Customer satisfaction and willingness to switch Essay Example

Customer satisfaction and willingness to switch Essay Customer Satisfaction was recognized as major outcome of marketing activity which helps in explaining post purchase phenomenon such as repeat purchase and brand loyalty. Oliver (1999) defined Customer Satisfaction as the consumer s sense that consumption provides outcomes against a standard of pleasure versus displeasure. Eshghi, Roy and Ganguli (2008) suggested that relational quality, competitiveness, reliability, reputation and transmission quality are significant predictors of customer satisfaction. Aydin and Ozer(2005) defined it as customers overall (dis)satisfaction with the brand based on all encounters and experiences with that particular brand. Hence, in the study overall customer satisfaction with the service provider was evaluated instead of consumers specific transaction experiences. They also suggested that increased customer satisfaction, increased trust in the firm and switching costs are essential for customer loyalty. Customer loyalty is a relationship between relative attitude towards on entity and repeat patronage behavior (Dick and Basu, 1994. Oliver (1999) suggested that customer satisfaction and Customer Loyalty are linked inextricably. Harris and Goode (2004) suggested the satisfactions mediating role in the relation between perceived quality or value and loyalty. Anti n, Camarero, and Carrero (2007) have confirmed that the mediating effect of customer satisfaction between the predisposing (poor service quality and low firm commitment) and precipitating factors (price unfairness and anger incidents) of dissolution and the consumers switching intention. We will write a custom essay sample on Customer satisfaction and willingness to switch specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Customer satisfaction and willingness to switch specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Customer satisfaction and willingness to switch specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Also, Spiros P. Gounaris, Nektarios A. Tzempelikos, Kalliopi Chatzipanagiotou (2007) explained how customer percieved value influences, through customer satisfaction and loyalty, the buying behaviour of consumers. In our study, the term perceived price is to mean the degree of reasonability which a customer associates a given price fixed for the usage of the mobile service, value- added services charges and the monthly rental charges. This is mainly a perception factor in the consumer mind. We test for the influence of this factor, the perceived price on the construct of customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction in turn encompasses the comprehensive view of the mobile service provider in the customer`s mind. While customer satisfaction is contingent on several factors, herein we explore the effect of the perceived price on the same. There has been a body of research carried out in the past, in various sectors, on the influence of this factor on the overall customer satisfaction levels. Carmen Anti n, Carmen Camarero, and Mirtha Carrero (2007) found evidence in the insurance industry that unfair pricing is a determinant to customer satisfaction. In fact, they have concluded that unfair pricing strongly impacts switching, in a direct and indirect manner via customer satisfaction. Chada and Deepa Kapoor (2009) have stated that Customer satisfaction in turn affects the price senility of a customer. Evangelia Blery, Nick Batistatos et al (2008) conclude that the perceived price is negatively affects a repeat purchase of a customer in a negative manner. Makam S Balaji (2009) examined the effects ofvarious factors, including perceived price on customer satisfaction in the Indian mobile telephony sphere and found it to be strongly associated. The findings of Muhammad Mohsin Butt and Ernest Cyril de Run(2008) show that the satisfaction levels of Pakistani mobile telephone service users satisfaction is dependent on price, among several other factors. Ristola and M. Kesti(2006) conceptualized that the service quality depends upon the above mentioned factors. The physical factors involves the physical product and supports, interactive quality refers to the interaction between the customer and the service provider, and the corporate quality is symbolic in nature and involves the perception about the company in the minds of the customers and its brand image. Service quality is defined as a global assessment that is the customers overall impression of the relative inferiority/superiority of the service provider and its services. Further, Rusk and Zahorik supported the expectation-perception gap for measuring service quality. The main antecedents to perceived service quality are the customer expectation and perceived performance (Bitner and Hubert). Further, Richard Spreng, Linda Shi,Thomas Page suggested that net Customer Satisfaction has a marginally higher impact on switching intention than total perceived service quality. Also, A. Taylor,Thomas L. Baker(1994) concluded that Consumer satisfaction moderates the relationship between the quality of service and intention to switch. Zhilin Yang, Robin T. Peterson (2004) found that switching costs moderate the relationship between satisfaction and perceived value. Next, Hsin-Hui (Sunny) Hu, Jay Kandampully and Thanika Devi Juwaheer(2009) examined the association and impact of customer satisfaction and perceived value and found that customer satisfaction is affected by perceived service quality. Das, Bhagaban Mohanty, Sangeeta(2007) carried out a study in the Indian context and found that better perceived service quality leads to increased customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction results from the comparison of expected performance with that of the perceived actual performance (Churchill, Suprenant, 1982). Parasuram et al also suggested that service quality is positively related to the customer satisfaction levels and that service quality perceptions are dependent not only on the outcomes but also on the evaluation of the service delivery process by the customers. Venetis and Ghauri (2000) viewed that the service quality is regarded as one of the few means for service differentiation and competitive advantage that attracts new customers and contributes to the market share. Further, Rakshit Negi (2009) concludes that the service quality was found to be significantly linked with the overall cellular phone user satisfaction. Also, Birgit Leisen(2006) suggests, as perceived levels of satisfaction increase, the less likely the customer is going to switch to a more conveniently located competitor and, hence, the more loyal he or she remains. Further, T. Vanniarajan, P. Gurunathan (2009) concluded that the cellular operators need to engage in improving the quality of both the value added services and the main service quality to increase their customer satisfaction which would lead to a greater customer loyalty. Hence differentiation leads to customer satisfaction.

The Andes Essays - Communes Of Chile, Racing, Sandboarding

The Andes Essays - Communes Of Chile, Racing, Sandboarding The Andes offer a number of trekking trails where you can marvel at the natural beauty of this small country, which practically hangs off the edge of the map. Options include northern altiplano treks at altitudes of over 4,000 meters, climbing circuits (of varying skill levels) at the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia, and paths leading through native forests on the island of Chilo and northern Patagonia. Keeping with the mountain theme, the area surrounding Santiago and the southern part of the country are home to skiing and snowboarding runs that attract tourists from around the globe each year. With an endless array of rivers and lakes and an unusually long coastline, Chile is a premier destination for water sports like surfing, kayaking, rafting, scuba diving and fishing. The rivers and lakes of Patagonia offer world-class fly fishing thanks to their abundance of trout. Adventure seekers will find plenty of places to practice sandboarding, canopy ing, paragliding and other exciting sports throughout the country. If you're looking for something more peaceful, southern Chile is the place for you. Its lush forests, waterfalls and lakes are a delight for travelers looking to connect with nature in its purest form. Relax as you take in its canals lakes and volcanoes. Snapping photos will be your only care in the world. !Canopying Whether you find yourself near Santiago or in southern Chile, there are plenty of opportunities to try canopying, a sport that involves zipping through forests among the treetops, combining fun, adrenaline and an opportunity to appreciate the natural wonders that surround you. The sport gains new fans every day in Chile, and dozens of companies offer this thrilling and ecologically-friendly activity to locals and visitors alike. In Cajn del Maipo (15 km from Santiago), you can zoom along a line over the Maipo River at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. The Via del Mar Botanical Gardens offer both adult routes (which are about 1,500 meters long) and shorter childrens circuits. This activity is very popular in Pucn, Villiarica and Valdivia. In fact, the longest canopying circuit in South America is Pucns El Cndor, a 3,500 meter long route with six stations and views of the Villarrica, Quetrupilln and Lann Volcanoes and two lagoons. Another renowned route is in the basin of Lake Llanquihue, near Puerto Varas. The circuit reaches heights of 100 meters and includes 11 segments that are accessible to canopying fans of all ages. The Huilo-Huilo Reserve has a route that combines canopying and trekking along trails that lead through its forests. Finally, in the Northern Patagonia, youll find canopy routes that run through the forest that links Lake General Carrera and Lake Negro. Featured Destinations ! 1 Araucana 2 Highlights of the Central Valley 3 Osorno 4 Puerto Montt Puerto Varas 5 Santiago !Tips 01 !Precautions Its important to make sure that you work only with certified operators who provide the necessary equipment: a firm harness with two straps that connect to the cable, a helmet and gloves, and a solid infrastructure. !Sandboarding Sandboarding is becoming more popular in the countrys central and northern regions, which offer large dunes with fine sands and majestic views. Best of all, the sport is still so new that you wont have to deal with hordes of tourists. The best known place for practicing this sport is Valle de la Muerte, located 2 km from San Pedro de Atacama, where local agencies provide sandboards, guides and transportation to gigantic dunes of fine sand. The slopes allow you to reach high speeds and offer the unique colors and textures of the Atacama Desert at sundown. You can also surf the dunes by starlight. Next, head to Cerro Dragn, in Iquique, which offers soft hills, strong winds and a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Youll find the solitary dunes of the Quebrada de Quisma further inland along with the picturesque town of Pica, where you can enjoy relaxing hot springs after a day of sandboarding. Another northern destination for fans of this exciting sport is Medanoso, near Copiap. At 1,600 meters, its the tallest dune in Chile and part of the Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally. In the evening, it turns a deep

The Definition of an Operating Segment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Definition of an Operating Segment - Essay Example Corporations that sell at the retail level, but who also have an online operation have multiple operating segments. The e-commerce operation would be considered an operating segment. Let’s take the Jiffy Lube business as an example. The money generated by the oil change operation would be considered an operating segment. The car wash operation of the business is another operating segment. Any food items sold inside the store in the waiting area would be a third operating segment of the company. 2. I agree with your definition of an operating segment. It is imperative for the CEO or COO of a company to evaluate the performance of each operating segment on a recurrent basis. Whenever an operating segment starts to under perform that segment could become unprofitable. A strategy that can be used by management to eliminate operating segments that are not generating profits is divesture. Divesture can be defined as the partial or full disposal of an investment or asset through sale, exchange, closure or bankruptcy (Investopedia, 2011). Investopedia.com (2011). Divesture. Retrieved September 7, 2011 from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/divestiture.asp#axzz1XEq4B6YF Effective and successful managers are able to generate profits from all the operating segments of a company. On many instances companies achieve expansion by adding operating segments to their operations. ... Two powerful stock exchanges are the NYSE and the LSE. The Securities and Exchange Act of 1933 requires companies to register with the SEC prior to going public. The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 discusses the matter of being public. Once a company is public the SEC oversees its activities. The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 regulates broker dealers and stock exchanges. 6. GAAP guidelines are used in the preparation of financial statement disclosures. Financial statement disclosures are comments or explanations listed in a company’s financial statements. Three types of items that are covered by disclosures and whose inclusion is mandatory based on GAAP rules are changes or errors, asset retirement and insurance contract modification. There are also voluntary disclosures included in the business reports of companies. Some voluntary disclosures include forward looking statements and management analysis. 5. The threshold to for an operating segment to be reportable is listed below: Reported revenue is at least 10 percent of combined revenue Reported profit (loss) is at least 10 percent of combined profit (loss) Assets are 10 percent or more of combined assets (Schroeder & Clark & Cathey, 2011). Schroeder, R.G., Clark, M.W., Cathey, J.M. (2011). Financial Accounting Theory and Analysis (10th ed.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. 7. Weekly Summary Week 5 was very challenging, but I learned a lot about accounting during the week. The individual paper discussed pension funds. I learned that the use of pension funds became used a lot in corporate America after World War II. The accounting profession and the government have ensured that corporations respect the rights of retirees by properly funding pension funds. In

To what extent do you believe that the RIPA 2000 balances Respect for Essay

To what extent do you believe that the RIPA 2000 balances Respect for Private Life with a Need to Protect the Public - Essay Example It is argued that the balance is in favour of protection of the public. The Right to Privacy In order to determine the extent to which the tensions between protection of the public and protection of the right to privacy are balanced in the context of online communications via RIPA, it is first necessary to analyse the legal framework relative to the right to privacy. ... However, where those exceptions exist such as the protection of the public or the prevention of crime, interference in the individual’s right to privacy must be according to law. In this regard, the European Court of Human Rights (EHR) ruled that any such laws or regulatory regime must be clear enough so that average citizens is aware that he or she does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the circumstances allowing state interference in private life.6 Obviously where an individual engages in certain activities in public, there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy.7 Obviously online communications are activities conducted in public and thus there should be no reasonable expectation of privacy, thus no breach of Article 8(1).8 Even so, the European Court of Human Rights has held that the mere fact that activities are conducted in public does not automatically mean that there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy.9 It therefore follows that if an activit y is conducted in public and there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, the protection of privacy as provided for under Article 8 of the ECHR will arise. Online communications can be regarded as public activities but can raise complex questions as to whether or not there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. For example, posting in a public forum online or blogging are probably as public as an individual carrying a â€Å"banner† in public can reasonably expect for it to be read by almost anyone.10 Complicating matters for online communications relative to a reasonable expectation of privacy, online users often have several tools available to them for â€Å"restricting access.†11 On the other hands, there are instances in online communications where the user obviously has a

Benefits of Social Media Recruitment

Benefits of Social Media Recruitment With the advent of social media, companies have more information than ever on job candidates, and the process of evaluating those candidates can be lengthy. In the past, companies tried to determine candidate fit through their rà ©sumà ©s. Today, employers perform web searches on candidates, learn more about them from social media, and examine their work samples. These processes introduce noise and are potentially risky the Protected Class issue Id mentioned before often leading to inconsistent results as well. Also, it is a challenge to derive useful information, such as passion around a particular technology or relevant professional connections. To ensure no ethical or legal boundaries are crossed, our proprietary technology removes the noise, such as Protected Class data, ensuring both the privacy of the job seeker is protected while helping the employer get a better perspective on the best candidates for the position. Companies are increasingly using  social recruiting  t o source candidates for employment, as well as to investigate applicants they are considering hiring. Its important to be aware of how companies are using social media to recruit, so you can use employers recruiting tactics to your advantage and position yourself to be discovered by companies seeking candidates. A new survey released by  Jobvite, a company that provides applicant tracking software, shows that 92% of employers are using or planning to use social networks for recruiting this year. This is up slightly from last year at 89%. The study retrieved insights from over 1,000 companies, mostly based in the U.S., in a wide variety of industries. Social networks are viewed by corporations as a means to recruit both passive and active candidates in a personal yet professional way. Companies such as  Ernst Young  Ã‚  are building employer brands on social networks to position themselves as the best place to work and to interact with potential candidates. Aside from passively marketing their companies, recruiters are messaging prospects directly, getting introduced through connections and posting jobs in groups. They are using these networks to fish where the fish are. Here are some more details regarding how recruiters are using the top three social networks, and how you can best shape your profiles and posts to increase your chances of getting hired. 1. LinkedIn.  Nearly all (93%) of recruiters are using LinkedIn to discover talent. This is up from 87% in 2011 and 78% in 2010. Furthermore, 89% of recruiters have hired through LinkedIn. LinkedIn was made for recruiting, and the site has an entire suite of recruiting solutions.  LinkedIn Recruiter  allows recruiters to reach passive candidates by expanding the reach of their personal networks, contact candidates directly and manage a pipeline of talent. The smart advice is to fully utilize LinkedIn in your job search. Its essential to have to have a flawless (and completely filled-out) profile so that recruiters take you seriously. You should also optimize your profile by adding specialty keywords into your headline (for example eCommerce and Social Media Expert), summary, and throughout the rest of your profile so that when recruiters search for candidates with certain skills, you come up. I also recommend that you join industry groups to connect with recruiters that are loo king for industry-specific candidates. 2. Facebook.  Out of the three networks, Facebook saw the biggest gain in overall usage by recruiters to find job candidates, moving from 55% in 2011 and 2010, to 66% today. One in every four recruiters has successfully found a candidate on Facebook. Companies are using Facebook to discover talent and arent hiring directly from the site. But they are creating Facebook pages and promoting them, as well as jobs, through the  Facebook Ads  platform. Recruiters are using Facebook groups, advertising and their corporate Facebook careers page in order to source candidates. For instance, Marriotts Jobs and Careers page has an application that lets you run your own Marriott Hotel kitchen, which increases their page engagement and attracts more people to like the company. As a job seeker, you have to make sure youve turned on your privacy settings, are careful what you post regardless, and youre tapping into your friend network to get referrals. You can also use the BranchOut or BeKnown applications to map job openings to your network. If nothing else, you should like a company so you can follow updates and comment. 3. Twitter.  More than half of recruiters (54%) now use Twitter as part of their talent search. This is up from 47% in 2011 and 45% in 2010. Only 15% of recruiters surveyed have actually hired a candidate through Twitter. Companies are using Twitter to post job entries through their own accounts (i.e.  CitiJobs). They are also using third party companies, such as  Tweet My Jobs  and  Twit Job Search, to promote their listings. Job seekers should follow companies they want to work for on Twitter and watch out for job listings, while also interacting via Twitter with employees who work there. Again, its important to have a strong profile and several Tweets under your belt before you start truly utilizing Twitter to help you pursue work. If Im a recruiter, Social media can be a great source for discovering passive candidates those who are employed but open to changing jobs for the right opportunity who represent nearly half of all currently employed talent. Because the desired opportunities rarely exist on job boards, and job seekers are participating in communities all over the web (sites like GitHub for engineering talent, for example), social media can become a fascinating place for employers to find talent that they may not be able to find otherwise. At Reppify, we simplify this process even further by first identifying this talent and then connecting with this talent to suggest those candidates who best match against specific job criteria. If Im a job seeker, Leveraging your network wherever possible is key. The average user on a network such as LinkedIn, for example, has around 200 connections. With hiring on the rise again, job seekers will need to use their connections to help get ahead of the competition and get through to those jobs where they are most qualified. Soon, this will also begin working in reverse as employers adopt new technology and tools, those right jobs will begin to find you. ADVANTAGES OF UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA IN TERMS OF RECRUITMENT: It is more efficient. Organizations can use social media to tap potential recruits much more easily by advertising vacancies and searching for recruits on LinkedIn, for example. However, LinkedIn and other social media applications can actually be used for much more than simply a job post site. Indeed, social recruiting can be used to increase effectiveness and forge new and deeper relationships between employees and employers. Rather than simply recruiting the person with the best-looking CV, social media can ensure that that person is also the best fit for the company. Technology is essentially being used to provide better quality links to potential employees, developing and maintaining a relationship over a number of years, which can be tapped in to at later date. There are a number of ways in which this can be done, for example, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social networks offer the chance to form a community based on a topic determined by the organization. However, while an organization like Goldman Sachs globally invests over 100,000 hours each year in conversations with prospective employees, it is not always practical for organizations to put this much effort into their recruitment. That said, social media does make it simple for any organization to proactively develop some kind of relationship with potential employees to the best if its ability.  Ã‚   Social media applications are also being used to rate and compare employees, determine cultural fit and extend internal initiatives, like the referral scheme, to an external audience and using social media to compliment their hiring process: 75 percent are using LinkedIn for background checks and 48 percent are using Facebook for background checks. In fact, more than two-thirds of all HR professionals now run internet searches on job applicants. According to Microsoft, one in four HR employees has rejected a candidates application based on their social networking profile, while only 37 percent of people see it as their responsibility to protect their online reputation.   Top 10 tips for social media recruitment: Rip up the old organizational chart:  The corporate social media function crosses disciplines. The customer service, public relations, marketing and sales teams, they all have a stake in how the social media function impacts daily operations. Dont give the job to the junior staffer:  British furniture retailer Habitat learned a hard lesson in 2009: dont entrust the brands Twitter feed to an impudent intern. Since the infamous hash tag incident, in which Habitat tried to spam the Twitter verse by using trending hash tags from the Tehran protests, companies have started putting a dedicated, always-staffed Dont outsource:  This is a job thats far too vital to be placed in the hands of an outside agency. The insights that come with speaking directly to customers is crucial feedback that can better inform a companys sales, PR and marketing functions, plus product development and innovation.   Give the social media team the power to report to the board:  The social media outreach team has a finger on the pulse of customers, prospective customers and critics. This is vital detail that needs to be communicated as far up the management chain as possible.   Be prepared:  A lone gripe posted to Facebook, Twitter or on a blog can quickly become a PR nightmare. Have a response strategy drafted up and be ready to use it. Find your voice:  Veteran journalists speak of the need to develop a resonant voice, one that puts the reader at ease, entertains and informs. Its no different with your social media communications strategy.   Be courteous, professional and respectful:  This is a medium that gives some companies fits because they do not know how to respond to customers venting their frustration. Take the high road.   Treat each gripe as an opportunity to learn:  In the old days you had to organize focus groups, promising them tea and biscuits, to learn what the public thought of you and your products and how you conduct business. Now, that detail is available without strings.   Monitor, monitor, monitor:  What is the public saying about you? About your competitors? You need to listen intently before you can begin to engage, and ultimately, transform your brand into a more transparent and socially adept organization. Reasons Social Recruiting Beats Traditional Recruiting Recruiting top talent has always been a challenge. But with new social recruiting tactics, many companies are turning to online communities and platforms to source candidates quicker and easier. 1. Making Human Resources Human Again, Digitally: Social recruiting has a major advantage over traditional recruiting: its more human. Compared to the post a job; wait for hundreds of resumes; let ATS filter through keywords; never get back to anyone process many use today, social recruiting is a transparent, active approach where only the best candidates are sourced. In addition, recruiters can determine first impressions and cultural fit even perform a bit of a background check before approaching the candidate. 2. Ability to Connect with Top Talent Now: Social recruiting has made it possible to interact directly with job candidates. These days, the best candidates are easily found online and recruiters can weed out job seekers who are not a match for the position in a simpler way. Use social media outlets to find recommendations from previous employers can save you time you might have spent contacting references and former employers. 3. Leads to Better Connections Faster: In the traditional hiring process, it could be several rounds of resume reviews and phone screens before applicants and employers got to really connect on a personal level. Thanks to social media and video interviews, this connection is happening more instantaneously and with less time wasted. Now employers can see if a candidate will be a good match for the company sooner, helping both job seekers and hiring managers save valuable time and resources in the search for the perfect fit. 4. Make Your Job Openings Go Viral: The prime advantage of social recruiting vs. traditional recruiting is that social recruiting allows your job openings to have viral qualities. Viral qualities can include the language of your job description, the visuals you use, engaging or funny videos, and social connect ability features. You cant use any of these tools with traditional recruiting and why wouldnt you want to? 5. Helps You Get to Know More About the Candidate Than Just Whats on Paper: While social recruiting does have its challenges (its a legal compliance nightmare if done incorrectly), it helps you learn more about a person and their demeanor. Social recruiting lets you engage with candidates and assess not just their skills but their personality and ability to fit with the culture of your organization. 6. Discovering Candidates Who Want to Be Discovered: Companies are increasingly using social recruiting to source candidates for employment, as well as to investigate applicants they are considering hiring. Its important to be aware of how to use social media to recruit to discover candidates that have positioned themselves to be discovered. Social recruiting allows you to see how the candidate represents themselves and what companies they are connected with. 7. Allows Recruiters to Connect With Talent in a More Informal, Engaging Manner: Social recruiting allows talent acquisition professionals to engage with a community of talent in a more informal, engaging manner versus Were hiring, youre great, lets talk.   Ultimately, what were trying to do is initiate a dialogue and information exchange with people and social channels are an excellent way for this to happen. 8. Relationship-Driven Connections: Social recruiting supports the development and maintenance of relationships that can reach far beyond the immediate hiring need. By connecting and interacting with candidates through social channels, recruiters are able to create real connections and build relationships with interested individuals. You never know who may turn into a great new hire in the future! 9. Availability of Relevant Candidate Data: The combination of the quantity and quality of relevant candidate data in social networks is a game changer. Social connections are now mapped out in a way that makes it possible for employers to supercharge the referral process like never before. Employees dont have to conjure up candidates social networks can present quality referrals with a single click. CONCLUSION According to the research on this topic I do think that the use of social media by employers will continue to be the trend; and while there will be instances of Facebook password requests of candidates by potential employers so they can examine their profiles for objectionable content, these will likely remain edge cases. Most employers will pursue intelligent policies that effectively leverage relevant information from social media, such as project work on an open-source engineering site, to select the top qualified candidates.

Canada: The Best Place to Live In

Constantly rated by the United Nations (UN) as the best country to live in, Canada is said to be the second biggest country in the world and is very rich in natural resources and about quarter of a million chooses to enter Canada as new Permanent Residents (â€Å"Why Canada? †). Canada is also considered to be the best placed to move to if one wants to be a survivor of climate change in the decades ahead. This was the result of a study made by Maplecroft, a British consultancy which specializes in mapping risks.Among the 168 countries mapped in the Climate Change Risk Report of Maplecroft, Canada topped the list with a vulnerability score of 8.81, with 10 being the highest and 1, the lowest (McCarthy). Since Canada is my place of residence, it would be interesting to study why it is constantly rated by UN and other ranking authorities as the best country to live in. Introduction Since the Maple Leaf flag was adopted in 1965, Canada grew rapidly as a natural resource-based econ omy. However, in the 1970s there was major upheaval in Quebec when the separatist movement took on a violent nature, but in 1980 a referendum showed the majority of Quebecois were against indepen ¬dence.The eighties were characterised by constitutional issues. Canada's constitution (the BNA Act) was an act of the British Parliament and, as an independent country; Canada wanted to ‘bring home' the constitution. In 1982, parts of the BNA Act were changed and it became a Canadian act: The Constitution Act. Included in it is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Quebec is the only province that did not sign the new constitution and two subsequent attempts to bring it in, the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord, failed.In 1995 another Quebec refer ¬endum on independence took place and the ‘no' side (against independence) won by a very narrow margin. (â€Å"Historical Framework of Canada†) Canada became increasingly linked to the political economy of the U. S through various treaty agreements and trade arrangements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Most of Canada’s trades were with the U. S. While American businesses expanded their investments in the Canadian economy, foreign corporations (mostly U. S. companies) owned most of the nation's petroleum and discouraged Canadian-controlled research and development projects.This resulted in Canada's exclusion from the microchip computer revolution that transformed American technology and industries in those periods. Although some Canadian policy makers soon complained of the growing dependence of the Canadian economy on foreign companies, the pattern persisted and placed Canada in an increasingly precarious position in the world market. When the Middle Eastern oil crisis struck Western countries in the 1970s and 1980s, the Canadian economy was particularly hard hit. Despite heavy dependence on the U. S. for economic development and defense, Canada experie nced unprecedented economic growth and prosperity.Production and consumption rose, as the nation's population not only increased but continued to urbanize, and then suburbanize, in growing numbers. A variety of forces fueled the development of Canadian cities, suburbs, and consumer culture: the baby boom, relatively low rates of unemployment, and an overall rise in the standard of living. Yet, as in earlier eras, the country's prosperity was unequally distributed. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Canada was also attracting increasing numbers of new immigrants from Europe (especially Italy), Africa, Asia, and the Americas (Stearns).Canada, like most other major economies, faces a challenging economic environment over the next couple of years. A Senior Economist from the State Street Global Advisors wrote that: †The multiple and cascading shocks associated with skyrocketing commodity prices, alarmingly stressed and volatile financial markets (associated in part with a still gr owing â€Å"subprime† credit crisis), and persisting global imbalances are creating a disconcertingly murky outlook that seems to offer few good policy options to central bankers and other economic policymakers.However, the Canadian economy has demonstrated an impressive resilience to economic shocks such as the dramatic appreciation of the Loonie over the last half-decade. This proven resilience keeps us optimistic that although the economy has stumbled, it won't be down for long and indeed may well end up outperforming the other major advanced economies over the medium term. † Developmental IndicatorsThe Human Development Index (HDI) provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and enrolment at the primary, secondary and tertiary level) and having a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity, PPP, income). It basically provides â€Å"a broadened prism for viewing human progress and the complex relationship between income and well-being. † Under the 2007/2008 Human Development Report, the HDI for Canada was 0.961, which gave the country a rank of 4th out of 177 countries. (â€Å"Canada: The Human Development Index – going beyond income†) The State of World Liberty Index is a ranking of countries according to the degree of economic and personal freedoms which their citizens enjoy; each country is given a score between 0 and 100. The Index defines freedom as â€Å"the ability for the individual to live their lives as they choose, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others to do the same. † In the 2006 State of World Liberty Index, Canada ranked 3rd out of 159 countries (â€Å"The 2006 State of World Liberty Index†).The annual Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), first released in 1995, is the best known of TI’s tool s. It has been widely credited for putting TI and the issue of corruption on the international policy agenda. The CPI ranks more than 150 countries in terms of perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. Under the 2008, Corruption Perceptions Index, Canada ranked 9th out of 180 countries (â€Å"Corruption Perceptions Index 2008†)The Index of Economic Freedom is a series of 10 economic measurements created by the Wall Steet Journal and the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Its stated objective is to measure the degree of economic freedom in the world's nations. In the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, Canada ranked 7th out 157 countries (â€Å"The Index of Economic Freedom†) The Press Freedom Index (PFI) is an annual ranking of countries conducted by the Reporters Without Borders Worlwide (RWB), which provides an assessment of press freedom in countries. Out of 169 countries, Canada ranked 18th in terms of Press F reedom Index.Discussion Based on the development indices that were taken into consideration, it would appear that the assessment of Canada’s development has been quite consistent with its image of being one of the highest ranked developed countries in the world today. Although there may be some slight variations in the degrees of Canadian â€Å"freedom† as shown by the State of World Liberty Index and Index of Economic Freedom, it would still be safe to say that the two (2) â€Å"freedom† indices are a fairly accurate assessment of Canada’s degrees of freedom in terms of civil liberties and economic freedom.The Press Freedom Index though shows quite a different story that is worth reconsidering. Why would a highly civilized and democratic country like Canada rank 18th among the countries assessed? Does this mean that the Canadian government may have been curtailing press freedom despite its significantly high performance in terms of providing human develo pment services to its citizens? One would just wonder how a highly evolving human development society like Canada would only rank 18th in terms of the Press Freedom Index.Canada has been consistently ranking one of the highest if not the highest in the Human Development Index and among the development indices earlier cited; it is the HDI that accurately measures human welfare and development in Canada and it goes beyond income as a measure of economic welfare. Furthermore, among the composite indices, the HDI is the most widely recognized in the world as it is being administered by no less than the United Nations itself. ConclusionAfter carefully examining the recent historical trends and development indices outlined above, it is still safe to conclude that Canada is indeed the â€Å"best place to live in. † and that the Human Development Index strongly demonstrates this observation. On top of this, Canada shows a relatively outstanding governance environment as shown by its high score in Corruption Perceptions Index. Furthermore, Canada has a free and unencumbered economy where its citizens can enjoy the fruits of their labor without any fear of political repression.Despite the challenges being posed by the impending global economic crisis, the development fundamentals of Canada are indeed looking healthier and could sustain the economic pressures from a highly globalized environment. Canada is a nation that is very rich in natural resources and with its continued demonstration of world-class human development standards; it can certainly look forward to an enviable development in the future. However, Canada, as a nation must not rest on its development â€Å"laurels† so to speak. It must strive some more for a more equitable distribution of weath.

bad effect of fast food to health Essay

When you feel like eating something and think of food, the things come to mind first are the taste, odor or color. Those who have to look after their weight will think of the portion size, many others think of energy, fats, sugars, vitamins or minerals. But do you know that the food we eat may cause side effects and a list of disadvantages. We are not talking about spoiled or poor quality food. Freshly harvested or just cooked food may also cause side effects, some are serious, some are just disturbing, and some may put you into embarrassing situation. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk for illness and disease. Fast food is harmful to health. It is a cause of various diseases. Here we discuss some most common disease and other side effects caused by fast food. Obesity Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. Fast food is high in calories and sugar that contribute to increased-weight gain. Even small amount of fast food can increase your calorie intake considerably. Fast foods also replace healthy eating habits, People who consume fast foods are less likely to eat fruits, vegetables, milk etc. This change in eating habits can easily lead to obesity. Heart Disease People who eat fast food four or more times a week, they up their risk of dying from heart disease by 80 percent. Fast foods create a much higher risk of heart disease because of the high level of saturated or trans fats found in much of the food. Those fats can clog the arteries and, over time, contribute to high cholesterol levels. Type 2 Diabetes Fast food has become a way of life for many busy persons seeking a fast and inexpensive alternative to cooking at home. Although they may develop type 2 diabetes, this type of diabetes is often caused by poor lifestyle choices, such as being overweight and not being physically active. There is a side effect to consuming frequent amounts of fast food ‘obesity’ which can lead to the development of diabetes. Peptic Ulcer A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. For almost 100 years, doctors believed that stress, spicy foods, and alcohol caused most ulcers. Fast Foods which may causes Ulcer are Pizzas, Chips, Salted snakes etc. Lack of Family Gathering fast food does not provide family members opportunity to set and eat at one place. Every one can buy and eat walking in the way, driving a vehicle and during his work in office. The satisfaction which a combine meal provide is lacking in Fast Food. Irregular Timing of Eating A healthy person need to eat at a proper time which fast food doesn’t have. Fast food can be consumed at any time or some time twice or thrice a day, while home cooked food is served at proper time which provides opportunity to take rest after eating. Waste of Money Fast food consumes too much money as compared to home prepared food. Low income people can hardly afford continuous use of fast food. It spends a lot of budget and is also cause of loss of healthy body. Loss of Appetite Normal food contains appetizer which are not properly present in fast food. Continues use of fast food may cause loss appetite, abnormal digestion and sometime food poisoning. Fast food does not satisfy all needs of stomach. Lack of Essential Nutrients A well-balanced food contains all essential elements which are necessary for human development. Whereas fast food does not have all these elements, this type of food contains some elements in high quantity while others are absent. So, fast food does not fulfill all needs of body and sometime causes disorder. Stress Foods rich in fat are reason for many diseases related to heart, blood vessels, liver and many more. It also increases the level of stress. It has  been observed that a rich fat meal can increase your stress level and make you at a greater level of stress in comparison to those who have a low fat meal. Certain foods and drinks act as powerful stimulants to the body and hence are a direct cause of stress. Like caffeine containing foods (coffee, tea, colas and chocolates), White flour, Salt, Saturated fats, Processed foods, such as junk foods and fast foods, contain synthetic additives – preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers and flavor-enhancers. These foods are called â€Å"pseudostressors† or â€Å"sympathomimetics† .