Cyber Terrorism Essays - Cyberwarfare, Security, Cybercrime

Cyber Terrorism The face of global terrorism as we knew it to be 50 odd years ago is changing rapidly with the advancement of technology in today's society. Be it a kid trying to get his kicks bypassing the security or his local Internet Service Provider, or an established terrorist trying to get classified information, the amount of funds we put into protecting ourselves from cyberterrorism is not nearly enough if we were to think about what could be at harm. The vulnerability of commercial systems to cyberattacks is repeatedly demonstrated by events portrayed in the media and, there is no evidence that non-government systems are any more or less vulnerable than government ones, or that the security posture of either group, as a whole, is generally improving -- despite the availability and use of a growing supply of information security tools. In a recent study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) of 4900 IT professionals across 30 nations found that this year alone 39,363 human years of productivity will be lost worldwide because of viruses and hacking . In total, the cheque this year to US firms with more than 1000 employees for viruses and computer hacking will amount to $266 billion, or more than 2.5 per cent of the nation's gross domestic product. The price tag worldwide soars to $1.6tn, according to the PwC study. The real effects of viruses are not as much as everybody shouts about. That said, I know of two cases where clients of ours have picked up contracts because their competitors were hit by the Love Bug, said Shipp. It's really difficult to estimate how much viruses cost. In the area of hacktivism, which involves the use of hacking tools and techniques of a disruptive nature of government or commercial systems, the Internet will serve mainly to draw attention to incidents, as such incidents are regularly over portrayed by news media. Whether that attention has the desired effect of changing policy decisions related to the issue at hand is much less certain. ?Hackers may feel a sense of power, because they can do it. Others do it for the challenge of the problem, using a protected system as just another playground to tune their skills. But some just do it for the recognition, hoping that someone will notice them and make the famous in the media. These people usually don't last very long in the grand scheme of things.? In April of 1999, Yahoo!, CNN and other prominent media web sites got hit by a organized and severe DOS (Denial Of Service) attack. The attack was done through university servers, in Canada and the US, which were hacked and made to be puppets of the perpetrators of the attack. The attack sent the affected companies stocks plummeting because they could not continue their daily business. While this is an extreme situation, similar situations happen almost daily. Packet sniffers are set up on networks to catch unencrypted passwords and logins, Trojans are planted to allow a hacker to gain access to you files without the user being even aware of it. With such lack or security evident among the bases of our society, what would happen if a hostile nation waged a cyber war on us? In the 1980s, Barry Collin, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Security and Intelligence in California, coined the term cyberterrorism to refer to the merging of cyberspace and terrorism . Mark Pollitt, special agent for the FBI, offered a definition: Cyberterrorism is the premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which result in violence against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. Politically motivated attacks that cause serious harm, such as severe economic hardship or sustained loss of power or water, might also be characterized as cyberterrorism. Like most other groups, terrorist groups are using the Internet extensively to spread their message and to communicate and coordinate action. However, there have been few if any computer network attacks that can match up to the terrorist acts caused by non electronic warfare. The 1998 e-mail bombing by the Internet Black Tigers against the Sri Lanken embassies was perhaps the closest thing to cyberterrorism that has occurred so

Compare and contrast the Just So Stories with The Bloody Chambers and other stories Essays

Compare and contrast the Just So Stories with The Bloody Chambers and other stories Essays Compare and contrast the Just So Stories with The Bloody Chambers and other stories Essay Compare and contrast the Just So Stories with The Bloody Chambers and other stories Essay Essay Topic: There Will Be Blood Rudyard Kiplings short stories are very much like fable stories whereas Angela Carters short stories are more like fairy stories. There are many reasons for what I have just said.Rudyard Kiplings stories are like fables because all the stories have a lot of involvement with animals. In most of his stories the titles are associated with animals and a way they have evolved. For example: How the leopard got its spots. In this case, the leopard is the animal and How it got its spots is the way the animal has evolved.Also, fables tend to have a moral and the majority of Kiplings stories have one. His stories are also short, silly, witty and clever. For Example: In The Elephants Child, it is quite silly how the crocodile pulls the elephants trunk and it stretches and then the elephant sits there for three days with his trunk tied up. I think this is very unrealistic. This is another comparison to a fable.Rudyard Kiplings stories are so similar to those of Angela Car ters because they both use the idea of anthropomorphism but the two authors use the method very differently indeed. In Rudyard Kiplings stories he creates the animals to inherit human qualities such as speech. For example: In The Elephants child the elephant uses human speech but the language has been slightly adjusted, i.e.- I dont think you peoples know otherwise spoken as I dont think you people know. Formally spoken English would not have an s on the end of peopleAngela Carter uses the idea of anthropomorphism in a very different way. She uses the idea of animals turning into young handsome princes. This is much more appealing to young women taking control of their situation. This differs to kiplings stories in the way that his stories are essential lessons in obedience and good behaviour to young children before they are particularly aware of gender as an important feature in their lives.The two authors differ in the way that they are writing for two different types of gender. Kiplings stories could be either for young boys and young girls but Angela Carter writes out of the feminist movement in the 1970s and 1980s.Angela Carter also makes her stories a lot like fairy stories, which is different to Rudyard Kiplings fables. Her short stories are like fary stories for many reasons. Fairy stories tend to be pointed at young girls rather than just children. In fables there is always one obvious quality with is associated with a certain type of animal. For example: A monkey is associated with intelligence.Fairy stories use the idea of an innocent young women being imprisoned by some form of a beast or a bad guy and then being set free. For example: In the courtship of Mr.Lyon, by Angela Carter, the innocent young girl gets imprisoned when she has to be with a beast and then gets set free when the beast turns into a handsome young Prince. Also the majority of fairy stories tend to be set in a modern scene and some of Angela Carters stories are set in a modern s cene.Angela Carters stories are similar to those of Rudyard Kiplings in the way that they are both written for children and are written from a Childs perspective. Also both the writers use language imaginatively and creatively. There is a strong authors voice that speaks directly to the reader, again emphasising the idea of a strong character speaking to a weaker, like an adult to a child.There is a difference between the two authors in the way of how descriptive the story and the characters are. Kiplings stories are much shorter with much less description because his main characters are the animals or the exotic humans who trick them. He is more interested in the humour and the moral than in creating complicated people we can believe in. Angela Carter needs to create heroines we care about for her point to be established and consequently her stories are longer and more detailed and her characters are much more complicated. They have a real inner life.In Kiplings stories there is li ttle attempt to create an atmosphere of place or time, for example: In The Elephants Child, when the elephant is down by the river there is no sense of place and mostly of all no sense of time.Fairy stories always finish with a happy ending, and in The Company of Wolves, by Angela Carter, the girl does not get savagely killed by the wolves but becomes friendly with them and is very content. Happy endings of stories always satisfy young children, especially young girls.

Fault Reporting System (FRS) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Fault Reporting System (FRS) - Essay Example Part 1 Analysis of Requirements A- Business objectives for the FRS The development of fault reporting system is aimed at achieving the following business objectives: Reduce the number of complaints regarding IT faults Increase credibility of business services On-time problem management Higher market share through better services Targeting wide customer market Increasing annual turnover Enhancing business productivity through better services Increasing the hardware product’s quality services B Produces a list of the functions required from the FRS Through the implementation of Fault Reporting System (FRS) we are intended to improve the overall business operational performance. ... Allocation Staff for complaint management (BO6, BO7) Issues Recording Screen R8. Recording all issues found (BO8) R9. Entering main issues found on system (BO9, BO10) Action Taken Screen R10. Recording necessary actions taken to mitigate the problem (BO11) Link each function to at least one Business Objective This section describes different functions those will be provided by the new system. In this way the business will be capable to get more effective facilities for conducting corporate operations and improving working environment: Client Satisfaction Clients’ satisfaction is one of the prime factors of the business. In this connection I have listed below main functionalities of the new web based Fault Reporting System: Recording all the complaints Saving clients detailed information along with complaints Quick fixes Fast actions Reducing faults fixing within "two working days† Offering more reliability of different types of computer equipment Enhancing overall corpor ate internal working structure Fast Response Quick response to clients’ complaints is essential for the business operational performance. In this scenario I have presented below the functionalities of the new Fault Reporting System: Offering exact date for solutions In case of small problem offering frequent solution Proper submission of complaints to the relevant department Web based or On-line assistance On-time Complaint Management On-time management of the clients’ complaints is a major preference of every business. In this scenario for the quick on-time complaints management we need to produce some internal and external departmental changes. Therefore I have outlined below some of the main functionalities for the new Fault Reporting System: Rapid action or response against

Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 9

Music - Essay Example Rock sales were relatively much higher than those of jazz. The fusion was a combination of funk, rhythm, blues that allowed the formation of a new category of music with an impact on both genres. Born at the time of the hippie movement in the late 60’s to early 70’s it expressed dissatisfaction with current (Allen, 2014). Issues such as the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement and had a wide reach. It was revolutionary and harnessed rock’s electric guitars and drum’s with Miles Davis trumpet. This was the first time jazz musicians used electric music. The impact on both genres of music was huge. Fusion combined the work of jazz greats like Miles and rock greats like The Rolling Stones. In 1968 Miles released jazz fusion first album to criticism from some of his fans. Among the reasons for criticism was that it was not a true form of jazz, it adulterated pure jazz and that money was the motivation. Older jazz generation was against it and music critic Stanley Crouch felt that it threatened jazz. Crouch says that Miles sold out for money to maintain his expensive lifestyle including drug addiction (Davis, 2014). Being a pioneer jazz had a big name in jazz music and all expectations were that he would remain true to jazz as an African-American. Critics saw this as an attempt by Miles to look for popularity at the cost of maintaining a crucial part of the African-American history. Miles had to have an extremely strong will to pursue jazz fusion as the combination of predominantly black jazz and white rock faced heavy criticism. Moreover having been a pioneer black jazz musician his reputation would be soiled as sell out for white money and bigger audiences (Goldsher, 2013). Jazz fusion has all the features of jazz including extreme improvisation and soloists with distinctive voices. Many jazz fusion musicians like Miles Davis had played the traditional jazz before venturing into the electric form. The fusion gave listeners freedom of choice and was

Human Resource project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Resource project - Essay Example f our own emotions and those of others, in the moment, and to use that information to manage ourselves and manage our relationships optimally.† The level of emotional intelligence that one possesses can create negative or positive impact, on the owner of a company, on the company’s managers, personnel and even customers. If any organization becomes luckier in overturning the negative impact into positive, undoubtedly, success will be easily attainable. A negative behavior may be demonstrated by creating fear, stress, frustration, and anger. It can limit risk-taking and creativity. It can de-motivate, drain energy and discourage communications. All these will be translated into a negative impact that will become apparent through the reduction in productivity, an onset of discontent, increased stress in the workplace, diminished teamwork, faster turnover, and the organization may be viewed by the customers with a negative image. It would be a comparative advantage for any organization to promote a more positive outlook within the company, and more effectively, to be able to detect the obvious negative impact and overturn them into positive attributes. Positive behaviors like affording support on teamwork, creativity and risk-taking must be reinforced. Commendable traits such as motivating, confidence-building, open communication and productivity-conscious are to be enhanced. Through these efforts, positive impact shall be assured of, and can only lead to positive work environments, personal growth, favorable productivity, customer satisfaction and a more positive image in the eyes of the customers, and naturally, profits. If the members of an organization are lacking in emotional intelligence, management should not ignore this, because it will be to their detriment. The first step which may not be that easy, is to recognize the unfavorable behavior, and the underlying reasons behind such undesirable trait. Once it is decided that the problem can be

GGSB admissions board

GGSB admissions board What would you like the GGSB admissions board to know about your professional work and / or academic experience? I think one of the best qualities which I posses is my dedication towards work. It is this quality which has helped me achieve my dreams and progress successfully in my career. I am an Engineering graduate specialized in the field of Information Technology possessing high technical and analytical skills. Apart from the regular studies I showed greater interest in understanding the application of technology in the real world. Motivated by my lecturers I presented papers with innovative ideas which were highly appreciated. One of the most outstanding works was the Simulation of Cellular Network which was presented in various Institutions in the state and earned many awards. It is now being used by my Institution in the classes to demonstrate basic functioning of cellular networks for better understanding. The final year project was the most challenging work I encountered in my academic life. I had chosen to apply my knowledge of IT in the field of Biotechnology. Being an abecedarian in this field I initially struggled to improve my understanding of the application. Leading a team of three the responsibility of success of the project weighed more on me. Together we spent all days and many sleepless nights to bring out a working model of a concept which was only paperwork. This work was taken further and later presented by my project guide in an international conference in Hong Kong. Soon after my graduation I stepped into the next phase in my career joining as a fresher with LT Infotech. During the initial days I had the opportunity to observe what a real professionals work is. In no time I became a part of this world interacting with clients all around the globe and providing back end support. Responsibilities increased with time and now I single handedly support the back end system of a global reporting application. My most substantial accomplishment has been the implementation of an online system in the backend for testing purpose. The experience I gained through these many years made me guide the entire team technically, also helping in bridging the their gap between functionality of the system and its technical implementation. Due to the short span of time allocated for this project I had to be pro-active, take lead in motivating people and completing the task. This testing tool was shared with the clients and was highly appreciated. Why are you interested in our particular program, and how do you see it helping you to reach your future goals? The world is full of opportunities, comprising of a vast array of sectors, each having its own global implications. Many industries now being driven by Technology, reaches unbelievable heights within a short span of time through its efficient management. The need of the day is to be in pace with the change and evolution of technology. By this not only can one provide solution to real-time problems but also present the most effective ones. Working with an IT firm has opened up a fascinating world of science and technology to me. It has been more than a dream to understand the nuances of this field and to expand my horizons. I want to learn more about the industry and look at the business and its technology from a much broader realm rather than from the individual components for which I have been responsible. I would consider it my professional achievement to be placed high up in the corporate ladder, and be involved in the decision making and planning of the organization. I strongly feel that technology and management are two sides of the coin which in unison form the foundation of an organization. But the application of innovative technology and making it successful requires an in depth understanding of business and the risks involved. These are some of the nuts and bolts that I require when I foresee myself in a position making strategic business decisions. A proper amalgamation of technology and management plays the key role here. While possessing a strong technical background, I feel a management degree will help me sharpen my skills and provide me an opportunity to excel in both the fields. This will also provide me a window to new ideas from different perspectives. As I go higher up in my profession, I will have the responsibility of building strong teams, making critical decisions, communicating with distinct customers from different backgrounds and coordinating with other team members to work towards a common goal. I am confident that my creative, strategic and analytical abilities will aid me in becoming an able manager. For this, I look forward to graduate with a MBA degree from a top-class college so that I can enter the corporate world fully equipped with all diverse skills that will aid me in facing the complex business environment. GGSB One of the revolutionary institutes with world-class infrastructure, highly experienced faculty and research base has been my first choice. The Management of Technology being one of the pillars of Grenoble Ecole de Managements development and its international level recognition appeals to my professional interests. I am eager to interact with a diverse and lively peer group. I feel that the learning, which comes from a competitive, dynamic and fulfilling atmosphere, will enable me to take up challenging roles in the field of management. I hope the excellent facilities and exposure at GGSB will help me out in realizing my dreams. What did you experience when you first went abroad or visited a different culture than your own? How did you overcome the cultural differences? If you have never been abroad, what would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? India is a land where diversity varies from state to state. India is only 1/3rd the size of USA with three times the latters population. Though there are 14 different major languages spoken across various states, India has one of the largest English speaking population in the world. India is the largest democracy in the world and it fiercely protects freedom of speech, press, legal rights, religious rights, minority rights and human rights. The civilization in India is the longest surviving, which dates back to 3300 B.C. The culture and civilization has been gradually shaped over time by many great thinkers. In Indian thinking there are no absolutes, in the sense that there is a cyclic order in everything and finite and infinite, dark and light, matter and energy, beginning and end, and so on, co-exist .There is an uncanny similarity between this way of thinking and the findings of modern science. There is a marked difference between India and countries in the West when it comes to the sense of privacy. People would drop in at any time without giving any notice whatsoever and would be welcomed and served sweets or a meal and even an invitation to stay overnight in some instances. People in India almost intuitively live within their means. Even the very poor tend to save for hard times. Houses almost never use heating or air-conditioning and are made bricks or earth. The notion that if a person earns $ 2 a day is miserable is not quite true. His or her purchasing power for lifes essentials or simple needs are like $ 80, since a $ is the equivalent of Rs. 40. So, the vast majority of people in India pursue life, liberty and happiness and hence rather successfully.

J.B.Priestley’s play, An Inspector Calls - Eva Smiths Diary :: An Inspector Calls

Dear Diary This month had started off good as I went on holiday with some of my friends to Brighton. Tracey loved it and we didn't want to leave. When we got back life went downhill. When we got back to Mr. Birling's factory we asked for a pay rise as we spent most of our money on the holiday. The reason we asked far a rise was that we need some money to get food and other things. It was actually Tracey's idea to ask far a pay rise from twenty-two and six to twenty five shillings a week. But Mr. Birling said no. We went on strike after we wouldn't get the pay rise. Dear Diary ========== This has been the worse month ever me and the girls had been sacked after a few weeks we'd been on strike it was only the ringleaders who got sacked; Me Tracey Jane Amy and Michelle. And we now don't have any money. I'm now looking for a job and as I have no parents, I have no one to fall back on financially and I don't want to go back to the workhouse. I am really scared now I'm not sure I'm going to have enough money to buy clothes and food. I don't have many friends apart from Tracey. Dear Diary Last month was hell with no income I've now found a job at millwards the great clothes shop. I've got a great job but it was a spot of luck because of the amount of influenza about, two workers became ill so I applied and now I have a job at last YES! It is exciting there. They have rich customers, which means better pay I think? But it doesn't matter, as it's a great place to work. Dear Diary January had been a good month but today Miss Sheila Birling complained about me, at least I think it's her as she was the only customer to go into the manager's office. I think she complained that I laughed at her when she tried on the most ridiculous dress. She looked a picture in it she looked so funny in it that's why I laughing with the other assistant my friend Tracey. Dear Diary February was full of ups and downs. It started with a down when Millwards sacked me when they took the side of the customer not me. But now I've changed my name from Eva Smith to Daisy Renton. The reason I did it was that it might give me new people to meet as Eva Smith was a troublemaker but Daisy Renton will be kind-hearted and

Practitioner Model versus Practitioner-Model and its Impact on My Professional Development

Scholar-Practitioner Model versus Practitioner-Model and its Impact on My Professional Development Abstract The practitioners-scholar approach is the model I plan to follow to pursue my long-term professional goals of working as a consultant. Understanding the distinction between scholar, practitioner, scholar-practitioner and practitioner-scholar all are instrumental in my ability to create a plan to becoming a practitioner-scholar. Focusing on the history of psychology, becoming an effective researcher and forming invaluable communication skills laid the groundwork for having a successful career as a practitioner-scholar. Although, I do not feel I am either a scholar practitioner or practitioner scholar yet, my course work at Capella University will prepare me for the journey. Keywords: scholar, practitioner, practitioner-scholar, scholar-practitioner, research ? Scholar-Practitioner Model versus Practitioner-Model and its Impact on My Professional Development Reflecting on how I might become a practitioner-scholar, I realize the importance of understanding the distinction between scholar, practitioner, scholar-practitioner and practitioner-scholar, first. Scholars are wise master in their discipline, and distinguished leaders in their field. In the field of psychology, I view scholars primarily as one that works in the academic setting. Practitioners are professionals who work within the community or corporate setting. Practitioners work within a particular career, driven by the needs of their clients (Peterson, 2006). Scholar-practitioners and practitioner-scholars differ in how they view the application of knowledge acquired. According to Wasserman and Kram (2009), scholar-practitioners bonded by theory, seek to generate knowledge first as the way to apply knowledge to the world. Practitioners-scholars first guide themselves by the needs of the client, and then on the knowledge drawn from research-based theories to improve clients well being (Peterson, 2006). Wasserman and Kram (2009) view the concept scholar-practitioner and practitioner-scholar as a continuum. The continuum reflects the view that as psychologist we all hold the doctrine of studying the mind, its affects on behavior and ways through research and practice, we can improve humankind (Wasserman and Kram, 2009). Reflecting on the models, I realized neither describes where I am now. I currently view myself as a learner, a student with goals of becoming a successful practitioner-scholar. My success as a practitioner-scholar lies in acquiring knowledge of the history of psychology, becoming an analytical researcher and applying these skills to produce invaluable forms of communication. In order to become a successful practitioner-scholar, acquiring knowledge of the history of psychology is quintessential in my long-term plans to becoming a practitioner-scholar. The history of psychology in America and its role in the education setting and community at large dates back to after World War II (Peterson 2006). Intellectually gifted scientists who were brilliant researchers became the scholars of psychology. As scholars, they taught from a scientist, research perceptive. Therefore, when psychologists begin to leave the academic setting of universities and enter professional careers, they did so as science or scholar practitioners (Peterson 2006). According to Peterson (2006), education by scientists, training as scholars, with little to no professional preparation, sparked the great debate between the two models. The old saying, â€Å"you don’t know where you are going until you know where you’ve been†, holds true here. Embracing the foundation of psychology provides me with a greater sense of respect for those who oppose the practitioner-scholar model. However, embarking on a journey to refute the opposition is exciting, and becoming an analytical researcher along the way, will support my plan in becoming a distinguish leader in the psychology community as a practitioner-scholar. Understanding the history of psychology laid the groundwork in my plans to becoming a practitioner-scholar. Effective research will sharpen critical thinking skills, deepen analytical skills and overall continue to increase my knowledge of the study of psychology bringing me closer to becoming a practitioner-scholar. The ability to systematically identify and implement the necessary change is critical to a practitioner-scholar (Peterson 2006). Research is necessary as a practitioner-scholar because I need to think as a researcher in the context of my environment, to effectively and critical analyze the needs of my client. Although, research would not be a key element in my daily work as a practitioner-scholar, my ability to master research as a graduate student will lay the groundwork for how well I can effectively communicate my theories or notions learned from research and client assessments. The rigors process of graduate school, learning the principle behind theories and applying research to support my writing will create invaluable forms of communication. Drawing from my previous work experience as a real estate broker, owner of a staffing agency and currently as an advocate for children with autism, I know communication is the ultimate key to success. Simply put, you are only as good as you can sell yourself in this day and time. As grounded, as a psychologist should be in theory, practitioners have to be flexible within the world that they work in. The earlier issues faced by psychologist after World War II, according to Peterson (2006), was their inability to relate to their clients without communicating in the form of science, which is how they learned. This issue, open the initial search for practitioner-scholars (Peterson). Words have meaning and leave a lasting impression on the world at large. Producing quality, effective and valuable forms of communication as it relates to the context of your environment, provides for a successful career as a practitioner-scholar. Ultimately, acquisition of all these skills will bring me closer to becoming a practitioner-scholar. The history of psychology helps me understand why the models are debated and thought of as mutually exclusive. Although, I currently identify as a learner, the goals I have planned for myself directly align with the skills needed to become a practitioner-scholar. The intense process of graduate school including the massive amounts of work, papers, research and discussion questions answer will all help me become a practitioner-scholar. My understanding of the history of psychology, analytical research skills and becoming an invaluable communicator will all be skills needed to maintain beyond graduate level studies. As a learner of this model at Capella University, I fully expect to find myself starring back at a practitioner-scholar soon, when I look in the mirror. References Peterson, D. R. (1991). Connection and disconnection of research and practice in the education of professional.. American Psychologist, 46(4), 422. Retrieved from http://ezproxy. library. capella. edu/login? url=http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=aph&AN=9104223512&site=ehost-live&scope=site Wasserman, I. C. , & Kram, K. E. (2009). Enacting the scholar-practitioner role: An exploration of narratives. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 45(1), 12-38. Retrieved from http://ezproxy. library. capella. edu/login? url=http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=bth&AN=36658601&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Kyrgyzstan Essays - Kyrgyzstan, Republics, Post-Soviet States

Kyrgyzstan Essays - Kyrgyzstan, Republics, Post-Soviet States Kyrgyzstan The collapse of the Soviet Union created 15 new states. These states over the last 5 years have all struggled with economic, ethnic, political and territorial problems left to them by the Soviet empire. Kyrgyzstan, is a former Soviet Republic (FSR) located in the Central Asia. This paper will give a statistical representation of the state, Kyrgyzstan. The statistical data will reflect the basic geography of the subject country containing population, size and location. This miniature report will also contain brief descriptions of current political and economic situations. Included in the current information section of this report, is an outlook for possible near future events concerning both political stability and economy. Kyrgyzstan is located in the southern area of the former Soviet Union. Its boarders are defined by China to the east (& South), Kazakhstan to the north (& Northwest), Uzbekistan directly west and Tajikistan to the south (Kyrgyzstan features 76,641 square miles of land, which consisted of .9% of the former USSR's land-mass. The land is primarily used for pastoral purposes. Only 7% of the farmable land is cultivated. The population is approximated to be 4,258,000 people (see Figure A). The Kyrgyzstan populace has experienced a 25.3% growth in population during the last 12 years (Population Growth Data from 1979-1991), and a birthrate at 29.1/1000. Population distribution is 61.9% in rural areas and 38.1% in urban centers. City & Population The top 4 cities are: Bishkek (formally Frunze) 616,000 (Capitol) Osh 213,000 Przhevalsk 64,000 Naryn 26,000 In June of 1990 ethnic violence arose in the city of Oh. Kyrgyz clashed with Uzbeks resulting in a bloody conflict which was eventually suppressed by Soviet Interior Ministry troops. This clash outlined political and economic problems present in Kyrgyzstan even when the USSR was still existent. These ethnic clashes in Oh served to cement political groups who were organizing outside of the communist party during Perestroika. It also gave voice to the large economic problems in central Kyrgyzstan. The "head of state" and leader of the communist party in Kyrgyzstan was Absamat Masaliev. Masaliev invoked policies which were rigid and served to enhance the existing social problems. Because of the decline present in the government's abilities to meet the expectations of the populace, the allowances granted by the Perestroika police and ethnic tensions, communist authority in Kyrgyzstan was challenged. The communist party's rule came to an end in October of that same year. A liberal democratic reform movement had sweeped the country and Askar Akaev was elected by a coalition vote in the Supreme Soviet (Legislature of Kyrgyzstan), resulting in the removal of Masaliev from the Presidency. Askar Akaev is a liberal politician (former head of the Academy for Sciences) and represented reform in the form of privatization and democracy. The transformation of government from communism to a liberal democracy occurred smoothly without violent uprisings or revolution. However, Akaev has opponents on both sides of the political spectrum. Masaliev, though not the president, is still the head of the communist party and very powerful. On the right, the government has to deal with the potential time bomb of ethnicity and nationalism. The current political agenda for the reform government contains these issues: economic stimulation, development of diplomatic relations with other states, privatization of property, a language purification issue and environmental concerns. These issues are all presently being address and codified in the formation of the new constitution (only economics, privatization of property and industry and language are addressed below). The industrial sector of the Kyrgyzstan economy is primarily owned by residing Russians in the capital, Bishkek. This is a point of contention in the on-going debates of land and industrial privatization between the nationalists and liberals in Kyrgyzstan. Though Kyrgyzstan is primarily an agrarian economy, an alarming amount of tension is present concerning foreign owned industry. Language purification standards are being debated in the Kyrgyz Parliament. In the 1950's the Duma passed a number of resolutions in attempts of transforming Soviet Republic languages by using a Cyrillic based alphabet. The adoption of the Cyrillic alphabet fundamentally changed the Central Asian Turkic based languages. This served in a dual purpose of dividing the Central Asian peoples by accenting their language differences

Wealth management Essays

Wealth management Essays Wealth management Essay Wealth management Essay The business expansion strategy is to make advantages of their strength in intermediary businesses, such as international business settlement, agency and wealth management, then drive the development of traditional commercial banking services, so that they can attract more premier foreign and local customers. Compared with Chinas banks, foreign banks dont have a branch network around the country, but they have stronger capabilities in products innovation, more professional expertise of international financial market trading and wealth management, etc, also they have a huge branch network around the world. Therefore, foreign banks firstly focus on international business settlement, foreign exchange trading. By providing those extra services that Chinas banks can not make, foreign banks can attract those premier customers that have oversea businesses and strong need for wealth management, then these customers may transfer their other businesses that are currently based at local banks, including RMB settlement, deposits and loans, etc, to foreign banks. The customer expansion strategy of foreign banks is to approach multinationals, joint ventures, foreign funded enterprises and Chinas leading domestic firms. Multinationals, joint ventures and foreign funded enterprises are first targets of foreign banks, not only because those firms have good business performance and credit records, but also their mother companies usually have strong link with those foreign banks. Foreign banks are also keen on Chinas leading firms, including those national teams that have strong oversea businesses, mighty private companies and premier high-tech firms. Obviously, foreign banks would not take risk to expand their business to all corporate customers. In a press conference held by Citibank in 2002, Mr. Huang Xiaoguang, the CEO of its Shanghai Branch stated, we merely focus on three categories of firms, including foreign global giants, Chinas big global firms and those domestic companies with strong international business, in which we can make full use of our global network advantage. We wont break through this customer territory and to do business with other general firms even after Chinas financial market is open completely after 2006. Current status of foreign banks businesses in China A recent survey conducted by FCSSIC (Financial Center of Social Science Institute of China) showed most of foreign banks had successfully extended their businesses in China, though their performance was very different from one another. Overall, the following characters can reflect the current status of foreign banks businesses in China by now: Firstly, the activity domain of foreign banks mainly concentrated in coastal cities. By the end of 2002, there are about 190 foreign banks have conducted their businesses in China. In particular, about 27 among 54 world top banks that are listed in the US Fortune world 500 have also operated in the country. It is obvious that most foreign banks are still keen on coastal cities, such as Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Dalian, etc, while many inland cities, excluding several top cities, such as Wuhan, Chongqing, Xian, their presence was rarely seen though these cities were on the governments opening outside list as well. Secondly, the business categories are extending quickly from foreign currency businesses to RMB businesses. In 1982, China government began to permit foreign banks to set up operating offices and conduct foreign currency businesses, their foreign money businesses have developed a lot ever since then. Currently, the main foreign exchange businesses of foreign banks covers financing business, loan and savings, international business settlement, investment, guarantee, business bills and consulting, etc. Then in 2002, some foreign banks were permitted to provide RMB business service to foreign customers in Shanhai, Shenzhen and Gaungzhou, and in fact, they extended this business to many foreign customers very quickly. Their customers were not only from those mentioned cities, but also from their neighbor provinces, such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan and Guangxi. This fact witnessed that foreign banks have strong capability to expand their business. In February 2003, several top global giants, such as HSBC and Citibank, announced their grants of RMB businesses for Chinas domestic firms. Thirdly, the customers focus of foreign banks is mainly on first class joint ventures, multinationals, and Chinas big foreign-oriented firms, together with some public companies. Taking several top banks, for example, HSBC is keen on serving BP, Shell, Citibank focuses on GE, IBM, Software and Ford. The global banks are also very interested in such Chinas big state firms with oversea business, such as CNPC, Sinopech and COSCO. According to Chinas governments commitment, foreign banks are able to provide foreign exchange businesses for both domestic firms and residents early from Chinas WTO entrance, but the restrictions of areas and customers in RMB businesses will not be canceled until the end of 2006, therefore, the current competitions between Chinas banks and their global rivals are mainly reflected in foreign exchange businesses, especially concentrating on international business settlement and foreign exchange loan and savings, and the competing level is different in different cities. As the most advanced and international city in China, Shanghai sees most presence of foreign banks in this country, and the competition here is also most fierce. By the end 2002, there have been 53 operating foreign banks branches. 12 among which, including HSBC and Citibank, getting the permission of conducting comprehensive foreign currency businesses in the same year, covering both corporate banking and personal banking, local firms and local residents. A recent statistic provided by Shanghai Branch of Peoples Bank of China, showed that the growth rate of foreign currency savings of foreign banks had surpassed that of domestic banks in Shanghai in early 2002. Furthermore, some foreign banks in Shanghai have extended their businesses to the nearby provinces, including Zhejiang and Jiangsu, the most powerful economies of China. In the end of 2003, the total assets of foreign banks in Shanghai were about $27. 49 b, increasing by 35. 69% compared with a year ago. Total amount of loans were up to $12. 1b, growing by 15. 16% compared with 2002. Total savings was $7. 14b, growing at 56. 53%. In the same year, operating profit before tax of all foreign banks was $107m, in which the contribution of RMB business exceeded 50%, reflecting rapid growth of their RMB business. With the expansion of business and customers, foreign banks achieved great performance. In 2003, their market share in Shanghai banking sector in terms of total assets, savings and loans was 11. 84%, 3. 86% and 8. 64% respectively, much higher than a year ago. Shenzhen, as the symbol of Chinas opening to the outside world, owns the second largest scale of foreign banks in terms of both foreign currency assets and savings. Ever since the foundation of Shenzhen Branch of Hongkong Southsea Bank, the first foreign bank in the city, the amount of foreign banks has been growing. Up to early 2004, there were 25 foreign banks that have operating branches, together with 7 representative offices. The total staff of foreign banks are about 830, occupying 2. 6% of whole staff of Shenzhen banking sector. It was stated by Shenzhen Bureau of Banking Regulation, in the end of 2003, the total assets of foreign banks in Shenzhen were $7. 32b, total savings was $2. 33b. Thereinto, the absolute amount of savings enhanced by $0. 84b, with a growth rate of 55. 99% compared with last year. As a traditional financial center of North China, many eyes of foreign banks have turned to the city for years. By the end of 2002, there were about 14 foreign banks got presence in Tianjin, and 4 of which was authorized to conduct RMB business. Foreign banks firstly extended their international settlement business very quickly. In the end of 2002, market share of big four state banks in total foreign exchange assets was 82%, while foreign banks gained 0ver 10%. In terms of foreign currency loans, big four banks occupied 67%, compared with foreign banks 33%, which reflects Chinas domestic banks face heavy stress from foreign banks to compete in foreign exchange businesses.

Wal-Mart Competitive Advantages Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Wal-Mart Competitive Advantages - Case Study Example The researcher states that the discounted retail giant Wal-Mart has many of the competitive advantages that have made the company such a market leader for years now. The rural market strategy that the company has undertaken has clearly helped the company to attain increased market share. The other advantage of Wal-Mart has been the age of its stores. In the year 1990, merely 10% of Wal-Mart stores were more than 8 years old whereas K-Mart, the prime competitor of Wal-Mart had 85% of stores aged above 8 years. The distribution capability is another prominent competitive advantage for Wal-Mart. In their distribution system, they have cross-docking, inside out location strategy which is very much helpful to grow their business in overseas. This is one of the cost saving methods and they can easily reach their customer satisfaction level. The workforce culture of Wal-Mart is a customer-oriented strategy which is motivated by monetary contribution as well as belief in the Wal-Mart culture . This tends to move faster in response and flexibility to the changing demand. Strong corporate culture is very much needed to apply this strategy. Wal-Mart pursued to search for technological competitive improvements. Recently, Wal-Mart set up an electronic data exchange with more than 3,600 retailers with the purpose of receiving orders as well as to interact electronically. The plan has been extended with the purpose of developing, forecasting, shipping, and planning. Even though information costs are larger than competitors but the benefits of inventory cost reduction and also increased sales, compensate the cost appreciably as well as serve Wal-Mart with important competitive advantage. The distribution system of Wal-Mart is enormous and too tough to be replicated by the competitors when anybody considers the electronic connection of sales as well as inventory information across the world.

Methods of enquiry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Methods of enquiry - Essay Example A Qualitative method of study differs from the usual quantitative methods (used in the study of pure sciences) in the sense that it tends to be far more subjective. This is in sharp contrast to the methods used in pure sciences which are exclusively objective. The research methods for marketing are a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Being open to qualitative methods of study also allows social scientists to incorporate non-quantitative data (i.e. non-numerical data, such as words, images, gestures, impressions etc.) in their study. Since human beings tend to operate in terms of such data and not in terms of the terminology used in ordinary sciences this broader outlook is far more applicable in the study of social sciences. In keeping with the methodology employed in marketing researches the theories too are formulated and used keeping in mind that they are not necessarily applicable to all conditions. Be it psychology, history, political science or economics human events are most likely to influence the rules which define the basic theories of a marketing subject. Success in the field of marketing researches can therefore be achieved if and only if it is understood that the subject has no space or opportunity for watertight methodologies or theories. (Lamb, 2004) The basic advantages of qualitative measures are multi-fold. Firstly, it presents a completely realistic approach that the statistical analysis and numerical data used in research based on quantitative research cannot provide. Another advantage of qualitative measures is that it is more flexible in nature in terms of collected information interpretation, subsequent analysis and data collection. It also presents a holistic point of view of the investigation. Furthermore, this approach of research allows the subjects to be comfortable thus be more accurate