Handmaids Tale and 1984 - 2089 Words

How far is language a tool of oppression in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’? Most dystopian novels contain themes of corruption and oppression, therefore in both ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’ language is obviously used as a form of the states control, enabling dystopian leaders to remain in power by manipulating language to restrict free thought. Orwell and Atwood have utilized language as a key tool of oppression throughout their novels. The use of language is mostly repressive, language can also be seen as liberating, and used as an act of rebellion, which the state wishes to eliminate. The novel Nineteen Eighty Four contains a world in which language is being systematically corrupted. The†¦show more content†¦The Ministry of peace â€Å"concerned itself with war†, The Ministry of Truth dedicated itself to destroying the truth and The Ministry of Love was described as â€Å"frightening† with â€Å"gorilla faced guards. This brings forth the idea that the state are trying to subtly manipulate society however they are a threat. In addition the face of the party ‘Big Brother’ is extremely ironic as Orwell uses this as a tactic to make you feel reassured. This is because the word Big Brother is an example of a double entendre as a big brother is commonly associated with protection, care and love which is the extreme opposite in this case as the party seeks power...for its own sake conveying the irony further as it is not what it seems at first glance. The constant motif of ‘BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU† exemplifies the ide a they will always try to control you, and they have great power. The fact that Orwell chose these names is a reflection of the Partys of the brainwashing of their society and the desire for control over the people. It is a warning as it emphasises the abusive nature of dictators, as they use psychological manipulation as a means of control. The use of names in Nineteen Eighty-Four presents a false sense of security and desirability to citizens, as it makes the state appear friendly and trust worthy regardless of their demeaning acts. The slogan of theShow MoreRelatedMemories of Life Before Government Control: Orwells 1984, Atwoods The Handmaids Tale, and Huxleys Brave New World1107 Words   |  5 Pagespeople’s opinions of reality which proves to be impossible. Within the novels, 1984 by George Orwell, The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley the Governments have taken societys freedom away and all that remains are the memories of what li fe was like before the changes; the main characters are constantly using the past as a way to survive through the difficult times. Winston in 1984 uses his memories to cope with being watched all the time. In addition, he usesRead MoreIs Today s Society Becoming A Dystopian World?1313 Words   |  6 Pagessociety becoming a dystopian world? Both the novels 1984 by George Orwell and The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood provide warnings of how each author sees certain problems in society leading to dystopian states. Civilizations are forced to live by rules and for certain purposes to ensure the governments own goals and aspirations, but arise for different reasons. Atwood is concerned with political groups and aspects of feminism; The Handmaids Tale illustrates how declining birth rates could leadRead MoreMargaret Atwood s The Handmaid s Tale Essay1624 Words   |  7 Pagessexuality, Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale, her poem A Woman’s Issue, and George Orwell’s 1984 all convey that sexual repression undermines individual identity and autonomy. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood uses her description of the Ceremony to emphasize how Gileadean society controls sex in order to manipulate its citizens and force the women of Gilead into passivity and dissociation from their bodies. During the ritualistic Ceremony, the Handmaids are raped by their Commanders in hopes ofRead MoreComparison between The handmaids Tale and 1894 (language as controlling force, language styles, structure and contexts3493 Words   |  14 Pages Both the novels 1984 and The Handmaids Tale provide warnings of how each author sees certain problems in society leading to dystopian states. Dystopian genres exist in both novels, but arise for different reasons. Resulting from Atwoods concerns about political groups and aspects of feminism; The Handmaids Tale illustrates how declining birth rates could lead to a state where women are forced into bearing children. In contrast, 1984 depicts a terror state where poverty is rife and tyrannicalRead MoreThe Hand maid s Tale By Margaret Atwood1357 Words   |  6 Pageson the ground of the equality of the sexes† (Oxford dictionary). In the novel The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood explores feminism through the themes of women’s bodies as political tools, the dynamics of rape culture and the society of complacency. Margaret Atwood was born in 1939, at the beginning of WWII, growing up in a time of fear. In the autumn of 1984, when she began writing The Handmaid’s Tale, she was living in West Berlin. The Berlin Wall had not yet fallen and in her travels â€Å"behindRead More Atwoods Attention to Words in The Handmaids Tale Essay1180 Words   |  5 PagesAtwoods Attention to Words in The Handmaids Tale The Handmaids Tale illustrates that dictatorship can be established by creating a state of fear once language controls are instituted. As a tradition to dystopian novels, Atwood has drawn much attention to the meaning of words and the significance of names, as well as the prohibition for women to read or write, in order to portray Gilead as a successful totalitarian state. Atwood is trying to make the point that in a dystopian world, languageRead More##rtance Of Language In The Handmaids Tale And Nineteen Eighty-Four1315 Words   |  6 PagesContained within the novels The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell is a fight for power and control – not of land, or political position – but of language. Language is seen within both of these novels as being central to the telling of one’s own story – without the control of power and language, it is not possible to convey the intricacies, thoughts, feelings and ideas behind these stories. Whether this story is conveyed through a diary, or through cassetteRead MoreThe Handmaid s Tale By Margaret Atwood1516 Words   |  7 PagesHandmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, explores the idea of physical and mental oppression through hierarchy, patriarchy, manipulation of history, surveillance and finally, community identity; hence the main character’s name â€Å"Offr ed† or ‘Of-Fred’ if you will. 1984, by George Orwell, covers this by including configuration of language; the characters have a new language called â€Å"Newspeak† and are also constantly watched by the government and the â€Å"Thought Police.† The hierarchy in The Handmaid’s Tale, is structuredRead More The Handmaids Tale: Oppression of Women for Male Political Gain 1782 Words   |  8 Pages The Handmaids Tale is a poetic tale of a womans survival as a Handmaid in the male dominated Republic of Gilead. Offred portrayed the struggle living as a Handmaid, essentially becoming a walking womb and a slave to mankind. Women throughout Gilead are oppressed because they are seen as potentially threatening and subversive and therefore require strict control (Callaway 48). The fear of women rebelling and taking control of society is stopped through acts such as the caste system, the ceremonyRead MoreOrwell s 1984 And Huxley s Brave New World1821 Words   |  8 Pagesto their oppression. In the classic dystopian novels, Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World, the oppressed are mollified and manipulated by propaganda, indoctrination and betrayal in 1984 and by excessive drug use in A Brave New World, and i n both novels the oppressed seem to be complicit in their oppression. This pattern is also compellingly reflected in the tale of persecution presented by Margaret Atwood in The Handmaids Tale and the dystopian society of Gilead. Unlike other dystopian novels

The Intelligence Reform And Terrorism Prevention - 2210 Words

This paper analyzes Al-Qaeda as a very difficult somewhat intelligent, most circulated and uncontrollable organization, an organization which has made it a duty to confront our Nation’s national security and intelligence for about 15 years. Even with the death of their leader Osama bin Laden’s in May of 2011; the organization remains actively at large by replacing it leadership head with Ayman al-Zawahiri. I also analyzes 5 aspects of Al-Qaeda as an organization, namely the, History, Goals, Internet Campinas, Al Qaeda Affiliating Group and Finances. Furthermore, I analyses the Impact of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention (IRTPA), mainly on Information sharing Introduction Part I: Historical Background of Al-Qaeda†¦show more content†¦Al-Qaeda began carrying out missions as they were also responsible for the 1996 bombings of the Khobar Towers, whereas the 1998 attacks on US Embassies in Kenya, the 2000 assault on the USS Cole in Yemen and the Tanzania bombing and these were their signature missions. Since then al-Qaeda has merged with a number of other Islamist militant organizations, including Egypt’s Islamic Jihad and the Islamic group in Yemen. Al-Qaeda was responsible for the attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, since the attack of September 11; we have undertook two wars, one in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan and also established some very important intelligence organizations, namely the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and have done many other things to fight the war against al-Qaeda and any other form of terrorist, but we have yet eliminated the threat of terrorism which might never do. Al Qaeda, which stand for (â€Å"the base†) is a multi-layered international Islamist terrorist network made up of lots of regional member organizations and clandestine cells with complex degrees of communication, the group ideology and operation remained at its forefront. Ideology of Al- Qaeda The base Ideology of al Qaeda is to establish an Islamic tare, with a focus on Sharia Laws.

Cream Seperation Free Essays

Separation of cream from full cream milk using the Disc- Bowl Centrifuge. Introduction:- Cream is usually a dairy product containing high fat percent, which can be seen floating on the top before the homogenization process. When the milk is unhomogenized, overtime, the fat lighter in weight rises to the top. We will write a custom essay sample on Cream Seperation or any similar topic only for you Order Now The process in the industries is completely different as they use centrifuges, normally called as separators to accelerate the creaming process. Cost of cream totally depends upon its fat content. Cream usually produced by the livestock grazing process on natural pastures normally contains some amount of natural carotenoid pigments acquired from plant materials they consume; as a result of which the cream appears a bit yellowish in colour. Cream derived from the milk of livestock fed indoors is usually white in colour as they normally are grain based pellets. There is a formula for determining the rate of sedimentation, widely known as Stokes’ law. It states that a particle moving through viscous liquid attains a constant velocity or sedimentation rate. Equation for Stokes’ law Vg = d2 (Pp- P1)/ 18  µ ? G Where:- Vg = Sedimentation Velocity d2 = particle Diameter Pp = Particle density P1 = Liquid density G = gravitational acceleration  µ = viscosity of liquid Aims:- 1. To separate cream from full cream milk at two speed settings of the disc bowl centrifuge. 2. To evaluate sensory properties of the cream and skimmed milk. 3. To determine the throughput of the centrifuge. Materials and Equipments:- Disc-bowl centrifuge 1 Litre and 400 ml beakers Litre measuring cylinder Sample cups –transparent 2 Litres full cream milk Large Plastic bowls Pans Stopwatch Digital Thermometer Method:- 1. Two batches of 1 litre of full cream milk was warmed at 37 degree C. 2. 1 litre beaker was placed beneath the lower, heavy phase, spout of the centrifuge. This usually was the point from where the skim milk exits. Right after then the 400 ml beaker was placed beneath the upper, light phase, spout of the centrifuge which usually was the exit point for the cream. 3. Before carrying out the next step, it was ensured that the tap of the milk receiving reservoir at the top of the centrifuge was in a closed position ie. Pointing N to S 4. Warmed milk weighing 1 litre was then inserted into the reservoir. . The motor was switched on as soon as milk was inserted and was set on the lowest speed setting by adjusting the speed setting knob. 6. As the motor speed was steady, the tap of the reservoir containing milk was then released and the stopwatch was started. 7. Portions at light and heavy liquid phases were then collected from the relevant spouts, cream and skimmed milk respectively. 8. The stopwatch was switched off as soon as the milk reservoir was empty and the time taken was noted. 9. The motor of the centrifuge was allowed to run till the flow of skimmed milk and cream was ceased. 10. The portions of skimmed milk and cream received through their relative phases were then measured and then the yield was calculated. 11. The throughput of the material was then determined in litres per hour at its respective speed setting. 12. The stages 2 to 12 were repeated using second batch of warmed milk, with the only difference being the time setting. The whole process was carried out by operating the motor on the highest speed setting. 13. The above process was followed by placing the large bowl underneath the spouts and by flushing the centrifuge using cold water just to clear the washings in the centrifuge. 4. Right after the process the whole equipment was dismantled including the reservoirs spouts, collecting funnel etc. The parts were then washed using hot water with a little detergent. 15. The cream and skimmed milk from each speed setting (i. e. High speed setting and low speed setting) were then subjected to sensory properties evaluation. * * * * Result:- * * The follo wing were the results obtained :- 1. The results for 0. 1 % skimmed milk at low speed setting were * Fat:- 00. 07% * * And the results for same product at high speed setting were * Fat:-00. 03% * 2. The results for 2 % semi skimmed milk at low speed setting were * Fat:- 1. 60 % * * The results for 2 % semi skimmed milk at high speed setting were * Fat:- 1. 64% * 3. The results for 4% Whole milk at low speed setting were * Fat:- 6. 56% * * The results for 4% Whole milk at High speed setting were * Fat:- 7. 25% * * * Discussion:- * 1. Principles of the operation of Disc-bowl Centrifuge. * Brennan (2006) states that the Disc bowl centrifuge works on the principle of particle density. Feed is introduced through the bottom of the bowl. As it comes with the contact of the centrifugal force, the dense phase moves downside while the lighter phase passes through the top spout. * 2. Different Categories of cream available to the consumer and their legal minimum fat contents? * Sheila (2006) mentioned in an article that categories of cream available are * Single cream – 18 % minimum fat content * Double cream – 48% minimum fat content * Half cream – 12% minimum fat content * Whipping Cream – 35% minimum fat content * Creme fraiche – 30% minimum fat content * Soured cream – 18% minimum fat content * Clotted cream – 55% minimum fat content. 3. Categories of cream produced in the Practical? * Type of cream produced in the practical was single cream * 4. Purpose of Cream screw? * The thickness of the cream can be adjusted by the help of the cream screw. Cream screw helps to trap the cream and helps the cream to let out. * * 5. Why is the milk heated first? * De (1991) explaine d that, higher the temperature and degree during agitation the greater is the loss of skimmed milk and vice versa. When the milk is heated and agitated, the agitation process causes size reduction of bigger fat globules into smaller ones. As a result of which they escape the effect of centrifugal force, leading to exclusion of fat loss in the skimmed milk. To reduce creaming. * * Conclusion:- * Cream was successfully separated from the milk using Disc bowl centrifuge. The cream was further tested for its sensory properties, and the sensory properties of the cream were found to be appealing. * * * * References:- * * J. G. Brennan (2006). â€Å"Food Processing Handbook†. Wiley-Vch. * * Sheila (2006). â€Å"Cream Final Edition†. The Times, London, UK. * * Sukumar De (1991). â€Å"Outlines of Dairy Technology†. Oxford University Press. How to cite Cream Seperation, Essay examples

Managing the Channel and the Sales Forces - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Managing the Channel and the Sales Forces. Answer: Overview Stihl Inc. has been one of the top handheld power equipment manufacturers with the widest distribution channels all over United States. The organization has twelve wholesale distributers considering the entire landscape out of which retail distribution channel consists of independent dealers and home improvement centers (Wilson and Wilson 2017). This has helped in reaching wide number of consumers as the main categories such as handheld, outdoor and power is fulfilled by Stihl Inc. In this discussion, the main problem that Stihl Inc is facing will be highlighted and based on that analysis will be presented concerning the critical issues, followed by conclusion and recommendation for future corporate sustainability. Problem Identification The main goals of Stihl are follows: To provide best quality product through innovative designs, highest-grade materials and solid engineering with precision manufacturing To provide best buying experience with best service and support through wide distribution network including first-class showrooms To assist consumers regarding the product information, dealer location and distributor pricing through own corporate website (Stihlusa.com 2017) Considering the case, it has been identified that Stihl has been one of the top-rated supplier for Home Depot. However, as highlighted by Shahrouzifard and Faraji (2016), with course of time consumers prefer after-sales assistance and post-sales services more than price or quality. Similarly, such expectation of the consumers is not being fulfilled by Stihl home improvement centers and mass merchants channels. Consumers who use to prefer Stihl products are now more concerned about post-sales services, which the organization is failing to provide. Therefore, the main problem of Stihl Inc. is to become failure in providing after-sales services and product maintenance operations on home improvement premises and that they are becoming more dependent only on independent dealers channel. Such operational challenge is acting as the barrierto provide consumers the best buying experience from Home Depot with best service and support, thereby threatening corporate goal achievement. Analysis of Critical Issues faced by Stihl Inc. According to Qiang et al. (2013), a manufacturing organization needs to understand the demographic market and prevailing customer needs so that product or service can be improvised in future. On the other hand, Szwejczewski, Goffin and Anagnostopoulos (2015) argued that dealers need to evaluate the differences in services between own channel and alternative market channel so that customer can be satisfied. Furthermore, Murali, Pugazhendhi and Muralidharan (2016) pointed out that the manufacturing organization needs to evaluate the existing relationship between its own home distribution channel and market retailers so that partnership can be strengthened in future. On the other hand, the concerned organization also needs to evaluate the considerable impact that the partnership is creating on product distribution channel. Therefore, basis the views of the authors, the critical issues that Stihl Inc. is facing will be discussed below. Customer Needs for Channel Services According to Homburg, Vollmayr and Hahn (2014), with the progress of time, explicit market competition has given rise to niche marketing technique, on the basis of which manufacturers are designing new products giving rise to innovation. Such innovation helps in creating new demand and ensures sustainability for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, Jerath, Kim and Swinney (2017) contradicted that without channelized services, the target audience does not get the product information and the usability or benefits that they might get. Therefore, only through the medium of channel services, the consumers will be able to experience the latest products. On the other hand, Homburg, Jozi? and Kuehnl (2017) placed a different viewpoint that with the help of channel services such as through retail distribution channel specifically, consumers are able to get the physical value of a product that triggers them in buying. Consumers are also able to differentiate the value of product, pric e differences and post-sales specifications. Therefore, only through the help of market channels such as retailers, supermarkets and local direct delivery logistics, an organization is able to reach out to its target customer segment. After analyzing the case of Stihl Inc., it has been found that the organization has great channel services, which has helped consumers to get benefits from unique handheld electronic machines(Wilson and Wilson 2017). Such channel services have reduced the gap between Stihl and end consumers. However, it is expected that in future, the customer needs will be changed and will be more focused in gaining product oriented assistance and post-sales maintenance so that value for money is justified with course of time. Evaluation of Channel Services The channel services of Stihl can be categorized in distribution network and support for dealers. The distribution network channel services are distributed in twelve geographically separate wholesale distributors. On the other hand, the retail dealer network is made of 8000 independent retailing establishments. These dealer networks are the most important channel services because Stihl is able to assist consumers directly only through these dealers. Stihl provides financial, marketing, and administrative support to these dealers regarding operation, proper application and product maintenance (Wilson and Wilson 2017). Furthermore, the official website of Stihl Inc. creates the channel services for internet shoppers, through which they are able to get product oriented information along with location of independent dealers. Considering the channel services alternative channel such as Home Depot, being one of the largest retailers (Guesalaga and Pitta 2014), would extend its product base by taking more supplies from Black Decker, Briggs Stratton and Echo. Similarly, Walmart might also increase the number of retail outlets so that more number of people can be reached. On the other hand, Sears can reach out to more number of conventional channel boundaries. It can create more partners with home improvement center and mass merchant. Hardware Stores have the option to get supplies from both giant manufacturers and local designers. Online channels can create multiple partnerships with giant manufacturers listing top brands so that both value for money and reliability factors are adhered. Relationship of Stihl Inc. with Potential Channels Considering the case study, it is prominent enough that Stihl is depending more on its independent channel dealers. It is following hybrid channel strategy using internet to direct consumers towards authorized dealers (Wilson and Wilson 2017). Therefore, Stihl does not follow the multi-channel system that Sears follows. Considering the relationship with Home Depot, it can be found that consumers are not getting assistance from the home improvement center as the sales-persons are untrained and they do not provide post-sales services, thereby creating a negative brand image of Stihl. On the other hand, with Hardware Stores, Stihl have a poor relationship as much of its products are sold through its independent dealers. However, it can be said that relationship with online channel is quite favorable with Stihl. Evaluation of Power (Stihl v/s Channel Partner) According to Bellin (2016), with the increase in channel partnerships, more number of customers can be reached. However, considering the above analysis, it can be said that Stihl is confined under only one market channel, which is independent dealer. The channel partners are having more power because they do not rely only on Stihl, but they have supplies from products of Black Decker, Cub Cadet, Echo, Homelite, and Ryobi. With course of time, the bargaining power of buyer will definitely exceed supplier bargaining power. This will create huge rise for organizational sustainability. Ability to Exert Control over Channel Fabbri and Klapper (2016) pointed out that in such a market where there are multiple suppliers, the bargaining power of buyer becomes more prevalent. Similarly, since in USA, the market competition for handheld manufacturers is quite strong, hence Stihl cannot be considered to have the ability to exert control over home improvement centers and mass merchants. If the home improvement centers have to spend more on employee training and assistance specifically for Stihl products, it will definitely consumer their budget. Therefore, they will try to deal with other manufacturers. However, Stihl will have full power over its independent dealers and can enhance services through better employee training. Potential Impact of Partnership While considering the viewpoint of Ishfaq et al. (2016), it can be said that partnership in channel services helps in exposing product physical value to a huge number of people from various geographic locations, which eventually ensures more sales. Partnership with potential channels is discussed in following section. Partnership of Stihl with Home Depot/Walmart Home Depot has the largest base of handheld product categories from all USA manufacturers. Therefore, partnership with it will help in exposing the product base of Stihl along with its competitor companies such as Black Decker and Cub Cadet. Consumers can compare both price and quality before purchasing. However, this implies that the customer service and assistance will be extremely poor. Walmart mostly offers low pricing but since the products of Stihl are of high quality, the price is comparatively higher than the rest. Due to this Stihl might get less profit. Partnership of Stihl with Sears Fortune.com (2017) pointed out that among all other channels, Sears is the only retailer that operates both as mass merchant and home improvement center. Therefore, it can be said that Stihl will get the highest exposure in market if it partners with Sears. Moreover, Sears has the best experience of maintenance and replacement parts capability as it merchandized its own brand, which will ensure customer assistance. Partnership of Stihl with Hardware Stores and Online Medium Stihl will definitely have a better scope of product sales through partnership with hardware stores but the main challenge will be customer assistance and post-sales service. Sales persons in hardware stores do not have enough knowledge of electronic handheld machines, which would be a challenge (Takouda and Dia 2016). However, partnership with online medium will surely act a boon because the consumers will get to know about product features and available locations where they can get product oriented assistance. Conclusion The critical issues that Stihl Plc. is facing are mostly related to selection of channel. It has been understood that the organization is mostly dependent on independent dealers and therefore this implies the highest risk as once the dealers fail to computerize the entire distribution channel will become non-functional. The home improvement center channel is found to have more power of control over the suppliers such as Stihl and simultaneously broadens the product exposure to various consumers. On the other hand, it was analyzed that Stihl needs to extend its partnership with such a retailer who can offer product oriented assistance or even post-sales assistance to consumers. Recommendation for Stihls Change in Channel Structure After evaluating all possible relationships and partnerships, it can be said that Stihl needs to change its channel structure. It needs to broaden its distribution network which will include mass merchant, independent dealers, hardware stores and online. By making partnership with all the four channels it can reach out to more consumers, who even belong to deeper and interior geographical areas of the United States. Specifically, for mass merchant, Stihl needs partnership with Sears, which will ensure product assistance, whereas through independent dealers, consumers will get both product assistance and post-sales service. Furthermore, online channel needs to be strengthened more using advertising techniques such as search engine optimization and pay-per-click strategies for the own corporate website. Representatives from Stihl need to be present at popular point of sales locations so that customer assistance can be ensured. Other alternative channel such as home improvement centers must be given less scope of partnerships as it might turn out to be loss. However, it is quite sure that customer need will change and market demographics will alter, which might affect dealership. Due to poor assistance from mass merchants, consumers may remain unaware of latest handheld innovations, which might create debt as the cost of partnership may remain uncovered. Reference List Bellin, H., 2016. Which Marketing Channel Is Right for Your Company?.Journal of Marketing Channels,23(3), pp.157-161. Fabbri, D. and Klapper, L.F., 2016. Bargaining power and trade credit.Journal of Corporate Finance,41, pp.66-80. Fortune.com, 2017.You Thought Things Couldn't Get Worse for Sears. They Just Did.. [online] Fortune. Available at: https://fortune.com/2017/11/08/sears-kmart-results/ [Accessed 24 Dec. 2017]. Guesalaga, R. and Pitta, D., 2014. The importance and formalization of service quality dimensions: a comparison of Chile and the USA.Journal of Consumer Marketing,31(2), pp.145-151. Homburg, C., Jozi?, D. and Kuehnl, C., 2017. Customer experience management: toward implementing an evolving marketing concept.Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science,45(3), pp.377-401. Homburg, C., Vollmayr, J. and Hahn, A., 2014. Firm value creation through major channel expansions: evidence from an event study in the United States, Germany, and China.Journal of Marketing,78(3), pp.38-61. Ishfaq, R., Defee, C.C., Gibson, B.J. and Raja, U., 2016. Realignment of the physical distribution process in omni-channel fulfillment.International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management,46(6/7), pp.543-561. Jerath, K., Kim, S.H. and Swinney, R., 2017. Product quality in a distribution channel with inventory risk.Marketing Science,36(5), pp.747-761. Murali, S., Pugazhendhi, S. and Muralidharan, C., 2016. Modelling and Investigating the relationship of after sales service quality with customer satisfaction, retention and loyaltya case study of home appliances business.Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services,30, pp.67-83. Qiang, Q., Ke, K., Anderson, T. and Dong, J., 2013. The closed-loop supply chain network with competition, distribution channel investment, and uncertainties.Omega,41(2), pp.186-194. Shahrouzifard, S. and Faraji, M., 2016. After-sales service quality as an antecedent of customer satisfaction.Accounting,2(2), pp.81-84. Stihlusa.com, 2017.Learn More About STIHL Inc. | STIHL USA. [online] Stihlusa.com. Available at: https://www.stihlusa.com/information/corporate/about-us/ [Accessed 24 Dec. 2017]. Szwejczewski, M., Goffin, K. and Anagnostopoulos, Z., 2015. Product service systems, after-sales service and new product development.International Journal of Production Research,53(17), pp.5334-5353. Takouda, P.M. and Dia, M., 2016. Relative efficiency of hardware retail stores chains in Canada.International Journal of Operational Research,27(1-2), pp.275-290. Wilson, R.E. and Wilson, R.E., 2017. Stihl Incorporated: Go-to-Market Strategy for Next-Generation Consumers.Kellogg School of Management Cases, pp.1-32.