‘Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival of American...

‘Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community’ by Robert Putnam In his book, ‘Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community’, Robert Putnam discusses ways in which Americans have disengaged from political involvement and civil organisations. Much of his reasoned writing is corroborated by a collation of graphs and figures to explain the quality of American community. In this essay I shall evaluate the proof offered by Putnam to support his claim that community is in a decline in the U.S. To do this I must first provide a working definition of ‘community,’ a term with wide implications and varied definitions depending on the context of its usage. Putnam uses it†¦show more content†¦Census Bureau (Associated Press, 1991). Otherwise known as suburbanisation or urban sprawl, Putnam is critical of this trend and goes so far as to call it ‘deadly for a community’ (Putnam, 2003). He argues that as people live further from their place of work they spend more and more time commuting betwee n the two, thus reducing the time they have to develop relationships and community ties at either end and creating a conflict of allegiance where it is unclear where you should be basing your community. IT and transportation developments have habitually been seen to lift people out of their reliance on local community and can further differentiate home life and work life from each other and from the wider community. Wirth predicted the major problems and dissatisfactions of people living in suburbs in the 1930s, arguing that they were becoming depersonalized, isolated and alienating, the lack of distance between people leading to a ‘melting-pot’ effect whereby primary relationships are broken down (Wirth, 1964). These ideas were taken up by Whyte who believed the suburbs attracted a particular type of person, a white-collar worker who transformed the suburb into the home of the alienated man. However, it could be argued that issues regarding a person’s place of residence remain at the heart of the population’s concerns,Show MoreRelatedThe Collapse And Revival Of American Community By Robert Putnam1382 Words   |  6 Pages In his famous book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Robert Putnam charted the decline in social capital and social institutions since the 1950s while arguing that a vibrant and successful democracy ultimately requires significant engagement from a wide segment of its population. This argument was something that even concerned Tocqueville (2006) regarding the American Experiment. Tocqueville marveled in the strengths of organizations such as the church in America. HoweverRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book David Garland 1513 Words   |  7 Pagesout; but if the heat is turned up gradually, it sits there without noticing until it boils to death. In our case - our in the book refers to Britain and the United Stat es - most of us have failed to notice a quite rapid turning-up of the heat. Americans, Garland observes, now seem accustomed to living in a country that executes an average of more than two people per week and has a prison population of more than 2 million. Britons, with extraordinarily little protest, have adjusted to living withRead MoreThe Internet s Impact On Social Capital1375 Words   |  6 Pagesdefinition of social capital must be clarified. Former president of the American Political Science Association, Robert Putnam explains in his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community that â€Å"social capital refers to connections among individuals† and the mutual benefits that arise from these connections- a society with remunerative or moral â€Å"isolated individuals is not necessarily rich in social capital† (Putnam 18). To assess the Internet’s impact on social capital the ways ofRead MoreSocial Capital Essay3082 Words   |  13 PagesSocial Capital Social capital has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, driven in large part by the work of James Coleman, Pierre Bourdieu, and Robert Putaman. This increased attention for social capital is evident among several research topics, conference papers, dissertations, and educational journals. 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However the effectiveness of democracy is being threatened by increasing inequality in the United States. â€Å"The dominant view holds that economic development and modernization are the key to the continued growth of democracy† (Snider and Faris 2001; United Nations, 2011). In the last decade especially the American Society has had significant moments of increasingRead MoreWhat Is Entertainment?7217 Words   |  29 Pagesâ€Å"republic of entertainment† (11). Many Americans seem to feel entitled to high-quality entertainment (Zillmann and Vorderer viii), and more and more entertainment jostles for their attention (Wolf 46). Zillmann goes so far as to predict that entertainment â€Å"will define, more than ever before, the civilizations to come† (â€Å"Coming of Media Entertainment† 18). The importance of entertainment can be gauged by a study conducted by Brock and Livingston (259). They asked 115 American undergraduates how much moneyRead MoreFactors Affecting Good Governance in Pakistan5795 Words   |  24 Pagesassociations enhance the capacity of people to work together. By helping residents to overcome combined action problems, trust and membership in voluntary associations are recognized as important factors in building the basis for responsive governance (Putnam 1993, 2000). World Bank has described the concept of good governance in various dimensions such as rule of law, government effectiveness, regulatory quality and control of corruption. These dimensions cover the whole society and economic sectors ofRead MoreFactors Influence Consumer Adoption Of Dropbox5973 Words   |  24 Pagessame time frame, as the sharing economy continues its stunning rise. These key sectors – peer-to-peer finance, online staffing, peer-to-peer accommodation, car sharing and music/video streaming – are continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Economist Robert Vaughn believe that the economy is showing no sign of slowing down. Vaughn explains, â€Å"the sharing economy is a result of a long term megatrends colliding together, driven mainly by advances in technology, resources scarcity and social change. OverRead MoreDissertation-Viral Marketing27075 Words   |  109 Pages ï‚ § The vast majority of developing world yet to adopt smart phones (India hasn’t even start deploying 3G infrastructure yet) ï‚ § New business and revenue models are continuously emerging (Mobile Ad market was worth $877 million in the US alone and is predicted to rise to $3bn by 2013 (Kim 2010) ) ï‚ § The smart phone penetration is growing rapidly (Alarcon 2009) (Blandford 2010) This change is happening at a fast pace (Perez 2010) and there is little written about the particular challenges

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - 916 Words

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left a legacy behind like no man before him; his presence was one that completely reshaped the nation. Through his role in the advancement of civil rights by utilizing non-violent methods, he was able to break down the racial barriers built by prejudice and discrimination. Many of his ideals and principles are timeless. His widespread vision is still applied to resolve many issues in today’s society. The six principals of nonviolence from Dr. King are great tools to resolve many problems like racism, an unequal justice system and a huge financial gap that minorities experience. There is no simple approach to create a world in which men and women of all distinctive races and backgrounds can live together equally in harmony because of their various viewpoints. If such a world is created in our lifetime, it must be accomplished through nonviolence which fabricates companionship and comprehension. It will be accomplished by persons who have the courage to put an end to suffering by willingly suffering themselves rather than inflict suffering upon others. Prejudice and discrimination can only be solved by dismissing the racism, materialism and brutality that has characterized Western civilization progress. By removing these restraints, society can begin to move in a positive direction of a universe of fellowship, collaboration and peace. The criminal justice system creates and supports a racial hierarchy in the United States, and has done suchShow MoreRelatedDr. Martin Luther King Jr.658 Words   |  3 PagesIndividual Project Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired myself along with many other nationalities all over the world in so many ways. He was a very courageous and intelligent man who fought so hard for the blacks or African-Americans like myself to have equal rights like the whites or Caucasian people. Just as other civil rights leaders such as Rosa Parks, Dr. King felt that it just wasn’t fair that the black people was segregatedRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay871 Words   |  4 Pages Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was born in Atlanta Georgia on January 15, 1929. His parents were Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his siblings were guided by the spiritual teachings from their father and attended public schools in Atlanta during their childhood. King and his nine siblings grew up in a financially secure middle class family. They received a better education than the average child of their race, King noticed this and it influencedRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is unarguably the most famous civil rights900 Words   |  4 Pages Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is unarguably the most famous civil rights activist in American history. His story and legacy is taught in classrooms across the country. From birth to death, Dr. King impacted the lives of many people and changed the roles of society forever. Dr. King had one big dream and what shaped his dream begins in Atlanta,, Georgia, and ends in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born into a loving and caring family on January 15, 1929 inRead More Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay2605 Words   |  11 Pages Martin Luther King Jr. King, Martin Luther, Jr. (1929-1968), American clergyman and Nobel Prize winner, one of the principal leaders of the American civil rights movement and a prominent advocate of nonviolent protest. Kingamp;#8217;s challenges to segregation and racial discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s helped convince many white Americans to support the cause of civil rights in the United States. After his assassination in 1968, King became a symbol of protest in the struggle for racialRead MoreEssay on Leadership Skills of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.823 Words   |  4 PagesDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Abstract This paper will analyze and study the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and how leadership skills helped him in accomplishing his goals. The characteristics that made Dr. King a great leader will also be addressed. By studying great leaders, insight can be gained into what qualities they possess. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vital figure of the modern era. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked theRead MoreMy Hero: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay542 Words   |  3 Pagesall portray some kind of heroic abilities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one the most heroic figures of our time. According to Joseph Campbells characteristics Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has a characteristic of a hero such as, a hero is usually someone from whom something has been taken or who feels theres something lacking in the normal experience available, or permitted, to members of his society. (The Power of Myth, 1998) Dr. Martin Luther King was a man who yearned for dignity and respectRead More The Rhetoric of Pathos in the Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.1141 Words   |  5 PagesThe Rhetoric of Pathos in the Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have a dream, says Dr. Samuel Proctor, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University. All the little children--you hear everywhere you go: I have a dream. All the little children repeating that speech. Its become like the Star Spangled Banner or the Pledge of Allegiance. Its entered our culture. And so it has: I have a dream has become one of the most memorable phrases of the twentieth centuryRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s Fight Essay1059 Words   |  5 PagesDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s Fight Throughout history there have been times when citizens have had the need, as well as the responsibility, to violate certain societal rules/laws in order to protest against unjust treatment and bring about social or political change. It began as early as Socrates, who disobeyed an unjust decree against teaching his ideas, which led to his being condemned to death; Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against British rule over India; and Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seatRead MoreEssay about Biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.4067 Words   |  17 PagesBiography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968 Nationality: American Occupation: civil rights leader Occupation: minister (religion) Michael King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in the Atlanta home of his maternal grandfather, Adam Daniel Williams (1863 — 1931). He was the second child and the first son of Michael King Sr. (1897 — 1984) and Alberta Christine Williams King (1903 — 1974). Michael Jr. had an older sister, Willie Christine (b. 1927), and a youngerRead MoreEssay on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and The Civil Rights Movement2125 Words   |  9 PagesMartin Luther King jr. was one of the most influential persons of the 20th Century. He is the father of the modern civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom as well as peace. King practiced everything that he preached, he did not preach or speak values that he himself did not follow. He established himself as a pastor that was not afraid of hard work, guiding the middle-class congregation to public service. For example, Peake, Thomas

Behavioral Intervention Technologies Method †Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Behavioral Intervention Technologies Method. Answer: Introduction: Technology has opened great opportunities for person with mental health (Klock, 2015).. With technology, the life of persons with such conditions has been improved due to the ease of acces to services and other social amenities. Innovation has opened boundless psychological wellness support and information gathering. Cell phones like mobile phones, cell phones, and tablets are giving general society, specialists, and analysts better approaches to get to help, screen advance, and increment comprehension of mental prosperity. Versatile psychological well-being backing can be extremely basic however compelling. For instance, anybody with the capacity to send an instant message can contact an emergency focus. New innovation can likewise be bundled into a to a great degree complex application for cell phones or tablets. Such applications may utilize the gadget's inherent sensors to gather data on a client's ordinary conduct designs. In the event that the application identifies an adjustment in conduct, it might give a flag that help is required before an emergency happens. Some applications are remain solitary projects that guarantee to enhance memory or deduction abilities. Others help the client associate with a companion guide or to a social insurance proficient (Boydell, et al 2014). Fervor about the colossal scope of chances has prompted a blasted of application advancement. There are a large number of emotional wellness applications accessible in iTunes and Android application stores, and the number is developing each year. In any case, this new innovation boondocks incorporates a considerable measure of vulnerability. There is next to no industry control and almost no data on application viability, which can lead buyers to ponder which applications they ought to trust. Imaginative research and building groups are consolidating their aptitudes to address an extensive variety of psychological and mental well-being concerns. Some well known ranges of application improvement include: Self-Management Apps."Self-management" implies that the client places data into the application so that the application can give criticism. For instance, the client may set up drug updates, or utilize the application to create devices for overseeing stress, tension, or rest issues. Some product can utilize extra hardware to track heart rate, breathing examples, pulse, and so on and may help the client track advance and get input. Applications for Improving thinking skills and ability training have been introduced. Applications that help the client with psychological remediation are promising. These applications are frequently focused toward individuals with genuine emotional sicknesses. Ability preparing applications may feel more like diversions than other psychological wellness applications as they help clients learn new adapting or thinking aptitudes. The client may watch an instructive video about tension administration or the significance of social support. Next, the client may pick some new procedures to attempt and afterward utilize the application to track how regularly those new aptitudes are honed. Andersson and Titov (2014) discuss the improvement of disease Management, Supported Care has also been enhanced through technology. This kind of application innovation includes extra support by enabling the client to connect with another individual. The application may help the client interface with associate support or may send data to a prepared medicinal services supplier who can offer direction and treatment alternatives. Analysts are attempting to figure out how much human cooperation individuals requirement for application based medications to be viable. Vieta, (2013) latent Symptom Tracking technology has also been advanced. A great deal of exertion is going into creating applications that can gather information utilizing the sensors incorporated with cell phones. These sensors can record development designs, social collaborations, conduct at various circumstances of the day, vocal tone and speed, and the sky is the limit from there. Later on, applications might have the capacity to break down this information to decide the client's continuous perspective. Such applications might have the capacity to perceive changes in conduct designs that flag a temperament scene, for example, lunacy, dejection, or psychosis before it happens. An application may not supplant a psychological wellness proficient, but rather it might have the capacity to ready parental figures when a customer needs extra consideration. The objective is to make applications that bolster a scope of clients, incorporating those with genuine emotional instabilities. According to Moock, (2014) information Collection technological advancement has also been addressed. Information accumulation applications can assemble information with no assistance from the client. Accepting data from countless in the meantime can expand specialists' comprehension of emotional wellness and help them grow better intercessions. Factors considered in technological advancements Viability is one of the major concerns that need to be addressed when one is choosing a technology that helps mental health clients. The greatest worry with mechanical intercessions is acquiring logical proof that they work and that they fill in and also customary techniques. The assurance that the technology will work is a factor that motivates individuals and firms to invest on acquisition of the favorable technology. The applicability of the technology to almost all people is another concern that needs to be considered in choosing the applicable technology. Understanding whether the applications work for all individuals and for all psychological well-being conditions is important consideration in order to ensure that technology that can serve the highest target is realized. Assurance that the machinery will work and improve the conditions also needs to be questioned. There are no expansive guidelines to help purchasers know whether an application or other portable innovation is demonstrated successful. The warranty that the technology will guarantee is important in the planning of future projects, maintenance and routine practices. This may be seen to be in line with the security of the information and machinery in terms of sufficient record keeping and how they ensure the privacy of patients information as the government recommends. Apps manage extremely touchy individual data so application producers should have the capacity to ensure protection for application clients. Wexler, (2013) explains that availability of human resources to run handles the technology. The question of whether there are enough skilled personnel to operate and run the machinery is also very crucial in determining the kind of technology to adopt: The subject of who will or ought to control emotional well-being innovation and the information it produces should be replied. Lastly, the marketing ability of the technology also needs to be addressed. There is some worry that if an application or program guarantees more than it conveys, shoppers may move in the opposite direction of other, more powerful treatments. The Pros and Cons of Mental Health Apps Miller, et al (2016) technology for mental health patients has enabled the clients to enjoy comfort. Treatment can occur at whatever time and anyplace e.g., at home amidst the night or on a transport while in transit to work and might be perfect for the individuals who experience difficulty with in-person arrangements. Obscurity is another major advantage of the mental health technology. Clients can look for treatment alternatives without including other individuals. According to Kramer, Kinn, and Mishkind, (2015) another major advantage is a clear introduction to better care. Technology might be a decent initial step for the individuals who have maintained a strategic distance from emotional well-being consideration before. Cost reduction is another major advantage in the introduction of technology to mental health care. Despite the fact that technology may require too much capital to purchase and install, it still works to serve some expenditure and ends up being cost effective. Some applications are free or cost not as much as conventional care. Advancement in technology has helped to reach out to more people in terms of geographical locations and in terms of the number of people that technology is able to serve. Technology can help emotional wellness suppliers offer treatment to individuals in remote ranges or to many individuals in times of sudden need for instance, taking after a catastrophic event or fear assault. Technology is able to reach out to individuals in remote areas where transport and communication barriers are most eminent. Technology has helped to address issues of consistency and sustenance. Technology can offer a similar treatment program to all clients. This ensures minimal defects and malfunctions that may be caused by healthcare workers. Technology can supplement conventional treatment by augmenting an in-person session, strengthening new abilities, and offering help and checking. This new time of psychological wellness innovation offers extraordinary open doors additionally raises various concerns. Handling potential issues will be a vital piece of ensuring new applications give benefits without bringing on mischief. Some of the disadvantages that may be associated with these technological advancements include issues like the cost of buying and maintenance of these advanced technologies. The technology may raise the need to employ or train new workers which also raises financial constraints. Technology may also need power to run and it may not be easily mobile. In some remote areas it might be completely useless especially that which relies largely on internet access. In conclusion, it is necessary to note that mental health technology is necessary in the treatment of these disorders. Improvement in practices and methods of treating the mental disorders is necessary in ensuring complete control and elimination of these disorders. References Andersson, G., Titov, N. (2014). Advantages and limitations of Internet?based interventions for common mental disorders.World Psychiatry,13(1), 4-11. Boydell, K. M., Pignatiello, A. (2015). Special Series on the Use of Technology in the Delivery of Child and Youth Mental Health Services and Supports.Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry= Journal de l'Academie canadienne de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent,25(2), 68-68. Boydell, K. M., Hodgins, M., Pignatiello, A., Teshima, J., Edwards, H., Willis, D. (2014). Using technology to deliver mental health services to children and youth: a scoping review.Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry,23(2). Glick, G., Druss, B., Pina, J., Lally, C., Conde, M. (2016). Use of mobile technology in a community mental health setting.Journal of telemedicine and telecare,22(7), 430-435. Klock, S. C. (2015). When treatment appears futile: the role of the mental health professional and end-of-treatment counseling.Fertility and sterility,104(2), 267-270. Kramer, G. M., Kinn, J. T., Mishkind, M. C. (2015). Legal, regulatory, and risk management issues in the use of technology to deliver mental health care.Cognitive and Behavioral Practice,22(3), 258-268. Miller, C. J., McInnes, D. K., Stolzmann, K., Bauer, M. S. (2016). Interest in use of technology for healthcare among veterans receiving treatment for mental health.Telemedicine and e-Health,22(10), 847-854. Mohr, D. C., Burns, M. N., Schueller, S. M., Clarke, G., Klinkman, M. (2013). Behavioral intervention technologies: evidence review and recommendations for future research in mental health.General hospital psychiatry,35(4), 332-338. Moock, J. (2014). Support from the Internet for individuals with mental disorders: advantages and disadvantages of e-mental health service delivery.Frontiers in public health,2. Musiat, P., Goldstone, P., Tarrier, N. (2014). Understanding the acceptability of e-mental health-attitudes and expectations towards computerised self-help treatments for mental health problems.BMC psychiatry,14(1), 109. Vieta, E. (2013). Pros and cons of specialised care in bipolar disorder: an international perspective. Wexler, D. B. (2013).Mental health law: Major issues(Vol. 4). Springer Science Business Media.

Smart Netphone Case Study free essay sample

Case study: Smart’s Netphone  © VisionMobile 2011 1 Case study: Smart’s Netphone About VisionMobile VisionMobile is an industry analysis and strategy firm. We offer research reports, executive workshops and strategy at the crossroads of telecoms innovation and software economics. VisionMobile Ltd. 90 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9RZ +44 845 003 8742 www. visionmobile. com/blog Follow us: @visionmobile About the sponsor This case study is sponsored by Red Bend Software, a key partner behind the launch of the Smart Netphone. VisionMobile has retained full editorial control of this study. License Copyright  © VisionMobile 2011. All rights reserved. Feedback? For comments, feedback and more information: [emailprotected] com Disclaimer VisionMobile believes the statements contained in this publication to be based upon information that we consider reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of the date appearing on this publication only and the information, including the opinions contained herein, are subject to change without notice. We will write a custom essay sample on Smart Netphone Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Use of this publication by any third party for whatever purpose should not and does not absolve such third party from using due diligence in verifying the publication’s contents. VisionMobile disclaims all implied warranties, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. VisionMobile, its affiliates and representatives shall have no liability for any direct, incidental, special, or consequential damages or lost profits, if any, suffered by any third party as a result of decisions made, or not made, or actions taken, or not taken, based on this publication. Also by VisionMobile Mobile Industry Atlas | 4th Edition The complete map of the mobile industry landscape, mapping 1,350+ companies across 85+ market sectors. Available in wallchart and PDF format. www. visionmobile. com/maps Contents Key takeaways The Smart Netphone Behind the scenes: the making of Netphone Building on WAC technology Short tail strategy The agile telco: What other operators can learn from Smart 3 4 5 7 8 8  © VisionMobile 2011 2 Case study: Smart’s Netphone Key takeaways Smart Communications operates in a 99% pre-paid market with average revenues per user (ARPU) of only $4. Yet, it offers one of the most sophisticated service portfolios across most global operators. Offered services include mobile payments, streaming TV and a maps service. The Netphone is a bold attempt by Smart to bring smart devices and services to the mass market. The initial Netphone device is a rebranded, revamped ZTE Blade projected to launch in July, 2011, priced at an expected 120 -$140. From 2012, the Netphone will expand to feature phones at lower price points. The Netphone features a range of operator-developed apps, including prepaid balance check, unified chat, sender-pays email, connected address book, global directory, social radio, and Smart Money. The phone also comes bundled with applications from local service brands with whom Smart has established revenue share agreements for Netphone-initiated transactions. The Netphone represents a major effort for the operator, involving an internal team of 300 staff, plus tens of business partners across six countries. It aims to increase service usage in the mass market, and generate additional revenues by enabling partner transactions, such as shopping and food ordering. The Netphone uses a software update technology that can update the platform and applications continually over the air. Such updates allow the operator and its business partners to extend service reach and reduce development costs. The differential update technology reduces network bandwidth usage during updates. When it ships in July, the Netphone is expected to be the first phone that builds on the WAC (Wholesale Applications Community) specifications. On top of the WAC runtime, Smart has added its own Looking Glass technology for advanced device and network integration. In developing the Netphone, Smart has used an ‘agile’ development process. Rather than following the traditional RFI/RFQ ‘waterfall’ software procurement process, Smart has established joint operational and RD teams with its suppliers . The teams iterate continuously on the Netphone applications through three-month cycles of development, testing and user feedback. Initial rollout goals are modest, with Smart planning to sell 200,000 Netphones by the end of 2011, with plans to address the mass-market with sub-$100 phones in 2012. We believe that Smart’s Netphone offers three important lessons for the operator community. First, Smart has focused on its core services (messaging, address book, and mobile money), leaving all other applications to business partners. Second, rather than use the traditional RFI/RFQ software procurement process, Smart has pursued an ‘agile’ development process with three-month develop-learn-fix cycles. Third, over-theair software updates mean new services can reach Smart’s entire base of deployed Netphones faster.  © VisionMobile 2011 3 Case study: Smart’s Netphone Smart Communications: sophisticated services in an unsophisticated market Smart Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of PLDT (the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company). PLDT is the leading fixed line telecoms provider in the Philippines, having been established for over 80 years. As the wireless division of PLDT, Smart Communications has 46M wireless subscriptions, which puts Smart within the top-20 operators globally by number of subscribers. In the Philippines, Smart has just over 50% market share. It competes with Global and Sun Cellular in a market that’s nearing saturation, with 88% mobile penetration at the end of 2010. Smart has a record of service innovation that is akin to what operators in North America and Europe have achieved in more developed markets. Smart has one of the widest service portfolios among global mobile operators, including mobile payments, mobile banking, money transfer, mobile streaming TV, maps, push email and propositions for niche segments (e. g. MomsClub). Data services currently make up just over 50% of Smart revenues, as of Q1 2011, with the majority coming from the one billion SMS texts being sent each day. Smart Money, a service that allows users to pay for goods by transferring money from their bank account, was launched in 2001, and counts more than 8. million customers. However, like many operators in developing economies, Smart is in a low-ARPU, prepaid market. Some 99% of Smart subscriptions are pre-paid, with the blended, pre-paid ARPU reported at just 169 pesos ($3. 9 USD) in Q1 2011. Overall wireless revenues for Q1 2011 were 21 billion pesos ($486 million). Faced with decreasing ARPU in a competitive market, Smart has embarked on a handset-led strategy to increase its revenues by bringing over-the- top services to the mass market of pre-paid customers. The Smart Netphone The Smart Netphone presents a new series of mobile phones and tablets developed by Smart, aimed at bringing smart devices and services to the mass market. The first device expected to launch in July, 2011 is a rebranded, revamped ZTE Blade. This is the same handset that has been rebranded by Orange UK as the San Francisco and priced at 99 GBP (around $160) without contract, and not dissimilar to the Vodafone Smart handset by Huawei priced at 90 EUR (around $130). Although Smart has not announced pricing, we expect its Netphones to target image-conscious, affluent Filipinos willing to spend an estimated $120-$140. VisionMobile 2011 4 Case study: Smart’s Netphone Smart plans to launch flagship aspirational handsets in 2011, followed by devices across a wider spectrum of price points in 2012. Given that 70% of phones sold in the Philippines are priced below the $100 mark, this is the critical price point that Netphones will have to hit. â€Å"[The Netphone] is a strategic move to define what you do after voice and text. † Orlando B. Vea Chief Operating Adviser Smart Communications A full line-up of Netphones will launch on Android 2. (Froyo) handsets from ZTE and Huawei, with feature phone handsets to follow at lower price points. The phone follows widget specifications from the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC) initiative, in addition to Smart’s Looking Glass technology stack, described later. The Netphone comes with a suite of widget-like applications on the phone’s home screen that provide access to Smart and partner services: Balance Check for prepaid users, which comprise 99% of Smart’s subscription base Unified Chat, allowing users to message their contacts with emoticons and video animations. Chat integrates with Yahoo Messenger and Facebook Sender Pays Email, which follows the SMS cost paradigm, but adds richer emoticons and video expressions to the messages Connected Address Book, which integrates the user’s address book with Gmail and Facebook contacts Global Directory, which integrates local Yellow Pages, and lists all users who use the Netphone (subject to privacy settings) Social radio, which lets users share an FM station with a friend and tune into it in parallel Smart Money, a service that allows users to pay for goods directly from their bank account or credit card Emergency app, which offers one button calling to a doctor or other contact that can be assigned by the user Partner apps like Jollibee (the number one fast-food chain in the Philippines), which allows users to browse the food menu, check out special offers, and order and pay for food delivery, directly from their phone. Behind the scenes: the making of Netphone The Netphone is not just an experiment for Smart. â€Å"It’s a strategic move to define what you do after voice and text,† according to Orlando B. Vea, Smart Communications’ chief operating adviser, and founding member of the company. The Netphone represents a major effort for the operator, with a team 300 staff developing the phone series over the last 18 months, together with an array of tens of partners across six countries.  © VisionMobile 2011 5 Case study: Smart’s Netphone As a phone series, the Netphone hits several firsts: it’s the first phone to be based on WAC widget specifications (see next section); it’s the first fully customized handset from a mobile operator in an emerging economy; and, along with the Orange San Francisco and Vodafone Smart, it’s one of the first attempts to sell smartphones to prepaid users. Since the concept phase almost two years ago, the Netphone series has had several design goals: Besides increasing own service revenues, the Netphone generates revenues by enabling partner transactions. For example, Smart gets a percentage of the revenue from every Jollibee fast food delivery transaction. a price point that customers can afford; around 70% of the phones in the Philippines are priced under $100 ease of use; the phone had to be extremely easy to use, appealing to voice and text users accustomed to feature phone menus services bundled; the Netphone had to come pre-bundled with communication and partner services that differentiated the phone the phone series had to support Smart’s evolving service strategy, rather than just the services included at handset launch The Netphone has been designed with tangible revenue goals as well. Besides increasing own service revenues for Smart, the Netphone generates revenues by enabling partner transactions. For example, Smart gets a percentage of the revenue from every Jollibee fast food delivery transaction. In designing the Netphone, Smart knew it faced a formidable challenge. In the Philippines, the average lifespan of a phone is five years compared to three years in Indonesia and around six months for a high-end Android phone. That meant that Smart needed to come up with an evolving consumer proposition that stays relevant and fresh over time. Smart’s design team knew that offering an inexpensive data phone was not enough. They needed to build on existing usage paradigms beyond voice and text. The Netphone uses the address book as a cornerstone for connecting into social networks and partner services, as well as for chatting and texting. Smart lined up several partners to realize the Netphone concept, including ZTE and Huawei (handsets), Qualcomm (Android chipset platform), IBM, Oracle, Huawei (back-end integration) and Red Bend Software (software management over the air). According to Smart, a key design decision has been using a software update technology that allows the Netphone platform and applications to be updated continually over the air (OTA). With the OTA update technology, Smart can minimize the runtime age of the WACbased platform runtime, ensuring that its Netphone applications run on the latest version of the platform. This addresses a common challenge faced by mobile application developers, who must port new applications to older runtimes. For example, about 25% of active Android handsets run on platform versions that are more VisionMobile 2011 6 Case study: Smart’s Netphone than 18 months out of date, according to Google data released in May 2011. Similarly, 20% of existing Apple 3GS devices ha d not yet been upgraded to the latest platform version two months after the introduction of iOS4, according to app analytics firm Localytics. In the case of the Netphone, the runtime is updated continuously across the life of the device. Computational delta technology is used to deliver updates that are a fraction of the size of full application or widget packages. The OTA update technology is similar to firmware over the air (FOTA) updating, but works at a component level. Thus, it allows OEMs to decouple their own applications and user experience from the underlying Android firmware base, which opens the door to agile differentiation on Android by both OEMs and network operators. Note that the same over-the-air update technology can be used across incremental runtime updates, Netphone application updates, as well as the entire Android-based firmware. Moreover, the OTA software management solution allows Smart and its partners to target the entire installed base of Netphones, by remotely installing applications posthandset-launch rather than waiting for users to discover these applications on their own. Updates can be also scheduled during quiet periods, so that they don’t clog the network. Building on WAC technology The Netphone series includes the first phones based on specifications defined by the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC). Launched in February 2010, WAC is a cross-operator initiative aiming to develop a cross-device platform and app store framework to drive operator services. Since its foundation, WAC has amassed 34 operator members and 39 other partners, bringing in a total of over $10 million in annual funding. Smart has a seat on the board of directors of WAC, alongside Vodafone, ATT, China Mobile, NTT DoCoMo and other major telcos. The Netphone represents an important breakthrough for an industry initiative that has been criticized for its slow device rollout. For Smart, WAC represents an industry-endorsed software platform on top of which its partners can build HTML-based applications (also known as widgets). Moreover, widgets are familiar to a broad base of web developers, who are accustomed to HTML or JavaScript development. On top of the WAC widget specifications, Smart has layered its Looking Glass, a device and network technology umbrella that implements the array of Smart services on the Netphone. On the device side, Looking Glass includes technology that WAC does not yet cover, such as over-the-air software updating (based on OMA DM SCOMO standard) and additional access into device capabilities like FM radio. On the network side, the Looking Glass technology umbrella provides access into Smart’s services, such as connected address book, advanced messaging, email integration, location-based services and Smart Money. Smart’s network APIs extend the GSMA One API specifications by adding XMPP for advanced messaging, billing payment, and SIMencrypted (DUKPT) transactions.  © VisionMobile 2011 7 Case study: Smart’s Netphone Short tail strategy Smart is an atypical innovator—a top-20 mobile operator in a region dominated by prepaid subscribers. Rather than take the conventional route of long-tail apps on Android, Smart’s app strategy has three tiers: 1. ‘Massively relevant’ services such as voice and emotive messaging, which Netphone has developed in-house An RFP or waterfall development process clearly wouldn’t work here. † Alex Ibasco Chief Innovation Officer Smart Communications 2. ‘Significantly relevant’ services s uch as food, healthcare and media, where Netphone apps are developed by leading brands in the Philippines market 3. ‘Uniquely relevant’ services, where Smart is planning to adopt a long tail strategy open to all web developers With the launch of the Netphone, Smart has invested heavily in its own ‘massively relevant’ services as well as ‘significantly relevant’ services from business partners. â€Å"We are partnering with established businesses in the Philippines that have existing brand relationships to end users. The Netphone becomes a platform from which those partners can reach the Filipino consumer, and from which Filipinos can interact with their favourite brands,† according to Alex Ibasco, chief innovation officer at Smart. The agile telco: What other operators can learn from Smart Many telcos have ventured into the world of handset software to deliver their own services and differentiated user experience. The most well-known examples are Vodafone (Live! , VFX, VSCL, 360), Orange, Verizon and, of course, DoCoMo. Smart also has had a tradition of developing services in-house, including Smart Money and its own airtime pre-loading solution. Yet, Smart has taken a different approach from most operators. That approach offers three important lessons for the operator community. First, rather than deploying own-brand services exclusively, the operator has focused squarely on business partners with established consumer brands. It has allowed brands to deliver local consumer differentiation, and to share revenue on transactions. In so doing, it has provided brands with an additional channel to consumers. Second, the operator has used an agile development process. Rather than set specifications in stone at the beginning of the project, Smart’s featured Netphone applications have been iterating continually through a cycle of development, testing and user feedback. Moreover, rather than use the traditional RFI/RFQ ‘waterfall’ software procurement process, Smart has established joint operational and RD teams with its many suppliers for Netphone, and has adapted the software specifications during the course of the Netphone project. The project has already cycled through four iterations, averaging once every 3 months. Another iteration is planned before launch. â€Å"An RFP or waterfall development process  © VisionMobile 2011 8 Case study: Smart’s Netphone clearly wouldn’t work here,† comments Ibasco, who has been a key proponent of the Netphone project since its inception. Third, the over-the-air software update mechanism allows Smart to deploy new features and updates throughout the lifetime of the device. It also allows Smart to extend its addressable market for new services to the entire base of deployed Netphones, not just the most recent line-up of handsets shipped. Initial rollout goals are modest, with Smart planning to sell 200,000 Netphones by the end of 2011. Assuming Smart can hit sub-$100 price points in early 2012, it has a chance to rapidly ramp up these volumes, and address a substantial portion of its 46M subscriptions base. For now, the operator community is looking at the Smart initiative with anticipation; Netphone marks the latest telco attempt at innovating in the era of software, by building on both the telco (WAC) and software (Android) worlds. .  © VisionMobile 2011 9 knowledge. passion. innovation.

Read This Before Applying to an Economics PhD Program

Read This Before Applying to an Economics PhD Program I recently wrote an article about the types of people who shouldnt pursue a Ph.D. in economics. Dont get me wrong, I love economics. Ive spent a majority of my adult life in the pursuit of knowledge in the field studying around the world and even teaching it at the university level. You may love studying economics, too, but a Ph.D. program is an entirely different beast that requires a very specific type of person and student. After my article was published, I received an email from a reader, who just happened to be a potential Ph.D. student.   This readers experience and insights into the economics Ph.D. program application process were so on point that I felt the need to share the insights. For those considering applying to a Ph.D. program in Economics, give this email a read. One Students Experience Applying to an Economics Ph.D. Program Thanks for the graduate school focus in your recent articles.  Three of the challenges you mentioned [in your recent article] really hit home: American students have a comparative disadvantage for selection compared to foreign students.The importance of math cannot be overstated.Reputation is a huge factor, especially that of your undergraduate program. I applied unsuccessfully to Ph.D. programs for two years before conceding that I might not be ready for them. Only one, Vanderbilt, gave me even a wait-list consideration. I was a little embarrassed at being shunned. My mathematics GRE was 780. I had graduated at the top of my class with a 4.0 GPA in my economics major and completed a statistics minor. I had two internships: one in research, one in public policy. And accomplished this all while working 30 hours a week to support me. It was a brutally hard couple of years. The Ph.D. departments I applied to and my undergraduate adviser all pointed out: I attended a small, regional public university, and our professors spent significant time with students to the detriment of their own publishing.Though I took a heavy load of statistics coursework, I only had two terms of calculus.I had never been published; not even in an undergraduate journal.I aimed for highly-ranked schools in the Midwest like Illinois, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington University in St. Louis, but neglected schools on the coasts, which might have seen me as a more diverse candidate. I also made what many considered a tactical error: I went to talk with the graduate programs before I applied. I was later told that this is a taboo and seen as schmoozing. I even talked at length with the director of one program. We ended up talking shop for two hours and he invited me to attend presentations and brown bags whenever I was in town. But soon I would learn that he would be ending his tenure to take a position at another college, and would no longer be involved in the approval process for that program. After going through these obstacles, some suggested I prove myself with a Masters Degree in Economics first. I had originally been told that many schools pick top candidates immediately after undergraduate, but this new advice made sense because departments commit considerable resources to their Ph.D. candidates and want to make sure their investment will survive first-year exams. With that path in mind, I found it interesting that so few departments offer a terminal Masters in Economic. Id say about half as many as those that offer only the terminal Ph.D. Fewer still offer an academic Masters - most of these are professional programs. Still, Im glad it gives me a chance to dig deeper into research and see if Im ready for Ph.D. research. My Response   This was such a great letter for many reasons. First, it was genuine. It wasnt a why didnt I get into a Ph.D. program rant, but a personal story told with thoughtful insights. In fact, my experience has been nearly identical, and I would encourage any undergraduate student considering pursuing a Ph.D. in economics to take this readers insights to heart. I, myself,  was in a Masters program (at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada) before I entered my Ph.D. program. Today, I must admit that I wouldnt have survived three months as a Ph.D. student had I not attempted an MA in Economics first.

What are the effects if the government implement of Good-and-Services Essay

What are the effects if the government implement of Good-and-Services Tax (GST) in Hong Kong with the aim of broaden the tax base in Hong Kong - Essay Example Usually the problem arises because it is politically difficult to lower the demand for expenditure growth and to raise revenue to match government’s tendency to spend more and more. Almost all political systems, democracies included, have this problem. Fortunately for Hong Kong, the Basic Law provides a kind of constitutional limitation of budget deficits. According to professor William Baumol, â€Å"another reason that the public spending tend to rise faster than revenues stems from the fact that the most important component of public spending is civil service remuneration†(Fiscal Issues) Sometimes, volatility can mask what is essentially a structural issue. In a good year, when revenue increases, so does spending. In a bad year, however spending does not decrease when revenue does. If spending always grew to match growth in revenue, over time, spending would exceed revenue. This volatility is really structural imbalance between spending and revenue. Baumol further sta tes, â€Å"the rising share of public expenditure in GDP and the faster growth of recurrent spending over recurrent revenue are the main structural problems with the Hong Kong budget†(Fiscal Issue) In some countries – as for instance, most of the European countries – the reforms consists of a gradual process of adaptation. As a consequence the tax systems in operation in the 30 OECD member countries today are fundamentally different from those which operated in the mid-1980’s.

Analysis of the president campaign through market research possess Essay - 1

Analysis of the president campaign through market research possess - Essay Example In the process, they will also be able to choose the electors who will represent their respective states in the Electoral College. With just around 30 days left to the U.S presidential elections, it is important to analyze the presidential campaign of each of the main presidential contenders using a market research analysis process. This paper will also discuss the main voter constituencies as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each of the presidential candidate before finally predicting the winner. The primary objective of this market research analysis is to develop a logical interpretation of the data regarding the potential electoral victory of any of the two main presidential contenders in the forth coming elections. The analysis will also evaluate and measure the attitudes of voting behavior of the U.S population and finally use this analysis to predict the likely winner of the November 2012 presidential elections. The analysis of the presidential campaign using market research process was through a number of methods that sought to determine the opinion of both the U.S citizens and interested parties all over the world on the November 6 U.S presidential elections. One of the key methods used was online review of recent publications regarding the key issues of the forthcoming elections as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each of the top contenders. Another method that was employed was an analysis of the social media profiles of the two main candidates to provide important insights into what the voters and supporters are saying about them, as well as the likely key issues that may shape the forthcoming elections. The Twitter and Facebook account data of both president Obama and his top challenger Mitt Romney were closely followed and recorded as shown below (Summers 4). The data collected from both the social media analysis and the online literature review revealed a significant