Friday, November 29, 2019

Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets Article Review Essay Example

Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets Article Review Essay The article chosen for analysis is titled ‘Google to Fund, Develop Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets’. It is published by the Wall Street Journal on 24th May 2013. From a Managerial Economics point of view, the article throws light on Google’s market expansion in emerging economies. Google is renowned for its innovations in the field of information technology. In recent years, the company has ventured into creating hardware for that would complement and support its popular software applications. Google’s search engine is its flagship product which is very prevalent across the world. On the back of the stupendous success of the search engine, the company has created numerous web applications such as gmail, youtube, google books, etc which are ever gaining in popularity. The company is known for coming up with fresh and interesting ideas that create new niches in the markets related to the web. The article in question talks about one of the preoccupat ions of the top management, namely, market expansion. Hence, it is quite relevant for students of Managerial Economics. In the global economy of today, despite the remarkable reach of the Internet, only a minor portion of the world population have access to it. A whopping 87% of Google’s revenues come from advertising carried by its various web platforms. For example, the Adsense advertising program is one of the major streams of revenue for Google. Hence, it makes a lot of business sense to expand access to the Internet to as many potential consumers as possible. For example, â€Å"Connecting more people to the Web world-wide creates more potential users of its Web-search engine and other services such as YouTube and its Google Play media and app store. More than half of the world’s population doesn’t use the Web, particularly in developing nations, researchers say.† This is exactly what Google is trying to achieve as per the article in review. But there are quite a few challenges facing this vision. Firstly, the infrastructure in the developing world (where most untap ped markets exist) is quite rudimentary and incompatible with the sophisticated tech products and services offered by Google. As a way of overcoming this problem Google is trying to create an independent network system that would function parallel with existing television and telephone broadcast systems. Already this proposition is being experimented with in South Africa, where a local school system is being supported via this new technology. We will write a custom essay sample on Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets Article Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets Article Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets Article Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The challenges facing Google are not only in the realm of technology but also from powerful competing firms. Microsoft, one of the major rivals for Google, is trying out similar technological innovations with a view to installing them in developing nations. The advantages these new network infrastructure offers are two-fold. First, they reduce the burden on the conventional telecom airwaves, whose spectrum allocations are fully saturated. Second, they allow a more portable and localized network infrastructure to emerge, which offer firms like Google flexibility to target particular consumer groups. But as Amir Efrati notes, the path is not easy for Google, as incumbent cable and wireless network operators are fierce in holding onto their monopoly. The incumbents, especially in the US and Europe, â€Å"have clashed with Google, believing it is unfairly reaping profits on the back of their networks. Google has long feared such companies would make it harder for its Web services t o work properly on the networks†. Another major benefit for expanding access to the Internet is that it helps Google to enrich its consumer behavior databases. After all, this database is the backbone for catering targeted advertising centered on the individual consumer. This is already evident when we use Youtube or Gmail where placed advertisements are either ‘context’ specific or ‘user-interest’ specific. Since studies have shown that such targeted advertising works very well, Google has set its priorities in creating a robust, expansive and yet dynamic database to help this targeting. In this respect, it makes sense for Google to invest in this area, even if the potential returns in the near future are not very lucrative. The author of the article Amir Efrati mentions this key motivation behind market expansion in emerging economies. Otherwise, it would not have been obvious to the reader why such huge investments would be devoted to regions with modest revenue prospects. Coming to the drawbacks of the article, it contains too many references to vague sources. For example almost every purported fact is attributed to â€Å"these sources said† â€Å"people familiar with Google’s plans said†, â€Å"researchers said†, â€Å"said people with direct knowledge of the matter†, etc. Nowhere are references to names or institutions from which information is being gathered for the article. Coming from a reputed journal as the Wall Street Journal, this practice undermines the credibility of what is written. It is as if the author is worried of libel suits from Google and Mircosoft – the projects of these two firms being speculated in the article. In terms of its relevance though, the article is useful for students of Managerial Economics, for it presents a current and important development in the Information Technology industry. The student will learn that the world of business is very complex with multiple factors impinging on any managerial decision. And most of these factors do not show up in the annual reports, like, say, the political atmosphere prevailing in a particular market. Amir Efrati mentions how Google is lobbying hard to garner political support for installing its independent network infrastructure. The governments are faced with satisfying the safety requirements of the proposed high frequency devises. This is a legitimate precaution, for electromagnetic radiation from wireless antennas and receptors are feared to cause cancers in humans. This is one of the reasons that Google’s plans in trying out new technologies are being delayed. Secondly, politicians cannot antagonize their native contingency in terms of conventional network providers and related vested interests. Hence, there are numerous factors at play behind business operations – not all of them are straight forward. This insight is quite useful for the student of Managerial Economics. Hence, overall, there are more positives than negatives associated with the article. Written in neat and easy prose, the article is largely devoid of technical jargon. Thus, it is accessible to students at all levels. Reference: Efrati, Amir, (Updated May 24, 2013) ‘Google to Fund, Develop Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets’Retrieved from on 25th May, 2013

Monday, November 25, 2019

Definition and Examples of an Ad Hominem Fallacy

Definition and Examples of an Ad Hominem Fallacy Ad hominem is a logical  fallacy  that involves a personal attack: an argument based on the perceived failings of an adversary rather than on the merits of the case. In short, its when your rebuttal to an opponents position is an irrelevant attack on the opponent personally rather than the subject at hand, to discredit the position by discrediting its supporter. It translates as against the man. Using an ad hominem fallacy pulls the publics attention off the real issue and serves only as a distraction. In some contexts its unethical.  Its also called argumentum ad hominem, abusive ad hominem, poisoning the well, ad personam, and mudslinging. The attacks serve as red herrings to try to discredit or blunt the opponents argument or make the public ignore it- its not just a personal attack but one stated as a counterattack to the position.   Ad Hominem Arguments That Arent Fallacies Just as there can be negative attacks (or insults) against someone that arent ad hominem arguments, there can also be a valid ad hominem argument thats not a ​fallacy. This works to convince the opposition of a premise using information that the opposition already believes to be true, whether or not the person making the argument believes them as factual.      Also, if the point of criticism of the opponent is an ethical or moral violation for someone wholl be in a position to enforce moral standards (or claims to be ethical), the ad hominem might not be irrelevant to the point at hand. If there is a conflict of interest that is being hidden- such as personal gain that has clearly influenced a persons position- the ad hominem could be relevant. Gary Goshgarian and colleagues give this example of a conflict of interest in their book An Argument Rhetoric and Reader:   The organizer of a petition to build a state-supported recycling center may seem reasonably suspect if it is revealed that he owns the land on which the proposed recycling center would be built. While the property owner may be motivated by sincere environmental concerns, the direct relationship between his position and his personal life makes this fair game for a challenge (Gary Goshgarian, et al.,  Addison-Wesley, 2003). Types of Ad Hominem Arguments An abusive ad hominem fallacy is a direct attack on the person. For example, it occurs when the opponents appearance is brought up in the discussion. Youll see this a lot of times when men are discussing positions of female opponents. The persons clothes and hair and personal attractiveness are brought up during the discussion when they have nothing to do with the subject matter. Looks and clothes never come into the discussion, however, when the mens points of views come up for debate.   The scary thing, as T.E. Damer writes, is that most abusers apparently believe that such characteristics actually provide good reasons for ignoring or discrediting the arguments of those who have them (Attacking Faulty Reasoning. Wadsworth, 2001). The circumstantial  ad hominem fallacy happens when the opponents circumstances come into play, irrelevantly.   A  tu quoque  fallacy is when the opponent points out how the arguer doesnt follow his or her own advice.  Its also called an appeal to  hypocrisy, for that reason. An opponent might say, Well, thats the pot calling the kettle black.   Ad Hominem Examples Political campaigns, especially the tiresome negative attack ads, are full of fallacious ad hominem examples (as well as just negative attacks, without any positions stated).  Unfortunately, they work, otherwise, candidates wouldnt use them. In a study, scientists had people evaluate scientific claims paired with attacks. They found that attacks on positions based on ad hominem fallacies were just as effective as attacks based on evidence. Allegations of conflict of interest were just as effective as allegations of fraud. In political campaigns, ad hominem attacks are nothing new. Yvonne Raley, writing for Scientific American, noted that during the presidential campaign of 1800, John Adams was called a fool, a gross hypocrite and an unprincipled oppressor. His rival, Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand, was deemed an uncivilized atheist, anti-American, a tool for the godless French.†Ã‚   Examples of different types of ad hominem fallacies and arguments include: Abusive: During the 2016  presidential campaign, Donald Trump threw out one abusive ad hominem attack after another about Hillary Clinton, such as, Now you tell me she looks presidential, folks. I look presidential, as if clothing were the important issue at hand.  Circumstantial: Thats what youd expect someone like him/her to say or Thats, of course, the position a ___________ would have.Poisoning the well:  Take, for example, a movie reviewer who dislikes a Tom Cruise movie because of the actors religion and tries to impose negative bias in the audience members minds before they see the film. His religious affiliation is completely unrelated to his acting ability or whether the movie is entertaining.Relevant ad hominem arguments: It was relevant to attack  Jimmy Swaggart after he was found with a prostitute yet purported to be an advisor and leader on moral issues. But hes not alone as far as preaching morality and not behaving. Any congressman who purports family values an d commits adultery, is caught with pornography, or hires prostitutes- and especially those who lie about it- is legitimately open for character attacks.   Guilt by association: If a person expresses the same (or a similar) view as someone whos already viewed negatively, that person and the viewpoint will then be viewed negatively. Whether the viewpoint is valid doesnt matter; its tarnished because of the person whos viewed negatively.Ad feminam: Using female stereotypes to attack a viewpoint is an ad feminam fallacy, for example, calling someones viewpoint irrational because of pregnancy, menopause, or menstruation hormones.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

APA review Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

APA review - Assignment Example The APA standard of writing creates cues for readers to follow ideas effectively and trace information that may be of interest to them. In addition, it draws attention by not distracting readers with unfamiliar formatting and writing styles, as well as generating credibility in command of content and ideas to the audience of written works. This creates confidence in the audience and demonstrating awareness of the researcher (Seas and Brizee, 2012). The formatting style is used mostly in three disciplines: social sciences, business and nursing and covers two types of papers, which include literature reviews and experimental reports and outlines required sections of each paper. In addition, APA covers the most basic areas of concern, which include point of view, clarity, and choice of words. It also highlights citations and reference lists where it takes into consideration the requirements of in-text citations, footnotes and endnotes, reference lists and the basic rules associated with

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

How culture influence Management style Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 15000 words

How culture influence Management style - Essay Example The emergence of a global economy and the dissolution of the national boundaries due to the advancement of information and communication technology, have forced the organizations to constantly re-evaluate strategies and operations so as to remain competitive (Buttery & Holt, 2000). With workplaces having people from diverse cultural backgrounds, with virtual teams working across continents culture plays a significant role in how the firms operate and manage business. Culture has always been a source of influence on human behaviour. It is essential to note that culture has a major impact on the human behaviour. Also the performance of an individual at a work place is directly impacted by the culture of the organisation. The culture of the organisation is generally dependent on the management of the organisation and the way the culture of the organisation is managed can impact the overall working within the company. Various functions of the organisation such as planning, controlling the different aspects of organisation, setting goal, coordinating are the key responsibilities of the management and together they contribute to the culture of the organisation as well. The role of managers becomes more complex and difficult in case of Multinational Companies (MNCs) as the managers located at overseas locations or expatriate managers face the daunting challenge of managing people from different cultures. The managers need to concentrate on the employee s and there is a clear need to be able to balance the employees and manage them well. By doing so, the company’s culture will be very high and there will also be a chance for the employees to grow and develop and perform better here. The attitude of the managers and the focus with which they work towards the development of the culture in the company can have a clear impact on the

Monday, November 18, 2019

Tthe advantages of not being global and having a local approach Essay

Tthe advantages of not being global and having a local approach - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in order to understand the potential disadvantages of global strategy, compared to local strategies, it would be necessary to refer to the characteristics of global strategy, as identified in the key strategic decisions of firms operating in the global market. It seems that global strategy is highly differentiated from local strategies, not only in regard to its role but also in regard to its requirements and effects. In accordance with Tallman the global strategy can be characterized as the strategy, which needs to be established in case that a firm is interested in operating in the global market. It is explained that such strategy helps the organization to align its operational rules and culture with those of the targeted market. Reference is made for example to the case of Haier, a major competitor in the Chinese manufacturing industry. The firm has tried to be established in the USA market using a low-price policy. However, it was soon revealed that th is policy, alone, would not help the organization to develop its presence in the particular market; instead, a brand should be used for attracting the interest of local consumers. In accordance with the above, an effective global strategy offers the basis for the successful development of a firm’s presence in the global market. Thus, a global strategy should be related to specific policies, which are likely to be different compared to those included in local strategies (Lasserre 2007). This fact is made clear if the strategies used by two different firms for entering the global market are reviewed: reference is made in particular to ‘Philips Group of Holland and Japan’s Panasonic’ (Segal-Horn and Faulkner 2010, p.133). Before 1980s, Philips Group tried to develop its presence in the global market by focusing on the needs and the trends of each country; however, up to then, global strategy was characterized by the production of similar products for all coun tries which were promoted in markets globally using similar marketing strategies (Segal-Horn and Faulkner 2010) and only minor changes were made for aligning these strategies with local trends. As a result, Philips Group had to face significant difficulties and delays when trying to expand its operations globally. Panasonic, which aligned its policies with the requirements of

Saturday, November 16, 2019

The graveyard book

The graveyard book A happy childhood is often described as one characterized by love, family, and a sense of security. Many adults are wont to complain that some disruptive behavior is due to some distant unfortunate event in their childhood which may have affected their coping mechanisms as they matured, a commonplace, yet unpleasant, statement widely accepted by psychiatrists. A certain question now arises in my medically inclined mind: what would psychiatrists predict for the little boy Nobody Owens? Nobody, or Bod, is the main character of Neil Gaimans The Graveyard Book, the strange yet enlightening tale of a boy who was orphaned early in life and was then adopted by a charming couple, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, who turn out to be ghosts. The story is set in the fictional village of Old Town, a sleepy little village with a dreamlike quality about it. Within this quiet stretch of land is a graveyard, now unused and abandoned. It has been turned into a nature reserve and it is in this precise location that Bod finds himself as he escapes the murderer of his family. Raised by the graveyards phantasmal inhabitants and his mysterious guardian Silas, Bod grows up into a curious and pleasant boy. He encounters ghouls, werewolves, and a monstrous slithering creature hiding beneath the hill of the graveyard. He also manages to make friends with a girl, who visits the graveyard from time to time. While he is growing up, he is taught to read, to fade through walls and slip through shadows, and other uncanny abilities. Surprisingly entertaining despite the occasional macabre and hair-raising plights, Edinger (2009) calls Gaimans creation a novel of wonderweaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment. Common themes of familial closeness and zest for life are cleverly incorporated into this masterpiece. The subtleties with which these cherished values are imparted to readers are completely endearing. While I read the book, I was entranced to the point that I could not help but nervously look over my shoulder to see if there was a ghoul-gate opening its jaws to swallow me into the dark city of Ghulheim, leading me to doubt if this truly was a childrens book. Although I generally do not favor the style which Howard (2009) describes as the episodic nature of the book, I found it completely appropriate for this tale. Since it is a childrens book, one would expect a story that can be told in chapters, thus making it easier for parents to read a portion of the story every night before bedtime. Finally, admit ting that the book was influenced by Rudyard Kiplings The Jungle Book by no means diminishes Gaimans skill in delivering this tale. For this reason, he was awarded the Newbery Medal which honors outstanding contribution to American childrens literature. Going back to my original question, I continue to wonder what conclusions psychiatrists would draw up regarding Bod. After all, his family was murdered, he was raised in a graveyard by specters, and he has been in so many frightening situations enough to terrify a full-grown man. Would they say that he would grow up to be a disturbed young man because of his experiences? Or would those same experiences have molded him to become stronger than the rest of us? Personally, I believe the love and warmth with which Bods ghost family accepted him has already made up for the loss of his real one. Whichever the case, I only make this point to show how curious I am about what Bod will ultimately become. As Gaimans daughter Maddy so nonchalantly asked after her father read her the first chapter he wrote, I, too, can only ask, What happens next? One thing is certain though, with Bods enthusiasm to live his life to the fullest, his life outside the safety of the graveyard would be peppered with new adventures and characters as elaborate and lively as those resting in his home. REFERENCES: Anonymous,.(2009,April). Childrens Book Awards 2009. Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books,62(8),343-345. Retrieved January 24, 2010, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID:1673481801). Edinger,M..(2009,February). Raised by Ghosts. New York Times Book Review,BR.15. Retrieved January 24, 2010, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID:1647333051). Howard,E..(2009,July). Neil Gaiman.The Horn Book Magazine,85(4),351-354. Retrieved January 24, 2010, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID:1786166631). Hunt,J..(2010,January). The Graveyard Book.The Horn Book Magazine,86(1),18. Retrieved January 24, 2010, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID:1936022361).

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Voice of Houstons Past :: essays papers

Voice of Houstons Past For most of American history, African-Americans have been considered and treated as inferiors. Their folksongs and tales have been benignly looked upon as harmless, meaningless expressions of a dull-witted race whose only contribution to American life was a strong back and a weak mind. Even after the Civil War, the ingrown prejudices continued to relegate the freedmen to the bottom rung of a strict caste ladder. Their folklore was repeatedly ignored or belittled. Only since the coming of black awareness, pioneered by men like W. Dubois and Frederick Douglas, has the African American community realized that their culture is uniquely American and singularly important to the understanding and establishment of the American cultural and artistic scene. It is one of the few elements of their heritage that they can look back on and recognize as valuable in America's development. This is the essence of the black folksongs, stories, and art; they fill a void and force recognition of the African American contribution. These superstitions and folklore from the past demonstrate the influences wielded upon African Americans of today, as well as pave the way for a new form of folklore, which is told through art. In order to effectively illustrate the progression and correlation of early African American folklore and the emergence of a new breed of artist, a specific group of artist all utilizing the same type of art form will be discussed. Therefore, the focus of this paper will be on recent African American artist in Houston, Texas; all of whom utilize place-specific art to convey their images and messages. Before discussing the current art movement, it is vital to understand the history of the superstitions and folklore which are the inspiration for Houston's place-specific art. A Brief History of African American Superstition and Folklore Since their arrival on American soil, African Americans have contributed to our collective culture. Their songs, poems, stories, spirituals, and proverbs, while at times reinforcing the white theory of supremacy, gave them a foundation of identity that was passed from generation to generation. The ghost stories and superstitions are probably the best known examples of early black culture. This is because white men used them as a means to prove the black's innate inferiority to whites. They ignored the obvious fact; all cultures posses similar superstitions, even their own. The problem in collecting and evaluating black folklore is the misinterpretation and lack of understanding of early black dialects. "We must read the transcriptions with some care and occasionally wonder what the white man did when they were confronted by sounds strange to their ears; some tried to transcribe the actual sound, but others, assuming