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Gender Objectivity In International Business Management: The Probability Of Women Gaining Recognition and Acceptance In The Global Realm Of Business Research Proposal Paper

Gender Objectivity in International Business Management: the Probability of Women Gaining Recognition and Acceptance  in the Global Realm of Business       Introduction             In Megatrends 2000, John Naisbitt named the 1990s as the decade of women in leadership. He is optimistic about the role of women in the workforce. For one thing, women are ubiquitous: As he points out, women without children are even more likely to work than men in that category – 79 versus 74%.             Many may believe that marginalization of women have been eradicated   along with the seeming changed notion of women being somebody belonging to the home raising children and attending to household work. Many would argue that women are now equal with men. After all, we are few decades into the women’s movement. The civil rights act is almost 30 years old, and the resulting executive orders deal directly with, and enforce, equal employment opportunity for women. And surely, today’s generation of women is far more capable of dealing with the problems that confronted women in the past.            If we will accept this simple summary of the present we may not find value in studying gender objectivity in International Business Management and the probability of women ever gaining equal recognition and acceptance in the realm of International Business for the problems are not simple nor at a deeper level have things changed all that much.             There is little doubt that the legal drive to enforce equal opportunity has succeeded in making business organizations more aware of women both in blue-collar and managerial jobs. Simultaneously, the women’s movement has heightened women’s awareness of themselves, their rights and their work situations. There are evidences that more women now hold management positions than they did twenty or thirty years ago, yet the most recent statistics show that while women make up 39% of the labor force, less than 5% of Officials, Managers and Proprietress are women. However, why are they so small? The explanation lies at least in part in the concept on which the equal opportunity laws are based. These laws legislate for equal opportunity. They do not and cannot legislate truly equal access to that opportunity, and most importantly, they cannot ensure that people who have traditionally been discriminated against will immediately and automatically demonstrate the ability to take advantage of whatever access to opportunity may exists.             At the same time there is a real growing reaction to the enforcement of equal opportunity. It comes from those whose opportunities have been cut back in order to provide room for the inclusion of legitimized outsiders. These people who must make room for newcomers are becoming hurt, angry, resentful. While law controls formal structure, the implementation of its well-intended thrust must take place through the mechanisms of the informal structure. And in industry that informal structure is populated almost entirely by men, the same men whose opportunities have now been curtailed.             In most organizations the informal system of relationships finds both its origin and its present function in the male culture and in the male experience. It forms, its rules of behavior, its style of communication and its mode of relationships grow directly out of the male developmental experience. This cannot be viewed as something bad or good. It is real. Men founded and developed the vast majority of organizations we know. Men made them places where they could work and live and their settings were intended for both comfortable and familiar. And if organizations in general are dominated by the male culture, then we need to note that at the managerial level, and particularly in its highest ranks, the informal system is truly a basis of the male lifestyle.             If we think of men who belong to these informal systems as the insiders – people who understand and support each other, the structure, and the rules; people who share common aspirations and dreams; people who grew up with similar backgrounds; who played together, learned together, competed together; and concurrently we think of how differently women grow up: their different orientations, expectations, aspirations and experiences – then we can understand why in spite of the law, very little may really have changed for women.             What makes this particularly threatening to the future of women in management is that the informal system is at the heart of the middle management function and grows still more critical with every step upward. Few women are part of this system and most women don’t even recognize it exists. Thus a picture emerges in which those people whom we have called insiders operate knowledgeable and carefully within a system whose membership typically excludes women; a system which reacts to threats to its members by functioning in such a way as to make it even more difficult for women to become part of it.   Review of Related Literature             A number of studies have been made in connection with women in the business world. Most of which hail the women who made it to the top management, as in A few Good Women by Jane White (1992). Featured in the book are women par excellence, all from the United States. These include Karen Reimer, the Director of Corporate Transactions for Honeywell Inc.; Shirley Prutch of Martin Marietta who is considered the first female to be named vice president of the $5.8 billion corporation in 1979, after having already attained the presidency of Share, an organization of IBM computers, in 1974;  Nancy Faunce of Eastman Kodak; Loraine Binion of Levi Strauss and Co.; Sara Westendorf of Hewlett-Packard Co.; Melissa Cadet of River West Developments; Jacquie  Arthur of M/A-Com Inc.; Linda Wroblewski of Richard Eisner and Co.; Sara Levinson of MTV; Philiss Swerskey of AI Corp. Inc. and Carlene Ellis of Intel Corporation. In a much earlier endeavourer, Henning and Jardim (1976) jointly examine women executives at that time. The study encompasses a wide spectrum of women in management – their assumptions, perceptions and behavior; men in management and the organizational environment; and real and potential outcomes for both men and women in terms of career achievement. Other studies dealt with surveys on numbers of women in the realm of different professions, including business. Naisbitt (2000) says that in many professions women have increased from a minority as low as 10% in 1970 to a critical mass ranging from 30 to 50 percent. He also points to the growth of Working Women magazine, which at a circulation of 900,0000 in 1988 is surpassed only by the Wall Street Journal among business publications. The number of women joining the ranks of certain profession has mushroomed over the last three decades, according to Time Magazine (1989). The population of female lawyers and judges has sky-rocketed from 7,500 in 1960 to more than 180,000; female doctors from 15,672 to 108,000, and female engineers from 7, 404 to 174,000. The demographic makeup of institutions that provide the imprimatur for success in business has been found to change as well. In the 1950s, women made up only 20% of college undergraduates in contrast to 58% today, and two-thirds of them dropped out to get their “Mrs.” Degree instead of holding for their BA (White, 1992). In an anecdote in Business Month in 1990, it is stated that when Harvard University first grudgingly accepted women to its business school in 1959, while women are allowed to attend class with their male peers, these women had to  sit in the back of their exams at Radcliffe College. The gray eminences at Harvard would have a tough time finding enough room in the back of the class for females if they tried to enforce the practice  now: Women now account for 37% of MBA students, compared to 4% in 1972. In the same time period, the percentage of women at Stanford’s Business school has mushroomed from 2% to 43%, and at Columbia University from 7% to 42%. However, these numbers only tell half of the story. They reflect the fact that the expectations of women have certainly improved; women expect to pursue a college degree and they expect to be successful in the workplace/ However, when one starts to measure statistics reflecting success – i.e., the numbers of women in the top management – you’re no longer measuring expectations but acceptance. Unfortunately, most men don’t want women in the club (White, 1992). There are only so many jobs to go around. But one very seldom see COOs, CFOs or even Executive Vice Presidents either. Among Fortune 500 companies, only 1.7 % of corporate officers are women, according to the statistics in early 1900s done by Glinow, a professor in the School of Business at the University of Southern California. The magazine that invented the term Fortune 500 came up with similar findings. When Fortune Magazine examined 1990 proxy statements of 799 of the top public companies it found only 19 women listed among the highest paid officers or directors – or less than one half of a percent. It was also found that minority women find it tougher. Black females made up just 2% of the managers in companies with 100 or more employees in 1988, compared with Black men, who accounted for 3% of this group and white women, who totaled 23%, according to the data available from the Equal Opportunity Commission (1990). Not one black woman was among the top 25 Black managers in corporate America when Black Enterprise magazine ran an article naming them in 1988. Studies of how far women have moved up within individual professional specialties – banking, accounting, finance, etc., also produce dismal findings.     Statement of the Problem             This researcher finds the necessity for a study that specifically tackles gender objectivity or sensitivity in international business, especially in Joint Ventures. The general objective of this study is to identify why women are marginalized in the realm of international business. Specifically, this study will try to answer the following queries:   	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	What is the standard for 	 	good management in International Business?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	Why are men more preferred than women in 	handling complex and 	 	powerful positions in the International Business circle?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	What are the common positions 	 	(job titles) of women in the International Business? How does it compare 	with their 	 	male counterpart? What does it imply in terms of 	 	salary grade, compensations, benefits?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	What are the factors that lead to the 	seeming 	 	isolation of women in International Business?</li>   Nature and Significance             Although a whole gamut of studies have focused on the status of women in the business community, limited studies, if any, have traversed the boundaries of local businesses. This writer deems it necessary to fill this wide gap of knowledge concerning the role of women in the business world as a whole by zeroing in on the realm of International Business, specifically International Joint Ventures (IJV).  This writer feels that the marginalized status of women in local business will be reflected, if not magnified all the more in International Business, an arena more powerful and multifaceted.             An IJV is a distinct enterprise, a multi-organizational agreement, created as an alliance between two or more parent organizations working across country borders in designing-managing venture (Woodside, 1996). In real-life, designing and IJV usually takes six months to three years. The decision process in creating IJV is messy and time-consuming, more so its management.             This study will be a significant endeavor in establishing the role, if any, that women play in International Business, specifically in IJV. It will shed light to the inquiry why women seem not to par with men in the territory that is international business. It will discover the tough nature of the so-called “old boys club” and why these is difficult to penetrate. The points at which women seemed to be on a disadvantage will be discovered and considered and carefully examined. In the end, a recommendation will be made that may give pointers to businesswomen to reach top IJV management.             Methodology              A number of IJV top management, both males and females, will be surveyed and interviewed as to the realm of this study. People in the top management of five to six IJVs based all over the world will be sent questionnaires pertaining to the topic. Their cooperation will be fervently sought after. Those that are based locally, if any, will be visited and observed. A descriptive analysis (with strictest confidence given to financial aspect) of its organization will be undertaken, form the organizational structure down the most intricate detail permitted. The object is to find out the exact nature of IJV, of how powerful and complex it is.             In line with the descriptive analysis of two or more IJVs the women in these tough ventures will be examined. Interviews will be scheduled to cover the information that is vital to this study, such as the characteristics of some top (or middle) management women. Their educational and family background will be examined and will be correlated with the success they achieved using Pierson Correlation. The data will be coming from accomplished questionnaire and interviews.             At the end of the data gathering period this researcher must have gathered enough information on (1) the IJVs under study; (2) the characteristics of the top management and (3) the women in these IJVs. It is supposed that not so many women have penetrated this realm, save for those that hold secretarial jobs.             In line with these data gathering objectives the following points will be given enough attention for each data category:   On the IJVs: 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	When did it start?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	Who pioneered its management team?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What is the vision/ mission/ goal/ nature 	of the IJV?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	How strong is the IJV in terms of market?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	How many does it employ? What is the ratio 	of men to women employees?</li>   On the top management: 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What is the composition of the top 	management? How many are males and females?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	Who holds the highest position? What is his 	educational attainment? Socio-economic status? Family history?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	 What is his most valuable contribution to 	the venture?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	 What are his personal characteristics? How 	can he be described as a person?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	Who are the company’s biggest 	personalities? Is a woman one of them? What are their educational 	attainments? Socio-economic status? Family history?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	 What are their most valuable contributions 	to the venture? </li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What are their personal characteristics? 	How can they be described as be described as a person?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What does the top management consider in 	choosing its employees? Its managers? Does gender bias exists in the 	selection? If so, to what extent?</li>     On Women in Top Management: 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What is her educational attainment? 	Socio-economic status? Family history?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What is her most valuable contribution to 	the venture? </li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What are her personal characteristics? How 	can she be described as a person?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What is her most significant contribution 	to the venture?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What challenges did she face before 	reaching the top?</li> 	<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%"> 	What is her future plans as a career woman? 	As a  person in general?</li>   References:  Bell, Ella. “Both Racism and Sexism Block the Path to Management for Minority Women,” The Wall Street Journal. July 25, 1990.   Henning, Margaret and Jardim, Anne. The Managerial Woman. Pocket Books in New York. 1976.   Naisbitt, John. Megatrends 2000.   Statistics on female participation in certain professions and college enrollments on “Onward, Women!” Time. December 4, 1989.   “Topping Out”. Statistics about female MBAs at Harvard, Stanford and Columbia. Executive Female, 1989.   White, J. A Few Good Women: Breaking the Barriers to Top Management. Prentice-Hall. 1992   “Why Women Still Don’t Hit the Top,” Survey results. Fortune, July 30, 1990.   “Women on the Verge of Being CEO”. Anecdote on female MBAs at Harvard in 1959. Business Month. April 1990.   Woodside, A., et al. Creating and Managing Joint Ventures. Quorum Books. 1996.

Gender Objectivity In International Business Management: The Probability Of Women Gaining Recognition and Acceptance In The Global Realm Of Business Research Proposal Paper

Gender Objectivity in International Business Management: the Probability of Women Gaining Recognition and Acceptance in the Global Realm of Business Introduction In Megatrend…

Why we should protect the environment and International environmental movements.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT Introduction   Currently, the world is experience massive changes in the environment that have resulted to different natural disasters and tragedies. This includes typhoons, flash floods, landslide and the likes that have caused death and loss and destruction of properties. One of the important environmental issues being faced by the world is global warming or climate change. Based on different studies, it can cause vital changes in the environment that can cause more destructive and dangerous calamities. Based on these events, the world had begun to realize that this is the right time to act by protecting the environment.   Why Should We Protect The Environment?               The environment is the one that provides the different resources that are needed for the livelihood of living things, which enables human, animals, plants and other living creatures in the world to live well. Therefore, the study of the environment is not just important for the humans, but it is essential. In order to continue to survive and prosper, it is important to understand the different needs, changes and behaviors of the environment and link it with the different actions that are being implemented by humans (2005).             The environment is where we live in; it is the place where in human and other living and non-living organisms are interacting in order to create a natural cycle. Everything of what we are now is because of the environment, individuals are dependent to the environment, from the air that he or she breathe up to the food and drinks to consume and shelter and clothes for protection. Aside from that, businesses and organizations are dependent on the environment, from the location of its headquarters and factories up to the different raw materials that are needed in order to create the finish product. Based on this, all of us are all dependent to the environment, thus, protecting it is our responsibility. It is important to consider the fact that we are the keepers of this planet; therefore it is important to ensure that the ecosystems function with harmony in order to maintain equilibrium and the health of the planet as well as of all the living organisms (2001). This is because if the deterioration of the environment continued, we will be the first to be affected. Currently, the world is facing the revenge of nature.    What Are The International Movements For Protecting The Environment?               Due to the growing awareness of the world towards protecting the environment, there are different international movements that are being done in order to increase the knowledge and awareness of the world regarding the current situation of the environment, at the same time, motivates them to act and change their lifestyles in order to protect the environment. Currently, different environmental movements primarily focused on global warming. This was started by the film by Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, which enables to enlighten the world regarding the consequences of actions and technologies used during the past, particularly during the industrial era, where in different machineries and factories where implemented and used, without considering its negative impact to the environment as well as towards the health of the people.             One of the most massive and successful movements was the Earth Hour campaign, where in several countries in the world, with the help of different private and public companies and individuals joined in turning off their lights. Another important movement is the growing knowledge and awareness of the people in using plastic materials, particularly those that are being used in supermarkets. Currently, different supermarkets, department stores and brands are focusing on implementing new policy in their packaging their products. Most of them are offering paper or fabric bag in order to reduce the number of plastic waste.             In connection, different organizations in the world, particularly those that are connected in aviation industry are focusing on omitting their carbon waste with the help of local and international government by offering rewards and appraisals. In connection, in most of the developed and emerging market, the market of green cars or hybrid cars, running by using electricity, which helped to reduce the amount of carbon emission, is increasing.             Above all, local and national governments, with the help of social responsibility initiatives of private companies are focusing on intensive information dissemination for individuals and families regarding the different tips, particularly regarding electricity, such (e.g. light bulb) are being implemented in different countries. They are being informed with the different disadvantages of using excessive electricity in the environment, and how they can help in order to protect the environment and prevent the further impact of global warming.

Why we should protect the environment and International environmental movements.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT Introduction Currently, the world is experience massive changes in the environment that have resulted to different natural disasters and tragedies. This includes …

Why is eBay the Most Successful Online Auction?

Title: Why is eBay the Most Successful Online Auction?       Introduction               The use of the World Wide Web has become one of the inevitable ways in obtaining and gathering relevant information regarding a myriad of subject matters and issues. Its use is most popular among the society, most especially the younger generation, who perceive the Internet as one of the most helpful tools in terms of education and communication. Because of this, the growing importance of the Internet has been extended to other aspects, including business and marketing.               Aside from communication and education, the use of the Internet is being maximized and utilized in terms of business and marketing, such as being done by the eBay company, with their online auction. Through online auctions, individuals are able to obtain and purchase their needed and wanted items directly, without the hassle of traveling and physically looking for the products. With the use of eBay, customers are able to purchase their products regardless of distance, quantity, weight, age, and location, through their credit cards and online banking accounts. Thus, the use of eBay promotes convenience and easy access to consumers. With the importance and significance of the operations of eBay, this paper discusses success in terms of online auctioning, and investigates how eBay has become the largest online auction house.        Background of the Study               This research was conducted to investigate the success of eBay with its online auction, and to know the reasons why it has become the largest online auction house. Its headquarters is located at San Jose, California in the United States of America. The site is managing its online auction, from where people shop, purchase and sell goods and services online, all throughout the world. Pierre Omidyar, a computer programmer, founded the eBay site on September 3, 1995 as AuctionWeb, as part of a larger personal site (2007), and since then, the eBay juggernaut has been rolling its way. It is really very astonishing to think that this website was created to sell Pez dispensers and other kinds of collectibles, and would become the leader in the market of e-commerce ( 2002).   In addition, many observers, who have seen eBay grow to the position that it has attained now, commented that there is no force able to stop it from becoming the world’s most successful online auction site. Its business process creates a business model, which does not require the carrying on of any inventory, but rather has its share of the profit margin from every transaction that it does. The operation of the company is done by the means of its market mechanism. With this business process, eBay is able to sell anything and everything that is legal, and which does not violate its policy regarding restricted items. Thus, this research project will introduce and demonstrate that eBay is the most successful website that highlight online auction, and that no existing competitors will be able to compete against this eminent online auction house.       Research Objectives               The focus of this research project is addressed in the following objectives <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify"> To examine the success of eBay</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify"> To administer a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify"> To identify the competitors of eBay <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify"> Direct Competitors</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify"> Indirect Competitors</li> </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify"> To identify how competitors compete with eBay</li>       Literature Review               It has been reported that electronic commerce or e-commerce is becoming increasingly important to consumers, sellers, and entire communities (2005). In addition, although it is still considered in its infancy, Internet usage and online marketing are already growing explosively. As a proof of this, during 2003, approximately 40 million households in the United States made at least a single purchase from the Internet ( 2005). With this, online marketing has become and will continue to become a full and complete business model for other companies, and with the increase of companies that invest in such a business, including Amazon.com, eBay, Yahoo!, and Netscape, this type of business model has proven a success ( 2005). Research suggests that online sellers are making successful efforts to increase consumer usage of their Website (  2005).               The increasing importance of e-commerce and the use of the Internet, led many online companies, such as eBay to engage in online auctioning. It has already been mentioned that the online operations of eBay started in selling Pez dispensers, and from then, the online auction has continued to buy and sell other stuffs that would interest consumers. Ten aspects are attributed to the success of eBay, namely, commitment, well-spent funds, an effective and persistent marketing and public relations, great products or services to sell, not selling of junk, great customer service, efficient and pleasant facility, polished listings and photos, paying attention to details, and good recordkeeping ( 2006). These ten aspects are perceived to be contributory to the success of eBay in the industry as the leading online auction house, and determine its edge over its competitors.               The success of eBay has inspired other online companies to engage in the same business, of perceiving the same attention that it receives from consumers. With this, several competitors can be pointed out, which are also online companies that engage in the same services that eBay offers. Aside from Amazon.com, Yahoo! and Netscape ( 2005), several other online companies have also emerged, including Ubid.com, bid-alot.com, uauction.com, auctionfire.com (2005), and Google (2007). However, the competition against eBay is not only based on e-commerce and the use of the Internet, for many still use conventional methods in advertising and selling their products and services, thus, points out the indirect competitors of eBay. The indirect competitors of eBay include online stores, retail outlets, physical auctions such as galleries, shops, boutiques, and estate sales, newspaper classified ads, radio and television ads, bulletin boards in stores and offices, billboards, cable TV channels ( 2005), and other forms of media. From this, it can be seen that eBay has many direct and indirect competitors, which somehow lessens the amount of consumers that are being helped buy and sell their stuff. However, despite the presence of a number of competitors, eBay is still considered the largest online auction house that is being accessed by most consumers.               This issue leads many researchers and analysts to recognize the importance and significance of e-commerce as a primary factor of generating an online community. Through online communities, such as those developed groups that access eBay, help introduce and promote specific brands of products and services. It has been reported that in the traditional brand relationship, communication flows between the vendor and the consumer, while with brand-based online communities, the potential dialogue flowing between consumers is achieved through real time ‘chat’ taking place in chat rooms, and through asynchronous discussions that play over days, weeks, and months in discussion forums or bulletin boards ( 2001). From this, it can be understood that word-of-mouth and online conversations contribute to the information of consumers, on where to access their needed products and services in the Internet. This, thus, enables eBay consumers to spread its use and convenience to other consumers. Consequently, this allows consumers to access the website, to obtain products and services from it, thus, enhancing the use and convenience of eBay.       Methodology               As stated, the purpose of this research study is to study the facts that prove to be the probable reasons for eBay, being the most successful online auction. In order to complete an efficient study of the project, the research study uses a descriptive research method, which uses observations and surveys. Specifically, a quantitative descriptive method was used, because it plainly and distinctively specifies both the independent and dependent variables under investigation. This study should be based on surveys and statistical treatments, so basically, the quantitative approach suits well with it.               The researcher designed a questionnaire to demonstrate the popularity of eBay against the popularity of other online auction sites. Through the questionnaire, it can conduct a survey of fifty (50) respondents, which includes family members, friends, and colleagues, with an age range of 18 and 50. The purpose of the age range is because this particular age range is the group of users who mostly have access to the Internet, compared to the rest of the population. This indicates that the study uses a simple random sampling method.               This study was carried out within a period of two to three weeks, with the assistance of friend, to help with data gathering and analysis. The sample size of the research study includes fifty respondents only, to show that eBay is already popular within this small number of respondents. It also shows that the popularity of eBay within the given age range is regardless of the number of respondents that will be included in the research study. In terms of data distribution and gathering, the survey questionnaire will be personally distributed to the residences of respondents, or sent through electronic mail. Hence, the collection of the primary data will be obtained using the research method discussed. On the other hand, the secondary sources of data will come from published articles related to the topic, including books, related academic journals and magazines, and online sources. In addition, analysis and interpretation of the data will be done using graphs, charts and tables, and with the use of simple statistical computations.         Results and Findings               As mentioned, the primary data to be used in this research study was obtained through a questionnaire, which demonstrates the popularity of eBay and determine the probable factors that determine the success of eBay. The respondents of the research study include family members, friends and colleagues, with an age range of 18 to 50 years olds. A total of fifty (50) respondents were considered in this research study. Several aspects from the questionnaire were considered for the analysis of the results, which are believed to emphasize the purpose of this research study.     Among the number of respondents, majority belong the age range of 18 to 25 years old, having 18 respondents. Fifteen respondents belonged to the age range of under 18 years old, 9 respondents belonged to the age range of 25 to 45, and 8 respondents belonged to the age range of 45 years old or more. Along with the age of respondents is their gender. From the data obtained, 23 females and 27 males responded to the survey. This is shown in the figure below (Figure 1).   Figure 1. Chart showing the age ranges and gender of respondents.               Another aspect that must be given emphasis is the particular reasons respondents like eBay. Majority of respondents, with 17 responses, like eBay because of the number of products and finds that eBay provides. Twelve respondents like eBay because of rare finds, while 7 respondents like eBay because of its shipping terms and insurance. All three aspects like the products are alphabetically arranged, the products have pictures and details, and its modes of payment, have 3 respondents each. Respondents also liked the fact that the website is easy to navigate and its signing account, which had 2 respondents each. Lastly, only one respondent liked the fact that the products are placed in categories. This is shown in Figure 2.   Figure 2. Chart showing the aspects that respondents like about eBay.                         In addition, the data as to why the respondents perceive eBay as successful is important. Majority of the respondents, with 10 respondents each, believe that the success of eBay is attributed to its large selection of items and the buyer’s experience. Next in line is the image the website created, having 9 respondents. The next factor responsible for its success is the seller’s feedback, having 8 respondents, while 6 respondents believe that its reputation is the attributable for its success. Five respondents believe that eBay is easy to use, while 2 respondents like the website being safe. In addition, no respondent perceived the aspect of fun, payment options, free registration, website design, website promotion, and others as contributory to its success. This data is shown in the graph below.   Figure 3. Chart showing the perceived attributes for the success of eBay.                 Another factor that determines the success of eBay in its industry is the satisfaction that customers get from its services. According to the data collected, twenty of the respondents stated that they are satisfied with the service, while eight respondents are very satisfied with the service. Ten respondents said that they are dissatisfied, while seven are very dissatisfied with the service of eBay. Three respondents are undecided and two respondents said that the question is not applicable. This is shown in the table below.   Table 1. Table showing the rate of satisfaction of respondents on the services of eBay Very Satisfied Satisfied Undecided Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Not Applicable   Total 8 20 3 10 7 2 50             If separately computed, a total of twenty-eight respondents are satisfied with the services offered by eBay, while 17 respondents are not satisfied. From this data, it can be seen that more respondents are satisfied than not satisfied with the services of eBay. A total of five respondents are either satisfied or not satisfied from the services.               An important aspect to take note of is the attributes that affect the importance of selecting products on eBay, which includes quality, cost, quantity, brand name, and familiarity. The respondents ranked the five different attributes according to its importance to them, and according to the data collected, quality ranked the first, having a score of 18. Cost ranked second, which gave the score of 15, brand name ranked third, with the score of 10, and familiarity ranked fourth, with the score of 4. Among the five attributes, quantity ranked the last, which gave the score of 3. This data is shown in the table below.   Table 2. Table showing the ranked importance of attributes in selecting products in eBay Attributes Quality Cost Quantity Brand Name Familiarity     Total Rank 1 2 5 3 4 Score 18 15 3 10 4 50        Discussion               The results obtained from the collaboration of the data gathered through the questionnaire presents significant outcomes in relation to the objectives of the study. The primary goal of this research study is to determine the factors that affect the success of eBay in the market, using its SWOT analysis, its competitors, and how competitors compete with eBay.               From the results, it can be emphasized that the popularity of eBay transcends age, occupation, nationality and race. The results indicated that eBay is most popular among respondents who belong to the age range of 18 to 25 years olds. This means that respondents in their early and mid 20s are the ones more exposed to the website compared to other respondents belonging to other age ranges. From this, it can be understood and correlated that respondents belonging to the specified age range purchase and visit eBay more often compared to other respondents. It is probable to also indicate that these respondents, being young and more determined to earn money from their employment, they are the ones who have the capacity to purchase items from eBay. This can be supported by the fact from recent surveys, 80 million US Internet users visit eBay ( 2006) and probably make some purchases. In the United Kingdom, survey indicates that eBay UK is one of the most visited websites of Internet users with the ages of 18 to 24 (2006). In relation to this is the fact that more male respondents are included in the study compared to female respondents. However, this data does not indicate that more males purchase from the website. In addition, the data does not also indicate and suggest that males earn more than females. This just proves to show that eBay is more popular to the male gender compared to females, belonging in the age range of 18 to 25 years olds.               The results of the survey questionnaire indicate that the success of eBay is attributed to the number of products listed in its website, followed by the fact that consumers can purchase more rare finds in eBay compared to other online auction websites. This result corresponds to the findings of  (2006), who listed ten aspects that are attributed to the success of eBay, and “great products or services to sell”, is one of them. This is further supported by the data gathered, which indicates that the presence of large selection of items is the aspect most liked by its consumers, which is also supported by the statement of  (2006).               In addition, the results of the study also indicated that among the important attributes of purchasing a product from eBay, the quality and the costs of products are among the attributes, which received the highest rank from the respondents. This means that among other attributes in purchasing items, the quality and the costs of products are much given importance. These findings are further supported by the study done by  (2005), who found out that the top factors customers consider before choosing a product are price, quality, technology and features respectively. Although in this study, the primary consideration is price, quality, nevertheless, ranks second, which does not present a significant difference with the findings of this research study. However, the study done by  (2003) indicates that not all Internet users purchase items or stuffs from online auction websites, such as eBay with the fear that online shopping may not be safe, and for not having the confidence of knowing how to do it. This study also suggests that only about 3.1 to 3.2% of online surfers who visit the website make a purchase (2003), which negates the observations of this study.                 Last aspect that must be given importance is the satisfaction that consumers get when purchasing from eBay. The results of this study suggest that twenty-eight respondents are satisfied with the services of eBay, while seventeen respondents feel otherwise. From this data, it can be observed that more respondents are satisfied with the services of eBay, compared to the not satisfied ones, which clearly indicates that the rate of use of the website is directly proportional to the satisfaction of its users. The satisfaction of the consumers of eBay is being focused upon by its services depending on the complaint of clients. This is done through eBay’s Feedback system, which means establishing a user’s reputation, its Independent Feedback Review, which allows evaluation of transaction, and through its Standard Purchase Protection Programme Process ( 2006). Through these strategies, eBay is able to sustain and maintain its consumers, thus, aiming at their satisfaction and rendering effective and efficient service. With these, the time and efforts of its founder,  did not go into waste. According to one of his interviews, he emphasized that what eBay did was to create a new market, which was already there before. He pointed out that this new market is a global one, for the kind of goods that are usually traded at flea markets and garage sales. From these goods, trade has progressed into computer electronics, computers, computer equipments, sporting goods, and many others ( 2000).   The results and findings of this research study are further emphasized using a SWOT analysis. The SWOT analysis presents a systematic and organized presentation of data that would support the findings of this research study and the perceived findings of other authors.   Figure 4. SWOT Analysis of the Success of eBay                 However, despite the success of eBay among its users, as indicated in this research study, the presence of its competitors should not be neglected. It has already been mentioned that direct and indirect competitors of eBay exist in the market, where direct competitors refer to other online companies that engage in online auctions, and indirect competitors, which refer to other forms of media and communications that use conventional methods in selling, buying and advertising products. With the presence of such competitors, it can be understood that not all consumers are able to become exposed with the products and services offered in eBay. This just means that eBay does not totally maximize its use in its participation in e-commerce. From this, the strategies or ways of how competitors compete with eBay can be pointed out. Primarily, competitors compete with eBay by developing and introducing online payment services similar or more improved than PayPal, which is the online payment service of eBay. With this, consumers are offered more convenient services to compete with PayPal. Second, competitors also offer similar products and services that eBay offers to compete with the bids and prices of products in posted or listed in eBay. Because consumers are delighted with the extent of product variety (2005), many Internet users would be encouraged visit other websites for much lower prices and bids. Third, competitors develop and offer additional features in their websites, such as online dating and information services. Competitors perceive these to be their edge from eBay, and aims to defeat the website in this aspect. These additional features and services also encourage consumers to visit other websites. Lastly, competitors compete with eBay by having more exposures using the different forms of media, including magazines, newspapers and print advertisements. They offer cheaper and more affordable prices, which enable consumers to have greater variety and selection. With these strategies, consumers have more choices, variety and selection, which somehow contributes to the decline of the use of eBay in terms of auction. From this, it can be understood that despite the popularity and success of eBay as the leading online auction website worldwide, some inevitable and uncontrollable factors can still be determined, which contribute to the decrease in the maximization of its use. However, in terms of overall evaluation and analysis, the success of eBay is unparalleled to other online auction websites.            Conclusion and Recommendation               This research study was successful in addressing its goals and objectives of examining the success of eBay, of identifying its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, of identifying its direct and indirect competitors, and of identifying the strategies of competitors in competing with eBay. Based on the considered number of respondents, this research study was able to determine that eBay is most popular with citizens belonging in the age range of 18 to 25 years old, and with more male respondents than the number of female respondents. However, as mentioned earlier, this data does not indicate that more males purchase from the website, and does not indicate that males earn more than females. This just proves to show that eBay is more popular to the male gender compared to females, belonging in the age range of 18 to 25 years olds. Another aspect that was emphasized in this research study is the fact that one of the strengths of eBay is the number of products and services that it offers its consumers, for one of the consideration of online consumers is the large number of products they can find in eBay. The importance of this aspect is the fact that variety of products is attributed to the success of eBay in the market and in its industry. Moreover, the discussion emphasized that quality and price are two of the most important aspects that consumers give importance to when purchasing a product or service. This aspect is thus, related to the satisfaction of consumers with the products and services offered and rendered in eBay. Majority of the respondents are satisfied with the products and services of eBay, thus, contribute to the fact that its success is due to the word-of-mouth of its users, being satisfied with its services. From this, it can be understood that this satisfaction is being extended and communicated to their peers, which enable many consumers to use the services eBay offers. In terms of overall analysis and evaluation, this research study has been able to perceive that the success of eBay depends on the satisfaction of consumers, on the number, quality and prices of products and services that it offers, and on the population being referred to. Furthermore, this study was also able to conclude that the success of eBay is unparalleled, for being the leading online auction website.               For the improvement of this research study in future endeavors, recommendations include the increase in the number of respondents that the study can consider. This entails more in-depth analysis and evaluation, and more time to accomplish. Another recommendation is to consider other factors from the questionnaire, aside from the discussed aspects in the study. The analysis and evaluation of other aspects may offer and provide more enlightenment and understanding of the success of eBay in its industry and in the market. In addition, future research study regarding this topic must include another item in the questionnaire, such as other online auction websites visited and used by consumers. This would enable the researcher to understand what aspects are lacking from eBay. Moreover, the researcher can evaluate and analyze the existing complaints against eBay, which encourages consumers to visit and use other online auction websites. Lastly, the research study also recommends the increase in the advertisements eBay can use to further market and promote its products and services to the public. With additional advertisements, eBay would be introduced and promoted to more consumers.

Why is eBay the Most Successful Online Auction?

Title: Why is eBay the Most Successful Online Auction? Introduction The use of the World Wide Web has become one of the inevitable ways in obtaining and gathering relevant i…

Research Proposal on Effectiveness of Nursing Review Centers among Nursing Students Who Will Take Nursing Board Exam

Effectiveness of Nursing Review Centers among Nursing Students Who Will Take Nursing Board Exam Introduction The nursing education is an exciting, challenging adventure that will demand much of nursing students in terms of time and energy. Nursing is a profession that requires alleviating the pain and promoting the health of others. And the primary aim of nursing is the goodness of others; it is a value laden profession. This specific nature of nursing requires nurses to do what is right during their practice. Background of the Study and Problem Statement A nursing student encounters complex situations and conflicts which cannot be resolved only through theoretical knowledge and skills.  Moreover, the nursing students are seeking professional knowledge as they go on through series of studies and practice. Such situations may involve moral components that require the skills of ethical decision making for nurses. Yet, learning the skills of ethical decision making cannot be enough to resolve ethical problems due to many factors including the complex nature of a given problem. Pursuing the professionalism in the medicine industry gives a lot of stress in the part of the students especially when they are entering the world of the real nursing duty.Based on the background of the paper, there are two interrelated problems that are associated in the study: ·         What is the essence of the Nursing Review Centers? ·         How can the Nursing Review Centers emphasize the nursing ethics and knowledge? Research Aim and Objectives The main aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of Nursing Review Centers for the nursing students who will take Nursing Board Exam. In order to facilitate the investigation, there are objectives that need to consider. First is to identify the issues that are related in the nursing review centers and their service offering for the students. The second objective is to assess the issues and determine if the review centers answered the issues or not. Through that assessment, the gaps can be identified and can lead to the third objective which is to measure the effectiveness of the nursing review centers in providing various strategies that can result in a quality service. Research Questions There are several questions prepared that can serve as the engine of the study in the process in meeting the objectives. The health care system and management are the focus of the questions to ensure that there is an alignment between the literature reviews and empirical situations. 1.      What are the common challenges being faced by the nurses as well as the nursing review centers? 2.      What are the recognized difficulties of the management in terms of nursing education? 3.      What are the actions of the management about the area of their weakness? Literature Review One study identified the various problems of the nursing students and pointing out that the main cause of these problems is a big amount of stress during their life a student. Nursing students, actually in a broad sense, all of the students’ faces some series of challenges and stressors. But more likely, the nursing students are the one who are in the center of experiencing stress. The stress maybe came from their friends, professors, colleagues, family or relatives, and even relationships and competition. Every day, students doesn’t only needs a brain to do a workload and be happy to grab it fast but they also founding certain emotions in dealing with the other people and not always facing the thick pages of a book. Nursing students experience stress severe enough to induce mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The source of the stress in nursing students is related in their learning experience and the programs that they enrolled into. The learning experience is a series of planned activities in the community that would prepare students technically and professionally should they decide to pursue higher education in the health profession. Another factor is the time allocated in the nursing college’s classroom and laboratory. Students also advised, or rather required by the professors to present some research based procedures and clinical conferences. The continuous activities making the students accumulated the burnout behaviors which are characterized by reduction in their performance. And just like the domino effect, everything else follows.  The students are destined to feel slight health failure, physical illness and emotional stress. There is also physical and psychological symptoms of stress that are present in every nursing students that suffered pressure such as irritability, inability to concentrate, insomnia, depression, muscular tension and aches, palpitations, lack of appetite and others. But actually, not all the case of a nursing student finds a negative response on the stress factor. The existence of the review centers is believed, at some point, to increase and improve the nurses’ intelligence and performance. Methodology The proposed method in the study is the use of the interview. Firstly, the participants are consisted of the nurses and management team in Black Lion Hospital. Their information will be provided such as their age, gender, position in the hospital, and number of years in practice and service. That information is believed to create an influence on to what the nurses and the management ideas and how the way they will act on the issues of nursing practice. Through the application of the interview, the conducted material can serve as the evidence for the development of the analysis.   Sources: Factors Affecting the Academics of Nursing Students: Conducted at a selected College of Nursing located in Makati City. [Online] Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/lanel09/final-paper-1717456 [Accessed 26 January 2011]. Factors Affecting the Academics of Nursing Students According to Ethics [Online] Available at: nursing.yale.edu/Centers/International/.../docs/98_Erdil.doc [Accessed 26 January 2011].

Research Proposal on Effectiveness of Nursing Review Centers among Nursing Students Who Will Take Nursing Board Exam

Effectiveness of Nursing Review Centers among Nursing Students Who Will Take Nursing Board Exam Introduction The nursing education is an exciting, challenging adventure that will demand much of…

Free Thesis Statements on "Talking wrong " by Patricia Smith and "Mother Tongue "by Amy Tan

Free Thesis Statements Thesis Statements on How do the texts show a conflict of identity caused by a conflict of language development? How do these conflicts develop over time? How do the describer …

The Current Economy and It's Impact On Restaurant Industry

The Current Economy and Its Impact On Restaurant Industry. The restaurant business is not a stable industry. From external factors like snowstorms to some internal factors like just one piece of broken equipment can affect the amount of business you do on any given day. These are just some of the many restaurant problems many managers face. According to  twenty-five percent of restaurant operators said the economy is the number-one challenge facing their business, followed by food costs (22%), building-and-maintaining sales volume (16%) and recruiting-and-retaining employees (14%). restaurant is a franchise restaurant and has four chain stores one in  and  The owner and manager of the ,  has identified a few issues that restaurant is currently faced with. To investigate the issues to become Mission Statement, the restaurant promise is "Using only the finest quality ingredients to create classical and contemporary Indian cuisine with traditional methods. Through primary research and an interview with owner,  the following problems were identified. That the restaurant was not performing as  what is expected to proper hiring and training new employees. Advertising is of poor quality hence there is connection to maintain the loyalty of the employees.   The poor advertising factor is also related to the need to make an interactive website, because the current website of the company is old hence giving an impression that the company is not progressive. To provide some solution to the problem the manager has conducted a study. The SWOT analysis has identified the businesses strengths, weaknesses. Strengths and weaknesses are those what happen internally within the restaurant. Some of the strengths are attributed to the front house service of the company.  The weaknesses are those that the restaurant still follows a traditional and old fashioned in catering services to the consumers. On the other hand, opportunities and threat are those linked to external matters that have an impact to the organization. It was found out that the opportunity is the capacity of restaurants to adapt to the dictates of the restaurant industry. The threats is the losing the position in the business industry because of the emergence of newly and modern restaurants. The hospitality industry demands special skills and qualities of its people, particularly in the area of catering services to the consumers. The restaurant must be able to incorporate the necessity of improve training and staff performance. Training must include intense motivation and the ability to make the employees to know the importance of the job and to work as a team. In addition,  the business must be well managed in order to create a sense of commitment and team spirit. Training gives managers a greater overall confidence and a better positive outlook. Profit Chain in which well-trained and engaged employees deliver outstanding service.  Furthermore, the ways to increase customer is also vital because it could also be the way to see how customers are satisfied with the services prepared.   This can be achieved thru advertising primarily in the offer excellent friendly customer services.  messages in advertising: Quality,  Freshness, Affordable, Variety, Value. It is also necessary for the company to venture into another set or type of foods in order to give customers several choices because of variation. Customers enjoy the experience, become loyal customers, and positively recommend the restaurant to others, sales increase, profits increase.  Information was gathered through research from the that publishes a monthly Restaurant Performance Index, which measures the health and outlook of the industry. Customer reviews from website: Interviews were conducted with owner, chef, and waiters of In terms of confidentially, this document contains confidential information and it is proprietary to  It is supplied subject to conditions, that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be reproduced, resold, or otherwise circulated without prior written consent of the restaurant. The author will see to it that the information gathered will only be used for academic purpose. It is the plan of the author that will be used in order to give the study a concrete and specific details. will help author to have the best basis for drawing a conclusion and recommendations. Furthermore, the author will also apply the SWOT Analysis, however, this analysis will be used in determining the strategy of the restaurant in dealing with problems and inevitable circumstance.

The Current Economy and It's Impact On Restaurant Industry

The Current Economy and Its Impact On Restaurant Industry. The restaurant business is not a stable industry. From external factors like snowstorms to some internal factors like just one piece of …

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