Saturday, August 31, 2019
Desperate Air
What would I do if I was in George Nash’s position as Vice President of Real Estate at Desperate Air Corporation (a company in dire financial straits), and my pending sale of Florida property potentially had toxic waste buried beneath the surface. I found this to be the least challenging question posed thus far in terms of my own ethical beliefs. In this instance I would proceed with the sale without disclosing the information regarding what I had heard about the toxic waste. Clearly Florida law states that you do not have to disclose that there is a hazardous substance on commercial property as long as there is not a fraudulent statement about the property. Nash did his due diligence by hiring someone to do an environmental study. The company hired found nothing and a report was submitted to the buyers. Nash also consulted his attorney about what should be disclosed. Fledgling, the company purchasing the property, had the responsibility of performing their own due diligence. While a representative walked the property and found nothing, the article did not state whether or not Fledgling did a full environmental study as well. That should have been part of the purchaser’s process. If you purchase a home it is your responsibility to hire an impartial building inspector to look at your home and report on its condition. The Fledgling representative had the same responsibility to obtain an impartial environmental study. Had the representative done so, they probably would have discovered the toxic waste. It doesn’t matter that the DAC report did not include the disclosure. Unfortunately Fledglings representative was at fault here in my opinion. The fact that Nash prayed about the situation shows that he is not a cold hearted capitalist with only selfish motivations. Similarities between â€Å"Desperate Air†and the Seglin article are that two executives had to make choices that they believed would prevent their companies from potential financial ruin. Although I believe there are differences in the level of disclosure (I believe the CEO of the aircraft company had a financial responsibility to disclose his findings to the auditors), the process of deciding what to disclose is similar. Both parties consulted their attorneys whose guidance instructed them that they did not have to disclose the information. The motivating factor in both decisions was to protect the livelihood of their companies. The facts of the information that had been revealed to each company had not been proven. Had Nash followed the RDCAR process I believe the outcome of his decision may have been different. Nash did not go through the process of recognition. There was no survey of stakeholders. He did not even disclose the findings to his CEO. There was no chance to find out if withholding the toxicity information was something that would make other staff members uncomfortable. Nash did not engage in discovery. There was no attempt to build internal and external transparency. Fledgling did not have the opportunity to react to the information. There was a possibility that the sale would not have progressed if the information on toxic waste had been disclosed. It may have only delayed the sale, but there was no way to find that out. There was no cognition. No one in DAC management or any other DAC staff was presented with a â€Å"what would you do? scenario that would have spelled out company values. No policy or action was put into place to deal with the situation. The only action taken was that Nash consulted an attorney. Nash did reflect on the decision, but no one else in the company had the opportunity to do so. Due to the fact that there was no legal reason to disclose the information of toxic waste to Fledgling, and the fact that they failed to do their own due diligence, in this instance I would agree with Nash’s decision to proceed with the sale in order to help protect the financial position of DAC.
Revlon Ida
CORPORATE PROFILE ? ? ? ? Revlon is a worldwide cosmetics, hair color, beauty tools, fragrances, skincare, anti-per spirants/deodorants and beauty care products company. Revlon is a global color cosmetics, hair color, beauty tools, fragrances, skincare, anti-per spirant / deodorants and beauty care products company Websites featuring current product and promotional information can be reached at www. revlon. com, www. almay. com and www. mitchumman. com. The Company's brands, which are sold worldwide, include Revlon ®, Almay ®, ColorSilk ®, Mitchum ®, Charlie ®, Gatineau ® and Ultima II ®.CORPORATE PROFILE CONT†¦ Type: Public Traded as NYSE: REV Industry: Cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, personal care Founded: 1932 Founder(s): Joseph & Charles Revson, Charles Lachman Headquarters: New York City, New York, United States Key people: Alan T. Ennis, President and CEO CORPORATE PROFILE CONT†¦ Revenue: US$1. 3 billion (2009) Operating income: US$170. 8 million (2009) Net income: US$821. 20 million (2009) Total assets: US$794. 20 million (2009) Employees: 6,800 Parent: MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings: 60% (74% of votes) FMR Corp. : 20% Website: http//www. evlon. com/(US) VISION & MISSION Revlon Inc. Vision is Glamour, Excitement and innovation through High-quality Products at Affordable Prices. ? Revlon Inc. Mission is â€Å"to emerge as the leader in cosmetic and personal care throughout the world. Revlon takes pride in manufacturing the top skin care and strives to please young and older woman alike†. ? HISTORY ? ? ? ? Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the â€Å"L†in the Revlon name.Starting with a single product  a new type of nail enamel  the three founders pooled their resources and developed a unique manufacturing process. Using pigments instead of dyes, Revlon developed a variety of new shades of opaque nail enamel. In 1937, Revlon started selling the polishes in department stores and drug stores. HISTORY CONT†¦ In six years, the company became a multimillion dollar organization. ? By 1940, Revlon offered an entire manicure line, and added lipstick to the collection. ? During World War II, Revlon created makeup and related products for the U.S. Army, which was honored in 1944 with the Army-Navy â€Å"E†Award for Excellence. ? By the end of the war, Revlon was listed as one of America's top five cosmetic houses. ? REVLON IN INDIA ? Revlon was the first International Color Cosmetics brand to be launched in India (1995). ? It all began in the year 1994, with formation of Modi-Revlon Pvt. Ltd. , a collaboration between Modi-Mundipharma Pvt. Ltd. (a joint venture between the Umesh K. Modi Group of India and Mundipharma Group of Switzerland) and Revlon of USA.REVLON IN INDIA CONT†¦ ? Today, Revlon is a name to reckon with in the beauty industry in India . It has added glamour and color to the lives of many a women to make them look and feel beautiful and confident. ? ? Revlon has brought to the modern Indian women the excitement and fun of experimenting with trend setting colors and innovative products. The company offers an extensive range of high quality products in different categories namely, color cosmetics, skincare, fragrances, hair care and hair colors. ? REVLON IN INDIA CONT†¦ ?Revlon in India enjoys immense consumer franchise with its world famous brands like Super Lustrousâ„ ¢, Revlon ® Nail Enamel, Colorstay ®, Street Wear ®, Revlon Absolute Câ„ ¢, Flex ®, Charlie ® , Fire & Ice ®, Colorsilk ® and many more. Modi-Revlon ceaselessly continues to introduce new products and color trends keeping in view the preferences of the Indian consumer. It draws expertise from Revlon’s state-of-the-art Research Center in Edison, New Jersey (USA) and complies with its stringent product quality standards. ? ? FAMOUS BRANDS FAMOUS BRANDS FAMOUS BRANDSTOP COMPETITORS FOR REVLON, INC. Avon Products, Inc. ? The Procter & Gamble Company ? L'Oreal SA ? SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTH ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Revlon is the major player in cosmetics, skin care, fragrance and personal care products. It has long history of 75 years. Famous brand especially among the women’s. Despite of heavy debt and net losses from last few years. Product development is the main focus area for Revlon. Strong research and development. Revlon products are sold in more than 100 countries. Revlon 43 percent sales are from United States market.It has been supporting several health programs for Women. Advertising is one of the key areas for Revlon. Revlon aims to provide quality products. Distribution channels are well managed that the reason Revlon products are used in more than 100 countries of the world. SWOT ANALYSIS Weaknesses †¢ Weak financial position due to net losses and heavy debts. †¢ Cutting down number of jobs reduce employee trust on the Company. †¢ Continuous changes in the Organizational Structure may impact the performance for employees. †¢ Besides advertising other marketing areas are he weak. SWOT ANALYSIS Opportunities †¢ Revlon is currently facing financial problems so joint ventures or partnership with other players in the industry may open the doors of new opportunities. †¢ Utilize all marketing methods to promote its products; it will help to boost the sales of the company. †¢ Develop products for male segment. SWOT ANALYSIS Threats †¢ Intense competition with major players of the industry including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, L’Oreal, †¢ Rapid changes in fashion may require heavy budgets for product development & marketing.Revlon has to find some financial assistance to support its operation to sustain its position in the industry. †¢ Revlon selling its products through websites but it haven’t made efforts to develop relations with the customers through online channels. †¢ Government instability and variation in exchange rate in few countries †¢ Focused towards woman segment PRODUCTS Eye Products ? Face Products ? Lip Products ? Nail Products ? Skin Care Products ? EYE PRODUCTS FACE PRODUCTS LIP PRODUCTS NAIL PRODUCTS SKIN CARE PRODUCTS BORROWED STRATEGYIn the 1960s, Revson â€Å"Segmented Revlon Inc into different divisions, each focusing on a different market†. ? He borrowed this strategy from General Motors. ? Each division had its own target customer: ? a. b. c. d. e. f. Revlon, the largest and most popular-priced brand Princess Marcella Borghese, upscale/international Ultima II, premium Natural Wonder, juniors Moon Drops, dry skin Etherea, hypo-allergenic SALES STRATEGY Revlon's entrance into the Japanese market was typical of its international sales strategy. ? Instead of adapting its ads and using Japanese models, Revlon chose to use its basic U.S. advertising an d models. ? Japanese women loved the American look, and the sales for 1962 came to almost $164 million. ? STRATEGIC GOAL ? Strategic Goal is to profitably grow their business. 2011 was a year of many notable achievements, as they continued to execute their business strategy despite continued uncertain global economic conditions. ? From a financial perspective, they grew net sales for the second year in a row, sustained competitive operating margins, achieved their fourth consecutive year of positive free cash flow and improved their capital structure. From a marketplace perspective, they introduced innovative, high-quality, consumer-preferred products across their entire portfolio, they acquired the SinfulColors brand, and they signed two of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses, Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde, as Global Brand Ambassadors for their Revlon brand. ? ELEMENTS OF BUSINESS STRATEGY They are focused on the five elements of their business strategy, specifically, to ? (i) build their strong brands; ? (ii) develop their organizational capability; ? (iii) drive their company to act globally; ? (iv) increase their operating profit and cash flow; and ? v) improve our capital structure. DEBT LIMITS FLEXIBILITY ? But, here's our concern†¦ Revlon's balance sheet is heavily loaded with debt, so much so that in 2007, the interest payments due exceeded its operating profit (as measured by EBIT) for that year. Even in 2009, the interest payments exceeded 60% of EBIT, making the earnings highly volatile and vulnerable to market fluctuations and interest ratesy. ? DEBT LIMITS FLEXIBILITY ? As a result, Revlon's R spending at 1. 7% of sales amounting to $24 million is dwarfed by L'Oreal's 3. 7% at $666 million. Also, given Revlon's sales at close to $1. billion compared to $24 billion for L'Oreal and $7. 9 billion for Estee Lauder leaves it with much less money to spend on marketing, a crucial factor for success in cosmetics industr ? CORPORATE CSR Overv iew of Revlon's Corporate Social Responsibility Framework ? Please find in the link below Revlon's Corporate Social Responsibility Framework (the â€Å"Revlon CSR†) which is disseminated to all of our employees worldwide. ? The Revlon CSR is monitored and overseen by two of our most senior executives – our Chief Science Officer and our Chief Administrative Officer. The Revlon CSR includes the Purpose, Standards and Measurements in each of the key areas of Safety, Social, Ethical, Regulatory and Environmental. ? CORPORATE CSR The stated purposes are as follows: ? Safety: Provide our consumers with highquality, safe and efficacious products and our valued employees with a safe workplace. ? Social: Enhance women's lives through our products and philanthropic efforts. ? Ethical: Conduct business in an ethical manner. ? Regulatory: Ensure that our products and operating facilities meet or exceed all applicable standards, globally. Environmental: Reduce the environmental imp act of our operations. ? WHAT IF REVLON FOCUSED ON COLOR COSMETICS AND PHASED OUT SKIN CARE AND/OR FRAGRANCES? Revlon is most well known for color cosmetics and commands a significant market share of over 20% in US, which itself constitutes over 18% of the global market for color cosmetics. ? Given, the company average EBITDA margin(Earnings before depreciation, impairment and amortization) for color cosmetics and moderate growth rates in excess of 3%, it would be reasonable to focus on this product segment and to further strengthen Revlon’s market share in the same. We estimate that color cosmetics constitute over 60% of Trefis price estimate of Revlon’s stock. ? CONCLUSION ? In the current scenario, there is forecast Revlon to lose share in the future across all product segments due to its inability to match the competition in marketing and R&D. ? Hence, focusing the limited funds available on a few preferred product categories presents a more viable option for the f uture
Friday, August 30, 2019
Facebook Financial Performance Report
Financial Performance 7. 1 Financial Statement FACEBOOK, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions, except for number of shares and par value) (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | |   | June 30, 2012|  |  | December 31, 2011|  | Assets|   | | | |  | | | | Current assets:|   | | | |  | | | |Cash and cash equivalents|   | $| 2,098|  |  | $| 1,512|   | Marketable securities|   |  | 8,090|  |  |  | 2,396|   | Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $17 as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011|   |  | 578|  |  |  | 547|   | Income tax refundable|   |  | 567|   |  |  | 0|   | Prepaid expenses and other current assets|   |  | 634|  |  |  | 149|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |Total current assets|   |  | 11,967|  |  |  | 4,604|   | Property and equipm ent, net|   |  | 2,105|  |  |  | 1,475|   | Goodwill and intangible assets, net|   |  | 809|  |  |  | 162|   | Other assets|   |  | 47|   |  |  | 90|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total assets|   | $| 14,928|  |  | $| 6,331|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Liabilities and stockholders’ equity|   | | | |  | | | | Current liabilities:|   | | | |  | | | |Accounts payable|   | $| 43|  |  | $| 63|   | Platform partners payable|   |  | 153|   |  |  | 171|   | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities|   |  | 441|  |  |  | 296|   | Deferred revenue and deposits|   |  | 85|  |  |  | 90|   | Current portion of capital lease obligations|   |  | 312|  |  |  | 279|   | |   |  |  |  |  | à ‚ |  |  | Total current liabilities|   |  | 1,034|   |  |  | 899|   | Capital lease obligations, less current portion|   |  | 394|   |  |  | 398|   | Other liabilities|   |  | 191|  |  |  | 135|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |Total liabilities|   |  | 1,619|  |  |  | 1,432|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Stockholders’ equity:|   | | | |  | | | | Convertible preferred stock, $0. 000006 par value, issuable in series; no shares and 569 million shares authorized as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, no shares and 543 million shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively|   |  | 0|  |  |  | 615|   | Common stock, $0. 00006 par value; 5,000 million and 4,141 million Class A shares authorized as of June 30, 20 12 and December 31, 2011, respectively, 641 million and 117 million shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, including 1 million outstanding shares subject to repurchase as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011; 4,141 million Class B shares authorized, 1,501 million and 1,213 million shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, including 2 million outstanding shares subject to repurchase, as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011|   |  | 0|   |  |  | 0|   | Additional paid-in capital|   |  | 11,684|  |  |  | 2,684|   | Accumulated other comprehensive loss|   |  | (29| ) |  |  | (6| ) | Retained earnings|   |  | 1,654|  |  |  | 1,606|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total stockholders’ equity|   |  | 13,309|  |  |  | 4,899|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity|   | $| 14,928|  |  | $| 6,331|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Revenue|   | $| 1,184|  |  | $| 895|  |  | $| 2,242|   |  | | 1,626|   | Costs and expenses:|   | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | Cost of revenue|   |  | 367|   |  |  | 210|  |  |  | 644|   |  |  | 377|  | Marketing and sales|   |  | 392|   |  |  | 96|  |  |  | 535|   |  |  | 158|  | Research and development|   |  | 705|   |  |  | 99|  |  |  | 858|   |  |  | 156|  | General and administrative|   |  | 463|   |  |  | 83|  |  |  | 567|   |  |  | 140|  | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total costs and expenses|   |  | 1,927|   |  |  | 488|  |  |  | 2,604|   |  |  | 831|  | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (Loss) income from operations|   |  | (743| ) |  |  | 407|  |  |  | (362| ) |  |  | 795|  | Interest and other income (expense), net:|   | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | Interest expense|   |  | (10| ) |  |  | (9| ) |  |  | (24| ) |  |  | (17| ) | Other income (expense), net|   |  | (12| ) |  |  | 1|   |  |  | 3|   |  |  | 19|  | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (Loss) income before benefit from (provision for) income taxes|   |  | (765| ) |  |  | 399|  |  |  | (383| ) |  |  | 797 |  | Benefit from (provision for) income taxes|   |  | 608|   |  |  | (159| ) |  |  | 431|   |  |  | (326| ) | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Net (loss) income|   | $| (157| ) |  | $| 240|  |  | $| 48|   |  | $| 471|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Less: Net income attributable to participating securities|   |  | 0|   |  |  | 81|   |  |  | 21|   |  |  | 160|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Net (loss) income attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders|   | $| (157| ) |  | $| 159|  |  | $| 27|   |  | $| 311|  | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (Loss) earnings per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders:|   | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | Basic|   | ($| 0. 08| ) |  | $| 0. 12|   |  | $| 0. 02|   |  | $| 0. 25|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Diluted|   | ($| 0. 08| ) |  | $| 0. 11|   |  | $| 0. 02|   |  | $| 0. 22|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Weighted verage shares used to compute (loss) earnings per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders:|   | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | Basic|   |  | 1,879|   |  |  | 1,292|   |  |  | 1,613|   |  |  | 1,267|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Dil uted|   |  | 1,879|   |  |  | 1,510|   |  |  | 1,792|   |  |  | 1,499|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Share-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses:|   | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | Cost of revenue|   | $| 66|   |  | $| 3|   |  | $| 71|   |  | $| 3|   | Marketing and sales|   |  | 232|   |  |  | 11|   |  |  | 251|   |  |  | 11|   | Research and development|   |  | 545|   |  |  | 35|   |  |  | 605|   |  |  | 39|   | General and administrative|   |  | 263|   |  |  | 15|   |  |  | 282|   |  |  | 18|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total share-based compensation ex pense|   | $| 1,106|   |  | $| 64|   |  | $| 1,209|   |  | $| 71|  | | Three Months Ended June 30,|  |   | Six Months Ended June 30,|  |   | 2012|  |  | 2011|  |   | 2012|  |  | 2011|  | Net (loss) income|   | $| (157| ) |  | $| 240|  |   | $| 48|   |  | $|  471|   | Other comprehensive (loss) income:|   | | | |  | | | |   | | | |  | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustment|   |  | (21| ) |  |  | 0|   |   |  | (22| ) |  |  | 1|   | Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax|   |  | (1| ) |  |  | 0|   |   |  | (1| ) |  |  | 0|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Comprehensive (loss) income|   | $| (179| ) |  | $| 240|   |   | $| 25|   |  | $| 472|   | |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Figure #: Financial Statement (Sources: United States Securities And Exchange Commission, Form 10-Q, For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012) Looking at the Financial Statement of Facebook Inc above we can calculate the current ratio on June 30, 2012 and compare it with December 31, 2011's ratio. We can calculate the 2011 ratio by using Total Asset of $6,331 million divided by Total Liabilities of $1,432 million equals $4. 42 million. And we can also find out the current ratio of Facebook Inc on June 30, 2012 by using the Current Assets of $11,976 million divided by Current Liabilities of $1,916 million equals $6. 25 million.Financial StatementsAs we can see the just in six months Facebook Inc's ratio increased almost by 70%. 7. 2 Active Users Figure #: Trends in Facebook User Metrics, Daily Active Users(Sour ces: United States Securities And Exchange Commission, Form 10-Q, For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012) The graph above showed us how Facebook Inc increased their ratio almost 70% in just six months. As we can see Daily Active Users Worldwide had increased from 108 million to 552 million users. Facebook Inc define a daily active users as a registered Facebook user who logged in and visited Facebook through the Facebook website or through a device that can connect with Facebook.Facebook Inc check DAU (Daily Active Users) everyday. In Figure # we can see that the Worldwide DAUs increased 32% from 417 million users on June 2011 to 552 million users on June 2012. Most of the users now can log into Facebook through mobile device and Facebook Inc has already realized that. March 31, 2012, DAU's increased from 526 million to 552 million because of the increase of mobile users. 7. 3 Competitor The biggest competitor for Facebook is Twitter. The reason is that because many celebritie s like to use Twitter to connect with their fans. Twitter has not only become a well known social network but yet a tool for celebrities to do advertisement.In the United States presidential election of 2012, President Barack Obama used Twitter to connect with his fans. Figure #: Twitter Total Active Users, Worldwide (Source: Business Wired 2012) Even though Twitter is one of the threats for Facebook, but from the figure # we can clearly see the big difference that the two company have. On March 31, 2012 Facebook has 526 million active users worldwide, and Twitter only has 200 million active users worldwide. Facebook clearly beat Twitter. 7. 4 Facebook's Stock Markets Even though Facebook beat Twitter in the social network markets, but it has clearly not beat anyone in the stock markets. Below is the graph for Facebook's stock markets.Figure #: Facebook Stock Market graph, June 2011-December 2012 (Sources: United States Securities And Exchange Commission, Form 10-Q, For the quarterl y period ended June 30, 2012) Facebook opened its stock markets with $31 per stock on May 18, 2011 and on November 16, 2012 it has closed with $23. 56 per stock. Facebook's stock market did not increase as we can see through Facebook. Below is the graph why it has dropped dramatically. Figure #: Facebook's Revenue Makeup, 2012 (Business Insider 2012) As the graph shows that Facebook Inc spent most of their money in Advertising the market instead of using the money to pay off their Payments and Other.Although Facebook will continue to increase their active users due to mobile services, but if users growth flattens or decline, the impact of these increase have on Facebook's revenue growth will be limited for sure. Sources: Financial Statement : http://www. sec. gov/Archives/edgar/data/1326801/000119312512325997/d371464d10q. htm#tx371464_3 Daily Active Users: http://www. sec. gov/Archives/edgar/data/1326801/000119312512325997/d371464d10q. htm Twitter Active Users: http://blog. business wire. com/tag/social-media/ Facebook Stock Markets http://tmx. quotemedia. com/charting. php? qm_symbol=FB:US Facebook's Revenue Makeup: http://www. businessinsider. com/facebook-users-decline-2012-8
Thursday, August 29, 2019
International Marketing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words
International Marketing Strategy - Essay Example The materials utilised for this purpose quickly gained acceptance as being top quality and therefore gave the business a unique position in the European marketplace. Both brothers being environmentally conscious, they quickly learned to procure industrial tarps known as tarpaulins and then transform these colourful and unique water-resistant covers into stylish, contemporary and trendy bags of many different varieties. Over time, the Freitag brothers realized that not only would their products perform well in this market, but were able to gain consumer demand in coverings for electronics, totes and purses, and other multi-purpose bag needs. Consumers were quickly attracted to the stylish and innovative designs crafted by transforming tarpaulins into useable and socially-relevant products, thus establishing a well-known brand name with an emphasis on quality as a primary marketing concept (Schwartz 2007, p.28). Freitag has just recently developed an internationalization strategy, prov iding products to Japan and England, which have both been eager and profitable markets. The main rationale for adopting an internationalization strategy: the products were being compared, by consumers, to very upscale brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and even Gucci due to their colours and variety. Thus, in the Swiss market where Freitag is headquartered, profit potential was the key driver for opening new international market opportunities. The long-term benefits of choosing England and Japan are currently unknown, since both of these export markets have not been functional long enough to establish a trend or statistical report on profitability and consumer interest; as well as evolutionary branding strategy. Much to the advantage of Freitag, there is a new market opportunity for these durable and fashionable products based on demographics and lifestyle of the Brazilian consumer. This market report describes the benefits of establishing a new operational strategy in Brazil as well as justification for why this represents an incredible market opportunity. 2. Situational Analysis This section describes the justification for establishing a new market presence in the emerging market of Brazil, including the PESTEL model and the Five Forces model as well as discussion of the cultural characteristics in Brazil that will benefit Freitag for new market entry. The political environment in Brazil does not currently maintain any known barriers to market entry, with the government supporting a free commerce system and without considerable restrictions to international trade and supply (Kelley 2009, p.6). Many large international companies, such as Wal-Mart, have found success in their internationalization strategies with cooperative government policies and limited tariffs or other trade restrictions. The Brazilian government currently desires more international trade relationships and provides incentives to businesses looking to expand their products to serve the Brazilian consumer market (Branson 2008, p.109). The economic environment is a considerable strength to justify new market entry in Brazil for Freitag. The Brazil consumer economy experienced a 7.5 percent growth rate in 2010 (much higher than international per country averages) and is considered the eighth largest national economy in the world (Mazza and Stul 2012, p.2). It is estimated that three million consumers in Brazil can actually afford luxury-priced goods and
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Culture and Morality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Culture and Morality - Essay Example While in the past, we were swayed to consider that â€Å"the ways of England are the ways of the world†, contemporary societies maintain that all cultures are virtuous and deserve respect. However, with the United States, the prime crusader of democracy, rising to power, the human rights and justice are emphasized to a higher degree, and instigated criticisms toward various cultures that violate their perception of morality. Unacceptable Cultures Many constitutions in this modern time propagate equality of people under the law. Although it is inevitable that an individual’s social status determines its reputation, equal opportunities are still provided amongst citizens in almost all aspects of life. Over time, practices deemed unacceptable are abolished; and acts that counter to peace and human rights are penalized. Apartheid, or the racial segregation enforced by the National Party of South Africa for almost 50 years was completely removed, granting independence to the marginalized black residents. Similarly, the American Civil War during the early 1860’s eradicated black slavery and started the struggle for egalitarianism between the two colors. These practices that many protested against and sacrificed their lives for obliteration of, were inherited from the cultures of our forefathers. These may have lessened considerably, but the state of mind is not entirely changed. Moreover, other cultures regarded as repugnant are still existent. The Indian Caste System The caste system that separates society in terms of profession is prevalent among the Hindus despite contentions that such is not compelled in the scriptures but merely directed by the religion. Birth alone decides a man’s status, and this cannot be altered by effort (Pruthi, 2004). They are not permitted to marry, associate and mingle with anyone outside their caste; and if excommunicated, live as an outcaste, utterly separate from the rest. In this modern time, however, mor e and more cities are diverting away from the system in view that such is a deterrent to unity amongst citizens (Welty 1962). As new opportunity that calls for cultural reformation presents itself to India, people will respond either out of rationality or necessity. In that sense, Indians of academic superiority are presumed more receptive to new influences compared to the rest. Terrorism and the Concept of Jihad On September 11, 2001, an American aircraft crashed into the Pentagon, another into the World Trade Center’s north and south tower, and killed approximately three hundred thousand people. The names Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda were heard for the first time (Katz, 2004), and intensified the long-standing antagonism between Muslims and the West. This was argued as a practice of â€Å"jihad†, which meant holy war, directed against the enemies of Islam. Sanction is given unto those who fight because they have been wronged; and Allah is indeed able to give them vic tory; those who have been driven from their homes unjustly only because they said: Our Lord is Allah (Sura 22:39). Jihad finds its origin not only in the â€Å"militancy of Muhammad but in the culture of pre-Islamic Arabia†(Ankerberg and Caner, 2009, p. 15). In the past, Arabian tribes were consented to battle against any other tribe, and war was tolerable regardless of its nature. The soldiers of the new jihad assumed the tradition and embarked on violent assaults, â€Å"
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Shakespeare Comedies Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
Shakespeare Comedies - Term Paper Example nd the critics declared his comedy as the most refined pieces of art and literature, even Aristotle has stated comedy as a mean form of the imitation of real life. But it is not applied to Shakespearean comedies, which serve as the guiding star for the future generations to come. Shakespeare does not take comedy as the ridiculous or ugly form of literature. On the contrary, he introduced new and novel elements in comedy that maintain theme, meanings and objectives within their fold. His plays under study also concentrate upon highlighting the follies and shortcomings human nature contains, and Shakespeare looks for addressing those follies and weaknesses in a sophisticated manner. Answer A: Though Shakespeare appears to be influenced by classical literature in his early comedies, yet he outgrows this impression in his future works. The same is applied by going through his â€Å"Taming of the Shrew†and Measure for Measure†, where he exercises his intellect while creating the city comedy in an innovative way without seeking inspiration from classicism. It has been the tradition of the playwrights to either classical or romantic genre while producing comedy and Shakespeare’s can be attributed as romantic in composition and decorum. He presents vivacious city life in both his comedies under study, where there is energy, light, vigor, thrill and passion where dancing, feasting, love-making, engagements, drinks and dinners and merry-seeking decorate the entire atmosphere, and the reader finds himself in an extremely pageant environment where there is peace, harmony, jubilance, excitement and pleasure all around. The same can be detected in the streets of Padua, where the characters offer, stipulate and exchange ecstasy, joys and delight, as Christopher Sly states while conversing with the hostess at the bar: â€Å"Ye are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles; we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore paucas pallabris; let the world slide:
Monday, August 26, 2019
Emergency Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Essay
Emergency Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief - Essay Example However, this restriction is narrowly tailored as it does not consider that motorists reduce at certain times of the day and it also does not properly define what street performance encompasses. 12. The plaintiff alleges that the ordinance is stated vaguely and can have many meanings ascribed to it and as such it has impermissibly restrictive speech. This gives room for wrongful incarceration. 13. This is an action by the plaintiff for declaratory relief due to the current legal stake that the defendant has no legal standing or rights to enforce ordinance that purports to outlaw all street performances along St. Georges street. 14. As set forth above, the defendant cannot satisfy the legal standing requirements with this vague section of the constitution. As set forth above, the plaintiff will suffer loss and irreparable harm in case the relief is not granted. Other street performers will also suffer the same fate (Elias 112). 18. This action for emergency injunction is temporary. Plaintiffs use the St. Georges Street and the defendant shows no satisfaction of the mere necessary legal standing to enforce section 22-9 of the constitution. 19. Specific facts set forth so far demonstrate that there is need for an emergency injunction to be granted; otherwise the plaintiff and other street performers could suffer irreparable damage and loss. Therefore, with all evidence and legal stake withholding, the plaintiffs respectfully request the court to consider this matter and grant injunctive relief cancelling the blockade and impeding of the Southard Street for the reasons set forth hereinabove (Bastiat
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Business and Social Approaches to Social Media Essay - 1
Business and Social Approaches to Social Media - Essay Example Identifying how this particular tool is now being used and identifying the ways that it can work for others that are using the Internet is then creating a different approach to connecting online. Theories of Social Media The use of social media for businesses is one which relates specifically to the ability to connect with others online through specific mediums. The social media platforms consist of areas which users can interact and connect with other like-minded users. The growth of this has led to platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia and business areas where others can connect. The concept is now known as web 2.0, where interaction and user-generated content is providing more applications and alternatives for those that are online. The concept of using these tools is based on the demographics, ability to display a specific message to viewers and the ability to collaborate with business ideas that will attract potential customers to a business (Kaplan, Haenlein, 2010). Th e approach which is now being taken with social media has allowed the main concept to transform the way in which many are approaching business and interactions. When searching for the user-generated content, there is the ability to connect with others that are interested in specific ideologies, consumerism, and choices. A business can specify demographics, target markets and other concepts that are from a given profile. From this, there is the ability to transfer information and knowledge about the business and to create a connection to customers. This creates a social graph, in which one business connects to potential customers and begins to expand with the specific target markets that are available through the interactions and known interests that are listed on the various online portals (Qualman, 2011). The concept which has been used with approaching target markets has also led to the promotional mix is a model which is followed. This has been built into a hybrid model that is u sed for communicating with others and for interactions that are able to get specific results with online marketing. Consumer to consumer communications as well as promotions from businesses is the two main focuses of the hybrid promotional mix that is used for user-generated content. This occurs with the main promotion, advertisement or page that is listed on a social media site or website. The consumer then has the ability to focus on direct responses by commenting on the promotional tools with engagement. For businesses, this means that the promotions need to have positive responses from consumers while ensuring that the discussions work in favor of the business. The promotional mix that is needed is then based on gaining a sense of control with the promotions that are used for the social media portals (Mangold, Faulds, 2009). The interactions with customers and the way which this is associated with the promotional mix are then leading to the need to put the public relations of a business as the main priority. The amount of control that is a part of the user-generated content is based on finding a way to build credible forms of marketing and interactions that are online. The use of effective communication, ability to increase exposure and creating a strong presence and brand loyalty are some of the focuses that are a part of using social media online.Â
Saturday, August 24, 2019
The Appalachians in North America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
The Appalachians in North America - Essay Example Mitchell., Additionally, the Appalachian mountain ranges also include ridges and valleys1. Appalachian is a name that is believed to have been derived from the Apalachee Indians who were believed to be the pioneers of the place and were mostly woodsmen. Early Appalachian was full of valleys and huge gaps that were not easily navigable thus hindering transportation and various activities. This writing analyses some of the significance of the Appalachian Mountains both in geographical perspective and in the society. The Appalachian Mountains re of great importance as far as recreational matters are concerned since it has numerous parks and also the Appalachian Trail which is mostly used by stout hikers globally. The mountain ranges remain one of the most significant geographical and historical features in the world especially due to its uniqueness and size as well as its old age. Perhaps if the Appalachians could have been located in a different place it could still maintain its geogra phical influence but different cultural and economic influence2. The mountains could not affect the natives or the first settlers equally because there must have been different cultural background of the settlers. Suppose the Appalachians could have been located in Africa or Asia, initially the name and the culture of people around it would have been traced back to the original African or Asian culture. Even economic and social activities would have either slightly or greatly changed. Some of the features of the mountains especially the ice cover and vegetation cover may have also been altered depending on the climate and activities taking place in that particular region3. This is one of the pictures of some of the National Parks found within the Appalachian region which is known as Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia4. Culture of the people living around the Appalachian Mountains was a mixture of different cultures from England, Scotland and Ger many settlers who were seeking land, freedom and new opportunities thus making the region multi-cultural region especially at the modern age when most people around the world have gone to seek for employment. Some Americans also think that the Appalachians are not well educated and all these could be attributed to the fact that the regions’ topography could not favor infrastructural development. The Appalachians are not as civilized as other parts of America and are sometimes referred to as hicks, rednecks and hillbillies. The Appalachians greatly consider family values and togetherness5. European settlers greatly influenced the social disruption that also brought about environmental disruption especially due to introduction of plants and animals from Europe. The indigenous however initially depended on the valuable resources provided by the Appalachia region such as wildlife to be hunted, fish from the sparkling rivers as well as logs that helped them in building houses6. Th ere were also some unique cultures such as casual mountain dances practiced by the Appalachians. It is also worth noting that most of the Appalachians could not fully dwell on farming because the mountains were rocky and hilly thus hindering their ability to make a living out of farming. This led to some disheartening conditions such as widespread of poverty that eventually led to widespread disease infections and malnutrition amongst the population specifically the children7. Economic activities within the Appalachian regions varied from fishing, farming, manufacturing and commerce. There are also notable coals as well as natural gas in the Appalachian plateau as well as
Friday, August 23, 2019
Problematical Gender Identity in Romper Stomper Essay
Problematical Gender Identity in Romper Stomper - Essay Example It seems that the main character of the movie, Hando, has absorbed all the exaggerated negative characteristics of manhood at once. Hando attracts most attention with the help of â€Å"mixture of menace and animal magnetism†(Holden, 1993). His masculinity is overwhelming, charismatic, and absolutely distorted. Moreover, all the characters of â€Å"Romper Stomper†look like saturated versions of themselves: emotionally unstable girl with serious mental disorders, her perverted father living in luxury, obedient skinhead that stays with his grandmother when he decides to quit his criminal life. This combination of exaggerated negative masculine and feminine traits creates certain dissonance of perception: characters are portrayed as either men or women while their general human qualities are neglected. Thus, the problematic gender identity of the characters prevents them from being humans as it imposes too many obligations and requirements. It is impossible to deny that images created by media texts have a serious impact on society. Whether watching TV, looking through magazines or not people still shape their understanding of how a real man or a real woman should look like from media. In this regard, the image of masculinity and femininity can also be attributed to media construction (Gautlett, 2008). Moreover, according to the queer theory formulated by Foucault in the 1990s sex and gender are rather socially constructed than inherited or predetermined biologically (Queer Theory, 2010). That is why the creation of masculine or feminine identity is determined by a number of factors such as social pressures, traditions, conforming, linguistic and symbolic codes and so on.Â
BUS 401 MOD 5 SLP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
BUS 401 MOD 5 SLP - Essay Example à ¡ndez has been the head of the tax department over the past few years for the company and is now been recognized and appointed as the chief financial officer. As a part of the role of the main duties include overlooking various departments like the administration, management and planning, risks, financial management, control, and also taxes for all of the subsidiaries. As clearly has been expressed in the website, â€Å"According to Deputy Chairman Mr. Pablo Isla, â€Å"the goal of this structure is to generate the highest possible number of synergies and to ensure the integrated management of the Financial Area†(INDITEX). Ignacio Fernà ¡ndez is a graduate of Economy and Business from the Coruà ±a University, he joined the company in 2001 and he has been in the fashion industry for quite some time. He served as a manager for the financial team in other small Spanish business and with his hard work and dedication has moved on to become the chief financial officer of INDITEX. The Vice President, Pablo Isla of INDITEX has also declared that, â€Å"Ignacio Fernà ¡ndez is in a key post as he must oversee the management of the financial section and also generate as much synergy as possible between different services†(Fashion Magazine). INDITEX has been known to be one of the most exciting companies and is known for the global fashion retail. The company has a strong Global Risk team which is set up which helps the company to maintain risk transparency as well as deal with the complex international insurances and programs which are crucial for the long term business relationships. The company has a strong set of risk management policies which have been defined and set down for several years and has proven to work very effectively for the company. Felix Poza, the Chief Risk Manager at INDITEX explains very clearly that every step is taken with utmost caution and the company tries to develop its back up plans before taking any step (Allianz). Clearly the company has a strong
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Irish immigrants Essay Example for Free
Irish immigrants Essay When the Irish began arriving in America in large numbers in the 1840s, they were generally destitute and unskilled, and for decades they occupied the lowest levels of American society, often trapped in menial jobs like domestic service or difficult, often dangerous jobs like railroad and canal construction.  According to historian Paul Boyer, â€Å"Irish immigrants entered the work force at the bottom. Paddy with his pickax and Bridget the maid were simultaneously stereotypes and realities†(Boyer et al 273). However, they rose quickly in America compared to other immigrants groups, mainly because of several advantages. Their ability to speak English certainly helped them, giving them advantages that later immigrants from non-English-speaking nations did not immediately have. In occupations like factory labor, they were able to rise more quickly than other immigrants, slowly moving up the social ladder. In addition, they gradually More importantly, the urban Irish became active in politics, particularly within the Democratic Party, which appealed to the new arrivals and offered them assistance in finding housing and jobs in exchange for votes. This gave the Irish a wide array of opportunities, moving from unskilled labor into better-paying blue-collar positions as firefighters, police officers, and workers in city departments like sanitation, water, and streets. By 1900, the Irish had already ascended through the working class and were making headway in the middle class, and this progress accelerated as later immigrants from southern and eastern Europe began arriving by the millions. The head start they enjoyed in arriving sooner than most other ethnic groups, their knowledge of English, and their affinity for politics all combined to give Irish immigrants advantages that other immigrant groups would not enjoy to the same degree. Boyer, Paul et al. The Enduring Vision. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Managing Change in Organisations: Supermarket Case Study
Managing Change in Organisations: Supermarket Case Study Meena Bazar one of the chain super markets of the Bangladesh which serve in Bangladesh from 2000. Meena Bazar, the first truly national supermarket chain was founded with the promise of year-round. Superstores are set to boom in the country as the current market players are planning to open several hundred more outlets in the next few years to cope with the rising demand from the consumers. With a strong 15-20 per cent annual sales growth, about 30 companies with more than 200 outlets have already made foray into the industry since Rahimafrooz, one of the largest business groups in Bangladesh, introduced Agora, a chain superstore, in the capital a decade ago. Strengths of the Meena Bazar is Size allows for competitive buying terms, Strong senior management, Flexible formats. Opportunities of the Meena Bazar are Forming or merging a strategic alliance with suppliers, Growth of non-food, Growth of convenience and compact hypermarket formats, Effective use of Clubcard database to increase basket size and Develop additional services. Meena Bazaar can successfully implement the organizational culture to the worker. They have a dress code in the outlets. From this the buyer can easily tress out who will serve them and can help them. Another culture is that they are very aware about the time. They have a good organizational bonding. The greatest barrier to adapting to continual change lies with the management of people rather than technology. In Meena Bazar, the constant efforts of effective implementation and utilization of the HR strategies make it possible for the company to perform well in the market. The increasing profit yean in and year out is an evidence of the successful HR practice. Effectively utilizing the new resources may require a move to a product team structure. it may even require downsizing and the elimination of functions that are no longer central to the organizations mission. It seems that the major problem encountered by Meena bazaar is due to the very few outlets in all over the Bangladesh. In addition, the problems also arise because of the inadequate knowledge of its management about the use of strategic management and other management systems. Introduction: Meena Bazar one of the chain super markets of the Bangladesh which serve in Bangladesh from 2000. Meena Bazar, the first truly national supermarket chain was founded with the promise of year-round freshness, affordable price, and the most pleasurable and hassle-free family shopping experience for all. Keeping true to this conviction, Meena Bazar has captured the hearts of shoppers all over. Due to our continuous expansion plans, we are looking for smart, hardworking and proactive young people to be part of our dynamic team. Here the Meena Bazar is the selected organization for the study and access this organization for the find our which will help to do batter performance of it. Bangladesh chain superstores sectors: Superstores are set to boom in the country as the current market players are planning to open several hundred more outlets in the next few years to cope with the rising demand from the consumers. With a strong 15-20 per cent annual sales growth, about 30 companies with more than 200 outlets have already made foray into the industry since Rahimafrooz, one of the largest business groups in Bangladesh, introduced Agora, a chain superstore, in the capital a decade ago. The annual turnover of the superstores now stands at around Tk 15.0 billion (1500 crore), according to Bangladesh Supermarket Owners Association (BSOA). Hassle-free shopping environment, hygienic commodities, fresh vegetables, meat and fish at the supermarkets are earning appreciation of the customers, market operators said. The supermarket biggies have attempted the massive expansion drive to attract the shoppers, who still depend on unplanned wet markets to buy their daily essentials. They say that a rise in organized retailing would offer the consumers hygienic foods at competitive prices, compared to those offered by retailers in the kitchen markets, where commodities are sold mostly in unhygienic condition. The rise in the number of supermarkets, according to analysts, will diversify the choices of consumers and boost their spending, so much needed for economic growth, while the wet markets will also improve quality and services following in the footsteps of supermarkets. But a decade ago, the retail-level trade was in the hands of thousands of small traders in the wet markets and the grocery shops in cities and remained out of the focus of the big business houses. The landscape began to change in 2000 when Rahimafrooz Superstores, operating Agora, moved in to seize a slice of the retailing and wholesale trade, which has been growing at 6 per cent, on an average, annually. In the past decade, many small and big supermarkets made debut, successfully attracting middle and upper middle class consumers, a section of whom are gradually turning to chain stores from the wet or kitchen markets, superstore operators say. Dhaka-based Agora now runs four outlets, Meena Bazar nine including seven in Dhaka, PQS five, Prince Bazar two, Nandan five and Swapno 70 including 30 outside the capital. Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) also runs 11 stores in the capital. According to operators, more than 600 chain retail outlets are expected to be set up in the next five years in an attempt to attract more customers. With the recent opening of a total of 70 branches, ACI has diversified the retailing business. Now it plans to open about 500 stores in the country in the next five years. Mamunur Rashid, marketing manager of PQS, said they are planning to spread the mega-shop business by opening three more stores this year and another 10 in the next two or three years. The departmental stores with the main focus on food items ranging from a wide variety of fish, meat, vegetables to fruits, bakery, dairy and grocery items- also offer a vast array of other household, personal care and miscellaneous products. Consumers can buy as much as nearly 20,000 products of different kinds from such a store, the operators boast. Supermarkets have successfully made a breakthrough in the urban lifestyle with the idea of all essential commodities under one roof. In the early days of the business, around 500 customers would visit a supermarket outlet daily. Now some 5,000 customers come to a store everyday, they say. Meena Bazar SWOT Analysis Strengths Size allows for competitive buying terms Strong senior management Flexible formats Strong hypermarket portfolio Coverage the Mega City Dhaka Increasing level of investment Strong price message and offer at competitive price than the competetors Expanding non-food and online offer Efficient distribution Weaknesses Can not spread the outlets all over the Bangladesh Increasing geographical spread makes focus on specific Markets difficult Exposed to macroeconomic difficulties in some markets International expansion requires substantial investment High reliance on Dhaka Market Poor CSR and community impact Opportunities Forming or merging a strategic alliance with suppliers Growth of non-food Growth of convenience and compact hypermarket formats Effective use of Club card database to increase basket size Develop additional services Threats Faces range of diverse competitors internationally Increased level of eating out Move towards premium does not sit with Meena Bazars traditional strengths Restrictive planning guidelines Political opposition to the power of supermarkets tends to focus on Meena Bazar PEST Analysis for Meena Bazar (P)olitical Factors For employment legislations, the government encourages retailers to provide a mix of job opportunities from flexible, lower-paid and locally-based jobs to highly-skilled, higher-paid and centrally-located jobs. Also to meet the demand from population categories such as students, working parents and senior citizens. Meena Bazar understands that retailing has a great impact on jobs and people factors (new store developments are often seen as destroying other jobs in the retail sector as traditional stores go out of business or are forced to cut costs to compete), being an inherently local and labour-intensive sector. Meena Bazar employs large numbers of; student, disabled and elderly workers, often paying them lower rates. In an industry with a typically high staff turnover, these workers offer a higher level of loyalty and therefore represent desirable employees. (E)conomical Factors Economic factors are of concern to Meena Bazar, because they are likely to influence demand, costs, prices and profits. One of the most influential factors on the economy is high unemployment levels, which decreases the effective demand for many goods, adversely affecting the demand required to produce such goods. (S)ocial/Cultural Factors Current trends indicate that British customers have moved towards one-stop and bulk shopping, which is due to a variety of social changes. Meena Bazar have, therefore, increased the amount of non-food items available for sale. Demographic changes such as the aging population, an increase in female workers and a decline in home meal preparation mean that Bangladesh retailers are also focusing on added-value products and services. In addition, the focus is now towards; the own-label share of the business mix, the supply chain and other operational improvements, which can drive costs out of the business. National retailers are increasingly reticent to take on new suppliers. (T)echnological Factors Technology is a major macro-environmental variable which has influenced the development of many of the Meena Bazar products. The new technologies benefit both customers and the company: customer satisfaction rises because goods are readily available, services can become more personalized and shopping more convenient. The launch of the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) initiative provided the shift that is now apparent in the management of food supply chains. Meena Bazar stores utilise the following technologies: Wireless devices Intelligent scale Electronic shelf labeling Self check-out machine Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Industry Analysis: Porters Five Forces Threat of New Entrants The Bangladesh grocery market is primary dominated by few competitors, including four major brands of Agora, PQS, and many small chain shop. That possess a market share of 70% and small chains of with a further 10%. Over the last 10 years, according to, the grocery market has been transformed into the supermarket-dominated business. Majority of large chains have built their power due to operating efficiency, one-stop shopping and major marketing-mix expenditure. This powerful force had a great impact on the small traditional shops, such as butchers, bakers and etc. Bargaining Power of Suppliers This force represents the power of suppliers that can be influenced by major grocery chains and that fear of losing their business to the large supermarkets. Therefore, this consolidates further leading positions of stores like Meena bazaar and Agora in negotiating better promotional prices from suppliers that small individual chains are unable to match. In return, Bangladesh based suppliers are also threatened by the growing ability of large retailers to source their products from abroad at cheaper deals. Bargaining Power of Customers Porter theorized that the more products that become standardized or undifferentiated, the lower the switching cost, and hence, more power is yielded to buyers Porter M. Meena Bazars famous loyalty card Clubcard remains the most successful customer retention strategy that significantly increases the profitability of Meena Bazars business. In meeting customer needs, customizing service, ensure low prices, better choices, constant flow of in-store promotions enables brands like Meena Bazar to control and retain their customer base. Threat of Substitutes General substitution is able to reduce demand for a particular product, as there is a threat of consumers switching to the alternatives Porter M. In the grocery industry this can be seen in the form of product-for-product or the substitute of need and is further weakened by new trends, such as the way small chains of convenience stores are emerging in the industry. In this case Meena bazar, PQS and Agoras are trying to acquire existing small-scale operations and opening Metro and Express stores in local towns and city centers. Bargaining Power of Competitors The grocery environment has seen a very significant growth in the size and market dominance of the larger players, with greater store size, increased retailer concentration, and the utilization of a range of formats, which are now prominent characteristics of the sector. As it was mentioned above, the purchasing power of the food-retailing industry is concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of retail buyers. Assessment of Meena Bazar: An organizations performance can measured through some features. The features are given below and assess the Meena Bazar Human Resources Human resources are an organizations most important asset. Ultimately an organizations distinctive competences lie in the skills and abilities of its employees. Because these skills and abilities give an organization a competitive advantage, organizations must continually monitor their structures to find the most effective way of motivating and organizing human resources to acquire and use their skills. Typical kinds of change efforts directed at human resources induce (1) new investment in training and development activities so that employees acquire new skills and abilities; (2) socializing employees into the organizational culture so that they learn the new routines on which organizational performance depends; (3) changing organizational norms and values to motivate a multicultural and diverse workforce; (4) ongoing examination of the way in which promotion and reward systems operate in a diverse workforce; and (5) changing the composition of the top management team to improve org anizational learning and decision making. Assessment of Meena Bazar: Meena Bazaar have only seven outlets in Banladehs. They have 70 people who directly involved in the outlets for customer service. Another 20 personnel have worked in the background for the management of the outlets. From the assessment, found that the management of Meena Bazaar have not take any initiative for formal training of their worker who are directly involve with the custom service to improvement of the service quality. For that reason many times the worker face problems in the outlets and occur many unexpected situation. Meena Bazaar can successfully implement the organizational culture to the worker. They have a dress code in the outlets. From this the buyer can easily tress out who will serve them and can help them. Another culture is that they are very aware about the time. They have a good organizational bonding. In the Meena Bazaar there is not any reward system for the outlet managers. If there was any rewarded system to them who can achieve the highest sell in his outlet the manager will motivate to sell more and more. By which the organization can earn more and more profit. Changes in the nature of work over the last years have a reflective and alarming impact on the roles of the HR within the new modes of organizational flexibility as well as leveling power of information technology. Generally, the emergence of HRM as a universal remedy for integrating business strategy and people management has exposed personnel practitioners to a fresh set of role challenges and managerial expectations that have stressed out the gaps between the HR language and reality. Further, the attempts to capture the changing environment of the HR personnel roles in response to major transformations in the workplace, the associated rise of HRM, and the competitive advantage of the whole organization through its manpower are few aspects that HR functions embark upon. Organizations are now faced with leaner structures and increased competition which in turn are generating a rapid pace of change in the workplace. The greatest barrier to adapting to continual change lies with the management of people rather than technology. In Meena Bazar, the constant efforts of effective implementation and utilization of the HR strategies make it possible for the company to perform well in the market. The increasing profit yean in and year out is an evidence of the successful HR practice. Functional Resources Each organizational function needs to develop procedures that allow to manage the particular environment it faces. As the environment changes. organizations often transfer resources to the functions where the most value can be created. Crucial functions grow in importance, while those whose usefulness is declining shrink. An organization can improve the value that its functions create by changing its structure, culture, and technology. The change from a functional to a product team structure, for example, may speed the new product development process. Alterations in functional structure can help provide a selling in which people are motivated to perform. The change from traditional mass production to a manufacturing operation based on self-managed work teams often allows companies to increase product quality and productivity if employees can share in the gains from the new work system. Assessment of Meena Bazar: For Meena Bazaar the functional resources includes its availability of the products in every outlets. From the assessment Meena Bazaar is not fully successful to available the products in every outlets in at time. It is happen for their distribution system. The distribution system is not so strong to reach to the outlets at a time. Anther matter for the super chain shop the inventory system should be very strong. Because if the customer cannot find his / her desired regular product then can switch any time. The one of the competitor of Meena Bazaar is Agore. The agora offer the new shape of product to their customers. But Meena Bazaar can not do that frequently. Technological Capabilities Technological capabilities give an organization an enormous capacity to change itself in order to exploit market opportunities. The ability In develop a constant stream of new products or to modify existing products so that they continue to attract customers is one of an organizations core competences. Similarly, the ability to improve the way goods and services are produced in order to Increase their quality and reliability is a crucial organizational capability At the organizational level, an organization has to provide the context that allows it to translate its technological competences into value for its stakeholders. This task often involves the redesign of organizational activities. 113M, for example. has recently moved to change its organizational struchire to better capitalize on its strengths in providing IT consulting. Previously, it had been unable to translate its technical capabilities into commercial opportunities because its structure was not focused on consulting, bu t on making and selling computer hardware and software rather than providing advice. Assessment of Meena Bazar: The inventory management system should be very strong and automated in the chain super shop. The Meena Bazar have a inventory software for their inventory management. But their inventory management software is not the customized automated. If the inventory and selling information store in a central software and the central store can see the status, the management can easily send the desired product. So the technological capabilities is not so updated. By the inventory management system the manufacturing company can be benefited in many ways. The basic function of inventories is to act as a buffer to decouple or uncouple the various activities of a firm so that all do not have to be pursued at exactly the same rate. The key activities are (1) purchasing, (2) production, and (3) selling. The term uncoupling means that these interrelated activities of a firm can be carried on independently. Without inventories, purchasing and production would be completely con trolled by the sales schedules. If the sale of a firm increases, these two would also increase and vice versa. In other words, purchasing and production functions would depend upon the level of sales. It is, of course, true that in the long run, the purchasing and production activities are and, in fact, should be tied to the sales activities of a firm. But, if in the short term they are rigidly related, the three key activities cannot be carried out efficiently. Inventories permit short-term relaxation so that each activity may be pursued efficiently. Stated differently, inventories enable firms in the short run to produce at a rate greater than purchase of raw materials and vice versa, or to sell at a rate greater than production and vice versa. Organizational Capabilities Through the design of organizational structure and culture, an organization can harness its human and functional resources to take advantage of technological opportunities. Organizational change often involves changing the relationships between people and functions to increase their ability to create value. Changes in structure and culture take place at all levels of the organization and include changing the routines an individual uses to greet customers, changing work group relationships. improving integration between divisions, and changing corporate culture by changing the top management tram. These four levels at which change can take place are obviously interdependent; it is often impossible to change one without changing another. Suppose an organization invests resources and recruits a team of scientists who are experts In a new technology-for example, biotechnology. If successful, this human resource change will lead to the emergence of a new functional resource and a new technological capability Top management will be forced to reevaluate its organizational structure and the way it integrates and coordinates its other functions to ensure that they support its new functional resources. Effectively utilizing the new resources may require a move to a product team structure. it may even require downsizing and the elimination of functions that are no longer central to the organizations mission. Assessment of Meena Bazar: The organizational capabilities include the value system that delivery to the Meena Bazars customers. The main weakness of Meena Bazar is their organizational capability . Because their number of outlets is only seven and only centralized in Dhaka. They should have to expand their outlets to all over the Bangladesh. The all products of Meena Bazar have not produce in their own farm. So they have to maintain the relationship with the supplier. If the supplier is not supply the batter goods, Meena Bazar also can not serve the batter goods. To improve the quality of the served product they have to make good relation with supplier. Proposed Action Strategy 1: Product Development The retailers in the Bangladesh represent Gemcom Groups largest sales and marketing channel which encompass national and regional grocery supply stores and mass merchants. Distributors represent Meena Bazar second largest channel and generally sell to both traditional and resellers and retailers. In Bangladesh, Meena Bazars market share is still relatively high. Meena Bazar Corporation has more than distributors located in Dhaka. Strategy 2: Product Penetration The company uses the store as a venue to sell its products. This is accomplished through the use of marketing campaigns and product bundles. The company is able to build awareness of its products and brands through mass media advertising, public relations efforts and branded Internet properties. The company also makes it a point to receive feedback from its customers through market research. The company then uses these feedbacks to refine its product development efforts and marketing strategies. The company also initiated an e-commerce strategy to increase online sales and provide new innovations in business class which increases customer satisfaction. Strategy 3: Efficiency and Effectiveness Meena Bazars direct to customer model solve the problem for additional capital for marketing and sales. By selling directly to consumer it eliminated retailers along the way. One advantage of this kind of system is that the firm is continuously in contact with its customers and they are benefiting in two areas concerning sales and marketing, seeing sales trends and learning about unmet costumer demands. Strategy 4: Technology Improvement Technology is an important source of competitive advantage. And this is considered a strength of Meena Bazar because the firm enjoys better access to technology. Meena Bazar introduces the latest relevant technology much more quickly than companies with slow-moving indirect distribution channels. Techniques for change Revolutionary Change Revolutionary change is dramatic, rapid and broadly focused. This radical shift may mean new ways of doing things, new goals or a new organizational structure. The three important components of revolutionary change are reengineering, restructuring, and innovation, as described by Jones and George. Revolutionary change is appropriate within the technology industry, where swift advancements often happen. Although an organization cannot plan for every situation, scenario planning may be most appropriate to predict potential revolutionary change. In scenario planning, a business envisions possible future outcomes and creates a plan to deal with each one. Technological change increases is a process of a decision. Management can take decision it by within a meeting and implement. So the it goes under Revolutionary Change process. By setup a central server, Meena Bazar can control the inventory management system in centrally. Automated system can facilated the organization to check out inventory before the stock out. The inventory and distribution is considered as one of the most important aspects of any companies that are involved in a supply chain. It can help them to manage and control the overall flow of products of materials that are used in production and distribution. The said importance is the reason why, most of the companies are already using the technology of WMS. It is a computerized system that helps many companies to incorporate the different aspects of their operations in order to control the physical flow of their supply chain. The all outlets can easily maintain same quality and attract the customers. Benefits of invent ory system: Increased productivity of Meena Bazar managers Sales and customer satisfaction Increased profitability Mobile, real-time access to point of sales (POS) reports from store systems Easy integration with inventory management Evolutionary Change Evolutionary change is described as incremental, gradual and narrowly focused. This change is constant. Evolutionary change may be a carefully developed, long-term goal that an organization is moving toward. One tool that can promote and direct evolutionary change is strategic planning. Under the Evolutionary Change the human resource training and development is running. Because. The training and development process is not finished with in a period. The process of training is given below Organizational Capabilities developing includes make more outlets for Meena Bazar. Because people like to take everything with in the hand. So no one find the Meena Bazars out lets even though the price and the quality is more comparable to others. Another matter is that when Meena Bazar provide the discount offer the competitor also offer some benefits. So the main strength will if Meena Bazar increase its out let. The outlet increasing process is not done quickly. Because lot of research and the organizational is needed for the decision. Conclusion It seems that the major problem encountered by Meena bazaar is due to the very few outlets in all over the Bangladesh. In addition, the problems also arise because of the inadequate knowledge of its management about the use of strategic management and other management systems. This way, the empire of Meena Bazar will remain get the highest position in the chain grocery market in the Bangladesh.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
The Growth Of Islamic Fundamentalism In Afghanistan Politics Essay
The Growth Of Islamic Fundamentalism In Afghanistan Politics Essay If there has been an overriding feature of their history [the Afghans], it is that it has been a history of conflictof invasions, battles and sieges, of vendettas, assassinations and massacres, of tribal feuding, dynastic strife and civil war. (2001, 12) Martin Ewan, Afghanistan, A Short History of Its People and Politics Since the end of the Cold War, the Afghanistan has witnessed a considerable rise in internal violence. During the 1960s a struggle had developed between Communists and Islamists in Afghanistan. [1] After the withdrawal of Soviet troops and subsequent takeover by the Taliban, Afghanistan has been constantly turning into a radically Islamist nation. FOUNDATION OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN THE AFGHANISTAN The USSRs attempts to consolidate a Communist regime in Afghanistan, first through aid and indirect involvement and later through direct military involvement, were major components in the development of the civil war in Afghanistan which eventually led to the victory of the Mujahidin and the rise of the fundamentalist Islamic regime. [2] In 1979, after the invasion had jolted the Muslim world. They realized that they were in no position to conduct a conventional campaign against Soviet Union. Thus a number of Muslim volunteers commenced moving to Pakistan to assist in the jihad. One of the first volunteers to move in to Pakistan was Osama Bin Laden. He said, One day in Afghanistan is like thousand days in a mosque. At first he personally covered the cost of travel of all volunteers to Afghanistan. In early 1980, he set up Masadat Al Ansar, then the main base for Arab mujahedeen in Afghanistan [3] . This was the first time a formalized training camp was set up in this country. During this period Sheikh Abd Allah Yussuf Azza, who was the key in establishing the International Legion of Islam- hard core of international terrorism, came in contact with Bin Laden. Together they established the Bait ul Ansar, which received and trained the first Islamist volunteers for Afghanistan. The Afghan Mujahidin waged their struggle against the USSR not only as a national liberation war but as a jihad in which radical Islamic elements from throughout the Muslim world took part and which had the blessing of most Arab and Muslim states [4] . However, most of the Mujahidin movements centred around traditional religious leadership based on ethnic and regional considerations, although some of the movements were heterogeneous and included supporters and included supporters and activities from various ethnic groups. The protest movement formed around local political and religious leaders and gradually developed into two main factions. [5] The first faction wanted to transform Afghanistan into an Islamic state in the spirit of Islamic law (Shariah). They adopted principals from the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood and advocated jihad against the Communist regime. This stream became known as the fundamentalist stream. [6] The second faction wanted to found a regime in the unique tribal tradition of Afghanistan. They also advocated struggle against the Communist regime. A considerable portion of the leaders of this faction came from the ranks of the supporters of King Zahir and inspired to reinstate the monarchy. This stream, which became known as the traditional or moderate stream, felt that the life of the individual should be guided by Islam but community and state problems should be solved in the tribal Afghan way. [7] All the major mujahidin parties advocate an Islamic republic as an end goal and are essentially religious. Islam has been the primary ideology and unifying factor among all these parties in the course of the struggle against the Soviet occupation; secular parties have attracted no significant following, especially the left, which was discredited by the communist takeover. Within the spectrum of Islam, however, these parties differ significantly in their makeup and approach. Traditional analysis has divided the seven Sunni parties into four Islamist and three traditional parties [8] . (a) Islamist. (i) Hizb- e -Islami (the Islamic Party), led by Gulbuddin Hikmetyar, primarily Pashtun in membership and radical in character. An Islamic fundamentalist-oriented movement advocating the foundation of a central Islamic republic. The organization is a variance and in conflict with the majority of the other Islamic movement. (ii) Hizb- e -Islami (the Islamic Party), led by Younis Khalis, primarily Pashtun in membership (on a tribal basis) and kept the original name even splitting from Gulbuddin Hikmetyars party. A fundamentalist-oriented movement that advocates the foundation of a theocratic republic. (iii) Ittihad-e- Islami (the Islamic Alliance of Afghan Mujahidin), led by Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, mainly Pashtun and radical in character as well as Saudi-oriented. An organization with a conservative ideology that advocates the establishment of an Islamic republic. The organization developed into a body that attempted to unify various Afghan elements located in Pakistan. (iv) Jamaat-e-Islami (the Islamic Movement of Afghanisdtan), led by Burhanuddin Rabbani, with membership mainly drawn from northern Afghanistan (Tajiki extraction) and more moderate in character. An Islamic fundamentalist-oriented movement advocating the foundation of a theocratic republic. (b) Traditionalist. (i) Harakat-e-Inquila Islami (The Islamic Revolutionary Movement), led by Mohammad Nabi Muhammadi, primarily Pashtun in membership and drawing more on traditional clergy. A conservative organization that aligns itself with returning to the prerevolutionary establishment (a relatively moderate organization). (ii) Jabha-ye-Nejat-e-Milli (The National Liberation Front), led by Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, mainly Pashtun in membership and Sufi oriented. A monarchist organization that supports reestablishment of the Pashtun establishment in the pre-revolutionary format. This is a relatively small organization among the Pashtun population. (iii) Mahaz-e-Islami (the Islamic National Front of Afghanistan), led by Pir Sayed Ahmad Gailani, mainly Pashtun and Sufi oriented as well as pro-royalist. A monarchist organization that aligns itself with reinstatement of the monarchy (in the pre-revolutionary format) In addition, there are a variety of Shiite parties as many as ten at present, but with only a few having substantial political clout. Eight of these Shiite parties are religious and oriented toward Iran but are not necessarily firm in their support of the political line of the Ayatollah Khomeini. Two Shiite parties are not affiliated with Iran. Main Shiite organizations are [9] :- (a) Shura, led by Sayed Ali Beheshti. The organization advocates establishment of a Hazara autonomy. IT reached its height of power in 1979-1980 but later lost Iranian support to more radical Shiite organizations. (b) Nasser (Victory), led by Mir Hussein Tsadiki. An organization that advocates Hazara separatism. The organization was supported in the early 1980s by the Iranians as a counterbalance to the Shura but gradually became overly independent and lost Irans support. (c) Harkat-e-Islami (Movement of Islami Revolution), led by Mohammed Alsayyaf Muhseini. The organization advocates establishment of an Islamic state. It was supported by Hazara population and the Dari-speaking Shiite populations. (d) The Revolutionary Guards, led by Muhsein Razzai. A Khomeini-Hazara organization that advocates unification with Iran. Since 1984 the organization has massive Iranian support. (e) Hizbullah is a Hazara organization with a Khomeini orientation that advocates unification with Iran. The organization receives substantial support from Iran and maintains cooperative ties with Hizbullah in other countries. AFGHAN FUNDAMENTALISM : ITS ROOT OF LEGITIMACY The Afghan fundamentalist, or Islamist, movement enjoys a powerful base of legitimacy in Afghan politics owing to three key factors as under :- (a) The historic role of Afghanistan as defender of the faith in the Indian subcontinent. (b) The Islamists opposition to communism in Afghanistan in the early 1970s which forced many Afghan leaders to work from Pakistan against communist influence (the 1978 communist coup in Afghanistan overwhelmingly vindicated the Islamists initial fear of communist influence and intentions). (c) The paramount role of Islamist and religious parties in the struggle against Soviet occupation. AFGHANISTAN ROLE OF DEFENDER OF THE FAITH Afghanistan has had a unique and long-established tradition as defender of Islam in the subcontinent [10] . In the 19th century, for example, India (including present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh) was under the rule of the British Raj, the Turkish Ottoman Empire controlled vast portion of the Arab world, and Iran was helpless in the face of Russian and British domination but Afghanistan was one of a handful of truly independent Muslim countries in the world. Afghanistan alone had maintained its own independence from foreign control since 1747, and it thus enjoyed respect and recognition throughout the Muslim world. Afghanistans Durrani Empire in the 19th century was actually the second largest Muslim empire in the world at that time, ceding first place only to the Ottomans [11] . In the 19th century, Kabul helped foment Islamic political uprisings in India and was itself seen as one of the few places of refuge for those Muslims in British India who felt it was religiously untenable to live in a godless(British-run) state. Kabul also struck several severe blows against British power in the region, most notably by repelling what turned out to be a disastrous invasion of Afghanistan by the British army in 1842. [12] THE FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAMIST STRENGTH The strength of the Islamist movement in Afghanistan today rests largely on its military capabilities and on the strength of its political organization. The movement is not, in other words, a popular one, although it does command widespread respect for its role in the liberation of the country from Soviet occupation. It derives particular legitimacy from having provided the ideological spearhead for that struggle, radical Islam, which transcends mere nationalism. The Islamists movement, however, had actively opposed communist coup and takeover began. The movement thus occupies a central place in Afghan politics today. That all Afghan mujahidin parties today have a religious basis was underscored during the anti-Soviet jihad, or holy war a conflict that helped define the Islamic orientation of contemporary Afghan politics. Hence, there is a strong likelihood that the political, removal or fall of Najibullahs Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) will be followed by the establishment of some type of Islamic republic -one that is committed in some measure to the implementation of Islamic law (the Shari a). Possible Islamic models from which Afghanistan might draw include the Islamic governments of Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The actual character of the new Afghan government, however, could vary considerably, depending in who dominates it and on the nature of specific policies and methods of implementation. Of the seven Sunni mujahidin parties in Afghanistan today, four are fundamentalist-ideological-Islamist in character, and two of these four are radical in their beliefs and operating style. Together, these four parties have the more integral role in the Soviet conflict than have the more traditional parties. Indeed, a key contributor to the Islamists strength has been the large measure of support that the radical Islamist parties have derived from Pakistan by virtue of their military performance and zeal. Such support was bolstered by former Pakistans President Mohammed Zia-ul-Haqq, who found the politics of the Afghan Islamist parties in consonance with his own Islamisation campaign in Pakistan. The Afghan Islamists, for their part, enjoyed the backing of Pakistani religious parties, who in turn were strong pillars of support for Zia. Zia also understood that the ideological orientation of the Islamist parties would largely inhibit them from encouraging Pashtun ethnic separatism in Pakistan an Afghan policy of nearly 30 years standing that had engendered considerable tension between the two countries. Islamists disapprove of narrow ethnic orientation as a basis for the state and instead support broader political groupings based on a common Islamic outlook. The close cooperation between Pakistan and the Afghan mujahidin against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan had one important and immediate consequence: the long standing hostility between Pakistan and Afghanistan has abated considerably. Benazir Bhuttos brief term as Prime Minister following Zias death, despite her more secular policies, did not significantly weaken Pakistans ties with the Afghan mujahidin. Fundamentalist parties in Pakistan will continue to support Afghan fundamentalist groups, regardless of the policies of Islamabad in the future. WILL THE FUNDAMENTALISTS COME TO POWER? Ironically, the removal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan has weakened one of the principal sources of Islamist strength in Afghanistan- for while all mujahidin parties may agree on the desirability of an Islamic government, consensus on power sharing is an entirely different matter. There are in fact deep rifts among the parties, mot only between traditionalists and Islamists but also among Islamists themselves. These divisions, which reflect ideological, regional, and ethnic differences as well as conflicts between personalities, are not likely to be readily resolved in the wake of the Soviet withdrawal. The strength of the Islamist parties rests on other factors as well like as under:- (a) Pakistan and Saudi preferences with respect to the distribution of aid among the mujahidin have served to strengthen the Islamists by providing them with greater opportunity to distribute their financial and military largess and hence to attract a broader following including support among the military commanders. (b) The mujahidins use of Pakistan as a political base of operations a factor that has skewed the true there -way power relationships inside Afghanistan among the parties, their local mujahidin commanders, and the populace at large has worked to the Islamists advantage. WEAKNESSES OF THE ISLAMIST PARTIES While the Islamists are still the single strongest element in Afghanistans political equation today, some of their strength derives from the location of their political base in the Pakistani border city of Peshawar, where Pakistans own political influence over the mujahidin can be maximized. As the struggle moves out of the anti Soviet, anticommunist phase and into a phase of civil war, the influence of the special political climate of Peshawar will diminish, and with it, the influence of Pakistan itself over the struggle. Other factors that may contribute to the possible weakening of Islamist influence are as follows :- (a) The Islamists lack a charismatic national figure like, for example, Irans Ayatollah Khomeini who will serve as a natural leader. (b) If financial support to specific mujahidin parties is severed in pursuit of a political solution in Kabul, it is unclear how much strength the Islamist parties would retain. While the Islamists ideological and organizational strengths remain significant in Peshawar, an internal power struggle inside Afghanistan would present a new set of variables that would affect the ultimate success of one party over another. (c) The Islamist parties are by no means united within themselves. (d) Because tribalism and regional loyalties in Afghanistan were largely subordinated in the decade long effort of all national elements to expel the Soviet Union, a permanently enhanced sense of national unity may now exist. On the other hand, the expulsion of the Soviet enemy may refocus Afghan politics on older and more parochial issues. Tribalism and regionalism are already reasserting themselves, essentially working against the radical Islamist parties. (e) Mujahidin commanders inside the country maintain only tenuous ties with the Peshawar parties. Hence they may not fully share the political views of these parties and may be increasingly inclined to act independently or to pursue their own agendas if alternative sources of aid weaken the party hold. (f) The highly disproportionate representation of ethnic Pashtuns among the refugee population in Pakistan skews our understanding of the political preferences of the broader population as a whole inside Afghanistan especially when Pakistan refugee camps are used as a basis for public opinion findings, press coverage, straw polls, and identification of political attitudes. Current Islamist strength in the Peshawar environment might well weaken once politics shift inside the country. The Islamists are therefore likely to come to power only by military means. The moderate parties in particular are concerned that the most radical Islamist faction, Hizb-e-Islami (the Islamic Party ), led by Gulbuddin Hikmetyar, may attempt to use Leninist tactics to eliminate other mujahidin leaders by assassination in order to secure power a fear that is based more on the personality of Gulbuddin than on the character of his Islamic ideology per se. While such an attempt cannot be ruled out, it is highly unlikely that a minority radical Islamist party attempting to do just that. Any radical Islamic leadership that sought to rule successfully would have to come to terms with the other political and ideological elements within the country. WHAT WOULD A RADICAL ISLAMIST LEADERSHIP MEANS? Any Islamist regime in Afghanistan, were it to come to power, would differ sharply from Irans Islamist regime in many important respects. First, such a regime would be firmly Sunni rather than Shiite in character, suggesting a greater ability to work with elements of secular state power as well as a less apocalyptic, oppression and martyr- oriented outlook. Afghan Islamists, furthermore, lack the depth of hostility toward the United States that has characterized Iranian politics. The Afghan Islamists in fact have almost no formal grievances against any past US role in Afghanistan; to the contrary, however much they may dislike US culture, the Islamists are well aware that the United States played a pivotal role in the anti- Soviet struggle. Afghan political culture as a whole also tends to be far less xenophobic than that of Iran- simply because Afghanistan has never been dominated and manipulated by foreign powers as consistently as was Iran throughout the 19th and early 20th centur ies. Nonetheless, Afghan Islamists share with other Islamist world movements the same concerns over the threat to the Islamic way of life posed by Western and especially American culture. Essentially , the Islamists perceive the United States as representing secularism, permissiveness, hedonism, individualism- all of which they see as deeply corrosive to the establishment of the virtuous Islamic society. Any Islamic Afghan regime will thus oppose such influences inside Afghanistan and will limit Afghan contact with American cultural influences. In addition, any Islamist regime in Kabul will gravitate strongly toward nonalignment and exclusion of Western as well as Soviet influence in the region. Such a regime would therefore oppose a US military presence in the Persian Gulf states, in Pakistan, or anywhere else in the Muslim world. Similarly, it would be likely to support the cause of Islamic minorities in regions such as India and the CAR. As an example, major ethnic elements in Afghanistan, such as Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Turkmen, are heavily represented in the CAR- a phenomenon that the Soviets have attempted to exploit in efforts to draw Afghanistan closer to the USSR. Yet such tactics have not assisted Soviet policy and in fact have likely backfired; ties between ethnic elements of both sides of the Soviet border are more likely to draw these populations closer together, resulting in an effort to diminish Moscows influence and to broaden the options of the Muslim populations of the CAR. Finally, an Islamist Afghan regime will be strongly conscious of Western imperialism and will be a strong advocate of the have-nots in North vs South issues. Despite these positions, however, an Islamist Afghanistan will have limited opportunity or reason to directly attack US interests, since such interests in Afghanistan will be highly limited in their scope. Afghan Islamists would unquestionably support the cause of fundamentalist parties in Pakistan, which could bring them into conflict with US policies there. Unlike pre- 1978 Afghan governments, however, Afghan Islamists are unlikely to support ethnic separatism in Pakistan. An Islamist Afghanistan will share some philosophical interests with Iran, but it would not be likely to cooperate closely with Iran on anything other than broad international Islamic issues. Sunni fundamentalists will in fact resent Irans support of the Afghan Shia, who will represents Irans chief instrument of influence in Afghanistan, and there is likely to be some degree of rivalry between a Sunni and a Shiite Islamic republic. Irans bid for influence in Afghanistan has nonetheless risen dramatically since the end of the Iran- Iraq War, and it perceives itself as a major player in future Afghan politics. Part of Irans goal here is to thwart Saudi interests. EMERGENCE OF TALIBAN Ever since the fall of Najibullah government and withdrawal of Soviet forces, the attempts by Pakistan to form a consensus regime in Kabul had failed. Pakistan also failed to install Hekmatayar govt and Rabbani had his own ambitions showing no inclination to accept Pakistani directions. By early 1994,the Inter Service Intelligence Agency (ISI) realised that the Rabbani regime was slowly consolidating itself in Kabul. This development was against Pakistans overall interests in Afghanistan and forced her to look for an alternative. Maj Gen (Retd) Naseerullah Babar, the Interior Minister in the second Benazir Bhutto Government conceived the idea of creating a students militia along with some veterans from the Afghan Mujahedeen who had fought the Soviet Army and who had taken shelter in Pakistan. [13] The infrastructure for launching Taliban was set up by May 1994. [14] The word Taliban literally means students of religious schools . The Taliban militia largely comprises students of religious schools (Madrassas) in Baluchistan and NWFP. Initially these Madrassas were set up by Jamait-i-Uiema-lslam (JUI) led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the Afghan refugees. Subsequently the Pak ISI took over these institutions and extended training, moral and material support to Taliban. The movement was very well planned to exploit religious sentiments of Islamic countries and Islamic organisations. This also paved way for easy recruitment and funds from international Islamic community. Taliban in Afghanistan is unique in the sense that it is not the product of a national movement like its predecessor, the Mujahidin, which waged a war against the Soviet Union and its Afghan puppets. The Taliban is a force created by the Pakistan with the twin purposes of containing Iran and diluting, and eventually weakening, Russian influence in its former Muslim-majority republic. The implicit aim is to preserve Pakistans influence over Afghanistan as the Taliban is dependent on Pakistan for logistics and military training and on the UAE for funds. Pakistan aimed following major advantages by Pakistan by supporting Taliban are:- (a) Militarily subdue and defeat the Tajik and Uzbek ethnic militias, bring Afghanistan under Taliban rule and thereby secure the Kabul-Salang-Kunduz highway, the major artery leading to Central Asian Republics. (b) Seek diplomatic international recognition for Taliban and orchestrate its future actions in consonance with her own interests. (c) Gain strategic depth vis-a-vis India. (d) Maintain Taliban as an anti India instrument for reigniting the Kashmir insurgency. [15]Â
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