Rising gas prices Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rising gas prices - Research Paper Example ed April 19, 2012 entitled â€Å"More Gas Price Cuts Likely Soon†, gas prices appear to have peaked and are likely to head lower in the coming weeks, supported by gasoline futures dropping four days in a arrow and a slight decline in pump prices in the past couple of weeks. Overall, the increase in gas prices may decrease consumer spending and gross domestic production but through technology, we may revert to substitutes that lessen our gas consumption. The effect of gas prices, from fundamental microeconomic analysis follows assumptions on the demand for gas, both in the short run and in the long run. One of the assumptions about the demand for gas is that it may be price elastic in the long run but may be very inelastic in the short run, as people take time to for change their consumption habits (Pindyck and Rubinfeld 2005). When gas prices increase, in the short run, quantity demanded will fall only gradually as motorists and drivers may begin to use their vehicles less. In addition to this, the demand for gas is very much linked to the usage of cars and transportation, and it is not so easy to simply change from driving your car to work to using a bicycle. This is not to mention that almost all transport vehicles including trains and ships use some form of petroleum and gas, hence either the producer of a good or service or the customer will most likely take in the increase of gas prices. In essence, this leads to either lower production to reduce costs of firms, or lower consumer spending, to save up money for gas (Pindyck and Rubinfeld 2005). While in the short run, an increase in the price of gasoline has only a small effect in the quantity of gasoline demanded, in the long run, various changes in the transportation may lead to less demand for gas, thus making its demand elastic. Technology in general may shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles, thus consumer spending comes back to its natural level. Historically, this assumption has been supported by the

Health and disease relation to cigarette smoking Essay

Health and disease relation to cigarette smoking - Essay Example port identify that â€Å"among men who smoke cigarettes the death rate from cancer of the lung was 1,000 percent higher than among nonsmokers† and that â€Å"the incidence of coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, was 70 percent higher among smokers† (Brandt 494). Brandt points out how the clash between traditional American libertarian ethic and communitarian ethic has influenced debates on cigarette smoking in the nation. The author also provides an elaborate discussion on accountability for tobacco induced diseases and finally concludes that more attention should be paid to the social responsibility theory for addressing the issue. Proponents of cigarette smoking emphasize on traditional American libertarian ethic which stress on individual freedom and individual decisions. As such they regard governmental interference on smoking behavior as an â€Å"unjustifiable intrusion into individual decisions† (Brandt 500). They also hold that rather than regulating the smoking behavior of the public government’s duty is only to inform them of its potential dangers. On the other hand, communitarian ethic holds that exposure to other peoples cigarette smoke cause serious health problems to non-smokers in the community. Various researches on the risks of side stream smoke and the addictive nature of cigarettes also emphasize the need to delegitimize and stigmatize cigarette smoking. The communitarian ethic thus views smoking as a moral issue as its health effects on the non-smoking community are quite dangerous. This tension between traditional American libertarian ethic and communitarian ethic on cigarette smoking raises a number of questions on who should shoulder the responsibility of the risks associated with cigarette smoking. While many attribute this responsibility to the tobacco industry there are others who stress on governmental accountability. The first Surgeon Generals Report emphasizes on governmental intervention and

Becoming a Father Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Becoming a Father - Essay Example Probably the greatest test of a man is his strength and power not on physical things but on his character, to be able to face the challenges and responsibilities of being the head of the family. Being a husband is one thing, pretty much easier than being a father, for the latter calls for a responsibility done on top of the former. The presence of a child or children in a home is commonly seen as that factor which completes a family and yes, it is probably true. All fathers experienced being a child and whatever knowledge and observation they had that molded their opinions of fatherhood is manifested when they exercise being a father as well. Thus, fatherhood calls for an opportunity for a man to prove himself like his father, be better or worse, depending on what principles his character has been founded on. The magic of a baby makes wonders in a man, though. No matter what one would have been through, would just be changed with the thought of becoming the best father one could be f or a sweet innocent child who drives the clouds away. Satisfaction of one’s self is completed when given the chance to give back the best things given him and impart more of the good things deprived from him.

Sony Corporation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sony Corporation - Case Study Example However, in 1942 he modified his theory stating that innovation can no longer be the realm of individual entrepreneurs due to the gradually building capitalism; rather shall be the forte of innovation professionals & laboratories controlled by management of large companies [Dejardin, Marcus. 2000]. This theory applies to Sony considerably given that the organization spends heavily in R&D across all the product lines. As per statement released in 2003 by Nobuyuki Idei, Chairman & CEO of Sony Corporation, the organization planned to spend 500 billion Yens (about 5.1 billion US Dollars as per current rate) in three years to develop competitive key electronic devices through internal innovations although the organization invested 502 billion Yens (about 5.12 billion US Dollars) in 2005 itself. [Sony Corporation, 2003; Sony Corporation, 2005] Sony has been practicing creative destruction by forcing the old available products towards obsolescence by virtue of their innovations. One excellent example is the "style" innovation of Sony latest Pocket Style VAIO P that is expected to yet again create a new niche segment for Sony that may force laptops to obsolescence especially in applications like Internet usage, word processing, multi-media & entertainment, messaging, Internet based telephony, etc. [Prokaza, Julian. 2009] Sony practices the strategy of Differentiation Strategy thus targeting niche markets where products are unique and sold at premium rates. They tend to develop unique market segments where there aren't any competitions and the pricing strategies are totally in their own control. Walkman, Play Station, and now the Pocket Style Vaio P are examples of product uniqueness that Sony brings to the market. In these markets Sony is not bogged down by competition that practice Cost Leadership strategy. Sony's strategies against Porter's Five Competitive Forces Following is the model of Porter's Five Competitive Forces [Harvard Business Review, 2008; Cliff, Bowman. 2008; Ankli, Robert E. 1992]: Sony practices product uniqueness (differentiation) and achieves the same by virtue of huge investments in Innovation and R&D. This strategy ensures that Sony is well placed when mapped against the Porter's five competitive forces model as presented below: Threat of new entrants and substitute products & services: Sony's strategy of continuously developing unique products and market segments keeps them shielded from new entrants in the market given that the level of R&D required to develop such products is huge and not easy for competition to introduce substitute products. Rivalry among existing competitors: Sony hardly has any rivalry with competitors because their products are already priced at premium rates even in the market segments that are not unique to them. In

Analysis of RadioShack Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analysis of RadioShack - Essay Example The company is suffering from net cash outflow instead of net cash inflow and this threatens to deplete its cash and cash equivalent reserve. This means that the company may be bankrupt in the near future and creditors are likely to lose their stake in the company. The company is also not doing well in its profitability because this source of cash inflow could offset the deficit in cash and cash equivalents that the company suffers (Carrasco 1). Possible stiff competition and poor operational management could be the reasons the organization is not doing well. While a large percentage of the organization’s stores are based in the United States, these stores have not been profitable to generate sufficient cash and facilitate growth. Competition could have also constrained demand, leading to high levels of inventory, and reduced profitability. Assuming the role of competition in the organization’s performance, poor operational strategies that have failed to minimize cost would be another reason for the current condition. The inefficient growth strategy is another reason for the condition because while the company is realizing challenges in its United States’ market while other markets remain promising, it has failed to shift its focus to the other regions (Carrasco 1). The economic approach to â€Å"profit maximization and marginalism† are the central principles to the problem that the company faces (Nicholson and Snyder 374). Under the profit maximization principle and within the scope of a competitive market, the company should operate at a level where the difference from its marginal costs to its marginal revenue approaches zero from the positive side (Mankiw 283, 284). This could inform production level and reduce or mitigate the realized negative cash flow, and develop creditors’ confidence and finance management’s efficiency.  Ã‚  

Post Colonial And World Literature In English Essay

Post Colonial And World Literature In English - Essay Example The abandonment of cultures and traditions by the colonized is one of the most significant aspects of post-colonial literature in the discourse on colonialism.The pacification of indigenous people in colonies was completed through the conversion of these individuals to Christianity because it was believed that it was the true religion and that the practices of these communities were satanic. The adoption of Christianity was considered by colonial administrators to be a means to not only pacifying the colonized but also as the first step of achieving their civilizing mission (Morrison 1984, p.327). This process was brought about through European missionary activities during the colonial period. colonialism developed mainly as a result of the diverse European powers seeking to ensure that they not only gained markets for their goods, but also for the purpose of prestige. The discussion above has shown that colonialism and racism are among the most important themes that are addressed in the post-colonial literature. Furthermore, colonialism developed mainly as a result of the diverse European powers seeking to ensure that they not only gained markets for their goods, but also for the purpose of prestige. In addition, the discussion has shown that forced labor is one of the aspects of colonialism that led to the development of resentment among indigenous people towards the colonists. Finally, the abandonment of cultures and traditions by the colonized is a significant aspect of post-colonial literature in the discourse on colonialism.

Warren Buffet Case Study Essay Example for Free

Warren Buffet Case Study Essay Executive Summary: On May 24, 2005, it was announced that Berkshire Hathaway would acquire PacifiCorp. from parent, Scottish Power, for $5.1 billion in cash and $4.3 in liabilities and preferred stock (Bruner, Eades, Schill). After the announcement of the acquisition, the market responded very positively the same day. Berkshire’s stock price had increased by 2.4%, PacifiCorp.’s parent, Scottish Power’s by 6.28% and SP 500 closed up 0.02%. Berkshire Hathaway’s 2.4% shares increase was equivalent to $2.55 billion. Since this is not consistent with results of other acquisitions of the same order, it must be Warren Buffet’s â€Å"cult†-like following that allows this to happen. Rather than rationally studying the market information of the acquisition, the general public puts their trust in Warren Buffett as an investment guru. Berkshire held many different types of industries in their portfolio, but prior to the acquisition of PacifiCorp., Berkshire did not have significant investment in the energy sector. The now more diversified investment portfolio of Berkshire after the acquisition was expected to provide more stable returns. Often throughout the case study, Buffett’s view on a company’s â€Å"intrinsic value† was spotlighted as one of his predominate investing strategies. Book value and the investment outline are the two alternatives to intrinsic value. Buffett rejects them because these alternatives neither can give clear and accurate information about the expected profit in the investment. A company’s intrinsic value, though, is a company’s value relative to the present value of its discounted future cash flows (Bruner, Eades, Schill). And this is how Buffett evaluates his investments, asking will future cash flows provide an acceptable return on investment. Problem: The primary problem in the Warren Buffett case study would be whether or not the intrinsic value of PacifiCorp. justifies Berkshire Hathaway’s bid price? Secondary problems presented include how does the PacifiCorp. acquisition stand up against Berkshire’s â€Å"elephant only† approach to investing? Thus, whether or not PacifiCorp.’s acquisition would be able to further Berkshire’s already staggering annual growth rate of 24%? Analysis: Drawing from the financial statements in the text’s exhibits, PacifiCorp.’s annual operating cash flows equaled $1.76 billion. Given this calculation, it would seem as though it would be a relatively short time before Berkshire Hathaway would accumulate enough value on the acquisition for them to receive an expedient return on their investment. â€Å"The cost of lost opportunity† is a philosophy of Warren Buffett’s that also applies to this case (Bruner, Eades, Schill). By entering into the energy market with the acquisition of PacifiCorp., the firm can hopefully continue on their incredible growth rate trend. Without it, Berkshire would likely have eventually plateaued. Recommendation: It is advised that Berkshire Hathaway follow through with the acquisition of PacifiCorp. The firm will continue to cycle large sums of cash flows through their company with this deal, therefore inducing growth and also adding intrinsic value to their firm. The firm also has a lot to gain by entering into the energy market, which already has a stronghold on American interests and adds diversity to their portfolio.