Monday, September 30, 2019

Paul Cezanne, Pines And Rocks Essay

Paul Cezanne, Pines and Rocks, 1896-99 Oil on Canvas Museum of Modern Art This simple painting of a small, intimate landscape is a good example of Paul Cezanne’s mastery of the impressionist style. The scene is of a rocky path, possibly a hiking trail on the side of a mountain, and a few trees that veil the sky in patches of leaves. Cezanne’s method of painting is rather interesting, in that he paints each stroke like a plate of color, creating an overlapping mosaic. The palette he chose is also remarkable with bright, almost cartoonish shades of pigment that give an underlying sense of realism to the painting. Looking at Cezanne’s work often makes one wonder if impressionism is a study of light being cast on objects or of life being cast out from the object. The overall â€Å"feel† of a painting is often determined by the way each brushstroke is applied to the canvas. Cezanne’s work resembles a mosaic piece, except his blocks of color are intermixed and overlap eachother. Each brushstroke rests on its own plane in the painted space, giving the painting a sense of depth unique to the three-dimensional information of the trees off in the distance and the boulders on the ground. The thick, dark outline of the trees and rocks also add depth to the piece, separating the shaded trail from the bright midday sky. Using a little imagination, one can almost pick off individual leaves from the green and brown patches of paint used to represent them. Cezanne’s choice of color is exceptional in expressing the particular mood in a scene, as shown in this painting. A rich blend of purples, reds, and browns in the rocks and tree trunks nicely compliments the bright blue sky and green foliage. The dull, muted tones of the rocks give weight and gravity to the scene while the light and dark greens seem to dance in the winds of the sky blue background. Lighting and shadows are also well done to add the final touch of depth to the piece.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Legalizing Drugs: The Ultimate Alternative to Cease the Drug War

For years, the United States has constantly been in the midst of a war. As a matter of fact, it is a war that is extreme, costly, and very exposed. Not only is it fought within the U.S. boundaries, but also in foreign shores. This so-called war is the War on Drugs. No one can argue that drugs are like a plague in our society. However, as bad as the effect of drugs on our society is, the effect of prohibition is worse. Federal government has spent billions of dollars on the struggle to end this war. Even the state and local government have spent millions of dollars to cease this war. Local reformers also contribute to this war by generating their own versions of the war and by recruiting as many community groups and leaders as they can to further the effort, but it all seems useless because no favorable results have been obtained so far. The best way to cease this everlasting war is to legalize drugs. Legalizing drugs will help the community as a whole because it will save many lives, help reduce crimes rates, improve research for medicine, and increase the government’s income. By legalizing drugs, hundred of lives can be saved each year. Many of the deaths that are now categorized as â€Å"drug overdose† are, in fact, caused by drugs that are purer than the users’ accustomed dose. This will cause an overdose by merely taking the dose to which they are accustomed. Other deaths are caused by the drugs being â€Å"cut† or diluted with impure or dangerous substances. At present, drugs are cut with anything from relatively harmless things such as baking soda, powdered sugar, lactose and corn starch to poisons like strychnine and arsenic. Legal drugs would fall under the supervision and standards of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), thereby insuring cleaner and purer drugs at consistent dosages. In addition, intravenous and intramuscular drugs could be packaged in single use syringes that are designed to be destroyed by the act of using them once. Thus, preventing the reuse and sharing of needles. This will reduce the spread of AIDs, hepatitis, and many other types of infections. Hence, more lives saved, as well as the reduction of burden on many public resources since many drug abusers cannot afford to pay for medical treatment. The government would have control of all drugs. Once the government has control over the drugs, private industries would be in control of the sale of the drugs. Society learned from the, prohibition of alcohol during the 1920’s, â€Å"private industry is much easier to control compared to public industry or the black market† (Prohibition of Alcohol). Legalizing drugs with the appropriate regulation and control would severely limit the access of drugs to children. Just as minors cannot legally but alcohol, they would not be able to walk into a state regulated drug store and buy drugs. Under the present conditions, drug dealers do not care if he customer is 5 years old or 50 years old. These drug dealers are only concerned on the amount of money that goes into their pockets. New laws would be imposed to the people who can but drugs, how much a person can buy, and where the person can buy drugs. Therefore, this would create a safer and more organized society. Legalizing and regulating drug production and sale will eliminate a plethora of drug crimes, as well as crimes related to drugs. Crimes such smuggling, producing and selling drugs would cease to be profitable. It will also limit the availability of funds to finance other crimes such as illegal gambling, prostitution, extortion and terrorism. Former Nobel Prize Winner for Economics, Milton Friedman states, â€Å"The legalization of drugs would simultaneously reduce the number of crimes and improve the respect for the law. It is hard to imagine any other single provision which could make a more significant contribution to the promotion of law and order (Legalization of Drugs).† Being one of the world’s leading drug-related crime nation, the United States needs to diminish the crime rate. The best option is to obtain this is by legalizing drugs or else like former U.S. Secretary of State, George Schultz says â€Å"†¦ will never obtain any results as long as we are unable to separate crime from the drug business and the incitement to criminality this causes† (Legalization of Drugs). Drugs will likely be cheaper. The supply would be relatively consistent. Market forces such as â€Å"supply and demand† will be less of a determining price factor. Nor will the risk factor to dealers and smugglers affect price. The cost of producing most illegal drugs is minimal, particularly in an industrial setting. Therefore, legalization will reduce crimes such as burglary, mugging, and prostitution. Legalizing drugs would be useful in the medicinal world. It is probably one of the prime reasons why drugs should be legalized because it will be helpful for medical-related research. There are numerous ways in which drugs could be used in the medical field. For example, marijuana helps relieve pain caused by glaucoma. Glaucoma is a â€Å"group of eye diseases characterizes by an increase in intraocular pressure (Garcia, Matthews) † in the eyeball causing damage to the optic disc and impaired vision which sometimes develops into blindness for many people every year. Medical researchers found that as the dose of marijuana increases, the pressure within the eye decreases by up to a 30%, thus, lowering the risk of suffering from such a agonizing and dreadful disease (Garcia, Matthews). Cocaine is another drug which can be used because it was the first effective local anesthetic (Spillane, 2000). However, in the late 1880’s surgical procedures using local anesthetics was replaced by a general anesthesia solution. Several countries South America such as Peru and Bolivia still use coca as both a general stimulant and for more specific medical purposes (Spillane 2000). There are, however, some recent and so far uncertain signs of reviving interests in cocaine from the medical institutions and even coca itself for other medical purposes to be used in researches as well as in diagnosis and treatments. Another illegal drug useful for medical usages is heroin. Heroin was once and is still used as a powerful pain-killer which is used to control intense chronic pains caused by severe diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis (Schaffer). Researchers have found signs showing that heroin is significantly less harmful than most of the drugs which are given in its place. There are other ways drugs could be used for medical purposes, however, due to its illegal status there has not been many in-depth studies into the possible uses of illegal drugs as was initially hoped for. Not only will legalizing drugs help the medical community but it will take the medical world into a new horizon with these drugs. The federal government does not know how to control the great amount of money that they have spent on the war on drugs, which still continues. Yearly, â€Å"the federal government spends around $20 billion dollars (Mann, 2001)† on issues related to the war on drugs. Not only does legalizing drugs help needy organizations, but it also helps the community. The money that the government annually spends on the drug war could be used for building rehabilitation centers for handicapped citizens, building more schools to educate people on drugs, or go into funds for a medical or scientific research. According to former chief of the Planning Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health, Theodore R. Vallance, â€Å"the legalization of the now illegal drugs would result in a net saving of $37 billion annual savings for the federal government (Vallance).† The federal government will also benefit from the increase in income due to taxation and licensing of drugs. Just like cig arettes and alcohol, drugs would be taxed. The tax imposed on these drugs should vary on how the drug affects the individuals who take drugs. Marijuana’s side effects, which as â€Å"loud talking and bursts of laughter, lack of memory in conversations, and chronic redness of the eyes (Glantz),† should have a smaller tax rate because its side effects are less severe compared to cocaine and heroin’s side effects. By placing different tax rates on different drugs, according to their side effects, users would start using softer drugs and the usage of harder drugs would be less common because of its high cost. People would have to either start paying to obtain harder drugs or they would diminish their drug use. Drug sales are probably the largest untaxed markets in the United States and around the world, hence, if drugs were legalized, the money from taxing drugs would be used for more serious problems. In short, legalizing drugs will benefit the community at a larger extent. The overly fought, absurd Drug War has been, is, and will continue to be an absolute failure if the United States continues to struggle with it like it has done. Instead, actions needs to be taken and the ultimate alternative is to legalize all drugs. By doing so, a number of lives are saved in many ways. Legalization helps reduce crime, making the community a safer place to live in. Legalization also allows for the exploring or research in the field of medicine. Lastly, the government can save money, but its income will also increase. Works Cited Garcia, G., Matthews, L. â€Å"Laser and Eye Safety in the Laboratory.† New York: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (1995): 102 Glantz, Meyer D. â€Å"Correlates and Consequences of Marijuana Use.† Washington D.C.: METROTEC (1984):37 Mann, Judy. â€Å"Money Spent of Drug War Could Be Put To Better Use.† Washington Post (D.C.) 17 October 2001: C12 Nadelmann, Ethan A. â€Å"An Unwinnable   War on Drugs.† New York Times. 26 April 2001: A23 Spillane, Joseph. Cocaine: from medical marvel to modern menace in the United States. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press (2000): 58-61 Schaffer, Clifford A. â€Å"Basic Facts About the War on Drugs.† Drug Reform Coordination Network.   

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Manegerial Rolls and Skills

Answer. To meet the many demands of performing their functions, managers assume multiple roles. Henry mintzberg has identified ten roles common to the work of all managers. The ten roles are divided into three groups: interpersonal, informational, and decisional. The informational roles link all managerial work together. The interpersonal roles ensure that information is provided. The decisional roles make significant use of the information. The performance of managerial roles and the requirements of these roles can be played at different times by the same manager and to different degrees depending on the level and function of management. The ten roles are described individually, but they form an integrated whole. The idea of a role comes from sociology and is the pattern of actions expected of a person in his activities involving others. It arises as a result of the position that he occupies in a group in a given situation. Thus, a manager who occupies different positions in different situations plays different roles because people in each situation have different expectations of him concerning his functions. Interpersonal Roles: The three interpersonal roles are primarily concerned with interpersonal relationships. In the figurehead role, the manager represents the organization in all matters of formality. The top-level manager represents the company legally and socially to those outside of the organization. The Informational Role: The direct relationships with people in the interpersonal roles place the manager in a unique position to get information. Thus, the three informational roles are primarily concerned with the information aspects of managerial work. The Decisional Role: The unique access to information places the manager at the centre of organizational decision-making. There are four decisional roles. In the entrepreneur role, the manager initiates change. Q. 4 What are the factors influencing perception? † question. The assignment question is written for SMU MBA MB0038 assignment. We already have shared some solved assignments for MB0038 – Classification of Personality Types of Myers and Briggs and Methods of Shaping Behavior. Answer. Factors Influencing Perception: A number of factors operate to shape and sometimes distort perception. These factors can reside: 1)In the perceiver ) In the object or target being perceived or 3) In the context of the situation in which the perception is made 1. Characteristics of the perceiver: Several characteristics of the perceiver can affect perception. When an individual looks at a target and attempts to interpret what he or she stands for, that interpretation is heavily influenced by personal characteristics of the individual perceiver. The major characteristics of the perceiver influencing percep tion are: a) Attitudes: The perceiver’s attitudes affect perception. This attitude will doubtless affect his perceptions of the female candidates he interviews. b) Moods: Moods can have a strong influence on the way we perceive someone. We think differently when we are happy than we do when we are depressed. c) Motives: Unsatisfied needs or motives stimulate individuals and may exert a strong influence on their perceptions. d) Self-Concept: Another factor that can affect social perception is the perceiver’s self-concept. An individual with a positive self-concept tends to notice positive attributes in another person. ) Interest: The focus of our attention appears to be influenced by our interests. Because our individual interest differs considerably, what one person notices in a situation can differ from what others perceive. f) Cognitive Structure: Cognitive Structure, an individual’s pattern of thinking, also affects perception. Some people have a tendency to perceive physical traits, such as height, weight, and appearances more readil y. g) Expectations: Finally, expectations can distort your perceptions in that you will see what you expect to see. The research findings of the study conducted by Sheldon S Zalkind and Timothy W Costello on some specific characteristics of the perceiver reveal knowing oneself makes it easier to see others accurately. One’s own characteristics affect the characteristics one is likely to see in others. People who accept themselves are more likely to be able to see favourable aspects of other people. Accuracy in perceiving others is not a single skill. These four characteristics greatly influence how a person perceives others in the environmental situation.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Domestic Violence on the Rise Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Domestic Violence on the Rise - Research Paper Example Although there are various means of dealing with violent crimes, one of the most effective means of deterring domestic violence is through strong punishment of offenders. Domestic violence, especially gender based violence is a concept that now has drawn much attention in the international humanitarian work. In the wake of the Yugoslavian rape camps, the sexualized genocide of Rwanda as well as the contemporary terrors on sexual violence, the international human rights community has increasingly turned its attention to combating gender based violence, both at home and during war (Burrill 280). Domestic violence against women is one of the critical public health problems that have both devastating physical and emotional effects to women, children and families m in the US. â€Å"Approximately four million American women experience a serious assault by an intimate partner during a 12-month period", Find counseling (2010, par 4). "It is estimated that 2 million to 4 million US women are assaulted by a domestic partner every year. Twelve million women (25% of the female population) will be abused in their lifetime. Up to 35% of women and 22% of men presenting to the emergency department have experienced domestic violence", (Find counseling, 2010, par 5). The rising cases of domestic violence affect children more than any other members of the society. â€Å"It has become apparent that in the cases where domestic violence was identified, the perpetrator of the domestic violence and the abuser of the children were likely to be the same individual, usually the child’s natural father†, (Humphreys and Nicky 101-102). Effects of the violence can be seen on the child’s performance decline in school as domestic violence interferes with homework time, sleep time as well as sleep quality and classroom concentration. Regardless of intelligence, domestic

Thursday, September 26, 2019

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

Starbucks - Case Study Example (RTT News) China is an important market because it is the fastest growing economy in the world and the overall disposal income of Chinese is on the rise. It therefore makes China as one of the key markets to serve and achieve the required level of growth as not only local population is potential customer but the foreigners visiting the country can also be. India is also another major market with rising income level and better integration with the international world therefore the overall chances of growth are relatively higher too. Starbucks’s supply chain issues are critical in the sense that issues regarding to fair trade are quite sensitive in nature. Howard Schultz rejoined Starbucks as the CEO in 2008 when company was failing to achieve its targets. He is an inspirational CEO because the overall corporate social responsibility, employee development as well as contribution of the company towards the society are relatively large. He is also an outspoken person regarding how politicians and government is treating the issues of job creation, economy and overall well-being of people. (Serwer) The new business model embarrassed by Starbucks is also the brain child of Schultz and is based upon better and improved coordination between society and the business. (David A. Kaplan) One of the keys to the success of Starbucks as preferred employer is its focus on the employee development and the related personal growth opportunities offered to all employees. Starbuck’s record in corporate social responsibility is quite good and it considers organizations working with it as partners. The careers become so appealing in Starbucks because of the overall training programs and the grooming offered to the employees. The personalization of the training as well as relative freedom allowed to employees made Starbucks as one of the top places to work locally and globally. Starbucks offers a personalized experience to

Buy me buy me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Buy me buy me - Essay Example Less focus on the school commercialization does not indicate an end to it, rather it can be an indication of increases acceptance of this marketing practice. Molnar’s audience here is the district governemnt, educational institutes, parents and students. Molnar also impliedly communicates to the community and government at large. In the article we find a lack of governmental policies and their implication along with a similar blind conscience of community. By making this deficiency apparent in his article, Molnar emphasizes for the promotion of an active resistance on all levels. His persuasive argumentation is casting a strong glimmer of reprimand for the advertising industries. The objective of the article is to evoke an active resistance against the school commercialism and to make it clear that school commercialism has not disappeared yet. In the support of his stance against the prevailing misperception, as he clarifies that it may have only been due to the acceptance of increasing commercialization in educational institutes, as he mentions that "Of particular note again this year was the lack of voice in the education media on commercializing activity in schools" (Molnar and Reaves, 2001). The article’s purpose also is to jolt the authorities of educational institutes and the district governments to stir their ethical educational conscience. The school marketing is misleading the young generation and thereby jeopardizing the future of our country. Molnar aims to highlight the still prevailing unworthy cost of such commercialization, as was the case of Philio Morriss textbook program that was advertising smoking at a subliminal level (Molnar and Reaves, 2001). The article intends to evoke awareness in schools and institutions against the persuasive strategies of the industries, to make the institutes aware of the meager benefits and abundant

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

From book Matilda by Roald Dahl. Chose 1 quote from chapters 1-8 and Essay

From book Matilda by Roald Dahl. Chose 1 quote from chapters 1-8 and write a personal reflection on it - Essay Example Disappointed with the provincialism of her parents, Matlida finds an emotional escape by reading books. Her parents, however, fail to recognize that Matilda’s intellect was far above her years. They expressly oppose the idea of any books in the house, emphasizing that she should follow her brothers example of investing all the time in television. Through this fictional portrayal of parenting in the contemporary world, Roald Dahl directs the attention of the audience to this grave and largely unnoticed issue. Family, the basic unit of a society is fundamental in nurturing children in order to prepare them for future roles. Unfortunately, today’s modern families are failing to fulfil this obligation. This quote highlights how parents nowadays are engrossed in their own lives, with little interest and attention towards children. It reflects the adverse effects of technological developments in majority of households. Today, child abuse and neglect has become a serious menace to society. This can be solely attributed to change in parental preferences. In today’s age, modern inventions such as televisions, computers, and cell phones have become an imperative component of everyday life. By and large, people fail to establish healthy and beneficial use limits for these inventions. Not surprisingly, time completely drained in such useless pursuits has resulted in dramatic decline in the relative importance of relations of all sorts. Family structures collapse as modern inventions replace parents. Matilda’s parents pay no attention to her needs and only castigate her further for developing habits different from theirs such as reading books. Mr Wormwood constantly denounces her for wasting her time in books as evident from this quote. Similarly, Mrs. Wormwood also explains to her daughter how brainy girls dedicated to studying

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

IMMIGRATION AND ASSYLUM (UK) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

IMMIGRATION AND ASSYLUM (UK) - Essay Example ASYLUM PROCESS If Mr. Kibi is residing in UK and now if he fear returning to his home country because of his maltreatment which he will face in Eritrea he therefore qualifies as a refugee. He may be granted refugee status in the UK and on the basis of which he will be granted permission to remain in the UK for five years. After the completion of this period the person can still ask for UK’s protection and now this time he will be granted permanent stay in the UK. In order to meet the criteria as a refugee, Mr. Kibi needs to convince the authorities if he fulfills the definition of refugee, as written in the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This definition entails that individual is required to demonstrate that he has a well founded fear of prosecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of social group or having specific political opinions about your former home country. The protection which is provided to a recognized refugee is called asyl um according to which the UK officials agree not to send you back to a country where you will be subjected to such persecution. The application procedure which Mr. Kibi can follow while residing in UK is to make application to the Home Office by attending an Asylum Screening Unit. These units are located in different areas of UK. It is essential for Mr. Kibi to contact a lawyer specializing in asylum law to assist him throughout the process. Mr. Kibi will be called for an in-depth interview after submitting the application. The interview will be conducted to inquire Mr. Kibi about the fear of persecution and he will also be provided a questionnaire which needs to be filled out as quickly as possible. Mr. Kibi will be required to give detailed statement about his fear of being persecuted and he will also be required to provide details about his persecution experiences that you have suffered in the past. Mr. Kibi will be required to provide objective information which can be presented to human rights organizations or to the press and various other media sources that can prove that the kind of persecution Mr. Kibi has experienced were against the human rights. Mr. Kibi solicitor can greatly help him in accessing this information. Mr. Kibi should provide information regarding his military service in 1997 and his involvement in the fight on front line at Bure in 1998. He should clearly explain that in 1999 he was detained for three days for refusing to obey commands and further in 2000 he unfortunately received an injury to his thigh whilst fighting and then he was hospitalized for three months. Mr. Kibi must mention in his application that in 2002 he was detained for two weeks when he inquired about his expenses and then in 2005 he was stationed near Adi Quala where he was again injured fighting. At this point he was sent for hospitalization for one year and from there he was moved to Keren where his time was assigned to work for military hospital and part time fo r military camp. In his interview with case owner, Mr. Kibi should also mention that in 2008 he wrote an article for criticizing the government on their attitude towards military members when they get injured during their service period. Now he should also clearly elaborate to his case owner during the interview that at this point, as a result of the above consequences Mr. Kibi felt that it is no

Monday, September 23, 2019

Water and Sustainability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Water and Sustainability - Essay Example In his analysis of the concept of property, Professor Macpherson is concerned with the profound task of re-evaluating the analytical definition of property by returning it to its historical roots (Macpherson, 1 – 12). Such an approach encourages a new understanding about public or communal property matters that have been of concern to communities and governments within the relatively recent past, challenging human rationality and human control. The problems associated with an equitable distribution of water, which is becoming an increasingly scarce resource of vital importance to all humanity, has the capacity for enlarging perception and challenging the mind in its quest for equitable ways of governance and modes of thinking. This is especially true for the Western United States of America in which most of the land lying west of the 100th meridian of longitude receives less than 20 inches of rain annually (MSN Encarta, â€Å"Water Policy in the American West†). The notion of property presented by Professor Macpherson stipulates that the use of the term property to represent things is a misusage (Harris, Chapter 9). In effect, the concept of property has logical and historical dimensions. The logical dimension associated with the concept of property stipulates that property refers to the right to the use of or to benefit from things. Thus, private property rights extend to exclude others from the use of private property. However, property is not always private in nature and the concept of ‘common property’ prevails whenever resources have been set aside for common use. Thus, the notion of common property can give rise to ‘enforceable claims’ not to be excluded from the use of resources. For common property, it is important to understand property rights within the context of the rights of others people, sometimes all people. Thus, common property must be considered within the context of Hohfeldian relations and priv ileges for property

Sunday, September 22, 2019

The Sociology of Race and Ethnicity Essay Example for Free

The Sociology of Race and Ethnicity Essay The most common definition of this term is a social ranking by social wealth. An example would be a family whose income level categorizes them below the poverty line, versus a family whose income level categorizes them far above the poverty line. This is when an oppressor uses race to determine who is and is not privileged. These determinations are made by assigning characteristics to races and dividing them into groups. At minimum, characteristics include physical or cultural traits. This is a broad generalization about groups which does not account for individual differences. An example would be if a person were to generalize that all people from New York City are pushy. Among many others, Chinese Americans, African American, Native Americans and Caucasians are examples of this group. Members of such a group can be identified by obvious physical differences. This occurs when a dominant group forces a minority group to live, work, or socialize separately. The high index of Blacks and Whites living separately in Detroit, Michigan is an example. Another way of describing a minority group, this type of group comprises people of certain race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability. Members of such a group exhibit five distinct characteristics. This occurs when a person, or the group to which that person belongs, assumes the characteristics of a dominant group. An example would be a Native American choosing to abandon his or her cultural norms in favor of United States norms. This group is associated with a faith other than that of the dominant group. For example, individuals who practice Buddhism in the United States belong to this type of group. This perspective maintains that groups in society may express their cultures without facing prejudice or hostility. In part, it can be seen in some of the larger United States cities.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Stages Of Purchase Decision Making Process Marketing Essay

Stages Of Purchase Decision Making Process Marketing Essay Introduction Market research helps the organization to bring the data which make sense of the organizational performance. Moreover, the successful marketer has focused on the market research to bring the information which is applied in the marketing activities. Therefore, the organization become becomes stable when the marketing activities are successful (Kumar, 2010).. However, the competitive advantage is increased due to the successful inauguration of the marketing plan. For an example, the Proctor Gamble is operating huge market research to strengthen the marketing activities which brought the larger market share. Through this paper the key concepts of marketing research will be merged with the different marketing activities. 1. Requirement One 1.1 Stages of Purchase Decision Making Process Here the purchase decision making process is directly concerned with the final consumer purchase decision making process and the consumer purchase decision is differs in the particular products to products. For example, the buying behavior of toothpaste is different from i-pod. However, the purchase decision process has five stages which are reflected in the following figure one. http://www.seo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Consumer-Research-Process1.png Figure One: Purchase Decision Stage, Source: Jeannet and Hennessey, (2011) This figure is suggesting that, consumers go through all of the stages when they need to purchase (Jeannet and Hennessey, 2011). For an example, when a customer need to purchase a Mobile phone, he/she needs to have need awareness, then move to the information search in the mobile market, then make evaluation between alternatives, then make purchase, finally he/she express the post purchase behavior which reflect the positive or negative feedback. 1.2 Theories of Buyer Behavior in Terms of Individual and Market The buying behavior of the consumers differs in the different market and for that reason exper developed different theories of consumer buying behavior. According to Czinkota and Ronkainen, (2012), there are four theories of the buying behavior which is listed in the following. Complex Buying Behavior: In this situation, consumers have higher involvement in the expensive, risky, purchased infrequently, and highly self-expressive product. Dissonance Reducing Buying Behavior: Highly involvement but seeks little difference between brands. Habitual Buying Behavior: Low involvement of consumers but little brand differences. Variety-Seeking Buying Behavior: Have low consumer involvement but brand difference is significance. 1.3 Factors Affecting Buyer Behavior In the modern market, consumers need to make different buying decision in different condition which is affected by the different factors. However, consumer purchase decision is affected by the culture, society, personality, and psychology. This is listed in the following figure. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXfNLjiZaOlUiaDty3K_S5cN_XXMDSEVgdccc31uVyWMOOJMzWBowoqRZ4dUuHOtLxpjXCqCYHpIUCtEItd0kArNnwmtlcgD60EZg0VD7Xlk9U4GR7cwGkGbJEQQcvFQZY2XNgpKesxc/s1600/chart+1.jpg Figure Two: Factors affecting consumer buying behavior. Source: Craig and Douglas, (2009) Cultural: Human behavior is controlled by the culture that is followed by the people and this culture affects purchasing decision. Social: The social structure influences the purchasing behavior of the consumers. Personal: The personal characteristics influence the purchasing decision of the consumers. Psychological: The psychological factors influence the purchasing behavior of consumer like motivation toward purchasing. 1.4 Relationship among Brand Loyalty, Corporate Image, and Repeat Purchasing The brand loyalty, corporate image, and repeat purchasing have strong impact on the competitive advantage of a firm in the highly competitive market. The brand loyalty creates customer loyalty which is resulted the repeat purchasing of the customer Douglas and Craig, (2009). However, the brand loyalty, corporate image, service, price and service quality leads to increase the loyal customer and those loyal customer is the asset of a firm who enhance the brand loyalty and corporate image. The brand loyalty will authentic when the customers have true attitude to make the repeat purchasing. For example, the Pepsi is considered as the true brand loyalties which have the corporate image in the competitive market. 2. Requirement Two 2.1 Types of Market Research Techniques Generally, the market research or the marketing research is designed to collect information to implement in the marketing activities of the firm. Normally, the market research has the two techniques which are listed in the following. Primary Research: The primary research has two ways which is Qualitative and Quantitative research. In qualitative research the research can be designed through the open-ended question and focus groups. However this research technique is used to gather the descriptive information (Dodd, 2008). On the other hand, the quantitative research gathers numerical information to analyze the marketing techniques. The quantitative techniques are done through the surveys. Secondary Research: The secondary research gathers information on the topic which is already published. The secondary research information is gathered from the different institution like trade associations, chamber of commerce, universities, media like newspaper, magazines etc (Dodd, 2008).. 2.2 Source of Secondary Data The secondary data is collected from the different sources which are already published. The secondary research information is already exists. For that reason, the primary data collection is not needed and the secondary information can be gathered from the libraries, public information centre, books, business publication, magazines, newspapers, trade associations, NGOs, banks, real states, insurance companies, wholesalers, manufacturer, regional organsiation, media representatives and many others (Dodd, 2008).. 2.3 Validity and Reliability of Market Research Findings Every research does not require the high level elaboration of study. But, the marketing research needs to conduct the minimum level of study which makes the actual result of the study. The small and informal research background may bring the irrelevant or wrong result (Craig and Douglas, 2009). However, the research validity comes from the data gathering techniques, ethical consideration, and the claims that are done through during the preparation of the research. The research validity may influence greater techniques which mentioned the similarities of other research and opinions. Most of the cases the samples are too small which leads to the poor reliability of the research findings. 2.4 Preparing Marketing Research Plan The marketing research plan is designed to bring the information to implement the current marketing activities. For an example, the market research plan for the Proctor Gamble (PG) has developed to bring out the information of 4.2 billions of customer perception. However, PG has developed the marketing research to justify the brand equity in the market to provide the competitive advantage (Ahmed et al., 2010). For that reason, the company started to cater the consumer to find out the appropriate result and the company has spent tremendous amount of money, effort to bring the innovation. PG knows that, the consumers know about the products which are delivered for the development of the marketing research techniques. PG has successfully handled the market research which brought the appropriate result to determine the marketing result. Now, PG believes that was the only reason why the company is placed in the worlds top one of the brands. 3. Requirement Three 3.1 Market Size Trends within the Market The market size is calculated by the total volume or value of sales in the market and the total volume is calculated through the number of units sold and the amount spent by the customer to have the costs of goods sold. To illustrate this an example of UK book market can be considered, the UK book market is healthy and dynamic market which saw that the market size is upward. In this market, the consumers are the main driver and the publishers need to promote the new writers books rather the old writers (Ahmed et al., 2010). Because, the old writer already captured the market and new writers can expand the market which increase the market size. However, the book market size is also expanding due to non-fiction growth of the products and services which helps to expand the market size. 3.2 Competitor Analysis of Tesco Tesco is the biggest supermarket chain in the UK. The most significant issue is that, the UK supermarket and food retail market is considered as heavily consolidated. In the supermarket chain, the top five supermarket chain has the major market share which is minimum more than five and these companies are Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Wm. Morrison, and Somerfield. These five companies have more than 80 percent of the total market share in the UK. However, the competition between these companies is intense and dynamic (Henry, 2011). However, the competition is begins with plan which is set to position in the market, Tesco considers Asda and Wm Morrison low price group who has the strong market influence in the market and Asda is the second largest UKs supermarket chain. Whereas, the Sainsburys and Somerfield are considered as the smaller competitors, which have focus on the higher price. Tesco is the largest supermarket chain and consider all the competitors to set the marketing activities in the market to increase the sales of the product. In the UK supermarket chain, Tesco is holding the 30 percent market share and Asda and Sainsburys has the second and third position which belongs 16 and 17 percent market share respectably (Bagozzi Foxall, 2009). However, the Morrison holding the fourth position which has the 11 percent market shares with the acquisition of the Safeway. The competitor Somerfield has the 6 percent market share for the fifth position. 3.3 Opportunities and Threats for Asda Asda is a second largest supermarket of UKs supermarket chain, which have currently booming position in the supermarket chain. However, the company was taken over by the USAs biggest brand Wal-Mart. Though, it has been taken over by the Wal-Mart, the brand name didnt change and the old brand name successfully promoted by the Wal-Mart which is completely efficient strategic decision (Bagozzi Foxall, 2009). This strategy has brought some opportunities for Asda, as well as threats. This is relevant in all business practice that, the threats is existed in line with the opportunities. So the opportunities and threats need to identify to attempt for the best alternative action in the market. In the following the opportunities and threats is identified (Lewis and Slack, 2003). Opportunities Threats Sufficient Shareholder More brands but lower selling of high brand products. Currently second largest supermarket chain in UK Asda cannot be compared with TESCO(first biggest supermarket chain) Provides best value rather money to the retailer Focus on selling of Asdas product rather the big brand like Nestle, Cadbury, Proctor and Gamble, Unilever. Having high profit margin Less stores compared to the competitors Efficient procurement system Focus on great profit Table: Opportunities and Threats of Asda. 4. Requirement Four 4.1 Techniques to Assess Customer Response The assessment of the customer response is fully depends on the activities of the firms performance in the firms activity sector. Moreover, the techniques of the customer response are highly developed on the assessment and measurement of the financial planning in which the customer survey is considered as the best way to assess the customer response Doyle, P. (2008). Besides, the customer survey, an organization can assess the different yardsticks which are described in the following part of the paper. Productive Performance Indicator: The productivity of the organization will be increased when the customer response is developed. Because, the sales of the product is increased and the demand for the product also increased in line with the sales. Then, a company try to increase the productivity is increased. Then the organization can easily trace the customer responses. Financial Performance: when the customer response is positive the financial performance is upward. Because, the increased sales contribute to increase the profit margin which make the company profitable. The positive performance brings the customer response. Quality Performance: if the organization offers the better products in the market the customer try to take the full responsibility which increases the product sales. The quality performance is able when the continuous selling is running. Response Cycle Time: The customer who intends to response with the product quality then the repeat purchase increase. The sales volume represent whether the customer making the repeat purchase. This indicates the customer response of the organization. 4.2 Customer Satisfaction Survey To assess the customer satisfaction the direct survey is continued which has logical collaboration of the abandon item. But, most of the cases the survey questions do not matched with the customer satisfaction level and the perceived customer value are highly merged with customer experience (Catherine, 2011). Here, the questionnaire for customer survey is as follows. What is your gender? Which range indicates your age? How long the products are used? Which product and services is preferred by the organization to serve you. How frequent the purchasing of the products needs. The rating of the overall satisfaction level to customer level. Will you recommend to your friend and family to buy from this product. The brand attributes need to be argued or not? Rating the companys product. Which logo customer beliefs to make brand relation? How satisfied you overall with the products attributes? Is the firm is able to support your problems? If the product dont be able how the staff are offer to serve recent problems? How efficient the customer service system of the organization. This question is designed with the options which have the logical structure of the satisfied, strongly satisfied, not satisfied, and neutral. This survey result will help to find out the actual result of the survey. 4.3 Review of the Survey The survey questionnaire brings the data of specific problems and weaknesses of the organization. The term customer satisfaction will be measured when the result of the survey report will be submitted. Moreover, the actual results will carry the recent information which is carried by the research objectives (Catherine, 2011). Customer satisfaction will be brought when the result of the survey will be positive. However, the results may positive or negative both is expected. When the result will be positive the company will try to maximize the service components and features. On the other hand, if the result is negative the organization may take action to make the product development with the special feature comparing the competitors. The customer service provides the special features of the recommendation which develop the marketing activities. Training Plan The training session for the 10 mid level manage will be focused on the key procedures of the market research techniques. The market research techniques is designed to develop the authentic collaboration with the different techniques of research, how to bring the actual result, how to response with the negative result. This system will be enhanced when the research is designed to develop the specific actions of the research techniques. The ten midlevel manager will able to carry out the research of the organization. Conclusion In brief, the high level of value adds the high level of the organizations performance. The customer service is designed to provide the actual results which are demonstrated the individual customers (Bagozzi Foxall, 2009). However, the firms need to focus on the after sale service to bring the customer response which bring the brand equity in line with the corporate image. So, the research and development is the necessary part to know whether the customer is satisfied or not. Finally, the satisfied customer bring the huge benefit for the organization in long run with profitability and growth.