The Baroque Period And Ragtime Music Essay

The Baroque Period And Ragtime Music Essay Throughout history we see that historical conditions are one of the key factors that defines a genre or music style during any one time period. These conditions include, but arent limited to social, cultural, technological and musical trends. Instruments so often evolve as technology evolves; we see breakthroughs in the instruments themselves as well as how they are made and how the music is performed live or captured in the studio. Two of the key movements in music history have been the Baroque time period, Defined generally as a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1750. [Palisca, G. 2001], and the jazz (more specifically Ragtime) era, defined an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. [Berlin, E. 2009] I have chosen these two music movements to base this essay on because of the different, but slightly juxtaposed nature of how they developed and how they were structured. Music if often quoted to be the food fo r the soul and theres no better way to gain knowledge on the topic than to compare two pieces from both time periods. The first piece I chose is from the baroque period and it is from one of the most famous composers of the time, Johann Sebastian Bach, and is titled Bouree In E Minor. It is composed for the lute and is the fifth movement from the Suite in E minor for Lute. The actual composition is very soft and smooth, far from hard dynamics. The length is also much shorter than most of his other works (10 mins+). It has a quick tempo as it was initially written to be a dance, demonstrating two voices within the piece opposing one another. The piece itself has no lyrics but the form resembles some of the baroque conditions that music should communicate some form of religious theme within its compositional lyrics, or via emotional stimulus. It is also written for the lute which is a acoustic string instrument, showing that the song is bounded by the technology of the time period. Electricity was yet to be implemented which somewhat restricts the compositional variety between music in the baroque per iod, although many modern day electric instruments are just old acoustic instruments, re-made to newer technological specifications and requirements. The main concepts behind the Baroque compositions are that it expresses order, while maintaining the tuneful and lively nature of music. The composers viewed what they were doing as reflecting the mood of the times. Baroque, particularly after Bachs death in 1750, was seen as one of the first music styles to show trends within societal vies on music. Some people saw that it was unfashionable to perform music of older styles. Another major change that Baroque had on the music world is that females started to appear more commonly as musicians and singers, this shows that the gender suppression was being lifted in the art world and it caused some of Baroques most important musicians to express their compositions such as Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre. In my view the piece is very mechanical with the almost lack of crescendo and emo tion. This is backed up by the statement found in online music journal The Radio 3 that Later Baroque works suffer a little from over-stylisation, perhaps sometimes to the extent of calcification[Draper, H. 2008]. The obvious common trend in baroque music, the music is viewed as a structure, much like a mathematical formula rather than full of the emotion, personality and soul that encompasses the jazz movement. The second music style I chose to analyse is jazz, more specifically ragtime. The piece is titled Maple Leaf Rag and was composed by Scott Joplin. The song is roughly 3 minutes long and is at a very fast and upbeat tempo. It was originally composed for piano and is one of the key pieces of the time. Because the song has a very upbeat tempo and melody, it inspires emotions of hope, happiness and joy. It makes use of seventh chords and because of its influence on the ragtime movement, it is still one of the most recognised pieces from the period. The term ragtime gets its origin from the ragged and syncopated rhythm. It was the original dance music of Americas lower class district within cities such as New Orleans and St. Lois. The ragtime movement was shrouded in oppression and social hierarchy, at the time African Americans had no rights and were subject to the harsh treatments of the modern society. The style was a descendant of the jigs and march music that were commonly played by African-American bands. There were no typical genres and niches that we have in our modern society so the music was well received in North America. When ragtime was first developed, many of the musicians couldnt read sheet music let alone standard literature, which exhibits some of the lack of knowledge and education in the lower class system of the era. The music was not bound by the stereotypes that we know today and one piece entitled All Coons Look Alike To Me by African-American entertainer Ernest Hogan, went on to sell a million copies. The fallback from this was the creation of numerous derogatory pieces Coon Songs in which Hogan in his later years admitted that he felt a sense of shame and race betrayal. When Joplins Maple Leaf Rag was released, it demonstrated more sophistication and depth than the earlier rag compositions. Because ragtime had such a impact on the early development of jazz, as well as blues, there were a small number of artists (such as Jelly Roll Motion) w ho were able to play both jazz and ragtime during the time period both styles overlapped. While jazz was much more popular than ragtime it quickly surpassed ragtime in mainstream popularity during the early 20th century. The musical form of ragtime was that of a modified march made widely used by John Philip Sousa, using the polyrhythms that were prevalent to early African music. The most common time signatures for ragtime were that of 4/4 or 2/4 with the evident left hand rhythm of bass notes on the odd beat, while the syncopated rhythm is played on the right hand. Unlike waltz (3/4) and march (2/4) ragtime isnt synonymous with any particular time signature. Both Baroque and Ragtime are styles that narrate the time period that they took place in. Both Maple Leaf Rag and Bouree In E Minor are quintessential pieces to the development of both Ragtime and Baroque. Bouree in E minor is written in a standard 4/4 time signature while Maple Leaf Rag is written in 2/4 which gives a faster, more rush feeling. Both of them keep a fast paced tempo, the main contrast is that Maple Leaf Rag has great dynamic while Bouree In E Minor has a soft and smooth dynamic contour. They both express feelings of emotion that were present in the time periods, Maple Leaf Rag keeps up emotions of hope and perseverance during the time of hardship for African-Americans. Bouree in E minor on the other hand shows a flow away from the mechanical and mathematical view on music that the Baroque period exhibits. The instrumentation of the two pieces is fairly similar, Maple Leaf Rag is composed of a single instrument, the same with Bouree in E minor. The timbre of both piece s is a obvious difference as they are both composed on different instruments, while they are both able to play the same notes, the characteristics of each one sounds distinct. As they are both played solo, there is no orchestration between the two. Because of technological constraints and the style, both pieces were composed for acoustic instruments, lute and piano. The main technological difference between the two is that recording mediums were not available during the baroque period so the only tracks are interpretations of the work by other musicians. On the other hand piano rolls and basic recording technologies were available during the ragtime period so there are very old and low quality recordings of the song being played by Joplin himself. In my own findings, I feel that Baroque deals more with cultural issues (such as religion being pushed by government, the demand for new art, discourse and proclamation being viewed with much significance) while Ragtime deals with more soc ietal issues (racism, oppression, family, hope and some tongue in cheek humor). The pieces dont have any lyrical part to their composition but still portray some of these emotions and feelings, if you were to ask almost anybody if they recognize either of these pieces, theres a very high chance they would of as they are used countless times throughout modern marketing and promotion. Both of them have been used in the soundtracks of thousands of cartoons, films, video games and commercials as the copyright for both of them have expired. Music is often quoted as food of the soul, and through studying early music styles I have found that this is largely true. Music gives listeners a passage into the time and allows them to paint a image of the social, technological and cultural values of the time. For this essay I chose to write on the Baroque time period and the early Jazz period, specifically Ragtime. The pieces I chose were Bouree in E minor by Sebastian Bach, and Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin. I found that these two pieces of work, although very different, showed how iconic pieces of music can portray the conditions of the time over a few centuries. When these factors change, so does music. Composers are often limited by the technology of the day, and as shown by Bouree in E minor, the lack of recording technology has left us with no original recordings of Bach, only modern musicians interpretations of them. Feelings are commonly provoked through the dynamic and phrasing of musical pieces and by listening to the two songs, I can say that I felt some of the same feelings that the original composers of these pieces were trying to portray, whether it was joy and hopefulness with Maple Leaf Rag or the feeling of prosperity and structure in Bouree in E minor. Comparing songs from two different movements is often hard because they are both expressing very different social, cultural, technological and musical conditions, but I found that these two songs were not very difficult because as both the composers were in different conditions, they produced similar influences in the songs. Looking at a song and analyzing what might of influenced the artist is one of the most important skills in analyzing the music style itself ad music is often written from the heart and soul, and these two songs definitely showed some strong points as to what the composers were feeling at the time.

Are CIF Contract of Sale of Goods a Sale of Documents?

Are CIF Contract of Sale of Goods a Sale of Documents? RESEARCH PROPOSAL A Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) contract of sale is a sale of documents instead of sale of goods. HYPOTHESIS: A Cost, Insurance, Freight (CIF) contract of sale is completed when documents are sold instead of the goods. INTRODUCTION AND ACADEMIC RATIONALE: This research proposal will explore the field of Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) contract of sale and it will provide enough references and evidences towards answering the question of: That whether CIF contract of sale of goods is a sale of documents or not? Documents here refers to the contract documents which are the proof of the sale. These documents include the Bills of Lading, Commercial Invoice, and the Insurance Policy. The proposal will also put light upon the context that a CIF sale contract is completed once the documents are tendered correctly even before the goods are delivered. The research objectives for this proposal are presented here, by a series of sub questions: The nature of a CIF contract-Is it a sale of documents or sale of goods? What are the main documents which completes the CIF contract of sale? Why is more emphasis given on symbolic delivery of goods using the documents? What is the concept of passing of property and risk in a CIF contract of sale? What are the duties of the buyer and the seller in a CIF contract of sale? What is High Seas Sale (HSS) and its concept in a CIF contract of sale? The CIF term started with the expansion of the trade and commerce. The first reported case of CIF was in 1862 and 1871 and at that time it was mentioned C.F.I. instead of C.I.F. in a CIF contract the buyer or his agent need not be present physically and the payment was deferred to a mutually agreed date by the buyer and seller.[1] Hamilton J defined the obligations of a CIF vendor; which re as follows: First, to ship at the port of shipment the goods contained in the contract; Second, to procure a freight contract, under which the goods will be delivered at the agreed destination; Third, to arrange for an insurance which will be available for the benefit of the buyer; Fourth, to make out a commercial invoice; Fifth, finally tender these documents to the buyer.[2] It follows that against tender of these documents the buyer must be ready and willing to pay the agreed contract price. Furthermore, in a CIF contract of sale the emphasis is on the symbolic delivery of goods, using the documents which has and carry the title to those goods which are mentioned in the contract of sale and are being shipped. It is a cash against documents contract.[3] LITERATURE REVIEW: To conduct research on the topic CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents instead of sale of goods, it is very much important to firstly obtain some background knowledge on the CIF contract of sale as well as the reasons and evidences which will support and strengthen our topic and will show and proof that CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents. This literature review is contains parts which explains the CIF contract of sale and the relevance of documents in the CIF contract. These include: The nature of a CIF contract, the main documents which completes the CIF contract of sale, the concept of passing of property and risk in a CIF contract of sale, the duties of the buyer and the seller in a CIF contract of sale, High Seas Sale (HSS) and its concept in a CIF contract of sale. This literature review is in accordance with the objectives of this research, which it will explain the need of documents in a CIF contract and as to why a CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents. The Nature of a CIF Contract To start with, a COST, INSURANCE, FREIGHT (CIF) contract of sale is that contract in which the buyer buys the goods from the seller by paying the entire amount till the final port where the goods are to be discharged and delivered to the buyer. The sale price term includes the cost of the goods, insurance, and freight. For Example: 9,000 100lbs. bags of Wheat CIF Le Harve shipment June 2016 cash against documents. Today a CIF contract is one of the most important instruments which is used in international trade and international sale of goods. In a CIF contract the obligations of the seller is to ship the goods to the port which is being agreed upon by the buyer and the seller, and this port is also known as the final port of delivery or the port of discharge. Next is to get a contract of freight from the carrier on which the goods will be shipped to the agreed port and destination and then to arrange for an insurance which will cover the goods against the loss during the transit and this will benefit the buyer and then to make a commercial invoice. After all this the final obligation of the seller is to tender the documents to the buyer in the correct way and the correct manner which have been agreed by both buyer and the seller. After the documents are tendered and they are accepted by the buyer, the buyer is then bound to pay the agreed contract price of the goods and the contract is fulfilled and performed. About to the nature of the performance of the CIF contract, especially where the importance is given on the tendering of the documents in the correct manner rather than physical delivery of goods, some jurists and academic writers are of the view that CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents rather than goods.[4] The main documents which completes the CIF contract of sale and the concept of passing of property and risk In the CIF contract of sale, the importance is on the symbolic delivery of goods which is done using the documents which has the title of the shipped goods.it is a cash against documents contract. The main documents in a CIF contract of sale are Bills of Lading, Insurance policy, Commercial Invoice. The commercial invoice shows the contract price and the buyer must pay once these documents are tendered. The advantages of a CIF contract are that the buyer does not have to worry about the freight prices and insurance premiums and the changes if any happen to the prices, as the buyer pays the entire price till the final delivery port. The buyer also knows the exact price which he has to pay. The property in a CIF contract of sale may pass either on shipment or on tender of the documents and the risk generally passes on shipment, but the possession does not pass until the documents which represents the goods are handed over in exchange for the price. The presumption is property passes in CIF contract of sale when documents are delivered to the buyer.[5] The judgement of Scrutton J also said that a CIF contract is a contract of sale of documentsin the cases of Karberg (Arnhold) Co v Blythe Green, Jourdain Co. The judgement became very famous. The judgement lies as: I am strongly of opinion that the key to many of the difficulties arising in CIF contracts is to keep in mind the cardinal distinction that a CIF sale is not a sale of goods, but a sale of documents relating to goods. It is not a contract that goods shall arrive, but a contract to ship goods complying with the contract of sale and to tender those documents against payments of the contract price. He buys the documents, not the goods, and it may be that under the terms of the contracts of insurance and affreightment he buys no indemnity for the damage that has happened to the goods. In my view, therefore, the relevant question will generally be not what at the time of the declaration of tender of the documents is the condition of the goods? but what, at the time of the tender of documents, was the condition of the documents as to compliance with the contract of sale? This ruling has been observed in later cases.[6] Whatever happens to the goods in transit, the Bills of Lading and the Insurance Policy provide an almost complete continuous cover from the port of shipment to the port of destination. If the goods are lost at sea the documents remain valid and can be tendered as normal for the full purchase price to be paid.[7] Justice McCardie held in Manbre Saccharine Co Ltd v Corn Products Co Ltd, whereby he said that the obligation of the vendor is to deliver documents rather than goods to transfer symbols rather than the physical property represented thereby. This supports that documents seem to be the essence of the CIF contract.[8] If the seller hands over the documents to the buyer before payment, then it is presumed that the seller reserves the title until payment.[9] The duties of buyer and the seller in a CIF Contract of Sale The duty of the seller is to ship the goods afloat which are mentioned in the contract and makes a contract of carriage of goods by sea to port of arrival at his own expense. Obtaining a bill of lading and the insurance policy, tender these documents i.e. commercial invoice, Bills of lading and insurance policy to the buyer. The buyer should accept the tender of conforming documents and pay the contract price which is against the delivery of documents. The documents must be strictly conformed to the contract, and the documents can be re-tendered if they are not conforming to the contract of sale.[10] High Seas Sale(HSS) and its concept in a CIF Contract of Sale In a CIF contract when a buyer (actual consignee) has the documents like the Bills of Lading, Insurance Policy, and the Commercial Invoice, he can then further sell those goods to someone else, and he can do so when the goods are still sailing and in the sea. The second buyer can also do this to someone else and the documents are sold for the price. This type of sale is known as HIGH SEAS SALE (HSS) in which the goods are sold while they are still sailing and they have not reached the final port. A high seas sale is done when the goods have left the loading port and are in the sea but have not arrived at the port of discharge. If something happens to the goods, then the buyer has the insurance policy and he can claim the damages from the insurance company. The importance of documents can be supported from the statement made by Lord Porter in Comptoir dAchat et de Vente du Boerenbond Belge S/A v Luis de Ridder Limitada (The Julia) [1949] A.C. 293 at pp.309, 312: The obligations imposed upon a seller under a c.i.f. contract are well known, and in the ordinary case include the tender of a bill of lading covering the goods contracted to be sold and no others, coupled with an insurance policy in the normal form and accompanied by an invoice which shows the price and, as in this case, usually contains a deduction of the freight which the buyer pays before delivery at the port of discharge. Against tender of these documents the purchaser must pay the price.[11] METHODOLOGY: To understand how this research study will aim to be conducted, it is firstly very important to establish the focus and direction it will follow. This will enable us and take us to a certain level where there will be more understanding and more support on CIF contract of sale as a contract for sale of documents rather than sale of goods. From the literature reviewed in preparation for this proposal, it became clear that what most Judges and from their judgements that the obligations of a CIF contract of sale are fulfilled when the correct and conforming documents as per the sale contract is tendered by the seller to the buyer. Because of this, the question that arose in the beginning that why a CIF contract of sale is considered a sale of documents and not sale of goods? is somewhere answered, and after reviewing the literature review in this study, additionally to establishes an answer for the question. To continue, for this study and to meet the objectives, the methodology that will be adopted is that of the doctrinal research method. Doctrinal research is concerned with the formation of what are labelled as legal doctrines, whereby an analysis of legal rules takes place.[12] These legal rules can be located within sources of law such as Statutes and Cases, although it is very important to understand that they cannot fully provide a thorough statement of the law. In regards to this study, it is important to appreciate that this can only be obtained by applying the pertinent set of legal rules to the specific facts and the judgements of the judges who are in favour of the view that a CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents. This research method is colloquially referred to as black-letter law and historically can be seen to be the most suitable method to adopt for research of this nature. Moreover, doctrinal research is concerned with the formation and evolvement of legal doctrines for publication. As this study is essentially asking what is the law? it does significantly differ from the qualitative analysis process used in traditional social science research. So, to conduct this research and to make it clear that a CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents, the judgements in regards to the CIF contract will be analysed. This will enable us to understand why the traders and most importantly the judges are of the view that a CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents. Moreover, the CIF contract of sale is governed by many laws and acts like the Sale of Goods Act 1979, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992, and the main aim is to make it very much clear that the CIF contract of sale is a sale of documents. It is usually inclusive of the sections and provisions from the above stated acts. An extensive list of cases in which the judgements are in the view of the research question which is that a CIF contract is a sale of documents is also included in this research to make the concept and the research clearer. Some of the cases related to our research proposal are as follows: JUDGE CASE YEAR RECORD Scrutton J Arnold Karberg Co v Blythe, Green Jourdain Co [1915] K.B. 379 at 388 McCardie J Manbre Saccharine Co, Ltd v Corn Products Co, Ltd [1918-19] All ER Rep 980 at p.984 Lord Atkinson Johnson v Taylor Bros Co Ltd [1920] AC 144 at pp.155-156 Lord Wright Ross T Smyth Co Ltd v TD Bailey Son Co [1940] All ER 60 at p.68 and p.70 Lord Porter Comptoir dAchat et de Vente du Boerenbond Belge S/A v Luis de Ridder Limitada (The Julia) [1949] A.C. 293 at pp.309, 312[13] OUTLINE OF CHAPTERS: Chapter Content One This is the introductory chapter which will have the main issues related to the topic. It has the research question along with the research objectives and hypothesis. Two This chapter deals with the literature review. It is broken down into various topics related to CIF contract of sale along with some cases and judgements relevant to the topic making it more clear and concise. Three This chapter contains the explanation of the methodology adopted along with the reasons for its adoption. It also contains the findings and a table of cases related to the research topic. Four This is the final chapter which has the bibliography. BIBLIOGRAPHY: COMMERCIAL LAW BOOK-2ND EDITION, ERIC BASKIND, GREG OSBORNE AND LEE ROACH David M Sassoon DM, The origin of F.O.B. and C.I.F. terms and the Factors influencing their Choice Ademuni-Odeke, The nature of CIF Contract- Is it a Sale of Documents or Sale of goods? WESTLAW UK LEXIS LIBRARY E-LAWRESOURCES.CO.UK WWW.GOOGLE.COM http://www.clubtopsage.com accessed 3 January 2017 (caselawquotes.net) CHYNOWETH P, LEGAL RESEARCH IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT: A METHODOLOGICAL FRAME WORK (2011) accessed on 6 January 2017 [1] David M Sassoon DM, The origin of F.O.B. and C.I.F. terms and the Factors influencing their Choice 34 [2] Ademuni-Odeke, The nature of CIF Contract- Is it a Sale of Documents or Sale of goods? 159 [3] Karberg (Arnhold) Co v Blythe Green, Jourdain [1915] [4] http://www.clubtopsage.com> accessed 3 January 2017 [5] The Miramichi [1915] P 71 [6] Ademuni-Odeke, The nature of CIF Contract- Is it a Sale of Documents or Sale of goods? 160 [7] Ademuni-Odeke, The nature of CIF Contract- Is it a Sale of Documents or Sale of goods? 161 [8] Manbre Saccharine Co ltd v Corn Products Co Ltd [1918-19] [9] Ginzberg v Barrow Haematite Steel Co Ltd [1996] [10] Borrowman, Phillips Co v Free Hollis [1878] [11] (caselawquotes.net) accessed on 3 January 2017 [12] accessed on 6 January 2017 [13] (caselawquotes.net) accessed on 9 January 2017 Analysis: Electronic Arts Company Analysis: Electronic Arts Company Electronic Arts (EA) is an American developer, marketer, publisher, and distributor of computer and video games. The gaming industry where the company operates is one of the most competitive and dynamic industries. Perform a PEST analysis and five forces analysis on the industry as well as SWOT analysis and suggest an appropriate strategic course for Electronic Arts. Electronic Arts, Inc. (EA) is a worldwide developer, dealer, publisher and distributor of video entertainments. The organization was an initiate of the early home computer amusements organization and was remarkable for encouraging the designers and programmers in charge for its games. Initially, EA was a home computing amusement publisher. EA developed via achievement of several successful developers. It had grown to be one of the worlds biggest third party publishers. (Wikipedia ,2010) Presently, it is mainly successful goods are sports games available under its EA Sports label, entertainments based on trendy film authorizes such as Harry Potter and games from long-running franchises like Medal of Honor, Need for Speed, The Sims, Battlefield and the presently games in the Burnout and Command and Conquer series. With the majority of its sports instruction series being industrial by EA, and the worlds biggest enlargement studio EA Canada which they are also the distributors of the Rock Band series. (Wikipedia ,2010) 2.0 PEST analysis tools PEST can be described as political, economic, social, technological issues, which are applied to evaluate the marketplace for a company or organizational unit. The PEST analysis headings are a structure for analysis a position, and can also be applied to evaluate a plan or position, trend of a business and marketing proposal. It is a helpful implement for understanding marketplace situation, in which they are working, and the opportunities and threats that be positioned within it. (Strategylabs, 2010) The models issues will vary in significance to a particular company based on its business and the products it manufactures. Moreover, issues which are more probable to alter in the outlook or more related to a specified business will carry greater meaning. Additionally, EA who create a large range of goods can find it more helpful to evaluate one division of its organization at a time with the PEST model, hence concerning on the particular issues appropriate to that one division. (Researchmarkets, 2009) By understanding the situation in which EA function exterior to the divisions, they know how to take benefit of the opportunities and diminish the threats. Particularly, it is a functional tool for understanding threats linked with market development or decline and as such the situation, prospective and trend for them. It is finding out where they are in the circumstance of what is occurring exterior that will at several point cause what is happening within of the business. (Modelbenders, 2009) 2.1 Five forces analysis Porters five forces analysis contracts with issues external a business that influence the environment of rivalry within it, the forces inside the organization that control the approach in which firms compete, and accordingly the organizations likely productivity is accomplished in Porters five forces model. An industry has to realize the dynamics of its businesses and marketplaces in order to compete successfully in the market. It described the forces which make rivalry, competing that the competitive atmosphere is formed by the relations of five dissimilar forces acting on a company. It seems at five solution parts specifically the threat of entrance, the power of consumers, the power of providers, the threat of substitutes, and competitive challenges. (Emerald Insight Staff , 1993) Understanding the environment of each of these forces gives associations the essential approaching to allow them to make the right plans to be successful in their marketplace. It is a simple tool that supports EA understanding where power lies in a business situation. It also assists to recognize both the strong point of their current competitive situation, and the strength of a situation of them is looking to move into. With an understandable recognizing of where power lies, it will allow EA to get fair benefit of its strengths, develop weaknesses, and avoid taking incorrect stages. Consequently, to concern this planning instrument efficiently, it is vital to know the position and to look at each of the forces separately. (Modelbenders, 2009) 2.2 SWOT analysis SWOT analysis is a strategic planning system applied to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats concerned in a plan or in an industry venture. The interior issues can be analysis as strengths or weaknesses depending upon their force on the companys goals. The exterior issues can comprise macroeconomic matters, technological alter, legislation, and socio-cultural transforms, as well as alters in the market or competitive situation. (Strategylabs, 2010) In many rival analyses, EA make completed outlines of each competitor in the marketplace, concerning particularly on their virtual competitive strengths and weaknesses utilizing SWOT analysis. EA will observing each competitors price structure, sources of earnings, resources and competencies, competitive situation and manufactured goods isolation, degree of vertical combination, historical reactions to business enlargements and other issues. (Emerald Insight Staff , 1993) Another instance is EA, which is a great example of how computer amusements business can utilize a SWOT analysis to shape out a strong company strategy. They have known that its strength was selling openly to customers and keeping its prices lower than those of other competitors. EA put together a company strategy that integrated mass customization and just-in-time manufacturing and allowing consumers enjoy their computer amusements with complete imagination in the games world. (Researchmarkets, 2009) 2.3 The analytical tools in solutions It helps EA in discovery the true resolution that best meets their requirements and can play a dynamic role in the accomplishment as well as support. To make easy this development, they have recognized strategic deal with key vendors. The growing resolutions portfolio presents customers with leading skill by world-class partners and developed in the marketplace. EA suggests proven resolutions that provide stability, scalability and the elasticity needed to maximize effectiveness and performance in a extremely competitive atmosphere. (Sadler, Philip , 1993) EA bring value to their customers by joining that recognize how with an entire suite of feature rich resolutions that offers the best functionality part. Thus, the system to develop the productivity and efficiency of company analysts, EA must continue to enlarge the width and strength of their data storehouses, which will diminish the number of data sources that analysts need to entrance directly. They must also equip analysts with improved analytical tools that manage the way they do. (Coate, Patricia , 2007) In line with the ever growing complexity of the competitive marketplace EA has abilities far beyond those of the conventional intermediary, letting them to manage as their customers reliance risk partner with resources to contain every part of their business. They give the firm with the most proper resolutions, through consultancy services, systematic tools and risk goods that continue and improve their customers situation in the market. (Sadler, Philip , 1993) 3.0 Conclusion Any company must seek to understand the nature of its competitive environment if it is to be successful in achieving its objectives and in establishing appropriate strategies. If a company fully understands the nature of the analysis, and particularly appreciates which one is the most important, it will be in a stronger position to defend itself against any threats and to influence the forces with its strategy. The situation is fluid, and the nature and relative power of the forces will change. Thus, the need to monitor and stay aware is continuous. (Coate, Patricia , 2007) Some issues during the implementation of these analyses strategic are crucially important for organizations to build long-term business strategy and sustaining competitive advantages rather than simply list the forces. Successful use of the analysis includes identifying the sources of competition, the strength and likelihood of that competition existing, and strategic recommendations for the action a company should take in order to develop barriers to competition. (Researchmarkets, 2009) It is important to make sure that the sources are reliable and relevant to the current condition of the organization. It has to be viable, reliable and valid, in order to conduct a good analysis of the model. For this purpose, the gathered data and information has to be checked and be applied to the current business conditions. Further limitations could be present in the nature of market forces that reduce the applicability of the information sources to present situations and the amount of detailed information required. (Wikipedia, 2010) 4.0 Reference Question 1 Wikipedia (2010), Electronic arts, retrieved on February 12,2011 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Arts Strategylabs (2010), Analysis of electronic arts, Retrieved on February 13,2011 from www.strategylabs.net/search-swot-analysis-of-electronic-arts_p8.asp Researchmarkets (2009), Swot analysis , Retrieved on February 12,2011 from www.researchandmarkets.com/reports//electronic_arts_swot_analysis Modelbenders (2009), Electronic arts, Retrieved on February 12, 2011 from www.modelbenders.com/papers/Smith_Game_Impact_Theory.pd E-library Emerald Insight Staff (1993), 1st ed., Strategic Management,    Emerald Group Pub lishing Ltd Sadler, Philip   (1993), 1st ed., Strategic Management , Kogan Page Ltd. Coate, Patricia (2007), 1st ed., Focus on strategic management ,   Emerald Group Publishing Ltd Question 2 Suggest why different approaches to strategy development might be appropriate in different organizations such as a university, a fashion retailer and a high technology company. Introduction A business strategy naturally is an article that obviously expressive the way an industry will pursue and the steps it will take to accomplish its objectives. In a quality of business plan, the business approach results from objectives created to support the stated assignment of the business. In the examination step of business plan development, one of several processes is applied to evaluate a firms market, resources, barriers to achievement and specific advantages. The aim of strategic examination is to classify what a business needs to achieve, the strengths it can bring to bear on achieving the objective and weaknesses that require to be addressed prior to combination and accomplishment. (Sadler, Philip   ,1993) Strategic consideration methodologies can comprise estimating the business circumstances, several of competitive situations, verifying what market forces are at work and ranking competitors, among others. Integrating a business approach typically is one of many steps in a larger production planning process. A business strategy starts with an overall vision. From the vision, a mission statement for the industry is constructed, regularly the shorter and more accurate the better. A mission guides to specific objectives the business will accomplish to complete its mission and that in turn guides to approach to attain goals. Specific plans are regularly then developed to support the business plan. (Coate, Patricia ,2007) Corporate strategy It is verifying the greatest plan to be competitive in the market. It assists to classifies, evaluates, and clarifies the main issues  facing productions to deliver insights corporations can apply to develop performance and achieve a competitive advantage. It is focused with the overall principle and scale of the business to meet stakeholder outlooks. This is an essential level since it is seriously influenced by investors in the production and performs to lead strategic decision-making throughout the business. Corporate strategy is frequently stated openly in an operation statement. The associations have a vision and a plan for accomplishing that vision. They apply that strategy through everything they accomplish. These great associations are able to make and capture value and situation themselves for better value. (Businessdictionary,2009) 2.1 Business unit strategy Strategic business unit (SBU) is focused more with how an industry competes profitably in an exacting marketplace. It focuses strategic decisions about option of goods, meeting wants of clients, gaining benefit over rivals, developing or making new opportunities. It is known as a business unit within the overall corporate identify which is distinguishable from other business because it serves a defined external market where management can conduct strategic planning in relation to products and markets. (Wikipedia ,2010) The unique small business unit advantages that a firm insistently promotes in a constant manner. When organizations become truly large, they are greatest thought of as being collected of a number of productions. These organizational units are large enough and standardized enough to exercise organize over most strategic issues influencing their performance. They are controlled as self contained planning units for which distinct business strategies can be enlarged. A strategic business unit can include an entire organization, or can basically be a smaller division of an organization set up to execute a specific job. The SBU has its own business approach, goals and rivals and these will frequently be dissimilar from those of the parent organization. (Wikipedia ,2010) Operational strategy It is focused with how each division of the business is managed to bring the company and business unit level strategic way. It concerns on problems of resources, progressions, and groups. The operating strategy intends to close the strategic gap between business strategy and accomplishment. It transforms the strategic objectives into obviously described achievement aims and aligns the implementation process to the value intention. The operating strategy consists of several parts starting with the operating business form as the basis for development, function, and technical and human performance style. An operating business form is the associations crucial logic for constantly accomplishing its principle goals. The desired outcome is to have a tactical to carry out the operating strategic plan. (Tmginconline ,2009) A number of the key essentials comprise classify required decisions and correlated issues for business process such as key production processes, managing approaches. Additionally, it gives creative ideas for operating problems and to make new value opportunities. It is a model to close business development gaps and to understand business value. It can be described as the business development direction based on the general vision. For example, key decisions and leading values for key business processes and managing approaches. (Tmginconline ,2009) 2.3 Olympia College Olympia College was established to meet the rising require for private top education in the country and is an associate of the well-known Raffles Education Group. There are choices of analysis of the strategic plan process within Olympia College. The operational strategy shows that direction into generating strategic competitive advantage in the development. Therefore, they can get a new system to structure their business functions and make sure the successful enlargement of their business in the competitive market. (Olympia ,2010) Strategic planning is a long range planning procedure that helps in setting the direction of Olympic College. The strategic plan originates from the colleges mission and strategic vision and gives detailed actionable strategies for moving towards planned outcomes. Moreover, they have to help student improvement toward objective completion. It is more purposeful and successful in their efforts to bring education at a distance, finalize and realize a long range distance education plan. (Olympia ,2010) However, they have to exploit community entrance to Olympic College, particularly for enlarge and apply an on-going enrollment management structure that informs instructional plans, student support services, and facilities planning. They are concerning attention on learning and to assist students, ability, personnel, and administrators perceive themselves as a society of beginners, encourage a college wide culture of measurement that embraces the consideration of learning outcomes and encourages the study of teaching and learning. (Olympia ,2010) 2.4 Padini Holdings Berhad Padini sells ladies shoes and accessories, childrens clothes, maternity wear and accessories through different subsidiaries. They can apply the business unit strategy to formulate and execute the plans that will give a competitively greater fit the situation and accomplish the organizational objectives. However, it can assist Padini to emphasize attention on a particular regional market or consumer group. The long term plan of Padini also wants to do the interior and exterior review to strengthen the situation in the global market. ( Padini, 2010) It shows a fashion viewpoint of each will covers a complete range of goods intended at a targeted customer. The corporation will carry on upgrading the image of its goods while emphasizing value and standard. It is successful grip in the productive but competitive womens footwear market. There are strategies to strengthen its dominant situation with enhanced production lines and increased competence. Having successfully impressed its brand names into the perception of Malaysian consumers, Padini is moving to turn its different labels into regionally familiar fashion leaders. It aims to fulfill the potential of the export market, particularly in the Asian region, and will also step up in foreign country marketing for its goods. ( Padini, 2010) 2.5 Dell INC. Dell Inc. is the top retailer of computer systems in the market. Dell sells desktop personal computers, notebook computers, network servers, and a diversity of computer software. They can apply the corporate strategy as a direction in which its production operations work together to get particular objectives. They implement that strategy for accomplishing their vision to build up a strong communication suppliers and customers relationships in the future. It helps Dell to find out the best strategy to be competitive in the marketplace. Thus, it will guide them to improve the work performance and gain a competitive advantage. (Dell, 2010) Dells objective is to generate loyal clients by providing better experience at a great value. They are devoted to direct relationships, giving best goods with standard based technology outperforming the rivalry with value and an advanced client experience. Dell is the association which is recognized worldwide for its approach of direct selling to the customers and business customers due to which it has obtained greater profits and has grabbed large market share from its rivals. As the business develops with the period of time it is largely enterprise strategy is becoming stronger, complicated and established. (Dell, 2010) Conclusion Nowadays, competitive market a strategy that assures a constant approach to offering the goods or services in a system that will outperform the competition is significant. However, in performance with defining the marketing strategy associations should also have a well defined method for the day to day progression of executing it. A cost leadership strategy is based on the idea that the associations can manufacture and market a high quality goods or services at a lower cost than their rivals. These low costs must transform to profit margins that are higher than the manufacturing average. Some of the circumstances that must exist to support a cost leadership strategy comprise an on-going accessibility of working capital, excellent process engineering abilities, and close management of work, goods designed for easiness of manufacturing and low cost distribution. (Emerald Insight Staff ,1993) It is important to know the market segment as described by the viewpoint characteristics associations have chosen as the objective for their offering. It is based on the criticality of the prospects require, their approach about alteration, the importance of the benefits, barriers that exist to integrating the offering into daily procedure and the reliability of the offering. The prospective for market penetration involves whether they are selling to past clients or a new outlook, how aware the forecasts are of what they are presenting, rivalry, growth rate of the manufacturing and demographics. The prospects willingness to give for product value is established by their understanding of competitive pricing, their capability to give and their want for characteristics such as value, stability and dependability, ease of utilize, consistency and steadiness. (Coate, Patricia ,2007) Oxygen Uptake Kinetics: Training Effect on Oxygen Uptake Oxygen Uptake Kinetics: Training Effect on Oxygen Uptake Oxygen Uptake Kinetics: Training Effect on Oxygen Uptake I. Introduction Respiration can be divided into two categories. Respiration may occur at the cellular level where oxygen is taken up in the mitochondrion and used to oxidize fuels or respiration can occur as gas exchange between the environment and the mitochondrion. The cellular respiration may be referred to as internal whereas gas exchange from the lung to tissue maybe referred to as external respiration (Mines 1993) The oxygen uptake – oxygen utilization system can be considered to start at the lungs and terminate in the mitochondrion, being joined by the blood. This may be seen as linking the lung and the muscle via the blood, Figure 1 (http://highperformancerowing.net/journal/2011/9/23/skeletal-muscle-master-or-slave-of-the-cardiovascular-system.html) The coupling of the uptake-utilization system can be further elucidated by outlining the oxygen cascade, figure 2, which links the lung to the muscle through the blood i.e. the respiratory, circulatory and metabolic systems. Figure 2. Oxygen pressure profile from the environment to the mitochondrion. (http://www.bio.miami.edu/tom/courses/bil360/bil360s12.html) The PO2 (partial pressure of Oxygen) can be calculated by multiplying Pb x FO2 (Pb = 760 mmHg) and the lowering of the components may lower the maximal VO2 (Mines 93). The PO2 from the trachea to the mitochondria decrease due to water vapour pressure, ventilation/perfusion mismatch, diffusion difficulties, right to left shunt and cellular uptake with the lowest PO2 being in the mitochondrion ( about 2mmHg). In the mitochondrion oxygen is used to oxidise hydrogen ions and carbon ions to water and carbon dioxide, respectively. This being the ultimate purpose of the oxygen delivery system (Mines 93). VO2 kinetics is dependent on cardiac output and arterio-venous oxygen difference and is represented by the equation below also called Ficks Law VO2 = Q (Ca O2 – Cv 02) Q= cardiac output (Stroke volume x heart rate) Ca 02= concentration of Oxygen in arterial blood Cv O2= concentration of oxygen in venous blood Ca 02 – Cv 02 = represents the oxygen extraction and consumption at the tissues Varying any of the components of the equation may also vary the oxygen uptake kinetics. The diffusion (and maybe uptake) of any gas across a barrier Figure 3, can also be described using Grahams Law: V = D A (P1 – P2) / T V=volume flow of gas D= constant solubility A = Area of diffusion P1 and P2 = partial pressure of gas on each side of the barrier Figure 3. The alveolar-capillary membrane. Oxygen must transverse some distance to reach the blood cell (http://www.diatronic.co.uk/nds/webpub/gaseous_exchange.htm) This paper will try to shed some light on oxygen uptake kinetics, describing the various components of uptake and how oxygen kinetics are influenced by various intensities of exercise. Also, the various mechanisms of oxygen uptake as well as differences in different populations will be reviewed. The paper focuses on the training effect on oxygen uptake.   II. Oxygen Uptake Kinetics A. Description: Oxygen uptake kinetics can be explained as all those processes involved in the taking of oxygen from the lung and delivering it to the mitochondrion where it is consumed by the working muscle. Figure 4 illustrates the various components of the uptake curve. VO2 kinetics for moderate exercise can be described as a monoexponetial curve with first order dynamics that rises to some steady state. Figure 4. VO2 uptake versus time. EPOC is Excess Postexercise Oxygen Consumption or Oxygen Debt (http://blitzconditioning.com/epoc-what-is-it/) B. Importance of Oxygen uptake kinetics Understanding the link between lung, blood and tissues and how oxygen passes through each compartment, may provide some insight to improve diffusion, delivery and utilization fo oxygen to enhance performance. The uptake kinetics, once understood, may provide sports medicine scientists with a tool to help sick children, patients, and athletes to modify or enhance their performance. Analysis for the time course to steady state and the various factors which affect it can be correlated with various populations to help determine how these factors can be manipulated. C. Three phases of oxygen uptake kinetics: Phases 1 and 2 can be considered to be dynamic whereas phase 3 to be steady state. Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Figure 5, Three phases of Oxygen uptake (www.medscape.com) 1. Phase 1: This initial, immediate phase is called the cardio-dynamic phase as many researchesr (Whipp et al 82 and Sietsema 92) have noted that this phase is due to increased pulmonary blood flow rather than changes in arterio – venous difference. In this phase, mixed venous gas tensions have not changes and closely approximates the time required for metabolites released from the exercising muscles to reach the lungs (Whipp et al 82). The time course of this phase is between 15 – 20 seconds (Sietsema 92) and may show an abrupt response, from rest to work, or relatively slower response, from mild exercise to work (Whipp et al 82). 2. Phase 2: This more gradual phase or rapid component is due to the changing kinetics of cellular metabolism and a further increase in pulmonary blood flow (Whipp et al 1980). This phase represents the slower exponential rise to steady state with a time course of 1.5 – 2 min (Linnarson 74) and a fall in the VCO2/VO2 ratio is an indicator for the beginning of phase 2 (Sietsema et al 86). 3. Phase 3: This phase represents the steady state or slow component where oxygen delivery equals oxygen utilization (Sietsema 92), also, Wasserman et al 1967, indicates that a true steady state is not achieved until the concentration of lactate becomes constant. The steady state is reached an about 3 min after the onset of exercise (Diamond et al 1977). D. Oxygen uptake at various intensities of exercise 1. Onset of exercise At the onset of exercise there is an almost parallel increase in cardiac output which leads to increased pulmonary blood flow and rate of pulmonary gas exchange (Whipp and Mahler 1980). Due to stored oxygen and carbon dioxide in the muscle and the venous blood, the rate of pulmonary gas exchange doesn’t equal that in the tissues before reaching the steady state. (Whipp and Mahler 1980). Whipp and Mahler 1980 also indicate that the coupled system is not perfect in that their exists a time delay between gas exchange in the muscle and it expression at the lung and that the VO2 at the mouth may not reflect what happening in the muscle in the first few seconds of exercise. The rate of gas exchange depending on a. Responses of cardiac and pulmonary blood flow to exercise b. Metabolic change dynamics c. Wash in and wash out of gases in body stores 2. Moderate Exercise Moderate is defined as being sub maximal or oxygen uptake less the anaerobic threshold (a VO2 above which there is sustained increase in blood lactate or carbon dioxide output secondary to bicarbonate buffing of lactic acid). In this intensity of exercise, VO2 rises to steady state by a monoexponential (first order) time course and VO2 steady state increases proportionally to the work rate (Whipp and Mahler 1980). At this intensity ADP accumulates and there is increased glycogen breakdown (Astrand et al 1977) 3. Heavy Exercise This intensity is described as VO2 between the anaerobic threshold, AT, and VO2 max, figure 5. With work intensities above the AT, blood lactate begins to play a role in oxygen uptake kinetics making it more complicated, needing a slow and fast component to describe the response ( Whipp and Mahler 1980 and Whipp et al 1982), the dynamics of which could be described as second order (Linnarson 1974). Whipp and Mahler also indicate that the greater the increase in lactate, the larger is the proportionate contribution of the slower component, and that the time constant is prolonged at this intensity (Linnarson 1974). With heavy exercise and the production of lactate, VO2 continues to rise beyond 3 minutes, the VO2 drift as Casaburi et al 1987 calls it. Severe exercise allows high blood lactate from the anaerobic system to be reached until the exercise becomes unbearable (Whipp and Mahler 1980). Whipp 1972, shows that the time to steady state greatly increases with increasing work rates above the AT. Figure 5, Oxygen uptake at various intensities of exercise (http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/VO2max.html) III. Training Effect on Oxygen Uptake It is a known fact that training improves body performance in some way. Endurance athletes also tend to have greater VO2 due to improved cardiac output and greater arterio-venous differences. Hickson et al 1978 reports a faster rate of VO2 to attaining steady state in the trained than in the untrained state. This indicates that trained individuals reach steady state faster than non trained individuals. Hickson et al also indicates that VO2 time course is determined not only by relative work but also by the level of training. Zhang et al 1991, also found that VO2 kinetics are slower in less fit subjects and Whipp and Wasserman also confirm that VO2 kinetics are faster in more fit individuals. Zhang et al. suggest that a faster kinetics may indicate that in fit subjects the aerobic ATP flux is greater that the anaerobic ATP flux. Casaburi et al 1987 and Yoshida 91, have shown that blood lactate levels can be decreased with endurance training and also suggest that lactate can be correlated to the delayed rise in VO2 (the Vo2 drift). The increase in muscle mitochondria with endurance training may be a factor in improving oxygen uptake kinetics. Biochemical adaptations that occur in the muscle, such as increased mitochondrion size, number and increased capacity for oxidation may increase oxygen uptake kinetics (Girandola 73) which plays a role in uptake kinetics. Berry 1985 indicates that there is an increased capillary density and fiber area with training which may improve oxygen kinetics. One point that Berry 1985 makes is that interval training and steady state training both decrease the time constant, but interval training was found to have a greater effect on the time constant. A. Oxygen uptake in trained athletes differing in VO2 max Those individuals with a higher VO2 max are also found to reach a steady state faster when work is held constant, that is, the lower the VO2 max then the longer time needed for VO2 to reach steady state. Powers et al 1985 indicate that in highly trained individuals with similar training habits, those with a higher VO2 max may achieve a more rapid VO2 adjustment at the onset of work; also, it seems possible that a larger aerobic capacity could contribute to either a more rapid oxygen transport or a higher rate of utilization B. The influence of endurance training on mitochondrial oxygen consumption Michail T.et al 2000, conclude that short term training increases maximal mitochondrial oxidative power in human skeletal muscle, whereas the efficiency of aerobic energy production remains unchanged. Michail T et al 2000, also indicate that muscle antioxidative defense systems were unaffected by training, but there was an increase in mitochondrial content. Endurance training increased peak pulmonary O2 uptake by 24 % and maximal ADP-stimulated mitochondrial oxygen consumption by 40 % (Michail et al 2000) C. Effect of Interval training (IT) versus continuous training on mitochondrial functions: Frà ©dà ©ric N. Daussin et al 2008 showed that a constant workload and O2 uptake during CT induces a higher increase of muscular capillary density than IT. Only high and fluctuating workload and O2uptake during IT improve skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, which seems to be crucial in increasing VÃÅ'†¡O2kinetics, and VÃÅ'†¡O2max, even if both training programs resulted in the same global energy expenditure and training duration IV. Conclusions In conclusion, oxygen uptake kinetics describes the processes that occur at the lung, in the blood and in the muscle to ultimately oxidize fuels into water and carbon dioxide. These systems are intimately linked together and it is the job of sports medicine scientists to identify the various factors and limitations that govern VO2 kinetics. This paper reviews background information on oxygen uptake kinetics with focus on training effect on uptake. VO2 kinetics can be described for moderate intensity, constant load work, as a monoexponential curve to some steady state, the dynamic non steady state being referred to as Phase 1 and 2 while phase 3 being the steady state. The duration of each phase, and hence oxygen kinetics, is influenced by intensity of exercise (light, moderate or heavy) and the duration of exercise. The mechanisms that govern may be peripheral, those processes that involve uptake and utilization in the muscle, or central, those processes in the respiratory and circulatory compartment and everywhere else in the body. The creatine phosphate shuttle hypothesis is the closest to resemble the VO2 kinetics and may be a major player in the VO2 game. VO2 kinetics is seen to be slowed in cardiac and pulmonary disease patients and these individuals are overall limited in the exercise they can do. When prescribing exercise, VO2 kinetics analysis maybe helpful as an indicator of the â€Å"fitness â€Å"of the system and hence which sports are more suitable. From the discussion in the previous sections, it is seen that training may affect mechanisms of VO2. It is known that cardiac output (i.e. stroke vol. X HR), and capillarity are increased with endurance training. These are the central limitations. Also training may affect peripheral limitations, by increasing the size and number of mitochondrion and hence metabolic and oxygen capacities. The increased extraction of oxygen and the increased cardiac output both increase VO2. Since increased exercise increases mitochondrion respiration this may decrease production of lactate which may decrease VO2 drift. Correlating mechanisms with different populations, it can be seen that pulmonary and cardiac patients have lower V02 max and therefore lower VO2. Heart disease also decreases cardiac output and this leads to decreased capacity to deal with metabolic needs. These patients are also limited by oxygen transport and blood flow changes. In the older population ( 60 + years old), kinetics are usually somewhat slower but with physical training the kinetics become faster and are comparable to those of young fit individuals (Babcock et al 1994) References / Bibliography Astrand PO, Rodahl K 1977. Texbook of work physiology. McGraw Hill, New York Babcock MA, Paterson DH, and Cunningham, 1994. Effects of Aerobic endurance training on gas exchange kinetics of older men. Med Sci Sports Exerc. Vol 26, No 4, 447 452 Berry M, Moritani T, 1985. The effects of various training intensities on the kinetics of oxygen consumption. J Sports Med. 25: 77-83 Diamond LB, Casaburi R, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ 1977. Kinetics of gas exchange and ventilation in transitions from rest to prior exercise. J. Appl Physiol 43: 704-708 Hickson, R.,H. Bomze and J Holloszy. 1978. Faster adjustment of oxygen uptake to the energy requirement of exercise in the trained state. J. Appl. Physiol. 44: 877-881 Casaburi R., Storer T.W., Ben-Dov I., Wasserman K. 1987. Effects of endurance training on possible determinants of VO2 during heavy exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 62: 199-207 Frederic N Daussin, Joffery Zoll, Stepnane P Dufour, Elodie Ponsot, Evelyne Lonsdorfer-Wolf, Stephane Doutreleau, Bertrand Mettauer, Francois Piquard, Bernard Geny, Ruddy Richard. Effect of Interval versus continous training on cardiorespiratory and mitochondrial functions: relationship to aerobic performance improvements in sedentary subjects. Am L of Physiol – Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. July 1 2008 Vol. 295 no 1 R264 72 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu. 00875.2007 Girandola, R.N., and F. I. Katch, 1973. Effects of physical conditioning in changes in exercise and recovery oxygen uptake and efficiency during constant load ergometer exercise. Med Sci. Sports 5: 242-247 Linnarson, D. 1974. Dynamics of pulmonary gas exchange and heart rate changes at start and end of exercise. Acta. Phys. Scand, 415: 1-68 Michail Tonkonogi,Brandon Walsh, Michael Svensson and Kent Sahlin. Mitochondrial function and antioxidative defence in human muscle: effects of endurance training and oxidative stress. The Journal of Physiology. Volume 528,Issue 2,pages 379–388,October 2000. Mines AH, 1993. Respiratory Physioogy. Third edition, New York, Raven press Sietsema KE, 1992. Oxygen uptake kinetics in response to ecercise in patoents with pulmonary vascular disease. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 145: 1052 – 1057 Sietsema KE, Cooper DM, Perloff JF, Rosove MH, Child JS, Canobbio MM, Whipp BJ, and Wasserman K, 1986. Dynamics of oxygen uptake during exercise in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease. Cirulation 73: 1137 1144 Wassserman K, Van Kessel HL, Burtox GG, 1967. Interaction of the physiological mechanisims during exercise J. Appl. Physiol. 22: 71-85 Whipp BJ, Ward SS, Lamarra N, Davis JA, and Wasserman K, 1982. Parameters of ventilator and gas exchange dynamics during exercise. J Appl. Physiol 52 (6): 1506 – 1513 Whipp BJ, and M Mahler, 1980. Dynamics of pulmonary gas exchange during exercise. Pulmonary Gas Exchange, edited by JB West. New York: Academic, vol. II p 33-96 Whipp B.J., and Wasserman K. 1972. Oxygen uptake Kinetics for various intensities of constant work load. J. Appl. Physiol. 33: 351-356 Yoshida T, Udo M, Ohmori T, Matsumoto Y, Uramoto T, Yamamoto K, 1992. Day to day changes in oxugen uptake kinetics at the onset of exercise during strenuous endurance training. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 64: 78-83 Zhang Y.Y, M.C Johson, N. Chow, and K wasserman. The role of fitness on VO2 and VCO2 kinetics in response to proportional step increases in work rate. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 63: 94-100 https://www.google.com/search?q=oxygen+uptake+kinetics+pics www.medscape.com http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/VO2max.html http://blitzconditioning.com/epoc-what-is-it/ http://www.diatronic.co.uk/nds/webpub/gaseous_exchange.htm http://www.bio.miami.edu/tom/courses/bil360/bil360s12.html http://highperformancerowing.net/journal/2011/9/23/skeletal-muscle-master-or-slave-of-the-cardiovascular-system.html 1

football :: essays research papers

The Road Less Traveled   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People often go through their life working-out and going to the gym to get â€Å"buff.† For ninety-five percent of Americans that do work out, few can say that they have pushed themselves as hard as possible, but I have the distinct, and often painful, pleasure of knowing that there is another way to work out. This option is unlike any other that I have ever personally been through; and is a way that I would not wish on any average American. 4:55 a.m. Seventeen degrees Fahrenheit, a mild breeze of ten miles per-hour-- for the fifth day in a row and second consecutive month, it is time for me to wake up, make the face-numbing, core-hardening walk through the snow to the Mildred and Louis Lasch Football Building. After the half-mile hike, a swipe of my student identification card opens the door. A quick walk to the locker room takes the prisoners of pain into line for their uniform. We pull on stale, manila shirts; manila, of course, from previous uses. Each resembles an old Mexican poncho, failing to conform to our bodies. The matching shorts follow; both shirt and shorts are embossed with one simple letter, â€Å"S.† The men, clad in uniform and barely awake, file out of the locker room, silently shuffling down the dimly lit back hallway, dreading the impending infliction of pain. Each socked foot becomes heavier, latching onto each fiber of carpet, but human will, not muscle mechanics, moves our warm, muscle bound, ligament and tendon attached, skin encased carcasses to the double doors. Thirteen feet away, the pungent smell of hot rubber, cool iron, moldy sweat and old coffee collides. Most men gag at this point, but the leader of the pack enters the room and there is but one choic e.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thirteen thousand square feet of machines, weights, ropes, chains, and pain. The fluorescent lamps fill the room with an unnatural light. Sunlight, just like excuses, is not allowed in Satan’s lair. Each horse is paired up with his driver. A seven minute warm-up is prescribed by the trainer, and so it starts. I jump on the stationary bicycle. A light breeze against my bare legs blows gently attempting to cool me, but does little to diminish the internal burn of the quadriceps and hamstrings. Upon completion of the warm up, John Thomas, former Navy S.E.A.L., commands me to join him at the manual neck resistance station.

Comparing Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith to Tim Burton :: Compare Contrast Comparison

Comparing Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith to Tim Burton Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's Baloney (HENRY P.) and Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas illustrations encourage us to see the world through a distorted lens. I would like to compare how similar but yet how different the two illustrators are in the way they show their work in a distorted view. Scieszka and Smith have made Henry P. a different kind of sci-fi adventure of a boy explaining to his teacher why he was late to school. Smith has detailed the illustrations as they follow what the text says with a distorted twist. For example, when Henry was explaining that he ended up on the planet astrosus with astro guys, Smith illustrated an astro guy with pointy eyebrows, a sharp nose, and a red spiky tongue flicking out to catch Henry in his red space suit. The astro guy is not what we expect from an alien like creature, he had an odd shaped, distinctive head that would make heads turn twice. The effect of Smith's illustrations here make us look at the world critically. Henry's red space suit makes you get a feel for his personality and makes you wonder why his story is interesting. Scieszka shows another distorted way of Henry's world of imagination, when Henry says, "I was only three seconds away from zerplatzen all over the speelplaats" (Scieszka). Smith creates this by showing the backside of Henry (focal point) falling through the red space, past the white shadowy moon. One of his silver gloves flying alone through the air by the odd, jagged, red rocks. Smith varies the in your face colors surrounding Henry to make him look like he is actually falling through space. The streaks pointing toward the center (Henry) creates a striking image by the brightness of the tones. Henry said, "I suddenly remembered...that falling bodies obey the law of gravity. And I haven't learned the law of gravity yet. So I stopped and came to szkola" (Scieszka). Smith does not let him stall in space, he has him floating in the red sky among the orange-whitish clouds with sparkles in his eyes. The green of Henry's body and clothes contrasts with the red/orange and makes him the focus of the page. The illustrations do not pay attention to gravity by being off balance. Smith has made this story colorful and exciting through his illustrations.

Essay on Picture of Dorian Gray: A Jungian Analysis :: Picture Dorian Gray Essays

   The Picture of Dorian Gray begins with Basil describing his fascination with Dorian, and ends with his masterpiece reverting to its original splendour. He describes his reaction to Dorian in these words: "When our eyes met, I felt I was growing pale. A curious sensation of terror came over me. I knew that I had come face to face with some one whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself." (6) Such a reaction is not a reaction to another human being. It signals an intimation of something super-human. The word "fascinating" comes from fascinum, which means "spell." A fascination is caused by unconscious factors. It grips us; it holds us in its power; it acts upon us. The expression "face to face" suggests an image of a "god" -- cf. Jacob's experience at Peniel (Gen. 32.30) or Moses in the Tabernacle (Ex. 33.11). Dorian as both Dionysos and Apollo corresponds to both Jung's definitions of the Self: "a god-image in the psyche," and a "complexio oppositorum" (Vol. 9.ii; par. 73; also CW 11.283). For Jung held that a god-image must be a mixture of opposites "if it is to represent any kind of totality" (CW 13.289). According to Jung, the Self is an autonomous archetypal image, which symbolizes something towards which the individual is striving. An experience of the Self thus represents an intimation of a meaning which the individual has not yet assimilated. The individual's task is to integrate the meaning implicit in his or her particular experience, but not to identify with it, for this would signal psychological inflation. Basil lives only for his art (56). He is afraid of life, because it is capable of exerting an influence over him which he feels as threatening. He is afraid of Dorian, because Dorian personifies the Dionysian side of his own personality which he has repressed. Thus he needs Dorian, because only through Dorian can he feel that he is alive. The contrast between them is suggestive. Basil is fascinated by what he himself is not. The attributes which he finds so fascinating stand in "compensatory" relation to him. But, instead of seeing his fascination as symbolic of a need to develop the Dionysian side of his own personality, he seeks to perpetuate his experience through art.

History of Ergonomics Essay

Ergonomics refers to the study of the interaction between humans and the environment. This study is aimed at understanding mechanisms that are necessary in order to improve the working conditions of humans. Such working conditions include health, performance and comfort. The study is intended at enhancing strategies that optimize the performance of humans at work. This implies that it focuses on techniques that are required to restructure office etiquette and procedures in order to improve the overall productivity. However, ergonomics is not necessarily limited to office environment as it also encompasses other fields of human life. In a practical perspective, ergonomics is a science concerned with the design of office equipments and artifacts in order to improve the comfort of workers and improve the overall productivity and effectiveness (Gilmore et al. , 1998). An ergonomicist is interested in the study of the interaction between humans and the tools they use in their working environments. The study of ergonomic includes the design of office equipments and space, and the positioning of switches in control rooms. It additionally includes the study of the interaction of the human behavior and their surrounding. This study originated form Greece where the term ergonomics was derived from ergon meaning work and nomos meaning natural law in Greek. Later on a 19th century sociologist Fredrik Taylor invented the term ‘Scientific management’ to gain maximum results in the factory work. Since then, the practice of ergonomics has tremendously developed over time. As the age of space approaches, new factors continue to emerge such as weightlessness and gravitational force. As the modern world progresses into the future, the field of ergonomics continues to become more sophisticated. In the United States, an army personnel known as Alphonse Chapanis in 1943 explained that plane accidents caused by pilot errors could be significantly be reduced by using a more simple and rational cockpit instead of the common control layout (Jubel, 2007). Institutional ergonomics is concerned with the socio-technical aspects of the work environment which refers to the amalgamation of structure, process and organizational strategies. Cognitive ergonomics deals with the psychological perspectives of the workplace which involves the study of ideas, opinion and memory. In academic viewpoint, the study of ergonomics would comprise the knowledge of psychology, engineering and health science. It is therefore necessary for an ergonomicist to possess a bachelors or masters degree in these disciplines. The practice of ergonomics can find use in several aspects of human life such as workplace, home setting, education and sports. The practical study of ergonomics involves the design of working equipments such as computer chairs or keyboards. Other ergonomic discipline involves the study of the environment of the world as is referred to as quantum ergonomics (Gilmore et al. 1998). History of ergonomics In the United States, the field of ergonomic is believed to have originated during the period of the Second World War (Wickens & Hollands, 2000), even though developments that led to its inception can be traced back to the 20th century. Before the Second World War, the main focus of the work place was designing humans to adapt to the machines used at work basically referred to trial and error method as opposed to designing the machines used at work to match the requirements of humans. This can be observed form the study conducted by Taylor in which the selection criteria, time and motion studies, training and work rest programs were examined (Taylor, 1911). This study of time and motions was expounded by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth (Gilbreth & Gilbreth, 1917). Majority of the ergonomic developments were necessitated by military requirements. With the commencement of the First World War, which was the first conflict where airplane was used in combat, there emerged the need to adequately train pilots new mechanisms of war. This necessitated the development of new aviation technologies based on psychology. In addition these trends prompted the emergence of aeromedical research studies. Even though progress was made during this period, the momentum for developing and exploring the discipline further was no achieved since there was lack of vital technological advancements and personnel due to the ongoing Second World War (Meister, 1999). The period between the First World War and the Second World War recorded a significant decline in research, however, some success were realized during this period. Aeromedical research work did not stop during this time which realized advances in several laboratories built across the United States such as the Brooks Air Force Base located in the city of Texas and the Wright Field situated in Ohio. These laboratories were significant in the development of ergonomics. Their study was focused on identification of attributes of successful pilots and establishing the impacts of environment stressors on the performance and productivity of flights. Furthermore, the study of anthropometry which is a field concerned with the measurement of the human body was considerably employed in designing airplanes during this period. Other researches were also being done in the private sector such as the automobile behavioral studies (Forbes, 1939). The emergence of the Second World War, and its accompanied needs, formed the driving force behind the development of the field of ergonomics. First, the demand of mobilizing and recruiting substantial numbers of people both men and women made it very difficult for individuals to specialize in a particular job. Therefore, there was a shift in focus where individual’s capability was designed in order to reduce the negative impacts of their shortcomings. Secondly, the period of the Second World War witnessed the turning point in terms of technological advances. The rapid development of technology outpaced the capability of human to adapt and offset poor designs. This was particularly observed in airplane accidents experienced by vastly trained pilots as a result of problems witnessed with the configuration of the control systems and the instrument displays (Fitts & Jones, 1947). In addition, enemy targets were unfortunately missed by machine controlled radars (Wickens & Hollands, 2000). Psychologists were employed to experiment and study these emerging issues by employing laboratory mechanisms in order to solve these problems. As a result, the discipline was ergonomics emerged despite the fact that the people involved in its development failed to realize it during this period (Meister, 1999). The two subsequent decades immediate after the Second World War witnessed a growing military research catalyzed largely by the emergence of the cold war. Military research institutions developed during this war were enlarged and new ones created. The private sectors also continued to develop ergonomic groups mainly in aviation and communication, and digital Industry. The Human Factors Society, a professional body mandated to study ergonomics in the United States was established in 1957 and had an approximate of 90 members then who attended the first inaugural meeting. This name was later abolished in 1992 and replaced with the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Currently, this society boasts of over 4500 people, majority of who are participants in the technical groups established under this society, student bodies and attend the yearly meetings. Beginning in the 1960s, the field of ergonomics continued to expand especially in the previously identified areas. This development expanded into new fields such as computer architecture and software, nuclear weaponry, internet technology among others. In the recent past, new areas of study have emerged which includes neuroergonomics and nanoergonomics (Jubel, 2007). Conclusion A persistent premise that has been developed over several decades is the ever increasing center of influence that ergonomics has attempted to encompass, as technological advances continue to emerge. What simply began as a mere detachment of experimental psychology focusing on the interaction and relationship of people with machines in the work place has tremendously expanded to cover almost all aspects of interaction of individuals and their environment. Several researchers have hypothesized about the future of human factors and ergonomics. With the speedy technological advances in such areas as biotechnology and nanotechnology, it would be very exciting to speculate the emerging problems that ergonomics would be called upon to solve in the future (Vicente, 2008). In the today’s modern world, as it was the case during its inception, human factors and ergonomics has still remained a multi disciplinary field of study. In the United States for instance, this discipline has expanded from behavioral sciences including empirical psychology, and some engineering fields of study. Among the countries in the European block, the discipline of human factors and ergonomics has found its stronghold in physical science disciplines such as human physiology. Currently, people from diverse educational backgrounds and disciplines varying from physiology, engineering and psychology have focused their exclusive skills and knowledge in the study of the interaction and relationship of people with systems.

Costco Wholesale Essay

1. Executive Summary Costco Wholesale Corporation founded in 1983 by Jim Sinegal in Seatle Washington with a vision & mission â€Å"to continually provide members with quality of goods and services at the lowest possible price control inventory.† Part of their strategy include direct buying relationship that ensures an efficient & strong SC management, high standard staffing plans, high quality products at lower prices and assessable to members who are considered more loyal. Efforts are made to develop strategic options in line with these strategies while focusing on the supply chain parameters that span from order placement to receipt of goods at the warehouse and made available to customers in the warehouse shop floor using the most cost effective processes in order to ensure they support the mission of the company. By assessing Costco’s external opportunities and threats as well as the internal strengths and weaknesses (using SWOT & Porter’s Five Forces analysis), one can infer they are doing well within their industry. More options were generated to increase sales and awareness of the retail warehouses. The report concludes with recommendations for Costco to sustain it’s market edge and advance by expanding into the European & Asian markets more as their presence is still very weak in these regions as well as add other services & goods to their already existing list. 2. Introduction Costco Wholesale Corporation founded in 1983 within the retail industry is the largest warehouse club in the world based on sales volume. A major wholesale business offering three levels of membership and the largest wholesale club operator in the US with membership/warehouse locations spread across Asia, Europe, North & South America with headquarters based in Washington, US. Their main competitors operating membership warehouses include Sam’s Club & BJ’s wholesale club. Jim Sinegal, the founder defines the company vision as â€Å"giving the best to the customer at the best value possible†. Here best value (in quality of goods & services offered) at low prices are the driving force. Costco backs up it’s products with a return policy within a time frame of average 90 days, a highly endearing attraction to it’s members. The business model focuses on low prices & volume purchase in order to achieve profit at low margin with stores offering discounts on an average of 4,000 products out of which roughly a thousand are ‘treasure hunt’ referring to goods that are scarcely available for purchase always. Volume purchase from few vendors yielding further reduction in price and lowers cost in marketing. With low prices, quality goods in limited selection based on forecast lead to quick turnover in inventory. The high volume purchase and efficient network distribution yield efficiency in operations for Costco. With a stipulated membership fee, Costco warehouses are designed to help small to medium size businesses reduce purchasing costs as well as serving large families with the goods packaged in bulk ranging from alcoholic beverages, electronics, fresh food/produce, household & office supplies, pharmaceuticals & tires. Also available are special memberships with services like car & home insuranc e, mortgage and real estate services, and packages for travels. 3.Purpose and Main Areas Of the Research (Concepts & Techniques) Analyzing the supply chain operations at Costco wholesales, in line with the business focus while limiting to it’s supply chain operations strategy for maintaining a competitive edge as it relates to SC operations (from sourcing to arrival on pallets and or display at their various warehouses racks), their challenges and options for improvement will be the focus of this report. The following issues will form questions that will give a frame for this report: †¢ What are the key issues facing Costco in line with (efficient) Supply Chain Operations? †¢ What would be options to compete with these issues?  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Which options best suits the business focus and would yield better growth financially? The sections thereafter will consider trying to answer the questions above by applying SWOT analysis (see appendix 1) and Porter’s five forces framework (see appendix 2). Areas needing improvement will be obvious from such, options that would generate better performance after localizing issues peculiar to Costco. These would ultimately lead to clear recommendations for Costco’s improvement. Due to inaccessibility of authentic and current data for successive years on sales, further analysis could not be carried out to compare Costco for accurate sales assessment in the last three years or compare with the other two leading club wholesalers (Sam’s & BJs). Identifying, analyzing key parameters with Supply chain operations processes at Costco and suggest areas of possible improvement. Inventory Management: Since good are moved straight to the selling floor and inventory is not held by Costco but managed by vendors, inventory & labor cost of handling is avoided. In their meat & grocery section for instance, they focus on low-price & high volume strategies hence, Costco carry very limited amounts of grocery & perishables whereas Wal-Mart is known to have weakness in the area of perishables (Petrak, 2006) Partnership/Collaboration with suppliers: Costco has buying relationships with many producers of national brands and are supplied directly from suppliers routing to the warehouses of docking points that serve as distribution points. Partnership market is an attribute of Costco, for instance by partnering with American Express to create a Costco-AMEX credit card, discounts & cash cards as offered to customers while Costco markets Amex cards, thereby helping them to acquire more customers. Distribution Strategies/Transportation: The redesign of product packages to fit into pallets and thereby maximize space has led to reduction of trucks used to transport goods. Cross-docking of goods by delivering directly to Costco stores while some are kept in the distribution centers saves a lot of time & cost along the SC. Utilization of buzzers for truck drives at delivery points to indicate when trucks have been unloaded can save time as against the truck driver’s physical movement within the warehouse is a time saver. Their warehouses are not situated on prime locations hence cost is saved from unnecessary high property cost; again, they own over 80% of the warehouses. Green Logistics: Costco Kirkland signature has launched eco friendly cleaning products. It maximizes the use of solar power in it’s warehouses, it’s delivery trucks are better packaged to allow maximization of space so as to reduce fleets of transportation and hence environmental pollution. Energy is better conserved with timed lighting and construction of warehouses that can maximize skylight during the day. Food products are packaged in recyclable and more environmentally friendly materials. Customers are paid to recycle their old electronics at the green sight. Information Technology: This retailer prides itself in it’s connection of all warehouses to the headquarters in Washington. By using the EFIM which provides real time information, manages control systems and inventory management system. The ECR is used to achieve profitability, improvement in efficiency, logistics, procurement and overall cost control. Kumar (2008) records that approximately $6 billion in a year is lost in the USA by supermarkets due to out of stock products among 25 top retailers as a result of inefficiency in their logistics. Vertical Integration: Costco practices a partial vertical integration with it’s cross-dock distribution. By gaining control of either its inputs or its outputs or both in sourcing directly from suppliers they have more control over innovation & delivery of those services. Cost is also reduced which is ultimately transferred to customers. Further optimization of operational performance through SC operations options that can sustain a competitive edge and improve customer satisfaction through service improvement and cost reduction. 4. Description Of The Separate Areas 4.1Description of The SC Operations Performance & Improvement. The measurement of SC performance can be based on profit, customer service or sales maximization (Chow, 1994). While the traditional method majorly measured product costs, identification of costs related to customer service is key. Elimination of various extraneous costs like plastic shopping bags, fewer shop floor staff, limited product variety & brands on shelf and also slowing down on capital expenditure like expansion, Costco has been able to focus on improving buying power for achieving greater output. Since inventory rates are quickly turned over, payments to suppliers is fast tracked hence they are able to benefit from discounted early payments. Cost is involved in sourcing products from suppliers, shipment to depots & warehouses, distribution to warehouses & storage in inventory. By considering the concept of avoidable cost (possibly considering packaging & storage), efforts can be made to improve on SC performance by implementing better SC integration program. Partnering with more suppliers and or service providers for better flow of operations as well as building keener competition can enhance better efficiency leading to more profit in the long run. More side business services can be added at Costco like money order and cash transfers to attract more customers and make Costco a one stop store. Aside from email messages being sent to existing members on promotions, greater awareness can create a more organized means to lure more customers on the expanding array of products & services such that new & more revenue streams are attained. 4.2 Issues Affecting Supply Chain and Possible Solutions Analysis of SC at Costco using SWOT analysis (appendix 1) reveals Costco is doing really well. Growth opportunities exist for business by entering the European & Asian markets as these have not been exploited. From present methods of operations, the high staff salary and low margins maintenance amongst other issues need to be looked into for future prospects. The aging and close exit of the CEO along with growing competition and other threats in intended foreign markets such as political and religious wars, foreign exchange & bank issues are threats to consider. In dealing with these issues, it will be important to assess briefly lead time management, product handling, transportation, quality, inventory as well as possible process solutions. Where possible, promotions should be done to enhance more sales though with the low prices and already highlighted low margin & high employee, this may eat into the profitability but if well planned can create more publicity for the company which can yield quick inventory turnover. Since low overhead & tight operation is the practice, better savings can be passed on to customers in form of promotion or otherwise. Exploration of overseas market is still a strong force and will yield greater profit considering the existing reputation Costco has and understudying how business is executed in such regions. Development of more private labels on wider product range and increased focus on customer loyalty programs are worth considering as well. It is advisable the board of management put in place a business plan before the exit/retirement of the CEO. Porter’s Five Forces analysis (see appendix 2) could identify an overall attractive industry, with the following power and threat situation: The buyer power was determined to have a positive potential impact on Costco business as it portray that buyers have the requisite level of expendable incomes to provide effective demand for goods & services. In a similar manner, low threat of new entrants and substitute products portray an attractive industry whereas moderate internal rivalry and supplier power have a positive impact on Costco operations as it kept the company alert and devoid of complacency. 4.3 Analyzing The Contribution Of SCOM to Competitive Business Performance To further highlight the role of SCOM in enhancing business performance and maintaining a competitive edge, a few activities like volume purchasing, efficient packaging & distribution, supplier integration & customer integration have contributed to give a close picture of Costco capabilities and business level performance with each activity having unique benefits and detriments. Again, constant review of SCM practices may further help management in Costco to further match demand with SC requirements like efficient, lean SC (Cook et al , 2011). Their Network design, JIT resource planning distribution, optimization of transport & replenishment policies have impacted positively and should be subject to constant review for sustaining a competitive edge. 5. Conclusion Finally, it is believed that some useful contributions are being developed to improve supply chain and it’s operation in line with the objective of Costco in delivering quality at lowest cost to customers on time with the aim of sustaining a more competitive advantage. Some useful SC options have been suggested above which support these objectives. While the ultimate goal remains to sustainably increase market share by achieving more qualitative growth and at the same time expand on the earning base through exploitation of the European market and already existing markets, Mascarehas et al (2004) adds that â€Å"competitive advantage must be won again and again† in other words, giving the current ever changing business world we live in, customer tastes and priorities are changing hence the need for Costco to be better positioned in order to respond always to it’s members needs while expanding on new fronts.