Rural Transport Modes in Auchi and Environs

Rural Transport Modes in Auchi and Environs ELEMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL TRANSPORT MODES IN AUCHI AND ENVIRONS BY ATUBI, AUGUSTUS .O. (Ph.D) INTRODUCTION In as much as it is easier to define the concept ‘transport’, the word ‘rural’ is a bit more difficult. Like its urban concept, there have been problems with definitions of ‘rural’ since no single criterion could be used because some countries use low population figures while other use high population figure in determining ‘rural’. There is a demographic definition of ‘rural’ using minimum population thresholds. Often the minimum population figures that a place must have to qualify as a rural area is specified. This minimum population size varies from one place to the other depending on the situation of the country concerned. It has been noted that a population of 2,500 and below is the distinction on which rural areas are recognized in the United States of America. However, the figures used in other countries vary remarkably from that of the U.S.A. In Denmark, a rural place is an agglomeration of 250 or less people. Gr eece, rural places include agglomerations of 10,000 or less, whereas Guatamala has considered places as rural if they have 2,000 or less inhabitants, plus places with 1,500 or less inhabitants of which running water service is provided in their houses (Ola, 2000). According to the Nigerian (1952) census, a rural place is an area having a population of less than 5,000. By contrast, the 1963 census fixed 20,000 or less people. In Canada, it is below 1,000, in France, it is 2,000 and below and in Japan it is below 3,000. Thus, rural population is defined in terms of settlement below 20,000 population as in Nigeria. The term ‘rural’ has therefore, generated more controversy in the literature and involves economic, sociological, ethnic, racial and numerical dimensions. In Nigeria, rural areas are inhabited by people whose occupations are primarily agriculture (Aloba, 1986). The spatial nature of resources in rural areas made the provision of rural roads network necessary factor for development. As a result of the neglect, the rural areas have always been associated with under-development as well as classified as zones of high propensity for out migration (Udo, 1975; Uyanga, 1980; and Makinwa, 1981). Rural area can therefore be defined as an area dominated by extensive land uses such as agriculture and forestry or large space of under-developed land. The term ‘rural transport’ can be defined as short-distance movements between an urban centre and the surrounding rural areas, between two rural settlements or between a rural settlement and the farmland that belongs to it (Aloba, 1986; Aluko, 2000). However, the modes, routes and traffic of rural transport may depend to some extent, on the prevailing geographical, environmental and technological development of the area under study. Rural transport therefore, means movement of people, goods and services within rural areas and between (rural areas) and urban centres that will afford the rural areas the opportunity to reach their economic growth and trade potential to enable them attain their desired quality of life. CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ADVANCES INFRASTRUCTURAL PROVISION APPROACH The search for a new rural transport planning paradigm in developing countries began in a some what unfocused manner. The initial point of departure was simply dissatisfaction with the existing implied policy – reliance on infrastructure investment for conventional motorized vehicles as both the catalyst for economic and social change, and the prime means of enhancing accessibility and personal mobility, with vehicle supply being left to the private sector (Howe, 2001;Atubi and Ali, 2008). Early criticism focused on the unnecessarily high design standards applied to local feeder, penetration or development – roads, and the resulting slow and uncertain rate of network development (Stuckey, 1973); the in-affordability and indeed non-availability of motor vehicles to the mass of population, and the neglect of effective policies for the development of the local transport and vehicle system (Howe, 1975). HOUSEHOLD TRAVEL ANALYSIS The substitution of household for the transport system as the fundamental unit of travel analysis enabled a conceptual leap in rural transport studies to take place. The first systematic use of the travel characteristics of the household as the basic unit of travel study and analysis in developing countries took place during the mid-1980’s in the course of two studies, one in Tanzania and one in Ghana (Bawell and Malmberg- Calvo, 1986; Barwell and Howe, 1987). The core of the method was a structured interview, which recorded basic data about a household and the local and external travel activities of its members. It required a broadening of the notion of transport which was defined as travel from home for any purpose and by any means of movement, including walking or carrying loads on the head and back. The result was a quantification of household movements in terms of trips, time spent traveling and distance traveled to various facilities such as supplies of water, firewood, health clinic, grain grinding mills, markets etc, tonne and tonne-km of effort, modes used, and the gender and adult child involvement split. Methodologically the technique was a significant advance since a degree of precision in quantifying household travel demands was achieved (Barwell, et al, 1987). ELEMENTS OF RURAL TRANSPORT IN AUCHI AND ENVIRONS Approach to rural transport study requires a holistic understanding of the mobility and access needs of the rural communities. It is a demand – led, or people – centred approach with emphasis on the need expressed by affected communities (i.e. Auchi and environs). In context, rural transport is more broadly seen as an input into successful rural livelihood strategies, within which access consists of three complementary elements – (a) rural transport services and intermediate means of transport, (b) location and quality of facilities and (c) Rural infrastructure as show in figure 1 (Lebo and Schelling, 2001). RURAL TRANSPORT SERVICES AND INTERMEDIATE MEANS OF TRANSPORT This deals with availability, affordability of rural transport services and intermediate means of transport in rural areas and their role in promoting rural economic development (Slack, 1990; Riverson and Carapetis, 1991). The knowledge base covers information on rural travel patterns and surveying the role of government in creating an enabling environment for the services (establishing import duties and licenses, taxes, tariff and route regulation, safety measures and subsidies), the role of the private sector (acting as operators, manufactures and credit institutions) and social and cultural aspects. Other issues include the provision of vehicles (motorized and non-motorized) and their application (Melmberg-Calvo, 1994b; Barwell, 1996). Fig. 1: The Elements of Rural Transport (Adopted from Lebo and Schelling, 2001) LOCATION AND QUALITY OF FACILITIES The second element of a comprehensive rural transport framework is the location and quality of facilities. The distance from households to facilities such as wells, forest, grinding mills, schools, and health centres determines the amount of time rural dwellers spend on transport activities. Numerous studies on rural transport have shown that rural households, and particularly women, spend a substantial amount of time and effort on transport activities (McCall, 1985; Malmberg-Calvo, 1994a, 1998). The bulk of these efforts are required for domestic subsistence activities. In view of planners, this time is unproductive and wasted, and a drain on potentially productive labour – the principal economic resource for most rural households (Edmonds, 1998). Thus improved quality and better locations of facilities are important to consider when examining alternative access improvements in rural areas. RURAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Complementing means of transport and the location and quality of facilities is the third element of rural transportation – rural transport infrastructure. Rural transport infrastructure is the rural road, track and path network on which the rural population performs its transport activities. Other issues of rural transport infrastructure include the framework for management and finance, ownership and responsibility, local capacity, design appraisal and traffic characteristics (Malmberg-Calvo, 1998; Cannon and Lebo, 1999). There is also transport policy and strategy to address the issues mentioned above. CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL TRANSPORT MODES IN AUCHI AND ENVIRONS The rural transport road mode in Auchi and environs could be classified into two major parts: Non-motorized Motorized 1.Non-motorized system: This includes: i.Head porterage ii.Bicycle carriage Head Porterage: This is the traditional way of carriage in most rural areas. It is the oldest mode so far and always meant for subsistent, purposes. Trekking from one place to another in the rural areas is limited by the distance and capacity of the journey maker both in carriage and walking. It is assumed that the maximum distance an average man can trek is about 3km per hour and the maximum load capacity is 40kg which when carried over a long distance reduces the journey rate to about 2km/hour (Aluko, 2000). Bicycle: Bicycle is also classified as an un-motorized system of rural transport system. It is a bit better than the head porterage mode for its improvement in speed and carriage capacity. The bicycle’s speed can be estimated as 20km/hour and with a carrying capacity of between 80kg and 100kg (Aloba, 1986; Ikporukpo, 1987; Aluko, 2000). 2.Motorized Modes The motorized mode of rural transport is the use of auto-engines to transport both human and freight in the rural areas. The commonest type of motorized modes are: Motorcycles Motor cars Pick-ups Mini bus Lorries/tippers Motorcycles: The motorcycles are found very commonly in rural areas but are not usually as common as bicycle because of the high cost involved in procuring one and which can only be afforded by very few people in a rural set up. By and large, a motorbike is more powerful than the bicycle and so the speed is far higher than the bicycle in folds. Motor cars: These exist in term of taxi or cabs which usually have a capacity of four passengers, but which in most cases are overloaded with either passengers or freights or both in few places where they are found. The types of cabs found in the rural areas are vehicles, which are not road worthy in any form. They are found at road junctions connecting different villages to carry passengers in these rural sets up; or better still they could be found at some designated areas called â€Å"garages† (Motor parks) where such exists. Pick-ups: This is another motor vehicle designed for freight transportation and in few occasions may as well transport the rural people. Farm produce are transported from the farm or village to the urban centres in large quantities. Mini-buses: The mini-buses are used for human transportation. They are of the exact distinct option given to the cabs but in this case mini-buses are bigger than buses for its carrying capacity. It is usually a 16-seater bus (urvan) and the 14-seaters (c.20). They are known for their van-pulling purpose while their journey time is usually more than the cabs in that they stop in virtually all the villages and junctions reached. Lorries: The Lorries are another motorized mode used in the rural areas. They carry passengers but their major purpose is to transport rural freight from place to place. In most cases, the 10 tonnes and the 15 tonnes Lorries are commonly found. In this case, they are mostly used to evacuate the farm produce to the urban centres where they are disposed for prices. Farmers of varying number can come together to hire a lorry for this purpose POLICY IMPLICATIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS For a tremendous improvement of rural transport in Auchi and environs in particular and Nigeria in general to take place, the following strategies and useful recommendations might help in the development of rural transportation. There should be a well-articulated rural development policy that would spell out the necessary strategies that are properly conceptualized. Special fund should be made available for rural development. This should be structured (if possible) in such a way that it will be administered from the federal level. Also, budgetary allocations to rural transport must be disbursed and on time for the implementation of proposals. There should be a department of rural development or federal ministry of rural development that will oversee the state and local government rural departments. That is, these must be well-defined authority at all levels of governments solely for the enhancement of rural transport. The duties of the authority in the planning implementation and maintenance of the roads must be well spelt out. CONCLUSION Transportation is one of the various elemental factors in rural development and it is necessary to understand its role in rural development and particularly how transport and other factors for development interact to produce the resulting structure of the rural economy and society. Rural transportation is also very important for the growth and development of any rural area (i.e. Auchi and environs) and as well as for the efficient movement of people and goods throughout the country. REFERENCES Aloba, O.O. (1986) â€Å"Rural Transportation† in Falola, T. and Olunrewaju, S.A. (eds) Transport System in Nigeria. Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, University of Syracuse, Syracuse. Aluko, O. (2000) Rural Transportation and Development Planning in Nigeria. Kins book Publication Series, Ibadan, Oyo State. Atubi, A.O. and Ali, A.N. (2008) Development in Conceptual and Methodological Advances in Rural Transportation. International Journal of Development Studies. Vol. 3, No. 4, Pp. 79-82. Barwell, I. (1996) Transport and the Villages. World Bank Discussion Paper, 344, Washington DC. Barwell, I. and Howe, J. (1987) Study of Potential for IMT: Executive Summary and Main Report (Ghana). I.T. Transport Consultancy Commissioned by World Bank Washington D.C. Barwell, I. and Malmberg-Calvo, C. (1986) Market Integrated Rural Transport Project: Preliminary Findings from a Village Level Transport Survey. Ilo Rural Transport Paper 4, I. T. Transport Consultancy, Geneva. Barwell, I.; Howe, J. and Zille, P. (1987) Household Time use and Agricultural Productivity in Sub-Saharan African: A Synthesis of I.T. Transport Research. I.T. Transport Ltd, Washington DC. Cannon, C. and Lebo, J. (1999) â€Å"Design and Education of vary low-volume Rural Roads in Developing Countries: Transportation Research Record. 1652, Transportation Research Board, Washington DC. Edmonds, G. (1998) Wasted Time: The Price of Poor Access. International Labour Organization. Office, Geneva. Howe, J. (1975) â€Å"The Future of Surface Transport in Africa† African Affairs, Vol. 1, 74, No. 296, Pp. 134-325. Howe, J. (2001) Village Level Transport. Rural Transport Knowledge Based Rural Travel and Transport Programme. Ikporukpo, C.O. (1987) â€Å"An Analysis of the Accessibility of Public Facilities in Nigeria† Socio-Economic Planning Services. Vol. 21, Pp. 61-69. Lebo, J. and Schelling, D. (2001) â€Å"Design and Appraisal of Rural Transport Infrastructure: Ensuring Basic Access for Rural Communities† World Bank Technical Paper. No. 496. Washington DC. Makinwa, P.K. (1981) Internal Migration and Rural Development: Lesson from Bendel State. Heinemann, Ibadan. Malmberg-Calvo, C, (1994b) Case Study on Intermediate means of Transport: Bicycle and Rural Women in Uganda. World Bank Sub-Saharan African Transport Policy Program, Working Paper No. 12. Malmberg-Calvo, C. (1994a) Case Study on the Role of Women in Rural Transport: Access of Women to Domestic Facilities. World Bank, Sub-Saharan African Transport Policy Program, Working Paper, No. 11. Malmberg-Calvo, C. (1998) â€Å"Options for Managing and Financing Rural Transport Infrastructure† World Bank Technical Paper. No. 411, Washington, DC. McCall, M. (1985) â€Å"Accessibility and Mobility in Peasant Agriculture in Tropical Africa† in Cloke, P. (ed.) Rural Accessibility and Mobility. Institute of British Geographers, Rural Geography Study Group, Lampeter, pp. 46-63. Ola, A. (2000). Rural Transportation and Development Planning in Nigeria. Kings Book Publications Series, Ibadan. Riverson, J.D.N. and Carapetis, S. (1991): Intermediate means of Transport in Sub-Saharan Africa: Its Potential for Imposing Rural and Transport† World Bank Technical Paper. 161 Washington DC. Slack, B. (1990) â€Å"Intermodal Transportation in North America and the Development of Inland Load Centres† Professional Geographer 42, Pp. 72-83. Stuckey, B. (1973). Transportation and African Development: The land-locked Countries. Institute for Economic Development and Planning, Ibadan. Udo, R.K. (1975) Migrant Tenant Farmers of Nigeria: A Geographical Study of Rural Migration in Nigeria. African University Press, Ibadan. Uyanga, J.I. (1980) A Geography of Rural Development in Nigeria. University Press of America, Washington DC. 1

Free Essay - Mrs. Linde and Nora in Ibsens A Dolls House :: A Dolls House Essays

A Doll’s House Essay: Mrs. Linde and Nora      Ã‚  Ã‚   After reading   â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Hendrik Ibsen. I can conclude that there is both a parallel and a contrast structure in the characters of Mrs. Linde and Nora. A contrasting difference in the characters, are shown not in the characters themselves, but the role that they play in their marriages. These women have different relationships with their husbands. Torvald and Nora have a relationship where there is no equality. To Torvald Nora is an object. Hence, she plays the submissive role in a society where the lady plays the passive role. Her most important obligation is to please Torvald, making her role similar to a slave. He too considers himself superior to her. As for Kristine and Krogstad their relationship is much more open to us. It is apparent that if Kristine and Krogstad were to engage in an argument, it is more likely that that they would come to a compromise. A strong sign that Mrs. Linde brings us a better understanding of Nora is their parallel in characters. Both are willing to sacrifice themselves for values dear to their lives. This act of aiding significant loved ones gives us a better understanding of Nora. It gives us an image of who the character Nora really is. Mrs. Linde shows her loyalty to her family when she did not think that she â€Å"had the right† to refuse her husband’s marriage proposal. After taking into consideration her sick mother, her brothers, and Krogstad having money. She married for the welfare of her family. Which means that in this society family is top priority. To the women is this era, loyalty to their loved ones is highly expected. Then, we have Nora, who on the same token saves her husband (Torvald’s) life, which portrays again, the trend of women sacrificing for their families. They both (Mrs. Linde and Nora) express their feelings of pride and fulfillment in helping their significant others by sacrificing themselves. Nora’s character is made more obvious to us by Mrs. Linde’s actions. Not only did Nora open her mouth about saving her husband‘s life, but she did it with the utmost pride. Claiming to have raised all the money herself she soaks in her self-importance. In Act 1, Nora seems to thrive on the pride she gets from borrowing the money. I suppose that she is feeling useful for a change.

Future of VoIP Technology Essay -- essays research papers

Future of VoIP Technology VoIP is a relatively new technology and so the benefits are just beginning to be realized. VoIP technology has the ability to completely change the telephone industry as we know it. Big changes are in store for the way we use telephones and this section will address some of the changes to expect. Obstacles still stand in the way of progression and there are problems that need to be addressed before this technology can take over. Individuals have some great things to look forward to. Many already communicate over the internet for free (not including ISP cost) in a simple fashion by chat rooms, instant messaging, and email. Some are already using VoIP to replace their current telephone provider due to the lower costs available. Almost everyone in the United States has a cell phone that connects wirelessly to cellular networks located in nearly every city. Wireless internet is becoming rapidly mainstream now and this offers new opportunity for VoIP technology. New pocket PC phones are being developed to incorporate support for Wi-Fi as well as cellular networks. These phones will be able to switch from the users Wi-Fi connection to cellular networks and visa versa on the fly. Currently phone calls are directed to a location, but in the future phone calls will be directed to a person. Phone service will switch totally to VoIP once Wi-Fi networks are available to the extent of current cellular networks. Businesses are already currently reaping the bene...

America and Muslims

Undoubtedly, the relationship between America and the Islam world has been on the wane. This continues to worsen with claims that anti terror agents are spreading a stereotype that targets Muslims especially of Arab origin. The relationship that America has with the Middle Eastern countries has changed rapidly and is now characterized by mutual acrimony and suspicion.With the coming in of the newly elected president, Barrack Obama and with a promise of revamping Americas foreign policy is being viewed with a glimmer of hope and renewed ties with the Muslim world, indeed this is the message communicated to the world by the recent visit to Turkey. With the war on terror still on, a significant proportion of Americans believe that extending an olive branch towards the Muslim countries is the wrong approach, instead, they belief that he should carry on with Bush policies and eliminate terrorism through force.However, this paper maintains that to change the prevalent perception that the t hat the world has with the United States and also to erase suspicions over the blanket condemnation with Islam, America needs to re-initiate foreign ties and extend an olive branch to the Muslim world. The hostility characterizing the relationship between America and Muslim can be traced to the events of the September 11, 2001 attack. It is important to recognize that the 2001 terrorist attack was a big blow to the United States and hit at the core of its emotions and continues to evoke anger to date.With this being the worst atrocity ever meted out on Americans in their own soil, it was bound to evoke all manner of responses both from the public and the ruling elite. The fact that the attack was masterminded and executed by the al Qaeda, a, Muslim extremist group was possible to evoke anti Islam sentiments amongst the Americans. This ushered an era of suspicion and poor relations between Islam and America. This situation was ultimately compounded by the response and the policies of President Bush.Bush responded with a decisive precision that has become a characteristic of America’s response to perceived aggression from outside. His policies and approach to attack the core of terrorism was interpreted to mean that he was out to attack Muslims (Rabasa et al 43). It has to be pointed out that after the onset of the attack, many Muslim leaders came out publicly to condemn the attack, â€Å"many Muslim leaders abroad were as keen to distance themselves from the terrorism of September 11 as were Muslim leaders in the United States.† (Crockatt 74) With the exception of Iraq, majority of Islam states also condemned the attack. In his congressional address, Bush reiterated his stand on terrorism maintaining that he did not share in the perception that Islam was fuelling terrorism. However, the situation on the ground and indeed at the international politics coupled with the war against terrorism was different, the fateful events of the 9/11 created tensi ons not only in America but internationally, â€Å"Muslim feel that even though they had nothing to do with those involved with terrorism, they are being targeted and profiled by government agencies.† (Khan 57) Bush’s policies and actions did nothing to change this but on the contrary reinforced it, his clarions call of you are either with the terrorists or against us meant there was no middle ground and was lumping Muslims together with the terrorists. His concentration on the Middle East as the base to fight terrorism also was an indication that he believed the Middle East, the epicenter of Islam, was behind terrorism and this is the main perception held by many Americans today. Cenap Cakmak Zaman in his article titled: What does Obama’s visit say about future Turkish-American relations?, he has examined this relationship, looking at how the recent visit to turkey by Obama will change the perception in the Muslim world. Obama is faced with an uphill task of ch anging this perception and also rooting it out terrorism. His popularity and positive ratings world wide lies on his message of hope and change, the change we need clarion call may have been intended for domestic affairs in Washington but the position of the United States as a global leader means that it has a huge stake in global politics.His change message hence has to be duplicated internationally and in the Middle East is where it should commence. As Cakmak maintains, â€Å"the damage done by George W. Bush to American foreign policy was extensive. Reliance on a political design similar to the Bush style would surely make the damage irreparable and US foreign policy unsustainable†. The recent Obama’s visit to Turkey can be said to be well thought out and indeed timely. The Obama’s administration in its bid to woo Muslims into the mainstream should start with Turkey because of two reasons.Geopolitically, Turkey lies in one of the most important location, bord ering Iraq and also having its foot in Europe. Turkey is both crucial to the advancement of Obama’s policies in the Middle East and also in NATO. Cakmak has appreciated this by maintaining that â€Å"Obama’s administration appreciates how Turkey is indispensable in its Middle Eastern policies and actions. † Core logic behind establishing good ties with Turkey lies in the fact that it is comprised of a majority Muslims. Although secular by nature, Turkey has a huge Muslim population.Acceptance of America amongst the Turkish leadership, which has been vocal in its criticism of Bush’s reign, will go along way in thawing the existing tension and impasse with the Muslim world (Journal of Turkish Weekly). Obamas current approach represents a radical shift from the Bush’s administration which failed to recognize the strategic importance of Turkey. It is important to point out that although Turkey is crucial if easing tension with Muslims is to be achieved , it may not necessarily be an authority in the region.Due to its secularism and westernization, Turkey is not fully regarded as an Islamic state, despite its huge Islamic population. However, the recent visit may work in Obama’s favor and install Turkey as a regional leader. A prudent analysis of this visit indicates that it meant to provide a new thinking and goes a long way in reassuring Muslims world wide of the United States commitment towards re-establishing the much needed good relations with Muslims. It re-emphasizes the need for multilateral approach to global problems and might provide the needed impetus towards the fight against terrorism.A continuation of Bush’s policies will be counterproductive as it was the cause of the existing tension. For his administration to emerge credible, it must denounce unilateral approach that characterized Bush’s administration. In this way, America will be seen as working with the Muslims but not against them. Works C ited Crockatt, Richard. After 9/11: cultural dimensions of American global power. Routledge, 2007, 74 Khan, Arshad. Islam, Muslims, and America: understanding the basis of their conflict. Algora Publishing, 2003, 57 Rabasa A. , Benard C. , Chalk P., Fair C. The Muslim world after 9/11. Rand Corporation, 2004, 43 USAK Experts and Researchers Assessed Obama's Visit to Turkey. Journal of Turkish Weekly. 8 April 2009. Retrieved on April 26, 2009 from http://www. turkishweekly. net/news/71215/usak-experts-and-researchers- assessed-obama-39-s-visit-to-turkey. html Zaman, Cakmak. What does Obama’s visit say about future Turkish-American relations? New York community media alliance. 9 April 2009. Retrieved on April 26, 2009 from http://www. indypressny. org/nycma/voices/368/editorials/editorials_2/

Mcdonald’s Is China Loving It Possible Solution

With China’s rapidly developing economy, the rising wealth of its middle-class and more Western fast-food chains infiltrating the nation, McDonald’s finds itself at a crossroads. The company must evaluate its current standing in the Chinese fast-food market and elect to either continue its present operations, hoping to maintain its second place rank to KFC, or implement new strategies to gain market share, meet the Chinese people’s expectations, and abide by governmental standards. The following alternatives will be evaluated to make a decision: 1. Base – Status QuoIn this scenario, McDonald’s will continue operating under its current strategies. New threats from competitors in China, including long-time rival KFC, Asian fast-food companies like Hong Kong’s Cafe de Coral, Taiwan’s Dicos Fried Chicken and Japan’s Ajisen Ramen, and emerging Western chains like Subway and Rainforest Cafe, would be ignored. Since its competitorsâ₠¬â„¢ menus focus on Chinese preferences for chicken and noodle dishes, McDonald’s will attempt to continue to offset that advantage by emphasizing quality and service. However, in the long run, McDonald’s operations would fall victim to China’s developing economy.In particular, China’s unionized workers would call for additional pay increases and inflationary pressures would cause material costs to rise. As a result, McDonald’s would be forced to increase its prices, as it had done in the past. In all likelihood, the price point for the quality of food offered would fail to live up to public and governmental standards. With competitors progressing in tandem with China’s economy, offering more luxurious casual dining environments and healthier menu options, McDonald’s would fall behind in the market. 2.Option 1: Efficiency, Convenience, and Environmental Responsibility. In this case, McDonald’s would augment its strategies to re main competitive with Western fast-food counterparts like KFC, Burger King and Subway, and Asian competitors like Cafe de Coral, Dicos Fried Chicken and Ajisen Ramen. McDonald’s would capitalize on the public’s demand for quick, convenient service at low prices and continue using its tier pricing model. The company would further exploit the wealth distribution in China by widening its target focus to include the increasing purchasing power of the lower-tier consumer in rural egions of the country. Chinese rural households account for over 60% of the total population. These households spend a larger proportion of income on food, compared to urban households, but as incomes rise, the proportion spent on food does not increase (see Exhibit 1). Thus, McDonald’s would focus on selling more products to more customers at lower prices. McDonald’s would incorporate healthier options in its menu, so to compete with Subway, a chain focused on fresh, healthy food, an d to address growing governmental concerns with an obesity epidemic.McDonald’s would also secure and sustain its locally-based supply chain and joint ventures, to maintain value and its business model, keeping competitors at a disadvantage. (page 8 lihua) (ultra modern cost efficiency) Despite the lack of formal legislation on environmental issues in China, McDonald’s would further emphasize its dedication to decreasing its environmental impact by repositioning itself as a market leader in environmentally friendly packaging, going beyond the established â€Å"no straw days† instituted in Hong Kong.This will highlight McDonald’s willingness to partner with its customers to decrease the use of plastic as well as reducing packaging costs. McDonald’s long-term goal would be to dominate the fast-food market as a dependable, responsible and valued brand. 3. Option 2 – Sophisticated Dining Experiences This option targets the higher-income segment o f the population. McDonald’s would recognize that individuals in this market have rising standards on the type of food and service they receive.Additionally, the amount of money these individuals spend on food, in proportion to growing incomes, is not increasing (see Exhibit 1). In order to retain these higher-income customers, McDonald’s will offer more luxurious ambiences and more amenities at its restaurants. McDonald’s would renovate current locations and build new locations in two ways, with both types offering the typical Western McDonald’s menu and options catered to Chinese tastes. One line of restaurants would encompass sit-down dining-rooms with waiter-service, which would mainly compete with Pizza Hut and Rainforest Cafe.The other line of restaurants, McCafes, would include sit-down dining spaces without waiter-service and offer wireless internet, calm music, and comfortable seating. The McCafes would compete directly with Starbucks. Delivery s ervice and car-side pickup options would expand throughout the country in both types of settings, to maintain sales volume. In addition, coupon partnerships with Internet companies like Taobao. com will continue to provide incentives for customers to dine at McDonald’s.The main risk in this scenario is that McDonald’s is completely revamping its identity as a true-fast food company. Consequently, the company may lose its second-place position to KFC, to justify itself as a luxury brand. 4. Option 3 – Fast Food Efficiency and McCafe Combination In this situation, McDonald’s would implement strategies from options 1 and 2. Tier pricing would continue, services and products would be tailored to the characteristics of the various provinces in the nation, and convenience, health, the environment, and luxury would be emphasized.As in option 1, McDonald’s would expand its operations in the more rural, Western provinces and renovate current locations in ur ban areas, to include the environmentally friendly and health-conscious menus and processes. In addition, a percentage of the urban locations would be transformed into McCafes, as mentioned in option 2. Drive-thrus, delivery service, and car side pickup would expand to all areas. Furthermore, McDonald’s would secure its local supply-chain, proceed with its joint venture structure, and continue coupon programs with Internet companies.IV. Critical Issues The following issues are significant considerations for McDonald’s, in order to make its decision: 1. Brand Perception: McDonald’s needs to convince its Chinese consumers that it offers a product worthy of the price it costs, that the products are special and luxurious, and that the company cares about its workers, the environment, suppliers and the health of consumers. McDonald’s must also address governmental concerns on safety and health, demonstrating that its products will not propose any detriment to China’s developing economy. 2.Impact on Market Share: Since KFC, its biggest competitor, entered the China market earlier than it did, McDonald’s must consider whether its new strategies will be able to surpass KFC in the fast-food market. McDonald’s must consider that as China develops, many new competitors will enter the fast-food market. McDonald’s strategies must be able to attract and maintain its targeted customer bases, and attract the consumers in competitors’ markets. 3. Long Term Sustainability: McDonald’s must consider whether its plan would have its desired affect to gain market share, maximize gross margin and cut its expenses.The company wants to ensure that it will maintain pricing power (charging more for fewer high-end product sales and charging less for more low-end product sales), improve consumer confidence in a rapidly changing economic environment, and continue to profit in the future. 4. Costs to Implement: McDonaldâ⠂¬â„¢s must consider the expenses associated with developing new programs and funding expansions. The company must be confident that future profits will cover implementation costs. V. Rubric and Methodology Score Key: 1 = Poor, 2 = Fair, 3 = Good, 4 = Superior, 5 = ExcellentBrand PerceptionImpact to market share LT SustainabilityCost to ImplementTotal Score Weight0. 40. 30. 20. 11. 00 Base**21141. 7 Option 144413. 7 Option 232222. 4 Option 354414. 1 **Base refers to current method. The ratings are based on a 1 through 5 scale with a score of 1 being poor and a score 5 being excellent. Weights for each criterion were assigned on an arbitrary evaluation of their importance. Brand Perception was considered most important (0. 4 weight) because most of McDonald’s problems regarding competition in China stem from a changing consumer perception of the McDonald’s brand.Impact to Market Share was considered to have the strongest secondary importance (0. 3 weight) because McDona ld’s main motivation for changing marketing strategies is to gain market share from its major competitor KFC as well as share from the increasing number of domestic fast food suppliers. Long-Term sustainability was considered to be less important (0. 2 weight) as in such a highly competitive market, McDonald’s may be forced to continuously alter the focus of its marketing strategy due the dynamic nature of the Chinese market. Finally, Cost to Implement was considered to be the least important (0. weight) as McDonald’s growth has been extremely robust and, regardless of the competition it faces, McDonald’s should be able to finance significant capital expenditures for the purpose of securing future growth. The option with the highest score should be implemented immediately. Base is included for comparison only. VI. Analysis of Alternatives Base Method: †¢Brand Perception – FAIR – Increasing awareness of the health risks of McDonaldâ€⠄¢s food, unfair treatment of workers, inconsistent environmental policy, and global perception of McDonald’s has reduced Chinese perception of the McDonald’s brand.The brand will continue eroding without action. †¢Impact to Market Share – POOR – McDonald’s will lose market share to KFC and an increasing number of domestic and foreign competitors offering diverse fast food and casual dining options. †¢Long-Term Sustainability – POOR – The dynamic changes in the purchasing power of Chinese consumers and the eroding brand perception will inspire them to purchase alternative products to those offered by McDonald’s. †¢Cost to Implement – SUPERIOR – McDonald’s will incur no additional costs than it is already incurring in the China market.Option 1: McDonald’s Concentrates on Efficiency, Convenience, and Environmental Responsibility. †¢Brand Perception – SUPERIOR – Increas ing supply chain efficiency, healthy food alternatives, clean/green/modern restaurant environment will make Chinese consumers perceive McDonald’s to be a vital, healthy, and responsible fast food alternative. †¢Impact to Market Share – SUPERIOR – McDonald’s will gain market share from KFC and other domestic and foreign competitors because its modern, energy efficient, and cost effective supply chain approach will allow McDonald’s to offer a superior product at a competitive price. Long-Term Sustainability – SUPERIOR – The efficiency of this new style of McDonald’s will enable it to keep profit margins higher during times of increased inflation and raw materials costs. This advantage will increase the sustainability of McDonald’s. †¢Cost to Implement – POOR – McDonald’s will incur significant capital expenditures costs to refurbish current restaurants, develop a more efficient supply chain p rocess, research healthier fast food alternatives that will prove successful in the Chinese market while maintaining McDonald’s brand identity as an American hamburger company.Additionally, McDonald’s will incur significant advertising expenditures as it campaigns to sell the new, green, and modern McDonald’s. Option 2: McDonald’s Concentrates on Sophisticated Dining Experiences †¢Brand Perception – GOOD – McDonald’s will increase the Chinese market’s perception of the McDonald’s brand by offering a more sophisticated dining experience worthy of higher prices and a continued characterization as a luxury brand. Impact to Market Share – FAIR – McDonald’s will enter a smaller and more specialized market with increased risks. While offering a more sophisticated and specialized food alternative will allow McDonald’s to charge a premium, there is a significant probability that this alternative will not catch on due to the increasing purchasing power of Chinese and ability to choose among casual dining competitors such as Pizza Hut and Rainforest Cafe.Long-Term Sustainability – FAIR – It is highly possible that the radical change in business plan suggested by option 2 will increase profits in the short-term as the new McDonald’s will be considered a novelty however, over the long-term, this novelty may wear off and significantly reduce the amount of returning customers. Cost to Implement – FAIR – McDonald’s will incur significant capital expenditures costs to refurbish current locations into more sophisticated casual dining atmospheres and significant advertising costs as the company campaigns to change the Chinese perception of McDonald’s from being a cheap and low class dining option to a sophisticated high-end establishment. Option 3: Fast Food Efficiency and McCafe Combination Brand Perception – EXCELLENT – McDonald’s brand perception will be maximized as it will offer a clean and green environment with fresh, fast, inexpensive, and healthy food in its flagship stores and a sophisticated and cool bistro cafe experience with interesting regional food options in its McCafe stores. †¢Impact to Market Share – SUPERIOR – McDonald’s will gain market share from KFC and other domestic and foreign fast food chains as it will offer a superior product at a lower price with an increasing corporate responsibility to have a low environmental impact.Further McDonald’s will steal market share from casual dining and coffee shop entrants as it works to make McCafe a market leader. †¢Long-Term Sustainability – SUPERIOR – Option 3 will foster superior sustainability through a strong brand perception of McDonald’s as a market leader in efficient and healthy fast food and cafe service. McDonald’s efforts to use its economies of scale to produce a very low environmental impact will keep its operating costs low and allow McDonald’s to price out the competition in the long-run while keeping margins high. Cost to Implement – POOR – McDonald’s will incur significant capital expenditures as it retools its supply chain and refurbishes its stores to operate more energy efficiently and with minimal environmental impact as well as advertising costs to convince Chinese consumers that it has corrected its prior missteps and has reinvented itself as a market leader in a new fast food space. VII. Recommendations Options 1 and 2 are not the best route for McDonald’s to pursue.In option 1 McDonald’s will seek to compete in only one market, the cheap fast food market. The more healthy, modern, and energy efficient approach will increase its brand perception, but at the opportunity cost of not exploring more casual dining marketing opportunities. By pursuing only option 2, McDonaldâ€℠¢s will compete only in the casual dining market but at the opportunity cost of the cheap fast food market that McDonald’s has been a world leader in.While option 2 will result in increased brand perception, the long-term sustainability of this option is unclear and may not justify the significant capital expenditures required to refurbish the company’s locations. While option 1 and 2 will both significantly increase McDonald’s brand perception, the increased costs of implementation and increased opportunity costs of foregoing other markets for a single market approach warrant that these options not be recommended.We recommend that McDonald’s pursue option 3 because it is a multi-segmented approach that utilizes McDonald’s current position as a market leader and focuses on expanding McDonald’s marketing footprint in the casual but sophisticated bistro/cafe space. Option 3, more than the other options, will increase McDonald’s brand pe rception and counter the growing sentiment in the China market that McDonald’s does not treat its workers fairly, does not offer healthy food choices, and does not strive to positively impact the environment.Following option 3 will reposition McDonald’s as a healthy and environmentally responsible fast food alternative. While this option will incur significant capital costs in the short-run, this option will allow McDonald’s to grow market share, price more competitively, and run a more streamlined operations that, in the long-run, will reduce operating expenses and lead to higher margins. As it will impact the problems McDonald’s faces in the case most effectively, we highly recommend that McDonald’s implement option 3 immediately. From HBS case, McDonald's Is China Loving it?

Mechanical Engineering Essay

Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principle of engineering, physics and material science for analysis, design, manufacturing , and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering, that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the design, production, and operation of machines and tools.[1] It is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines. The engineering field requires an understanding of core concepts including mechanics, thermodynamics, material science, structural analysis, and electricity. Mechanical engineers use computer aided engineering and product lifestyle management to design and analyze future manufacturing plants industrial equipment and machinery heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons etc. mechanical engineering’s development can be traced back several thousand years around the world. Mechanical engineering science emerged in the 19th century as a result of developments in the field of physics. The field has continually evolved to incorporate advancements in technology, and mechanical engineers today are pursuing developments in such fields as composites ,mechatronics, and nanotechnology. Mechanical engineering overlaps with aerospace engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, petroleum engineering, and manufacturing so, all of these are encountered and cannot be avoided. There are other fields mechanical engineers have to do like, biomedical engineering and modeling of biological systems like, soft tissue mechanics. Mechanical engineers have to design and build engines and power plants, structures and vehicles of all sizes. Mechanical engineering requires a bachelors degree. The formal name for the degree is â€Å"Mechanical Engineer†, and the course work is based on five or six years of training, but in order to qualify as an Engineer you have to pass a state exam at the end of the course. Standards set participation to society and are intended to provide uniformity in fundamental subject material, promote competence among graduating engineers, and mostly to maintain confidence in the engineering profession as a whole. Students are required to show that they can â€Å"work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas. Mechanical engineers are also expected to understand and be able to apply  basic concepts from chemistry, physics, chemical engineering etc. All mechanical engineering programs include multiple semesters of mathematical classes including calculus, and advanced mathematical concepts. Also most mechanical engineering programs also require varying amounts of research or community projects to gain practical problem-sol ving experience. Engineers may seek license by a state, provincial, or national government. The purpose of this process is to ensure that engineers possess the necessary technical knowledge, real-world experience, and knowledge of the local legal system to practice engineering at a professional level. Once certified, the engineer is given the title of professional engineer. The field of mechanical engineering can be thought of as a collection of many mechanical engineering science disciplines. Several of these disciplines which are typically taught at the undergraduate level are listed below, with a brief explanation and the most common application of each. Some of these disciplines are unique to mechanical engineering, while others are a combination of mechanical engineering and one or more other disciplines.

Atticus Finch In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

In Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus plays a major role in his children growth and development. He is a role model to his children and to Maycomb, one of the few willing to take actions against prejudice. His actions can be summed up in one great quote of Thomas Jeffersons These truths we hold to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Atticus does not approve of racism, and teaches his children to judge by character, not race. Atticus thinks that even black men have at least one right, the right of justice. He expresses his belief in this phrase. But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal- there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, the ignorant man the equal of any college president, and that, gentlemen is a court. (Lee 205) This quote shows Atticus passion for justice and equality, saying that all are equal in this court, and that you should judge a man by his economic or mental aptitude, nor by the color of his skin. He means by this statement that you should be unbiased and fair when making a decision, or even a persons fate. Atticus believes all people have their flaws and strengths, and should be judged as such, not by their gender, social standing, or color. He shows this in a moving quote, You know the truth, and the truth is this: that some Negroes are immoral; that some Negro men are not to be trusted around women – black or white. But his is a truth which applies to the human race and to no race in particular. (Lee 204) Atticus once again sets the scales of equality even with this statement, explaining his moral code of justice, and how each and every person should judge each other equally. Jems breakdown whenever the court room is mentioned is evidence of this point. Atticus believes that any man using a man of any other color is inferior even to the man he is using. He illustrates this a talk with Scout, Youll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and dont you forget it-whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes  from, that white man is trash. (Lee 220) Atticus means that if you take advantage of someone or treat them as though they were Less equal, then you, yourself, are you are a horrible, inferior person. On the other hand, if you treat everyone as your equal then they are your equal. Atticus believes in what Martin Luther King later put to words in his famous I Have a Dream speech, That men would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus has been a role model and mentor to his children by condemning racism and all that it stands for. 1. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird2. The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson3. I Have A Dream, Martin Luther King Jr.