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Research report

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Hofstede Framework and Individualism versus collectivism

Culture plays a significant role in international as well local business. It has been defined in several ways. Culture could be defined as a collective encoding of the mind that differentiates an individual, a member of a group, a nation or a state from the others. In this case the ideal state that the model tries to explain is Italy. Italy is a country of varying regional characteristics and remarkable beauty (Trompenaars, & Woolliams 2004). It is a place of that holds historical pride and cultural achievement. Italian culture allows all the aspects of life as a result those intending to mix effectively into Italian community and culture or even to break the Italian business market as compared to Australian Business market. Understanding the Italian culture is a vital component for the business success hence hofstede Framework will play part is defining the culture.

Individualism versus collectivism

Italian culture is greatly described as an individualistic, meaning that it holds much emphasis on close family ties and individual responsibility. This means that Italians tend to care of their immediate family first and themselves. With respect to business context, individualism affects Italians preferences to do business with individuals there are already familiar with. Collectivism as a culture is not preferred in Italian business hence investors should consider not to take this concern. For individual or groups intending to invest in Italy one should consider individual preferences and needs before starting businesses.

Power Distance

Power distance is identified as the extend to which the powerful members of organizations and institution such as families accept that power is distributed unequally. As if Italy the power distance is not evident as the organizations such as family groups are the once in access to the power. In order to have a flourishing business in Italy investors should be able to integrate this power source so that their business could be in order.

Uncertainty Avoidance

Italy has a high score of on uncertainty avoidance; meaning that Italians are not comfortable during ambiguous situations. Despite the fact that Italian civil and penal codes are complicated, formality in Italian society is very important so as to that of Australia which is also high. Thus, investors should take this in consideration when trying to bring business on board.

Long-term Orientation

The Italian culture scores less that 50 making it short term orientation culture that drives great concern to have great respect for tradition and history as well as the focus on fast or quick impacts in the future. Thus, investors should consider an historical short-term point of view. This affects business contracts and strategies. Business investors should consider short term contracts and strategies since the law of the land considers this perspective.

Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck Framework

Culture can be best explained in the intricate interaction of values and behaviour assumptions of the society. For the essence of determining the Ideal cultural that can withstand business investments, Kluckhohn-Strodtbeck Framework helps to explain this key concept (Varnum et al. 2010).

Relation to nature

The people of Italy have the duty to control nature, subjugation, and work together with nature to uphold balance and harmony. When undertaking business meeting in Italy it is obvious to express open disagreements for establishing relationships and not making business decisions. For example, when greeting business colleagues in Italy one should use their last names or professional titles.

Time orientation

The rule of punctuality in the Italian business environment is taken seriously. For example, even though you as an investor are expected to arrive on time to any business conference or meeting, the Italian counterparts may not adhere to this rule hence when investing time consideration should be apprehended. It is also evident that the Italian legal system and bureaucracy are slow; therefore investors should take note that business actions and decisions may take a longer time.

Control and trust

Italian people trust their own business and people when conducting business thus, for an individual or group willing to start business they should consider the trust of the people by employing Italian staff as well as use their raw materials. Despite the fact that Italian culture is dominated with personal control they have they own preferences (Rugman & Collinson 2009).

Accomplish and Activity

The people of Italy concentrate for the moment and striving for personal goals as it can be reflected from their individualistic thinking hence when establishing business one should consider the preference and accomplishment of individuals.

Responsibility

Italian businesses have great responsibility and concern for oneself and individualist relationship. For investors to establish outstanding businesses in Italy they should consider group and individual differences before commencing investment procedures.

Space

The physical space that exists in Italy is both private and public. In Italian case, the country lies on private space since most of organizations and business institutions are family owned hence merging and business decisions should be highly considered to this individual since they own 75% of Italian businesses.

References

Rugman, A. M., & Collinson, S. 2009. International business. Pearson Education.

Trompenaars, F., & Woolliams, P. 2004. Business across cultures. Wiley. com.

Varnum, M. E., Grossmann, I., Kitayama, S., & Nisbett, R. E. 2010. The Origin of Cultural Differences in Cognition The Social Orientation Hypothesis. Current directions in psychological science, 19(1), 9-13.

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Hohokam Canal System

Abstract

At about the time Christ emerged people began moving into the Gila and Salt River valleys. Very little is in public knowledge about these people that begun the initial small hamlets above the Salt River along its terraces. They are believed to have lived a sedentary agricultural life style through instituting fields along the Salt River margins. They are most likely to have depended on flood waters for their farming. They farmed on wet soils in places that had been swamped when floods and running water bloated their rivers further than their banks. It is feasible that by AD 50 they introduced a competent technology: canal irrigation. This innovation would later lead to the novel Southern Arizona prehistoric culture christened Hohokam. Canal irrigation had previously been employed by people in Southern Mexico who lived along small drainages and rivers. However, their canal systems never arrived at the sophistication and size of the Hohokam Canal System.

The Hohokam Canal System

The earliest Hohokam Canal Systems are believed to have been small canals that were closely located near rivers. In this kind of predisposition the earliest canals must have been especially disposed to demolition through floods. The first large Canals were designed by Hohokam irrigation engineers between A.D. 650 and 750. These canals had the capacity to transport large water quantities onto the Salt River second or upper terrace. By A.D 750-950 a period referred to as the early colonial period, large incorporated canal systems had been established in both the southern and northern sides of the Salt River. These canals were characterized by their large sizes and their monumental shapes. Most of them were over 13 miles in their length with the largest amongst the Hohokam canals being 21 miles about 33km in length. Two large ancient canals are still conserved in part of the four waters located in the southern part of the Archaeological Park and the Pueblo grand museum (Ackerly and Randall 34).

Location of the Hohokam Canal Systems

The Canals are located in the Phoenix valley of Southern Arizona. Hot dry regions in the world have generated some of the most outstanding pre-industrial civilizations. Arizona’s southern desserts are not an exception to this phenomenon. The pertinently named modern Phoenix which is today the fifth largest city in the United States of America, stems not from ashes but the ruins of what is believed to have been the most agriculturally productive and populous valley in the west way before 1600 CE (Breternitz 45).

When the early archeologist Frank Hamilton entered the Salt River in the 1890s he climbed on top of an earthly monument on what would later become latter day Phoenix. He exclaimed that he had discovered one of the most far-reaching ancient settlements that had not been seen before. Before them toward the south, north and east a long series of house mounds lay extended in endless successions. Entrepreneurs that arrived from the Eastern part of the US several decades earlier did not only come across house mounds but also the previous courses of the most immense canals that had ever been built in pre Columbian America. They later enacted large scale irrigation through the laying out of new canals in the footprints of the pre-historic ones. This triggered the growth of what would be the Phoenix City (Haury 123).

In 1922 the City of Phoenix City Engineer Turney Omar used the canals early maps in combination with his knowledge of the ancient Hohokam to publish the first primeval map of the antique canals and ruins of the Salt River valley. The most far-reaching records were published by Midvale Frank an archaeologist who dedicated his life to jotting down traces of the Hohokam as the remains of their culture were ruined by the increasing expansion of urban growth and modern agriculture (Howard 234).

When the first farmers, explorers and trappers penetrated the Salt River valley, they were quick to note the remarkable ruins left behind by the Hohokam. Villages that contained platform mounts, trash mounts and elliptical ball courts covered open ceramic pots and other artifacts that were present in the entire valley. Extending from the river was a vast structure of deserted Hohokam canals (Masse 408).

The ancient canals and ruins were a cause of pride to the untimely settlers who envisaged their robust agricultural civilization taking center stage as the legendary phoenix bird from the Hohokam society ashes. The canals were sometimes used as Wagon roads. Contrastingly, they also created unwanted channels when these areas started being developed by modern day farmers ((Ackerly and Randall 36).

Culture and Society

The extraordinary people referred to by archeologists as the Hohokam were the constructors of the huge canals, earthen monuments, and adobe houses in large amounts that extremely impressed the early visitors to the Salt River valley. From 400 to 1400 CE the Hohokam millennium the basin at the convergence of the Gila and Salt rivers formed the core of their cultural and geographic domains. For 100 decades the Hohokam sustained an acknowledgeable cultural identity amongst the many people who were inhabitants in the ancient south west and neighboring Northwestern Mexico (Breternitz 47).

The remains of polish to brown pottery with designs that are painted in red litter the Southern Arizona basin floors that are low lying. These remains are the most abundant and distinctive material remains of former Hohokam residents; Creative farmers who used a mixed blend of agricultural strategies to farm their crops in the agricultural terrain. They in the end engineered irrigation networks outshined in size and breathe only by the Andean Canals. Apart from generating exclusive artifact styles the Hohokam set themselves apart from their ancestral Mogollon, Pueblo and most archaeological southwest cultures by the kind of public buildings in their big villages. The platform mounds and ball courts reflected the Hohokam community rituals and characteristic beliefs (Haury 127).

The fact that the Hohokam shared similar ways of assembling and adorning pottery as well as other forms of utilitarian design and canon styles shows that they were in close communication with each other and held common understanding of such matters. The fact that they shared farming and crop technologies indicates that they bowed to the same solutions in mitigating the challenges they faced in desert farming. Given that they built similar structures for their communal rituals means that they must have been guided by a mutual set of beliefs (Howard 240).

The unique archeological remains identifying Hohokam heartland stretch over a 30,000 expansive square in the southern half of Arizona an area that is larger than the modern day state of Southern Carolina. The Hohokam culture hallmarks are explicitly bounded by the upper reaches of the Growler Mountains to the west, the Verde and Agua Fria rivers to the north, the Mexican border to the south, the Mogollon rim to the northwest and the Dragoon Mountains to the south east (Masse 410).

In this far flung territory a lot of commonality has been found in archaeological remains, however they also exhibit some differences. Inhabitants of certain sectors chose only elements of the overall cultural package to integrate into their lives. For instance, in the northeastern part of the Hohokam territory is the Tonto basin whose inhabitants used red buff pottery but never constructed ball courts. However, they in the end erected platform mounds. Cultural practices were mixed up in the Tonto basin due to the migration of the Hohokam and the non Hohokam in this area (Ackerly and Randall 40).

When the Spanish explorers reached Hohokam territory in the 17th century they came across Native Americans with diverse lifestyles and languages. They included people speaking; Athabasca languages in western Apache, Piman languages in the central portion and Yuman languages in the Colorado River. This means that the Hohokam were not homogenous in all their cultural aspects (Breternitz 50).

However, the Hohokam remain remarkable in the world because amongst all ancient societies they are the only ones who hold the unique peculiarity of having constructed gigantic canal networks of up to 23 km in length and in the end irrigated large tracts of land to the tune of 80,000 acres. This was all in the absence of any ensuing level of societal complexity including the absence of a state government (Haury 130).

The Hohokam built earthen platform mounts and ball courts of expansive sizes in relation to those that have been found elsewhere around the globe. This was without an established administration. These monuments informed a distinct pattern to the Hohokam territorial landscape (Howard 301).

Construction of the Canal System

Information excavated in the recent past is providing new leads about the engineering of the Hohokam canal. The engineers in this project were zealously aware of the soil, the local topography, drainages, the dips and slopes. They harnessed a complicated knowledge of the water flow through channels as well a sequence of methods for ensuring that water was delivered in the field surfaces. Each method was suitable for a particular topographic setting for instance flat river terraces and steep slopes. These canal systems were developed in respect to the characteristics and needs of the environment (Masse 412).

The canal systems had a chain of physical elements. A wear was constructed at every point that the river met the canal. A wear is a kind of a dam that reaches but does not cross the river completely. The objective was to use it in raising the river’s water level and direct it into the canal. In the canal a head gate which refers to a large water control gate was built. This ensured that the amount of water that entered the canal was put under control. The major canals transported the water towards the fields and away from the river. Research indicates that major canals were conspicuously large at their junctions with the river; however, they tended to reduce in size as they advanced towards their finishing point (Ackerly and Randall 50).

Materials

The stone was scooped by hand through using huge wedge shaped pieces of stones which were referred to as stone hoes. Wooden digging sticks were also employed to ensure the soil was loosened. The soil was then taken away from the canals by use of large baskets. Discrepancies on the size of the simple leveling frame that has been employed in several preindustrial agrarian societies may have been employed to set up canal gradients. It is also believed that water was carried along in the canal in the course of construction in order to ensure that the soil was loosened. This meant that the system utilized more time and labor. The flooded canal was then dammed and the water permitted to disperse before resuming construction (Breternitz 50).

Exterior Design

Visitors to the Salt River valley are more often than not surprised when they come across a fertile agricultural region prospering in the arid Arizona desert. Nonetheless these contemporary agricultural precedents are not without a beginning. From AD 550 to 1460 the ancient Hohokam built one of the biggest and most complicated irrigation networks ever constructed by the use of ancient technology. By AD 1150 hundreds in miles of these incredible waterways generated green paths that stemmed from the Gila and Salt rivers. These green paths were dotted with huge platform mounts which made them gain a lot of attention from the local archaeologists (Haury 131).

When farmers purchased land areas that were affected by prehistoric canals they were premeditated and taken away from the purchase to counterbalance costs sustained in filling it. When the modern farmers began filling traces of the ancient canals a number of high-flying citizens started being interested in these archaic monuments. They developed maps that indicated the locations of mounds, canals and villages. This forms the foundation of the modern day Hohokam scholarship. Local farmers generated maps of the canals located on the southern side of the Salt River in what is the modern day Chandler, Tempe and Mesa (Howard 350).

Interior Design

Recent reconstructions of ancient canals indicate that about 900,000 cubic meters of soil could have been dug out while doing excavations for the major canals in both the classic and colonial periods. Apart from that it is also estimated that 500, 000 cubic meters of soil may have been excavated during the sedentary era (AD 850-1160).

The decrease in the amount of water that travelled in the canal through seepage, and evaporation, led to a reduction in the size of the channel that carried the water. When the channel was reduced the water’s velocity remained rather constant and was somehow between two fundamental brinks. The sides of the canal were eroded if the water was allowed to travel too fast. On the other hand, soil particles would settle out of the water if it was allowed to slow down. When this occurred the water canal silted up necessitating increased maintenance. Distribution canals were made to take water out of the major canal systems transporting it to the fields. They were also utilized in manipulating the relationship between the ground surface and the canal’s water level (Masse 413).

Several kinds of control features were used to manage water distribution systems. Diversion gates have been found at control features junctions to adjust the flow of water. Water control gates or tapons were usually erected in the distribution as well as the key canals. Whenever it was closed the tapon caused the water to back up and rise in altitude, this created head water. By using water control features the Hohokam created a very complicated irrigation system.

Labor Force

Construction of the Hohokam canal system necessitated a considerable amount of human labor. The amount of labor that was necessary for the construction of the Hohokam canal system partly relied on the amount of water that flowed in the Salt River at any one given point in time. In both the Classic and Colonial times the Hohokam went through various flooding periods of the Salt River. The floods more often than not annihilated the canals which had to be subjected to more redesigning and reconstructing faces. The amount of labor and time that was required to build the major canals cannot be estimated (Ackerly and Randall 52).

Various factors including the number of continuous days, the amount of soil excavated by one worker in a day, the number of persons working per day, the number of discontinuous days and the amount of time workers worked on each day over the entire period in which the work was done all impact on the approximation of labor and time exhausted in the entire period in which the Hohokam Canal system was constructed. Since one individual has the capacity to excavate three cubic meters of soil in a day, the construction of multi canals would need over 25,000 person days. This indicates that some canals took so many years to be completed. It is estimated that it may have taken 1 million person days of coordinated labor to build the trunk lines of only one major Phoenix basin canal system. This does not include the amount of labor and time needed to make repairs after floods and storms, build secondary lines in the fields, as well as clean up the yearly build up of canal sediments (Breternitz 60).

The operation, construction and maintenance of the canal systems must have thus required a considerable and well managed effort. Individuals from all villages along the major canals must have contributed to the first construction and to the expected maintenance of the canals wears and head gates, resolving of confined disputes, and the establishment of water scheduling and allocations. Small and more local groups of farmers would organize for the building and preservation of distribution and branch canals. Unlike most traditional groups in northwestern and southwestern Mexico the Hohokam must have had a sophisticated sociopolitical structure.

If It Were Built Today

The Hohokam canal was built in AD 550 to 1460, and rebuilt in the 1920s. As much as the rebuilding was about 10 decades ago its construction is not very distinct from the modern day construction of canal systems. The Hohokam employed several techniques that are being utilized by today’s engineers and would probably continue being used in the future. For instance the use of diversion gates in the Hohokam canals is still being employed in modern day canal systems. Apart from that the damming of canals to allow flooded water to disperse also occurs in modern day construction of canal systems. Additionally human labor is also being used to excavate soil and stones from the canals. As much as more developed machines are being used to replace the stone hoes and digging sticks the idea is still the same (Haury 145).

Today rather than excavate the canals with stone hoes and digging sticks for 25,000 human working days modern day sophisticated construction cranes can excavate an entire canal for less than a year. Additionally, the kind of transport system in use today is more efficient and sophisticated than what was being used in the ancient ages. Dump trucks and flat bed trailers have now replaced the human labor that was used to move the debris, stones and waste for many years (Howard 360).

In modern day construction of canals permanent dykes are constructed to dam the canals unlike in the ancient days when the damming was temporarily done. If reconstruction of the canal is done today 120 million tons of soil is likely to be excavated. This is more than half the amount of soil that was excavated during the ancient construction of the canal. Apart from that given the efficiency and sophistication of modern day machines, the project is likely to create 40, 000 new jobs (Masse 415).

In addition today’s designers use computers to aid them in their work in comparison to the ancient age engineers. They are capable of stimulating, drafting, animating and estimating different angles of building the canals that the early engineers had to draft on the ground. Modern day engineers know how the canal is likely to react under different amounts of water before even they break the ground. The advantages that modern day Engineers have is that they can adopt the knowledge of the ancient Engineers and improve on it to come up with better and more efficient and cost effective canals (Ackerly and Randall 56).

Works Cited

Ackerly, Neal W., Jerry B. Howard and Randall H. McGuire La Ciudad Canals: A Study of Hohokam Irrigation Systems at the Community Level. Arizona State University Anthropological Field Studies, No. 17. Tempe (2010): 34-56 Print.

. Breternitz, Cory D. Prehistoric Irrigation in Arizona: Symposium 1988. Soil Systems Publications in Archaeology No. 17, Phoenix. (2009): 45-76. Print.

Haury, Emil W. The Hohokam: Desert Farmers and Craftsmen, The University of Arizona Press, Tucson.(2006): 123-154. Print.

Howard, Jerry B. and Gary Huckleberry The Operation and Evolution of an Irrigation System: The East Papago Canal Study. Soil Systems Publications in Archaeology No. 18, Phoenix. (2009): 234-456. Print.

Masse, Bruce Prehistoric Irrigation Systems in the Salt River Valley, Arizona. Science 214(23): (2008): 408-415. Print.

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Holidays of Different Religions

Introduction

Religion is an important aspect of the society because of the fundamental roles that it plays. Recent religious research ascertains that currently, the world comprises of twelve major religions. Before 1800, there were only three world religions that included the Christians, Pagans and Jews. Then, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism emerged in the 1800s. Since then, various other types have emerged although it is widely contended that they derive their fundamental faiths from these original five. Traditions and practices amongst these differ considerably and are influenced by the ethnic background and nationality of the same. Notably, religious holidays play a significant role in these religions. They give respective adherents a chance to reinforce their common beliefs collectively as well as mark specific times that are important to their faith.

These are usually celebrated annually and they comprise of different activities. While some imply a joyous period that is characterized by laughter and celebration, some are more somber and imply a period of reflection and/or mourning. These events characterized the holidays that constitute various day(s) during which the activities and traditions are observed. It is certain that some holidays are specifically meant for particular religions. However, some are common and therefore shared amongst various groups. It is against this background that this paper provides an intrinsic analysis of the holidays of different religions. It is posited that this would enable the reader to understand and appreciate the inherent differences as well similarities between the same.

In his analysis, Roy ascertains that the Muslims have two main religious holidays that comprise of Eid al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha (44). To begin with, Eid al-Fitr is usually celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Usually, this month is characterized by fasting and praying. Eid is an Arabic word that denotes festivity while Fitr implies to break the fast.

Thus literary, this holiday is an indication that the Muslims have officially broken their fasting period. The holiday lasts for three days and usually, the adherents are expected to wake up on the first day and have breakfast that symbolizes that they are no longer fasting. Usually, this is accompanied by a date fruit, after which they are expected to attend a special prayer that is held either in mosques or in open places. This is also characterized by asking for forgiveness from persons they have wronged and helping the needy as an indication of mercy. Usually, they are encouraged to dress on their best clothes and they visit the graveyards, friends, relatives and acquaintances after this special prayer.

Eid Al-Adha on the other hand is also referred to as the greater Eid is a holiday that is cerebrated in remembrance of the willingness that was exhibited by Abraham when he accepted to sacrifice Isaac, his son although God provided him with a ram instead. This was an important symbol of faith as well as obedience to God and Muslims especially in Agrarian communities often sacrifice different animals as an act of observance. Usually, this lasts for a period of three days. However, Rosenberg indicates that in most instances, the period of celebration it is determined by the specific country (39). It is celebrated on an annual basis and specific celebrations begin after the Mecca pilgrimage.

With regard to the holidays of the Hindu religion, it is indicated that this religion has the highest number of the same. In his review, Roy posits that the religion tends to have a religious holiday daily (45). This is due to the fact that currently, more than one thousand holidays have been listed as festivals. Traditionally, it is indicated that the Hindu holidays were entirely influenced by the natural cycle. As such, holidays were celebrated to mark different changes in seasons, to encourage land fertility and to celebrate various harvests. Then, other holidays are associated with certain deities like Ganesh or Shiva. In addition, other holidays were celebrated in remembrance of various events that took place in the lives of the Krishna or Rama. Further, Spicer notes that apart from the national holidays and festivals that the Hindus celebrate collectively, there are numerous more regional celebrations that are upheld to honor different deities (67).

Generally, it is contended that the holidays are geared towards purifying the adherents, averting malicious influences, renewing the society, strengthening the society to overcome challenges and face critical moments with ease, renewing the society and stimulating the vital productive powers of the natural environment. Usually, they are comprised of numerous rituals that range from eating, drinking, love making, feeding the poor, music to processions, prayer, magical actions and worship. Of these numerous holidays, studies cite ten specific ones that are considered to be more important than the rest. These include Diwali, Holi, Rama Navami, Shiva Ratri, Dassera, Navaratri, Kumbh Mela, Ganesha Utsava, Taksabandhana and Krishna Jayanti (Anonymous 1).

The Jewish religion also has a significant number of religious holidays that are celebrated for various purposes. Spicer notes that in some cases, these tend to coincide with the national holidays (67). Traditionally, these holidays were entirely base on the various seasons of the year that are defined by the Agricultural cycle. In this respect, it is contended that there are two cycles of the Jewish religious holidays. These begin with Rosh Hashanah that constitutes the New Year. This is then followed by the day of the atonement and finally the holiday of the booths. They usually take place for several days and in some instances, the government offices remain closed and adherents are allowed to go on vocation.

The following holiday period occurs in spring and is characterized by the Passover and the day of the independence. This usually coincides with the months of April, May and June. During this time, Roy indicates that most of the businesses tend to remain closed and the individuals are allowed to go on vocations (49). The most important holidays in Jewish religion according to studies include Day of Atonement that is characterized by consistent repentance and the festival of lights that is a representation of religious freedom. This usually lasts for a period of eight months and traditionally, participants wear disguises. Further, the Sabbath is also considered very vital and it on Friday afternoon and ends on Saturday evening. Spicer posits that it is usually considered very holy and as such perceived a national holiday too (72).

The Buddhists have also been cited to have numerous religious holidays and relative festivals. In his review, Roy indicates that these are celebrated throughout the year and mainly seem to remember vital events that occurred in the life of various Bodhissattvas or Buddha (57). These holidays are mainly joyful occasions that entail various events. Essentially, on such holidays, adherents begin their day by visiting the temples in which they distribute vital items including food to the monks. In addition, they listen to the Dharma talk. In the afternoon, they usually give food and other important item to the poor within their society, circumambulate as a sign of honoring the Three Jewels, and engage in meditation and chanting.

The first important holiday is called the New Year whose time of celebration varies from country to country but it takes a period of three days. Vessak, which implies Buddha’s birthday, is also an important holiday in Buddhism that is celebrated in May. Further, the Dhamma day implies the day that Buddha made the very first sermon that was delivered at Sarnath Deer Park. The Uposatha that is also referred to as the observance day constitutes four historical days within every month that are mainly observed by Theravada Countries. Then, Rosenberg cites that Kathina ceremony that is marked by the laity offering new robes and numerous other necessities to various monks and nuns (88). This usually happens at the end of a rains retreat season that lasts for a period of three months. Other important holidays and festivals include the floating Bows festival, the elephant festival, the ancestor day that is also called Ulambana and the tooth festival.

Finally, the Christians also have a host of holidays and relative festivals that play a vital role in their worship. Numerous studies of whom Spicer is represented contend that these are characterized by various feasts that commemorate different events in the life of Jesus Christ (78). Thus while some celebrate joyous events like the birth of Christ, others celebrate somber events the entail the death and resurrection of the same. Usually, these provide the Christians with a chance to lay particular focus of their personal discipline, self reflection as well as repentance. At his juncture, Rosenberg appreciates the fact that holidays have often played a critical role in Christianity since historical times (81). The oldest holiday according to this is Easter.

The Christian calendar begins with advent that is celebrated towards Christmas and entails the preparation of the birth of Christ. Christmas festival that is celebrated across the globe and coincides with the end of the year celebrations marks the birth of Jesus Christ who is a central figure in Christian faith. This is then followed by the period of lent whose beginning is marked by Ash Wednesday. According to Roy, Ash Wednesday is characterized by placing of ashes on the foreheads of the adherents (62). The lent period is leads to Easter and entails intensive praying as well as fasting. Before eater, there are other festivals that are celebrated. These include the Mardi Gras that gives the Christians and opportunity to enjoy a feast prior to lent. In addition, there is the Palm Sunday that comes on the last Sunday of the lent season. This is marked in commemoration of the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. The lent period takes a total of forty days.

Easter is considered the oldest holiday in Christianity and basically, Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. It begins on Thursday and goes on till Monday evening. It is considered the most important event in Christian faith because it defines the purpose of their faith. As such, it is posited that this is held in very high regard. After these, there are numerous other feasts and festivals that are celebrated by the church. These include the epiphany that constitutes the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, the Pentecost that entails the descending of the Holy Spirit to Christ’s apostles, the ascension of Christ in heaven and various other feasts of saints.

At this juncture, it is worth noting that there are numerous factions of Christianity that have different practices. Although the above feasts, festivals and holidays constitute the most fundamental ones, most of the feasts and festivals are not upheld by the various factions. Notably, the catholic church that it also the oldest of all other factions is the only one that upholds all these (Roy 69). Nevertheless, the major holidays such as Christmas and Easter are celebrated by al factions of the same.

Conclusion

At this point, it can be ascertained that religious holidays across various religions are wide and varied. According to this study, these are central in worship and are upheld by the adherents of different religions. It is also certain that different religions celebrate different festivals that are in line with their religious practices. Furthermore, these practices are also considered unique to the particular religion. Thus while there are number of similarities amongst a few religions, most of them differ considerably. It is in this regard therefore, that this paper concludes by appreciating that there are differences in the existing religions that largely define the nature of worship assumed by the specific religions.

Works Cited

Anonymous. Religious Facts. Retrieved, 3rd March, 2010, from: http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm

Christian, Roy. Religious Festivals: An Encyclopedia. USA: ABC-CLIO, 2005.

Dorothy, Spicer. Understanding Religion. USA: Omnigraphics, 2000.

Neil, Rosenberg. Blue Grass: A history. Illinois: University Press, 2005.

Holm’s test Hypothesis Testing

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Holm’s test Hypothesis Testing

Holm’s test is a stepwise method, also called a sequential rejection method, because it examines each hypothesis in an ordered sequence, and the decision to accept or reject the null depends on the results of the previous hypothesis tests. The Holm’s test is less conservative than the Bonferroni correction, and is therefore more powerful. The Holm’s test uses a stepwise procedure to examine the ordered set of null hypotheses, beginning with the smallest P value, and continuing until it fails to reject a null hypothesis.

Holm’s test.

Suppose we have k = 3 t-tests.

Assume target alpha(T)= 0.05.

Unadjusted p-values are

p1 = 0.001

p2 = 0.013

p3 = 0.074

For the jth test, calculate alpha(j) = alpha(T)/(k – j +1)

For test j = 1,

alpha(j) = alpha(T)/(k – j +1)

= 0.05/(3 – 1 + 1)

= 0.05 / 3

= 0.0167

For test j=1, the observed p1 = 0.001 is less than alpha(j) = 0.0167, so we reject the null hypothesis.

For test j = 2,

alpha(j) = alpha(T)/(k – j +1)

= 0.05/(3 – 2 + 1)

= 0.05 / 2

= 0.025

For test j=2, the observed p2 = 0.013 is less than alpha(j) = 0.025, so we reject the null hypothesis.

For test j = 3,

alpha(j) = alpha(T)/(k – j +1)

= 0.05/(3 – 3 + 1)

= 0.05 / 1

= 0.05

For test j=3, the observed p2 = 0.074 is greater than alpha(j) = 0.05, so we do not reject the null hypothesis.

Recall that the Family-wise error rate (FWER) is the probability that we will get at least one false positive result, P(at least one false positive result).

This shows the null hypothesis was accepted and that career path taking in marketing as an IT professional is the best way to the success of business. The H1 hypothesis was rejected in this case.

Holocaust Annotated Bibliography

Introduction

This work is an annotated bibliography, which will help me write my final paper on holocaust. This bibliography provides credible sources that provide relevant information and evidence of Nazi army and Jewish genocide in the 20th century. The bibliography will critically look into the topic of study to give a clear insight of what genocide was like in the 20th century Nazi Germans against Jews. Each source will be critically evaluated so that a strong argument can be formulated about genocidal conflict.

Bauer, Yehuda A History of the Holocaust. New York: Franklin Watts. 398 pp. 1982.

This resource presents a through history of the Holocaust and other related events. It provides pertinent statistical tables on Holocaust which reflect the true episode of 20th century genocidal conflict especially during the period of holocaust. The source also touches on other genocides. The author goes as far as listing the breakdown of country Holocaust, which totals to 5,820,960 murdered Jews (p.335). This work provides real data on genocide cases during the period of holocaust which I will predominantly use in compiling statistics of genocide cases in my final work. Also, I will use this work to compare some other types of genocide highlighted in this source so that I can critically address the topic of study.

Reitlinger, Gerald The Final Solution: The Attempt to Exterminate the Jews of Europe 1939-1945. London: Valentine, Mitchell, and Co. 668 pp. 1968.

This work has detailed information and provides an excellent treatment to Holocausts. it provides a very good understanding to a non-holocaust scholar and the usefulness of their calculations of the total genocide. In the appendix I, the author provides a country by country statistical summary and an analysis of the genocide. This source postulates that 4,204,400 to 4,575,400 Jews were murdered (p.545). This is the lowest count of the genocide cases by any reputable study. This resource will help me compare the statistics with other statistical data from other sources about the genocide so that concise and precise information can be arrived at. Gerald work will also help me generate a good understanding of holocaust to be able to provide deeper understanding of Nazi army and Jews murders.

Fein, Helen, Accounting for Genocide: National Responses and Jewish Victimization During the Holocaust. New York: The Free Press. 468 p. 1979.

Work done by Fein 1979 is a unique social science and statistical attempt to elucidate the holocaust. This work includes multiple regressions to analyze genocide cases. This resource provides valuable information in form of tables highlighting holocaust. Fein work provides that 4,610000 Jews were murdered during the genocide (p.21) without counting the USSR deaths (P.21). This work compares a variety of genocide estimates of the holocaust and provides rationale for the differences. This work concludes that all sources postulate that there is likelihood that true estimates lies between five and six million (p. 23).This work will help me generate true conception of genocide estimates of the holocaust.

Gilbert, Martin The Macmillan Atlas of the Holocaust. New York: Macmillan, 256 pp. 1982.

Gilbert provides an excellent collection of maps showing a variety of aspects concerning the genocide. it includes where the anti-Jewish pogroms and persecutions have occurred, major Jewish communities in Poland, the destruction of Jewish of Croatia Revolts and deportation, death camps, and Bessarabia Jews. Majority of the maps provides statistics of the genocide for instance, one map gives a toll buy each country of slightly over 5,750,000 (pp.244-245). This work will help me identify different places and countries wherever the genocide occurred and where it was intensive. It will also help me develop an understanding of Jewish communities’ populations in Europe countries in the 20th century.

Hilberg, Raul, The Destruction of the European Jews. New York: Holmes & Meier. 1273 p. 1985.

This is perhaps the mostly quoted work of the genocide historically and statistically. it provides detailed information about the genocide, the killings, and statistical analysis of the killings during holocaust. in the appendix III this work provides statistical data systematically in tables capturing the killing operations by county. This work like others provides that an estimate of about 5,100,000 jaws were murdered. This work will help me develop a literature review of holocaust and use systematic statistical data to compare with other resources so that a more concise estimate of the genocide will be calculated and recorded.

Dawidowicz, Lucy S. The War against the Jews 1933-1945. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 460 pp. 1975.

The source gives general analysis and history of the genocide. It provides a brief account for each country of what happened to the Jews and their toll. According to Dawidowicz, about 5, 9333,900 Jews died /murdered during holocaust period. This source is credible in that it provides in-depth information about the genocide, analysis and statistical evidence of the killings. This will be helpful to my paper for it will enable me to critically evaluate the killings by comparing the data

Berenbaum, Michael (Ed.) Mosaic of Victims: Non-Jews Persecuted and Murdered by the Nazis. New York: New York University Press. 244 pp. 1990.

This work is a collection of articles that provide significant information about the genocide that is not recorded in other books. This work provides other unique topics such as Nazi policies in Ukraine, Poland, Belgium, France and U.S.S.R proper. Further it provides the history of the Slavs, the Nazi euthanasia program, forced labor, pacifists and Croatia. This resource is useful to me because it compares several articles implying that the information contains in it is updated and more reliable. It will help me write the literature review of my final paper. Most importantly it will help me understand the genocide better.

Totten, Simpsons, Parsons, White lane., & Charny, I. (Eds.). Century of genocide: Eyewitness accounts and critical views. New York: Garland, 2004.

This work combines historical facts, scholarly analysis and true accounts written by the survivors and witnesses of the genocide. The elements of personal testimonies in this source enable the readers to transcend the shocking effect emanating from the enormity of every genocide. This source is excellent in that it is among the few texts that include information concerning known genocides of lesser such as Indonesian massacre, Iraqi Kurdistan genocide, the soviet created famine in Ukraine, or the genocides of the Herero’s. This work will help me provide credible information about the genocide based on testimonies of the real victims of the genocide. it will also help me highlight types of genocides like lesser and others.

Amery, Johnston. At the mind’s limits: Contemplations by a survivor on Auschwitz and its realities. New York: 1980. Schocken Books

Thus is an excellent resource that is written by the survivor of the Holocaust. The source has topics and sections that provide the reader with intimate glimpse of the effects of torture and sustained trauma on the Jews community. This resource will help me use it in conjunction with other research based source to provide rationale for trauma and effects on health of the victims of the genocide.

Berenbaum, Michael. & Peck, Anderson. (Eds.). The Holocaust and history: The known, the unknown, the disputed, and the reexamined. Indianapolis, IN: Indiana University Press in association with United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 1998.

This resource is credible and excellent since it provides a collection of 54 essays written by eminent scholars of the Holocaust. It includes topics written by psychologists and sociologists which details sections on the rescue, Nazi ideology, anti-Semitism, “ordinary men” the genocide camps, the international community, resistance, and survivors. This work provides realism of holocaust and arranges the events in a sequential manner so that the reader is kept on track or is driven to stepwise understanding of the genocide. it will help me with more relevant information about the topic more so, the comparisons from the 54sourses.

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Introduction

Fragile X syndrome also known as Martin-Bell syndrome is a HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_disorder” o “Genetic disorder” genetic HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syndrome” o “Syndrome” syndrome usually considered as the most commonly inherited mental disorder HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Randi+Jenssen+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” (Hagerman, & HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Paul+J.+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” Hagerman, 2002). It results from mutation or a change in a single trinucleotide gene on the X chromosome leading to abnormal neural development since the protein coded by the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene can not be expressed. The syndrome is characterized by a wide range of intellectual and physical limitations as well as behavioral and emotional aspects ranging from mild to severe symptoms. According to Upner (2007) the most consistent and conspicuous effect of this syndrome is on the intelligence of the affected. For instance, more than three quarters of the affected males have a low IQ of about 75 or less. This is however varied in females where the affected may have low or normal IQ. Fragile X can therefore be easily transferred across different families irrespective of class or ethnicity and also passed from generation to generation through genetic inheritance (Upner, 2007).

Cause of Fragile X Syndrome

As mentioned above, Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic disorder usually caused by a change or mutation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene found on the X chromosome. It is noteworthy that genes usually contain information needed for making of at least a single protein code (Upner, 2007). When changes occur in the genes, the cells may not be able to make the proteins or even provide a form of protein required by the body. The failure of fragile X mental retardation 1 gene to make normal quantities of usable Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) causes Fragile X disorder. The severity of the disorder is determined by the amount of FMRP in the body. Fragile X syndrome is severe in circumstances where such proteins are insufficient in the body and mild when normal levels of the proteins are present. The gene activity level in structuring of FMRP in the body is usually controlled by the repeats of a cytosine-guanine-guanine (CCG) sequence contained in the promoter region of the FMR1 gene. The number of CCG repeats vary among different people with the normal beings having an average of thirty CCG repeats ranging from 6-55 repeats while individuals having Fragile X syndrome have even more than 200 repeats. Basically, the more than 200 CCG repeats inactivates genes through a process called methylation hence cells are unable to make the FMRP.

Inheritance patterns

Due to the fact that both females (XX) and males (XY) have at least an X chromosome, they can therefore pass on to their offspring the mutated gene. Upner (2007) argues that this is possible since Fragile X gene is carried on the X chromosome. If a father has an altered X chromosome and the mother has normal X chromosome, all the sons would be free from genes for Fragile XZ while all the couple’s daughters would have the altered Fragile X genes as illustrated in the diagram below. A father can only pass an altered gene to a daughter and not son since the Fragile X gene is only carried on the X chromosome (Upner, 2007).

  Father  

  Y XFragile

Mother    

X Boy

XY Girl

XXFragile

X Boy

XY Girl

XXFragile

Fathers can only pass on the premutation form of the FMR1 gene to their daughters even if they have full mutation. This implies that a daughter will only get a milder form of Fragile X upon inheriting a mutated FMR1 gene from her father. On the other hand, mothers can pass on Fragile X genes to either daughter or sons since she is only able to pass on single X chromosome.

Symptoms and recognition of Fragile X Syndrome

Even though different individuals with Fragile X disorder present different symptoms, they usually share a set of social, physical, sensory as well as mental characteristics due to the little amount of FMRP in their cells (Upner, 2007). Generally, the signs and symptoms of Fragile X disorder are categorized into five main groups namely; physical, sensory, social and emotional, intelligence and learning as well as speech and language (Upner, 2007). For instance, many people with this disorder have impaired mental functioning hence their ability to think, reason, as well as learn is highly affected. An intelligence Quotient test is used to determine the intelligence levels of individuals suffering from Fragile X syndrome. According to researchers the IQ of such individuals is always 75 or less unlike normal beings whose IQ range from 85 and 115. Physically, individuals with Fragile X syndrome have unique characteristics including longer jaw or face and larger ears HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Randi+Jenssen+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” (Hagerman, & HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Paul+J.+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” Hagerman, 2002). They are always shorter than their peers. Moreover, macro-orchidism is exhibited among affected individuals at puberty. This entails the enlargement of male testicles among individuals with Fragile X disorder. The affected children suffer from social anxiety hence may even attempt to avoid social situations. They feel nervous and uncomfortable in the company of others. Besides, males with Fragile X are easily upset by sounds and sights.

Treatment of Fragile X Syndrome

Currently, there is no single definitive treatment for Fragile X despite proposal of several medications for the disorder. However, there are three basic options for treating the disorder. These options include medication options, educational options, as well as therapeutic options HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Randi+Jenssen+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” (Hagerman, & HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Paul+J.+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” Hagerman, 2002). To begin with, individuals with Fragile X disorder in their family tree may be subjected to genetic counseling in an attempt to assess the possibility of bringing forth affected children as well as the severity of the offspring (Hughes, 2004). A special and free education is also guaranteed to children with Fragile X syndrome from the age of three according to the existing Federal laws in the U.S. The children with disabilities are able to learn with ease as the learning facilities are made available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997(Hughes, 2004)

Finally, professionals can also help individuals with Fragile X syndrome and their families tackle the symptoms of the disorder. Therapeutic assistance is best provided by health care experts such as occupational therapist who would teach the family of the affected child on how to adjust conditions as well as tasks to suit the desire and ability of an individual (Hughes, 2004). For instance, parents of the affected child may be taught on how to massage their patient to calm her down. Corrective heart surgery as well as ADHD medications can also be used in the treatment of FXS HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Randi+Jenssen+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” (Hagerman, & HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Paul+J.+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” Hagerman, 2002).

Life expectancy of Fragile X syndrome

Generally, there is no concrete evidence on the impact of Fragile X disorder on the affected individuals. The life expectancy however varies from one person to another depending on the severity of the condition. Patients with Fragile X Syndrome will have a normal life expectancy for the most part. Such mutation leads to the failure by the aforementioned gene to make normal amounts of FMRP in the cell (Upner, 2007).

Conclusion

Fragile X Syndrome is a genetically inherited disorder characterized by intellectual and physical limitations as well as behavioral and emotional features ranging from mild to severe symptoms. It results from mutation of a fragile X mental retardation 1 gene found on the X chromosome. The Fragile X gene is carried on the X chromosome and may therefore be passed on to the children from the parents as explained above. The Syndrome presents varied signs and symptoms including HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragile_X_syndrome” l “Physical_phenotype” social anxiety, mental retardation, hypersensitivity as well as physical characteristics. The disorder has no specific cure but can be treated through medical options, therapeutic options as well as education options. All the three options help the affected and their families in managing the symptoms of the disorder. Finally, it is worth noting that the disorder has no impact on the life span of the affected individuals. However, the severity of the disorder may cause the variance of life expectancy from one person to the other (Upner, 2007).

Reference list:

HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Randi+Jenssen+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” Hagerman, R. & HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbs=bks:1&tbo=p&q=+inauthor:%22Paul+J.+Hagerman%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=12” Hagerman, P. (2002). Fragile X syndrome: diagnosis, treatment, and

research. 3rd Ed. Maryland: JHU Press.

Hughes, D. (2004). Educating children with fragile X syndrome: a multi-professional. New

York: Routledge.

Upner, J. (2007). New Research on Fragile X Syndrome. New York: Nova Publishers.

Frederick Jackson Turner

Frederick Jackson Turner was born on November 14, 1861, in Portage, Wis, a country town that was inhabited by many European immigrants. Turner attended Portage High School where he won a prize to provide a lecture in a graduation ceremony, a speech that was printed in a newspaper owned by his father. During his youthful years, Turner worked for his father in his newspaper office where he had the duty of typesetting the information to be printed on the newspapers. In 1880, Turner joined the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he gained knowledge about the historical institutions such as feudal monarchy and medieval church from Professor William F. Allen. Later, Turner declared that Allen introduced him to the significance of institutional theory, a theme that is currently viewed in Turner’s writings mostly on the history of the development of American democracy. Turner graduated in 1884 and later completed his master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin. He then joined John Hopkins University in 1888, where he studied his doctorate. Bennett claims that Turner wedded his long-time girlfriend named Caroline Mae Sherwood in 1889. Currently, Frederick Jackson Turner is recognized as one of the best American Historian writers of the United States history. Many of his history works were used in rewriting the most of the American account in the 20th century. Frederick Jackson Turner is one of the most recognized historians because of his significant contributions to the American history. Many historians have reviewed his work, which includes the development of the frontier thesis that explains the frontier theory including life on the frontier and describing its closing, contributions to history, his teaching career, and worldwide influence.

The Frontier Theory

Turner’s theory is based on his recognized thesis that is titled “The Significance of the Frontier in American History,” which projected that the American frontier could be used to establish the reasons why America expanded in a different manner compared to Europe and other countries. Turner believed that the frontier situation and the fact that the American population faced emerging and unexpected problems subjected them to management, and provided many positive opportunities. From his theory, the frontiers provided a safety opportunity that prevented America from developing a social status class realization and experiencing a severe struggle.

Lee Benson is one of the historians who supports Turner’s claim that when American entered the New World, they experienced new challenges, climate changes, and large pieces of land, which was different from what they had experienced in Europe. Initially, these Americans were used to thinking and reacting like Europeans, but the occurrences experienced in the new world subjected them to establish and acquire new methods of conducting tasks, and reacting according to the difficulties they experienced. It was the changes, the confrontation on the perimeter of evolution, and the harsh conditions of the new country that developed the American character. Through these procedures, the American population on the frontiers rearranged themselves constantly to develop a exceptional and skilled category of people who had the determination to explore the wilderness and generate a sound individualism. As successive generations of the American society explored further west of the wilderness, they developed different institutions, categorical class differences, churches, and established governments from their experiences. This contributed to the development of independent and democratic living conditions.

As Turner reviewed the entrance of Americans in the New World, he recognized that the background of American civilization was inspired by the first European immigration to the New World. However, he claimed that the American West adopted the European immigration and transformed it into something that was American in nature. One of the factors that differed from the European background was the process of democracy. Turner believed that the resilient American population travelled to the west and in the process lost the layer of European civilization, which made them harsh. This was facilitated through surviving the process of facing hardships of their daily life in the wilderness, harsh conditions of the weather, and outbreak of unknown diseases. Through this, Turner claims that American democracy was not carried from one city to another, but it was developed from the American forest, and gained additional potency every time it reached a new frontier. With this, the frontier theory was applied on different levels in the American history, and is currently used to explain history and democracy to Latin American nations, Australia, and Russia among other countries to explain the foundation of nationalized characteristics.

To elaborate on the frontier theory, Turner claims that a love for freedom, self-reliance, and energy are fundamental factors in the American heritage, which are also connected to recognized great leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. The lives of these great presidents are an example of the influence of the western frontier democracy in the American life. The major traditional frontier regions of America were gradually changed by different generations of the new society. With this, there were social changes caused by changing environmental, financial, societal, and political factors that created a new character and nationality in America. The American society started developing with regional differences with the largest and powerful regions being the North and South of America.

Life on the Frontier

Turner’s essay on the frontier emphasizes on the fact that, the American history was influenced by the living conditions of the primary settlers of the frontier and the presence of unoccupied land ready to be settled upon and used. In part of his thesis, Turner declares that the presence of a large area of free land and the progress of American settlement to the west explains the American development. Therefore, to explain the American expansion, Turner reviewed the primary settlers of the American West; the people considered to having influenced the American character and growth. This means that Frederick Jackson Turner is a recognized historian for reviewing the lifestyle of Americans through two diverse classes of settlers, which included fur traders and miners.

Fur Traders

In the ancient period, turner reviewed the lifestyles of primary occupants of the American West who consisted of fur traders. These traders explored the west in search for high-quality fur. Many traders and farmers entered the west from the east routes that were discovered by Jedediah Smith who was the business partner of the Rocky Mountain Company. Turner shows that, at the beginning of the fur trade, the settlers did not understand the relationships that existed among the Americans, primarily the process of providing them with fur in exchange for other products at the cost of a small price. The settlers, including Indians, did not comprehend the societal organization of the Americans where the process of distributing presents was used for international relations. Secondly, the settlers lived close to natural resources and did not recognize the laws of possession compared to the Americans. The settlers, primarily the Indians, did not understand what the American did with all the collected beaver furs or why they acquired goods for providing them beavers. Conversely, the Americans and Europeans in the New World did not have a similar understanding of the significance of substance goods compared to Indians. Therefore, intelligent traders from America generated up to 100 percent profit from the furs collected. Nevertheless, with time, Indians learned that trading with the Americans would contribute to the economy of the tribe. Because of this, fur trade involved the exchange of axes, woolen clothes, iron tool for cooking, and liquor especially rum, named as British milk. The realization of the positive influences that the trade presented provided the settlers with efficient methods of cooking, comfortable and beautiful clothes, and faster ways of cutting wood for fuel. However, apart from the advantages, Americans presented negative impacts such as alcohol, diseases such as smallpox, corruption, and slavery.

Turner explains that the process of the fur business with its continuous and successful nature allowed the occurrence of constant changes while each adventure into the wilderness in search of fur contributed to the discovery of new people, opportunities, and issues that demanded the application of different solutions. This experiences and establishment of new environments forced the creation of a democratic structure within the new areas discovered to allow further trade and exploration. With the development of democratic structures, traders, native-settlers, and explorers had the freedom to find and exchange fur with different goods. Moreover, Turner stipulated that Americans learned new ways of acting rationally under extreme circumstances. It is apparent that the ruggedness, literacy, and devoutness presented the multiplicity of traders, primarily Americans who participated in the fur trade.

Different from Turner’s proposal, some historians such as Saum argued that American traders did not abandon their practices when they travelled in the wilderness to engage in the fur trade. Saum claimed that they never gave up their civilization because they feared becoming savages. This people are believed to have been literate men who had a sense of the European civilization that clashed with the native cultures. Because of this, Saum claims that there was little democracy developed from the fur trade.

Miners

In explaining the mining process, turner clarifies that it was similar to fur trading because it was consisted of an increased level of gluttony and the desire to generate capital and accumulate wealth promptly. The placer stage in the mining process was easy for the miners compared to the level of rock mining that followed despite later developments of the Industrial Revolution and technology. Many people from different countries started the rush towards mining. This included the North and South Americans, Asians, and Europeans. By the year 1852, almost 3000 miners had moved to the New World in such of gold. Once they arrived, they realized that life for miners was difficult because it needed a lot of effort, and was made worse by weather conditions and outbreak of diseases. Web supported Turners ides and argued that many miners became isolated and lonely on the mining fields while their food decayed, and others died due to the collapse of the mines. As a way to forget their harsh lives on the mining fields, the miners wrote letters to their families, gambled, and drank whisky. Surprisingly, the miners did not get rich from the gold trade. Instead, those who profited were the people who supplied goods and services to the miners because in return, they acquired gold, which they sold and gained a lot of money. Conversely, miners were in need of provisions, shelter, outfits, and apparatus for mining thus they acquired this by trading their gold.

The industrial revolution of deep rock mining contributed to changes in procedures from the frontier to a settled mining industry, and it became a big business. The drastic changes presented by the deep rock mining revolution occurred following the problems experienced when miners reached the rock level. Turner believes that the established technology and the competence to work deep on the rocks made the miner’s lives miserable. This is because their skills were no longer required while the establishment of capital investment took control of money from the community and miners and directed the control to different owners who were mostly in different countries. Following this, miners started developing democratic unions to try to regain their positions in the mining process. The loss of their ability to participate in the mining process and the establishment of unique businesses and organizations where independence was overshadowed by business greed and capitalism increased the reaction of the union organizations as the miners responded to unfair conditions around them. This mainly occurred in cases where the established governments could not offer any help, forcing the miners to develop ways to fight for their rights. Turner believes that the stages of the mining process present the American heritage of fighting for freedom and democracy.

Through the frontier thesis, Turner’s most fundamental and recognized contribution to American history was encouraging a clear understanding of the development of American Democracy. The theories that Frederick developed have been debated and criticized throughout the United States and other countries, but Turner has remained one of the most convincing and challenging historian to produce American history. Despite the fact that Turner admitted exaggerating his explanations while he discussed the subject of the frontier in connection with democracy, his thesis of the West movement is currently one of the most recognized factors that influenced American development and the creation of American character traits. These perspectives are clear and valid.

On the issue of mining, different historians such as Johnsons argue in a postmodernist view and discuss minorities of the gold rush who are women. Many people from different parts of the world assembled in the gold fields, and many came from countries that did not have democratic ideas of self-governments. The argument presented by Johnsons supports Turner’s thesis about the development of democratic principles as the people tried to establish methods of working together and organize their community. Despite the fact that many of the cultures did not blend, there was a common understanding and ways of performing tasks.

The Closing of the Frontier

Turner claims that the concluding of the frontier occurred in 1890, when the United States census superintendent declared that with rapid western settlement, there was no frontier line left. This is because, in a quarter century, an amount of three million families had settled and started farming on the lands. Therefore, by the end of the nineteenth century, different people or Americans settled in the West. There were railroads in all parts of the constituency, which included the Great Northern that was beside the Canadian boundary, and the Southern pacific that covered Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico regions that connected to New Orleans and Los Angeles. Moreover, the concluding of the frontier was facilitated by the invasion of farmers, traders, and miners, which increased on the census that contributed to the entrance of new cities that created an enhancement in the cattle or mining business. This includes Denver, San Francisco, and Mississippi West.

With the closure of the frontier, and the availability of additional people farming on lands after 1890, the American experience was not yet over. However, with an approach for the beginning of another century, there was an innovative perspective for the environment and Americans values for the west. Following the end of the frontier, there was a noteworthy interest among Americans to preserve the wilderness. This contributed to the development of national parks such as Yellowstone National Park that was established in 1872 and California’s Yosemite in 1890, which were among the national parks developed to protect the wilderness areas. Moreover, in 1891, the congress implemented the Forest Reserve Act that stipulated that the acting president had the duty to shut timber areas from settlements and generate national forests through acquiring the land from the communal realm. Following this, Benjamin Harrison took millions of acres under the Act and declared the land as the part required for the generation of the national forest. Additionally, many establishments were developed to preserve natural resources such as the Pacific Coast Mountain Ranges. The preservation methods also focused on developing different trends that emphasized on establishing methods of making used of the available natural resources of the West. This contributed to the establishment of many projects such as the development of dams, power lines, and irrigation schemes.

The close of the frontier as Turner believes contributed to the entrance into a period of concentration of capital, monopolies, trusts, and labor that were connected to unions and cooperation. These changes contributed to a movement for expansion that was intended to transpire beyond the United States on the political and social level. Moreover, Turner believed that the expansion contributed to the development of political parties in the United States, and divided on issues that were connected to the question of socialism. Without the control of the frontier, many average workers experienced worse conditions in their jobs thus facilitating political debates that entailed motions on the actions to be taken to end unfair working conditions. As previous frontiers closed, Americans embarked on a new perspective of establishing a political frontier. Nevertheless, Americans had inherited the frontier character of individualism and democratic optimism.

Contributions to History

Turner is recognized for his significant contributions to different sectors in the American History and the development of new methods of viewing past events. He challenged research historians to use different methods while conducting their studies such as geography, sociology, monetary records, and statistics established from surveys. Turner’s methods of research and sources were different from those of traditional historians, which made people doubt the credibility of his theories and work. Nevertheless, he claimed that historians had the right to use any source of knowledge or tools that would assist in explaining past events. Additionally, he encouraged historians to cease using New England and the Seaboard South events to explain history, but to review the past through patterns of immigration and distribution of people, urbanization, political performance, financial history, social and cultural behaviors and the frontier experience.

Billington a recognized historian believes that Turner’s review and belief of the frontier contributed to his change of perspective regarding the common knowledge about America and its generation. This is because Turner was trained to utilize German historical research techniques in Hopkins, primarily the germ theory that stipulated that all American organizations derived their study methods from ancient German tribal practices. Turner utilized the German techniques while writing his work, such as the frontier essay written in 1893. This contributed to the turning point in the American historical research background because, after a decade of the essay’s publication, the frontier experience had a permanent effect on the Americans and their character. It also became the central principle of the American historical research and an issue of ongoing debates. “The Significance of the Section in American History,” written in 1925 was another of Turner’s essay that consisted of geographical and economic insights. Although the essay won a prize, its thesis of sectionalism was used to explain the history of America on a small margin. However, the thesis was widely recognized among historical geographers, political researchers, and in geography studies. Through his essays and thesis statements, Turner is recognized for his presentation of the individuality of America and belief that the country offers a background to study the progression of society. Nevertheless, Turner used different methods of research and was not a geographic or an economic researcher.

Turner, together with other historians who followed his example such as Franklin Jameson and Woodrow Wilson among others created a background that controlled research methods and historical perspectives that were utilized in different institutions. Despite the fact that Turner’s theories were highly criticized since the declaration of the frontier thesis, his work and that of his followers were studied in many universities from 1893 to the period of the Great Depression. His perspectives were also re-visited after the Second World War though in an adjusted modern methodology.

Turners Teaching Career

Turner taught in the University of Wisconsin from the year 1889 to 1910, where he focused on teaching the frontier history through his writings and lectures. This shows that his teaching career revolved around his works such as his publications of the Frontier thesis that was read in 1893, and Indian Trade essay read in Wisconsin 1891. Moreover, Turner used his books such as “Rise of the New West” that was followed by a number of essays including “The Frontier in the American History.” Through his teachings and the use of his books, Turner established a wide audience who believed in his ideas.

From the University of Wisconsin, Turner moved to Harvard University in 1910 where he taught until his retirement in 1924. He then moved to Southern California where he continued to conduct American historical investigations as a research partner in Huntington Library.

Turners Influence

Turner’s work especially his essays influenced many historians in the past and currently. In the sector of historiography, Turner influenced many historians. For instance, in religion, different historians argued that many churches utilized the characteristics established in the frontier theory by establishing different churches apart from the single church developed before the discovery of the New World. This as the historians argued was facilitated by the creation of American organizations such as camp meetings, preaching, and revivals. These perspectives controlled religious history for many decades.

In the film industries, many historians show that the 1910s and 1940s filmmakers and novelists utilized Turner’s frontier theory into their work. For instance, a recognized filmmaker named Oscar Micheaux promoted the West as a region where Blacks had the right to ignore race and participate in economic activities to earn financial success through determination and hard work. Currently, the widespread and acknowledgment of Turner’s frontier thesis has influenced modern history, films, and books, which mostly present the West with regards to independence, frontier hard life and hostility and irregular justice. Disney’s frontier land established in the late 20th century reflected Turner’s belief of the harsh individualism that is currently viewed as the American tradition.

In conclusion, Frederick Jackson Turner was a recognized historian who emphasized on the role the western frontier in the American history from the year 1861 to 1951. He wrote a thesis that stressed on the Western frontier as the major factor that contributed to the development of the current American character. The frontier thesis is used to explain the frontier theory where Turner believes that the American democracy, nature of American organizations, and the unique American character were facilitated by the Americans frontier experience. It also explains the life on the frontier through the original lifestyles of the first settlers categorized as fur traders and miners. It explains the concluding of the frontier giving way to new developments of Americans following the closure of lands and the adoption of different methods to preserve the wilderness. Through his frontier thesis, books, and other essays, Turner has contributed to American history through his works. He also used his teaching career to establish a group of followers who continued with his work and influenced an increased number of people. Lastly, Turner has influenced many people worldwide including filmmakers and novelists who have utilized his work of the Frontier thesis to explain the West. Through his essay, Turner has been established as a recognized historian through presenting evidence that shows that the Western frontier contributed to the American character that can be viewed in the United States today.

Bibliography

Allen, Billington R. The Frontier Thesis: Valid Interpretation of American History? The major attacks and defenses of Turner. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1966.

Bogue, Allan G. “Frederick Jackson Turner Reconsidered.” The History Teacher, 27, No. 2 (February 1994), 195–221. 

Billington, Ray, A. The Genesis of the Frontier Thesis: A Study in Historical Creativity (San Marino, Calif.: Huntington Library, 1971.

James, Bennett D. Frederick Jackson Turner. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1975.

Johnson, Susan L. Roaring Camp: The Social World of the California Gold Rush. New York: W. W. Norton, 2000.

Jones, Mary E. Daily live on the Nineteenth Century American Frontier. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1998.

Lee, Benson. Turner and Beard: American Historical Writing Reconsidered. Glencoe, 111: Free Press, 1960.

Mark, Wayne . Hard Rock Epic: Western Miners and the Industrial Revolution, 1860-1910. Berkley, Los Angles, London: University of California Press, 1979.

Moos, Dan. “Reclaiming the Frontier: Oscar Micheaux as Black Turnerian.” African American Review 36, no 3 (2002), 357-381.

Nash, Gerald D. “The frontier thesis: A historical perspective.” Journal of the West, 34 no.4 (October 1995), 7-15.

Prescott, Webb W. The Great Plains. New York: Grossett and Dunlap, 1931.

Rod C, and Metz, J, “Frederick Jackson Turner and the democratization of the electronic frontier.” American Sociologist, 27 no.1 (1996), 72-100.

Ronald, Carpenter H. The Eloquence of Frederick Jackson Turner. San Marino, California: Huntington Library, 1983.

Saum, Lewis O. The Fur Trader and the Indian. Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1965.

France As A Country Of Choice For Foreign Market Analysis

Table of Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093667″Introduction PAGEREF _Toc303093667 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093668″Country and market analysis PAGEREF _Toc303093668 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093669″Country Chosen and relevant market PAGEREF _Toc303093669 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093670″Legal consideration PAGEREF _Toc303093670 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093671″Competition consideration PAGEREF _Toc303093671 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093672″Financial consideration PAGEREF _Toc303093672 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093673″Technological considerations PAGEREF _Toc303093673 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093674″Market analysis PAGEREF _Toc303093674 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093675″Market mix PAGEREF _Toc303093675 h 8

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093676″Product PAGEREF _Toc303093676 h 8

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093677″Price PAGEREF _Toc303093677 h 8

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093678″Placement PAGEREF _Toc303093678 h 8

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093679″Promotion PAGEREF _Toc303093679 h 9

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093680″Market segmentation PAGEREF _Toc303093680 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093681″Market target PAGEREF _Toc303093681 h 10

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093682″Market positioning PAGEREF _Toc303093682 h 11

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093683″Analysis of facts gathered PAGEREF _Toc303093683 h 12

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093684″Advantages of the product portfolio marketing in France PAGEREF _Toc303093684 h 12

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093685″Disadvantages of the product portfolio marketing in France PAGEREF _Toc303093685 h 13

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093686″Assessment and selection of entry strategies PAGEREF _Toc303093686 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093687″Market entry modes PAGEREF _Toc303093687 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093688″Exporting mode PAGEREF _Toc303093688 h 14

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093689″Licensing mode PAGEREF _Toc303093689 h 15

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093690″Joint Venture mode PAGEREF _Toc303093690 h 15

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093691″Direct Investment mode PAGEREF _Toc303093691 h 16

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093692″Greenfield site mode PAGEREF _Toc303093692 h 16

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093693″Franchising mode PAGEREF _Toc303093693 h 17

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093694″Recommendations PAGEREF _Toc303093694 h 17

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093695″Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc303093695 h 19

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093696″Works Cited PAGEREF _Toc303093696 h 20

HYPERLINK l “_Toc303093697″Appendix PAGEREF _Toc303093697 h 20

Executive Summary

This report focuses on a France as a country of choice for foreign market analysis. This is because of the strong economical position of the country in terms of the GDP. The Purchasing Power Parity of the country is about 2.5 %. The country technology is also developed; its socio-cultural situation is conducive. The legal issues are challenging but manageable. The market mix focuses on packaging, quality improvement and strategic pricing of the company’s beer products in order to compete effectively with the existing brands like Abbaye, Desperados Beer and Kronenbourg Beer. Strategic intermediaries will be use in the market venturing process.

Market segmentation of the company targets demographics of ages 18-60 (both genders) because of financial and economical strengths of this population subset. The two target market strategies that will be employed are differentiated targeting approach and niche-marketing strategy. Market positioning will focus in pricing, quality and packaging. Analysis of the pros and cons of the product portfolio are also shown in order to increase the scope of our products view. The merits are however a good indicator of a stronger brand with positive success signs. Joint venture market strategy is selected as a result of its commensurate balancing effect where the risks and the returns can be substantially attained.

IntroductionForeign country market entrance is a difficult and challenging task because of the risks faced by a new company as well as obstacles that are encountered. The obstacles include political, financial and even legal requirements that should be met before successful market penetrations. A foreign company has a number of options in terms of modes that it can implement to make a successful market penetration. The major market entry strategies include joint venture, licensing, exporting and direct venture among others. A foreign company has to perform a thorough trade off in order to choose the strategy that best suits the company with regard to its current business conditions.

This paper presents a country and market analysis framework that seeks to propose France as a suitable country for venture as a result of a number of issues that are identified in the report. Market mix options as well as the market segmentation, market target and market position are identified in order to strengthen the rationale for the country’s choice. Different market entry options are also analyzed in order to give informed recommendation regarding the best option for the company to take. This also considers the company’s financial position as an imperative factor for the choice made.

Country and market analysisCountry Chosen and relevant marketThe country chosen as the potential market place for Sydney Breweries Limited (hypothetical name) is France. The rationale for this market choice is because of its potentiality in terms of future growth in terms of market growth. An analysis of its trends and consumer behavior will form the fundamental basis of market entry strategy and the appropriate market mix to be applied in order to ensure a successful market penetration and sustainability.

Facts about France Explanation

Financial consideration < 0.5 % alc.vol. per hl

0.5% – 2.8% alc.vol. Per hl / % alc.

>2.8% alc.vol. Per hl / % alc.

Tax on soft drinks VAT 20.6 % 20.6 %

Other taxes on alcoholic drinks.

Excise duties.

Watch Duty Rate.

Standard clearance procedure for alcoholic drinks.

Demographic Trends.

As one of the focus that help anticipate market growth. The population growth in France is moderate and therefore the market growth will proportionally grow.

Legal Trend Underage drinking is prohibited.

Compensation to a complainant due to effects that may arise from alcoholic contents.

Cultural Modernized country with less attachment to ancient beliefs and also vague religious beliefs.

Competition France is ranked 5th in the European Union in terms of beer making. It produces about 15 million hectolitres per year.

Economic Over 64.4 Million people

GDP of 19, 339.52 per head

Food and drink import 20 Billion

Market trends In 2008, alcohol consumption dropped by 8.2 % as a result of ban of smoking in areas considered public.

Fear of changing consumption habits, only 18 million hectoliters of alcohol were consumed in 2008.

Fifth largest In European union in terms of beer making.

Technological Internet and gaining popularity of online transactions.

Legal considerationFrance prohibits underage drinking of alcohol, it also provides for the beer companies to compensate people affected by alcoholic drinks that they offer. One of the major legal restrictions that have seen a decline in the alcohol consumption is the restrictive legislation called Loi Evin.

Competition considerationOne of the major challenges in France market is competition with other beers. There are other beers made in the country including Meteor Beer, Desperados Beer, Kronenbourg Beer and Fischer Beer. Consumers in the country are becoming more sensitive in terms of their choices, amber and Abbaye and others like high and quality beers. This has seen their rise in sales by 5-6 %. Other classic beers such as lagers lost about 18 % (Parsons 191). Cultural considerations The cultural trend in terms of beer consumption has undergone some notable changes for the past 5 to 6 years. This was especially after the enactment of regulations meant to check beer consumption in the country (de Mooij 270). Consumers are also increasingly becoming more sensitive in terms of selection of beers and especially specialized beers lile Abbaye and amber.

Financial considerationClearance of imported beers in the country is usually by means of Standard clearance procedure, other forms of taxations experienced by importers of beer to the country includes Excise duties and Watch Duty Rate.

Technological considerationsInternet development in France makes it conducive for online transaction, teleconferencing and telemarketing that will drastically reduce the expenses that would have been incurred. The trends at which online transaction processing is gaining popularity that pave way for almost all transactions globally to be conducted at a stationary point regardless of the time zones (Harrison and Thomas 12).

Market analysisMarket mix, market segmentation and target and market positioning will be considered in order to ensure a successful market launch in France.

Market mixProductThe company’s beer products like ales, bitters, premium lagers standard lager of our company will have to be branded in order to meet the customer’s expectation in France. Considering the changing customer trend in France, it would be essential to ensure that these products meets and even exceed the branding, quality and packaging of amber and Abbaye which are on the rise in terms of consumption as compared to other local beers. I would also recommend packaging the products with reusable bottles containers in order to emphasize savings and environment friendliness (Paul 251).

PriceThe second component is the established pricing components from the existing products. For example at some instances providing discounts to lowering the prices to increase the market penetration. In a grocery beer can cost up to €4.00 per pack of (6×0.33ml). In a restaurant or a café one may pay almost the same amount for a beer. In our company, it would be preferred to establish a price skimming strategy where the same pack in a grocery would cost €3.99 per pack of (6×0.33ml) and thus allowing a similar drop a café or restaurant. It would also be viable to include reasonable discounts for wholesalers and discounts for early payments. Price flexibility will also be a recommended strategy considering the decline of beer in some major regions in France. This will be varied according to demand but at the same time maintaining a reasonable range from other existing beer brands in like Abbaye, Desperados Beer, Kronenbourg Beer and Fischer Beer (Paul 253).

PlacementAvailable distribution channels for the company’s beers include wholesalers and retailers such as groceries, restaurants and cafés. In order for our company to be effective in the French market, it would be more strategic and appropriate to consider distribution of beer products using specialized intermediaries. These specialized intermediaries will only be focused on the market segment which is as a result of the changed buying behavior in France market over the past five years. For instance, these intermediaries will ensure convenient and free delivery of products to convenient places and even homes of the target market. An inquiry on the consumers wishes will be established prior to launching this strategy that will position the company better in a competitive mark. Using more than one option of distribution channel will also increase the dissemination of the products and hence increased sales (Trout 34).

PromotionBoth the traditional and modern ways of marketing will be used aggressively in France. This is recommended because of the decline in alcohol consumption in the country as well as a new customer buying behavior that has led to the decline of other brands. Personal sales force will be adopted as a traditional method yet effective. These sales people will target the demographic segment with free samples of drinks and further explanation on the quality, affordability and social responsibility aspect of the new brand. This will be made in comparison with amber and Abbaye which are growing in terms of consumption.

Internet marketing is also another promotional mechanism that will be adopted in order to foster awareness to the target market. From the year 2008 to the year 2010, internet usage in France has increased by about 10%, from 58.1 % to 68.1 % in a population that is estimated to be about 64 million people (Paul 251). These statistics reveals a strategic importance of the internet as marketing tool also considering that the target demographic of ages 18-60 who form the prime target are the majority of internet users. More so, internet marketing is much cheaper and lower than the traditional methods of marketing but by far more effective.

Market segmentationThe market subset which will be targeted in France is demographics of ages ranging from 18-60. These groups of people both male and female form the prime consumers of alcohol beverages. They are both financially stronger and at a legal age of consuming alcohol. The advantage gained from narrowing to these groups of people is the reduction in marketing expenses and also improved cash flow as a result of increased sales. Another imperative consideration in this target market is the need understand the changing trend of beer consumption in France after the enactment of restrictive legislation as well as prohibiting of smoking in public places. Another consideration in addressing the target market is the change of beer brand consumption as evident by the drop of Heineken consumption because of its lack of clarity as compared to amber and Abbaye. The French market is also sensitive to social esteem and brand perception. In order to win the target market upon entry, our company will work on positioning of the product as well as improvement of quality in order to stand out in a crowded market. The price will also vary depending in the demographic social setting and regard to pricing (Paul 251).

Market targetBecause of the statistical decline of beer consumption (recently in 2010 by about 1.7%), the preferred market targets approaches are differentiated targeting approach and niche-marketing strategy. Differentiated targeting approach will utilize the different strategies to target different segments; this will be implemented by marketing brands like Premium lager, specialty beers and standard lager to demographics of about 30-60 years because of their financial muscle. Ales, stouts and bitters will be targeted to younger demographics from ages 18-29. Niche-marketing strategy will be focused on segments identified with more financial power and higher beer consumption rates. Areas like Paris, Marseille and Lyon will be the target of this strategy because of the large population and financial capability (Trout 34).

Market positioningPositioning is an imperative strategy that will be critical in determining the success of our product in France. Some basic elements of market positioning that will be enhancing in the market are as follows.

The Prices

This is an essential factor of considerations, since our company has a portfolio of a number of products, pricing will be varied with respect to the geographic location and competitors prices and the income levels of people in the location. Another consideration will be to price some of our products perceived as “of class” high quality higher in order to target customers who are quality and brand driven. Premium lager, specialty beers and standard lager are beers that will be prices higher than €4.00 in the market. Other brands that are perceived to be average like ales, stouts and bitters will be priced lower than €4.00.

Quality

Our company should ensure quality control measures for all of our products including backing the quality claims with customer friendly guarantees and even return policies in the case of defects. This will enhance the positioning of our products in the French market.

Packaging

Different brands of beers will also be packaged in a desired way that portrays the intended message to the audience. This will ensure that the brand is unique and stands among other local and foreign products.

Positioning will also aim at creating a lasting memory about the brand in the consumers mind through its promotional strategies.

Analysis of facts gatheredAdvantages of the product portfolio marketing in FranceThe product portfolio of our company is of high quality, the company also has a variety of products such as Premium lager, specialty beers, standard lager, ales, stouts and bitters. As a result of a larger product portfolio, segmentation and positioning can be easily improved to meet the expectations of the French market. Another advantage of our product portfolio is the ability to vary pricing of different products according to their positioning in market mix. This allows attracting different segments using differentiated and niche-marketing strategy.

The validity of information collected such as the internet data showing usage of internet increase in France is also another merit to our product portfolio. This is because the statistics reveals that internet usage is on the increase as the population increases, the current usage is about 68.9 % which is also an important statistical finding in terms of considering online marketing of our products in the country given that the target demographics are also the majority users of the internet.

The favoring economical muscle of the country with a Gross Domestic Product per capita of about US$43, 491 and a GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) of 2.5 % demonstrates the financial status of the country as a potential market for our varied product portfolio. Being Europe second largest economy also shows that the market potential of the region is positive. Apart from the strong economical muscle, the region is also stable in terms of political climate. France has not witnessed major issues arising from political difference, more so the political climate of the country does not interfere with international businesses in a negative way.

Disadvantages of the product portfolio marketing in FranceThe changing trend in the French market is a major obstacle in the development of marketing strategies in the region. Notably the legal legislations specifically Loi Evin which aims at reducing or checking alcohol consumption in the country is a major barrier to our market portfolio. Other restrictive measures that curb smoking in public places including drinking bars are also reducing alcohol consumption rates because smoking goes hand in hand with drinking. This has contributed to the decline of alcohol consumption in France for the past five years.

Another notable disadvantage to our product portfolio is the statistics which reveals a decline in alcohol consumption in most areas in France which has led to a cumulative decline of about 1.7 % in the country. Some statistics also reveals that the beer consumption in the country is not expected to pick up in the near future. Another notable blow to our product portfolio in France is the changing trends or social cultures of the market where most consumers are biased in their consumption. In essence majority of the beer consumers prefer amber and Abbaye and other specialty beer products which are mostly imported. The change in consumer behaviour may this affect the establishment of a sustainable product portfolio in the region.

The rate of taxation and other duties that are paid by international companies is also another major obstacle when seeking market penetration in France. Excise duties, Watch Duty Rate, Standard clearance procedure for alcoholic drinks are the major barriers of our product in the region. This will lead to increase of cost of production and hence cutting on the profits of the company considering the skimming pricing strategy in our market mix which is to be adopted when making market penetration in the country.

The existing and established brands such as Desperados Beer, Kronenbourg Beer and Fischer Beer will provide stiff competition to our product portfolio in the region. More so considering that consumers are increasingly selective in terms of their consumption brands which put amber and Abbaye and other specialty brands above other imported brands such as Heineken is a major disadvantage to our product portfolio.

Assessment and selection of entry strategiesMarket entry modesThere are five major market entry modes that are available for the company to use in making its market entrance to France.

Exporting mode Exporting is one mode in which our company can use to make market entry in France. Typically exporting is a traditional way of making market penetration as it involves direct sales of domestically produced goods in an outside country. It alleviates the need for the goods to be produced in the target country. This creates an advantage because the there is no foreign investment in the country and thus narrowing the cost to marketing expenses only. Some key players that will be required in this mode of market entry includes the exporter, the importer, the transport provides and the government. The demerit of this means is the reliability of the importer and the perception of a foreign product in the target country. The response of the target market will thus determine the availability of the importer.

Licensing modeLicensing is another mode of entry at the disposal of our company, licensing usually involves seeking license permit in the target market to use the property of the licensor. This usually involves intangible properties such as patents, trademarks, and even techniques of production. By paying a fee to the licensor, the licensee is able to use the rights which are provided by the intangible property or the production technique if the payments are paid to that effect. The merit of this mode of entry is the capacity provided to use the rights to the advantage of our company. After paying the license fee, the company can go ahead and produce its products in the market and also take advantage of the already established local brands names to make an easy entry into the market (Leibsohn 13). The profits made as a result of the manufacture and sales of our beer products will not be lost to the licensor since the payment of the fee is the only requirement. The demerit of this option is the possible failure of the decline in the fame of the trademark adopted in the market and hence leading to a market decline.

Joint Venture modeAnother imperative entry mode that our company can adopt in the use of strategic joint venture, this method has a number of advantages including; technology sharing, risk/reward sharing, sharing the development of the product as well as meeting the requirements of the government regulations. The other merits of this method of entry include convergence of partner strategic goals while competitive goals are diverged. This strategy is especially favorable in market where there are larger market leaders and hence the need to leverage on a collective effort to ensure that the small partners mergers to increase their market power and resources. More so, converged partners are able to acquire exceptional proprietary skills form each other in order to fill market gaps with innovative strategies and products. Notably our company will have to clearly consider control, length of the agreement, technology, pricing, and capability of local firms, resources and even the intentions of the government. This will be essential in ensuring that the company optimizes its joint venture (Leibsohn 13). There is however some demerits of this method, some are mistrust on the level of openness in proprietary knowledge, inadequate support from the parent company and even how to terminate the relationship when need arise.

Direct Investment modeDirect investment is another mode that can be adopted by our company; this mode will require a direct ownership of production facilities in our target market. This mode of entry will demand resources transfer such as technology, capital and even personnel to the foreign market. There are two options of direct investment; one is acquiring an existing entity while the other one is establishing a new one (Leibsohn 13). The merit of this means is the full control of the operations and the ability to know the customers and even the competitive environment. The demerit of this mode is that it demands resources as well as higher level of commitment.

Greenfield site modeThis is still a new form of market entry but as well effective choice for our company. In this mode of entry the company will need to establish a new operation in the foreign market. This method of entry has been successfully used by Australian companies like Westfield shopping malls and Village Road show cinemas. The advantage of this method is the reduction of costs, customer and duties (Leibsohn 13). It eliminates delays; ensure uniform quality of products and also providing the firm an ability to adapt to the local requirements the region. Some demerits of this method includes slower rate of entry, increased risks exposure, politics risks and potential low price as a result of low wage in the region.

Franchising modeFranchising as a mode of foreign entry can be of great significance. In this mode the franchisor gives the franchisee the rights to distribute products in a foreign country. This is usually done using franchisor’s brand and also system with a fee. Franchising can adopt a more complex process which specifies a preferred business format to the franchisee and elaborate on how the franchisee is expected to carry on the business process and also ensure similar customer experience throughout the entire network (Leibsohn 13).. This is evident in the management of McDonalds. The merit of this method is its ability to foster rapid market expansion by optimizing on franchisor’s intellectual property rights. The other gain of this mechanism is the capital and zeal of the operators of a network. The demerit of this method is the loss of company identity, poor development of the company’s brand because it is usually overshadowed by the franchisor’s brand adopted.

RecommendationsThere are several factors that our company needs to consider in order to determine the best method of market entry in the selected market country (France). These factors include; ownership advantage, how will the decision to choose a market entry option affect the ownership of the business? How will the location (the target market) influence the business? Is the market performance in the target country a factor worth considering when selecting an entry mode? Does the company desire to share or maintain its control in the target market? Are the resources of the company (especially financial resources) adequate to sustain a direct market venture or other forms of cost sharing market entry mode will be required. These factors form the basis of our decision making process considering the number of options available for the company to adopt while making its entrance to the target market (Jain 233).

A summary analysis of three major preferred methods of entry will provide further insight to the decision making process which considers the financial position of our company. A direct market entry mode will result in high investment which will lead to high risk/returns as well as higher degree of control to the venture. A joint venture mode of entry will involve fewer investments hence providing a commensurate return, risk and control. Licensing provides low investment mode as a well as low risk/returns but the least in terms of firm control (Osland 153).

With the consideration of the above analysis, since the target market is not well known in terms of its sustainability given the changing trends of customer behavior and the statistical decline of beer consumption by about 1.7 % in the year 2010. It would be sounder for our company to opt for joint venture entry mode. The rationale for this statement is also backed by the financial sustainability need of the company in the event of unsuccessful foreign market entry. Joint venture will alleviate the problem of direct investment that will develop despite giving our company higher control and ownership but in the end bring higher risks of financial losses as a result of resource allocation and centralized decision making which may be based on assumptions or poor understanding of the foreign market (Osland 153).

Joint venture is thus the preferred method of entry as a result of its low commitment of financial resources, higher degree of proprietary knowledge contribution, diverse ideas on product improvement and market venture as well as sharing of cost and risks that may occur in the market failure. Other essential benefits in this mode includes the technology that will be acquired as well as the meeting all the regulations of the government as compared to when the venture is made by a sole venture. More so, the strategic partners will be critical in promoting a common brand that will effectively compete with the market leaders such as amber and Abbaye and other specialty beers. Our company will also ensure to carry out thorough investigations on different partners in order to minimize risks associated with joint venture such as mistrust and openness of the partners (Jain 231). The performance of these partners in the target market (France) will be considered in order to reduce the expenses needed for the marketing process through taking advantage of the already established brand names, trademarks and other essential patents and intellectual property rights that enhances competitiveness of the company.

ConclusionThis report has analyzed France has a country of choice for foreign market analysis. France has been selected because of its strong economical position; its GDP is about US$43, 491. The Purchasing Power Parity of the country is also about 2.5 %. The technological infrastructure in France is also developed as revealed by statistics that shows a growth of 10 % in a span of two years, and is about 68.9 % in the year 2010. This statistical finding provides a basis of enhancing online promotional strategy of our company’s aspect in the market mix. As also noted in the analysis, customer behavior in France has also undergone some changes with customers preferring specialty beers and other brands such as Abbaye as opposed to other local and even imported brands such as Heineken.

The target market has also been identified to be a demographics of ages 18-60 in both genders, this is because of their legal age of drinking beer, their economical strength as well as because they are a majority in the entire 64 million population. The target segments are also indentified as major cities such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Differentiated targeting approach and niche-marketing strategy are the key strategies to be used in the region. The advantages and disadvantages of the product portfolio are also discussed in order to demonstrate the strengths and the weaknesses of the adopted strategies. Notable the preferred mode of entry to the selected region is through joint venture because of the financial advantages, low risks, expected high returns, advantage of propri

Free exercises of religion

Name

Institution

Free Exercise of Religion

Law enacted within any country should be constitutional since a country’s constitution is the supreme law of that country. The constitution provides the basis or foundation on which other laws are legislated. If a law fails to uphold the constitution, then the law is considered unconstitutional. Based on the provision of the constitution, various acts of law making can be keenly examined and accepted or rejected. For instance, the congress can enact statutes such as “No person or entity, government or private shall allow or encourage any of the following:

Consumption of any amount of alcohol by a minor as part of a religious service,

Wearing any religious clothing, headwear, religious symbol, or religious jewelry in a public school,

Time off for religious worship by students or teachers during the school or by government employees during regular working hours.”

Such a statute my accepted as constitutional or rejected as unconstitutional depending on the perspective of the constitution one chooses to examine them from. However, since the constitution supports diversity tolerance and promote on activities that do not cause harm to any one; some of the provisions of the above statute may be unconstitutional while others can be accepted as constitutional.

It is a dilemma whether enacting a statute allowing consumption of alcohol by minor as part of religious service should be considered as constitutional or unconstitutional. The constitution guarantees free worship to all citizens, but at the same time allow for the prohibition of alcohol consumption by minors. Ironical, some religious rituals involve consumption of alcohol and my require minors to consume alcohol as part of religious service. Passing a low allowing minors to consume alcohol for religious purposes merely extend to people their right to free worship. Though many may look at this as unconstitutional, and interference with the gains made by prohibiting under age alcohol consumption, it is clear that consumption of alcohol due to religious rituals is not as indulging as the social consumption, which has negative effects such as, addiction and road accidents (Greenawalt, 2009). Consumption for religious rituals is regulated, and the minors are under the observation of adults such as religious leaders and parents. In addition, the statute allowing the consumption may stipulate the amount that can be consumed by the minors. In this regard, the statute is constitutional since the circumstance surrounding the consumption of alcohol grant the minors their religious rights and do not violate the provisions of the statute prohibiting consumption of alcohol by minors.

The second provision the statute allowing wearing any religious clothing, headwear, religious symbol, or religious jewelry in a public school is constitutional. By according citizens free rights to religion, the constitution does not restrict people on what they do their religion unless it undermines that other freedoms of other people. Wearing any religious clothing, headwear, religious symbol, or religious jewelry in a public school does not violet any other persons freedom. Furthermore, the constitution encourages embracing diversity in public places and freedom of expression (Baisden, 2009).

Finally, allowing time off got religious worship by students or teachers during the school or government employees during regular working hours can also be considered constitutional since it allows citizens to enjoy their religious rights. Different religions have different religious holly days and praying or worship hours. If members of a religion are not allowed to pray at their appropriate time, their constitutional right to religious worship is undermined (Haynes & Thomas, 2007). In this regard, it is constitutional to allow time off for religious worship by students or teachers during the school or government employees during regular working hours.

Although, the above provisions may seem to contradict with other statutes that are constitutional, the provisions are equally constitutional. Any contradictions can be ironed out by creating a link between the statutes. All in all, the individual right of worship should never be compromised.

Reference

Baisden, C. (2009). Wearing religious Attire at work: Freedom of expression or Disruption? Respect, Winter 2010, 9(2).

Greenawalt, K. (2009). Religion and the Constitution: Volume I: Free Exercise and Fairness. Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press

Haynes, C. C. & Thomas, O. (2007). Finding Common Ground: A Guide to Religious Liberty in Public Schools. Washington D. C: First Amendment Center

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France Business Culture on Communication Structures and Forces

The way people assert words in France is very critical and the same applies to what is said in other languages. People in France greatly appreciate and respect elegance even as they sophisticatedly use their language to present their ideas in inartistic form. The sense of national pride that is alive in their blood makes it hard for them to listen to their language if it is spoken badly. The worst part of it all is when they are presented with poorly written French. In France, a businessman who does not know the language properly would be better off if he speaks in English (Benard 36).

Rules for Investments

The French government came up with rules to regulate foreign investments in the nation in 2005. The laws stipulate that the French government will provide prior approval for foreign investors in the French economy that is likely to harm the national defense interests and public order. This law created three different classes of investors; namely, the EU entities, non-EU entities, and French citizens. In investments by non-EU citizens, the French authorities investigate the nationality of the final managing shareholder. For EU investors, all they need to do is to register their companies in France (Cronin 47).

Capital Strategies

For a country such as France, that has a low rate of entrepreneurship and a high rate of unemployment, the critical capital strategy would be the stimulation of entrepreneurship. However, for almost four decades, a strong elite group referred to as the meritocracy has proscribed France’s economy. This has curtailed the growth and development of foreign investors. The problem has always been put right on the elite groups in France but this has not always been the case. This is because businessmen investing in SMEs are in a position to do well particularly if they invest wisely (Jones 103).

Exit Strategies and Cultural Diffusions

Most investors in France go through numerous struggles when they are starting their businesses. However, they often forget to think about the implications of their decisions in the course of doing business in France. Even those who end up getting much profit forget to have an exit strategy. The worst scenario is where some decide to bleed their businesses dry in an attempt to exit the French market. They do this by ensuring they pay themselves hefty benefits and obtain a big chunk of the businesses’ shares. This in the end ensures that they obtain a large part of the dividends, which they can choose to use according to their preferences. Upon being paid almost ten times more than other shareholders in the business, they decide to live on the income rather than reinvest it. However, the good thinking ones may invest it in another country (Cronin 50).

Spreading of Standards across Cultures

France has been credited for inventing several things. The most notable invention from France is the game of Tennis. The notion of hitting a ball against the wall spread fast and first. It was first adopted by England and then it went to other countries in Europe such as Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Denmark. The kind of diffusion experienced between these countries has been contagious diffusion (Benard 67). Nowadays the game is played all over the world and has major tournaments in America as well as its incorporation into the Olympics.

Works Cited

Benard, Leon. The emerging city: Paris in the age of Louis XIV:Duke University Press (2010): 34-67. Print.

Cronin,Vincent. Paris: City of light.1919-2010.New York:Harper Collins. (2009): 45-78.Print.

Jones, Colin. Paris: The Biography of a city. New York. Penguin Viking. (2007):102-134. Print