Bak Funeral Home Case Study Analysis

The burial service industry has changed without question. It has less similitude as in conventional method of burial service in 1975. There have been extraordinary modifications in the course of recent decades because of Federal Trade Commission (FTC). FTC has ordered modifications in the burial service estimating, adjustments in shopper inclinations, and union of memorial service suppliers. In 1984, FTC needed memorial service homes to offer clients with a general value list that deteriorates the costs of every part of the funeral.For case, rather than charging one cost of $9000 for all product and administrations for burial service purposes, the burial service home must gap the surges into segments, for instance, $3450 for coffin, $540 for preserving, $185 for cosmetology, hairdressing and position in coffin, and so forth. Likewise, the FTC has announced that memorial service homes may not expect clients to purchase a great deal of things, specifically coffins or internment vaults from the burial service homes.Customers may purchase either or both the parts from a vendor separated from the burial service chief and have the coffin shipped to the burial service home and the vault moved to the graveyard. These days, there are a few non burial service home vendors of these parts. Clients can go online to purchase coffins and vaults from the Funeral Depot or the American Casket Store with 24 hour conveyance guaranteed. Various strict requests produce coffins that they showcase through â€Å"funeral asset centers† situated in large urban areas. In addition, the inclinations of the clients have adjusted dramatically.About 30 years back, about 93 percent of the families like to go for customary memorial service followed by earth internment. Today, the level of internments has declined by 71 percent, while the level of incineration has expanded to 29 percent on national level (Ruhl and Wilson, 2008. p. 482, 484). The burial service industry has progressed from a nearly plain nearby business that was in enormous bit liberated into a contemporary industry constrained by multi morgue business enterprises battling for economies of scale.2 a) Sabina need to compute the devaluation of the investment property so as to purchase the Bak Funeral Home. There is a need to check all duty issues efficiently with an assessment bookkeeping proficient, anyway the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a rule permits downgrading the estimation of the development on the property over a time of 27 and half years. This is the sound treatment of the way that structures do destroy in the end, or become obsolete attributable to their more seasoned characteristics not, at this point sought after. Thus, Bak Funeral Home has been creating some positive income per year.However, presently a portion of that salary can be counterbalanced for charges. The structure is deteriorated by removing the estimation of the land and partitioning the structure an incentive by 25 years for yearly devaluation (25 years on the grounds that the structure was built in 1980 and the valuation is being done in 2005). The deterioration estimation resembles this: 1. Price tag †Land Value = Building Value. 2. Building Value/25 = Annual passable deterioration conclusion (Kimmons, n. d. ). The Bak Funeral Home has a deterioration value.Thus, it would not be achievable for Sabina to repurchase the Funeral Home and ask her mom, Joan to lease her the current structure for $2000 every month. People put resources into property for the salary imminent it presents, yet additionally for the tax breaks that go with claiming and leasing resources. Having property and leasing it out is a business. One can take in income (lease) and bring about costs like some other business. Most of working cost derivations originates from cash that one has consumed on the property.There are conclusions allowed for contract premium and property charges, notwithstanding reasonings for protection, up keep, and repairing on the structures. One cost that requires no use of cash is decrease on the property. This is a bookkeeping derivation that is allowed and depends on the general mileage on the structure. On the off chance that Sabina can show a misfortune on her investment property, where her consumptions surpass her pay, she may have the option to expel the misfortune on her expense form. The main way that she can deduct the misfortune is to be a functioning part in the oversight of the property.She can employ a property chief to complete the everyday errands, except she should be forcefully taking an interest in acknowledging terms of agreements, talking with likely inhabitants, and supporting costs that go toward maintaining the structure (Tax Tips: All about Rental Property Tax Breaks, n. d. ). Henceforth, Joan (her mom) would consent to this course of action. 2 b) Joan requires 11 percent income return on her interest in the structure. The market estimation of the structure is $1800, 000. Sabina would not have to pay state and government annual charges on the grounds that the organization would be working at a loss.As the net gain is declining a seemingly endless amount of time after year, that is the reason; Sabina ought not buy Bak Funeral Home and work it at its current area. 2 c) Now we have to check whether it is plausible for Sabina to buy Bak Funeral Home business and work it in close by area. Sabina would discover a financial specialist who would buy and construct another burial service home away from Regional Airport where land esteems are lower. In any event ten private parts will be required for vehicle leaving. Each parcel is sold at $30,000.Building expenses would be $900,000 and land cost $25000. Here additionally, the presumptions are made. Sabina would not have to pay state and government annual duties on the grounds that the organization would be working at a misfortune. It would be plausible for Sabina to repurchase the Bak Funeral H ome and work it in close by area as the estimations of the land appear to be lower. 2 d) Firms whose degree of execution is underneath equality, or that thinks that its increasingly more hard to prosper in the new financial world request, looks for and actualizes strategies to improve execution and enlarge investor wealth.For those administrators who are basically thinking about whether as a merger or a solidification would be possible choice for their organizations, understanding the principles and techniques administering these occasions will encourage them to settle on their decision. Accordingly, given the present circumstance Sabina should approach Modelski Funeral Home and propose that she consolidate the Bak Funeral Home Business into Modelski area. On the off chance that the two organizations are joined, at that point both the business would have the option to flourish and as the stake is 50-50, at that point it would not be any issue for the organizations on the off chance that they even acquire losses.They will have the option to redress and they would likewise had a bigger bit of piece of the pie in the business. 2 e) For this situation, Sabina should purchase the Bak Funeral Home Business at the value which her mom, Joan is offering and would converge with Modelski business. As she would have the option to buy the business at an intrigue free rate over a time of five years, in this manner it would be practical for her to purchase the business. 2 f) Reputation to be sure accomplishes work if there should be an occurrence of Sabina as she has been dealing with her father’s business for not many years. She herself is a brand as individuals know about her name and distinction being a memorial service director.However, on the off chance that she passes by benefit making intention, at that point it would not work over the long haul. She should get her Bak Funeral Home at the intrigue free rate which her mom is advertising. 2 g) The cost depends on the firm’s capacity to produce a flood of benefit or income. The dealer extends this surge of money more than at least 5 years to process the value of the business. Regularly, limited future profit are applied which thinks about the time estimation of cash †money got in year 5 is limited dependent on plausible premium rates.In this procedure contradictions can manifest with respect to estimation of income and unsurprising deals projections. A great deal of income and EBITA (profit before intrigue, expenses and amortization) bulges utilize â€Å"recast† numbers to imitate the result on benefits of perquisites that a business owner takes from the business (How to sell an independent company, n. d. ). In this manner, it would not be possible for Sabina to escape the memorial service business and let her mom to sell the business at a value which is multiple times the income of the company.3) notwithstanding of the avoidance strategies utilized, plausible dangers that could emerge inside or outside the association which should be assessed. Despite the fact that the specific idea of plausible fiascos or their resultant impacts are difficult to decide, it is beneficial to play out a total hazard appraisal of all dangers that can reasonably happen to the association. In spite of the kind of danger, the destinations of business recuperation arranging are to ensure the security of buyers, staff and other work force during and following a calamity (Wold and Shriver, n. d. ).

Definition and Examples of Disjuncts in English Grammar

Definition and Examples of Disjuncts in English Grammar In English punctuation, a disjunct is a sort of sentence modifier that remarks on the substance or way of what is being said or composed. Put another way, a disjunct is a word or expression that unequivocally communicates the position of a speaker or author. Additionally called a sentence subordinate or sentence modifier. In contrast to aides, which areâ integrated into the structure of a sentence or condition, disjuncts remain outside the syntactic structure of the content they are remarking on. As a result, says David Crystal, disjuncts look down from above on a statement, making a judgment about what it is stating or how it is expressed (Making Sense of Grammar, 2004). As clarified underneath, the two essential sorts of disjuncts are content disjuncts (otherwise called attitudinal disjuncts) and style disjuncts.â The term disjunct is some of the time additionally applied to any ofâ two or more things associated by the disjunctive combination or. Historical background: From the Latin, to isolate Models and Observations In actuality, one of theâ most mainstream and persuasive TV showsâ from the 1960s is the original Star Trekâ series, made by Gene Roddenberry.(Kenneth Bachor, Five Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Original Star Trek. Time, September 8, sufficiently 2016)strangely, they have a psyche to till the dirt, and the affection for assets is an ailment in them.(Sitting Bull, Powder River Council Speech, 1875)â€Å"As weve examined, the data you brought us has been, will we say, a piece thin. To be consummately real, my administration feels as though were being played.†(Jeffrey S. Stephens, Targets of Opportunity, 2006)But tragically, one of the issues with being on open radio is that individuals will in general think youre being earnest all the time.(Ira Glass, cited by Ana Marie Cox and Joanna Dionis in Mother Jones, September-October, 1998)Regrettably, the book is no longer in print, however duplicates can be found in libraries and used bookshops.â€Å"We ll, would you be able to rest? the Count asked the following night upon his appearance in the cage.â€Å"Quite truly, no, Westley answered in his ordinary voice.(William Goldman, The Princess Bride, 1973) Ideally, the book will move perusers to a more extensive enthusiasm for climate, barometrical science, and earth science in general.(Keay Davidson, Twister. Wallets, 1996)Hopefullyand Other Commentary Disjuncts-Its opportunity to concede that ideally has joined that class of initial words (like luckily, in all honesty, joyfully, truly, unfortunately, genuinely, and others) that we use not to depict an action word, which is the thing that verb modifiers normally do, yet to portray our mentality toward the explanation that follows. . . . However, know that a few fanatics despite everything take a limited perspective on ideally. Will they ever join the group? One can just hope.(Patricia T. OConner, Woe Is I: The Grammarphobes Guide to Better English in Plain English, fire up. ed. Riverhead Books, 2003)- Long before the questionable utilization of ideally tagged along, it was conceivable to marshal words like cheerfully, luckily, absurdly, keenly, in double jobs, as way verb modifiers or disjuncts: He went through the entirety of his cash stupidly or Foolishly, he went through the entirety of his cash; He landed luckily in a pile or He arrived in a sheaf, luckily; She didn't weave the entirety of the embroidered artwork astutely, Cleverly, she didn't weave the entirety of the woven artwork. All the wailing about ideally, all the lecturing and repulsion, disregarded the way that an example of use previously existed, and that the detested word was simply taking up an accessible position. Different expressions of a similar kind are presently being treated similarly. One of them is remorsefully, which is presently being utilized as a discourse disjunct with the significance It is to be lamented that . . . (Remorsefully, we can't serve early morning tea). This use may be scrutinized in light of the fact that we as of now have a consummately sufficient editorial disjunct in deplorably, and that there can be no rhyme or reason for squeezing an impostor into administration . Clients, be that as it may, are tenaciously unanswerable to the lords of good reason.(Walter Nash, An Uncommon Tongue: The Uses and Resources of English. Routledge, 1992) Style Disjuncts and Content DisjunctsThere are two sorts of disjuncts: style disjuncts and content disjuncts. Style disjuncts express remarks by speakers on the style or way in which they are talking: honestly as in Frankly, you get no opportunity of winning ( I am revealing to you this evidently); by and by in Personally, Id have nothing to do with them; with deference in with deference, it isn't dependent upon you to choose; in the event that I may state so in They are fairly discourteous, on the off chance that I may say as much; since she let me know so in She wont be there, on the grounds that she let me know so ( I realize that since she let me know so). Content disjuncts remark on the substance of what is being said. The most widely recognized express degrees of conviction and uncertainty with respect to what is being stated: maybe in Perhaps you can support me; without a doubt in Undoubtedly, she is the victor; clearly in Obviously, she has no desire to help us.(Sidney Greenb aum, Adverbial. The Oxford Companion to the English Language, ed. Tom McArthur, Oxford University Press, 1992)

The Inciting Incident Get Your Story Started the Right Way

The Inciting Incident Get Your Story Started the Right Way The inciting incident has been addressed numerous times in literary blogs and writing advice forumsâ€"to most of us in the field, the concept of the heros journey and the steps along that journey are old, and oft-repeated news. Today, well call into question some of the dubious advice offered regarding the concept of an inciting incident, and Ill put forward my idea of what the myths are regarding this element of your novel, and how you can build a better inciting incident.Not a hookFirst: your inciting incident is not your hook. There are a thousand blogs which group these two together, and that is a disservice to their readers. Though most good narrativesâ€"even slow onesâ€"have a strong hook, the inciting incident is not used to draw your reader into the novel. The inciting incident is the moment when your reader decides not to put down the novel, near the latter stages of your initial plot developments. A primary example of both a powerful hook and a strong inciting incident, can be found in the hobbit. The hook, for The Hobbit, is Tolkiens wonderful description of a hobbit hole:In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.J. R. R. Tolkiens The HobbitThis is a hook for two reasons. It opens the novel, and it draws the reader in. It causes us to ask questions almost immediatelyâ€"and for these questions, we do not have ready answers. What is a hobbit? Why do they live in holes? Why do they value comfort? These are the things first-time readers of Tolkien might ask themselves. The same can be said of perhaps the most memorable hook of all time: Herman Melvilles Call me Ishmael from Moby Dick. Here we might ask the questions: Who is Ishmael? Is this his proper name, or only the name he goes by? If this is not his real name, then how can I trust that he will be a n honest narrator?Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab in the 1956 film adaptation of Moby DickThese are powerful hooks because they establish some of the fundamental traits of the world, and they make a reader want to turn that first page. For instance, Tolkien establishes that hobbits live tranquil, idyllic lives, comfortable lives. We know this by the end of the very first paragraph of the first page. This establishes the status quo, but it does not incite. It establishes the world wherein the story takes place but does not tell us why the story should happen.Inciting incidents disrupt the normThe inciting incident in The Hobbit is the coming of Gandalf and the thiefs mark which he etches on Bilbos door. This triggers a number of sudden changes in Bilbos life. It introduces him to dwarfs, who immediately disrupt his organized and meticulous home. It pushes him into becoming a recruit on a quest which he had previously known nothing of, and it elevates his statusâ€"he is given the title o f thief. These changes are particular to the story of The Hobbit but their nature is not. No matter the novel, the inciting incident represents the primary action which changes the protagonists life significantly enough that an interesting story can be told.It is hard (perhaps impossible) to think of a story that does not have an inciting incident. Take for instance the elevator pitch for Fight Club: A blue-collar worker becomes disillusioned with capitalist society and starts a pseudo-anarchist community. The inciting incident is when he becomes disillusioned with capitalist society. It would be impossible to tell the story without this elementâ€"the inciting incident is a prerequisite to what comes after. This is why an inciting incident can sometimes be called a turning point. The same is true of every narrative that I can think of: I challenge you to name a narrative without an inciting incident.The incident exists because stories necessitate changeIn response to the above chall enge, we might turn to narratives that begin with much of the story already toldâ€"narratives that plunge their readers head-first into the action, without explaining the particulars of the narrative before-hand. These have become typical in the modern literary landscape, so much so that slower-building narratives like those offered in Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer have become the exception to the rule.An action-packed opening scene is not necessarily an inciting incidentStill, these action scenes in the opening of novels are not inciting incidents. They plunge us directly into the firefight, but in so doing, they establish this action-packed scene as the norm. Thus, there will exist a pause in the fighting, or an alteration in (or intensifying of) the action of the first scenes, which marks a departure from this norm, and is thus the inciting incident of that novel. By definition, inciting incidents must exist because stories necessitate change, and the inciting incident is whate ver happens in the novel which creates this change. So, why is discussion important, if writing a novel will inevitably result in the presence of an inciting incident?The good, the bad, and the uglyThough no story can function without an inciting incident, all stories benefit from addressing that incident directly and refining it so that the nature of the incident and its effects are clear to the reader. These give the narrative a strong direction. Just because every story has an inciting incident, doesnt mean all inciting incidents are created equal. So, what can we look for in a good inciting incident? I believe there are two major attributes: the relationship between the incident and the reader, and the ability of the incident to carry the plot forward.The incident should be the plots backboneA good inciting incident should fuel your plot. Some incidents provide more oil for the fire than others. For instance, compare the incident of a paper plane being thrown in class versus a f atal car crash. Each could produce a narrative. In a quiet school, either could disrupt the status quo: The first by causing a disturbance to a sedate class, and the second by creating an atmosphere of mourning in the school. Though neither is objectively better than the other (we can tell a good story with both), the fatal car crash is, in most cases, subjectively more impactful.A good inciting incident is one that fuels your plotFor this reason, consideration of your inciting incident can be grouped with consideration of your plot. If we choose a tragic inciting incident, then the resulting narrative will be working against the tone established by that incident. A comedy, for instance, will have an uphill struggle against the inciting incident of a fatal car crash, whereas a horror or tragedy will be complemented by the incident. Of course, this is an oversimplification, and contrast or attention to the incident could paint it in a drastically different light. For instance, the ca r crash could be darkly humorous in a story about a student coming to class as a zombie. In any case, the incident should fuel the plot and give the writer room to tell a story, and it should shift the tone of the story noticeably.The incident should be closely tied to the narrativeFinally, in good literature, all elements of a narrative support the themes of that narrative. If it is at all possible, the same should hold true of an inciting incident. Though you could theoretically use any moment as your inciting incident, there is more power in using thematically linked elements. For instance: If your narrative will address the issue of poverty, then the loss or inheritance of a great deal of money could serve as a strong turning point. By contrast, if you intend your narrative to address the issue of poverty, then a fatal car accident is less likely to accomplish this goal, and will usually not accomplish this goal as authentically. The reverse, of course, might be true of a story where the central theme is coping with personal tragedy, where a fatal car accident might motivate a character towards introspection.Dread it, run from it, it still IncitesThere is perhaps some form of experimental fiction wherein an inciting incident is not of primary importance in a narrativeâ€"where it is obscured, or possibly even where it is absent. Still, for most fictional narratives the inciting incident is worth time and attention to detail. It is inevitableâ€"your narrative must contain some form of conflict, and the inciting incident provides this conflict by disrupting the status quo. Embrace the chaos this causes. Rather than a subtle inciting incident, consider a cataclysmic event that drives characters to their extremes.Finally, remember that an inciting incident causes change and disrupts the status quo, but that this new reality can become a new status quo, and the secondary arc of your novel may require a new inciting incident to stay fresh. If the first inciting i ncident was the rise of the dead, then perhaps a new inciting incident is necessary to disrupt the status quo and create new tension or lead toward new characterization. If you feel your work is dragging like AMCs The Walking Dead (pun intended), then consider introducing a new inciting event and following through with a new story arc.

Kill A Mockingbird And The Secret Life Of Bees - 1711 Words

To Kill a Mockingbird and The Secret Life of Bees By: Pawanpreet Mundi Every novel in the English literature has similarities and differences to another. The comparison between the novels is judged from topics such as the setting, laws, characters and daily living. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has many similarities and differences with the novel, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Both novels are comparative as the characters in the books, their relationships and community laws portrayed are very similar and different to each other. The following examples and explanations prove that the authors of both novels are trying to convey similar yet different messages. In view of that, relationships between characters in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ are clearly similar and different to ‘The Secret of Bees’. Lily explains her relationship by saying, â€Å"Rosaleen had worked for us since my mother died. My daddy– who I called T. Ray because ‘Daddy’ never fit him† (2). This quotation from â €˜The Secret Life of Bees’ is by Lily, narrating her relationship with Rosaleen and T. Ray. Rosaleen treats Lily like her daughter as she compliments Lily and gives advice on her decision of fashion school. Comparatively, when Lily tells her father T. Ray about the swarm of bees in her room, T. Ray does not believe her daughter and instead threatens punishment. This quote states Rosaleen genuinely cares for Lily as she thinks for her best while T. 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ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVOUR AND ITS APPLICATION TO WIPRO BPO INDIA - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 14 Words: 4111 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Management Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Scope- This assignment talks about the various concepts and ideas in organizational behavior and how they can be used to improve the working style of todays organizations. This assignment focuses on the WIPRO BPO India Limited and discuss about how the study of organizational behavior can be applied to the organizational operations of WIPRO BPO. This report will focus on the various concepts in organizational behavior such as motivation and management and their application in WIPRO BPO. LIMITATIONS- This assignment does not cover all the key concepts in the study of organizational behavior and also while using some of the key concepts for WIPRO BPO; we have made some assumptions in the analysis. FINDINGS- The Wipro BPO is a brand name in market and is a reputable company. Through its innovations and various other plans and measures it is able to improve its organizations working environment, style and performance over the years. Wipro BPO has made use of technology and innovat ion along with leadership and motivation in order to produce better results in business. Wipro has always tried to work hard to provide good infrastructure, working environment, growth opportunities and decentralized communication between the upper and the lower staff in order to provide a better, comfortable and happy working environment where its employees can grow, innovate and excel. We can see this effort of Wipro in its various training programs, quality of life that it provides and its focus on providing support for wealth, health and family issues of its employees. INTRODUCTION- Business process outsourcing business is one of the most successful and fastest growing field in the information technology service industry of India. As the name suggests in business process outsourcing the business or some part of the business such as accounting, pay roll, customer service etc is outsourced or being hand over to other company which have the expertise to perform that particula r task more efficiently and at competitive prices. BPO is becoming very popular in todays business world as it helps to decrease the work load on a company at the same time helps the company to get that task done more efficiently in turn increasing the performance of the business. There are several reasons for the popularity and increase in the use of business process outsourcing worldwide. Primarily the companies focus on how to increase the performance of the different sections of the business which needs to be looked upon in order to improve the overall performance of the company rather then just outsourcing the business for cost cutting or load reduction . The other reason for why companies opt for outsourcing is that in this competitive business environment as companies grow the requirement of resources and expertise also increases in order to cope up with growth and to carry on the performance and further improve it. The lack of skillful people to perform a task can also be a reason for the outsourcing. Lastly the improvements and developments in the telecommunication and IT industry has made it possible to outsource the business in this globalized business world. the benefits of outsoucing are as follows:- increase the efficiency reduction in duties and load by outsourcing the non-core setions of business saves time,money ,manpower and operating expenditures. Reduce risks Improved quality od skilfull labour and services Gives time to emphasise on core functions of the business Some of the most common outsourced functions of a business are- Technical support Data entry/data processing Payroll Accounting Customer service telemarketing india is the fastest growing country in field of bpo industry as it has the plus point of skilfull labour,good infrastructure and the time difference with respect to the developed countries like USA AND UK due to which Indian companies can work in night for these countries. maj or players in BPO industry in India are WIPRO,DAKSH,CONVERGYS etc.. Wipro was started in 1945 and got in IT business in 1980. Wipro is listed in Mumbai stock exchange National stock exchange Newyork stock exchange Wipro bpo is a fast growing company which matches innovation with robust performance in providing IT enabled services to other countries Wipro has a workforce of tenthousand associates of more then seventy different nationalities and has more than 72 global branches in over 55 countries catering the business needs of other companies. Wipro has a stong RD department .it is first in the world which has the certification of SEI CMM of Level 5.With the help of resources and expertise wipro has immerged as a giant in innovating technology with around one hundered thirty six patents registered on its name. Wipro understand the importance of retained customers in doing a successful business and withits hardwork and focus towards its customer it is able to achieve a mark of around 95 percent of its total earnings from its retained customers. It provides service in different countries such as: USA EUROPE CHINA Wipro bpo provides different services:- Customer service Back end office service for transactions MOTIVATION AND ITS BACKGROUND The researchers have made use of variety of concepts/theories/ideas/models to study this vast field of motivation with respect to the organizational behavior in companies.motivatin can be defined as to excite the people to focus and apply their eeforts to their best in order achieve a particular goal.today in this fast growing world of competition and globalization there is an important need for managers to have a knowledge of various theories and knowledge og organizational behavior and how to make use of them in order to improve the performance of organization.the performance of an organization majorly depends on the workforce.no organization can excel without a skillfull labor though it has other resources available such as a good infastructuer and technology etc because at the end of the day tits being used by the workforce who are actually going to produce the output.thus there is a great need for the workforce to be motivated so that they dont loose their focus and apply best of their effort in order to produce better result and enhace the performance of an organization.few of the most coomonly used motivational theories comes from the need theories which discuss and sheds light on the needs of the people and the conditions and the way in which they want the needs to be fulfilled. The need theory comprises of the Maslows hierarchy of needs theory and it explains the five types of needs in a pyramid format with the basic needs at the lower end and then it moves upwards covering the more complicated needs of people such as social,security,esteem and sef actualization needs. So basically if a persons different needs will be fulfilled then the per son will be more satisfied and feel secure and happy and will be able to focus his mind more on the work because he will be free from these basic problems and thus the worker will be able to perform efficiently and optimally.the lower end of the maslows needs hierarchy model basically discusses and focus on the physiological needs of people such as food,shelter and clothing.once these needs are fulfilled then people want that they should achieve respect and recognization in the society. Maslows theory thinks that the fulfillment of the basic needs of peope has the highest motivating potential to drive the people to perform and achieve them. There is another researcher alderfers who proposed ERG theory.this theory does not disuss the five needs to define the motivation but instead has a thre stage model covering the following needs:- Existence needs-these are the needs which satisfy a particular condition for an individual. Growth needs-these are the needs which give satisfa ction to an individual by participation,association and contribution. Relatedness needs-these needs satisfy the people by communication. In the maslows hierarchy the basic needs are most important and most desired and must be fulfilled for the satisfaction of the people but as we move upwars in the hierarchy there are other needs which if fulfilled will be greatly appreciated by the people. Expectany theory Another motivation theory is known as expectancy theory where we define expectations for the events to occur.this is done to create an interest in minds of people and to attract them.this work as a driving force for the people in order to reach to some decided goal and in order to create some change, which will act a s motivator to perform in order to achieve it in real.. Motivation here can be defined as comprised of- VALENCE-it can be defined as making people understand what is the outcome or the value they are going to get EXPECTANCY-This is to make p eople feel that they are capable of performing a task. INSTRUMENTALITY-This is to make people feel that if people will perform the task in a desired way they will be able to get the outcome. Goal theory In this theory we set certain goals for an individual which act as a challenge for them and act as driving force to push them to workhard and achieve them. These can be of two types- 1 directional goal-here the individual is motivated to perform by telling them reason and the way to perform. 2 accuracy goal-here the individual is motivated to perform in most accurate way and this is used when stake of inaccuracy is high. SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT S AND ITS BACKGROUND TAYLOR(1856-1915) Scientific management was invented by taylor.he introduced the use of incentives which can be used as driving and motivating force.he saw that if people are given rewards or incentives for performing their task then they take more interest and give their best efforts to fulfill th e task. His study was comprised of the managing skills blended with his personal experience of working in the organizations.he emphasized on use of scientific approach to solve he problems encountered in practically managing the organization.his study was focused on the incentive as a stimulus to drive people to put effort in performing the task. Managers now a days still follow the studies carried by tailor and think that his techniques of measuring task and incentive has a positive impact on the work culture.taylor thought that people not able to perform efficiently is a common thing and it happens a lot but unnecessary usage of time and unplanned use of resources resulting in no output is inexcusable. Around 20 century taylor proposed the concept of scientific management.taylor gave it the name scientific management due to the following reasons- Taylor thought that all the different steps to be performed for the production task should be carefully examined and any red undant and avoidable actions in the process should be excluded.we should check and note the improvement in the production process. We should checkout how long the tasks left will take to get completed. After the outcomes should be checked in order to know how long each task has taken to get processed and as per these findings we should renumerate and punish the quicker and slower staff correspondingly. We should adopt and apply such practices in order to improve the performance of the staff and the production process. The study was applied in different production companies and it was noted that their was considerable improvement in the production process. NEO-HUMAN RELATIONS AND ITS BACKGROUND In the concept of Neo-human relation managers try to establish a persona touch with the staff in order to motivate then to perform well and achieve the desired goal. Contrary to the scientific management approach where there is no personal touch and the stimulus is if u perfo rm well you will be recognized and rewarded but if you fail to perform the task and achieve the desired goal then you will be penalized.Neo-human relations approach is one of the most widely used approach now a days by the managers to improve the organization behavior.in this approach managers try to focus on fulfilling the needs of their employees in order to make them satisfied and happy,so that they can focus on the main objective of the company and perform at their best to achieve that goal.this approach focus on fulfilling all the necessary needs of the people like physiological, financial needs etc.the human relation also emphasized on the arguments,thinking and attitudes of the work group. McGregor proposed the theory X and Y, Maslow theory of needs and motivation theory proposed by Herzberg.who emphasized on the higeine factors are some of the theories that addup to the research and study of the concept of neo-human relations in organizational behavior. McGregor theory X and Y has the following assumptions Theory X assumed- People who are average dont like work People are lazy They try to stay away from work They need to be supervised. Theory y assumed- people are innovative people want accountability people can guide themselves if they are led free to perform they can use their potential and show their capability and worth. Maslow theory divides the needs of a person into five categories which are the physiological,social,safety and security,self esteem and self actualization.he believed that if these needs will be fulfilled then the worker will feel satisfied and inturn will perform to achieve these needs. Herzberg proposed the two factors theory.he carried an experiment to examine the attitudes,thinking and behavior of people when they were asked about how they feel at work and the reason for their behavior. From this experiment whe concluded a two factor theory 1 hygiene factors This includes- w orking environment supervisors policies of the company pay and wages 2 Motivation factor This incudes- rewards opportunities to grow the work itself responsibilities recognization the neo-relations along with the scientific management approach has given a new way of improving the organizational behavior and inturn the performance of the organization Scientific management and Wipro BPO- The scientific management approach regards that every worker can be motivated by rewards and penalities depending on their performance.wipro bpo has also followed this approach and taken different steps,plans and measures in order to apply this approach to improve the performance and also to create a fair deal for the workers that if they perform well then its their benefit because they will receive promotions,rewards and recognition in the company and if they will underperform or do not perform then they should be penalized and the severity of the penality depen ds on the level they have underperformed.it also benefits the company because the good performers will help the company to perform well and achieve its objectives and the underperformers will get punishments such as they have to undergo special training or special supervision or have to work for extra time in order to pay for their falt or in some cases will have to resign and leave the company.This will help the underperformers to improve them and become better performers and contribute to achieve the objective of the company and increase its performance and in case they are unable to improve them after the efforts and the special attention given to them then in that case the companies will throw these underperformers and will get rid of then.so the rewards and penalties will act as a stimulus to motivate people to focus on their job objective and to perform well. Wipro bpo has also added certain plans which are benefitial for the employer as well as for the company.the company has introduced various types of rewards and certain guidelines which the employer have to follow and have to fulfill those conditions in order to achieve them. Some of these incentives which are added to the organizational plan of the wipro bpo are mentioned below:- 1 Attendence incentive- Wipro bpo has introduced a unique and an effective scheme of attendance incentive which will reward the worker as per their punctuality and regularity in the work.since we know that the regularity of the worker is very important for the company to get the tasks done and thus by this measure Wipro Bpo is able to achieve the consistency of regularity of its workers.here the stimulus which motivate the workers to come regularly is the attendance incentive or the extra pay that they can earn.once they start coming regularly by the motivation and driving force they have recieved through this plan of attendance incentive,it will become a habit for them to become regular and punctual in their work. this will help wipro to improve its work culture. 2 processed based performance pay- Wipro has adopted another plan of processed based incentive pay wherein it provides a fair chance to the working staff to perform well and become eligible for this processed based performance pay.here the stimulus which drive the workers to perform well is the extra salary they are going to receive if they will perform well.here the company also keeps in mind that it gives the basic salary to the workers in case they are not able to perform well or underperform.this will fulfill the basic needs of the workers but at the same time when the other workers will get the reward of this extra salary for their good performance then it will create an environment of competition between the various workers and therefor to achieve the PBPP and in urge of competing with the other employees the worker will try to give his best in order to perform well and this will inturn improve the performance of the company . 3 Productivity linked incentive-This is another incentive plan where in the worker recives the reward in the form of extra pay if he will perform which proves to be productive i.e his performance will earn profit for the company.here also the stimulus or the motivating factor is to achieve this incentive by performing well which will inturn increase the productivity of the company. The other measures taken by the Wipro bpo is special training to the underperformers.for example-if you are a telecaller associate and you are unable to perform well in taking your call then wipro bpo will have a supervision on you and your team leader will pay attention to you and will also inform you that your performance is going down and will guide you and give you time to improve and prove yourself.in case you are unable to improve and consistentaly keep on underperforming then you will be placed off calls either partially like for few hours of your whole shift or fully based on the level of your underperformance and then will be given special training to improve yourself where you are lagging.incase you are unable to perforam after so much efforts from the company then you are pur on probation period for three months and if there will be extra requirement in the other processes of the company and if company thinks that you are suitable to work in that process then the company will take you in,otherwise you have to leave the company at the end of the mentioned probation period. The other steps taken by the company includes the promotions and to be eligible to get promoted you have to perform to a certain required level.thus the promotion act as a driving force to motivate the workers to perform well to reach their desired position and to get the recognition they always wanted.this also helps the workers to fulfill their higher level needs such as self esteem,self actualization. Thus we can see that here the wipro has used the system of rewards and penalities and h as followed the taylors scientific approach of management in order to improve its performance. MOTIVATION AND WIPRO BPO- Wipro bpo has also followed different theories of motivation in order to motivate the workers to perform well.this can be seen in its thinking which it call as the spirit of wipro and also the quality of life, career and growth opportunities and the attention it gives regarding the issues related to the health and family of it employees.we have studied different theories of motivation and now we will find how wipro has made use of them to increase the performance and efficiency of its organization. Wipro gives a good salary and a working environment as well as security of job to its emloyess.as discussed earlier there are several incentives based on the way you perform within the organization.the company also has introduced various rewards and recognition within the organization which are also achievable if you perform well within the organization.thus wi pro is able to fufill the lowerlevel as well as the higher level needs of its employees.According to the maslows theory of motivation he has categorized the various needs of the workers into the higher and lower level needs.the lower level needs includes phsycological needs(food,shelterand clothing),safety needs and security needs.wipro is able to fulfill these need as dicussed above by providing salary.incentives and job security to its employees.the higher level needs are self esteem and self actualization and for this purpose wipro offers various rewards,recognization and growth opportunities wherein one can perform and prove his worth and abilities.according to maslow once these needs are fulfilled,workers feels satisfied and to achive them they perform at their best..thus this will act as a driving force or stimulus which will led the workers perform well.In this way wipro has followed the maslows hierarchy of needs to imrove the organizational behavior and the performance of t he organization. According to Herzberg two factor theory which has been discussed earlier in this assignment,he has divided the theory in two parts- 1 hygiene factors 2 motivation factors Now the wipro bpo has also taken certain steps and measures to fufill these factors.wipro bpo provides a good infrastructure,facilities and working environment to its employees which includes- 24 hour cafeteria,gym,pickup and drop facilities.concierge desk,online HR help,recreation facilities etc.wipro bpo is a brand name ,a big global company which has a good business reputation,thus it provides a sence of job security to its employees.companies do business globally all over world and to maintain its standards the company has some strict policies and quality administration.company also focus on providing health facilities such as dr max onsite(an onsite service by the doctors),mediclaim and accident insurance.company also provides knowledgable and experienced supervisors and trainers w ho help the employees to improve their performance.thus by giving all these provisions wipro is able to focus on the fulfillment of the hygiene factors of the Herzberg two factor theory of motivation.wipro also focus on providing good and handsome salaries to its employees along with rewards and recognition based on the way the employee performs.wipro provides multiple growth opportunities through its various programs like STEP,wings within and career mosaic.it also has a provision of inhouse education initiative through its program called seed.wipro has introduced performance management system and employee engagement program wherein one gets an opportunity of advancement and feeling of responsibility.wipro also provides different trainings(from new hire training to development training).with all these plans and provision wipro is able to fufill the motivation factors of the Herzberg two factor theory.in this way Wipro BPO has applied the herzbergs two factor theory to inprove the o rganizational behavior and its performance. CONCLUSION- We have discussed various concepts of organizational behavior and how these studies can be applied to improve the performance of an organization.toaday inthis modern world of business most of the companies make use on these concepts of organizational behavior to improve their efficiency and output.We have dicussed the three main concepts in detail which are motivation , scientific management approach and the noe-relations approach.we have find that this concepts contribute in their own way to the betterment of the organizations behavior and performance,which has been discussed in detail above.we have also seen that one of a veru successful company and big brand name in the business process outsourcing industry,Wipro BPO has been successful in making use of these concepts and theories and able to get benefit out of it.thus it is proved that to run the organizations successfully and to become a successful manager one should have deep knowledge and understanding of the different concepts and studies carried in the field of organizational behavior and how to apply them to improve the performance and efficiency of the organization. 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Frozen Food Business in Bangladesh Free Essays

string(72) " first to harness the power of freezing foods beyond the winter months\." Abstract This paper is a review of Bangladeshi Frozen Food Business. Frozen Foods in Bangladesh encompass from fishes to ready-to-cook foods. However, fishes and shrimps are exported and generate foreign exchanges for Bangladesh, whereas, the semi-processed foods are imported and produced locally. We will write a custom essay sample on Frozen Food Business in Bangladesh or any similar topic only for you Order Now Indeed, it is a potential business where rural people can be benefited by investing little amount of money, and producing and meeting the emergence demand in the market. This paper additionally concerns on the constraints of business such as lack of properly trained people, stiff competition for the home made processed foods. Therefore, this paper identifies new scope for the growth and development of this segment. Since this segment has got little concerns, we hope that this paper would meet the requirements for the development of the frozen food business and aid the base for further research on this segment. Introduction Though Bangladesh is an agricultural based country, its aquaculture is developing and contributing to the export of the country. In fact, the frozen food is one of largest contributor to the foreign exchange earnings and occupies fourth position among the export items in terms of total export earnings (Bureau of Statistics, 2004). In Bangladesh, frozen food includes shrimp and fish, and shrimp contributes to the majority of earnings from the frozen food. However, in recent years, the frozen food business has become diversified, and traditional thinking about it has also changed. In Bangladesh, it has been developing based on the fishery along with processed meat and chicken. Indeed, in Bangladesh, new trend in the frozen food business is emerging in silence, which is semi or fully prepared food in retail outlets. But unfortunately, there is not much research work on this segment of frozen food business done, which is developing and growing a new innovative concept in the vacuum space of frozen food business. In fact, this development and its policy implications have received little attention in the literature on export-led industrialization in developing countries (Athukorala Sen, 1996). Therefore, for our research work, we are focusing on processed frozen food found in the retail outlets, and hope that this work would help for the further development of this segment in frozen food business in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, fishes, shrimps and prawns are exported as frozen food to various parts of the world. The frozen seafood sector is booming by exporting. Earnings from this area are increasing and have the potential to increase more. The value of these exports in 1996-97 was US$342. 26 millions (Bureau of Statistics, 1997). However, the shrimp belt of Bangladesh is always the subject of debates on law, order, safety and production process and food quality and environmental issues. As such, in 1997, the European Union (EU) imposed a ban on Bangladesh’s frozen food exports after an EU inspection team report condemned shrimp processing plants in Khulna and Chittagong for their failure to comply with EU quality control regulations (http://www. ifpri. org). However, the agenda of concern is with the semi or fully prepared frozen food that is an emerging market in Bangladesh. These food items have been commercialized recently under company labels like Bombay Sweets, Rich and Aftab. In addition, there are other concerns that supply with this type of frozen food and they are called homemade items. The range of frozen food can contain prepared or semi-prepared food like parathas, pizza, franks, samucha, chops, shami kabab, puri, nuggets, and many more exquisite delicacies. The increasing demand for these types of products has given rise to domestic production of these food items, whereas, a couple of years back everything was imported (Personal Interview, Nandon). Origin of the Study Basically frozen food can be a processed or semi-processed food that is kept in freezer to preserve it for later use. However a better explanation may include, Frozen food is food preserved by the process of freezing. Freezing food is a common method of food preservation which slows both food decay and, by turning water to ice, makes it unavailable for bacterial growth and slows down most chemical reactions (http://www. wikipedia. com). Moreover, the condition required to keep frozen food is diifferent. Foods may be preserved for several months by freezing. Long-term freezing requires a constant temperature of -18  °C (0 degrees Fahrenheit) or less. Some freezers cannot achieve such a low temperature. The time food can be kept in the freezer is reduced considerably if the temperature in a freezer fluctuates. Fluctuations could occur by a small gap in the freezer door or adding a large amount of unfrozen food. A special kind of freezer is required to constantly cool the food and in this manner the texture of the food remains the same (http://www. wikipedia. com). Food preserved by freezing or preserved by the process of freezing, is termed as frozen food. Preserving food by freezing is a widespread method of preservation as it slows both food decays. It happens by turning water to ice, which makes it unavailable for bacterial augmentation and slows down most chemical reactions. It is not possible to grow or produce all kinds of food throughout the year or every where around the world. The need for storage and keeping food fresh for a long period of time arises to make them available in all season and everywhere. It is the blessing of science that now it is possible to keep food frozen for our betterment. Today, frozen food products are making our frantic life-styles seem a bit easier better. In fact, successfully evolving and adapting to the needs of consumers, frozen foods have been around a lot longer than we think (http://www. reference. com). History of Commercialization of Frozen Food Business The frozen food industry that we see today can be traced back to several years back to the past. Obviously, the existence of frozen food has always been on earth; in climates that were cold enough for the food to freeze. The Chinese were the first to harness the power of freezing foods beyond the winter months. You read "Frozen Food Business in Bangladesh" in category "Food" Later, the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Indians also discovered that (http://www. fraweb. org). Even though ice-refrigerated railroad cars allowed perishable food products to be shipped as early as the 1860s, major innovations in refrigeration engineering after World War II gave birth to the frozen food industry. Scientists also developed techniques to control the ripening of fruits, vegetables, and other perishables that further extended shelf-life. Advances in transportation came particularly fast – steamships in the mid-1800s, railroads and refrigerated trucks 19th century – and combined with falling oil prices to dramatically reduce the cost of shipping food. It now costs 70 percent less to ship cargo by sea, and 50 percent less to ship by air, than it did 20 years ago. Furthermore, invention of frozen orange juice concentration and artificial organic food items also cause the consumers located in different geographical area to enjoy seasonal fresh foods at any time season (Halweil, 2002). With the course of time, many people developed innovative techniques of food-freezing, including Enoch Piper, William Davis, and Daniel E. Somes. But, Clarence Birdseye (1886 – 1956), an American taxidermist by trade, is credited for his quick freezing method that he invented in 1924 (http://www. oc. gov) and considered the father of the frozen food industry. He invented, developed, and commercialized a method for quick-freezing food products in convenient packages and without altering the original taste (http://www. wikipedia. com). Before the quick-freezing technique came along, foods were frozen at a fairly slow rate, making the foods loose th eir taste and texture. However, Birdseye theorized that food must be frozen very quickly so that its taste and texture can be maintained. His theory covered the packaging, type of paper used, and related innovations along with the ‘freezing technique’. In fact, this quick-freezing process actually ended up creating 168 patents (http://www. loc. gov). The modern frozen food industry was born over 70 years ago, in 1930, when frozen foods were being traded commercially (http://www. nfraweb. org). Objectives of the Study This study attempts to identify the current condition of frozen food business in Bangladesh, especially the semi-processed food segment of frozen food. Therefore, our agenda focuses on the semi-processed food found in the retail outlet. Therefore, this study will identify the future perspective of the frozen food business, space of growth, employment opportunity and scope of developing frozen food business country wide to develop the market and export for foreign earnings. Significance of the Study As we have seen from the earlier segment, frozen food business has become very important for Bangladesh due to its capability of foreign earnings and employment opportunity in this sector. However, the semi-processed food segment in the frozen food has not got any attention; consequently no proper research work is available. Therefore, we hope our study would help the frozen food sector as it would reveal the future perspective of the frozen food business and develop the ideas on what the entrepreneurs and government should do for the development and expansion of this particular segment the. Methodology To prepare the report, we will go for massive research on the frozen food business throughout the semester. The study is mainly based on secondary data and documentary methods. Documents are an important source of information and such sources of data might be used in various ways for the research work. To attain the study different books, journals have been studied. Different websites and portals have been visited when required. Furthermore, we took interview of Deputy Manager at Nandan. Lastly, we have concluded the study by providing some recommendations based on our findings. Limitations of the Study Everything is its limitations as it has opportunities to develop. There still exist some limitations in our study. The limitations are we only focused on the secondary source but not able to visit any production facility. There is also time constraint as for any research work it requires more that two to three years; but within three month semester, we had to complete the study on the frozen food business. Literature Review International business is defined as ‘transactions that are devised and carried out across national borders’ and has existed since the national borders were formed and has shown growth throughout the history with greater peace and security, economic prosperity through development in transportation and communication, and technological progress, especially advent of Internet, liberalization of trade policies and reduction in ariffs, and creation of global institutes and agreements (GATT or WTO). During the last 30 years of twentieth century (1970-2000), the volume of international trade in goods and services has expanded from a level of US$200 billion to over US$6. 8 trillion – a 34- fold increase, which is faster than world output. Direct foreign investment (FDI) reached a level of US$4. 7 trillion by 2000. The sales of foreign affiliates of multinational corporations (MNCs) recorded a level twice as high as global exports. The driving force behind the growing/changing international business is the process of globalization, which has been accelerated during the last 2-3 decades (Hussain, 2002). A noteworthy recent development in world trade is the rapid expansion of processed food exports and it is the fastest growing component in food products (Athukorala Sen, 1996; Australian Food Statistics, 2001). The impetus for export expansion has come from new agro-based manufacturing activities, in particular various fish preparations and processed foods. While labor-intensive manufactures too have demonstrated impressive growth dynamism in absolute terms, this has been dwarfed by the more dramatic growth record of processed goods. There is evidence that these new product lines have many positive attributes according to which the contribution of manufactures to the objectives of industrialization is normally evaluated (Athukorala Sen, 1996). These include economy-wide linkages, important learning effects emanating from the mastery of new production technology, higher productivity, international marketing effort and entrepreneurial skills involved in export success (Meller, 1995). Based on the conventional definition, export of manufacturing (Appendix A) share in total exports of world trade merchandise increased to 81 percent in 1994 and closely associated with the rapid expansion of manufacturing exports form developing countries those shares in world manufacturing exports increased to 24 percent in 1994. On the other hand, share of processed food in world non-manufacturing (Appendix A) trade increased to 37 percent in 1994, and this share is sharper for developing countries compared to that of developed countries with increased to 38 percent compared to an increase to 36 percent recorded by developed countries in 1994. However, mong the 37 countries, some countries have performed far better than others in this area such as Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chile, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand; and among the low-income countries, Bangladesh is a notable exception, with a growth rate of processed food exports that is more than double that that of any other low income developing country (Athukorala Sen, 1996). Foreign direct investment has been increasing at a faster rate than direct exports of processed foods over the past decades. Although its impact is currently not quantified, national-level regulation is frequently cited as a potential source of non-tariff barriers to trade for food products. These barriers may be intentionally aimed at favoring domestic production, or merely be the innocent by-products of a country’s attempt to serve its consumers by assuring various food quality attributes. FDI allows food processors to avoid rules intended to disadvantage imported products by setting production within particular markets. It may also allow more precise and rapid adaptation to domestic quality regulations (Hooker Caswell, 1996). A priori reasoning and some scattered evidence suggest a number of factors, which results in growing share of processed food in the world trade. A widely observed feature of consumer behavior in the global economy has been an increasing `internationalization of food habits’ – the increased importance of processed items in food consumption patterns in developed countries as well as in large sections of the populace in many developing countries. Factors such as international migration, the communications revolution and international tourism have contributed to this phenomenon. This may have provided a significant demand-side impetus to the growth of processed food exports from developing countries. On the supply-side, improvements in food technology, refrigeration facilities and transportation have made processed food items easily tradable across national boundaries (Athukorala Sen, 1996). Furthermore, strategic choice of FDI or export the processed food in the international market is also influenced by national-level regulation on the ood quality standard. FDI allows food processors, by setting production within a market, to avoid rules intended to disadvantage imported products and to adapt rapidly to domestic quality regulations through greater flexibility, better designed plants, shorter shipping distance, less need for preservatives, packaging or refrigeration, superior understanding of the rules or better appreciation of local demands for goods with differing attributes to direct food quality benefits to both firms and consumers (Hooker Caswell, 1996). The emphasis on manufactured exports expansion in developing countries is rooted in the belief that compared to primary commodities, manufactured goods have some intrinsic characteristics, which contribute to superior growth performance. As such employment potential, terms of trade gains, knowledge and technology spill-over are among the most emphasized of these characteristics (Athukorala Sen, 1996). However, in general, the employment potential of resource-based manufacturing, based on standard trade theory (Heckscher-Ohlin model), is that an abundant supply of labor is not a key determinant of comparative advantage in international production (Findlay, 1985; Roemer, 1979). The Heckscher-Ohlin model (1933) was first conceived by two Swedish economists, Eli Heckscher and Bertil Ohlin at the Stockholm School of Economics. The Heckscher-Ohlin model is a general equilibrium mathematical model of international trade. It builds on David Ricardo’s theory of comparative advantage by predicting patterns of trade and production based on the factor endowments of a trading region. The model essentially says that countries will export products that utilize their abundant factor(s) of production and import products that utilize the countries’ scarce factor(s). However, this generalization in processed food is debatable as there is no clear relationship between income levels and processed food export growth. Furthermore, unlike in the case of further processing of resources such as minerals and timber, final stages of food processing appear to be labor-intensive. Besides, terms of trade gains from export diversification depends on the degree of income and price elasticity of demand for the commodities concerned, and processed food exports are superior to primary products in terms of these criteria. Furthermore, processed food would be even superior to conventional manufactured goods, hich are by their very nature, are highly import-dependent. On the other hand, processed food industries have large domestic resource content and tend to be closely related to activities in the rural sector (Athukorala Sen, 1996). It is very likely that recent trade agreements and developments will significantly influence national-level regulation of food quality. NAFTA, GATT and WTO are the first attempt to specifically address food quality standards as potential barriers to trade. National-level quality regulation takes on many dimensions or regimes because product quality itself is multidimensional. Trade theory provides a foundation for analyzing the impact of food quality regulation on FDI and trade. In its basic form, economic theory suggests that gains from trade arise when countries specialize in production of those goods to which they are best suited, thereby earning export income that allows for increased consumption. Trade theory’s recent focus on analyzing rent seeking and rent shifting associated with national regulation, the benefits to individual sectors of an economy from trade agreements, and the divergence of outcomes between countries with different per capita income levels are also useful. New trade theory, on the other hand, discusses the effects on trade and investment patterns of imperfect competition, economies of scale, and distortions in factor markets. It advances two quite different explanations of Intra-industry Trade – one emphasizes the interaction of product differentiation and economies of scale and second one emphasizes the literal two-way trade of identical products, with price discrimination being the driving force. It is useful for analyzing quality regulation because it focuses on the many factors that affect the welfare impacts of trade policy (Hooker Caswell, 1996). Barriers to freer trade arising from non-tariff sources have become more prominent as progress has been made worldwide on tariff reduction. Parties to recent trade agreements have sought to lower non-tariff barriers or at a minimum to assure that progress toward freer trade is not thwarted by increases in non-tariff barriers. Regulation of product quality can be a major source of non-tariff barriers to trade. If such barriers are to be lowered, trading partners must develop methods of regulatory rapprochement. For processed food products the level of regulatory rapprochement on quality regulation will have significant impacts on patterns of international trade in the next decade (Hooker Caswell, 1996). Hirschberg et al. 1992) investigated the bilateral trading patterns of 30 countries and found that various market size variables (Appendix B) such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the comparative size of GDP between trading partners shared border and membership in either the European Community or European Free Trade Area proved to be significant determinants of intra-industry trade. Similarly, the study of H artman and colleagues (1992) on processed food and beverage industries resulted stressed the positive effect on intra-industry trade of US total trade and economies of scope. The study on processed food of Handy and MacDonald (1989) found that product differentiation cultural ties, and firm size were significant determinants of FDI. Connor (1989) expanded on this evidence to suggest the importance of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade and domestic and foreign market structure, and stressed effects of the host country’s regulatory practices, patent protection and trademark laws as likely factors in determining FDI levels. Ning and Reed (1995) highlighted the importance of factors such as host market size, growth rate, and membership in a trading bloc in explaining FDI patterns. In addition, research by Sheldon and Witzke (1992) provided various quality models to trade in food products and highlighted the key role played in the market by consumers’ ability to verify standards set by another country. National-level quality regulation and within trade bloc rapprochement influences firms’ choice of strategies to increase sales abroad such as export sales, joint ventures, FDI, and licensing although not yet quantified. The demand for food quality will continue to increase as incomes increase. National-level performance expectations will increase in the future. Demand for higher quality products increases as income increases. In addition, National governments are the first in line to respond to this demand with new regulations. The demand and new national regulations are likely to outstrip harmonization efforts on an ongoing basis, leaving national regulations with an enduring influence on patterns of trade in processed food products. Quality regulation has momentum, in both more and less developed countries, making keeping up very difficult for firms and cooperating countries. For firms working under national-level quality regulation, a very significant problem is that the regulation is dynamic, changing, and in many cases ratcheting up (Hooker Caswell, 1996). In addition to the national-level quality regulation, many countries have implemented labeling requirements for foods. Labeling provides processor and retailers’ choice, not necessarily consumer choice. The decision of these intermediaries is central to the outcome of any food labeling policy. Consumers will be part of their labeling decision, because retailers and processors will conduct marketing studies on consumer perception (Carter Gruere, 2003). However, the food label is an important tool for improving the public understanding of the health benefits of following a nutritious diet. The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has continued to study food labels with its Food Label and Package Survey (FLAPS). Data from the 2000–2001 FLAPS characterize various aspects of the labeling of processed, packaged foods, including nutrition labeling and various types of label claims. The final FLAPS database consists of 1,281 foods. An estimated 98. % of FDA-regulated processed, packaged foods sold annually have nutrition labels, with an additional 1. 7% of products exempt from nutrition labeling requirements. Health claims, structure or function claims, and nutrient content claims were identified on food labels. In addition to the resource this, survey provides to CFSAN in assessing health and nutrition information on the food label, registered dietitians and other health pr ofessionals can use FLAPS data to assist consumers in choosing a more nutritious diet to improve their health and well-being (http://www. sciencedirect. com). Food safety and Environmental Requirements in International Market It is useful to distinguish between two kinds of food safety and environmental requirements. Mandatory requirements formulated by national or local governments are here referred to as ‘regulations’, while voluntary requirements formulated by the private sector, NGOs or other organizations are referred to as ‘standards’. The latter category includes those voluntary requirements drawn up by National Standards Organizations and international bodies (United Nations, 2007). Food-safety standards and regulations tend to cover multiple issues. Apart from food safety, they cover issues such as plant and animal health, product quality, environmental protection and social welfare. Government regulations applied to imports of FFV sector largely focus on food safety, labeling and marketing requirements. Private-sector standards tend to focus on food safety, environmental protection and social welfare (Geneva, 2006). A number of factors have contributed too increasingly stringent food safety regulations and standards imposed by governments and the private sector, in particular: †¢ Recent food scares and scandals in developed countries; Demographic developments in developed countries (i. e. ageing of population, which gives rise to be more risk-averse and quality-conscious consumer behavior); †¢ Risk minimization efforts by retailers; and †¢ More sophisticated detection and testing methods. Food safety standards and regulations tend to cover multiple aspects. Apart from food safety, they cover issues such as plant and animal health, product quality, environmental protection and social welfare (United Nations, 2007). Requirements laid down in government regulations are often transmitted to producers and exporters in developing countries through the supply chain. For example, EU legislation tends to hold importers accountable for compliance with its provisions with regard to imported products. The need to take responsibility for the safety of the food they import into the EU market places importers under an obligation to exercise due diligence over supply chains (Geneva, 2006). Possible Implication for Developing Countries Developing countries face considerable constraints in meeting food safety regulations and private-sector requirements due to weak institutions, lack of infrastructure, high compliance costs, lack of information, and other factors. One can even go so far to say that the new mandatory and voluntary requirements act to reinforce other strengths and weaknesses at production unit and supply-chain levels, i. e. in terms of technical or transport infrastructure (Geneva, 2006). Adoption of the HACCP approach to assuring safety Developed countries are increasingly requiring adoption of the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) approach to assuring food safety. In the EU, the use of HACCP has become mandatory for all food categories. The use of HACCP is not mandatory in the case of primary production. However, the use of HACCP is mandatory in packinghouses in the case of semi-processed and processed food, vegetables, and products that are pre-packed in the exporting country (United Nations, 2007). Economic Environment of Bangladesh During the last few years, Bangladesh made considerable progress in stabilizing and liberalizing its economy. As a result, inflation was much lower than previously, and average annual real GDP growth was above 5%, largely led by exports. Indeed, one of the most striking features of Bangladesh’s trade is that textiles and particularly clothing dominate exports. This dramatic change in the composition of exports is the consequence of Bangladesh’s increased integration into the multilateral trading system. On the structural policy front, the Government has continued to pursue, inter alia, trade liberalization, financial sector reform, and privatization (www. wto. org). Unfortunately, real annual GDP growth, averaging around 6. 7% during the review period, has not been sufficient to make much of a dent in the poverty that pervades Bangladesh. Given Bangladesh’s high incidence of poverty, its dense population, and its vulnerability to natural disasters, including periodic flooding and cyclones, food security is a major policy objective of the Government. Trade Policy Framework The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) is responsible for coordinating trade policy matters through its agencies, as well as in consultation with other Ministries and governmental bodies; national committees are formed to address specific issues on trade and industrial development. Private sector representatives, including business groups and academic institutions, are consulted in the policy-making process through their participation in the national committees. A major institutional change involves the upgrading of the Tariff Commission under the purview of the MOC; the Commission is now empowered to conduct anti-dumping and countervailing investigations (http://www. wto. org). Local regulations, standards and good agricultural practices (GAP) can assist developing countries in promoting safe and sustainable production systems and in supplying products for domestic, regional and international markets that meet the quality, safety and environmental standards of those markets (United Nations, 2007). Trade Policy Measures In an effort to encourage investment, the Government offers a wide range of open-ended tax incentives, notably tax holidays and accelerated depreciation. However, the effectiveness of such incentives in attracting investment is doubtful, particularly in the absence of fiscal transparency, which would involve a detailed account of tax revenues forgone and systematic evaluation of the impact of these incentives in relation to forgone taxes. The existence of incentives complicates tax administration and taxpayer compliance, while increasing the scope for tax avoidance and evasion, both of which are reflected in Bangladesh’s low overall level of tax collection relative to GDP (http://www. wto. org). Frozen Food Business in Bangladesh Bangladesh as a third-world country poses poverty, unstructured business environment, conservative social values for living as an inherent quality. Since this country has achieved independence, it started to changing slowly and now its changing rapidly to cope with the modern and so called western country. Its business has got new dimensions and the whole country economy has started to play a good role in shaping the worlds future to some extends. The participation of developing countries in world trade is much lower than their participation in world production, as the main producers (China, India and Brazil) have huge domestic markets. Although China is the world’s largest producer, only a relatively small proportion of its production is exported, but its exports are increasing rapidly (United Nations, 2007) GDP growth of broad Industry sector was 9. 56% in FY 2005-06. The performance of the industrial sector was mainly based on the growth in textile and wearing apparel, drugs and pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, petroleum products, glass products, cement, electronics, footwear and food beverage industries. In addition to that, we can see that the total export earnings registered a 21. 3% increase during 2005-2006 and rose to US$ 10156 million (16. 03% of GDP) from US$ 8655 million (14. 18 of GDP) in 2004-2005. Exports increased chiefly due to higher demand in both developed and developing countries. Garments had the major share (38. 86%), followed by knitwear and hosiery (35. 43%), frozen foods (4. 43%), jute goods (3. 94%) leather (2. 31%), chemical products (2. 52%) and raw jute (1. 03%) (Export Promotion Bu reau Bangladesh, 2005-2006). Bangladesh is not well prepared to address the new requirements in international markets. Existing mechanisms for gathering, processing and disseminating information are not working properly and there is hardly any coordination, follow-up and monitoring. Largely, stakeholders are mostly unaware, uninformed and unconcerned. However, some private foundations and NGOs are raising awareness among producers of quality requirements and providing them with training. They are also exploring non-traditional markets (United Nations, 2007). The processing industries in the Region’s countries (Asia and Pacific region) are essentially agro-based enterprises. There is a huge range of ethnic and traditional food products in each of the countries. The local food industry has evolved around domestically available agricultural raw materials, such as maize or corn, paddy rice, fruits, vegetable, root crops, sugarcane, coconuts, oil palm, spices, beverages (tea, coffee, cocoa) and honey. Modern food processing plants have been introduced in developing Region’s countries, initially centered on processed foods derived from processed meats, wheat and flour products, and dairy products. This has led to an increase in imported raw materials ingredients and packaging, for the roduction of this type of food. In more recent years, however, indigenous companies have set up, often in joint venture with multinational corporations, to process local raw materials such as pineapples, cassava, fruits and vegetables to be packed, labeled and exported under the corporations’ brand names. These operations include food canning, carbonated beverages, frozen food manufacture, and flour and starch production. The companies apply total quality assurance as well as comprehensive research and development procedures to ensure high quality innovative products (Hicks, 2001). Bangladesh has been involved in frozen food business for a long period of time. During the 1970s, our frozen food industry started with rapid expansion of seafood processing and exporting. Now, the industry has come a long way with the frozen foods export is the second largest export sector of the country. Currently, many firms are involved in both import and export of frozen food. Imported goods include various fruits, semi cooked food, full cooked foods, whereas, exported goods encompass frozen shrimp, lobster, crab, and various vegetables. Although the industry involves both exports and imports, it is actually an export-oriented industry with an average annual growth rate of about 28% in the export area. In 1997, the fourth leading export item in Bangladesh was frozen shrimp and fish, with a 7. 3 percent share of the total export market (www. ifpri. org). The industry includes the following sub-sectors: Hatcheries, Sustainable aqua-culture technology, Feed meals plants, and processing unit for value-added products. The frozen food could be categorized into – (1) Fresh Foods, (2) Semi Cooked/Processes Food, and (3) Full Cooked/Processes Foods (http://www. oi. gov. bd). †¢Fresh Foods: Fresh foods are those which has not cooked or baked but has done some modifications where necessary. For example, Sea Food, Beef, Chicken, Fishes, Mutton etc. †¢Semi-Cooked/Processed Foods: Semi Cooked/processed foods are those which has made or shaped or cooked in such a way that it can be eaten/use just by a simple cookin g process at home. That means, these types of foods are already cooked to some extend and made ready to use after a short cook/bake. For example, Samucha, Singara, Noodles, Porota, etc. Full-Cooked/Processed Foods: Full Cooked/processes foods are those which has made or shaped or cooked in such a way that it can be eaten/use instantly at any time. That means, these types of foods are already cooked/processed to use instantly. For example, Ice-Cream, Juice, etc. The government of Bangladesh and many other national and international organizations have been actively participating for the quality control of the industry. Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA), a company with limited liability, is the main organization that is involved with this industry and established in 1984. Its main job is to promote and protect the interest of Frozen Food processors, Packers and Exporters in Bangladesh. It also involves in establishing and Promoting, contacts with foreign buyers, business association and the Chamber of Commerce and Industries for developing export marketing and marketing of Frozen Foods (http://www. bangladeshembassy). A Fish and Fish Product Ordinance (Inspection and Quality Control) was created by the Bangladesh government and in 1985 upgraded the inspection laboratory and its personnel (www. ifpri. org). Among the international organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has helped this industry too. It has developed product standards, regulations, and fish inspection schemes. Based on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach, FAO initiated a 1996 project to give a hand in the preparation of a fish safety and quality control program for the seafood plants in Bangladesh, Intergovernmental Organization for Marketing Information and Technical Advisory Services for Fishery Products in the Asia Pacific Region (INFOFISH) also aided the industry several times. It has carried out projects that focused on the export promotion of value-added products and their sustainable development (http://www. ifpri. org). Another international organization, International Technology Development Group (ITDG), promotes food processing to help the rural poor in developing countries to secure sustainable livelihoods. This is part of ITDG’s goal to build the technical skills of poor people in developing countries to improve their lives (O. Yu, 2002). ITDG links up with local organizations to provide training and support to food processors and entrepreneurs emphasizing on flexibility, little capital investment requirement, and operating in the home without the need for sophisticated or expensive equipment. Among the projects of are cereal milling in Peru, snack food production in Bangladesh, and fruit and vegetable drying in the Sudan (Halweil, 2002). ITDG began operating in Bangladesh in the early 1980s, but the ITDG–Bangladesh (ITDG-B) program was not formally established until 1990. ITDG-B provides technical assistance to small producers and local organizations, including training, product research and development, disseminating information, networking and policy advocacy (O. YU, 2002). Food processing could help the rural poor in Bangladesh, especially women, who are among the most disadvantaged. Food processing often requires only a little capital and can use local produce. Many Bangladeshi women, ITDG-B found, were already processing snack foods such as home made samucha, singara etc. Building on their own know-how, women could increase their household income by using local resources to process foodstuff. Food processing can serve several development objectives for households and small business: increased income, greater savings, food security and better nutrition (ITDG, 1999). Agro processing in the broad sense is important to the national economy, having shown a purported 32 per cent annual growth in past years (Bangladesh Economic Review, 1995). While large companies have now entered the snack food market, small producers serve local markets and boost local economies. Preserving food stretches the utility and productivity of farm produce, which is often wasted during peak seasons but scarce during lean seasons. Food processing helps to make food available during lean seasons and helps to stabilize household income (O. Yu, 2002). The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has pointed out that the value realized from processing and marketing farm products can surpass primary production (FAO, 1995). The present market for these products is a sellers’ market dominated by a number of firms. Consumers have choices of different quality and price. Producers with appropriate marketing strategies are receiving market acceptance in the domestic market. The market for processed food products is becoming highly sophisticated and consumers are becoming more quality conscious. Major local markets include Dhaka and Chittagong cities. Apart from a growing domestic demand, the government is encouraging the export of processed foods, which is important for this sector. Processed food products in the local market move from processors to the consumers through a chain of wholesalers and retailers. Distribution to the export market is through direct exporting or through trading companies (Hossain Sheel, 2001). Constrains and Scope for Development While small-scale food processing offers numerous opportunities for improving livelihoods, several constraints that hamper development need to be addressed. A major one is that large companies such as Bombay Mix, Aftab, Rich etc. have begun producing myriad processed foods, including snacks, pickles, jelly and jam. Therefore, there is a stiff competition among the large and small scale producers in the domestic market (Hossain Sheel, 2001). According to the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), by April 2000 approximately ten large companies were manufacturing it. Another problem is that small producers have limited know-how in the technology of preparing food products, as mentioned by Azam Ali, coordinator of agro processing programs at ITDG, lack of proper information and expertise seems to be a particular problem in the case of small-scale food processing even though it can be a major source of jobs and additional income. A number of other concerns that inhibit small-scale food processing in Bangladesh (ITDG, 1998) need to be addressed: †¢There is a significant difference between having the ability to produce for home consumption and establishing a small business based on this product. A range of skills (both technical and business) is needed to make the transition from home production to the running of a small-scale enterprise. †¢Linked to this is the ability to locate and target markets. This is a dynamic sector. Rural producers need to learn how to monitor change, develop markets and sell their products. Know-how in selling and locating wider markets was a common limitation. †¢Consumer perception is an important issue faced by small-scale processors. There is a common perception that foods produced by small-scale operators are unhygienic and unsafe. This may be somewhat true but is commonly exaggerated. Nonetheless, processors need to be more conscious of hygiene, quality and consistency in food handling, including dangers of adulteration. †¢ Lack of access to raw materials, appropriate equipment and packaging materials are obstacles that small-scale processors frequently face. †¢Access to credit is lacking. Many of the small-scale processors belong to the most marginalized sector of the population and do not have disposable income. To enable them to put their skills into practice, most need access to credit to purchase equipment and raw materials. They also lack access to appropriate and timely information on a range of topics. To compete effectively, small-scale food processors need reliable technological information and information on suppliers and prices of materials, equipment and packaging, and marketing information. †¢Recording transactions is a problem because of low literacy. In the 1990s, only 34. 4 per cent of Bangladesh’s population was literate. Literacy among women was 25. 5 per cent. In rural areas it was as low as 13 per cent (BBS, 1999). Most problems were market related: competition with large companies, inconsistent quality, inferior packaging and labeling, marketing and selling, insufficient access to quality raw materials, and lack of confidence among consumers in products of small-scale producers (Azami et al. , 1996; Azmi Chowdhury, 1996). †¢The value-added tax imposed by the government to the processed food industry and limited promotional activities for the small scale business due to the high cost of advertisement in mass media (Hossain Sheel, 2001). The changing role of multinational companies and demographic factors, and more globalization of production and market are likely to enforce developing countries like Bangladesh to face increased competition emanating from liberal trade regimes, big MNCs enjoying economies of scale by virtue of their global operation, and lack of access to global market because of no brand name and heavy expense of advertising for local firms (Hussain, 2002). As such in case of Malaysian processed food, they have the technology and the means to locally process food into higher-value products where there is ess competition from other exporting countries such as Bangladesh (http://www. delmys. cec. eu. int). Furthermore, there is a lack of modern infrastructure and equipment for food processing in many developing countries of the Region. Inadequate transportation, poor distribution, inadequate cold storage and freezer capacity, lack of potable water and unreliable power supply are the main shortcomings. There is a shortage of trained, skilled labor and technical competence in agriculture especially in the traditional food industry sector. This coupled with poor management, leads to inefficiency and poor competitiveness. Labor costs have risen markedly in newly industrialized countries, in the last decade. This results in higher production costs, for labor-intensive operation. Moving the operation to lower labor cost countries, or automation, is the response of modern food companies (Hicks, 2001). To compete with these challenges developing countries should create employment through economic development and promoting technologies that suit the resource endowment. A country like Bangladesh has large populations. Best way to achieve economic development by using the most abundant resource – labor. Developing countries, therefore, have to supplement the RD effort and modify technologies to their advantage, at least in sectors where most of the population draws its living such as agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, etc. Local business and enterprise development is important for adding value to local resources, creating employment, and improving traditional products for the global market. Taiwan’s herbal teas, dried/pickled fruits, India-Pakistan cooking spices, pickles and chutneys, Malaysian ready-to-cook traditional foods and paratha, are interesting innovations in business development. The potential for further development is vast and should be exploited (Hussain, 2002). The local business development also offers huge economic opportunities. Developing nations that emphasize greater food self-reliance can thereby retain precious foreign exchange and avoid the whims of international markets. There is strong evidence that local food often costs less than the quivalent foods bought on the international market or from a supermarket, because transportation costs are lower and there are fewer middlemen. In fact, rebuilding local food systems might offer the first genuine economic opportunity in farm country in years, a pressing need in view of the huge amounts of money leaking out of rural communities. To the extent that functions associated with food production and distribution are relocated in the community under local ownership, more money will circulate in the local community to generate more jobs and income. This is particularly true if crops are not only grown locally, but also processed locally or served in local restaurants. This sort of alliance can help arrest the positive feedback loop that makes it harder and harder for independent players to survive. Cornwall in England is an icon that link local food to local food business: In Cornwall, the Cornwall County Council’s in-house meal service provider is backing local food suppliers as part of a ? 1 million contract to supply school meals to 32 county primary and secondary schools for fresh meat, frozen food and vegetables (Halweil, 2002). A study on food processing in Bangladesh assessed the market and the potential of each activity (Chowdhury ; Sarker, 1989). Their study considered snack foods as secondary food processing. Some interesting findings included the following: †¢Many crops were produced throughout the year. Yet because the farms and production were small, the volume of crops that could be processed was smaller than the capacity of even the smallest machines. In 1996, for example, 52. 85 per cent of holdings were small, 0. 05 to 2. 49 acres. Medium-sized farm holdings, 2. 5 to 7. 9 acres, made up 11. 65 per cent, and large holdings were only 1. 67 per cent (BBS, 1999). †¢Most crops, except jute and tea, were produced for the local market, but production was still less than the country’s total demand. Some crops, therefore, were imported. †¢Crop processing could provide employment for women and the rural poor. However, without appropriate equipment, modern capital-intensive production could overrun the industry and displace women and landless workers. Furthermore, snack foods were identified as a focus, along with rice and sugar cane products. ITDG-B determined that there was a need to train fieldworkers on how to make snack foods so that they could guide beneficiaries in running food processing businesses. Post-workshop consultations with development organizations emphasized the need to train fieldworkers further in establishing sustainable small-scale food processing businesses, particularly since the business orientation of these organizations and their staff was inadequate. When ITDG-B looked at existing suppliers of technology and training, it found that the existing training courses were oriented towards large-scale operations (O. Yu, 2002). The search for improved quality and reliability of supply tends to create certain governance structures in the private sector along the supply or value chain. Private sector requirements function as value chain governance tools: by specifying, communicating and enforcing compliance with key product and process parameters along the value chain, large buyers and retailers can benefit from control without ownership. Specific requirements on food safety, quality, and environmental or social issues substitute, to some extent, for direct monitoring and ownership by buyers. These requirements transfer the direct costs of monitoring and control from the buyers to the suppliers, who have to bear the costs of certification yet are rarely compensated through higher prices (United Nations, 2007). Food Quality and Standard in Bangladesh Quality of products is ensured through using appropriate raw materials, the right type of equipment and qualified technical personnel. Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) standards and rules are followed to ensure high quality (Hossain ; Sheel, 2001). The BSTI can play vital role to develop and harmonize food standards for ensuring food quality and security in the country. They also emphasized fixing a standard level to promote food standards up to international level and norms to facilitate both the domestic and international trade for boosting the export earnings (http://www. newagebd. com). The BSTI, the national standards body, is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Industries. BSTI performs the task of formulation of national standards of industrial, food and chemical products. Quality control of these products is done according to Bangladesh Standards. Till date BSTI has come up with over 1800 national standards of various products adopting more than 132 International Standards (i. . ISO) and food standards set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (www. thedailystar. net). BSTI certifies the quality of commodities including food items for local consumption, which applies both for export and for import. Currently, 142 products are under compulsory certification marks scheme of BSTI including 54 agricultural and food items (http:// www. bsti. gov. bd). The country needs food quality testing facilities because big international corporate businesses cannot purchase many Bangladeshi food products in the absence of such facilities. One of the major issues that prevent the corporate businesses in the food sector from purchasing from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh is the lack of quality testing facilities (http://www. sdnbd. org). BSTI has made it mandatory to mention six facts regarding the product on the package. This includes the date of production, date of expiry (best before use), net contents or weight, address of the producers or marketing companies, maximum retail price (MRP) and the ingredients (http://www. bsti. gov. bd). BSTI collects random samples from the factories and buys products from the market to test. If they find sub-standard product they do not have the power to take action against the company or the industry. The BSTI Ordinance 1985 has been amended to Act 2003 for consumers’ protection against low quality products (http://www. thedailystar. net). Only the government food testing laboratory at IPH works on food safety and water quality issues. The legal provisions to ensure proper quality control of food are inadequate (world health organization, 2002). The Institute of Public Health (IPH) organizes its activities of quality control of drugs, food and water, production of vaccines, intravenous fluids, antisera and diagnostic reagents, diagnosis of infectious diseases and related research facilities. IPH is formed to assist the government to prevent and control major health hazards caused by contaminated and adulterated food and water. Besides this, it organizes training programs in the field of diagnosis, control and prevention of infectious diseases and food and water safety. It also conducts various research activities in related fields of public health, and to collaborate and co-operate with other national, international organizations and agencies in the promotion of public health (http://www. thedailystar. net). It is therefore essential to enhance awareness and understanding of the possible implications of quality, food safety and environmental requirements for the food sector in Bangladesh, and to carry out an assessment of the compliance costs and the costs and benefits of a proactive adjustment strategy for the sector, including its impact on competitiveness (United Nations, 2007). Recommendations The new product range of frozen food has put forward the market for semi processed or processed food on the run. As people are becoming more work-based, especially women, there is very less time for cooking or preparing Tiffin for children. It is a relive for working mothers and even easy for bachelors to prepare snacks or such items in no time and with less hassle. The frozen food industry has recently begun in Bangladesh, concentrating in major cities like Dhaka and Chittagong and directing towards only superstores. The growing demand from foreigners residing in cities previously to new generation working moms and other working people has opened a huge opportunity for potential players to join in this appealing industry. Blooming companies are trying to gain awareness for market share at recent times. This benefits customers in terms of superior quality products and better customer service. Thus, the industry has to devise innovative strategies so as to attract and retain more customers. Availability: To gain more customers the companies need to reach out to retail outlets or departmental stores at various corners of the city. Although the product needs to be kept in special freezers, these companies can make it happen. They can provide incentives for retailers or even at potential customer bases can provide with freezers themselves! In order to sustain in this competitive arena, where lot of frozen food imports are pouring in, the industry in Bangladesh needs to be strong in distribution. Export: Companies should spread its boundaries to outside country to gain more revenue. Things like shrimps and prawns and vegetables are already good frozen exports and are earning good amount of revenue. So, exporting can be good choice to expand. Science and Technology: Distribution and mass customized production may be in the form of acquiring new and advanced store equipments. Such things would increase the pace of goods delivered to customers. Specialized equipment for preserving frozen foods may be acquired. Equipment is being developed that will give both visibility and attractiveness to both frozen food, made possible by new advances in refrigeration which permit visibility but retain low temperature. Modern machinery and technology can help in product design and development, mass production, standardization and quality control, packaging and transport. Promotion: At this point, the frozen food companies should do rigorous promotional activities in order to increase awareness level in probable customers. Different programs may include in-store demonstrations of how easy the food is to prepare, leaflets of the items given to the parents when they wait to take their kids from schools. Leaflets in newspapers and colorful ads in the TV during drama time, 9:00 pm to be shown in various satellite Bangladeshi channels can also be good starting. Another ground to show off is during the international trade fairs. Placing: The cities are big and to create a place there one needs to be different. The people to be targeted are literate working people with white color jobs or students. Therefore to reach this mass a company needs to set up somewhere from where distribution is easy to retailers. Another daring step can be to have a forward linkage or integration. That is to say to have a retail outlet of only company made frozen food. This is company owned and can have a small cafe serving only snacks out of their items. The shop should have people from the company who can answer to any queries the people ay have. Innovation: Constant rendering is required to have a strong hold on the market share. Outside of Bangladesh frozen food has ranged from snacks to whole meals. The frozen food companies should develop new products through research and development to match with the ever changing demands. They should always try to make ways to lower cost without hampering quality much so to compete with the imports. Installment of Training Programs Manpower: Manipulative skills are available to the agro-industries in the Region. However, inadequacy of in-depth technical understanding and lack of management skills in the workforce restricts innovation and consistent performance. Therefore, government as well as private sector should develop a sound technological and industrial base, human resources in science, technology administration and management. Institutes for research and development working on the needs of frozen food industries should be established at different levels of development. Infrastructure Development and Favorable Trade Policy: Both institutional and physical, is a component of most national development plans. Establishment of basic infrastructure such as roads, distribution system, power supply, and favorable and supportive policy to have adequate cold storage and freezer system is recognized as essential for the growth of semi-processed food industries. There should be a modern infrastructure and equipment for food processing. Conclusion It is very much clear that Bangladesh potential country to produce frozen food due to its resource endowment – abundant labor force that is suitable for the production of frozen food. The essence of the frozen food business is that it becomes an income source for the local and rural people. There are large organizations associated with this industry, and thus a huge number of employees are employed. That is how this industry is keeping a great deal of contribution in removing unemployment rate and creating more employment opportunity, and, shaping its future. Furthermore, increasing demand both in local and in overseas for the frozen food and little investment requirement make this business more attractive and profitable for small-scale and larger producers. However, massive pressure from imported semi-processed foods is affecting the local small-scale producers such as home made foods. Therefore, frozen food businesses require achieving the quality standard and government should aid small-size business with tax reduction, and facilitate more investment. Here, the private sectors or larger organization can play an important role by facilitating the small producers in the value creation activities. Furthermore, consumer awareness is also a big factor to develop the frozen food industry. Unless and until the consumes are willing to buy locally produced semi-processed food and help the local producers produce quality products, the development of frozen food business country wide might not take place. How to cite Frozen Food Business in Bangladesh, Essays