Compare Mass Transit and High Speed Railway in China and the US Essay

Compare Mass Transit and High Speed Railway in China and the US - Essay Example ormation from journals, books, newspapers and websites so that comparative data on the performance of the two countries on sustainability can be evaluated. The research found that China , being in a stage of rapid development and economic growth, has identified its mass transit systems as the backbone or as a pillar for growth. This attitude leads to rapid and innovative development of the mass transit system that is financially secure and environmentally sustainable. China also uses investments in mass transit as a propeller for effective and sustainable economic growth over the long term. China has also enhanced scope for continued development and expansion of the mass transit system as more and more regions need to be connected to bring about further growth impetus to the nation. On the other hand, the USA approaches mass transit as a necessary evil that needs to be sustained through subsidies and maintenance so that the public is kept satisfied and there is minimum harm to the en vironment. The lack of focus on the mass transit system makes the USA mass transit financially weak and causes environmental vulnerability. The USA also loses out on actively deploying the mass transit system to regenerate its economy. The research makes several recommendations like imbibing centralized planning and strategy, diversifying financial funding, focus on centralized and targeted environmental monitoring for mass transit and development of service quality. This chapter contains a discussion of the conceptual framework that is used to compare the mass transit systems for the USA and China. The framework is based on the available literature on sustainability of transit systems and consists of financial, environmental, economic sustainability. It next contains a discussion of the sustainability of mass transit systems across the globe, and with a specific emphasis on the USA and China. While the research is aimed at comparing the mass transit systems sustainability between

American Education Continues to Discriminate against Minority Groups Essay

American Education Continues to Discriminate against Minority Groups - Essay Example   The slave masters did not want that since it would have led to the abolishment of slavery, which was a source of cheap labor. The American education system still discriminates against the minority groups in different ways than it used to in the past. This is the main reason why there are still very few minority group members working in the civil service as compared to their population numbers. The chances that the members of the minority groups have in realizing their dreams are strained since they have to overcome many obstacles most of which their majority peers do not have to deal with. These obstacles are usually related to discrimination because of being a member of a minority group (Douglass 2). This then increases the chances for the minority members to drop out of school and become poor. According to statistical data, African Americans have twice the chance of becoming poor as compared to the white majority. The education system also pushes them towards the justice system through continued discrimination. This leads to the statistical confirmation that members of the minority groups are eight times more likely to be convicted as compared to their white counterparts on serious crimes that mostly involve drugs. With respect to education level, statistical data indicates that an approximated 75% of blacks have managed to acquire post-high school education while 85% of whites have managed the same (Deutsch 14). This indicates that the chances given to both groups are different, as fewer opportunities are given to minorities in economic, political, and social positions. This can be backed up through the idea that the number of minorities in these positions is not proportional to their population. The chances of being admitted to universities are also very slim for minority groups.     

Marketing Research for Mc Donalds Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marketing Research for Mc Donalds - Case Study Example Donald's provides fast food and has established and maintained its position as a market leader in the food retail business for over a century. Fast food is typically similar in behavior to fast moving consumer products. It is due to this, that Mc. Donald's needs to advertise all the time to generate a top-of the mind recall and to remind people what the brand stands for. The success of Fast food retail business is dependent on the ability of all marketing campaigns to instill a craving for their product offering. History of Business Theme: The business theme of Mc Donald's has evolved with time. However, even though their positioning statement has been varying and has been different for different campaigns, the key elements i.e. "warmth","Everyday slice of life" and "the Mc Donald's Experience", have been retained. This consistency in the theme and campaign has helped in building a clear image of Mc Donald's in the mind of customers. Their positioning statements in the past decades have been as follows: Even though a campaign is usually aimed at the walk in customers and the bottom line is always a boost in sales. However, all the affiliated stakeholders including the employees, suppliers, business partners and stakeholders feel the spillover effects of any advertising. Customers; the customers would always want to purchase food that is convenient and hygienic. However, in the past few years, hygiene consciousness and heath consciousness has increased. Mc Donald's may ace at hygiene maintenance but in the "Health" segment it has to battle the negative image of fast food industry on the whole. The fast food industry carries a universal image that it is fattening food and is thus unhealthy. Suppliers: The suppliers need to know that the vendor management is efficient and fair. The suppliers also benefit from the positive image of Mc Donald's as it adds to their own portfolio of high profile clients that they serve. This helps in building up clientele

Business LAw 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business LAw 2 - Assignment Example Introduction General partnership is a business organization in which two or more persons come together to form a business with the aim of realizing profits. In opting for this form of business organization, we considered several factors in the formation of businesses and opted for this form of business given the several flexibility associated with the business. These include; during the formation of the business, the legal requirements are not tedious and lengthy (Dobson, & Stokes, 2008). One undergoes few legal formalities and the business will be granted the permission to legal exist as opposed to other forms of business organization like the limited companies. In the partnership, the partners are directly involved in the daily running of the business and have the opportunity to acclimatize with the requirement of the business and ensure efficient and smooth running of the business (Fletcher, 2002). In addition to these, there are also different expertise brought together in runnin g of the business hence specialization and division of labor. Policies of the Company during Formation During the formation of the company (partnership), we will have to form the reference policies that will be used for the daily running of the business. ... In this sense, the profit or losses realized in the business will be shared according to the assets and capita contributed during the formation of the business. II. Division of Duty and Responsibilities The duties in the partnership will be equally divided given the number of the partners in the business. In the business, there will be no dormant partner and expenditures incurred following outsourced labor will be considered liabilities of the partners of the business (Gage, 2004). III. Dissolution of the partnership Partnership will be in existence until such a time that the following hypothetical situations stipulated in this agreement realized; death of a partner, when the business run into bankruptcy, and when declared by court of law as engaging in unscrupulous business (Hall, 1984). During the dissolution f the partnership, the business assets and the profit or losses will be shared according to the stipulation given by the clause describing Capital and profit sharing. IV. Inco rporation of the new Partners The partnership will remain open for the incorporation of new partnership given they make asset and capital contribution equivalent to those already in the business. The contribution of each partner will be proportionately be determined and profit and losses shared according to the proportion made in the contribution (Lowe, 1999). Policies on the Breach of sale and Purchase of Products In the partnership business and just like any other business, there are sales and purchase of products. These operations in the business require that certain terms and conditions be made and the parties have to adhere to them, failure to

Martha Stewart Livivng Omnimedia (MSO) Term Paper

Martha Stewart Livivng Omnimedia (MSO) - Term Paper Example 1) US Dollar Global Notes These notes are primarily issued by HP thrice in last decade including 2002 shelf registration, 2006 shelf registration and 2009 shelf registration. 2002 shelf registration consists of â€Å"$500 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.505% in June 2002 at 6.5%, due July 2012†. The other different types of bonds issued by HP, their face value, total amount, type of bonds (fixed, floating), maturity, interest rates and the issue prices are detailed below. These details are reproduced from the annual report of HP for the year 2010. 2006 Shelf Registration Statement: â€Å"$600 issued at par in February 2007 at three-month USD LIBOR plus 0.11%, due March 2012† â€Å"$900 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.938% in February 2007 at 5.25%, due March 2012† â€Å"$500 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.694% in February 2007 at 5.4%, due March 2017† â€Å"$1,000 issued at par in June 2007 at three-month USD LIBOR plus 0 .06%, paid June 2010† â€Å"$1,500 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.921% in March 2008 at 4.5%, due March 2013† â€Å"$750 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.932% in March 2008 at 5.5%, due March 2018† â€Å"$2,000 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.561% in December 2008 at 6.125%, due March 2014† â€Å"$275 issued at par in February 2009 at three-month USD LIBOR plus 1.75%, due February 2011† â€Å"$1,000 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.956% in February 2009 at 4.25%, due February 2012† â€Å"$1,500 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.993% in February 2009 at 4.75%, due June 2014† 2009 Shelf Registration Statement: â€Å"$750 issued at par in May 2009 at three-month USD LIBOR plus 1.05%, due May 2011† â€Å"$1,000 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.967% in May 2009 at 2.25%, due May 2011† â€Å"$250 issued at discount to par at a price of 99.984% in May 2009 at 2.95%, due August 2012† â€Å"$800 issued at par in September 2010 at three-month USD LIBOR plus 0.125%, due September 2012† â€Å"$1,100 issued at discount to par of 99.921% in September 2010 at 1.25% due September 2013† â€Å"$1,100 issued at discount to par of 99.887% in September 2010 at 2.125% due September 2015† 2) EDS Senior Notes: â€Å"$1,100 issued June 2003 at 6.0%, due August 2013† â€Å"$300 issued October 1999 at 7.45%, due October 2029† 3) â€Å"Other, including capital lease obligations, at 0.59%-8.63%, due in calendar year 2010-2024† The total book value of these debts is around $15,258 million after the subtracting the current portion of these debts which is part of current liabilities. The promising feature of the HP bonds or notes is that they are callable in part or in full whenever HP deems it necessary at the prices and criterion specified under its prospectus. These Global Notes are considered to be the senior unsecure d debt. As at October 31, 2010 the face value of the long-term debts that are maturing in upcoming years have been segregated year wise in table given below. These long-term debts are free from any fair value adjustment, premium or discount on issuance. â€Å"Aggregate future maturities of debt outstanding including capital lease obligations† 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Thereafter Total In millions $2,208 $4,272 $3,775 $3,720 $1,111 $1,691 $16,777 Source: HP Annual Report 2010 Derivatives Being a global company, HP normally faces interest rate changes and foreign currency exchange rate movement as a result HP hedges these fluctuations by utilizing

Strategic Analysis of Sainsbury Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Analysis of Sainsbury - Essay Example In spite of the prevailing issues, the UK market has been able to acquire a stable and reasonable growth rate (Li, 2008, p.1). There are about 92,796 grocery stores in UK which is further divided into four sections, Convenience store; super markets, hypermarkets and superstores; Traditional retails and online channels (IGD, 2011). The biggest retail grocery chain in UK comprises of Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrison and ASDA, accounts for 67.9% of the total grocery market of UK (Li, 2008, p.2). Strategic Analysis Strategy is defined as the scope and direction of an organisation for long term, which is set to achieve advantage for the organisation by way of configuring its resources within a changing environment and to fulfil the demands of the stakeholders (Paul, et.al, 2010, p.36). SWOT Analysis Strength: Sainsbury ranks third in the supermarket chain of UK with about 14.30% of market share. This company has a strong market position in UK and was a pioneered in self service relating and in the development of private label goods. Sainsbury initiatives have kept the company at the number 3 position. Sainsbury strength lies on its strap line which states to try something new each day (Li, 2008, p. 4). The Business Model of Sainsbury, which comprises of five headings, great food offered at fair price, accelerating the growth of non food items, reaching customers by way of traditional means of channels, expanding supermarket space and property management is one of the important strengths of Sainsbury. Major strength of Sainsbury, is that the brand believes in providing the customers with sage, healthy, tasty and fresh food. The company emphasise more on fresh food and continues to innovate products according to the requirements of its customers. The company currently transact 21 million customers per week and have captured a market share of 16% which further adds to the strength of the company. The company offers about 30,000 products and also offers a wide range of non fo od products and services. The internet based home delivery service also adds to the advantage of the company (J Sainsbury Plc, 2011, p.3). Weakness: A major weakness of Sainsbury is that the company deals only in two types of store formats, the traditional supermarket and the convenience stores. As compared to other grocery retail outlet, Sainsbury has the least number of types of stores. Tesco has six different store formats which have greatly contributed to the success of Tesco. Another weakness for Sainsbury would be recession. It has been reported that the company has shown signs of poor sales figure with the warnings of recession. Sainsbury has recorded the slowest sales growth ever since 2005 and its share price dip to 327.7p which was analysed that the company was lagging behind its competitors. The company has the weakest operating margin in the food retail sector as compared to its competitors such as Tesco (Finch, 2010).Thus the company must overcome the weakness by using its strength. Opportunities: A huge opportunity lies with Sainsbury to grow as the UK retail market is growing at a steady rate, it provides ample opportunity for the company to utilise its resources and capabilities and grow and achieve a decent market share. With its five main areas of growth, this includes great food at great price, increasing the number of complimentary food, reaching customers by home deliver, and by active property manageme

Cold war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cold war - Essay Example The domestic influence of the Cold War brought to their prominent leadership anti-communist presidents such as Truman, Kennedy, and Nixon who not only waged political and cultural battle with the Soviet Union, but also fought with the latter in the endeavor to achieve greater favor for the American economy. Though the nature of Cold War bore domestic consequences upon local affairs, political battles between the Soviet Union and the United States were mostly staged on an international level. By the time ‘Sputnik’ took off, most schools functioned as fighting grounds in allowing intellectual ideas to flourish over ideological conflicts of the 50s and this incident drew education to a sense of drastic reformation that appeared to radicalize certain schools of thoughts in various levels. Democratic enthusiasts would normally stress that acquisition of good scholastic foundation was beyond primary necessity, being an accountability and contribution to gaining victory over th e communists so that state and federal sovereignties expressed support through generous funding of academic institutions. Fields of maths and sciences had been able to receive more than sufficient financial assistance with adequate books and facilities.