Research Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Research Proposal - Essay Example All the countries round the world are concerned about the carbon footprints and its effects. The developed countries have already taken various measures and adopted policies under the Kyoto Protocol. The other developing countries are taking steps towards reduction of greenhouse effect but none of them have accepted the international legal bindings to do so (Ackerstein, and Katherine, 2007; Ginsburg, and Bloom, 2004). This study would be focusing on green marketing, which would not only include the corporate strategies of the multinationals towards manufacturing and selling their products in an eco-friendly manner, but also analyze the other functions of the companies, which also depict their eco-friendly initiatives such as adoption of green accounting, and eco-friendly promotional strategies. Few well-known multinational companies would be chosen to discuss their green strategic framework within which environment friendly production, operation, promotion, supply chain, and even fin ancial practices would be comprehensively discussed. 1.2 Research Objectives The aim of this research study is to scrutinize the eco-friendly marketing strategies that are adopted by the multinational companies. The major objectives would be to recognize the green or eco-friendly strategic framework of few multinational companies, and evaluate the benefits that these companies enjoy for such an initiative. 1.3 Research Questions The research questions have been formulated in line with the aims and objectives of this research study. They are stated below: Q1: How does the multinational companies segment their target market on the basis of customers; preference for green marketing or products? Q2: What prerequisites are considered for selecting green marketing strategies in these companies? Q3: How does the marketing mix change when the company chooses to shift towards green marketing? Q4: What benefits or advantages companies enjoys after adopting eco-friendly strategies? Q5: How doe s green accounting benefit multinational companies? Chapter II: LITERATURE REVIEW Literature review assist in evaluation of scientific theories and literature that has been identified through research. These are information available through existing database on green marketing and related strategies adopted by the companies in the past and also during the present business environment. These information or data in turn also assist in laying foundation for further research studies. Ginsberg and Bloom (2004), stated in order to proceed with conducting a research on the stated research question, firstly, a rich understanding on green marketing and the preferences of the customers for it, has to be gained. Various research studies show that in order to identify the target market in this case, there is requirement for customers’ tendency towards green marketing (Fuller, 1999; Coddington, 1993). There is no fixed green marketing strategy on the basis of which all the companies desi gn their strategic framework. It depends on the aims, objectives, mission, and vision of the company (Polonsky and Charter, 1999). The consumption of energy and change in climate are closely related. Multinationals

Ryanair: Performance Objectives

Ryanair: Performance Objectives Ryanairs five performance objectives to maintain or ultimately increase Ryanairs competitiveness, it is useful to analyse its operations with the help of five performance objectives: Quality: In the long run, even the most competitive price structure will not attract customers if the quality of the service offered is below a certain standard. This includes maintenance, efficient booking and luggage handling, reliability, punctuality, and interaction with Ryanair staff. Speed: The areas where speed matters most for Ryanair are turnaround time of aircrafts, reservations, luggage handling, and aircraft maintenance, all of which have a direct impact on costs. Although Ryanair has implemented many steps to increase speed, it also depends on service providers that are not directly under its control. Dependability: This compares very favourably with competitors, where punctuality is similar, but the missed bag/passenger ratio is orders of magnitude higher. This excellent record has to do with the fact that Ryanair offers only point-to-point flights, thereby eliminating the risk of luggage mismanagement during connecting flights. Flexibility: Customers have a high degree of flexibility in choosing the level of service, since only the basic airfare is charged and any additional services must be paid for. Increasing flexibility for the customer would mean offering additional options. From Ryanairs perspective, flexibility comes with diversification of supplementary services on the one hand, and, with increasing market strength, the ability to negotiate alternatives for various service sectors, such as maintenance agreements, outsourced functions, etc. Cost: The fuel price is one of the direct costs for any airline operations. There are enormous fluctuations, and, unlike its competitors, Ryanair has committed to a policy of not imposing fuel surcharges. Therefore, the fuel price become fluctuations and Ryanair takes consider of that action. As a result, Ryanair reported its first annual loss in 2009 when oil prices were at a record high. (BBC Online News, 21 June 2009) International Competition: Ryanair is one of the most successful low cost carriers in Europe. The phenomenon strategy for long-term sustainable which Ryanair has developed from Southwest airlines is cut-cost to gain in high profitable in market share. According to Gillen and Lall (2004) stated that Ryanair has taken step further of Southwest operational, therefore, Ryanair has strongly and clearly position regarding to the airline does not offer any frills such as, no providing service, no ticket, no connection, no travel agents, no frequent flyer programme as well as food and beverages are sell on board. However, Ryanair can keep the cost low and gain more profit by setting the cheaper fares to customer regarding to increase the cash flow. In addition, according to the economic crisis and the fuel price has been increased, it effected to all airlines industry. However, it seems not really effected to Ryanair. Based on that, in 2009, Ryanair has aggressively discounted fares to increase the pressure on its com petitors and increase the cash flow. (Euromonitor International 2010) Nevertheless, Ryanair has been very tactical and acted very quickly to get advantage out of the competitors. Moreover, the competitors of Ryanair, for example, in Western Europe are mostly the schedule airlines such as, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM Group, British Airways, and Easyjet. Therefore, Easyjet is the direct competitor of Ryanair. Furthermore, the competitors in Eastern Europe are mainly budget airlines such as, Wizz Air (Hungarian airlines) as well as the schedule airlines Aeroflot (Russian airlines), LOT (Polish airlines) and, CSA (Czech airlines). In this case, Ryanair claim to increase the traffic to compete with cometitors by operate more routes. However, the competitive advantage of Ryanair that helped Ryanair to maximine growth which require the location advantage by using the secondary airports that located not far away from the city. For example, Gillen and Lall (2004) stated that at Hahn airport ne ar Frankfurt, the number of passengers increased from 450,000 in 2001 to 1.5 million in 2002, due to Ryanair serving that airport. Easyjet tend to have the same direction, however, Ryanair negotiation with secondary airports, often located in economically depressed areas, Ryanair bargained hard for low fees compare to EasyJet. On the other hand, Gillen and Lall (2004) stated that EasyJet is not entirely secondary airport based and so it does seek to attract some business customers. Based on that, Easyjet has more cost regarding to the airport fees. In addition, one of the advantages of Ryanair is rapid turnaround time than other airlines. According to (Barret 2004) stated that the shorter turnaround times permit more journeys per plane which, coupled with the higher seat density of Ryanair planes, generate lower seat mile costs. Based on that, Ryanair planes are mostly flying and it savings more cost of the airport fees in term of the landing charge. According to Ryanair report (201 0), Ryanair received award of being punctual and less in baggage lost Based on the short-haul point to point routing, hence, (Barret 2004) stated that the punctuality performance of Ryanair is high, therefore, the simple point to point is not delayed the passenger and check-in is quicker because is less complex than an interline one. According to table 1, staff of Ryanairs were non union, (Vlaar et al. 2005) stated that the consequence is flexible workforces enable low-cost airlines to fly and support each aircraft with only eighty workers, compared to the employees that required by traditional network carrier. For instant, Ryanair focus on the tight cost control measures. Pilots and cabin crew received lower salaries than other industries, however, the employees received significant variable compensation such as, the commissions on on-board sales. (ibid) Table 1. Some distinctive features of Ryanairs business model Choice Consequence Secondary airports à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Low airport fees Lowest ticket price à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Large volume Low commissions to travel agents à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Low cost Standardized fleet of 737s à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Bargaining power with suppliers Single-class à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Economies of scale High-powered incentives à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Attract combative team No meal à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Faster turnaround Nothing free à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Additional revenue Spartan headquatres à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Low fixed cost No unions à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   Flexibility in rostering staff Source: Casadesus-Masanell R, and Ricart J E, 2010 cited from Strategy to Business Models to Tactics As a result, (Vlaar et al. 2005) concluded that Ryanairs business model is a simple product, low operating cost, and differential positioning which they focused on leisure, VFS (visiting friends and relative). Based on that, the value proposition is good fit with these customer segments. More importantly, (Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart 2010) concluded that Ryanair plan of action create a unique and valuable position by engaging in a new set of activities. Based on that, Ryanair found the way to operate the company more efficiency amongst the competitors by create the value for their stakeholders. International emerging markets The Ansoff product-market expansion grid is useful for Ryanair to visualise and identify market opportunities. Therefore, Ryanair establishing a partnership with Wizz Air, it helps company penetrate non-EU markets, synergies can benefit in both party. Regarding to, the market development Ryanair striving to target in business travellers by offering them more benefits such as refundable tickets in terms of more flexible. Moreover, Ryanair consider of the product development by plan to open the new route to US for long-haul, with flight tickets starting at EUR10 according to the Open Skies Agreement between the EU and the US. Based on that, Ryanair could attract more young generation travellers who has low income but would love to experience in Hollywood place.

Ice and Sand :: essays research papers

Ice and sand is an eye opening video about just what the title states: ice and sand. It talks about the polar ice caps and the affects of green house gasses to the environment. This movie talks about what would happen if the ice sheets in the north and South Pole melt, and how weather systems are changeable. It talks about the sands in the Sahara and how they blow all the way to Paris, it also states that it is largest dessert in the world. This movie is very informative about â€Å"Ice and Sand†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the movie â€Å"Ice and sand† it talks about the polar ice caps. These ice caps are located at the north and south poles of the Earth, and take up a large potion of the earth’s water. Ice caps fluctuate from year to year, growing and shrinking with weather changes. Greenhouse gasses are causing these ice caps to melt more and more every year though. If the ice caps were to melt completely, it would raise our ocean level ten to twenty stories about what it is now. This would send places like Nova Scotia, Vancouver, and New York completely under water. Scientists are not really quit sure what will happen with green house gases, whether they will cause a flood from melting the ice caps, or whether it will send us into another ice age. If it were to send us into another ice age, only people in very southern countries would be likely to survive due to the extremely cold whether. Scientists have determined that weather systems are changeable. Over a large amount of time, the earths tilt changes, causing the axis’s to tilt more one way then it used to, and thus changing the weather. Greenhouse gasses may also change the weather, making our climate either much hotter or much cooler. Ice caps and deserts have one thing in common, one small change in the weather can change them- and they will change the world. The Sahara desert is known as the largest dessert in the world, it covers a third of the continent of Africa. The thing about the desert is that it is always changing, new vegetation is sprouting and animals are dying and being born. During the day the desert is very hot, about 50 degrees Celsius, but at night time temperatures can drop very low. In the night is when the desert rains, for temperatures are too hot during the day for clouds to accumulate above them, and water is limited so there isn’t much precipitation.

On the Sidewalk Bleeding

Jean De La Fontaine once said â€Å"Beware- so long as you live of judging men by their outward appearance,† and this idea is reinforced continually in the short story, â€Å"on the sidewalk bleeding† written by Evan hunter. The important idea was judgment and how we should not judge a book by it’s cover. I think this idea is worth learning about because too often in society we judge people without knowing them. The author wants to communicate that you should not prejudge somebody for their looks and consider what is inside of them first. In the short story â€Å"On the side walk bleeding† the author has employed many techniques such as symbolism to help convey the idea ‘Don’t judge a book by it’s cover’. The main symbol in this short story was the purple jacket with ‘The Royals† imprinted on the back which symbolized Andy’s loss of identity. Wearing the jacket meant that he was judged not as Andy but as a gang member in â€Å"The Royals†. He was not seen as his own person but judged based on those he associated with. This is shown when the couple noticed Andy lying helplessly on the ground, Freddie was prepared to help Andy but after he realized that he was a gang member, due to his fear and preconceived ideas, his willingness to aid Andy instantly perished, as he did not â€Å"want to get mixed up in this†. I found this interesting because the couple based all their opinions on Andy’s jacket and not for who he really was. Freddie and Angela’s response when discovering Andy as â€Å"A Royal† also interested me because no matter what group he is from or what type of clothing he wears, if somebody in front you is suffering from pain, it is a wise idea to call for help as it may result in their death if they fail to do so. I could not understand how these people could be so inhumane and cold because of their personal feelings towards a particular group. This showed me how the jacket symbolizes judgment and illustrates how society judge people without knowing them at all. I think this idea is worth learning about because we should not base our opinion on what people wear and whom they associate with. This should not be what defines them; it should be what is inside of them that counts. Another technique the author has used to portray the idea â€Å"Don’t judge a book by it’s cover† is though the use of characters. When the policeman discovered who Andy was at the scene his attitude changed, â€Å"A royal huh? † Regardless of what had happened to Andy and despite Laura’s insistence that â€Å"his name is Andy† the first thing he did was open up a blank page on his black pad and wrote down â€Å"A royal†. This clearly supports the idea that the police officer was judging Andy based on his jacket and therefore felt no pity or emotion towards him. He did not regard him as an individual and viewed him as just â€Å"A Royal†- a gang member who cause trouble and who is harmful to society. I found this extremely interesting and I think it is worth learning about because it shows that often people like the policeman in the short story can give up on seeking justice for a crime simply based on the judgment they make. This makes me think of all the crimes that may have gone unsolved simply because people have made incorrect judgments. The key message, which has been communicated in â€Å"On the sidewalk bleeding† was that, it is not enough to form an opinion on someone based on the way they look or who they mix with. What is inside and their personality is what really matters. It is important that person gets to know a person before making any prejudgments. Andy may have seemed like a typical gang member who trashes the town with bottles of alcohol and blood stains but in reality he is nothing more than an average sixteen year old boy who wants to marry the girl he loves and have a lot of kids and move out of the neighborhood. These people need to realize that Andy is also a human being and it is immoral to judge somebody for what they wear and who they hang out with. It interests me because as I read the story I realized that I often stereotype people for their outer appearances. If I saw somebody walking towards me with leather jacket on with images of skulls and tattoos all over their body, I would instantly react and stereotype them. However after reading Andy’s story due to stereotyping and prejudgments, I have become conscious of the fact that you should never judge the value of a person before you know about them well. It is their personality and what is inside that matters the most. Everyone should respect a person for who they truly are and not discriminate them for their outward appearances. It may turn out that the people you thought was () might turn out to be one of the nicest people you have ever encountered.

Retail food protection

Protection of food is essential to ensure food safety. In the US, Food and Drug Administration is the major federal body monitoring the quality of eating products in the US. There are also more than 3,000 state, local, and municipal agencies to regulate food products and services on the local level. Grocery stores, restaurants, cafeterias, vending machines and more places need a close attention of food control specialists. The main purpose of the national food safety program proposed by FDA is to reduce the cases of foodborne diseases. These are the diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria that occur in the food when it is stored improperly or when the expiry date is past. Though rarely dangerous, food poisoning weakens our body and can provoke other conditions as dysbacteriosis. FDA protects us from the pathogens that may be found in food but it does not ban GMO or any synthetic substances in food. Thus, food quality officers may check that all snacks in a vending machine do not pass expiry date but they do not question any additives in the content of the snacks.