Honda: SWOT and PESTEL

Honda: SWOT and PESTEL Introduction of Business Environment Business Environment is individual and organization that exist outside the business and have influence direct and indirect to the business. Business Environment refers to all those internal and external factors which impact the functioning or performance of a firm and its decision making particularly strategies in the organisations. According to Gerald Bell: An organization external environment consists of those things outside an organization such as customers, competitors, government units, suppliers, financial firms and labour pools that are relevant to an organizations operations Thus, it can be said that environment as the set of external factors such as the economic factors, social factors, and government factors legal factors, political factors, which are uncontrollable in nature and affects the business decisions of organisation or company. Types of Business Environment: The business environment are divided into two ways. Micro Environment Macro Environment MICRO ENVIRONMENT The micro environment of business consists of the forces in the companys environment that affects the performance of the company. These forces are more closely linked with the business than the macro factors. According to Philip Kotler: The micro environment consists of the actors in the companys immediate environment that affects the performance of the company. These include the suppliers, marketing intermediaries, competitors, customers and the public. Micro environment factors are related Suppliers Competitors Public Labour Financiers Customers Macro environment: The macro environment of business includes activities which are uncontrollable and need proper attention on the part of a business enterprise. According to Hill and Jones The macro environment consists of the broader economic social, political, legal and technological setting within which the industry and the company are placed. Macro environment factors are related Political factor Economical factor Social factor Technological factor Environmental factor Legal factor Environmental factors internal to the firm classified SWOT as strengths and weaknesses, and external firm classified as opportunities or threats. Such an analysis of the strategic environment is referred to as a SWOT analysis. It is provides information that is helpful in firms resources and capabilities to the environment in which it operates. As such, it is helpful in strategy formulation and selection. Introduction of Company Hero Honda Motors Ltd. is an Indian manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters. Hero Honda is a joint Venture that began in 1984 between the Hero Group of India and Honda From Japan. It has been the worlds leading manufacturer of 2-wheeled motorized vehicles since 2001.During the 80s, Hero Honda became the first company in India to prove that it was promising to drive a vehicle without polluting the roads. The company introduced new age group motorcycles that set industry benchmarks for fuel saving and low emission. A legendary Fill it Shut it Forget it campaign captured the imagination of commuters across India, and Hero Honda sold millions of bikes on the commitment of better mileage. Hero Honda has developed at double digits since foundation; and today, every second motorcycle sold in the country is a Hero Honda. Every 30 seconds, someone in India buys Hero Hondas top -selling motorcycle Splendor. This celebratory season, the company sold half a million two wheelers in a single m onth-a feat supreme in global automotive history. Hero Honda has a massive network of sales and service network now over 3000 customer touch points. These touch points cover of dealerships, service stations and spare parts stockiest and authorized representatives of dealers which are located across different places. Hero Honda has a proper value system and hence it cares for its relationship with its customers. It has a unique CRM initiative i.e. Hero Honda Passport Program which is one of the key programs of this kind in the world. The program has not only helped Hero Honda understand its customers and deliver value at different price points, but has also created a reliable society of brand ambassadors. Vision The Hero Honda story began with a simple vision the vision of a transportable and an empowered India, powered by Hero Honda. This vision was driven by Hero Hondas commitment to customer, quality and excellence, and while doing so, maintaining the highest values of principles and societal responsibilities and they are believes that the fastest way to turn that dream into a reality is by outstanding focused on that vision. Mission Hero Hondas mission is to effort for synergy between technology, human resources and systems, to produce products and services that get together the performance, price and quality aspiration of its customers. At the same time maintain the highest standards of principles and social responsibilities. Strategy Hero Hondas key policy has been driven by innovation in every field of activity building a strong product portfolio across categories, exploring new markets, aggressively expanding the network and continuing to invest in brand building activities. Manufacturing Hero Honda bikes are manufactured across globally manufacturing facilities. Two of these are based at Gurgaon and Dharuhera which are located in the state of Haryana in northern India. Technology In 1980s Hero Honda company pioneered the introduction of fuel-efficient, environment friendly four-stroke motorcycles in the country. Today, Hero Honda continues to be technology pioneer. It became the first company to launch the Fuel Injection (FI) technology in Indian motorcycles, with the launch of the Glamour FI in June 2006. Products Hero Hondas product series includes variety of motorcycles that have set the industry standards across all the market segments. The company also started manufacturing scooter in 2006. Hero Honda offers large no. of products to wide variety of requirements across all the segments. Key milestone of HERO HONDA Year Event 1983 Joint partnership Agreement with Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Japan. 1984 Hero Honda Motors Ltd. Incorporated. 1985 First motorcycle CD 100 rolled out. 1987 100,000th motorcycle produced. 1989 New motorcycle model Sleek introduced. 1991 New model CD 100 SS introduced. 500,000th motorcycle produced. 1994 New motorcycle model Splendor introduced and 1,000,000th motorcycle produced. 1999 New motorcycle model CBZ introduced. 2000 4,000,000th motorcycle produced. Splendor stated World No. 1 largest selling model. Hero Honda Passport Programme CRM Programme launched 2001 New motorcycle model Passion introduced. One million productions in one year. 2002 New motorcycle models -Ambition and Dawn introduce. 2003 Become the first Indian Company to cross the growing 7 million sales and Splendor has emerged as the Worlds largest selling model for the third calendar year in a rank (2000, 2001, 2002) New model Karizma introduced. 2004 Hero Honda became the World No. 1 Company for the third consecutive year. 2005 Hero Honda is the World No. 1 for the 4th year in a row. 2006 Hero Honda is the World No. 1 for the 5th year in a row 15 million production milestone achieved. 2007 Hero Honda is the World No. 1 for the 6th year in a row New Splendor NXG launched. New Passion Plus launched. New model Hunk launched. 20 million production milestone achieved. 2008 New model Passion Pro launched. New CBZ Xtreme launched. 25 million production milestone achieved. CD Deluxe lauched with power start feature. New Glamour launched. 2009 Splendor completed 11 million production marker. New model Karizma ZMR launched. Silver jubilee celebrations. Hero Honda Business Environment (P)olitical Factors These refer to government policy such as the degree of intervention in the economy. Political decisions can impact on many critical areas for business such as the knowledge of the workforce, the health of and the quality of the infrastructure of the economy, such as Customer protection laws: These laws are designed to protect customers against unfair practices such as confusing descriptions of the product related auto mobile. Opposition laws: These are aimed at protecting small firms against bullying by larger firms and ensuring customers are not exploited by firms with monopoly power. Employment or labour laws: These cover areas such as discharge, working hours and minimum wages. Health and safety: These laws are aimed at ensure the workplace is as safe as is reasonably practical. They face issues such as training, reporting accidents and the appropriate provision of safety equipment. (E)conomic factors Economic Environment refers what is happening within the economy, for example; economic growth, interest rate, exchange rate, inflation rate, demand, wages rate etc. Marketers need to consider the trading economy in short term and long term. Economic factors have major impacts on how business operate and how to they make decisions. Hero Honda has been strongly committed not only to environmental management programmes but also express the increasingly inseparable balance between the economic concerns and the environmental and social issues faced by a business. A business must not grow at the expense of mankind and mans future but rather must provide mankind. (S)ocial factors Social factors include the demographic and cultural aspects of the external macro environment. These factors affect customer needs and the size of possible markets. Changes in social trends can contact on the demand for a firms products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. Culture is the set of morals and attitudes that are approved by a group of people and transferred from one generation to another. Social factors include health awareness, population rate, age, importance on safety. Hero Honda auto mobile change various management strategies use different strategies related age, gender, categories in society (income of society). Hero Honda has been set up on 40 acres of land along the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. The Centre-complete with wide approach roads, clean water, and education facilities for both adults and children-now nurtures a vibrant, educated and healthy community. Hero Honda taken up by the Foundation includes: Raman Munjal Memorial Hospital Raman Munjal Sports Complex Vocational Training Centre Adult Literacy Mission Marriages of underprivileged girls Rural Health Care : We must do something for the society from whose land we generate our prosperity. A quote from Chairman of Hero Honda Motors Pvt.Ltd. (T)echnological factors Technological factors include environmental and natural aspects, such as Research Development activity, technology incentive. Technology has played a essential role in developing the transportation system. Technology has also positively affected the economic status of some countries. It is generally practical that the countries employing a high level technology is a well advanced state. It has increased productivity and has contributed actually in producing more quantity with quality. Some benefits of technology in production process are: Reducing the record wastage. fewer waiting time. Decreased over production. -Reduces avoidable activities of employees. Hero Honda committed at all levels to achieve high quality in anything they do, mainly in their products and services which will meet and exceed customers growing aspiration through- Innovation in products processes and services. Continuous improvement in our total quality management systems. Teamwork and responsibility. (E)nvironmental Factors Environmental factors include the weather and climate change. Changes in temperature can impact on many industries including agriculture, tourism and insurance. With major climate changes happening due to global warming and with larger environmental awareness this external factor is becoming a major issue for firms to consider. Hero Honda environmental awareness of our employees and dealers , while promoting their involvement in ensuring noise environmental management. Institutionalise resource conservation, in particular, in the areas of oil, water, electrical energy, paints and chemicals. fulfil with all applicable environmental legislation and also controlling their environmental discharges. (L)egal Environment factor Marketing decision is affected by developments in legal environment. This environment is related of different types laws, government policies. Sometimes these laws also create new opportunities for business. (Kotler, p 2003). Legal environment refers to what is happening with changes to legislation. Legal Environment impact resources, import export, taxation, employment etc. It is reflect the policy framework and the move towards of the Governmental structure of the country and ensure that every company is performance as per the legislative structure of the country. SWOT analysis of Hero Honda (S)trengths: Sales Increase: Hero Honda experienced great growth throughout its early days. By 2002 Hero Group had sold 86 million bicycles producing 16000 bicycles a day. Today Hero Honda has many different models of motorcycles available. It holds the most popular bike in the world by sales for Its Splendor model in last many years. b) Fuel efficiency: Over all fuel consumption by its products is less in compare to other brands product. Hero Honda able to give better mileage. Because of this Hero Honda splendor has magical sales record and the reason of mileage. c) Service : Hero Honda offers free services on all their two-wheelers. Customer avail all these service within the time period or kilo metre range. d) High financial performance: The Hero Honda financial information shows that it has strong financial background in terms of sales, profit and assets. Honda Motors Ltd. the worlds largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported 31% per cent growth in profit after tax at Rs 275 crore for the third quarter October-December of financial year 2007-08. (W)eaknesses: a) High maintenance: Some of the products of hero Honda like Karizma, CBZ, Hunk require high maintenance. Less promotion and Lack of recycling scrap: The promotions and of Hero Honda are very less to its competitors and they have problem of recycling scrap. c) Labour relations: In Hero Honda Company there is no labour organized and family member of employees. The majority of the production workers, who are hired through contractors, these benefits are out of reach. (O)pportunities: a) Good will of the company: With new launch Hero honda can be benefited at present market scenario like Karizma, CBZ, Hunk has huge attraction in the younger generation because of its style, look, and power at high speeds. (T)hreats: Technical aspect: Competitor bike like Bajaj pulsar and TVS apache are threat to Hero Honda product like Karizma, CBZ and Hunk in respect to fuel economy. So if they dont short out in the new launches and give something extra in its engineering performance it may affect in demand of this company product. Inflation: If inflation increases the cost of raw material used in production will go high and selling price of product may go high that may decrease demand of the two wheeler.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity :: Book Review, David Allen

The book I chose to read is Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. David Allen is considered by Forbes Magazine to be in the top five executive coaches in the United States. He has over thirty years of experience in coaching some of the highest ranking executives in some of the biggest businesses in the United States. Time Magazine called this book, â€Å"the defining self-help business book of it’s time." The book is broken down into three main parts and thirteen chapters and sub-sections. The first part is titled The Art of Getting Things Done. It contains information on societal shifts in the workplace and ways to manage work. Among his tips, he believes everyone should physically write down every task they must accomplish on a daily basis, whether they write it on paper or electronically. They must then make decisions based on length and importance and decide which tasks to accomplish and when to accomplish them. His main point of emphasis in this first chapter is that the mind becomes too cluttered and that short-term memory should be used to focus not store things. In chapter two, the author introduces his five keys or stages to controlling/managing workflow. They are (1) to collect, (2) process, (3) organize, (4) review and (5) do. He points to these five steps as a way to organizing work that needs to be accomplished and successfully completing it. The last chapter in the firs t section is about vertically focusing on the thought process to complete projects. Allen outlines five more steps to accomplish any task. They are (1) defining purpose and principles, (2) outcome visioning, (3) brainstorming, (4) organizing, and (5) Identifying next actions. The second part of this book, which is well over  ½ of the entire book, is somewhat of a repeat of the first part but a much more detailed perspective of the methodology of David Allen. He recommends taking two days at the start of his process just to get organized. Within these two days, one should set up private workspace not only at work but at home also. In chapter five and six, Allen refers back to his five keys to control workflow, he points out to accomplish the collecting phase completely before moving onto the processing and organizing stages. This will eliminate distractions. During the processing phase, a person is not really completing any items but rather identifying what needs to be done with each one.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Essay -- History, Atomic Bomb

With the approval of American President Harry S. Truman, the fates of two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were sealed. This decision came with heavy hearts, as the United States attempted to end their involvement in World War II by using nuclear power against the nation of Japan. Truman’s primary goal in this form of attack was to discontinue the war as quickly as possible, while also sending a message to the enemy and establish the United States as the leader in atomic energy. Beginning as a secret operation labeled the Manhattan Project, atomic bombs became the new weapons of mass destruction. The evident frontrunner in nuclear technology, the United States was the first country to release atomic bombs on another nation for war purposes (not including testing), eventually creating a window for today’s modern combat. Even though it was common knowledge between scientists since 1939 that nuclear warfare was a possibility, no specialists understood the process of inventing the explosive devices. The United States, along with the United Kingdom, underhandedly worked on the Manhattan project, doling out and collaborating information until the atom bomb was completed. It was a necessity for this international government project to remain a secret, in order to make sure that Germany did not make any atomic discoveries before the Allied powers, and to surprise the Japanese with the bombings. With this goal in mind, it was essential that information would not Due to this cloak-and-dagger secrecy, the attacks were unexpected to the inhabitants of Japan, especially the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With specific objectives, the United States’ decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima required extensive research lea... ...tops within ten miles of the city there came unofficial and confused reports of a terrible explosion in Hiroshima. All of these reports were transmitted to the Headquarters of the Japanese General Staff† (Avalon Project: Chapter 7, par. 3) .Upon a staff officer’s flight survey of Hiroshima, â€Å" after flying for about three hours, while still nearly 100 miles from Hiroshima, he and his pilot saw a great cloud of smoke from the bomb. In the bright afternoon, the remains of Hiroshima were burning† (Avalon Project: Chapter 7, par. 4-5). While the damage was being observed, â€Å"a great scar on the land, still burning, and covered by a heavy cloud of smoke, was all that was left of a great city. They landed south of the city, and the staff officer immediately began to organize relief measures, after reporting to Tokyo† (Avalon Project: Chapter 7, par. 6).

Efficient and Economical Forms of Team Processes

Purpose: The research aims to study key team processes, through which the team members share their individual knowledge, create shared understanding of the team, situation, task, leading to high team performance. The current research also aims to understand how teams adapt with team processes to high task load situation. Design/Methodology: Video recordings of Nuclear Power Plant operator teams’ activity have been used for collecting and analysing data. 16 operator teams had to follow the selected same scenario, including 96 team members’ interaction. The performance scores were made by the instructors’ evaluation. Team process categories were developed based on different theoretical, empirical frameworks of team processes and semi structured analyses of transcribed communication and video recordings. Results: Specific forms of team processes help team members to build a shared conceptualization of the faced problems, thus lead to higher team performance, such as: providing directions, summarizing, projecting to the future, coherent information flow. Economical forms of team processes may help to lessen and manage high task load situation. Limitations: Team performance evaluations were based on subjective assessments of performance. The study lacks explicit team knowledge measurements. Research/Practical Implications: The revealed team process categories may serve as a valuable input for team members’ social skill focused selection and development methods. Originality/Value: The study aims to capture team processes in a naturalistic and complex work environment. The analyses reveal how good performing teams manage unpredictable high task load situation with team processes from information, knowledge sharing perspective.

Concept of Sustainble Development Essay

The tradition concept of development has for a considerable period of time been driven by economic considerations. Exploitation of natural resources which leads to environmental degradation motivated by targets of maximum profits has been the norm and little regard has been granted to the side effects of development initiatives. Gradual escalation of awareness and realisation of the range as well as the magnitude of environmental effects of development initiatives led to worldwide discussions on the way forward. Consequently, the concept sustainable development was conceived. However, this concept is perceived to be oxymoron by environmentalists, in other terms it is viewed as a combination of two contradicting terminologies. In view of the above, this essay endeavours to explain with relevant specific examples the reason why environmentalists consider the concept sustainable development as an oxymoron. In order to establish a good argument, two literature definitions of sustainable development shall be given. This will be followed by an explanation why sustainable development is considered to be oxymoron and this shall be supported by examples. And only after then shall a conclusion be stressed. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (2007: V) sustainable development is defined as, â€Å"development that meets the needs and aspirations of the present generation without causing deterioration and without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future generations†. On the other hand Todaro and Smith (2003) asserted that sustainable development entails both intra-generational and inter-generational equity. These concepts project a requirement of the present generation to meet their needs and aspirations without destroying the ability of the future generations to come and meet their needs and aspirations. As earlier alluded to, the concept s ustainable development is a mixture of two words with distinct opposing interpretations. According to Arend and Eureta (2002) sustainability entails the maintenance of the extraordinary diversity of plants, animals and insects that exist on earth. The other term development is known as a multidimensional phenomenon which has several aspects namely; economic, social, political, cultural and environmental. It is imperative to acknowledge the fact that true development involves a record of progress in all the dimensions of the development process. Furthermore, it is also necessary to be cognisant of the point that the environment and global systems which includes development are a series of dynamic and interconnected processes changing and interacting overtime, (Todaro and smith, 2003). From the definitions provided above, it is apparent that the two expressions sustainability and development contradict each other. This is due to the point that sustainability emphasizes on maintaining diversity and productivity of natural resources overtime. On the contrary, natural resources fuel the process of development; therefore, development cannot be a reality without consuming natural resources. The global community is hungry for development as a result people are constantly improving their livelihoods and welfare so as to attain higher standards of living through many innovations such as technology which in turn negatively impact on the environment. The question which maybe asked here is â€Å"what forms the basis of livelihoods?† (ECZ, 2008). According to ECZ (2000), the environment is the cornerstone of our livelihoods because biological resources are the primary sources of economic development thus development is all about consuming natural resources. Besides development, population dynamics also exert pressure on natural resources. With a clear reflection that development is all about the utilisation of natural resources, how then can sustainability be transformed into actuality? This is the question asked by many environmental practioners. It is evident through many global development initiatives how planetary natural resources are being utilized in order to achieve desired development targets. The two terminologies sustainability and development can be compared to a saying that says â€Å"two cobras cannot stay in the same mountain one has to die or eventually leave the mountain†. Therefore, sustainability and development are two cobras staying in the same mountain. The implication according to environmentalists is that, if we are to achieve ultimate sustainability then development should be out of the picture, (Energy Regulation Board, 2007). In Zambia, development programmes are using environmental resources at an increasing rate. With a fast growing population, the drive to meet goals set out in national development strategies and in international conventions, most recently defined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), has likewise accelerat ed. As an example to illustrate the contradiction between sustainability and development, urbanisation in Chipata district can be utilized. As by definition, urbanisation may also mean development of land into residential, commercial and industrial properties. Urbanisation in Chipata has resulted in a number of negative environmental impacts which have adversely affected the diversity of biological resources. Consequential environmental effects include deforestation which has provoked excessive vegetative removal of tree cover along streams and on hills around Chipata town. Furthermore, land degradation due to urbanization is also prevalent in Chipata and this has led to soil erosion, sand and earth mining and degradation of catchment areas of Lunkhwakwa and Lutembwe rivers, (ECZ, 2008). Chipata district has over 56,000 hectors of land under protection and most areas are threatened by encroachment and deforestation due to urbanisation. Urbanisation in Chipata can be considered as progress from a developmental perspective because more houses, shops and industries have been erected and this has advanced people’s liv elihoods in terms of increased housing facilities and employment opportunities. However, this contradicts with sustainability because there has been excessive destruction of forests on the hills of Chipata which has resulted in extreme soil erosion down the slope, (ECZ, 2008). With reference to the economic dimension of the development process, the construction and expansion of mining as well as manufacturing industries can be perceived as progress. This is due to the fact that the existence of operational industries attracts various benefits to the local people. Firstly, job opportunities are created for the local and this helps them sustain their lives by acquiring wages at the end of each month. Salaries obtained by people from employment give them the ability to command their basic needs such as food, shelter and clothes, (MoFNP, 2006). The mining industry has played a pivotal role in the development of the country. However, the availability of exposed, accessible and near surface mineral deposits are increasingly becoming scarce requiring more expensive equipment to locate deeper buried ore deposits. This has led to gigantic environmental degradation due to the use of heavy sophisticated earth moving machines. For instance, when Konkola copper Mines (KCM) took over from Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) on the copperbelt, Chingola and Chililabombwe in particular. After a while later, the production scale was upgraded and this created employment opportunities for over three thousand individuals who were unemployed, (MoFNP, 2006). Other benefits included improved infrastructure such as roads and schools as well as better health services. According to economists and development planners this was considered as national development because the lives of people were improved. However, the view of economists and development planners contradict with that of environmentalists because an elevation in the production scale of any industry is problematic as far as environmental sustainability is concerned because of unsustainable production strategies that hamper a good quality of life, (ECZ, 2011). According to ECZ (2008) mining activities especially large-scale open pit mining has negatively affected the environment resulting into environmental degradation. Among the prominent open pit mines are Nchanga, Kansanshi and Maamba collieries. Despite development enhanced by these mines, industrial operations of these sites have caused the contamination of terrestrial ecosystems mostly ascribed to dust fall-out and this has been a draw back as far as the maintenance of biological resources diversity and productivity are concerned. Kafue River on the copperbelt was polluted by Konkola copper Mines Plc due to toxic substances which were discharged into the water body. This occurrence negatively affected marine ecosystems which resulted in a depletion of certain species. Water resources have been affected by climate change and other factors such as increase in population growth, industry and agriculture which are induced by development. Unfortunately, there has been no corresponding expansion of sewerage infrastructure and solid waste disposal facilities and most of them are in a poor state, despite the increasing rate of development and this actually curbs sustainability. However, it must be realized that only after the last tree has been cut, only after the last river has been poisoned, only after the last fish has been caught only then will it be discovered that money cannot be eaten, (ECZ, 2008). Human sustainability has also been affected due to the side effects of development which have made the environment unsafe to support a good quality of life. The rate at which development is happening has put so much pressure on the environment and this has resulted into various environmental issues such as air pollution, water pollution, land pollution and ozone layer depletion among others. Environmentalists have identified that increasing industrial operations in Zambia have negatively influenced life expectancy and infant mortality rate. For example, adult survivorship levels have been declining in the last twenty years following rapid development trends. Life expectancy for females dropped from 46 years in 1980 to 44 years and 29 years in 2000. In the same category for males it was 44 years in 1980, 42 years in 1990 and 23 years in 2000. Diseases associated with environmental degradation include malaria, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis and dysentery among others and these so far have claimed quite a considerable number of lives, (MoFNP, 2006). In conclusion, it can be said that development and sustainability are two ends of the same continuum. Whichever example of development one might think of such as industrialization and housing, they are unsustainable, unless that development is related to green technologies or meant to counter the adverse effectives of development. In the end, the solution is a compromise because people need sustainability but cannot progress without development, hence, sustainable development. We can have development as long as we put measures in place to minimise environment damage. These measures include environmental impact assessments, environmental audits and strategic environmental assessments among others, hereafter ensuring sustainability. REFERENCES Arend. H and Eureta. J (2002). Environmental Encyclopaedia: South Africa: Eco-Logic Publication. ECZ (2000). The State of the Environment in Zambia. Lusaka: Environmental Council of Zambia. ECZ (2008). Zambia Environment Outlook Report 3. Lusaka: Environmental Council of Zambia. ECZ (2011). The Enviroline; ECZ Magazine Issue No. 33, January-April 2011. Lusaka: Environmental Council of Zambia. Energy Regulation Board, (2007). Energy Regulations Board: Energy Sector Report-2006. Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources (2007). National Policy On The Environment. Lusaka: MTENR. Ministry of Finance and National Planning (2006). Economic Report. Lusaka: Zambia. Todaro M.P and Smith S.C (2003). Economic development.8th edition.New Delhi, Pearson Publication.

Gloablization Positive and Negative Impact

Advantages of Globalization Globalization means increasing the interdependence, connectivity and integration on a global level with respect to the social, cultural, political, technological, economic and ecological levels. Advantages * Goods and people are transported with ease and speed * the possibility of war between the developed countries decreases * free trade between countries increases * global mass media connects all the people in the world as the cultural barriers reduce, the global village dream becomes more realistic * there is a propagation of democratic ideals * the interdependence of the nation-states increases * as the liquidity of capital increases, developed countries can invest in developing ones * the flexibility of corporations to operate across borders increases * the communication between the individuals and corporations in the world increases * environmental protection in developed countries increases Effects of Globalization enhancement in the information flo w between geographically remote locations * the global common market has a freedom of exchange of goods and capital * there is a broad access to a range of goods for consumers and companies * worldwide production markets emerge * free circulation of people of different nations leads to social benefits * global environmental problems like cross-boundary pollution, over fishing on oceans, climate changes are solved by discussions * more trans-border data flow using communication satellites, the Internet, wireless telephones, etc. international criminal courts and international justice movements are launched * the standards applied globally like patents, copyright laws and world trade agreements increase * corporate, national and sub-national borrowers have a better access to external finance * worldwide financial markets emerge * multiculturalism spreads as there is individual access to cultural diversity. This diversity decreases due to hybridization or assimilation * international t ravel and tourism increases * worldwide sporting events like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup are held * enhancement in worldwide fads and pop culture local consumer products are exported to other countries * immigration between countries increases * cross-cultural contacts grow and cultural diffusion takes place * there is an increase in the desire to use foreign ideas and products, adopt new practices and technologies and be a part of world culture * free trade zones are formed having less or no tariffs * due to development of containerization for ocean shipping, the transportation costs are reduced * subsidies for local businesses decrease * capital controls reduce or vanquish there is supranational recognition of intellectual property restrictions, i. e. patents authorized by one country are recognized in another Advantages in the Developing World It is claimed that globalization increases the economic prosperity and opportunity in the developing world. The civil liberti es are enhanced and there is a more efficient use of resources. All the countries involved in the free trade are at a profit. As a result, there are lower prices, more employment and a better standard of life in these developing nations.It is feared that some developing regions progress at the expense of other developed regions. However, such doubts are futile as globalization is a positive-sum chance in which the skills and technologies enable to increase the living standards throughout the world. Liberals look at globalization as an efficient tool to eliminate penury and allow the poor people a firm foothold in the global economy. In two decades from 1981 to 2001, the number of people surviving on $1 or less per day decreased from 1. 5 billion to 1. 1 billion.Simultaneously, the world population also increased. Thus, the percentage of such people decreased from 40% to 20% in such developing countries. Globalization means increasing the interdependence, connectivity and integration on a global level with respect to the social, cultural, political, technological, economic and ecological levels. Advantages * Goods and people are transported with ease and speed * the possibility of war between the developed countries decreases * free trade between countries increases * global mass media connects all the people in the world as the cultural barriers reduce, the global village dream becomes more realistic * there is a propagation of democratic ideals * the interdependence of the nation-states increases * as the liquidity of capital increases, developed countries can invest in developing ones * the flexibility of corporations to operate across borders increases * the communication between the individuals and corporations in the world increases * environmental protection in developed countries increases Effects of Globalization enhancement in the information flow between geographically remote locations * the global common market has a freedom of exchange of goods and capital * there is a broad access to a range of goods for consumers and companies * worldwide production markets emerge * free circulation of people of different nations leads to social benefits * global environmental problems like cross-boundary pollution, over fishing on oceans, climate changes are solved by discussions * more trans-border data flow using communication satellites, the Internet, wireless telephones, etc. international criminal courts and international justice movements are launched * the standards applied globally like patents, copyright laws and world trade agreements increase * corporate, national and sub-national borrowers have a better access to external finance * worldwide financial markets emerge * multiculturalism spreads as there is individual access to cultural diversity. This diversity decreases due to hybridization or assimilation * international travel and tourism increases * worldwide sporting events like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup re he ld * enhancement in worldwide fads and pop culture * local consumer products are exported to other countries * immigration between countries increases * cross-cultural contacts grow and cultural diffusion takes place * there is an increase in the desire to use foreign ideas and products, adopt new practices and technologies and be a part of world culture * free trade zones are formed having less or no tariffs * due to development of containerization for ocean shipping, the transportation costs are reduced * subsidies for local businesses decrease capital controls reduce or vanquish * there is supranational recognition of intellectual property restrictions, i. e. patents authorized by one country are recognized in another Advantages in the Developing World It is claimed that globalization increases the economic prosperity and opportunity in the developing world. The civil liberties are enhanced and there is a more efficient use of resources. All the countries involved in the free tra de are at a profit. As a result, there are lower prices, more employment and a better standard of life in these developing nations.It is feared that some developing regions progress at the expense of other developed regions. However, such doubts are futile as globalization is a positive-sum chance in which the skills and technologies enable to increase the living standards throughout the world. Liberals look at globalization as an efficient tool to eliminate penury and allow the poor people a firm foothold in the global economy. In two decades from 1981 to 2001, the number of people surviving on $1 or less per day decreased from 1. 5 billion to 1. 1 billion. Simultaneously, the world population also increased.Thus, the percentage of such people decreased from 40% to 20% in such developing countries. The Negative Effects of Globalization globalization point out to its negative effects. Some of them are listed below. * Developed nations have outsourced manufacturing and white collar j obs. That means less jobs for their people. This has happened because manufacturing work is outsourced to developing nations like China where the cost of manufacturing goods and wages are lower. Programmers, editors, scientists and accountants have lost their jobs due to outsourcing to cheaper locations like India. Globalization has led to exploitation of labor. Prisoners and child workers are used to work in inhumane conditions. Safety standards are ignored to produce cheap goods. * Job insecurity. Earlier people had stable, permanent jobs. Now people live in constant dread of losing their jobs to competition. Increased job competition has led to reduction in wages and consequently lower standards of living. * Terrorists have access to sophisticated weapons enhancing their ability to inflict damage. Terrorists use the Internet for communicating among themselves. Companies have set up industries causing pollution in countries with poor regulation of pollution. * Fast food chains lik e McDonalds and KFC are spreading in the developing world. People are consuming more junk food from these joints which has an adverse impact on their health. * The benefits of globalization is not universal. The rich are getting richer and the poor are becoming poorer. * Bad apects of foreign cultures are affecting the local cultures through TV and the Internet. * Enemy nations can spread propaganda through the Internet. Deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS are being spread by travelers to the remotest corners of the globe. * Local industries are being taken over by foreign multinationals. * The increase in prices has reduced the government's ability to sustain social welfare schemes in developed countries. * There is increase in human trafficking. * Multinational Companies and corporations which were previously restricted to commercial activities are increasingly influencing political decisions. Disadvantages of Globalization So what's the harm if the entire world is coming together on a common platform?Why are we even discussing whether globalization is good or bad for the world? As we said earlier, everything has a good side and a bad side. The bad side of globalization predominantly revolves around the fact that the preferences differ from nation to nation, and coming to a consensus on any issue becomes more difficult when too many nods are required. When it comes to globalization, the difference between the rich and poor nation can be a major hindrance. Even though the richer nations will try to assimilate and help poor nations come up, they will not sacrifice on their national interests willingly.Economic Problems:Â  If the entire world becomes a global village, any sort of economic disruption in one nation will have a disastrous impact on various other nations which are closely related to it in terms of trade and commerce. It will be a domino-effect wherein disturbance in one economy would result in disturbance in another, and so on! Cultural Problems:Â  Cul ture and globalization also seem to be at the loggerheads. Critics of globalization are also of the opinion that it will hamper the age-old cultures which have been followed religiously all over the world.There are many countries in the world which would never agree to compromise when it comes to culture or religion. Migration will become even easier, and the influence of local cultures and traditions will slowly start to wear down. Incessant westernization of Southeast Asian nations has already put western cultural beliefs and traditions under the scanner in these countries. Unemployment:Â  One may feel that globalization is promoting employment, but the fact is exactly reverse of this is happening, especially in developed countries wherein people are losing jobs as a result of outsourcing.Several major companies from the United States and United Kingdom have outsourced their jobs to the developing nations in Asia, this has in turn resulted in unemployment in these countries. Spre ad of Diseases:Â  Increase in flow of people will also result in spread of diseases, and thus make people more vulnerable to health issues. We do have many examples in history wherein outbreak of a particular disease happened in some part of the world, and before we could realize it spread throughout the world.The critics of globalization and those involved in anti-globalization movement often argue that the implications of this phenomenon will be seen in economics, culture, health and employment, and most of the countries are not ready to take on these disadvantages head-on. Taking their seriousness into consideration, it is not at all possible to turn a blind eye towards these negative effects of globalization. The need of the hour, therefore, is to evaluate the pros and cons of this concept to find out which of the two have an edge over the other.

Exercise and Heart Essay

Introduction Aim: Finding out how exercise affects the heart rate and breathing rate. Hypothesis: Exercise exists in different forms and has many benefits; it improves the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, development of bones, strengthens muscles and the lungs capacity plus it can make you feel good. There are different exercises and intensities for different benefits. Lower intensity exercises are not designed to work the body as hard. As a result less oxygen is needed and less waste is in excess. However even low intensity exercises require more substances to be carried out than if your body was in its resting state. Therefore different concentrations of substances are required for different intensities of exercise. In effect this affects your heart and breathing rate. (Jones & Jones, 1984) (Ross, 1978) Null Hypothesis: Exercise has no effect on the heart rate or breathing rate. The overall rate of the heart and breathing increases during exercise. The heart beats faster, allowing blood to supply substances required by the cells to respire. Oxygen is needed to replace the oxygen used up in respiring cells, while at the same time the cells produce carbon dioxide that needs to be removed from the body. The heart rate increases to pump blood around the body quicker, ensuring oxygen is constantly dissociating from the blood to the cells. At the same time the breathing rate increases to increase the rate of gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and remove excess waste from the body as soon as possible. (Jones & Jones, 1984) (Ross, 1978) â€Å"Exercise, although essential both for early, sudden muscle contraction ( a few minutes ) and for prolonged, sustained exercise, muscle food stores are not enough. The contracting muscle must also take up glucose from the blood.† (Ross, 1978, p. 705) â€Å"Aerobic exercises improve lung capacity. Exercising muscles need extra oxygen, which is supplied to them by breathing faster and more deeply. If you regularly do exercise which make your muscles demand extra oxygen, called aerobic exercise, this helps your respiratory system to become efficient at getting oxygen into your blood.† (Jones and Jones, 1984, p. 279). Risk assessment: Chemical/Procedure| Hazard| Precaution| * Stepping off and on exercise step| * Slipping off step| * Dry shoes * Appropriate support| * Exercising| * Pulling muscles * Feinting/Blackout * Spraining ankles| * Appropriate stretching before exercise * Supervised by professional * Don’t force ankles onto the surfaces * Try to be light on the feet| * Wide breadths of movement| * Inflicting contact on others| * Suitable space for procedure| Variables: Constant Variables * Exercise step * Number of steps taken * Resting period * People recording pulse and breathing rate * Temperature of room Independent Variables * Exercise Dependent Variables * Heart rate * Breathing rate Method: 1. Record the pulse (preferably from the wrist) for 30 seconds of the person participating before exercise. 2. Double the number of pulses – this gives an estimate of the heart beats per minute 3. Place hand on the lower back of the person participating before the exercise and count the number of times the person inhales and exhales in 30 seconds then double it – this is the breathing rate per minute. 4. These are the heart rate and breathing rate at rest. 5. Explain to the participant the concepts of both exercises: a. Slow 20: Slowly climb onto and off the step for doing 20 steps in total. b. Fast 20: Climb onto and off the step as fast as possible for 20 steps in total. 6. After the participant has done the â€Å"Slow 20† exercise, record the heart rate and breathing rate. 7. Stop the stopwatch and reset 8. Next record the heart rate and breathing rate after the participant has undergone â€Å"Fast 20† exercise – however keep the stopwatch running for an additional three minutes 9. At the end of the three minutes record the heart rate and breathing rates 10. Work out the averages of all the results 11. Plot results in a suitable table Results Table Heart Rate Rest| Slow 20| Fast 20| 3 minute rest| 76| 107| 130| 72| Breathing Rate Rest| Slow 20| Fast 20| 3 minute rest| 18| 23| 33| 20| Analysis As the intensity of exercise increased, so did the rates of the heart and breathing. After a small period of rest, the heart rate and breathing rate both decreased to a point close to their resting rate. This proved the stated hypothesis. First, the hearts average resting rate was recorded to be 76 bpm. The heart is therefore transporting oxygen and removing carbon dioxide at a reasonably steady rate via the blood. During the low intensity exercise (Slow 20) the heart rate increases to 107 bpm, which further increases to 130bpm at a higher intensity level (Fast 20). The heart therefore needs to beat faster to increase the speed at which oxygen is carried to the cells and the rate at which carbon dioxide is taken away by the blood. Oxygen is required by the cells to carry out respiration, this provides the energy in the form of adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) which is a molecule required for muscular contraction. As exercise takes place, oxygen is used to form ATP, which needs to be replaced. Carbon dioxide is also built up in the same cells due to muscle contraction, and this excess COâ‚‚ needs to be removed. The breathing rate increases to increase the gaseous exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide. Oxygen is breathed in through the atmosphere and diffuses into the thin walls of the alveoli, which then diffuses into the blood along the capillaries. The blood then passes the respiring cells and the oxygen it contains diffuses into the cells. At the same time, the excess COâ‚‚ diffuses from the respiring cells into the blood, along through to the alveoli and is breathed out. This maintains equilibrium in the body of oxygen and carbon dioxide. â€Å"To create energy for physical efforts lasting more than 1 minute, muscles need oxygen. The harder your muscles work, the more energy they need and the more you must suck wind to supply them with oxygen. Also, the more oxygen your muscles use to create energy, the more waste (carbon dioxide) they produce. Exhaling expels this carbon dioxide from your system.† (Why Does Exercise Increase Heart Rate And Breathing Rate?, 2012) â€Å"Blood is the vehicle that delivers oxygen to and removes carbon dioxide waste from the working muscles. To deliver more oxygen and remove more waste products, the heart pumps more blood. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), at lower intensities (up to 50% of your maximum cardiac output) your heart can meet the increased oxygen demand by increasing both heart rate and stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped with each beat). However, beyond 50% of cardiac output, increasing your heart rate in proportion with your effort is your body’s only way to deliver more oxygen to the muscles.† (Why Does Exercise Increase Heart Rate And Breathing Rate?, 2012) Graph Evaluation The experiment was good enough to gain results as the results were those predicted by the hypothesis. The experiment was carried out by five people at random in terms of height and weight, the individual weights were taken and the average result were used as the final result – results used to be plotted onto the graph. The combination of random sampling and number of repeats increases the experiments reliability as it tries to keep the results obtained as much due to chance as possible. Also, because the results were predicted by the hypothesis it suggests that this data can be used to find out what was being looked for – the effects of exercise on the heart and breathing rates. Validity is therefore increased, adding more support for the experiment to be a suitable method for finding effects of exercise on the heart and breathing rates. No anomalous results were found, the results followed the predicted trend, the reason for this result could be due to the nature of the body and how it counter reacts with the external influences on the tissues and organs. The secretion and inhibition of certain substances are essential for the body to sustain itself in a stable state during the effects of exercise. Improvements I would improve this experiment by using more accurate equipment to improve the accuracy of the overall experiment. I would run repeats to see if my results complimented each other to increase the reliability. The difference is I would run the experiment in the same way which may differ from other people’s subjective habits. More accurate equipment could have been used to improve the accuracy of the overall experiment. The heart rate is measured by finding the pulse of the body, a more precise method of determining pulse involves the use of an electrocardiograph, or ECG (also abbreviated EKG). Commercial heart rate monitors are also available, consisting of a chest strap with electrodes. The signal is transmitted to a wrist receiver for display. Heart rate monitors allow accurate measurements to be taken continuously. (Heart Rate, 2012) The breathing rate can be measured over a full period of 60 seconds to get more accurate results. Repeats using the improvements to accuracy of finding the heart and breathing rates would yield more reliable results. The exercise itself is very subjective to each person. Their interpretation of slow could be different to other people, which would affect the time it takes each individual person to take twenty steps. The exercise could then be controlled by suggesting a method to keep generalise the types of speed people would undergo during the exercise. For example, people could use counting as a reference point for when they should stand onto or off the exercise step. Bibliography * Jones, M. And Jones, G. 1984. Biology: The Press Syndicate * Ross, G. 1978. Human Physiology: Year Book Medical Publishers * Why Does Exercise Increase Heart Rate And Breathing Rate? (2012)Breathing Rate & Heart Rate [Online] Available at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/109267-exercise-increase-heart-rate-breathing-rate/ (Accessed: 15 November 2012) * Heart Rate (2012) Measurement [Online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate (Accessed: 16 November 2012)