Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Standards

EPA Regulations and the Impact on Transportation Standards The objective of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to establish a program that helps to minimize the greenhouse gas emission. The agency works in liaison with other organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to enhance fuel efficiency. The growth in international trade has led to the expansion of the transport system, and subsequent increase in global warming.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Standards specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To curb this, the Environmental Protection Agency has established regulations with an aim of ensuring that transport companies adhere to environmental rules. The regulations have had numerous impacts on the transportation standards. This paper proposes a study to determine the correlation between the Environmental Protection Ag ency’s policies and the transportation standards. Additionally, the study will examine the impacts of the policies on the organization of the supply chains transport. Problem Statement Abe, Hattori and Kawagoshi (2014) argue that presently, international traffic is leading in greenhouse gas emission. They claim that globalization coupled with the absence of strong environmental laws has resulted in an increase in environmental pollution. Because transport sector is the primary source of greenhouse gas emission, scholars argue that the war against pollution can only be won by regulating this industry. The government ought to encourage the stakeholders in the transport industry to be environmental friendly. It underlines the reason the Environmental Protection Agency has come up with measures aimed at regulating the transportation industry. The regulations have had both economic and ethical implications on the transport industry. Research Questions The study aims at addressing numerous questionss. They include: What are the ethical consequences of the Environmental Protection Agency regulations on the transportation industry? What are the economic implications of the EPA regulations on the transportation standards? What motivated the EPA to come up with the transport regulations? What is the correlation between EPA regulations and the transportation standards? Research Method Sampling procedure The study will use a comparatively similar group of the participant from the transport sector. The participants will come from companies that are affected by the EPA regulations in one way or another. Due to time constraint, the research will rely on qualitative data. Therefore, the researcher will use a purposeful sampling. The participants will be selected based on how well they are versed with the effects of EPA regulations on the transport industry. The researcher will determine if the participants share considerable and meaningful experience regarding the im pact of EPA regulations. The pollster will carry out an informal interview before selecting the members. The interview will help the researcher to determine how truthful will the participants be during the study. To guarantee a good study, the pollster will obtain informed consent from the participants.Advertising Looking for proposal on ecology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The members will be informed of the importance of the study and the implications of partaking in the research. The participants will be given time to decide if they wish to participate in the study. The members that choose to participate in the study will have to sign an informed consent form. Data Collection Method The interview will be the primary mode of data collection. The researcher will conduct comprehensive interviews with the participants. The objective of the study is to describe the effects of Environmental Protection Agency regulations on th e various transport companies. The pollster will conduct three- comprehensive interviews with each participant. The researcher will use the first interview to analyze his/her previous knowledge of the impacts of EPA regulations on the transport industry. The second interview will be conducted based on the knowledge acquired from the first interview (Creswell, 1998). Finally, the researcher will conduct a third interview that will be prepared based on the data obtained from the first two interviews. The third interview will help to sort out the findings of the previous two interviews, thus arriving at accurate data. Apart from conducting in-depth interviews, the researcher will also rely on field notes recording as a supplementary mode of data collection. Mostly, researchers get engrossed in the data collection process such that they are unconscious of what is happening (Creswell, 1998). Thus, there is the need to keep account of what the researcher will hear, experience and see in t he course of data collection. Data analysis The process of data analysis will comprise five phases. The first phase will entail phenomenological reduction. The researcher will assume that all data has identical significance. The pollster will go through the data and eliminate irrelevant or repetitive statements. In other words, the researcher will use the transcriptions obtained from the participants to create a list. The pollster will then do away with the irrelevant expressions to create horizons. Caelli (2001) suggest that the researcher should pay attention to the words of each interviewee to develop broad horizons. The second phase of data analysis will entail marking out units of meaning. In this stage, the researcher will extract the statements that appear to address the research questions. The pollster should be keen in this phase to avoid unnecessary subjective judgments. All the statements derived from the horizons will be put through a thorough scrutiny and the residual u nits eradicated. The researcher will select a statement based on the number of times it appears and its actual content.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Standards specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The third phase will involve grouping together the units of meaning to create different themes. The researcher is advised to shelve their presumptions to accomplish the objective of the study. The researcher will meticulously scrutinize the units of meaning to bring out the fundamental nature of the meaning of units in the holistic milieu. This phase will demand creative insight from the researcher (Caelli, 2001). The researcher will categorize the units of significance from the clusters. At the fourth stage, the researcher will recapitulate every interview, authenticate and adapt it. The researcher will come up with a synopsis that captures all the themes deduced fro m the data. The pollster will carry out a ‘validity check’ by going back to the participants to find out if the real meaning of the interview was rightly captured. The ‘validity check’ will help to make the necessary adjustments. Additionally, the researcher will use literature from peer-reviewed articles and field notes to confirm the accuracy of the synopsis. Finally, the fifth step will involve identifying the distinctive themes that are common in all the interviews. Besides, the researcher will identify the individual discrepancies present in the interviews. The pollster should be keen not to group together common themes if considerable differences exist (Creswell, 1998). The data analysis will culminate with the researcher compiling a compound summary that captures the horizons that generated the ideas. The researcher will eliminate the individual discrepancies to bring out the essence of the research questions. References Abe, K., Hattori, K., Kawago shi, Y. (2014). Trade liberalization and environmental regulation on international transportation. The Japanese Economic Review, 65(4), 468-482. Caelli, K. (2001). Engaging with phenomenology: Is it more of a challenge that it needs to be? Quantitative Health Research, 11(1), 273-282.Advertising Looking for proposal on ecology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Creswell, J. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. This proposal on Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Standards was written and submitted by user Omari Diaz to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Tunguska Explosion

I recently read two pieces of literature that had to deal with the discoveries of the mysterious explosion in Tunguska. One article is â€Å"What Struck Tunguska?† by Stephen P. Maron. The other is â€Å"The Fire Came By† by John Baxter and Thomas Atkins. Both articles discuss various stories and theories accounting for what happened in Tunguska on June 30th in 1908. However, some articles have faulty and unsupported arguments in their essay The first essay I read was â€Å"What Struck Tunguska?† by Stephen P. Maron. The article was written in a scientific style. It used the process of trial and error of ideas to come to a conclusions about the Tunguska object that flew across the sky. The article took the ideas, theories and stories of what may have happened and tested them out. The first argument was in a report by a Siberian newspaper which said that witnesses saw a red hot meteorite fall. However, this report was false because when meteorites fall they are not red- hot but instead cold and covered in frost. The second argument is that the Tunguska object was a comet and exploded deep within the earth. Nevertheless, comets are extremely fragile and often break up in space. Therefore, if the object was a comet it would not have exploded deep within the earth. There is only one explanation in Maron’s essay that will explain the explosion. The best possible cause of the Tunguska explosion was a theory derived by chemist Ramachandran Ganapathy. He argued that the traces of the shattered object were dispersed around the globe by atmospheric currents. There were high levels of iridium found in Antarctica, which is usually the result of a small stony meteorite. Therefore, Ramachandran Ganapathy’s findings are the strongest case thus far that the Tunguska object was a small stony asteroid. Besides Stephen P. Maron’s article being argumentative and thorough, it gave an objective discussion of all relatively reasonable possible exp... Free Essays on Tunguska Explosion Free Essays on Tunguska Explosion I recently read two pieces of literature that had to deal with the discoveries of the mysterious explosion in Tunguska. One article is â€Å"What Struck Tunguska?† by Stephen P. Maron. The other is â€Å"The Fire Came By† by John Baxter and Thomas Atkins. Both articles discuss various stories and theories accounting for what happened in Tunguska on June 30th in 1908. However, some articles have faulty and unsupported arguments in their essay The first essay I read was â€Å"What Struck Tunguska?† by Stephen P. Maron. The article was written in a scientific style. It used the process of trial and error of ideas to come to a conclusions about the Tunguska object that flew across the sky. The article took the ideas, theories and stories of what may have happened and tested them out. The first argument was in a report by a Siberian newspaper which said that witnesses saw a red hot meteorite fall. However, this report was false because when meteorites fall they are not red- hot but instead cold and covered in frost. The second argument is that the Tunguska object was a comet and exploded deep within the earth. Nevertheless, comets are extremely fragile and often break up in space. Therefore, if the object was a comet it would not have exploded deep within the earth. There is only one explanation in Maron’s essay that will explain the explosion. The best possible cause of the Tunguska explosion was a theory derived by chemist Ramachandran Ganapathy. He argued that the traces of the shattered object were dispersed around the globe by atmospheric currents. There were high levels of iridium found in Antarctica, which is usually the result of a small stony meteorite. Therefore, Ramachandran Ganapathy’s findings are the strongest case thus far that the Tunguska object was a small stony asteroid. Besides Stephen P. Maron’s article being argumentative and thorough, it gave an objective discussion of all relatively reasonable possible exp...

French policing- Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes Essay

French policing- Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes - Essay Example The minister of Budget, Public Accounts and Civil Service controls the Directorate-General. The Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes is responsible for ensuring that fraud is detected and tackled, indirect taxes are levied accordingly, smuggling is prevented at borders, counterfeit products are detected and dealt with, drug trafficking is prevented, money laundering is stopped, and borders are thoroughly surveyed (IMF, 1996). The Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes in France serves the purpose of guarding the borders, guarding the coasts, handling custom services and conducting rescue operations in the sea. The history of French custom services can be traced back to the revolutionary period. France formed a military custom service responsible for fighting in major wars which included the First World War and the Franco-Prussian War. This custom service was referred to as the General Firm. The servicemen who served in this custom service were armed and they acted as frontier guards, as well as performing other functions related to para-military activities such as patrolling to prevent smuggling (IMF, 1996). During that time, custom service workers were divided into two groups, those working in brigades and those working in offices. Those working in brigades were well organized, armed, disciplined and operated along military lines. Those working in offices were given the same duties and respon sibilities as custom inspectors in other countries. Individual custom officers serving the customs department later on wore blue uniforms with red stripes on the trousers. Most of them were known to be former soldiers. The customs service of the military took part in the initial stages of the Second World War. However, after French was defeated, the service was disbanded and never reconstituted again. The custom service in France has been tasked with the responsibility of custom and immigration checks at certain

Software Apps for Business ( The Apple Mac book ) Research Paper

Software Apps for Business ( The Apple Mac book ) - Research Paper Example Apple has offered multiple machines during the period on between 2008 and 2012, including Apple Airs 2011, Apple MacBook Pro 2012 and Apple MacBook Retina Display 2012. This research-based study is intended to highlight the exemplary differences between machines launched in 2008 and 2012 in order to identify the relative differences, advantages of the new model and disadvantages of not using it along with other alternatives for Apple’s product offered in 2012. Product Offered in 2008 The apple MacBook Pro offered in 2008 had a 15 inches long screen with overall height of 0.95 inches with 14.35 inches of width, dept of 9.82 inches and weight of 5.5 pounds. This MacBook allowed connections and expansions through Magsafe power port with Ethernet port. Also, a FireWire port along with USB connectivity was also present. Express card with 34 slots, Kensington lock slot were one of the main features. Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth and Gigabit Ethernet were available for multi purpose connectivity to other networks. Audio features included stereo speakers, omnidirectional microphone, Minijacks for line-in and lineout and Apple stereo headsets were also available. Video output display is supported by NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics processor with dual-link DVI support; 256MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.4GHz configuration; 512MB of GDDR3 memory on 2.53GHz and 2.8GHz configurations along with Built-in camera and Minidisplay port (Apple, 2008). Further output options are DVI output, VGA output, and Dual-link DVI output whereas, the input is performed through traditional keyboard and touchpad. Specifications of Apple MacBook 2011 & 2012 Over five years, Apple has launched few models which were an extension of Apple MacBook 2008. These models were faster and lighter with impeccable audio and visual output and peripheral support for various software applications. In order to explain the advancement in Apple MacBook 2008, a comparative analysis of it with Apple MacBook Pro 2012 is performed. Apple MacBook Pro 2012 is an advanced version of Apple MacBook Pro 2008 with extensive memory, processing ability and various other features (Arthur, 2012; Westover, 2012). There are various versions available in Apple MacBook 2012 however for the purpose of comparison; Apple MacBook 2012 with 2.6 GHz processor is selected (Apple, 2012). Furthermore, presence of Intel architecture makes it fully capable of supporting multiple operating systems (Nikkel, 2009)1. Advancements Made in the Version 2008 and Comparison with Version 2012 The advancements made in this product are listed below (Apple, 2008; Apple, 2010): a) 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz) with 6MB L3 cache where the last version had 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor with L2 Cache memory. b) The memory constitutes of 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory as compared to previous 1066 MHz frontside bus with maximum up to 4 GB memory. c) Storage has been multiplied up to 750 GB 5 400 rpm hard drive as compared to 320 GB. d) In MacBook 2012, various configuration options are available whereas

Abercrombie and Fitch Popularity Among Youths

Abercrombie and Fitch Popularity Among Youths The study will use consumer behaviour theories and marketing models to explain and analyse why Abercrombie and Fitch (AF) is popular among young generation despite the impact of negative events. Abercrombie and Fitch Co, an American retailer of fashion and casual clothes targets at young people, has already expanded to some European countries and Japan before 2010. AF has become a controversial brand from the last decade, despite it caters to cool, attractive, fashion-conscious consumers by offering product to meet their needs through different life stages ( Hitt, Ireland, Hoskisson, 2009) and is high-achievement in sales performance, it was chosen the 9th the most hated companies in America in 2009 (RankingTheBrand, 2009). The company was criticized during 2002 by issuing t-shirt with words Wong Brothers Laundry Service Two Wongs Can Make It White and pictures with stereotype of Chinese people (Appendix 1) which was deemed to disregard Asian people; In June 2003, several Hispanic, black and Asian plaintiffs complained that when they applied for jobs, they were steered not to sales positions out front, but to low-visibility, back-of-the-store jobs, stocking and cleaning up (Greenhouse, 2004). Moreover, AF overemphasizes appearance of its employees, sexual hint in commercial and strong perfume also intrigue the serious social concern. Based on these critical issues mentioned above, the brand still gain profit from the sales of trendy outfits.Brand identity serves to provide direction, purpose, and meaning for the brand (Aaker,2002,p68), and branding is often used by manufabtures as a means of adding symbolic value to a item(Banister,Hogg,2002,p193). Besides, clothing is also deemed as a highly symbolic product category and its high visibility which means that people will often make asumptions about others purely on the basis of their clothes (Banister, Hogg, 2002, p191).Therefore, many people wear specific styles of clothes and brands in order to express their personality and social status. The brand personality is according to peoples personality and characteristics to create its value and image,which can be recognised by or is attractive to the average public of one will not necessarily be recognized or found attractive to the average public of another culture (Mooij,2004); relating to Geert Hofstede Cultural Di mensions, Mooji(2004) also mentions that the different characteristics between individualist cultures and collectivistic cultures; the former consider the brand should unique and distinct but the latter mention that people tend to define a brand as being part of brand world. As AF is origin from the individualistic culture, which define itself as an exclusive American casual clothing brand which has been specially designed for college students of 18 to 22 years old and implies that you are young, beautiful, smart, and chic. Their clothes are worn with confidence and carefree insouciance (Abecrombie4sale, 2010). With these personalities that AF emphasises and expresses by store decoration, commercials and appealing sexy salespeople(Appendix 2). Customers who wear the clothes can express their differentiation, lifestyle and show their good shapes; even more, to pursuit what kind of lifestyle or status they would like to be. Humanizing a brand empowers it to play a more central role in the consumers life, potentially enabling the consumer to project an aspect of his or her self that might be desirable for relationships he or she seeks (Aaker 1997; Wallendorf and Arnould 1988). It is important for brands to position their identity clearly because the symbolism that consumers attach to these brands would become confused if contradictory messages were communicated (Hines, Bruce, 2002). AF clarify its target marketing segment and identity its products are as the best casual wears and outfits that combine style and elegance with comfort and relaxation(Abecrombie4sale,2010). Brand names are symbolic entities that can help consumers in signaling important attributes to others (Belk 1988; Levy 1959; Wallendorf and Arnould 1988).Brands also had many benefit for company. For example, brands can add product value as well as create customer loyalty. In fact, one of important reasons for successful branding is to exhibit itself heterogeneous from others. AF, a fashion brand which is popular among its target consumer ages of 18 through 22, is always a trend leader these years. Fashion innovation is an ongoing process because consumer wants and needs are unending and constantly changing(Mueller Smiley, 1995, p5); therefore, keeping creative and attractive is the consistent mission for fashion marketing because the product life circle is short. Fads are an extreme form of fashion product, accentuating the rapid sales increase follow by the rapid decline(BrassingtonPettitt, 2006), but for a prominent brand which brings and leads market trend rather than be a follo wer. Although the frequent use of celebrities as spokespersons stems from a belief that pairing a product with a well-regarded celebrity would improve consumers perceptions of the brand (Kamins Gupta, 1994), AF only hires models to display its products and images that close to customers. The interial design and ambient are similar to the night club with dynamic music and every salesperson in stores are waggling with music that creates complete different shopping experience for customers. As music provides a vehicle through which young people could express themselves according to their music taste with the appropriate forms of dress and fashion (Miles, 2000). Hence, exposure to exciting brands influences self-perceptions of hedonism, and exposure to competent brands induces higher self-ratings of sophistication (Fennis Pruyn, 2006). We are what we wear (Belk, 1988) to make their personality standout with pride and confidence. AF represents an identity which combines the top fashion style and relaxing atmosphere that match and attract teens to conduct their purchasing activates. Following the writer will analyses the identity issues related to the recent coverage and use Brand Identity Prisom (Kapferer, 1997) to explain the internalization and externalization factors of AF. Identity issues important in press coverage 2-1: Cases for theses issues In fact, there are many controversial issues about the brand including its look policy which is argued by relating to racial discrimination and sexual hint for customers that there are some examples listed below. However, people queue outside the AF stores in London and Tokyo for shopping; still more, it is common for Taiwanese teenagers to order AF products online. These situations involve the teenagers self-identity. (1). A US clothing company has been forced to pull a line of T-shirts from its shops after they triggered protests from Asians who complained they perpetuated racist caricatures.(BBCNEWS, 2002). (2). Clothing retailer Abercrombie Fitch hires a disproportionately white sales force, puts minorities in less-visible jobs and cultivates a virtually all-white image in its catalogs and elsewhere, a lawsuit charges(USA TODAY,2003). (3). Abercrombie failed to accommodate her religious beliefs by making an exception to the Look Policy. These actions constitute discrimination against Ms. Elauf on the basis of religion. (Gregory,2009). (4). Disabled worker wins case for wrongful dismissal against Abercrombie Fitch(Guardian,2009). 2-2 The influence of Brand Identity of AF Brand identity should help establish a relationship between the brand and customer (Aaker, 1996, p68), while brand identity means what the brand wishes to create or preserve and deliver to people depth and fullness (Aperia, Back, 2004) .Thus, when the controversial events occurred, we can examine and relate the brand by Brand Identity Trap (Aaker, 1996) (Appendix 3); there are four parts: brand image trap, brand position trap, predict attribute trap and external prospect trap. The Brand Image Trap: Which means customer perceive the brand from the brand image rather than the identity the brand want to convey. As the discrimination scandal exploded, young, confident, smart, American casual and fashion impression was covered by discriminating people who are not Caucasian or disabled. The Brand Position Trap: How strategists want the brand to be perceived(Aaker,1996) is misled to brand position which is a part of brand identity; therefore, the information couldnt be transferred completely. The tendency to focus on product attribute is intensified that the goal becomes an advertising tag line but no room for brand personality,organizational associations and so on those are crucial to the brand- building(Aaker,1996).To AF, the focus and perception might come from the advertising with young people with good figure and most of them are half-naked with intimate body language which critics complained that its explicit images bordered on pornography (Dunlap,2007). Hence, if the incomplete information adds to negative issues from public media, it is more difficult to expand new market. Therefore, despite the fact that AF still have many loyal customers,these scandals may make customer re-examine the brand.While AF continuely makes effort to manage its identity and use publice relation policy to remain good relationship with customers. The Product-Attribute Fixation Trap: The part indicates a brand emphasizes on the product attributes and ignore other parts. According to Aaker (1996), a brand is more than a product, it includes much more characteristics or it may lose its competitive advantage. For AF, it not only emphasizes its product, but also includes other factors and spirit in the brand: -Brand users: young generation (18-22) -Country of origin: America -Organizational associations: Casual, Trendy, Caucasian -Brand personality: Young, Beautiful, Smart, and Chic. Sexy -Symbols: Moose -Brand-customer relationships: Using social media to communicate with customers, Discrimination -Emotional benefits Self-expressive benefits: modernity, style, slenderness and easy carrying, Based form the above, the Italics are the negative impression percived by some people form controversial news which impact on how people think of the brand. However, because of 2004 class-action settlement, Abercrombie Fitch agreed to add more blacks, Hispanics and Asians to its marketing materials (Steven, 2004). The External Prospect Trap: The trap means the firm fails to realise how important to communicate to customers what is the brand about. From this aspect, AF successful use social media such as official website, blog and facebook (its fans has over one million on facebook) to communicate with customers, explain the idea and diffentiation from other brands. The policy can make the brand more close to the public and can deal with crisis more quickly and directly (Sherman, 2009). 2-3. Why AF is so popular-In-group Out-group Self-identity which consists of whatever individuals consider to be theirs, including their body, family, possessions moods, emotions, conscience, attitudes, values, traits, and social position.(Mooji, 2004, p98); in other word, self-identity is an individual who thinks who he/she is or would like to be. Self, can divide into four part: actual self, ideal self, social self and social ideal self (Mittal,2008).At least four different approach can be identified in self-identity studies that deal directly with product image: (1) product image as it relates to the stereotypic image of the generalized product user; (2) product image in direct the generalized product user; (3) sex-typed product image association with the self-concept(identity); (4) differentiated images(Sirgy,1982). To AF, the image is party-loving jocks and bare-naked ladies living fantasy lives (Leung, 2004), with sexy model and sales people. The clothes are designed to show perfect body curve for each gender; besides, th e decoration, music, perfume and the style are well-recognized from others. Once the image matches to an individuals ideal self, the consumer behaviour of an individual will be directed toward enhancing self-concept through the consumption of goods as symbol (Grubb, Grathwohl, 1976). Group members and different cultures also can influence consumer behaviour. Consumers have stronger self brand connections to brands consistent with an in-group than brands inconsistent with an in-group and weaker self-brand connections to brands consistent with an out-group than brands inconsistent with out-group (Escalas, Bettman, 2005) .In- groups are usually characterized by similarities among members. Individuals have a sense of common fate with members of the in-group; out-groups are groups with which one has something to divide, groups that disagree on valued attributes(Mooji,2004.p160). Nevertheless, in collectivistic cultures in-groups influence members mutually more than individualistic culture because of more frequent and deep interaction. Mooji(2004) points out in-group relationships in collectivistic cultures are usually limited to three groups: family, company and University in-group; members of individualistic cultures have to invest time in friendship, and they belong to many specific in-groups that may change over time. To who from collectivistic cultures, choosing a brand or lifestyle are usually influenced by other in-group members to demonstrate they are belong to the groups, which would decrease the power for the external image damage of the brand. For people from individualistic cultures, individuals are intend to self-oriented, serving and guarding their personal interests and even may oppose to sacrificing for the group or society (Mittal,2008,p230), individuals choose what they want and express rather than change their mind easily by the public media. Due to the brand image, and identity are exactly position for young people, those could be the factors why AF can still possess numerous supporters both in collectivistic and individualistic cultures. Brand identity-Prism The essence of a strong brand is that it is sufficiently differentiated to the extent that it cannot be easily replicated by its competitors (Fill, 2005, p356). Kapferer(1992) indicated that brand identity is the centre concept for building a brand and should be identified and managed by the brand owner. The brand identity prism(Kapferer,2004) is a tool to analyse a brand, which is consisted of six intrinsic and extrinsic facets: Personality,Culture,Self-image,Physique,Relationship,Reflection.The brand owner can use this model to be able to study the brand in depth, and find its strengths and weaknesses; moreover, it gives the full picture of how the brand owner wants the target group to perceive the brands identity(Aperia,Back,2004). 3-1. Brand Identity Prism and AF Internal facets (1).Personality- Human characteristics bestow on a brand: AF displays the personality young, beautiful, smart, and chic. Their clothes are worn with confidence and carefree insouciance (Abecrombie4sale, 2010). In addition, it includes relaxed and sociable personality inside the brand as well as expresses modernity, style, slenderness and easy carrying those have been the most prominent features (Abecrombie4sale, 2010). (2).Culture-Values of a brand: AF mainly represents people between 18 to 22 year-old American middle- to middle-upper class young Caucasian, with casual fashion style and encourage customer to show their body by wearing the AF clothes. It emphasizes the origin of New York City and America leisure culture; even some consider it also belong to the white gay men culture (Mcbride, 2005). (3). Self-image-A individuals internal mirror related to a brand: When people are wearing AF clothes they might feel themselves belonging to middle- to middle-upper class, urban life as well as educated due to the targets are university students with confident, fashion, passionate, popular and enjoy party life. External facets (1).Physique- The sum of a brands basic characteristics: Decoration: The decoration of each store is similar.The exterior of the modern canoe store is designed features white molding and black louvers, and interior is lit with dim ceiling lights and spot lighting (Wikipedia).In entrance, customers can take picture with shirtless male models in artfully unbuttoned jeans s and big poster on the wall. As for the dim light which may influence customers to choose and judge clothes. Ambience: With fierce male fragrance, which is one of the most popular products for the brand for many years, spread around the store. Electronic dance music also permeate the store that make shopping as clubbing(Lane,2009).However, the negative side reveal that some people protest the loud music which may harmful for hearing ability and the perfume is too strong as well as could include some unknowing toxic components. Employees: Employees in AF are chosen according AFs look policy :employees should represent AF with natural, classic American style consistent with the companys brand and look great while exhibiting individuality(Coraline,2009).They wear AF clothes to show their figure as well as dance with music. But the staff look could influence teenagers esthetic conception ; Thus, there are many controversial issues about hiring employees with discrimination standards those would attack AFs reputation. Product Range: Jackets, underwear, swim shorts, t-shirts, and just about any other article of clothing that can be thought of are found among the many Abercrombie Fitch products for males, females even kids, besides the perfumes are also included(Abecrombie4sale,2010). Logo: The famous brand has a well-recognized logo-gray moose. The logo has been heavily printed on AF products including cap, fleece, and logo t-shirts, underwear and others to further promote it (AlaDream, 2007-2008) (2).Relationship-The relationship between a brand and its customers: AF try to remain friendly relationship with customers. Employees are train to have good interaction with customers and enjoy their shopping experience. Customer can use many channels for customer service and share their opinons via phones, websites and social media. Those are useful tool to examine the relationship and satisfaction with customers. (3).Reflection-What customers see a brand? What the customer see the brand are middle-to-middle-upper class, young, fashion and good shape; furthermore, valuing leisure activities and enjoy life as well as popular casual American East Coast and Caucasian styles. The negative reflection, racial discrimination or the brand for gay men may also display on customers reflection. Brand personality, culture and customers self-image are the invisible facets. These cannot be gotten at unless analysis methods focus on penetrating the consumers subconscious mind. Other three concepts, on the other hand, are explicit and fairly easy to pinpoint in conventional studies (Aperia, Back, 2005).Though the tool is practical for analyses of brands, there are still some limitations. The dimensions may overlap and the factors inside the facets are different according to different perception for each customer. However, it is still an essential tool and worth to be utilized by brand owners to consider how to build a successful brand, attract the target segment and enhance the image as well as its reputation. Conclusion: The essay is to analyse why the famous American fashion brand-Abercrombie and Fitch is so popular among young people. With its insist of quality,consistent branding personality and identity, the stock trend are growing overall during the decade except 2008, the period of globally economical recession, the stock price drop dramatically; however, the stock price increases afterward (msnmoney,2010). From the analysis of its personality and identity, it successful builds a kingdom for people hope to fulfill his/her ideal self or even social ideal self. A mans Self is the sum total of all that he CAN call his, not only his body and his psychic powers, but his clothes (Belk, 1988). AF aims the third stage of the extended self possessions help adolescents and adults manage their identities (Belk, 1988) and using marketing strategy to make the brand become the index for young people in terms of fashion and lifestyle. Hence, the in-group members follow the trend who contributes to the market share. Because the brand origin is from a low power distance country- America(Appendix4) that the society are relatively equal as well as encourage more people to fulfill what that want. Brand identity Prism, a model to analyse six facets of AF,is a pratical tool for understand a brand. limitations: Due to the limited time and word limitation, the writer cannot acquire more models to analyse the brand; besides, lacking of enough information also confine the research which needs database about the influence of AFs negative events and opinions for the brand.Through sufficient source, the writer could apply more accurate and penatrating way to discuss those issues in depth. Recommendation: For future analysis, the writer should attribute sufficient time to implement and adopt more marketing and consumer behaviour models as well as theories, which could understand AF thoroughly.Though it is still a popular brand nowadays, some out-group members or segments suffered form unequal treatment form the brand are unwilling to purchase its product or decrease their deire. Such dissociative reference groups have for consumers self-brand connections, evaluations, and choices (Dahl, White, 2007) that can infuence others consumer behaviour. Therefore, it is proper to strengthen its CSR and communication with customers.

Contrasting Imagery with Symbolism Essay

The story The Cathedral by Raymond Carver is a story of transformation of a human character’s life from depression and carelessness to belief and diversity. A cathedral is a symbol of faith, conversion, creativity and strength and is therefore a substantial component of Carver’s story. The process of drawing it becomes the climax of the story when the author uses intense imagery to describe the workings of the drawing that the husband is creating. Imagery and symbolism are greatly used in this story, but in very different ways to provide very different effects. Moreover, the cathedral is connected to the representation of the blind man as a preacher and a teacher. The symbolism of the cathedral in the story makes one believe in the future and optimism. A cathedral symbolizes religion, and the TV show that the two men watch leads to an important question. The blind man asks the husband to describe to him the image of a cathedral. The husband is unable to successfully compose an accurate description because he doesn’t understand the meaning and the symbolism of the building. He is not a man of religion, and he is watching the show only because he has nothing else to do. â€Å"Don’t ask me why this is,†(245) he says. Compelled to think about the purpose of cathedrals, the narrator begins to realize that they symbolize the struggle that people endeavored to build those structures. What would make people do such a thing? Belief and religion sometimes give direction and meaning to peoples’ lives. The effort required to build a cathedral becomes an outburst of creativity. The inability of the husband to understand the purpose of cathedrals shows that he lacks creativity, and his life is meaningless and not fulf illing. By making the husband draw a cathedral together with him, the blind man teaches him about the importance of the cathedrals and the significance of believing in something. The husband experiences something that he has never thought would happen to him, and it makes him aware of the diversity of life. Before Robert came, the husband was alone, and his wife says that he didn’t have other friends. â€Å"Never thought anything like this could happen in  your lifetime, did you, bub?† asks Robert and there is no answer. The narrator’s loneliness caused by urban life has become his style of living, and when he has to communicate with others and to share ideas he becomes anxious. The detachment makes him pessimistic and closed-minded. The narrator’s anxiety disappears as the story progresses, and when he begins to draw he is more relaxed and in a creative mood. The first thing that he thinks of is his house: â€Å"I drew a box that looked like my house†(247). The transformation of the house into a cathedral is a very powerful image. His home and himself derive the symbolism of a cathedral. And â€Å"What’s a cathedral without people?†(247). Characterized as a social place where people meet, the cathedral becomes symbol of the husband’s ability to overcome his loneliness and his inability to communicate. The author uses suddenly uses intense imagery in the story that he hasn’t used before, this is to emphasize the importance of the moment. â€Å"His fingers rode my fingers as my hand flowed over the paper. It was like nothing that I have ever felt before.†(247) This marks the climax of the story as well as the turning point in the thoughts and beliefs of the husband. Nevertheless, the husband doesn’t change his life by himself. It seems that the blind man is showing the husband how to draw and not the opposite. Robert is in control, but the narrator does not oppose that experience. He has been waiting for something like this to happen, and he is happy that it happened. The process of drawing a cathedral together with the blind man creates the symbolism of a cathedral and becomes a religious experience, which symbolizes the husbands conversion – his spiritual epiphany from good to bad. He is taught the meaning of value and virtue; he is happy that he encoun tered Robert. The symbolism of the cathedral is also directly connected to the blind man. His question if the husband is a religious person is almost rhetorical because he already knows that he isn’t. The blind man is a very powerful person because his blindness has made his other senses different than ours in a wonderful way. He sees things from a special perspective, and becomes a person who can share a different angle toward wisdom, a different entrance  toward knowledge. For the husband, Robert comes as nobody, and he becomes somebody. He is like a preacher who opens your mind and gives a meaning to life. The blind man is a teacher, and his image is connected to the spiritual image of a cathedral. The image of a cathedral is an image of something enormously strong, stable and at the same time beautiful and creatively artistic. The author uses imagery not only to create a mental portrait of the physical surroundings of the story, but also to breath life into the symbolism of the images that are created. The small amount of imagery that is used is very significant in that the imagery that is used, brings across very strong and clear pictures of meaning and thought. The symbolism that is in this story is enormous. It can be found everywhere. It is used in contrast with imagery to give greater meaning to the story that otherwise wouldn’t have been clear.

Groups of Patels in Gujarat Essay

There are two main groups of Patels in Gujarat that make up the Patidar community: 1. Leva Patel/Patidar and 2. Kadva Patel/Patidar. The Kadva Patidar sub-caste is found mostly in districts of the Saurashtra region like Rajkot, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Mahesana. The Leva Patidar sub-caste is primarily concentrated in the Charotar Region (which are also known as Charotar Leuva Patidars), Kheda, Anand, Kanam, Baroda, Dahod, Bharuch, Panchmahal, Surat and Valsad. The Leva Patels are said to be the descendents of Lav, son of Lord Rama and the Kadva Patels who are said to be descendents of Kush. The Leva Patels and Kadva Patels are known for their entrepreneurial skills in business and agriculture having a strong hold in Gujarat and have made a name for themselves around the world. There are religious and ideological differences between various groups of Patels. They have their own social samaj (gatherings) and mandirs at various locations. The Patel community followed an age-old tradition of marrying within their ‘GOL’ or circle, but with changes in economic status, global influence, literacy and education, changes are now taking place and Patels are increasingly marrying outside the Gols. Other Gujaratis who migrated out of what is now the state of Gujarat during the British Raj to British East Africa (Kenya and Uganda) sometimes adopted the surname ‘Patel’, and this surname was then subsequently passed onto their descendants (who now mainly reside outside Kenya and Uganda). Also, during the British Raj, some ‘Patels’ who migrated to British East Africa and the Union of South Africa (South Africa) adopted different surnames, usually the name of their village, their trade or even their grandfather’s name. Subsequently, these surnames have been passed down to their descendants. The â€Å"Patel motel† phenomenon, as it is popularly known, has made a major impact on the American hospitality industry. The surname is the second most common last name in India, following Singh. â€Å"The trend started in the early 1940’s, though the real growth took place in  the 1960’s and 1970’s.†[citation needed] A sizable number of Indian immigrants to the United States came in the 1960s and 1970s, when the motel industry was booming. Many of them bought up undervalued and dilapidated properties and turned them into businesses.[9] As many as 60% of mid-sized motels and hotel properties, all over the US, are owned by the people of Indian origin. Of this nearly one-third have the surname Patel – a popular one among Indian Gujaratis(those that came from Gujarat).[10][11]) â€Å"According to the Asian American Hotel Association (A.A.H.O.A), 50 percent of hotels and motels in the United States are owned by people of Indian Origin†.[citation needed] A large immigrant population of Gujurati’s came in the 1960s and 1970s. These Patels known as the founding fathers, worked hard and saved then invested in a lot of properties. Having a steady amount income and savings, they called over their distant relatives and friends from the villages of India. Upon their arrival, they would already have financial assistance from the founding fathers and start up their own businesses. Even though Patels are evenly spread throughout the country they still have held onto their vast network, which has definitely been a key to their entrepreneurship.