Green Banking: An Evaluation on Rupali Bank Limited

Green Banking: An Evaluation on Rupali Bank Limited Green Banking- Way to Sustainable Development: An Evaluation on Rupali Bank Limited Introduction Background of the study Green banking is a process of promoting environment friendly practices by different banking activities. Bangladesh is a most climate change vulnerable country in the world and green banking is a tool for acquiring reputation. Green bankers are concerned about sustainable development and it is a special agenda to take care of environment of the earth. Green banking is a proactive and effective step with a vision for future sustainability. Green banking activities are sustainable banking, ethical banking, green money market account, mobile banking, waste management, remote deposit and green financing. Green banking focuses on green transformation of internal operations of all banks. Bangladesh falls into the group of most climate change countries in the world comparison with other developing and developed countries. Bangladesh Bank issued green banking policy guideline in February 2011 to conduct environment friendly banking activities in the country. According to these guidelines, all financial institutions and banks need to take effective measures to conduct environment friendly banking activities in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Bank issued a common reporting format to all commercial banks to report green banking activities in a structured way. Banks and other financial institutions have to submit a quarterly report to Bangladesh Bank on their performance of green banking activities. According to green banking policy of Bangladesh bank, banks have to determine vision, mission and strategic planning covering in house green banking activities like follow green architecture, use energy saving technologies, reduce dependency on grid power and green financing practices l ike providing green loan to promote solar energy, bio gas plants, develop green banking products for clients, increase online and mobile banking etc. Rupali Bank Limited performs several green banking activities like in house environment management, green financing like installation of EFT, Bio gas plant, establishment of solar panel etc. Rupali Bank Limited also involves in green marketing activities to ensure environment friendly activities like plant tree, finance in environment friendly projects, pay bill via online, be paperless etc. Objectives of the study There have been some objectives set forward in doing this report. These objectives help to determine Bank’s green banking activities to maintain sustainable development growth. The objective of the report can be divided into two parts- Broad Objective: To identify the degree of green banking activities of Rupali Bank To identify the further scope of green banking activities for Rupali Bank Specific Objective: To get an overall idea about the green banking policy and green banking unit To identify funds for green banking activities of Rupali Bank Limited To identify others green banking activities like online banking, in house environment management activities, incorporation of ERM, CSR activities, green financing, green marketing etc Rationale of the study Climate change is the most complicated issues in global world and Bangladesh is one of the most climate change vulnerable country in the world. Climate change has compelled us to think about protection of environment and conservation of energy. To reduce pollution and save energy, green banking activities are very important in Bangladesh as well as in the whole world. I have chosen the topic titled â€Å"Green Banking- Way to Sustainable Development: An Evaluation on Rupali Bank Limited† for providing overall ideas about green banking activities, green banking policy, green banking unit of Rupali Bank Limited. This study topic is very worthy of study because it provides guidelines of green banking activities, procedures and ways to sustainable development in Bangladesh. Scope of the study This report has been prepared for determining green banking activities of Rupali bank and how it helps to increase sustainable growth. Overall knowledge of green banking activities of Rupali bank limited has been determined by this study. Several procedures and ways of sustainable growth are found by determining appropriate green banking activities of Rupali bank Limited. Further scope of green banking activities of Rupali bank ltd also critically analyzed in this study. Limitations of the study Almost every study report has to face some limitations in its completion. I also face some constraints to make this report. These constraints are described here. Time constraints Covering the entire Green Banking performance of the bank was a difficult task within the time allowed for the internship program. I have to complete this report within 5 to 6 weeks. So I have not included all aspects of green banking activities in this report. Lack of published materials I do not get available information about green banking activities in Rupali bank in their websites and personally contracted with their office. As a result this report is in lack of some specific information about their green banking activities. Lack of experience To make a comprehensive report of green banking activities and determine ways to sustainable development, I require a great deal of experience and banking knowledge. As a BBA student, I do not have that kind of knowledge and experience. Organization of the report This report will be described about overall activities, scope, problems and some possible solutions of green banking activities of Rupali bank limited. Introduction part describes rationale of the study, scope of the study and main limitations of this study. 2nd part is literature part and literature part is evaluative report of information found in the literature related to my selected area of the study: Green banking- Way to sustainable development: an Evaluation on Rupali Bank limited. In Methodology part of the report, I will be provided an accurate description of the materials and procedures used to develop this study. This study will be both quantitative and qualitative study because different facts and figures are needed to discussed and analyzed here. Organizational overview is the next step of developing this study. In this stage, descriptions of Rupali bank limited like history, mission, vision, present conditions of bank will be provided. In Findings and discussion stage, the results of this study will be found in summary basis and this result will be presented descriptively by using tables, graphs or figures. In discussion section, I critically evaluate my findings and assess the accuracy, representativeness and significance of findings. Conclusion and recommendation part will be described the outcomes of this study and given some suggestions for further research action to be taken. 1 | Page What Is Game Based Learning? An Evaluation What Is Game Based Learning? An Evaluation Many people believe that gaming is addictive and can lead to violence, a belief that is not substantiated by research. Researchers have shown that the source of behavioral problems of young people who play video games comes from elsewhere. One study found that people who play video games spend just as much time reading, doing homework or participating in other social activities as people who do not play games at all. This raises the question: can video games be used for learning in the classroom and would they have positive results? When education starts to feel dull, we are not being engaged or motivated, which means we are not really learning. According to Foreman we can look at the lecture as an example. With all the technology being thrown at young people today, they are going to say, why am I sitting in this lecture listening to this person? Learning is just not memorization; it means the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill. Students do not need to spend more time in the classroom to learn how to think and perform. They need effective, engaging experiences that can motivate them in the learning process. Educational games can be a powerful tool for teaching and learning. These games are used to reinforce learning, they offer immediate feedback, recurring gratification and prolong the interest of learners. Why it works Game-based learning is a simple concept, where games are used as a learning tool to engage students. In Jane McGonigals book, a game is defined as an activity that has goals, rules, a feedback system, and voluntary participation (pg 100). Some pedagogical considerations that are derived from game based learning are that content and/or skills can enhance learning vs. traditional methods; Students can build their own games in order to learn and develop skills; They can use game mechanics in the learning environment, for example using levels instead of grades, coined gamification of the learning process. In 2003 author, James Paul Gee wrote the book, and in it he described the impact of cognitive development with game play. Gee developed 36 different learning principles that games being used in education should have. From these principles we can look at game based learning from two perspectives. The first is learning effectiveness. The second is engagement. When considering learning effectiveness, we can consider whether the game provides meaningful learning activity or whether the game is just a fun activity and does not necessarily lead to learning. We can look at what the learning outcomes are including memorization, knowledge, understanding, synthesis and creativity. For all these various learning outcomes, games can provide an enriched learning experience. The second perspective, the elements of engagement from Games Based Learning (GBL); we can ask does the game enhance learner motivation, does the game provide a fun learning experience? Is it interesting or is it a very tedious, boring learning experience? Does it add to learner concentration? Does it get the learners full attention? And finally learning by doing, games can provide an experience where the learner has to intensely engage in various activities. Where is it going? Over the last decade, research and interest in GBL has increased, as has the diversity of games themselves. Serious games and computer simulations offer an interesting context for learning because they both reinforce student motivation. Researchers found that students playing serious games or who participated in computer simulations were a lot more active as they manipulated objects. Students also had control over their actions and were more engaged in their learning. Researchers found that animation in the games increased motivation, and that students were more likely to return to activities that included animated graphics. They also found that serious games support inductive, experiential learning, with a genuine constructivism approach. Online gaming provides a context for adaptive learning, because they allow for multiple personalized paths or itineraries. Communication among players also introduces a social aspect that opens doors to knowledge acquisition with peers. Challenged- based and collaborative games are an emerging category of games that seem particularly appropriate for higher education. These games allow students to use skills for research, collaboration, problem solving, writing, leadership, digital literacy and many more. They are open-ended and occur in both online and non-digital forms. Games will undoubtedly evolve in the future and therefore GBL will also need to evolve, we are seeing new types of gaming, such as alternate reality games, social/mobile games, we are also seeing innovative new ways to use GBL. Conclusion Game-based learning has gained more traction in recent years and is becoming more accessible with many benefits. Game-based learning can make learning more situated, contextualized and personalized. GBL can be used for learning content and skills, including 21st century skills like innovative problem solving and collaboration. GBL can even be used for practicing and honing existing skills. Game based-learning engages students, and if students are engaged they will embrace learning rather than view it as a tedious boring learning experience. AC Voltammetry: Principles, Advantages and Disadvantages AC Voltammetry: Principles, Advantages and Disadvantages Name TEH YU JIE (K) NOOR HASIRA BINTI SAMSUDIN NUR NADIAH BINTI ABU BAKAR NUR NIQMAH BINTI MUSA NUR SYAHIRAH BINTI KHAIRUDDIN KHANG EE WEN INTRODUCTION Nobel Prize winning chemist Jaroslav Heyrovskà ½ facilitated voltammetry by the discovery of polarography by in the year of 1922. Alternative current voltammetry was invented in 1950s and developed intensively by D.E Smith. Alternative current (AC) voltammetry is an accurate electroanalysis method and combination with preconcentration will enhance the sensitivities of this analytical techniques. AC Voltammetry generally involves in the application of a sinusodially oscillating voltage to an electrochemical cell. The AC experiment is used in conjunction with a fixed amplifier or frequency analyser which will increase sensitivity considerably over the early described techniques. AC voltammetry can also reveal the important of mechanistic and kinetic information which is not easily available when using the tradition voltammetric techniques. Measurement of AC voltammetric is usually used in an electrochemical cell and the dominate mode of transport is diffusion. A steady DC signal or voltage sweep will often combined with the AC voltage. The following figure shows a cyclic voltammetric signal with an AC perturbation. Alternating potential usually has a frequency of 50-100Hz and 10-20mV amplitude. The AC signal causes a perturbation in the surface concentration and DC potential ramp maintained the concentration. The resulting AC current is plotted against the potential. For example, voltammogram appears a peak, the potential of which is the same as the polarographic half-wave potential. At this region, the sinusoid has maximum impact on the surface concentration like on the current. For a reversible system, such a response is actually the derivative of the DC polarographic response. The concentration of the analyte is proportional to the height of the AC voltammetric peak and for a reversible reaction to the square root of the frequency (ω), the term is the amplitude. WORKING PRINCIPLE AC Voltammetry typically involves the application of a sinusodially oscillating voltage to a electrochemical cell. When used in conjuction in the ac experiment with a lock in amplifier or frequency analyser. It offers a considerably increased sensitivity compared to the early described techniques. It can also reveal necessary mechanistic and kinetic information that are not easily available by using some other tradition voltammetric techniques.Usually, diffusion is perfomed as it was the dominate mode of transport. The AC voltage is often combined with either a steady DC signal or voltage sweep. There are three component steps involved in an electrochemical process, mass transport,chemical and adsorption steps and electron transfer. They all are actually contribute to the total potential drop across the cell. If an AC current flows, it will be necessary to distinguish purely ohmic resistance from non-ohmic,complex and normally frequency dependent resistance(often term impedance).Besides,treatment of the AC response of electrochemical cells will follow the pathway with initially a general treatment. The treatment of the two simpler cases of purely diffusion controlled and purely electrochemically controlled reactions will be conducted. Under AC measurements,there are 5 methods: Influence of transport processes on the ac impedances of an electrochemical cell. Equivalent circuit for an electrode-diffusion-limited reaction.(the circuit elements describing the flow of ac current through an electrode comprises an electron transfer resistance,Rà ¡Ã‚ ´Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ and Warburg impedance,Zà ¡Ã‚ ´Ã‚ ¡ in series. AC impedance of an electrode where the electron transfer process is rate limiting. Logarithmic or bode plot representations. Electrode reactions under mixed control Alternating current bridges use the principle of balance between the variable impendance, ZS and an electrochemical cell under study. An electrode process normally consists of a resistance RS in series with a capacitance CS. The resistance includes the resistive components of the electrode process of the solution and the capacitance is due to the working electrode. A combination of capacitance and resistance has been used in parallel. The analysis is more carried out in these conditions in terms of admittance Y=1/Z Potentiostat is more convenient to use when it is important to apply a d.c potential to the cell in addition to the a.c perturbation. Potentiostat is simultaneously applies the d.c potential and the detection rather than conventional detector. It is good stability in the applied potential and accuracy for wide range of frequencies while the electronic component of the potentiostat is only limited by these characteristics. This arrangement is known as a potentiostatic bridge. The accuracy of bridges at high frequencies are depends on cell design. This is due to the ions are moving faster than the time needed for rearrangement of the ionic atmosphere and occur above 10 MHZ . The technique is actually very similar to the normal frequencies but it was also time consuming. This technique also has a disadvantage such as the impendance of the whole cell is measured. In the investigation of electrode process the disadvantage when one is interested in the properties of one of electrode. By using an auxiliary electrode with an area large relative to that electrode, it is possible to reduce the contribution of the unwanted components. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES AC Voltammetry is one of the techniques based on the analysis of faradaic impedance. A low-amplitude sinusoidal voltage is given to the working electrode, which is also established at some DC voltage with regard to the reference electrode. Because of the difference in the time scale, the AC component of the total current can be readily differentiated from the DC component. The kinetic parameters can be carried out either from the amplitude of each current or from the phase angle between the AC current and AC voltage (C.G Zoski, 2007). The significant advantage of AC Voltammetry is that it allows relatively easy evaluation of the solution resistance and double layer capacity. Without simplifying assumptions the analysis of faradaic impedance even for a simple response is quite complicated. The commonly used assumption is that the DC and as components of the total current can be uncoupled is reasonable because AC Voltammetry is typically applied to measure fast electrode kinetics. The other advantage of voltammetry as quantitative method of analysis is its capability for analyzing two or more analytes in a single sample. As long as the components behave independently, the resulting voltammetry for a multi component mixture is a summation of their respective individual voltammograms. Voltammetry has been used for the quantitative analysis of a wide variety of samples, including environmental samples, clinical samples, pharmaceutical formulations, steels, gasoline, and oil. Some advantages and disadvantages are specified in the form of accuracy, precision, sensitivity and selectivity. The accuracy of a voltammetric analysis usually is limited by ability to correct for residual currents, particularly those due to charging. For an analyte at the parts-per-million level, an accuracy of  ±1–3% is routine. Accuracy decreases when analysing samples with significantly smaller concentrations of analyte. Precision is generally limited by the uncertainty in measuring the limiting current or the peak current. Under most conditions, a precision of  ±1–3% is reasonable. One exception is the analysis of ultratrace analytes in complex matrices by stripping Voltammetry, in which the precision may be as poor as  ±25%. In many voltammetric experiments, we can improve the sensitivity by adjusting the experimental conditions. For example, in stripping voltammetry we can improve sensitivity by increasing the deposition time, by increasing the rate of the linear potential scan, or by using a differential-pulse technique. One reason that potential pulse techniques are popular is that they provide an improvement in current relative to a linear potential scan. Lastly, selectivity in voltammetry is determined by the difference between half-wave potentials or peak potentials, with a minimum difference of  ±0.2–0.3 V for a linear potential scan and  ±0.04–0.05 V for differential pulse voltammetry. We often can improve the selectivity by adjusting solution conditions. The addition of a complexion legend, for example, can substantially shift the potential where a species are oxidized or reduced to a potential where it no longer interferes with the determination of an analyte. Other solution parameters, such as pH, also can be used to improve selectivity ( D.Harvey,2000). COMPARISON OF AC VOLTAMMETRY WITH OTHER TYPES OF VOLTAMMETRY Voltammetry is a category for electro analytical method mostly used in analytical chemistry and various industry processes. Consist a lot of example of voltammetry that been used such linear sweep voltammetry, staircase voltammetry, square wave voltammetry. Others example like cyclic voltammetry consist of method that can be used to determine diffusion coefficient and half-cell reduction potentials. Anodic stripping voltammetry are also the example of voltammetry that are quantitative analytical method for trace analysis of metal cations. Then, cathodic stripping voltammetry are also as example of this voltammetry that are quantitative analytical method for trace analysis of anions. Other than that, adsorptive stripping voltammetry is a quantitative and analytical method for trace analysis. Alternating current voltammetry and polarography in example of voltammetry that polarography is a subclass of voltammetry where the working electrode is a dropping mercury electrode that useful for its wide cathodic range. Lastly, rotated electrode voltammetry is a hydrodynamic technique in which the working electrode. This technique is useful for studying the kinetics and electrochemical reaction mechanism for a half reaction. Then, the normal pulse voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry. RESEARCH IN AC VOLTAMMETRY Ac voltammetry is a method that seldom used on the determination of elemental elements. In general principle, the determinations are usually done is a more conventional way, that is by connecting two electron reversible electrochemical process. During the process, the mercury is oxidized to form mercury (II) ions and the electrode surface will formed at the electrode surface. In this research, we will be analyzing elemental sulfur with AC voltammetry. Generally speaking, the elemental sulfur will undergo the chemical pretreatment. For example, the process with solvent such as ethanol and toluene-methanol or methanol-pyridine. The process involved mostly organic solvent. Why the process is carried out with pretreatment but not direct determination? This is because the aqueous solutions mostly contain too less elemental sulfur to be determined. To overcome the problem, some scientist suggest that using acidification of sample to pH 5 and then with electrochemical treatment. The method itself has a higher detection rates compared to the previous one, but actually still too low for economical values.According to Batuna (1992), they try to determine the elemental sulfur by using direct determination method. And the source is natural water. The researchers are conducting the research using phase sensitive ac voltammetry because the instrument is easier to be found in the laboratory in the author’s lab. The research continues with using a PAR Model 303A static mercury drop electrode from EG G Princeton Applied Research. It was connected to a BAS-100A electrochemical analyser from Bioanalytical System that located in the West Lafayatte. They used a reference electrode of Ag/AgCl and an auxillary electrode of platinum. The instrument takes the measurement at 80 Hz and a modulation scan rate of 1 mV s-1. The temperature of the conditions was at room temperature. The solutions were deaerated for 15 minutes by using nitrogen gas and then doubly distilled and filtered with the Milli-Q filter. All measurement was actually made at the pH 10 to prevent the formation of volatile H2S. The stock solution was prepared from using the reaction between elemental sulfur and toluene. The solutions have to be prepared just before the measurements were made. This is because to prevent contamination and more complete reaction can be conducted. PAR Model 303A static mercury drop electrode RESULTS The determination of sulphide in aqueous solution are based on the insoluble mercury (II) sulphide during the accumulation period at potential more positive than ca- 0.58V. Hg + S2- à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚   HgS + 2e A and B were showing the typical ac voltammogram of sulphide in 0.5 moldm-3 NaCl-NaOH. C is a negative going scans of 110-6 moldm-3 after 0-300s accumulation at a potential 0.5V. D shows that positive going scans of 110-4 moldm-3 sulphide after 0-120s accumulation at a potential at 0.8 V. The difference between the peaks obtained using negative- and positive-going scan directions are more favor to the negative direction. It is also important to note that there is actually no effect of accumulation under conditions on the peak height obtained with a positive-gong scan . This agrees well with the explanation that during the positive-going scan, the anodlc dissolution of mercury occurs, which is proportional to the adsorbed sulphlde on the mercury electrode. REFERENCES Zoski,C., (2007), Handbook of Electrochemistry, Elsevier Publication, Amsterdam Netherland, pg 645.,Retrieved at 15/3/2014. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.my/books?id=2g5GJtBFwo0Cpg=PA645lpg=PA645dq=difference+between+ac+and+dc+voltammetrysource=blots=0PAeXF0kMSsig=ops4MLGzE7IfXoO2lN1p73jt4Aohl=ensa=Xei=XQknU_PeJsnIiAfXx4CQCgredir_esc=y#v=onepageqf=false Harvey, D., (2000), Modern Analytical Chemistry, McGraw Hills, United States of America, pg 508-527. Jurgen, (2003). Cyclic Voltammetry-Electrochemical spectroscopy. Angewandte Chemie 23(11),831–918.Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.v23:11/issuetoc Carl,H, Andrew,V., (1998),Electrochemical Methods, Fundamental and application(2 ed.) pg 236-242 Brett,M. ,Oliveria,B.(1993),Electrochemistry Principles,Methods and Applications pg 225-227. Nikola , B. ,(1992)., Determination of elemental sulphur, sulphide and their mixtures in electrolyte solutions by a.c. voltammetry. Analytica Chimica Acta, 267(1), 157-164. Retrieved at 5/3/2014. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0003267092850182 Wang J. (2006).,Analytical Electrochemistry (3rd ed.). Hoboken, United States : John Wiley Sons, Inc AC voltammetry. (n.d.)., from University of Cambridge. Center for research in electrochemical science and technology: Retrieved March 9, 2014.,Retrieved from http://www.cheng.cam.ac.uk/research/groups/electrochem/JAVA/electrochemistry/ELEC/l6html/cvac.html

Themes of Aldous Huxleys Brave New World :: essays research papers

Aldous Huxley’s wrote the novel Brave New World in 1931. This dystopia novel is mainly narrated in the third person from the characters Bernard or John the savage, but also comes from the view of Lenina, Watson and Mustapha Mond. The time setting for this novel is referred to A.F. 632 meaning 632 years after the ford production of the Model T car. As for the place setting it takes place in a hatchery that is set in England, however, there is also a scene that takes place in New Mexico where the savage is from. The tone for Brave New World is very juvenile, silly, ironic, and pedantic. Within the novel’s themes there are motifs, recurring structures, contracts, or literary devices that help the themes develop. Pneumatic, â€Å"Ford†, sex, and Shakespeare all help the themes to develop the plot for this novel that Huxley has written. Brave New World focuses on the use of technology to control a happy, sexual, and stable society. They use technology in the book to create this society from birth to death. In the very begging of the novel the boy students are taking a tour through the hatchery to see how embryos grow and get conditioned. At the end of the book it is this technology that kills the â€Å"Savage†. Soma, soma is the cure to everything. Nervous, mad, sad, not feeling sexual, just take some soma. It is the cure to all that doesn’t make them happy or feel at ease. In a way the world today uses technology to create a somewhat stable society, but not for a sexual society. The novel also is based on a consumer society that cannot tolerate unhappiness or the truth or what comes next in life’s stages. Brave New World goes to any extreme to make the needs of the people satisfied. The Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and the Epsilons do not know what diseases, old age, pregnancy, motherhood/fatherhood, or regular life is like, but they do not have to worry about life. The ten controllers do not want their people to have to face what the world would be like if it was not controlled by the technology. To not be able to be a mother/father, get old, or have time alone seems unfair. This is not happiness, it only takes away minor problems in life. To grow as a whole we need to have life experiences, whether it is a bad or good experience, we need them to make us, us.

Daewoo

1. Introduction The aim of this report is to critically evaluate the Daewoo’s 1995 UK automotive market entrance. After entering the highly competitive British car industry, Daewoo managed to achieve a competitive advantage by focusing on delivering effective customer service. We seek to understand why established car firms did not respond to customer needs prior Daewoo’s entrance and what strategies they could possibly adopt to outperform Daewoo presently. The report also takes a look at the innovations associated with the UK entry of the Korean car manufacturer and how they could sustain these innovations to retain and build on their existing market share. Possible brand extension strategies will be suggested for Daewoo to follow subsequent to the successful launch of the car. We finally assess other sectors where firms could achieve a competitive advantage by applying a customer-centred strategy. 2. Analysis of the Case 2.1 Dilemma facing the car industry The industry is faced with two main choices when responding to Daewoo’s challenge. The first of which is to save resources and not respond based on the belief that Daewoo’s competitive advantage is not sustainable. Daewoo’s direct distribution strategy will incur increased customer service and logistics costs (Doyle and Stern, 2007) and the firm’s current aggressive promotional strategy will also affect their bottom line. Furthermore, the ‘post modern’ criticism of delivering such high service levels is that it is unsustainable due to the fact that the customer will simply increase their expectations in line with improved offerings (Kotler et al, 2007). However, such a strategy would involve a high level of risk. The second option for responding to Daewoo’s challenge is to adopt defence strategies (Lambin, 2007). We feel that it is important to establish that there is no universal strategy and individual players would be advised to review whether the threat of Daewoo is relevant to their target market. For example, high end car manufacturers such as Audi and Mercedes are highly unlikely to suffer any repercussions as they do not target the same price sensitive market. Companies that do target price sensitive customers (such as Ford, Fiat and Renault) would be advised to take a much more direct approach however. The most appropriate mode of doing this would be through a combination of ‘position’, ‘flank’ and ‘pre-emptive’ defences (Lambin, 2007). Firstly, through a ‘position defence’, it would be recommended that manufacturers utilize their existing brand equities and customer base. Daewoo do not benefit from a long standing presence in the UK market and, as a result, protecting existing customer databases is a crucial element in defending market share. A combination of ‘Flank’ and ‘Pre-emptive’ defences would be recommended to address the threat brought about by Daewoo’s distribution strategy. An obvious way of doing this would be to imitate the strategy and meet or even exceed the standards set by Daewoo. However, this would be a costly and difficult process to implement due to the high exit barriers caused by existing distribution agreements. Therefore, to pre-empt the next move in Daewoo’s strategy would be a more viable solution and could give the competition a first mover advantage. The growth of e-commerce and internet usage in 1998-2000 was unprecedented (BBC, 2010) and developing an online platform represents an opportunity to create an interactive and cost effective distribution strategy. Adoption of such a solution would allow manufacturers to lead digital convergence and offer further decreases in stress and intrusion into the customer’s decision making process. 2.3 Customer-focused approach According to the pre-launch research conducted by Daewoo, the overall standard of customer service in the UK car market was low. The majority of consumers suffered from unpleasant buying experiences due to apathy from dealers, inconsistent pricing and poor after-sales service. This provided Daewoo a competitive advantage by operating as a customer-focused brand. The Korean conglomerate focused on optimizing their customer services, including an exceptional showroom atmosphere (Rodgers, 1995). Despite of this example, the industry had failed to innovate in a customer-focused manner. The fundamental reason is that as the UK car industry structure had remained unchanged for one hundred years. Conventional innovation approaches include building high quality cars (Volkswagen and Toyota) or offering low prices as (Lada). However, they did not break the tradition by investing in an innovative, customer-focused strategy. An additional cause could be that UK automobile manufacturers were highly conservative. According to Whittington (2010) customer centric strategies are so complex that requires the company not only analyse the problem from the market researches, but also develop an objective view to consider financial and operational issues. We feel that, that on consideration of the financial and operational investment required, manufacturers denoted the risk of following such a strategy was too high risk. The last possibility is that the market did not believe this kind of customer-focused innovation was feasible and underestimated the importance of after-sales services and the ever-changing customer trends. The opportunity was clearly shown through market research data, however we feel it was ignored and the market change adverse. Ironically, they failed to anticipate a market entrant could identify and achieve a competitive advantage through customer-focused innovation. Daewoo’s successful launch strategy taught the market a bitter lesson. 2.4 Sustainable competitive advantage Daewoo has achieved its aim of gaining circa 1% share of the UK new car market. A challenge the company now faces is to sustain this position and improve it further in the future. As highlighted in 2.1, it can be argued that Daewoo’s competitive advantage is not sustainable. It could, therefore, be easily imitated by competitors, substituted by rivals’ offerings and as a result lose their rarity and be less valued by customers in the longer-term (Barney, 1991; Srivastava et al, 2001; Kotler et al, 2009). In order to avoid such a fate, the company should undertake a number of steps. Firstly, it should improve the quality of cars to be able to compete more effectively with competitors when they inevitably counter act Daewoo’s strategy. High quality cars combined with the brand’s positive image and reputation gained during the launch stage will help to retain customers. Secondly, it should conduct market research regularly to collect information about customers’ needs. This will ensure the company will continue tailoring its products and services to meet these needs better than competitors. Moreover, the company should continue innovating customer services to endure a competitive advantage. It should constantly seek new ways for the whole experience of buying a car, so that it can offer something else when competitors copy its current innovations. For example, Daewoo might launch a website where customers are given an option to co-create a car by adding features or add/exclude services. Finally, the company has been emphasising weaknesses of other car makers in its advertising efforts so far. It should start to focus more on its own strengths communicate them in an effective manner. It will be problematic and expensive to attract customers and raise awareness with the current advertising when competitors improve their services. It is important to bear in mind that it will take some time for competitors to match Daewoo’s critical success factors as they might need to go through cultural, structural and operational changes (Woodruff, 1997). Daewoo has an invaluable opportunity now to build further on its existing capabilities to sustain its market position and become a stronger competitor in the future. 2.5 Other sector options  Customers today are strongly value oriented. Knowing where value resides from the standpoint of the customer has become extremely critical for managers, because greater levels of customer satisfaction lead to greater levels of customer loyalty and retention, positive word-of-mouth, a stronger competitive position and ultimately, higher market share (Kotler et al, 2009). Daewoo attacked an industry as competitive as the car sector through a value and customer service strategy. Successful companies manage to invert the traditional organisation chart by placing customers at the top of the pyramid as opposed to managers who believe that the customer is the company’s only true profit centre (Kotler et al, 2009). Customer-centred companies such as Amazon.com are in a strong position to identify new opportunities and set a course that promises to deliver long term profits due to its customer orientation (Kotler et al, 2009). A firm can achieve competitive advantage in other industries such as travel, banking, insurance, airlines, retail and fast moving consumer goods by employing a customer-focused strategy. The illustration of how Southwest Airlines achieved a distinct advantage in an extremely competitive industry such as the airline industry by focusing on delivering higher customer value bears testimony to this. Customers place high value on Southwest’s frequent departures, on-time service, friendly employees and very low fares (Heskett et al, 1994). However, it is imperative to understand the fact that not all firms are able to achieve a competitive advantage through superior customer service (Lambin, 2007). A company should have the internal capabilities and resources to adapt to ever changing customer needs. The service level provided must also be appropriate to the target market in order to exceed customer expectations. 2.6 Brand extension Marketers must judge each potential brand extension by how effectively it leverages and contributes to brand equity. With the right product ‘fit’, the customer’s perception of the parent brand can reduce perceived risk within numerous consumer or B2B decision making processes (Kotler, 2009, Webster, 1991). The Daewoo brand has become synonymous with exceeding customer expectations. This creates numerous brand extension opportunities. As in 2.5, Daewoo should however ensure that this is related to their core competencies to maximize the likelihood of success. We feel that an ideal opportunity comes in the form of extending the Daewoo brand to the commercial vehicle segment. This would not require the company to re-plan their entire marketing strategy as this would hold true for targeting small to medium business (SMB’s) markets as well as consumer. Furthermore, Daewoo would be able to leverage their partnership with GM to reduce research and development costs by re-branding other Vauxhall/Opel models such as the ‘Corsa’ van. An increasingly diversified, yet viable option would be to extend the Daewoo brand to motorcycles. This would again enable the company to leverage its brand equity and distribution networks; however the product and market is outside their existing knowledge base. In order to overcome this lack of knowledge and competence, we would recommend that Daewoo follow a similar alliance strategy that they previously adopted with GM with a leading motorcycle manufacturer. Although this is likely to ensure that the core product will be of a high quality, Daewoo must be mindful of the fact that their existing staff will require extensive product training maintain service levels. The final and most diversified brand extension would to utilize Daewoo’s brand equity within the Financial Services sector (motor insurance). As with the motorcycle market however, Daewoo do not currently have the knowledge or resources to compete in the market. In this instance, we would recommend Daewoo to operate a franchise partnership with a suitable insurance provider. As stated above, it is however imperative that Daewoo ensure that both the core and augmented product fit with their brand. 3. Conclusions  Concluding on our evaluation of the 1995 launch of the Daewoo automotive brand into the UK market, it is clear that it was a success. The company capitalized on a weakness in the market by leveraging their knowledge base and extensive resources to provide exceptional customer service. Sceptical views of the strategies longevity are however justified. The innovative distribution strategy adopted requires additional expenditure and the company’s aggressive marketing activity will again affect the bottom line. It is clear that in order to remain stable in the market and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage, the company must continue to understand and satisfy the needs and wants of the customer. Although brand extensions offer a lucrative growth opportunity, the company must not allow this to detract from their main competency- customer satisfaction. With regards to the market environment, Daewoo’s competitors have no one to blame but themselves. Regardless of this, they must adopt effective defence strategies to match and exceed Daewoo’s market offering in order to protect their market share from further depletion. Furthermore, to pre-empt and lead the next major development in customer satisfaction will be imperative to long term success.

A Dialogue Of Mr Fox And Kiley The Opossum, From The Film,...

These are lines from the dialogue of Mr. Fox and Kiley the Opossum, from the film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Where Mr. Fox in the moment of questioning the purpose and the meaning of his existence. This is what it calls it an â€Å"existential crisis† or â€Å"existentialism†. However, these question did not prevent Mr. Fox from planning to do ‘one last job’ which is robbing a near by farms (Boggis’s chicken farms, Bunce’ a dwarfish duck and goose farm, and Bean’s turkey and apple farm ) but someone may say it actually encouraged him. The term â€Å"existentialism† used for first time by Jean-Paul Sartre and his associates, such as Simone de Beauvoir, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Albert Camus during the cultural movement in Europe in the 1940s-1950s . Clearly Mr. Fox is not satisfied with his job as a writer even though the one can notice that he like to give speeches, lecture and advise everyone around him, but that does not satisfied hi m and he is still looking for a meaning for his life. For Sartre â€Å"existence precedes essence† is the cure idea of existentialism, which means that the person is the one who create his identities and values . In another word the individual is the one who create what or who he is and why he is practicing a particular activity. Therefore Sartre may say for Mr. Fox you are in a good situation and these questions are meaningless because the existence come first and later on comes the essence. However questions about the purpose existing and the meaning of life are