Philosophy of Hugo Bedau and Ernest vd. Haag Essay

Philosophy of Hugo Bedau and Ernest vd. Haag - Essay Example Soon he is called to pay for the sins of his nature. The ultimate punishment for man's heinous crimes has continued to raise differing views in the civilized society. Hugo Bedau upholds the American Civil Liberties Union that "death penalty inherently violates the constitutional ban against cruel and unusual punishment and the guarantee of due process of law and the equal protection of the laws". This idea is based on the premise that the state should not usurp the power of taking the lives of human beings especially in a "premeditated and with ceremony" under the guise of law. The punishment of death for a capital offense is frowned upon as too "harsh, freaky and arbitrary" to be constitutionally acceptable. He believes that this form of punishment is still based on the early days of barbarism when other forms of corporal punishment were acceptable. The killing of a person has no place in a civil humane society because it wastes the resources of the courts, the legal counsels, juries and other correctional personnel. Executions impar t to the society the unmistakable message that "human life no longer deserves respect and that homicide is legitimate when justified by pragmatic concerns." He has also added: "that threat of severe punishment cannot deter criminals especially ones who are in the drug trade. If however, long term imprisonment is severe enough to cause any rational person not to commit violent crimes. Bedau also demonstrated that "death penalty violates the constitutional guarantee of the equal protection of the law" as it is applied randomly at best and discriminatorily at worst. He also added that "it is imposed disproportionately upon those whose victims are white, on offenders who are people of color and on the poor and uneducated". He based this argument on the misdistribution of the implementation of the punishment on criminals whose offenses were against white victims because statistics would show that in 2005, of the 60 inmates who were executed, 41 were white and only 19 were black. Ernest van den Haag, for his part believes that capital punishment likely serves as a deterrent factor to the commission of a crime because of the common fear of death. Criminals, although not scientifically supported have a strong and palpable fear of the capital punishment on its severe form. There are murderers who are not hindered by the threat of imprisonment but death as a finality serves to inflict a sense of foreboding, knowing that after death there is only void. More so, "death penalty certainly deters the murderer who is executed". He further argues that the abolition of this capital punishment "is prayed upon by pro-life activists like Bedau with the argument that there is misdistribution between the guilty and the innocent." He reasoned out that Bedau's argument of misdistribution of punishment is irrelevant to its justice or morality as "punishments are imposed on the person, not on racial or economic groups". In short, equality in the appropriation of the punishment is less important than justice. The long term imprisonment preferred by pro-life activists is a costly maintenance which cannot inflict the kind of fear that the possibility of death brings. There is a likely chance of escape in prison. In some third world countries, the despicable criminals quite enjoy being afforded food while being

A declaration of war justify behaviour Essay Example for Free

A declaration of war justify behaviour Essay Whether or not the declaration of Just War justifies behaviour that is morally or legally unacceptable in peacetime depends firstly on the sort of behaviour we are talking about. There are a number of behaviours that are legally permitted in peacetime that many people would and do reject as morally unacceptable. This includes abortion, euthanasia and animal rights. The legal acceptability of these issues depends on the government, and varies from state to state. In this country, during peacetime it is acceptable to kill in self defence for instance, if ones house is being robbed and the burglar threatens the owner, the owner would not be penalized for shooting and killing the burglar. Pacifists object to all kinds of killing in both war and peacetime, whereas just war supporters try to draw parallels between civil justice and international justice in the attempt to justify certain behaviour. There are also behaviors such as propaganda, espionage and deliberate infringement of human rights that are more doubtful and are usually seen as unacceptable in peacetime. Certain examples of violent behaviour in peacetime in hindsight appear unacceptable, yet at the time those guilty were not prosecuted. There have been a number of incidents when armed Police officers have shot dead suspects who were not carrying a weapon. None of the police officers who killed those people were convicted. This is because killing in defence of innocent life is acceptable in peacetime, and the boundaries and conditions can be bended to suit the individual. Pacifists believe that therefore no killing can be acceptable on deontological grounds. Some religious people argue for the absolute sanctity of human life; they would say that ideally no incidental killings would take place if all killing was prohibited. Thus, this position would assume that a declaration of war does not justify any kind of killing either. Christian absolutists believe they are following the example of Jesus Christ by refusing to resort to violence, even if they have been treated cruelly. Therefore a declaration of just war would not be able to justify any unacceptable behaviour such as murder and violence this would only further divide men, who are already divided by sin. Nevertheless, those who support the Just War theory believe that killing in the name of resisting an unjust oppressor is justifiable. The declaration of just war must be a proportionate response, and must discriminate between the guilty and the innocent. Oliver ODonovan suggests war is an act of armed judgment and must be carried out by an unbiased judge to ensure its fairness. This judge must have a clear perspective on the gains and losses this act would entail and the final aim must be to bring about peace. In theory, military aggression is not defined by killing and violence. For instance, British troops that entered Iraq do not kill unless attack. Therefore killing is still self defence and this is no different to peacetime. Walzer thinks killing in self defence is justifiable and supports the theory of legalist paradigm. This means interstate justice basically reinforces the civil legal system, but on a larger scale it is analogous. The right of a given state to defend itself must be accepted, just as an individual has the right to do the same. Walzer believed whichever side begins aggression to be automatically in the wrong. There is also the question of propaganda and whether it becomes appropriate to mislead people into thinking in a certain way in order for them to support the supposedly just war movement. In a healthy and functioning democracy during peacetime it is prohibited to lie to citizens or conceal the truth of political work. Some would argue that in wartime morale need to be boosted However, when a nation is at war, its citizens are often indoctrinated via mass media with the sort of messages that would disorientate their judgment and evoke hatred for the enemy. Propoganda can lead to disproportionate warfare and killings, therefore it cannot be justified. Human rights have always been an issue, for it is no certain whether it is morally right to deny someone the right to life in favour of another objective. From a utilitarian perspective, it would depend on whether the war was successful. If more people than soldiers killed are able to lead happy and fulfilled lives after the war ends, then it is acceptable to justify military confrontation in wartime. However, The High Court has recently decided that it soldiers human rights should not be overlooked either. This means the Ministry of Defence has to ensure the soldiers are not subjected to combat in intolerable heat or cold, and have functioning equipment. Certain equipment would be forbidden entirely, such as Nimrod planes. Of course, this would affect the damage potential of British troops, and possibly extend the war and subsequently take more lives. A utilitarian critic would ask whether in the long term this court order is going to cause more death and pain.

Essay --

Everything we need is in our daily life is based on demand and supply. The country is based on the effects of both demand and supply. Whenever demand is affected it lead to shortage of various needs that are in demand and whenever supply is affected it leads to shortage of supply in the country’s economy. Moreover the things we need in our daily life is also affected on both demand and supply. Demand leads to the total quantity on goods or services that are needed to buy various commodities and supply is the quantity of goods and services business will make available to make profits. Thus in our daily life everything is based on the demand and supply from a small commodity to a large corporations. Moreover the company’s shares or bonds are also based on the effect off demand and supply. Lower the demand will be the lower price of goods and services and vice-versa. And higher the supply will lead to high price of goods and services. Demand lowers supply in a simple case price of each and every commodity will be affected by demand and supply. Whenever the demand change it will lead to change in the taste of the customer and will lead to change in the taste of fashion for customers, also lead to change in price of related goods i.e goods are not related with each other thus they are of different taste of preference is different. Change in demand will lead to change in number of buyers of economy because when demand changes or exceeds it leads to increase in number of commodity and whenever demand lowers it leads to increase in prices of goods and services. For instance – The price of canada’s farmland is rising on strong demand so that this will increase the number of buyers for various reasons and there will be effect on price of va... ...ses, still moving ahead throughout some days so this increase the demand and supply issue to much extent as both are affected through same number of days with most of the important content with demand and supply related issues. After this we can also bring up after several years of back to back record settings gains. Some investment funds which have already been scaled back on the purchases and are still moving ahead but at a more cautious pace. Both demand and supply are now most important thing that constitutes the world of and economy as most of the economy is dependent upon the demand and supply affect but prices of farmland are rising on strong demand and supply effect. So in Canada now according to other countries demand of particular goods have been increased related to others in the economy. Thus price of demand and supply is related to price in the economy.

Effects of Homosexuals in Schools Essay

In the 19th century, a German psychologist coined the term â€Å"homosexuality†. Basically, homosexuality is often a sexual attraction that is primarily towards the members of the same sex (Pickett, 2006). Oftentimes, homosexual equates to being gay and/or lesbian. There are varying points of view regarding homosexuals and homosexuality. Many religious groups believe that there no one born as a homosexual. However, there are plenty of scientists, particularly psychologists who believe that a person is born this way. Religiously speaking, there are no supporting texts in the Bible that there are homosexuals. Only two genders are made: man and woman. Oftentimes, the greater portion of the homosexual community believe that they were â€Å"born gay† (Worthen, 2004). This belief and perspective oftentimes give them comfort and a sort-of justification for their â€Å"state†. Also, this very same ideology relieves them of any responsibility to change. Nevertheless, there is no firm scientific proof until today that affirm that some people are born homosexual. Genetically speaking, they are just either male or female (Worthen, 2004). Since there are no born homosexuals, many psychologists believe that homosexuality is a learned behavior. There are many factors or reasons why a person becomes homosexual. Primarily, most of these factors involve family. These include a disturbed family life in the early years (of the individual), absence of/in love on the part of either parent or a failure to identify with the same-sex parent. Later, the consequences of these reasons manifest in the individual in varying forms—and one of them is through confusion of their identity that oftentimes lead to homosexuality. But one thing is for sure—that homosexuality has many roots (excluding family). Along with the other factors that cause homosexuality, we must not also take for granted the individual. The individual’s choices also play a key part in transforming and shaping his (homosexual) identity. Majority of causes of being homosexual is rooted with family reasons. In such cases this immensely affects the behavior of the individual particularly in school. Majority of homosexuals that go to school instantly faces the burden of â€Å"coming out†. This is one of the hardest challenges that an individual must face. Since most of homosexuals that go to school are having identity crisis and fear of rejection from their peers (if ever they decided to come out), they have a very high tendency to have unusual behavior from â€Å"straight people†. Most of the time, (with the assumption that the individuals are mostly teenagers since they still go to school) these people is in high risk of suicide, substance abuse, the feeling of isolation and more importantly, school problems. Consequently, because of this kind of behavior, they (and it) inevitably affect their relationship with other people. Because they always need the feel to isolated, the tendency is that, they can be the frequent butt of jokes (especially in schools where homosexuality is not yet a very open and accepted topic) that will in turn can lead into more dangerous behaviors. Moreover, when things go uncontrollable, there is also a huge tendency for the individual to resort to many absurd and unsafe displacement methods (i. . substance abuse, committing crimes, etc). Because of the rising number of individuals (particularly young homosexuals) that is involved in this kind of situations, a great deal of number of individuals and concerned groups were established to help them. Most of these help lines offer counseling but more than that, they also make sure that the individual can pursue his/her way to full acceptance and if worse comes to worse, to their recovery. Before the advent of DNA technology, psychologists and sociologists believe that the cause of homosexuality is influenced by the environment of the individual; but with DNA testing, they were able to pinpoint that somehow, genes has something to do with it. But more importantly, we cannot deny the fact that from the beginning, there were only male and female; but as time pass, some strong environmental factors can bend the reality of life that even Nature herself find it hard to turn back (or at least minimize the bad consequences) time.

People Naturally Walk in Circles Essay

The article  ¨People naturally walk in circles ¨ by Emily Sohn, represents an important research when trying to completely understand human behavior and specifically, to have an idea of how our brain manages decision making, order of actions, communication and reasoning. Humans, apparently start walking in circles when we cannot see an external focal point, the moon and the sun represent some examples. In fact, when I first read the article, I was hoping to find a concrete explanation for this problem. However, soon after I knew that so many factors came into play when trying to follow a straight path. When trying to associate these investigations with other aspects of our behavior, I found out that we always find ourselves in need of a sort of a guide in order to fallow a straight line, or in other words, to do what we think is right for our own benefit. Every time we are about to make a decision, we try to find a guide, sometimes this involves getting help from others. Usually, people who get help will most likely make a better decision rather the ones who worked alone without a guide. Personally, I really think this is a big concern, given that there are no answers for such theory. Although I expected to hear from a solution, I found the article very interesting in the end, this represents another big reason why our brain and our anatomy in general is so complicated, therefore studies like this one help us understand ourselves a little bit more, which leads to keep on investigating and learning from it.

Become an Organ Donor

Become an Organ Donor Become an Organ DonorBy this time tomorrow, 16 people in America who are alive right now will be dead.Not because they were in a car accidentNot because they were gunned downNot because their time had comeNot even because they couldn't get to a hospitalThese folks will be dead simply because they couldn't be given a life saving organ transplant in timeMoney is not the issue..most insurance carriers provide coverage, and private and public organizations often pick up the parts not coveredNor is scarcity....there's lots of organs out there....Indeed there are literally millions of organs that could be made available to these transplant candidates.... but they have to come from donors.... and donors have to volunteer.... and the families of the donors have to agree with the donors' choice.Last year in the United States, there over 19,000 organ transplants performed. These organ transplants were made from 9845 donors, since many donors are able to donate multiple organs.Organ DonationNow , 19,000 transplants may seem like a lot, until you learn that there are currently over 83000 patients on the National Transplant Registry, awaiting transplants.I have two personal stories to relate regarding organ transplants:In 1986, my son was a junior in high school. One of his favorite teachers, who also happened to be personal friend of ours, was diagnosed with a fatal heart disease, for which there was no cure. His only hope was an organ transplant. He was in and out of the hospital for several weeks during that spring and summer, and unfortunately he died while waiting for a donor heart. That heart never came.Five years later, we found out that my sister's husband, who had received a tainted blood transfusion over 15 years ago, had contracted a liver...

Joy Luck Club3 essays

Joy Luck Club3 essays When ignorance plagues your mind, you find it difficult to remove the rose colored glasses from your eyes and let the clarity of reality seep in. We all have the ability to scratch the surface of any culture, to know that Egypt has the Great Pyramids or China with its Great Wall. But when we are fortunate to be given an opportunity to find out how, why, and when, it is then, that our minds have finally declared to be rid of those glasses of ignorance and obtain an insight into a world that is different, unique and scary as could possibly be imagined. The Joy Luck Club provides the gateway into a look at the mysteries of the Chinese culture, adding spice to the mundane of conventional traditions. When attempting to gain insight on a different and unique culture, it is found that the emic perspective is extremely beneficial. The emic is a natives viewpoint of their culture. In the book and after viewing the movie to gain the perspective of the director, each character commentated on the events that took place during their lives. Lindo, who was the recipient of a faulty pre-arranged marriage, discussed her dislikes of the entire ordeal, while still being a submissive and respectful wife until she got out of the marriage. With the use of the emic perspective, one was able to really sense and understand, not only the events taking place, but gain insight on what the character felt and thought. Being able to see the culture through the eyes of a native allowed for a true and concise understanding of what their world is all about because they were able to maintain the reality without crossing into fantasy. The idea of marriage is well displayed in The Joy Luck Club. Everything from blind love, to pre-arrangement to polygamy are characterized as having an acceptable place in Chinese society. The marriage of blind love seems to serve its title well. Ying Ying is captured by the charm of a handsome Chinese man who ultimate...

My Building-Block Approach to Writing a Novel

My Building-Block Approach to Writing a Novel My Building-Block Approach to Writing a Novel Dan Burns is the author of A Fine Line and Recalled to Life. He is also an award-winning writer for the screen and stage. In this article, Dan talks about overcoming the â€Å"where do I start?† question that plagues many writers at the onset of their career. His advice for overcoming that doubt? Start small, and see where your story takes you. Stop asking, â€Å"Where do I start?† and just startMany people talk about being a writer but have difficulty actually getting started. Writing is hard, and often the ideas are there but the approach is elusive. Where do I start?  I get that: it’s scary to put yourself out there and not see your ideas pan out the way you want them to. That’s why I recommend starting small and building on an idea over time. This approach helps me maintain my status as a working writer and overcome roadblocks. If putting your ideas out there scares you, start small and build your story slowly. As for Sebastian Drake, he continues to bug me to write as his story still has so much room for growth. I can only imagine where he’ll take me next.A Fine Line  is available in hard cover  and on  Amazon Kindle.For more information, visit Dan Burns' website.Please  share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions for Dan Burns, in the comments below!

This is a n Accounting principle subject. The assessment and case Study

This is a n Accounting principle subject. The assessment and will be send by file .pdf - Case Study Example Professional Competence and Due Care A professional accountant is expected to demonstrate diligence when executing his duties and should abide by professional standards when executing his professional duties. Considering whether it is within the mandate of the accountant to counter-sign checks and ensuring that the hotel receives professional services in line with the underlying regulations of the accounting profession would translate to the observation of professional competence and due care. Confidentiality A professional accountant must observe confidentiality of information under his care and should not in any way disclose such information to unauthorized third party. Not disclosing the findings about the whole scenario to any third party and not taking advantage of the findings for personal gain would amount to maintaining the principle of confidentiality. Professional Behavior A professional accountant should act within applicable laws and regulations and shun any act that like ly to discredit professionalism. Ensuring that services remain within the law and avoiding any action that would put the profession into questions amount to professional behavior. Q2. a. The parties involved in the case include the company’s directors (husband and wife), the staff of the boutique hotel, the financial institution that mortgaged the hotel, and the community as a whole. For the company’s directors, especially that wife, the transactions are happening in her absence. Therefore, there is a possibility that taking no action would result into huge financial losses on her side through continuous check withdrawals of the recently acquired mortgage for the hotel. For the mortgaging firm, there is a likelihood that the hotel will not be able to pay back its mortgage leading to a huge financial loss. However, if the loan is secured, the mortgaging firm would recover the amount through seizure of the company’s principal asset, a boutique hotel. All the staff of the company would lose their job in the near future because the company would not be in a position to pay them. Moreover, there is likelihood that the company may be declared bankrupt. The closure of the company would have negative impact on the community where it is located because it would cut down job opportunities and disengage those who are currently employed courtesy of the company. b. If I decided to take action, I would consult the audit committee of the company, if there is any and summon the board of directors to shed light on the harmful effects of such fraudulent dealings. I would give my stand to the company’s directors by stating pointblank that I am not ready to be party to the fraudulent deal. First, I would ensure that I act within the fundamental principles of the accounting profession. I would then identify specific factors relevant to the conflict resolution process, which in this case is the unauthorized check withdrawals made by one of the directors of the company. I would then decide the best course of action by weighing the likely consequence of each alternative course action. I would then document the discussions held and decisions arrived at during my discussion with the directors and the audit committee. If the practice persists, I would then contact relevant professional body and legal advisors. A professional

Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Article Example yzed the effects that the U.S economy which is on the verge of and perhaps already in outright recession will have in the general performance of the world economies but particularly to countries with which it trades with heavily such as the economies of Canada, Mexico, Caribbean among others. A U.S recession in 2008 will have a negative effect on real GDP growth of the rest of the world. This will be especially so, in Mexico and Canada. In other countries which would otherwise be threatened by a U.S recession, measures including easing of monetary and fiscal policy would cushion them from the effects, however it is still yet early to undertake any of the macroeconomic measures as a recession in the U.S is still just a prospect. Some countries, such as Australia, china and Sweden have already taken steps to curb any possibility of inflation, they have tightened their monetary policies. However, other countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom have eased their monetary policies in response to their weakening economic growth. Most countries and currencies such as the Euro and the Yen have appreciated against the dollar. Whereas these economies to some extent are being affected by the financial turbulence in United States, with the euro zone economies already showing a slow growth, the appreciation of their currencies against the dollar impedes any chances of inflation. With Japan’s weakening exports to the United States couple with a decrease demand dampens any possibilities of an upsurge in GDP growth. China’s economy continues to grow at an increasing rate, however with a high growth rate comes the problem of inflation, therefore the authorities are being faced with the problem of inflation, and this is necessitating them to tighten their policies both monetary and fiscal. To do this, the best option is to appreciate their currency against the dollar and stimulate domestic demand, however their authorities are not willing to employ this measure. Real

Discuss the history (literature), art, sculpture, architecture, other Essay

Discuss the history (literature), art, sculpture, architecture, other archaeological nds, inscriptions, coins, and so forth abou ROMAN VILLAS - Essay Example o sectors in the Britain, those who were known as the well-off only had to occupy the villas and the poor who were the majority occupied the Celtic houses. The villas have paints on the tops which were different and the changing artistic styles. The walls were not or never plastered, this different information in the artist’s works was mostly borrowed from the Greeks art. The arts found in the Romans are presumed to be borrowed from the Greek hence most of the art work of the Roman villas and the Greek villas are same and closely related (Elaine K. Gazda). The presences of the Romans villas in other provinces show Romanization and the acceptance of the architectural forms and practices by the local elite. The proliferation of the villas in the Italy is a drastic transformation of the economy, it is regarded as capitalism in the empire and it was a clear indication of division in the social class. The villas are considered in two forms; the social and the economic way in which the intensity of change between different empires are considered (Grant). The roman art is considered in two ways; the public work and the private work. The public work is more pronounce than the private because as it’s per the public monument will always continue to provide a chronological armature in the field of the roman art with abroad view of the history. The public work of the roman art is more commemorate major historical events, religious rites and imperial policies through public monuments which express the collective ideas and achievements of the roman people. For the work of the private sphere it is upon them to turn forms and images that express the personal belief, taste and self-perceptions of the Romans. This art work helps to know the place and the position of individuals (Kemp). The private work art poses certain problem in that the scant documentation is available to student of art but the student is outside the purview of the official Rome. Also the meaning of the

Why managers may face difficulties when managing employees in a Essay

Why managers may face difficulties when managing employees in a cross-cultural context - Essay Example factory manager who moved to Mexico in order to raise the productivity of his firm factory in the State of Mexico. He apparently was not able to understand main cultural points and his management was a complete failure which led to a 500.000 $ loss for his company. The culture in which each of us lives influences and shapes our feelings, attitudes, and responses to our experiences and interactions with others. Because of our culture, each of us has knowledge, beliefs, values, views, and behaviors that we share with others who have the same cultural heritage. These past experiences, handed down from generation to generation, influence our values of what is attractive and what is ugly, what is acceptable behavior and what is not, and what is right and what is wrong. Our culture also teaches us how to interpret the world. From our culture we learn such things as how close to stand to strangers, when to speak and when to be silent, how to greet friends and strangers, and how to display anger appropriately. Because each culture has a unique way of approaching these situations, we find great diversity in cultural behaviors throughout the world. According to this definition, culture is made of all that defines our background and this is exactly why, as it is stated, we find great diversity in cultural behaviors throughout the world and this is the exact reason why managers may face cross-cultural p... As they have different cultural i.e. different knowledge, beliefs, values, views and behaviors, they will not have the same approach regarding a work, a problem, a situation. According to DuPraw and Axner3 (1997) there are six fundamental patterns of Cultural Difference: Communication Styles, Attitude towards conflict, Approaches to completing tasks, Attitudes towards disclosure, Approaches to knowing. From a culture to another, even if they share the same language, the meaning of words change and doesn't convey the same ideas and the importance of non-verbal communication is not the same. Conflict, depending on the culture, can be seen as a bad or good thing. Western countries often consider conflicts as being undesirable and often do all that is possible to tackle the issues immediately, whereas some other cultures don't have the same considerations on conflicts and believe that it is profitable for both parts. Another aspect of the conflict is the way to tackle it. Some cultures are accustomed to settle a conflict by a written exchange, contrary to the western face-to-face confrontation which can be embarrassing for them. How to complete task also differs from a culture to another because they will consider the same approach to complete it and also the way to work in teams are not the same. The process to make a decision in the working process is also submitted to variation depe nding on the cultural background. In some countries there is only one decision maker for the entire working process whereas in others the there must be a common agreement on what to do. Expressing feelings can also be an issue because it may be considered rude in some

Macroeconomics in Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Macroeconomics in Finance - Essay Example The model is taken to be equally influential as the Keynesian model that which was originally formulated by John Keynes in the 20th century. The model relates employment and aggregate demand to three exogenous quantities namely; the government spending, business expectations by the state and the total amount of money in circulation. The model can be understood in the general equilibrium theory. The model can be used in line with the Phillips curve to make prediction for example an increase in the general employment level would lead to increased inflation rate (the general price rise) the resultant increase in money supply would hence increase employment and the output level (Obstfeld, M. and Kenneth, R.(1996) Under the model a sustained fail in general prices (deflation) will be caused by a shift in the supply curve and more importantly the demand curve for goods and interest. This means a fall in how the prices of goods compared to how much the economy is willing to buy of. It brings the idea of benefit of unemployment, insurance and fluctuations costs. i.e. the unemployed exhibit significant heterogeneity in marginal propensity to consume the available income and in holding of wealth. (Obstfeld, and Kenneth, 1996) Aspects for example it has all the variables that are contained in the IS-LM model i.e. consumption interest rate, expected inflation, the gross domestic product, investment and government spending. (Uzawa, 1969) However, the two models have some differences in their basic setup. The IS curve is given as Y=C+I+G+NX Where NX= net exports While the LM curve is given as M/P=L (I, Y) Where M= money supply P= average price L= liquidity I= interest rate U=GDP Question Two IS -LM-FE Mundell Fleming model in comparing effect of an increase in public spending under fixed exchange rates Under a flexible exchange rate an increase in public spending will translate into an increase in the money supply in any given country. According to this model an increase in money supply will shift the LM curve to the right. The resultant effect will be reduced local interest rate thus

The Elements of Drama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Elements of Drama - Essay Example Antigone feels that although Creon is a man, he is weak than she is. This is illustrated in their conversation after burying Polyneices and she is taken to Creon. She literary tells him that she has the power to say no to what she regards as vile and does not have to count any cost of it. She regards Creon as just a ruler who is controlled by the rules just because he ascended to the throne but not because he believes in them. Creon will then have to execute her even if he does not want to in order to abide by the crown. Creon is thus terrified if his action but is unable to act contrary. Antigone reads his fear and proclaims that even if her nails are broken, her finger covered in blood and her arms are wounded, she will still remain a queen. Antigone is terrified at the thought of death but then she is ready to embrace her death as a martyr. As a feminist, Antigone faces many challenges with her sister. Her encounter with Ismene about the burial of Polyneices leaves her heartbroken. Ismene is a conservative girl who believes in the maintenance of the status quo. When Antigone tells her to join her and bury their brother, Ismene is keen to remind her that the king has ordered a decree against anyone who will be seen burying him. She tells her that their family has suffered enough and was not ready to undergo another tragedy. Ismene reminds her that they are now all alone and therefore should do well in submitting to the law and obey. To Ismene, women must not fight with men. There is a conflict in philosophies at this time and Antigone tells her sister off and vows not to take her help even if she comes begging to offer it. Antigone is determined to defy Creon’s decree and bury her brother even if alone. Antigone’s conversation with her sister Ismene is fundamental in the analysis of her feminist trait. Ismene questions the role of nature in their lives. She argues that even when pushed, it should not be

Macroeconomics in Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Macroeconomics in Finance - Essay Example The model is taken to be equally influential as the Keynesian model that which was originally formulated by John Keynes in the 20th century. The model relates employment and aggregate demand to three exogenous quantities namely; the government spending, business expectations by the state and the total amount of money in circulation. The model can be understood in the general equilibrium theory. The model can be used in line with the Phillips curve to make prediction for example an increase in the general employment level would lead to increased inflation rate (the general price rise) the resultant increase in money supply would hence increase employment and the output level (Obstfeld, M. and Kenneth, R.(1996) Under the model a sustained fail in general prices (deflation) will be caused by a shift in the supply curve and more importantly the demand curve for goods and interest. This means a fall in how the prices of goods compared to how much the economy is willing to buy of. It brings the idea of benefit of unemployment, insurance and fluctuations costs. i.e. the unemployed exhibit significant heterogeneity in marginal propensity to consume the available income and in holding of wealth. (Obstfeld, and Kenneth, 1996) Aspects for example it has all the variables that are contained in the IS-LM model i.e. consumption interest rate, expected inflation, the gross domestic product, investment and government spending. (Uzawa, 1969) However, the two models have some differences in their basic setup. The IS curve is given as Y=C+I+G+NX Where NX= net exports While the LM curve is given as M/P=L (I, Y) Where M= money supply P= average price L= liquidity I= interest rate U=GDP Question Two IS -LM-FE Mundell Fleming model in comparing effect of an increase in public spending under fixed exchange rates Under a flexible exchange rate an increase in public spending will translate into an increase in the money supply in any given country. According to this model an increase in money supply will shift the LM curve to the right. The resultant effect will be reduced local interest rate thus

Training and Development in health care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Training and Development in health care - Essay Example Employees who perform better are usually motivated and are such individuals who will likely to leave a particular job in search of more challenging and interesting work, and bigger overall opportunities. Training and development is one way an organization can retain its better performing employees. It is important to state that a department that does not put into consideration training and development is bound to fail. The constant changes in technology, economy, legislation, finances, and social changes make it mandatory for the organization to offer training and education to its employees. Thus, maintenance and the improvement of the staff abilities ought to be an ongoing effort. Ongoing education is important (Fallon and McConnell, 2007). Measuring competence is important for a health care organization. The increasing sophistications of health care delivery and the changes in the market conditions have forced the health policy makers to enhance the evaluation of â€Å"initial competence of students and new graduates and the continuing competence of experienced and certified practitioners† (Burkhalter, Cooper and Kak, 2001, p4). Health care organizations are required to evaluate individual and organizational performance on a regular basis in order to assess the efficacy of the services they are offering. This assists the organization to know whether that requires designing training and continuing education interventions for the improvement of provider performance. Comparing job performance and the assessments of competence serves as an indicator of the extent to which the organization offers support required for quality care (Burkhalter, Cooper and Kak, 2001). On the other hand, low performance and high competence is an indication that the organization is not offering the required resources, is not correcting poor performance, or rewarding effective performance, and it has not clarified the standards

Video game console and Nintendo Essay Example for Free

Video game console and Nintendo Essay In the world of video games, Nintendo has been a household name for nearly three decades. After all, it was one of the pioneers of home video game consoles with the Nintendo Entertainment System in the early 1980s. It continued as the market leader with its Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 systems. But in the mid-1990s, all that began to change. Along came Sony with its Playstation and Playstation 2, and Microsoft introduced the xBox. Before long, Nintendo was reduced to a fraction of its former glory, running a distant third in a highly competitive market. What happened? In certain respects, Nintendo fell prey to the industry model that it had created. More advanced technology led to the creation of more powerful gaming consoles, which in turn paved the road for more sophisticated games with more realistic graphics. As each new generation of product hit the market, Nintendo found that it could not keep up with more technologically advanced rivals. While more than 120 million Sony PS2s became fixtures in homes, apartments, and dorm rooms around the world, Nintendo moved just slightly more than 20 million GameCubes. As the most recent generation of gaming platforms from the gaming industry’s â€Å"big three† came to market, many industry insiders figured Nintendo was destined to continue its downward path. Sony’s PS3 and Microsoft’s xBox 360 were so advanced that it looked like Nintendo was due for another drubbing. Oh what a difference a couple of years makes. For Nintendo, everything is now coming up Super Mario Bros. â€Å"flowers. † Last year, revenues and profits were up by 73 percent and 67 percent, respectively. In the last couple of years, during a time in which the Nikkei Stock Average fell nearly 25 percent, Nintendo’s stock price tripled. In fact, Nintendo’s stock price rose so high during 2007 that its market capitalization exceeded that of the Sony Corporation. On that measure alone, Nintendo became the second largest corporation in Japan, trailing only Toyota Motor Company. How did this struggling number three player go from product loser to product leader in such a short time? FROM PRODUCT LOSER TO PRODUCT LEADER Most people probably don’t know that Nintendo was founded way back in 1889. Obviously, Nintendo did not make video games back then. It began as a playing cards manufacturer. But it also found success in hotels, packaged foods, and toys. When it came time to revive itself as a veteran in the video game industry, Nintendo did something that it had done time and time again. It focused on customers to find true opportunities. For the video game industry, â€Å"the customer† typically means one of two groups: the 18 to 35-year old hard-core gamers and the children/teenagers. The industry earns most of its revenue and profits from these core consumers who spend a great deal of time and money enhancing their virtual skills. Over the years, as hardware became more sophisticated and games more realistic, these tech junkies were all the more pleased. In the process, Nintendo watched its revenues slide and its rivals strengthen. It realized that it could not compete against technologically superior products. So when it set out to develop the Wii console, it didn’t even try. Instead, it focused on something the others were ignoring. It set its sites on the masses. â€Å"Nintendo took a step back from the technology arms race and chose to focus on the fun of playing rather than cold tech specs,† said Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO of Nintendo of America. â€Å"We took a more intuitive approach and developed something that could be fun for every member of the family. † 298 Part Three | Designing a Customer Driven Strategy and Mix placed on a separate scale. The light bulb went on as Sawano thought about the possibility of tracking a user’s shifting weight on a game pad as they shimmied and twisted their way through virtual worlds. That game pad is now called the Balance Board and lies at the heart (or rather the foot) of the Wii Fit’s portfolio of exercise applications. Users can do aerobic, strength training, balancing, and yoga exercises all in realistic virtual settings. â€Å"It is now possible to go beyond the fingertip controls of past games and now use your whole body,† Sawano told a crowd of game developers. The Wii Fit also facilitates exercise programs as it tracks and analyzes individual performance over time as well as keeping track of stats like weight and body-mass index. Perhaps the most promising part of the Wii Fit is not that it continues to broaden an ever-growing market segment. In addition, the Balance Board component has the potential to be integrated into a nearly limitless number of applications. Already, Nintendo has developed ski jump and slalom games. It’s only a matter of time before Nintendo develops a Balance Board version for just about every sport imaginable. Releasing hit after hit, Nintendo has vaulted to the top of the Wall Street Journal’s latest Asia 200 survey. Placing first in the â€Å"Innovative in Responding to Customer Needs† category, the company placed second overall, trailing only Toyota. For a company that hadn’t placed in the top 10 since 2002, the sudden turnaround is a telling demonstration of consumer confidence. For the Wii, this meant that Nintendo had to do more with less. The Wii boasts a humble combination of low-powered processors and a standard optical disc drive. Compared to the powerful, state-of-the-art chips and high definition lasers contained in the PS3 and xBox 360, the Wii’s graphics are out right scrawny. But at the core of the Wii’s broad appeal lies a revolutionary motion-sensing wireless technology that forces the once sedentary gamer to get up off the couch and get into the game. The Wii controller resembles a television remote. This feature was no accident as Wii designers correctly speculated that the familiarity of a TV remote would be more inviting than the more typical and complex video game controllers. The Wii’s basic software also allows users to custom design avatars from a seemingly infinite combination of characteristics. With this configuration, users play tennis, go bowling, and hit the links by swinging the controller like a racket, ball or golf club, all with characters resembling themselves. The Wii met with immediate and drastic success. Entering the market after the release of the xBox 360 and the PS3, Wii consoles flew off the shelves. Not only did the Wii’s contain an enticing combination of features, it also had a cost advantage. Microsoft and Sony had priced their offerings in the stratosphere. And even at $599 for the top and most popular PS3 model, Sony was still losing hundreds of dollars on each unit that it sold! Nintendo’s low-tech approach allowed it to earn a hefty profit and be the low-price leader at only $250. With such a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio, the Wii easily won the launch phase, outselling each of the two competing consoles by nearly two-to-one in the first few months . 9 Chapter CXXXX 43550 Page 298 08/15/08 MD SECURING THE FUTURE Although the success of the Wii has largely been attributed to attracting non-traditional gamers, hardcore gamers have hardly been absent. In fact, many of the industry faithful saw the Wii as a relatively cheap second gaming platform—as a nice diversion from more graphic-intensive games. The Wii also has the nostalgic advantage of appealing to the gaming elite with characters they grew up with, such as those from the Mario and Zelda franchises. But developers and executives at Nintendo are not content to sit back and risk having hardcore gamers lose interest. Part of Nintendo’s future strategy includes games focused on more serious gamers. CEO Satoru Iwata shocked the industry last year when he announced that Nintendo would soon add games from two Sony allies: Capcom’s Monster Hunter series and Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. The release of these titles will do more than appeal to traditional gamers. It will elevate the Wii’s image from that of a machine with little firepower to one that will run the industry’s most advanced games. Said one game industry analyst at a tradeshow sneak preview, â€Å"It’s symbolic. I didn’t think the Wii could handle this type of game. Everyone in the room today saw that it can. † As Nintendo has successfully attracted an untapped audience of gamers over the past few years, it has done more than revive its business. It has transformed a market. The competitors that once trounced Nintendo now find that they must play catch-up. Both Sony and Microsoft are now developing easierto-play games that depart from their usual fast-action fare. Game publishers, including powerhouses such as Electronic Arts Inc. , have started putting more resources into developing games for the Wii. And even small, independent shops are getting into the action as Nintendo’s download channel reduces barriers to entry. All this is causing an already huge $30 billion industry to swell. NOT JUST A FAD Although the Wii was an instant smash hit, many analysts wondered whether or not its appeal would hold up. That speculation began to subside when retailers were still having trouble keeping the Wii in stock more than a year after it was introduced. In its first 18 months, Nintendo moved more than 24 million Wiis. Even though the xBox 360 had been on the market a full year longer, it had sold only 19 million units. And Sony, once the undisputed industry champ, placed only 12 million PS3s. Nintendo’s willingness to reinvent what a video gaming system can mean continues to drive Wii sales. For example, the Wii can scan weather, news, and Web sites through a wireless Internet connection. Through the Wii Shop Channel, an iTunesstyle store, customers can download classic Nintendo games as well as games from independent developers. But in its pursuit to break gaming boundaries, Nintendo has also relentlessly pursued new applications for the basic motionsensing technology. A plastic rifle contraption allows users to realistically play shooting gallery games. Snapping the Wii controller into a steering wheel has made driving games all the more electrifying. And tiny in-controller speakers add touches like the sound of an arrow being shot while the TV makes the â€Å"thwack† of that arrow hitting its target. But perhaps one of the greatest strokes of creative genius in Nintendo’s continuing stream of new applications is the Wii Fit, an add-on device targeted directly at women wanting to lose weight or keep in shape. The idea for the Wii Fit came to Takao Sawano, general manager of development for Nintendo, as he watched sumo wrestlers being weighed in for a television match. The tubby athletes were so heavy that they had to have each foot Company Cases Chapter 9 | New-Product Development and Product Life-Cycle Strategies 21 299 Chapter 3. In which stage of the product life-cycle is the Wii? Based on that stage, is Nintendo employing good marketing mix strategies? Simon Jeffery, president and COO of Sega of America, summarizes why Nintendo has been successful and why the rest of the industry must keep up. The fundamental interface in games has always been a controller, and Nintendo is bringing opportunities to developers to think about how interactions use motion. That has opened doors of creativity throughout the video game business. Nintendo’s success is about creative leadership and the willingness to do things differently. As long as Nintendo can stay focused on these elements that have returned it to its throne, it will reign for a long time to come. 4. Develop a strategy for the Wii’s next product life-cycle phase. 5. Discuss the potential threats to Nintendo’s future success. What will help Nintendo avoid a premature decline for the Wii? Sources: Robert Levine, â€Å"Fast 50 2008: Nintendo,† Fast Company, February 19, 2008, accessed online at www. fastcompany. com; Yukari Iwatani Kane, â€Å"Nintendo Captures Top Spot in Japan For Innovation,† Wall Street Journal, June 27, 2008, accessed online at www. wsj. com; Yukari Iwatani Kane, â€Å"Nintendo is Ahead of the Game, But Sustaining May Be Hard,† Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2008, p.C3; Yukari Iwatani Kane, â€Å"Wii Sales Help Nintendo Net Rise 48 Percent,† Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2008, p. B8; Kenji Hall, â€Å"Nintendo: Calling All Players,† BusinessWeek, October 10, 2007, accessed online at www. businessweek. com; Brian Caulfield, â€Å"Nintendo’s Sumo-Inspired Hit,† Forbes, February 21, 2008, accessed online at www. forbes. com. Questions for Discussion 1. Was Nintendo just lucky, or does the Wii’s success have strategic merit? 2. Has Nintendo put the â€Å"fad† question to rest? State a case as to why the Wii is or is not here to stay. 9 Chapter CXXXX 43550 Page 299 08/15/08 MD.

Sales Employees Training Essay -- Train Job Work Sales Essays

Sales Employees Training ABC Broom Company in Bombay, India needs a training program created for its new salesmen. These salesmen are in their early 20’s and are high school graduates. These salesmen are not meeting their sales goals but would like to because of the financial bonus. These salesmen have no prior sales experience before entering the training program. Based on the feasibility analysis for the training, a plan consisting of lecture, group discussions, role playing, and a mentoring program will be implemented. It is best to use a combination of methods to deliver the training. Each method may help to enhance the other (Hannum & Hansen, 1989). The choice of instructional methods is dependent upon the type of learning objectives, the characteristics of learners, the instructional conditions, and the evidence of instructional effectiveness. A learning objective makes clear the intended learning outcome or product of instruction, rather than what form the instruction will take. Objectives focus on student performance. The types of learning outcomes that are expected are attitudinal learning, and intellectual learning (problem solving and application). The employees are from Bombay, India. India has a caste system which each employee is aware. The caste system has supposedly been demolished, but research has shown that it is still present within the culture. Trainees do not need to be briefed on the caste system. The employees were raised in India and are well aware of the differences between castes. Each trainee will bring to the training sessions their own prejudices, experiences, and learning styles. While each learning style cannot be taken into consideration, the trainers will attempt to teach to the mean (Sheppard, 1998). The Indian culture is unique in that an Indian person will attempt to learn everything about someone on the first visit (Matthew, 1996). This may be a potential problem for the salesmen. It is viewed as a process of establishing a relationship with the person to whom they are speaking. The salesmen may not be able to establish a relationship with the client in enough time as specified by the company to make a sale. This fact will be considered and discussed at the group seminars. The training program will begin with a lecture to present the information that the employees need to learn. This information will... ...of Instruction. Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson. Erffmeyer, Robert c. & Johnson, Dale A. (1997). The future of sales training: making choices among six different education methods. The Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing. Vol. 12, Iss. 3/4, pp. 185. Harbour, Jerry L. (1998). Does the Trainee Know Best? Training and Development, June, Vol. 46, Iss. 6, pp. 66. Hannum, Wallace., & Hansen, Carol. (1989). Instructional Systems Development in Large Organizations. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Educational Technology Publications, Inc. Honey, Peter. (2003). How do you decide what methods to use when designing a training program? Training Journal, Jan, pp. 7. Mathew, Matt. (1996). A Tale of Two Cultures. StylusInc. www.stylusinc.com/business/india/cultural_tip1.htm. Ray, Julie A.(2004). Effective Teaching Strategies in Higher Education. Phi Kappa Phi Forum. Vol. 84, Iss. 4, pp. 58. Shepard, Clive. (1998). A process for selecting training methods. FastTrak consulting, www.fastack-consulting.co.uk. Sindell, Milo T. (2002). How to Make Smart Decisions About Training. Training and Development, Vol. 56, Iss. 4, pp. 86.

John Locke Essays -- Empiricists, Empiricism

John Locke believes that man ought to have more freedom in political society than John Stuart Mill does. John Locke's The Second Treatise of Government and John Stuart Mill's On Liberty are influential and potent literary works which while outlining the conceptual framework of each thinkers ideal state present two divergent visions of the very nature of man and his freedom. John Locke and John Stuart Mill have different views regarding how much freedom man ought to have in political society because they have different views regarding man's basic potential for inherently good or evil behavior, as well as the ends or purpose of political societies. In order to examine how each thinker views man and the freedom he ought to have in political society it is necessary to define freedom or liberty from each philosophers perspective. In The Second Treatise of Government, John Locke states his belief that all men exist in "a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of t heir possessions and person as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man. " (Locke 4) Locke believes that man exists in a state of nature and thus exists in a state of uncontrollable liberty which has only the law of nature to restrict it, which is reason. (Locke 5) However Locke does state that man does not have the license to destroy himself or any other creature in his possession unless a legitimate purpose requires it. Locke emphasizes the ability and opportunity to own and profit from property as being necessary to be free. In On Liberty John Stuart Mill defines liberty in relation to three spheres; each successive sphere progressively encompasses and defines more elements relating to political society. The first sphere consists of the individuals "inward domain of consciousness; demanding liberty of conscious in the most comprehensive sense; liberty of thought and feeling; absolute freedom of opinion and sentiment on all subjects, practical or speculative, scientific, moral, or theological." (Mill 13) The second sphere of Mill's definition encompasses the general freedoms which allow an individual to freely peruse a "...life to suit our own character; of doing as we like..." (Mill 13). Mill also states that these freedoms must not be interfered with by "fellow crea... ...ave left an indelible mark on the concept of freedom in political societies. John Locke favours greater freedom for man in political society than does John Stuart Mill does. Their beliefs regarding the nature of man and the purpose of the state are bound to their respective views regarding freedom because one position perpetuates and demands a conclusion regarding another. Locke system for dealing with man freedom and all other related matters severely limits the role of state to strictly guaranteeing individual freedom. This is the best method of preventing the perversion and abuse of the role and power of the state. Locke views simply stem from his faith in man and his potential to succeed independently, which collectively promotes the prosperity of the state. Mill does not implicitly trust or distrust man and therefore does not explicitly limit freedom, in fact he does define freedom in very liberal terms, however he does leave the potential for unlimited intervention into the personal freedoms of the individual by the state. This nullifies any freedoms or rights individuals are said to have because they subject to the whims and fancy of the state. from: ksampson@mustang.uwo.ca

Regression Analysis

REGRESSION ANALYSIS Correlation only indicates the degree and direction of relationship between two variables. It does not, necessarily connote a cause-effect relationship. Even when there are grounds to believe the causal relationship exits, correlation does not tell us which variable is the cause and which, the effect. For example, the demand for a commodity and its price will generally be found to be correlated, but the question whether demand depends on price or vice-versa; will not be answered by correlation. The dictionary meaning of the ‘regression’ is the act of the returning or going back. The term ‘regression’ was first used by Francis Galton in 1877 while studying the relationship between the heights of fathers and sons. â€Å"Regression is the measure of the average relationship between two or more variables in terms of the original units of data. † The line of regression is the line, which gives the best estimate to the values of one variable for any specific values of other variables. For two variables on regression analysis, there are two regression lines. One line as the regression of x on y and other is for regression of y on x. These two regression line show the average relationship between the two variables. The regression line of y on x gives the most probable value of y for given value of x and the regression line of x and y gives the most probable values of x for the given value of y. For perfect correlation, positive or negative i. e. for r=  ±, the two lines coincide i. e. we will find only one straight line. If r=0, i. e. both the variance are independent then the two lines will cut each other at a right angle. In this case the two lines will be  ¦to x and y axis. The Graph is given below:- We restrict our discussion to linear relationships only that is the equations to be considered are 1- y=a+bx – x=a+by In equation first x is called the independent variable and y the dependent variable. Conditional on the x value, the equations gives the variation of y. In other words ,it means that corresponding to each value of x ,there is whole conditional probability distribution of y. Similar discussion holds for the equation second, where y acts as independent variable and x as dependent variable. What purpose does regression line serve? 1- The first object is to estimate the dependent variable from known values of independent variable. This is possible from regression line. – The next objective is to obtain a measure of the error involved in using regression line for estimation. 3- With the help of regression coefficients we can calculate the correlation coefficient. The square of correlation coefficient (r), is called coefficient of determination, measure the degree of association of correlation that exits between two variables. What is the difference between correlation and linear regression? Correlation and linear regression are not the same. Consider these differences: †¢ Correlation quantifies the degree to which two variables are related. Correlation does not find  a best-fit line (that is regression). You simply are computing a correlation coefficient (r) that tells you how much one variable tends to change when the other one does. †¢ With correlation you don't have to think about cause and effect. You simply quantify how well two variables relate to each other. With regression, you do have to think about cause and effect as the regression line is determined as the best way to predict Y from X. †¢ With correlation,  it doesn't matter which of the two variables you call â€Å"X† and which you call â€Å"Y†. You'll get the same correlation coefficient if you swap the two. With linear regression, the decision of which variable you call â€Å"X† and which you call â€Å"Y† matters a lot, as you'll get a different best-fit line if you swap the two. The line that best predicts Y from X is not the same as the line that predicts X from Y. †¢ Correlation is almost always used when you measure both variables. It rarely is appropriate when one variable is something you experimentally manipulate. With linear regression, the X variable is often something you experimental manipulate (time, concentration†¦ and the Y variable is something you measure. Regression analysis is widely used for  prediction  (including  forecasting  of  time-series  data). Use of regression analysis for prediction has substantial overlap with the field of  machine learning. Regression analysis is also used to understand which among the independent variables are related to the dependent variable, and to explore the forms of these relationships. In restricted circumstances, regression analysis can be used to infer  causal relationships  between the independent and dependent variables. A large body of techniques for carrying out regression analysis has been developed. Familiar methods such as  linear regression  and  ordinary least squares  regression are  parametric, in that the regression function is defined in terms of a finite number of unknown  parameters  that are estimated from the  data. Nonparametric regression  refers to techniques that allow the regression function to lie in a specified set of  functions, which may beinfinite-dimensional. The performance of regression analysis methods in practice depends on the form of the data-generating process, and how it relates to the regression approach being used. Since the true form of the data-generating process is not known, regression analysis depends to some extent on making assumptions about this process. These assumptions are sometimes (but not always) testable if a large amount of data is available. Regression models for prediction are often useful even when the assumptions are moderately violated, although they may not perform optimally. However when carrying out  inference  using regression models, especially involving small  effects  or questions of  causality  based on  observational data, regression methods must be used cautiously as they can easily give misleading results. Underlying assumptions Classical assumptions for regression analysis include: ? The sample must be representative of the population for the inference prediction. ? The error is assumed to be a  random variable  with a mean of zero conditional on the explanatory variables. ? The variables are error-free. If this is not so, modeling may be done using  errors-in-variables model  techniques. ? The predictors must be  linearly independent, i. e. it must not be possible to express any predictor as a linear combination of the others. SeeMulticollinearity. The errors are  uncorrelated, that is, the  variance-covariance matrix  of the errors is  diagonal  and each non-zero element is the variance of the error. ? The variance of the error is constant across observations (homoscedasticity). If not,  weighted least squares  or other methods might be used. These are sufficient (but not all necessary) conditions for the least-squares estimator to possess desirable propertie s, in particular, these assumptions imply that the parameter estimates will be  unbiased,  consistent, and  efficient  in the class of linear unbiased estimators. Many of these assumptions may be relaxed in more advanced treatments. Basic Formula of Regression Analysis:- X=a+by (Regression line x on y) Y=a+bx (Regression line y on x) 1st – Regression equation of x on y:- 2nd – Regression equation of y on x:- Regression Coefficient:- Case 1st – when x on y means regression coefficient is ‘bxy’ Case 2nd – when y on x means regression coefficient is ‘byx’ Least Square Estimation:- The main object of constructing statistical relationship is to predict or explain the effects on one dependent variable resulting from changes in one or more explanatory variables. Under the least square criteria, the line of best fit is said to be that which minimizes the sum of the squared residuals between the points of the graph and the points of straight line. The least squares method is the most widely used procedure for developing estimates of the model parameters. The graph of the estimated regression equation for simple linear regression is a straight line approximation to the relationship between y and x. When regression equations obtained directly that is without taking deviation from actual or assumed mean then the two Normal equations are to be solved simultaneously as follows; For Regression Equation of x on y i. e. x=a+by The two Normal Equations are:- For Regression Equation of y on x i. e. y=a+bx The two Normal Equations are:- Remarks:- 1- It may be noted that both the regression coefficient ( x on y means bxy and y on x means byx ) cannot exceed 1. 2- Both the regression coefficient shall either be positive + or negative -. 3- Correlation coefficient (r) will have same sign as that of regression coefficient. Regression Analysis REGRESSION ANALYSIS Correlation only indicates the degree and direction of relationship between two variables. It does not, necessarily connote a cause-effect relationship. Even when there are grounds to believe the causal relationship exits, correlation does not tell us which variable is the cause and which, the effect. For example, the demand for a commodity and its price will generally be found to be correlated, but the question whether demand depends on price or vice-versa; will not be answered by correlation. The dictionary meaning of the ‘regression’ is the act of the returning or going back. The term ‘regression’ was first used by Francis Galton in 1877 while studying the relationship between the heights of fathers and sons. â€Å"Regression is the measure of the average relationship between two or more variables in terms of the original units of data. † The line of regression is the line, which gives the best estimate to the values of one variable for any specific values of other variables. For two variables on regression analysis, there are two regression lines. One line as the regression of x on y and other is for regression of y on x. These two regression line show the average relationship between the two variables. The regression line of y on x gives the most probable value of y for given value of x and the regression line of x and y gives the most probable values of x for the given value of y. For perfect correlation, positive or negative i. e. for r=  ±, the two lines coincide i. e. we will find only one straight line. If r=0, i. e. both the variance are independent then the two lines will cut each other at a right angle. In this case the two lines will be  ¦to x and y axis. The Graph is given below:- We restrict our discussion to linear relationships only that is the equations to be considered are 1- y=a+bx – x=a+by In equation first x is called the independent variable and y the dependent variable. Conditional on the x value, the equations gives the variation of y. In other words ,it means that corresponding to each value of x ,there is whole conditional probability distribution of y. Similar discussion holds for the equation second, where y acts as independent variable and x as dependent variable. What purpose does regression line serve? 1- The first object is to estimate the dependent variable from known values of independent variable. This is possible from regression line. – The next objective is to obtain a measure of the error involved in using regression line for estimation. 3- With the help of regression coefficients we can calculate the correlation coefficient. The square of correlation coefficient (r), is called coefficient of determination, measure the degree of association of correlation that exits between two variables. What is the difference between correlation and linear regression? Correlation and linear regression are not the same. Consider these differences: †¢ Correlation quantifies the degree to which two variables are related. Correlation does not find  a best-fit line (that is regression). You simply are computing a correlation coefficient (r) that tells you how much one variable tends to change when the other one does. †¢ With correlation you don't have to think about cause and effect. You simply quantify how well two variables relate to each other. With regression, you do have to think about cause and effect as the regression line is determined as the best way to predict Y from X. †¢ With correlation,  it doesn't matter which of the two variables you call â€Å"X† and which you call â€Å"Y†. You'll get the same correlation coefficient if you swap the two. With linear regression, the decision of which variable you call â€Å"X† and which you call â€Å"Y† matters a lot, as you'll get a different best-fit line if you swap the two. The line that best predicts Y from X is not the same as the line that predicts X from Y. †¢ Correlation is almost always used when you measure both variables. It rarely is appropriate when one variable is something you experimentally manipulate. With linear regression, the X variable is often something you experimental manipulate (time, concentration†¦ and the Y variable is something you measure. Regression analysis is widely used for  prediction  (including  forecasting  of  time-series  data). Use of regression analysis for prediction has substantial overlap with the field of  machine learning. Regression analysis is also used to understand which among the independent variables are related to the dependent variable, and to explore the forms of these relationships. In restricted circumstances, regression analysis can be used to infer  causal relationships  between the independent and dependent variables. A large body of techniques for carrying out regression analysis has been developed. Familiar methods such as  linear regression  and  ordinary least squares  regression are  parametric, in that the regression function is defined in terms of a finite number of unknown  parameters  that are estimated from the  data. Nonparametric regression  refers to techniques that allow the regression function to lie in a specified set of  functions, which may beinfinite-dimensional. The performance of regression analysis methods in practice depends on the form of the data-generating process, and how it relates to the regression approach being used. Since the true form of the data-generating process is not known, regression analysis depends to some extent on making assumptions about this process. These assumptions are sometimes (but not always) testable if a large amount of data is available. Regression models for prediction are often useful even when the assumptions are moderately violated, although they may not perform optimally. However when carrying out  inference  using regression models, especially involving small  effects  or questions of  causality  based on  observational data, regression methods must be used cautiously as they can easily give misleading results. Underlying assumptions Classical assumptions for regression analysis include: ? The sample must be representative of the population for the inference prediction. ? The error is assumed to be a  random variable  with a mean of zero conditional on the explanatory variables. ? The variables are error-free. If this is not so, modeling may be done using  errors-in-variables model  techniques. ? The predictors must be  linearly independent, i. e. it must not be possible to express any predictor as a linear combination of the others. SeeMulticollinearity. The errors are  uncorrelated, that is, the  variance-covariance matrix  of the errors is  diagonal  and each non-zero element is the variance of the error. ? The variance of the error is constant across observations (homoscedasticity). If not,  weighted least squares  or other methods might be used. These are sufficient (but not all necessary) conditions for the least-squares estimator to possess desirable propertie s, in particular, these assumptions imply that the parameter estimates will be  unbiased,  consistent, and  efficient  in the class of linear unbiased estimators. Many of these assumptions may be relaxed in more advanced treatments. Basic Formula of Regression Analysis:- X=a+by (Regression line x on y) Y=a+bx (Regression line y on x) 1st – Regression equation of x on y:- 2nd – Regression equation of y on x:- Regression Coefficient:- Case 1st – when x on y means regression coefficient is ‘bxy’ Case 2nd – when y on x means regression coefficient is ‘byx’ Least Square Estimation:- The main object of constructing statistical relationship is to predict or explain the effects on one dependent variable resulting from changes in one or more explanatory variables. Under the least square criteria, the line of best fit is said to be that which minimizes the sum of the squared residuals between the points of the graph and the points of straight line. The least squares method is the most widely used procedure for developing estimates of the model parameters. The graph of the estimated regression equation for simple linear regression is a straight line approximation to the relationship between y and x. When regression equations obtained directly that is without taking deviation from actual or assumed mean then the two Normal equations are to be solved simultaneously as follows; For Regression Equation of x on y i. e. x=a+by The two Normal Equations are:- For Regression Equation of y on x i. e. y=a+bx The two Normal Equations are:- Remarks:- 1- It may be noted that both the regression coefficient ( x on y means bxy and y on x means byx ) cannot exceed 1. 2- Both the regression coefficient shall either be positive + or negative -. 3- Correlation coefficient (r) will have same sign as that of regression coefficient.

The Communication of Window Displays

Retailer:Ted BAker Word Count: 1268 The Communication of Window Displays â€Å"Visual merchandising is an indispensable retail discipline, consisting of a series of practical selling tools that are used to influence what and how much consumers buy† (McKeever, K. 2008). A window display represents the various dynamics used to communicate a message to its target audience. This essay will analyse the way in which Ted Baker conveys its position in the market and brand identity by effectively portraying quality and attention to detail in its window displays.This essay will then compare the successfulness of two different approaches – â€Å"theme focussed display†, and â€Å"product focussed display† – in enticing Ted Baker’s potential customers. This will develop a conclusion on the effectiveness of Ted Baker’s window displays to act as â€Å"silent sellers† (Levine, P. 2008) and enable customers to relate to the brand. Ted Baker use s elements such as the psychological effect of colour, lighting and appropriately chosen props to enable its customer to interpret its position in the market as an â€Å"upper high street brand†.Figure 1: Use of luxurious colours by Ted Baker ( Source: Vaswani, 2012 In various online customer reviews (yelp. com, zappos. com), the attributes that Ted Baker’s products are associated with are commitment to quality and unwavering attention to detail. Interviews with 30 onlookers regarding the window displays on Regent Street revealed that the use of luxurious colours (browns, rich reds, strong neons) along with the warm yellow lighting are the factors that enabled the customers to interpret the quality of the products to be superior.Additionally, the props used in the Ted Baker windows highlight the attention that is devoted to details at the micro level, not only in the products, but also in the window displays. The importance of using appropriate props is highlighted by Tony Morgan’s (2011, p54) statement, â€Å"Props should be relevant to the merchandise to make the overall idea come to life†. In line with this, Ted Baker used bows and arrows as props to complement their autumn winter â€Å"Survival of the Fittest† collection. These props provide a wild and â€Å"outdoorsy† feel to the window.This proves that there is a deep level of intricacy that has gone into the selection of the props used in the window displays. This supports the upper high street positioning of the brand within the market. All these factors confirm that Ted Baker’s usage of the above elements is effective in conveying its market positioning. A comparison between the effectiveness of a â€Å"theme-focused† and â€Å"product-focused† display will establish whether Ted Baker’s frequent usage of themes in their windows is the right approach to capture the attention of potential customers.For their display in October, Ted Ba ker had ingeniously used the theory of â€Å"the survival of the fittest† to create a humorous theme in their window supporting their autumn/winter merchandise. Figure 2: Survival of the fittest themed window Source: displayhunter. com, 2012 Charles Darwin (1869, On the origin of species) explained â€Å"survival of the fittest† to be â€Å"the natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. † The message behind the story in the display is that Ted Baker merchandise is the â€Å"fittest† and would transcend the wearer from the ordinary.By labelling their merchandise as the â€Å"fittest† and rather a necessity, the brand teasingly talks about how the upcoming autumn winter weather is going to be a struggle. Interpretations of several passers-by confirm that this theme was making a joke about the â€Å"Great British weather† and the only way to conquest this struggle was to wear Ted Baker’s merchandis e. Figure 3: Christmas with Frosty Source: Vaswani,2012 The most recent window display, the Christmas display, paints a picture of a Christmas party, the guest of honour being a drunken snowman named â€Å"Frosty† in a festive red thong and Santa Clause hat.The visual merchandising team believe that the movement of the snowman captures attention as peoples’ eyes are drawn towards motion. This statement was confirmed by primary research and observation. Out of a sample of 100 people passing by the shop, seven out of ten stopped to look at the window display (A few even took pictures with the snowman in the window) Five out of these seven went into the store. Figure 4: Frosty the snowman Source: Vaswani, 2012 In both these window displays, Ted Baker uses humorous themes to engage its quirky target audience.The window displays act like â€Å"silent sellers† because they successfully convert onlookers into customers by reeling them in. However, in the second week of October, Ted Baker used a more product-focused window to display their collection. The sales assistant at the Regent Street store identified that the merchandise displayed was mainly evening wear that could be worn for occasions like upcoming Christmas parties. The mannequins were placed in repetition, which â€Å"reinforces and strengthens the impression through replication† (Gorman,G. 996 Visual Merchandising and store design workbook, p20). Also the background was a mirror, â€Å"people tend to slow down when they see reflective surfaces† (Underhill, 2002, Why we buy, p76). The window did have these two strengths but interviews with in-store customers established that the display looked â€Å"boring† and â€Å"as if very little thought and effort had been put into it†. A customer also quoted, â€Å"In comparison to the exciting displays from earlier, this one is a let down†. Figure 5: Ted Baker’s product focused displaySource: Vaswani, 2 012 The sales assistant at the Regent Street store identified that the merchandise displayed was mainly evening wear that could be worn for occasions like upcoming Christmas parties. The mannequins were placed in repetition, which â€Å"reinforces and strengthens the impression through replication† (Gorman,G. 1996 Visual Merchandising and store design workbook, p20). Also the background was a mirror, â€Å"people tend to slow down when they see reflective surfaces† (Underhill, 2002, Why we buy, p76).The window did have these two strengths but interviews with in-store customers established that the display looked â€Å"boring† and â€Å"as if very little thought and effort had been put into it†. A customer also quoted, â€Å"In comparison to the exciting displays from earlier, this one is a let down†. This means that, the Ted Baker customer expects excitement and an engaging theme in the windows. Also based on the description of the windows by the c ustomers, the reflection of the brand’s personality is key to Ted Baker’s display.Evidently, a product-focused window display is inept in this aspect. â€Å"A stores’ window is effectual if it tempts customers†(Portas, 2007). This statement creates stress on the fact that the window display was ineffectual due to its inability to lure customers. From this comparison, we can conclude that, â€Å"theme-focused† window displays are more effective than â€Å"product-focused† display as they create visual excitement and help the customer relate to the brand. The Ted Baker customer enjoys the portrayal of the brand’s humorous and quirky image through its engaging and impactful themes.In conclusion it can be said that, through its window displays, Ted Baker communicates its position of being an upper high street retailer in the market. For this, it uses to its advantage the psychological effect created by colour and lighting and the appropri ate usage and selection of props in its window displays. The windows are a true and effectual representation of the brand’s core values which are- quality and attention to detail. Ted Bakers frequent use of â€Å"theme-focused† window displays is a powerful and efficient approach to draw in their target customers who expect enthusing displays that would make them engrossed and curious.Finally, the strategies and approaches that Ted Baker uses in the creation and execution of its window displays are effective â€Å"silent sellers†. REFERENCE LIST: Darwin, C (1869). On the origin of species. 5th ed. Gorman, G (1996). Visual Merchandising and store design workbook. Ohio: ST Media Group Publisher. p20. Levine, P. (2010). Visual Merchandising: The ‘Silent Salesperson'. [online] Available: http://www. salesandmarketing. com/article/visual-merchandising-silent-salesperson. Last accessed 25th September 2012 McKeever, K. (2008). favourite quotes. Available: http:// thevisualmerchandisingblog. ordpress. com/favorite-quotes/. Last accessed 20th September 2012 Morgan, T (2011). Visual Merchandising: Window and in-store displays for retail. 2nd ed. London: Laurence King Publications. p54. Portas, M (2007). favourite quotes. Available: http://thevisualmerchandisingblog. wordpress. com/favorite-quotes/> [online] Last accessed 20th September 2012 Underhill, P (2002). Why we buy. New York: Simon and Schuster. p76. http://www. yelp. com/biz/ted-baker-london-new-york (2012) [online] last accessed 27th September 2012 http://www. zappos. com/ted-baker (2009) [online] last assessed 27th September 2012REFERENCE LIST FOR IMAGES: Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 1:Use of luxurious colours by Ted Baker [Photograph]. Regent Street Store Figure 2:Survival of the fittest themed window(2012) [online image]. Available at: http://displayhunter. blogspot. co. uk/2012/11/ted-baker-hunting-game. html [Accessed 23rd November 2012] Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 3:Christmas with Fro sty [Photograph]. Regent Street Store Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 4:Frosty the Snowman [Photograph]. Regent Street Store Vaswani, D. (2012) Figure 5:Ted Baker’s product focused display [Photograph]. Regent Street StoreBIBLIOGRAPHY: Cabezas, C (2010). Design Techniques for window dressing: Ideaspropias Editorial Danzinger, P (2002) Why people buy things they don’t need New York: Paramount Market Publishing Din, Rassheid (2000) New Retail London: Conron Octopus Limited Eszter Czibok. (2012). The window- a reflection of our desires. Available: http://workinginthewindow. wordpress. com/tag/window-display/. Last accessed 2nd November 2012 Gardner, A (2000) The 30 second seduction California: Seal Press http://fre23media. blogspot. co. uk/2010/11/window-displays-original-communication. html. 2010). Window displays: the original communication tool. Available: http://fre23media. blogspot. co. uk/2010/11/window-displays-original-communication. html. Last accessed 3rd November 201 2 Holly Bastow-Shoop . (1991). Visual Merchandising: A guide for small retailers. Available: http://ncrcrd. msu. edu/uploads/files/133/NCRCRD-rrd155-print. pdf. Last accessed 11th October Kaisa Leinonen. (2010). Autumn/Winter 2010 Trend Report: Mirrors as Display Props. Available: http://thewindowdisplayblog. com/2010/11/01/autumnwinter-2010-trend-report-mirrors-as-display-props/.Last accessed 11th October Marie, S. (2006). A History of Visual Merchandising in Retail Stores. Available: http://sarahmarie1. hubpages. com/hub/A-History-of-Visual-Merchandising-in-Retail-Stores. Last accessed 9th October 2012 Messaris, P (1997) Visual Persuasion- The Role of Images London: Sage Publications Sturken, M , Cartwright, L (2000) Practices of Looking- An introduction Oxford: Oxford University Press Sussen Madden Understand visual merchandising for a small business. Available: http://www. retailtraining. ie/pdf/Unit-259. pdf. Last accessed 3rd October 2012 The Communication of Window Displays ‘Windows reveal the soul of the store’ (Portas, 1999: 41). Every store has its own concept that characterizes each display, varying from theatre, drama or in the case of Armani Exchange minimalism. Well-dressed windows are undoubtedly, a dynamic form of advertising for products reflecting the stores’ brand image. This essay seeks to evaluate how A|X Armani Exchange’s window displays communicate to spectators with the use of various resources. Armani Exchange is one of the sub-brands under the parental brand of Giorgio Armani. The use of colour, lighting, props and graphics can capture interest, indicating the foundation of any decent display whose aim is to get people off the street. Windows are used as a selling device promoting products. They also mirror what the store is about, bringing pleasure to the eye. A stores’ window is effectual if it tempts customers who will want and be able to purchase the products offered, conveying quality, style and pricing (Portas, 2007). Moreover, windows can lure someone in a shop due to psychological factors. Brand founders such as Armani and Dior, give their own unique identity on their products and are therefore based on persona. As an online source says ‘Armani Exchange has become one of the most dynamic collections with its own unique identity, as well as an ever-growing base of young customers’ (www.ameinfo.com/192218.html). City life is emitted through its concept of sexy, chic and stalwart garments. Hence, it can be said that quality along with brand loyalty comes before the cost. Windows work on the principle â€Å"first impression is the best impression†, implying that only a few seconds are needed for a display to â€Å"speak† to a passer-by and get him/her inside a store. Portas asserts that ‘visual merchandising is the art and science of silent selling, bringing product, environment and space into one stimulating and engaging display to encourage sale’ (Drapers, O ctober 29: 34). This is shown by the power of Armani Exchange’s logo -with grey background and white letters signifying practicality, neutrality but also timelessness- which is becoming more and more recognisable. Furthermore, Armani Exchange’s target customers are both independent male and female who have their own style, belonging in the age group of 16-35. It is more accessible to the bourgeoisie, who want a taste of the luxurious brand. Given that prices are lower than the rest of the Armani sub-brands, the apparel is more inclusive to the public. This stores’ clientele may work as managers, interns or may even be students living in East London. Additionally, they may go out for a drink, coffee or shopping at least once a week, or read magazines like Vogue. Other stores they visit include Zara and Benetton. What is more CPI is escalating; competition is astonishingly high while consumer spending started to fall as September figures show because of pessimism (www.guardian.co.uk, 2010). As a result, retail sales are expected to fall in the following months, along with a rise in VAT. Armani Exchange windows’ are open-back; implying there is ‘no back wall’ (Morgan: 44). The striptease effect is clear as we can see the internal displays emphasizing the focal point through the space between the mannequins, creating a more intense visual impact, which is representative of the merchandise of the store. A|X shows the garment’s prices at the bottom of the windowpane. Lighting from the ceiling and floor is ambient acting as a catalyst for the area (www.infostore.gr. 2010), as Figure 1 shows: Figure 1: The window shows A|X Armani Exchange’s front window in Regent Str. London, October 19, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 For autumn/winter 2010, Armani Exchange trails a repetition of dark shades evoking a monochromatic colour scheme exerting sophistication and a clean look, which are pleasing to the eye. Materials like leather and fur with metallic details indicate luxury mixed with a touch of mystery, illustrating an intellectual and confident appearance. However silver and gold details on the garments complement the black shades, making the pieces more youthful. A downside of open windows is that high-priced items showcased can be tampered if somebody wishes to feel the fabric, so they are trickier to dress. Besides that another negative aspect is that windows are not as creative since there are fewer props. Hence there is no story to tell. Silhouettes are simple yet authoritative and influential. Effective windows can ‘seduce’ (Portas, 2007: 54) you to purchase something you did not intend to. Buying even a small item, one satisfies a need, a want to feel more contented and self-confident. Also, what you wear is what defines you, reflecting your personality- as implied by Berger (1972). Windows can sway someone into investing in a garment that will make them enviable and glamorous at the same time. ‘The power to spent money is the power to live’ (Berger, 1972: 143), implying that each person interprets the world differently- the same applies in window displays. Armani Exchange has a very clean approach of â€Å"less is more† by not overloading its windows together with being â€Å"strong and simple† emphasizing the brand’s power (http://ezinearticles.com, 2010). Furthermore, by following the â€Å"fresh is best† principle in accordance with Berger (1972), they renew their displays every week thus regular customers find new stock in every visit. Still though, A|X receives deliveries every 3-4 days so that monotony is avoided. For that reason, if a jacket is received in the middle of the week, it will be put on display on that day. Visual merchandising makes ideas come alive whose purpose is to sell commodities through visualization, as induced by Clements (2010). Armani Exchange wants its customers to experience the brand with the aid of visuals. Particularly the three-dimensional sightline placed parallel with the double doors in the Regent Street shop ‘gives energy’ (Portas, 1999: 102), as shown by the image below. Figure 2: The window portrays a 3D advert for A|X sunglasses in London, October 21, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 Christmas windows however, ought to be more interesting and intriguing. Armani Exchange Christmas decoration is ruled by special effects lighting and radiation. Oval rings are beaming light that changes colour every few seconds; a different look tried by A|X. The rings are symmetrically placed next to each other, as it is clearly illustrated in the following picture: Figure 3: The window illustrates A|X Christmas dà ©cor in London, November 20, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 Despite having a sale, windows were not unattained (Portas, 1999), since signage advertising the offers are placed. What is more, it urges spectators to celebrate style with the vinyl on the windows’ glass, exploiting psychological factors to lure in onlookers. After questioning 40 citizens, calculations show that 46% found the displays of A|X attractive, although 8% felt that it did not stand out. The effect of these circles illustrates gravity, communicating with the pavement (Portas, Mary Queen of shops-Blinkz DVD). They work as pause points as they can be seen from afar, making the passers stop and browse the new collection. The aesthetic balance of the store emphasizes how the power of light can visually transform a space. One could argue that the density of the garments in Armani Exchange’s windows is just enough to fill the space available given add-ons such as bags and wallets. This is shown with Figure 4: Figure 4: The window shows A|X latest collection 3 weeks before Christmas in London, December 3, 2010 Source: Kaisidi, 2010 Mannequins are said to be a mighty tool, forming the scene of a display. In A|X, mannequins are golden and headless in order to appeal to a wider audience (Pegler, 2008). The mannequins’ outfits offer a possible wearable suggestion in which one could walk out of the store with having a feeling of fulfilment. Mannequins are front facing, but the passers can observe all the angles, as suggested by Morgan. To conclude, window displays need to clearly define the identity of a store. A|X ‘serves as the ultimate testimony to the power of the brand’ (Roll, 2010). The visual placement of the store is rather simplistic so people may think it is too plain. Equally, others who are fond of minimalism obtain a positive vibe for the specific windows, which are a compelling representation of the brand ethos. A|X has an identifiable and cohesive commercial image, which triggers the clients’ interest in conjunction with facilitating communication. All in all, Armani Exchange window displays are effective for their target customers, as they communicate their minimalistic message emitting an aesthetic purity of warmth and luxury. According to G.U Journal of Science there has not been significant empirical evidence regarding the effect of window displays on consumers’ shopping attitudes’ (2007: 33). Bibliography http://ezinearticles.com/?Window-Displays-That-Work!&id=4390505