Bright Light Innovations: the Starlight Stove

Opportunity analysis and critical issues hidden in this case As the increasing pace of globalization, more and more companies seek opportunities to involve in the international trade. Expanding the market share and maximize the profits is the purpose of those companies. However, it is unlike the education. Most universities especially public universities are non-profit organization. Their purpose is not to earn enough money; on the contrary, the purpose of universities is to provide training and knowledge for students in order to benefit the society.In return, students pay appropriate fees and government provide monetary support to the university so that university can gain the ability to do the research and develop its hardware and software. In this way, university can have a sustainable development. So university can benefit from seeking opportunities in international expansion. First, students from different countries and cultural background can share their experience. It is a goo d chance for students and universities to participate in international market.Secondly, international universities can share resource with local universities. On the one hand, it can help develop the universities from developing countries; on the other hand, international universities can also gain advanced experience they are lack of. Thirdly, international universities can maximize their influence by cooperating with local government or some research institutions. In this case, Bright Light Innovations aims to opening its market in Nepal. In order to explore this market, the company considers a series of criteria.The first one is the â€Å"total population† and â€Å"population growth†. This factor established the foundation of consumption power. Jianfa Shen points out that the population is one of the factors to affect the market demand (Jianfa Shen, 1998). The more people live in the country, the larger potential market exists. The second one is the â€Å"natural climate†. Climate change determines the consumer’s consumption behavior to some extent (Seljom, 2011). Considering that the temperature of Nepal is very low, the Bright Light Innovation provides stove to local people who are in the need of warm.The third one is the â€Å"living habit of local people†. According to Jaime Alonso-Carrera’s study, â€Å"individual preferences are subject to both habit formation and consumption spillovers† (Jaime Alonso-Carrera, 2004). The case shows that most people in Nepal uses firewood as the main source of the energy. Due to this reason, the products of stoves meet the needs of local people. What’s more, the company also considers â€Å"political policy†. Whether the local government support or against the kind of products is the factor to affect the entering in the international market.The fourth hidden critical issue in this case is the â€Å"infrastructure† in Nepal. Well infrastructure contr ibutes to the potential growth of the company (Weiland, Scott J. 2012). If the company needs to set up a factory in the local place, infrastructure including electric, water, traffic and others should be considered. Finally, â€Å"income† determines the purchasing power in the local market. More income means more potential consumption to some extent. Alternatives and product lunch in foreign marketThe reason why Bright Light selects Nepal as its target market is that the market and the company can benefit from each other. Following factors can be contributed to the access of the products to Nepal. First, the local government can benefit from the company. Bright Light decides to set up a plant in local place; it helps the government solve the problem of employment. More people can be employed as the factory setting up; besides, the company can reduce much cost by setting up a factory in local place. Second, Bright Light helps protect the environment to some extent.As its stove is more efficient than traditional one, people will use less firewood. In this case, the forests can be protected and the environmental problem can be solved. Thirdly, family productivity increased 20 percent or more per day. People can have more free time to do other jobs rather than logging. Fourthly, Bright Lights contributes revenue to the government. The government can gain revenue from the tax. Finally, the stove can produce electric and the generated electric can be widely used in the home or in the school.The new products bring benefits to the government and the local people and the company gain revenues and profits from selling the products to the local people. The relationship between the company and the customers and government seems very important. Without permission, the company cannot enter this new market. In regard of the government (Nepal) that will not provide permission to try the new product, the company can consider other ways to enter this market. The Bright L ight can follow other companies which have been in Nepal and familiar with the local policy and culture.In this way, the Bright Light can build a partnership with that company; besides, the Bright Light also need to know the export or import policy of the Nepal so that it can fits the regulation by doing some changes. These two ways help the company meet the requirement of the government and have the right to enter the new market. Product promotion and advertising recommendations In rural areas, adult literacy rate is low in developing countries. A study shows that high literacy rate has significant positive effect on foreign direct investment inflow (CHEE-KEONG CHOONG, 2010).People in this area don’t know the words. So they don’t know the brand and the instructions of the products. It will lead to the low brand loyalty and cause a series of problems of products recognition. Some people may don’t understand how to use it and some people may don’t know how to solve the problems when something wrong with the stove. In other words, it directly affects the marketing strategy plan of the company. Schmitt, Natalie M. points out that the advertisement of the brand or label should be easy to recognize for customers so that it helps build up the brand-loyalty (Schmitt, Natalie M. 007). Following ways with advertisement can solve the problem. Focusing on verbal and audio can be a way of advertisements. In this way, people can better understand how the products functions and gradually set up the brand-loyalty to the products; besides, newspapers and videos also an efficient measure to send information to final customers. The usage and instruction of the products can be advertised on the newspaper in the form of pictures so that local people can easily understand. Other forms of advertising may also function well.The Bright Light can exhibit its products on the local trade fair or other expos. In this way, people can not only know the products, but also can try the new products. Although the goal of the company is to maximize its profits, it should devote itself in the social charity. It is not only a kind of social responsibility, but also is a kind of advertisement. The report of such philanthropy is an efficient way to improve the image of the company and it helps to build up a brand-loyalty to customers. Furthermore, becoming the sponsor of special event is another way to make a promotion.Special event always attract large number of audience and media. In this situation, it can be advertised on the display boards. It is a useful way to expanded publicity. Pricing strategy and competitive situation analysis In order to price the product, Bright Light should consider the costs and profits when selling to the customers. As customer feel that the product is worth of the money, then the product or the brand will impress the customers. The cost of a stove manufactured is $60. The company decides to sell the stove at $80 but worries about the margin profits.If the company set the price at higher level, fewer consumers are willing to buy. Customers may choose substitute instead of the new product (stove). In this way, the Bright Light may lose the market share; however, sometimes consumers are willing to afford the high price because of the special features added to the product. Draganska illustrates his point in his study that customer are willing to pay the comparatively high price when the product has special characteristics and satisfy the consumer’s preference (Draganska, 2006). The new stove has such feature that it can generate electric as well as heat.In consider of the purchasing power of Nepal, the company decides to find a micro financing organization to provide loan for local people who are willing to purchase the stove. It is a way not only help the poor people afford the stove, but also stimulates the consumption on stoves. Pricing strategy should also put the competitive situation into consideration such as the â€Å"threat a price war†, â€Å"channel conflict†, or â€Å"legal or ethical considerations†. If Bright Light set its price for the stove, other competitors may follow tis price and even set the lower price to compete with Bright Light.In this situation, Bright Light may lose its customers. Direct competitors also can imitate the products designed by Bright Light; however, if Bright Light has better quality with cheaper price, the product can be competitive. Because the target market could be low-income family, low price strategy and loan strategy can meet their requirements. Substitute products of the starlight stove from other competitors should also be considered to the pricing strategy. It is a kind of indirect competition. Substitutes can quickly dominate the low income market share; however, Starlight stove has its core competence.The new product (stove) is more efficient and it needs less firewood, what the most important i s that it can generate electric. Core competition plays a significant role in improving the barriers for other competitors and R&D capability is regarded as the most important source for core competence. Due to this reason, it is obvious that the company makes innovation on the new product and the starlight stove is a competitive product. The company needs to pay attention on constantly innovation to make sure the company stays ahead of potential rivals (Yu-fen Chen, 2007).In order to keep its core competence, the company needs to apply for the patent from the Nepal government so that the company can raise barriers to imitation. In general, by analyzing the strength and weakness of the competitors and figuring out the opportunities and threats of its own, the starlight stove can be outstanding with competitive price and accepted by the local people. References Chee-Keong Choong and Siew-Yong Lam. (2010). The Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Malaysia: A Revisit. Global Ec onomic Review, 39(2), 175-195. Draganska and Michaela. (2006).Consumer Preferences and Product-Line Pricing Strategies: An Empirical Analysis. Marketing Science, 25(2), 164-174. Jaime Alonso-Carrera. , Jordi Caballe and Xavier Raurich. (2004). Consumption Externalities, Habit Formation and Equilibrium Efficiency. The Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 106(2), 231-251. Jianfa Shen. (1998). China's Future Population and Development Challenges. The Geographical Journal, 164(1), 32-40. Marywood U. , and Weiland, Scott J. (2012). An examination of the relationship among perceived infrastructure, perceived business climate, perceived workforce, and business growth in Northeastern Pennsylvania.Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, 72(7), 2489. Pernille and Seljom. (2011). Modelling the effects of climate change on the energy system–A case study of Norway. Energy Policy, 39(11), 7310-7321. Schmitt, Natalie M. (2007). Consumers' freedom of cho ice–Advertising aimed at children, product placement, and food labeling. Journal of Public Health, 15(1), 57-62. Yu-fen Chen. (2007). An empirical analysis of core competence for high-tech firms and traditional manufacturers. Journal of Management Development, 26(2), 159-168.

Global Justice & Global Poverty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Global Justice & Global Poverty - Essay Example Some of the constutuents that measure living standards include the per capita, age of people and life expentancy among others. There is the fear of the gap widening more in the years to come if no action has taken place to curb this problem. Inequality is massive in the decision making of policies in the international political and in financial insititutions.John Rawl explains this in his theory on global liberties. They exist in form of both global economic and political basis. â€Å"There is uneven distribution of resources in the world† (Pogge, p34, par 3); hence, causing inequality in the living standards. Discrimination is another factor that leads to inequality especially when the poor people are discriminated in relation to their economic status the society. Many peole are dying in East Bengal due to lack of food, medical care among other basic needs. This shows how much inequality has affected the world today. It is possible to evade poverty among such poeple through a pplying several policies. This paper will focuss on the effects of global justice and the increasing cases of global poverty. It also analyzes possible solutions to this problem so to achive lower levels of poverty cases if any. The issue of double standards has also been addressed in this paper. However, double standards is not justified whatever the situation. Global justice has become an issue in political philosophy arising from the unjust state of the world today (Pogge, 2007, p345). Thinking about global justice in the world today involves a double standard. This involves two broad parties to achieve global justice. The first party is at the individual level while the second is the government level. Teh context of global justice is the impartiality that bhas been created in the world today. This is because people believe that their duties to family members, friends and their personal issues are more important than those of strangers. This makes them less concerned about issues of people who appear to be strangers to them. The government also contributes to the state of glodal injustice through the various policies they make for their cirtizens. This is because they make policies with their citizens in mind only, not considering those of other countries. â€Å"This has also led to some of the conflicts existing between some states† (Schaefer , p23 par4). Global justice is the main cause of global security because injustice causes certain feelings in people like anger and humiliation. These feelings cause violence among societies in the quest for justice. For instance, the poor feel that the wealthy people in the society are the cause of their poverty. Such feelings trigger violence and in long run lead to wars in the world. Philosophers have tried coming up with theories to solv ethe problem of global injustice in the world today. An example of such a philosopher is John Rawl. He explains how to achieve justice in the world both on the basis of eco nomic status and political inequalities. Morality is also another factor to consider when seeking to ensure justice (Pogge 2007, p34). This is because it is morally upright to ensure equality in the society. Some theories term injustice and inequality in the socity as an immoral act. However, the theory of Rawl explains clearly on how to curb the problem of injustice in the world by avoiding discrimination. He explains that making decisions should not be on the basis of teh economic status of a person. It ensures that

Starting a Clinical Trial Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Starting a Clinical Trial - Research Paper Example A clinical trial will now involve such investigations in human beings. The effects of such practice will have been investigated before approval for a clinical trial (Friedman, Furberg & DeMets, 2010). In order to determine if the research question is important enough to pursue further investigation through a clinical trial, the following criteria can be used. Clinical trials, like other research studies, are guided by specific criteria. It is important to: Determining the problem is an exercise similar to the formulation of a research question in the initial processes of the research study. It involves identifying the population affected, why such a population is the target and the issue of interest. In this case, a specific study has already been selected; â€Å"Chlorhexidine decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care unit patients: a randomized clinical trial†. The problem here is; the patients in intensive care unit faced with a major problem of ventilator-associated Pneumonia. Research has however, established that this ventilator-associated pneumonia can be prevented by use of Chlorhexidine. In this research, the results have been confirmed; Chlorhexidine helps in preventing the occurrence of the disease. The next step should be investigating the correct dosage that will increase the percentage of the number of patients that it protects. It is expected that with such results, Chlorhexidine will help reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia cases. Already the research is a randomized clinical trial. 61 patients were involved in the study to assess the effects of Chlorhexidine on VAP prevention. It specifically assessed whether â€Å"oral care with swabbing four times daily with CHX reduced VAP development† (O ¨zcaka et al., 588). The results are supportive of further clinical trials. In this case, only 61 patients were involved in the study. Further clinical trials involve phases I to III of clinical trials

The methode of returning cash to company shareholder Essay

The methode of returning cash to company shareholder - Essay Example Non-core operating assets like long term investments and related assets are not critically relevant for a firm's current operations. When Marks & Spencer (M&S) finally disposed of some of its non-core operating assets in 2002 and began to restructure the company, the decision was obvious because it wanted to adopt an alternative technique for the more traditional method of repurchasing shares or that of the increased dividend pay-out. In other words there was a clear effort on the part of M&S management to redistribute revenue to shareholders though its negative implications would have invariably affected the success of the program (Davies, 1999). According to financial managers' own way of thinking such efforts would not be in the best interest of the long term company value creation process because when such cash returns to shareholders take place at regular intervals in the future as the stock prices appreciate and hectic deposal of shares takes place, the company would lose its investor confidence. The net result thus would be to jeopardize the very relationship between the manager and the shareholder. This in turn would lead to a much closer relationship between the manager and the debt-holder. ... Debt instruments often consist and includes restrictions on the company's all the activities. And thus it is preventing and disturbing top management from pursuing alternative financing options and core business opportunities. Large companies always consider debt-equity ratio as a risk because the company is more concern towards lenders and investors. And thus the business is limited as to the amount of debt it carries (Marks and Spencer annual report 2002). For the better and efficient financing companies are usually pledge assets of the company to the Lender as collateral. And the share holders and executives of the company are in some cases required to give guarantee by personally for the repayment of the loans (Devaney, & Lizieri, 2004). Because of this capital restructuring programme marks and Spences certain advantages to their managers can be expected. because of the less liability of the company the managers will enjoy a greater power in all the operational actives. Thus it brings less liabilities to their company so it will be a greater relief for the managers. (Finlan, 1992) But it would certainly demotivates their share holders because they will loose their voting power and the opportunity to take part in the decision making process. So this fact can leads to a morale problem of the share holders. In every company, the financial and real sectors cooperate with each other in order to maintain a sound and progressive balance between the two. This is important as a deficiency in one sector impairs developments in the other sector. So therefore it is important to have an optimal capital structure in the company to maintain the balance between equity and the debts. The value of corporate debt

Fiscal Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Fiscal Policy - Essay Example From the research it can be comprehended that fiscal policy refers to the means used by the government in spending and taxation to monitor or influence the economy. In a way, the government has to adjust its level of spending to influence the economy. This fiscal instrument is used by the government each year to manage its economy for the benefit of the citizens. The tax implications on the nation’s budget have different inferences to different groups of people within society. Fiscal policy focuses generally on the fiscal changes in government revenue and expenditure and their impact upon nation’s economy. Tax and expenditure are the basic fiscal policy instruments. However, the most potent fiscal instrument used by a government is taxation. Taxation has led to reduction of consumption, increases investments, and allow for the transfer of government resources to economic development. Taxation has impact to the general level of output by altering the incentives that inst itutions encounter. Taxation is imposed by government to cut the cost of governance and communal services. Taxation also facilitates resource re-allocation, and enhances the promotion through equitable wealth distribution, to enhance economic growth and development. This also ensures economic stability by correcting and controlling macroeconomic shocks which are both policy-induced or exogenous. Hence, we are able to understand the gap between the level of expenditure and taxation. When the government revenue is high, the liquidity trap increases in the money supply, which does not contribute to the improvement of economic growth due to downward pressure experienced in investment (because of insensitivity of interest rate compared to money supply) (Alesina & Tabellini 2005). Likewise, this may also occur when the government expenditure surpasses revenue. The most important factor to consider in such a case is not the level of the deficit but the change that accompanies the deficit. Fiscal policy is an important instrument that is used to monitor government’s economy due to its impact on GDP (Alesina & Tabellini 2005). Fiscal policy has been associated with the use of taxation and public expenditure to influence the level of economic activities. The implementation of fiscal policy is channeled through government’s budget.   An important aspect of a public budget is its use as a tool in the management of a nation’s economy (Alesina & Tabellini 2005). During economic recession, the government plans for budget deficit which is often referred to as expansionary fiscal policy. In such a situation, taxes are reduced with a subsequent increase in the government expenditure, and during depression, or economic boom, the government may decide on a budget surplus to slow down the economy. This implies that through reduction in taxes, the purchasing power of individuals is enhanced and the cost of production of workers reduces, thereby improving thei r scale of operations in the business cycle. On the other hand, increases in public expenditure when effectively used can lead into improved developments in the nation’s infrastructure. Consequently, there is an increase in general welfare and places the economy on the path of growth. This explains the first impact of fiscal policy on improving the demands for goods and services. The aggregate demands make it an important instrument for a government’s economic stabilization. Fiscal growth has affects the output level and has implications on a country’s savings. Thus, in fiscal expansion, the government will be forced to reduce savings, which is equivalent to a budget surplus. The reduction in fiscal deficits may lead to increase in domestic production. Furthermore, it may lead to stable exchange rate that should be pursued as means of controlling inflation in a nation. 2. With the aid of a diagram, show and explain how fiscal policy can be used to shift

Based on how technology, with particular emphasis on the internet and Essay

Based on how technology, with particular emphasis on the internet and computers, has changed world culture - Essay Example on, online education is less costly than going in another part of the country or going abroad and earning a degree (Online Education Database , par 2). This is indeed one of the major breakthroughs of the Internet age. Furthermore, doing research has never been easier than it is now. Gone are the days when one has to spend hours in the library. There is simply so much information within one’s reach. Globalization is another area which has benefitted much from the emergence of the Internet and computers. Better access to information and more efficient processing of information from Internet technology has helped businesses worldwide to improve its competitiveness and productivity (Zunairah 1). Marketing of products became less complicated with even a greater reach. Doing business and availing of products and services all over the world is less rigorous. Economic and political laws and policies of the different countries can easily be accessed, making it easier for companies to tap international markets. The Internet technology is not without its problems though. A major problem posed by the Internet is cyberbullying. The Internet and digital technologies gave birth to the social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. These networks have made it easier for some people to torment, threaten, harass, humiliate and embarrass other individuals (WiredKids, Inc. , par 1). Another major drawback of the advancement in information technology is the rise in cybercrimes. The Internet has brought about the emergence of cybercrimes such as unwanted software, fraud, identity crime, phishing, crimes against the intellectual property rights and terrorism (Chantler 249). Computers and the Internet technology is probably one of the greatest invention of mankind. One believes that its benefits more than outweigh its detrimental effects. It would be hard to imagine life without computers and access to the Internet. For the Internet generation, eliminating these

Paul Farmer Essay Example for Free

Paul Farmer Essay How far will one man go to achieve the impossible? How far can one man go to reach his goal? The country of Haiti is one of the most under developed countries in the world, but one doctor, Paul Farmer, is determined to help cure this country. No matter what the costs, Paul Farmer is willing to do whatever it takes to help those in need. A doctor who has graduated from Harvard, is also the founder of Partners in Health, and is also a teacher at Harvard. In the book Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder, Kidder shows the perseverance, determination, and courage of Paul Farmer and how he tries to help cure an under developed country and how he treats his patients. Paul Farmer isn’t like any other doctor. He treats his patients with more care than an average doctor. In chapter 2 of Mountains Beyond Mountains, Paul Farmer is seen with a patient in Boston who is HIV positive. The patient, named Joe, doesn’t eat properly and doesn’t take his medication and is also a drug addict. Though Joe doesn’t follow the protocol of being healthy, Paul Farmer insists that he treats Joe with respect and care. The patient only wants to drink and wants somebody to take care of him. Farmer took the patient to a homeless shelter. During Christmas time, Farmer bought Joe a six pack of beer for Christmas as a gift. On a message board at the hospital, read â€Å" OUT- cold, their drugs, ? gal. vodka, IN- warm, our drugs, 6 pack bud. † (pg. 15) At the bottom of that message also read â€Å"Why do I know Paul Farmer wrote this? (Pg. 5) This shows how Dokte Paul Farmer cares for his patients and how the other doctors are used to his generosity with their patients. Not many doctors would go to the extreme in taking care of one patient, or bending the rules to suit a patient’s needs. This act of kindness shows how much Paul Farmer cares about his patients and the people of Haiti. Paul Farmer treats everybody equally, whether they’d be rich or poor. The US Army is in Haiti to reinstate the country’s democratically elected government and to take away the power of the Junta that is ruling the country of Haiti with cruelty. In chapter 1, Paul Farmer despises how Captain Carroll and his men release Nerva Juste, a sheriff who is accused of beheading the assistant mayor of Mirebalais. Because there wasn’t any hard evidence of Nerva killing the assistant mayor, the US army had to let him go. Paul Farmer says to Captain Carroll, â€Å"Two clear sides existed in Haiti, the forces of repression and the Haitian poor, the vast majority†¦it still seems fuzzy which side the American soldiers are on† (pg. 15). This shows that Farmer is defending the poor Haitians