ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and International Dissertation

ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and International Trade in The Middle Eastern Developing Countries - Dissertation Example This is what this paper’s topic will all be about. This paper will explore the changes ICT has brought about thorough presentation of peer-reviewed literature that contained previous studies of researchers also about the same topics. It will also explore the digital divide existing in developing countries and how ICT has helped resolve this problem. It will also be discussing the status of ICT in three countries in the MENA region, namely, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Dubai. This paper will show how ICT developed in these region and how it helped socially, politically and most importantly, economically. 2.2: Research Questions The research questions in this study are used as a guide to analyze the attractiveness of the Middle East countries as a market for international entry. The industry used in this dissertation is of the high tech information and communication technology. The digital divide and the importance of the distribution channel to the ICT industry are al so studied. The emerging and high growth nature of the Middle Eastern region has attracted small to very large ICT vendors from the world over. This paper will be guided by the following research questions: 2.4.1: What makes the Middle East an attractive destination for ICT vendors to set up sales and marketing ventures? 2.4.2: What is digital divide and how does it figure in the Middle Eastern region, particularly the developed and developing countries. 2.4.3: How ICT has changed the international trade of Middle Eastern developing countries. 2:3 Background of the Problem The fast development of ICTs served only to highlight other technological disparity complexities associated with it. This can happen to both developed and developing nations. It came to the attention of those concerned that such disparity may occur in a developed nation more than between developed and developing nations. Moreover, this disparity does not only pertain to internet and computer use but also other ICT forms such as mobile phones, landlines and even pagers. The awareness of this disparity led to yet another terminology that as of today is not widely used, i.e., â€Å"digital divide†. Digital divide has a broader meaning than simple â€Å"information gap†. This digital divide present in developed or developing countries, particularly those in the Middle East (ME) is going to be the focus of this paper. How ICT either solved or worsen this disparity problem in the ME region will be included in this paper. Likewise, the advantages and changes brought about by ICT to the nations experiencing digital divide in the ME will also be explored. The literature of 3 ME countries that enjoyed the development of ICT in their midst will also be given focus. CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1: Introduction This paper will make use of academic and peer viewed literature that corresponds to the main themes of digital divide and the ICT industry as applied to the Middle Eastern countri es with focus on three of them, namely Saudi Arabia, Dubai and UAE. The study is based on a qualitative research approach that strives to collect relevant information and data from different available secondary resources. The literature included in this chapter will

Key Concepts in Management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Key Concepts in Management - Coursework Example is because machines are beneficial for increasing the overall efficiency but it cannot be considered as a tool to communicate with employees (Marchington & Wilkinson, 2008, pp. 56-57). On the contrary, organization provides an environment in which employees can enhance their competencies as well as develop their skills to sustain in the workplace for longer period of time. Machines are usually subjected to decreasing rate of productivity which is not true in context of an organization. A machine can be more powerful than an organization in the initial phases but in case of sustainability it cannot be considered to be effective. Employees or living components of an organization cannot be sustained by a machine for long run. As for sustainability productivity and efficiency are not the only vital components (Torrington, Hall & Taylor, 2005, pp.110-111). An effective operation is not enough to ensure longevity as other factors such as work collaboration, high adaptability, incorporating necessary changes etc., is equally important. It can be stated that external forces play a major role in ensuring longevity of a system. Modern organizations to some extent seem to be preoccupied with the idea of maintaining status quo in the industry. However risk is a factor which cannot be eliminated completely from the system. Status quo is often considered to be the most difficult element in terms of sustainability. In the present competitive environment organizations had to strive hard in order to maintain their respective status quo in the industry. However there is often a mindset developed that organizations are performing well and has effectively maintained their status quo. This can be considered to be a prison mindset as such situation is never real in the present business environment (Jackson, Schuler &Â  Werner, 2011, pp. 101-103). In certain context this form of prison mindset develops when a firm possesses a record of outstanding performance and has a reputed image

The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica - Essay Example Peter’s towers 445 feet in the air from the floor to the very tip of the cross on that famous dome above and it was a tall building even by sixteenth century standards. â€Å"That dome is a revered part of the Roman skyline and it is an amazing architectural design all by itself. None other than Michelangelo himself designed the great dome and that famous Renaissance artist employed a double-shell design technique that was created by San Gallo. Even though Michelangelo was made the architect in charge of St. Peter’s in 1546, the completion of the masterpiece came long after his death.† (When In Rome, Visit St. Peters Basilica - A Vatican City Delight) Thus, it was Giacomo della Porta, one of his students, who went on to complete the work in 1590, following the death of the great master and the design plans of the brilliant architects have been modeled in other famous buildings of the world. â€Å"From distance one can clearly see the dome of St. Peter’s r ising above the nave and wide faà §ade, although Michelangelo’s dome, designed for a naveless church gradually recedes from view as one comes closer to the building.† (Moffett, 357) Therefore, the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is a magnificent construction which has great historical and architectural value and this paper makes an analysis of the work of architecture to comprehend the historical facts as well as the factors that influenced its design, etc. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica has been so well designed that the first two centuries since its construction found no cracks or other issues. In a reflective analysis of the architectural value of the dome, it becomes lucid that St. Peter’s Basilica served as a model for churches as well as government buildings and the dome of the church is its most magnificent construction. Significantly, the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica illustrates the relationship between politics and power and it is important to realize the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica as

Organisational Change Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 8

Organisational Change Management - Essay Example These are the challenges that the organisation face when they do not plan their change program (Flamholtz, and Randle, 2008). Generally it has been noticed that the flawed decisions of the management are responsible for creation of such barriers. However, in case of this study, the change process would be viewed from the perspective of 5D AI method. The AI method comprises of 5D, namely, 1) Define, 2) Discover, 3) Dream, 4) Design, and 5) Deliver. However, before discussing the case study of D2, the basis of AI model has to be understood, so that the readers can understand how this model would be useful in meeting the objectives of the study. The model of AI is based on the hypothesis that the question that is generally asked by someone, focus towards a particular direction (Armenakis, and Harris, 2009). Other methods evaluate and assess the situation and propose solutions on the basis of the deficiency model. Generally it has been noticed that changes and other prerequisites related to changes are seen as a challenge in the deficiency model, while AI model consider it as a deficiency and it takes an alternative approach (Bauer, 2011; Barry, 1997). Through this process change becomes easy and all the members in the organisation gets motivated and also understand the importance of change and value that it might add. Appreciative Inquiry AI approach in change management is different from simple problem solving method. Problem solving begins with the identification of the problem, while this model begins with appreciation, and identifying the best things in the system. Problem solving analysis the cause of the problem, which AI envisions what should have been the cases, which reveals a positive attitude again.... This essay stresses that challenges are faced during unplanned as well as planned change. It is a wrong notion that leaders do not face challenge if they go for plan change in their organisation. Firstly, resistance from employees even before the change process is implemented is a major challenge in both cases. Even in D2 the leaders will face the resistance when they will disclose their decisions to the employees. The leaders in the organisation have a critical role to play in this situation, as they need to prepare the people of D2 UK plant for the change. In case of unplanned change, the leaders do not have a step wise strategy to deliver the change process. To some extent the change decisions of D2 is an example of an unplanned change. This paper makes a conclusion that during the change process leaders will faces complex situations, where they might face hindrance. For example the employees at France or Spain might resist accepting employees from UK plant, and work with them. If the company plans to relocate the employees then they need to be provided the due facilities to those human resource too, which the company should consider in to their relocation cost. Teams in UK plant of D2 can take up responsibility to identify solution for different issues. Employees in the plant can even come up with excellent ideas to revive the plant at UK, rather than relocating, without increasing the cost further. This might drive the management to change their decision of closing the UK plant.

Case management concepts to care for patients with high-risk complex Essay

Case management concepts to care for patients with high-risk complex needs - Essay Example Existing literature on the subject of case management has often found that it is successful and beneficial to the patient, their families and their caregivers (Bergen 1992; Pugh et al. 2001; Riegel, Carlson, Kopp, LePetri, Glaser & Unger 2002). Case management can be especially beneficial for patients that have high-risk complex needs, such as elderly patients with congestive heart failure and diabetes, and it appears to be cost effective and improve patients’ quality of life (Pugh et al. 2001). An example of using case management for patients with congestive heart failure is described in an article by Riegel et al. (2002). The study aimed to determine if a standardized telephonic case-management intervention had any effect on reducing the number of resources utilized by patients (Riegel et al. 2002). Participants in the study received standardized calls from a case manager on a regular basis over the six months of the study. Results of this study indicated that the phone call s did significantly decrease the resources required by patients (Id.). The telephonic case-management intervention also resulted in significantly lower costs for patient care. Basically, the study results found that the telephonic case management resulted in significant decreases in physician office visits, hospital days, emergency department visits, and rates of rehospitalization (Id.). Interestingly, the study also found that some of the telephonic case management interventions were more effective than others. However, it is not clear which factors of the intervention actually influence the effectiveness of the results and further research is needed in this area (Id.). Other studies assessing the effectiveness of case management in patients with congestive heart failure also found that case management intervention was beneficial to the patients (Laramee, Levinsky, Sargent, Ross & Callas 2003; Pugh et al. 2001). In fact, nearly all of the research on the subject of using case manag ement strategies with congestive heart failure patients found the intervention could be linked to decreased hospital readmission, cost savings and improved functional health status (Laramee et al. 2003). Another population which can benefit from case management intervention is the population of older people living in the community (Bergen 1992; Bernabei et al. 1998). Existing literature on the subject seems to indicate that integrated community care that includes case management strategies has positive effects on the elderly population that is living in the community (Bernabei et al. 1998).In fact, Bernabei et al. (1998) found the intervention led to reduced risk of hospitalization and reduced length of stay in the hospital or nursing home, less physical decline among patients, and reduced health care costs. Case management strategies have also been beneficial to elderly diabetic patients, especially those living alone (Huang, Wu, Jeng & Lin 2004). Elderly diabetes patients that liv e alone face a number of challenges and often cannot perform self-care independently (Huang et al. 2004). Through home-based case management intervention patients can be educated in diabetes self-management (Funnell et al. 2007). Results of the study indicated that a home-based nursing case management strategy improved quality of life for elderly diabetics living alone, although much more research is needed so that more strategies may be developed to treat these populations in our society Case

New age hip hop vs old school Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

New age hip hop vs old school - Essay Example This is attributed to the fact that what was sung in the earlier year has either been modified to meet the current demands in the market and the consumers. Lack of modification is a clear indication to the singer that he might not attract a large number of consumers but instead a specific one that is characterized by a given age category (Nattiez 49). The youth will prefer to listen to the hip hop music because of the way in which the musicians are dressed and the celebrity cars and houses in which they shoot their videos. It is therefore all about the complex nature and how classy the music appears to be. This may not be the case for the old school listeners whose intention is to listen to the message being communicated through music. They bought the music because of the skills that were being portrayed and the rhyming beats. This is not common among the hip hop listeners who love the wack rhythms and dope beats. Most of the old school songs always have a theme whenever they are being composed and it is easier for the listener to tell what the intention of the singer is. This may not be the case for the hip hop songs which in most cases the intention of the musician is to show off the classy assets they have or are aware of in their country (Hickmann 60). They rarely have a theme when recording and singing an indication that they end up only attracting a smaller and specific age category. Most of their productions are considered to be short term as they are only listened to for a specific period of time whereas those of the old school remain hit songs throughout even after the demise of the singers. Most of the other age categories apart from those of the youth may not easily tell what the intention of the hip hop singer was as some of them aim at hitting back at their fellow hip hop musicians. Music as an entertainment genre is meant to be educative in its own way and it should not only limit itself to a specific age

Tucson 4th ave streetcar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tucson 4th ave streetcar - Essay Example So far, the development plan is underway and the streetcar is soon getting an operation, however, the project draws a number of criticisms right from its planning to the effects of the finished railroad in the city. Efficiency in transportation reduces time lost in traffic thereby making the economy more efficient. For a long time the city of Tucson has merely relied on the efficient road network to provide connections to all the places within the city. The city has a dedicated metropolitan bus service coupled with a number of private taxi services that have by far ensured efficient transportation in and out of the city. However, the city just as any other part of the country is expanding. The city continues to attract more investors, which implies that more people move into the city all of who require effective means of transportation. This implies that while the sizes and the conditions of the road network have remained unchanged for quite some time, the demand has significantly in creased resulting in both congestion in the public places such as bus stations and traffic jams on the roads and major highways. The city therefore needed some more radical means of transportation, one which could transport a large number of people and do so efficiently fast. This could drastically reduce congestion and save time. Expansion of the road networks seemed more expensive and had more severe economic ramifications, the rest of the world and even New York among other cities in the United States have all tried and tested the efficiency of streetcars a feature, which prompted the council government of Tucson to employ one. However, the cost constructing one would overburden the taxpayers, which is the key source of revenue for the council government. The project, which expected to complete in June 2013, had an initial budget of one hundred and fifty million dollars but that has since increased to two hundred million owing to readjustments on a number of construction features (Golem and Janet 33). The project draws its funding from the voter approved regional transportation authority and federal agents both of which rely on taxes. Once completed the project is expected to relieve the public transport system and revamp business in the city’s major business districts. The project has so far served as one of the highest employers in the city of Tucson, its construction process alone has caused more than a thousand temporary construction jobs but the streetcar project is expected to create more than two thousand permanent jobs once it gets operational. Additionally, more than twenty construction companies set up in the neighborhood to sustain the construction process. More than one thousand five hundred more people will be employed by the Sun Link Tucson Transport Company to sustain the entire transportation process. Furthermore, the electricity powered streetcar promises efficiency, The Sun Link Tucson, which is the company mandated with operating t he streetcar, has a success history with managing public transportation and won the Best Transit system in 2005. It is therefore expected that the streetcar project will attain similar efficiency thereby decongesting the city. The mapping of the streetcar route passes