Value Creation in the Global Apparel Industry free essay sample

The apparel industry is considered a buyer driven, highly profitable and fast moving industry, and it is therefore imperative for Zara to understand the external environment in order to maintain its dominance. Although Zara’s value chain is difficult to copy, Zara must continually look out for new threats and opportunities, and be prepared to instantly move on them with new strategies and state of the-art- technologies. Competitive Environment: Zara’s principal key issue is rivalry in the apparel retailing market, mainly from GAP and HM. Swedish HM differs from Zara because they outsource all of their production, spend more money on advertising and are price oriented. Likewise, they are both European based companies, fashion forward at lower price retailers and have a strong international expansion strategy. U. S. -based Gap has a number of advantages, including brand recognition, more stores and bigger revenues. In does not have however Zara’s cheap chic fashion appeal. We will write a custom essay sample on Value Creation in the Global Apparel Industry or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Economic Environment: As the market is labor intensive despite continually advancing technology, labor costs are a major issue. While more and more retailers source from low labor cost countries to benefit from the cost advantages associated with it, Zara insists on sourcing mainly from Europe and relying on its in-house design and production, which provides advantages such as short lead times, effective logistics control and high response rates to clothing trends. The major impact of currency rates on operational and labor costs make Zara financially vulnerable due to the European currency’s strong value. Political Environment: More than 40 percent of Zara’s garments are manufactured in Spain. Although this ensures timely delivery and service, any disruption caused by uncontrollable political factors, such as terrorist attacks from the Basque separatist group Eta, which is very active in the country, could shut down nearly half of the production and affect Zara dramatically. Socio-cultural Environment: Zara’s expansion plans include markets such as the U. S. and Asia.

The Shifting Actions of a Rising Government essays

The Shifting Actions of a Rising Government essays During the late 1880s and early 1900s many struggling groups of people went to the government to gain support on improving their economic or social status. It was federal or judicial actions that either stood in the way of progress or helped to make the progress that these groups of people believed that they deserved. This is the case with both the African Americans and the workers of the time. Both of these groups were being detained from the goals that they strived for or given help from the government and its laws. Although the Civil War had been over for many years, African Americans still seemed to be suffering from the discrimination they received. However, there were many African Americans who stood up for their culture and strived to change things. After the Civil War, white southerners were back in the political seat, and daily discrimination towards blacks grew largely. Separation between blacks and whites developed during the 1890s into systematic state-level legal codes of segregation. These laws soon became known as the Jim Crow laws. In 1896 the Supreme Court validated the South's segregationist social order in the Plessy vs. Ferguson case. This case ruled that "separate but equal" facilities were constitutional under the 14th Amendment, which stated, "equal protection." However, in reality there was no equal part to the segregation of blacks and whites. One place they were separated unequally was in schools. With most of the African American population in the South and ma ny being illiterate, the education of black children suffered greatly. The federal government seemed to want to do nothing about this situation and a man by the name of Booker T. Washington helped to promote African American education in the South. Another man, Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois had a great deal of influence on the political issue of black-white equality. He demanded that blacks have complete equalityboth socially and economically. ...

Lowe's Financial Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Lowe's Financial Analysis - Essay Example A horizontal analysis, according to Accounting Management allows the analysts to look at the factors that cause the changes in the operation. Accounting Coach describes vertical analysis as a method of examining accounts as a percentage of another item and will be shown as a common-size balance sheet. This kind of analysis permits me to compare Lowe’s balance sheet to another company. Thus, analysis of the balance sheet of Lowe Company is stated as a percentage of total asset. (See Annex 6) In the financial statement, vertical analysis of Lowe Company (See Annex 7) will be presented as a percentage of sales, and allows me to compare it with competition and industry average. 3. Calculation of at least five significant liquidity ratios for each of the five years analyzed. The five liquidity ratios used for analysis in Lowe are the current ratio, quick ratio, debt/equity ratio, accounts payable to sales and inventory turnover (See Annex 1 for calculations) 4 .Calculation of at least five significant profitability ratios for each of the five years analyzed. (See Annex 2) Ratios used are gross profit margin, net profit margin, return on sales, return on assets and return on equity. 6 Following guidelines of Accounting Management, long term debt paying ratios used in the study are debt coverage ratios, cash flow to current maturity of long term debt ratio and debt to equity, Ratio of fixed assets to shareholders funds and Proprietary of equity ratio (Accounting for Management) See Annex 4 Based on the Horizontal analysis of Lowe’s financial statement (see Annex 5) revenue in 2011 increased by $1,595million or by 0.03% as compared to sales & revenue in 2010. This change is accompanied by an increase in cost of sales which is equal to the 3% increase in 2011. In other years, from 2007 to 2009, sales are not enough to

Disease or conditions of the body Research Paper

Disease or conditions of the body - Research Paper Example h one’s body is unable to produce adequate levels of insulin to help drive the glucose to the body cells that need it for energy production (Poretsky, 2009). Also, the body may be unable to use the insulin it produces in effectively facilitating the process of generating energy. Since the body will be unable to use the glucose produced from the digestive process in the body, it will pile up in blood, leading to very high levels of sugar in the blood. This situation is also very detrimental to one’s health since it can lead to further health complications. For instance, the increased blood sugars can damage blood vessels thereby affecting kidneys as well as the heart (PenÄ ić-Popović, et al., 2014). Hence, diabetes is also associated with a host of other diseases including coronary diseases, blindness, and kidney problems among others. There are three main types of diabetes. These are Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and Gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is also called juvenile-onset diabetes because in most cases it begins affecting people in their childhood. This is an autoimmune condition arising from the body launching an attack to its own pancreas by producing antibodies that affect the functioning of the pancreas. Therefore, the pancreas becomes unable to produce insulin, leading to an increase in blood sugar levels in the body (Poretsky, 2009). This type of diabetes can be caused by a variety of issues including the genetic predisposition of someone. It can also result from faulty beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. This diabetic condition is also associated with many other health complications including stroke, heart disease, kidney problems, and damages to blood vessels in the eyes and nerves (EkoeÃŒ , 2008). Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, which accounts for about 95% of all diabetes cases among adults. This is also considered a milder type of diabetes in comparison to Type 1, but

Assignment (Economics) Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

(Economics) - Assignment Example The adverse impact of tax hike was phenomenal for casual drinkers as they massively reduced their consumption, thereby resulting in overall decrease in aggregate beer demand. Obviously, the producers were unable to increase prices substantially considering demand / consumption pattern and thus suffered stupendous financial losses. For instance, the producers adopted downsizing strategy, which in turn resulted in 50,000 job losses. The revenues to government also declined in general as the beer industry did not record significant market expansion and growth. The demand from hardcore drinkers also reduced as they switched to other cheap drinks to ensure their balance of their financial budgets. All in all, the rollback of levies / taxes would not lead to mammoth rise in consumption; rather will reduce financial burden on producers as well as consumers. Next, consumers would not change their drinking habit and start consuming irresponsibly; therefore, this is just a myth that rollback o f beer taxes may cause grave healthcare issues. Reference Beer Tax Website â€Å"Just the Facts† Roll Back the Beer Tax http://www.rollbackthebeertax.com/

Genetic Engineering of Animals: Benefits

Genetic Engineering of Animals: Benefits Animal genetic engineering has existed for thousands of years in the form of selective breeding. People have chosen desirable characteristics for appearance, survival traits, and other qualities in animals they wish to obtain in future offspring. They then bred these animals to selected mates in order to increase likelihood of offspring inheriting these desired traits. More recent definitions of genetic engineering define it as the manipulation or modification of the genetic code of selected animals to alter characteristics and to introduce certain desired traits by changing the cells genome. This can be done by adding to or deleted from DNA or substitution of certain genes. This form of manipulating DNA is a very new technology. This type of engineering was made possible over many years of research and significant findings that has led to what is now the understanding of DNAs structure, purpose, and properties. First studies of manipulation were conducted on bacteria such as E. Coli before animals were experimented with beginning in 1982 with mice. While genetic engineering is a new exciting and fascinating discovery for scientific research with unlimited range of possibilities, it raises moral and ethical concern. It is a highly controversial topic this day in age. Questions have been raised about the extent that animals can be treated to conditions and procedures considered to be unethical for humans. Debates regarding animals rights to not be inflicted with pain or caused suffering of the animal are considered against benefits for human interests. Many arguments about animals consciousness, self-awareness, cognitive and language capacity, morals, quality of life, and evolutionary status have been evaluated in hopes to find differences between humans and animals. If a moral standard could be clearly defined this could justify treating animals to extreme laboratory harms. There is a wide range of opinion regarding the weight that should be accounted to human and animal interests. At one ends of the bar there are what is called an absolutist positions, people that feel human benefits are always significantly more important to animal interests. The opposing view is that if it is certain experiments should not be conducted on humans, they should also not be conducted on animals. Within this group there are two sub categories of opinion. Some activists object to experiments which cause animals pain and suffering, while others object to all human uses of animals. In order to find common ground between the two extremes a strict set of research guidelines has been established to find morally but beneficial genetic engineering on animals. Some basic criteria for animal research are as follows. Animal housing and care are provided with proper food, water, and cleanliness. Discomfort, distress and pain are minimal using appropriate medication, and without unnecessary pain inflicted. Clear objectives and procedures are defined and carried out. All experiments using animals must undergo a protocol ethical review. Al l investigators that handle and use animals have to be appropriately trained and qualified to work with the animals. If it is necessary to administer euthanasia, is should be carried out according to good practice and used appropriately. The studies have to have a worthwhile beneficial outcome for human, animal, or medical use. Lastly the benefits of the study must justify and outweigh the harm done to the animal. Animal research is a necessary, highly beneficial to genetic research and can be ethical if conducted properly. There are a huge variety of benefits that genetic engineering in animals has provided not only for human uses but for animal gain as well as insight into evolution of species. The largest use of animals is for medical advancements. Most of the work done is applied to medical or biological research intending to understand gene function and regulation as well as study human or animal disease. Animals can be used to alter their DNA sequences to see the results. It is now known today many gene functions and causes of disorders from animal DNA analysis. The capability to replace or change single genes, or even delete them, can help investigate the natural functions of a gene, the mechanisms in the body that control it or affect it, and the relationship between genes and environmental factors. This information has provided insight to how genes function and ways to alter these genes in order to prevent diseases and disorders. The ability to investigate the genomes of mice has revealed proce sses where genes are turned on or off, and cell tissues become differentiated. Many different mouse genes have been altered to mimic human diseases are used in studying the mechanisms that the disorders are caused by, and are being used towards developing more effective treatments. Humans have greatly benefited from these findings especially in the advancements of treating diseases such as cancer. Drugs can also be tested on these genetically engineered animals to see how they will affect processes such as cell replication and destruction. These animals provide an unlimited range of knowledge and opportunity for new technology and advances in the medical field. Animal genetic engineering has also provided advances in the industrial world as well. Genetically modified farm animals were used in scientific research procedures for a range of potential and actual benefits. A better understanding of disease resistance in livestock has been found and can now be applied to other animals to produce more disease resistant livestock. Genetic modification of cows may production of milk with enhanced nutritional quality in the future. Farm animals have also been genetically modified to increase productivity, for example animal growth rate, wool quantity, or milk production. Genetic engineering has also been used to select for genetic factors associated with more viable characteristics of livestock as well as to make livestock more suitable for harsh factory farm conditions. These are just a few benefits animal engineering provides and many more will come in the future. Genetic engineering is made possible by the unique properties of DNA. DNA is a double stranded helical structured with nucleotide base pairs held together in the middle with hydrogen bonds. This weak form of bond allows the strands to separate to be replicated easily. DNA is tightly wound into chromosomes. Genes are formed by the different nucleotide sequencing on the DNA strand. These genes code for a certain trait in the organism. The genetic makeup of the organism is called the genotype; the physical or observable trait that they code for is called the phenotype. This phenotype might be an appearance, a survival characteristic, or more desirable quality for the species. Understanding of the structural and function properties of DNA allows researchers to isolate genes, and manipulate them in a variety of ways. There are numerous methods of genetic manipulation so I will only briefly discuss a few select types. DNA recombinant techniques use vectors such as plasmids and viruses that carry foreign genes into host cells. This method is most often used to alter bacterial genomes. The plasmid circles can be broken allowing new genetic material to be inserted in them. This is done by treating the bacteria and a specific gene with a restriction enzyme so ends of each will join with each other on contact. Plasmids with new genetic material can pass across the cells plasma membrane and insert the new genetic material into the bacteriums own genes. The bacteria will add the gene to its sequence and begin to produce the protein that it codes for. Viruses, which are infectious particles of genetic material, act similarly to plasmids as vectors in genetic engineering. The virus carries the gene into a host cell similar to plasmids. Researchers can choose the bacteria that have the new genes absorbed into them and use those bacteria to place the gene into the desired animal. Microinjection is a method that does not use biological vectors of plasmids and viruses. This method involves injecting genetic material with new genes into the recipient cell. When the cell is large enough, like many animal cells, the process can be done with a glass needle. After the injected genes find the host cells DNA sequence they can incorporate themselves into the strand. This is one of the simplest methods of gene manipulation. Bioballistics is a method that use metal slivers to carry the genetic material to the inside of the cell. The small metal pieces are coated with genetic material. It injects the pieces into the cell using a gun like apparatus. A perforated metal plate stops the cartridge, but the small pieces are allowed to pass through into the living cells. Inside the cell, the genetic material is carried to the nucleus and is incorporated into the cells genes. The cells take up the gene are programmed to replicate it. This is the most successful way for the insertion of genes into plant cells but can but can be used in animals as well. Genes are chemical compounds, so they can be manipulated in the same way as other chemical compounds can be manipulated. DNA molecules are large and complex, so the task of manipulation is extremely difficult. However, chemists know techniques in order to cut molecules apart and then put them back together very carefully with high technological instruments. This procedure is known as gene splicing. This method of gene splicing can happen naturally in cells during such processes as division or repair. Cells take genes apart, rearrange their material, and put them back together in a new sequence or arrangement. Discoveries show that cells have certain enzymes that can disassemble DNA molecules and put reassemble them again. Such as endonucleases which are enzymes that can cut a DNA molecule at some given sequence location. Another example is exonucleases are enzymes that can remove one nitrogen base from the DNA stand. A third type is ligases that are enzymes that can join two DNA segm ents back together. Researchers can use knowledge from these natural methods to artificially alter genes using tools such as submicroscopic scissors and glue. With these they can rearranged one or more DNA molecules by cutting them apart, reordering them, and the put back together again. There are so much undiscovered possibilities in genetic engineering that it is nearly impossible to predict what the future can hold. Some potential fields of research are more advances with stem cell research, advances in replacement organs grown form cells, new genetically altered fetuses. There will be more treatment methods for diseases as well as preventions by gene alterations. The possibilities are endless and there is a lot of research being conducted that is not even published yet. Genetic engineering in animals is of particular interest to me because my family has been in the business of genetic alterations for over thirty years through selective breeding. We own a livestock farm, raising sheep and goats primarily for livestock judging competitions, but as well as for milk production and wool production. Every year we attend approximately twenty fairs or shows throughout New England to have our animals evaluated against competition to be critiqued for desirable qualities and structure based on the ideal species score card. The judge places these animals based on which animal contains the most desirable combination of traits. In order for my family to obtain quality animals we must carefully take into consideration each judges review of the animal in order to select a mate that will compliment its strength and has a high likelihood of improving flaws in the offspring. It is a long and tedious process to improve quality of the show herd; it takes years of trial and error to find suitable mates to produce the desirable offspring. Having an understanding of how genes are inherited allows for us to choose a male mate for our females by examining his offspring and seeing the ratios of how many have the trait we are looking for and estimating if there will be a high likelihood we could obtain the trait as well. We also look at the males parents to see what the parental generation had for phenotypic traits. Although we do not use high genetic methods to create our genetically engineered livestock it is a careful science that takes years of practice in order to know how to find a mating that will give us an increase in desirable traits in order to continue to do as well as we do on the show circuits. Here is a small anecdote to show my interest in this topic: when I first took a genetics class in high school I learned how to calculate genotypes using the punnett square. This interested me so much I sat down and tried to draw a pedigree to pr edict the genotypes of my black versus white sheep and the likelihood of each of their genetic make ups based on their parents and the offspring they have produced. I was able to determine white is recessive to black and which sheep were heterozygous or homozygous for many of them. Selective breeding is a very important method for my familys business without it there would be a lot of difficulty maintaining and improving the high quality livestock show herd we have. Genetic engineering in animal species has come a long way from simple matings to complex technology manipulating genomes. There are benefits including medical advances for humans, disease prevention for animals, and industrial production gains. These benefits can be obtained as long as the research stays within the set ethical guidelines. There are many methods to alter the DNA sequence such as recombinants with vectors and plasmids, microinjections, bioballistics, and gene splicing. Genetic engineering will continue to advance and hold great promise for opportunity for future advances. Work cited Boyd Group. 1999. Genetic engineering: animal welfare and ethics. Retrived15. Nov. 2010.  http://www.boyd-group.demon.co.uk/genmod.htm Monaco, Michael. Genetic Engineering in Animals. Retrieved 14, Nov. 2010.  http://www.govhs.org/vhsweb/Gallery.nsf/Files/Genetic+Engineering,+a+group+project/$file/animal.html Van Eenennaam, Allison. Genetic Engineering and Animals Agriculture. University of  California. Retrived 15, Nov. 2010. http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8184.pdf Union of Concerned Scientists. Genetic Engineering Techniques. 2003. Retrieved 15, Nov.  2010. http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/science/genetic-engineering-techniques.html West, Chad. 2006. Economics and Ethics in Genetic Engineering of Animals. Harvard  Journal of Law and Technology. Retrieved 15, Nov. 2010.  http://jolt.law.harvard.edu/articles/pdf/v19/19HarvJLTech413.pdf

Comparing Weight Loss Diets and Energy Supply Essay -- Health Nutritio

Comparing Weight Loss Diets and Energy Supply Ironically, for a country where the majority of its population is considered obese by its own standards, dieting is more popular than ever in the United States. With the heightened popularity of dieting in American culture, it’s no surprise that a plethora of commercially endorsed weight-loss diets exist, however the effectiveness of these diets vary. Despite the large amount of existing weight-loss diets, a substantial amount of popular diets emphasize either limiting the consumption of saturated fat or carbohydrates1 in order to lose weight. The effectiveness of a diet can be judged in its ability to encourage weight-loss and keep the weight off—longevity is a key issue. With respect to longevity, energy transformation from food to biological energy is significantly important in how painless a diet can be. Let’s face it, it’s not at all desirable (let alone comfortable) to proceed through the day with low blood sugar, having hunger. We human s are lazy creatures and have a low threshold for discomfort; the easier it is to conform to the eating restrictions of a diet, the more likely that the diet will remain in use (given that the diet is effective). Low-fat weight-loss diets are superior to low-carbohydrate diets because they provide a sustained energy supply in a manor that’s flexible enough to adapt to almost any lifestyle. In comparing weight-loss diets, the matter is fairly complex so it’s important to take consideration of the components associated with a weight-loss diet. Glycemic responses are a critical part in assessing a weight-loss diet’s efficiency and these response trends differ substantially between low-fat diets and low-... ...cally flawed because these diets deprive the body of the principal energy source that is used for even the most basic operations. Sure, low-carbohydrate diets are effective in weight-loss but so is anorexia. Just because low-carbohydrate diets are effective in the short-run, doesn’t mean the diet is healthy. In terms of energy sustainability, low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets are practically opposites in nature. This difference has substantial significance in that it indirectly implies that consuming low-carbohydrate foods is a regimented diet and eating foods low in fat is a healthy lifestyle. 1 Carbohydrates are a food group heavily present in grains; they are the primary storage form of glucose. 2 Fat also stores biological energy but it’s primarily for reserve purposes and is only utilized during times of strenuous activity or in dire circumstances.