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The first assignment need more words to reach 2000 words

The second assignment in task 2 need four factors affecting the demand for the products/services of the organization

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the third assignment explain ( textile industry ) in paragraph

-add paragraph about (How can we benefit from Clothes Printing in college and school)


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OMAN COMPANY OMAN CEMENT COMPANY Student’s Name Class Professor’s Name Institution of Affiliation City Date 1 OMAN COMPANY Table of Content Cover page ……………………………………………………………………… 1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………... 3 Task 1 …………………………………………………………………………… 3 General Profile of Oman Cement Company ……………………………………. 3 Market Structure, Competitors and Pricing of Products ………………………. 4 Barriers of Entry into A Market………………………………………………….. 5 Task 2 ……………………………………………………………………………. 6 Demand and Supply……………………………………………………………… 6 Factors Affecting Demand and Supply for Cement Products…………………… 6 Recommendations ……………………………………………………………….. 8 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………. 8 References…………………………………………………………………………10 2 OMAN COMPANY 3 Oman Cement Company Introduction The cement industry has grown and become a global industry controlled by multinational firms. Cement plays a vital role as a building material for housing as well as other infrastructural components. This assignment endeavors to achieve some objectives. The objectives include to describe the types of products produced by Oman Cement Company, to highlight the market structure in which Oman Cement Company operates, to identify other market players in the cement industry within Oman, to discuss barriers to market entry by new firms, to consider the factors affecting the demand and supply of cement products. Recommendations will be conveyed to Oman Cement Company on how to remain competitive in the cement industry. The assignment will include an introduction, a discussion as well as a conclusion. Task 1 General Profile of Oman Cement Company Oman Cement Company is involved in the manufacturing and selling of cement as well as cement related products. The company was started in 1978 with its base at Ruwi which is the Sultanate of Oman. The company is a subordinate of Oman Investment Fund. Since the company began, it has endeavored to strengthen the construction industry through the creation of enabling resources to make the nation self-sufficient. The company is ISO 9001 certified and seeks to provide quality products to its customers. The Chief Executive Officer assists the top management in running the company. The company has a computerized manufacturing system thus reducing its cost of operation (Kalathinkal & Ahmed 2015:23). Oman Cement Company is committed to undertaking its activities in a socially responsible way. To this end, it conducts various initiatives with or without any statutory OMAN COMPANY 4 requirements. This is possible because the company is solvent. Thus it can meet its financial obligations. The company has an elaborate Quality, health, safety, environmental management system to ensure that accidents related to the work environment are minimized. Oman Cement Company has four different cement products as follows: - ordinary Portland cement used for general construction and for making of concrete which is not meant to touch the soil, sulphate resistant cement for use in areas with high levels of sulphate resulting in alkali soils and underground water, oil well cement for use in construction of oil wells. Market Structure, Competitors and Pricing of Products Oman Cement Company has an oligopoly market structure. This is because only a few firms are involved in cement production in Oman (Carlton & Perloff 2015). The other producers of cement and cement products in Oman are Raysut, Dhofar and Al Madina cement companies (Fernadez & Kumar 2016:96; Golzari 2016:100; Mohammed 2016:75). The assistance from the government enabled Oman Cement Company to be among the first cement companies to operate in Oman. The government wanted to have cement that will support the country’s infrastructural development. While Oman Cement Company is a subsidiary, the other cement companies have however outgrown Oman Cement Company in terms of operations where they have some subsidiaries. Though, Oman Cement Company remains the largest cement production company in Oman. New entrants are kept at bay due to the high cost of putting up a cement factory. Therefore competition has been minimal. Although the government controls prices to ensure that the customer is not exploited, Oman Cement Company has to offer lower rates than the other companies to remain competitive despite being a market leader. These prices are within the ability of the company. Oman Cement Company has maintained a focused strategy to doing business with cement and its products being the only products that they produce. The strategy has given them a OMAN COMPANY 5 competitive advantage over other cement companies which practice diversification in their products. Oman Cement Company being a market leader must work to maintain that. Dunie, Cantara and Kerremans observe that this is possible through the use of Gartner Magic Quadrant of the competitive matrix (2015). The quadrant is divided into four. The quadrant places each firm based on its ability to Execute and the Completeness of its Vision. The firm which can achieve both becomes the market “Leader,” and the worst of both becomes the “Niche Player.” The firms with the vision but are yet to execute it becomes “Visionaries” while those who cannot visualize but are good at implementing are the “Challengers.” The matrix is useful to the management in revealing the competitors who are adapting to the market, the visionaries and the leaders. This gives future insights into which firms will either remain or become dominant rivals. This will also help the firm in benchmarking with potential competitors to level up its execution skills. Barriers of Entry into a Market There exist some market entry barriers such as follows: Government regulations- these are forces of the law executed by a competent authority which affects the actions of those under the influence. Such rules may include the need for a business to have operating licenses and permits. This results in increased cost of investment thus delaying entry into the market. Customer loyalty- existing large firms may have their customers who are loyal to their products. Such a commitment may become a barrier to the entry of other firms in the market. Taxes- smaller companies fund their expansion through retained profits. If taxation on retained profits becomes very high, this may hinder the development of such companies. Larger firms, on the other hand, can avoid taxation through the use of loopholes written into law which favor them or through the use of larger staff in charge of tax accounting to avoid high taxes. OMAN COMPANY 6 Intellectual property- any new entrant into the market will require access to efficient production technology just like existing firms. Patenting gives a firm the legal right to obstruct other firms from producing a related product for some period and thus restrict their entry. Patents encourage invention and technological advancement thus guaranteeing an incentive. Equally, trademarks as well service marks may bar the entry of a specific product or service if the market is controlled by a few individuals (Geroski & Jacquemin 2013). Distributor agreements- this refers to exclusive agreements among key distributors or retailers whose intention is to make it difficult for other entrants into the industry. Supplier agreementsapart from distributors, suppliers also agree to make it difficult for new entrants into the industry. Advertising- established firms may make it difficult for new entrants by spending so much in the advertisement, a venture that new entrants may find challenging to undertake. Advertisement by established firms creates a perception in a consumer that their brand is different from other related brands. The created judgment results in products from competitors failing as perfect substitutes of the brand by established firms. Task 2 Demand and Supply Azevedo and Leshno note that demand is the volume of a product that the buyer willing purchases at a given price at a given period (2016:1240). On the other hand, supply refers to amount of a product that the seller willing delivers to the market at a given price at a given period. Factors Affecting Demand and Supply for Cement Products The demand for cement products has been on the rise as the construction industry grows. Oman’s government long-term strategic vision for improved infrastructure and public utilities has been a OMAN COMPANY 7 great contributor to the growth of the cement industry. Some factors have resulted in the growth of the cement industry in Oman. With increased demand for construction by private as well as public institutions, the need for cement and its products has increased. Governments’ commitment for improved infrastructure as well as decent low-cost housing has led to reduced prices of cement and related products thus increasing its demand. Consumer tastes and preferences play a role in determining demand. Persuasive advertising on the significance of cement and its products on the growth of a nation pushes the citizenry to demand more of the product. Cement has no substitute currently and in the near future. As such, it is not irreplaceable in the construction industry hence raising its demand. The supply of cement is based on some factors that are related to production. Availability of raw materials for cement production is critical in its supply. Oman Cement Company and others in the industry are situated where the raw materials are available. Other companies which do not have enough raw materials or are expanding are in the process of obtaining more raw materials. Labour is the factor of production that harnesses the other factors to produce a product. Oman Cement Company has sufficient skills for both production and management. The company strives to improve on the competence of its labor-force to guarantee competitive processes and products. The availability of capital in its various forms such as finances as well as human capital has seen the continued growth of Oman Cement Company. Cost of production is key to the supply of a product. A higher cost of production results in a higher price of the product and thus its demand goes down. Cost of production can be lowered when the government enacts policies that favor producers such as the provision of incentives. Use of technology in production as is being done by Oman Cement Company reduces the number of employees engaged in a production process, and OMAN COMPANY 8 this results in reduced cost of production. The producer, therefore, can produce cheaply and supply the market. Recommendations Some strategies are available for Oman Cement Company to remain competitive (Belton 2017). They include Cost leadership strategy where they increase their profits by reducing product costs. The selling price must be within the industry-average price. It can equally be achieved through increased market share through the charging of lower rates which guarantees a reasonable profit on every sale made. Differentiation strategy aims at creating products and services look unique and more attractive than competitors’ products. Differentiation strategy seeks to improve on the features, durability, functionality and brand image that is valuable to customers. Finally, the company can use a focus strategy where it deals with a particular market niche. In this market, the company understands the needs of its different customers hence able to develop specific and low-cost products for the market. This uniqueness results in strong brand loyalty by the customers. With this approach, competition is lessened. The above strategies require intensive research and development so that they become practical. Conclusion It is evident from the assignment that Oman Cement Company is instrumental in meeting the needs of the market. It has significant investments in the industry and is mindful of customer satisfaction. Its loyal customer base provides it with an opportunity to expand in the future. With a few players in the market, it is assured of a sustainable market. The exercise had its fair share of challenges that included data collection among other things. During data collection as I visited the offices, the absence of critical informants was noted as most of them were out in the field supervising OMAN COMPANY 9 operations, at times they would spend in meetings throughout the day. The staff present in the offices were not either competent to deliver the data that was required or else had no authority to provide the necessary answers. OMAN COMPANY 10 References Azevedo, E.M. and Leshno, J.D., 2016. A supply and demand framework for two-sided matching markets. Journal of Political Economy, 124(5), pp.1235-1268. Belton, P., 2017. Competitive Strategy: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Macat Library. Carlton, D.W. and Perloff, J.M., 2015. Modern industrial organization. Pearson Higher Ed. Dunie, R., Schulte, W.R., Cantara, M. and Kerremans, M., 2015. Magic Quadrant for intelligent business process management suites. Gartner RAS Core Research Note G, 258612. Fernandez, M. and Kumar, R., 2016. Dividend Trends in the GCC: A Survey. Journal of Accounting and Finance, 16(7), p.96. Geroski, P.G. and Jacquemin, A., 2013. Barriers to entry and strategic competition. Routledge. Golzari, N., 2016. Dammam, Saudi Arabia Mashary Al-Naim. In Architecture and Globalisation in the Persian Gulf Region(pp. 99-126). Routledge. Kalathinkal, D.R. and Ahmed, M.I., 2015. A study of application of Altman Z score model for Oman cement company (SAOG), Sohar, Sultanate of Oman. Intercontinental Journal Of Finance Research Review, 3(3), pp.16-26. Mohammed, S., 2016. Bankruptcy Prediction by Using the Altman Z-score Model in Oman: A Case Study of Raysut Cement Company SAOG and its subsidiaries. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 10(4), pp.70-80. BUSS 1005 – CW 1- Fall -18 -QP In Semester Group Assignment – Fall 2018 Module: Business Economics (BUSS 1005) Level: 5 Max. Marks: 100 Duration:4 weeks Instructions to Students:  Students should complete the assignment in groups of 4 to 5 people.  Each group should choose one organization and seek approval from the instructor regarding the organization selected.  Word limit 1700-2000 words  Students should answer all questions provided in the assignment brief.  Place of Submission: Soft copy to be submitted through Moodle via Turnitin.  Report carries 80 marks out of which 20 marks will be for individual presentation. Activity Prepare a report of between 1,700 to 2000 words based on a study of an organisation producing goods or offering services in Oman .This report should assesses the impact of Market structure and competitive factors on the organisation/industry-sector and evaluate the organisation /industry-sector responses. (In the case of a large organisation or industry-sector it is permissible to confine your report to part of the organisation or industry-sector.) Task 1 Select an organization operating in Oman and provide following discussions regarding the market conditions; (i) General profile of the organization with description on the types of products and services offered by the selected organization. (ii) Identify the market structure of the organization and provide (minimum) three competitors with a brief competitor matrix /appraisal discussion. (iii) Highlight the barriers to entry in the industry. (40 marks) BUSS 1005 –CW 1-Fall -18(QP) Page 1 of 7 BUSS 1005 – CW 1- Fall -18 -QP Task 2 Discuss the following question in relation to the organization selected; (i) Discuss any four factors affecting the demand for the products/services of the organization. (ii) Discuss any four factors affecting the supply of products/services of the organization. (iii) What are your recommendations to the company to remain competitive in the industry. (35 marks) NB: Introduction, conclusion, referencing and format of the report carry 5 marks Instructions to Student: The assignment consists of 2 tasks followed by individual presentation. Group Report Maximum Marks: 80 1. For the assignment students are expected to refer to library resources. 2. Total words count should not exceed 2000 words. 3. The report should contain: Cover page, which indicates title, names of student, name of instructor and date and place of submission; Table of contents; Introduction, which briefly describes the objective of the report and structure of the report; Discussion, description of the main points with proper references; Conclusions that reveal main findings regarding each point and challenges faced during completing the assignment;  References using Coventry Harvard Style BUSS 1005 –CW 1-Fall -18(QP) Page 2 of 7 BUSS 1005 – CW 1- Fall -18 -QP 4. The report should be done in Word, font size 12, font style Times New Roman, text color black, colors can be used ONLY in appendices; main body of the report should be black and white. 5. Report should be submitted through Moodle on time, any delay will lead to deduction in total marks. Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarized documents, in parts or whole, submitted by the students will be rejected. However, if the plagiarism is found to be accidental the student may be advised to re-submit the work only once within one week from the date of rejection. A penalty of 25% of the total marks on the specific coursework assessment component will be imposed on the re-submitted work. If the re-submitted work is also found to be plagiarized the student will be awarded a zero mark in the respective assessment. If the work submitted is found to be intentionally plagiarized to gain an unfair advantage in any form, such work will be automatically rejected and a mark of zero will be awarded. If the student is found to consistently submit plagiarized work it will be dealt with seriously and may warrant suspension for a period or expulsion as may be recommended by the committee set for the purpose. Plagiarism Policy (The plagiarism policy applies to this coursework.) As per MEC policy, any form of violation of academic integrity will invite severe penalty. Plagiarized documents, in part or in whole, submitted by the students will be subject to this policy. A. First offence of plagiarism a. A student will be allowed to re-submit the assignment once, within a maximum period of one week. However, a penalty of deduction of 25% of the marks obtained for the resubmitted work will be imposed. b. Mark deduction: When the work is resubmitted, the marking will be undertaken according to the marking criteria. In compliance with this policy, the 25% deduction is then made on the marks obtained. For example, in an assessment that carries a maximum of 50 marks, suppose a student BUSS 1005 –CW 1-Fall -18(QP) Page 3 of 7 BUSS 1005 – CW 1- Fall -18 -QP were to obtain 30 marks for the resubmitted work, the final marks for that assessment will be 22.5 (after deducting 25% of the marks actually obtained for the resubmitted work). c. Period of resubmission: The student will have to resubmit the work one week from the date he or she is advised to resubmit. For example, if the formal advice to resubmit was communicated to the student on a Sunday (latest by 5 pm), the student will have to resubmit the work latest by next Sunday 5 pm. d. If the re-submitted work is also detected to be plagiarized, then the work will be awarded a zero. e. Resubmission of the work beyond the maximum period of one week will not be accepted and the work will be awarded a zero. Any further offence of plagiarism a. If any student is again caught in an act of plagiarism during his/her course of study (either in the same module, same semester or in any other semester), the student will directly be awarded zero for the work in which plagiarism is detected. In such cases, the student will not be allowed to re-submit the work. C. Guidelines a. Type 1: In case plagiarism is detected in any component or part submission (submitted at different times) of one assessment (assignment), the deduction in marks will be applicable for the whole assessment (assignment), even if only the component or part submission alone needs to be resubmitted. b. Type 2: In case plagiarism is detected in a group assessment, all students of the group will be considered as having committed an act of plagiarism irrespective of whether plagiarism is on account of the act of all or a few or only one member. The policy will then be applied to all students. c. Type 3: Combination of Type 1 and Type 2: In case plagiarism is detected in any component or part submission (submitted at different times) of a group assessment (assignment), the deduction in marks will be applicable for the whole assessment (assignment), even if only the component or part submission alone needs to be resubmitted. All students of the group would be considered as having committed an act of plagiarism irrespective of whether plagiarism is on account of the act of all or a few or only one member. BUSS 1005 –CW 1-Fall -18(QP) Page 4 of 7 BUSS 1005 – CW 1- Fall -18 -QP The policy will then be applied to all the students of the group. d. Type 4: Variation of Type 1 and Type 2: In cases where the assessment consists of components or part submissions that could be a group assessment component (e.g. group assignment) and an individual assessment component (e.g. individual reflection), the following will be applicable: If plagiarism is detected in the group assessment component, all students of the group will be considered as having committed an act of plagiarism, irrespective of whether plagiarism is on account of the act of all or a few or only one member. The policy will then be applied to all students of the group. In such cases the group assessment component will be resubmitted as per the policy. 1. If plagiarism is detected in the individual assessment component, the individual assessment component will be resubmitted as per the policy. The policy will then be applied to that student alone. 2. In both cases (a) and/or (b), the deduction in marks will be applicable for the whole assessment (assignment). D. Amount of similar material a. The total amount of similar material in any form of student work from all sources put together should not exceed 30% (including direct quotations). b. The total amount of quoted material (direct quotations) in any form of student work from all sources put together should not exceed 10%. c. The total amount of similar material in any form of student work from a single source should not exceed 7 percent. However, cases having a similarity of less than 7 percent in such cases may still be investigated by the faculty depending on the seriousness of the case. d. If faculty member find enough merit in the case of a student work with a similarity (with a single source) of more than 7 percent as not a case of plagiarism, the faculty member should provide detailed comments/remarks to justify the case. LATE SUBMISSIONS: Penalty for late submission - 5% of the maximum mark specified for the assessment is to be deducted for each working day for a maximum of one week. BUSS 1005 –CW 1-Fall -18(QP) Page 5 of 7 BUSS 1005 – CW 1- Fall -18 -QP The following evaluation criteria shall be applicable: Evaluation Criteria Introduction Marks Allotted 5 Brief description about the objectives of the assignment and structure of the report Task 1 (i) General profile of the organization with description on the types of products and services 10 (ii) Description of market structure, competitors and comparison on pricing etc. 15 (iii) Barriers or relative ease of entry and exit in the market 15 (i) Factors affecting the demand for the product 12 (ii) Factors affecting the supply of the product 12 (iii) Recommendations made to the organization Task 2 Conclusion Revealing main findings and challenges faced during the assignment 6 Referencing (Coventry Harvard Style) and Formatting 5 BUSS 1005 –CW 1-Fall -18(QP) Page 6 of 7 BUSS 1005 – CW 1- Fall -18 -QP Part II: Presentation; Maximum Marks 20 Each group shall make a presentation for 10-15 minutes. Presentation shall reveal the group work results / evaluation of and disclose contribution of each student individually. A Power Point presentation may be made. However, the slides should be made according to the following instructions:  Avoid too many font styles & colors, needless animation and non-related pictures;  Disclose all findings from the group research; don’t make empty slides with only headings;  Reflect the logic of the report;  Make clear structure of slides;  Attract attention of the audience, make it interesting;  Apply creative approach. Presentation dates shall be shown through Moodle or as schedule on during the class time. BUSS 1005 –CW 1-Fall -18(QP) Page 7 of 7 Chemical Hazard and Control at Home Chemical Hazard and Control at Home Insert Your Name Name of the Institution Instructors Name November 2018 1 Chemical Hazard and Control at Home 2 Table Contents CHEMICAL HAZARD AND CONTROL AT HOME ........................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 3 CHEMICALS AT HOME AND THOSE AT RISK ............................................................ 3 CHEMICAL HAZARDS CLASSIFICATION AND THEIR LOCATION ............................................... 3 POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE ........................................ 5 SAFETY PRECAUTION TO BE TAKEN TO AVOID CHEMICAL EXPOSURE ACCIDENTS ................................................................................................................... 6 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 6 Chemical Hazard and Control at Home 3 Chemical Hazard and Control at Home Introduction Thousands of people are exposed to dangerous chemicals at home. Some chemical exposures are safe, while others are not. A certain amount of harmful chemicals might accidentally enter your body and make you sick. If people breathe, eat or drink, chemical hazards are absorbed thus allowing harmful chemicals can enter the body. If the exposure is not stopped or poorly controlled, it can cause serious or lifethreatening illnesses. The effects of hazardous chemicals can be immediate or prolonged, from mild eye irritation to chronic lung disease. This document discusses various household chemicals, sensitive categories of chemical hazards and where they are located in our homes, their consequences and applicable measures to avoid these chemical hazards and their harmful components from affecting the most vulnerable individuals at home. Chemicals at Home and those at Risk Chemical Hazards Classification and their location Possible Contaminants where do you find these? Cadmium Old insulation, Old batteries, cigarette smoke, Lead Old paint, outdated plumbing, Carbon monoxide Car exhaust, unvented or faulty furnaces Soot Furnaces, wood burning stoves Mercury Thermostats, thermometers, some fish Uranium Food & water, proximity to nuclear testing sites Methyl mercury some fish, coal-burning power Cyanide Rat poison Pesticides Unwashed fruits and vegetables\ Chemical Hazard and Control at Home VOC (volatile organic compounds) Vinyl chloride 4 Fumes from gasoline, paint, adhesives, Pipe sealer Chemicals can be considered hazardous, not only because they contain substances, ie, as chemical constituents or components, but also because they are used in the home. For instance, hot water used as steam can cause very serious burns and measures should be provided to prevent damage. Hazardous chemicals include substances that are introduced into the home and processed, stored and used as detergents, binders, paints or ingredients used to prepare specific foods. In addition, substances produced as a result of activities (eg, welding fumes, wood chips, solvents and paint fumes), substances or mixtures produced at home, including byproducts, or waste all make up a good source of chemical hazard at homes. At home, the vulnerable parties include children and adults because there is no difference in chemical accidents. However; children are more vulnerable than adults because they are not sure what the danger is. Home is a family gathering where to experience safety, housing and safety. Because we have spent more than 50% of our lives at home, it is important that our family has a healthy home. Children are at greater risk because they are still growing, they are discovering their environment, and they spend a lot of time in places where there are many dangers. Much of our information about family health risks comes from anecdotal or qualitative reports, and only a few surveys have been conducted. Although there are many dangers, they are usually divided into two broad categories: related to violent or violent threats and unhealthy national conditions. Some of the serious health problems children face are what they own or own at home. For example, lead paint dust can cause lead poisoning, water leakage or excessive moisture can cause excessive moisture, which can lead to allergies or asthma deterioration. Other Chemical Hazard and Control at Home 5 chemicals may cause accidental poisoning. Quality of care can be threatened when families are concerned about personal risks and face many different health risks. Unattended health risks at home also pose a direct threat to the health and safety of patients and other family members.1 Possible Consequences of Chemical Exposure People react to chemical exposure in different ways. Some people may come into contact with chemicals and never get hurt. Others may be more sensitive and sick. Sometimes, only long-term exposure to harmful substances can cause illness. The effects of hazardous chemicals include skin burns or irritation caused by contact with corrosive substances. Victims may lose consciousness when inhaling toxic gases or if they experience severe symptoms such as headaches and nausea within hours of inhalation. Chemical poisoning can occur by toxic exposure to the skin. Victims may have chronic diseases such as asthma, dermatitis and tumors that occur after many years of exposure to carcinogens. In addition, victims may suffer genetic damage within a few years of exposure to mutagens at home. Chemical hazards and toxic substances represent a wide range of health hazards (such as irritation, sensitization and carcinogenicity) and physical hazards (such as flammability, corrosives and explosiveness). Exposure to chemicals can cause or cause many serious health effects such as heart disease, kidney and lung damage, infertility, cancer, burns and rashes. Certain chemicals can also pose a safety risk and can cause fires, explosions and other serious accidents. 1 Fazzone PA, Barloon LF, McConnell SJ (2000). Personal safety, violence, and home health. ; 17:43–52. Chemical Hazard and Control at Home 6 Safety Precaution to be taken to avoid Chemical Exposure Accidents If families can understand the chemicals in their daily lives and the points of contact, they can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Passengers must be informed of any contamination, pollution or hot spots (areas considered to have harmful levels of contamination). All family members should practice washing their hands before eating and washing fruits and vegetables before eating. Some basic measures are to read the label, warn against contact with chemicals, do not burn the impregnated wood, and ensure that your home is ventilated. In addition, it is important to follow appropriate guidelines for handling electronic products, batteries, paints and other hazardous chemicals, to reduce the intake of high-mercury fish and to warn against local fish and to avoid cigarette smoke. Avoid chemical damage. Conclusion Some diseases become worse when exposed to harmful substances, while other diseases are caused by exposure to chemicals. Exposure to smoke can result to asthma, asbestos-related illnesses can be dangerous and many victims experience learning difficulties caused by exposure to lead. Good physical and mental health depends on a well-maintained family and safety. On the other hand, a poorly maintained family constitutes a health risk that makes it difficult to reduce the effect of chemical hazards in homes and thus increasing the risk of injury. Understanding, identifying and eliminating possible risks can protect the health of a family against chemical hazards. In addition, if you are repairing at home or living in a home repaired by a contractor or property manager, this document will help you understand some basic precautions for evading chemical hazards at home.2 2 Schroeder SA (2007). We can do better - improving the health of the American people. N Engl J Med.; 357:1221–1228. Chemical Hazard and Control at Home 7 References Fazzone PA, Barloon LF, McConnell SJ (2000). Personal safety, violence, and home health. ; 17:43–52. Schroeder SA (2007). We can do better - improving the health of the American people. N Engl J Med.; 357:1221–1228. Chemical Hazard and Control at Home 8 Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Online Clothes Printing Business in Oman Name Institution Affiliation 1 2 Gathering from the fact that Oman has prospered from the Indian Ocean trade, this foresaw Oman making friendship treaties with a number of countries such as Britain. As a result, the Oman gained from this alongside a host of other interdependencies; this is in the political, military and most of all in an economic perspective. As a result, the Oman stood to benefit in the knowledge of the textile industry gathering from trade relations (Bouchaud, Tengberg, and Dal Pra, 2011). Correspondingly, pressure exerted by the Omani’s on the need for creation of employment opportunities for its people saw its leadership looking for industries such as the textile industry to create employment for them. Furthermore, Oman’s longstanding ties with the US and the UK foresaw the boosting of its economic arena which subsequently inspired independent foreign policies (Bolle, 2006). An example to prove the point above is the signing of the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) in 2005 with the US which saw a boom in the textile industry. Further dealings with China and India based on their industrial advancement had foreseen the textile industry being the highest source of export revenue, apart from the oil industry, in the year 1998. Moreover, it had seen employment of more than 17,000 people, Omanis inclusive. Whereas the industry had plunged and languished, due to abolition of the quota system by the US according to Bolla, 2006, nevertheless, subsequent signing of the FTA agreements of 2005 and 2007 have since revived hopes. Reliance on its Chinese and Indian labor markets and machinery have further accelerated the industry, reaching a point where it is dubbed as white gold. Correspondingly, it’s contribution of almost 5.5% in the Gulf region alone as a result being ranked second as the most promising market in the textile industry dictates that the future holds good prospects for the textile industry in Oman. Changes, Advancements, and Trends 3 In contrast to earlier years, many changes have been witnessed in the textile industry. With respect to these changes one of them that have come a long way to ease production is automation. Over the years, people have changed from using old methods to embracer of machinery and equipment which in as much as simplified production as well it has encouraged efficiency (Abernathy, Volpe and Weil, 2006). Additionally, changes in the textile industry have foreseen training and education of workers or individuals thrust in production. As a result it more creative individuals have now been involved in design. Correspondingly, the same has been witnessed relative to operation, and in design of new machinery. Additionally, the textile industry has been revolutionized to a wider global scale and market to see that international markets are in speed with incorporating themselves to this industry. Advancements in this industry have been foreseen relative to technological faucets in the industry. To begin with knitting materials into larger swaths of materials can easily be done by knitting machines instead of looping and sewing together long strips. Correspondingly, pleating nowadays does not necessarily need for one to have laborers as machines can easily carry out this task. As well, various imaging techniques have emerged such as 3-D printing, digital printing, and laser printing; this is to do with making actual clothing through 3-D, making layered prints that are complex, and ability by textile machines to make laser prints to clothing (Clayton, 2013). Furthermore, the latest innovation which is nanotechnology is now being incorporated to make clothes that are scientific such as fire-repellent, self-cleaning, and water-repellent clothing. With respect to trends, diminishing oil fields in Oman and the Gulf region, there is a need to venture out. As a result many countries within the region are moving to the textile region. True to this, the industry in the region is raking in more than $17.5bn in annual incomes. Correspondingly, the fashion industry in Oman and the whole Gulf region is fast evolving (Heath, 4 2013). As opposed to their initial lack of embracer to changing fashion styles with time this is coming to pass. This can be evidenced by their recent adaptation to latest designs and trends which cater for both international and native clientele. Correspondingly, an international raise in modest trends is bringing wide demand for clothing, especially to women. Opportunities for the Proposed Business As seen above, all pointers are hinting at the way in which the textile industry is making and will continually making a boom. With regards to my proposition to open an online store that print clothes, a number of opportunities will arise. For starters, the Middle East is being considered as a pertinent source of interest as seen from international suppliers within the textile industry (Heath, 2013). Primarily, this is gathering from the ever increasing market demand in the region. In addition, governments in the Middle East, Oman inclusive are offering supportive initiatives through tax exemptions, infrastructure development and through transparency in all paper work. With Oman’s neighboring country being fronted for the fashion hub by the year 2020, then this is an opportunity to utilize as it will amongst others attract various suppliers, retailers, and consumers in a strategic place for setting up shop. In addition, the overhead costs for running a printing clothes business is easy as it does not require much expenses. Another factor being with Oman and the Middle East suffering from lack of variety, that a clothes printing business seeks to offer, then there will be an avenue for the customers to make decision based on printed apparels (Zahlan, 2016). Moreover, based on the fact that almost everything is based off the internet, shopping alike, this business will adapt to a model that seeks to bring an online shopping experience to its customers. Additionally, it will help to offer convenience to customers which will foresee a lack in their need to visit a store to buy their 5 apparel. Furthermore, based on the hinge that almost everybody in fashion needs a product that makes a statement for them, as well this business will offer a customizable experiences for the customers where they will have the ability to make a choice of what they would like printed on their clothing. 6 References Abernathy, F. H., Volpe, A., & Weil, D. (2006). The future of the apparel and textile industries: prospects and choices for public and private actors. Environment and Planning A, 38(12), 2207-2232. Bolle, M. J. (2006). US–Oman free trade agreement. Congressional Research Service. Bouchaud, C., Tengberg, M., & Dal Prà, P. (2011). Cotton cultivation and textile production in the Arabian Peninsula during antiquity; the evidence from Madâ’in Sâlih (Saudi Arabia) and Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain). Vegetation history and archaeobotany, 20(5), 405-417. Clayton, G. (2013). The textile industry future?. Chemistry & Industry, 77(10), 28-28. doi: 10.1002/cind.7710_6.x Heath, C. (2013). Tradition and Innovation: Social Aspects of Learning Spinning and Weaving Skills in Oman. TEXTILE, 11(2), 176-187. doi: 10.2752/175183513x13710294194041 Zahlan, R. S. (2016). The Making of the Modern Gulf States: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Routledge. 7
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OMAN CEMENT COMPANY

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Table of Content

Cover page ……………………………………………………………………… 1
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………... 3
Task 1 …………………………………………………………………………… 3
General Profile of Oman Cement Company ……………………………………. 3
Market Structure, Competitors and Pricing of Products ……………………….

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Barriers of Entry into A Market………………………………………………….. 5
Task 2 ……………………………………………………………………………. 6
Demand and Supply……………………………………………………………… 6
Factors Affecting Demand and Supply for Cement Products…………………… 6
Recommendations ……………………………………………………………….. 8
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………. 8
References…………………………………………………………………………10

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Oman Cement Company
Introduction
The cement industry has grown and become a global industry controlled by multinational firms.
Cement plays a vital role as a building material for housing as well as other infrastructural
components. This assignment endeavors to achieve some objectives. The objectives include to
describe the types of products produced by Oman Cement Company, to highlight the market
structure in which Oman Cement Company operates, to identify other market players in the
cement industry within Oman, to discuss barriers to market entry by new firms, to consider the
factors affecting the demand and supply of cement products. Recommendations will be conveyed
to Oman Cement Company on how to remain competitive in the cement industry. The
assignment will include an introduction, a discussion as well as a conclusion.
Task 1
General Profile of Oman Cement Company
Oman Cement Company is involved in the manufacturing and selling of cement as well as
cement related products. The company was started in 1978 with its base at Ruwi which is the
Sultanate of Oman. The company is a subordinate of Oman Investment Fund. Since the company
began, it has endeavored to strengthen the construction industry through the creation of enabling
resources to make the nation self-sufficient. The company is ISO 9001 certified and seeks to
provide quality products to its customers.
The Chief Executive Officer assists the top management in running the company. The company
has a computerized manufacturing system thus reducing its cost of operation (Kalathinkal &
Ahmed 2015:23). Oman Cement Company is committed to undertaking its activities in a socially
responsible way. To this end, it conducts various initiatives with or without any statutory

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requirements. This is possible because the company is solvent. Thus it can meet its financial
obligations. The company has an elaborate Quality, health, safety, environmental management
system to ensure that accidents related to the work environment are minimized.
Oman Cement Company has four different cement products as follows: - ordinary Portland
cement used for general construction and for making of concrete which is not meant to touch the
soil, sulphate resistant cement for use in areas with high levels of sulphate resulting in alkali soils
and underground water, oil well cement for use in construction of oil wells.
Market Structure, Competitors and Pricing of Products
Oman Cement Company has an oligopoly market structure. This is because only a few firms are
involved in cement production in Oman (Carlton & Perloff 2015). The other producers of cement
and cement products in Oman are Raysut, Dhofar and Al Madina cement companies (Fernadez
& Kumar 2016:96; Golzari 2016:100; Mohammed 2016:75). The assistance from the
government enabled Oman Cement Company to be among the first cement companies to operate
in Oman. The government wanted to have cement that will support the country’s infrastructural
development. While Oman Cement Company is a subsidiary, the other cement companies have
however outgrown Oman Cement Company in terms of operations where they have some
subsidiaries. Though, Oman Cement Company remains the largest cement production company
in Oman. New entrants are kept at bay due to the high cost of putting up a cement factory.
Therefore competition has been minimal. Although the government controls prices to ensure that
the customer is not exploited, Oman Cement Company has to offer lower rates than the other
companies to remain competitive despite being a market leader. These prices are within the
ability of the company. Oman Cement Company has maintained a focused strategy to doing
business with cement and its products being the only products that they produce. The strategy

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has given them a competitive advantage over other cement companies which practice
diversification in their products. Oman Cement Company being a market leader must work to
maintain that. Dunie, Cantara and Kerremans observe that this is possible through the use of
Gartner Magic Quadrant of the competitive matrix (2015). The quadrant is divided into four. The
quadrant places each firm based on its ability to Execute and the Completeness of its Vision.
The firm which can achieve both becomes the market “Leader,” and the worst of both becomes
the “Niche Player.” The firms with the vision but are yet to execute it becomes “Visionaries”
while those who cannot visualize but are good at implementing are the “Challengers.” The
matrix is useful to the management in revealing the competitors who are adapting to the market,
the visionaries and the leaders. This gives future insights into which firms will either remain or
become dominant rivals. This will also help the firm in benchmarking with potential competitors
to level up its execution skills.
Barriers of Entry into a Market
There exist some market entry barriers such as follows: Government regulations- these are forces
of the law executed by a competent authority which affects the actions of those under the
influence. Such rules may include the need for a business to have operating licenses and permits.
This results in increased cost of investment thus delaying entry into the market. Customer
loyalty- existing large firms may have their customers who are loyal to their products. Such a
commitment may become a barrier to the entry of other firms in the market. Taxes- smaller
companies fund their expansion through retained profits. If taxation on retained profits becomes
very high, this may hinder the development of such companies.
Larger firms, on the other hand, can avoid taxation through the use of loopholes written into law
which favor them or through the use of larger staff in charge of tax accounting to avoid high

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taxes. Intellectual property- any new entrant into the market will require access to efficient
production technology just like existing firms. Patenting gives a firm the legal right to obstruct
other firms from producing a related product for some period and thus restrict their entry. Patents
encourage invention and technological advancement thus guaranteeing an incentive. Equally,
trademarks as well service marks may bar the entry of a specific product or service if the market
is controlled by a few individuals (Geroski & Jacquemin 2013).
Distributor agreements- this refers to exclusive agreements among key distributors or retailers
whose intention is to make it difficult for other entrants into the industry. Supplier agreementsapart from distributors, suppliers also agree to make it difficult for new entrants into the industry.
Advertising- established firms may make it difficult for new entrants by spending so much in the
advertisement, a venture that new entrants may find challenging to undertake. Advertisement by
established firms creates a perception in a consumer that their brand is different from other
related brands. The created judgment results in products from competitors failing as perfect
substitutes of the brand by established firms.
Task 2
Demand and Supply
Azevedo and Leshno note that demand is the volume of a product that the buyer willing
purchases at a given price at a given period (2016:1240). On the other hand, supply refers to
amount of a product that the seller willing delivers to the market at a given price at a given
period.
Factors Affecting Demand and Supply for Cement Products

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Demand is an economic aspect which analysis consumer’s willingness and des...


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