Concepts of Culture and Society Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Concepts of Culture and Society - Research Paper Example There are different elements of culture and social forces that continuously influence us as an individual in society. These elements not only differentiate us from people belonging to other cultures but also help us stick to our basic values and traditions. Some of the most important elements of culture and social forces influencing us include language, values, religion, social organization, and arts and literature. Values are the cultural standards, which help us determine what is right and what is wrong whereas norms are the rules of a culture, which tell us how to behave in a society. Every culture has its own norms and values, which distinguish people from one another. Language helps us communicate our feelings to other people around us. People speaking the same language usually share a common culture. However, in some societies people speak different languages due to different cultural backgrounds. This element of culture makes a person identified as a person belonging to some specific culture. Social organization is another basic element of a culture. Social organization refers to the collection of institutions, social groups, classes, and social forces such as family and relatives, which form a society. Every individual has different social grouping and class in a society, which distinguishes him or her from other individuals living in a society. Socialization is a very complex process, which helps a person think and behave according to what is considered worthy (Berns, 2010, p. 12). Socializing agents such as family, school, peer groups, technology, workplace, religion, and state influence us as individuals in a society. The social views, political views, and social norms and values portrayed by the mass media and technology put a deep impact on the thoughts of every individual distinguishing him or her from other individuals. Workplace is another socializing

Understanding The Terms Of Semiconductor Devices Information Technology Essay

Understanding The Terms Of Semiconductor Devices Information Technology Essay Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors generally metals and nonconductors or insulators (such as most ceramics). Semiconductors can be pure elements, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds such as gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide. In a process called doping, small amounts of impurities are added to pure semiconductors causing large changes in the conductivity of the material. Semiconductor devices now influence our lives on a daily basis. Although insulators and conductors are useful in their own right, semiconductors such as silicon and gallium arsenide have dramatically changed the way in which billions of people live. Their intermediate ability to conduct electricity at room temperature makes them very useful for electronic applications. For example, the modern computing industry was made possible by the ability of silicon transistors to act as fast on/off switches. 1.2 History: Fig 1: History of Semiconductor Part 2: Project Overview 2.1 Types of Semiconductors 2.1.1 Intrinsic Semiconductors An intrinsic semiconductor is one which is made up of a very pure semiconductor material. In more technical terminology it can stated that an intrinsic semiconductor is one where the number of holes is equal to the number of electrons in the conduction band. The forbidden energy gap in case of such semiconductors is very minute and even the energy available at room temperature is sufficient for the valence electrons to jump across to the conduction band. Another characteristic feature of an intrinsic semiconductor is that the Fermi level of such materials lies somewhere in between the valence band and the conduction band. This can be proved mathematically which is beyond the scope of discussion in this article. In case you are not familiar with the term Fermi level, it refers to that level of energy where the probability of finding an electron is 0.5 or half (remember probability is measured on a scale of 0 to 1). 2.1.2 Extrinsic Semiconductors These are semiconductors in which the pure state of the semiconductor material is deliberately diluted by adding very minute quantities of impurities. To be more specific, the impurities are known as dopants or doping agents. It must be kept in mind that the addition of such impurities is really very miniscule and a typical dopant could have a concentration of the order of 1 part in a hundred million parts or it is equivalent to 0.01 ppm. The materials chosen for doping are deliberately chosen in such a manner that either they have 5 electrons in their valence band, or they have just 3 electrons in their valence band. Accordingly such dopants are known as pentavalent or trivalent dopants respectively. The type of dopant also gives rise to two types of extrinsic semiconductors namely P-type and N-type semiconductors. A pentavalent dopant such as Antimony are known as donor impurities since they donate an extra electron in the crystal structure which is not required for covalent bonding purposes and is readily available to be shifted to the conduction band. This electron does not give rise to a corresponding hole in the valence band because it is already excess, therefore upon doping with such a material, the base material such as Germanium contains more electrons than holes, hence the nomenclature N-type intrinsic semiconductors. On the other hand when a trivalent dopant such as Boron is added to Germanium additional or extra holes get formed due to the exactly reverse process of what was described in the upper section. Hence this dopant which is also known as acceptor creates a P-type semiconductor. Hence electrons are the majority carriers (of current) in N-type while holes are minority carriers. The reverse is true of P-type semiconductors. Another difference is that whereas the Fermi level of intrinsic semiconductors is somewhere midway between the valence band and the conduction band, it shifts upwards in case of N-type while it drifts downward in case of P-type due to obvious reasons. 2.2 Semiconductor Device (Diode): A diode is the simplest possible semiconductor device, and is therefore an excellent beginning point if you want to understand how semiconductors work. In this article, youll learn what a semiconductor is, how doping works and how a diode can be created using semiconductors. But first, lets take a close look at silicon. Silicon is a very common element for example, it is the main element in sand and quartz. If you look silicon up in the periodic table, you will find that it sits next to aluminum, below carbon and above germanium. A diode is the simplest possible semiconductor device. A diode allows current to flow in one direction but not the other. You may have seen turnstiles at a stadium or a subway station that let people go through in only one direction. A diode is a one-way turnstile for electrons. When you put N-type and P-type silicon together as shown in this diagram, you get a very interesting phenomenon that gives a diode its unique properties. Fig 2: Diode Even though N-type silicon by itself is a conductor, and P-type silicon by itself is also a conductor, the combination shown in the diagram does not conduct any electricity. The negative electrons in the N-type silicon get attracted to the positive terminal of the battery. The positive holes in the P-type silicon get attracted to the negative terminal of the battery. No current flows across the junction because the holes and the electrons are each moving in the wrong direction. If you flip the battery around, the diode conducts electricity just fine. The free electrons in the N-type silicon are repelled by the negative terminal of the battery. The holes in the P-type silicon are repelled by the positive terminal. At the junction between the N-type and P-type silicon, holes and free electrons meet. The electrons fill the holes. Those holes and free electrons cease to exist, and new holes and electrons spring up to take their place. The effect is that current flows through the junction. Part 3: Analysis 3.1 Application and Research The building block of most semiconductor devices involves combining p-type and n-type regions into p-n junctions. Imagine bringing together two crystals where one is n-type and the other is p-type. A few of the electrons from the n-type flow toward the p-type material. At the point where the p-type and n-type meet (the interface) electrons from the n-side fill the holes on the p-side and a build-up of oppositely charged ions is generated, and thus a potential across the barrier forms. This build-up of charge is called the junction potential. The barrier prevents further migration of electrons and the net current is zero. If a voltage is applied to the p-n junction with the negative terminal connected to the n-region and the p-region is connected to the positive terminal, the electrons will flow toward the positive terminal, while the holes will flow toward the negative terminal. This is called forward bias and current flows. However, if the positive terminal is connected to the n-type and the negative connected to the p-type, a reverse bias forms and no current flows due to the build up of the potential barrier. In other words, these devices must be placed in an electrical circuit with the correct polarity, or they will not function. This application of the p-n junction is used in many electronic devices. Figure 6 shows the formation of a potential at a p-n junction. Figure 7 shows the effect of forward and negative bias on the p-n junction. Figure 3: A p-n junction before and after the two materials are brought in contact. When the two materials are placed together, electrons from the n-side combine with the holes on the p-side. This results in a positive charge on the n-side of the junction and a negative charge accumulation on the p-side. This separation of charge creates a junction potential. Note: There are no electrons or holes at the junction, they have combined with each other. Figure 4: A p-n junction under forward and reverse bias. Notice that in forward bias, the barrier is lowered, while in reverse bias, the barrier is raised. Thought question: In each case in Figure 4, which side is connected to the positive terminal of the outside voltage source? Will electrons or holes carry current when the junction has this arrangement ? 3.1.1 Electronic Devices: There are many electronic devices that function using combinations of p-n junctions such as diodes, solar cells and transistors. In this section a brief explanation of each of these basic devices will be given. The diode is a p-n junction application that acts as a rectifier for converting alternating current to direct current. This is due to the ability of a diode to allow current flow in one direction but not in the other. Solar cells are p-n junction devices which use sunlight to create electrical energy. It is the energy of the sun`s photons that causes the electrons to be promoted into the conduction bands and carry the current. However, the current derived from the solar cell is small. It takes many solar cells to produce enough current to do a large scale job. If the energy output from solar cells could be increased, solar energy could be used for more than individual, isolated applications. Transistors are another application of the p-n junction. Transistors, unlike diodes, contain more than one p-n junction. Because of this, a transistor can be used in a circuit to amplify a small voltage or current into a larger one or function as an on-off switch. Transistors are of two main types: bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and field effect transistors (FETs). Roughly 95% of all electronic systems utilize one or both of these types of devices. BJTs are composed of three layers of doped materials, either n-p-n or p-n-p in configuration. The BJT acts like a bump or dam in an open stream to control the amount of current let by; thus as the bump is lowered, more current can flow. In the BJT, the height of the bump is controlled by the base current in the semiconductor. The BJT was invented in 1948 by John Bardeen, Walter Brittain and William Shockley using germanium. BJTs remained the only important three terminal semiconductor devices for about a dozen years after their invention, and helped to launch the modern electronics era. Since the early 1960s the FET has been considered one of the most important devices in solid state technology. At present, many of the applications of BJTs have been taken over by metal-oxide semiconductor FETs (MOSFETs). MOSFETs were theorized for many years before they were able to be manufactured. The reason MOSFETs could not be made was that scientists had not yet developed techniques for growing high quality silicon dioxide (SiO2) on silicon. The FET functions more as a gate for controlling the flow of current (like a valve on a faucet). FETs are relatively simple to fabricate compared to BJTs, and they have proven to be extremely fast, reliable switches in miniaturized circuit components with much less power usage than BJTs. Most modern microprocessors are based on FET devicesfrom pentium chips in PCs to the CPUs of super computers. Transistors, diodes, and other electronic devices are combined in many different patterns to form todays integrated circuits. The integrated circuit (IC) has been the workhorse of the microelectronics era which began in the late 1950s. These chips, usually made of silicon, consist of combinations of four fundamental electrical regions. These regions contain resistors, capacitors, diodes and transistors. Since 1971, Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) has allowed millions of such regions to be fabricated on a chip that is only one square centimeter. Not only are these circuit elements getting smaller, they are getting faster as well. For example todays typical desktop pentium-based computer can perform tens of millions of operations per second, whereas contemporary super computers are rated in gigaflops (billions of operations per second). Teraflop (trillions of operations per second) machines will be ready for production by the year 2000. 3.2 Semiconductors Applications Worldwide We mentioned just a few of the many different applications of semiconductor devices. The use of these devices has become so widespread that it would be impossible to list all their different applications. Instead, a broad coverage of their specific application is presented. Semiconductor devices are all around us. They can be found in just about every commercial product we touch, from the family car to the pocket calculator. Semiconductor devices are contained in television sets, portable radios, stereo equipment, and much more. Science and industry also rely heavily on semiconductor devices. Research laboratories use these devices in all sorts of electronic instruments to perform tests, measurements, and numerous other experimental tasks. Industrial control systems (such as those used to manufacture automobiles) and automatic telephone exchanges also use semiconductors. Even today heavy-duty versions of the solid-state rectifier diode are being use to convert large amounts of power for electric railroads. Of the many different applications for solid-state devices, space systems, computers, and data processing equipment are some of the largest consumers. The various types of modem military equipment are literally loaded with semiconductor devices. Many radars, communication, and airborne equipment are transistorized. Data display systems, data processing units, computers, and aircraft guidance-control assemblies are also good examples of electronic equipments that use semiconductor devices. All of the specific applications of semiconductor devices would make a long impressive list. The fact is, semiconductors are being used extensively in commercial products, industry, and the military. 3.3 Power semiconductor devices for DC/DC converters As the performance of servers, notebook PCs and graphics cards increases, their power consumption grows as well. At the same time, the trend toward lower operating voltages for components such as CPUs, graphics processing units (GPUs), memory devices and ASICs results in increased current flow. This creates a need for DC/DC converters capable of handling low voltages and large currents. Renesas 12th-generation power MOSFETs, the RJK0210DPA, RJK0211DPA and RJK0212DPA are now available for service in DC/DC converters, which operate by having two power MOSFETs, one for control and the other for synchronous rectification, switching on and off alternately to convert the voltage.   For example the new RJK0210DPA MOSFET is used for control and the Renesas Electronics 11th generation RJK0208DPA device can be used for synchronous rectification. Refinements to the manufacturing process allow the new Renesas MOSFETs to achieve approximately 40 percent improvement in FOM (figure of merit; on-state resistance times gate charge) compared to the companys existing products, which contributes to reduction of the power loss during voltage conversion and thereby enables highly efficient DC/DC converter performance. Using the Renesas Virtual Power Lab MOSFET Design Tool lets you check out these and other MOSFETs without the hassle of waiting for device samples, then having to solder the parts down on test boards.   This tool lets engineers evaluate various solutions in a virtual real-time environment to facilitate the selection of optimum MOSFET combinations for synchronous buck-converter applications. Among its benefits: helping you find the right MOSFETs and interactively get help designing your sync buck converter application; analyzing performance, switching behavior and efficiency of your new buck converter design; evaluating MOSFET behavior under a variety of operating conditions using an interactive datasheet and downloading SPICE models. 3.4 Importance Of Semiconductor in Technologies: Due to their role in the fabrication of electronic devices, semiconductors are an important part of our lives. Imagine life without electronic devices. There would be no radios, no TVs, no computers, no video games, and poor medical diagnostic equipment. Although many electronic devices could be made using vacuum tube technology, the developments in semiconductor technology during the past 50 years have made electronic devices smaller, faster, and more reliable. If we think for a minute of all the encounters we have with electronic devices. How many of the following have we seen or used in the last twenty-four hours? Each has important components that have been manufactured with electronic materials. microwave oven, electronic balance, video games, radio, television, VCR, watch, CD player, stereo, computer, lights, air conditioner, calculator, telephone, musical greeting cards, diagnostic equipment, clock, refrigerator, car, security devices , stove Fig 5: Clockwise from top: A chip, an LED and a transistor are all made from semiconductor material   Source: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/solid-state1.jpg Semiconductors have had a monumental impact on our society. We find semiconductors at the heart of microprocessor chips as well as transistors. Anything thats computerized or uses radio waves depends on semiconductors. Today, most semiconductor chips and transistors are created with silicon. You may have heard expressions like Silicon Valley and the silicon economy, and thats why silicon is the heart of any electronic device. 3.5 Future Trends Since the late 1950s, the discovery and invention of new electronic semiconductor materials and the drastic reduction in the size of electronic devices has moved at a rapid pace. As a result, the speed of electronic devices (particularly integrated circuits) has grown exponentially over the same time period. Great strides have been made by companies such as Bell Laboratories, Intel, Western Electric, American Telephone and Telegraph, Motorola, Rockwell, and IBM. In 1975, Gordon Moore gave a famous talk at the International Electronic Devices Meeting (IEDM) in which he predicted a growth in microchip complexity of roughly a factor of two every year. In most areas of electron device production, his predictions have been met or exceeded. The push for smaller dimensions, which allow for increased functionality and faster devices, also creates problems of long term reliability and heat dissipation. New device designs, new materials, and lower voltages are being employed to make the next generation of devices. One extremely important area of semiconductor technology is the field of telecommunications. The new Information Super Highway requires technology which can transmit and receive information at high rates. One approach which is already being applied to this area is optoelectronics or the use of light to transmit information. Electrons are used to transfer information within computers, but most information sent over long distances uses light pulses traveling through fiber optic cables. The laser diodes which create these pulses and semiconductor receivers that detect the pulses are areas of intensive research. It is clear that semiconductor technology has and will continue to play a major role in the development of the information age. Part 4: Conclusion After the completion of the term paper on Importance Of Semiconductor discovery on Technology I got many new things to learn about. The term paper includes brief description on semiconductors, it also contains the types of Semiconductors and brief description of it. The term paper also gives the importance of Semiconductor in our day today life. It also explains the applications of semiconductor and its uses in some of the technologies. The term paper also gives future trends and research of semiconductor. Through this term paper I wanted to give the reader few ideas about what are semiconductors and about its importance. I have worked very hard on this project and wanted to build it in a very simple and lucid manner so that it could be easy for the reader to go through and understand the term paper. Hopefully, I think that you would have gained some knowledge on semiconductors and could have well understood it. I grant a sincere apologize if any mistake would have crept in my work. Part 5: References http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/electrical/articles/41694.aspx#ixzz145rf13AN http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode2.htm http://am.renesas.com/products/discrete/power_mos/vp/vp_landing.jsp http://matse1.matse.illinois.edu/sc/prin.html http://www.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm http://www.tpub.com/neets/book7/24a.htm http://www.gartner.com/it/products/research/asset_129174_2395.jsp

Nurse Shortage in Saudi Arabia Essay -- essays research papers

Introduction Background The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has committed vast resources by allocating more than 13 percent of its annual budget in improving the Kingdom’s medical care system, with the ultimate goal of providing free medical care for everyone. This commitment has been translated to more than 330 hospitals operated by the government and the private sector, with a capacity of more than 50,000 beds. Of these hospitals, 184 are run by the government, with more than 16 thousand doctors, 40 thousand nurses, and more than 25 thousand assistant nurses according to the Ministry of Health (2003). Based on these figures and the Saudi population of 20 million people, to satisfy and maintain the current health care standard, one out of every two hundred Saudi nationals and residents should work within the Saudi medical sector. This number would not include all other personnel working within the private medical sector or other personnel working behind the scenes; where all managerial and logistical decisi ons are being made. This task of maintaining the current standard is hard, especially at the nursing level. With a country that has a young history, young education system, and young population with more than 50 percent of its citizens under the age of 18 years old. With these facts, having enough nurses seems to be an impossible task to be achieved. Other factors as long working hours and working night shifts in a country that is over protective of its wives and daughters are also factors that contribute to hardening the task. Due to these issues among others, Saudi Arabia has become one of the most nurse importing countries in the world, if not the most, with over 80 percent of its nurses are non-Saudi nationals. The Shortage: To understand the Saudi shortage in nurses, one has to understand the Saudi dependence on foreign nurses. In a country as young as Saudi Arabia; going from the tribal age to the informational age in less than 70 years was and still considered a dream come true for many people. With a low literacy rates, 15 percent for men and less than 2 percent for women in 1970, Saudi Arabia with its new untapped oil reserved was committed in producing and providing the best for its citizens; schools, hospitals, communities, industries, and jobs. As result, Saudi Arabia has decided that it would import all means and personnel in need to produce a be... .... In addition, the Human Recourses Mangers should look into improving the nurses’ living standard by increasing Saudi nurses pay. These decisions can encourage more Saudis to join the nursing field which would reflect in reducing KAUH dependency on foreign nurses as more Saudis join the field. Conclusion Today, King Abdulaziz University Hospital is having a hard time in providing quality care to its patients due to nurse shortage that it the hospital is experiencing. Yet, with some minor adjustment within the hospital’s recruitment program, one can be assured and certain that these programs would do what it meant to do. Until the huge investment that the Saudi Arabia is inputting within the Saudi education system pay, dependency on foreign nurses would be an essential part of the Saudi health care system. References Mistory of Health, (2003), www.moh.com.sa. Polt, C. (2003), http://nursinghumor.com/nurse_forum/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3790/page/4/view/collapsed/sb/9/o/all/fpart/1 Sadeeq, M., (2003), Nursing Jobs for Saudis, www.alwatan.com, Issue 2298. Sergeant, H., (2002), Labour's asylum policy is to fool the public that all is well, Telegraph.co.uk,(Filed: 16/12/2002).

Assessment Of Equipment Diagnostic Radiology Health And Social Care Essay

Handiness and the usage of X-ray equipment in both private and authorities infirmaries is on the addition today in developed and developing states. Quality control of such equipment is of peculiar importance to forestall evitable high doses, radiation escapes and to guarantee dose optimisation. The consequences of quality control in this survey indicate that the end product measured in GHL ( M2 ) ranged between 0.0318 and 0.1192 mGy ( ma ) -1, while comparatively higher values which ranged from 0.0762 to 0.2156 mGy ( ma ) -1 was found in four other infirmaries. The tubing electromotive force truth measured indicates fluctuation among the infirmaries investigated. The divergence in electromotive force truth ranged between 0.9 and 10.9 % in the two units of GHL ( M1 and M2 ) . In the three other infirmaries the scope of divergences are 0.2 to 0.5 % ( PSH ) , 45.5 to 72.7 % ( NOH, the highest ) 22.9 to 23.3 % ( NARH ) . Both GHL ( M1 ) and PSH complied with the demand of  ± 5 % . As r egard timer truth, one-dimensionality of the tubing current and beam alliance ; NOH and NARH exceeded the acceptable bounds of  ±5 % ,  ±10 % and  ±3 % severally. The effect of non-compliance in most portion include: repetition exposures, more disbursals and more significantly, extra dosage to the patient.Keywords: Quality confidence, quality control, environmental monitoring, radiation, X-ray end productIntroductionIn Nigeria, X-rays is the most often used ionizing radiation in medical specialty despite progresss in magnetic resonance imagination and ultrasound techniques. It has maintained a cardinal function in diagnosing of diseases, hurt and in X-ray therapy. In consequence it is the largest manmade beginning of ionising radiation to the universe population ( ICRP, 1991 ; UNSCEAR, 1993 ; Muhogora and Nyanda, 2001 ) . X ray is the major subscriber to the effectual dosage of both the patient and the forces. Because of the radiological hazards involved, it is normally recomm ended that dosage to patient from X-ray be kept every bit low as moderately accomplishable ( ALARA ) with equal image quality ( IAEA, 1996 ) . In add-on, programmes for diagnostic imagination sections, irrespective of the size, should at least contain the undermentioned constituents: equipment quality control, administrative duties, hazard direction and radiation safety programme. Equipment quality control unit carries out rating of equipment public presentation to guarantee proper image quality, every bit good as patient and operator safety ( Papp, 2002 ) . Furthermore, radiation safety unit is to guarantee that patient exposure is kept every bit low as moderately accomplishable and that departmental forces, medical staff and members of the general populace are protected from overexposure to ionising radiation. Presently, there are far above 4000 X-ray machines in Nigeria ( Elegba, 2006 ) out of which less than 5 % are under regulative control. These thereby pose a great jeopardy to the patient, forces and challenges to the regulative organic structure in Nigeria. As a consequence of handiness of X-ray installations, some new while others are 2nd manus ( known locally as Tokunbo ) , there has been a changeless addition in the figure and frequence of X-ray scrutinies in recent times. In Northwestern part of Nigeria for illustration, a study of 124 establishments with beginnings of ionising radiation indicates that 203 X-ray installings were found with merely 90 sealed radiation beginnings ( Mallam et al. , 2004 ) . In the same study, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital ( ABUTH ) complex on norm carries out over 250 diagnostic X-ray scrutinies per twenty-four hours in the three infirmary installations located in Zaria, Kaduna and Malunfasi. The population of the open persons and the fre quence of exposure is an indicant that one-year collective dosage to patient can be rather important. The quality control ( QC ) programme comprises the regular testing that must be carried out on each major constituent of the system to guarantee optimal public presentation within the system ( West,1993 ) . In diagnostic radiology QC trial is carried out to guarantee that a high quality diagnostic image is produced for a minimal radiation dosage to the patient ( NRPB, 1988 ) . The major equipment in diagnostic radiology to which quality control can be applied include X-ray production, sensing, image processing and image viewing equipment among others. The equipment testing is coupled with everyday environmental monitoring and appraisal of image quality ( Oluwafisoye et al. , 2009 ) .( 1.1 ) Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority ( NNRA )Due to the hurtful effects of ionising radiation, the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority ( NNRA ) was established by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act of 1995. This national regulative organic structure is charged with primary duty of atomic safety and radiation protection. The Act empowered the NNRA to categorise and licence activities affecting exposure to ionising radiation in peculiar, the ownership, production, processing, industry, purchase, sale, import, export, managing, usage, transmutation, transportation, trading, assignment, conveyance, storage, and disposal of any radioactive stuffs, atomic stuffs, radioactive waste, and any equipment breathing ionising radiation. In this respect, the NNRA in her papers made proviso for minimal demand for the equipment care in line with international regulative policies. As portion of the attempt at heightening safety in the usage of ionising radiation in Nigeria, the National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research ( NIRPR ) was established under the counsel of NNRA. The Institute trains forces in the radiation protection. The present measurings were conducted to look into the suitableness of the quality control trials and the stated tolerance degrees for assorted X-ray equipment at four Nigerian infirmaries. Additionally, environmental radiation supervising around the installations was carried out to determine the safety degree of both the patient and forces.( 2 ) MATERIALS AND METHODSQuality control trial ( kVp truth and duplicability, mAs one-dimensionality ) of four government-owned infirmaries, one general infirmary ( GHL ) , two specializer infirmaries [ Psychiatric infirmary ( PSH ) and National Orthopaedic infirmary ( NOH ) ] and one military infirmary ( NARH ) , all located in Lagos were carried out. The GHL has two functional X-ray units depicted as machine 1 ( M1 ) and machine 2 ( m 2 ) . The probe was carried out with the aid of the staff of the radiology section of each infirmary. Meanwhile, each of the X ray installations was used for both pediatric and big scrutinies. In all the infirmar ies there was no old exposure and QC informations available. The information use was done utilizing Microsoft Excel, 2003.( 2.1 ) Measurement of X-ray tubing Output and exposure clip merchandiseX-ray tubing end product is the sum of exposure, in millirontgens ( Mister ) delivered to a point in the Centre of the utile X-ray beam at a distance of 1 meter from the focal topographic point for 1 ma of negatron passing through the tubing. The end product expresses the ability of the tubing to change over electronic energy into X-ray exposure. X-ray tubing end product is the individual most of import parametric quantity to quantify radiation output ( Zoetelief et al, 2006 ) . The free-in-air exposure, FAE ( Mister ) was measured utilizing mill calibrated KV metre ( US made Victoreen X-ray trial device, theoretical account 4000 M+ ) obtained from the Department of Physics ( DOP ) University of Ibadan. The consistence of X-ray tubing end product with the tubing current ( ma ) or tube current exposure-time merchandise ( ma ) was measured for the scope of ma or ma values used in pattern. The sensor ( KV metre ) measures the mean, effectual and maximal extremum tubing electromotive force, power stage, exposure and exposure clip. This system determines the tubing electromotive force with truth of  ± 2 % ( Victoreen, 1995 ) . The internal ionisation chamber that measures exposure has volume of 36 cm3. The exposure clip is measured to an truth of  ± 2 % . The FAE ( Mister ) measured is converted into end product in mGy ( ma ) -1 by multiplying by a factor 0.00877/ ma ( Chang Jong and Hui- Yu, 1999 ) where ma in the denominator is the merchandise of the tubing current and exposure clip set at the clip of measuring of the end product.( 2.2 ) Environmental Monitoring and General ObservationsThe guiding rule used in all regulative paperss is that, radiation doses to the populace and to the people who work with radiation must be kept every bit low as moderately accomplishable ( ALARA rule ) . In kernel, radiation workers and the patient should be monitored at all times when working. The ground for this monitoring is to guarantee that the pattern being followed by the workers in their day-to-day modus operandi are safe and do non ensue in high doses being received. In the present survey, the dose rate at different points of involvement ( the console, entryway door behind the wall, patient waiting seats ) was measured with radiation sensor ( radiation proctor 4 minirad 1000+ ) . This device measures radiation dosage rate in ?Sv/ hour.( 2.3 ) Optical and Radiation Field Congruence/ Beam AlignmentThe beam control system is required for modulating the size of X-ray field country. Therefore, it plays an of import function in dose delivered to the patient because it controls the sum of patient surface country exposed to radiation and image contrast ( due to scattered radiation ) . The parametric quantities taken into consideration in beam control system includ e ; beam alliance, optical radiation field congruity, truth of the x Y graduated tables and illuminator bulb brightness. In this survey optical radiation field and beam alliance were examined.( 2.4 ) Ocular reviewsOne of the three parts of a quality control programme for a radiographic installation is ocular review. This portion includes look intoing the chief constituents of the equipment for proper operation, safety and good mechanical status. It is expected that they should include ; protective lead dress, lead shield of the cell wall, overhead tubing Crane, radiographic tabular array, control panel and other installations such as door and automatic visible radiation.( 3 ) RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONFive X-ray units in four infirmaries were investigated in the survey. Both the QC and environmental appraisal of the installations were carried out. Table 1 presents the radiographic equipment information at assorted infirmaries investigated. The old ages of industry of the equipment scope from 9 to 31 old ages, while the twelvemonth of installing is between 5 and 31 old ages. The consequence of age on the end product of an X-ray machine is good documented ( Mallam et al. , 2004, Ogundare et al. 2004 ) .( 3.1 ) X ray tubing OutputThe consequence of X-ray tubing end product at a distance of 1m each from the focal point of five X-ray units are presented in Table 2. The values of end product obtained in GHL ( M2 ) are comparatively low, those measured in GHL ( M1 ) are higher than those found in M2. It ranged from 0.0318 to 0.1192 mGy ( ma ) -1. However, higher end products are found at the same electromotive force in PSH and NOH. As an illustration, at 80kVp the end products are 0.0796, 0.1676, 0.2156 and 0.0762 mGy ( ma ) -1 for GHL ( M1 ) , PSH, NOH and NARH severally. The fluctuation in the end product could be attributed to the wave form, anode stuff, filtration, and tube age and anode surface harm. Knowledge of the end product value for a given X-ray tubing permit s the finding of both patient and movie exposures. It is besides used in the computation of Entrance Surface Dose ( ESD ) delivered to the patient at the point where the X-ray beam enters the patient. This dosimetry parametric quantity ( ESD ) gives the perspective appraisal of absorbed dosage to the patient. Although the entryway surface dosage is a hapless hazard index, it can be used to gauge the effectual dosage ( ED ) which better quantifies patient hazard ( Gkanatsios and Huda,1997 ) . The fluctuation in the end product among the infirmaries could take to fluctuation in doses delivered to the patients during the scrutinies. The consistence of X-ray tubing end product with ma was measured for a scope of ma for the five X-ray units at different electromotive forces. The consequences are presented in figures 1-3. Furthermore, consequences of end product measured at different kVp above 80 kVp ( GHL and NARH ) show strong correlativity with ma, nevertheless, the end products measured at lower electromotive force of 60 and 75 kVp indicate weak correlativity with ma. The X-ray tubing and the anode current are extremely stabilized at this point ( Suliman and Elshiekh, 2008 ) . The consequences of the tubing electromotive force truth for five X-ray units investigated are presented in tabular arraies 3a-3d. The tabular arraies show the tubing electromotive force set, the tubing electromotive force measured and the magnitude of divergence. It should be noted that the magnitude of divergence in kVp vary from infirmary to infirmary. In GHL, the divergence ranged between 0.9 and10.9 % for the two machines ( M1 and M2 ) . The scopes of magnitude of divergence for the three other infirmaries are ; 0.2 to 0.5 % , 45.5 to 72.7 % ( highest in this survey ) and 22.9 to 23.3 % in PSH, NOH and NARH severally. Both m1 ( GHL ) and PSH comply with the demand of  ± 5 % , while M2 ( GHL ) , NOH and NARH exceeded the demand. The grounds for higher divergence in kVp found in NOH and NARH are multifactorial. The European Commission recommended a high technique of 125 kilovolts IAEA ( 1995 ) which likely consequences in low doses, but the radiotherapists prefer the higher contrast thorax radiogram which consequences from low kVp. Earlier study indicated that increasing the tubing potency ( kVp ) from 8-13 kilovolt in lumbar and pectoral spinal column scrutiny resulted in a dose decrease of 26-36 % ( Martin et al, 1993 ) . The higher divergences outside the tolerance bound as obtained in the present survey show disagreements in kVp between the measured and the set values particularly if the tubings are non adequately maintained. Furthermore, the overly high divergence between the set and the measured kVp could cut down the image contrast ( Livingstone et al, 2004 ) . The unexpected elevated value of proficient parametric quantities which consequences from defective machine could impact both patient dosage and image quality. The tendencies found in GHL ( M2 ) , NOH and NARH require regular and repeated QC trials.( 3.2 ) Quality Control ( QC ) TrialTable 4 is the sum-up of the QC trials carried out on the equipment at different infirmaries. The kVp truth trials show conformity with acceptable bound in GHL ( M1 and M2 ) and PSH while NOH and NARH show non-compliance with acceptable bound of 5 % . As respects the kVp consistence, similar tendency is found in the infirmaries as those found in kVp truth. In footings of timer truth, it is postulated that exposure clip straight affect the entire measure of radiation emitted from an X-ray tubing. Therefore, an accurate exposure timer is critical for decently exposed radiogram and sensible patient radiation exposure. Both GHL and PSH met the the acceptable variableness bound. Since the timer truth in NOH and NARH are above the bound of acceptableness, it is expected that the radiation dosage delivered to the patient will be higher than the expected value required to bring forth the movie. Furthermore, the one-dimensionality of tubing current ( ma ) and beam alliance of both NOH and NARH fell abruptly of the acceptable bound of 10 % and 3 % severally. Regulation of X-ray tubing filament temperature ( along with the exposure clip find the quality of X raies in the X-ray beam ) is done with millampere picker in an X-ray generator. The beam limitation system is required for modulating the size of the X-ray field country. The mechanism contro ls the sum of patient anatomy exposed to radiation beam ( Papp, 2002 ) . This plays a cardinal function in patient dose and image contrast. The addition in country increases the production of the scattered radiation, hence higher patient dosage and wellness hazard. The non-compliance of optical radiation field and radiation field congruity may stem from the displacement in mechanism that moves the shutter, doing improper public presentation. This leads to higher patient dosage and repetition images ( consequence in more movies being used and more disbursals ) .( 3.3 ) Forces DistributionThe saloon chart in figure 4 shows the distribution of forces. It indicates that two classs of forces are losing ; Radiation Protection Officer/ Medical Physicist and Record Officer. The tendency is similar to the earlier work reported elsewhere ( Oluwafisoye et al. , 2009 ) . The tendency shows that radiation protection of the patients, visitants and forces is non the preoccupation of the direction of the infirmaries investigated. The absence of the record officers indicate that record maintaining at the infirmaries is far from being equal. A record maintaining system is necessary to document the quality control processs, the figure of culls and other activitie s traveling on at the X-ray units of the infirmary.( 3.4 ) Visual/ General ObservationsThe consequence of ocular observations is presented in table 5. It shows that all the basic constituents inspected were functional except LED index on the control panel found in GHL ( M2 ) . Table 6 shows the general observations carried out at assorted infirmaries investigated. Columns 1 and 2 show that the chief door taking to the X-ray room is non lead-lined. Columns 3 and 4 indicate that merely NOH has efficient 2nd door and lead-lined. The cells of the four infirmaries are efficient. This indicates that the interior decorator of the console put in topographic point equal steps that prevent the technicians from immaterial beams during exposures. The doors to the units lack automatic control, connoting that during the exposure the doors do non shut automatically as a consequence, controlled entree to the country where radiation exposure may be taking topographic point is non ensured. Lead apron was non provided in NARH. Nevertheless, the lead apron provided in GHL was non efficient. Regulation for good pattern stipulates that lead aprons and baseball mitts should be available in the radiographic room and have a lower limit of 0.5 millimeters of lead tantamount thickness ( Papp,2002 ) . It is besides apparent that technique charts were losing in all the units, an indicant that technique parametric quantities are chosen at random by the radiographers responsible for the exposure of the patient. This could take to hapless matching of patient size and technique parametric quantities. Furthermore, warning visible radiation was non provided in any of the units to warn visitants or other forces of the exposure traveling on in the X-ray room. The forces monitoring badge was merely available in NOH, bespeaking that forces dose supervising in GHL, PSH and NARH are non-existent.( 3.5 ) Dose degreeConsequence of environmental dose monitoring at the chosen locations within and in the immediate environment of each of the X-ray units investigated is presented in table 7. The consequences in all the five units indicate that the dose rate measured at the sofa are by and large really high. At the border of the cell the dosage rates recorded are greater than the background dosage rate by a factor of 7, 20, and 10 in GHL ( M1 ) , PSH and NARH, severally. The dose rate measured within the cell is comparable to the background. This status is safe for the radiographer ; nevertheless, the dose rate is high within the entryway door in GHL ( M1 ) and NARH, it is greater than the backg round dosage rate by a factor of 6 and 7.5 each. In add-on, the dose rate measured at the waiting anteroom of the patients is comparable with the background dosage rate in PSH and NARH, but higher than the background dosage rate by a factor of 10 in NOH. The high dosage rate experienced in NOH could be attributed to damaged door of the X-ray units. Another possible account for the high dosage rate at the waiting anteroom is the direct nexus between the anteroom and the X-ray machine. It is interesting to observe that there were no escapes experienced in the five X-ray units investigated as reported in the earlier survey carried out in Nigeria ( Oluwafisoye et al. , 2009 ) . Apparently, this present survey is the first QC trial and environmental monitoring attempts carried out in the five X-ray units in four infirmaries investigated. This is an indicant that the consequences are preliminary against which future measurings could be compared. Besides, the usage of thermoluminescent dosemeters ( TLD ) for the forces monitoring has ne'er been undertaken in the five units. Personnel monitoring is indispensable, since there is a nexus between the ionizing radiation and coevals of reactive O series [ ROS ] ( Cohen, 2002 ) . These ROS have been implicated in the etiology of over 100 diseases. Radiation is one of the major exogenic beginnings of free groups in adult male and it has been proved that ionising radiation produces ROS in biological system capable of destructing biomolecules such as DNA, lipoids, proteins and saccharide ( Olisekodiaka et al. , 2009 ) . Workers runing X-ray equipment are exposed to long term low doses of ionising radiation which may imp act their antioxidant position. Consequences of the QC trials and monitoring were sent to the direction of the four infirmaries investigated. In Addition, recommendations on the necessity of regular QC trial were forwarded to each infirmary for necessary actions.( 4 ) DecisionQuality control trials of five X-ray units are undertaken with intent of safety and dose optimisation in the X-rays Centres investigated. The ages of three out of five machines are good over 10 old ages. In add-on, the divergence of the measured kVp from set value on the control panel varied among the infirmaries. Two out of the five machines complied with the needed criterion of pattern, while three exceeded the demand. The QC trial carried out on kVp truth and consistence show non- conformity in two infirmaries. The distribution of forces show that, the preoccupation of the authorization of the X-ray unit investigated was the quality of the radiogram produced at the disbursal of safety of the patient. The fluctuation in the end product of th e assorted tubing is an indicant that doses among the infirmaries differ. In each of the X-ray units investigated there was no specialised installation to execute pediatric scrutinies and movie screening.

Sex Education Should Be Taught In School Education Essay

Sexual instruction – non a black and white thaumaturgy, it ‘s silly to wait for miracles from it ; nevertheless it is utile and effective.A The experience of states in which it has long existed, dissipates as the irrational frights as overdone expectations.A Expert analysis of the impact of school classs on sexual behaviour of schoolchildren shows that none of the bing plans is non contributing to speed uping the start of their sex lives, but those who have passed the class of sex instruction and are sexually active pupils – received less hazardous than their lupus erythematosus educated equals, and a plan which non merely called for teenagersA do non hotfoot to sexual introduction, but besides taught the regulations of safe sex, efficaciously those who promoted merely abstention. Oppositions of sex instruction plans are convinced that the proviso of information associating to the sexual domain, perverting teens initiate early sexual activity, increases the figure of teenage pregnancies.A However, today there is no conclusive grounds that it is presented.A Analyzing the experience of states where such plans have long been introduced, allows us to understand what steps have proven effectual in protecting the generative wellness of striplings, which, on the contrary – does non work, and which may do injury. The chief advantages of sex instruction are: Children and striplings, who have passed a systematic class in sex instruction, cognize more about gender, and their cognition is more dependable. This does non extinguish the jobs and troubles of psychosexual development, but besides facilitates the declaration of originating struggles. Knowledge facilitates the apprehension of and tolerance to others ‘ positions and behaviour, which is really valuable in both personal and social footings. If a class of sex instruction includes information about contraceptive method, and taught early plenty, it aggressively reduces the figure of adolescent gestations and abortions. About all modern school sex instruction plans, along with the sexual information, discourse a broad scope of moral and psychological jobs that are really of import for adolescents, as described in Sexual activity Education in Public Schools. In add-on to above mentioned consequences it dwelling the fact that it makes immature people more civilised and safe. I mean sex instruction besides has long-run historical consequence – people who received a kid good sex instruction non merely unrecorded better, but besides sharing their cognition and accomplishments among other kids, that reduces the tenseness between parents and kids and contributes to the overall addition in societal tolerance. Different states comparings have allowed identifying common factors lending to the successful execution of sexual education.A Among them: rapprochement of different political and spiritual positions, engagement in the execution of sex instruction a broad scope of societal motions. An of import function in sexual instruction plays mass-media.A It attitude to this job can be really different depending on the country.A In some states, chiefly in Scandinavia, the media are a beginning of support and information about sex.A In Denmark, the national wireless and telecasting broadcasters provide free air clip for plans of sex education.A In other states such as Britain, the inquiry of sex served with more sunglassess of esthesis that has a negative impact on sexual instruction for immature people, as described in The Fight Over Sex Education in Public Schools. To better the efficiency of an incorporate attack to arouse instruction plans were considered non in isolation from other issues and is an of import constituent of broader enterprises aimed to better the wellness and well-being of immature people. It is of import to detect the different attack, since many states have big populations of immigrants with their distinct from the host state ‘s cultural traditions. Sexual instruction should non be a impermanent run demands changeless work in this way, achieved over the period of its execution will non vouch success, farther advancement when the plan stopping points. Besides I would wish to observe that easy entree of young person to school or other educational chances is an of import facet of HIV prevention.A Higher instruction is non merely associated with safer sexual behaviour and subsequently oncoming of sexual activity – traveling to school gives pupils the chance to take part in school instruction plans on gender and HIV bar. In many states immature people have no entree to instruction on sex and wellness instruction in schools because parents and other governments fear that it will take to early sexual activity.A Nevertheless, there are obliging informations obtained from surveies around the universe and in different civilizations, which really suggests that sex instruction increases the degree of responsibility.A Educated immature people are normally delayed sexual intercourse or usage rubbers if they have sex, as stated in How to Bring An End to the War Over Sex Ed. However, statistics shows that information is non enough.A Young people besides need life accomplishments, such as the ability to do determinations, ability to pass on and negotiate.A They need to understand the construct of hazard behaviours such as unprotected sex, intoxicant and drug maltreatment, the possible effects of such behaviour and how to avoid them.A They besides need to cognize where to travel for services and assistance.A AIDS instruction should include all these facets. The most effectual attacks to education on sex and wellness instruction in schools, among other things include the usage of role-playing games to personalise issues and common instruction, where immature people learn how to circulate information and promote responsible behaviour among their friends and co-workers. Besides I would wish to depict state of affairs with instruction outside school. Young people that non go toing school, are a diverse group that includes those who stopped go toing school or college, kids whose households that can non afford to pay school fees or necessitate to assist kids in domestic work andA kids populating on the street. These immature people are frequently peculiarly vulnerable to HIV.A Feelings of unhappiness, disaffection, and sometimes hopelessness due to the fact that they do non take part in life with others, they can seek redemption and pleasance in drugs, intoxicant or sex. Supplying them with information and accomplishments necessary to protect them from HIV, poses a particular problem.A What they do non go to school or work, doing them hard to reach.A In add-on, they have different degrees of literacy. Experience shows that one of the most effectual schemes is to educate equal, which includes preparation of young person non go toing school how to go thr ough information to others. Those who spend educating equal, understand the lives and concerns of other immature people non go toing school, and, accordingly, high credibleness. Another effectual scheme involves the usage of such agencies of amusement, like street theatre, music and marionette shows, which attract people who can stress the job and pass their clip avoiding hazardous behaviour, as described in Facts on Sexual activity Education in the United States. Taking into consideration all mentioned above I want to do a decision with my ain words. Sexual instruction can be really effectual in cut downing the prevalence of hazardous behaviour ( I mean intoxicant, drugs ) and, furthermore, may take to delay of sexual introduction and fewer sexual spouses among immature people.A Comprehensive sex instruction instills accomplishments of equal duologue between striplings and between striplings and parents, and by and large contributes to a healthier life style. The inquiry of the expedience and necessity of sex instruction in schools is discussed a twelve old ages. No 1 argues that instruction can be good and bad it is non depend on sex instruction plan, it depends on instructor. One and the same course of study in mathematics, conducted by a gifted instructor, can do a mastermind from the pupil, but in the custodies of unintelligent instructor of all time recapture the involvement to larn from gifted pupil. I would wish to state it is non the affair of plan, plan can merely depict the scope of issues that instructor demands to show. Quality of learning this sensitive topic is really of import. In sentiment behaviour to Sexual instruction depends on media – which shape public sentiment on this issue. I am positive that none of enlightened parents will non come into his caput to pick up kid from school because they do non hold with Ohm ‘s jurisprudence, or Darwin ‘s evolutionary theory, which, by the way, is contrary to all spiritual canons, but why they do it merely because of such capable like sexual instruction? It is merely efforts to fault educational systems in all the jobs reflected to their kids. Today, when the chief information beginning is the Internet and about every household in United States has connected to it, parents have no longer possible to shut the house for the key to all ailments. All of this can non perchance understand â€Å" the title-holders of morality † for which sex instruction is a sex-educational plan for future cocottes. Thankss to technological advancement, everyone can happen an reply to his inquiry, but if kids have non yet asked the right inquiries, I am certainly ; the system of sex instruction will assist them screen things out.

Qantas Airways Limited Analysis

Qantas Airways Limited Analysis Executive Summary Market analysis is a vital concept for any business organisations to be able to assess the market needs and based on what is at hand, respond to the needs. Before making a market analysis, it is good to look at a company’s background in order to ascertain how current operations were motivated by past records. Three main tools have been used to analyse the airline industry using the case of Qantas.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Qantas Airways Limited Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These are Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats, (SWOT), Porter’s Five Forces, and Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological, Legal, and Environmental (PESTLE) factors. At the end of the discussion, it can be noted that Qantas remains a major player in the airline industry at local and international levels amid the stiff competition from other carriers. Introduction Qantas Airway s Ltd. is an Australian firm that operates in the airline industry at local and international capacities. The ideal to start the organisation was hatched by two individuals back in 1922. Fergus McMaster was convinced to look for interested investors after McGinness and Fysh sold the idea to him. The history of Australian civil aviation is mainly about the history of Qantas that started from a humble beginning to what defines the future of Australian airspace. The corporation began with a two-passenger plane to the recent Airbus A380 series with carriage capacity of 450 passengers to far destinations. The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd, (QANTAS) hard to pass through hurdles to develop its market share with a pull of dedicated staff members backed by very loyal customers. The key pillars of Qantas development are the stakeholders who created it, the workforce, and the customers. The vertical rise in the company’s growth has made Qantas one of the worldâ⠂¬â„¢s best long distance international brands and one of the best service providers in Australia. The outstanding growth of Qantas defines the course of international aviation industry (Qantas, 2012a). In order to critically analyse a firm’s business operations, there are tools that are employed to ascertain the strength and position of a firm. SWOT, PESTLE, and use of Porter’s Five Forces are recommended tools that can achieve this feat. The tools involve evaluation of a firm’s strength by looking at a number of factors that overly defines a successful business organisation.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More By taking the case study of Qantas Airways Ltd, this paper vividly explores market parameters that make Qantas outstanding among other world airline brands. From review of the company’s business activities, one concludes whether the firm stands strong and whether sustainability of business activities will be achieved in both short and long terms. Quantas Airways Background Description of the Organization Fergus McMaster was convinced to look for interested investors after McGinness and Fysh gave him a detailed plan for setting up an air service. Fysh and McGinness with the help of flight sergeant Arthur Baird took a trip to Mascot Aerodrome in Sydney to inquire for delivery of 2 Avro planes. An agreement was reached and the Western Queensland Auto Aero Service Ltd was registered. A rebranding took place later to form the abbreviation, (Qantas, 2012b). The formal establishment of Qantas was in 1920 following registration with chairmanship of Fergus McMaster. There were then a series of air test and joy rides by the founders who experienced technical and physical difficulties while airborne. The machines were remodelled to suit the needs at that time and the aircrafts could make 54,000km carrying a total of 871 p assengers by the biplanes without damage (Qantas, 2012a). As time passed by, more planes were required in airmail services between Cloncury and Charleville in 1922. Two years later, the first Australian Prime Minister flies Qantas on an official government duty. The marched achievement seemed to bring new hope for the company and in 1926, Qantas started building its own machines at the Longreach base. The following chronology of events summarises the succeeding history of Qantas: 1927: The firm recruits the first traineeAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Qantas Airways Limited Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More 1928: The launch of the Flying Doctors Service with Qantas offering the air travel services. 1929: Outback network arrives in Brisbane 1931: Trial airmail delivery is made from Brisbane to Darwin 1934: The firm changes its name to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd. 1935: The Qantas DH86 flies overseas, Darwin to Singapore. The flight is to deliver airmail to the UK in liaison with Imperial Airways that was later named BOAC. 1938: The airline to the United Kingdom receives Short C Class airplanes to make trips to Singapore. Imperial Airline obtains the responsibility of the route. 1939-1945: A fully set base takes operation of mechanical works at mascot base known today as Sydney Airport. Qantas gets involved in the WWII as its planes are used to transfer the foot soldiers from the threat of advancing Japanese fighters to New Guinea.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They airplanes also supply foodstuff to soldiers at the battle fields. Qantas also makes history for being the first to make more than 30-hours flight over Perch and Sri Lanka airs to make important links with Allied Forces. The kangaroo logo becomes symbol of Qantas in 1944. 1946: air transport in Australia-UK route recommence and this time the British Airways in a partnership programme. DC3 service is initiated to New Guinea as the flight network reaches new Indian and Pacific Islands destinations. In the same year, Australian regime launches new airline known as Trans-Australia Airlines, TAA in the domestic market with Lester Brain (formerly of Qantas) as the general manager 1947: Government of Australia buys all shares in Qantas, Constellation aircraft sets in, and the first flight is made to Japan 1949: TAA replaces Qantas in the Flying Doctors Service and the Queensland and Northern Territory routes 1953: Along the Kangaroo route to UK, a tourist economy class is introduced 19 54: The Super Constellations flies to San Francisco, USA and Vancouver, Canada for the first time 1956: For the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Qantas carries the Olympic flame from Athens to Melbourne 1958: The Qantas’s Super Constellations make a round the world flight 1959: Qantas introduces Boeing 707 series as the first non-American airline. This gain reduces flight times by half for trans-Pacific flights 1960: TAA in charge of operations in the Papua New Guinea from Qantas 1964: TAA launches its first jet by purchasing Boeing 727 series; high performing machines that stimulate the Australian airline industry with their mechanical superiority, speed, and comfort. This results to massive growth of the industry. 1966: The retirement of Qantas Co-founder and Chairperson, Sir Hudson Fysh 1967: Qantas rebrands to Qantas Airways Ltd. TAA launches DC9 that proves to be mechanically sound for going 495 different revenue flights without delay on mechanical breakdown 1971: The introdu ction of the Jumbo jet; Boeing 747 1974: Qantas evacuates 673 survivors on one flight from the devastation of Cyclone Tracy from Darwin to set new world record 1979: Phasing out of the 707 series and venturing into an all-747 airline. In the same year, the firm rolls out the first Business Class travel experience to customers. 1985: The launch of Boeing 767s. James Strong goes to TAA in order to revitalise the TAA when the government was advancing to stronger deregulation and competition 1986: TAA becomes Australian Airline 1988: Australian airline is incorporated to a public company 1989: Australian Airline in trouble due to pilot’s strike followed by resignation. The government agrees to a deal to make a proposal that would bring together the Australian Airline and Qantas. 1989: Qantas Airways Ltd buys the Boeing 747-400 that the first nonstop flight of 18,001km in accompany jet. The first experience take place in the London-Sydney route. 1990: One John Schaap quits the fir m as an executive member to join Australian Airways as its general manager. The departure took only ten months before deregulation of local airline industry in Australia. 1992: Government agrees to sell the stakes of Australian Airline to Qantas valued at $400 million. 1993: The government regime offloads 25% stake to make British Airways have ownership of Qantas Airline in a privatisation strategy. Australian Airline merges with Qantas to form Qantas Airways Ltd. with James Strong as the CEO 1994: A new cabin design launches to update service provision 1995: Qantas offloads the remaining 75% shares to the public in the ASX. Qantas becomes one of the world leading service providers in the aviation industry with an operation capability of airlifting 14 million passengers per annum using over 130 aircrafts 1997: Qantas marks the year of the golden jubilee along the Kangaroo network from Australia to the United Kingdom and Japan 2002: The launch of subsidiary airline to operate at inte rnational level. The name of the firm is Australian Airlines 2004: Introduction of a new and cheap carrier in the domestic flight known as Jetstar 2006: Australian Airlines stops its services 2008: The A380 series are added to Qantas fleet while second biggest order to be done by any airline corporation is in the pipeline. A380 aircraft is inaugurated to fly from Melbourne to Los Angeles, the technology is of high standards as the Required Navigation Performance finds usage in managing flight. This makes the firm to reduce its carbon emission by significant figures. Installation of Qantas General Electric CF6-80C2 engine to enhance the performance of the B747-400 aircrafts 2010: new check-in system 2012: The arrival of B787 aircraft considered as next generation fleet 2020: Centenary of Qantas, Qantas (2012a). Location of Organization The initial location of the Qantas operations was in Longreach, Queensland to Brisbane In 1930, the company’s headquarter was moved from Longr each, Queensland to Brisbane In 1938, the company’s headquarters was moved from Brisbane to Sydney as operation base. In 1957, a new corporate headquarter was set up along Hunter Street, Sydney Stakeholders of the Organization From the chronology of events that have shaped Qantas Group, the company was a private entity when it was founded back in 1922. The growth track led to instant recognition and at some point the government of Australia took over the firm. Afterwards the government privatised the firm. In a bid to make the firm have an international appeal, British Airways was took a 25% stake at Qantas after the government agreed terms with British Airways in 1993. In 1995, Qantas offloaded the remaining 75% shares to the public in the ASX (Qantas (2012a). Today Qantas is a public owned company and it is listed in the ASX as QAN. This gives opportunity to anyone who would wish to own the firm a chance by simply buying the stock. Any individual who owns the QAN is a Qant as owner; hence, stakeholder . The management team spearheaded by the Nominations Committee is free to nominate a new member to the Board of Directors and every stakeholder has the right to approve such nominations during the company’s AGM. Just like other listed companies, only a stakeholder with 51% ownership of the firm can have a direct say on how the firm should run with regard to management and who should be in the Board. Organizational Structure The Qantas’ Board is dominated by independent Non-executive Directors who work hand in hand with Executive Directors to carry out Qantas capital intensive programmes. The Board has responsibility of upholding accountability and freedom in a bid to maximise the profit for goodwill of all stakeholders. The Board of Directors Source: Qantas (2012b) The Executive Arm of Qantas Other than the Board of Directors, Qantas also has the Executive Team that comprises of the following personalities: Alan Joyce; The firm’s CEO Gareth Evans; CFO Lesley Grant; CEO of Qantas Loyalty Simon Hickey; CEO of Qantas International Jayne Hrdlicka; the CEO of Jetstar Group Brett Johnson; the firm’s General Counsel Jon Scriven; Group Executive People Lyell Strambi; CEO of Qantas Domestic Board Committees Audit Committee Nominations Committee Remuneration Committee Safety, Health, Environment and Security Committee Board Committee Charters The Board Charter was adopted by the Board in September 1, 2003. The Committees have the duty of giving comprehensive analysis of all issues affecting the company to the Board for approval. In addition, the Board approved charters for its Committees as: Audit Committee Charter Nominations Committee Charter Remuneration Committee Charter Safety, Health, Environment and Security Charter, Qantas (2012b). Service Analysis The main Qantas’ service line is passenger transportation and air freight services. These are the services that have seen the company grow in th e last decades. The fleet size has increased, the planes have been modernised, and expectations are still high is the fleet renewal plans. This means that customers will continue to experience superior services at least in the near future. Other than the main services, Qantas owns a number of subsidiary firms as it takes service experiences a notch higher. QantasLink This subsidiary, firm has more than 2000 flights per week in 56 destinations spread in metropolis, regions, and across borders (Papua New Guinea). Q Catering This is the firm’s group that offers catering services to the travellers and is fully owned by Qantas. It has two main branches: the Q Catering spread across Qantas’ 6 ports in Australia and Snap Fresh that is a modern facility in Queensland specialised in meal production. The meals are supplied to non-aviation destinations. Qantas Freight This is Qantas’ subsidiary that manages all the freight issues in the international level for Jetstar, Jes tar Asia, and Qantas. In addition, it handles freight in domestic market that is marketed by Australian air Express. Qantas Freight Enterprise runs specialised logistics businesses across the borders done by: Express Freighters Australia (EFA), Jets Transport Express, and Qantas Courier employing 800 workers. Express Ground Handling This is Qantas’ subsidiary is fully owned by Qantas Airways and works in liaison with Qantas Airports and Qantas Catering Group. It provides ground handling facilities regional airlines and Jetstar. Qantas Holidays This is Qantas’ subsidiary forming union with the Jetset Travelworld Group to offer travel wholesale services. The services cover all the Qantas destinations outreach not only by Qantas itself but also in alliance with other airlines. There have been mergers of Qantas Holidays with other firms to offer a range of travel agency at retail prices. Qantas Jetstar This is a low cost airline working in Singapore and Australia since 200 4. Whereas the Jetstar Australia is wholly owned by Qantas, â€Å"Jetstar Asia is a Singapore-based partnership between Qantas (49%) and Singapore company Westbrook Investments (51%) with the hub based in Singapore† (Qantas 2012c). Qantas Defence Services Qantas Defence Services offers flight services to the defence force of Australia in at both local and international levels. This began in the WWII and since then, the government of Australia is in liaison with Qantas to offer air flights. There are warplanes in the Qantas Defence Service docket to suit these needs. Technology The Dreamliner’s arrival Qantas has, since its inception tried to remain one of the best performing airlines not only in Australia but also in the international airline industry. This has been made possible given the firm’s drive to purchase high performing machines in the airline industry. Backed by sound financial background, Qantas embraces any technology that can add value to the passe nger transportation and freight services. Technology must improve if the world is to attain global climatic challenges resulting from the emission of carbon into the atmosphere. In the airline industry, one way of using technology to cut on carbon emission is the adoption of efficient cars. Qantas has made the Boeing 787 as the foundation of its fleet renewal programme at both the domestic and international services. The firm has placed an order of 50 Boeing 787 cars and the Dreamliner would be delivered around June 2013. The Boeing 787 series are a high technology machines that will make Qantas to be able to fly to far destinations without flight connection. This will boost point-point travels across the globe. The aircraft’s body is made if composite and light materials and due to light weight, the aircraft travels faster than ordinary aircraft of similar size. It is fuel efficient and able to reach further destinations on full load and is easy and cheap to maintain. The in vestment in Boeing 787 series is in line with Qantas belief of providing air transport safely, high quality services, and innovative business ideas that have been the company’s ethos since 1922 (Qantas, 2012k). To maintain the high level of technology of the Boeing 787 series, Qantas has chosen GE GEnx Engines to maintain the fleet. GEnx meets the requirements to maintain the cars at low cost while paying keen attention to environmental safety standards. Boeing 787 has the ability to increase fuel efficiency by 20%, make a 20% carbon emission cut, 40% nitrous oxide emission cut, and reduce noise footprint by 50% at airports. This table below shows the technical specifications of Boeing 787: B787-8 B787-9 Seating 210 250* 250 – 290* Configuration Twin Aisle Twin Aisle Length 57 metres (186 ft) 63 metres (206 ft) Height 17 metres (56 ft) 17 metres (56 ft) External Fuselage width 574 centimetres (226 inches) 574 centimetres (226 inches) Wind Span 60 metres (197 ft) 60 metres (197 ft) Cruise Speed Mach 0.85 Mach 0.85 Maximum Take-off Weight 228 tonnes 247 tonnes Source: Qantas, (2012d) World’s first technology entertainment The Qantas’ Q Streaming pilot and its passenger were among the first in the world to experience WIFI entertainment technology. In addition, passengers using the technology entertainment car within the airlines of Australia are first to practically try the In-Flight Entertainment technique, (IFE). Travellers will also be allowed to use WIFI enabled gadgets like laptops. As of February this year, Qantas passengers travelling can now download Q Streaming app available from the iTunes database while passengers who own laptops can easily download the MS Silverlight before plane takes off. The new technology entertainments are making customers to really appreciate services at Qantas. Great choice is offered for to the customers and their feedback so far has been amazing. As a result, the company will continue to develop its Q Streaming utilities by taking advantage of the new emerging edge wireless technology. According to Qantas (2012e) â€Å"Qantas will continue to enable customers access the Q Streaming content via their own WIFI enabled devices on the dedicated B767-300 whilst finalising plans to extend its application to wider fleet.† Internal Economic Environment International corporations like Qantas should undertake SWOT analysis to establish its internal position as an organisation against the external environment. This is critical as it makes it possible to adjust to environment needs of business; for instance, opportunity created through open borders that make it easy to access overseas market, (Hitt, Ireland, Hoskisson 2008). It allows managers to review the internal and external business environment with the aim of setting up obligatory roles of a company geared towards company’s mission and vision statements. SWOT analysis helps to restore the glory of an underperforming business to new economic heights. A firm’s strength is fundamental in maintaining competitiveness, which consumers value most. Competitiveness makes products imitation by other industrial players difficult. Belk and Sherry (2007) note that value is creation is motivated by the satisfying the needs of both producers and consumers according to co-production assessment. Leveraging in short refers to the harmonisation of internal strength against external opportunities. Planning in management should expect operation constraints when internal weaknesses prevail as it is likely to limit a company’s competitive advantages and opportunities. On the other hand, internal weaknesses are a threat to organizational strengths as they make a firm susceptible to the external economic environment. Strengths A business organisation can have a number of possible strengths to boost performance these may include: a pull of skilled manpower, sound book values or finan cial health, brand name like Qantas that is popular across the globe and adjustment in equipment purchase or installation, inadequate competition, and own premises among. A pull of a skilled manpower helps in the cutting training cost; hence, reduced annual overheads. A good financial position means that an organisation can service its financial commitment and access more funds like loans. Own premises reduces the amount of recurrent costs. All these strengths can lead to cost reduction that may be needed to adjust to a short term market need; for instance, sudden rise in jet fuel prices that will automatically affect normal running of the business. Strength therefore can be used to sustain competitiveness. Product diversity The core business line of Qantas Airline Ltd is passenger transport and air freight. To this effect, the firm has delivered top quality even in the most trying economic times. Product diversity is equally important to boost critical operations when the main busi ness is faced with fiscal challenges or any other challenges. As such, Qantas runs a series of subsidiaries listed below: QantasLink Q Catering Qantas Freight Express Ground Handling Qantas Holidays JetStar Qantas Defence Services The Qantas Freight operates the freight services with its own fleet that of cars of the Boeing 747-400F and B767-300F. The subsidiary also carries ground handling services in 7 locations in Australia and abroad for its own airlines and other carriers. The Qantas Defence Service supports the Australian and this began in the WWII era. The subsidiary offers services to the defence forces in Australia and due to the superiority of Qantas the expected level of services needed can be met by the firm’s strength (Qantas 2012c). By operating subsidiary firms Qantas is in a position to strengthen its asset and revenue base to meet its fleet expansion and renewal programmes. In addition, this strategy is helpful in reducing the dependence level of Qantas pas sengers’ services that can be affected by political tensions when diplomatic hitches or sanctions occur. The ground handling services that Qantas Freight offers to even other carriers in far destination like Los Angeles helps the firm in building inter-organisational relations and diplomatic relationship with Australia and America and others. Number of fleet and types of fleet The airline since its inception in 1922 has seemed tremendous growth in the domestic and international level. To boost the upward trend, Qantas has been in the forefront to set a number of world records in the airline industry due to its preference for high performance machines. Qantas is the largest airline operator in Australia and this is achieved by fleet development to carry passengers to various destinations across the world. In the next decade, Qantas has a short term plan of capital investment in the tune of US$23 billion to buy more and high performing aircrafts of the next generation. The flee t capital investment would see the firm buy the more of the Airbus A380s and the most talked about Airbus A320 neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Qantas, 2012f). The significant point about fleet renewal at Qantas is to facilitate efficient use of fuel in the long run as fuel is a global problem when supply dwindles. Renewal replaces older and more energy intensive machines with low fuel consuming ones. The current fleet of aircrafts at Qantas is Australia’s biggest in domestic aviation industry and one of the world’s best in international airlines. Qantas won the World Airline Awards for the Best Premium Economy Class. The Trans-Tasman line has a new B737-800 series, superior services of new 747 series that delivers the best Business Class worldwide, among other superior services offered by Qantas. The much talked about Dreamliner is expected to be delivered to Qantas in 2013 and other brand new 50 B787-900 series to arrive by 2016 (Qantas, 2012f). This kind of fleet supe riority in the domestic and global airline industries places Qantas in a strategic position to continue dominating the industry even in the years to come. The company’s prospectus runs for the next 4 years in terms of new airline arrivals only. These kinds of realignments and strategies will ensure that the Qantas remains a strong brand. Strong corporate governance structure Corporate governance may be a great strength if properly structured in an organization in order to improve accountability in running activities of the firm. Corporate governance builds formidable relationship between shareholders and business managers. Turner, 2009 observes that’ corporate governance â€Å"is used to describe a range of issues relating to the ways in which companies may be directed and controlled† (p. 5). A broader definition of good governance takes cognizance of the social and business environment, to enhance social functions of a firm in the society. Stakeholders’ roles are critical in the maintenance of competitiveness and long term sustainability of an organisation’s activities (Calder, 2008). Corporate governance should outline operations with respect to policy structure, its implementation, and other amicable strategies to withhold stakeholders’ preferences. Qantas in line with the requirements of corporate governance has an elaborate corporate governance structure for its full functionality. The Board of Directors is given the responsibility of ensuring Qantas corporate governance is created or updated, protected, to enhance shareholders’ value. The Board follows the provisions of Australian Securities Exchange Corporate Governance Council’s principles. Qantas publicly discloses all their policies relating the corporate governance, which builds stakeholders’ trust. Qantas Board of Directors maintains high level corporate governance ethics that are constantly being reviewed to comply with the latest issu es that affect the structure. To help in this regard, the Board works on corporate governance structure directed by the following sub-sections: The Qantas Constitution Corporate Governance Statement Qantas’ Executive Remuneration Philosophy The Qantas Board Board Committee members Board Committee Charters Qantas Group Business Practices Document Qantas Diversity Statement (Qantas, 2012b). The elaborate nature of Qantas corporate governance and its transparency conforms to all the requirements of corporate governance outlined above. Therefore, the firm’s shareholders and all other stakeholders see accountability of the highest level. They in turn trust the company’s ideals, which is an endorsement to its operations for the sustainability of Qantas. Weaknesses It is important to recognise a company’s weaknesses in order to minimise them in future. Weaknesses can be; rented premises, unskilled or semi-skilled workforce, heavy debts, stock imbalance, and un productive or inefficient machines. Even though Qantas owns a number of subsidiaries, the subsidiary firms depend on mainstream Qantas services (passenger transportation) and freight. This means that if the mainstream services are affected, there will be a ripple effect that will trickle down to the subsidiary firms. Therefore the firms should invest in different lines and industries. According to Reuters (2012) Qantas still faces the challenge of fuel costs and the immediate response at times of high fuel costs is to hike fares. This is a weakness because it can lead to lose of customers. External Economic Environment Threats Existence of strikes Industrial strike poses a great threat to the company performance. During strikes the airline operations are grounded and that leads to reduction of revenue and subsequently gaining by the company’s rivals such as Virgin Australia. For instance, Qantas first quarter profit of the year 2012 reduced by 52% (CAPA Centre for Aviation, 2 012). The main contributing factor to the reduction of the mentioned profit margin is industrial strikes. The company estimate of the revenue loss as result of strike is AUD 95 million. Competition from other airways companies The existence of the competition from other airline also is a great threat to Qantas airways market share. Virgin Australia offers stiff competition to destinations which were earlier seen as Qantas airways natural markets. The completion has made Qantas airways to cut off some of the international routes so as concentrate to the domestic market. Global economic crises The effects of global economic crisis in 2008 challenged many global business organizations. The aviation industry was also hard hit because the number of tours reduced as travelling became a lesser priority. Currently, the Euro zone crisis continues to affect member countries in Europe. The global economic crises are a threat to the airline and frantic efforts must be made to minimize their eff ects. The end result of global economic crisis is that it increases operation cost, reduces business opportunities which in turn leads to loss of revenue to a company. Fuel prices The stability of fuel prices in the global market directly affects the operations of airlines. The stability depends on a number of issues; one being political standoff between one or more countries. To stabilize the fuel prices, Qantas ahs a well developed hedging strategy that intends to cushion the effect of unstable fuel prices. Under the Capital Management and Treasury, Qantas reserves cash revenue of $3.3 billion to facilitate debt problems. Fuel costs, operating foreign exchange, and aircraft capital expenditure are all hedged to respond the incoming challenges. Of the three hedged funds, fuels cost takes 86% with an effective hedge price of US$116.05/barrel. According to Qantas (2012g), â€Å"Hedging approach mitigates risk whilst maintaining upside potential,† (p. 13). Opportunities Product diversity Needs extension to non-airline services The Oneworld Alliance Oneworld Alliance offers great opportunity for Qantas to extend its services to further destinations. Through the alliance, it is possible to integrate critical airline operations with the Qantas’ operations. Porters Five Forces Porter’s Five Forces model was initiated by the renowned economic and business strategist Michael E. Porter. Porter identified five pillars that mainly influence organisation and planning of businesses. This model is relevant in modern day given the phase of internet use in business processes that has led to globalization. The five forces are illustrated below: Source: Porter, (1985) Bargaining power of Buyers Customers with substantial bargaining are likely to have a massive take on what should inform a business strategy. The advances in technology and the use of internet ahs significantly increased such of information and for customers. As a result, customers can make f are comparison for the various airlines before booking. The information is available online; for instance, Qantas has its own page for online booking. Choice is made depending on the desired pack and price for a flight. High bargaining power of customers increases rivalry in the airline industry. Qantas has specialised in the delivery of quality economy and business classes that serve the interest of various categories of customers. In fact, Qantas has won awards in the provision of superb services. As mentioned earlier, Qantas won the World Airline Awards for the Best Premium Economy Class. Bargaining power of Suppliers The number of suppliers who are able to deliver a company’s fleets or any other equipment needed affect suppliers’ bargaining power. In case of supply dominance by one or few entities, the bargaining power of the supplier(s) will be increased as increase in demand for equipment increases. On the other hand, if there are many suppliers are in an industr y, their bargaining power will be diminished leading to low costs of machinery and other equipment. In the fleet development industry, there are limited manufacturers that can deliver state of the art aircrafts to meet Qantas market needs. For instance, Boeing 787 Dreamliner is s superior kind of aircraft that not every manufacturer has the ability to make in the short run. To this effect, the manufacturer enjoys the bargaining power and Qantas has to give in to any demands given by Boeing. Threat of New Entrants New entrants are firms that are not currently in market completion in a given industry; but they have the ability to do so if they decide. In international airline industry, it is absolutely unavoidable to eliminate the threat of a new entrant and alleviate any threat of their market share. Many corporations invest in Research and Development, (RD) to improve services. However, threat of a new market entrant relies on a number of factors. First, economies of scale enjoyed b y a leading company may act as a barrier to a new entrant that is yet to start service delivery in a given market. According to Hill and Jones, (2009), â€Å"Economies of scale arise when unit costs fall as a firm expands its output. Sources of economies of scale include, cost of reductions gained through mass-producing a standardized output and discounts on purchase of raw materials in bulk.† Another barrier to entry is absolute cost advantages. When initial resource investment is high for an existing company compared to a potential entrant, there would be very hard scenario for a new entrant to get into market. Government policies may also favour market dominance for some companies; for example, if incentives are given to new entrants, barrier to entry would be significantly reduced for a business organisation. The forth factor that influences this force paradigm is the cost of consumer switching from one service or product to another. If the cost of switching is relatively low, a new entrant captures some part of the market share whereas if the costs are high, dominant firm would are the beneficiaries. Consumer loyalty on a given brand can be a hurdle for a new firm to enter market. Threats of substitutes If market situation allows for substitutability of goods and services from other competitor, then the management needs to find alternative measures to limit the threat. This can be done through finding new markets, adopting competitive fares and low cost product, among other measures that will make the company maintain its market share. If the degree of substitutability of goods and services is low, threat of market share will be low. Qantas prides itself as a trend setter with the new fleet of cars expected in the future. The firm has the financial ground to support all the ambitious plans in the offing. In May 2012, Qantas withdrew services in the Auckland-Los Angeles and Singapore-Mumbai routes in a aircraft renewal plan. The plan was to set free 4 of the A330 cars that were in turn taken to the Sydney-Bangkok route. The A330s were to replace the 2 Boeing 747-400 series. This was a reduction in international flight in favour of domestic trunk network. According the CEO of Qantas the strategy is to ensure that Qantas maintains a minimum of 65% of the domestic market (CAPA Centre for Aviation, 2012). The plan meant that the trans-continental market was limited in service. As such, Virgin Australia saw an opportunity and planned for a three to four year strategy to roll into the market with A330. Virgin Australia followed the launch into the route with yet another target of the Sydney-Perth route with A330s and A330 flights from Melbourne-Perth twice in a day. These market entries by Virgin Australia offers substitute services to customers in the aforementioned routes, which is a threat to Qantas. Rivalry among competitors All the other forces lead to increased rivalry among firms in a given industry. The airline industry has a number of established airline operators that and new entrants who create stiff competition and rivalry. Depending on the type of brand that an organisation creates to the consumers, popularity will come from product pricing, design, and dedicated funds for advertising. There is a relationship between price of a commodity and costs involved in production and when prices are low and costs are high, the profit margins are decreased. On the other hand, when competition is low profit margins shoot up. Cost is lowered, prices rise, and profit increases. In a nutshell, Hill and Jones (2009) point out at four factors that affect level of rivalry, â€Å"The intensity of rivalry among established companies within an industry is largely a function of four factors: industry competitive structure; demand conditions; cost conditions; the height of exit barriers in the industry.† Industry analysts carry out research to determine the number of firms in a given industry. Industrial struct ures vary and each segment ought to determine the rivalry levels at its own capacity. For instance, in a progressive industry would behave in a particular manner. According to McGahan, (2004), â€Å"Under progressive change, the industry’s stability arises from the links between activities rather than from any single proprietary activity.† The demands of a given industry also influence the intensity of rivalry and for an increase in demand for services and products there will be reduced rivalry between firms. Alternatively, when there is low demand the rivalry between firms increase and the profit margins reduce. This is due to the cost factor. Reduced demand implies that firms must review prices to have competitive fares. While this happens, there are costs that must be met, for instance, recurrent costs must be taken care of despite the gains made in the sales department. Qantas has responded to alleviate insignificant rivalry within the airline industry by forming t he Oneworld Alliance. The alliance brings together top 12 most successful airlines at the international level to coordinate the running of more than 700 destinations in over 130 countries. The other airlines in the alliance are: Air Berlin, American Airline, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Royal Jordian, and S7 Airlines. The intent of the alliance is to bring on board airline firms and make them share the resources they have to boost customer experience; for instance, the 500 airport departure lounges that the alliance members can access across the world (Qantas, 2012h). Pestle Analysis Political The Qantas Group enjoys cordial relationship with the government of Australia since its assistance in the government engagement in the WWII. The firm assisted in airlifting soldiers from the threat of advancing Japanese forces while at the same time dropping foodstuff in tree-tops. Since then, the Qantas firm continues to serve the defence force by for ming the subsidiary, Qantas Defence Service that airlifts soldiers to their destinations with defence jets. Fleet development in the Qantas Defence Services is convincing and hopefully, the relationship with the government will continue to build in the future. In addition, Qantas is the biggest airline firm in Australia in both domestic and international flights. As such, it is a source of revenue for the government through taxation as a fully tax complaint firm. The government must therefore build policies that favour the firms for the good relationship to continue. Political engagements between government and Qantas employees are guided by policies. It promotes collaborative relationship with the Australian regime and complies with all legislations that promote corporate ethical standards. For instance, Qantas does not allow its employees to make political donations in money value or in-kind to any political officer, political parties or officials. When any worker attends a politi cal party meeting, then the firm states that such activities should be seen as personal and not sponsored. Economic Qantas group economic performance between 2010 and 2011 are as indicated below: Qantas Group Segment Performance Summary: 2010-2011 Source: CAPA Centre for Aviation, (2012) Economic indicators of Qantas financial position are mainly positive. For instance, there has been a steady growth of ancillary revenue since 2010 for Jetstar. In addition, the unit cost performance show that Qantas has succeed in reducing the cost as from 2010 to 2012 going by the first quarter results. These two scenarios are shown in the charts below: Jetstar Ancillary Revenue and Unit Cost Performance: 1H2011-1H2012 Source: Qantas, (2012g) Qantas had to retrench 500 engineers at Victoria base in response to economic needs of the firm. After the announcement of the job cuts, it again announced that it would separate its international operations from domestic ones. Moreover, each business is to have its own CEO and report its own financial results. This move can be interpreted that Qantas wants to streamline individual sectors by reducing losses and increasing profits where necessary. According to Bamber (2011), â€Å"Qantas’ domestic airline made an underlying profit before tax of $552 million in 2010/2011FY, while the international business lost $216 million.† By separating the two, each sector can concentrate on addressing its own issues. In addition, bureaucracy will be made easy as they work as separate entities. Socio-cultural Factors CSR policies are important in building the socio-cultural relationship between a firm and the community around it. A good CSR structure addresses both the external and internal affairs of a business organization. External CSR policies focus on the social contract between an organization and the society. Qantas has programmes that enhance harmony between its operations and the community. For instance, the high technology pl anes will reduce noise level to people living around airports. Customer reward schemes also build social relationship with customers. Qantas has sponsorship programmes for qualified students who want to pursue further education. There are other socio-cultural programmes that are outlined under the firm’s CSR port. Technological The use of technology has been elaborated in the paper before. The main technologies that Qantas has adopted of late are the use of technology in entertainment and flight renewal plans that will bring modern planes to its fleet. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a high technology car that has significant impacts on economic, environment, and customer experience. Legal As said earlier, Qantas in line with the requirements of corporate governance has an elaborate corporate governance structure operations. The Board of Directors is given the responsibility of ensuring Qantas corporate governance is created or updated, protected, to enhance shareholders’ value. The company complies with all guidelines that are provided by the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s principles. Qantas publicly discloses all their policies relating the corporate governance. Qantas Board of Directors maintains high level corporate governance ethics that are constantly being reviewed to comply with the latest issues. Most importantly, the Board has its own Constitution that directs all ethics issues and governance structure. Environmental Qantas is committed to environmental sustainability other than the economic and social commitments. The firm’s objective is to be top in environmental performance through the implementation of required environment policies geared towards the protection of the current and future generations. Environmental engagements Qantas engage all stakeholders in ensuring the community has a variety of environmental programmes that run year in year out. Some of the plans include the firm’s Green Team, which is a gro up of volunteers who raise environmental awareness campaigns. In addition, through the Great Barrier Reef Foundation ZooX Ambassadors, Qantas informs its employees on the relationship between climatic changes, the coral reefs, and how these two have an impact in the sustainability of the firm’s operations. The other engagement is eXcel Environment Ward, which awards the most focused employee in the implementation of environmental projects in the Qantas businesses. The climate challenge Since global climatic changes are a concern to the whole global community, Qantas prides itself in the development of programmes that cut down on emissions address climate issues. Qantas has set its own emission targets in a bid to reduce the effects of climatic challenges. As the company core business is airline transport, 95% of Qantas global carbon emissions are due to jet fuel use. A possible avenue of reducing the emission is through use of efficient machines that will cut on the consumpti on. The figure below illustrates the set goals in reducing emissions at Qantas: Source: Qantas (2012i) Reducing aircraft noise Qantas has the plan of reducing aircraft noise among the communities that live close to the airport by considering the purchase of aircrafts with that ability. The fleets on order including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner have the ability to reduce the noise. This is why Qantas (2012j) makes firm statement, â€Å"Seeking better ways of managing aircraft noise is one of the many ways we continue to develop strong relationships with our communities. We believe that the best solutions emerge through collaboration.† There are also many other strategies put in place to reduce the environmental impact of the firm’s operations. Impact Of External Environment On Qantas A firm’s external environment is a three-piece component: the industry, the business and operation environment, and its remote. The three components of external environment can change and affect the operations at international and local levels. The PESTLE analysis above helps in the definition of remote environment. The industry on the other hand is defined by the Porter’s five forces. The two models of analysis therefore help in the identification of the external business environment and its impact on Qantas. International travels are characterised by regulatory impediments, which prevent carriers from inflowing to a new destination. Barrier to entry into a new destination is an obstacle to expansion programmes of a carrier. Network alliances open avenues for expansion and gives right to enter into a restricted territory. Network alliance also opens base for resource sharing. Limited runways for take offs and landings may be a challenge to individual carriers. Finally, network alliances eases competition pressures, leading to a reduction in pricing and can earn supernormal profits. Alliance members should be weary of threat of new entrants and formulate s tringent measures to counter the threats. One way of achieving this is through imposition of regulatory restrictions and initiating frequent flyer programmes. External business environment is also defined by the entry of other airlines into the market. Incumbency in the airline industry is a great barrier to entry into the industry. However, disruptive technology is a threat to this barrier and an opportunity for a new entrant. Foster supported by Christensen as quoted by Vlaar et al., (2005) assert that, â€Å"disruptive technological change brings about new value propositions and strategic options that may have a devastating effect on established firms and industry structure.† (p. 155). Incumbents are unable to establish radical technological inventions due to protocol issues and conventional organisation structures that take long time to make critical decisions. Since new entrants face operation difficulties through service imitation and high investment costs in RD, disrup tive technology is a scope towards market breakthrough. Emirates Airline is a new entrant into the market that defied the odds to break into airline industry with great success after short period of time. According to Shikoh (2005), research by Skytrax in 2005, Emirates was third after Cathay Pacific and Qantas Airways and in front of global brands like British Airways and Singapore Airlines. As mentioned, Emirates instilled a sense of ‘business unusual’ in the industry with more operation strategies that appealed to majority. The airline industry is a multi billion investment venture that is mainly funded by national governments. Due to this, there is expansion rigidity brought about by legal restriction on routes usage. Network alliances, therefore, involve both liberal bilateral agreements between two government and agreement between partners. The geopolitics of airline industry is main source of barrier to entry by a new firm and the cause of incumbency by national carriers. This paper has established that other than privatisation, network alliance is one of the ways, through which industry players can expand their operations to new destination. However, the case of Emirates Airline is unique as the firm defied the barriers to enter into the industry and become a global brand. Disruptive technologies and organisational rigidity are a challenge to the incumbent but give rare opportunities to new entrants. Structural rigidity can also be eliminated by privatisation. In the airline industry, customer service is important as there is a direct relationship between customers and the employees. Before the management thinks of any effort to improve customer services, there is need of focussing on employee issues for them to respond with exemplary services to customers. In an airline where staffs are discontented, they are likely to replicate poor services to the customers. Eventually there could be lost business as customers will seek better services elsewhere because there are options. Southwest Airline is among the world leaders in customer service at relatively low price. The firm considers its staff as the selling point. Southwest airline pays remunerates its workforce well and but remains a profit making organisation that has never retrenched its staffs (Bamber, 2011). Virgin too is following in the footsteps of Southwest airline and in the same line; Qantas should take some strategies from Southwest airline to rejuvenate its economic hitches and the 500 retrenchment of workers in its Victoria base. According to Bamber (2011) lesson from Southwest airline should be favoured instead of the bid to resorting to private equity funds to purchase Stakes at Qantas. Since the attempt, the share price has steadily fallen. Impact Of Qantas On External Economic Environment Qantas being one of the Oneworld Alliance means that the firm is a major player in Australian domestic and international airline industries. Its operations affect t hose of other carriers. The interrelationship among the world carriers tells the nature of the airline industry. The airline industry is very dynamic and sources of economic rent are diversified. Due to heavy investment needed in the airline industry, the industry operates either as government owned ventures or by a particular entity. However, global wave of privatization and private business entities entered the industry in the mid 1990s, revolutionising the sector. There are limited cases of merger of firms in the airline industry due to rigid international air agreements that domestic firms adhere to. Strategic alliances; and alliances between carriers is now the norm in the industry. Alliances between big network carriers are common if compared with those between low cost carrier (LLC), and charter airlines. According to Forsyth et al., (2011), â€Å"This type of airline differ in that the first operate integrated route networks centred around one or multiple hubs, offering pas sengers a dense network of flight connections, while low cost and charter airlines typically focus on point-to-point networks.† (p. 49). This paper discusses how various airline operations and activities affect economic rent of firms, engaged in the industry at the global, regional, and domestic level. Consolidation of the industry is a major source of economic rent as it presents rationales, upon which networks integration would yield benefits. To begin with, working together brings in economies of scale for individual firms to improve technical efficiency. This is because firms in an alliance can share codes, which increases passenger flight rates. According to risk diversification theory, creating many routes manages adverse effects of depending on a single airline destination. Another reason to form network alliance is that it reduces transaction costs that are passed on to customers. Forsyth et al., (2011) pose that, â€Å"Airlines that offer connecting services to passe ngers and flight forwarders may increase profits by joint marketing of their services on the basis of one stop shopping.† Shopping at one point saves on transaction costs as passengers don’t need to connect flights but instead buy products and services from a partner in an alliance. In order to make this a reality, firms in an alliance should carry out joint branding and tender seamless travel plans to passengers. Network alliances is the commonest practice in the world and as Ramà ³n-Rodriguez et al., (2010) posit, â€Å"The success of this strategy has led to the creation of one world, Sky-Team and Star Alliance that are now responsible for about 75% of global passengers and 90% of long-haul flights.† (p. 111). Network alliances eliminate market imperfections, which majorly affect airline operations. Airlines do serve a particular route, and when there is an alliance, interests of passengers who demand flight connection and complementary services will be serve d. Individual carriers face market imperfection due to uncoordinated price-setting mechanism because of numerous price mark-ups, set by individual carriers. This reduces marginal costs (MC), leading to decrease in profit margins. Network alliance minimises price mark-ups due to coordination of a joint pricing model that offers complementary services to travellers. Customer also benefit from low prices, set by network alliances. 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