Abstract
The paper relates that De Beers' value chain begins with its Central Selling Organization or the CSO. The paper explains that while De Beers maintains some interest in mining activities its first real value center begins with the grading process of diamonds within the framework of its CSO operations where diamonds are assigned their market values (Cadieux, 2005, p.4). The paper reveals that for De Beers, the value chain can be described as being a sequence of primary business activities that add utility as well as value to its products or services (Value, 1996), and therefore, any organization can be subdivided into the components that add value to each of its processes comprising the production and delivery of its product or service. The paper relates that the reasons for examining an organization such as De Beers in this respect are many, but put briefly, being aware of a firm's value chain and its components tends to offer the greatest opportunity for De Beers to identify its sources of sustainable competitive advantage (Value, 1996, para.2).

From the Paper
"De Beers' value chain begins with its Central Selling Organization or the CSO. While De Beers maintains some interest in mining activities its first real value center begins with the grading process of diamonds within the framework of its CSO operations where diamonds are assigned their market values (Cadieux, 2005, p.4). For De Beers, the value chain can be described as being a sequence of primary business activities that add utility as well as value to its products or services (Value, 1996). Therefore, any organization can be subdivided into the components that add..."

Tags:de, beers, analysis

Abstract
On 13 September 1923, General Miguel Primo de Rivera launched a successful and bloodless coup d'etat, beginning seven years of dictatorship in Spain. Primo de Rivera was a maladroit politician filled with the fervor of Spanish patriotism thought sufficient to navigate his dictatorship through the murky waters of politics. This paper will argue that the regime was more of a developmental dictatorship than one based in the usual fundamentals of autocracy. It concerns itself instead with describing the political realities in which the Primo de Rivera dictatorship was based, before moving on to discuss the objectives and achievements of the regime. The paper concludes by suggesting ways in which the dictatorship may have influenced the cataclysmic developments that drew the nation into Civil War less than a decade after the collapse of the Primo de Rivera regime.

Tags:miguel, primo, de, rivera

Abstract
This paper examines how and why the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo protested to draw attention to the atrocities committed upon their children and their significant role in the international denunciation of the military regime of Argentina and its downfall.

From the Paper
"The group that came to be known as the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo the Mothers demonstrates the power that a formerly voiceless sector of society can wield when it refuses to go unheard. The Mothers were able initially to avoid the ..."

Tags:The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Argentina

Abstract
This paper describes the Mexican holiday known as Cinco de Mayo. It then goes on to place Cinco de May in its historical context, recounting the events that led to the Mexican victory at Puebla in 1862. Finally, it discusses Cinco de Mayo as a present day tradition and how it is celebrated both in Mexico and the United States.

From the Paper
"The Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo is more than just a day of celebration, it is a day when Mexicans around the world recall, maintain and reaffirm their roots. It is a tradition that marks the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla over the French. Since that time no foreign power has ever invaded Mexico and Cinco de Mayo has come to symbolize an end to foreign intervention. According to the American Heritage Dictionary Fourth Edition a tradition is defined as ..."

Tags:Cinco, de, Mayo, Battle, of, Puebla, tradition

Abstract
Research centering on Alcide de Gasperi centers primarily upon secondary accounts of historical record in which the political decisions, speeches, and records are maintained. De Gasperi formed a new government coalition in consequence of his attitude in interior and foreign policy. Alcide de Gasperi oversaw Italy's entry into the Cold War. Within Italy, Gasperi was forced to deal with a polarized nation. The Christian Democrats were forced to change Italy into an actively Western state. Gasperi is credited with bringing Italy into the fold of Western capitalism and Democracy.

Tags:alcide, de, gasperi

Abstract
This paper discusses De-Mar's product strategy, and what the products and services are. It further describes how the company's marketing, finance, and personnel all support Del-Mar's product strategy. De-Mar's customer-centric service policies are also highlighted.

From the Paper
"De-Mar's product is plumbing, heating and air conditioning service. The tangible parts of this product include parts needed for plumbing, heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair. These are the least important parts of D-Mar's product however. The service components are the ones that garnered it the customers that previously thought of other similar companies first for meeting their service needs. Expertise, outstanding customer service the actual servicing of the plumbing heating and air conditioning systems and a commitment to long-term business rather than to..."

Tags:De-Mar, product strategy, heating, plumbing, air conditioning, customer service, OMs

Abstract
This paper examines the life of Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of the sixteenth century French king, Henry II. The author notes that Diane de Poitiers emerged as a power in the French court of King Henry II because of her beauty, great insight, and political astuteness, and used them skillfully to forge an ever stronger relationship with the King. As the years passed she acquired so much influence that she became the queen of France in all but name, was the brains behind the throne, and was even placed in charge of educating the royal children of Henry and Catherine.

Tags:EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / FRANCE, diane de poitiers

Abstract
This paper describes "Missa Pange Lingua" as a critical turning point in Renaissance music in particular and Western music in general. The author states that Josquin de Prez honed his art to perfection in this piece. The paper relates that, to surpass him, Western music had to change its entire structure.

From the Paper
""Missa Pange Lingua" is Josquin's greatest achievement in the art of paraphrase in polyphonic music. Set in the ridged structure of a Catholic Mass, Josquin uses the numerous short passages to highlight his variation on ..."

Tags:Missa, Pagne, Lingua, Josquin, De, Prez, renaisance, music, polyphonic, paraphrase, eclesiastic, church, music

Abstract
In early-April 2000, HSBC Holdings PLC agreed to acquire a majority holding in Credit Commercial de France (CCF). The proposed merger of the two banking firms is analyzed in this paper. The analysis focuses on strategic choices made by HSBC in developing its acquisition strategy, motivations by both firms for the merger, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the proposed merger, analysis of the proposed merger within the context of Porter's Five-Forces Model of Competitiveness and challenges that will be faced by HSBC in relation to differences in corporate cultures should the merger be completed.

From the Paper
"A major motivation for HSBC to acquire CCF was to dilute the company's risk exposure in the Asian market (considered by HSBC management to be highly volatile) by increasing the company's presence in the European banking industry ("S&P Affirms HSBC Holdings Plc," 2000).
CCF, a successful but medium-sized company, has been a takeover target for larger financial institutions in Europe for more than a year. The suitors and their proposals, however, were not attractive to CCF management. Realizing that acquisition was probable sooner rather than later, CCF management was amenable to an acquisition proposal that addressed their own needs and those of CCF shareholders. The HSBC offer, which came as a surprise, met each of these requirements and has been recommended to CCF shareholders by the CCF board ("HSBC "a Major Player in Europe,"" 2000). Job losses at CCF, as an example, are expected to be minimal in an HSBC-CCF merger."

Tags:Banque, Nationale, de, Paris, electronic, banking

Abstract
This paper examines De Sica's films in greater detail as well as the environment which shaped his views.

Tags:vitorio, de, sica