Abstract The following paper examines supply chain difficulties experienced in recent years by the GAP, inc. Chiefly, the paper focuses upon the inefficiencies resulting from over-expansion and growing public concerns that the GAP supply chain permits sub-standard working conditions to be perpetuated. The paper concludes that, until the GAP comes to terms with these issues, its future security is at considerable risk.
From the Paper "Throughout most of its history, the GAP stores empire has enjoyed robust prosperity. That being said, the franchise has also been forced to grapple with a number of problems arising from a supply chain that has been either over-extended by corporate "over-reach" or has become the subject of ridicule because of its disconcertingly low labor standards at the manufacturing stage. With all of this in mind, the following paper will examine the current fiscal health of the GAP, its vital supply chain as well as both of the above-mentioned problems and their impact upon both. From there, the paper will briefly conclude that the company's future as a leader in the highly competitive retail sector will be largely dependent upon its ability to successfully resolve the aforementioned challenges and thus bring its financial house in order."
Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of the gender gap that exists between girls and boys at the primary and secondary levels of education. This paper first discusses some of the root causes that influence the development of gender stereotypes and the gender gap in science and math. It then examines some of the effects of this gender gap also within an educational context.
From the Paper "Consistently, studies have demonstrated that gender stereotypes can have an effect on the ability of girls to excel in either science or math. Cultural perceptions that assume that those subjects are the domain of boys and not girls can have a deleterious effect upon the ability of girls in a schooling setting to pursue and master either of these subjects that are considered to be so crucial. Science and math constitute two of the core academic subjects that are taught in school, especially at the primary and secondary level. Despite the basic importance of science and math to education at these levels, studies seem to indicate that the current educational situation actually accentuates the gender disparities that exist between girls and boys regarding learning in science and mathematics."
Abstract The paper addresses the gender gap within the digital divide between men and women, and across nations and economic levels. It gives reasons why the gender gap is a cause for concern, and why the digital divide is important.
From the Paper "Men and women do not access information and communication technology ICT at the same rates nor do they enter the fields that develop future ICT applications and direction at the same rates. There is a digital divide that is widening between men and women in this regard and the divide exists across nations and economic levels. This research considers the digital divide in general, the gender gap within the digital divide in particular and reasons that the gender gap ..."
Tags: OECD, organization economic co-operation, development, international business, digital divide, gender gap, UNDP
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that for many years there has been a considerable achievement gap in America. Most often this achievement gap is evident when comparing wealthy children to poor children. There are also achievement gaps along the lines of race and gender. The writer explores why these achievement gaps exist and the ways in which these gaps can be reduced. The writer also provides some facts concerning the types of achievement gaps that exist in America. The writer maintains that achievement gaps between white and black students begin in elementary school and exist throughout adulthood. The research suggests that such factors as poverty, under funding and racism play substantial roles in contributing to the achievement gap amongst American students.
Outline:
Introduction
Achievement Gap Why Does an Achievement Gap Exist?
Poverty
Unequal Funding
Locus of Control
Acting White
Academic Disengagement
Reasons for Academic Disengagement
How to reduce the Achievement Gap Adequate School Funding and School Choice
Better Trained and Better Paid Teachers
Detracking
Changing Perceptions
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "When schools do not have adequate funding they can not purchase enough books for every student, school equipment may be deteriorating and students may not have access to the technologies needed. A lack of these essential tools can make it difficult for students to thrive.
"In addition to adequate school funding, school choice may be needed in some districts. The issue of school choice is a controversial one but parents and students should not have to bear the cost of schools that are failing children and not providing them with the education needed to compete in the world. In a perfect world schools would get funding and well trained teachers but the reality is that in order to close the achievement gap some serious issues must be addressed and this may result in the temporary or permanent closing of underperforming or failing schools."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the gender-based wage gap in Canada as it relates to the educational levels of the economy's constituents. The writer notes that Canada's wage gap has not disappeared. Furthermore, the writer points out that it appears that the gap actually worsens the higher the educational level of women, based on a percentage of income compared to males of the same educational level. The writer concludes that now that the flush of global markets and quick economic expansion is maturing along with the global economy, many markets, including Canada, are left to explain why increased access to education, specifically, but other economic and social factors as well, has not fully closed the gender-based wage gap and why, in some cases, it appears to be widening again.
Outline:
Abstract
References
From the Paper "There exists much research that details how various economic and social factors affect gender earnings figures or the gender wage gap of workers in Canada. The importance of such research cannot be understated because it has significant relevance to almost every working adult in Canada but, in the long-term, it can also significantly impact the character of Canada's overall economic development. The long-term impact of such factors on Canada's economy are related to the competitiveness of its labour force within the context of the global economy as well as overall productivity factors manifested through measurements of gross domestic product (GDP). While there are may factors that can manifest such an impact on the Canadian economy, in terms of gender based wage gaps, one that is particularly troublesome is the effect that educational attainment has on the gender wage gap and, by extension, its ultimate impact on the Canadian economy."
Abstract This paper explains that Gap, Inc. is one of the world's biggest multinational specialty retailers, selling casual clothes, accessories and personal care products for women, men and children. The author points out that, since its beginning, the goal of Gap has been to make shopping easier. The paper stresses that the judicious use of technology, such as computer-telephony integration (CTI) and data warehousing, can play a vital role. The author underscores that Gap utilizes state of the art technology, such as integrated global databases, to coordinate its customer knowledge; however, the greatest recent technological change in customer service has been the advent of online shopping. The paper relates that the Web has served its American customers extremely well by offering an excellent online shopping service, but its British clients are annoyed because Gap fails to offer them the same service.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Importance of Customer Service
Technology in Customer Service
Questionnaire
Results of Questionnaires
Conclusion
From the Paper "US customers felt that they got good customer service at Gap. Some said it was very important that there is a sufficient number of staff, compared to stores like Wal-Mart or Target, where it is hard to even find a staff member, let alone someone knowledgeable. UK customers had very similar comments, comparing Gap stores favorably to retailers such as Tesco, where there is almost no customer service. Gap seems to be impressing its customers by resisting the global trend towards self-serve."
Abstract This paper analyzes The Gap Inc.'s marketing strategy and how successful it has been for the company. The strategy's attempt to make middle-class clothes available to the lower classes at Old Navy; solid middle to upper-middle class-type clothes at struggling middle-class prices at The Gap, and yuppie/upper-middle-class-level clothing at solid middle-class prices at its "high-end" store, Banana Republic, is discussed, as well as how this strategy has effected The Gap Inc.'s sales, profitability, cost-saving measures, and advertising campaign.
From the Paper "Because retail space is one of the largest components of a company such as Old Navy's cost, market segmentation makes plain sense: Old Navy stores tend to be large and in strip malls whereas Gap stores predominate in malls. In this manner, Gap, Inc. is able to rent or purchase retail space more effectively as incomes are highly correlated with geographic factors and pedestrian traffic in places such as shopping malls. Demographic factors also play into the location of Gap Kids and Baby Gap outlets; these are more often than not found in malls where middle class families may stroll and browse shops in a comfortable attitude of relative safety."
Abstract This paper examines how a great gap exists today between the academic achievements of white and Asian-Americans and the rest of the non-Asian minorities, which has been increasing steadily since the 1980s. The paper suggests the gap is a social construct created from the prejudice of the white majority and the unconscious and often paradoxical ways in which minorities inadvertently live up to their expected negative role. Other explanations for the achievement gap are discussed, but in the end, systemic prejudice mixed with the results of the "stereotype threat" are seen to explain the burgeoning divide between minorities and the majority.
From the Paper "According to Steele's extensive research, constant exposure to negative stereotypes results in one of two different responses. The individual may go through a process called "disidentification" in which ?To reduce this stress he may learn to care less about the situations and activities that bring it about -- to realign his self-regard so that it no longer depends on how he does in the situation... Pain is lessened by ceasing to identify with the part of life in which the pain occurs.? (Steele, 1999, I) A more commonplace term for this process is tuning out -- for the student effectively tunes out not just negative stereotypical input, but also those parts of their life about which negative stereotypes may occur, such as the academic world. The other response is to gear up: to try doubly hard to overcome and disprove the stereotype. Most theorists would blame tuning out for the gap in achievement -- however, Steele suggests that gearing up may be equally to blame."
Abstract This in-depth paper analyzes the available research regarding the existing gap between the sexes in regards to employment and wages. While evidence proves that the gender gap in employment and wages is narrowing, it still has a long way to go. This paper contains relevant statistics and information relevant to employment and wages. This paper examines the various fields of employment where the gender gap is narrowing, including: Education, medicine, law and computer sciences. The writer also delves into the issue of sexual power in the workforce, specifically the sexual power of men over women, which is addressed in this paper.
From the Paper "One area where the gender gap is narrowing far more speedily than any other is in the education field. For example, there are more females in law school and Med schools than ever before. There are more females entering the Computer Sciences field than ever before. In fact, science, which had always been thought of as a sort of a male preserve, is now enrolling women in Silicon Valley. In British Columbia the Education Minister has asked teachers, principals and other educators to consider their priorities. "The reason: a comprehensive assessment iof the reading and writing skills of 140,000 British Columbia students that showed girls doing better than boys in every category and at every grade level." Nevertheless, of the brighter high school graduates who do not go on to college "70 to 90 percent are girls."
Tags: equality, women, men, employment, wages, pay, rights, law
Abstract "The Gap" is among the most successful retailers in the North American market, with sales of over $13.8 billion in 2001 and close to 4,500 stores worldwide. This paper provides a historical picture of "The Gap's" marketing strategy over the years, analyzes the strengths, weaknesses and outcomes of the approach, and describes recommendations for improvement.
From the Paper "The Gap has had a number of innovative successful advertising campaigns. The 1988 "Individuals of Style" image campaign was extremely successful (Sommers, et.al., 1998) in promoting its basic clothing and illustrating how individuals could personalize the merchandise. This campaign featured black-and-white photos in print and outdoor ads. This campaign was replicated in 2001, but did not receive the degree of popularity and media attention that the earlier version received. The 1997 "Khakis Swing" campaign provided another successful advertising endeavor through television ads that were complemented by print ads in a similar style. According to a USA Today poll (n.d.), approximately one-third of all respondents polled gave the campaign the highest possible rating for likability and effectiveness, ten percentage points higher than the average."
Abstract One of the buzzwords in recent presidential elections has been "gender gap." Poll after poll, particularly in the past four presidential campaigns, have shown that men and women view candidates differently on the issues and vote accordingly. The gender gap, however, has been around for at least five decades, and we will study it here and learn how men and women tend to cast their ballots.
Abstract This paper discusses the myriad factors that may be contributing to the achievement gap between black and white children in America. The paper also looks at some positive signs regarding the educational future of black children and some possible solutions for closing the gap.
From the Paper "As recently as 1998, the press was reporting that African Americans score lower than European Americans on vocabulary, reading, and math skills tests in general, as well as on standardized tests claiming to measure scholastic aptitude and intelligence. Although the gap had narrowed somewhat after 1970, the American black child still scored lower than whites, as much as 15 percent lower. Despite abundant speculation and a wealth of research, no one had yet come up with a "magic bullet" to put a stop to the disparity; in fact, research had shown that the problem was extremely difficult to overcome, despite integration (a fact for more than 40 years) and improvement in other socioeconomic factors. ?It is true that the gap shrinks only a little when black and white children attend the same schools. It is also true that the gap shrinks only a little when black and white families have the same amount of schooling, the same income, and the same wealth.? (Jencks and Phillips, 1998) The disparity is substantial, as revealed by grades. Researchers in Shaker Heights, Ohio, found that ?black-white GPA gap equals roughly one letter grade. The mean GPA is in the neighborhood of C+ for blacks and B+ for whites.? (Ferguson, 2001)"
Abstract This paper discusses the achievement gap between African-American and Caucasian students as it relates to education. It discusses the gap from a historical and cultural perspective. It then explores the context of this issue as it relates to standards of education and analyzes the findings of several articles regarding the impact of this issue on pre-service teachers.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Context With Link To Standards Of Education
Summary And Analysis Of Several Articles
Impact Of This Issue Of Pre-Service Teachers
From the Paper "The segregation of African American and Caucasian children prior to 1964 continues to have a profound effect on the achievement levels of students. In addition, there are issues of socioeconomic class that play a significant role in achievement levels. In recent years this gap has increased significantly as the disparities between the rich and the poor have also widened. Because there are such differences between the wealthy and the poor in this country there are also substantial differences in the standard of education from place to place. There have been various attempts over the years to close this gap. Under the Bush administration the No Child Left Behind Act was developed to address the Achievement gap. Since the implementation of this Act there has been a great deal of conflict concerning both its implementation and the impact that the act has actually had on the achievement gap as it relates to Black and White students. Setting specific standards as it relates to expectations for achievement and curriculum is critical to closing the achievement gap between black and white students."
Abstract This paper analyzes what appears to be ensuring the continuation of the gender wage gap in Canada. It specifically analyzes the theories of Karl Marx and Max Weber in order to determine the differences between the genders and thus the reasons for the gender wage gap. The paper concludes that neither Marx nor Weber provide acceptable explanations for today's culture.
From the Paper "Weber's theories also do not offer a blueprint for us to follow today. Weber saw the differences between men and women as natural, and would not have any problem with the gender wage gap. In fact, he would no doubt see it as normal and natural. Indeed, it follows from Weber's theories that - as sex differences are natural - so too are differences in type of work, and pay. Thus, the implication of accepting Weber's theories would be to simply accept the gender wage gap as reflecting the natural differences between men and women. It is argued that this is not at all acceptable today. Moreover, Weber would not have foreseen that men would play increasingly large roles in the lives of their children. If he were around today, he would find the idea of single fathers unbelievable, and also he would find the idea of working mothers (working in the paid work force) unbelievable."
