Economic History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Economic History - Essay Example Some believe that the living standard of the common worker fell during the revolution, while others are of the view that it rose and everyone was better off. This essay will try to review the factors that contributed to the industrial revolution to be adopted first of all by England, rather than by any other European country. Though it is hard to pinpoint, but most historians agree that the Industrial Revolution basically originated in England with a series of social and technological innovations. Between 1760 and 1860, the progress in technology and education and an increasing capital stock, transformed England into the workshop of the world. This transformation came to be known as the Industrial Revolution, which gave rise to the income of not only its people; but as its effects spread, to the rest of the Western world as well. Historians also agree that this revolution was one of the most important historical events, making it possible for a rapid transition to the modern age, but disagree with the different aspects of this event. A question that really interests economic historians is that why did the eighteenth century industrial revolution start in Europe rather than in any other part of the world, like France and China or India. Though numerous factors like ecology, government and culture have been suggested but some historian argue that as China and Europe were similar in the 1700s, the crucial difference which resulted in the Industrial Revolution in Europe were the sources of coal and other raw material near the manufacturing centers. This allowed Europe to economically expand in a way China could not. Some also credit the difference in the belief systems as Europe focuses on the individual, while the Chinese beliefs are centered round relationships between people. Similarly, India was spilt up into many kingdoms, each fighting for supremacy. Its economy was dependent on cotton and agriculture and technological innovations were completely non-existent. The palace treasuries with huge amount of wealth, was easily moved to Britain making it more convenient for England to use it as needed. England also had huge natural financial profits which it gained from its many overseas colonies. Moreover, the aristocracy in continental Europe believed that as compared to the common people, they were born with higher virtues and the pursuit of money was a characteristic of lower class. The capitalistic and mercantile in England as well as the whole of Europe was achieved by the middle or the non-aristocratic classes. 'Why was England First:' According to Crafts (1977) the comparative approach to the two problems posed by the Industrial Revolution are why the breakthrough took place in Western Europe, and within Europe, where and when did it occur. It provides valuable insight into the economical growth from the general perspective and a better understanding of England's economic growth from the aspect of the Industrial Revolution. Crouzet (1967) is also of the view that this comparative approach can be greatly helpful for those economic historians who are particularly interested in the key problem of growth. And by systematically comparing the

Business Strategy of a New Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business Strategy of a New Business - Essay Example These success drivers are obvious but it is amazing how many businesses ignore their importance. This is particularly true in difficult markets or economic recession where short term financial constraints lead to cost cutting. The mission of the new business is to provide high-quality delivery services to wide target audience. The original mission has made it clear that it is in the relatively unexploited sector that the new business sees its clearest opportunity for innovation. The new business sets out to create a range of high-quality services that are distinctive in type. The main goals and strategic objectives are to get and keep a customer. Also, the new delivery company is aimed to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable competitive creating value for their customers, select markets where they can excel and present a moving target to their competitors by continually improving their position. Three of the most important factors are innovation, quality and low cost (Chase and Jacobs 54). This technique is intended to capture the key characteristics of the environment in which the business operates. These factors, which may be supportive or constraining to the future development of the organization, provide the backcloth' against which the future strategies and plans must be formulated. In product delivery industry, corporate resources are balanced both internally and externally. Internal balance is achieved by the coordination of all marketing activity and its integration with the other areas of the business. External balance is concerned with the continuous adjustment of a company to its market environments through changes in product, price, package, channels, advertising, and selling. In this sense, marketing forces are viewed by the new venture as shaping the total organization and all the business functions (Drejer 92). Political changes do not have a great impact on this business. A special attention should be paid to economic processes (gas and oil prices) and demographic changes. Changing environments create market opportunities for the delivery company that must be reflected in adaptive corporate action. Resources cannot merely be directed to the cultivation of old markets if competitive positions are to be enhanced (Schien 77). Core Competencies For the new delivery company, core competencies are clear distinctive brand proposition and low cost, exceptional service quality and effective solutions for customers. Strategy theory based on core competencies-or technology, since these two words are not clearly defined as mutually exclusive conceptions-has become an alternative approach to strategy making. The new business deliberately plans a competitive strategy based on excessive inventory levels and long customer lead times (Pittengrew et al 71). Thus, there are some deficiencies in the organizational systems that can be solved only through a process of systems improvement. The applicability of operations strategies mentioned above is obviously greater in processes producing high volumes. The ideas for waste reduction used in conjunction with these systems are generally applicable: setup time reduction, better quality control,