Saturday, December 28, 2019

Japan and Globalization - 963 Words

Japan, home of some of the largest multinational technology corporations in the world, has been influenced in myriad ways through globalization. The effects of globalization on Japan provide valuable insights into the transformation of Japanese society. Global processes have increased wages and homelessness, strengthened environmental management programs, shifted governance towards regionalism, and threatened linguistic diversity in Japan. Numerous studies on Japan’s economy provide both the positive and negative effects of globalization. Nakamura (2013) used Japanese wage censuses from 1998, 2000, and 2002 to explore the effects of inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) on the wages of Japanese workers in manufacturing†¦show more content†¦86). Many politicians and economists regard neoliberalism as the key to national economic growth. Japan’s move towards neoliberalism-orientated regionalism follows the current trends of globalization. The use of English in Japanese society challenges the traditional view of English as a lingua franca. Kubota and McKay (2009) investigated the role of English in Hasu (a pseudonym), a small Japanese community with non-English-speaking immigrants from Brazil, China, Peru, Korea, Thailand, and other countries, by evaluating the results of a community survey on diversity and interviewing five Japanese individuals (p. 593). They found that an attachment to English could reinforce the superiority of native speakers and deprive English learners of their willingness to communicate with others in other languages (Kubota McKay, 2009, p. 612). The process of globalization entails the interconnectedness of people across the world. In this instance, the use of English acts as a boundary to cultural and linguistic understanding and divides people instead of connecting them together. Seargeant (2005) finds that the influx of loanwords and the decorative use of English in media and advertising act s as a boundary between Japan and the world because of its unfamiliar use (p. 318). Japan has essentially co-opted English and transformed it into a language that native English speakers find strange. The proliferation of EnglishShow MoreRelatedThe Effect of Globalization on Japan630 Words   |  3 Pages I will analyze the effects of globalization on Japan’s culture, worldview, population, environment, and environment. I will consider both the direct and indirect effects of globalization on Japan’s native and foreign inhabitants. My analysis will not be restricted to any specific geographic region of Japan; I will highlight issues that have widespread implications across Japan’s myriad prefectures. By merging two datasets from 2000, Cole, Elliot, and Shimamoto measured fourteen indicators ofRead MoreImpact Of Globalization On The Economy Of Japan992 Words   |  4 PagesDean and Guevara, 2001 Reshaping the economy of Japan was characterised by the growth of non-regular employees, workforce diversity and the decaying life-long employment system. Renaissance of global labour movement was strongly supported by Japanese Trade Union Movement. Strategic interference of the union is dominant in developing industries of Information Technology and tele communications. Japan exercises influence on the developing countries of Asia. Availability of cheap labour in Asia implementedRead MorePG Japan: the Sk-Ii Globalization Project1692 Words   |  7 Pagesfactors that need to be considered when deciding recommendations to the GLT of SK-II. Being that this is PG’s first proposal to build a Japanese brand worldwide, it is important to take into consideration different cultures than of the consumers in Japan. Since 2005, PGs global organization has been in the middle of a restructuring program, which can sometimes cause a disruption to the normal functions of the company. Local managers resisted the surfacing of new products based on the possibleRead MorePG Japan: Sk-Ii Globalization1032 Words   |  5 Pagesdecision on current resources and capabilities to effectively maintain profitability. In analyzing the three options of Chinese expansion, European roll-out, and further growth of Japanese market, PG should continue to concentrate its efforts in Japan to further penetrate and grow its share (only 3% of a $10 billion beauty market). There are a number of factors under consideration when analyzing and weighing business opportunities for each of the three markets. In the first stage of this analysisRead MorePG Japan the Sk-Ii Globalization Project2059 Words   |  9 PagesGMBA 5075 International Management Case 5-2 - Pamp;G Japan: The SK-II Globalization Project Group Report Due date: 12/03/12 By: Wendy Rodriguez Francisco Oliveira Francisco Andujar Yichen Li Intro: This case describes how SK-II which is a fast-growing skin care product is becoming very popular with a price to match its performance. After being introduced in Hong Kong and in Taiwan, Pamp;G believes that this brand has a strong global potential. At the conclusion of this case, theRead MorePG Japan the Sk-Ii Globalization Project3489 Words   |  14 PagesPG Japan: The SK-II Globalization Project When looking at the archetype of PG it can be seen that it is an Multi Centred MNE. Which consists of a set of entrepreneurial subsidiaries abroad which are key to knowledge-based FSA development. National responsiveness is the foundation of the international strategy. The non-location bound FSAs that hold these firms together are minimal: common financial governance and the identity and specific business interest of the founders or main owners. LaterRead MoreEssay on GLT task1887 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is globalization? Globalization, â€Å"refers to processes of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture† (Merriam-Webster, 2014). Since the 1980’s the impact of globalization has been on the rise. Western cultures are bringing about new ways of culture while indigenous people are modifying their traditional ways to western civilization. I will be discussing two non-western cultures and the effects of globalization. TheRead MoreCross Culture Perspectives: Wal-Mart924 Words   |  4 Pagesinternationally as well, touching base in countries such as Japan and China. It is a popular supercenter that is located worldwide. Wal-Mart is the largest retailer and the largest company in the history of the world due to globalization and this due to the way they conduct business operations. Wal-Mart management has implement ways to overcom e the challenges that are presented the ethical and social responsibilities in regards to globalization. This paper will present a breakdown analysis onRead MoreDoes Globalization Affect Our Culture Identity?845 Words   |  4 Pagesgroup or individuals, and globalization is a process between international nations, companies by international trade and investment. Culture identity and globalization are connected to each other because globalization has been developed remarkably throughout the past decants, so as the result globalization has been impacted each and every single cultures and nation. Therefore we as human would started to think does globalization threaten our culture identity. Globalization makes our life more convenientRead MoreGloalization and Its Effect on Non- Western Cultures758 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is globalization and what affect does this have on Non-Western cultures? Merrim-Websters dictionary defines globalization as, â€Å"the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tappi ng of cheaper foreign labor markets†. When identifying the pieces of globalization, outsourcing may be the first thing that comes to mind. However, globalization and modernization are larger than outsourcing alone. In this paper we will

Friday, December 20, 2019

The Government Has Changed Society - 943 Words

Theresse Weigand-Watkinson Bethany Gallant and Stacy Vocasek English 10-5 16 December 2015 The Positive Government Did you know that the government has helped over 306,804,000 (Jeffrey) people and families just from the last four years alone? Since 1789, the government has been finding ways to try and help citizens deal with poverty and other economic crisis’. From creating the Constitution and abolishing slavery, the government has started to create programs to help certain people and families overcome other rising issues. The government has been successful in creating these programs that support the needs of the citizens who require them. People would suggest that the government has affected society in a negative way but, different credibilities would beg to differ. The government has influenced society in a positive way by creating programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), General Public Assistance (GPA) and Social Security to help citizens conquer poverty. In the 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected as our 32nd president. One of his first acts as president was, he sent 15 major bills to congress to try and pick up the mess that our previous president, Herbert Hoover, left for us (Glencoe The American Vision 652). One of those major bills were Social Security, Social Security includes programs within itself as well. Such as, the Supplemental Security Income Act. The Supplemental Security Income Act has helped over a thousands of people who are blind,Show MoreRelatedThe Patriot Act Of 2001782 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Constitution. Similarly to Nixon’s presidency, this changed American society because it caused people to seriously question the motives and the actions of the government, as well as divide the country racially. Furthermore, Bush’s alterations to the extension of the executive branch were so expansive and so obvious to the public that many people wondered if the government was getting too out of control and was actually damaging to society. For example, the Patriot Act filtered through every levelRead MoreThe History and Definition of Democracy742 Words   |  3 Pagesas, A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives (Oxford, 2014). In other words the population of a nation or land participates in the government. This participation is typically done by elections. Democracy has changed throughout history. In the past the population is the government; today most often the people will appoint individuals to represent them. Each of these styles of government has an unique way of dividingRead MoreAustralia: 1700 to Present1557 Words   |  7 Pagespolitical, social, and economic continuities and changes in Australia from 1700 AD to the present. While Australia has politically gained independence since the 1700’s, their ethnicities have shifted to create a socially diverse country as they remain closely tied with the rest of the world in regards to global trade. Since Britain used to rule Australia in the 1700’s, Australia since has had revolutions that granted them political independence from a larger ruling body. This provides freedom for allRead MoreThe Political System Of The United States1053 Words   |  5 PagesRoger Darlington has said that the United States is the most powerful nation on earth; politically, economically and militarily(1). Even though the U.S. is the second largest democracy in the world, India being the first, it is considered rare, compared to other systems in the world. Where did the founders of the U.S. get their ideas for the political system we have today? The U.S. political system is made up of many components and there are several factors the contributed to what the U.S. politicalRead MoreEnlightened Philosophers (John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Jean Jacques Rousseau)1495 Words   |  6 Pageshad a particular view of government, society, and its citizens and they were all passionate about their works. Locke (1632- 1704) was an English philosopher, his ideas had a great impact on the development of political philosophy and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential enlightenment thinkers. Montesquieu (1689- 1755) believed that all things were made up of laws that never changed. His most famous work, The Spirit of Laws, outlined his ideas on how government would work best. VoltaireRead MoreJohn Locke s Influence On The United States1162 Words   |  5 Pageswestern society, most notably t he United States. Locke’s ideas were crucial in the crafting of the United States Constitution and more importantly, the creation of American culture, both social, governmental, and economic. Locke was the inspiration for the three branch government system in America along with the representative democracy and the government acting as a third party to protect the rights of the people and to settle disputes. Economically, America is a highly commercial society with littleRead MoreShould Society Be Held Responsible For Their Own Health Outcomes?897 Words   |  4 Pageswrong actions, then that should affect how much the government or private parties pay for the person insurance. Lastly, I believe society should try to take the best care of us. I think that Americans should be held responsible for their own health outcomes. However, some illnesses that people may have could not be their fault. With that said, I do not think it is fair for someone to be held responsible if the risk factors cannot be changed. For instance, a person could develop heart diseaseRead MoreEssay on Internet On Modern Society898 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Internet on Modern Society In this day and age, the Internet is the new resource tool for the masses. It has changed the way we live in society and the way people interact with each other. As more and more people log on the Internet, it has undoubtedly changed the way people think and feel about each other and the world around us. When we begin to look at the ways it has changed society, we can clearly see many reasons to its assimilation into modern life. First, it has given people a new wayRead MoreEffects of Modernity922 Words   |  4 PagesThe old-traditional way of life has vanished for ever. Today only villages and some small towns remind us of this kind of life, and as time passes, more people choose to abandon traditional way of life, to move to the big city. Modern way of life has nothing in common with the traditional one. Human habits, values, norms have changed. The most important of these social changes can be observed in human relationships, family economy, education, government, health, and re ligion. To be able to examineRead MoreEssay Effects of Modernity909 Words   |  4 Pages The old-traditional way of life has vanished for ever. Today only villages and some small towns remind us of this kind of life, and as time passes, more people choose to abandon traditional way of life, to move to the â€Å"big city†. Modern way of life has nothing in common with the traditional one. Human habits, values, norms have changed. The most important of these social changes can be observed in human relationships, family economy, education, government, health, and religion. To be able to examine

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Beautiful Disasters Pearl As A Living Breathing S Essay Example For Students

Beautiful Disasters: Pearl As A Living Breathing S Essay carlet LetterSometimes beauty is found in places as unexpected as a rosebush growing outside of a prison in a puritan colonial village. Pearl Prynne is an unearthly beautiful child with a wild spirit born under unimaginably sinful conditions, all of which are somehow related to the ideas, actions, and views of others on Hesters punishment. In Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter, Pearl serves as Hesters living, breathing Scarlet letter. Pearl evokes the same emotion and reactions from the townspeople, as does the scarlet letter. The people look at the slight sense of pride Hester has in her letter in the same way they look at the way Hester lets Pearl do whatever she wants. They feel Hester isnt fit to raise the child. The extremity of gossip from the females of the village in the beginning of the book is only matched by the amount that Pearls wild attitude stirs up later on. Hesters A is the example for all of what sin is. The A makes Hester much avoided and the parents tell their children to watch out for her. Theses same parents say the same things to their kids about avoiding Pearl, who is infamous for her uncontrollable behavior with her peers and other adults. Just as infamous as Hesters A for the wild sinful actions it symbolizes. We will write a custom essay on Beautiful Disasters: Pearl As A Living Breathing S specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Like Hesters scarlet letter, Pearl shows extreme beauty in a form that is not traditional, positive, tame, or fully accepted. When Hester crafts the A that she has to wear on her chest, She uses a deep, passionate shade of red and embroiders it very intricately with bright gold thread. The A was meant to mark Hester in a negative manor; its purpose is to let everyone know that Hester is a sinner. Hester takes something extremely negative and makes it appear as passionately beautiful. Hawthorne portrays Pearl in a very detailed specific manor, meant to put emphasis on the similarities between Pearl and the A. She is the symbol of Hesters sin but the tone that is used when referring to her makes her out to appear as a stunningly beautiful creature. The narrator states, There was a trait of passion, a certain depth of hue, which she never lost (). Even the adjectives he uses in describing Pearl suggest something color related (hue). There is a feeling of wildness and uncontrollably in P earls appearance; more specifically in her eyes. Pearls beauty has a splendor unlike that of any other child. Like the scarlet letter, Pearl serves as Hesters beautiful disaster. There are also many similarities between the relationship of Hester and Pearl and the relationship between Hester and her letter. Hester has no pride in the A on her chest, but even after she is not required to wear it, she keeps it on anyway. She shows this same attitude towards Pearl. Hester is not proud of her sin, but she understands the consequences of it and does not try to hide it from anyone. She couldve given the child up to the governor and had one less branding to worry about, but she fought for that child to stay under her care. She even goes so far as to dress Pearl up in a velvet dress of a deep shade of red when she takes her to the governors house. Hester consciously envisions Pearl as a living breathing scarlet A, running ahead with free spirit flying. She is proud of her child through it all. In conclusion, Pearl is born from and into sin but still manages to be portrayed as a pure entity. Her wildness and free spirit is something that was not inflicted by anyone but herself. She manages to embody so many things that come along with something like a symbol for adultery in a puritan society, but still holds onto the innocence of a child. It is just as rare that someone of such a young age is described as so passionately beautiful as is the use of the same description for something as negative as Hesters scarlet letter. Pearl is Hesters living, breathing, and inescapable Scarlet letter.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Capital Budgeting Process and Decision

Question: Discuss about the Capital Budgeting Process and Decision. Answer: Introduction For any company, success is determined by capital budgeting decisions. This is one of the decisive factors for the failure or success of a company. Financial managers are tasked with perhaps some of the most important decisions that affect the business (Capital Budgeting Valuation, 2013). However, it is important to note that there are several factors that combine to make decisions in capital budgeting these decisions continue for a number of years, thus, the decision makers or the managers are part of this flexible process. Since capital assets must be used when needed, then this makes opportunity a very important consideration in the capital budget. Capital budgeting process is important because expansion of assets implies very large expenditure. Before a company uses a very large amount of money on a project the managers should ensure that the company has sufficient available funds to finance the entire project. Two examples of capital budget decisions (Donovan, 2006). Capital Budgeting Process and Strategic Decisions Information required within the firm may vary in accordance to the level of organizational structure. Senior executives or CEOs decisions are structured less in the sense that there are no situations that are repetitive and subsequently no single solution can be applied; On the other hand, evaluation and assessment criteria and points of view should be known for each situation where the data is accurate and must come from subjective and external in uncertain and risky environments. Since it is not possible to determine and control all the variables or factors that affect a situation, it is that models are sought to represent reality for their analysis in the hope that those decisions made are satisfactory and not optimal decisions within the context of rationality of who They must make decisions (Kalyebara, Islam, n.d.) . Specific and concrete at each level to the lowest levels. The information required in all these decisions represents the point of departure for carrying out action s that will ultimately affect the performance of the organization Capital Structure of the Company The optimal capital structure is that for which the cost of capital is minimal: if the company is financed with this debt / equity ratio, the market value of the company will be maximum. Optimal financing structure e = Debt / Own Resources in practice is difficult to determine. Generally speaking, financing projects whose economic profitability exceeds the cost of the project itself will increase the shareholder's profitability in that difference (depending on the margin between the investment return and the cost of the debt). : It is necessary to see the project independently of the rest of the projects of the company. This approach, however, considers only the explicit cost of debt, that is to say, the derivative of comparing the revenues and disbursements originated by indebtedness. There are other costs apart from the explicit so that it diminishes the profitability of that project or even that it is negative. But the ability to borrow is not unlimited because if we borrow now, we will have to opt for more expensive debt or own financing in the future (Rasmussen, 2003). Therefore, the debt has an implicit cost: to finance itself today with debt, may mean having to give it up in the future. This is related to the formulation of the capital budget according to which the financing of a project has to be studied within the framework of the general and future situation of the company. That is why we speak of the weighted average cost of capital at the time of comparing with the profitability of a project: the project has to be taken into account as integrated into the company and not in isolation. You have to collect all the debts of the company and find the weighted average cost to match. Capital Budget is a tool used to carry out certain cost planning processes for companies, families, businesses, among others, which would produce certain economic benefits with terms stipulated within a year. The capital budget can also be defined as a valued list of projects which may be feasible for the acquisition of new economic benefits, that is to say, for example, when a company makes a capital investment it incurs the current cash outflow and this Expected future benefits, the benefits usually extend for more than a year (Vogt, 2004). Within the Capital budget we can find the following advantages: It supports the development of the procedure and / or purpose. It promotes interaction, communication and help between the areas of the company. They give common sense when making investment proposals. They serve to evaluate and choose a referential point of view. Within the capital budget we can also find the following disadvantages: It does not recognize the value of money over time. Your money recovery process is much slower than agreed. The way the parameter is set against which the recovery period of each project is compared to arrive at a decision (Shah, 2007).The fact that this method has these disadvantages does not mean that one should avoid its use in any circumstance that requires it, this means that they must be taken into account in order to make the best decision. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the capital budget The budget brings a number of advantages to the organization, being a planning tool. They include; Forces to plan the activities to be carried out in relation to the general plans and objectives. It indicates what should be done, who should do it, where it should be done, what resources should be used, and why it should be done (Hornstein, Yeung, 2005). Controls the use of resources, to have the least possible waste. Assign and formalize responsibilities. Help the coordination and cooperation of the people, so that the objectives of the company harmonize with those of its parts. Devises financial needs early in order to get them timely and on time. Allows control, in order to anticipate future changes and adaptations that may be needed and does not cause trauma. Capital Budget and the Operation of the Company The working capital of a company is what allows it to develop its social object, and of the administration that is made of it, it depends that the company grows at a greater or lesser speed, or in the worst case, that its assets are diminished or it leads to the definitive bankruptcy of the company(Nice, 2002). In such a way that the working capital is the basis on which the operation of a company is supported, which is why the importance of its administration will be exposed in this essay, the decisive and definitive one that can be in a business to manage and Budget correctly. Financial Projection and its Risks Most capital budget studies focus on the problems of calculation, analysis and interpretation of risk. One of the most important tasks in preparing a capital budget is to estimate the future cash flows for a project. The forecasts for these are based on estimates of incremental revenues and costs associated with the project (Hornstein, Yeung, 2005). In each investment proposal it is necessary to provide information on the expected future cash flows after taxes. For example, if a company is considering launching a new product that will compete with existing ones, it is not appropriate to express their cash flows based on their estimated sales. It is necessary to take into account the possible "affectation" of existing products; therefore, the estimation of cash flows should be made based on incremental sales. The key is to analyze the situation with the new investment and without it.The most important are incremental cash flows(Nice, 2002). The "sunk" costs should be omitted, the focus is on incremental costs and benefits; the recovery of past costs is of no importance to the project.. It is also important to note that certain costs do not necessarily mean a disbursement of money; it will be necessary to include the opportunity cost in the valuation of the project. The most important application of the cost of capital is the capital budget, in addition to serving to determine the decision or to buy or lease, for the repayment of bonds and in decisions to use debts or stockholders' equity. It is possible to fully fund a company with equity funds, which must be equal to the required return on the stockholders' equity of the company, and must consider their cost of capital from various sources of long-term funds (preferred shares or debt In the long term) and not only the stockholders' equity of the company.. The weighted average cost of capital is calculated as a compound value, made up of the various types of funds you will use, regardless of the specific financing for a project. Capital components are the type of capital companies use to raise funds (debts, preferred shares and common stockholders' equity), any increase in assets is reflected in any of these capital components. The cost of post-tax debt is the interest rate on new debt and is used to calculate the weighted average cost of capital (Baker, English, 2011). Costs components of debt after tax = interest rate - tax savings (interest is deductible), is used because the value of the shares depends on the cash flows after tax. The component cost of preferred shares is also used to calculate the weighted average cost of capital; it is the rate of return that investors require and is equal to dividing the preferred dividend. References Baker, H., English, P. (2011).Capital Budgeting Valuation(1st ed.). Somerset: Wiley. Bierman, H., Smidt, S. (2007).The capital budgeting decision(1st ed.). New York: Routledge. Blackstone, William, and Edward Christian.Commentaries On The Laws Of England. [Place of publication not identified]: [Nabu Press], 2010. Print. Capital Budgeting Valuation. (2013) (1st ed.). Hoboken, N.J. Donovan, S. (2006).Budgeting(1st ed.). Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Co. Hornstein, A., Yeung, B. (2005).Essays on the corporate capital budgeting decisions of multinational enterprises(1st ed.). Jacobs, Davina F.A Review Of Capital Budgeting Practices. Washington: International Monetary Fund, 2008. Print. Kalyebara, B., Islam, S.Corporate Governance, Capital Markets, and Capital Budgeting(1st ed.). Nice, D. (2002).Public budgeting(1st ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/ Thomson Learning. Rasmussen, N. (2003).Process improvement for effective budgeting and financial reporting(1st ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Shah, A. (2007).Local budgeting(1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: World Bank. Vogt, A. (2004).Capital budgeting and finance(1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: International City/County Management Association.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Mapp Vs. Ohio Essays - Searches And Seizures, Evidence Law

Mapp vs. Ohio The Mapp Vs Ohio Supreme Court Case was a turning point in our nation's history. It changed our legal system by forming the exclusionary rule, which in turn changed the way prosecution of a criminal is performed. On May 23, 1957, three Cleveland police officers arrived at Dolly Mapp's home. They had reason to believe that paraphernalia and a fugitive of a recent bombing had been hiding out there. The officers asked if they could search the home without a search warrant, with the advice of her attorney she refused. Three hours later, four more police officers arrived to the scene. They knocked on the door but Ms. Mapp did not respond immediately. The officers then forcibly entered the home by knocking down the door and windows. Ms. Mapp demanded to see a warrant; but an officer showed her a blank piece of paper that he claimed to be a warrant. An aggravated with the situation, Ms. Mapp took the warrant and wiped her bosom with it. The officers arrested her an account she was "belliger ent" and "rude". While Ms. Mapp was in handcuffs, the police conducted an extremely though search of the house by breaking things and search through private drawers and desk. They found no evidence of a fugitive and of anything bomb related, however they did find some lewd, and lavacious reading materials that were illegal in Ohio. Ms. Mapp was ultimately convicted in the Supreme Court of Ohio on account of her possession of the pornography. The search was illegal according to a previous ruling in Wolf vs. Colorado; but Ms. Mapp appealed claiming it violated due process of law. In a 5-3 vote, Wolf vs. Colorado was overturned and the exclusionary rule of law was developed and determined to be applicable in all courts. In the process, it has greatly effected our legal system, and the way it is run. The justice had very important decision to make; to either protect the rights of the accused or convict criminals at all cost. The court concluded that protecting innocent people's rights i s far more important than convicting criminals. In 1949, the Court ruled in Wolf vs. Colorado, claming that the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment did not incorporate the 9th and 10th amendments. Suggesting that the due process did not protect non-specified rights or was due process permanently defined within the states. Therefore, according to this case, the state of Ohio was completely justified in convicting Ms. Mapp for her possession of pornography. Since privacy and security is not one of our basic, listed rights, due process does not have to apply to protecting these rights. And certainly since due process in not laid out in black and white, Ohio could rule and construct due process in any way they saw fit. The Supreme Court of Ohio did convict Ms. Mapp on her possession of pornography. However, she appealed to the United States Supreme Court in 1961, and the Court saw it necessary to review this issue and see what Wolf needed to be overruled. After reviewing the case, the Court ruled in favor of Ms. Mapp and the exclusionary rule was developed. This rule said that illegally seized evidence could not be used to convict a person in a court of law. The Court came about this reason for two key reasons: it did not coincide with the fourth and fourteenth amendments of the Constitution. Justice Clack made these ideas clear in his opinion when he said "The ignoble shortcut to conviction left open to the state tends to destroy the entire system of constitutional restraints on which the liberties of the people rest. Having once recognized that the right to privacy embodied in the Fourth amendment is enforceable against the States, and that the right to be secured against rude invasions of privacy by state officers, therefore, constitutional in origin, we can no longer permit that right to remain an empty promise. Because it is enforceable in the same manner and to like effects as other basic rights secured by the Due Process Clause , we can no longer permit it to be revocable at the whim of any police officer who, in the

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Strategies To Sell Seoul As A Leisure Destination Tourism Essay Essays

Strategies To Sell Seoul As A Leisure Destination Tourism Essay Essays Strategies To Sell Seoul As A Leisure Destination Tourism Essay Essay Strategies To Sell Seoul As A Leisure Destination Tourism Essay Essay This diploma paper introduces Seoul, the turning market as a leisure finish. The intent of this paper is to happen and propose ways for Seoul to go a popular leisure finish for Europeans. The paper starts with debut to Seoul, analysis of tourers who visit Seoul. Furthermore, this paper provides three ways for Seoul to go a popular leisure finish for Europeans by clear three stairss including increasing consciousness, selling which gives Europeans motive and information, and an betterment on Seoul as a tourer metropolis. Chapter one is an debut to this paper, which gives a general idea approximately Seoul as a leisure finish. In chapter two, there will be a closer expression at Seoul. Get downing from general debut to South Korea, this chapter shows touristry industry in South Korea and a few attractive forces in Seoul which are divided into both traditional and modern points. Chapter three trades specifically with statistics related to visitants of South Korea, concentrating on difference between Asiatic and European visitants. Then, it leads to stepping rock of ways for Seoul to go popular among European leisure-oriented travellers. Chapter four shows the importance of international events in footings of national image and touristry. To construct consciousness and images of South Korea is linked for Europeans to be motivated to believe about sing South Korea. This chapter will explicate this and gives a instance. In chapter five, Hong Kong which is the 1 of the most popular finish in Asia is analyzed to be compared to Seoul. By understanding and larning from the city, Hong Kong, the milepost of following two chapters about selling schemes and development of Seoul will be set up. Chapter six suggests selling schemes to sell Seoul as a leisure finish for Europeans. As selling schemes, the functions of authorities and media will be shown. Chapter seven is about how to better Seoul as a leisure finish. Through SWOT analysis, a few points will be suggested to develop Seoul to pull Europeans. In chapter eight, the last chapter, there is a decision based on all the chapters of why this research is of import and published. Introduction This diploma paper was created to happen and propose ways for Seoul to go a popular leisure finish for Europeans. The capital metropolis of South Korea, Seoul, has many both traditional and modern attractive forces and great potencies to pull Europeans as a metropolis touristry finish. However, it is non every bit much well-known as the absorbing metropoliss in Asia such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. For Europeans, Asia would look to be someplace new and adventuresome. Since they do non cognize and are funny about the continent, their outlooks of what they want to see are slightly oriental. However, some major metropoliss like Tokyo are really westernized, modern but yet have their ain singularity based on traditions and civilization. Furthermore, they would wish to travel to those topographic points and see the existent lives of the state. This is called City Tourism , which means that the metropolis itself has tonss of tourer attractive forces of adjustment, transit, amusement installations, civilization, and nutrient to do people from outside to be motivated to see. Those both sides of attracts encourage Europeans to see oriental, traditional Asiatic parts and see the existent life of city in Asia. In that regard, Seoul has true colourss of South Korea s civilization and tradition behind and yet as a city of more than 10 1000000s of occupants, tourers would be able to see and see how Korean live. In other words, Seoul has the existent appeals of pull Europeans. Then, why Seoul is non yet the popular and concerned finish for Europeans to go? This paper demonstrates the grounds and replies for the inquiry. First ground is that South Korea is still non well-known, particularly for European tourers, which leads to the fact that it is important to increase Europeans consciousness of national images so that they would cognize and be motivated to see South Korea. Besides, there is deficiency of selling schemes for Europeans to be encouraged to go Seoul. Finally, Seoul should be improved more in footings of touristry industry, including cultural touristry, assorted activities and events for tourers, the demands of overcome linguistic communication barriers, and so on. South Korea was non the finish for leisure intents until late of 1980s. After keeping successful Olympics in Seoul, the universe had started looking at the state otherwise, while images of South Korea would hold been hapless and developing state after the Korea War. Furthermore, 2002 World Cup Korea Japan has decidedly helped Korea to go a tourist finish that people talk about. Importance of international events, which will be acquainted subsequently in chapter 5, is one of the major factors for a state to be well-known and better touristry industry. 2. Seoul as a tourer finish Introduction to South Korea Geographically South Korea is located in East Asia, between China and Japan. The Korean peninsula is approximately 1,030 kilometers long and 175 kilometers broad at its narrowest point. The land country is 99,200 sq kilometer, and it has a population of 48.6 million people. From Gojoseon which was the first signifier of state to after Nipponese business, Korean War and division, Korea has more than 5,000 old ages of history. After Korean War and division from North Korea, the Republic of Korea had developed economic system unusually from 1960 to 1980s, which is called Miracle on the Han River . South Korea is a member of the OECD, and is classified as a high-income economic system by the World Bank and an advanced economic system by the IMF and CIA. South Korea is now a member of G-20 and will keep the one-year G-20 meeting in 2010. History of touristry industry in South Korea Along the development of economic system, touristry industry besides has been turning. This figure shows that the figure of people sing Korea from other states rise unusually from 11,109 in the twelvemonth of 1961 to 6,155,047 in 2006. Particularly, between 1980 and 1992, Asia-Pacific part moved from being a minor participant in the international touristry scene to going the fastest-growing and most talked about part of the universe. And one of the fastest-growing markets was South Korea harmonizing to WTO ( World Tourism Organization ) . Figure 1. Visitor Arrivals in South Korea from 1961-2006 Introduction to Seoul Seoul is the capital metropolis of South Korea. With a population of over 10 million, it is one of the universe s largest metropoliss. It is besides the 2nd largest metropolitan country. Seoul is located on the Han River in the centre of the Korean Peninsula. Even though it may non be the centre of South Korea geographically, Seoul is decidedly the centre of economic system, political relations, civilization, and conveyance. Besides, it is known as the hub of East Asia. Not surprisingly, this figure shows that among foreign visitants to South Korea, more than 70 per centum of them visit Seoul. Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Visitors ( % ) 85.0 80.9 78.1 76.8 73.4 Figure 2. Percentage of foreign visitants to Seoul taken from entire population of foreign visitants to Korea Seoul is a really attractive metropolis which has both oriental and modern features. Traditional topographic points such as castles, temples, and traditional house small towns attract people from the West as oriental attractive forces which are unfamiliar and interesting. Besides, Seoul as a modern metropolitan metropolis which shows how westernized Seoul is. Seoul as an oriental finish in Asia Gyeongbokgung ( Gyeongbok Palace ) ( Seoul has been a capital metropolis for about 600 old ages. Therefore, there are a batch of castles, particularly the ancient royal castles of the Joseon Dynasty: Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, and Changgyeonggung. ) Gyeongbokgung is the first castle of the Joseon Dynasty which was built in 1395 and remained the nucleus karyon of bossy regulation through much of Joseon period. It was the castle where the caput of province conducted of import affairs, received foreign minister plenipotentiaries, and assembled his tribunal in royal rites. Coronations besides took topographic point here. ( It is 340,000 M2 ( square metre ) . ) Unusually, the most representative buildings of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond are still comparatively in tact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon ( The Royal Audience Chamber ) represent the past sculpture art which was the tendency back so. The National Palace Museum of Korea is located South of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located east within Hyangwonjeong. Bongeunsa ( Bongeun Temple ) One of the alone facts which attract people from Western states is Korean Buddhism. Bongeunsa is one of merely a few traditional Buddhist temples found in the metropolis. Surprisingly, it is located in the busy, fast-paced portion of the World Trade Center country. It is a pleasant topographic point non merely for Korean to see but besides for travellers to acquire to cognize Korean Buddhism civilization. Temple Stay is what people can see day-to-day lives in a temple and larn Buddhism civilization and liquors. In fact, tonss of visitants stay at that place from few hours to 2 yearss to acquire to cognize Korean Buddhism, alien civilization. Bukchon Hanok Village There are traditional Korean houses remained in Bukhon Hanok Village. Most of houses are abodes, but there are galleries, traditional workshops which sell all right jewelleries, Korean eating houses, and minbak ( Korean traditional Bed A ; Breakfast ) . Insa-dong ( Insa District ) Insa-dong, located in the center of the metropolis, is an of import topographic point where old but cherished and traditional goods are on show. Galleries, traditional eating houses, traditional teashops, and coffeehouses take topographic point the whole country. The stores in Insa-dong are really popular among all age groups, because each one is alone. For immature people particularly, inexpensive but yet traditional and all right goods are sold in carts on the street. There are about 100 galleries in the country which travellers can see every illustration of traditional Korean all right art from pictures to sculptures. Seoul as a modern metropolis N Seoul Tower N Seoul Tower is the landmark of Seoul. It is located on top of Namsan Mountain and is a topographic point where you can acquire all right positions of Seoul. Built in 1969, it was a orbiter tower but opened to the populace in 1980. Besides all right positions, the tower has eating houses, coffeehouse, and stores. Lighting show which takes topographic point every dark is besides attractive for visitants. Myeong-dong ( Myeong District ) Myeong-dong is a monolithic shopping territory where has all sorts of trade name name stores and section shops are clustered along the streets and back streets. Myeong-dong besides has household eating houses, fast nutrient, and Korean, Western and Nipponese nutrient. Hangang ( Han River ) and Cheonggyecheon ( Cheonggye Stream ) A topographic point of relaxation and convenient waterway transit, the Hangang River is the centre of Seoul s urban reclamation. Visitors come to the Bankss of the Hangang for leisure and diversion, an urban reprieve from the feverish gait of mundane life. Cheonggye Stream had been the biggest sweeping market in Seoul for more than 40 old ages after the Korean War. However, after redevelopment building in 2003, it is now a beautiful tourer attractive force and a leisure topographic point for Koreans. Beautiful 22 Bridgess are decorated with 9,000 visible radiations and 1,500,000 workss. Its length is 5.84 kilometre and 12.04 kilometre of walking waies are available. Particularly, during December, the light show installed in the Cheonggye square which is the terminal of the watercourse is stupefying. COEX The COEX ( Convention and Exhibition ) constructing serves as the World Trade Center Seoul that includes a convention centre, exhibition hall, and promenade. It is a topographic point for international conferences and cultural and arts events. It has successfully held the 3rd ASEM, the Baronial Peace Prize, OECD international workshop, and many other international conferences. It has more than 200 exhibitions and over 2,000 international conferences and events yearly. The COEX promenade which is an belowground shopping promenade is the largest shopping centre in Seoul. Besides, it constitutes many other leisure topographic points such as Aquarium, Megabox Movie Theater, Kimchi field museum, event tribunal, and nutrient tribunal. Particularly, Aquarium has more than 40,000 fish of 600 species and tonss of big sharks. Furthermore, two concatenation hotels are connected to the topographic point. Hongdae country Hongdae stands for Hongik University but besides around the university, the country is for night life, assorted activities, and art public presentation. A batch of childs in Seoul spend their free clip clubbing, shopping and basking gigs in this country. Particularly, the last Friday of each month in Hongdae is Club Day , a wristband-powered event which allows entry to more than a twelve major nines for the monetary value of one. Itaewon Itaewon territory is a topographic point where assorted foreign civilizations gather. Located between the southern inclines of Mountain Namsan and the Han River It started in the early twentieth century, when it was a residential territory for Nipponese colonialists. Foreign communities form in the topographic point, hence many eating houses functioning international dishes are found in this country including culinary art from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, and Mexico, nutrients that are non widely available in Korea. 3. Analysis of tourers sing Seoul This chapter acquaints with analysis of tourers sing Seoul, South Korea. Based on the International Visitor Survey 2008 which was published by KTO ( Korea Tourism Organization ) , this chapter will find features of visitants to South Korea, grounds why Asians travel South Korea more than Europeans do, which leads to differences between Eastern and Western tourers to South Korea. Besides, this chapter includes cardinal points which lead to reply the inquiry ; how Seoul can pull Europeans. It is of import to advert that most of statistics and studies used in this chapter are based on South Korea, non Seoul. However, since more than 70 per centum of visitants to South Korea travel Seoul, those figures are clearly explained to calculate out about Seoul. 3.1. Statisticss of visitants to South Korea First of wholly, the figure is provided to demo you per centum of visitants to South Korea in 2008. In 2008, the entire figure of visitants to South Korea was 6,890,841. 72.7 per centum of visitants which means that 5,018,219A were from Asiatic states such as Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. The 2nd largest proportion of the pie was people from Americas. The figure of Europeans who visited South Korea in 2008 is 592,303, which is 8.6 per centum. 1.9 per centum of visitants were from Oceania and 1.1 per centum of visitants to South Korea were from Middle East such as Turkey. The smallest per centum, 0.4 per centum of visitants was Africans in 2008. Figure 3. Percentage of visitants to South Korea The pie shows that visitants are chiefly from Asia. To bespeak this fact more evidently, the chart below is provided to see from which states are the most visitants to South Korea. Clearly, the monolithic Numberss of visitants are from near states to South Korea such as Japan and China while merely Russia is included this chart. Top 10 states going South Korea ( 2008 ) Rank State 1 Japan 2 China 3 United States 4 Taiwan 5 Philippines 6 Siam 7 Hong Kong 8 Russia ( Federation ) 9 Canada 10 Australia Figure 4. Top 10 states going South Korea ( 2008 ) 3.2. Reasons why Asiatic travel South Korea more than Europeans Since more than 70 per centum of travellers to South Korea are Asians, it is critical to happen ways to pull Europeans by comparing with Asians, particularly Nipponese and Chinese who visit South Korea the most. Therefore, this sup-chapter will show grounds why Asiatic travel South Korea. There are several grounds why Asians travel South Korea more than Europeans such as geographical locations, more handiness, Asians cognizing South Korea and its civilization well, and the Korean Wave . 3.2.1. Geographic grounds First of wholly, Asiatic states particularly Japan and China are close to South Korea than other states so that it is easier and cheaper for people from those states to see South Korea. It takes an hr to see Seoul from Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing by aeroplanes. For them, it might be even nearer to go Seoul instead than other metropoliss in their ain states and it is still other state which motivates them to go for leisure intent. Because of geographical factor, there is more handiness for Nipponese and Chinese to see Seoul. While about people from other states visit South Korea by aeroplanes, some of Nipponese and Chinese travel South Korea by ships. As an illustration of comparing, there are about 30 flights in one twenty-four hours from Seoul to Tokyo, 26 flights from Seoul to Beijing, while merely 5 flights in one twenty-four hours from Seoul to Paris. 3.2.2. Cultural grounds Since China, Japan, and Korea are located all in Northeast Asia, they have some common and similar civilizations behind them even though they all are separately alone. Therefore, tourers from China and Japan to South Korea experience more comfy about going South Korea because they know the state. Furthermore, they have more cognition and experience about South Korea from instruction, media, and so on. 3.2.3. The Korean moving ridge The Korean moving ridge refers to the significantly increased popularity of South Korean civilization around the universe since the twenty-first century. The term was coined in China in mid-1999 by Beijing journalists surprised by the fast turning popularity of South Koreans and South Korean goods in China. Globalization has had an impact on pop civilization to be opened to foreign states for last decennary. Particularly, Korean TV play are truly popular among Asiatic states through the whole coevalss. As an illustration, Japan is the 1 of the states influenced by Korean dad civilization popularities, which leads to increase of Nipponese travellers to South Korea. NHK, Japan s public broadcaster introduced Winter Sonata as the first South Korean Television play shown on its satellite channel in 2003. The Television play created many syndromes about itself and because of its explosive popularity, Winter Sonata was aired twice in the same twelvemonth and NHK published novels based on the screenplay and plan guidebooks, every bit good as to bring forth DVDs, CDs and picture for both amusement and for learning Korean. Meanwhile, travel bureaus offer tour bundles that highlight hiting locations of Winter Sonata and rare minutes to run into the stars. The economic effects of Winter Sonata in South Korea have tremendously benefited non merely the amusement but touristry industries, every bit good. As a consequence from Korean Wave, Nipponese visitants accounted for 41.6 % of 1.99 million visitants to South Korea in 2004. 3.3. Differences between Asiatic and European visitants There are chiefly two obvious differences between Asiatic and European travellers ; intents of their visits and topographic points that they visited. This subchapter will bespeak the footing to find ways to convey more Europeans to see Seoul. 3.3.1. Purpose of visit By and large talking, the per centums of business-oriented visitants and leisure-oriented travellers to South Korea are similar in 2008 harmonizing to the pie given below. Those two constitute more than 80 per centum. However, people who visited for business/professional activities are somewhat more than people who came to South Korea for leisure/entertainment/vacation grounds. Figure 5. Purpose of visit ( 2008 ) Harmonizing to the chart below which shows the nationality and intent of visit, there is a important difference between Asiatic and European travellers. Asians, particularly Japan and Taiwan, tend to see South Korea with leisure intent, while there are more Europeans who came for concern or professional activities than those who came for leisure intent. The difference between concern and leisure intents is more than six times among Europeans. The Number of Case Business/Professional activities ( % ) Leisure/Entertainment/Vacation ( % ) Friends/Family visit ( % ) Entire 11,978 42.0 40.4 11.5 Japan 4,318 25.6 63.2 8.9 China 2,128 39.2 37.1 13.1 United States 1,108 57.3 12.2 23.9 Taiwan 587 29.3 62.9 4.5 Russia ( Fed. ) 249 68.5 10.6 10.8 Canada 190 50.8 15.8 28.5 Australia 175 50.6 25.0 11.9 Germany 165 76.9 8.7 9.8 England 159 76.0 8.3 10.9 Figure 6. Comparison of intent of visit ( 2008 ) 3.3.2. Attractions in Seoul There are two statistics about popular attractive forces in Seoul given. Harmonizing to the first chart, the most visited topographic point with 52.8 per centum is Myeong-dong where has assorted shopping topographic points and eating houses. The 2nd and 3rd most visited attractive forces are both market but yet have different features. Dongdaemun market is besides celebrated topographic point for shopping different points, largely dressing. Travelers who visit Namdaemun market discover this topographic point really interesting. Because everything from inexpensive electronic merchandises to veggies, live fishes supposed to be cut and sold right off shows the existent expressions of Koreans. Besides, they could happen some traditional goods in inexpensive monetary values. 43.7 per centum of replies to the study dedicates to ancient castles. Other topographic points from Insa-dong where keeps traditional expressions on the whole territory to N Seoul Tower, the landmark of Seoul and Lott e World, the largest amusement park are visited by international visitants. Figure 7. Topographic points Visited in Seoul However, a clear difference of the most visited topographic point between Asians and Europeans is determined. For Asians, the most visited topographic points are Myeong-dong and Dongdaemun market, which shows that they liked to travel shopping in Seoul. Meanwhile, ancient castles attract Europeans including English, Germen, French, and Russians harmonizing to the study. State Japan China Taiwan England Germany France Soviet union The most visited topographic point Myeong-dong Dongdaemun market Dongdaemun market Ancient castles Ancient castles Ancient castles Ancient castles Percentage 74.9 % 63.9 % 82.5 % 49.2 % 56.8 % 63.6 % 52.9 % Figure 8. The most visited topographic point 3.4. Decision Based on figures analyzed in this chapter, three chief decisions are determined in order to sell Seoul as a celebrated and popular finish for Europeans. First of all, Europeans consciousness of Korea should be increased so that they are motivated to go. Second, non merely to increase Europeans consciousness but besides to advance touristry industry, the authorities should make more selling and advertisement through assorted and effectual ways. At last but non least, Seoul itself should go a more attractive and comfy tourer finish. And that needs several factors like continuing traditional attractive forces, work outing linguistic communication barriers. From following chapter, this paper will to the full concentrate on those three points. 4. International events for national image and touristry This chapter focuses on national images and their impacts on touristry as the first measure to convey more Europeans into sing Seoul. The ground why this chapter is the first means is that raising their consciousness is created by raising well-known, attractive and positive national images. At first, definition and importance of national images will be introduced, and so this chapter will cover with international events, which help efficaciously a locale to be known. To keep international events such as Olympic Games, Football World Cup, and exhibitions are important for a metropolis or state to raise its images, which finally make tourers motivated and attracted to see before, during, and after the event. At the terminal of this chapter, there will be a instance survey about 2002 World Cup Korea Japan to show it. 4.1. National images Since the progress of globalization, national image and repute have become more critical assets in the modern universe. In order to construct national images, authoritiess try to develop those under the name of national branding as a selling technique. The reputes of states are similar to the trade name images of companies and merchandises. The American Marketing Association ( AMA ) defines a trade name as a name, term, mark, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to place the goods and services of one marketer or group of Sellerss and to distinguish them from those of other Sellerss. The trade name resides within the Black Marias and heads of clients, clients, and chances. It is the sum sum of their experiences and perceptual experiences, some of which you can act upon, and some that you can non. To win in branding you must understand the demands and wants of your clients and chances. Likewise, a state needs to construct its ain images in order to understand and pull mark audiences including foreign tourers. Every state has its ain features, besides referred as trade name images. As mentioned above, some national images built in mark audiences can non be influenced by the authorities s attempts. Because those images are formed by personal experience, the media, and so on. However, the authorities could better and make positive and attractive national images to do possible tourers consider sing the metropolis or state by national stigmatization. Images about touristry tend to last until the world. Charming images promote roll uping information and activity to seek to see the finish. Formed images become outlooks about the finish. Expectations have impacts on ratings. Influence on images depends on the grade of cognition and experience of the finish. Figure 9. Seoho Uhm 1998, The survey about mensurating finish images The survey of touristry The figure above was published by a Korean expert from the institute of touristry in University of Kyonggi. It shows that images of finish are built non merely by existent properties of the finish but by possible tourers and their desires of travel activities. 4.2. Impact of international events on touristry

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Subsidies in the EU and the WTO. An assessment of evolution and impact Essay

Subsidies in the EU and the WTO. An assessment of evolution and impact - Essay Example Subsidy includes furnishing goods and services but without including the general infrastructure. Again acquiring products from a variety of firms at an advanced price than what would be paid in the market is also a significant part of subsidy. (Schaffer, Agusti and Earle, 2008, p. 374) Subsidy reform has been taken the form of gradual progression in making provisions for vessel decommissioning, transition support, environmental projects and a phase out of the most direct form of capacity enhancing subsidies. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2007, p. 123) In case of a perfectly competitive market where resources are allocated inefficiently, providing a subsidy can lower the welfare. At times provision of subsidies are taken as a measured step toward a protected trade as providing subsidies may sometime increase the cost of exports. However if returns to scale, imperfect market, public goods etc are considered, there can be some justification for the subsidies. (Gower, Thomson, 2002, p. 147) Economists have found out a number of ways by which governments can use subsidies to provide help to the national firms to earn benefits in case of imperfect information. The easiest way for providing such type of benefit is through the subsidies in export markets. Because of predatory price, subsidized producers can reap a benefit of monopoly price. However there has been criticism on this ground that little empirical evidence can be provided in support of any government-financed pricing occurring to any significant level. (Sykes, 1989, p. 203) T he idea of subsidy undertook for the first case during the Uruguay Round and the definition of subsidy following the WTO law is very much motivated by the explanation of the US law. It explains subsidy mainly as a monetary contribution, by a government or any other civic body within the country of an affiliate. These kinds of aid can arise from a straight transfer of funds, as of