The Importance of Developing Renewable Energy in Europe

In recent years, Europe has been faced with the problem of continuous urbanization and excessive energy consumption, closing in on exhaustion of available energy resources. In view of this, the notions of sustainability and resilience have become paramount in resource management and policy-making. Within such a context, renewable energies play a key role in the global energy pool. Amongst these, wind energy production accounts for almost half (43%) of the global generating capacity [1]. Nonetheless, despite its obvious merits, the â€Å"Big Wind industry† comes with a number of potential shortcomings largely relating to the short life-span of these components and the lack of efficient operation and maintenance (ΟÎÅ") planning schemes. The latter†¦show more content†¦Problem-specific, cost-benefit analyses have not been conducted in detail, in order to provide significant indications that the benefits of SHM systems outweigh their cost. In this respect, one should mind that stakeholders, managers and infrastructure operators need simple and reliable tools in the form of â€Å"yes/no actions†, or â€Å"green/red buttons†. Unavoidably, this implies that SHM systems should be transformed from complex research-oriented measurement campaigns into robust, integrated solutions that accompany the structure throughout its life-cycle. Our goal is to address the aforementioned bottlenecks, maximizing the return on investment for such facilities by extending the useable lifetime through a smart monitoring implementation. In a nutshell, the proposed project has the following main objectives: 1. We will propose a new monitoring paradigm for WT facilities which features optimal sensor placement, i.e., minimally used instrumentation for extraction of the necessary amount of key response quantities in an effort to track these systems from cradle-to-grave. 2. Based on this sensory feedback and data collection, we will develop data processing methodologies relying on SHM, for the extraction of metrics for LCA both in the short term (damage, anomalies and extreme events detection) and in the long-term (deterioration, fatigue and defectiveShow MoreRelatedWhat Is Three Mistakes To Avoid In Energy Due Diligence?720 Words   |  3 PagesAvoid in Energy Due Diligence Deal making in the energy sector can be valuable but tricky. The sector is currently divided in markets with regulated and well-managed networks and those that are still looking to develop. Both markets are, however, offering valuable opportunities – as long as due diligence is at the core of the deal making. Renewables emerging as a key investment strategy The energy sector continues to generate plenty of value. According to EY reporting, regulated energy networksRead MoreComparing The United States And Western European Countries1528 Words   |  7 Pagesto western European countries and the U.S. for their economic model and their level of development. However, when it comes to politics of energy, an interesting gap between the U.S. and its European brothers and sisters appears. An interesting example is Portugal who, according to the New York Times, already collects 45% of its electricity from renewable energy sources, compared to 12% in the United States. What’s even more surprising is that since Richard Nixon, every president has made a nationalRead MoreSustainability And Sustainability Project : Deutsche Bank1554 Words   |  7 PagesSustainability Project Current trends suggest that sustainability is a topic of increasing importance for organizations. Consequently, institutions within the financial services industry and elsewhere are following the momentum by allocating resources to sustainability programs. The Deutsche Bank is one of the institutions engaging in these changes. The institution was founded in 1870 in Berlin, Germany, by Adelbert Delbrà ¼ck. The bank is a well-established company and operates worldwide. With theirRead MoreThe Oil Spill Of 20101535 Words   |  7 Pagestaken the act of turning to renewable energy sources. Burning fossil fuels also has a downside to the environment, polluting the air and water, and damaging the health of plants and animals. The BP Oil spill of 2010 is one example of how dangerous fossil fuels are when they are exposed to the environment. There is much controversy in the United States for renewable energy sources being funded, but the facts are on the rise. Having a cleaner and more effi cient source of energy is important for both environmentalRead MoreThe Development Of The World Population1528 Words   |  7 Pagesof high birth, high death, and almost stagnant growth. After entering the era of capitalism, the population rapid grows due to the industrial revolution in Europe in 18th. From the early nineteenth century to 1950, Europe, the United States and other developed countries’ population growth 2.35 times in the 150 years, meanwhile other developing countries population growth of only 1.31 times. After World War II, the second wave of the population happened in the whole world. In 1950-1988, the worldRead MoreBiofuels And Its Effects On The United States Essay1243 Words   |  5 Pagesbiofuel is a mixture of organic substances that are used as fuel in an internal combustion engine. Derivative of biomass, organic matter originated in a biological process, spontaneous or provoked, usable as an energy source. Biofuels are biologically derived fuels obtained in a renewable way from organic waste. These organic remains usually come from sugar, wheat, corn or oilseeds. They all reduce the total volume of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere as they absorb it as they grow and emit virtuallyRead MoreNatural Resources And Its Effects On Our Earth Essay1723 Words   |  7 Pageson our earth where in the long run can ultimately kill . The energy that makes natural resources comes from geochemical, geophysical and solar energy. Soil, wood, oil. minerals, petroleum, water are considered natural resources because they occur in their natural form and are not made by human beings.There are two types of natural resources: renewable and nonrenewable. Renewable resources as in trees and solar energy. And non-renewable as in coil and using fossils for fuel. Natural resources do fuelRead MoreTechnology Is The Single Most Important Factor1772 Words   |  8 Pagesthe single most important factor with regards t o the development of clean energy. There has been significant strides taken in the realm of renewable energy, particularly in PV solar and wind generator power technology. Many European countries have taken the lead in PV solar technology particularly Germany which has public, government and policy support to enable further developments in PV. Moreover additional â€Å"Clean† energy technology is currently in development, one particular example is the ITERRead MoreRole of Australias Government Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development2646 Words   |  11 PagesContents Introduction 1 II- Rationale: Renewable energy and sustainable development 2 III- Why Australian Government should lead the initiative? 4 IV- Governmental initiatives 6 V- Supply side interventions: Rebates and feed-in tariffs 8 VI- Conclusion 10 Bibliography 11 Introduction Renewable energy is derived from sources that are naturally replenish-able and supply of energy from these sources is infinite. The main purposes served by using renewable energy are many such as generation of powerRead More Promotion of New and Renewable Sources of Energy Essay2269 Words   |  10 PagesPromotion of New and Renewable Sources of Energy Introduction Energy plays a crucial role in the economic development of all nations, especially those with limited access to resources. Access to energy sources is one of the fundamental elements of poverty reduction and sustainable development. It is for this reason that renewable energy and energy efficiency is essential to protect and preserve, as it provides a basis for economic advances, increased education, and environment sustainability

Environmental Justice Is The Fair Treatment Of The...

The placement of companies deleterious to the environment and well-being of humans is something that prosperous communities are not quite familiar with; in contrast, it is something well-known to less affluent communities. The imbalance of classification shows a lack of environmental justice in low-income and minority communities. According to the EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, â€Å"environmental justice is the fair treatment†¦ of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies,† (EPA, n.d.). However, the environmental justice, the EPA mentions is not prevalent in communities of color, but rather its counterpart is: environmental injustice. Environmental injustice, or environmental racism, being the excessive placing of perilous waste and contaminating polluters near communities of color (Cha, 2016). Although often overlooked, envi ronmental racism is an extensive problem that negatively affects minority communities in Southeast Los Angeles. As stated in the thesis, environmental injustice mostly affects minority communities. In a map presented by the Los Angeles Times, in Southeast LA there are 26 communities- which 83.9% of the inhabitants are of minority groups (Southeast, n.d.). Similarly, another map released by EPA from the 1990 U.S. Census illustrates that in places where there is 80 to 100% of people of color there is at least 2Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Martin Luther King Jr. s Letter From Birmingham Jail1399 Words   |  6 Pagesto be an underprivileged, unspoken for, minority. The marginalization of certain groups has occurred all throughout history with people being left to feel inferior and being left without access to equal rights. If it was not bad enough that this happens to people, the environment has been marginalized as well. This is where social justice movements and environmental activi sm come into play. Ethical concepts weigh the morality of different solutions to issues in society. The greater good is oftenRead MoreKeystone Xl Pipeline Vs. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Essay1307 Words   |  6 Pages Environmental Justice Case study: Keystone XL Pipeline vs. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Introduction Throughout this paper I will try to prove that the proposed establishment of the Keystone XL Pipeline is a direct infringement upon the human rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North and South Dakota. In order to make this claim I shall directly address three elements: First, the evidence of possible inequality of this situation, secondly the explanatory progress of how and why this situationRead MoreEnvironmental Issues Of Environmental Justice1746 Words   |  7 PagesEnvironmental justice is a term coined in the United States that usually deals with two different things. One is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. The other is a mixed body of social science literature pertaining to anything from environmental laws to political ecology. Primarily based around the conceptRead MoreAnima l Testing Harms And Violates The Rights Of The Animal Itself1485 Words   |  6 Pagesare because they have been taken out of their natural habitats. The change in environment is new to the animals, making them forced to accept the new area they would call home. Animal testing prohibits an animal from being free. Is it okay to test on animals because they lack the ability to know if the testing being done to them is moral or not? Animals do not have the ability to make their own moral judgment. It is not fair to harm an animal because they are living organisms that play an importantRead MoreEssay The Many Interpretations of Justice over History2193 Words   |  9 Pagesunjustifiable. Justice usually decided by society or by the norm. This relates to how the different types of justice also contribute to an individual’s behavior and actions which also affects society. The norm constantly changes from one society to another. Although, there are always laws that are broken brin gs consequences that must follow, as well as punishments that are made. Justice continues to be a controversy that concerns the issue of what’s just or unjust. The many interpretations of justice haveRead MoreSocial Sustainability : The Four Pillars Of Sustainability1273 Words   |  6 PagesSocial sustainability is one of the four pillars of sustainability. It is the least clearly defined as it changes with time, the economy, the environment and political situations. With so many factors that affect it, it is as important as the other three pillars (environmental, economic and political) and should therefore be given the same treatment and attention. This essay will define sustainability, define social sustainability, discuss one key principle about social sustainability and relateRead MoreReview : On Working Class Environmentalism : A Historical And Transnational Overview Essay1859 Words   |  8 Pagesof environmental Justice in US and Brazil, in regards to the problem o f the working class struggle in promoting Environmental Justice. In here, I believe that the Environmental Justice will be achieved if the government concern more into the welfare of the society, especially the working class. The actions should be taken to ensure that the interest of several stakeholders will not disadvantage the environment and the life of other people (working class). The problem of Environmental Justice itselfRead MoreEnvironmental Justice Is The Fair Treatment1671 Words   |  7 Pages Everything about environmental justice is supposed to give the environment and the world the treatment it deserves, people have spent a lifetime trashing it with pollutants, smog, and cutting down its trees, but at the same time the people who live on the Earth have been treated with injustice as well, â€Å"Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcementRead More Business Ethics Essay1618 Words   |  7 Pageswith. To understand one must know the definition of corporate ethics as well as knowing what the ethics of responsibility are. After defining what ethics are, we then need to see how these are played out within management. This will show the decline and fall of business ethics over time and how whistle blowing has played its part. Business ethics not only portray humans, but also how businesses treat the environment. The majority of European and U.S. CEOs and higher ranking managersRead MoreMountains beyond Mountains: Dr. Paul Farmer Essay example1336 Words   |  6 Pagesdesolate. His morals are sound in that he does not view sick people as objects or untouchables, but as humans deserving of care, compassion and fair and proper treatment, no matter their ability to pay. Dr. Farmer makes sacrifices and advocates for the poor throughout his journey, showing the rest of the world how one man can make a difference. Global Social Welfare Haiti is a prime example of how human needs in one area of the world are interdependent with social conditions elsewhere in the world.

Southwest airlines free essay sample

Analyzing Southwest Airlines’ organizations harmony is very challenging. Using the Mckinsey 7S Framework will make this process easier. The Mckinsey 7S Framework is made up of hard elements and soft elements. The hard elements consist of strategy, structure, and systems. These are elements in the organization that can not be changed easily. The soft elements consist of shared values, skills, style, and staff. These are elements that can be changed easily. The strategy of Southwest is very unique. Southwest strategy focuses on provided their service with the lowest prices in their industry. They have a ten-minute turnaround policy which allows flights to board and leave very quickly. Southwest deals with competitive pressure by focusing on a greater competitor, the automobile. This focus keeps Southwest ahead of the other airlines. Changes in customer demand were softened by the unique staff that Southwest had. Customer service took the place of meals that would be served on short flights. We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest airlines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Southwest has a functional structure with three levels of management. Decision making is decentralized at Southwest. This decentralized decision making is good for the organic cultural of Southwest. Southwest strives to keep its employees involved with decisions. The main system that keeps Southwest going is it’s Human Resources system. This system ensures that the culture of the organization remains strong. This is important because it is one of the factors that keep customers returning to Southwest for all their flight. The HR department makes sure that the people it hires are willing to have fun while on the flight as well as crack a few jokes from time to time. There are some strong shared values within Southwest Airlines. Southwest’s values include quality, reliability, action, informal communication and feedback. All of these values contribute to the customer service orientation of their organization. Southwest has a very unique style that it as set for itself. Decisions at Southwest are made collectively. Employees seem to be more cooperative than competitive. Southwest is a family oriented organization that enforces its culture to the customers using its employees. There are nominal groups formed within the company. The employees get together voluntarily in order to do community service projects. The Southwest staff is like a family. Many of Southwest’s staff is classified as couples. This helps Southwest effectively promote its family oriented culture. Selected staff needs to be fun and outgoing. The strongest skills that are represented by the Southwest employees are customer service skills. Southwest prides itself on giving the customer a great flight experience. Their staff, as stated previously, is fun and family oriented. Judging by the 7S framework model, Southwest Airlines should not take on the extra flight it would get from LaGuardia. The extra flight will compromise the ten-minute turnaround that Southwest has praised itself on. This will negatively affects its customer service effectiveness which is the driving factor of Southwest’s culture and values. Southwest airlines free essay sample Analyzing Southwest Airlines organizations harmony is very challenging. Using the Mckinsey 7S Framework will make this process easier. The Mckinsey 7S Framework is made up of hard elements and soft elements. The hard elements consist of strategy, structure, and systems. These are elements in the organization that can not be changed easily. The soft elements consist of shared values, skills, style, and staff. These are elements that can be changed easily. The strategy of Southwest is very nique. Southwest strategy focuses on provided their service with the lowest prices in their industry. They have a ten-minute turnaround policy which allows flights to board and leave very quickly. Southwest deals with competitive pressure by focusing on a greater competitor, the automobile. This focus keeps Southwest ahead of the other airlines. Changes in customer demand were softened by the unique staff that Southwest had. Customer service took the place of meals that would be served on short flights. We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest airlines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Southwest has a functional structure with three levels of management. Decision making is decentralized at Southwest. This decentralized decision making is good for the organic cultural of Southwest. Southwest strives to keep its employees involved with decisions. The main system that keeps Southwest going is its Human Resources system. This system ensures that the culture of the organization remains strong. This is important because it is one of the factors that keep customers returning to Southwest for all their flight. The HR department makes sure that the people it hires are willing to have fun while on the flight as well as crack a few Jokes from time to time. There are some strong shared values within Southwest Airlines. Southwests values include quality, reliability, action, informal communication and feedback. All of these values contribute to the customer service orientation of their organization. Southwest has a very unique style that it as set for itself. Decisions at Southwest are made collectively. Employees seem to be more cooperative than competitive. Southwest is a family oriented organization that enforces its culture to the customers using its employees. There are nominal groups formed within the company. The employees get together voluntarily in order to do community service projects. The Southwest staff is like a family. Many of Southwests staff is classified as couples. This helps Southwest effectively promote its family oriented culture. Selected staff needs to be fun and outgoing. The strongest skills that are represented by the Southwest employees are customer service skills. Southwest prides itself on giving the customer a great flight experience. Their staff, as stated previously, is fun and family oriented. Judging by the 7S framework model, Southwest Airlines should not take on the extra flight it would get from LaGuardia. The extra flight will compromise the ten-minute turnaround that Southwest has praised itself on. This will negatively affects its customer service effectiveness which is the driving factor of Southwests culture and values. southwest airlines. Southwest Airlines free essay sample In what ways might airline customers be segmented? Airline customers might be segmented when groups with varying needs and wants are recognized. They can be segmented on a number of different types of things; such as age, gender, location, buying behavior, and demographics. a. Which segments or niches would you consider Southwest’s prime targets? Southwest’s prime targets would be that of business and leisure travelers. Business travelers are less price sensitive than leisure travelers. They often travel on much shorter notice than leisure travelers. With the price of fuel rising companies have been urging their employees to reduce air fares and this factor attracted a lot of them to Southwest. Leisure travelers have always shopped around for reasonable prices. The fact that discount rates were offered and the whole family could go on a well planned trip was a plus to the leisure traveler. b. Which segments probably would not be? Long-hauls with high-fares. We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest Airlines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They don’t provide additional amenities such as ordering special meals and drinks. 2. Discuss the pros and cons for expansion of Southwest beyond short hauls. Which arguments do you see as most compelling? PROS include: †¢Southwest may want to embark upon flying international. †¢ They can eliminate nonproductive flights to focus on long haul flights. †¢They can instill a Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program for out of the country flights. †¢With the price of fuel rapidly rising, passengers want to be carried wherever they need to go. †¢Newer planes that are fuel efficient might need to be purchased. CONS include: †¢The purchase of newer planes can be costly Small shift in the population or consumer tastes can greatly affect business. †¢May have trouble expanding into new markets (especially up-market). †¢Air fares may have to go up. 3. Evaluate the effectiveness of Southwest’s unions. Due to Kelleher’s hard work and determination, by 1974, he established a great relationship between management and labor with a unio n being present (Hartley, 2006). It also appears that with the stock incentives and the shares rising, that Southwest continue’s to be a rapidly growing firm, (Hartley, 2006). 4. On August 18, 1993, a fare war erupted. To initiate its new service between Cleveland and Baltimore, Southwest announced a $49 fare (a sizeable reduction from the then-standard rate of $300). Its rivals, Continental and US Air, retaliated. Before long, the price was $19, not much more than the tank of gas it would take to drive between the two cities-and the airlines also supplied a free soft drink. Evaluate he implications of such a price war for three airlines. Due to the fact that Southwest was smart in their operation they were able to outwit their rivals. They were able to take the business of their opponents and offering them fares at a valued price. The big airlines could not afford to keep up with the legal battles as they were already losing money from not enough passenger capacity. 5. A price cut is the most easily matched marketing strategy and usually provides no lasting advantage to any competitor. Identify the circumstances when you see it desirable to initiate a price cut and potential price war. I think that I would initiate a price war when I see that competition needs to be phased out. There are always new competitors offering some new amenity, but the war on fares will always come about. It may be a certain season or a certain venue, but there will always be a need for the fare wars. 6. Do you think it is likely that Southwest will remain dominant in its niche despite the array of discount carriers? Why or why not? I think that they can remain dominant until their hedging contract is up. I believe that this will be the time when the economy will dictate what will be thrown on the table. That means that Southwest might have to buckle down and maybe get financed for a change. Until now they have been using their profits to fund the cost of fuel to keep them going strong. I don’t think that this may prove wise in 2012. Southwest Airlines free essay sample This proposal addresses the needed steps to be taken in order for Southwest Airlines to see continued growth in the airline industry. Southwest Airlines has been able to remain one of the most profitable airlines in the industry for an extended period of time. Even with the hindrance of the 2001 terrorist attacks involving airplanes and the U. S recession of 2008, Southwest has continued to see strong revenue growth. Meanwhile, other companies were experiencing major losses and in some cases folding. Southwest Airlines has capitalized on the company’s strength of being the top low cost carrier by offering a simple and efficient business plan that prides itself on customer service. Other carriers are now starting to take note of Southwest’s success and emulate many of their practices in an attempt to grab a share of their customer base. To overcome this competition, Southwest must continue to be unique and innovative in their business plans. We will write a custom essay sample on Southwest Airlines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Introduction: A New Airline Power is Formed Southwest Airlines was created in 1971 by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher. Their thinking was that if they offered fares lower than any of the competition, with efficient service, the company was bound to succeed. Their thinking turned out to be on target, as Southwest has for decades been one of the most successful airlines in the country. What began as a small Texas airline has grown to become the fifth largest airline in the United States. Today, Southwest Airlines flies over 70 million passengers per year to more than 62 cities. Southwest orchestrates over 3,000 flights per day. The Southwest fleet consists of over 436 jets which have an average age of nine years old. Since the Department of Transportation began tracking Customer Satisfaction statistics in 1987, Southwest has consistently led the entire airline industry with the lowest ratio of complaints per passengers boarded. Customer satisfaction is one of the cornerstones at the foundation of Southwest’s success. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Complaints per 100,000 customers boarded Source: http://www. southwestonereport. com/people Background: A Unique Business Model When being established, Southwest used a business model that differed quite a bit from ones seen at other successful airline companies around the country. When the airline launched, the fares were much lower than the competition. In fact, many fares were actually below the cost of driving a vehicle over the same route. Southwest’s policy of pricing its service was to compete with auto travel, something not even considered by other airlines at the time. While the fares have increased with inflation, they are still some of the best in the industry. Southwest has been able to keep its fares low and its service ratings high by implementing processes that are unlike those of its competitors. Trips are made more frequently by Southwest than the average airline, passengers are not assigned seats, only Boeing 737 jets are used in the Southwest fleet, un-congested or secondary airports are targeted in their routes, and tickets are primarily sold through the internet. Southwest’s frequent departures provided opportunity to frequent business flyers to catch a later flight if they missed one. They also didn’t assign seats to passengers. They issued colorful reusable plastic cards numbered 1 to 30. Passengers who came first could take the seat of their choice, thus providing an incentive to arrive early. This process of assigning seats eliminated the time-consuming reconciliation of the double assignment of seats on full flights and allowed Southwest agents to keep the plane doors open for last minute arrivals at the gate. The airline didn’t transfer baggage to connecting flights on other airlines and didn’t provide food in flight The process has proven to be very efficient, standardized and low-cost, allowing for quick turnaround and low fares. Customers are part of the process and taking their roles willingly. For distribution of tickets, initially commission was given to travel agents but later Southwest implemented a â€Å"ticketless† (paperless) travel program and later the development of Southwest. com as a means of using the internet to sell travel directly to customers. Southwest was a true pioneer in utilizing the internet, first establishing a website in 1995. This lowered distribution cost. Southwest has an average turnaround time of 25 minutes. This is quite lower than the industry average. For this success, the factors that were responsible were; an absence of meals on all Southwest flights, a limited amount of checked luggage on Southwest’s typically 60- to 90- minutes flights, a near-uniform configuration for all of its 737 aircraft, a team-oriented approach to ground services with team measures for turning around planes and freedom to do whatever necessary to get a plane pushed off on time with a high speed boarding process. Southwest has a great reputation of treating their passengers like family, often telling jokes and word games during the flights. Southwest also treats their employees very well, offering a wide range of perks and benefits. Southwest employees are routinely the highest paid in the industry. Average First Year Airline Pilot Salary Source: AirlinePilotCentral. com, an industry career page (Aug, 2011) Problem: Emerging Competition Recently, Southwest Airlines has seen the level of its competition increase. A decline in revenue and passenger traffic has accompanied this. Other airlines (some established, some upstarts) have started to lower their prices in order to compete directly with Southwest. This is somewhat of a testament to Southwest’s success, as many have decided to mimic their blueprint in an attempt to spawn similar success. Today there is far more low fare, low cost choices than there have been in years past. Legacy airline carriers are now offering â€Å"Southwest Style† no frills, low fare service. The past decade has seen the emergence of new upstart airlines such as JetBlue, AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines. These airlines specialize in the low cost fares that have helped Southwest thrive. On top of similar pricing, these new competitors also boast the feature of having more amenities befitting a higher end airline. Deluxe leather seats, DirecTV offered in flight, assigned seating, extravagant drinks and carb conscious meals are just some of the feature these low cost competitors are offering their passengers. Also, while Southwest has a unique operations model that allows them to slash their turnaround times, there has been concerns about certain aspects of their service level. The most noticeably troublesome facet of their service issues is their struggles in baggage handling. While Southwest does boast about their â€Å"Bags Fly Free† policy, not charging passengers to check multiple bags, they have the second-worst rate of mishandled bags in the country according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. While speedy baggage loading and unloading is a key part of Southwest’s process to minimize turn time for their planes, it appears that they could be sacrificing efficiency for speed. Opportunities: Building on an Already Great Model While Southwest Airlines has made major strides in supplanting itself among the leaders in the airline industry, the threats are there for the competition to move in on Southwest’s market share. A consequence of Southwest’s success is the fact that competitors are looking at their operations model, refining it and implementing it themselves. Southwest must continue to evolve and adapt as a company in order to fend off these new challenges. The operational model Southwest has functioned under since its inception has proven to be a huge success for the company. Keeping operating costs and turn times low has given the company flexibility to do things that weren’t deemed feasible by traditional airline carriers. Offering low fares, frequent flights and rapid expansion are outcomes of the low operational costs. It does however; seem to be a point of transition for the company currently. Vast economic changes in the airline industry, brought about by the terrorists’ attacks of 2001 and the economic collapse of 2008 have forced traditional airlines to restructure their operational model. Seeing that the model Southwest utilized seemed to be working extremely well, many companies gravitated towards it. In today’s airline market, the Southwest model is no longer unique, and the gap has been narrowed. Southwest has long relied on expanding to secondary or smaller airlines. Their flights remain domestic. Perhaps the time has come for the airline to think bigger. Southwest does not fly to many of the busiest airports in the United States. While this is a calculated move done to help with expansion, it is potentially obstructing the company from gaining countless numbers of would-be customers. Another area for potential growth would be expanding to international flights. This could be a major boon for Southwest, as their operation model could be a huge hit in other countries. This would however be a major step for the company, and would require much research before it could be implemented. The issue mentioned earlier regarding a large number of mishandled bags is one of major concern for Southwest. A major part of their operations centers on customer satisfaction, and missing bags can definitely damage this. The bag problem may be a byproduct of Southwest’s focus on having extremely short turn times for their planes. Their fixation on getting the planes ready for the next flight as quickly as possible may in turn sacrifice efficiency when it comes to loading and unloading the planes. This area of the plane turning process should be analyzed and possibly refined, as it would appear to be the reason behind the high number of mishandled bags. More airlines are emerging with the combination of low air fares and attractive inflight amenities that many would not expect on an economy class flight. Southwest has historically offered frill free flights, giving passengers basic services and mainly focusing on creating a fun environment to engage their patrons. With competitors now offering more perks at similar price points, it is imperative for Southwest to ramp up on the inflight extras offered on their trips. At the beginning of the case, a flight by Southwest CEO Gary Kelly is documented. On this particular flight, a satellite based Wi-Fi Internet service is being tested out. It has since been put into implementation, and is currently available on nearly 75% of Southwest’s fleet of jets. In addition to this innovation, in June 2013 Southwest introduced a â€Å"TV Flies Free† offer. In the deal, Southwest has partnered with Dish network to offer customers 14 live TV channels and up to 75 on-demand shows. Passengers can view the content on their internet ready personal devices, such as smart phones and tablets. This is a noteworthy addition to Southwest’s inflight benefits, as two of their main competitors from a low fare price point perspective, JetBlue Airways and Virgin America, have offered free live TV for years, doing so on screens installed in the seatbacks of their jets. It is estimated that 90% of passengers now travel with personal devices, meaning the vast majority of people who fly Southwest have full access to free inflight TV. This also means that Southwest saves on installation costs that would accompany putting screens in seatbacks. This gives them a financial edge on their competition. Recommendation: Enhancement and Expansion The airline industry has evolved drastically over the past decade as the financial climate has changed. Companies are focusing on efficiency and passenger satisfaction, major pieces of Southwest’s success plan. With the industry evolving to mirror southwest, it appears that the time has come for Southwest to evolve itself in order to stay ahead of the curve. Southwest could see a decent revenue increase with an overhaul of their on-flight setup. Adding first class seating could make their airline more attractive to consumers who want a certain amount of luxury at a decent price point. The prices for first class tickets would be lower than that of a traditional airline, so that passengers are still getting the Southwest value that they are accustomed to. First class seating would be assigned, leather seats would be available and an extensive drink menu would be offered. Meals would still not be served in an effort to keep plane turn times down. Coach seating will remain the same, with first come first serve seating. Free WIFI and TV service will continue to be expanded, so that it will be available on 100% of Southwest flights. The baggage portion of Southwest’s turn process must be analyzed and overhauled. Missing bags is considered unacceptable to most travelers, and could account for a great deal of customer turnover. It is possible that changing the way baggage is loaded in and out of the planes could add to average turn times of planes, but sacrificing time for added efficiency is an even trade, especially when your turn times are well under the industry average already. With the larger airlines taking cues from Southwest’s success, the time has come for the airline to expand into larger airports. JFK in New York, Miami International, Dallas Fort Worth International, O’Hare in Chicago, and Logan International in Boston should be prime targets. While Southwest already has route to many of these cities in the lesser used terminals, having a presence in larger airports with more air traffic will increase visibility and potential customers. Flights should remain domestic for the immediate future, as adding international flights would be a massive undertaking given they don’t particularly fit into Southwest’s current operational model. Conclusion: Continuing the Climb Towards the Top Southwest Airlines is a company that was built on a strategy considered unique and risky at the time it was founded. It has seen itself grow from a tiny, regional company with 3 jets to one of the most recognizable brands in American air travel. As time has passed and the airline industry has evolved, Southwest now has an outstanding, low cost model that has worked successfully for the past 30 years; one that is custom fit for today’s changing economy. Competitors realize this, and in turn have mimicked Southwest’s model to grab business from them. Southwest must be proactive in adjusting to the ever changing climate of the air travel industry. Building on their already strong business model is imperative for continued success. Expanding service and upgrading the inflight experience are excellent opportunities for increased revenue. Southwest must not remain content and continue pushing forward on making their product the best airline experience possible.

Louise Brooks And The Flapper Era Essay free essay sample

, Research Paper The flapper epoch was the clip of the worship of young person ( pandorasbox/flapper ) . Flappers were adult females of the Jazz Age. They had measurings of pre-adolescent male childs, with no waistline, no flop, and no butt. Flappers had short hair worn no longer than chin length, called British shilling. Their hair was frequently dyed and waved into level, head-hugging coil and accessorized with broad, soft headbands. It was a new and most original manner for adult females. A batch of makeup was worn by flappers that they even put on in public which was one time unheard of and considered something done merely by actresses and prostitutes. Flappers wore short, consecutive frocks frequently covered with beads and peripheries, and they were normally worn without pantyhose. Young flappers were known to be really rebellious against their parents, and society blamed their waywardness partly on the media, films, and movie stars like Louise Brooks ( Szabo ) . We will write a custom essay sample on Louise Brooks And The Flapper Era Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Louise Brooks was a large portion of the Jazz Age and had a batch of influence on the adult females of the 1920? s. Bing a movie star with a great, original personality she is known for being one of the most extraordinary adult females to put forth the Flapper epoch. Her sleek and smooth expressions with her signature British shilling helped specify the flapper expression ( pandorasbox/flapper ) .On November 14, 1906, in Cherryvale, Kansas, Mary Louise Brooks was born. She had two brothers, one sister, and parents, Leonard and Myra Brooks, who was a costume shaper and piano player. In 1910, Brooks performed in her first phase function as Tom Thumb? s bride in a Cherryvale church benefit. Over the following few old ages she danced at work forces? s and adult females? s nines, carnivals, and assorted other assemblages in southeasterly Kansas.At ten old ages old she was already a serious terpsichorean and really much interested in it. In 1920, Brook? s household moved to Wichita, Kansa s, and at 13 old ages old she began analyzing dance ( pandorasbox/chron ) . Louise Brooks had a typical instruction and household life. She was really interested in reading and the humanistic disciplines, so in 1922 she traveled to New York City and joined the Denishawn Dance Company. This was the prima modern dance company in America at the clip. In 1923, Brooks toured the United States and Canada with Denishawn by train and played a different town about every dark, but one twelvemonth subsequently she leaves Denishawn and moves back to New York City. Not excessively long after her return, she gets a occupation as a chorus miss in the George White Scandals. Following this she and a good friend of hers sailed to Europe. At 17 old ages old she gained employment at a taking London cabaret. She became celebrated in Europe as the first individual to dance the Charleston in London, and her public presentations were gr eat successes (pandorasbox/chron). In 1925, Louise Brooks returned to New York and joins Ziegfeld Follier, and performed in the Ziegfeld production, Louie the 14th. That summer she had an affair with Charlie Chaplin. At the same time, Brooks also appeared in her first film, The Streets of Forgotten Men, and signed a five year contract with Paramount. This same year, she had her first appearance on a magazine cover. In 1926, she featured as a flapper in A Social Celebrity which launched her film career and introduced the flapper era (pandorasbox/chron).In 1933 Brooks married wealthy Chicago playboy Deering Davis, but within six months they were separated. In 1956, she met James Card, the legendary film creator at George Eastman House, and moved to Rochester, NY. Here she studied film and continued to write at the House. Throughout her life she finds employment on the radio, as a model, and stared in many more films in which many of them she portrayed the rapidly spreading style of a flapper. She is a miraculous woman who helped to unfold and expand the flapper era throughout the world (pandorasbox/chron). Not only did Louise Brooks have a great impact on the culture revitalization of the 1920?s, but she also left contributions that are still evident today. The year is 2000, and everywhere we look this so-called â€Å"new fashion† is becoming popular, but look again. Dresses just above knee length with fringes and frills being worn by teenage girls and women, are the same style as those worn in the 1920?s. The flappers of the 1920?s also started a new phase of rebellion that would be passed on for decades. Before the 1920?s, girls and women were always refined, reserved, â€Å"daddies? girls†. This new era brought more unrefined, unpolished, and more rebellious girls. It brought women with attitude and youth, which can be seen in today?s society. Teenage girls today are constantly disobeying their parents and staying out past curfew. They are said to have a mind of their own. And of course, they are wearing things of which their parents disapprove, just as flappers like Louise Brooks wore clothing that would have been deemed whorish and vulgar if it was not for her stardom and acting success. She gave life to a new style would influence women for years to come. WORKS CITED†Flapper Culture and Style: Louise Brooks and the Jazz Age.† The Louise Brooks Society. http://pandorabox.com/flapper.html. 3/22/00.†Louise Brooks Chronology.† The Louise Brooks Society. http:// pandorasbox.com/chron.html. 3/23/00.Szabo, Julia. â€Å"Oh, Those Flabbergasting Flappers!† Long Island Our Story. Http://www.lihistory.com/7/hs715c.htm. 3/22/00.