhile, Liu and Arnett (2000) suggested theatre-commerce can help business organisations cut costs, interact directly with customers, run more smoothly and in a timelier manner, and even better, it can help an organization outperform its competition. Further driving factors of e-commerce for SME’s are also identified by Auger and Gallagher (1997) as follows: access to an Affluent Customer Base, lower Information Dissemination Costs, lower Transaction Costs, broader Market Reach, increased Service, additional Channels for Customer Feedback and Consumer and Market Research. Reducing costs, better communication with customers, access to larger customer base, and extended market are the major benefits of using-commerce agreed by a number of authors. At the same time, the more detailed benefits of e-commerce to SME’s are summarized as follows: †¢ Innovative products, better services and exploring new market opportunities; †¢ Shift in value added and content components of what is made and sold; †¢ Changes to economies of scale and the traditional barriers and advantages of large enterprises; †¢ Untying work functions from specific locations and time constraints; †¢ Flattening and disaggregating of organisational structures; †¢ Scope for customization at low cost; and †¢ Commercialization of in-house content and know-how. However, a study conducted by Poon (1999) found that the benefits of Internet commerce could be classified into long-term and short-term benefits, direct and indirect benefits. He suggested that the short-term benefits should be achieved within a few months, while the long-term benefits may take longer and unable to be predicted. The use of e-commerce can benefit SME’s in terms of reducing costs and access to larger customer base in the short term, and business transformation in the future. The use of e-commerce will also have a great deal of effect on the SME’s business activities as Tagliavini et al. (2001)indicated that E-Commerce has an important influence on SME’s; range of activity, providing increased competition on a global scale and allowing them to access wider markets. From the above literature it could be rightly said that E-Commerce adoption is an essential business strategy for SME’s to obtain competitive advantage. Opportunities and Threats faced by SME’s There are major opportunities for new entrepreneurs and small- to medium-sized businesses to flourish in the maturing of e-commerce(Drew, 2003). The use of e-commerce has provided a variety of benefits for SME’s as well as a number of potential opportunities. â€Å"The Internet’s usually presented as an opportunity for smaller firms because it helps reduce transaction costs and level the playing field (Evans and Wurster, 1997). The opportunities for SME’s include expanding scope of marketing, wider and richer communication, reaching new market and reducing cost of operations and partnering with suppliers (Drew, 2003). According to a report conducted by Prevost (1998), there are variety of opportunities added to SME’s, including efficiency and productivity for business process, the development of new market opportunity (B2C andB2B) as well as access to global market. Also, the e-commerce give SME’s opportunity to exploit competitive and know how benefits as suggested by Tagliavini et al. (2001). Nevertheless, how to use e-commerce as an opportunity to SME’s will depend on the industry and firm factor implied by Drew (2003). These influenced factors include: The smaller firm’s technical and Internet knowledge; The rate at which the market is growing; The pace of innovation and change in the industry; The technical and Internet strengths of the larger competitors; The sources of competitive advantage for the smaller business; The strategic intent of the larger competitors; and The structure of the industry in which the firm competes. Generally, the market, industry structure, and macro-environment will be the major influenced factors that decide e-commerce as an opportunity or threat for SME’s. Therefore, although it is not doubt that e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity for SME’s in the range of business activities, the external and internal factors must be considered strategically while adopting e-commerce. However, Tagliaviniet al (2001) argued, the real opportunity of E-Commerce adoption force’s is still unclear(p.211). Global Trading The significant opportunity for SME’s is to extend existing market to international market addressed by a number of authors (OECD, 1998;Webb and Sawyer, 1998; Walczuch et al., 2000 and Giessen et al., 2001).Giessen (2001) remarks â€Å"the twin phenomena of globalization and-commerce pose new challenges and provide competitive opportunities for large and small firms alike†. It is an imperative opportunity force’s to access the global market, as the one of the important feature of e-commerce is global reach as stated by Loudon (2001). Therefore, ME’s are expecting the opportunity to extend existing market into globalization by using e-commerce. Undoubtedly, Internet has provided chance for SME’s to diminish the entry barrier and costs into global trading market as electronic commerce offers companies the possibility to sell internationally, effectively removing constraints of time and location and substantially enhancing their competitiveness, and it is the most imperative opportunity for SME’s to increase productivity andthe capability to entry markets and discover business partners globally(OECD, 1998). Indeed, the reach of global market is an exciting opportunity for SME’s to grow in terms of the size of company and competitive advantage. However, Jutland et al. (2002) proclaims that â€Å"globalization pressures arising from e-commerce operations often mean that SME’s have to acquire international trade knowledge. Publishing company’s website in the Internet is simple but trading in the global market is not so simple task for any of the SME’s. As Teethe and Burn (2001) points out that the challenge for SME’s are complicated byte general lack of clearly defined frameworks for analysis of the entire processes of strategy building, implementation and management with aspect to the emergent global information economy. However-commerce truly provides the great opportunity for SME’s to increase competence with lager firms in variety of business opportunities as well as an opportunity to extend trading geography. The various opportunities offered by e-commerce are the significant riving factors that encourage a firm to adopt e-commerce as its business operation. Threats Although the use of e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity force’s in range of business activities, e-commerce might become a threat for SME’s while trying to explore a variety of opportunity by using-commerce. As Drew (2003) indicates there are a number of threats of-commerce for SME’s. These threats include increasing competition from larger firms as the new medium allows larger firms to mimic the traditional strengths of SME’s in serving niche markets, developing customer intimacy