Competitiveness and investment attractiveness of the South African Essay

Competitiveness and investment attractiveness of the South African food retail industry - Essay Example By 2012, the SAFRI is expected to have a value of $98.1 billion which will be an increase of 32.7 percent over 2011 (Appendix A). While the above figures demonstrate the attractiveness of the market for investments, further evaluation would be conducted to determine the competitive advantage in investing in South Africa. This would be conducted through the extended model of Porter’s National Diamond. 2. Porter’s National Diamond The competitive advantage of an industry, according to Porter, derives from the national ‘diamond’. These four diamonds are the four determinants of competitive advantage created within the home base of the nation state – factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, and firm strategy, structure and rivalry. The extended model of Porter’s National Diamond includes government and chance events. An important key feature of the model is that the determinants are supportive of each other and oper ate as a system (Clancy, O’Malley, O’Connell and Egeraat, 2001). This implies that there should be effective flow of information about needs, techniques and technology. Here geographic concentration is important because proximity facilitates flow of information. ... While the basic factors pertain to demographics, location and climate, the advanced factors include communications infrastructure, sophisticated skills and research facilities. South Africa’s population has surpassed 50 million and more than 90 percent of its population is non-white (Arisaig, 2012). Unemployment rate is 25.2 percent and the average life expectancy is only 57 years. Unequal distribution of wealth has resulted in the poorest ten percent earning just one percent of the total national income. Poor education system can be attributed to high rates in unemployment. However, the country has modern infrastructure and the retail sector is sophisticated although dominated by local products (Ntloedibe, 2012). The country also has a well developed communications network and electricity supply is also reliable. In addition, South Africa also has a network of merchant banks, brokers, and financial services specialists. Investments in technology and telecommunications are inc reasing which will enhance business infrastructure thereby enabling the companies to compete with the countries in the West (Maxwell, 2013). The southernmost country on the African continent, South Africa is one of the most economically prosperous nations in southern Africa due to its coastal location and presence of gold, diamonds and natural resources (Briney, 2012). However, climate change is prominent in South Africa and this impacts sourcing and transportation of agricultural products for retailers. One way to handle this is through adaptation by sourcing through several suppliers in vulnerable categories. Despite its coastal location, water is scarce and water security is a fundamental challenge faced by retailers. This requires the retailers to actively engage with suppliers for

Critically assess the role of the UN in the protection of human rights Essay

Critically assess the role of the UN in the protection of human rights with regards to the AIDS epidemic in subsaharan Africa - Essay Example The CHR's request was based on the Secretary General's statement during the 51st session of the UN in which he stated: of the complex relationship between the public health rationale and the human rights rationale of HIV/AIDS. In particular, Governments could benefit from guidelines that outline clearly how human rights standards apply in the area of HIV/AIDS and indicate concrete and specific measures, both in terms of legislation and practice, that should be undertaken (Para. 135) In order to meet this objective the Second Annual International Consultation on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights under the leadership of United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS along with their cosponsors (hereafter, UNAIDS)2 was held in Geneva from 23 to 25 September of 1996 to finalise guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights. Secondly, the members upon acceptance of the final form of the guidelines set out recommendations to ensure the guidelines are disseminated and implemented by all UN intergovernmental bodies, nations and non-government agencies. The basic human rights guiding principles as established by the UN with regard to HIV/AID are contained in Appendix A on page 26. Several of the principles are of specific interest with regard to the current research topic. One of these guiding principles is the 'Right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications.' In this principle the UN recognises that every person regardless of where they live is entitled to quality health care, current treatment methods, preventative supplies, counselling and testing. They further acknowledged that third world and emerging nations do not necessarily have the means, resources and funding necessary to accomplish this. To that end, they spell out the need to supply within countries and between nations the fundamental supplies and resources for this to occur. This is further emphasised in principle 14 which more expressly states that "International support, from both the public and private sectors, for developing countries for

Power and Persuation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Power and Persuation - Essay Example The employees can improve their living standards since their income is increased. Reward power increases the competitive nature of the organization and hence is a tool towards fighting competition. Reward power increases the chances of expansion in an organization and hence can lay the foundation to internationalization. Reward power also has negative effects to both the employer and the employees. Some employees use reward power to take advantage of the productivity of employees. The rewards sometimes given do not match the required output. The employees may also reduce the quality of work since they mind about the amount of output rather than the quality. This may destroy the image of an organization and in uttermost cases may lead to collapse of the business Raven, 1964). Coercion is related to reward power in that it leads to increased output. However, in coercion the employer instills fear in the employees such that their productivity is due to the fear they have for the management. Instilling fear in employees has both negative and positive effects. It benefits the parties involved in different ways. The employer benefits since the work output is increased and hence they can operate more profitably. The fact that the employees are made to fear their employer creates forced respect between them. Respect between the employer and the employees ensure that duties are carried put as per the set rules and targets. Coercion reduces the chances of many common mistakes done because of arrogance and hence an organization reduces the risk of losses. However, coercion can also lead to exploitation of the employees. An employee is impelled to work beyond the required standard in terms of time and productivity. The employees cannot complain about their rights since they fear being fired. This leads to poor working conditions, which may even lead to sickness in industries involving

Market Segmentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Market Segmentation - Essay Example Survey comprise of elemental phases like population sampling, adoption of appropriate research design, data collection, and finally analysis of resultant data into meaningful information. In order to maintain objectivity, researchers need to follow all these steps. In this essay, we will appraise utilization of survey methodology in obtaining information about market segmentation in Doha. The company conducting this survey plans to sell fast food to university students in the CBE. Hankin and Rhoads (2011) agree that from a theoretical perspective, fast foods are usually associated with negative effects on health concerns of consumers. In this case, the company needs substantial knowledge before deciding to roll out a fast food program within the university’s premises. The desired market segment within the selected consumer population aims at evaluating the potential of female students in purchasing fast food from the company’s outlets. In order to obtain informed data, we will customize research questions to evaluate the students’ concerns on consumption of healthy food. All the campuses of CBE have a vast number of students. Therefore, the survey started by obtaining a representative sample from the entire female student population. The sample comprised of students aged between 21-28years of age. Approximately 75% of the sample comprised of undergraduate students. The entire sample comprised of 100 students, all of which were female students. On the aspect of research design, the survey exercise adopted the use of questionnaires in acquiring information from the sampled students. Based on the work of Jessen (2008), questionnaires proved effective in acquiring first hand... The company conducting this survey plans to sell fast food to university students in the CBE. Hankin and Rhoads (2011) agree that from a theoretical perspective, fast foods are usually associated with negative effects on health concerns of consumers. In this case, the company needs substantial knowledge before deciding to roll out a fast food program within the university’s premises. The desired market segment within the selected consumer population aims at evaluating the potential of female students in purchasing fast food from the company’s outlets. In order to obtain informed data, we will customize research questions to evaluate the students’ concerns on consumption of healthy food. All the campuses of CBE have a vast number of students. Therefore, the survey started by obtaining a representative sample from the entire female student population. The sample comprised of students aged between 21-28years of age. Approximately 75% of the sample comprised of under graduate students. The entire sample comprised of 100 students, all of which were female students. On the aspect of research design, the survey exercise adopted the use of questionnaires in acquiring information from the sampled students. Based on the work of Jessen (2008), questionnaires proved effective in acquiring first-hand information from the target consumers; hence enhancing objectivity and reality of information obtained. In this regard, the exercise used primary sources in as the most appropriate mode of data collection.

Extra cridit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Extra cridit - Essay Example This is one of the most applied contemporary philosophies, since it explains human behavior, morality and decision-making. The theory classifies motives of people into three broad descriptions, which are the ego, the id and the super-ego. This theory also categorizes various personalities and answers the question why people are different. The main theory that guides this contention is determinism theory, which argues that the past, the present and the future are all interconnected. Arguably, another key theory that is also universally applicable developed by Sigmund Freud, is the human psyche theory. These theories are connectable to various political situations and numerous people have tried to implement these theories in a political context. By nature, most people argue that Sigmund Freud was a conservative. However, throughout his life, he underwent various first hand mistreatments from the politicians, such as the invasion of his house by Nazi Germany troops when he was in his la te seventies. Sigmund’s psychoanalytic theory holds a variety of views. Primarily, the philosopher indicates that the nature of decisions we make, or the type of personality we exhibit is located in three parts of our minds, which are the ego, super ego and the id. ... From the id, Freud introduces the ego, which operates under the principal of reality. In this contention, the philosopher argues that the ego works to satisfy the wants of the brain, through socially acceptable ways. As such, the ego is in touch with reality and functions to control our intrinsic desires to a context that is socially acceptable. From the ego, Freud then introduces the super-ego, which is more complex, and acquired as during a person’s lifetime. Behaviors that people in the society view as good or bad are inscribed in our super ego. Thus, the super-ego suppresses our morally unacceptable desires from the id and cultivates good behavior and morality from the ego. It thus works to ensure that the id operates under morality, and that the ego operates on idealism as opposed to reality. Though this is a psychoanalytic theory developed to assist people understand the various desires and personalities of people, it has been a guiding principle in the development of nu merous political philosophies. For instance, it is evident that theories such as idealism and realism are derived from this psychoanalytic theory. Freud’s introduction about reality and about idealism are the birthing principles for most political theories. Idealism and realism are two philosophies that could be held by leaders. The philosophy each leader holds determines the social and economic development limits of a nation. Idealists believe that things should be as one wants them to be, hence pushing people to pursue their desires in socially acceptable ways, whereas realism holds the argument that things have to be practical and pragmatic,

National Buy Nothing Day Essay Example for Free

National Buy Nothing Day Essay ​A hard-working, single mother receives her pay-check that to her horror reads a measly $225.30. She doesnt use the money for her, instead she uses that money to care for her two children, she needs to pay the rent, and the electricity but her kids need food to grow. As she heads to the bank to cash the check she passes the neighborhood local store and no cars are outside and the light are dim. Nothing comes to her mind as to what seems different, she proceeds to head over to the bank, and notices that there is no clerks and no long lines? So many things run through her mind so she parks her beat-down car, that clanks and rattles. As she becomes even more worried there is a bright white paper that reads, Due to the over-consumption rates, the government has issued a National Buy Nothing Day, we are sorry for any inconviences. Her world is instantly shut down and she becomes scared as to how she is going to feed her children. This is exactly what I fear will happen if a National Buy Nothing Day is issued, so in my opinion, a National Buy Nothing Day would be a bad idea. ​A National Buy Nothing Day would become a huge inconvenience to many people over the world. Many people in the United States work minimum wage jobs and have a family to care for. 75% of the population works pay check to pay check just to give the basics to their family, and majority of the money is spent on food that they hope will last them the whole month until they are paid again. Sadly, more times than you would like to see parents unhealthy and always tired because they put their children before themselves, and what if the National Buy Nothing Day just so happened to fall on pay day. The heartbreak that would radiate from the couple, and the worry that rushes through their mind as to how they are going to feed their kids tonight and when t hey are going to be able to come back and cash that paycheck? Now that the parents view is shown, imagine the reaction of the kids that come home and see that there is no food on the table and the have to be told from their parents tha t they have to go to sleep hungry tonight. Thats heartbreaking for anybody, and everybody. ​Along with an inconvenience to many Americans, a National Buy Nothing Day would hurt the life of a teenager, very significantly. Teenagers  are the main percentage of individuals that add to the rate of over-consumption. Even though they are the big spenders in this era, they often rely on the quick stops to help them proceed with their school day. 8 out of 10 teenagers have a car in high school and with having a car comes a huge cash flow. Many teens can barely wake up in time to go to school and this often leads to them not eating, and scientists have proven that this can greatly affect their performance with anything they do in the day. So they make a quick stop at either McDonalds, or in New Mexico Blakes Lotaburger for a quick burrito, so they can eat something to fuel their bodies for the day. High school athletes rely on eating more than anyone, because they need that fuel to burn off, either at their zero-hour basketball practices or their afternoon football practice. So, the Buy Nothing Day would send these athletes hungry to school and the only thing they will eat is their lunch, and with starting school at 7:00 and not even eating until 12:00, thats a 5 hour long span of lacking concentration in class. ​Medication is more times than others bought on a daily for many individuals with medical problems and the vast majority of this is children. 30% of individuals die annually because of lack to medications that can save them, and 10% of them are children. Thats almost half the percentage! Children are more venerable to illnesses and harsh sickness than adults due to the fact that their bodies are still developing. What if on the National Buy Nothing Day that one child that has for instance, epilepsy, runs out his precious medication that prevents seizures. At any moment in the day he could experience pain in their head and in a blink of an eye, they are having a seizure. On the daily, 2/3 children die a day from seizures and helpful medication prevents this from ever happening. How must it feel for a mother to know that you cant go and buy your child medication because the government just shut down all stores for a day that may open the eyes to consumers? Anxiety that passes th rough mother knowing their child is at any time vulnerable to a life-taking illness. ​Of course, many feel differently. One argument cited by many others is that a National Buy Nothing Day would open the over spending ways of many Americans. Yes, maybe this all we need to open our eyes but would just like other events that were supposed to help us, more times than others we just go back to our old ways. Like for instance, in the time of The Great Dust Bowl, Farmers were  plowing heir fields non-stop and destroying the once fertile land. Then once the Dust Bowl came wiping out anything that was in its way, Farmers soon realized that their ways were in desperate need of reform, but what happened again? Farmers were back to their old ways and doing what they just did before. Its the mind of the American people that determine everything we do. Now should it be the governments job to show us our wrongs? Why no! We can say were going to change but do we ever really do? For a national objective to work, everyone has to consent to it. ​Although a National Buy Nothing would open the eyes of many consu mers everywhere, it can greatly impact others in different ways. Like the mother who cant find a way to feed her beautiful, small bundles of joy, or the teenager that cant buy his breakfast for the day, more negatives aspects come out of this than the good.

Difficulties in Developing Petroleum Industry in Vietnam

Difficulties in Developing Petroleum Industry in Vietnam by Nguyen Duc Anh Tuan Introduction Nowadays, in the developing era with fast pace, those agricultural countries, particularly Vietnam, might not only focus on improving the agriculture but also pay attention to developing the industrial area. More specifically, Vietnam has been concentrating on how to develop the gas and oil industry recently. However, the country is still facing a lot of difficulties. This essay will discuss in depth about what are the problems and point out the potential causes for those challenges base on three questions: What are the reasons causing difficulties for the development? What are the effects of these problems for Viet Nam? What are possible solutions to resolve these problems? Definition of oil and gas According to the Vietnam Oil and Gas Law (1993) Oil and gas means crude oil, natural gas and hydrocarbons in gaseous, liquid or solid in its natural state except coal, shale, bitumen or other minerals can be extracted oil. Oil and gas activities is active exploration, development and mining of petroleum, including direct service activities for these activities. There are many oil and gas activities dividing into different areas. Situation of petroleum industry in Viet Nam The petroleum industry contributed most amount of foreign currency to serve the economy as electricity and gas, gasoline and clean energy. Recently, the National Oil and Gas Group Vietnam (PVN) has provided nearly 35 billion m3 of dry gas production, 40% of national electricity production, 35-40% urea demand and supply 70 % of LPG demand for industrial development and consumer welfare. Raw oil export has a strong growth and stability, greatly contributes to country exports, especially in earlier periods, averaging about 15%. Currently, this proportion has decreased and only at about 7.5. Although total exports are declining but oil and gas industry is still keeping the unit contribution at about 18-22% of total national GDP. (tapchitaichinh.vn, 2012) Causes and effects causing difficulties for the development First of all, it can be denied that there has been a lack of technology which put gas and oil industry of Vietnam under difficulty. After a long time being an agriculture focus country, Vietnam has decided to change and transform into an industrial country. Obviously, that decision may lead to the fact that the country might lack skills and technology to adapt to this industry. One of the main weaknesses of our country is that the government might not have enough capital to invest into developing and updating technologies. Prices of various types of equipment, supplies, fuel and services primarily are related to production and business activities which make investments more complicated. Vietnam oil and gas industry today is quite young with limited human resource capacity to supply so that it cannot meet demand. Our country mainly exports crude oil and imports refined oil to serve local demand. There are some refineries that went into operation as the Dung Quat oil refinery, Nghi Son refinery but only supply about 35% of domestic demand. Meanwhile, demand for petroleum products is increasing, not only in the short term but in the long term due to the population explosion and the continuous growth of the industry, especially the acceleration of the transport sector needs to do more According to OPEC, demand for petroleum fuels is increasing rapidly, especially in developing countries, and by 2025, the supply will not meet the demand. Moreover, increasing oil prices also have a tremendous impact on the development of this industry Those reasons above have led to human resource in gas and oil industry became more expensive. That led to the significant increase in the number of people who wish to work in the oil and gas sector. Many students said that they are studying the oil industry not only because of higher salaries, simply because of the fact that oil industry is considered to be the solutions for the future of the energy industry. However, Vietnam labor market is a serious imbalance between sectors and areas. We have abundant unskilled labor and a lot of labor who have shortage of Technical Skill. According to Mr. Hoang Nhat Thong (Office of the General Department of Sea and Islands), the economy in general marine, oil and gas industry in particular, is a severe manpower shortage will affect only the maritime economy and coastal contribute about 53-55% of the total GDP of the country in 2020. Urgent solutions Oil and gas industry is the field has to combine all of those technologies and sciences like astronomy, tides, marine sciences, construction and installation of offshore structures such as rigs, pipelines, tanks, drilling into the ground, the work of geology, geophysics, exploration of the stratigraphy†¦ Therefore, the application of science and technology in the oil and gas activities can ensure high efficiency, save natural resources, enhance oil recovery factor and other resources saving as well as protect ecological resources. Therefore we have to build human resources management system according to international standards, which include the application of information technology systems, mapping capabilities, the standard title, system evaluation, payment regulation, bonuses, rules and criteria for recruitment to appoint the head, proper planning and appropriate building standards, criteria representatives and representatives of Petro Vietnam stake in the oil and gas activities in the country and foreign pilot who runs accordance with the Law on Enterprises. For tax policy should define equality between domestic service with service by foreign companies perform as VAT, import duty, †¦ It should have clear policies and encourage oil and gas activities in the deep water offshore exploration and exploitation of natural gas tax policy should be adjusted based on the refinery and in the planning to compete with imported products, policies for gas and electricity prices should approach the market mechanism . Have appropriate policies related to arrange key capital projects through: Grant, loan guarantee and ensure currency converter to facilitate in arranging loans for major projects the state level, support preferential loans from the Development Bank minimum of 20% to 30% of total investment projects focus on oil and gas.(Pvcfc.vn, 2014) Evaluation Obviously, to develop gas and oil industry, it is important to fully invest in all areas however, all of those solutions have pros and cons themselves. All of the above mentioned solutions usually take long time and a lot of money to consider, improve and implement, especially investing in technologies and human resources. However, once those two are on set, they will have a great impact on this industry. Besides that, probably they do not take as much time as changing the country’s policy since it is much harder to change the whole country’s system. Finally, maybe gas and oil industry should go with technologies first since it is mandatory for such an industry. Regarding to human resources, we recently identified human resource as one of the most important factors to make decisions in production and business activities as well as drive force development of any society, particularly in the oil and gas industry it is also reflected in the work environment , in terms of general science, technology, international environment and different cultures. Conclusion Even though it is clear to say that gas and oil industry is still facing a lot of challenge if the government of Vietnam wants to develop this kind of industry more. In that case, they should consider about how to raise enough capital to invest in equipment, to cover potential loss and to recruit right people. However, it cannot be denied that this area of industry is very attractive for investor therefore Vietnam can also hope for big investment from foreign country to develop gas and oil industry. References: moj.gov.vn (1993), Luà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ­t dà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ §u khà ­ năm 1993 (online). Available at http://www.moj.gov.vn/vbpq/Lists/Vn%20bn%20php%20lut/View_Detail.aspx?ItemID=10817 [Accessed 24 Dec 2014] Nang Luong Viet Nam (2014), Ngà  nh Dà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ §u khà ­ Vià ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ¡t Nam trÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ºc thà ¡ch thà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ ©c an ninh năng lÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £ng quà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬Ëœc gia (online). Available at http://nangluongvietnam.vn/news/vn/dau-khi-viet-nam/nganh-dau-khi-viet-nam-truoc-thach-thuc-an-ninh-nang-luong-quoc-gia.html [Accessed 19 Dec 2014] Pvcfc.vn (2014), Chià ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿n lÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £c phà ¡t trià ¡Ã‚ »Ã†â€™n ngà  nh Dà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ §u khà ­ Ä‘Ã ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿n năm 2020: Nhà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ ¯ng già ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £i phà ¡p cÆ ¡ bà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £n (online). 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