Is the U.S. a rapeculture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Is the U.S. a rapeculture - Essay Example and is part and parcel of life even though it is not either biologically or divinely ordained; despite being a set beliefs, values or attitudes, which can be changed by society (Buchwald, Pamela and Martha XI). Therefore, from the definition, it is justifiable to say that rape culture encompasses such elements as TV, jokes, legal jargon, jokes, words, rules and regulations, etc. that formalize and normalize sexual coercion and violence against women in society. Therefore, â€Å"Is the U.S. a rape culture?† This paper looks at the extent to which the American culture can be perceive as a rape culture historically and the present. Therefore, to answer my question, â€Å"Is the U.S. a rape culture?† Yes. Statistics indicates that there are many unreported cases of rape committed in the United States both in the past and the present. According to Buchwald, Pamela and Martha, many cases of assault that are unreported by the victims are perceived either as domestic disputes or bad dates implying that the victims perceive rape as just a mere normal occurrence in life or an acceptable behavior in society. For instance, a study report carried by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1992-2000 indicate that of all sexual assaults committed against women in America, only 36% of rapes, 26% of sexual assaults and 34% of attempted rapes were reported to the police signifying that most sexual assaults and rapes were not reported or treated. The report further states that, when the victims were asked why they never reported their cases to the police, they cited reasons like: they feared reprisal, it was a personal matte r or they wanted to protect the offenders (Buchwald, Pamela and Martha). Therefore, from such studies it is evident that Americans perceive rape as a culture and a normal occurrence or behavior, which is condoned in society. In addition, the monthly reports compiled by the Uniform Crime Report of the FBI from more than 17,000 law agency enforcement, which covers over

Knowledge Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Knowledge Economy - Essay Example A knowledge economy can exhibit itself in the interconnections between science and technology; the emphasis on creativity as critical to economic growth and competitiveness; the increasing focus on education and life-long learning; and the orientation toward investments in intangible goods and services, such as R&D, rather than fixed capital; and the rapid adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) that is providing nations greater independence as well as greater connectiveness (Archibugi & Pietrobelli, 2003). However, some contend that the expansion of knowledge economies within developing nations can also bring with it negative consequences, such as increasing the divide between developed an developing nations, and crowding in their economic development (Casanueva, 2001; Pietrobelli, 2000). This paper aims to present the argument that a knowledge economy within a developing nation can contribute to numerous negative effects on a countries economic and social development. Firstly, the positive arguments that promote the adoption of a knowledge economy by developing nations shall be presented. Secondly, the contrasting negative impact consequences to the adoption of KE shall be provided. Finally, a conclusion shall synthesise the main points of the paper and make recommendations for future research.It is generally conceded that a knowledge economy can positively contribute to the development of a nation's economic and social institutions by way of facilitating more effective goods and services production and delivery, lowering costs to public citizens (Archibugi & Pietrobelli, 2003). As such, developing nations are encouraged to adopt a knowledge economy as an efficient method for improving their competitiveness on the global marketplace, as well as alleviating their wel fare needs. In order to effectively incorporate a knowledge economy it is necessary for developing nations to capitalize on their economic and social strengths, and also to plan appropriately on how to invest in human capital, social institutions, technology and innovative and competitive businesses (Kuznetzov & Sabel, 2003). Countries such as Chile, Ireland, Malaysia and Korea are portrayed as success stories of countries, which have incorporated a knowledge economy into their social and political value systems (Kuzetzov & Sabel, 2003). Increasingly, science-based products and services are being incorporated into world trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) of multinational corporations to facilitate innovation globally, and cooperation across the boarders of scientific and technological research and development (Narula & Sadowski, 2002). Less developed countries are able to benefit from the increasing flow of knowledge if they are able to implement active policies that focus on enhancing learning opportunities and improving access to new knowledge and technology (Archibugi & Pietrobelli, 2003). Additionally, the opportunity to participate in the 'brain circulation' of open migration of people and their knowledge across boarders provides job prospects and educational experiences that prepare the LDC citizen to participate in a global workforce (Kuznetsov & Sabel, 2003).Additionally, a study investigating indicators that represent knowledge within 92 nations, during the period

Final assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Final - Assignment Example Project management is a crucial part of organizational management that ensures the accomplishment of a series of organizational objectives within stipulated timeframes and budgets. Project management enables organizations to successfully pursue competitive strategies in their bid to achieve the desired organizational performance. Unlike conventional approaches, current literature acknowledges project management as a vital business process (Jamieson & Morris, 2004). This paper explores the significant principles of project management and how to use project management as a discipline to successfully achieve organizational objectives. Project Life-Cycle Management and the Benefits of Project Management to an Organization Project Life-Cycle Management Successful projects and campaigns usually rely on quality research, proper and careful planning, insights and regular adjustments on the basis of feedback. Project management life cycle basically has four interrelated phases (Gido & Clement s, 2012). For instance, in a packaged water project that I was involved in some time back, the project was divided into four phases: initiation, planning, execution and conclusion or closure. The figure below represents phases of project management life-cycle. ... It is essential top conduct a review in order to establish the viability of the project during the initiation phase. This will help in determining the likelihood of achieving the desired deliverables of the project. Also, a proper project team must be created that will ensure the accomplishment of every project task within the right timeframe. The creation of project office will set clear all the tasks that are supposed to be executed for successful completion of the project. The project charter is crucial for identification of the vision and objectives of the project, scope, project deliverables and overall implementation strategy among others. Finally, there is need to review the overall performance of the initiation phase so that any deviation can be rectified before it is late (Gido & Clements, 2012). Planning Phase This entails the development of schedules, strategies and necessary tools for implementation. This is where project plan is created. The organization develops plans f or resource acquisition and use, financial, risk, quality, acceptance and communication. The organization uses project team to accomplish the tasks involved in this project management phase. Execution Phase This phase focuses on building project deliverables. It entails transforming organizational needs into actionable objects. The project team designs and develops the planned solution and authenticates the solution in accordance with organizational requirements. This phase also involves monitoring and control, which entails time management, cost management, quality control, risk management and procurement among others. Closure Phase This is the final phase of project life-cycle. It

Choose one topic from the five questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Choose one topic from the five questions - Essay Example In addition, citizens in areas of China that were especially vulnerable to droughts and famine would have access to food in times of distress (De Barry and Bloom 623-624; Lecture Notes). Ever-Normal-Granaries in Practice The earliest regulatory framework implemented for the Ever-Normal-Granaries under the imperial government, required the construction of state storage facilities in each county. The granaries were under the management of local authorities. Storage capacity and grain actually stored were commensurate with population sizes. For example, a heavily populated county would store more bushels of grain than a county with a relatively smaller population. At the end of the fall harvest, grain could be purchased in counties where the price of grain was lower and therefore supplies were higher. In order to safeguard against the natural destruction of the grain, a predetermined amount of grain was put on the market at a lower price and subsequently replaced (De Barry and Bloom 624 ; Lecture Notes). In regions where agriculture was by far the most important and perhaps the only source of food and economics, additional measures were taken. Grain was used to subsidize loans to peasant farmers who experienced a shortage in food and grain seeds (De Barry and Bloom 624-625; Lecture Notes). In other words, the collateral for a loan was the promise by the debtor of a specific quota in grain production at some time in the future. To this end, the Ever-Normal-Granaries in practice, was a system intended to keep the masses in food supply as a means of providing an incentive and a relief fund, for the production of grain. A charitable granary was also established pursuant to the Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucian philosophy (De Barry and Bloom 748). This neo-Confucian philosophy emphasized the duty of the wealthy to contribute toward the welfare of the poor and was thus a strategy for the alleviation of poverty. During good harvest times, all cities were required to set up ch aritable granaries. Farmers were expected to make contributions of rice and wheat commensurate with their crop and store the rice and wheat in the charitable granary. City officials were responsible for collecting the grain donations and in lean times were required to make the grain available to those who needed it the most, but could not afford to pay for it (De Barry and Bloom 748). The Logic of the Ever-Normal-Granaries According to De Barry and Bloom, the Ever-Normal-Granaries was designed to ensure the fair distribution of the country’s food supplies (624). For example, if a county with approximately 10,000 families had 1,000 bushels of grain stored and put those stored grains to market when prices increased, the price of grain would become stabilized. Logically, when grain prices are stable, there is enough grain for everyone. As De Barry and Bloom explain: There is no hoarding of grain by some while others beg for food, no pursuing and pressing by the headman of the vi llage to make people pay back their loans (624). The logic of the Ever-Normal-Granaries was not merely informed by the need to alleviate poverty. The logic of the Ever-Normal-Granaries was also informed by moral reasoning. According to Mencius, one of the first important Confucius followers, the youth tended to behave themselves during the good years and were more inclined

Discussing Literary Genre Essay Example for Free

Discussing Literary Genre Essay To define genre is to embark on a conjectural journey within a theoretical minefield. Genre theory has drawn immense debate and contemplation throughout literary history, however, several conclusions have emerged. Genre types are unfixed categories whose characteristics differ considerably among the specific genres; furthermore, the role of literary history plays a significant role in discussions of genre, for genre types evolve and shift with each new literary text. An approach to the discussion of genre, family resemblances, illustrates similar conventions among texts within a genre, but there are significant problems in this approach. There are several ways to discuss genre, and although problems abound in any approach, the subjective nature of the literary experience calls attention to the importance of the interaction between reader and text to provide the final word on genre. Although there is considerable theoretical debate about the definition of specific genres, the conventional definition tends to be based on the idea that texts within a genre share particular conventions of content and form, such as themes, settings, structure and style. However, the nature of genre leads to several problems inherent in the defining of genres. Certain genres are looser and more open ended in their conventions than other genres and some genres have many conventions while others have very few. Furthermore, literary texts that overlap and mix genres blur the distinction between them. Genres are not discrete systems consisting of a fixed number of list able items. Consequently, the same text can belong to different genres in different countries or times. For example, Latin poets categorized the elegy mainly in terms of its meter, while poets during the English Renaissance regarded the subject matter and tone to be determinate of form. History and culture play a role in the ever changing status of genres, which are difficult to define because the concept encompasses so many different literary qualities and conventions that can be broken or accepted, overlapped or mixed. Rather than define genre, some theorists approach the discussion of genre using Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of â€Å"family resemblances† among literary texts. Although a literary text rarely has all the characteristics of a particular genre, this method involves the discernment of similar conventions among texts within a genre. However, the problem of selection arises, for which texts can claim to be representative of a genre? Moreover, who decides the selection of these texts? The consideration of specific characteristics in literature introduces problems regarding the classification of literary works. The choice of characteristics taken into account is essential to the discussion of genre types . The characteristics of specific genres shift throughout history to accommodate variations in the category that occur; the defining characteristics of a particular genre can alter so drastically that the preliminary era in a new genre may not resemble the modern literary works in that genre. The works of Edgar Allan Poe, considered to be the father of the modern short story, show the contrast between the classification of short fiction in the 19th century and today. Poe’s short story, â€Å"The Murders in the Rue Morgue†, provides suspense and mystery; however, the story does not include the main character’s moment of consciousness, the key ingredient in classifying modern short stories. Although â€Å"The Murders in the Rue Morgue† does not entail a moment of revelation, the story was regarded as short fiction in 1841. The contrast between early short fiction and the modern short story demonstrates the varying qualities of the genre between its preliminary stages and the present, and shows the substantial transformation which occurred within the genre. The types of genres not only shift throughout history but also alter with each new literary work. The altering of generic categories results in further difficulty in defining genre and classifying literary texts, for it demonstrates that generic forms are never fixed entities. Literary theorist Todorov asserts that although â€Å"every work modifies the sum of possible works we grant a text the right to figure in the history of literature only insofar as it produces a change in our previous notion of one activity or another†. Donald Barthelme’s â€Å"The Glass Mountain† is an example that expands the notion of short stories; the text challenges readers to find meaning and story where there is none. â€Å"The Glass Mountain† influences and increases the possibilities of short stories, while compelling readers to contemplate the role of short stories. Such engagement between a literary text and a reader results in the most intriguing and merited discussion of genre. The subjective procedure of defining genre appeals to the relationship between text and reader. Genre provides a framework within which texts are interpreted, and expectations and emotional outlooks are the individual results of reading literature. The expectations prompted by conventions in a literary text play a large role in the discussion of genre. For example, Mavis Gallant’s â€Å"From the Fifteenth District† cheats the expectation that arises from the first sentence, â€Å"[a]lthough an epidemic of haunting † (Gallant 115), and surprises readers with the discovery that the story is a reversal of the ghost story. A reader’s personal interaction with a literary work is decisive of genre, for what we think a genre is and the individual’s impression of a literary text often serve to classify a literary work. The individual’s response to literature plays a vital role in the discussion of genre, for literary texts are created for an audience of one. The various means to discuss genre provide insightful observations; however, significant problems are inherent in these discussions. The constantly changing categories of genre and the emergence of new literary works make defining genre a daunting task better left to the individual reader.

Discuss the role of emotion in psychology Essay Example for Free

Discuss the role of emotion in psychology Essay Emotion is often the greatest cause for either enhanced recall or impaired recall. Through many studies psychologists have found that it is not only facts we store in our memory but the emotion surrounding them.  Flashbulb memories involve an enduring imprint of events surrounding an important incident, the memory is not the event itself but where you were and what you were doing when you heard about it. Sheingold and Tenney (1982) provided evidence to support the concept of flashbulb memories. Participants were asked about personal memories and found most had good memories for when they were told and who told them. They found the flashbulb memories were strong and remained consistent over time; however there is no way of checking the accuracy of these memories. As shown by Sheingold and Tenney, a flashbulb memorys characteristic involves consistency and has an unchanging nature and they also involve a high level of emotional arousal which leads to better recall of the event. However Wright (1993) found evidence that goes against this definition, the study involved looking at peoples memories of the Hillsborough football disaster in 1989, 5 moths after the event. It was found that most of the participants didnt report strong flashbulb memories; in fact many people had reconstructed their memories and had mixed their own with other peoples accounts. This evidence therefore goes against the idea that flashbulb memories remain consistent over time. On the other hand Conway (1994) suggested that the reason some studies dont support flashbulb memories is because the event wasnt significant to the individuals. Conway et al used Mrs Thatchers resignation as the basis for the creation of flashbulb memories. 11 months after 86% of the UK participants has a strong and consistent flashbulb memory compared to only 29% participants from other countries. This research suggests that flashbulb memories will only be strong if the event surrounding it is significant to the individual; the UK participants would have been more aware and connected to Mrs Thatchers resignation than participants from other countries. The role of emotion is memory can also cause impaired memory. Freud proposed the idea of repression; unwanted memories are pushed down into the unconscious mind so you forget them. Freud described this process as a way of the ego protecting itself from emotional conflict which is often the result of harsh experiences. Williams (1994) interviewed women who has been admitted to hospital on the grounds of sexual assault, 20years previously, (they were told the study was a follow up of medical care). Williams found that 38% of the women did not show any recall of being sexually abused and that 16% of the women that did, said that at one time they couldnt remember they had. This study therefore provides strong evidence to support the repression theory, a traumatic event was repressed and some couldnt recall it even 20 years later. Repressed memories are defined as a traumatic event placed beyond conscious awareness. Because of this placement, these memories can also affect conscious thought. Forgetting a traumatic event, like Williams (1994) research, has also been studied through case studies. One of the most famous is Bavers (1981) study on sirhan sirhan, the man who shot Robert Kennedy, who has no recall of doing so. In this case the emotions of regret and shame were probably the cause of the repression and the reason he cannot remember what he did. It has also been suggested that repressed memories can also cause anxiety and disordered behaviour. A study that supports this concept was carried out by Karon and Widener (1997) who found that once trauma was recalled in therapy, mental illness in World War 2 veterans completely alleviated, therefore supporting Freuds theory. However Loftus and Pickrell (1995) found evidence against Frueds repression theory. The study was called lost in the mall and the false memory of getting lost in a shopping centre as a child was implanted into the participants. After the debriefing 20% still held to their belief that this happened to them, even though it was a false memory showing trauma has a great affect on memory even though the memory was false but going against Frued as the memory wasnt real. Another study by Loftus and Palmer created a theory called the Weapon effect this was during a highly emotional event such as a robbery or assault, an eye witnesses recall was altered due to their focus on a weapon being used. Finally a depressive state also has an influence on memory. Negative emotions often create a negative recall bias which makes depressed people only focus on negative and unhappy experiences; a mood dependent memory. Lyketsos (2001) found in support of this that depression may lead people to be inattentive and so they dont encode new memories into the long term memory well, therefore recall is much poorer. In further support of this Antikainen et al (2001) studied 174 depressed patients and found they performed better on memory tasks and had fewer memory problems after 6 months treatment. In conclusion emotion plays an important role in memory. It can often lead to enhanced memory, such as flashbulb memories, or impaired memory such as the repression of traumatic experiences. Negative emotion is also responsible for a lack of memory such as when someone is depressed. Overall memories are largely influenced by emotion the more positive we are the more likely we are to recall, the more negative the less likely we will recall and are more likely to forget.

The Internationalisation Of Luxury Fashion

The Internationalisation Of Luxury Fashion Chapter 1. 1.0 Introduction Phau and Prendergast (2001) defined luxury brand has these characterises that are evoke exclusivity, have a well know brand identity, enjoy high brand awareness and perceived quality, and retain sales levels and customer loyalty. For the Chinese economy, it has been increased at an average rate of 13 percent per year (wgsn-edu.com, 2002). In 2004, a total of 236,000 Chinese became millionaires (Merrill Lynch Cap Gemini, 2005). As for luxury consumption, 37% of luxury goods are purchased in Asia (Chadha and Husband, 2006). In China Chinese luxury consumer population is 300,000 millionaires. That means Chinese consumers are playing the important role for the luxury brands as Chinese market will make or break the luxury products factors potentially (Okonkwo, 2007). Therefore, the customer usually would like to have different choices of purchasing fashion products. According to Howard and Herbig (1996) noted that People can perceive value is a major determinant of product success: qual ity images are far more important than product value; high prices portray high quality. Bake (2003) indicated that some factors could influence the retailer companies entry on the other markets, for example, legal and language. Therefore, the retailers in order to get most profit from products from foreign markets, they will use two ways that are the methods for the company of entry into foreign market and have a choice of distribution channels in each foreign market (Terpastra Sarathy, 1997). In international marketing, the entry method is very important for the fashion retailer to enter foreign markets. According to the global luxury consumption, it is indicated the luxury brands are successfully in the world and also in the global luxury market growth per year (Verdict, 2009). By using the theory of internationalisation and using the process of internaionalisation example of Burberry. It has strategically penetrated the Chinese market to comprehend the Chinese market. The market will have a great positive impact on the consumption of fashion goods and by highlighting their British origins and positioning themselves towards the aspirational consumers. Chapter 2. 2.0 Literature Review This literature review aims to address that the concept of retail internationalisation, its impact upon luxury fashion brands and the strategic operations of British luxury brands with Chinese retail market by using the examples of Burberry. Hines and Bruce (2001) noted fashion retailers were the most prolific and successful when it came to foreign market expansion. Unsurprisingly, the rise in academic interest reflects the increase of retail internationalisation activity as more companies seek to expand their operations overseas (Moore et al 2000). According to Alexander and Akehurst (1995) there are six key subject areas for researchers to thoroughly address all issues concerned with the process when discussing the internationalization of retailers; What is the internationalisation of fashion retailing? Who are the international fashion retailers? Where do fashion retailers internationalise? Why do fashion retailers internationalise? How do fashion retailers internationalise? When does fashion retailer internationalisation occur? 2.1 Definition of the luxury fashion brand Kapferer and Bastien said: Luxury is in fashion, and the fashion is for luxury. (Kapferer and Bastien, 2009) Luxury brands have the power of branding, which means they can influence cultures, societies and generations potentially. Traditionally, luxury brands have main core characteristics that are brand strength, exclusivity, creative, innovation, product craftsmanship, differentiation and precision, premium pricing and high quality (Okonkwo 2007). Furthermore, the other core characteristics for the true luxury brand are global reputation, strong brand image, emotional appeal, tightly controlled distribution and visibility (Jackson and Haid, 2006). For example, Gucci, the results of the strong brand image of Gucci are in several of brands products being back-ordered to two years. The brand value has an important relationship with consumers. 2.2 Whats internationalisation of retailing? The internationalisation of retailing is defined Treadgold (Wigley et al, 2005) as having visible and invisible dimensions. The Invisible dimension has been defined as the international sourcing of products and services and the cross-border transfer of management expertise in the form of managerial policies or technical skills (Kacker, 1997). That refers to the intangible facets as opposed to the physicality of opening overseas stores. On the other hand, for the visible dimension, the fashion retailer internationalisation is the operation of retail shops within foreign markets (Hines and Bruce, 2001). Consequently, the luxury fashion brands are visible in the market. From the report of clothing retailing UK (Mintel, 2003), there are 18 out of 20 top-selling clothing retailers have presence outside of domestic market, for instance, Burberry, it has 236 stores around world (BBC, 2010). At 30 June 2010, Burberry globally had 139 retail stores, 140 concessions (excluding Spain), 44 outlets and 97 franchise stores (Burberryplc, 2010). In China, Burberry has opened stores in 30 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan (Burberry, 2010). According to Baker (2003, p.799), he indicates that because of the legal, language and logistical problems, the most successful retail is difficult to enter other markets. Even though the retail companies could be slow and difficult entry the other countries, however overseas expansion is a significant process for development of retailers. Liu and Mcgoldrick (Bcaker, 2003) indicated that the long history of international product sourcing has facilitated foreign retailing operations because relationships have already b een construct with the foreign destinations that is easier to instigate the process of internationalisation. 2.3 Who are the international fashion retailers? According to the British fashion council, the editors of the international fashion magazines, journals and fashion experts, who define characteristic of the international fashion retailers such firms: Have an international profile in the fashion industry as evidenced in their having bi-annual fashion show in one of the international fashion capitals, e.g. Paris, Milan, London Have been established in the fashion design business for at least two years Named their own label merchandise Retail merchandise either via outlets bearing the name of designer or within other outlets with two or more countries (Moore et al, 2000) From other definition, following Hines and Bruce (2007) the international fashion retailer can be defined into the four types: The product specialist fashion retailers narrow product range, clearly defined customer base The fashion designer retailers internationally recognized brand, exclusive positioning The general merchandise retailers mix of fashion and non-fashion products and large stores The general fashion retailers- broad range of products and accessible pricing (Hines and Bruce, 2007) Moore and Doherty (2007) defined luxury fashion retailers as: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ those firms that distribute clothing, accessories and other lifestyle products which are: Exclusively designed and/or manufactured by/or for the retailer; Exclusively branded with a recognised insignia, design handwriting or some other identifying device; Perceived to be of a superior design, quality and craftsmanship; Priced significantly higher than the market norm; and Sold within prestigious retail settings. Retailer that conform to this characterizes include Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Hermes, Burberry, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace and Mulberry. 2.4 Chinese retail cultures and economy For this stage, it will indicate the Chinese luxury fashion history, retailers and exporting in the world. By examining Chinese economy in the luxury fashion, China is playing an important role in the world of luxury fashion. Chinese have great history, but to date most of people have not exhume it or they reclaimed it by their own understanding. Once China has recovered its culture and confidence in itself, there is no uncertainty factor that great Chinese luxury brands will appear, recreating the link with the past such as shanghai Tan (Chadha and Husbands, 2006) $1.4 trillion economy of China is the sixth largest in the world and gross domestic product is forecast to increase 7.9% over the next five years (wgsn-edu.com, 2004). Since the 80s, Chinese economy has increased at an average rate of approx 13per cent per year. In some coastal cities growth has been as high as 35%. (Wgsn-edu.com, 2002. Sep 04). World trade in clothing and textiles is about $350 billion. In China, employment figure range from an estimated 19 million employed Textile and Clothing manufacture in 2005 up from 14 million in 1995 to 17963 in Mauritius. That is from the table, it also indicates employment in clothing manufacture in some countries from 1995 to 2005 (see figure 1) (Hines and Bruce, 2007). There is a reason for it that the Chinese textile and retail industries have cheap labour. On the other hand, China and Hong Kong China are the leading exporters which are significantly higher than others (see figure 2) (WTO, 2005) However, China and Hong Kong China are being relatively small importers in the table. Twenty years ago, there was no middle class in China but now, the middle class has been more than 100 million. Currently, China represents 12% of global luxury goods purchases and will grow 26 per cent per quarter for the next four years. The current of Chinese luxury consumer population is 300,000. The number of people who can afford the luxury products will grow up 1.3 billion in the next five years. That means the Chinese consumer is important for luxury brands as Chinese market will have make or break the luxury products factors potentially (Okonkwo, 2007). The high growth rate of the Chinese economy is an amazing market for the luxury fashion products industry. Chinese luxury market is the second largest to Japanese in the Asia-Pacific region and will grow 28 per cent annually in 2010 (Wiederhecker, 2007). Furthermore China will likely play influence role in the world of fashion. The effective of the rising Chinese designers will be increased in the next decades (Okonkwo, 2007). 2.5 Market entry Strategies Fashion retailers as the most prolific of international retailers can be are consistently recognised (Wigley and Moore, 2007). Luxury fashion brands have attracted more consistent attention and form the basis of the current work while the general fashion brands have been the focus of some academic attention (Laulajainen, 1992; Fernie et al., 1997; Moore et al., 2000; Moore et al., 2004). From Root (1987) summaries the definition of entry methods is as institutional arrangement that makes possible the entry of a companys product, technology, human skills, management or other resources into a foreign country. Traditionally, entry methods can be classified into along risk or control continuum (Teradgold and Davies, 1998; Dawson, 1994; Dotherty, 200). According to Alexander and Doherty (2009), international retailers will use more than one method to develop their markets when they face a number of methods for international expansion. There are main methods for international retailing dev eloping their markets: Flagship stores: company owned, large in scale to show case the brand Organic growth: internal expansion, likely new store develops within the existing or an integrated organization framework Merger and acquisition: the acquisition of control over a firm in the international market Joint venture: between a company in the host country and an international firm or two firms enter into a joint venture and enter the host market Franchising and licensing: a business gives the authorities to the international franchisee to operate the brand. Licensing, such like a agent Exporting/ wholesaling: products sold to an international market without really stores Concessions: a shop within a shop, usually a department store, in the host market Within each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages, which is chosen by a retailer on basis of its product portfolio, corporate confidence and has consequent set up cost and operational control, which a retailer needs to take into consideration (Burt, 1993; Dawson, 1993; Moore and Fernie, 2004; Quinn and Doherty, 2000; Sparks, 1996; Treadgold, 1991; Treadgold and Davies, 1988). Burt (1993). Following Simpson and Thorpes (1996) PLIN model the companies successful in foreign markets because their heritage provides them with niche differentials and internationally appealing brands as highlighted. This model suggests that retailers should do differential advantages via product, lifestyle, image and niche differentials from their competitors. The factors of internationalization entry methods Goodhow and Hanz (1972) indicate that companies need to consider five factors to start planning for foreign market entry: The environment of market- policy decision is affected by the environment of political and economic factors of the foreign market The competitiveness of the company- affected by the scale of company, technological level and experience of internationalisation The characteristic of the product- influenced through specialty of the production or different of production life cycle The consideration of companys capital and budget- it is affected by the limitation of companys capital. The cognition of inner company- the decision maker of company has the opinion towards the scale of risk for the demands of expansion foreign market The luxury fashion company, Burberry, says it is going to buy out its franchisees in Mainland China at beginning of September (Independent, 2010). Burberry will pay  £70 million ($108 million) to take full control of 50 stores in 30 cities in China, which include 9 stores in Beijing and 4 stores in Shanghai, from its franchisee Kwok Hang Holings of Hong Kong (BBC, 2010). The reason for Burberry to buy out its local franchise partner is that it will give more Burberry company control over the merchandise and how it is marketed. The chief financial office of Burberry said: We believe we can drive more productivity with those stores. and Burberry was looking to double the number of shops in the country. She also said the country would be a double-digit growth driver(Independent, 2010). Furthermore, for the development of retailer expansion in the foreign country, SWOT analyses can provide they with an outline of their strengths, Weakness, opportunities and threats, which can assist in direction when they entry into international markets (See figure 3). Burberry operates flagships in four markets that are London, New York, Tokyo and Barcelona (Moore and Doherty, 2007). Therefore Burberry did not use the flagships store method entry into China. However, for the one of the entry methods, concessions, nowadays, Luxury players have held out longest in Europe against locating in malls, which has been anathema to the retailers. However this has been preferred route to market in regions, such as China in Asia (Verdict, 2009). Similarly in Beijing both Shingkong Place and ST Plaza big department malls anchoring many luxury brands. Burberry operates concessions within these department stores throughout China. However, Burberry will operate the flagship store in Beijing in 16th December. That flagship store will be the most great in Asia (ELLEChina, 2010). 2.6 International expansion direction Some studies examined that the direction of expansion of specific fashion retailers is largely determined by their market position (Hind and Bruce). According to Hollander (1970) found that a focus on capital city expansion was a common trait of the internationalising luxury fashion retailers and termed the strategy the New York, London, Paris syndrome. In the 1990s, as a consequence of the hardly competitive conditions within the European Union and as a result of the opportunities afforded by the demise of the USSR. Therefore Fashion retailers have focused on their international expansion to emerging markets includes China, Russia (Fernie et al., 1998) The place of distribution refers to the areas that are make products and services available to customers. Retail channels are most effective when they meet the consumers expectations in terms of location, convenience and product assortment (Okonkwo, 2007). For luxury brands, there is the additional task of brand protection in the distribution areas choice such as licences or franchises. However, as early mention in previous chapter, in China, luxury retailers entry the market for the place of distribution via another choice. For an instant, The British luxury brand, Burberry, has 47 stores in Mainland China. In Beijing, Burberry operates eight stores. Chapter 3. 3.0 Luxury brands in the world 3.1 Global luxury consumption During the last few years, the luxury market has sustained growth. The luxury market has grown from $20 billion to $68billion from 1985 to 2000 in spite of the September 11 attacks and other events disruptive to global trade (The Economist, 2002). Even though some factors can influence the consumption of luxury brand in the market, which include image, quality, store atmosphere (Deeter-Dchmelz et al, 2000). However, Global consumers spend on luxury brands still grow 102.5% over 2003 to 2008 in $. In the euros, the global luxury market grew by 41.8% to à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬224.5bn over the 2003 to 2008, with a growth slowdown becoming evident in the latter half of 2008 because consumers expenditure on luxury brands slowed under the impact of the global financial crisis (see figure 4) Furthermore, the luxury goods sector has become increasingly more internationalised in recent year (see figure 5) (Verdict, 2009). 3.2 Burberry in China Thomas Burberry created Burberry in 1856 in Basingstoke, England when he opened a store to sell mens outwear, soon becoming known for the development of a fabric called gabardine. During the First World War, Burberry continued to develop the officers raincoat named the Trench coat(Moore Britwistle, 2004). Burberry is a global luxury brand with a distinctive British heritage, core outerwear base and one of the most recognized icons in the world. In China, after Burberry bought its franchisee back from Kwok Hang Holdings of Hong Kong (BBC, 2010). According to Burberry Group PLC (2010) Burberry plans to open about 10 stores in China in the current financial year when applying global marketing, retail, merchandising and IT disciplines to drive store productivity. From Angela Ahrendts, Chief Executive Officer commented: The acquisition of Burberrys store operations in mainland China will allow us to further leverage our proven brand and business strategies in this high growth luxury region. With a solid foundation of 50 stores across 30 cities, operational expertise and strong brand momentum, this is an optimal time for Burberry to integrate this business. Chinese market is an exciting market for the British luxury brand, Burberry. Furthermore, Burberry also plans to add 66 stores and 44 Chinese outlets in China by 2012 (Independent, 2010). In the other hand, According to Burberry annual report (2009) the revenues of Burberry were up 30% in Asia-Pacific and in 2009 to 2010, the retail and wholesale revenue were 24% in Asia-pacific includes China. (see Figure 6) Chapter 4. 4.0 Methodology 4.1 Introduction This chapter will definite the relevant methods of research that proceeds to give the most accurate findings for the aim and objectives of the project that have already been discussed. A vary of research methods will be examined at individually. After identify all the methods a few approaches will be selected for examining the retail internationalisation of British luxury fashion brands into Chinese market. 4.2 Research approaches According to Proctor (2000) indicated Qualitative research examines the attitudes, feelings and motivations of products users. Qualitative research is characterised by small samples and this has always focus on criticism. Qualitative research has advantages to grow in popularity. Firstly, it is much cheaper than quantities research. Secondly, an understanding of customer attitudes and motivations is produced a good mechanism by Qualitative research. Thirdly, it can improve quantitative research efficiently. Otherwise, qualitative research cannot provide samples for representative of the target population of the research. Quantitative research is focused with measuring elements of a market or the population of consumers marking up the market. This contains soft phenomena such as consumer attitude as well as market size, brand shares and purchase frequencies etc (Hague and Jackson, 1999). Quantitative research is a large sample size and it use statistical to analysis (Proctor, 2000). 4.3 Sampling The definition of sampling is from Chisnall (2001), it is concerned with the study of the relationships exiting between a population and the samples drawn from it. Proctor (2000) indicated sampling, some so-called census information is in fact obtained via sampling. That means computer assisted statistical procedures make it possible to obtain useful information about the population through questioning only a selected sample of persons. There are two main types of sampling methods according to Chisnall (2001) Probability samples- it is different between the sample value and the true value of the population surveyed. Non-probability samples- it require certain percentages of the sample to be women or men, housewives under thirty or a similar criterion. 4.4 Survey The primary data is indicated that asking people questions about their knowledge, attitudes, preferences and buying behavior (Kotler et al 2002). According to Proctor (2000) explored some of the various method of primary data through surveys: Postal surveys Personal interviews Telephone surveys Completely self-administered surveys Panels Omnibus studies 4.5 Questionnaires A Questionnaire is an important stage of the total research methods and its preparation and administration demand considerable professional expertise. It obtains specific information about a defined problem so that data result in a better appreciation of the problem after analysis and interpretation Chisnall (2001). According to Hague and Jackson (1999) noted purposes for the questionnaires. Firstly, primary role is to draw accurate date form respondents. Secondly, they provide structure to interviews. Thirdly, a questionnaire is to provide a standard form on which facts, comments and attitudes can be written down. Finally, questionnaire facilitates data processing. Question can be classified into two types that are open-ended question and closed questions. Open-ended question is also known as free answer or free response. The respondent is considerable freedom in phrasing an answer, which may be lengthy and detailed, and in his or her own words. On the other hand, closed questions are identified as calling for responses, which are strictly limited. That means he or she can choose alternative replies from they are expected to select an answer corresponding their on a particular subject (Hague and Jackson, 1999). Survey questionnaires are applied in different ways such as telephone interviews, formal structured personal interviews and self-administered studies (Proctor, 2000). 4.5 Observation According to Proctor (2000) indicated observation is a drawback of the survey method. It obtains much of the information is based on interviewees statements describing what they have done or expect to do in the future. Observation includes the personal or mechanical monitoring of selected activities. Chisnall (2001) said observation may be either participative or non-participative as indicated in the receding section. Participative observation would seem to have very limited application in marketing research. On the other hand, non-participative widely used in scientific studies and termed the classical method of investigation has several applications in marketing research. Hague and Jackson (1999) noted that observation is used in shopping studies, especially in stores. It is used to find out how things are done in practice. Observation can classified into these stages for the in-store environment: Distribution Shelf price Shelf facings -reported in number and share Shelf location Display activity Presence of point-of-purchase material (Proctor, 2000) 4.6 Focus group A focus group is a common form of a group interview. The aim of focus group is to learn and understand what people have to say about a topic and understand their arguments. The purpose is to discover how it forms part of their lives and how they feel about products, idea or organization. Focus group can be classified into three types that are exploratory groups, clinical focus group and employing focus group. Exploratory groups method is often used by focus group and helping to define the problem precisely. Clinical focus groups are used as true motivations and feelings of a person are subconscious. Employing focus groups provide information and data about problem by the mechanism of group dynamics. (Proctor, 2000) 4.7 Interviews According to Chisnall (2001) defined as a conversation directed to a definite purpose other than satisfaction in the conversation itself. An interview concerned with a purposeful exchange of meanings and interaction between the interviewer and the respondent. The quality of the interview depends on the interviewer developing a relationship with the answers, which will encourage good communication. 5.0 Conclusion Tungate (2008) indicated luxury brands have identified opportunities in Asia as a whole, everyone wants to talk about China. And also, Dickson Poon, the Hong Kong entrepreneur who owns Harvey Nichols, said: China definitely has the potential to become the largest luxury goods market in the world. Poon says that a number of Chinese with the wherewithal to buy mid-price consumer goods has reached 300 million. The Chinese is already worth an estimated US$550 billion. The people frequently travel for shopping not only to Hong Kong, they will go to further afield such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, as there place is a new wealth. Therefore, British luxury brand, Burberry successful entry into Chinese market. According to the data and information as mentioned in previous sectors indicated Burberry is good example of British luxury brand in Chinese market even though Burberry spent  £70 million ($108 million) to take full control of 50 stores in 30 cities in China. Like Angela Ahrendts, Chief Executive Officer said: Chinese market is an exciting market for the British luxury brand.(Burberry Group PLC 2010) So, Burberry is developing in Chinese market constantly, and they will open the most largest flagships store in Beijing soon as mentioned in previous sector. The aim of this project is to understand the retail internationalisation of British luxury fashion brands into the Chinese market. Therefore, objectives will be achieved by using both primary and secondary research methods to examined the retail internationalisation of British luxury fashion brands into the Chinese market. The literature review includes extensive secondary research from published authors of books, journal articles etc. to provide an examination of theoretical work. However, this project would benefit from the following methods of research have been selected as the best approaches to gain the most accurate findings. Index. Figure 1. Source from: Bruce M. and Hines, Fashion Marketing contemporary issues, pp. 3 Figure 2. Source from: Bruce M. and Hines, Fashion Marketing contemporary issues, pp. 5 Strengths Gross margin increased from 52.1% in 2008/09 to 59.7% in 2009/10 Annual sales of  £1280m Retail revenue is  £749m Authentic British heritage Its founding in 1856 by Thomas Burberry Globally recognized icon portfolio e.g. trench coat, trademark check Top 100 global brands Weaknesses Profit fell from  £62m to 25m in1998 The foreign group out of control Over-reliance on a number of key product suppliers Burberry over-relies upon licensees Opportunities Enhance consumer responsiveness Operate more efficiently and effectively Upgrading existing stores Execution of the global buy Threats Competition from other luxury global brands such as Chanel, Gucci Burberry could suffer it is supply chain is unable to produce Burberry may be unable to control its wholesale and licenseesFigure 3 Burberry SWOT analyses Figure 4. Source from: Verdict (2009), Global luxury retailing, pp.23 Figure 5 Source from: Verdict (2009), Global luxury retailing, pp.24