Examination of competitive intelligence as it relates to a specific Essay

Examination of competitive intelligence as it relates to a specific e-businessPC World) - Essay Example This paper seeks to use the porters five forces theory to explain the competitor analysis. PC World is known as the largest retail computer superstores located in United Kingdom. PC World was established in 1991. Later In 1993, the company merged with Currys PC World. The company is headquartered at Hemel Hempstead in United Kingdom. In 2005, the number of the employees was approximated to be 5,528. The company has a slogan that brings individuals together in the term of technology â€Å"we start with you†. PC World began to expand and made acquisitions of DN computer services, Byte computers stores limited and micro ware house in 1996, 1998 and 2004 respectively. PC World in 2006 started to link itself with homes and started home entertainments and installation services. The business reported a loss of $29.8 million in 2008 but in 2007 it had a profit worth $52.4 million. Currently, the company operates in United Kingdom and Ireland. This is after some stores were closed, for example, in 2009 Sweden stores were closed and in 2011 Spanish stores were also closed. L ater in Italy they were closed making the company to operate in United Kingdom and Ireland only. One of the major competitors of PC World is Dixons Retail that is located in United Kingdom. The company has different stores that are approximated to be 530 in UK and Ireland. Additionally other outlets are operational in northern Europe with the number standing at 322 stores. Dixons Retail have specialized in market technology, for example, electronic products, audio –video machines personal computers, photographic machines, installation and repair, mobile services among others. Dixons Retail was founded in 1937 and is the major competitor of PC World since they sell the same brands though Dixons have specialized in market. Comparing with PC world, Dixons Retail operate in UK and Ireland where 530 stores are operational with a market share of 40%. For

Effect of cold stress on photosynthesis in barley Essay

Effect of cold stress on photosynthesis in barley - Essay Example Consequently, it may be referred to as the process by which light energy is converted into chemical energy and stored in sugar bonds in green plants. Basic photosynthetic knowledge notes that green plants breath in carbon dioxide during the day and combines the said molecules to those of water molecules especially hydrogen in the synthesis of nutrients. Consequently, in green plants, photosynthesis involves the use of the chlorophyll green pigment that is found in the leaves or stems of such plants. As resultant by-product for the photosynthesis process is usually oxygen. In this context, plants are usually termed as essential purifiers of air. However, since photosynthesis is a process that takes place in the presence of sunlight, it does not occur during the night (Eaton-Rye, Baishnab & Thomas 66). As such, plants take in oxygen during the night and release carbon dioxide. As a topic, the study of photosynthesis is particularly of interest to farmers and scientists. Factors that ma y affect the rate of photosynthesis Basically, there are three main factors that are known to have an effect on the rate of photosynthesis. They include: i. Light intensity ii. Carbon dioxide iii. Temperature In this discussion, I will illustrate how each affects the rate of photosynthesis. i. ... From this graph, it is evident that there is a significant increase in rate of photosynthesis between point A and B. however, after point B, the rate begins to decline and later becomes constant up to point C. Within these two points (B and C), there is no effect on photosynthesis rate even with an increase in the intensity of light. Consequently, too much light intensity may damage the chloroplast of leaves: hence, the strategic arrangement of leaves in a plant without any overlaps (Kalman 25). ii. Carbon dioxide: The rate of photosynthesis linearly increases with an increase in the concentration amount of carbon dioxide available to a plant. Scientifically, the earth is composed of a varying carbon dioxide amount of between 0.03% and 0.04%. Therefore, a high concentration of it will lead to higher photosynthetic rates. However, this increase is up to a particular point, from which it begins to decline and ultimately becomes constant. This is as shown in the graph below. In this gra ph, points A to B indicate an increase in rate of photosynthesis, while points B to C indicate the decline and constant level of the same. iii. Temperature: With this factor, the higher the rate of temperature the greater will be the photosynthesis rate. Since photosynthesis is a chemical process, its rate will increase with higher temperatures as most of the other chemical process. However, the increase in temperatures beyond 400C, will lead to the rate of photosynthesis beginning to decline or slow down. The reason for this is that enzymes responsible for photosynthetic chemical process are sensitive to temperatures hence, destroyed at high/extreme temperatures levels. Consequently, it should be