Abstract
This paper looks at the book "Ethiopia: A Country Study" from the point of view of its unique angle in which it examines the history and society of Ethiopia. It shows how the authors adopt a holistic approach to the analysis of Ethiopia, providing a detailed description and interpretation of the country's major historical events, in addition to its social, economic, political, and security systems.

From the Paper
"Presented in a chronologically well structured manner, and in language that is acceptable to both academic experts and a general audience, the study conducts an in-depth analysis of Ethiopia's social, political and economic institutions, their development, efficiency and interrelationships. Ethiopia: A Country Study places great emphasis on the effects of cultural factors and, unlike many similar research projects, the authors of this book have closely examined and considered the results of political and economic development upon the different ethnic groups within Ethiopia, in addition to those of the population as a whole."

Tags:africa, society, economy, development, third, world, country, population

Abstract
The paper gives a detailed breakdown of Qatar's history and current demography. The paper includes details of the country's political and legal system. The paper further examines Qatar's economy and how it has been impacted by global events. The writer also examines Qatar's business relationships with the international community and how Qatar's gender bias effects this.

Table of Contents:
Page
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper
"According to Tom Owen, the years since Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed this leadership role have been good ones; during his tenure, Qatar emerged from relative obscurity to play an increasingly important role in the Persian Gulf region (Owen, 2000). The new emir has committed to easing press censorship and pushing for more transparency of government procedures, and he has made major progress in both of these areas; however while such pluralistic initiatives have pleased Qataris, these same initiatives have caused Qatar's neighbors some major concerns (Owen, 2000)."

Tags:Islam, democracy, vote, culture, export, geography

Abstract
This paper reviews Romanian history, details its people, location, and climate, and then delves into the issues outlined in the United Nations' millennium goals. Charts on approximately 20 different measures of health, economic well-being, technology, education and gender relations are included; current health issues are explored and changes proposed.

From the Paper
"Slightly larger than the state of Michigan, Romania is a republic in Southeastern Europe, bordered by Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and the Black Sea. The Danube River defines Romania's border with Bulgaria and much of Yugoslavia, while the Carpathian Mountains separate it from Hungary and Ukraine. Much of interior Romania contains lowlands and large saltwater lagoons, offshoots of the Black Sea (Carter 18). Far from being the gray wasteland the West often pictures, Romania experiences hot summers and cold winters, with recorded averages ranging from 95 degrees Fahrenheit in August to 15 degrees below zero during the coldest parts of the year. Romania's average annual rainfall ranges between 20 and 40 inches; for purpose of comparison, Lexington, Kentucky has an average annual rainfall of 44 inches (NART)."

Tags:aids, birth, communism, control, curtain, economics, health, iron, policy, public, romania, soviet

Abstract
This paper is a case study of tourism in Guatemala. It begins with a brief overview of the history of tourism and examines the current status of the country's geography, economy, and infrastructure as it impacts tourism in the 21st century. This is followed by an analysis of planning, development, and management of tourism in Guatemala under the auspices of the Instituto Guatemalteco de Tourismo (INGUAT), Guatemala's official tourism agency, with special reference to the policy of community-based tourism. The paper concludes with an emphasis on the need for collaboration among all the key stakeholders, the building of partnerships, and the need for the empowerment of the local Mayan communities.

Outline:
Introduction
Overview of the Country
Planning, development, and management of tourism in Guatemala
Stakeholder involvement
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Community-based tourism projects in Guatemala are generally sponsored, designed, and managed by NGOs. Ideally, the NGO should train members of the local community to take charge of the project and then pass control of it over to them when they are ready to run the project on their own. However, in most cases in Guatemala, the NGOs do not hand control over to the communities, but maintain a tight hold on the projects for as long as possible, arguing that if they give up control too quickly the project is likely to fail. The NGO employees tend to live at some distance from the projects that they are working on and they are predominantly ladinos, that is, Guatemalans of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent. They also tend to be better educated than the members of the local community, and are thus not seen as part of the local community that they serve (Miller, 2008). Under this sort of NGO control, community-based projects may get little cooperation from local residents. As Reid (2003) notes, "Communities will contribute and take charge of their development if it is clear that the ownership of the eventual tourism project will remain in their hands, and that they will benefit from it" (p. 135)."

Tags:Guatemala, tourism, community-based projects, INGUAT, NGO, ecotourism

Abstract
The character of Hulga in Flannery Connor's short story, "Good Country People" proves to be an excellent character study because of her alleged education and insight into matters of the world. The paper explains that, because Hulga claims to be so knowledgeable and highly educated, she becomes the perfect candidate for learning a valuable lesson that money cannot buy. It shows how, in the beginning of the story, Hulga is an arrogant, self-centered person, who has resigned herself to living a life of believing in nothing. However, by the story's end, Hulga has met with circumstances that will ultimately change how she views herself and the world. The writer discusses that Hulga's experience with Manley Pointer uncovers the truth about human nature in a way that is filled with irony.

From the Paper
"Despite what she believes about herself, Hulga's character possesses many weaknesses. Kate Oliver observes that Hulga's physical ailments "symbolize her emotional, intellectual, and spiritual impairments" (Oliver). Oliver also points out that it is Hulga's weakened heart that serves as a symbol of her "inability to love anyone or anything" (Oliver). This is the primary focus of O'Connor's character study involving Hulga. Her character is a direct contrast to Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hopewell. While Hulga treats her mother disrespectfully, and even asks her if she "ever looks inside" (O'Connor), she never once attempts to see her mother as a compassionate mother that is concerned about her daughter's well being. (Oliver) Instead, Hulga chooses to focus on the negative when it comes to her mother and everything else. Hulga's heart condition causes her to possess no "compassion for others; all her pity is reserved for herself " (Oliver). Moreover, this condition keeps her from "emotionally connecting with others" (Oliver). What Hulga desperately needs is to form relationships with people but her past will not let her get close to anyone unless she feels she can influence them. Manley appears to be such a victim for Hulga. However, Hulga's inflated opinion of herself and her knowledge make her his perfect victim because she believes she in untouchable."

Tags:manley, oliver, pointer

Abstract
This paper studies how country-of-origin (COO) issues impact marketing. The paper uses the merger between Chrysler and Daimler as a case study. The paper asks how COO issues have affected decisions by consumers to purchase American brand cars.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the subject of country-of-origin labeling in marketing terms The plan of the research will be to set forth the historical context in which this topic has taken on significance to marketers..."

Tags:COO, Daimler, Chrysler, cars

marketing

automobile industry

Abstract
This essay tells of Uzbekistan's endeavor to become a developed nation. It details the many problems associated with the transformation of Uzbekistan into a developing country. Some of these problems include corruption, problems with the country's arid terrain and the challenge of switching from a policy of havoc to one of order with the necessary government agencies in place. The paper then presents the different steps that are necessary to be to taken in order to ensure a successful transformation. The author then discusses the prospects for successful development when faced with many difficult challenges.

From the Paper
"In Uzbekistan state enterprises are being changed into shareholding companies, and private enterprises account for 45 percent of all registered firms. However, these businesses make decisions to set prices, output, and investment on a non-market base. Economic reform has been limited and frequently ineffective. Foreign investment has been low, and the government of Uzbekistan has been reluctant to undertake the reform measures advocated by the IMF, The World Bank, and other international economic organizations. Corruption, inefficiency, and bureaucratic resistance frequently stifle efforts to develop new business initiatives."

Tags:former, nation, soviet, union, uzbekistan, planning, central, desert, grow, political, annexation, institutions, havoc, moscow, transport, telecommunications, reform, structural, imf, foreign, exchange

Abstract
This paper addresses four discussion questions, specifically, how important is the role of an entrepreneur like Chung? Would the company develop without his drive or would market forces develop the same result? Do countries like Korea need firms like Hyundai, with or without their imperfections, to develop industries, or is it better to allow foreign firms to help modernize such countries? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Hyundai Group? What recommendations would you make? Finally, the paper addresses how Hyundai develops Korean managers to compete globally.

From the Paper
"How important is the role of an entrepreneur like Chung? Would the company develop without his drive or would market forces develop the same result? For the Hyundai Corporation, the role of an entrepreneur like Chung was very important. Obviously, Hyundai was Chung's vision from the ground up. He not only saw the opportunity to develop a conglomerate with the guidance of state-guided capitalism, but also was able to take action to benefit from the opportunities that were presented thanks to globalization and economic expansion within his home country. It was through Chung's..."

Tags:hyundai, case, study

Abstract
This paper is a case study of the Pandera Bread company, which was created by Louis Kane and Ron Shaich on the Eastern coast of the US in 1981. The company is currently operating 1027 bakery cafes across the country. 696 of these working points are franchised and the rest are company-owned. The paper discusses the group's activity, which covers the provision of food for breakfast and lunch and is spread across three business segments: bakery & cafe, franchise and the provision of fresh dough to franchisees. Also, the paper discusses the companies statistics, such as being considered by Business Week among the 100 Hot Growth Companies in US. Specifically, the paper assesses the bakery-cafe subunit, which is the company's flagship activity, and it's growth and franchise units. The paper asserts that franchising is one of the ways in which the company manages to create wider brand awareness and presence across the country and in the same time diversifies its risk. Also, this paper included many graphs and tables illustrating the key points throughout.

Outline:
Introduction
Strategic thinking
Tactical planning
a. Key Results
b. Success Factors
c. Critical Issues
d. One-Year Objective

From the Paper
"The total revenue, tangible book value, gross profit and cash from operations have values above the industry average. The higher these ratios are, the better is for the company. The inventory seems to have a value higher than the industry average. However, this ratio is positive when it has a low value, which suggests that the company's inventory is high. The levered free cash flow should be as high as possible to express a positive impact on the company. In Panera's case the value shows a negative evolution. One of the explanations for this evolution could be a high interest of mandatory principal repayment.
"Overall, the company's evolution in the last years has been remarkable and the Bakery and Cafe subunit has been by far the group's most important activity. In marketing terms, it is the group's "cash cow" activity as it already reached a maturity point - the company has been in this business for around 25 years; and the activity is still generating high revenues."

Tags:business, bakery, risk, growth, production, franchise

Abstract
This paper is a detailed case study of an outsourcing plan by an unnamed computer manufacturing company, described by one of the workers in the assembly line. The writer explains the reasons behind the decision to outsource, the various factors involved, and the consequences for the domestic workers, including the closure of 10 manufacturing plants throughout the country. The plan and timeline for outsourcing is described in detail, and the reasons for choosing to outsource in India. The writer also describes the reactions of the employees and consumers and what happened after the plan was carried out. The paper concludes that the full outcome of the decision to outsource will not be realized until the company has been in India for a much longer period of time.

Outline:
Introduction
Background
Plan for the Outsourcing of Manufacturing Jobs
Organizing the Outsourcing Plan
The Development of the Outsourcing Plan
Responses to the Decision to Outsource Jobs
Modifications/Amendments
Evaluation
Review of the Case
Summary

From the Paper
"The idea to outsource manufacturing jobs was actually spawned by some competitors (Proctor, 2005). The organization recognized that competitors were able to sell comparable products for a much lower price. After conducting some industry research, the organization found that competitors were able to greatly reduce payroll expense and other costs by having products manufactured overseas. As such competitors could pass those savings on to consumers by charging a much lower price. The company I worked for decided that in order to remain competitive they would have to reduce the costs of their products. Such a cost reduction could be accomplished in several ways, reducing the quality of the parts used to produce the product, reduce the workforce or outsource the manufacturing jobs."

Tags:vendor liaison regulation, severance pay, productivity strategy profitable stakeholder backlash