Financial Pressure on College Students Essay

Students spend time with their families and escape their academic worries. However, when students return to campus, they can bring back more than they bargained for. Some students feel pressure from their parents to succeed and returning home reminds them of that pressure. Mickie Wong, 19, a child development major, goes home about once a month. She said upon returning to her home in Temple City, Calif., she feels pressure from her parents about her academics. Wong said her parents sent her to study at a university because they want her to be successful and financially stable. â€Å"I feel pressured when I go home because my parents lecture me every time they see me because they came to America so that their kids can have a better future,† said Wong. Wong’s parents are immigrants from Vietnam and grew up without the advantages she has now. Because of that, Wong said her parents have high expectations for her academic career. â€Å"They say that I should be studying everyday, going to the library, taking full advantage of this wonderful opportunity to go to college, something they didn’t have,† Wong said. Wong is involved with the fraternity Zeta Phi Rho, and is in good academic standing. However, she said she feels her parents set too high expectations for her academic performance. â€Å"That’s their method of guilt tripping me. I feel like I should be doing more than I am. I should try harder,† Wong said. Upon returning from home, Wong said she feels motivated to work harder and try to meet her parents’ high standards. This motivation wanes away though, and she stops working as much as before. â€Å"I usually fall back into the same routine after a few weeks. I don’t see them every weekend so they can’t remind me,† Wong said. Kishev Navindaran, 19, a mechanical engineering major, goes home to San Diego, Calif., once every five weeks. He typically spends a day or two during the weekend with his family and friends. Going home gives Navindaran the chance to reflect on the opportunity his parents gave him and the importance of an education. â€Å"I get more home sick when I visit home and it puts everything into perspective,† said Navindaran. Navindaran’s parents express interest in his education by talking about his studies and his academic standing. He said they motivate him to work harder in school. â€Å"My parents always tell me to study hard and they ask me how I’m doing in school. It motivates me to do better,† he said. Navindaran’s brothers, who are also college students, inspire him by having conversations about each other’s experiences. They keep tabs on each other to make sure that they are on a path to success. â€Å"I usually talk to my brothers to see how they’re doing and it’s more of a motivation for me,† Navindaran said. Shaan Cowasjee, 19, undeclared, also lives in San Diego. He goes home to see his family once every four to five weeks. He said he cherishes the time he spends in San Diego with his loved ones because it helps him appreciate them a lot more. â€Å"It’s more of a special and appreciating feeling,† said Cowasjee. â€Å"You get to hang out with family and you appreciate them more,† he added. Cowasjee said it is tough on his parents because he’s so far away and they cannot ensure that he is putting full effort into his studies. However, he said, he uses this as motivation to work harder in school. â€Å"My parents tell me to focus more, they feel like I’m slacking because I’m not there with them and they’re not motivating me 24/7,† Cowasjee said.

Tablet Computers and Their Impact Essay

Tablet Computers and Their Impact Essay Tablet Computers Analysis Essay Tablet Computers Analysis Essay The introduction of tablet computers meant that laptops had to be adapted. Tablet computers and laptops are similar in their functioning and they can learn from each other essentially. Tablet computers and laptops are suitable for certain environments and hence, their combined use can bring satisfaction to users. Tablet computers are more advanced than laptops and they have taken the laptops market share. Past research published after 2010 discussed how tablet computers would overtake use of other computers, especially laptops. Tablet Computers and Their Current and Future Impact Current research paper shows that tablet computers are still not as popular as predicted due to various challenges. However, the future of manufacturing tablet computers looks bright if they continue enhancing the computers with advanced features. Past research showed that most tablets were not customized with cameras that could take videos and carry out call functions. Tablet computers have since improved and now users can use them to make calls. Research conducted during introduction of tablet computers showed that tablets did not have accessories, such as keyboard or mouse. Tablet computers are easy to use and have a reliable operating system. They have a long lasting battery and a stylish look (Thomson, 2013). Studies conducted showed that tablets had most features that are found in other gadgets, including music and games. The sale of tablets was stimulated by the easy access to the information by users. However, new research shows that people interested in buying tablets have an interest in watching movies, listening and downloading music, accessing social media, such as Facebook and twitter, as well as online magazines. The popularity of tablet computers rose due to media coverage. Their design contributed to sales and the applications they support helped in popularity (Kenar, 2013). Tablet computers got ranked higher than smartphones. New smartphones are manufactured with dual core processors. Recent studies have showed that people do not believe that the market of tablet computers will replace the smartphones, as smartphones are more portable. Studies showed that tablet computers would not replace smartphones and they would only be used by a little amount people. Almost every phone company produces tablet computers and the market is flooded with many gadgets ranging in prices. In the future, some of the suppliers of tablet PCs are most likely to leave the market (Thomson, 2013). Impact of Tablet Computers in the Medical Field Tablet computers have become affordable and they provide a platform to interact with electronic information fast. Integrating tablet computers in our work practice is an interesting practice. Tablet computers give the user an experience of having better resolution of screen. It processes information fast and improves the web design. In a study conducted at a medical center tablet computers were considered to be of great help as soon as they let the medical trainees to access calculators and medical journals fast. Tablet computers helped retrieve patient materials for educational purposes. Tablet computers used in the medical field were configured with selected applications and pages with clinical tools. The device is now being used by trainers during conferences to make presentations. Though carrying the cumbersome device is inconvenient for some medical practitioners, having them around has made work more efficient (Perez, 2013). Impact of Tablet Computers on Environment New technology emerges every few years. New technology changes people’s lifestyle and transforms the economy of the country. Study conducted on iPad showed that the market of tablet computers was led by Apple and the number of laptops purchased reduced significantly. The study predicted that tablet computers would in the next few years replace desktop computers and laptops at the workplace. However, the research shows that laptops are still being used at large (Tanaka, 2010). Current research paper indicates that distant learning will be accelerated by use of tablet computers, ensuring everyone acquires quality education at a cheaper fee. Students will save hundreds of dollars due to the new innovation. Also, students will use tablet computers to take notes in class. Tablet computers have reduced the use of paper, ink, accommodation space in office, reduced consumption of water during production and commuting expenses. Previous studies have also showed that environmental benefits achieved a higher magnitude. Tablet computers have led to a decline in printing and now they help distribute newspapers, books, movies and magazines electronically. Even though, people still feel the need to have hard copies of document, situation can change with time. Companies manufacturing printers, such as HP have experienced a decrease in ink demand (Ali, 2011). The research paper shows that tablet computers have reduced paper-based booklets, brochures and pamphlets. They have also reduced the fuel used to transport these materials. Tablet computer transforms information into simple data that can be transferred without requiring packaging and production. Tablet computers are cost effective and reduce production waste in companies. The devices are a kind of energy saving initiative that does not need to get subsidized by the government (Clarke 2012). Current research paper shows that tablet computers are eco-friendly due to the fact that they emit low rate of carbon dioxide during their lifetime. To conserve raw materials and energy people, who can afford using tablets, should make transition into its use. However, tablet computers have to be properly disposed in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Manufacturers of electronics have put in place recycling programs. The programs require people to give old and unused electronic devices to these companies for recycling. Past research could not show if tablet computers were eco-friendly and the topic was not discussed at length (Tanaka, 2010). Current research shows that tablet computers have encouraged green business. The gadgets are used to demonstrate products and their services. For example, the Apple store allows customers to view product features and compare products using iPads. Tablet computers encourage online transactions and hence, reducing of paper use. Past studies did not cover the questions of green business as soon as people had not grasped the context of tablet computers (Tanaka, 2010). Social Impact of Tablet Computers Tablet computers have impacted users both positively and negatively. People spend more time using tablet computers at work or home. Students are also subjected to spending lots of hours in front of computers. Technology enables students to access course notes in tablet computers, thus reducing their library visits. Actual books are hardly used for research by students. Search engines available on the Internet have helped student access reliable sources for their coursework. Tablet computers offer students fast processing of school work. The devices are nowadays used for leisure as they contain many games, web pages and music that help people relax. Current research brings about spending so much time on tablet computers that can create health problems. Use of tablet computers is different from use of desktop in respect to posture. Tablet computers give users freedom of devices using due to low weight. The freedom affects the posture of neck and head that can lead to pain and discomfor t. The best position is achieved by placing tablet computers on table top and propping up the screen. Past research discussed the health problems of using laptops and desktop computers with focus to work environment. Current research discusses both home and at work effects of using tablet computers (Marqueses, 2013). Current research paper shows that tablet computers take away people’s rest time, since they are carried to bed due to their portability. Use of tablet computers in darkness is discouraged because they affect rest habits of their users. Previous research showed that tablet computers strained eyes even with backlight displays. The backlight displays are said to affect the ability of the users to fall asleep easily. Using tablet computers for a long time can cause wrist, finger and muscle problems for the user. Children in the twenty first century are exposed to tablet computers at a young age. Children exhibit confidence when using tablet computers. However, the gadgets help children acquire fundamental skills to operate computers. Children gain improved coordination of eyes and hands (Ali, 2011). Past studies have shown that computer screens are known to emit radiation. These rays, when directed to the child’s body, can cause damage. Eyes are most vulnerable to harm as a result of long hours sitting at the computer. However, current research aims at discouraging the children to use computers at a young age. Children should be checked more often by an optician. They should also be encouraged to engage in outdoor activities that are less harmful to the body. Young children should spend more time in the sun to get vitamin D and fresh air. Children, who spend much time at tablet computers, can be easier exposed to obesity as they grow into young adults. Increasing of high pressure and diabetes among children is associated with spending much time at tablet computers (Cocozza, 2014). Current research shows that tablet computers have replaced baby sitters. Parents have admitted giving their children tablet computers to keep them quiet. It is referred to as digital babysitting. Parents are, however, advised to be aware of the danger that comes with kids using tablet computers. Some of the applications on the devices are really helpful for children. However, playtime should not be equated with tablet computers. Current paper is different from past research papers because it discusses current and future impact related to the gadgets. Past research discussed tablet computers features at the time when the research itself was actual. Current research paper describes the recent features, which are new selling points for tablet computers (Ali, 2011). Proposed Work, Methodology and Timeline Current research has covered adequately the information required to make the study complete. Several factors were identified in this study. Consequently, it showed that some of the randomly selected people chosen for research did not know about the tablet computers much. Interviewed people have heard about them but were not interested in gadgets because they had smartphones and laptops and did not know how to apply tablet computers in their lives. Those who showed interest in owning a tablet computer were students who liked to use them for reading online materials. Tablet computers are intended to impact the workplace so the companies have to make a strategy of how to get rid of the desktops and laptops that they are currently using. Current research focuses on the popularity of tablet computers now and in the future. The study used interviews, questionnaires and also observation methods. The Following are the Findings of the Research Presented Current study was conducted by interviewing fifty men and women, who agreed to take part in the research. There were twenty three women and twenty seven men of different age selected for the research. The sample for such data collection was randomly selected. The research shows the popularity of tablet computers, laptops, smartphones and personal computers among interviewed people. Current study showed that laptops were more popular compared to the other three gadgets.The chart below shows the various ways of using tablet computers. The numbers show that tablet computers are mostly used for social media purposes. Studies and reading followed up. Tablet computers are also often used for listening to the music. Taking photos and videos and video streaming showed low results at tablet computers use. The table below shows the ratings on efficiency, impact and future of tablet computers. Majority of people in my study agreed that tablet computers were efficient and contributed to educational development. A relatively high number was not sure about its contribution to education development. The least number of people disagreed that the influence was efficient. Majority of people agreed that tablet computers had a high possibility to substitute laptops. The number of people who were neutral and those who disagreed was almost equal. Moreover, the study showed that most people believe that tablet computers would develop into a more technological device in the future. Only a few people disagreed, that tablet computers would develop into a more technological device. The interviews were not difficult to conduct. They were used to select the right people for the study. The study required people who owned or had access to tablet computers. After the interviews and elimination of unqualified persons, the qualified ones filled a questionnaire with all the questions for the study. Some participants did not fully complete the questionnaire due to the time limits. Some of the participants were selected through observation, by spotting someone with a tablet computer. Current research takes a short time to be conducted. It is cost and time effective due to the methodology used to collect and present data and to the fact that it takes about one month to be conducted. The objectives of current research were determined by the popularity of tablet computers and their impact nowadays and in the future. Finding two participants in a day was enough to conduct the study. The results of the research showed almost equal number of people believing that the use of tablet computers and laptops was similar. Ten people believed that tablet computers would be developed to become better in the future. People who thought tablet computers would remain the same and extinct were ten and twelve respectively. Many people viewed tablet computers as a revolutionary device. Summary of Contributions The research shows the different spheres of tablets computers usage, which include providing fast access to the information and the effectiveness of the device. Data collected from current research was reliable and participants provided the information willingly. The study shows the positive and negative impact of tablet computers on the environment at present and in the future. Past researches on tablet computers focused on the technology used to manufacture it. Current study expounds further the impact of tablet computers. Environment has benefitted from the technology behind the tablet computers. Tablet computers have helped save trees and reduce waste spreading in the environment. The study has shown predictions of how the tablet computers will become popular in the next few years (Perez, 2013). Journalism has fully embraced the use of tablet computers due to their small size and touch screen. Tablet computers support applications that help them to follow the news. More men in my study tend to prefer use of tablet computers compared to laptops, smartphones and personal computers. People at the age between twenty and twenty five showed much interest in the use of tablet computers. Majority of interviewed people indicated that they used tablet computers for about one to three hours. The study showed that tablet computers were mostly used for spending time in social networks followed by study and music. The smallest number of people used tablet computers for taking videos and videos streaming. Tablet computers have enriched lives of their users, but still continuous use of tablet computers also has negative effect. Manufacturers of tablet computers need to extend the market extensively especially aiming at students. Manufacturers should also reduce the price of tablet computers to make them affordable to students and other interested people. People are waiting for the reduction of prices so that they could afford to buy a gadget. Tablet computers have become increasingly popular in the world and the demand continues to increase, though, the level of tablet computers and laptops usage seems similar. People are optimistic about developing new and better innovations than the tablet computers (Perez, 2013).

Independence Day Essay Example

Independence Day Essay Example Independence Day Essay Independence Day Essay Independence Day (India) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Fifteenth of August redirects here. For other uses, see August 15. Independence Day The national flag of India, on the Red fort in New Delhi; a common sight on public and private buildings on national holidays like the 15th of August. Also called The Fifteenth of August (Hindi) ( ) (Hindi) Observed by India Type National Significance The day India became independent from British rule. Date August 15 Celebrations Flag hoisting, Parades, Singing patriotic songs, Speech by hePrime Minister, Family reunions,Picnics, Kite flying Independence Day of India is celebrated on Fifteenth of August (8/15/47) to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereignnation in 1947. [1] The day is a national holiday in India. All over the country, flag-hoisting ceremonies are conducted by the local administration inattendance. The main event takes place in New Delhi, the capital city of India, where the Prime Min ister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort and deliversa nationally televised speech from its ramparts. In his speech, he highlights the achievements f his government during the past year, raises important issues and gives a call for further development. The Prime Minister also pays his tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle. The Prime Minister also declares holiday on 15 August. Contents [hide] 1 Backgrou nd 2 Celebrati ons 3 See also 4 Referenc es 5 External links [edit]Background In 1946, the Labour government in Britain, its exchequer exhausted by the recently concluded World War II, and conscious that it had neither the mandate at home, the international support, nor the reliability of native orces for continuing to control an increasingly restless India,[2][3] decided to end British rule of India, and in early 1947 Britain announced its intention of transferring power no later than June 1948. As independence approached, the violence between Hindus and Muslims in the pr ovinces of Punjab and Bengal continued unabated. With the British army unprepared for the potential for increased violence, the new viceroy, Louis Mountbatten, advanced the date for the transfer of power, allowing less than seven months for a mutually agreed plan for independence. In June 1947, the nationalist leaders, including Pandit Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, B. R. Ambedkar and Master Tara Singh agreed to a partition of the country along religious lines. The predominantly Hindu and Sikh areas were assigned to the new India and predominantly Muslim areas to the new nation of Pakistan; the plan included a partition of the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. Many millions of Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu refugees trekked across the newly drawn borders. In Punjab, where the new border lines divided the Sikh regions in half, massive bloodshed followed; in Bengal and Bihar, where Gandhis presence assuaged communal tempers, the violence was more limited. In all, anywhere between 50,000 and 500,000 people on both sides of the new borders died in the violence. [4] On 14 August 1947, the new Dominion of Pakistan came into being, with Muhammad Ali Jinnahsworn in as its first Governor General in Karachi. At the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, read out the famous Tryst with destiny spee ch proclaiming Indias independence. India, now a smaller Union of India, became an independent country with official ceremonies taking place in New Delhi, and with Jawaharlal Nehru assuming the office of the first prime minister, and the viceroy, Louis Mountbatten, staying on as its irst Governor General. [edit]Celebrations This section requires expansion. The Indian flag at Delhi Gate The Prime Minister of India hoists the Indian flag on the ramparts of the historical site, Red Fort ( ), Delhi, on August 15. This is telecasted live on the National Channel Doordarshan and many other News Channels all over India. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the state capitals. In the cities around the country the national flag is hoisted by politicians in their constituencies. In various private organisations the flag hoisting is carried out by a senior official of that organisation. All over the country, flags are given out to citizens who wear them proudly to show their patriotism towards India. Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hoisting ceremonies and various tural events within their premises, where younger children in costume do impersonations of their favourite characters of the Independence era. They also have a parade. Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centres, clubs and societies hold entertainment programs and competitions, usually based on the Independence Day theme. Most national and regional television channels screen old and new film classics with patriotic themes on Independence Day. Many non-governmental organizations telecast patriotic programs. It is a national festival that is celebrated by every Indian irrespective of religion. 15 , 1947 1857 ? 1830 . , 15 . 15 , . ( ) 15 ( ) ( ) . 15 , , , , , 1947 (8/15/47) . [1 ] . , . , , hoists . , ? . . 15 . [hide] 1 2 ? 3 ? 4 ? 5 [ ] 1946 , , ? , , ? , [2] [3 ] , , . , . , , , , . 1947 , , , , , . , . , . , , , , tempers assuaged , . , 250,000 500,000 . [4] 14 1947, ? , . 15 , 1947 , independence. India, , , , . [ ] . hoists , ( ), , 15 . . . . . , . , impersonations . . . , , , . . . .

Quotes About New Years Resolutions

Quotes About New Year's Resolutions Want to get fighting fit? Or kick a bad habit? Make a New Years resolution and you are part of the  way there. The tricky part in making New Years resolutions is sticking to them. The loftier the resolution, the tougher it is to hang on to. It takes steely nerves and determination to live by what you resolve. Read these quotes about New Years resolutions to motivate you to keep your resolutions and improve your life. Neil GaimanI hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. Youre doing things youve never done before, and more importantly, youre doing something. Maria EdgeworthThere is no moment like the present. The man who will not execute his resolutions when they are fresh upon him can have no hope from them afterward; they will be dissipated, lost, and perish in the hurry and scurry of the world, or sunk in the slough of indolence. Melody BeattieThe new year stands before us like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.Alfred Lord TennysonHope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, It will be happier. AnonymousA dogs New Years Resolution: I will not chase that stick unless I actually see it leave his hand!John BurroughsOne resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.Mark TwainNew Years Day. Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. Cyril CusackIf you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am. Andre GideBut can one still make resolutions when one is over 40? I live according to 20-year-old habits.Helen Fielding, Bridget Joness DiaryI do think New Years resolutions cant technically be expected to begin on New Years Day, dont you? Since, because its an extension of New Years Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Years Day isnt a good idea as you cant eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second.John SeldenNever tell your resolution beforehand, or its twice as onerous a duty.Henry MooreI think in terms of the days resolutions, not the years.When we once begin to form good resolutions, God gives us every opportunity of carrying them out. Albert EinsteinLearn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. F.M. KnowlesHe who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.

Success in social commerce Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Success in social commerce - Research Paper Example This radical change in the global business environment has been observed due to the immense development and incorporation of ‘Information and Communication Technology (ICT) within the organizational processes. The integration of ICTs in the organizational processes has been considerably facilitating the modern organizations to emphasize considerable changes that further enables then to increase their business performances at large (Phan, 2003). Emphasizing upon the immense usage of the social commerce, the primary objective of this paper is to identify the major commercial success of the modern marketers through the integration of social media in their business processes. With this regard, the discussion of this report will also be focused on highlighting various successive factors of social commerce and their drawbacks which can radically change the overall functions of the organizations. II. Dimensions of Social Commerce In general, the term social commerce can be defined as the subset of e-commerce which tends to employ social media within the organizational processes ensuring enhancement of the efficiency and credibility within the growing business environment. Moreover, the notion of social commerce is duly practiced by the modern marketers to render adequate shopping experience to their potential customers and remain them within the organizational offerings. The process is further regarded as one of the effective and widely used online solution tools for the modern marketers in terms of promoting their broad array of products or services to extended group global customers (Marsden, 2010). Social commerce generally constitutes various major dimensions that comprise social shopping, rating along with reviews, recommendation as well as referrals, communities and forums, social media optimization and social ads and applications (Marsden, 2010). All these dimensions relating to social commerce plays a decisive part for the modern organizations which aids them to monetize their business practices through reinforcing sales and accumulating large groups of potential customers at large (Social Commerce Today, 2012). The different dimensions linked with social commerce have been described hereunder. Dimensions of Social Commerce II. I. Social Shopping The facet of social shopping can be considered as one of the effective dimensions of social commerce that allows the customers to share the experience of online purchasing in an effective manner (Marsden, 2010). The dimension significantly includes certain different models that have depicted hereunder. II. I. a. Group Buying The group buying process in the social shopping dimension enables the users to utilize their buying power in terms of purchasing together. In this process, the users significantly obtain better value of purchasing products or services frequently through involving buyers from different social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook among others. In relation to the pres ent day context, the companies like Dell Swarm, Adidas and Intel Fan Plan among others are well known for using the strategy of selling their products in a bulk to a group of customers (Marsde

Who is responsible for the Great Depression Essay

Who is responsible for the Great Depression - Essay Example (Heinrichs, 2012) Whether this was unprecedented or not, it is undeniable that great depression affected the world. It never practiced discretion; it affected both individual and companies. This paper holds that there are a number of factors that were responsible for the recession that affected the globe. This paper refutes the notion that has been put by other economists that President Hebert Hoover was responsible for the economic recession and its impacts. The economic crisis of 1930 is attributed to a myriad of intertwined complex factors. One of the common factors that is that there was over speculation in the stock market that was not regulated by the responsible authorities. The American stock market fell in 1929 and is often regarded as one of the great reasons of depression. The crash was preceded with period when the people of America discovered the stock market. The crash resulted into a serious loss of the individual and companies investments. Investors were left shaken given that the stock market brought a lot of excitement that drove most people to put their money into the economy. People were completed shattered when the banks erased the savings by the people including those who had not injected in the stock market. Despite the fact that recession was unavoidable, better policies and regulations could have been applied to avoid the failure by the banks. (Canterbery, 2011) The fed in 1929 took what economists regard as unprecedented move by cutting the supply of money by almost a third. The reaction literally chokes off any possibility of recovery. A myriad of banks in the country therefore suffered the problem of liquidity. The reaction of failing to bail out banks was regarded as harsh and did not help in addressing recession in the country. The similar effect was faced by the market in 1907 when the panic of selling sent the

Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Report - Research Paper Example .. 7 3. Summary†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 9 4. References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 10 APPENDIX The Brazilian Economy 1. Executive Summary Brazil has maintained considerable economic difficulties from 1900 to 2012 due to ineffective financial policy construction, government reforms, and an over-reliance on commodities to drive economic sustainability and growth. Historically, coffee and oil have been staple export products; however, these commodities are subject to unpredictable spikes or decline in prices. At the same time, the CPI in Brazil is affected by higher-than-average inflation due to rising supply chain prices and interest rate fluctuatio ns that limit consumer spending and investment. It is recommended that Brazil diversify its economy and return to the crawling peg monetary policy now that industrialization and consumerism are beginning to develop effectively in this country. 2. Background on Brazil and its Economy Brazil is currently experiencing significant economic growth due to changes governmental and economic reforms as well as its current position as a major contributor to the global trade system. The country, once overly reliant on coffee production and rail system transportation to promote economic growth and job security, now maintains a growing industrial base in consumer products, industrial products and commodity development that contributes to a high GDP comparatively to other countries around the globe. Sixty seven percent of total GDP is attributed to the service sector, as it relates to health care, hospitality, beauty provision and restaurant (to name only a few). The rest of gross domestic produc t is allocated in agricultural development and industrial-based employment. Unfortunately, Brazil currently has a debt to GDP ratio of approximately 50 percent, which is much higher than that of other emerging or developing nations (Blanchard, 2005). At the same time, the inflation rate in Brazil is approximately four percent annually which impacts disposable income for consumers and also cash flow availability for companies in the industrial and agricultural sectors. High prices throughout the commodity supply chain, as one example, are offset by rising prices on corn, coffee and other commodity products used in the household sector. High inflation occurring annually since 2003, when the country experienced over 17 percent hyperinflation, continues to erode the government’s ability to stimulate more economic and job growth. The provision of public services, such as electric, telephone services, and water consumption experienced inflation rates of 8.38 percent with supplement ary tariff increases of over 15 percent on all of these services (Business News Americas, 2004). Brazil has not, even during years where inflation was reduced through economic policy and infrastructure development, experienced any significant decreases from these cost levels. As such, consumerism is reduced due to lowered disposable income for consumer products. From 1990 to 1997, Brazil experienced inflation to the level where gross national product was consumed up to 40 percent due to rising prices (Selva, 2010). Further, credit card companies, in response to decreased consumer savings in banking institutions, began charging upwards of 25 percent for consumer and industrial purchases (Selva, 2010). The lack