Nokia Company Innovation and Change Management

Innovation and Change According to Hage (1999), organizational innovation can be defined as the process through which an organization adopts certain behaviour or an idea which is new to the organization (p. 3).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nokia Company Innovation and Change Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Innovation in an organization can be reflected in terms of a new form of technology, new practice in administration, new service or a new product. In the current business world, most top management leaders are paying extra attention on innovation in their individual organizations. This is in an effort to come up with necessary changes in order to improve on performance of their respective organizations. On the other hand, change is the result of innovation in an organization. For instance, development of a new management practice may lead to changes in the management structure. Also, an introduct ion of a new technology may lead to an improvement on organization’s level of efficiency which may be followed by radical changes in an organization. These changes are characterized by increased efficiency and productivity in an organisation. This discussion gives an analysis of innovation and change in organizations and its importance to individual organizations. In other words, innovation is the central subject in business prosperity. Importance of Innovation to the Business; Why It Matters To Companies In every organization, the level of innovation plays a critical role in determining its performance. In the modern business world, changes and innovation level has increased significantly due to changes in the nature of the market. In the modern business world, the market is characterized by a very high level of competition. The market has become more customer oriented, the factor which has increased a need to innovate in order to meet these changes (Mariposa, 2010, par 1). For instance, the phones’ market has become very competitive in the current mobile phones market. Different companies have entered into the market with different varieties of mobile phones. Nokia Company is one of the oldest and successful companies in the mobile phone market. Due to increase in level of competition, the company has heavily invested in innovation as a strategy to remain above its competitors. Therefore, organizations are paying more attention on innovation in order to survive in such kind of markets.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One of the major reasons for innovations in organizations is to improve on its performance. For instance, new technologies can significantly help in improving the level of performance in different areas. For instance Nokia has improved on its products through an innovation in technology. In other words, innovation enables a n organization to survive in a competitive world. In connection to this, innovation can significantly contribute in development of competitive advantage. For instance, when a company manages to innovate on new technology, it will be able to produce more efficiently and therefore reduce on its operational costs. New technology may also help in increasing quality of the products in a company. Consequently, such kind of producer will gain competitive advantage over its competitors. The company will be able to offer higher quality products in the market at lower prices and still retain its profitability. Innovations can also delight the customer which leads to increase in the level of sales (Mariposa, 2010, par 2). For instance, Nokia Company has maintained its high level of sales through innovations. For instance, the company has been adding different features on its products through innovations. The company has managed to add features like radio, MMS and blue tooth in order to delight its customers. This has increase the level of sales. Such innovations entice consumers to buy the product. Up to date, the company stills invests more on research and development in order to retain high level of innovations. Nokia Company has managed to remain at the top of its competitors like Samsung through its innovative nature. It has developed a good reputation in the market through its high quality products. The company has also managed to provide a wide range of its products which has significantly attracted the attention of its customers. Innovations can also help an organization to shine in a market where there is high supply of similar goods. In some cases, there may be several options available to customers in the market for a certain product. In such cases, innovations can make the organisation’s goods to stand out from many other similar goods in the market (Mariposa, 2010, par 3).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nokia Company Innovation and Change Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For instance, there are several companies which manufacture watches. However, a watch from a certain company can stand out from the shelf among other similar watches due to innovative features applied. Nokia Company conducts an intensive research on the needs of the customers in the market and then conducts innovations with respect to consumer’s tastes. This is unlike other companies which have heavily been relying on imported technology in order to make new developments. For instance, through research, the company recognized that consumers preferred smaller phones to big ones. On realizing this, Nokia came up with new developments which led to increase in sales. The company developed a technology to reduce the size of its mobile phones. This approach in innovation has significantly contributed to the success of the company. Difference between Innovation and Change The conc epts of change and innovation overlap each other. The two concepts diverge in some point and converge on another. However, both innovation and change plays a very significant role in every organization. According to Osborne and Brown (2005), change is a broad aspect which involves growth and development of one or more elements in an organization (5). Change reflects a difference between two time periods. For instance, an organization may make developments on the management or administration. An organization may also involve the development of changes in the goods or services provided by an organization. For instance, Nokia Company has been making developments on its products which have led to changes in the company. For instance, a new product may require a change in the production process. This may require adjustments in an organisation. On the other hand, innovation can be seen as a specific form of change (Osborne and Brown 2005: 5). Innovation can be described as deliberate effo rts which are applied by an organization in order to realize improvements. Innovation Management; Methods of Managing Innovations in an Organization In order for an organization to retain a high level of innovation, it must have a clear management of innovation. As already noted, innovation is an important component of success in every organization. It provides a company with new opportunities (Mullen 2008: par 1). It also enables an organization to remain above its competitors. It is therefore important for every organization to have a clear change management process.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mullen (2008) asserted that innovation is not just about good ideas in a business, it also include management of these new ideas as well as making adjustments on the old ideas taking the market and technology into account (par 2). In other words, the magnitude by which an organization benefits from an innovation will significantly be determined by the company’s efforts to manage these innovations. Otherwise, an organization will gain very little from new ideas and developments. In order to benefit from innovation, leaders must create an innovative environment. The modern business world is characterized by a very high level of competition. Therefore, it calls for high level of performance in all the areas in an organization. Therefore, in managing innovation, managers should ensure that every area in the company retains high level of excellence in order to retain a high level of innovation. Every component part of the business including product management, manufacturing, produ ct management, sales and service and design, and design and development should record a good performance in order to have effective innovations in a company (Mullen 2008: par 4). Co-operation is also an important element in innovation within a company. Managers must also encourage meetings, teamwork and committees in day to day activities in a company (Mullen 2008: par 8). Members representing different areas in the company must come together and co-operate in order to have effective innovations in an organization. Lack of co-operation may lead to disagreements which may threat innovation within an organization. Lack of clarity and conciseness in business processes discourages innovation. It is therefore important for every organization to have a clear and concise business processes in order to encourage innovation. Every process must be clear and easily understood in all levels. Organizational Change Organizational change is another important element in business. Changes in organiz ations are now more frequent than before. Change allows a business to move from one level to another. Change leads to improvement in the level of efficiency, profitability and the overall productivity. Therefore, change is very important factor which determines the success of an organization. Every leader in an organization has a responsibility in facilitating effective change in a company. Failure of any one of the departments can significantly affect the success of change process. There are different types of organizational change. In an organization, we can have planned or unplanned changes. Planned changes are those changes which result from day to day operations in an organization. They are not planned. On the other hand, planned changes are changes in an organization which result from efforts made by the management in an organization. We can also have slow and gradual change on one hand and radical change on the other. Weick and Quinn (1999) observed that the ability of an org anisation to defeat its competitors is significantly determined by its ability to sustain change in the company (9). Skills to manage and lead changes effectively are of great significance in organizations. Leaders should be able to convince every party in an organisation about the value gain through a specific change in order to reduce opposition to change. It is necessary to keep open mind in order to have effective change. That is, one should not assume that a change will have negative impacts on an organisation. In other words, it is advisable to be optimistic towards change. Pessimism will undermine the success of change process. Flexibility is also important in change management. An organisation should be ready to discard the old methods and embrace new ones. This can be encouraged through interactions among employees. It is also necessary to be patient has change takes time. Change Management Change plays a very important role in every organization. As already seen, change im plies growth and development in different operations in an organization. However, these changes do not just occur automatically. Managers should come up with strategies through which to manage and boost change processes in an organization. When change takes place in an organization, it is not always welcomed by all employees. Some may reject while others may welcome it. Therefore, managers should be able to foresee such reactions before implementing changes in order to be able to tackle the situation effectively. Change management is the process through which an organization attains its future goals. As an organization does this, the traditional system pulls these efforts on the opposite direction. Past studies have indicated that 90% of the change initiatives which affects the past culture in an organization fail to meet their objectives (Atkinson 2005:13). The success of an organization in realizing change depends on its ability to manage change. Atkinson (2005) observed that most big companies fail in implementing change in their organizations due to their inability to manage these changes well (16). One of the ways which managers can use in order to come up with successful changes is by developing a methodology and attitude necessary to implement changes in an organization (Atkinson 2005:17). Conclusion In conclusion, this discussion has clearly shown that innovation plays significant role in an organization. In the modern business world, the market is highly competitive. There are many competitors, the factor which has raised the need for innovation. Innovation is the major factor which helps an organization to remain ahead of its competitors. Therefore, it is necessary for every business to have clear innovation and change management in order to remain profitable. Otherwise, it will be difficult to remain in the market. Reference List Atkinson, P., 2005. Managing Resistance to Change. Institute of Management Services. Volume: 49, Issue: 1, ISSN: 03076768 Hage, J.,1999. Organizational Innovation and Organizational Change. University of Maryland. Annu. Rev. Sociol. 1999. 25:597.622. Mariposa, A., 2010. Importance of Innovation in Business. Web. Mullen, C., 2008. Innovation Management. Web. Osborne, S. Brown, K., 2005. Managing Change and Innovation In Public Service Organizations. New York: Routledge. Weick, K. Quinn, R., 1999. Organizational Change and Development. University of Michigan Business School. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 1999. 50:361.86. 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10 Examples of Carbohydrates

10 Examples of Carbohydrates Most of the organic molecules you encounter are carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are sugars and starches. They are used to provide energy and structure to organisms. Carbohydrate molecules have the formula  Cm(H2O)n, where m and n are integers (e.g., 1, 2, 3).   Examples of Carbohydrates glucose (monosaccharide)fructose  (monosaccharide)galactose  (monosaccharide)sucrose (disaccharide)lactose (disaccharide)cellulose (polysaccharide)chitin (polysaccharide)starchxylosemaltose Sources of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates in foods include all sugars (sucrose or table sugar, glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose) and starches (found in pasta, bread, grains). These carbohydrates can be digested by the body and provide an energy source for cells. There are other carbohydrates that the human body doesnt digest, including insoluble fiber and cellulose from plants and chitin from insects and other arthropods. Unlike sugars and starches, these types of carbohydrates dont contribute calories to the human diet. Learn More More About Carbohydrates

Week 5 Q 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Week 5 Q 2 - Assignment Example A normal curve shows that over a period of time, long term bonds will yield higher returns than shorter duration bonds because of the reduction of risks over a greater period of time (Bhole, 2009). An inverted yield curve shows that short term bonds will perform better than long term bonds and in most cases this is an indication of a coming recession. When the yield curve is flat it implies that there is a close relationship between the various returns over short and long term periods of time and usually shows that the economy of a given country is undergoing some sort of transition. It is therefore correct to say that an increase in the angle of the slope is directly proportional to an increase in the difference between the long and short term interest rates of the bonds. Below is an image showing a normal yield curve. The yield curve for the economy is a normal yield curve shows that long term investment s will most likely yield a higher return than short term investments over a period of time. Currently, the interest rates are very low and this is a bad situation for possible investors. The bank of England decided to hold its interest rate at 0.5 % given that they are not expected to change positively until sometime next year. However, there is anticipation that the economy will perform well in future particularly due to an anticipated increase in industrial production over the next few years (Dawe, 2009). This shows that in the future the interest rates are likely to increase. However, presently, the interest rates are very low due to the various factors in the economy. One of these is unemployment which is at above 7% and has been recorded at a high of 7.3%. The inflation rate has also slowed down to a low of 1.7% and this is the lowest that it has ever been since the year 2009. The interest rates are a major determinant of the direction in which our economy is headed. When the interest

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Book Revew - Essay Example Acknowledging that her information is strung together by a lifetime of personal interest in the field and journalistic information gathering during her career as a writer for the New York Times, Dean’s book promises an overview of the issues involved and a reasoned plea for restraint in building up the beaches. In the final analysis, though, this book delivers high-quality information presented in a readable style that conveys not only the problems facing the nation’s beaches, but also the significance of this problem to the rest of the world. As an attempt to convince Americans not to build on the beaches, thus contributing to the erosion problem, the book is a success. Dean pulls her readers in by starting the book with an account of the devastating effects of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane and how the city responded. After outlining the city’s natural sense of vengeance against the uncaring ocean and its Herculean efforts to place it out of harm’s reach, she then outlines the long-term effects the sea wall and raising of the city have had on the coastline itself. Interspersing personal stories regarding coastline studies and devastating storms or other issues caused by erosion with factual and explanatory information regarding what these studies actually mean creates a solid argument against the process of building on the beach or attempting in any way to protect those buildings once constructed. Although she claims no scientific or special expertise on her own part, Dean’s work is widely recognized as a credible source for a number of other volumes including American Disasters by Stephen Biel (2001) and The Earth Around Us: Maintaining a Livable Planet by Jill Schneiderman (2003). As she outlines storm after storm and lost town after lost town, Dean continues to highlight the involvement of human encroachment on the

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Discussion - Personal Statement Example Looking back at all of the course requirements that I was able to accomplish, I think that I have satisfactorily met the outcomes of the course, except for international law, which I feel to study in the future. I actually feel challenged that I was not able to meet my personal expectations regarding learning the different concepts of international law, which is the reason why I plan to pursue majoring on international law someday. In addition, looking back at the discussions and the collaboration that I had with my fellow students, I think that the most important thing that I learned is the value of teamwork, which I see as an essential trait when one is going to be a part of law associates or law firms. Of course, in this course, I was able to learn the basic concepts of the legal profession, and I plan to build on it as I major on international law soon. This is because I hope to contribute to solve some of the world’s legal conflicts.

The Worlds Biggest Illegal Arms Market History Essay

The Worlds Biggest Illegal Arms Market History Essay The town is basically one street lined up with gun shops, other shops present are tea stalls or butcher shop. One can hardly find any women in the main Bazaar. The roof tops are used as guns testing grounds for the weapons made and the air is usually filled with noise of fire arms. Workshops are present on the main road which consist of Hundreds of closet sized rooms where young boys and men make copies of the entire worlds guns (in working condition) with nothing more than hand tools and a small drill press. Astonishingly the tools used to make guns are highly primitive, yet accurate reproduction of every conceivable sort of weapons is made. Because its a very perfect location to have these gun factories as it is surrounded by mountains, for years these people have been making guns, its a time tested area and is pretty safe. That why its only is darra and nowhere else in the frontier. In Dara Adam Khel, almost three fourths of the people are in the gun trade. Around 1000 guns are made in Dara Adam Khel each day and the number is rising as new and better tools are been introduced to the workers. They had been making guns for more than 120 years. These guns are more than enough for the Pashtoons themselves. Many guns are smuggled in Afghanistan through Russia and other countries. Although heroin trade was shutdown in 1980s but the Pashtoons could not shutdown this guns factory. They are so much so involved in this business that Pashtoons call these guns their ornaments; they exchange guns like people exchange cars, people can bring in old guns and exchange them for new ones. Guns are available at frighteningly low prices. People carry guns as Englishmen carry umbrellas. However manufacturing of  heavy ammunition has been closed downed. Nobody messes with them in regard of trying to shut their guns business; the guns made are tested in the open 2 or 3 feet away from the shop. At any time a Pashtoon comes out of the shop and pumps twenty rounds into the air from a freshly made M-16 rifle. Such is the magic and aurora surrounding this place. Rules for foreigners who want to visit Dara Adam Khel is a forbidden area for any kind of foreigners. A permit and an armed escort are required from the Home Secretary of KHAIBER PHAKTOON KHAWA whose offices are in the Civil Secretariat on Police Rod in Peshawar. The permit is free of charge and issued on the very instance it is applied for. Only a few specific places are allowed to be seen. Travelers can only drive through the bazaar without a permit if they do not make any sort of stop, because if they do make a stop they would invite trouble. In case travelers buy guns, the shopkeepers mostly inform the customs and the police about the purchase. As a result, buyers are caught and the guns are either confiscated or released by giving a bribe. Arms trade The Dara Adam Khel arms trade fired up in 1897. The British even being in power at that time were afraid of the capabilities that the people of these areas possessed. They usually turned a blind eye to all the illegal guns being made; in return the Pashtoons gave them a safe passage to travel through the main bazaar without making a stop. Afridis This arm trade has won fame for the Adam Khel Afridis who are the major inhabitants of the town. They are the ones who basically control everything Insurgency in Dara Adam Khel Mughals and British periods Durand line is 2600 Kilo Meter long border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, on both sides of the border tribesmen inhabits the tribal areas, history tells us that tribesmen of these areas have always caused problems for the rulers of the time, only one ruler was able to conquer them and make them their loyal subjects, his name was Akbar e Azam (Mughal Emperor) no other ruler of Subcontinent including British colonial rulers was ever became able to defeat them in their backyard. Dara Adam Khel a tribal area located between Kohat and Peshawar capital of Khaiber Pakhtoon Kha has always been a source of problem for Pakistan since Pakistan was created. Herion business (including other narcotics as well), illegal weapon trade, kidnapping for ransom, murder and many different kinds of crimes have always been related to this area. Pakistan Government efforts to resolve issues Darra Adam hel is predominantly under the control of Afridi tribes men, when Pakistan was created Dara Adam Khel was equipped with schools and colleges, Pakistan Governemtn has triesd its best to ensure calmness in this area and to stop the illegal trades by giving the educated people of Dara Adam Khel Government jobs, but to no avail. Ojhri camp Weapons Dara Adam Khels Afridi tribesmen are highly intelligent and have a great ability to make weapons. After the disaster of Ojhri camp ammunition depot in Islamabad, the remaining weapons and weapon parts were sold to the people of Dara Adam Khel who quite effectively copied the designs in Dara Adam Khels weapon manufacturing factories. This was proven when Army was attacked by similar rockets to those present in Ojhri camp, during their ongoing operation in Fata area. This further strengthened the belief in tribesmen ability regarding weapon manufacturing. Element of foreign militants Sources say that foreign militants of India or other countries disguise themselves as Taliban and are financing 90 percent of the illegal activities in these areas in order to destabilize Pakistan internally, Islam is a peace loving religion and such activities are not promoted. Taliban Militants are misusing the name of Islam in order to weaken, disintegrate and eventually denuclearize Pakistan. Role played by Pakistani army Army had to intervene when the situation was getting out of hand, the militants started to kill travelers on Kohat Peshawar road. They hanged any person who went against them, then threw his dead body at the roadside in an effort to create fear among others, this finally lead to their strong foothold in Dara Adam Khel. Well trained and well equipped government troops took timely action and responded to the challenge, posed by these militants, in a very strong way. Army members are permanently deployed along the roadside and on strategic hills in Dara Adam Khel in an effort to provide safety to the travelers and the local innocent people between Kohat and Peshawar. In the ongoing clashes, Taliban militants escape from Dara Adam Khel usually towards Orakzai agency, Khyber agency and Afghanistan .The friendship tunnel of Kohat was targeted at the start by militants but they were soon defeated and flushed out by the security forces, according to sources good number of militants take refuge in Kohat as proven by the rocket attacks from these areas. Militant attack on Kotal check post was also successfully defended by the brave and valiant men and officers of Pakistan army. Trick played by Taliban Militants Afridi tribesmen are against the Taliban militants. In the beginning the Taliban entered Dara Adam Khel on the name of Islam and due to their views the militants gained popularity among the people of the area. But once the militants gained control of the area they showed their true colors, they imposed heavy taxes, started spreading fear by killing people and by implementing hard lining rules. They made court decisions in public and gave the punishments in public as well.Tthey destroyed many schools and colleges in the name of Islam, particularly girls schools were targeted. Everyone was forced to pay taxes of about 60000 rs per family A resident of Tor Chappar (area of Dara Adam Khail) says that his family was displaced during army operation against militants. Now in Tor Chappar empty houses with opened doors are present as all the residents have escaped to areas which are comparatively safer areas like Peshawar. Though locals of Tor Chappar do not like the militants but they cant take up arms against them because if militants block their ways and tracks they would completely loose their contact with the outside world and would eventually die or be killed .So the fear is the main factor they all are quite and take no significant action against the militants. Views of a Taliban militant spokes person When a spokes person of Taliban militants was questioned regarding their real intentions, he has said that militants are active to destabilize Pakistan but he was unable to answer the real purpose behind their militancy. Leaders of Jamaat e Islami blame India for financing attacks in tribal areas of Pakistan through its consulates in Afghanistan. A journalist Shakil Ahmed based currently in Australia, in his recent article made a bold claim that around 1500 Indian Army men are present in Afghanistan and are making efforts to encircle Pakistan. Despite many claims no one could come up with a proof of Indian involvement. According to Dawn news report arrested Arab militants from Mehmand Agency were financed by Afghanistan. Many Uzbek militants were also captured during the operation conducted by the security forces in these areas of Fata. View of an elder in Khaiber Pakhtoon kha. According to an elder of Khaiber phaktoon kha Baitullah mehsod (Taliban leader) is a friend of Maulana Fazal ur Rehman who is a leader of Jamiat ul Islam. According to him many religious parties of Pakistan are also behind the current insurgency in the areas of Fata and Swat, this is the exact reason why they oppose Army operations in these areas. Its a very complex situation, only a group of people cannot gain such a strength that they could challenge the paksitan military. Indian and American views on the fata Foreign Minister of India Mr Krishna offered friendship to Pakistan, only if Pakistan would destroy its training camps of militants. Statement made by him is a clear recognition of potency of Pakistan Army, Media reports show that US president Obama and Hillary Clinton (secretary of state) rely heavily on Pakistan army to control cross border activity. Pakistan current situation and importance of Pakistani army Cynics predict another 1971 type debacle for Pakistan, but the fact of the matter is that Pakistan is a nuclear power now, and elected government of PPP lead coalition is in power, Army is committed to its role of, helping elected government to restore peace in FATA and Malakand division and its performance up to date reflects its potential to wipe out the militants from Pakistani soil. International community is quite satisfied regarding the human rights situation in Pakistan, with reappointment of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary and his other deposed colleagues independent judiciary does exist in Pakistan to guard the constitutional rights of people of Pakistan. Circumstances in 1971 were altogether different in Pakistan when it was dismembered. Now even security of US lead NATO forces is dependent upon Pakistan Armed forces ability to stop cross border activity on Durand line, Indias security will also be in jeopardy if Pakistan existence as buffer zone between Afghanistan and India is jeopardized, most of the analysts agree on this point news media reports reflect. Purpose of Research: The focal point of this research is to analyze the controversial condition of Dara Adam Khel, one of the globally acknowledged ethnic regions of Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan that borders Afghanistan; we will try to explore its evolution and progress as what has happened to this geographical area that it emerged, gradually with time, as the worlds largest illegitimate arm market. We will spot what types of illicit arms in form of hand grenades, pen pistols and more are produced by this particular largest arm manufacturer of the world and analyze the supply and demand situation as which countries are purchasing and demanding these low-cost illicit weapons and obviously for what reason. Besides, this study highlights notable facts and figures and the aftermaths too along with the recommendable policies to the government in order to curb the exceeding production of illicit weapons that is almost 40 Million in Pakistan in 2009. The performance of government of Pakistan shall be evaluated as to why the country is rated as one of the greatest per capita rates of gun ownership in the world despite the fact that government has continuously been taking action by implementing the UN program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) but still Darras local inhabitants are allured by the illegal production of replicas of imported weapons as their chief source of income. Problem Definition: The illicit arm industry located in Dara Adam Khel was flourishing by leaps and bounds with the passage of time, therefore consequential in the expansion of problematic issues created by it. This unlawful production and supply of a vast array of handmade and small industry created weapons as well as imported replicas are responsible for the domestic as well as international criticism. The repercussions our country has been facing consist of intensifying crime rate, murder rate, escalating rate of use of non-genuine currency, drugs, and bombs. 2.0 Literature Review In Pakistan Arms can be acquired legally or through unlawful means, all a person requires is money or strong reference with someone involved in trading of weapons. A survey conducted by Small Arms back in 2002 found the illegally held weapons in Pakistan were approximately 18 million in comparison to only 2 million legally held weapons. This comprises of almost nine illegal weapons for each licensed weapon currently owned by the Pakistanis. The report illustrated that, regardless of the official ban on trade of non-licensed weapons, unauthorized arms trade and gunrunning continue to flourish and ammunition remains in open circulation (Burke, 2001). Darra Adam Khel is a Tribal town adjacent to Peshawar, is stated to be the largest producer and supplier of low-priced guns in the country. According to the latest survey held in 2009 the legal licensed weapons sum around 4 million and illegal weapons have exceeded 40 million in Pakistan. The weapons are considered an ornament for men and are regarded as a part of attire. This is the reason that a household stove may be kept cold, but the barrel of the gun is kept warm. According to the sources the Arms in Darra Adam Khel are mostly manufactured using small machines or are hand made. A large sum of ammunition produced is distributed to Taliban fighters waging war in Afghanistan against the U.S. Army and coalition forces in North and South Waziristan against the Pakistan Army (Bonner, 2002). The Federal Administered Tribal Areas Secretariat, the government agency that administers the region, the total number of personnel employed by Darra arms factories are around 10,000 people and they make several million weapons annually. The owner of Sher Ghulam and Sons Arms Dealer, Malik Muhammad Asif says that business is invigorating despite the enhanced security at Pak-Afghan border and a disarmament campaign by the Afghan government has resulted in price hike. An AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle that used to sell for a $165 in 2004 now sells for as much as $ 700, the cost of explosives have also risen by approximately 20% (FATA, 2007). Another local arms merchant Haji Ahmed Khan says that The demand has increased so much that factory employees now work around the clock to fulfill demand. The replicas of imported and local weapons have been manufactured in Darra since the early 1900s. Successive Pakistani governments have tried hard to control the arms industry with little success, and tribal areas operate under a semi-autonomous agreement that dates back to British rule. Law Enforcement Agencies and federal judges have limited authority and foreign journalists are prohibited from traveling to this particular region (Schmidle, 2008). In 2003 a survey by SPADO showed that only in Darra Adam Khel there are around 1,200 gun selling shops. These guns are supplied by almost 1,500 small workshops and more than 50 medium-scale manufacturing units employing over 6,000 gunsmiths. Pakistan, according to anti-arms activists, has one of the greatest per capita rates of gun ownership in the world. However, there are no official figures rough estimates put the total number of small arms at large in the country at more than 20 million, with about half of them illegal. Half a million illegitimate small arms and light weapons are believed to be owned by people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But in 2000, state arms manufacturer, Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) managed to dent the illegal trade by recruiting some of the skilled artisans from the tribal areas to POFs main manufacturing unit in Wah a cluster of 14 factories 40 km north of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad (Haqqani, 2006). It is estimated that 22 million AK 47s are in public use whereas the countrys total population is around 170 million, which accounts 13% of the countrys population. In Pakistans tribal culture the use of heavy weaponry is quite common including the use of rocket launchers, short, medium and long range rockets, anti aircraft guns, mortars etc all are made in the vicinity of Darra (Khan, 2006). State Interior Minister Tasneem Qureshi was summoned by Standing Committee on Interior for issuing approximately 6,000 prohibited-bore licenses within two months. The committee was informed that 26,000 bogus licenses were issued to strangers with the consent of certain fraudulent officials. It came into notice that Each senator, member of National Assembly and member of Provincial Assembly can avail 25 non-prohibited bore licenses every year, out of which 75 percent have availed it, That generally indicated the induction of nearly 20,000 fresh weapons in the country. A newspaper report dealing with illegal arms trade notes, A pistol that costs around Rs. 20,000 can be acquired on rent with no trouble for Rs. 150 an hour if a person has strong references. Most people get pistols on rent on the alleged reason that they want to use them at weddings; instead those arms are used in roadside snatching incidents. It is more or less like getting a motorbike on rent (IPDF, 2008). An interviewer from BBC was told by Haji Munawar Afridi, an arms trader at Darra Adam Khel that There is nothing we cannot copy. At another point he stated You bring us a Stinger missile and we will make you an imitation that would be difficult to tell apart from the original. (Aamer Ahmed, 2006) Some of the influential traders in Darra Adam Khel proudly talk about their ammunition supply to the Islamist fighters engaged in Kashmir. Currently, there are about 2,000 families who are involved in manufacturing of weaponry in Darra and are also supplying to clients abroad. Rest of the families continues to focus on local markets. Another famous gun trader in Darra asserts that Punjabis love small arms and Punjab is our major market. Mekarob pistol is the most demanded one because of its low price and compact size (BBC, 2006). Dilawar Wazir, a political analyst in the tribal area of North Waziristan says militants are the everlasting buyers of the armaments of Darra, and nearly 40 percent of their explosives and light arms used to make bombs are supplied by these factories. However, the trade of manufacturing weapons is well confined, making Darra the South Asian capital for compact unlawful weapons. (Rahmanullah, 2007) The purchasers of illegal weapons are world over. Insurgent armies, from Asia, Latin America, Africa, have in the past sent their middlemen to acquire weapons from here and still do so. Moinuddin Haider the Minister of the Interior in previous government, said in an interview in Islamabad. We want to close them all down,. Last year the government also launched a campaign to confiscate all illicit guns and bring to an end the issuance of new licenses (Rahmanullah, 2007). Gone are the days of the 1980s, the gun industry in Darra was at boom when Islamic fighters, CIA operatives and ordinary Afghans fighting the Soviet invasion of their country just across the border would flock to Darra Adam Khel, and mostly the orders placed for weapons were massive in numbers (Wilkinson, 2005). Jan Muhammad, a 63-year-old arms dealer who is considered one of the leading experts in pistol manufacturing confessed that their business in late 1980s was so good when the Afghans fought a Holy war against the Soviet aggression. Nevertheless, Muhammad regrets the misfortunes fallen upon his family since then. Another arms trader at Darra Mr. Hassan states that Business is bad, very bad. He pulled a .30 caliber pistol off the shelf, shiny black with no markings. A year ago, he said, he could have sold it for 5,000 rupees. Now, he asks 1,000 rupees for the same pistol. (Bonner, 2002) Brigadier Mahmood Shah the head of tribal regions in northwestern Pakistan says that People have been in the weapons business at Darra Adam Khel for decades, but we are taking into account suggestions to regulate it. He also claimed that weapons at Darra are of substandard, and are more like souvenirs than weapons. However, the buyers disagree to his statement, Mohammed Raza, 38, a resident living on the suburbs of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province says that I have a feud going with some people in my village and I have come here to buy a pistol. Declaring he had no doubt the weapon would prove deadly if he chooses to use it (Khan, R. 2005). Raza scoffed at the conception the government will ever be able to stop people from purchasing weapons in a constituency where almost every house contains a gun and many men walk the streets with rifles slung over their shoulders. The reality behind the omnipresence of arms bazaar is that the workmen at Darra Adam Khel are masters of placing together well-designed copies of some of the worlds most popular guns. A copy of an Italian-made, pump-action shotgun, which would cost about US$1,300 in the West, can be had for between 3,000 and 8,000 rupees and a replica of the famous AK-47 assault rifle goes for about 10,000 rupees in Darra Adam Khel, 10 times less then the real thing but just as deadly (Riaz, 2005). Whatever the reality, it is clear that the government will have to come up with a highly innovative and aggressive strategy to bring this lethal trade under control

Essay --

How Revolutionary Was the American Revolution? Revolution is briefly described as an attempt to overthrow a government to start a new one. The American Revolution took place between 1775 and 1783 and was a fight for American Independence from England. In 1764, the first of many â€Å"Intolerable Acts† were passed. The British Parliament began to excise tax on the American colonies without representation, sparking the great conflict. The British were continuing to incorporate new ways to make more money. England was the most powerful country at the time with an intimidating military, so this wasn’t a hard task to complete. The American Revolution was very Revolutionary because, it jump started the abolition of slavery, it brought about many political and social advances, and served as a stepping stone towards a democracy and a strong centralized government. The American Revolution was a â€Å"light at the end of the tunnel† for slaves, or at least some. African Americans played a huge part in the war for both sides. Lord Dunmore, a governor of Virginia, promised freedom to any slave that enlisted into the British army. Colonists’ previously denied enlistment to African American’s because of the response of the South, but hesitantly changed their minds in fear of slaves rebelling against them. The north had become to despise slavery and wanted it gone. On the contrary, the booming cash crops of the south were making huge profits for landowners, making slavery widely popular. After the war, slaves began to petition the government for their freedom using the ideas of the Declaration of Independence,† including the idea of natural rights and the notion that government rested on the consent of the governed.† (Keene 122). The north began to fr... ...le, Pennsylvania tried to keep voting rights limited to certain property requirements, but expanded it to any male taxpayer that has lived in the state for at least one year could vote. With each state drafting their own constitution, it was a spark for the newly independent colonies to start their own democracy and set of laws that the majority of Americans were happy with. In conclusion, the American Revolution was very revolutionary. It was a huge milestone in American history. The war not only gave America their own independence from the most powerful country in the world, it gave the American government the basis of how it runs today and brought about many social and political changes. Although many historians see the war as a change of power from one greedy power to another, Americans wouldn’t have a democracy and citizens wouldn’t have the rights they have.