A report on the poultry industry

A report on the poultry industry This report studies the poultry industry in the Sultanate of Oman, highlighting the strong performance and growth in the future. Will be identified ASaffa food as producer and supplier of its products and its position as market leader in the industry. The important cultural and social trends reported are the increase consumers awareness of healthy food, as well as the changes of the economic climate. It was found that the attractiveness of poultry industry has declined because the highly competitive of rivalry and power of buyers and also higher threats from substitutes. Its also addressed that the position of ASaffa is medium of the change of the attractiveness of the industry. Three significance functions of ASaffa : first is the logistics and Distribution network , where ASaffa can make efficient and quality control of distributions of its products through the network in the country. Secondly operations, which includes inventory management, quality assessment which support in value creation and third one is sales and marketing which keep ASaffa completive by providing promotions offers. In other side, found that ASaffa has three important resources and capabilities which can make its extremely proficient supply chain; success full supply chain, brand reputation and the location of the firm. At the end, recommendation is in two manner, a short term by budgeted more cost on advertisement of ASaffa as a healthy producer and convenience the consumers that the farm using natural chicken feed. In the Long term, recommended to focus on differential factors like diversify into more profitable fresh and frozen food due to probability of increase in the cost of production of the industry and which lead to less probability. Table of Contents: 1.Introduction 4 2.External Analysis: 5 2.1Macro environmental factors affecting the Industry (PEST Analysis): 5 2.2Porters Five Forces Analysis: 6 2.3Comparison of industry Attractiveness for ASaffa: 8 3.Internal Analysis: 8 3.1Assessing of food chain ASaffa Foods participate in: 9 3.2 Value chain Analysis of ASaffa Foods: 9 3.3Assessing a significant Resources and Capabilities of ASaffa Foods: 10 3.4SWOT Analysis: 12 4.Strategy Options: 12 4.1TOWS Matrix 12 13 4.2Scenario Analysis: investigate different futures: 14 4.3Strategic Direction with Ansoff Matrix 14 5.Recommendation: 15 6.References: 16 Introduction This report study ASaffa Foods S.A.O.G (ASaffa) position in the Food industry in Sultanate of Oman. To understand ASaffa Foods Strategy, will assess its internal operations and then its successful. Then, can make recommendations for sustained competitive advantage of a future based on an assessment of external factors that affect the market. With the growth of economic globalization, Food industry in the Sultanate of Oman becomes an additional significant last ten years. The poultry industry is extremely competitive in Oman and ASaffa Foods is leader of the market with biggest annual production in Oman, Gulf Countries and other countries. ASaffa raised its continuing ability to meet the growing demand in the country and abroad. Starting with capacity of 7500 MT in 2004 and increased to the current capacity of 17000 MT per year. The company I planning to add more capacity to achieve the capacity of 21,000 MT by end of 2011. In addition, the company announced its entry in Bahrain and Yemen, and is planning to enter Kuwait in the near future. The revenue driver of the Company is 35 % from Omani markets. The vision of ASaffa is to become No. 1. and mainly winning diversified food firm in Middle East. The products of ASaffa are natural, healthy and slaughtered as per Islamic law Halal. A Saffa has produce a frozen and fresh chicken products. Although, that Dhofar Poultry Company SAOG , Barka Poultry Company and Sohar Poultry are the main competitor of ASaffa Company but ASaffa is still a single player in the industry in Oman with 25 % of market share . To meet the increase demands from domestic from Oman and Gulf countries, ASaffa has a big capacity of its farm which allocated in Thumrait in the south of Oman, which is the most modern international manufacture techniques and machinery. With a home grown market share for poultry products of over 25 per cent and plans to increase this to nearly 35 per cent in the near future, ASaffa Foods core business is making great strides to reduce the dependency for chicken imports to the Sultanate (Oman Observer newspaper, Feb 1 ,2011). In addition, and as part of its plan, ASaffa continues to maintain its reputation as a leader in the food market and domestic production in Oman through the establishment of a study facility for the production of table eggs for 100 million annually, and manufacture of processed meat products. ASaffa uses its skills and expertise to assist in issues of food security in the Gulf Countries. Where the company working as a consultant to assist in the build and operate of the largest poultry manufacture in Qatar. External Analysis: The external environment analysis provides the company with a significant external link between its customers, competitors and the products it offer. In this section will analysis the external macro environment that affects the industry by using PEST analysis and examined how it will impact the profit of Al Saffa . After that will assess the position of the competitive environment by using Five Porters and will look at to the attractiveness of the industry to Al Safa in the upcoming years. Macro environmental factors affecting the Industry (PEST Analysis): This step is to identify the trends and issues that will affect and change the industry. Political Factors: The government of Oman encourages the supports the business of food toward the food security in the country by grants such companies. In Oman, Exempting Wholly Omani Owned Companies from Tax for 5 Year (The law of income tax on companies, Oman,1975). This trend is give the company opportunities brought by changes of the government and public attitudes toward the industry, changes in political institutions and the direction of political processes, legal issues, and the overall regulatory climate. Economic Factors: The economic changes in the world led to increase the level cost of food consumables, hence the consumer are thinking of other alternatives food at low prices. For example, buy frozen chicken at the lowest price rather than fresh chicken with higher-price. To compete on the low cost alternative, the company produces a frozen food instead of focusing on a fresh food only. With international commodity prices rising it will also become increasingly expensive to import food products making it more important than ever for the Sultanate to lower its dependency on imported food (Oman Turbine, 2011). Social Factors: The main social trend is increase of the customers awareness of the health food, and this lead to produce a healthy and fresh alternatives food. This trend gives the opportunity for the Company as the main player of Poultry Farms in the market. But in other side, its also making a potential threat in niche farmers markets in the internal region of the country which focus in produce the fresh Poultry Farms. During last three years, ASafa achieved and gaining Macro poultry industry in Oman and also invested the opportunity in the market. On more social factor is the trend of people to be more convenience by buying their needs from a single store includes all the products. This trend also makes the company the opportunity to increase demand for its products due to the distribution of their products to the largest number of retail market. This is an opportunity for also people to buy a fresh poultry in a manner faster without loss of time and effort where the consumer does not need to go to poultry farms to buy fresh poultry. Technology Factors: ASaffa has a modern international manufacture techniques and machinery. However, the technology is changing rapidly and do not need to spend more cost to renew or replace the old machine for long term. Porters Five Forces Analysis: In this section will assess the attractiveness and profitability of the poultry sector in Oman than assess the relative position of the company in the industry . Threat of substitutes: by examining the market, the threat of substitutes is high in poultry in Oman because ASaffa Foods faces many indirect competitors from farmers markets. Existing indictors in the local market , the indirect competitors are potential substitutes to ASaffa Foods and create threats in the future. Farmers markets have seen a significant expansion in Oman and providing a fresh food with convenience choice. With increasing the health consciousness towards health alternatives, the farmers markets sell fresh products and natural produce and this also cause a threat potential in the future. Degree of Rivalry: in Oman, the poultry business is highly competitive. Because the small number of main players in the market and lack of differentiation due to nature of products, a high degree of rivalry is exists in the market. Hence, the competition is based on price and other factors like sell location and choice of product. There is an increase in future rivalry due to the entry of new local company Barka Food (because their business will focus on the north area of Oman, which have a large number of the population) and also new competitors from UAE and Saudi Arabia which will make the industry further competitive and risky threat in future . Barging power of suppliers: bargaining power of suppliers is extremely very low. ASaffa Foods controlling market share for poultry products of over 25 per cent and numbers of local suppliers have a very limited choice of intermediaries to select from. Thus, ASaffa Foods is the main customer and purchaser of raw material in the industry. On the other hand, this set to change with the entry of new companies with Government policy increase the competition in the industry. Therefore, the bargaining power of the suppliers is a middle in the future because expect a bigger selection to deliver to. Barging power of buyers: the buying power of customers is in an increase. The government raise the level of food security by supporting and encourage the small-scale producers and reduce the competition barriers by allow farmers markets to come in the market which lead to increase customers selections (Al Watan newspaper, 2009). As a result, the customers barraging power is increase and thus, the increase of customers bargaining power will enable customer to compare prices and select the cheaper alternative and this aspects take customers barging to a further medium level. Threats of new Entrants: the threat of new entrants is low and this is due to the role of government of Oman to support the local business of food toward the food security in the country. ASaffa also says that it has no fear of other competitors entering the market place either in Oman or the region (Times of Oman, 2010). Despite that this market does not require a high infrastructure, but its needs experience to manage the project efficiently and its easily to be exposed to losses because spread of diseases (e.g Bird Flu) or change the social factors of people regarding the health food. Comparison of industry Attractiveness for ASaffa: From previous section on the Porters Five factors analysis, the poultry industry identified reasons of the weak bargaining power of suppliers and buyers and barriers to entry. Consequently, the company achieves profitability until now. Therefore, the position of ASaffa is medium of the change of the attractiveness of the industry. Also, the profit of Company may be decrease from high to medium in future. The reasons for this are increase in bargaining power of suppliers and buyers with the bigger rivalry and the entry of new companies. When the industry attractiveness and profitability has decreased from earlier levels, the capability to do better than its rivals depend on the Companys resources and capabilities which can develop in the future. Industry Attractiveness / Profitability of ASaffa Foods until now. Internal Analysis: In this section will identify the major resources and capabilities of ASaffa Foods by evaluating the situation of ASaffa Foods in the food chain to participate in and examine the major role within ASaffa Foods value chain which delivers the large amount value to the firm. Assessing of food chain ASaffa Foods participate in: ASaffa Foods is the sole supplier of all their chicken products and the food chain is provide wholesale with a channel to reach end consumers. The Company has a big farm with high capacity and intends to increase the production in the future to meet growing demands in Oman and Gulf countries. The ASaffa farm is on the main highway between South of Oman (Muscat city) and South ( Salalah city) which make distribution process are quick and well-organized. The Farm has its own water supply . From the poultry resource, no serious issues of supply chain face the ASaffa Foods. A dedicated Supply Chain Management (SCM) team works round the clock to identify potential suppliers and procure the required high quality raw materials in a timely manner (www.asaffa.com). Value chain Analysis of ASaffa Foods: ASaffa has made possible 100% product availability through its branch Sales offices spread across Oman covering all the regions and the interior markets. This is a very healthy sign of effective and intensive distribution system across the country. The total coverage exceeds 1600 outlets. With extensive branch network covering entire Oman, our reach is not just limited to groceries, we also cater to restaurants, butcheries, catering companies and other institutions. There are three main value creating functions to deliver Companys commitment: Logistics Distribution Network: the chickens feed is manufactured in ASaffa and therefore, the company has own operational control of the logist to conduct QA audits to ensure that the products is in a high manner. ASaffa Food is the sole supplier of all their products and its control the network of distribution of its products. To ensure that ASaffa products are available in every Hyper Super Markets and retail stores, ASaffa has owned a fleet of 25 reefer trucks to deliver a frozen and fresh product to be available to the customer at all time and across Oman. Operations: this includes inventory management, customer satisfaction and quality assessment. ASaffa offers a large choice of new products to its consumers. Quality Assessment: ASaffa has a commitment of the importance of the quality of its Clients/Buyers and to deliver highest quality of products .Also, the Company implements a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points systems. Furthermore, the chickens feed is manufactured in ASaffa farm by using a scientific feed management and this allow the Company to control the quality of natural fed. Inventory management: using a technology to make sure that stock level is adequate at all time. Also, using forecasting system to prevent unexpected increase or decrease in demand of the product. Sales and Marketing: as mentioned before, ASaffa Food is the sole supplier of all their products and its control the network of distribution of its products. Therefore, ASaffa Food is compete successfully and increasing its sales by a promotion of a product inside a shop, committed to deliver the fresh products to retailer on time and enhance a consumer research and environmental changes. This is an important to identify and use a strategy to compete successfully in future. Assessing a significant Resources and Capabilities of ASaffa Foods: Strategy capability examines different types of resources and competence within the organization in order to survive in the market. There are two types of resources, first is physical or tangible of the organization including (finance, Plant and labour). The other resource is the intangible resources which consist of (knowledge, brand reputation and information). To compete, ASaffa Foods is using strategy of differentiation and cost leadership by adopting an efficient supply chain to control the cost and brand image. Asaffa growth-oriented strategy to branch out into other complementary products began in 2009 by adding value-added packaged food products. The packaged products are currently out-sourced from the UAE and its contribution to the companys bottom line is less than 10 per cent. ASaffa has four significant resources and capabilities: Successful Supply chain: ASaffa food has an efficient distribution network across the country. The tangible assets such a manufacture of Chickens food and technological capabilities are important for ASaffa food to achieve a higher EBIT. But successful supply chain in inadequate as a distinct competency. Brand Reputation: ASaffa Food has built a brand reputation as providing a fresh food and Halal local products (The term is used to designate food seen as allowable as per Islamic law). This has already been through the consumer experience with products and also advertising campaign undertaken by the Company to promote its products. The reputation of the brand is very important of the consumer satisfaction. Therefore, the reputation is not a competitive advantage .it is a point of equality that the Company must have in order to compete. Financial position: the Company has a good financial position in the market .In addition; the government has supported the company by a Tax exemption which was expired in 2009. Regardless of the tax deducted for the next years, the profit after tax is expected to increase for the next two with an growth plan. Location: ASaffa has a big capacity of its farm which allocated in Thumrait in the south of Oman. This location gives ASaffa more advantage to build a big farm with water resources, government subsidy by not charging any cost of land and also near the big city in Oman. Despite the above resources and capabilities of ASaffa, the Company has facing a change in its top management. The growth on Omani economy has resulted in number of opportunities available to professionals. this created a challenge for ASaffa to change its HR policy by encourage the existing top management by pay high salary and others benefiters. Tax exemption which was expired in 2009, will lead to high cost of structure for next years. In addition, ASaffa has a large capacity of the production of the fresh chicken and to change to frozen chicken, it would be more cost for the Company. SWOT Analysis: Examination of the internal and external environment is significant measurement of the strategic planning process. SWOT analysis gives information that is useful in matching the resources and capabilities of ASaffa to the competitive environment. Summary of SWOT analysis of ASaff Food External Analysis Internal Analysis Opportunities : Low of new entrants Government support. Strengths: Strong brand name Good reputation Healthy and quality food Distribution network Create new products Location of the farm. Threats Substitute products. Industry is highly competitive. Shift the consumer from fresh products to frozen foods. Trade barriers between Oman and other countries e.g Yeman. Weaknesses: High cost structure. Losing effecting top management Strategy Options: TOWS Matrix By examine the Company Threats and Opportunities (External Environment) and the weakness and strengths (Internal Environment) , it can be understanding ,identifying and developing a strategy options for ASaffa Food. Its important for ASaffa to build the majority of its above strengths, avoid its weakness, take advantage of the opportunities available and control its threats. The following is the TOWS Matrix, gives A Saffa the options that can be could followed: External Opportunities (O) Low of new entrants/Government support. External Threats (T) Substitute products./Industry is highly competitive./Shift the consumer from fresh products to frozen foods./Trade barriers Internal Strengths (S) Strong brand name/Good reputation/Healthy and quality food/Distribution network/Create new products/Location of the farm. SO Maxi-Maxi Strategy Using strengths to maximize opportunities. ST Maxi-Mini Strategy using strengths to minimize threats. Internal Weaknesses (W) High cost structure/ Losing effecting top management. WO Mini-Maxi Strategy minimize weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities. WT Mini-Mini Strategy minimize weaknesses and avoid threats. From the above evaluation of options, the Maxi-Maxi Strategy which use strengths to maximize opportunities is the most benefit to achieve the mission and vision of ASaffa Food. Scenario Analysis: investigate different futures: Scenario Analysis is useful way to assists ASaffa to make judgment in the situation of the different futures that could arrive. The take steps of make scenarios forces ASaffa to challenge its assumption about the future. By determining the Company plans based on a possible scenarios, than Company can make sure that its decisions are right even if environmental changes. The following is same of Scenario analysis process for ASaffa Food : High cost structure: ASaffa is planning to become a number 1. In the Middle East by soon. this can be done by providing a high quality of the fresh and frozen food with competitive price. From the PEST analysis, it was reported the key factors of political, economic, social and technological that impact the cost of products in ASaffa food. Thus, the key assumption of reducing a cost of products are: Build a new farm of poultry in North of Oman to increase the sale and reduce the cost of sale. Using international advert to keep up a market position of ASaffa products in order to increase the sale of fresh products Build a marketing plan to sale the fresh products during the period of validity, so that the company not losing a cost of products if the is expired. Developing the above Scenarios: A Saffa can start with improbability scenario of build of new farm in North of Oman . the future scenario will one of the following: Economy in Oman going up: with government support to the local firms to be more competitive. Hence the Company will have a sustaining competitive advantage over ten years. Economic slowdown : then the Company will have more cost of capicty which effect the cost advantage and loss the market. Strategic Direction with Ansoff Matrix Defining strategic direction might be a big challenge for Asaffa Foods. Ansoff Product/ Market matrix is a tool to recognize the basic option and directions for Asaffa Foods. Taking into consideration Asaffa Foods approach to develop new product and penetrate new markets, four different possibilities can be applied. Taking into account these combinations, Asafaa Foods seem to successfully attract and penetrate the highly competitive markets by offering its high quality products in a competitive price as the company have a competitive cost advantage. This itself will additionally define its market development and growth with reputation locally as well as existing market and internationally as new market, which will develop and enhance the existing products in the new markets. Asaffa could also move toward product development strategy with their existing capabilities or creating new ones to assure total satisfaction of the changing needs of the customer by developing new products. The company can also implement a diversification strategy and add new production lines such as dairy products as it has the capabilities and resources. Recommendation: In future,Asaffa should have a framework and control models. Those models have set targets, feedback, and measurement of performance (Frances, et al, 2007). For instance, the Company by applying those models can recognize if there is a gap between released direction and desired trend. By this technique, Asaffa Foods can set a plan for unforeseen events and circumstances. As an example, in the near future, there will be more existing or new Food production companies entering the local market. In this situation, Asaffa Foods can use its cost control advantage and adjust its plans to overcome the change in the aggressive competitive forces. The variable actions are planned by Asaffa Foods in nonstop developed process to administrate and control the unforeseen events the dynamic changing environment. Those actions are best technique to maintain the existing competitive advantage associates with the firm (Frances A. et al, 2007). By apply this technique; Asaffa Foods will improve the strategic planning which therefore, keeps the company doing well in long term

China’s IT Industry in 1997

A series of strange symptoms of poisoning appeared on a girl Zhu Lin unexpectedly: hair lost, muscles on the face paralyzed, limbs weakened, and words slurred. No one can tell what is the cause. Life is in danger! One of her classmates emailed for help on Internet. Fortunately, the first reply arrived in less than three hours. Afterwards, over 1,500 emails reached her. Most of the replies analysed that Zhu Lin had been thallium poisoned. It is the Internet that has saved her young life! In 1994, there were merely a few universities and institutions on Internet. Now there are over 620 thousand end users in China. The number increased four-fold in 1997 compared with the year before, still booming on an exponential curve, and is sure to go through the limit of one million. Information Technology (IT) industry has become one of the industries developing most quickly in China. Sum (billion) Increase (compared to 1996) Anticipation in 1998 Gross output value RMB 380 25%(3.6 times 1992) RMB 460 Total sales profits RMB 250 15% RMB 300 The Tel exchange capacity of China National Public Tel Net has become the second largest one in the world. Last year, the sales volume of PC broke through three million, which indicated that it had increased by sixty percent than 1996. All the above data depict an exciting success for China — a developing country. She is laboring at curtailing the gap between developed countries and herself. As the modern information technology (IT) develops rapidly with the increase of social demand, the core status of IT in the development of modern business has become more and more stable. IT can provide the information a business needs for efficient operations, effective management and competitive advantage. If information systems do not properly support the strategic objective, they can seriously damage its prospect for survival and success. For a company, out-of-date information of demand leads to an excess or insufficient output; inpromptly-attained information results in the loss of capital for the timeliness of currency, and then emerged an inefficient assignment of the resource of the whole society. At present, this kind of waste engendered by the undeveloped IT industry widely exists in all walks of life in China. It is urgent to prompt the informationalization grade of the nation. The world economy has been turning from industrial economy to information economy. P.R.C. Chairman Jiang Zeming once said, IT is the accelerator and amplifier of the national economy. Therefore, a country's information industry embodies its power. Developing IT industry becomes a world trend , and a strategic task in many countries. The informationalization degree of the developed country has reached a considerable level. In 1993, US declared â€Å"National Information Infrastructure† (NII). It is expected that by 2000 information super-highway will have connected all the schools, hospitals, libraries. Although there are over 620 thousand end users in China, but compared with the 1.2 billion population, the popularization of Internet in China is much lower than that in US. The rate between cash flow and currency gross is an important index of informationization degree of a country. The lower the proportion, the higher the informationization degree. In American, the proportion is eight percent. But in China, it has reached twenty-five percent. Eighty percent of world information resource is possessed by developed countries which have only fifteen percent of world population. Meanwhile, with eight-five percent of world population, the developing countries occupy only twenty percent of information in the world. In the developed countries such as U.S.A., it is prevalent to operate the enterprise with information flow. Intranet is being considered an effective way of dealing with information. But in many Chinese enterprises, manpower is required to transmit messages. A lot of waste and troubles follow: a considerable loss of time, insufficient or less accurate information and etc. The low degree of informationalization results from the insubstantial basis of China. In China, economic basis is weak, financial capacity is limited, and IT is far behind the developed countries. Because of the great population, there is great divergence among various areas in China. Every country desires to develop IT industry. Especially, developing countries need information innovation to promote the development of economy. But, because of the weakness of economic basis and insufficiency of financial capacity, developing countries often feel its ability is not equal to its ambition. What should be done? We have several ideas as the following: There*s an old Chinese saying â€Å"know your rival and yourself clearly, you*ll triumph every time!† So let us take a look at the pioneer of IT–US first. For about 50 years, the Americans have laid a solid foundation in the field of electronics, computer and communication. The existing network has become an embryo of information superhighways. Both had prompted President Clinton to put forward NII. In contrary to US, China now calls for the infrastructure of information products. The developing country needs the step-by-step measure. As a result, the principle of China National Information Infrastructure was born. This comprehensive and step-by-step image of Information superhighway make it possible that China will be quickly informationalized. The most beautiful picture can be drawn on pure white paper — â€Å"Skip† on technology Science is the common wealth of human being, the developing countries don*t have to build up from nothing. We can step into the first class directly by taking the existing technology. Take Japan for example. After World War ` , she stands up from ruins and almost in no time, it becomes a shining star. Which way did she take? The best in the world. China now has a good chance to learn the lessons of pioneers, she can do the simplest, the most expedient and the most flexible. For instance, China has just started to set up her own network construction. she can take the opportunity to establish the first-class frame and utilize the most advanced hardware and software. As we can see, â€Å"skip† on technology is suitable for the developing countries, A high-rise building is built from the ground An essential characteristic of IT industry is high investment and high production of additional value. However, since financial capacity is far too limited, high investment requires developing countries to select a right way leading to success. Through the course of the development of IT, we can find that, in general, IT is in the stage of growing and application from the 1980s to a long time in the future. Although Japan had great achievement on IT, from 1980s it began to develop some high-tech instead of promoting deeper application, trying to obtain monopoly profit. However, Japan ran counter to the situation of today's IT and lost its market. The failure of Japan alarms the developing countries: application should be the foundation of the strategy of IT development in developing countries. To promote the innovation, manufacture and application of basic information products, reasonable economic scale should be considered. And it is essential to develop a series of products such as PC, network servers, parallel processing computer system and etc. Cooperation by national and local government –Both central and local initiative should be brought into full play. Now China is building its national information infrastructure through â€Å"Golden Project†(1) and has completed many consequential informationization constructions such as Golden Bridge(2), Golden Card(3), Golden Customs(4), Golden Tax(5) and etc. In the meantime, local informationization projects have quickened their pace. Shanghai information harbor has consummated five information works including information exchange net, science and technology net, community net and etc. Inland provinces and districts such as Henan Province augmented 120 thousand telephone users. The IT industry has been regarded as a pillar industry in more than 20 provinces in China. Competition should be introduced in IT industry to cut down the price . The construction of long-distance trunk line is up to the central government, while local governments manage the branches. Not only big state enterprises but also small town factories should be encouraged to participate in the booming IT industry. To be scientific and strict, there must be a series of laws and regulations. Shanghai Information Harbor grows with laws which the new-born information industries are longing for â€Å"Regulations governing advertisement on the network†, â€Å"Regulations governing EDI† and â€Å"Regulations governing Internet caf*† were formulated. Effective working mode will protect the proper development of the IT industry. Unless troublesome Bill Gates turns into well-behavior or his corporation couldn*t stand firmly on the land of China. If China acts on these ideas, it*s sure to have a splendid future. The business and even the whole society will take on a new look. The telephone lines will reach each home, while the fiber optics will enter the buildings in most cities and towns. Since â€Å"Golden Project† have established the network of all kinds such as business, education, medical care and economy, most things can be done through virtual banks, virtual enterprises, virtual library and so on, even if people stay at home all the time. The advantages the business takes will be conspicuous. The administrative structure will be simplified, the staff will be reduced, the risks of cash will be diminished by EDI, an inexhaustible database will be shared by everyone and will be a strong support of decision-making. The relationships between enterprise and clientele will be as close as fish to water. IT will take the place of some jobs and at the same time, create much more occupations, which brings about that the information industry becomes the biggest industry of the country. A country can benefit a lot from its success in IT industry. Even though the developing countries lack the most advanced technology and sufficient financial support, they can also achieve the goal by attaching importance to the building of IT industry and taking on an appropriate strategy — a step-by-step Omnibus Bill and a skipping tactic of technology.

Mary Wollstonecraft: Views on Feminism Essay

1) Mary moved around a lot during her childhood, had no real friends and her father was an abusive husband. 2) Meets a girl named Fanny, similar to Mary’s situation except she was educated, teaches Mary to self-educate. 3) Mary has a public affair and says that women shouldn’t get married anymore until the law change (one flesh doctrine) 4) Writes a short book named â€Å"Vindication of the Rights of Women† Rewrite as a short paragraph/a few clear sentences. Mary Wollstonecraft grew up with an abusive father and moved a great deal during childhood, causing her to not being able to make any real friends and was deprived of family love. Later on, she meets a girl named Fanny, who led a similar life excluding the fact that Fanny had an education and teaches Mary to self-educate. Soon afterwards, Mary becomes a writer and is able to support herself; she becomes fascinated by the ideas of the enlightenment and writes a short book named â€Å"Vindication of the Rights of Women†. It would’ve been a success if it weren’t for her scandalous love affair with a married man, which led her to declare that marriage should be invalid until the law changed and the one flesh doctrine was removed. Sub-arguments 1) Restate the 1st sub-argument from the thesis as a clear, well-written topic sentence. Mary Wollstonecraft believed that marriage was parallel to legalized prostitution. List 1 quote from your sources which proves this sub-argument. â€Å"Business of various kinds, they might likewise pursue, if they were educated in a more orderly manner, which might save many from common and legal prostitution. Women would not then marry for a support, as men accept of places under government, and neglect the implied duties; nor would an attempt to earn their own subsistence, a most laudable one! Sink them almost to the level of those poor abandoned creatures who live by prostitution.† (Wollstonecraft, â€Å"A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,† 222) Paraphrase one piece of information from your sources which proves this sub-argument. Wollstonecraft argued what may well be her most famous line, â€Å"To marry for support is legal prostitution.† She contended for intellectual companionship and friendship to be the ideal of marriage. She argued for an end to social prejudice against women which would, in turn, lead to women’s being defined by their character and work rather than by their marriages and social status. (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 79) List 1 point of your opinion, supported by one of your sources which proves this sub-argument. Although marriage appears to be sacred, women in society would be deemed to be prostitutes somewhere along the continuum; it was merely a question of degree as to how much a woman sold herself to one man, and how much she relied on him for support. Marriage can be viewed as really just a form of prostitution in which women received poor recompense for their work, are more vulnerable to violence (from their husbands), and had less control over their daily lives than professional sex workers. (Wollstonecraft, â€Å"A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,† 222) List one additional point: your choice of evidence style (may be a quote, paraphrase, statistic, or your opinion, but must be backed up by a source). Wollstonecraft points out that in her society, marriage alone brings women prestige and power. The only way women can rise in the world is by marriage. (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 81) 2) Restate the 2nd sub-argument from the thesis as a clear, well-written topic sentence. Mary Wollstonecraft argued that women were capable of being equal to men, if given the proper education. List 1 quote from your sources which proves this sub-argument. â€Å"If women were more broadly educated, they would be better placed to carry out their educative duties as parents and to cooperate with men in this role. Part of Wollstonecraft’s defense of female emancipation, therefore, consists of arguing that freedom, equality, and education would make women better mothers.† (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 83) Paraphrase one piece of information from your sources which proves this sub-argument. Wollstonecraft stated that the boundaries on women’s education greatly affected their maturation. She noted that aristocratic women were not in fact confined to any particular â€Å"sphere† but traveled freely in public, going from place to place in order to better â€Å"display their finery.† Such a fine lady was useless to society not because of where she went or what she did, but because she never matured. â€Å"If she has any maternal tenderness, it is of a childish kind,† Wollstonecraft wrote. â€Å"Though she lives many years she is still a child in understanding, and of so little use to society, that her death would scarcely be observed.† With this grim assessment, Wollstonecraft concluded her argument that female education could best be improved by training young girls to become independent adults. Only then could they develop virtue in themselves and command the influence necessary to inspire others. (Field, â€Å"Made Women of When They are Mere Children,† 203-204) List 1 point of your opinion, supported by one of your sources which proves this sub-argument. Women are seen as inferior to men and held in a state of ignorance. Women are not educated nor are they allowed to think for themselves. Without the ability to reason, women cannot achieve virtue or morality and society as a whole suffers. If women were allowed to reason and think independently, both women and men alike would share the benefits. Wollstonecraft’s central goal was for young girls to grow into independent women, she challenged artificial barriers to female maturity in numerous spheres simultaneously: in families, where the laws of marriage required wives to obey husbands; in education, where girls received inferior training to boys; in religious institutions, where male clerics demanded female obedience; in market relations, where employers paid women too little to support themselves; in the state, where men denied women independent political standing; and in civil society, where men discounted women’s opinions. (Field, â€Å"Made Women of When They are Mere Children,† 201) List one additional point: your choice of evidence style (may be a quote, paraphrase, statistic, or your opinion, but must be backed up by a source). Wollstonecraft argues that â€Å"boys and girls, the rich and the poor† should all be taught â€Å"the elements of religion, history, the history of man, and politics† in common—using â€Å"conversations, in the socratic form†. (Field, â€Å"Made Women of When They are Mere Children,† 211). Wollstonecraft concedes that if women had a proper education and could develop their reason and attain independence, they might not marry at all, but could still live happy, fulfilled lives. (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 84) 3) Restate the 3rd sub-argument from the thesis as a clear, well-written topic sentence. Mary Wollstonecraft claimed that friendship and companionship is vital to a marriage and is the key to raising a healthy family. List 1 quote from your sources which proves this sub-argument. â€Å"If women marry for friendship, coquetry and flirtation would not become a way of life. Not compelled to seek male approval and adoration, they could become dedicated wives and mothers.† (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 83) Paraphrase one piece of information from your sources which proves this sub-argument. Wollstonecraft’s arguments about making women better wives and better mothers are mutually reinforcing, for she believes that if men and women marry by choice and for companionship, the husband is more likely to be at home and to be a better father to his children. (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 83) List 1 point of your opinion, supported by one of your sources which proves this sub-argument. A marriage that consisted of friendship and satisfaction would liberate its partners from petty jealousies and allow them to channel their energies outward to the fulfillment of their duties as wives, husbands, mothers, and fathers. Although such a relationship might not offer romantic love’s grand passion and high excitement, the type of care it offers is precious: Wollstonecraft claims that when the passion of romance subsides into friendship there develops a â€Å"tender intimacy, which is the best refuge from care; yet is built on such pure, still affections† (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 84) List one additional point: your choice of evidence style (may be a quote, paraphrase, statistic, or your opinion, but must be backed up by a source). Thus young people contemplating marriage should â€Å"look beyond the present moment, and try to render the whole of life respectable, by forming a plan to regulate friendship which only death ought to dissolve†. A freer, more rational approach to marriage would produce stronger marriages because the people in them would be partners, indeed friends, who would value one another for their virtues of character rather than their physical beauty, status, wealth, or femininity or masculinity. † (Abbey, â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† 84) Conclusion Write one sentence to remind the reader of your central argument. Mary Wollstonecraft strongly argued that marriage was parallel to legalized prostitution, that education was essential to a happy and moral life, and that friendship is a crucial aspect to a healthy marriage. Write one-three sentences to focus the reader’s attention on the most important evidence(s) you have offered. Mary Wollstonecraft argued that by marrying for financial support and social status, women are fundamentally committing prostitution. Moreover, she states that education is essential for women to live free and moral lives, for they will be able to learn to think for themselves and become rational thinkers. Lastly, friendship and companionship is vital in a marriage, it is only then will a marriage be successful. Bibliography/Works Cited (Wollstonecraft, Mary. â€Å"Of the Pernicious Effects Which Arise from the Unnatural Distinctions Established in Society.† A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Peter Edes for Thomas and Andrews ,Boston, 1792. 222.) (Abbey, Ruth. â€Å"Back to the Future: Marriage as Friendship in the Thought of Mary Wollstonecraft,† Hypatia. 1999. Volume 14, Issue 3. 78-95) (Field, Corinne. â€Å"Made Women of When They are Mere Children,† The Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth. Spring 2011. Volume 4. Issue 2. 197-198) (Ford, Thomas H. â€Å"Mary Wollstonecraft and the Motherhood of Feminism†, WSQ: Women’s Studies Quarterly. Fall/Winter 2009. Volume 37. Issues 3 & 4, 189-204)

Book Review of The Rational Optimist How Prosperity...

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