STEEP Analysis Tourism Industry

STEEP Analysis Tourism Industry In the last half of the twentieth century, the first location for gambling tourism was established in Nevada, U.S.A. The distinctive of this tourism is a combination of the peculiar geography of Nevadan region with the benefits of the federal system and their own individualistic esprit to form a prosperous economy. The development of the gambling industry became the main growth factor for Las Vegas and Reno until the present time. Underlying this new economy is the evolution of the tourist business, stimulated by the expansion of legalized gambling. After much ambivalence to social policy for the first seventy years, Nevada then led the way for the next fifty years in making acceptable, a business that was widely regarded elsewhere as socially improper (Hulse, 2004). As the number of jurisdictions offering gambling tourism increases, both the response of potential tourists and the response of competing destinations will change. Gambling has long been recognized as a tourist attraction. Gambling first played a significant role at the spa resorts of the 18th and 19th centuries (Sethi, 1999). Members of the elite who frequented these resorts demanded amusements to occupy the time between treatments. The foundation of gambling amusements consist of food, socialization and games. Las Vegas is the prime example of gambling tourism, where the central interest of gambling is surrounded with a host of tourist activities. To describe the growth of gambling tourism, it has been based on the elements of providing the activities in the same area where the gambling is located. Casinos and other gambling facilities are mainly treated as part of touristic entertainment culture and as products for promoting tourism (Cochrane, 2008). In particular, the explosive growth in gambling in Macau is based on the pent up demand for gambling outlets from the Mainland Chinese. Moreover, Singapore is the latest country announcing plans for the introduction of gambling tourism by the construction of a huge casino and associated gambling facilities (Conrady Buck, 2008). In their book Tourism in Destination Community Singh S., Timothy D. and Dowling R. (2003) outline that a typology of Tourism-Host Community Relationships. This typology is based on assessing the relationship that exists between tourism and the destination community. There are four possible theories are win-win, win-lose, lose-win and lose-lose. Gambling Tourism is categorized in lose-win. The reason for this is the community loses while tourism gains the benefits. The side effects of gaming or gambling are the fabric of communities both in physical terms of areas which are pulled down to make way for more casinos and also the increasing social problems such as addiction and crime. Conversely, tourism gains as all inclusive packages of gambling, entertainment, shopping and accommodation are offered to potential visitors. This assessment will attempt to show the STEEP analysis of the current gambling tourism. Then it will look into a possible three scenarios with critically assessment based on time which is short, middle and long range future. Finally, the conclusion will explain stakeholder responses for sustainability of gambling tourism. 2. STEEP ANALYSIS 2.1. (S)ocial Impact For many people, gambling could be lawful part of their leisure and recreation activities where most of them are becoming gamblers who have a responsible manner and enjoy gambling as entertainment (MCG, 2008). On the other hand, this kind of entertainment could be a cause of serious problems for themselves which impact on their families and the community. Regarding the social impact of gambling tourism, the activity often has been associated with organized crime, domestic violence, health problems and bankruptcy which may impact on both the local people and tourists from their addictive behaviors (Ivanova Atanasova, 2009). From the negative perceptions of gambling tourism among local residents and tourists, they can be divided into the impact on individuals and the impact on relationships as follow (AIGR, 2001): Impacts on individuals The first impact is crime and health problems. Gambling is definitely vulnerable to crime, of which the major crimes might be fraud and money laundering and less major crimes could be cheating and begging. The range of crime can start from petty theft, shoplifting, forging signatures for financial gain, to robbery, embezzlement, misappropriation, drug trafficking, burglary to armed robbery. Loan shark lending has also been established as having a significant relationship with gambling related criminal activity such as physical harassment and violence being directed towards the gambler. For the health problems, gambling has been negatively associated with a variety of personal ailments such as depression, anxiety, suicide and general ill-health. For example, in 1999 Australian national client survey found the following results in relation to people with gambling problems as (AIGR, 2001): 95.6% suffered from depression; 57.8% seriously considered suicide due to gambling; 13.6% attempted suicide; 99% suffered from guilt due to gambling; and 97% had control problems, that is, they would like to stop but cant. Impacts on relationships The second impact is the affects of problem gambling on interpersonal relationships with parents, children, partners, friends, work colleagues, and the general community. Some of the main difficulties problem gamblers have experienced in their inter-personal relationships are, not having enough time for family, the break-up of relationships, break-ups leading to be split-ups, losing contact with children, violent behavior due to gambling and family arguments over money. 2. 2. (T)echnological Impact Technological developments in gambling are rapidly growing in prevalence around the world. The aim of the developments is to make it convenient to gamblers and easier to access betting games. Nowadays home gambling is preferable for gamblers. Due to the fact that there are several gambling technologies which offer more options, opportunities and temptations. The most distinctive would be online gambling on internet. The nature of cyberspace, has no geographic boundaries. Therefore a player can stay at home and conduct cross-border gambling with server who is located in other countries. The advent of online betting is to provide a variety of games such as blackjack, baccarat, and roulette as well as sports betting and to participate in lottery draws. Moreover, players can enter the virtual casino very easily by personal computers for leisure activities, prizes or money. While gambling opportunities are expanding by internet technology, the effects may stimulate an increasing demand for gambling services. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology: Trends Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice (1998) has identified that cyber betting reduce the income of location based gambling industries in terms of detrimental consequences for employment in hotels and clubs. Another possibility, online gambling often occurs in an unregulated manner and effects the feeling of security for the players. However, there are increasing secure on-line financial transactions. Then again, the present trend of Internet betting is casino-style. As a result, many gambling operators are located in countries with relaxed or nonexistent gambling legislation and tax regulations such as Liechtenstein, Antigua, the Cook Islands and the Dominican Republic (Grant Chapman, 1998). 2.3. (E)conomic Impact In every country that has gambling as a legal industry there are both positive and negative effects in the economic impact because the government gets revenue from the tourism, but they also have to take responsibility for the negative effects. For the positive impact, there is an increase in economic development, increase employment, tax revenues, and also increase the number of tourists who accept gambling has become their leisure activity. Governments have to support the development of the gambling industry as driven mainly because of economic need and the generated taxation revenues (Ivanova Atanasova, 2009). Many countries have made gambling a legal industry because they can benefit from gambling which can be highly profitable. To point out that it creates employment, provides high revenues through generating additional taxation and leads to improvement in infrastructure are all positive effects of many countries that are supporting gambling tourism development (Pahor, n.d.). F or example; in the case of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the United States, the primary purpose of casino gaming was to redevelop the tourist and convention facilities and to improve the infrastructure and tourism capacity (Dunstan, 1997). On the other hand, the negative effects that gambling is closely related to crime, social pathologies and social interruption which government has to respond to with all these effects (Pahor, n.d.). From all these reasons, they show why the heavy social and economic damages caused by the casinos should not be undervalued. For instance, the statistics from Nevada, whose economy is extremely dependent on the gambling industry, are alarming. It has the highest suicide rate in the USA, the highest accident rate (per mile driven) and also the highest rates of crime and school drop out (IVLV, 2010). The legality of the gambling industry and the growing access such as facilities in the current decade has also presented a significant health threat to the local population, mostly in the gambling addiction group. The Australian Productivity Commission research found that the health and social costs of gambling can include (AIGR, 2001): Financial costs (family debts and bankruptcy) Effects on productivity and employment Crime (theft, court cases and imprisonment) Personal and family impacts (divorce and separation, depression and suicide) Treatment costs. 2.4. (E)nvironmental Impact It is essential to examine how the environment is influenced by the gambling sector. For creating a sustainable tourism gambling sector, it is necessary to begin close cooperation with the Environmental Planning Group (EPG). According to Roe, Leader-Williams Dalal Clyton, EPG is focused on environmental planning, resource management and utilization issues. This organisation is oriented on policy-making processes and strategic planning for sustainable development (Roe, Leader-Williams Dalan Clyton, 1997). Moreover, the environment should be monitored continuously as the changes which may occur due to misuse of resources may lead to serious natural disasters (Miller and Twinning-Ward, p. 51). There are famous gambling places in the world such as Nevada, Atlantic City and Monte Carlo. The last city is described by McMillen, 2005 as a model for stimulating regional development which fuelled the proliferation of resort casinos throughout Europe in the middle of 19th century. As gambling attracts wealthy people, it provided a boost to the growth of tourism facilities and infrastructure (McMillen, 2005, p. 243). Since that time the Rivera became a famous place for both rich Europeans and Americans to spend their holidays gambling. As an example the Casino de Monte Carlo became world famous and even the most profitable casino (McMillen, 2005, p. 243) in the whole of Europe. Nevada is the most famous gambling place on the western coast in U.S.A., for example, casinos in Nevada offer full-service resort style holiday (Report to the Nevada Department of Human Resources, 2002, p.13). According to the California Research Bureau, 1995, it was the first city in USA where casino gambling was legalized. (Appendix 1) In comparison with Nevada, Atlantic City is known as the gambling city on the American east coast. The gambling industry in Atlantic City had its inception in 1978 (Braunlich, 1996). This year went down in history as the end of Nevadas virtual monopoly of casino-style gambling (Shonkwiller, 1993). 2.5. (P)olitical Impact In terms of gambling in a reversal of American values, this refers to an ideology of hedonistic consumerism (McMillen, 1996). Therefore gambling tourism as a part of the tourists feelings should be independent of other recreational activities. However, the real gambling industry around the world is controlled by laws, regulations and policies in each destination. In the book Gambling: Views from the Social Sciences by Frey, James H. and Eadington (1984) has also identified that restrictions in gambling are created by laws, for the purpose of protecting the weak minority of compulsive gamblers, as well as, to limit the freedom of choice of the majority. Furthermore the forms of gambling, for instance, lotteries, wagering on racing and charitable gambling are associated with the impacts of local markets, tourism and tourism development especially casino gambling (Pearce Butler, 2002). Due to the fact that a casino operation is related with several national and state jurisdictions. In a part of the local community, gambling represents the ultimate in export-based activities such as appropriating local taxes from casino operators and the direct, indirect and induced impacts of local casino based expenditures. The division of national or government responsibilities also related with the import of tax income and re-exportation of the all negative externalities (Felsenstein Freeman, 2002). These involve gamblers and the nation, for example, gambling induced-addiction, bankruptcy and reduced productivity. Scenario Assortment 3.1. The Short Range Future (next 5 years) The present society acceptance of gambling is a legitimate customer pursuit. In addition there are many newly increased technologies aimmed at bringing gambling into the home. As a result, the future of gambling becomes more localized and less tourist-oriented (Pearce Butler, 1999). 3.1.1 The history of next generation technology In the next 5 years, gambling, internet and touch screen television will be making a new modern world history for the next generation together (Hofex, 2008) which has developed from online gambling tourism and hi-technology facilities. Due to the fact that gambling as a popular leisure and recreation activity coupled with technology which is changing all the time, Interactive touch screen television (ItouchTV) is a convenient facility for betting activities from the comfort of both local communities and tourists places where there are hotels or airplanes. Wherever they are in the gambling tourism destination, Interactive touch screen TV gambling could allow gamblers to place bets by using their fingertip and also directly from their accounts accessed while playing in the casino. Interactive betting through this service is available for every debit and credit world wide accounts such as AMEX, Visa, Master Card and PayPal which account holders can also manage their account, deposit fun ds and check transaction history on ItouchTV (Commonwealth of Australia., 2009). ItouchTV will be developed in every types of interactive gambling include normal events like singing contests or the Oscars through digital pay television and digital free-to-air television service of these gambling destinations. 3.1.2 Critical Assessment for Sustainability Combined with modern technology and sustainable tourism, it can be predicted that addictive behavior will develop for the next generation of gamblers. As gambling and hi-technology TV prepare for a shared future, the number of young gamblers will be increased rapidly because of the ability to access technology at their place easily whether they are local people or tourists. The future social problems will be over represented by gamblers who are under 30 years (Chapman, 1998) because this group of people are fascinated by computer technology and highly literate in its application. Although new modern gambling tourism will much more popular to the next generation of gamblers, it is a new challenge for the government and the private sectors to minimize harm from addictive behaviors and the future social results by offering service providers the abilities of self-exclusion or self-setting betting limits and set the regulation to control the future impact. Under the act, the effectiveness of regulation in the term of prevention and treatment program will be affected to the number of youth gamblers, social gambling impacts and high number of addictive behaviors which all of them have to be decreased. 3.2. The Middle Range Future (next 10 years) To enhance a trend of gambling at home, the gambling industry needs to provide an innovation. This is the reason why there is a variety of new betting games development on the internet to satisfy different customer needs. Whereas gambling forms would not provide a novelty experience if the government had a monopoly ownership in the gambling industry. 3.2.1 Government Gambling versus Privatizing Gambling At this point in time, there are many countries which have granted themselves a monopoly over the gambling marketplace. There are government monopolies of gambling operations and the quality of gambling tourism industry by limiting competitors and maintaining high prices. According to National Gambling Impact Study Commission (1999a) identified the government determines the level and type of competition to be permitted such as granting, amending, and revoking monopolies, and restricting or enhancing competition almost at will. These are also the keys determinants of various industries potential profits and losses. This paper agrees with this and believes consequently it is to limit entrants to a marketplace and new customers can be eliminated. Moreover, private enterprises with diminished competition have reduced incentives to offer a variety of gambling services. It may effect the quality of the products as well. Generally, government-owned gambling operations maintain the objectives for the good of the public. It contrasts with regulations and the principle beneficiary of gambling activities. Due to the fact that the increased public demand also affects high social spending, this pressures governments to spend more of their budgets without increasing personal income taxes. Furthermore, the government would be responsible for the investment budgets of gambling business. While the gambling business is not always successful, so the government risks financial losses. In addition, legalized gambling tourism should be conducted by the private sectors in the future. Because non-government firms have strong incentives to provide better services at reasonable prices. Therefore privatizations lead to better efficiency and the wider availability of products and services. If being unprofitable or closing business, investors ought to be responsible for all losses. In order for business ventures to operate at the expense of the taxplayers, companies must provide reasonably priced products to customers. Alternatively, government is not responsible for any risks of business operations. 3.2.2 Critical Assessment for Sustainability It cannot be denied that government performance is a significant influence for gambling tourism sustainability. There are three possible ways to manage gambling industry. Firstly government may enforce more gambling prohibitions by policing and legislation. Secondly government may permit the operation of private social gambling and open to overseas investment. Thirdly government owns and operates gambling operations as public enterprises. This paper believes public enterprises can enhance gambling industry efficiently in the next 10 years. Casinos in The United States, for example, are organized privatisation as public enterprises: owned by government and operated by the private sector such as casino gaming on ships, casinos on Indian reserves and a combination of destination and casinos which offer a variety of amenities including accommodations and entertainment (Basham White, 2002). The Long Range Future (next 20 years) Nowadays space tourism is not science fiction any more but a luxury leisure activity for the wealthiest people on the planet. It is not only an expensive journey for so-called space tourists but also an important new target for the space industry (Collins, 2006). Collins, 2006 predicted that at a growth rate of some 100,000 passengers per year, the business could reach 700,000 passengers per year by 2017, at a price of about $25,000 per a passenger. Taking into consideration the long-term scenario, 20 years from the present time, tourism activities could have grown to a scale of $100 billion per year which would create millions of job (Collins, 2006). Space tourism will play major role as this recreation activity will bring around $1trillion greater than the value of continued taxpayer funding of space agencies activities without developing space tourism (Collins, 2006). Thus, it is clearly seen the huge capacity for space tourism market. Moreover, the long-term prediction is based on the assumption that gambling will work closely with space tourism industry. Commercial space passengers will have the opportunity to get access to gambling facilities while they are travelling in the cosmic expanse. Future aircrafts will be equipped with the most modern gambling machines and also there would be interactive connection with the Earth planet which will allow the opportunity to space tourists to bet on the races (as example) being held somewhere on the Earth. This prediction is realistic as human nature has a natural penchant to play, risk and competition (Griffiths Delfabbro, 2002, p.5) as well as gambling gives the opportunity to escape from the routine everyday life and take on a new role. In addition most of the wealthy people will always be looking for new kinds of entertainment, so they will be satisfied with the new gamblings offer. 3.3.1. Critical Assessment for Sustainability The major stakeholders such as space tourism association should create efficient sustainable tourism system which will guarantee the harmonious development of space tourism avoiding of severe abuse of space. Also innovations should be implemented gradually and consciously. There are should be no desire to get large revenue as the main goal for space tourism association must be sustainable space study. The reason of organising space tours should be the opportunity to promote the space to the masses. Community should be more educated about space as space tourism may get people interested to learn more about that sector which is still unexplored. Conclusion In conclusion, gambling Tourism has a long history development since twentieth centuries. Although gambling is a public acceptance as recreational activities, but the effects of betting tourism are still controversial issues. The main dilemma of gambling can be analyzed into social, technology, economic, environment and political impacts. Social problems affect both individuals and relationships, for instances, depression, suicide, losing contacts with friends and family. A part of technology analysis, globalization has a big influence of technology development. Gambling at home is a preferable trend of customers, which stress on internet or online betting. The consequence of cyber betting is to reduce the income of location based gambling industries in term of detrimental consequences for employment in hotels and clubs (McMillen, Grabosky, 1998). Alternatively, gambling industry boosts the nation economy tax revenues, increasing amount of tourists and also provide a large numbers of jobs. This reason why government enlarge gambling services to be more attractive especially focusing on environment in term of location and atmosphere by gathering amenities, hotels and entertainment. While political impacts can restrict gamblers pursuits by policies and regulations. Because restrictions of gambling are created by laws f or the purpose of protecting the weak minority of compulsive gamblers as well as limit the freedom of choice of the majority (Frey Eadington, 1984). According to STEEP analysis as above, three possible scenarios were predicted based on time which is consists of short, middle and long range future. The short term prediction believes the next 5 years tend is still home gambling. And also technology development on gaming is prevalence around the world namely Interactive Touch Screen Television (ItouchTV). People will gamble directly on television at home, hotel or airplane. As a result, the future of gambling becomes more localized and less tourist-oriented (Pearce Butler, 1999). While a number of young gamblers are rising as well as social problems such as bankruptcy, depression and gambling addiction. For the middle future assumption, privatizing gambling would be occurred in the next gambling industry. Due to the fact that the efficiency of private sectors can enhances this industry for sustainability. With novelty experiences of privatization offer difference services which satisfy more customer needs, comparing the former management of government monopolized gambling industry. In spite of this, organizing privatisation as public enterprises would be the next 10 years of betting tourism management which refers to owned by government and operated by the private sector. A joint tourism between space and gambling is possibly exposed in the next 20 years. Due to a growth rate of space tourism prediction, it illustrates there are 100,000 passengers per year, the business could reach 700,000 passengers per year by 2017, at a price of about $25,000 per a passenger (Collins, 2006). Then again, the reason of interactive touch screen technology could provide a possibility of space gambling, for example, gambling in a rocket. Over all, the distinctive stakeholder of gambling tourism is government. The reason of this is gambling industry is related with laws, regulations and policies directly. Furthermore, betting business is an ethical issue of individuals and society. Although there are many benefits of this tourism, but also there are several side effects especially social problems as above. This reasons why to do business in gambling tourism industry, will need to consider carefully. List of References Australian Institute for Gambling Research (AIGR). (2001). Social and economic impacts of gambling in New Zealand. Retrieved September 2, 2010, from www.aigr.uws.edu.au Basham, P. and White, K. (2002). Gambling with Our Future?: The Costs and Benefits of Legalized Gambling. The Fraser Institute, Vancouver, CA Braunlich, C. G. (1996). Lessons from the Atlantic City Casino Experience. Journal of travel research. 34(3). 46-56. Chapman, G. S. (1998). Gambling and the internet An Australian overview. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from http://www.aic.gov.au/events/aic%20upcoming%20events/1998/ ~/media/conferences/gambling/chapman.ashx Cochrane, J. (2008). Asian Tourism: Growth and Change. Elsevier Ltd., Amsterdam, Netherland. Collins, P. (2006). The Space Tourism Industry in 2030. Proceedings of Space 2000: The Seventh International Conference and Exposition on Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Business in Space. Commonwealth of Australia. (2009). Digital Interactive TV. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/gamblingdrugs/pubs/review_trends/Documents/chap6.htm Conrady, R. and Buck, M. (2008). Trends and Issues in Global Tourism. Springer, Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Dunstan, R. (1997). Gambling in California. RetrievedÂÂ  September 1, 2010, from http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/97/03/crb97003.html#toc Felsenstein, D. and Freeman, D. (2002). Chapter 6 Gambling on the Border: Casinos, Tourism development, and the prisoners Dilemma. Tourism in Frontier Areas. Lexington Books, Maryland, U.S.A. Frey, J. H. and Eadington W. R. (1984). The Casino Gambling Industry: A Study of political Economy. Gambling: Views from the Social Sciences. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, California. Grant Chapman (1998). The Australian Institute for Gambling Research / Australian Institute of Criminology Conference on Gambling, Technology and Society. Home Gambling: An Australia Perspective. Retrieved August 9, 2010, from http://www.pc.gov.au/data/assets /pdf_file/0010/49582/sub023.pdf Griffiths, M. and Delfabbro, P. (2002). The Biopsychosocial Approach to Gambling: Contextual Factors in Research and Clinical Interventions. The electronic journal of gambling issues. Hofex, M. (2008). Gambling on TV with a little help from the internet. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from http://www.gamblingplanet.org/GP_editorial_200508a Hulse, J. W. (2004). The Silver State: Nevadas Heritage Reinterpreted. University of Nevada Press, Reno, Nevada. Insider Viewpoint of Las Vegas (IVLV). (2010). Nevada Facts and Statistics. RetrievedÂÂ  September 10, 2010, from http://www.insidervlv.com/didyouknow.html Ivanova, A. and Atanasova, S. (2009). Gambling Tourism in Bulgaria. Retrieved September 1, 2010, from http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1523211 McMillen, J. and Grabosky, P. (1998). Internet Gambling. Australian Institute of Criminology: Trends Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice. 88, 1-6. McMillen, J. (1996). Gambling Cultures: Studies in History and Interpretation. (1st ed.). Routledge, London. McMillen, J. (2005). Gambling Cultures: studies in history and interpretation. From glamour to grid: the globalization of casinos, 240-246. Miller, G. and Twining- Ward L. Monitoring as an Approach to Sustainable Tourism. Tourism Futures, 51-64. Ministerial Council on Gambling (MCG). (2008). National Framework on Problem Gambling. Retrieved September 2, 2010, from www.facs.gov.au National Gambling Impact Study Commission [NGISC]. (1999a). Executive Summary. U.S.A. Pahor, M. (n.d.). The impact of gambling on social and economic environment in Nova Gorica.ÂÂ  RetrievedÂÂ  September 1, 2010, from http://www.fuds.si/media/pdf/organizacija/ nova.gorica.pahor_.pdf Pearce, D. G. and Butler, R. W. (1999). Contemporary Issues in Tourism Development. Routledge, Canada. Pearce, D. G. and Butler, R.W. (2002). The Spread of Casinos and their Role in Tourism Development. Contemporary Issues in Tourism Development. Routledge, London and New York. Report to the Nevada Department of Human Resources, 2002. Gambling and problem gambling in Nevada, 13-25. Roe, D., Williams, N. and Dalan, C. B. (1997). Take only photographs leave only footprints. IIED Wildlife and Development Series, 10. Sethi P. (1999). Tourism: The Next Generation. J.L. Kumar for Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. Shonkwiler, J. C. (1993). Assessing the impact of Atlantic City casinos on Nevada gaming revenues. Atlantic Economic Journal, 21(2), 50-61. Singh S., Timothy D. and Dowling R. (2003). Tourism in Destination Community. AMA DataSet Ltd, United Kingdom.

Sympathy for PIP :: essays research papers

Great Expectations Dickens’ gripping novel of 1861, Great Expectations, portrays his distinguishing tendency to exaggerate both plot and characters. Chapter eight enhances his main aim of initiating sympathy for Pip, and this, consequently, lasts for the novel’s entirety. We are shown similarities between Dickens’ early childhood memories and the protagonist’s inability to defend himself against the injustices he discovers throughout the early years of life. Dickens successfully creates a sympathetic mood through a range of techniques, including an exquisite use of emotive dialogue, sophisticated imagery and symbolism. He explores and brings originality to timeless themes such as fear, loneliness, luck, classism, social justice, humiliation, and humor, which is cleverly incorporated into his writing for the first time to bring an uplifting mood to an otherwise dark and disturbing tone. His use of Miss Havisham and Estella as tools to evoke sympathy and casting the central character as the narrative voice increases compassion and creates a dramatic attitude. In this essay, I will also examine the opening and ending of the chapter, which contribute to its overall effect. Opening and Ending of the chapter After the initial detailed account of Pumblechook and his home, we are immediately endeared to Pip and express sympathy when he begins to depict the low ceiling of his attic space. Our sympathy is again increased and contained throughout the entire chapter – from the humorous torment of Pumblechook’s sums to meeting the somewhat frightening Miss Havisham and stepping inside her lonely, dilapidated abode. Pip’s already dire situation is once again worsened by Estella and Miss Havisham’s cruel and menacing comments about the situation in which he finds himself. They arouse our consideration through the way in which they interact, both with each other and with Pip, making him feel ‘much more ignorant’ than he had considered himself the previous night. His growing obsession with Estella and her view upon him drags down his self-esteem to an all time low and consequently builds our sympathy towards him. It is here that his feeling of despair and worthlessness present him with the new target of becoming a gentleman, so far from his status at that present time. Social Class Great Expectations frequently refers us to the present class system of a post-Industrial Revolution Victorian England. The theme of social underlines the book’s overall plot and moral theme that loyalty and conscience are worth more than social advancement, wealth and class. During the 19th century, there were vast differences in social class. Although it was incredibly easy to slip down the social ladder, the poor often resorted to begging or stealing in order to

Dynamic Diversity: Variety and Variation Within Countries Essay

Hofstede developed National cultures model (hereafter ‘the model’) to unable one to understand the National culture of any country, which he assumed enduring, pervasive and constitutive. Using the Hofstede’s (1990, 2001) and Hofstede and Hofstede (2005) ‘the model’, McSweeney (2009) argued its incapability to explain the diversity within the countries. This research was aimed to provide an outline explanation of the retention of model within the organization studies and its future within that discipline. The paper unfolds the fallacious assumption taken up by the national culturist while studying the culture within nation. Various references from the literatures, anthropology, examples from countries, elements from novels, and anthropology are taken to convey the idea. Albeit the paper overview ‘the model’ falls in the discipline of anthropology, it outlines the three contexts1 where the rise of the model continues to persist. Although three possible development of the model in near future are presented, the conclusion indicates the quavering future of the ‘The model’. To an extent this research is investigative and result of this study provides an insight on the model’s weaknesses. However, some limitations should be considered in accepting the study’s finding. Brief summary McSweeney critically analysed the model, the fallacious assumptions used to draw the model. He reviewed the flaws and limitations of ‘the model’ in the field of organization studies. He begins by pointing to the fallacious assumptions used to draw the model. As the author himself acknowledge that some patterns do exists within the culture, so he wisely dismisses the oherence, pure and stable nature of the culture by appropriately picking the reviews from literatures. However, he backed up a good reasoning to explain independent effects of non-cultural features by citing an example of Ireland sport team and the sign language. He then goes on to unbundle the faulty measurement moves used to empirically describe the national culture such as Data unit, conflating level of analysis and invalid generalization. Further, he describes the model’s fall in the field of anthropology. Although he criticised hofstede framework mainly because of the faulty conception, he mentioned he presented the three contexts where the use of model is expected to persist. Limitations Hofstede’ framework (1980) has been highly criticised on methodological stance because it has been misunderstood and applied in inappropriate ways (Eckhardt, 2002). The definition of culture hofstede (1991) used is very different from other. Proper understanding of the context in which his model is being used is required to understand the model’s compatibility. The author seems to misunderstood Hofstede’s context and his definition and therefore pointed out four methodological limitations of the model. Two Out of four of his argument are well packed with sound reasoning and are valid, however the other two, conflicting level of analysis and invalid generalization does not relate to hofstede context because Hofstede (2001) himself acknowledge that his scores are indicative of the natural tendency of the entire nation rather than predictive of the individual behaviour. The same, as far as generalization is concerned, Chapman (1997) states â€Å"Hofstede’s work is used and admired at a very high level of generalization. Those who take country scores in the various dimensions as given realities, informing or confirming other research, do not typically inquire into the detail of the procedures through which specific empirical data were transmuted into generalization†¦his work became a fruitful agenda†¦a framework that is so general, so broad, so alluring, and so inviting to argument and fruitful disagreement†. Backed by the bond (2002) and Schwartz (1994), the author argues that the ‘individualism and collectivism’ has no explanatory power as they have no intercorrelations at the individual level. However, this thought seems to conflict with that of hofstede as he says that a country can score high on individualism (or collectivism) or masculinity (femininity) but it does not signify anything about on the individual level. Also, a person can subscribe to value indicated at the country level but that does not necessarily mean that an individual will act in general, in a way ascribed to the country (Eckhardt, 2002). Another flaw in the paper is the strong standpoint taken by the author against the model and in conclusion advising the abandonment of model by calling ‘hopelessly flawed’. This line of thought sometimes restricts one to think beyond the scope and find possible solutions. Culture is, no doubt, present at various level but as a first cut it is helpful to think of cultures at national level (Harvard business school). Lastly, generally the style, structure and tone of the paper guide the reader towards the author intention. The weakness of this paper is the unnecessary use of abrasive tone which sometime makes the reader doubt on the true intentions of the paper i. e. the model flaws or the hofstede. Despite few limitations in the paper, the author succeeded in digging out all minor, but significant and major flaws of the model relevant in the field of OS. Strengths The backbone of this paper is that it clearly explains that culture is present within countries and it’s constantly evolving (p936. Para3). Marriott uses the fourfold framework to expose the Indian diversity and concludes that similar fourfold model can be unravelled for other entities, which contradicts hofstede view that entity is so unique that there cannot be any reasonable and systematic basis of comparison between culture entity (Patel, 2007) McSweeney presents the nature of culture, which is not pure, unstable and non-coherent. Singh (1990a, b) and Bosland (1985) studies proposed that the possibility to have different scores on the four Hofstedian dimensions within the same country . Furthermore, the contradicting view is noticed under the GLOBE study. â€Å"Although both the GLOBE and hofstede study used the essentialist approach, they disagree on the scores attributed to different nations†(Koopman et al. ,1999). All the above studies imply that culture is not pure, non-coherent and the unity concept is flawed. Likewise, it is proved that culture is evolving. For instance, earlier it was acceptable to beat your wife, however now it’s no more acceptable and considered against law (Patel, lec 3). This changing view within the society points the dynamic nature of culture. The major flaw in the hofstede concept of culture is not his dimensions but the fact that he sees culture as ‘static’. With the growing technology and diverging world where every day new model is developing with a capability to explain the dynamic complex nature of culture (group-grid model, Globe, CT), the idea of static nature of culture will just hold the model backward. To sum up with another Strength of the paper, is McSweeney (2009) discussed a very critical topic of organization studies. He made the purpose of the article very clear and concise in the introduction without attempting to be comprehensive. He used appropriate text and evidence in order to make the concept clear to the intended audience. Conclusion In the summary, it must be admitted that the current study has merit but it is a bit far from being conclusive. Further studies must be done to improve the model by rectifying its current weaknesses or by adding more dimensions in the model. Despite some flaws in the reasoning, the study has provided a deep insight to the challenging limitations of the model and its alarming future. The culturist should take the critique as a recommendation to improve the model instead of criticism. Both stands of literature (National culturist and non-national culturist) should try to bridge the gap and should realize that the goal is to find the solution of the complexity of culture.

ECommerce - Levi Strauss key reasons for the failure of...

1.0 Introduction The Internet has been compared to the California Gold Rush of 1849 in which Levi Strauss built a Fortune 500 company by supplying miners with clothing (White Paper, Building an E-commerce Network). Levis managed to reap from the opportunities of the California Gold Rush. However, in an attempt to achieve the same success with the Internet and ecommerce, Levis failed to succeed. This paper investigates key reasons for such failure and identifies generic critical success factors as a guide for other business who wishes to follow in the path of ecommerce. à ¼ 2.0 Levis In the 1990s Levis Strauss was well regarded as a clothing brand by fashion minded young consumers. However since then, market share has dropped 16.9% and†¦show more content†¦However impressive the web site may be, customers will get frustrated by the length of time it takes for a page to download and the costs that would incur from being connected to the Internet for so long. According to Keller and Staelin (1987), the information given to a B2C web site should be adequate for the consumer to make a decision and care should be made to not provide too much information, as this is likely to result in information overload. Levis failed to comply with this theory since their web site offered over 120 items with 3,000 possible variations. The amount of information there is overwhelming, it is very likely that consumers were overloaded with information. The timing of launching the web site was poorly planned. The success in selling online will depend on the strength of the company core operations. Since these were failing and the company was not performing so well. Offline sales dropped 15% and the loss of its connection with teenage customers affected the success in selling online (Standley, 1999). Despite its problems in its core operations, Levis could have tried to improve the success in its B2C web site. It could have used the web site to create a clearer brand identity and differentiate itself from competitors. They could have also used data mining to gain a better understating of their market (Standley, 1999). Allowing only J.C. Penney and Macys the permission to sell online would create problems with Levis other