Abstract
This paper explores the major growth in "discount retailing" in the United Kingdom. A number of low-cost retailers established themselves in the UK and one of the most successful was the German retailer Aldi. This paper examines the recent trends within Aldi's UK operations and the company's strategy for increasing market share.

From the Paper
"There have been so many significant developments in retailing since the 1970's that collectively, they have been referred to as a 'revolution'. These changes include the shopping behavior of customers; the organization of the retail industry; the character of the shopping environment; the planning policies of local government; and most important of all, the introduction of new retail outlets. The major development covered here concerns the growth of 'discount retailing'. A number of discount retailers have established themselves in the UK since the early 1990's and one of the most successful has been the German retailer Aldi. This essay shall deal with recent trends within Aldi's UK operations and the company's strategy for increasing market share, together with the wider implications of Aldi's presence."

Tags:british, planning, retail, retailers, supermarkets, uk, german, shopping, behavior, customers, outlet, discount, retailing

Abstract
This papers investigates the pros and cons of the various methods used to measure wealth and poverty, such as GDP and others. Each of the four measures investigated has fans and skeptics regarding levels of accuracy. This paper includes tables illustrating how a country's wealth ranking can be altered when different measures are used.

From the Paper
"It has never been easy to assess the extent of poverty in one part of the world when compared to another. Poverty can mean different things to different people. It is also important to remember that poverty is part of the wider issue of development. We should therefore have at the outset a core perspective or working definition on both poverty and development. Without such a perspective we could not measure poverty. To test the different measures of poverty, the following UN definition will suffice: "The income level below which a minimum nutritionally adequate diet plus essential non-food requirements are not affordable" (UNDP Development Report 1991:95). In other words, people are poor if they cannot afford day to day living. The UN also has the following definition of development: "Development is the process of enlarging the range of peoples choices increasing their opportunities for education, health care, income and employment, and covering the full range of human choices from a sound physical environment to economic and political freedoms" (UNDP Dev. Rep. 1992). Traditionally, there have been two main measures of poverty; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP). There are now, however, more measures, the two principles ones are; the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Human Poverty Index (HPI). All four, together with other indicators, will be evaluated and concluded upon here."

Tags:gdp, gnp, hdi, indicators, undp, wealth, poverty, wealth, un, income, hdi, hpi, development

Abstract
This paper is a very detailed discussion on the United Kingdom's large trade deficit. It explores the causes of the deficit and how it affects the economy and country as a whole. Graphs.

Balance of Trade
UK's Balance of Trade
Price Competitiveness

From the Paper
"The UK has not performed well compared to its major competitors. They have experienced low growth, low investment, weak exchange rates and high inflation rates. This poor performance is due to low levels of investment, research and development and failure of some of the UK companies to perform at the same standards as some of the major competitors (for example - Japan and Germany). For the UK, the main competitive threat is from the USA and Germany, from producers of relatively cheap, high quality product, although they do provide opportunities as a large market."

Tags:balance, economics, fiscal, policy, taxation, tariffs, trade, barriers, inflation, investment, decline, exchange, rate, macro-economics, trade, trends, competitive, payments, growth, deficit, GDP

Abstract
This report analyzes ten different disaster relief project categories and identifies the major funding sources and agencies, the key elements within their respective project proposal formats and the major differing elements within the proposals, and thus the requirements for the different categories.
Table of Contents

Introduction

Identification of Major Funding Sources and Agencies

Key Elements of Project Proposals

Differences in Rquirements Contained in Project Proposals

Bibliography

From the Paper
"Multilateral Aid Sources are those organisations that are a combination of government co-operation and financing, such as the United Nations, or the European Union. These organisations will then in turn identify the priority cases for funding in accordance with their set criteria. Multilateral sources gain their money from a multitude of bilateral sources, and also fund projects directly, on occasions"

Tags:agencies, funding, ngo, project, sources, lDFID, loan, voluntary, income, grants, receivable, gifts, USAID, office, foreign, disasponsorship, credit, aid, bilateral, multi-lateral, proposals, application, emergency, health, psychological, support, education

Abstract
This paper examines reasons for the East Asian economic crisis during 1997 and 1998. The World Bank report of 1993 praises many of the practices that ultimately led to the crisis. Currencies, stock markets, 'crony capitalism' and financiers are examined. The paper argues that both economic and cultural reasons are ultimately to blame for the economic crisis.

From the Paper
"In recent decades international financial institutions, most notably the World Bank, have held up East Asia as a capitalist miracle, a role model for the rest of the world to follow. The Newly Industrializing Countries (NIC's) took off during the 1970's and included countries from around the world. But is was almost exclusively the NIC's of Asia who maintained their high growth rates through the 1980's and 1990's. While the South American NIC's were left behind in the debt crisis of the early 1980's, the Asian 'Tigers' continued to surge ahead. South Korea, for example, maintained a manufacturing growth rate of nearly 9% a year during the 1980's, while exports grew by 10% a year (Hadjor: 1992). Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore also enjoyed such success, and they were soon joined by other Asian countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. By 1987 the combined manufacturing exports of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore totaled about half of all third world exports compared with 6% for Mexico and Brazil combined (ibid). The World Bank firmly believed that the experience of the Asian tigers constituted a viable model for other Third World countries. In 1993, the Bank published its seminal work 'The East Asian Miracle' as a guide to how the Tigers had been so successful. But disaster hit the East Asian region in 1997/98 when the economies in that part of the world took a massive beating from what became the 'Asian Crisis'. Suddenly the World Bank report and hopes for the region looked decidedly inaccurate. Here we will summarize the various views taken by the World Bank on Asian economic development before the crisis hit, together with how the effects of the Asian Crisis threw into doubt the Banks judgment."

Tags:asian, crisis, capitalism, crisis, crony, globalisation, world, bank, asia

Abstract
This paper looks at ways in which the first world protects itself from the advantages the third world, by creating a distortion of market forces. It illustrates how political issues are as important as economics issues within the world trade system. This paper examines the rules of economic theory, specifically the free movement of capital investments and the free movement of labor.

From the Paper
"Over the past three decades, a remarkable internationalisation of the world economy has taken place. Key aspects of this process are free trade and the mobility levels of labour. In an attempt to integrate developing economies into the globalisation process, agencies such as the World Bank and the IMF promote free market ideological policies to poorer countries, sometimes making the implementation of such policies a condition of receiving financial aid. This, they argue, will increase prosperity and levels of development. But do the concepts of free trade and the free movement of labour really exist, let alone increase prosperity? Here we shall examine what these two concepts mean in practice, what their impact on prosperity is, and why objections have been raised towards this kind of liberalisation."

Tags:globalisation, international, trade, labor, world, bank, IMFcapital, investment, first, thrid, world

Abstract
This paper examines how, as increasing numbers of businesses look to expand and develop their consumer and market base through the internationalisation of their operations, managers are recognising the importance of effective international marketing to counter the increased levels of uncertainty and complexity. It focuses specifically on the role of culture in the formulation of international marketing strategies, using a number of examples to highlight the points raised. Firstly, international marketing strategies are considered in more detail, followed by an exploration of the concept of culture and its influence on international marketing strategies.

Outline
Introduction
What are International Marketing Strategies?
Understanding Culture
The Role of Culture in International Marketing Strategy Formulation
Hofstede?s Five Dimensions
Hall and Hall?s High-Low Context
Direct Influence on Marketing Mix
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
Importance of Ethics
Critiquing the Role of Culture
Conclusions
References
Appendix 1

From the Paper
"Since value judgements vary between and within cultures, perceptions of what constitutes acceptable behaviour also differ: for example a gift in one country may be considered a bribe in another (Cateora and Ghauri, 2000; Doole and Lowe, 2001). Kotabe and Helsen (2004 p.171) highlight the significance of this for international marketers who "must understand and respect cultural subtleties, whilst finding the limits of ethical behaviour"; since a company's ethical stance may affect its ability to do business in some countries. For example, Motorola's lengthy "Code of Business Conduct", sets out standards for accepted behaviour throughout the organisation (see www.motorola.com). They recognise the "ethical legitimacy" of gift-giving in Japan, but decline to "participate in the practice" (Hamilton and Knouse, 2001 p.87). This allows the company to show respect for Japanese culture, whilst maintaining its own corporate values. Similarly, consideration should be given to product usage and production processes, which may not be appropriate in certain cultures or environments."

Tags:culture, hofstede, business

Abstract
This paper examines how global economic forces enable sections of third world society to be more easily exploited. It investigates how the first world does not play on a level playing field by using the Multi-Fibre Agreement. The views of protesters, the World Bank, and others are reviewed. The paper ends by touching upon future developments, such as the impact of China becoming a full member of the World Trade Organization.

From the Paper
"During the past three decades, remarkable internationalisation of the world economy has taken place. This process has become known as globalisation. Globalisation can be defined as "The increasing integration of national economies into expanding international markets" (Todaro: 1997). Neo-liberal authors and institutions, such as the IMF, state that globalisation is driven by four main factors; free market ideology; technological breakthroughs in communication; the shifting of economic activity to the developing world; and the opening up of previously closed borders. These factors of globalisation have inevitably led to changes in conditions of labour in third world employment. Here we will look at what the changes have been. We will then examine the views taken on these conditions by 'anti-sweatshop' campaigners, and the response of the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank."

Tags:globalisation, globilization, labor, trade, world, bank, multi-fibre, arrangement, third, world, china, world, trade, organisation, organikzation, wto

Abstract
This paper defines human resource as a group of administrative personnel whose main function is performance management, employee relations and resource planning. The author stresses that human resource management (HR) is obviously one of the most important, decisive factors not only in business but also in other areas and usually the first priority that is paid much attention. The paper urges that HR strategic policies should be personally designed based on common interests and aimed at organizational success. The author points out that one key for almost every global business strategy is to balance between a strong corporate culture and local cultural differences especially in the area of HR. The paper concludes that future strategic HR management approaches will be concerned with integration and adaptation and that executive managers will need cross-cultural management and communication skills.

From the Paper
"Michigan-based Dow Chemical Company is a very good example. With facilities in thirty-one countries and 250 sales offices worldwide, it is foreseen how complex the staff movement among countries could be. Dow has 62,000 employees around the world but most of them are local employees, only 1000 of them are on assignment outside of their countries of origin. This helps Dow to improve local cultural understandings and demands to deliver suitable strategies that both satisfy those foreign countries and the parent company's benefit. Kodak is another instance."

Tags:administrative, priority, dow, kodak, flexible, cross-cultural

Abstract
This paper examines how there are numerous methods of scanning the environment, which include PEST and SWOT analyses and Porter?s Five Forces. It looks at how these are used to detail and critically analyse the main market and industry factors that a company should consider when deciding upon market entry strategies in the global playing field. It dicusses how one of the most important aspects of a firm?s entry strategy is the actual mode of entry and therefore refers to the main modes of exporting, licensing, franchising, joint ventures and wholly owned subsidies (WOS) to illustrate how market and industry factors affect the entry mode choice. Specific reference is given to entering the Japanese market, using Boots, Starbucks, Toys ?R? Us and BMW as case studies.

Outline
Introduction
Market Entry Strategy Decisions
PEST analysis
Political
Economic
Social
Technical
Japan in the Late-1990s
SWOT Analysis
Porter?s Five Forces Model
Conclusions
References
Other sources

From the Paper
"Many businesses are continually looking to expand and develop their consumer and market base, through the internationalisation of their operations, in order to take advantage of overseas markets. Levels of uncertainty and complexity increase when entering and expanding into more diverse markets outside the home nation, therefore it is crucial that companies have clear strategies (Lim et al., 1996). The decision to enter a new market will be determined by the corporate culture and individual company objectives (Sumrall, 2003), which include the level of resources the company is prepared to commit; the amount of control desired; and the level of risk the company is prepared to take (Tse et al., 1997; Chung and Enderwick, 2001). However, since a company looking to operate internationally will not function in isolation, the external environment should also be considered. The process of environmental scanning, whereby information about the internal and external environment is gathered and analysed, is a vital aid in strategic decision-making (Muralidharan, 2003). Environmental scanning details the many market and industry factors that need to be considered when making decisions on how and when to enter a new market."

Tags:bmw, boots, pest, porters, strategy, studies, swot