Abstract This paper outlines the main factors to be taken into consideration in selling customer-designed carpets on the web. It presents the idea of customization of the carpet business with the respect to market realities and competition. It analyzes the potential market, the players and assumptions as well as pricing and implementation. It places an emphasis on the ability to customize the carpet being purchased from the choice of size, fabric and color.
From the Paper "Generally, the customer will choose from a choice board the fabric and the texture of the carpet that s/he desires, according to the samples that will be presented to him/her on the site. It will be possible to get any additional information about the specified fabric or texture, including the information on special treatments that the specified fabric will require for cleaning and preservation. Then the customer will be able to select the width and length s/he desires for the carpet (unless there are some mechanical restrictions, and in that case the selection will be performed according to those limitations). It is possible to add pricing information for each parameter that the customer chooses, in order to build the general pricing model for customers? convenience. "
Abstract This paper evaluates what global market strategy or set of such strategies will serve best to reverse the declining share of the global handmade carpet market for producers in Pakistan. The purpose of the proposed study is to develop insights into the mechanisms required for the effective assimilation of labor-intensive industries in developing countries into a the contemporary global economy. It shows that while the proposed study focuses on the handmade carpet industry, the findings in relation to this labor-intensive industry provide valuable lessons for other labor-intensive industries in developing countries.
Outline
Introduction
Background on the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Definitions of Terms
Limitations of the Study
Review of Literature
Cartelization
ISO 9000
Rugmark and Woolmark
Child Labor in the Production of Handmade Carpets Methodology
Overview of the Proposed Study
Research Methods
Participants
Instrumentation
Procedures
Proposed Data Analysis Plan
Appendix
From the Paper "While handmade carpets from this region stretching from Turkey to Mongolia sell for very high prices in foreign markets, the producers receive prices for the products which are quite low by comparison. As a consequence, these producers have long sought to minimize their costs of production. The export companies in their own countries, not the pressures of recent globalization, motivated these efforts. The primary factor of production in the creation of one of these carpets is labor. Thus, labor is the area where these producers have always sought economies. The primary strategy for cost control in the production of handmade carpets has long been the use of child labor?usually under the age of 12 year old (Bureau of International Labor Affairs, United States Department of Labor, 1999)."
Abstract Leonard Helfgott and John K. Nelson have chosen very different vantage points from which to study the cultures of Iran and Japan. Yet Helfgott's study of the manufacture of carpets and Nelson's description of the annual cycle of activities at a Shinto shrine have several important points in common. Both authors deal with traditional practices that have involved and affected every level of their societies
From the Paper "Leonard Helfgott and John K. Nelson have chosen very different vantage points from which to study the cultures of Iran and Japan. Yet Helfgott's study of the manufacture of carpets and Nelson's description of the annual cycle of activities at a Shinto shrine have several important points in common. Both authors deal with traditional practices that have involved and affected every level of their societies. Both of these practices have been modified in ways that reflect broader cultural change. And both practices have unique and very significant roles in their respective societies today. But the two studies necessarily employ very different methodologies and seek different types of information. As a study of a major aspect of the material culture of Iran, Helfgott's Ties That Bind: A Social History of the Iranian Carpet deals with economic aspects of ..."
Abstract This paper explains that, at the time of the conflict, Vietnam was divided into two opposing nations, similar to Korea today; the territory of the former French colony of Vietnam was occupied by two opposing armies: North Vietnamese, armed by the Soviets, and South Vietnamese, backed first by the French and later by the Americans. The author points out that a lesser publicized aspect of the analogies of World War II and the Vietnamese conflict is the use of the carpet bombing, which was so successful in trampling the remnants of Nazi Germany, but proved to be ineffective in Vietnam. The paper relates two major lessons learned in the Vietnam conflict: (1) When using techniques such as carpet-bombing, the loyalty of ground forces must be understood because the strategy can have an opposite effect upon morale and cohesiveness of the populace, and (2) carpet-bombing must be timed specifically so as not to permit the enemy time to regroup.
Table of Contents
Strategic Setting
Opposing Forces
Command Relationships/Adjustments Made to Doctrine
Employment Concepts
Joint/Coalition Operations
Command and Control of Air Assets
Lessons U.S. Forces Learned in Vietnam
From the Paper "From the beginning, the White House was criticized as exercising undue influence over the waging of the war. For instance, during the first major air offensive known as "Operation Rolling Thunder," the White House, it was alleged selected targets designed for public relations rather than real strategic value. It did not focus on advice from military leaders from the actual theater of operations. "President Johnson and Secretary McNamara maintained detailed tactical control of the missions. President Johnson and his advisors chose the targets from an Armed Forces' suggested list." "
Abstract This paper is an analysis of Operation Market which was the plan for the First Allied Airborne Army to capture and hold the crossings over the canals and rivers from Eindhoven to Arnhem inclusive, laying what was referred to as "a carpet of airborne troops" along the 2nd Army's main axis of advance. It details the problems that the Operation faced, why they occured, and how these failures led to the ultimate failure of the operation.
From the paper:
"However, if blame must be assigned, and in historical analysis, it usually must, then "responsibility for Market Garden's failure can be given to planners at strategic and operational levels who seemed hell-bent on carrying out the operation". They accepted extra risks without modification of the plan and forced the British First Airborne Division to accept too many of the risks. Despite having the hardest task, they were assigned lowest priority in the transport allocations."
Tags: airborne, arnhem, bridge, far, garden, ii, market, paratroop, too, war, world
From the Paper "Ties that Bind and The Phantom Gringo Boat describe two "Third World" societies and their interface with the Western world. The authors examine the transformations that each society undergoes, in its social and economic processes, as a result of foreign influence and in order to survive in the new context. In this paper, Iranian carpet-makers and the indigenous Panamanian Embera people will be compared in terms of the principles according to which they organize their social institutions.
Ties that Bind is a social history of the Iranian carpet, and as such does not describe a specific society at one point in time and space. Historically, the carpets have been made by a number of groups across a continuum of centuries, ethnicities and subsistence patterns. These groups are united by the object that has come to be known as the Iranian carpet, which may have had its .."
Abstract This paper explains that Americans had been cultivating the hemp plant for hundreds of years, but, in 1937, the Marijuana Prohibitive Tax Act outlawed the growing of any kind of hemp. The author points out that there are as many as 25,000 industrial uses of hemp, including rope, clothing, diapers, car parts, and carpet; oil from the seeds is used in shampoo, beer, vitamins, and lip balm. The paper stresses that hemp production is a growth industry around the world, and American farmers are losing revenue to foreign nations that allow the growing of hemp, such as Great Britain, France, and Spain.
From the Paper "Contrary to popular misconception, the hemp plant is not marijuana. Known by the botanical name "cannabis sativa," hemp does not contain the narcotic qualities of marijuana, and so its growth is not dangerous to the community. While many people believe growing hemp is just like growing marijuana, there are numerous differences. Hemp grows taller than marijuana, and they are spaced quite close together in the fields, unlike marijuana, which is spaced out for optimum leaf growth. In addition, hemp produces more flowers and seeds, while marijuana cultivation is mainly concerned with unfertilized female plants, which create more leaves."
Abstract Traditionally, the Oscars have been seen as an awards show not to be missed. Receiving an Oscar used to mean that the actor or director was at the top of his or her form and that there was no one better. However, there have been concerns of late that some of what the Oscars provide is simply a show - Hollywood glitz and glamour, but no actual test of talent and work that has gone into a project. Some of this undoubtedly comes from four different areas of the Oscars - the host, the clothes, the freebies and what happens behind the scenes. All four of them are discussed in this paper in an effort to show that the Oscars have strayed far away from what they used to be, which was a wholesome if somewhat glamorous show and into the realm of 'reality TV.'
From the Paper "Previous hosts such as Billy Crystal were very family-oriented in most of the material that they presented, and many of the jokes that they used were somewhat tired, not on the cutting edge of what is appropriate or not, such as the jokes that Rock uses in most of the stand-up material he works with (Harwood, 2005). The idea of getting Chris Rock to host the Oscars came from the idea that most people were getting tired of seeing the same old thing and that the ratings for the show were beginning to slip. It was hoped that something fresh and new, such as Rock, would allow for a boost to the ratings and therefore put the Oscar show back on its feet once again."
Abstract In this paper, the writer points out that women and their status in society are issues more seriously discussed today then ever before, but disabled women still have a long struggle to find dominant and powerful positions in different fields, in general, and with respect to their sexuality, in particular. The writer further points out that there are many issues that disabled women face but the issue of their sexuality is generally brushed under the carpet as they are stereotyped as asexual. They also suffer abuses because of lack of education or lack of rules and regulation in the institutional facilities. The writer concludes that the role of parent and immediate family is crucial as they should help family members with disabilities develop as normal beings instead of suppressing their sexualities. Further, the writer notes that society should play its role and activists must highlight such issues.
Outline:
Introduction
Human Need
Stereotypes
Research
Women in Institutions
Lack of Sex Education
The Laws & Society
Concept of Self
Conclusions
From the Paper "Sexuality is not just about having or the ability to have physical intercourse but it also about being comfortable with one's own body and feminine side. It is about dressing up nicely, looking good, and admiring others and being admired. These are the basic human needs. Everyone wants to look good and feel god about oneself. Disabled women also have the right to develop a personal style without suppressing their desires and sexuality. They are also complete human beings. Their lives should not dependent on the wait for another meal in a day. We must recognize that just like eating, drinking and breathing, these women have their sexual needs as well which needs an outlet."
Abstract This paper discusses the background and current structure of Shaw Industries. The paper focuses on the company's unique features and competencies, well established goals, strong financial highlights, creative and committed personnel and high quality products. The paper also provides a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis for the company.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Company Description
Strategic Focus and Plan
Mission Statement (Current)
New or Revised Mission Statement
Vision Statement (Current)
New or Revised Vision Statement
Goals
Non-financial Goals
Financial Goals
Core Competency and Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Situation Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Industry Analysis
Competitors
Company Analysis
Customer Analysis
Market-Product Focus
Marketing and Product Objectives
Target Markets
Points of Difference
Positioning
Marketing Program
Product Strategy
Product Line
Unique Product Quality
Packaging
Price Strategy
Promotion Strategy
Place (Distribution) Strategy
Financial Data and Projections
Past Sales Revenues
Five-Year Projections
Organization
Implementation Plan
Evaluation and Control
Recommendations
Conclusions
From the Paper "The current product and marketing strategies meet the customers' demands in the meaning that they promote a better protection of the environment. In addition, the design of the carpets is fit for all tastes and pockets. However this is currently true, the demands might easily change in the future. As such, the recommendation is to pay close attention to industry trends, to changing customer demands and behavior and also to place an increased emphasis on the changes that occur at both micro as well as macroeconomic levels, changes that might affect the carpet industry or its consumers."
Abstract This paper defines ethnography as a systematic analytical tool that attempts to demystify the unfamiliar by taking up key positions in natural settings and recording one's findings through methods, such as participant observation. It adheres to a rigorous academic standard, which involves scrupulous data analysis from which a grounded theory may be induced to explain social phenomena. The paper describes methodologies used to discover culture through data collection and investigates the problems of reflexivity and ethics in this discipline.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Defining Ethnography
Naturalism: The "Magic Carpet" Takes Off
Understanding: Maturing from "Field Fool" to "Field Sage"
Participant Observation over a Prolonged Period of Time
Understanding the "Imponderabilia of Actual Life"
Adopting an Interpretative Approach
"Eureka": Discovering Culture through Data Collection
Apprehending the "Holy Grail" of Culture
Triangulation, Data Collection and Grounding a Theory
Reflexivity and Ethics
The Clash of Epistemologies
Cartesian Dualism: Natural versus Metaphysical.
Western Individualism as seen through the Lens of Indigenous Epistemologies
Ethnography Confronts "Indigeno-Centrism"
Conclusion
From the Paper "Indigenous researchers, who often comprise the elite native intellectuals, have been accused of employing essentialist, bellicose rhetoric to polarize communities. It appears that they are just as guilty of pigeon-holing the vast diversity of the West into what was earlier called tableaux vivants. as a heuristic straw man to shadow-box with and demonize. When they accuse the West of being individualistic, self-reliant, averse to communal sharing and covetously materialistic, are they not engaging in stereotyping? It is legitimate to critique this attempt to indulge in what Gundara referred to as "the politics of recognition"."
Tags: reflexivity, social phenomena, participant observation, humility indigenous
Abstract This paper looks at how American immigration and deportation systems have affected Cambodian refugees living in the US and argues that these systems are profoundly unfair . The paper first explains that refugees from Cambodia, which was carpet-bombed by the U.S. during the Vietnam War, were not granted citizenship but rather were allowed into the U.S. only as "permanent residents". The paper then discloses the ways in which the 1996 "Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act" had implications for Cambodians living in the U.S. by making deportation mandatory for all legal permanent residents, who are or had been sentenced to a year or more for aggravated felonies, moral turpitude or using controlled substances. Also discussed are the problems faced by the Cambodians, who are Americans by experience, education, and language, when they are deported back to Cambodia.
From the Paper "A second problem with the Act is the fact that the conviction does not need to have occurred after the Act was introduced. Convictions prior to 1996 are applied 'retrospectively'. This applies regardless of the length of time, which has passed since the conviction, and no matter how minor the offense. When we consider that men of color are more likely to be sent to prison after conviction and are often poorly represented during trial, then it is clear that the law unfairly targets immigrants from African, South American, and Asian countries."
Tags: act, permanent residents, moral turpitude, children, immigration court
