Business environment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business environment - Coursework Example Features are one seller, many buyers, price setter, restrictions on entry, high sunk costs and enjoys economies of scale. A monopolists has the following pros, no wastage of resources, can venture in to research, and easy to adopt to new technology. The disadvantages are low quality service, no sovereignty of consumers and there is consumer exploitation due to high prices. The price is set by the producer in the short run and not in the long run. That is at P = MC as shown by the diagram above. The structure has features such as, independent decision making, imperfect information, an individual decision affects the market, free entry and exit and firms set prices The above diagram shows the kinked curve. The price is set where P =MC or at the kink of the demand curve. The decision of a single producer can affect the entire market, therefore, coalitions exist to set the price of the goods (McConnell &Brue, 1995). The features include few large firms many buyers, firms collude, high restrictive barriers to entry and dependence decisions. The advantages are makes huge profits, can lead to innovations and stable prices. The shortcoming include dependent decisions, high entry barriers and poor quality (Baligh &Richartz,

Is a Government Ban on Human Cloning Wrong Essay

Is a Government Ban on Human Cloning Wrong - Essay Example Human cloning can essentially be beneficial to humanity, as well as to science and technology, if it were guaranteed to be successful every time. However, on the side opposing human cloning, the greatest argument involves the morals and ethics of all human beings involved in the process of cloning a human, which are the cloned child, the egg donor, and the woman carrying the cloned child. Very few cloning experiments involving animals have been successful, and even many of those result in death after some time; as such, there is nothing to suggest that human cloning will be successful since there is more at risk. Attempting to clone a human being involves too many risks, and there is nothing to say that any attempt at human cloning will be a success, which makes any safety risks having been undergone in vain. While trying to clone a human, the cloned child might be born deformed or as a stillborn, and the egg donor and the woman carrying the cloned child might risk future problems wh en trying to naturally conceive children.

Incorporating Maori Values into Health and Social Care

Incorporating Maori Values into Health and Social Care Assessment Task 1 The Treaty of Waitangi or Tiriti o Waitangi is a written agreement signed on 6th of February 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs in Waitangi, New Zealand to negotiate sovereignty of New Zealand and to establish a British colony. The Treaty of Waitangi was intended to be a partnership between Maori and the British Crown. Even though it was aimed at creating unity, it caused conflict due to different understandings and breaches of the treaty. There are two versions of the treaty, the Maori version and the English version though the English text is not a direct translation of the Maori text so difficulties arise in interpretation. Both versions of the treaty represent consensus between Maori and the British Crown the right to govern and to establish a British settlement, while the British Crown assured to Maori full rights as a citizen and protection of all their assets and interests. In 1840, Maori chiefs decided for or against signing the treaty on the basis of its Maori text and after thinking about numerous considerations. The chiefs wanted regulated settlement and support in managing settlers and land sales. Commerce and cash income from employment would bring benefits to Maori communities. The new relationship between Maori and the British Crown would also enable them to avoid warfare between tribes that had intensified in previous decades. There are four principles of the treaty namely Partnership, Protection, Participation, and Permission. Partnership is the union and alliance with good and honest intent between Maori and the British crown to achieve a common goal. To ensure that Maori have rangatiratanga rights over their toanga (land, resources, language, knowledge, and other aspects of way of life of Maori), Maori leaders have to be consulted when organisational policies are discussed. In social services, organisations should make sure that the needs of Maori are of priority when taking part in creating policies that could affect Maori. Protection is allowing Maori to exercise Tino Rangatiratanga over their taonga (land, resources, language, knowledge, and other aspects of way of life of Maori) and they should benefit and enjoy from these. In social services, Maori way of life to enjoy their taonga must be respected. Maori have the right to make choices with regard to their culture which aligns with tika and kawa, traditions, customs, and practices. Participation is the involvement of Maori and the British Crown in the service accessibility, not only for Pakeha but for Maori as well. Not segregating the Maori from Pakeha but allowing the Maori to take part in social services that they enjoy together with Pakeha or other ethnicities. In social services, Maori have the right to participate in making decisions regarding their health and well being or Hauora and to have meaningful ways in decision making on how health services should be delivered for their well-being. Permission is the freedom of Maori to exercise his rights to speak Te Reo Maori and to be involved in any Maori spiritual or cultural rites, practices, or beliefs. In social services, it is important that Maori are allowed to speak their own language to express their insights better and to not feel unimportant. The four principles of the Treaty of Waitangi is the basis for social workers when delivering social services to Maori. Examples include consulting and discussing with whanau the support for clients from residential placement to maintain positive changes as a result of residential care placement, working together with whanau to understand cultural needs, allowing the whanau to make decisions that are in their best interest to maintain self determination and promote empowerment, and incorporating kawa and tikanga on how social services are delivered. Task 2 Summary of reason for family meeting or whanau hui A family meeting was held to discuss the possibility of a child to be admitted to an alternative care placement The child’s parents have alcohol and illicit drug use issues The parents are domestically violent toward each other and at times to the child Placement Diary Meetings and Communication Date Notes/Key points 26/02/2015 Referral forms were reviewed and explained to whanau An initial assessment was performed The child was identified as being at risk 27/02/2015 Appropriate services were identified and discussed with the whanau Notes/key points of how you perceived and recorded the referral. What service provider guidelines did you follow? Consent from parents and whanau were obtained before acting on the referral. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. All referrals were recorded in the database. An immediate safety check using the information provided by the referrer within 24 hours of receiving the referral was completed. Notes/key points of how you assessed the referral for relevance to the service provider. The referrals coming to the social service provider was assessed to find out if they were relevant to the services offered by the organisation. When deemed relevant, it was accepted. When referrals are assessed as not relevant to the service provider, it will be handed over to other service providers with appropriate services that cater to the needs of the client. This must be with the whanau’s approval and consultation. The referral was relevant to Child, Youth, and Family as a provider as it is the organisation responsible in dealing with child protection. Notes/key points of how you processed the referral through the service provider systems. What service provider guidelines did you follow? All information required were recorded using forms and in the system. The referral was forwarded to a social worker. Other notes/reflections on the referral process Accurate record was kept during theprocess, recording any actions taken, reasons and any other details. The information went to the appropriate social worker. Task 3 Placement Diary Coordination of planning for the family meeting Date Notes/Key points 05/03/2015 The child’s parents were phoned to establish details of whanau hui that need to be involved in the whanau hui The kaumatua and other leaders were contacted and identified 06/03/2015 All other participants who were not able to attend the meeting initially were followed up How did you identify the key members of the whanau? Briefly list the key members The key members of the whanau were identified through introduction. It was determined that Uncle S. is a kaumatua and he then introduced Auntie C. who is going to be a part of the hui. The parents of the child were also introduced to me and other members of the team. Uncle S. Auntie C. Auntie N. T.C. A.W. Who is the facilitator for the meeting/hui and how was this person identified? The facilitator of the whanau hui was Uncle S. together with the lead social worker. He was chosen as the facilitator of the whanau hui having the experience in making wise decisions during meetings in the past. He is also a kaumatua that members of the whanau will respect and listen to. If there were people unable to attend, summarise the information you provided to the facilitator on their behalf â€Å"A whanau hui is required to talk about the possibility of a child to be admitted to an alternative care facility. The child’s parents are incapable of looking after the child. The parents are alcoholic and illicit drug users. The parents also do not hold permanent employment sustainable for the child’s welfare. It is then deemed necessary to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing.† If there were participants who had essential information for the meeting/hui, how did you identify these people to the facilitator? The participants with essential information for the whanau hui were given the chance to give details for the smooth flow of the hui. How did you notify the plan for the meeting/hui to members of the whanau and any other attendees? Details were sent via email. All attendees were phoned to confirm receipt and to confirm their attendance at the hui. Other notes/reflection on the planning process All whanau members were supportive of the family meeting. They wanted to attend to find the best outcome for the child Task 4 Placement Diary Coordination of welcome and hospitality Date Notes/Key points 12/03/2015 Powhiri was performed. Dietary requirements of all participants were gathered, including allergies, vegan diet alternatives, and others. The agenda was prepared in advance and distributed to all attendees. A karakia was said before the meeting and kai 13/03/2015 Everybody was updated The service provider’s database was updated. What cultural forms of welcome were required and who was responsible for these? Powhiri the host of the marae, usually the kaumatua, was responsible in carrying out the process of powhiri together with other leaders in the marae. This is to welcome me, as a student, and for me to be able to be a part of the whanau hui. Mihi all participants of the whanau hui were responsible for the mihi, and also to share their pepeha. Karanga the host of the marae, kaumatua and leaders, will lead the karanga. Karakia The kaumatua led the karakia before the hui, and also before the kai. Kai I took all the participants’ dietary requirements for the kai and gave it to the kitchen for the preparation of food. What resources did you arrange? The resources I arranged include the venue for the hui. The participants’ dietary requirements were also taken into consideration when planning for the menu for kai. How did you carry out the coordination of the whanau hui in line with criteria? Adhering to the principle of the Treaty of Waitangi namely participation, protection, partnership, and permission. The confidentiality of the meeting participants were protected and respected. The policies and procedures of the service provider was followed and adhered to at all times. Focusing primarily on the safety and wellbeing of the child. Other notes/reflections Working with other members of the extended family helped me to understand more on their culture and their way of living. Working with the kaumatua and other leaders in the marae provided me an opportunity to work in partnership with other key people in coordinating whanau meetings and this will help me to facilitate meetings easily in the future. Task 5 The four principles of Treaty of Waitangi were applied in the social services during coordinating whanau hui. Social work practice respects the Maori way of life. I provided culturally suitable and safe practice when working with the client and other key people during the whanau hui planning. They were allowed to practice their values, beliefs, customs, and to speak Te Reo during the delivery of service. The Maori models of health and well-being, such as Te Whare Tapa Wha, were used while engaging the client and the whanau with the service. The social services were non-biased, non-judgmental, and non-prejudiced. I had to understand the client and the whanau rather than judging them. I was also sensitive when providing services to prevent whakama which in turn helped me to gain the person’s trust and respect. A clear boundary of professionalism was determined while the client and the whanau accessed the social services offered by the organisation. The social services were made accessible to all cultures including the client’s and whanau’s that suits their Maori culture having their unique needs. I demonstrated high regard in respecting the dignity of all participants in whanau hui who accessed the services of the organisation. The participants were informed of their rights and to practice their rights whenever they have to. All participants’ confidentiality and safety were the organisation’s priority during the whanau hui process.

Values in Contemporary Social Work Essay -- British Social Workers

Shared values are essential in the creating a successful relationship between the client and social worker. Social workers operate within society, not only to assist the individual but to create a more cohesive society. Values and ethics permeate the whole of social work practice and the society within which it practices (Shardlow 1989). Values are afforded a high position within social work, this is highlighted in: â€Å"Social work is a professional activity. Implicit in its practice are ethical principles which prescribe the professional responsibility of the social worker† (British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Code of Ethics). However, there is a danger that any list of values will become something which is quoted as opposed to a useful tool for practice. Values can be helpful as they enable the social worker to analyse their practice in relation to the expectations of the law and the needs of the people they work with. What are values? Is there a place for them in contemporary social work? Is it even possible to define what constitutes values in contemporary social work? Biestek created a list of seven principles with the intention of showing social workers how clients ought to behave. These principles may have been well meaning but they hardly reflect everything that is going on in contemporary society. The very existence of a list of morals can be damaging to social work as it creates a feeling of security based on the presumption that the list itself incorporates everything required for successful practice. Values determine what a person thinks they should do, which may not exactly be the same as what they want to do. Personal values allow us to evaluate the actions of others in relation to our own... ...) Ethical Issues in Social Work, Routledge National Association of Social Workers (1980) Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, NASW: Silver Spring, Maryland Payne, M (1997) Modern Social Work Theory. Second edition. MacMillan Plant, R. (1970) Social and Moral Theory in Casework, London, Routledge and Kegan Paul Repper, J. & Perkins, R. Social Inclusion and Recovery: a Model for Mental Health Practice, Bailliere Tindal Shardlow, S.M. (1989), The Values of Change in Social Work, Routledge: London Taylor-Gooby. P (1981) Social Theory and social welfare, Edward Arnold. London Thompson, N. (1997) Anti-discriminatory Practice (2nd Ed), London Macmillan Thompson, N. (2000) Theory and Practice in Human Services, Buckingham, Oxford University Press. Wilson, K. et al (2008) Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice. Pearson, London

Buyer decision process Essay

Marketing Thoery & Practice Q.13 What is meant by the ‘buyer decision process’ ? Explain the process , relating it to an individual’s purchase of a new digital camera. 1 . Introduction: When a person makes a decision to buy something, basically, the product he want to buy is useful for him and he need it. Then he will go to find the â€Å"information† about that kind of goods from every seller and different brands. After he collect the information from ads, magazines, his friends, or mass media, he will think about that, compare the qualities, prices, services†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦between different sellers or companies, decide which brand of the product he gonna buy. Finally, he will choose the most preferred brand to buy. After he bought the product, as a marketer, do not forget the last part of â€Å"buyer decision process.† : Post-purchase behaviour. The reaction of customers are very important for a company . What are the buyers thinking about the products , it’s satisfied or dissatisfied, even the reputation of one company are all depends on â€Å"Post-Purchase behaviour.† So , the stages buyers pass through to reach a buying dcision are : Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Need recognition; Information search; Evaluation of alternative; Purchase decision ; Post-purchase behaviour. â€Å"Clearly, the buying process starts long before actual purchase, and continues long after. Marketers need to focus on the entire buying process rather than on just the purchase decision. But in more routine purchase consumers often skip or reverse some of these stages.†( Kotler Brown – Marketing 6th edition . ) 2 . ‘Buyer Decision Process’ : At the beginning of year 2004, Tony decided to buy a digital camera for taking photos during his journey around Europe. There were lots brands of digital cameras on sell at that time. He had to make a decision between them. 2.1 Stage 1 Need recognition Tony wants a digital camera to take photos during the way for personal using. Therefore the demands of functions are just enough for satisfy the individual need. The digital camera need to have the basic function the normal camera has and the price should be not too expensive, it’s better if the quality of pictures are more clearly, the speed faster and the design novelty. From this stage, the marketers should research the information that what the consumer need. It could become the target for a company who want improve the skill of their producing, for less risk , they need to follow the â€Å"Marketing Concept† , outside-in perspective , focus on customers . 2.2 Stage 2 Information search The science today is developing all the time , people need the cameras have more technologies in them . Digital camera could satisfy the demand of customers by it’s bigger LCD screen; transiting photos to computers from the camera; colorful display; faster speed; innovative features †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦and also, all of these become the objective of the camera companies. There are lots goods from different camera companies such like Canon, Sony, Kodak, Olympus, Samsung†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ could be chosen by Tony. As most customers, Tony ringed his friends, asked how was the opinions and knowledge of the brand of the product from them, read some news about digital camera from magazines and newspapers, found some information through the internet, even go around several camera shops†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦At last, he limited the scope he the researching. He found two type of cameras which are fit for him. They are Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1(Sony DSC-T1) and CANON IXUS430(Canon S430). Sony Canon We can see, in the business world today, â€Å"a company must design its marketing mix to make protects aware of and knowledgeable about its brand.†1 It’s very important for a company to know what the consumer thinking about their products and even the repute of them. If they didn’t advertised the produce, they may loss a lot of business profit because the complete ignorance of the customers. 2.3 Stage 3 Evaluation Of Alternatives The two digital camera companies all have high quality and good faith, the price of Sony DSC-T1 is 550 dollars, however the original price of Canon S430 was 620 dollars, now they are on sell just 520 dollars. Canon has a 1.5†³ LCD screen, Sony is 2.5†³ LCD display; The speed of Sony DSC-T1 is 15^1/5300 s, and the speed of the Canon is 15^1/2000 s; Canon camera has the USB input to connect with computers, but no memory stick. There are both USB input and memory stick on Sony DSC-T1. The weight of Sony is 180g, and Canon is 185g. For the people who buy the Sony camera, they retain the right to exchange the goods with any fault whenever they want in one year. There’s a only half a year’s warranty to Canon S430. But, If Tony decides to buy the Canon S430, he could also get a free camera handbag from the company. For personal use, the warranty of the company is the most important, which means to a company, service marketing is very important. Sony may win Canon by this factor. But also, Tony need to compare the qualities of two brands of cameras. He never mind how big the screen is, any of these two is ok for him. Because it’s a individual purchase, he just wants the speed of the camera enough to take normal photos, if faster, that’s better. Tony need the camera could connect with his computer, that he could keep the photos and fix them by the program in his computer and send them to his friends and relative. If the camera has memory stick is more useful. â€Å"Sony† is lighter than â€Å"Canon†, Tony could get more convenience from Sony camera. However, the price of Sony is 30 dollars more than Canon. 2.4 Stage 4 Purchase Decision After he compare the conditions above carefully, he made a decision to buy Sony Cyber-shot DCS-T1 camera. But it’s still not the last decision he’s made. â€Å"Two factors can come between the purchase intention and the purchase decision.† Maybe his friend doesn’t like the brand of â€Å"Sony† but â€Å"Olympus†, or at the same time, the price of another digital camera from Olympus has dropped down to 490 dollars and also has the similar effect as the two camera we’ve talked before. He may change his mind and buy the Olympus camera. 2.5 Stage 5 Post-purchase Behaviour After all of 4 stages before, Tony bought the camera which he decided to buy – Sony Cyber-shot DCS-T1, It seems like, he has already finished his buying process, but not really. The last stage of â€Å"Buyer decision Process† is very important. If Tony is satisfied by the camera he bought, he may advertises to his friends and suggest them to buy this brand of products (not just camera) and he will trust this company and buy this brand of product again. However, if he finds the quality of the camera is not as good as what he wants, he will also complain how bad the product is to his friends and relatives. There’s not just one customer dissatisfy like Tony, the company will lose million dollars of profit. Therefore, companies should pay attention to the â€Å"Post-purchase process† . The reputation of the company is depend on this stage. It could help the marketers get more customers and business profit. When some customers want to buy some goods, maybe there’s not all the stages during the process. They may skip or reverse some of the stages. Just like Tony, If he is satisfied this time, the next time he want to buy a walkman, or digital TV, or DVD player, he may skip of the second stage(Information search) and the third stage(Evaluation of alternatives). And also, for the next time, he reverse of the stages. the last stage(Post-purchase behaviour) come after the first stage(Need recognition) before the forth stage(Purchase decision). 3 . Conclusion : The â€Å"Buyer Decision Process† is the process when the customers making decision to buy something. It useful for customers to get the goods they really need and fit for the value. Also it’s the most common way of purchasing goods. On the other hand, the process is very important for marketers to improve their producing skill and get the information of how customers feel about their products. If marketers follow the process and satisfy the customers, they will be successful in their business. 4. Reference : 1. Marketing, 6th edition, Kotler Brown. 2. Law in Commerce, 2nd Edition, Brendan Sweeney & Jennifer O’Reilly. 3. http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_t1-review/index.shtml 4. http://www.dpreview.com/

Mall Culture

Gone are the days when people had to buy different things from different places. People would visit local Kirana stores for purchasing daily-required household materials, and go to some other local markets for buying clothes. Shopping was never as convenient for people as it is now. The shopper gets the experience of one stop shop. From apparels to FMCG goods, the consumer gets leisure time visiting malls. Each store offers an individual a wide variety be it for choosing a stationery pen or a laptop. One of the reasons for the existence of mall culture is globalization. Products and brands from various places, cultures and communities are under one roof. One of the central features of conventional shopping areas and stores has been their uni-dimentionality. Local festivals and events are given special importance within the mall world. Festivals often become the occasion of greater consumption and are also reflected in the fashion trends of the season. The globalization of culture defines the reshaping of public space in the city. The new cosmopolitan lifestyles, represented in the cosmopolitan culture, now demands new kinds of spaces that reflect global diversity, product range and cultures. The look and feel of the malls is a clear reflection of the cosmopolitan lifestyle that we follow. The lavish use of glass in all these malls suggests possibilities and is future directed. When a person looks in or out of a shop they encounter yet another in the form of a reflection. It creates a sense of hyperrealism which is also seen in the fluid designs often adopted for walls and floors. Time and weather conditions do not really matter since the lighting, arrangement of spaces and the controlled environment makes it very real. Malls are ahistorical and postmodern secular in nature. While the streets of any city carry markers of history, the mall lives exclusively in the present. The use of plastic, glass, PVC, etc, further shows its contemporary existence. Freed of the spaces of religion caste, class the mall is a substitute for the secure spaces for religion and social grouping. The mall marks pedestrianization of space. As soon as we enter a mall it gives a clear list of directions. Each area is well demarcated which directs the public easily to their destination. The space between various sections inside the stores is reduced thus increasing the outer walking space which runs across the entire complex. The construction of the malls is such that one store leads to the other and not very easily to the exit. The mall is an escape, separated from the rest of the city. It is a sanitized standalone space set apart from the city’s dirt, pollution, chaos and traffic. Another important aspect of the malls is strict security which keeps undesired elements out and directs parking. It caters to the smooth functioning of the mall. When a shopper goes to a mall he gets to choose from a wide range of goods and products. The mall is there for a space of display where goods are arranged for maximum visual appeal. In other words the arrangement of goods hass to be attractive enough to instill desire for particular products so that the shopper will purchase the same. Spectacle, attention holding and desire are the central elements of the shopping experience of the mall. Thus visual appeal is very important in the structure of the mall. The presence of models and posters constitute the spectacular fantasy. In a mall there is constant display of consumption where one is surrounded by large size posters of attractive men and women, cozy families and energetic youth. An individual gets the illusion of acquiring perfection as embodied in these images. The spectacle can be experienced not only visually but also through the sense of touch. The trying on of clothes and accessories, handling the objects, performing actions give us a theoretical experience. The spectacle effect is also achieved through the vistas that open out at every level within a mall. Huge balconies and viewing points at every floor enable one to survey large sections of the store. It suggests a sense of choice – where to go? What to buy? We have a prospect of shopping unveiled before us. The mall is also hybrid in another sense, it is a place for shopping and of social interaction. It is not uncommon to see the mall’s spaces transformed into spaces of youth culture, with youngsters meeting friends for an evening. A lot of space in the malls is occupied by food courts and entertainment zones where people of all age groups come to eat, drink, chill and relax. All this adds to the footfall in the malls. Food courts in malls provide a wide range of options which represent the global village of food culture. One can choose from Chinese, Italian, Indian or Mexican the list is endless. Malls, have either cinemas, game space or spas for leisure and recreation. In fact it can be argued that shopping is only one of the several purposes of a mall and leisure is central to its very structure, style and organization. Leisure shopping i. e. pleasure shopping for non essentials is an important aspect of the mall culture . A stroll through the mall which might lead to an actual purchase is about the pleasure of the stroll of spectacle and secure environment. The constant pipe of the music is part of the malls attempt to ensure that we see it as space of relaxation and leisure. However it is not that the mall is exclusively the producers design. In spite of the wide variety that a mall offers there is always a lack of individuality since all brands are available in different sizes and often in different colors. With the increasing number of malls and the ever increasing brands in those malls one can often spot a lot of people wearing the same clothes. As you get more, you want even more! this is the exact phenomenon which takes place in malls. There is no end to our constantly increasing desires. This often is a result of the immense visual appeal done by the malls. To grab the attention of more and more customers thousands of rupees are spent every month to add to the look of the place. Hence an immense and quite unnecessary amount of electricity that is used to lighten up the malls results in lack of electricity in places where it is essentially required. The customers decoding is only limited to the producers encoding. This is because a person cannot have more than what has been designed by the producer. From just shopping to an all in one package, malls are one place where more is less. Mall Culture Walking through the mall-filled streets of Los Angeles, the author of ‘Mall Culture’ mulls over a thought he believes could change the world − the magical idea of doing away with want, desire, and discontent. If this superb plan could ever be carried out, man’s life as he knows it would come to an abrupt end. The reasoning behind it is relatively simple. After all, if we don’t need anything, why would we need to do anything to fulfill non-existent needs? Goodbye selling, marketing, advertising, craving, unhappiness and most importantly, malls. The author talks of how malls literally breed ‘wanting’, as kids stand and gawk at flashy display cabinets, learning very young to ache for things they may never have. Yes, the mall is a much safer place for kids to hang out in and yet it has also become a substitute for everything − meeting places, social activities, sporting events, even parks and beaches. Entertainment in its many forms is being tailor made for a generation that has forgotten how to entertain it self or worse, seek entertainment from within. What is most disheartening about mall culture is that it has buried the ‘art of reflection’, ‘solitude’ and ‘providing for yourself’, replacing it instead with material desires, intense dissatisfaction, the vicious cycle of wanting, buying, having and then wanting more. Customers are no longer people anymore. They’ve become substitutes for the money in their wallets. That’s the end goal and marketing tactics will do anything to draw it out. The author definitely doesn’t want this lifestyle for his twelve year old son, much less for anyone else. But how much can he do about it? That’s where the challenge lies. RESPONSE Yes, the malls are wolves in sheep clothing. Yes, they’re necessary evils. Yes, impressionable young minds should stay far, far away from it. Greed, want, desire − malls are propagators and mass producers of those qualities. I’d like to rewind to when video killed the radio. An entire generation lamented over the many minds it numbed and how children were turning into couch potatoes it generated. And yet, television continues to extend its prolific influence over the world. Has it made a difference? Yes, both positive and negative. It seems like Shepherd is doing pretty much the same thing by dissecting the mall. There’s ‘boy-girl stuff’ happening in these malls, it’s replacing all forms of social activity, it’s making robots of our children, and all though it looks safe, it actually isn’t. Says Patrice Duker, media relations manager for the International Council of Shopping Centers, â€Å"Each decade has its own development trend. In the ’70s and ’80s it was enclosed malls. In the 1990s it was power centers – strips of big box stores like Wal-Mart, Staples and Petco all in a row.†[1] Shepherd’s essay also has a solution to this dilemma that his son and most kids his age are in − a fantastic fantasy. What if desire could be replaced with satiation, want with contentment? Well, on a more realistic note, what if we could work out a balance between the mall culture and a lifestyle that comprises other forms of entertainment as well? How about ensuring kids make it to those organizations that teach children to read and clean landscape? How about looking at the silver lining − your son isn’t watching television! [1] Botelho, Bridget, October 10, 2004. Open-air retail markets outstrip mall mentality. Providence Business News, Issue 19-26. May 16, 2007    Mall Culture Gone are the days when people had to buy different things from different places. People would visit local Kirana stores for purchasing daily-required household materials, and go to some other local markets for buying clothes. Shopping was never as convenient for people as it is now. The shopper gets the experience of one stop shop. From apparels to FMCG goods, the consumer gets leisure time visiting malls. Each store offers an individual a wide variety be it for choosing a stationery pen or a laptop. One of the reasons for the existence of mall culture is globalization. Products and brands from various places, cultures and communities are under one roof. One of the central features of conventional shopping areas and stores has been their uni-dimentionality. Local festivals and events are given special importance within the mall world. Festivals often become the occasion of greater consumption and are also reflected in the fashion trends of the season. The globalization of culture defines the reshaping of public space in the city. The new cosmopolitan lifestyles, represented in the cosmopolitan culture, now demands new kinds of spaces that reflect global diversity, product range and cultures. The look and feel of the malls is a clear reflection of the cosmopolitan lifestyle that we follow. The lavish use of glass in all these malls suggests possibilities and is future directed. When a person looks in or out of a shop they encounter yet another in the form of a reflection. It creates a sense of hyperrealism which is also seen in the fluid designs often adopted for walls and floors. Time and weather conditions do not really matter since the lighting, arrangement of spaces and the controlled environment makes it very real. Malls are ahistorical and postmodern secular in nature. While the streets of any city carry markers of history, the mall lives exclusively in the present. The use of plastic, glass, PVC, etc, further shows its contemporary existence. Freed of the spaces of religion caste, class the mall is a substitute for the secure spaces for religion and social grouping. The mall marks pedestrianization of space. As soon as we enter a mall it gives a clear list of directions. Each area is well demarcated which directs the public easily to their destination. The space between various sections inside the stores is reduced thus increasing the outer walking space which runs across the entire complex. The construction of the malls is such that one store leads to the other and not very easily to the exit. The mall is an escape, separated from the rest of the city. It is a sanitized standalone space set apart from the city’s dirt, pollution, chaos and traffic. Another important aspect of the malls is strict security which keeps undesired elements out and directs parking. It caters to the smooth functioning of the mall. When a shopper goes to a mall he gets to choose from a wide range of goods and products. The mall is there for a space of display where goods are arranged for maximum visual appeal. In other words the arrangement of goods hass to be attractive enough to instill desire for particular products so that the shopper will purchase the same. Spectacle, attention holding and desire are the central elements of the shopping experience of the mall. Thus visual appeal is very important in the structure of the mall. The presence of models and posters constitute the spectacular fantasy. In a mall there is constant display of consumption where one is surrounded by large size posters of attractive men and women, cozy families and energetic youth. An individual gets the illusion of acquiring perfection as embodied in these images. The spectacle can be experienced not only visually but also through the sense of touch. The trying on of clothes and accessories, handling the objects, performing actions give us a theoretical experience. The spectacle effect is also achieved through the vistas that open out at every level within a mall. Huge balconies and viewing points at every floor enable one to survey large sections of the store. It suggests a sense of choice – where to go? What to buy? We have a prospect of shopping unveiled before us. The mall is also hybrid in another sense, it is a place for shopping and of social interaction. It is not uncommon to see the mall’s spaces transformed into spaces of youth culture, with youngsters meeting friends for an evening. A lot of space in the malls is occupied by food courts and entertainment zones where people of all age groups come to eat, drink, chill and relax. All this adds to the footfall in the malls. Food courts in malls provide a wide range of options which represent the global village of food culture. One can choose from Chinese, Italian, Indian or Mexican the list is endless. Malls, have either cinemas, game space or spas for leisure and recreation. In fact it can be argued that shopping is only one of the several purposes of a mall and leisure is central to its very structure, style and organization. Leisure shopping i. e. pleasure shopping for non essentials is an important aspect of the mall culture . A stroll through the mall which might lead to an actual purchase is about the pleasure of the stroll of spectacle and secure environment. The constant pipe of the music is part of the malls attempt to ensure that we see it as space of relaxation and leisure. However it is not that the mall is exclusively the producers design. In spite of the wide variety that a mall offers there is always a lack of individuality since all brands are available in different sizes and often in different colors. With the increasing number of malls and the ever increasing brands in those malls one can often spot a lot of people wearing the same clothes. As you get more, you want even more! this is the exact phenomenon which takes place in malls. There is no end to our constantly increasing desires. This often is a result of the immense visual appeal done by the malls. To grab the attention of more and more customers thousands of rupees are spent every month to add to the look of the place. Hence an immense and quite unnecessary amount of electricity that is used to lighten up the malls results in lack of electricity in places where it is essentially required. The customers decoding is only limited to the producers encoding. This is because a person cannot have more than what has been designed by the producer. From just shopping to an all in one package, malls are one place where more is less.