Using the Concept of Network Externalities in Detecting Monopolistic Essay

Using the Concept of Network Externalities in Detecting Monopolistic Practices as in the Case of Microsoft Company - Essay Example they are connected in a virtual network. Examples of compatible products are computer hardware and software, phonographs and records, and television sets and programing. In extreme cases, network externalities may cause markets to fail as when an inferior product ‘tips’ the network towards adopting it over a superior product because it arrived first (Page & Lopatka, 1999, p.955). A market is said to have ‘tipped’ when it settles on a single standard for a product, such as software platforms (p.960). Proposition: ‘Microsoft acted illegally to extend its monopoly power.’ Corporate acts deemed anticompetitive are those that foster competition not on the merits, and lead to insufficient distribution compensation. An example is when a sufficiently large number of distributors agree to exclusivity over a sufficiently lengthy period, because this tends to drive rival firms out of the market. Distributors who have not by then signed up with the dominant firm will then have to pay a monopoly price (Rasmusen, Ramseyer & Wiley, 1991). Microsoft, as dominant firm intending to defend its market position, undertook four actions with regard to Internet Explorer (IE) vis-a-vis original dominant browser, Netscape Navigator: (1) Microsoft invested massively in browser technology; (2) IE was zero-priced; (3) Microsoft signed exclusive distribution contract with Internet access providers; and (4) Microsoft bundled IE with Windows. The court found that investment in browser technology and zero pricing were not uncompetitive, but declared exclusive distribution contracts and tying or bundling arrangements as uncompetitive (Klein, 2001, pp.46-47). Arguments in favor of illegality Microsoft engaged in actively ‘tipping’ the market, thus preventing the adoption of what could...This paper offers a comprehensive review of the concept of network externalities and its practical applications in helping to detect the uncompetitive actions f rom companies. Using the example of the Microsoft company, the essay exhibits its possible excessive use of dominant market position, through the help of provisions of network externalities theory In separate cases, governments (the US and EU) and attorneys in class action suits claimed that Microsoft’s contracts with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were exclusionary and anticompetitive, thereby maintaining its operating system (OS) and later its internet browser. These allegedly caused consumers to pay higher prices, discouraged innovation, and restricted trade in violation of the Sherman Act. Microsoft countered that it was not a monopoly because it still faced strong competition in a dynamic industry; its success was procompetitive because consumers benefited from its software distribution; and imposition of antitrust remedies would reduce innovation instead of encouraging it. Corporate acts deemed anticompetitive are those that foster competition not on the merits, and lead to insufficient distribution compensation. Microsoft’s OS provided a platform with network and family effects, and its contracts, while exhibiting some arguably anticompetitive characteristics such as imposing penalties, also includes terms that provide exceptional value to its customers that, as in the case of AOL, tangibly improve their businesses.

Pop Art and Fashion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Pop Art and Fashion - Essay Example Art has been very influential in the past years. Art is wide and does not only involve paintings, sculptures, photography and film-making. It can also be defined as skill and imagination overuse in order to create different aesthetic objects, surroundings and experiences that are shared to different individuals in the society. And from the ancient days art has continued to develop in a gradual manner. Among the development in art is the introduction of what is known as pop art. It is known to be popular culture’s art and its characteristic is that it has optimism sense. Most artists have been greatly influenced by this and majority of them have interpreted pop art in their own way. Among those influenced by Pop art is lady Gaga who is perceived to be one of the famous pop singer and song writer. She is known to have unique fashion taste. As a result, her fashion designer created several designs that mainly have the artist’s style association. Through this, today’ s generation has been influenced greatly into appreciating art as a significant element of human life. In today’s society pop art has made tremendous influence on different kinds of fashions. In order to be able to fully understand the contemporary art it is important to look back and appreciate all the individuals of the past generation who remained focused and persistent in making this kind of art possible. It is amazing how most artists were able to customize different things that they came across in life. They were able to apply art in everything.

Communicative Competence In Language Teaching

Communicative Competence In Language Teaching In this essay, I will first define what Communicative Competence is and what it includes. Secondly, making reference to the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages, I will synthesize why gaining Communicative Competence in a foreign language is so important and why it should be the main goal in an English Classroom. To finish with, I will summarize the best ways of teaching Communicative Competence. Task-based language teaching will be the model I will use as an example of how Communicative competence should be taught and the role instruction should pay in the Classroom. Communicative Competence refers to the ability of understanding, producing, and interpreting the different Communicative events taking into account not only their explicit sense (what it seems to be more immediate for us), but also its implications; that is to say, what the speaker wants to say, what the listener wants to understand, their relationship, the social context, etc. Therefore, Communicative Competence has to do with the social, cultural, and psychological rules that determine the use of a particular language in a particular situation. This term was introduced by Hymes in language teaching in 1972, to complete Chomskys Linguistic Competence term which couldnt explain all the factors which are important for a communicative purpose or in a communicative situation. According to him, Linguistic Competence only deals with the knowledge of language rules and forms, and Communicative Competence includes as well the knowledge that allows someone to communicate correctly and appropriately. Therefore, Communicative Competence is the only means we use to transform language into Communication instead of Linguistic Competence. According to the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages Communicative Competence is divided in: Linguistic Competence: it refers to the ability of producing utterances in an efficient way in all its grammatical levels. It is formed by these competences: lexical, grammatical, semantic, phonologic and orthographic competence. Sociolinguistic Competence: it is the ability of understanding and producing different utterances in different contexts of use where different factors play an important role, such as the relationship between participants, their situation, etc. Aspects to take into account here are social relationships markers, politeness norms, popular wisdom expressions, register differences, dialect and accent differences, etc. Pragmatic Competence: It makes reference to the ability of acting efficiently in a language taking into account grammatical forms and meaning to complete a text (spoken or written) in different communicative events. It includes students mastery of texts, discursive genres, and community speech interpretation. To master this, there are needed rhetorical, cohesive or cohesion devices for conversational organization. Strategic Competence: it has to do with the individuals effective use of language by means of his capacity for using verbal and non-verbal resources to fix errors that can be produced when communicating due to different events that may limit the communicative process. Communicative competence is the first of the eight basic competences that a learner has to have acquired by the end of ESO, but not only this, it is in the same way important to have acquired as well a B1 level of Communicative Competence in a Foreign Language to be admitted in University as the European Common Framework of Reference for Languages dictates. COMMUNICATIVE COMPTENCE IN TEACHING Teachers in ESO should develop in students communicative abilities and strategies in order to reach a B1 level in Communicative Competence by the end of this period, this competence should be acquired in all areas: speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Therefore, this has to be the main goal in the English Classroom. In order to analyze how Communicative Competence is implemented in school, Ive chosen the task-based method, which is a continuation of Communicative Language Teaching according to Rod Ellis. Task-based language teaching is a teaching method based on tasks whose main purpose is to make learners use the foreign language. Tasks are based on authentic events where authentic language is used: visiting a doctor, shopping, calling room service for food, etc. Assessment of errors is not considered as important as in other approaches because accuracy will be gained while practicing the L2 in an incidental way. Besides, Rod Ellis defends that what students really acquire is the implicit knowledge, and this is best facilitated looking at the language as a whole rather than breaking it into pieces in an attempt to teach item by item. Tasks differ from activities in that they focus on meaning rather than on form, in this sense, learners will be creating their own language instead of reproducing the language given to them. They also have an informational or reasoning gap which will make the conversation interesting and therefore it will make them eager to continue it even outside class. Learners also use their resources instead of reproducing the language given to them. The goal of tasks is not to make learners use a correct language, but to engage them in communication. WHAT ROLE PLAYS INSTRUCTION IN A TASK-BASED LEARNING CONTEXT? Instruction plays a different role in Task-Based Teaching: Instruction is seen in an interpretative rather than in a transmission perspective, so its main goal must be to facilitate students processes of learning, which in this case is the acquisition of implicit knowledge. The goal of language instruction is the development of implicit knowledge. If teachers make their students to focus mainly on language form they wont never be able to communicate effectively. The only place where learning occurs is inside learners minds, so teachers cannot just direct that learning. Therefore attention to form will be paid only when communicating, and not all the time, because excessive corrections may stop the conversations rhythm. That doesnt mean that Task-Based theorists dont care about grammar, they defend explicit teaching of rules as well, but only when necessary because the main goal is communication. Instruction has to focus on meaning rather than on form. Rod Ellis thinks that grammar is not needed for basic communication. Basic survival in language relies on vocabulary and formulaic sequences, not on grammar. Students will need grammar as they get involved in increasingly complex tasks, that is to say, the need to use a determinate grammatical form will be created in their minds as complexity increases in tasks. Instruction needs to be motivating, i.e. based on things that learners may find interesting, because its very important to call their attention in order to get them involved in the task. To conclude, I will sum up some characteristics a classroom should have to teach Communicative Competence: Inductive method. Preventing method rather than corrective. Teach sequences of language, not language in isolation. Teach through senses. Promote autonomy. Give your lesson an authentic and ludic character to make it interesting. Set learning goals taking into account the developmental cognitive level of the learner.

Business Essay -- Sociology, Culture, Melting Pot

In the past, the world was parts of continents and continents parts of countries which represent their culture separately. In addition, the communication between different cultures and communities slightly difficult or need so much time. Nowadays, we could imagine something different from the past which we hear terms of new world features like melting pot, globalization, culture, and global perspective. Al-Balabki (1995:570) concludes that, melting pot is a place where immigrants of different ethnicities, cultures or countries come to live together with variety of ideas and races. According to J. Jary (1991) that,†culture is defined as the unique ideas, customs, skills, arts, behavior, appearances and communication of a group of people†. To quote Wikipedia (n.d), â€Å"globalization refers to increasing global connectivity, integration and interdependence in the economic, social, technological, cultural, political and ecological spheres†. Moreover, there are many examples for global culture which make all cultures around the world effective. However, I am going to write about internet, English as a global language and business in this essay. Internet is the largest sources of information in these days. It can provide a wide variety of information which anyone needs it. Internet revolution has made a huge change in many aspects in our lives. It becomes a method to know more and more about many different things. It helps the whole world to be small village. Now anyone could speak with another person in minutes or less than that. Moreover, you can communicate with people from different country, culture, lifestyle and geography. It is really amazing system which enriches the global development in most fields. Co... ...Birkat Almouz store. However, business ethics and management structure dive me real experience to deal with managers or customers to reach work performance and customer satisfaction in any work place around the world. In conclusion, globalization has its effects in different fields business, internet, and English language in the whole world. They are important examples which have influential causes and reasons. In my opinion, sometimes they are being positive and sometime being negative. For instance, some examples of global culture being useful just for the first world countries and in the same case being harmful for third world countries. However, globalization solve so much points like wasting time, make the distances between different counties are too small and easier. As a result, every country should modify each globalization example to be fitness.

Edward Reighn 1042-1053 Essay

How effectively did Edward deal with the problems he faced during the first part of his reign, 1042-1053? When Edward came into power in 1042, England was in a poor state financially and also because of threats of an invasion and this made the first few years of his rule difficult. Edward was faced with many problems which he had to overcome. These problems involved; powerful Earls, (especially the Godwine’s), the foreign policy and the domestic policy. Edward both failed and succeeded in these problems due to a number of factors. These include a lack of knowledge about his kingdom and some may argue that he was naà ¯ve in his decisions. With some evaluation, we will be able to judge if Edward was a successful King or not. One of the problems Edward faced was because of the weak position he was in: He had been in exile for 25 years in Normandy; therefore he had no knowledge of the English politics and structure of the country. He also had no strong political allies such as Earls and Thegns to aid him with ruling the country effectively and to everyone’s best interests. One of his biggest rivals was Earl Godwine; Godwine was a politically powerful character at this time. Before Edward became King, he had allied himself to King Cnut and married Gytha who was a relative of Cnut. From 1040 onwards, he was the second richest man in the country after the king so therefore, he was in a very powerful position compared to King Edward as he had strong political allies, and great knowledge of England. Earl Godwine played a massive role in Edward becoming a King; he persuaded the Earls to accept him. This may be so that Godwine could dominate Edward in ruling the country or to convince him of his loyalty. In the early years of Edwards reign, Godwine took advantage of his weak position and got his family members; Sweyn, Harold and Beorn the position of Earls. His Daughter Edith, also became Edwards wife in 1045, Godwine had used his power and authority to get his family members into strong position. Godwine was an â€Å"over mighty subject† and Edward needed to counteract this. To gain more power, Edward put Normans into powerful and key positions, his nephew Ralf was made an Earl, and large estates were given to Bretons (Robert Fitzwimarc and Ralf the Staller). By 1051, Edward had managed to appoint Normans as bishops, and eventually half were filled by Englishmen and the other half by Normans and other foreigners; Godwine and English Earls hated this. In 1050, the Archbishop of Canterbury died and instead of Godwine’s relative Aelfric being appointed, he made Robert of Jumieges Archbishop instead. The witans supported this decision, this may have been because Godwine was in such a strong position that the other Earls were jealous. So overall,Edward had not been a complete success with regards to gaining power over Godwine as he hadn’t managed to appoint all the positions to Normans and only got one up on Godwine when appointing archbishop as there was rivalry between the Earls. However, even though Edward had got one up on Godwine, Godwine was still responsible for the murder of his brother Alfred. Godwine had arrested Alfred and killed some of his followers, he was then taken out of Godwine’s hands and but on board a ship where soon afterwards he soon died. In 1046, Godwin’s eldest son Sweyn abducted a nun and used her as a sex slave, when this was put to light he was sent into exile to Flaunders and Denmark and his land was shared between his brother Harold and his cousin Beorn. As Godwine was unable to prevent this, its shows how King Edward did have some power over him. However, in 1049 Sweyn returned in the hope of getting Beorn and Harold to help him regains the Kings trust, they refused to do this which eventually led in Sweyn killing Beorn. Again, he had committed a crime, but this was of international significance as Beorn was the Kings brother. This resulted in Sweyn being declared as nothing by King Edward and his counsellors, with his lands being handed to the Kings French nephew, Ralf of Mantes. Again in 1050, Sweyn returned back to England and was surprisingly pardoned by the King. This shows that Edward was very naà ¯ve and vulnerable in respect with having to make decisions independently. The Godwine’s were an incredibly influential power in England, and Edwards actions show that he in unable to keep them out of power for very long. During Edwards reign, there was a big threat of England being invaded by the Scandinavians and Vikings. Some of these people had claims to the throne and wanted to take over the country and claim their positions. Swein had appealed for Edwards help however, Edward decided to adopt the â€Å"wait and see policy†. This policy was non-interventionist and meant that he didn’t get involved with other countries problems. In the end Harold Hardrada and Swein were fighting for supremacy in Scandinavia which meant they didn’t invade England. This resulted in the Foreign policy being a success. England was benefited hugely as people were financially wealthier as they didn’t have to pay extra tax, also Edward was becoming more independent in his decisions with law and order as his decisions only seemed to have positive effects on the country; during Edwards reign, England was not invaded, staying out of the situation kept England safe. Edwards popularity soared with the public as they were saving money which benefitted their families. Another problem Edward had to overcome during his reign was the domestic policy. Edward had to decide how the country needed ruling and what the best policies were. If he chooses an unpopular and inappropriate policy the country would be in a disaster and he would receive even less support which he desperately needed as he was already in a weak position. As the foreign policy was a great success, Edward was able to reform the domestic policy and abolished the yearly geld in 1051 which paid for 14 manned ships to be a permanent defence for the country, instead he made an agreement with the Cinque Ports, (these were Sandwich, Dover, Fordwich, Romney and Hythe). In emergencies these ports would supply manned warships to defend the country. This new policy meant that the public didn’t have to pay the geld but the Cinque Ports had to ensure that they were ready for an emergency. As a result the population became better off without having to pay the tax, therefore Edwards’s popularity dramatically increased putting him in a stronger position. Edward took a massive gamble with reforming the domestic policy; it was both naà ¯ve and forward thinking. If England had been invaded in Edwards reign it would have had a devastating effect on the country. On the other hand Edward gained a lot more support from the public; this strengthened his position as a King. Edward had succeeded in relation to the foreign policy and the domestic policy. Overall, I think that Edward was a successful King although some of his decisions succeeded down to luck. With regards to the powerful Earls, he was able to overcome this problem as he got many of his trusted Normans into key positions but because there were also power struggles between the Earls then in some decisions they supported him to degrade Godwine, so therefore they were not trusted and reliable allies to Kind Edward. Both the Foreign policy and the Domestic policy were a success, they gained support from the country but Edward was incredibly lucky that the country was not invaded during his reign. Edward was very forward thinking in his decisions, and did become a successful King even though in the first few years of his reign he faced many problems.

Grendel’s Mother and Beowulf

Not Just an Ordinary Person In order to establish Beowulf as an epic hero in the piece of literature Beowulf, he must possess all or most of the characteristics of an epic hero. An epic hero is the central figure in an epic who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. There are ten specific characteristics that one must have to be considered an epic hero. One must be significant and glorified, on a quest, and responsible leader. One must also have superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, courage, and ethics.Lastly, one must risk death for glory or for the greater good of society, perform brave deeds, and reflect the ideals of a particular society. To be looked at as an epic hero, the first three characteristics a person must have are to be glorified, on a quest, and a responsible leader. The Geats say of Beowulf â€Å"Now when help was needed. None / Of the wise ones regretted his going, much / As he was loved by the Geats† (lines 116-119 ). The Geats saying such things about Beowulf tells that he is glorified by his people.The people of Herot have chosen Beowulf in lines 149-150 â€Å"My people have said, the wisest, most knowing / And best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’ Great king† to go on a quest to Denmark to kill Grendel and help save their warriors. In order to be recognized as a hero, one must be a responsible leader. One must be willing to put themself ahead of others, take action when needed, take the blame when something goes wrong, and take credit when things go right. In Beowulf’s case, one must know when to bring soldiers, and when to go into battle alone.In line 679 of Beowulf â€Å"Wait for me close by, my friends† Beowulf realizes that nobody can defeat the dragon but him, so he tells his men to stand back so no one gets killed when unnecessary. The qualities that just about all people see are one who has superior strength, intelligence, courage, and ethics. Most people define a hero as a person who has superior or superhuman strength. Beowulf is â€Å"the strongest of the Geats- greater / And stronger† than anyone else in the world (lines 110-111). Saying this shows that if Beowulf cannot defeat Grendel then nobody else can.Beowulf shows how intelligent he is in lines 134-137 when â€Å"Beowulf arose with his men / Around him ordering a few to remain / With their weapons†. Beowulf is smart enough to realize that if nobody stays with the weapons somebody will steal them, and they will be left unarmed when a war breaks out. To be considered courageous, a person must face something that would frighten most. Beowulf does just that on numerous occasions in Beowulf. Beowulf faces and conquers Grendel in lines 515-517 â€Å"The victory, for the proof, hanging high / From the rafters where Beowulf had hung it, was the monsters / Arm, claw and shoulder and all†.The mighty water witch, Grendel’s mother, becomes troub led with the loss of her son and wants revenge on Herot. When she attacks Herot, Beowulf takes action and conquers her in lines 643-645 â€Å"Her body fell / To the floor, lifeless, the sword was wet / With her blood, and Beowulf rejoiced at the sight†. Some heroes use special powers, or costumes to help them win the fights against the bad guys. However, Beowulf believes in being ethical. He does not want to be credited for winning a battle if every aspect of the battle is not considered fair.In Beowulf , Grendel is defeated by Beowulf unarmed in lines 669-671 â€Å"Crushed to death / Like Grendel, gripped in my hands and torn / Limb from limb†. Beowulf could have very easily used the weapons in the boat that his men were holding. Instead he did not because that would not be considered a fair fight. The last characteristics that must take place in order to be established as an epic hero is one must risk death, perform brave deeds, and reflect a particular society. If a person does not risk death for their society, they will not be considered a hero; one will be considered as just an ordinary person.However, Beowulf proves that he is not just an ordinary person when he performs brave deeds and is faced with death on numerous accounts for the good of his people. Beowulf faces Grendel, a man-eating monster; Grendel’s mother, a water witch; and the dragon, a hot breath and poisonous creature. When Beowulf faces Grendel’s mother in lines 620-623 â€Å"And in an instant she had him down, held helpless. / Squatting with her weight on his stomach, she drew / A dagger, brown with dried blood and prepared / To avenge her only son† he sees death right before him.He keeps fighting because in lines 683-684 Beowulf says â€Å"No man but me / Could hope to defeat this monster†. When Beowulf faced the dragon in lines 718-722 â€Å"The monster came quickly toward him, / Pouring out fire and smoke, hurrying / To its fate. Flames beat a t the iron / Shield, and for a time it held, protected / Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt† Beowulf’s life flashes before his eyes again when he realizing that the shield is not going to hold up, and he will die from the dragon. Beowulf upholds the ideals of the Anglo-Saxon society; courage, loyalty, and honor throughout the entire literature of Beowulf.An epic hero is the protagonist in an epic who has superior qualities and risks personal danger to pursue a grand quest. In the piece of literature Beowulf, Beowulf must possess all or most of the characteristics of an epic hero in order to be established as one. Throughout the epic, Beowulf possesses the characteristics of glorified, on a quest, responsible leader, superior strength, intelligence, courage, ethical, risk death, perform brave deeds, and reflects ideals of a particular society on multiple occasions. Therefore, at the end of this epic, Beowulf can be confirmed as an epic hero.