Abstract The paper relates that the cruise line industry has been experiencing a period of massive expansion over the last decade, thus heightening the competitive profile for the industry in terms of market share and competitive rivalry. The paper evaluates the industry competitors: Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. The paper provides a competitor profile matrix that shows Carnival Cruise Lines' market dominance.
Outline:
Industry Overview
Industry Competitors
Competitor Profile Matrix
Product Differentiation
From the Paper "The cruise line industry has been experiencing a period of massive expansion over the last decade. By some estimates, the cruise industry in the United States (US) alone has generated more than $32b during 2005. Such revenue ensures that the cruise industry remains one of the most competitive across all markets. Even smaller markets have been experiencing an increase in cruise industry operations. The Canadian market has seen some ports exceed more than 90 cruise ship callings on an annual basis and this is a considerable amount of traffic for a traditionally smaller market. Thus, the competitive profile for the industry has heightened in terms of market share and competitive rivalry."
Abstract This project analyzes and makes recommendations on the viability of on-line grocers. Analysis of this industry consists of an assessment of the internal and external environment, the strengths and weaknesses, the opportunities and the strategies of companies operating in the on-line grocery industry. This report discusses the strategic implications of the industry structure for companies currently operating in and those considering entering the industry. Finally this report suggests ways of increasing the overall effectiveness of the online grocery business model, ultimately making conclusions of the overall attractiveness of the industry as well as making recommendations for improving the online business model.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose and Objectives
1.2 Industry Definition/Timeline
1.3 Scope and Limitations
1.4 Methodology/Data Extraction
2.0 INDUSTRY DOMINANT ECONOMIC FEATURES
2.1 Industry Major Players
2.2 Industry Profitability and Lifecycle Stage
2.3 Market Size and Growth Rate
2.4 Capital Requirements
2.5 Industry Driving Forces
3.0 INDUSTRY CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
3.1 Profitability and Capital
3.2 Technical Capability
3.3 Brand Image
3.4 Customer Service
4.0 INDUSTRY COMPETITION ANALYSIS
4.1 Major Competitors
4.2 Rivalry
4.3 Competitive Position and Strategy
4.4 New Entrants and Barriers to Entry and Exit
4.5 Perceived Product Substitutes
5.0 KEY STRATEGIES OVERVIEW
5.1 Key Industry Strategy
5.2 Key Industry Players Strategic Approaches
6.0 INDUSTRY BUYERS
6.1 Buyer Characteristics
6.2 Brand Preferences and Customer Loyalty
6.3 Customer Power
7.0 INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS
7.1 Supplier Characteristics
7.2 Supplier Bargaining Power
8.0 INDUSTRY PROSPECTS AND ATTRACTIVENESS
8.1 Industry Attractiveness
8.2 Industry Issues
8.3 Industry Profit Outlook
9.0 ALTERNATIVES
9.1 Abandon the Online Grocery Industry
9.2 Merge or Partner with Brick-and-Mortar
9.3 Maintain existing business model
10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
From the Paper "The online grocery industry is a niche market within the greater food and beverage industry. It is a business-to-consumer e-commerce industry possessing the characteristics of both a retail grocer and a courier. Companies operating in this industry allow customers to purchase grocery items, prepared meals, meats, produce, packaged goods, flowers, and just about everything else offered by the major grocery chains. Products are offered via the company website and are delivered to the customer within a specified time frame. These companies often rely upon high average orders to make their margins (a typical Webvan.com order was quoted to be $80) (Weston, 2000)."
Abstract This paper discusses the MAK Brake Lining Company's reasons for its change in direction of business. It explores its transition from a brake lining and disc brake manufacturer to replacement or after market products manufacturer.
From the Paper "MAK Brake Lining Company was founded by A Wahab as an automotive parts manufacturing firm that was located in Egypt and financed by the El Kharafi Investment Company of Kuwait. Created in January according to Egyptian investment ..."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses Disney Cruise Lines. The paper focuses on the company's marketing strategies and discusses possible improvements. According to the paper, in suggesting improvements to Disney's Cruise Lines marketing strategies, the potential for greater levels of integration with the core branding of Walt Disney Company needs to first be considered.
From the Paper "Fifth the Disney Cruise Lines need to underscore safety and security in their cruising activities and programs. The cruise line had several instances of dozens of passengers getting ill during 2005, and this did have a temporary but significant effect on earnings according to Citigroup (2006). The cruises through the Mediterranean are also potentially risky as the areas the Disney ships, icons of American influence, will need to be protected or at least managed carefully in foreign waters and will need to be very cognizant of local political conditions before setting sail for a foreign port. "
Abstract This paper explains how on-line collaboration makes it possible for people to transfer information anywhere in seconds. It describes how users in certain local area networks and other networks are capable of communicating with each other through their PC by swapping files and e-mails in text files and other files. It also includes a list of software for use in online collaboration. It discusses how the company can ensure "integration" and "appropriate use" factors of this tool, online collaboration.
From the Paper "Online Collaboration bases the system on what have been started by the earlier PC networking system. Users in certain local area and other network are capable to communicate each other on their PC by swapping files and mails in text file, although during the early time it was limited to text data in small size. As technology has developed more sophisticated facilities, it is possible for people to use the complete system to transfer information anywhere in seconds, enabling people to cut time and travel and having the whole work, outline, discussions and commands transferred through the wire. People are dependant on computers to connect to each other nowadays. With the emergence of the internet, many industries will find an open door to spread the news and support the growth to anywhere in the world. Controlling the whole world's business will need the most effective way to unite people in the entire organization. The technology has offered its capability to contact a group of people and bring them in a forum where they can chat, send messages, transfer file, and perform exactly like what they do on a traditional meeting, only this one is done through the net."
Abstract This work evaluates the cruise industry, specifically the Carnival Cruise, Norwegian Cruise and Royal Caribbean companies. The evaluation uses Porter's Five Forces model to explore competition in the industry, the bargaining power of suppliers and the bargaining power of consumers. It also addresses whether the industry has substitute products and if there are new entrants into the industry. This work additionally answers the question of 'how intense is the rivalry' and whether there is a forecasting method that can be used to predict where the industry is going.
Outline:
Introduction
Porter's Five Force Analysis
Porter's Five Force Analysis Summary
Bibliography
Includes charts and graphs
Figure 1 - Forecasted Value Worldwide per Segment, Hotels, Resorts and Cruise Lines (in billion dollars) 2003-2008
Figure 2
Average Growth Rate 1980 - 2004
Figure 3
Passengers Percentage Change 1974 -2004
Figure 5 Cruise Ship Order Book as of January 1, 2004
From the Paper "In an April 27, 2006 report entitled: "Cabin Fever - Smooth Times Ahead for the Cruise Industry" John Zamora writes that: "...there's plenty of room for growth in the cruise industry. Currently the number of tourists worldwide who book cruise vacations stands at around 13.4 million, representing about 1.8% of the total world travel market, as estimated by the World Tourism Organization." (2006) Zamora also writes that: "Far from being disappointed at this current level of market share, the industry fully recognizes the opportunities ahead as operators expand into new types of cruises (including the niche budget option); set their targets on different demographic groups; and, head for new waters." (2006) In a November 14, 2005 report entitled: "Which Way is the Travel Industry Headed?" it is stated that a Senior Analyst at eMarketer and author of the Online Travel Worldwide report, Jeffery Grau states: Without question, the Internet has shake up the status quo in the travel industry...Traditional travel agencies are struggling to stay relevant, online travel agencies are trying to instill loyalty among their customers,. travel search engines are the new upstarts, travel suppliers are flexing their muscles and global distributions systems are looking for way to recover their waning influence." (2005) In a report entitled: "Cruise Line Industry: Trends Opportunities for Canadian Exporters 2005" reported is a case study in which the researchers conducted interviews with 21 cruise line purchasers, chandlers, distributors and brokers findings stated in the report include the facts for Worldwide per Segment Forecasts including the cruise lines shown on the chart in Figure 1."
A look at the methodologies and findings of two separate research studies: An on-line survey of 150 Web users of medical sites and a review of the privacy policies among 25 Canadian on-line pharmacies.
Abstract The paper provides a question by question analysis of each survey in both text and table formats. The author concludes that on-line Canadian pharmacies may not meet American or Canadian privacy laws requirements and may not provide adequate privacy protection for the customers. The paper recommends that, not withstanding the dangers typically associated with these on-line pharmacy providers, because of the high costs of prescription medications in the United States, many consumers are compelled to seek alternatives through these largely unproven outlets; therefore, it is clear that all consumers should be cautious of online pharmacies as a means of obtaining products or practices that are illegal in an off-line environment.
Outline
Introduction
Methodology of the 150-Person Web User Survey
Data Collection of Web User Survey
Online Canadian Pharmacy Consumer Survey Findings
Demographics
Overall Privacy Policy
Pharmacy Licensing
Personal Demographic Information Collected
Computer Hardware/Software and Cookies Information
Ability for the Consumer to Update Personal Information
Opt-In and Opt-Out
Disclosure of Information to Third Parties and Affiliates
Security
Miscellaneous Information
Spreadsheet Analysis of Privacy Policy Information for Canadian Online Pharmacies
Methodology of the 25 Canadian Online Pharmacies
Tables of Online Survey Results of Consumers Views of Canadian Online Pharmacies
Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations
Conclusions
Implications
Recommendations
From the Paper "Almost all of the 25 online Canadian pharmacies surveyed (24, or 96 percent) required a health profile and an original or copy of a prescription to complete a transaction. Of the 25 online Canadian pharmacies' demographic information requirements surveyed, eight (or 32 percent) used email; none used Social Security; nine (or 36 percent) used an address, telephone and credit card inclusively; and seven (or 28 percent) used some type of demographic information such as sex or age.
Just about a quarter (6 or 24 percent) of the 25 online Canadian pharmacies surveyed used cookies, but none of them allowed third-party providers to place them."
Abstract The paper relates that Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest and most successful cruise line in the world. The paper provides a brief history of Carnival Cruise Lines and analyzes their image design. The paper discusses how Carnival Cruises has been plagued by a number of scandals recently, including a health scare and its controversial contract with the Hurricane Katrina relief operation. The paper considers that when it comes to the leisure industry, given the escalating cost of family vacations, many people are willing to put aside personal quandaries if their own experience is pleasurable.
Outline:
A Brief History of Carnival Cruise Lines Image Design: Visual Identity and Integrity
Processes, Policies, Community Involvement: Building an Image
From the Paper "A press release detailing history of the cruise line states that Carnival began in 1972 with a converted transatlantic ocean liner called the T.S.S. Mardi Gras. Given that the cruise line was later to enter into a controversial contract with the federal government to provide shelter in some of its cruise ships to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, this name seems ironic in retrospect. (Weisman, 2005) The mission of Carnival's founder Ted Arison was to make the elite mode of travel aboard large luxury vessels, a "vacation experience once reserved for the very rich," now "accessible to the average person." ("34 Years of Fun," 2006, Carinval.com)"
Abstract This paper presents a detailed marketing plan for a new financial service company called On-Line Analyst, Inc. The paper explains that the company is a combination database management company that also specializes in the financial services markets. The paper claims that the company will offer a plethora of information, data and financial based market services such as on-line real time market segment analysis, brokerage services and information 'black box' management for the data industries clients. The paper assesses that this plan therefore serves as an evaluation and summary of the organization's marketing and business processing options. The paper contends that On-Line Analyst, Inc. will utilize this foundation document to design, implement and integrate the company's new series of business products and services into a viable consumer and sales blueprint.
Table of Content
Executive Summary
Introduction
Mission and Business Objective
Products and Services
Keys to Success
Macro Environment
SWOT
Economic Value Added
Cash Value Added
Cash Flow Return on Investment
Conclusion
References
Appendix A
From the Paper "On-Line Analyst, Inc. is an organization that takes advantage of existing market analysis and brokerage industry shortcomings. These market segments are currently in a precarious position where they are offering products and services in a climate that has historically been pretty successful but may be at a tuning point. Technology and various legal and regulatory aspects of the industry have changed. The future of the industry will be with companies that can take advantage of the new 24/7 "McDonald's Drive-Up Window" attitude to financial services and data management. The new economic, cultural and business global spectrum entail that it is always time to bank, invest or gather data somewhere in the world. On-Line Analyst, Inc. and the internet will make this new line of reasoning pay off."
Abstract Norms help to define a society by setting boundaries and enhancing group identity and coherence. The author of this paper sets out to discover how differing segments of the population react when a commonly excepted norm is ignored - standing in line. The author states that by cutting in line, the individual is proclaiming that he or she is not bound by convention; that he or she is more important than all those other individuals who must wait their turn. The author describes how, in the course of his researc,h he choose three different social situations involving queues and how, in each situation, he blatantly cut in line. The writer then describes the reaction of others to his actions before drawing his final conclusions.
From the Paper "This attempt was not very successful. The researcher cut in front of a female student in her late teens. She was appeared to be alone, and was carrying a laptop. She was looking down at the floor and did not seem like she was paying attention to anyone. She said nothing as the researcher stepped in front of her, though he though he saw her grimace slightly and then return to looking at the floor. Nevertheless, a group of seven or eight students behind her quickly noticed the researcher's presence. One of them turned loudly to his friends and cried, "Did you just see that? This guy cut in front." The researcher pretended not to notice and tried to continue looking blankly ahead. Almost immediately, he felt a strong tap on his shoulder. A tall man in a denim jacket was sticking his reddened face in his. Two of his friends moved forward to back him up. One "What the (expletive) do you think you're doing?" A girl who had remained in the original group of seven or eight giggled before directing her other friends attentions to what was going on. "Look at this," she smiled. The man with the red face shoved the researcher in the back. The three men stepped closer to the researcher.... And the researcher left the line without saying a word."
A look at the questionably bleak future for the cruise line industry following the September 11th attacks, in context of the tourism industry as a whole.
Abstract This paper claims that while the immediate future looks not too promising for this industry, the long term looks good. Three main reasons for this statement are given. First, the cruise line industry has been a leader in the steady growth being experienced by the entire travel segment for the last ten years. Second, the industry is seeing expanding markets in Europe and new markets emerging in Asia. The third reason to expect long term growth is that the cruise lines are now offering their customers a wider variety packages at different lengths and price ranges. This has helped them to expand their market into lower income level clients. An overview of the market is provided.
From the Paper "The key strengths of the cruise line industry are its high desirability among consumers. Cruises appeal to the American public's sense of adventure. The second strength is that cruise lines have shown a great ability to adapt their product to meet popular social trends and expand into untapped markets. The recent trend to offer a wider variety of entertainments and the recent popularity of "Theme Cruises" has been a valuable asset. The offering of various priced cruises is also evidence of the industry's ability to adapt and as a result expand their market. The expansion into foreign market is further evidence of this strength. The cruise line industry has demonstrated the ability to not only identify new markets, but to capture them as well. A third strength is that the cruise line industry operates at 100% capacity (Farley, 2000). In order to expand their market cruise lines need only to build more ships. "
Tags: 911, ship, tourist, cruise, industry, holiday, investment, market, entertainment
Abstract This paper discusses how distance education is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing segments of college and graduate level education and how many educational institutions are expanding their programs to include distance based learning via the Internet. It examines the issues concerning the ability of traditional adult learners to adapt to the on-line learning environment to successfully complete an on-line learning degree program. It looks at how the purpose of a pre-course program for students would be to teach less technologically savvy students how to operate in an Internet based environment as effectively as possible. It also analyzes how failure to adequately support the distance-based learner can lead to a low-quality educational experience as well as attrition in online learning programs.
From the Paper "Colleges and universities are also expected to develop competent leaders and productive citizens that add to the value of society. According to Inayatullah, this is an egotistical belief that reflects in two ways on higher education's role in modern day society. The first is negative, where university training is seen as a restricted advantage of the wealthy and a way in which the powerful maintain control through exclusive knowledge acquisition and life-long "good old boy" networks. The second is a positive reflection; the university is a stepping stone?a supreme test of human quality and intellect where only the best and the brightest can attain a diploma. Today, educational elitism is a serious problem for many distance and non-traditional students."
Tags: degree, learning, environment, college, university, internet
Abstract This five-page undergraduate paper argues that the divided line can help to understand the concept of love. The two concepts are connected. In this argument, Diotima's statements are applied to the divided line.
Abstract This essay will discuss the Sheppard Subway line: how it came into being, what criticisms are put against this project both in the past and today. This essay will argue that, even though the subway line cost a lot of money and is projected to cost a lot more, such spending is necessary to the city of Toronto since it shows that the city is willing to invest in itself and this leads to more spending on the part of business and residents.
Abstract This paper examines the effect of developing technology on the changing dynamic of the railroad system and how, although digital and wireless technologies have replaced many positions traditionally filled by staff, thereby causing downsizing, the increased levels of efficiency businesses can pursue has created jobs in new sectors, along with increased revenues. In particular, it looks at the Indiana Belt Line Railway and explores ways to increase productivity and revenue through technological advancement. It also addresses transforming the organizational culture within the Indiana Belt Line Railway in order to transform the performance of the organization.
Outline
Chapter 1: Railroad Policy Analysis
The Changing Dynamic of the Rail Industry
Mergers and Collaborations
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Opportunities Through Technological Advancements
Opportunities Through Equipment Upgrades
Internet Communications
Managing the Change Process
The Consultant's Work: Lewin's Model of Unfreeze, Change and Refreeze
From the Paper "At the end of the 70?s, by the time Congress reacted to the impending financial crisis, another competitor appeared on the horizon. The shipping container industry was slowly coming of age during the second half of the 1970's decade. By the time the second wave of peacetime economic expansion hit the US during the 1980?s, the rail system was positioned to begin to make up lost ground, but not ready to capitalize on the climbing business cycle. Other businesses have made technological advances during the 60's and 70's which bypasses much of the rail industry. As a result, the rail industry was still at a competitive disadvantage. This time it was not due to financial controls, but to outdated equipment, lowered revenues, and degrading facilities and track conditions."
