Microsoft Essays (1139 words) - Monopoly, , Term Papers

Microsoft The current Microsoft antitrust case, still in progress as this review is being written, has been both hailed and condemned as the most important antitrust action of the coming century. Its potential significance has been compared to that of the Supreme Court's 1911 Standard Oil decision, which not only applied for the first time the trust-busting power latent in the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to break up John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company, but of at least equal importance enunciated the rule of reason on which judicial interpretation of the Sherman Act continues to be based. While none of this conference volume's contributors develops this comparison, readers may come away from the book feeling that it is apt.; As noted in Lenard's introduction and overview, there was general agreement among the conferees that the Microsoft case did not indicate any need for revision of existing antitrust laws. Yet the book identifies a paradox. Today's computer industry has so many eleme nts of natural monopoly--notably network effects and first-mover advantages--that the market will not work well if left to itself, yet it is far too complicated and fast moving to be regulated effectively. Antitrust is the only feasible policy option, but unless applied with skill and discretion, it may do more harm than good. In particular, consumer welfare is more likely to be enhanced by policy initiatives aimed at keeping the industry open to the introduction of major new technologies that might challenge the dominance of incumbents than by policies seeking to promote price competition among existing firms employing established technologies.; The paper by Michael L. Katz and Carl Shapiro discusses the fundamental economics of software markets, focusing, not surprisingly, on network effects, but also identifying and discussing the effects of the high set-up costs and low--even zero--marginal costs of software, the durability of software systems, and their rapid technological chan ge. This paper's treatment of network effects is sharply challenged in Timothy J. Muris' comment, which argues that network effects comprise a model for which very few, if any, valid empirical examples exist.; Janusz A. Ordover and Robert D. Willig confront the basic question of whether or not there is any role for antitrust in high-tech markets. After reviewing competing arguments, they conclude that antitrust may be crucial in protecting long-run competition in innovation and that this should be its primary objective. Their particular concern is with bottlenecks such as Microsoft's monopoly control of the operating system market, which is a crucial component of a broader system of computer use, including applications such as word processing and access to the Internet via browsers. They propose a three-pronged test to ascertain whether monopoly control of such a bottleneck exists and if so whether it is being used to exclude or restrain potential competitors from other markets in t he system: i.e., are short-run profits being sacrificed by exclusionary tactics in the hope of long-run recoupment through expansion of the initial monopoly to systemically related markets. In his comment, Lawrence J. White maintains that the antitrust problems raised by Microsoft's tactics are neither as new nor complex as Ordover and Willig suggest, but rather mirror one of the earliest issues in antitrust history--single railroad ownership and control of a bottleneck facility such as a monopolized stretch of track within a networked system of rail transportation.; Timothy F. Bresnahan utilizes an intriguing life cycle punctuated equilibrium model to analyze the nature of technological competition in the computer market. Monopolies such as Microsoft's monopoly of microcomputer operating systems and Intel's of microprocessor chips may arise from first mover advantages in introducing a major new innovation, from patenting of such a system, or from network dynamic economies of scale. Whatever its source, the monopoly may persist for over a decade--aeons in the PC business (p. 158) in Bresnahan's words. The monopolist will constantly be challenged by potential entrants and must keep abreast of minor technological improvements, but has overwhelming advantages in maintaining its position, including strategic entry barriers. This should not be of great concern to antitrust enforcers, as users' switching costs are likely to outweigh the advantages of adopting new products incompatible with previous ones. However, occasionally these periods of stability will be shattered by quantum improvements

Microsoft Essays (1139 words) - Monopoly, , Term Papers

Microsoft The current Microsoft antitrust case, still in progress as this review is being written, has been both hailed and condemned as the most important antitrust action of the coming century. Its potential significance has been compared to that of the Supreme Court's 1911 Standard Oil decision, which not only applied for the first time the trust-busting power latent in the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to break up John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company, but of at least equal importance enunciated the rule of reason on which judicial interpretation of the Sherman Act continues to be based. While none of this conference volume's contributors develops this comparison, readers may come away from the book feeling that it is apt.; As noted in Lenard's introduction and overview, there was general agreement among the conferees that the Microsoft case did not indicate any need for revision of existing antitrust laws. Yet the book identifies a paradox. Today's computer industry has so many eleme nts of natural monopoly--notably network effects and first-mover advantages--that the market will not work well if left to itself, yet it is far too complicated and fast moving to be regulated effectively. Antitrust is the only feasible policy option, but unless applied with skill and discretion, it may do more harm than good. In particular, consumer welfare is more likely to be enhanced by policy initiatives aimed at keeping the industry open to the introduction of major new technologies that might challenge the dominance of incumbents than by policies seeking to promote price competition among existing firms employing established technologies.; The paper by Michael L. Katz and Carl Shapiro discusses the fundamental economics of software markets, focusing, not surprisingly, on network effects, but also identifying and discussing the effects of the high set-up costs and low--even zero--marginal costs of software, the durability of software systems, and their rapid technological chan ge. This paper's treatment of network effects is sharply challenged in Timothy J. Muris' comment, which argues that network effects comprise a model for which very few, if any, valid empirical examples exist.; Janusz A. Ordover and Robert D. Willig confront the basic question of whether or not there is any role for antitrust in high-tech markets. After reviewing competing arguments, they conclude that antitrust may be crucial in protecting long-run competition in innovation and that this should be its primary objective. Their particular concern is with bottlenecks such as Microsoft's monopoly control of the operating system market, which is a crucial component of a broader system of computer use, including applications such as word processing and access to the Internet via browsers. They propose a three-pronged test to ascertain whether monopoly control of such a bottleneck exists and if so whether it is being used to exclude or restrain potential competitors from other markets in t he system: i.e., are short-run profits being sacrificed by exclusionary tactics in the hope of long-run recoupment through expansion of the initial monopoly to systemically related markets. In his comment, Lawrence J. White maintains that the antitrust problems raised by Microsoft's tactics are neither as new nor complex as Ordover and Willig suggest, but rather mirror one of the earliest issues in antitrust history--single railroad ownership and control of a bottleneck facility such as a monopolized stretch of track within a networked system of rail transportation.; Timothy F. Bresnahan utilizes an intriguing life cycle punctuated equilibrium model to analyze the nature of technological competition in the computer market. Monopolies such as Microsoft's monopoly of microcomputer operating systems and Intel's of microprocessor chips may arise from first mover advantages in introducing a major new innovation, from patenting of such a system, or from network dynamic economies of scale. Whatever its source, the monopoly may persist for over a decade--aeons in the PC business (p. 158) in Bresnahan's words. The monopolist will constantly be challenged by potential entrants and must keep abreast of minor technological improvements, but has overwhelming advantages in maintaining its position, including strategic entry barriers. This should not be of great concern to antitrust enforcers, as users' switching costs are likely to outweigh the advantages of adopting new products incompatible with previous ones. However, occasionally these periods of stability will be shattered by quantum improvements

Microsoft Essays (1139 words) - Monopoly, , Term Papers

Microsoft The current Microsoft antitrust case, still in progress as this review is being written, has been both hailed and condemned as the most important antitrust action of the coming century. Its potential significance has been compared to that of the Supreme Court's 1911 Standard Oil decision, which not only applied for the first time the trust-busting power latent in the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to break up John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company, but of at least equal importance enunciated the rule of reason on which judicial interpretation of the Sherman Act continues to be based. While none of this conference volume's contributors develops this comparison, readers may come away from the book feeling that it is apt.; As noted in Lenard's introduction and overview, there was general agreement among the conferees that the Microsoft case did not indicate any need for revision of existing antitrust laws. Yet the book identifies a paradox. Today's computer industry has so many eleme nts of natural monopoly--notably network effects and first-mover advantages--that the market will not work well if left to itself, yet it is far too complicated and fast moving to be regulated effectively. Antitrust is the only feasible policy option, but unless applied with skill and discretion, it may do more harm than good. In particular, consumer welfare is more likely to be enhanced by policy initiatives aimed at keeping the industry open to the introduction of major new technologies that might challenge the dominance of incumbents than by policies seeking to promote price competition among existing firms employing established technologies.; The paper by Michael L. Katz and Carl Shapiro discusses the fundamental economics of software markets, focusing, not surprisingly, on network effects, but also identifying and discussing the effects of the high set-up costs and low--even zero--marginal costs of software, the durability of software systems, and their rapid technological chan ge. This paper's treatment of network effects is sharply challenged in Timothy J. Muris' comment, which argues that network effects comprise a model for which very few, if any, valid empirical examples exist.; Janusz A. Ordover and Robert D. Willig confront the basic question of whether or not there is any role for antitrust in high-tech markets. After reviewing competing arguments, they conclude that antitrust may be crucial in protecting long-run competition in innovation and that this should be its primary objective. Their particular concern is with bottlenecks such as Microsoft's monopoly control of the operating system market, which is a crucial component of a broader system of computer use, including applications such as word processing and access to the Internet via browsers. They propose a three-pronged test to ascertain whether monopoly control of such a bottleneck exists and if so whether it is being used to exclude or restrain potential competitors from other markets in t he system: i.e., are short-run profits being sacrificed by exclusionary tactics in the hope of long-run recoupment through expansion of the initial monopoly to systemically related markets. In his comment, Lawrence J. White maintains that the antitrust problems raised by Microsoft's tactics are neither as new nor complex as Ordover and Willig suggest, but rather mirror one of the earliest issues in antitrust history--single railroad ownership and control of a bottleneck facility such as a monopolized stretch of track within a networked system of rail transportation.; Timothy F. Bresnahan utilizes an intriguing life cycle punctuated equilibrium model to analyze the nature of technological competition in the computer market. Monopolies such as Microsoft's monopoly of microcomputer operating systems and Intel's of microprocessor chips may arise from first mover advantages in introducing a major new innovation, from patenting of such a system, or from network dynamic economies of scale. Whatever its source, the monopoly may persist for over a decade--aeons in the PC business (p. 158) in Bresnahan's words. The monopolist will constantly be challenged by potential entrants and must keep abreast of minor technological improvements, but has overwhelming advantages in maintaining its position, including strategic entry barriers. This should not be of great concern to antitrust enforcers, as users' switching costs are likely to outweigh the advantages of adopting new products incompatible with previous ones. However, occasionally these periods of stability will be shattered by quantum improvements

Charlemagne and the Battle of Roncevaux Pass

Charlemagne and the Battle of Roncevaux Pass Conflict: The Battle of Roncevaux Pass was part of Charlemagnes Iberian campaign of 778. Date: The Basque ambush at Roncevaux Pass is believed to have taken place on August 15, 778. Armies Commanders: Franks CharlemagneUnknown (large army) Basques Unknown (possibly Lupo II of Gascony)Unknown (guerilla raiding party) Battle Summary: Following a meeting of his court at Paderborn in 777, Charlemagne was enticed into invading northern Spain by Sulaiman Ibn Yakzan Ibn al-Arabi, wali of Barcelona and Girona. This was further encouraged by al-Arabis promise that the Upper March of Al Andalus would surrender quickly the Frankish army. Advancing south, Charlemagne entered Spain with two armies, one moving through the Pyrenees and another to the east passing through Catalonia. Traveling with the western army, Charlemagne quickly captured Pamplona and then proceeded on to the Upper March of Al Andalus capital, Zaragoza. Charlemagne arrived at Zaragoza expecting to find the citys governor, Hussain Ibn Yahya al Ansari, friendly to the Frankish cause. This proved not to be case as al Ansari refused to yield the city. Facing a hostile city and not finding the country to be as hospitable as al-Arabi had promised, Charlemagne entered into negotiations with al Ansari. In return for the Franks departure, Charlemagne was given a large sum of gold as well as several prisoners. While not ideal, this solution was acceptable as news had reached Charlemagne that Saxony was in revolt and he was needed to the north. Retracing its steps, Charlemagnes army marched back to Pamplona. While there, Charlemagne ordered the citys walls pulled down to prevent it from being used as a base for attacking his empire. This, along with his harsh treatment of the Basque people, turned the local inhabitants against him. On the evening of Saturday August 15, 778, while marching through Roncevaux Pass in the Pyrenees a large guerilla force of Basques sprung an ambush on the Frankish rearguard. Using their knowledge of the terrain, they decimated the Franks, plundered the baggage trains, and captured much of the gold received at Zaragoza. The soldiers of the rearguard fought valiantly, allowing the remainder of the army to escape. Among the casualties were several of Charlemagnes most important knights including Egginhard (Mayor of the Palace), Anselmus (Palatine Count), and Roland (Prefect of the March of Brittany). Aftermath Impact: Though defeated in 778, Charlemagnes armies returned to Spain in the 780s and fought there until his death, slowly extending Frankish control south. From the captured territory, Charlemagne created the Marca Hispanica to serve as a buffer province between his empire and the Muslims to the south. The Battle of Roncevaux Pass is also remembered as the inspiration for one of the oldest known works of French literature, the Song of Roland.

Elementary Reaction Definition

Elementary Reaction Definition Elementary Reaction Definition An elementary reaction is a chemical reaction where reactants form products in a single step with a single transition state. Elementary reactions may combine to form complex or nonelementary reactions. Elementary Reaction Examples Types of elementary reactions include: Unimolecular Reaction - a molecule rearranges itself, forming one or more products A → products examples: radioactive decay, cis-trans isomerization, racemization, ring opening, thermal decomposition Bimolecular Reaction - two particles collide to form one or more products. Bimolecular reactions are second-order reactions, where the rate of the chemical reaction depends on the concentration of the two chemical species that are the reactants. This type of reaction is common in organic chemistry. A A → products A B → products examples: nucleophilic substitution Termolecular Reaction - three particles collide at once and react with each other. Termolecular reactions are uncommon because its unlikely three reactants will simultaneously collide, under the right condition, to result in a chemical reaction. This type of reaction is characterized by: A A A → products A A B → products A B C → products Sources Gillespie, D.T. (2009). A diffusional bimolecular propensity function. The Journal of Chemical Physics  131, 164109.IUPAC. (1997). Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the Gold Book).

Report explaining the difficulties in recruiting, training, motivating Essay

Report explaining the difficulties in recruiting, training, motivating and rewarding staff in a given Financial Services company - Essay Example current employees, the research findings revealed that employees are very much satisfied with NatWest’s training and development programme including its motivational strategies and reward system. However, there is a need for NatWest HR manager to consider the importance of job analysis to increase the company’s ability of hiring the right person to perform a specific role and responsibility within the financial institution. A member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group – the Group, the National Westminster Bank also known as â€Å"NatWest† was established back in 1968 when the National Provincial Bank and Westminster Bank decided to enter a merger contract (NatWest, 2009a). Since then, NatWest managed to establish 3,600 branches that provide the people with a wide-range of personal, business, and commercial banking services such as the use of debit and credit cards, telephone banking, home, car, and commercial loans, corporate bonds, Wealth management services, and the touch-screen share dealings which assists the UK government’s privatization programme among others (NatWest, 2009a, b) The application of effective recruitment process, training programmes, motivational strategies, and rewarding of staff are among the key issues that needs to be addressed to enable NatWest’s HR manager to keep employees satisfied with their current job. In line with this, a quantitative and qualitative research survey will be conducted to examine NatWest’s employees’ perception with regards to the company’s recruitment process, training programmes, motivational strategies and reward system. Based on the research findings, difficulties and challenges NatWest is facing will be identified. Considering the global crisis, financial institutions around the world are facing tight competition in terms of being able to capture a bigger market share as compared to other financial institutions. In line with this, the HR manager of NatWest plays a crucial role in terms of

Customer relationship management for Spotify music download (UK) Essay

Customer relationship management for Spotify music download (UK) - Essay Example Further problems exist with Last.fm that redirect music downloaders to various partner sites they have. Streaming of music is not the main revenue source. The revenue comes from users that go through to the Last.fm site to check out their profile and tracks. Since streaming was just a side feature and didnt really fit in with the companys business plan it was certainly an expensive feature in terms of licensing fees and cutting it seems to make a great deal of sense. * Spotify has a problem with Apple, Apple reveals new regulations regarding app advertising and analytics. This found on the venture beat website. Device Data may not be provided or disclosed to a third party without Apple’s prior written consent" this is huge problem for the value chain for Apple users but a bigger problem for Spotify. *Spotify is not the only game in town in the internet. They need to find a niche market find a way to work with PayPal users to secure payments for music service and expand and partner with other internet sites so that customers can be redirected back to the Spotify site. *Spotify has many external issues that must be dealt with. According to technology research firm IDC there were 1.1 billion internet users around the world and 211 million in the U.S. at the end of 2006. Internet advertising revenues is necessary for Spotify to be strong. Revenue in 2006 was $23billion according to the 2008 internet advertising revenue Report found at www.PricewaterhouseCoopers.com. *Spotify needs to reevaluate the competition. As broadband prices fall, ISPs are pursuing new business strategies such as bundling internet access with voice and video services. This is all due to changes in legislative requirement concerning technology sharing, patent rights, information security, future expenses and profitability of the companies operating within the internet industry and they become harder to predict. Long-term strategies regarding the internet and software services