What is popular culture and why is it such a big part of life in the UK Essay Example For Students

What is popular culture and why is it such a big part of life in the UK? Essay According to Strinati (2004), popular culture is produced by commercial industries for markets of consumers must be a major factor influencing this relationship. If this is so, it must play a crucial part in shaping any meanings and ideas contained in the popular culture produced and consumed. In the modern age, the popular culture has demonstrated diversification. Miller and McHoul (1998:3) point out that the popular is marked by hierarchies of artistic value, with European high art and the philosophical aesthetics of western ruling classes set against the entertainment that people purchase from the commercial world. We will write a custom essay on What is popular culture and why is it such a big part of life in the UK? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now There is a tendency that popular culture as postmodern culture is going to be accepted by the commercial society. The films, the sports, the magazines, and almost popular forms are advertised by postmodernism. So much as people may experience the first time when they hear Ewis Cosetllo with the familiarity of background pop in the kitchen without any surprise. It is hard to say the tendency is determined by the commercial society, but it is really related with the development of the commercial society. Carey (1992:34) has shown the truths that the existing models of communication are less an analysis than a contribution to the chaos of modern culture. Modern media of communications widen the range of reception while narrowing the range of distribution (Carey, 1992:136). People should admit that the media development relies on the commercial development, while the media development is promoting the commercial information and cultural dissemination. It should be said that popular culture has become a big part of the peoples daily life. Conclusion: Popular culture is driven by economic interest obviously. The term Popular culture refers to sets of values, beliefs, trends or modes of symbolic expression readily available to and acknowledged by the masses McCluskey (2006). British popular culture along with the transformation of cultural elements is changing all the time. And the transformation indeed is by far a phenomenon decided by the economical condition at current trend. In the past, working class did the main role in popular culture. The forms were quite simple, just as different performance including singing, dancing, speaking. Because people barely read or write available to and acknowledged by the masses. McCluskey (2006) states that British popular culture is not restricted in audience to the working class majority, but can be seen to bind disparate cultural elements in Britain and challenge fading traditional class structures. Reference: Alan McCluskey (2006) British Culture Toby Miller and Alec McHoul(1998) Popular Culture and Everyday Life. London: SAGE Publications John Storey (2003) Inventing popular culture Blackwell publish Andrew Horrall (2001) popular culture in London c. 1890-1918: the transformation of entertainment Manchester university press Dominic Strinati (2004) An introduction to theories of popular culture Bodmin James W. Carey (1992) Communication as culture : essays on media and society Great Britain: Routledge

Light and Dark in Cnrads Hearte of Darkness and Secret Shar essays

Light and Dark in Cnrad's Hearte of Darkness and Secret Shar essays Joseph Conrad uses the words light and dark to show many different points throughout the novel Heart of Darkness and the novella The Secret Sharer. He uses the words in showing the differences in good and evil. He also uses these terms to contrast differences in civilization and the uncivilized, loneliness/isolation and happiness, and sanity to insanity. Conrad, no doubt, relates characters in his stories. In Heart of Darkness, Conrad uses Marlows personal confession, a profound discussion of mans moral complexity,(Concise Dictionary, p.69) to outline the story. He obviously relates the character of Marlow to himself, as he had experienced many bought with, dark, lung ailments as a child, and also had a want to explore. (p. 69) In Heart of Darkness, Conrad explores his memories of a journey through the Congo. His memories include his feelings of sympathy towards the natives of the Congo, as well as his hatred of the Imperialist. He uses the memories to add to the perceived, darkness, of the jungle to give a gloomy overall effect. Seemingly Conrad is fed up with mans ability to make other men suffer. Conrad even uses Marlow to show how England once was dark, uncivilized country. England is shown in its primitive stage of development. By the same token many people have compared Marlows journey into the Congo as a journey through Hell. (2 p.136-137) In Heart of Darkness Conrad uses the character of Kurtz to show supreme darkness. Kurtz embodies everything wrong about man, from greed, to power, to reality. Some have compared Kurtz to Satan himself, or Satans incarnate. Some interpret the use Kurtzs way of leading people away from the light, or sanity, to argue their point while others regard Kurtz as a great leader/businessman who did whatever it took to get the job done. The most profound usage of darkness in Heart of Darkness is the death of Kurtz. When M...

Metal Jewelry Stamps Marks

Metal Jewelry Stamps Marks Jewelry made from precious metals often is stamped with a mark to indicate the chemical composition of the metal. A quality mark contains  information about metal content that appears on an article. It is usually stamped or inscribed on the piece. There is considerable confusion about the meaning of quality marks that are seen on jewelry and other items. Here is some information that will de-mystify terms such as plated, filled, sterling, and others.​ Gold Quality Marks karat, carat, Karat, Carat, Kt., Ct., K, C Gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats being 24/24ths gold or pure gold. A 10 karat gold item contains 10/24ths gold, a 12K item is 12/24ths gold, etc. Karats may be expressed using a decimal figure, such as .416 fine gold (10K). The minimum allowable quality for karat gold is 9 karats. Karats are not to be confused with carats (ct.), which are a unit of gemstone mass. One carat weighs 0.2 gram (1/5 of a gram or 0.0007 ounce). A hundredth of a carat is called a point. Gold Filled and Rolled Gold Plate gold filled, G.F., doublà © dor, rolled gold plate, R.G.P., plaquà © dor laminà © The quality mark for gold filled is used for an article (except optical frames, watch cases, hollowware, or flatware) consisting of a base metal to which a sheet of at least 10 karat gold has been bonded. Additionally, the weight of the gold sheet must be at least 1/20th the total weight of the item. The quality mark may specify the ratio of the weight of the gold in the article to the total weight of the article as well as a statement of the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals. For example, a mark of 1/20 10K G.F. refers to a gold filled article that consists of 10 karat gold for 1/20th of its total weight. Rolled gold plate and gold filled may utilize the same manufacturing process, but the gold sheet used in rolled gold usually is less than 1/20th the total weight of the article. The sheet must still be at least 10 karat gold. Like gold filled articles, the quality mark used for rolled gold plate articles may include a weight ratio and a statement of quality (for example, 1/40 10K R.G.P.). Gold and Silver Plate gold electroplate, gold plated, G.E.P., electroplaquà © dor or or plaquà ©, silver electroplate, silver plate, silver plated, electroplaquà © dargent, plaquà © dargent, or the abbreviations of these terms The quality marks for gold-plated indicate that an article has been electroplated with gold of at least 10 karats. The quality marks for silver plated indicate that an article has been electroplated with silver of at least 92.5% purity. There is no minimum thickness required for silver plated or gold plated articles. Silver Quality Marks silver, sterling, sterling silver, argent, argent sterling, abbreviations of these terms, 925, 92.5, .925 The quality marks or a decimal figure may be used on articles containing a minimum of 92.5% pure silver. Some metals may be called silver when, in fact, they are not (except in coloration). For example, nickel silver (also known as German silver) is an alloy consisting of about 60% copper, about 20% nickel, about 20% zinc, and sometimes about 5% tin (in which case the alloy is called alpaca). There is no silver at all in German/nickel/alpaca silver or in Tibetan silver. Vermeil vermeil or vermil The quality marks for vermeil are used on articles made of silver of at least 92.5 percent purity and plated with gold of at least 10 karats. No minimum thickness is required for the gold plated portion. Platinum and Palladium Quality Marks platinum, plat., platine, palladium, pall. The quality marks for platinum are applied to articles composed of at least 95 percent platinum, 95 percent platinum and iridium, or 95 percent platinum and ruthenium. The quality marks for palladium are applied to articles composed of at least 95 percent palladium, or 90 percent palladium and 5 percent platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium or gold.

Power and Politics Paper Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Power and Politics Paper - Research Proposal Example Power and politics go side by side in an organization and if they are separated, the organization is affected negatively. Organizational politics are employed to gain reputation, to get some self-concerned benefit, to get promotion, to get financial increase, to get influence, to make decisions, to attain power, to get knowledge related to some confidential information and much more (Aronow, 2004). Organizational leaders such as the employers and other persons having power and influence make use of organizational politics to support the organization in terms of its interests. Leaders after attainment of information concerning organizational politics and their impact make use of them in order to enable the organization to get benefits in all terms such as expansion, financial gains and business development and much more (Aronow, 2004). While politicizing any issue in an organization, the leaders make sure that they inform about their participation to the management. They also make sure that they are backed by the management in their decisions and proposals. In change management and management of crises, organizational politics play a significant part (Malott, 2008). The organizational leaders have to identify and gather the people that are at their side. People are gathered at one side only because of organizational politics. Leaders are considered at the back of organizational politics as they exercise enough authority and influence on other employees of any organization. For the obtainment of power and influence, again organizational politics play a crucial role. The leaders are able to get reputation on the basis of the power that they can exercise on their co-workers (Malott, 2008). Politics can be found in any group working together. Some people consider that organizational politics are wholly disruptive. These people attempt at staying away from all kinds of organizational politics because according to them hard work

How will basic business skills play a role in your professional life Assignment

How will basic business skills play a role in your professional life - Assignment Example For every input, that loop completes itself while generating an output against every input. In Python, we have for loops, while loops, and nested loops. For loop sets a loop variable and repeats the set of instructions for a set limit. While loop repeats the set of instructions while a certain condition is true. Nested loops contain loops within loops. An example of loops in real world is the expiration of session after a certain period of time. There are some websites that expire the user’s sessions after a set period of time. Hence, for example, the loop is: Answer: Basic business skills enhance a person’s decision-making and problem-solving skills. Without basic business skills, it takes much time and effort for an entrepreneur to come at par with the competitive business world. For example, effective communication is a very basic business skill. It is the key to success as you can better communicate and negotiate with your partners, stakeholders and clients. Other helpful basic business skills include time management, goal setting, relationship building and desire to learn (CBS Interactive, n,d). CBS Interactive. (n.d.). 12 business skills that will never, ever go out of style. The Bulletin. Retrieved February 8, 2015, from

Benefits Of Multinational Corporations In Developing Countries Economics Essay

Benefits Of Multinational Corporations In Developing Countries Economics Essay Low economic growth rates, obsolete technology, less capital, high unemployment rate and poor standard of living are the characteristics of developing countries. According to UNCTAD (2008), these countries usually invest 3 to 4 % of their GDP against estimated 7 to 9% annually in infrastructure which in results into gap in current volume of investments. This is where Multinational Corporations (MNC) maximizes their benefits by investing in host developing countries through their technological and other assets advantage.  These corporations are usually large firms operating in imperfect market to open up new sources of information and knowledge and broaden the options of strategic moves which make the company competing with its home and global competitors. In the 19th  century, the newly emerged capitalist in developed Europe started to invest in less developed countries of the world including United States. This gave rise to Multinational enterprise in those countries particularly held by France, Germany, Britain and Holland. A multinational enterprise is an enterprise that engages in foreign direct investment and owns or, in some way, controls value-added activities in more than one country (Dunning Lundan 2008). These firms have substantial direct investment in foreign countries and manage their operations both strategically and organizationally. Examples of MNCs include American Express, Wal-Mart, IBM, Hitachi and Unilever. About 85% of worlds automobiles, 70% of computers and 65% of soft drinks are produced and marketed by MNCs. According to World Development Report, about 450 companies with annual revenues in excess of $1billion account for over 80% of the total investment made by all companies outside their home countries. One of the traditional motives for companies to invest abroad was the need to  secure key supplies  such as Standard Oil interested to open up new fields in the Middle East, Canada and Venezuela which turned out to be largest emerging MNCs of 19th  century. Companies like Nestle, Ford and Bayer expanded internationally mainly in search of new market due to insufficient support from their small home markets compare to the technology and volume-intensive manufacturing process they pursue. In 1984, Nike shutdown its last US factory and shifted companys total production to the cheap labour in Asia to have access to  low-cost factors of production.   Apart from labour,  lower-cost capital  also became a strong traditional cause for internationalization such as subsidies from host countries government. These driving traditional factors push companies mainly from the US Europe to become Multinational Corporations. According to the World Investment Report 2002, the overall val ue-added of ExxonMobil in 2000 was $63 billion and the value-added GDP of Chile was $71 billion in 2000. According to Professor Vernon, companies developed a much richer foundation for their international operations as the global business environment became more complex and complicated. As MNCs established international sales and production operations, their strategy became more integrated in global sense. The first new first emerging set of forces were the rising economies of scale, expanding RD investments and shortening product life cycles which became necessary for firms to survive in those businesses. Global scanning and learning was the second factor that often became essential to a firms global strategy to enhance their technological or marketing advantage. Lastly, it became evident that firms started to bring competitive positioning as the third factor for internationalization by cross-subsidization of markets.  This clearly evaluate firms were rarely driven by a single motivation factor. According to Dunnings eclectic paradigm, multinational enterprises must meet three prerequisites for their existence. Firstly, foreign countries must offer certain location-specific advantages to motivate MNCs to invest there. Secondly, in order to counteract or match with some strategic capabilities with foreign markets, the company must provide a unique strategic competencies or ownership-specific advantages. Lastly, company must have some internalization advantages or organizational capabilities to earn good returns from leveraging its strategic strengths internally rather than externally through licenses or contracts. Companies like Wal-Mart entered in UK by buying supermarket chain ASDA with high-commitment-high-control mode of operating. Amazon.com, for example, uses same approach in Canada by managing its website control from the United States and securing reliable Canadian postal service for order fulfilment. Dragon multinationals from developing countries like Asia Pacific succeed regardless of limited primary resources, skills and knowledge, and social capital. In the era of state-driven development, these firms often internationalized to avoid extreme regulation at their home countries. Their main driver was to search for new markets and technological innovation by using strategies of linkage, leverage and learning. According to World Investment Report 2004, few top Dragon multinationals from developing economies are Hutchison Whampoa (Hong Kong), Singtel (Singapore), Petronas (Malaysia) and Cemex (Mexico). In the light of the degree of commitment and risk involved, set against the level of control and closeness of market, there are range options available for firms looking to internationalise its operations. The firm can choose range as per their growth of experience and degree of commitment to operate globally. Exporting is the first stage where firms can enter international business. It involves selling goods or services from one country to another in two ways. Technic group a UK based tyre making company developed its overseas business by arranging exclusive distribution agreements in each country for the two brands it manufactured which is direct exporting. Flymo a medium-sized British lawnmower making company shifted its overseas business from a distribution to more direct control to think long term for its own export success. This is an example of indirect exporting. Licensing is another stage where firms enter foreign market by providing license to a host countries firm to utilize or sell intellectual property in exchange for financial returns. A major potential drawback in any licensing is when the agreement between the two firms comes to an end; the licensor firm may stand up as a potential powerful competitor. In 1969, the French magazine Elle granted a license for a Japanese version to a local firm, Mag House to sell its magazine. But the Japanese version advanced beyond the original concept and the contract was void in 1988.Franchising is a phenomenal growing form of licensing for firms to internationalize their operations abroad. In UK, franchise accounts for 10% of retail sales with expected increase to 25-30% in coming years. Benetton is a good example whose shop grew from 0 to 650 in US in five years by providing franchisee to firms who can use companys marketing benefit as a well known trademark against agreed payments and systems of c ontrol. But many problems are associated with franchising which revoke a franchise and end up being very costly. Due to failure of operating 14 outlets according to McDonalds standards, company had to withdraw the license of its largest franchisee in France. In the post-war period, there has been substantial growth in joint venture activity which is the second stage strategies for firms operating internationally. The General Motors Toyotas joint venture NUMMI is an equity joint venture with a separate legal personality which operates in US with an agreed life of 12 years in the initial agreement for long term commitments. Another type of business venture between firms where no separate legal personality is formed is described as contractual join venture. Here firms will assist and share the risks and rewards of the collaboration in a clear specific ways. British Aerospace and Taiwan Aerospace in 1993 agreed to set up a joint venture for the manufacture of a regional jet aircraft. This enabled British Aerospace to shift some of its final assembly work to Taiwan to access lower labour costs. However, due to potential conflicts between partners can lead to the termination of the co-operation agreement such as operational disagreements or d isagreements over use and requisition of profits. Firms can also internationalize through other contractual forms of international business such as management contracts, turnkey operations, contract manufacturing and countertrade. According to Financial Times report (1992), Canadas Four Seasons Hotels will under take management of five Japanese Regent International hotels under an agreement becoming worlds largest operator of luxury hotels. But one of the top stage strategies for firms becoming multinational enterprise is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) where firm is seeking high growth of experience with high degree long-term commitment. FDI has been defined as the acquisition or establishment of profit-generating assets in a host country over which the investing firm has control. According to Financial Times report (1989), Bosch a company from West Germany decided to invest  £100 million on a production facility in Miskin, north west Cardiff in order to produce high technology car alternators. The decision got finalized due to l ower labour cost in Britain compared to Germany and availability of Welsh labour force who demonstrated its keenness and flexibility to adapt at Japanese transplants. But there limitations for FDI such as the security of fixed and liquid investments, the business units economic feasibility, and ability to move currency freely inside and outside of the host country. Despite these limitations, countries like US and UK had the largest stock of outward FDI in 1991 i.e. $385 billion and $226 billion respectively. Due to the emergence and the growth of the MNCs, there have been massive changes in the world economy. The scopes of MNCs operations in the number of host countries and all kind of strategic alliances have expanded. Also, there have been remarkable changes in the relations with home and host governments as well as with international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Market Analysis of L’Oreal and Garnier

Garnier is a brand that epitomizes smart marketing practice. This is a brand that came to India in 1991 and crafted a special place for itself in the Indian market. This is one global brand, which has understood the dynamics of Indian market. Garnier came to India with its Ultra Duox range of shampoos. The brand is amass market brand from Loreal which has a range of global premium personal care brands like Maybelline, Ralph Lauren. , Diesel ,Vichy etc. Loreal started its operations as a joint venture with MJ Group, Later in 1994, the company started its own operations.All through these years, Garnier had a very consistent marketing approach. What I liked about this brand was the kind of investment that it had put in for marketing activities. Of course all these happened because it had the support of its parent company. Garnier can be considered as a masstige brand. Although positioned as a premium offering, the brand was wise enough to price it reasonable. Currently Garnier is target ing the middle and upper socio-economic class. Globally Loreal is a company that is famous for its product innovation.Garnier too has built its brand by launching new products on a regular basis. A strategy based on product innovation works best for a brand like Garnier. When the consumer sees regular new product flow from the brand, it creates a sense of excitement with in the consumer, which will prompt her to stick to this brand. Garnier was the first brand to introduce a cream based hair coloring solution. Garnier is now present in a diverse range of personal care product categories. It is present in the hair-care and skin-care segments.The brand has two sub-brands: Garnier Fructis and Garnier Ultra Doux. Fructis is an interesting sub-brand which has clicked in the Indian market because of its positioning as a fruit based product. Consumers readily embraced this variant because it made sense to depend on a natural shampoo rather than chemical based one. Garnier is positioned as a nature- based (green) innovative personal care brand, which takes care of your skin. The brand has a very catchy tagline † Take Care † Garnier's positioning strategy is more products based in the sense that it as tried to emphasis individual product properties rather than a common brand image. Most of its commercials are emphasizing on product strengths and innovation. The brand is an example of the success of rational product based advertising success. The brand is also sending a message that Indian consumers are also influenced by rational messages. Another interesting marketing strategy adopted by Garnier is its advertising execution. True to its global parentage, Garnier was careful in its advertising theme. It uses a blend of foreign and Indian models and themes for its campaign.Garnier ads can be termed as localized international advertising, which has a global touch but does not appear alien to Indian realities. The brand uses a careful blend of celebrities and models in their campaigns without relying much on their individual persona. Their products are always the stars in their campaigns. Whether these innovations fail or succeed, Garnier gains much equity through this steady stream of product launches. The premium positioning, smart pricing, heavy investment in brand promotion, innovative products and strong distribution reach has enabled this brand to create a special place in the Indian personal care industry.