Reading response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 38

Reading response - Essay Example It is usually upon the branch managers and leadership to design time to ensure achievement of given targets. The strict targets compel managers to set employees on long working hours. Since the management does not provide money or measures for compensating the overtime workers, the extra service goes free. To Wal-Mart, unpaid overtime is just good for the company does its employees favor, â€Å"Working unpaid overtime equaled saving your job.† Besides subjecting workers to unpaid overtime, the business also discriminates and abuses women. Despite women being the majority employees, few hold management positions. The company also limits the freedom of workers since it counters attempts for unionization rapidly. The management is usually ready to do anything possible to prevent unionization, â€Å"Wal-Mart hired a consulting firm named Alpha Associates to develop a union avoidance program.† Olsson responds to counterarguments by presenting facts of surveys or history of Wal-Mart retail store. For instance, Olsson counters the company’s claims of training promoting women by referring to a 2001 survey conducted by Wal-Mart executive. The survey showed that female managers get lower pay than men in the same positions do. In terms of history, the management of Wal-Mart prefers delinking the different branches to crush relations. However, Olsson recommends that the workers can only succeed in their fight only if they mobilize all branches. The central theme of Mallaby for writing the article is to fault any views that seem to place Wal-Mart in bad pictures. According to Mallebye, Wal-Mart provides health cover to its workers, and plots to contain costs of health care in the future. Mallabye is so defensive to the company to an extent of proposing that Wal-Mart attack billboards, newspapers, and any press that is tarnishing its name. Mallabye claims that Wal-Mart is the best company considering its struggle towards

TWA flight 800 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

TWA flight 800 - Research Paper Example The technology leading to the case was the location of the plane, possible electrical arcing, and auto-ignition. The investigations were led by the NTSB and FBI, who disapproved the bomb and the missile theory. The findings include that the defective condition of the wiring could have caused the ignition of the fuel vapor at the central tank. Recommendation presented include that the central tank should be kept full and that air conditioners should be relocated or insulated from the tank. Impacts on engineering include change to continual review of the aircraft’s hardware. Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦.1 Table of Contents†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦..2 List of figures†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....3 List of Figures†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3 1. ... .†¦13 2.3 Recommendations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦14 3. IMPACT ON ENGINEERING PRACTICES†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦.15 4. CONCLUSION†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦16 5. WORKS CITED†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦17 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Image of the TWA Flight 800 before the explosion: www.stat.ucla.edu, 1996 Figure 1.2 Image of the TWA Flight 800 after the explosion (a CIA explosion) www.washingtonpost.com, January 1997 Figure 1.1 Image of the TWA Flight 800 showing the position of the central fuel tank www.elvis.engr.wisc.edu, 1997 Figure 1.3 Image of the TWA Flight 800 showing the position of the central fuel tank www.elvis.engr.wisc.edu, 1997 1. INTRODUCTION Twenty minutes after its take off from the JKF international Airport at New York – on July 17, 1996 – TWA Flight 800 exploded. The plane was heading to Paris. During the clash, all the 230 passengers aboard the plane died from the explosion. The cause of death for the passengers – as explained by medical specialists – was the phenomenal whiplash of the flames after the explosion of the central fuel tank (Flanner 4). This report presents the general theories explaining the causes of the explosion – including the bomb and the missile theory as well as the conditions of the central fuel tank, which may have led to the explosion. The paper will discuss the investi gation of the explosion, the findings after inquiry and the recommendations developed. The impact of these findings on engineering practices will also be reviewed. Figure 1.1 Image of the TWA Flight 800 before the explosion www.stat.ucla.edu,

Globalisations Impact On British American Tobacco Economics Essay

Globalisations Impact On British American Tobacco Economics Essay There are many definitions and understandings of the term globalisation which can be found from many sources. The writers understanding of the term globalisation is that operations all around the world are growing more and more interdependent on goods and services in a way that nationality doesnt serve as a boundary any more. The actual and potential, positive and negative impacts of globalisation can be limitless and are depending on which views are taken and what operation it is applied to. It is easier to limit the amount of data viewed through a PESTLE analysis on the subject company. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are the entities that are most usually associated with globalisation other than countries. They have a headquarters in one home country but have operations and assets in other countries. These MNEs have to always be very sensitive and sensible when operating or planning to operate in foreign environments. They have to plan and react quickly to adapt to foreign environments and all other factors that might affect productivity and support of foreign operations. Alternatively, other than building new operations which may or may not work in a new environment, MNEs can also acquire successful business models or acquire successful operations if their finances allow them doing so. With businesses come investments. When a MNE invests in a foreign nation or foreign environment, is it called a foreign direct investment (FDI). Most countries are very welcoming to FDIs. It is a help to their economy when a foreign investment comes in. Some countries go to great lengths to improve their infrastructure and support systems as well as other financial attractions such as tax rebates or preferential tax discounts for a certain period of time. This is because FDIs result in not only a boost of currency into their economy, it also implies much jobs made for locals to take up and can mean well improvement for the local community. This can for the short and long term well boost and improve the standard of living for the local communities employed to assist in operations of the MNE. 1.2 Globalisation on British American Tobacco (BAT) BAT as its namesake was formed as a joint venture between Imperial Tobacco of the United Kingdom and American Tobacco of the United States. BAT was an answer to an intense trade war which provided a solution to both founding companies and allowed for more freedom and growth of the tobacco industry by their means (British American Tobacco Our history, 2010). As of such, even the beginning of BAT can be seen an effect of globalisation. It was formed between founding companies of different nationalities and now has operations of production, manufacture and marketing in at least 36 countries (British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BAT) Group websites, et al 2010). Dealing in business with the tobacco industry for around 98 years, BAT has had to be very sensitive and quick to respond to global issues regarding their operation all around the world in many countries. In their effort of attaining their vision which is to achieve leadership of the global tobacco industry, BAT has expanded their operations by building and acquiring successful business models in at least 36 countries (British American Tobacco Our strategy, 2010). The FDI provided by BAT is extensive and very welcome in all these assisting nations. Even though there is a social stigma that tobacco companies are facing controversy such as pollution and being harmful to their users, it is a well known and concrete fact that the tobacco industry is a well rewarding industry for all the players, stake holders and share holders involved. That being said, BAT does not ignore the pleas and demands of local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well. BAT employs a substantial effort in reducing the inherent risks a cigarette user has to face such as reducing tar in their cigarettes. BAT also has efforts in protecting the environment which will be explained in more detail in later parts of this document. In the following pages will be a PESTLE analysis of BAT facing globalisation and suggestions which could improve their conditions in facing these challenges. 2.0 PESTLE analysis of BAT facing globalisation 2.1 Political analysis of BAT facing globalisation Globally BAT is well known as a MNE which brings many successful tobacco brands into international operation. BAT is not seen as facing any direct political pressure since 1937 when Japan invaded China and caused cigarette sales to cease for more than 4 years. The tobacco industry along with BAT does seem to face some pressure from certain NGOs but that will be explained further in the following segments. 2.2 Economic analysis of BAT facing globalisation BAT as an MNE provides good and services expected of a player in the tobacco industry. BAT rewards their share holders and stake holders very well. The FDI invested by BAT brings employment opportunities and development to most of the countries they invest in. Tobacco is the worlds most widely cultivated non-food crop. Even in countries that do not have tobacco manufacturing, tobacco distribution is an important source of economic activity. Tobacco taxes are a major source of revenue for almost every government in the world (British American Tobacco Tobaccos economic contribution, 2010). 2.3 Socio-cultural analysis of BAT facing globalisation As mentioned before, the tobacco industry along with BAT faces stigma for its products which bring inherent risks to their users. It is obvious that if you burn anything and inhale the smoke you would eventually damage your lungs. Consumers are now growing more aware of this and BAT has responded by efforts to reduce tar and other contaminants in their products. BAT still markets the aroma, flavour, taste and texture of their products along with the image. BAT maintains that it is the user who decides whether or not they want to expose themselves to the risks of smoking cigarettes (British American Tobacco Malaysia Should smokers smoke less or lower tar?, 2010). 2.4 Technological analysis of BAT facing globalisation BAT is also dependent on the state of technology that the country they invest in. The process begins from farming of tobacco crops, to processing of tobacco, to manufacture of tobacco products and eventually delivery of tobacco products. Low tech processes such as farming and curing of tobacco can also lend their techniques to farmers who can apply those techniques to other crops. The manufacture of tobacco is a highly automated and high technology process which involves building factories around the world and securing the best machinery (British American Tobacco Manufacturing, 2010). Delivery of tobacco and tobacco products rely on transport and infrastructure logistics which need cooperation with the government to provide the best infrastructure which will also benefit the citizens of the nation. 2.5 Legal and legislative analysis of BAT facing globalisation BAT is not seen to be a culprit in the eyes of legal and legislative power in any reports. The tobacco industries along with BAT are in fact victims to illicit trade as a result of high priced cigarettes due to high taxes imposed on tobacco products all over the world. Illicit trade could expose users to more risks as counterfeit products can not guarantee the high standard and qualities that BAT maintains. There are also links that illicit trade could fund other more sinister illegal activities (Tobacco Underground | Articles, 2010). BAT is also interested in battling child labour and working with the United Nations (UN) in countries where human rights are abused such as MÃ ©xico and Brazil (British American Tobacco Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco Growing Foundation, 2010). 2.6 Environmental analysis of BAT facing globalisation Tobacco products are results of the tobacco crops and that is why BAT has placed high emphasis on renewable productivity and enhancing use of natural resources. BAT has efforts in ecosystem and biodiversity protection (British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership, 2010), protection of woodlands and renewal of firewood through afforestation programmes (British American Tobacco Afforestation programmes, 2010). BAT aims to be self sufficient in its operations so that they dont add burden to the damaged environment. 3.0 Illicit trade of tobacco products The international tobacco industries along with BAT are facing a loss and a threat from the growing scourge of illicit trade. Illicit trade includes contraband, counterfeit and smuggled tobacco products. The reason for this on going phenomenon is because of the ever increasing price of cigarettes. Smuggled tobacco products are the least harmful of the illicit trade. Usually they are smuggled from areas where taxes are non existent or significantly lower than the targeted areas of sales. This eats into the profits of BAT and affects profits of shareholders, stakeholders and governments in the form of lost taxes. Contraband is similar so smuggled products but it might be more damaging than smuggled items are the sources of contraband could be from theft, hijacking of delivery trucks, breaking and entering of shipment crates and other violent and damaging methods (Tobacco Underground | Articles, 2010). Counterfeit could be the most dangerous form of illicit trade to the user. The user is attracted to illicit trade as prices of counterfeit are far more affordable than authentic tobacco products. What the user does not suspect is that the counterfeit product does not hold the high standards and quality of BAT and could cause more risks and damage to the users health and overall wellbeing. The losses from illicit trade not only cause losses to BAT and their accompanying share holder and stake holders. It also undermines the abilities of BAT to return the profits to the government in the form of taxes. Purchasers of illicit tobacco items could also be shocked to know that they could be indirectly financing terrorist activities of violent terrorists such as al-Qaeda and the Real Irish Republican Army (IRA) (Tobacco Underground | Articles Terrorism and Tobacco, 2009). 3.1 Recommendations on the struggle against illicit trade They consumers are the people supporting illicit trade. There should be more education programmes and campaigning that could be done to educate the public against the ills of illicit trade. The buyers might stop if they know the illicit products they purchase are possibly linked to violence, abuse, and terrorism. They might also switch back to original tobacco products if they learn that counterfeit tobacco producers do not carry out as much research and development work and ensure a high quality and standard which aims to satisfy user demands and reduce the inherent risks of smoking. It is high time that the governments of countries worldwide realise that illicit trade in tobacco causes all the above damages and on top of that also reduces the tax money that the governments could potentially be paid. It is partly due to the governments high taxes on tobacco products that illicit trade occurs. The funds collected from taxes on legitimate tobacco product sales can be put to good use such as the wide and varying governmental functions. The government should further act on its part by enforcing laws against illicit trade. There are in existence laws and policies against illicit trade but they are simply not enforced to an acceptable level which can decrease the rate of illicit trade. 4.0 BATs damage to mankind and its environment BAT is with the rest of the tobacco industry is an industry which grows and profits from burning plants which produce pollutants and risk damaging the user and the people around the user. The environment is also affected through a means of mass miniscule repetitive non systematic open burning. As a means of providing primitive fertilisers, untrained, unprofessional and inexperienced farmers burn wood harvested from woodlands. This is the first instance of burning. When crops are harvested, there is a process called curing which is sometimes accelerated through means of inefficient burning which helps dry the tobacco leaves in a shorter time. This is the second instance of burning. When the crops are cured, they are transported by land, sea or air to the factories to be made into cigarettes or other forms of tobacco products. Indirectly, the burning of fuels by the land, sea or air transport is the third instance of burning. When the tobacco reaches the factories, the tobacco is put into various automated processes which will eventually turn the cured tobacco into cigarettes or other forms of tobacco products. Indirectly, by the use of power needed move the machinery in the factories, there are carbon fuels being used by power generators. This is the fourth instance of burning. Then there is another instance of burning by transport of the finished tobacco product from the factory to the storage facilities or warehouses and another instance when transporting the said tobacco products to the retailers. Finally when the consumer purchases and starts to light and inhale the cigarette smoke, this is assumed to be the seventh and last stage of burning. Burning is not the only pollution. There is a chance of littering which the tobacco product user might contribute to. Throughout the production process, there are also chances that those involved in the production process are also smoking cigarettes themselves. From this simple short journey, we can see at least seven stages of burning and carbon emissions being released. It is wishful thinking to say that BAT is unaware of this but wishes to contribute to environmental efforts. 4.1 Recommendations on BATs environmental efforts Carbon emissions are only one of BATs environmental damage which it can help address. Through thorough research and development (RD), BAT has managed to discover certain techniques which help in irrigation of pesticides and fertilisers which can improve efficiency and effectiveness in farming of tobacco crops. There are also plans in the future to genetically modify (GM) tobacco crops to be hardier, more resistant to pests and infections and produce more yield per crop and yield sooner than traditional non GM tobacco crops (British American Tobacco Leaf research, 2010). BAT also invests time in properly training their farmers so that they can receive the best results with the shortest amount of time. Farmers are given practical training on optimal farming techniques which the farmers can then apply on other crops as well (British American Tobacco Social Responsibility in Tobacco Production, 2010). BAT encourages their farmers to plant their own renewable sources of wood for fuel in countries where wood is used as fuel. It is generally to offset carbon emissions by planting more greens. This is attributed to the effect of plants absorbing carbon dioxide as they grow (British American Tobacco Afforestation programmes, 2010). 5.0 Conclusion In conclusion, although BAT is a highly successful MNE which produces much monetary profit for their share holders, stake holders and foreign invested governments; BAT still has reasons to improve and be a more productive entity. In dealing with the scourge of illicit trade, they have to be more proactive and cooperate with governments of the world to engage and discourage tobacco product users from supporting illicit trade. If illicit trade is eliminated, more of the funds from purchases of legitimate tobacco products would flow back into the legitimate tobacco companies and the governments that they pay their taxes to. In dealing well with the environment, BAT is doing well but still can improve on conservational and preservation efforts. With more RD, BAT should be able to uncover more ways to reduce environmental damage throughout their operations and also seeks ways to harness the use of natural resources more efficiently. In doing so, BAT can secure the environment as a renewable resource which can be better utilised in the future.

Ethics and the Advancement of Military Technology Essay -- Philosophy

I. Introduction: Technology in the light of military weaponry has been one of the growingly controversial issues that the world faces today. Among the top weapon types that have advanced greatly over the past recent years are nuclear, chemical and biological weaponry. Though the United States government and military has been enthusiastically involved in the evolution of these weapons, their enthusiasm dwindles when responsibility must be taken for the consequences that result. Consequences that are left unresolved or postponed only bring about more doubts and questions that all branch off of one basic issue: Is it ethical to continue the advancement of nuclear, chemical and biological warfare when the results cannot be controlled? II. Basic History of Military Weapons: "Don't one of you fire until you see the whites of their eyes."- Colonel William Prescott, Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775 Military weaponry has developed over the ages branching from three main keys of destruction: nuclear, chemical, and biological attack. In order to understand the capabilities each hold in the present day, basic understanding is needed of how each was initially developed. Nuclear power was first introduced into the world of weaponry on July 16, 1945 in Alamogordo, New Mexico when the United States tested out their first nuclear bomb named ‘Trinity’.7 Following Trinity’s blazing entrance came the testing of similar bombs by the governments of the Soviet Union, England, France, China, and India.7 In order to compete with these mirrored foreign bombs, on November 1, 1952, the United States entered into the Thermonuclear Age, as they exploded ‘Mike’, their first thermonuclear bomb, in the Pa... ...u. 5 Dec 1990. 562 words. <http://www.washtimes.com/> 7. Nuclear Weapons: The High Energy Weapons Archive. 6 July 2002. EnviroLink. 26 Feb 2003 <http://nuketesting.enviroweb.org/hew/> Image Bibliography: P1: http://www.darwinmag.com/read/110101/weapon_content.html P2: http://www.darwinmag.com/read/110101/weapon_content.html P3: http://www.batguano.com/nuclear/trinity.jpg P4: http://www.batguano.com/nuclear/trmap2.gif P5: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/4239/chemweapons/history.html P6: http://www.aofiles.net/main/Images/planes.jpg P7: http://bifido.net/html-data/micro/Anthrax%20(IBacillus%20anthracis-I).htm P8: http://www.immed.org/ P9: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/aaav.htm P10: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/aaav.htm P11: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/aaav.htm

History of Retail Industry

Module 7 Research Paper Table of Contents History of Retail Industry History of Retail Industry Retail history goes back all the way into the 1800s. Granted a retail business now compared to back in the 18th century is night and day. Retail in the 18th century was considered a general store only in populations over 5000 and would consist of items that were necessities. Like today, you don’t have multiple retail stores to choose from like Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart. There was one store and that was all shoppers had to buy from.Department stores were gradually introduced which gave customers a chance to choose between brands and products at one location. From JC Penney founded in 1902, to Piggly Wiggly in 1916 who was the first to offer checkout lines and self service. In 1961, Target was founded with Wal-Mart in 1962 and Kohls right behind them in 1963. It wasn’t long and Best Buy, Kmart, TJ Maxx, Costco, and many more retail stores opened their doors to the industry of shopping. It didn’t take long for the retail industry to take off and attract consumers of all kinds with the convenience of shopping and with it ame an experience as well. From department stores to grocery stores they transformed their ways of selling to gives customers not only the products they want but the atmosphere that was appealing. With Wal-Mart opening its doors in 1962 it made the 1960s the revolution in the world of retail. Today, retail industry is booming, yes with the recession it hurt some of the smaller businesses but for the most part they have stayed afloat. We did lose some big retail businesses in 2008 such as Linens N Things, Mervyns and Circuit City.Consumers are going to continue to spend regardless of the economic state of our country and especially with the online retailing that was introduced in the 1990s. Buying and spending money has been that The History of Retail | |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | à ‚  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 1956 Zayre department stores founded 1946 Zero foods founded 1951 Caldor stores founded 1961 Target stores founded 1963 Kohls founded 1962 Wal-Mart stores founded as well as Best Buy 1977 TJ Maxx founded 990 Walmart becomes worlds largest retailer 1995 Amazon. com launched 1974 First use of bar code 1983 Costco Wholesale formed 1999 Kmart celebrates 100th anniversary 2002 Walmart introduces dollar store sections 2008 Linens and THings , Mervyns, Tweeter, and Circuit City files for bankruptcy 2007 CompUSA announces clsoing 2009 Microsoft announces open 1st retail store 1951 Caldor stores founded 1902 JC Penney founded 1915 The Upham's Corner Market Co founded 1916 Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain founded 1934 Service Merchandise founded 1929 Kresge Company fou nded |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 1910| 1920| 1930| 1940| 1950| 1960| 1965| 1970| 1980| 1990| 2000| 2010|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | à ‚  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | much easier with the click of a button on your computer, iPhone, or even your tablet. Consumers can be at home, at work, or even in their car and make a purchase with the ease of the fast moving technological innovations that has touched each aspect of the retail value chain. Retail industry has built such a successful business by offering consumers a value-based experience along with convenience and the biggest of all, choice. Corporate Stakeholders The term stakeholder is a person or group that affects and organization’s decisions, policies, and operations.With this being said, the retail industry needs to make stakeholders understand the role in the industry to help protect and improve their reputation as well as build the confidence in consumers. Corporate stakeholders have to be more than a moral responsibility to the company. They need to be a part of much more from how much consumers spend to supporting key poli cy issues and in the end will change the shareholder value. Social, Economic, and Political Setting The retail industry does a lot for the social and economic setting. Wal-Mart alone does a great deal for the communities where their stores are located. Not only do they provide jobs for around 1. 5 million people, they also have competitive pricing to help local economies. Their competitive pricing brings in more than 312 billion dollars.So not only is Wal-Mart a thriving company they believe in a family work culture as well as supporting their local communities. Many retail stores leave a big footprint in their communities and worldwide. They rally around charities and do their part to put a stamp on the map. On the other hand, most in the retail industry try to keep business and politics separate which seems to be the safest position to take. Some retail businesses like Wal-Mart and Coca Cola are open to their affiliation with the Republican Party and seems to help their image with the traditional consumers but most do not want to take a chance of offending their customer base. Domestic and International EthicsStarbucks who opened their doors in 1971 to forty-one year later they have become a global company with more than 19,000 stores in 60 different countries. They have made the Ethicsphere Institute’s World most Ethical Company List for six straight years. They introduced the Ethical Coffee sourcing program in 2001 to help farms in Central and South America improve their crops while remaining environmentally aware. They helped local nurseries plant over 200,000 seedlings to restore natural forest cover as well as decreasing the use of herbicides and chemical fertilizers with farmers. They also helped train farmers to help reduce the use of carbon by replacing more than 200,000 trees. Ecological and Natural ResourcesThe retail industry has regulations made by the Environmental Protection Agency that they have to comply by to meet regulatory obligatio ns as well as helping reduce environmental impacts such as waste management, product selection and construction of new facilities. Retail businesses may have state regulations to comply by as well as Federal regulations. Many in the retail industry are taking great strides to help impact the environment. There are four areas that highly impact the environment. One is the choice of raw materials for clothing has big impacts on the environment. Cotton is known for its rigorous use of water and pesticides and the so called natural dyes that rely on the harvest of millions of insects to reach the â€Å"natural†color.The second is manufacturing. Textile dyeing and finishing mills can be high producers of water pollution and carbon dioxide emissions and by improving their mills to reduce water, energy and chemical use can really reduce the footprint of their global supply chain. The third is transportation which unfortunately manufacturers and retailers are on other ends of the glo be which any mode of transportation sends some sort of pollution into the environment. The last impact is consumer care which many consumers may not even be aware of how a few simple steps can help reduce environmental impacts tremendously. One is washing in cold water and air drying if possible.Dry cleaning is another risk to the environment due to the chemical that is used to clean the clothes called perchloroethylene which has been known to cause many health effects with exposure to this in high levels. So it is not just the retail businesses that can help make changes to better our environment it also falls on the shoulders of designers to use fabrics that don’t require dry cleaning and to the consumers that purchase to make choices that help the environment. Clean by Design launched their program in 2009 to help reduce the environmental impacts by using buying power of multinational corporations by improving processes in the environment to reducing emissions and waste.It is astonishing to see by 2011 that Target, Wal-Mart, Gap, Levis, H;M, Nike and Li ; Fung are all participating in this program and hopefully they corporations will continue to get in board and the list will continue to grow. Social Issues In today’s lively and unstable business world of retail industry they are always faced with social issues such as customer choices, brutal competitors, complex global economy and the use of the internet. Retailers are constantly trying to find new ways to make their business more profitable and ways to get more shoppers through their doors. Retail industry has caught on to engaging with society and the consumers on a personal level. They are adapting and changing to the environment around them and constantly developing new ways to serve their customers with trust and brand loyalty.Just like Timberland Company did in 2008 by making a â€Å"nutrition label† on their shoe box to show the environmental impact it has from beginning to del ivery of the shoe. The company did this in hopes of giving consumers the information they need to make environmentally smart decisions on buying. Not only did Timberland Company do this they also comprised their shoe box that is made up of 100 percent recycled post-consumer waste fiber, no chemical glues and only soy-based inks to print labels. Timberland is just one of many retail stores that take a stand on social issues. Target is another big business in the business industry that comes to mind.From opening its doors in 1988, Target has always tried to be a step above in the industry with the competitive edge logos to their reputation for low prices and offering organic foods in their superstores. They always try to maintain their mission statement which reads, â€Å"to make Target your preferred shopping destination in all channels by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation and exceptional guest experiences by consistently fulfilling our Expect More. Pay Less.  ® brand promise†. They not only cater to the consumers they are extremely involved with schools and the communities that surround them. They are partnered with St. Jude which is a huge plus for them and provide disaster relief and are always raising funds for our country’s children.Another company that has taking great strides to make their place in this economy just as their mission statement says to â€Å"Inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. Rating of the industry’s overall social responsiveness I believe the retail industry for the most part is trying to take the right steps to make a difference in the economy and help insure the environment is first priority. Over the years we have seen so many big corporations leave footprints in the global economy as well as making the appropriate changes to better the community and environment we live in. References Retail. (2010). Retrieved from http://www. cere s. org/roadmap-assessment/sector-analyses/retail Wal-Mart. (2012, December 9).History timeline. Retrieved from http://corporate. walmart. com/our-story/heritage/history-timeline https://corporate. target. com/about/history/Target-through-the-years (2012, March). In Starbucks Ethical Coffee Sourcing and Farmer Report. Retrieved November 8, 2012, from http://assets. starbucks. com/assets/6e52b26a7602471dbff32c9e66e685e3. pdf Clean by design. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. nrdc. org/international/cleanbydesign The evolution of retailing. (2009, 12). Retrieved from http://www. kpmg. com/CN/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Documents/Evolution-retailing-o-200912. pdf Ken, A. (2012, March 31). Wal-mart company.

Triangle Fire

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was an event that held relevance in American history. On March, 25, 1911 at approximately 4:40 PM a fire broke out in the company's factory in New York City which was the deadliest industrial disaster. 147 workers died in that incident, they either died from the fire or Jumped from the window. It was considered the most tragic fire incident in New York City. The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies' Garment workers' Union, which fought for better and safer working conditions for sweatshop workers in that industry† (Wikipedia) To a large extent, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire brought about many strikes and was a disaster that still lives among us (affecting us nowadays). This disaster then again lives with us for good. It will remind us for whom we have neglected upon.This way we can support the working world, as we will get the same sociability from them and others by cooperating. The fire that occurred was in many ways a disaster. However many people throughout the world especially workers), are thankful that it led to realizing the lives of the poor workers throughout the country. The fire occurred due to the poor and unsafe working condition in the factory. The Shirtwaist Factory was located on the Asch Building in Manhattan. The working area was crowded with young workers.There were about 500 workers on the top three floors. On the ninth floor, there were approximately 288 machines and 308 employers. The machines took up a lot of space in the room, so they were all close to each other. The investigation reported that the greatest umber of death occurred on the ninth floor. Also, the area was unclean due to the fact that it is a garment factory which there was pieces of cloth scattered on the floor. some workers had no time to escape. Also, the doors were locked to prevent the workers from stealing and leaving early.In my opinion, th e Triangle Shirtwaist Factory lacked of safety and cleaning environment. This was hundreds years ago, that's why it lacked of firefighting equipment because back in the day, things were different. Thus, all factories lacked of safety conditions. However, the fire marshal concluded hat cigarettes caused the fire. They could be wrong. This incident happened on a pay day where they were about to leave. What if someone deliberately set the fire to the factory? The pay rates were very low and they worked very long which I think they hated it.The owners, Blanck and Harris were not found guilty. â€Å"l believed that the door was locked at the time of the fire. But we couldn't find them guilty unless we believed they knew the door was locked. † I would have to say that the verdict on this particular case was a poor one, because the managers and owners were careless. USA lost 146 lives, because the managers and owners were lazy, a factory was burned down. Thus, the owners were only c oncerned about their well-being; USA suffered one of the worst factory fires of all time.Actually, it was the worst. In my opinion, the owners should have been guilty as charged, and should have been sentenced to Jail for a very long time, and perhaps death sentence. By looking at the list of victims, why would they hire teenager girls to work at an unsafe factory? Here is some list of victims who were identified: â€Å"Bellota, Vincenza, 16, asphyxiation/burns, Brodsky, Ida, 6 (Identified by her cousin), Maltese, Rosia, 14, asphyxiation/burns. Identified by her father (Wikipedia) it is wrong to hire girls at age of 14-16 to work long hours.The fire could have been prevented with the knowledge and procedures we use today. Like a fire alarm in the factory or firefighting equipment to stop the fire. Also, enough exit doors because having one exit door is not good because people will be pushing, etc. to get out. They should have made the room bigger so that it wont be crowded with wor kers. It is hard to keep an eye on workers if it is crowded, so a bigger room with ewer workers would have been better.Because of this incident, the safety standards have changed significantly such as better firefighting equipment, fire alarm, and helicopter. Now there are more exit doors which can only be used as an emergency and if you intend to go through that door, the fire alarm will turn on. All factories are safe, thus, now there's a trainer to teach new hired on how to be safe, etc. All factories are very strict, so there are usually 2-3 supervisors watching the workers. The owners of the company are responsible for the workers, especially a physical Job.