Distribution And Abundance Of Marine Invertebrates Biology Essay

Distribution And Abundance Of Marine Invertebrates Biology Essay Many marine invertebrates of diverse and varied phyla, have a common reproductive strategy that involves a multi-phase life cycle that occupies two dramatically different environmental habitats. The separate mobile pelagic larval phase and the predominantly sedentary or sessile bottom dwelling phase is linked by a settlement event. Larval forms are usually very different from adult forms. Reproduction involves the eggs and sperm and/ or larvae being released in generally very large numbers into the water column. Here, most of the pelagic larvae are potentially capable of dispersing long distances from parental populations. They develop and grow for a certain period of time before metamorphosing into adults. During their time in the water column, the larvae feed on phytoplankton and small zooplankton, including other larvae. Their small size and abundance also make them susceptible to predation by other larger marine creatures. Their huge numbers probably increase their chances of sur vival. Overall the probability of successful recruitment is low. It used to be thought that this strategy represented an open system where chance settling out of larvae led to distribution and abundance of benthic phase adults governed mainly by post-recruitment effects (Thorson,1950, Caley,1960) Several recent studies on the dispersing larval phase of marine invertebrate life cycles suggest that patterns of larval supply are not the only factor influencing invertebrate population dynamics. It is now thought that the larvae themselves can influence their probability of success. Larval behaviours are responses to two challenges predator evasion and selection of a suitable settlement site. Supply side ecology ( Lewin. 1986) emphasizes the role of recruitment in limiting adult populations and structuring benthic communities. At the end of the dispersal phase, the abundance of larvae at settlement can be highly variable, both spatially and temporally. Variation in settlement can be caus ed by larval mortality and predation rates, transport mechanisms and larval behaviours. Moreover, coupling of larval supply with adult abundance seems also to effect distribution (Hughes et al 2000) The extent to which local larval recruitment depends on production by local adults is not clear and the extent of relative openness of marine benthic invertebrate populations is uncertain.(Strathmann et al, 2002, Swearer et al 2002) However, there seems to be significant planktonic processes in the pre-settlement stage that that influence population dynamics of settlement, recruitment and subsequent adult populations. Habitat selection by planktonic larvae can overcome patterns predicted by patterns of larval supply (Jenkins, 2005). Factors influencing distribution and abundance of species Biotic and abiotic interactions and dynamics within each phase of the life cycle have the potential to influence the distribution and abundance of the adult populations. Adult populations have specific environmental requirements and occupy habitats with particular constraints. These may be physical characteristics such as tidal gradient, exposure, rugosity, habitat complexity, depth. salinity and temperature gradients.There are also biotic factors. A readily available food supply is fundamental but distribution is also influenced by competition and predation. The need for reproduction and dispersal often favours clustering or at least close proximity of adults to ensure fertilization. Dispersal and recruitment of the larval stage ensures the continuance of the species but the role of the planktonic larval stage in invertebrate population dynamics is not yet fully understood. Differences in recruitment vary both both temporally and spatially but the extent that this effect has on adul t abundance and distribution is still a matter of debate (Jenkins, 2005, Pawlik, 1968, Hughes et al, Grosberg and Levitan. 1992 and others). The influences of post settlement density related processes of predation and competition have to be considered in relation to influences effecting the larval stages of the invertebrate. Reproductive strategies influencing dispersal and recruitment A multi-phase life cycle is a reproductive strategy that can offer several advantages for benthic dwelling invertebrates especially those with sessile adult phases such as barnacles and tunicates or sedentary adult phases, such as mussels and crabs. The evolution of a larval stage allows adults with limited movement to disperse their young into new territories. The ability to disperse is an important adaptations of benthic marine invertebrates. The length of time the larvae spend in the water column can be hours days weeks or months depending on the species. Lecithotropic larvae are provided with a source of nutrition to use during their dispersal, usually in the form of a yolk sac, although some lecithotrophic larva can feed many, such as tunicatesare will not, and have to settle before their food source runs out. As a result, these species have short pelagic larval stages and generally do not disperse long distances.(Pawlik, 1986, Pawlik 1992) Planktotrophic development is the most common type of larval development, especially among benthic invertebrates. Many species have relatively long pelagic larval durations. During this time in the water column larvae feed and grow, and many species move through several stages of development. Barnacles, for example, undergo six moults before becoming a ciprid at which stage the stage they search for an appropriate substrate. to settle on (Molenock and Gomez, 1972). This strategy produces the potential of long distances dispersal and colonization of new territorys it also enables species to move away from any habitat that has become non-viable or overcrowded. Larval dispersal, or advection away from the spawning site may decrease competition between the different life stages as larvae use a different food source from the adults. Moreover, filter-feeding adults such as barnacles, are less likely to imbibe their own offspring and other benthic predators are also avoided. A pelagic larval phase that has a long duration is a strategy that could help some species break there parasite cycles. Settlement and recruitment are the initial processes in determining adult population structures. The term settlement is used to describe the transition from a pelagic to a benthic way of life. This is the process where the larvae descend from the water column and take up a permanent abode on the sea bed. Metamorphic changes allow the larvae to acquire the features suitable for their new benthic life style. The settlement process starts with the onset of behaviour patterns associated with a phase of searching for suitable substratum, In the case of sessile invertebrates, this is succeeded by the initiation of permanent attachment to the substratum. This triggers morphogenic changes which culminate in metamorphosis into the juvenile form. Recruitment is generally a reference to newly settled individuals that have survived to a specified size after their settlement (Keough Downes 1982). Variability in recruitment to adult populations is a significant dynamic in the dispersal and abundance of marine invertebrates. The analysis of mechanisms which control settlement and recruitment and of the conditions under which recruitment variation affects adult distribution and abundance is complex but fundamental to understanding population and community variability. Supply side ecology Supply-side ecology is a term coined by Lewin (1986). This way of looking at population dynamics incorporates the potential role that variable larval input and variable recruitment plays in determining the size of local adult populations, Caley et al. 1996, Hughes 1984, 1990, Hughes et al. 2000, Gaines and Roughgarden 1985, Roughgarden et al. 1985) Larval. supply is influenced both by transport mechanisms and larval behaviours. Variation in settlement potential can impact on the distribution and abundance of adult invertebrate populations. Influence of larval supply (or successful recruitment) on population or community structure and its importance relative to other factors. The abundance of larvae in the water column affects the temporal variability of settlement. Post-settlement mortalities can be potentially replaced by new settlement from a plentiful larva supply where benthic mortality is caused by density independent factors (Karlson and Levitan, 1990). Variability in larval supply can be associated with reproductive cycles of adult individuals (Roughgarden et al 1991). Pelagic larval forms are very susceptible to predation by various other marine animals. Rates of larval mortality can affect larval supply for settlement and recruitment. Mortality levels can be reduced by larval behaviour strategies aimed at predator avoidance . This is particularly significant in estuaries which often serve as nursery areas for fish and as a consequence are generally more abundant in predators (Dibacco et al 2001). Avoidance behaviour takes place on both small and large scales. Some larvae avoid predation at a small scale by sinking down the water column when thr eatened by a predator (Zaret and Suffern, 1976). More commonly a general large scale predator avoidance strategy used by many larvae is that of becoming nocturnally active. This limits fish predation as most fishes need light to find and hunt their prey. During the day the larvae are inactive and in shallow waters they remain hidden. Many invertebrate larvae may avoid predators by leaving the immediate coastal zone and developing in the open sea where their are fewer predators. In the open sea, in common with other planktonic species, invertebrate larvae can significantly reduce their risk of predation through diel vertical migrations (Marta-Almeida M, et al 2006) During the day they sink down to in the water colem were there is less light and fewer predators and come up to shallow waters where they feed at night on food such as micro-algae which are abundant in the photic zone. Variable predation at different depths may affect spatial variation of larvae within the water column. Va rying mortality can be caused by retention in the water column for too long. The highest mortality in marine populations occurs during the larval stages, so mortality plays a significant though largely unquantified role in larval dispersal. Abiotic effects such as wind patterns (Mc Quaid Phillips, 2000) currents and other hydrographic factors (Gaines et al 1985, Pineda, 2007) can directly influence larval distribution and supply. as a means of larval transport Larval behaviours responding to local hydrographic features (Jackson 1986) can indirectly influence supply. Larval behaviours by positioning themselves strategically in the water column can utilise or avoid tidal flows or currents. (Gaines et al. 1985, Forward, R.B. Jr, and R.A. Tankersley 2001) This may be important in returning to find the restrictive habitat requirements needed for adult populations. Larvae are capable of. highly discriminative behaviours ,particularly on small scales where larval behaviour can be an important determinant not just of larval distribution and abundance but their behaviour patterns may also influence the subsequent adult distribution and abundance through local variations in settlement and / or recruitment. Although some larvae can extend their survival for a short time if they do not find a suitable place to settle (Gimenez, 2004), their life span as a larva is finite and survival depends ultimately on successful settlement and recruitment. Delay can influence post metamorphic effects and ultimate success. Larvae that have spent too long in the water column may settle and recruit juveniles that have less chance of survival to adults. In this way the influence of the larval stage has bearing on the subsequent adult population. Successful recruitment involves the selection of and often the attatchment to a suitable substrate and subsequent metamorphoses. There are many dangers at this stage. Larvae of shore dwelling species need to avoid becoming stranded by the tide and becoming desiccated. They must find a settlement site at an appropriate tidal height for the requirements of the adult phase and avoid competition. This is a limiting factor for sessile invertebrates space as the larvae need to find space on the habitat where they can settle as well as avoiding predation from adult filter feeders. Overcoming these problems depends on larval behaviours and responses to chemical cues and physical cues such as geo taxis and/or photo taxis. Different species have different triggers (Morse, 1991, Gebauer et al 2004). The interaction of physical processes and biological reactions to chemical cues. are particularly significant on small spacial scales. These interactions represent active selection of micro-sites an d effect both the settlement processes and the abundance of settlement. Chemical cues can be from conspecific individuals (Crisp and Meadows, 1962, Kingsford et al 2002, Pawlick 1986) microbial films (Rodrigues et al.1992) and prey species. Many herbivorous species are induced to settle by presence of crustose algae on which they feed eg abalone (Morse1990 and limpets (Steneck,1982) Barnacle larvae at settlement are influenced by the speed of water flow, contours of the sub-stratum. and increases in light levels (Crisp, 1976). It is thought that some recruitment may take the form of short and episodic pulses (Levin 2006). Recruitment windows, (Pineda,2007) where settlement events take place simultaneously in large numbers, sometimes over wide areas have been identified for some species such as corals, but mechanisms and interactions at work are not understood fully. In open systems like these, degradation of breeding stocks could result in a reduced recruitment to a wider areas.(Hughes et al 2000). Variation in dispersal and the processes and patterns of demographic connections work together to influence patterns of distribution and abundance. Variation in recruitment can also effect the potential survival of the recruits to form adult populations, as numbers of recruits can potentially effect the extent of subsequent biological inter-actions such as predation.(Fairweather, 1988). In this way post-settlement effects can be influenced both by patterns of settlement and environmental factors. Conclusion Understanding the population dynamics of marine invertebrates requires the consideration of the interplay of all stages of the invertebrate life cycle with its environment not only those affecting the adult forms. Larval abundance, mortality, transport mechanisms and behavior before and during settlement are all significant variables that can effect adult populations. The role that multiphase life cycles and their complex inter-relationship with marine ecosystems play in determining population abundance and distribution is not clear. The larval stage of invertebrates has for many years been a largely unknown quantity, but knowledge about the role of larval behaviors is growing. In order to understand the processes by which larvae are dispersed in the water column and to assess recruitment potential, new chemical methods of identifying larval species with similar morphologies using an environmental sampling processor may make it easier to detect, identify and quantify different larval species in situ in the marine environment (Jones et al 2008) Where different behavioural patterns between species evade or take advantage of the general effects of physical oceanographic conditions such as currents or temperature variations, detection, analyses and quantification may further the understaning of the influence this may have on the complexities of settlement and recruitment and their subsequent effects on population abundances and distribution..

Research on Consumer Behavior

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1. 0 THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STUDY The topic of the research is ‘Customer Loyalty towards Fast Food Industry’. The introduction will discuss the background of study that is planned by researcher. This includes problem statement, objective of study, research question, research hypothesis, the theoretical framework and also scope of the study. This proposal consist the introduction part, the literature review and research methodology. Each of these chapters is explained in detail with the sub topic that discusses the essential procedures and steps in completing this study.Customers are the purpose of what marketers. We very much depend on them. That is the main reason why organizations today are focusing on customer loyalty. Customer loyalty is actually the result of an organization creating a benefit for a customer so that they will maintain or increase their purchase from the organization. Loyalty has become important over the past few years becau se of increased competition within respective industries. To be successful, organization must look into the needs and wants of their customers.That is the reason why many researchers and academicians have continuously emphasizes on the importance of customer loyalty and retention. Building customer loyalty towards fast food industry or other business of four factors that is product quality, the important of relation between people that involve in management of the store and lastly are brand image of the product itself. (Kumar, Batista and Maull, 2011) 2. 1 BACKGROUND OF FASTFOOD INDUSTRY Fast food restaurants or outlets today are either kiosks or elaborate quick service restaurants.The franchise operations have generated restaurant chains that offer standardized meals across the globe. On account of a low capital requirement and popularity of fast food, fast food restaurants and drive-through outlets are common throughout the world. Also known as sit-ins and upscale kiosks, these re staurants cater to the dry food demands of the younger generation, extremely tight adult work schedule and distinct ambiance preferences across the globe. An overview of the fast food industry highlights the availability of meals that suffice the need to eat amidst tight work schedule.This has offered great respite to parents who shuttle between work and home for major part of the day. Delicacies like fish and fries, vegetarian and non-vegetarian burgers and pizzas are washed down with great relish, with ales and aerated drinks served complimentary at many of these fast food restaurants. Though accompaniments like coleslaw, baked potatoes and mushy peas satisfy the established and widely accepted compulsion for vegetable-intake, the fried foods are becoming addictive, depriving the modern child of a balanced diet.There is no dearth with regards to the variety available at these outlets. Fast food franchise chains such as Subway, Burger King, McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pi zza Hut cater to demands for seafood, lean meat, special diet meal components, and other considerable regional variations. Snacks such as sandwiches and baguettes are the result of experiments within the fast food industry. Most clientele indulge in the semi-dry and dry meals, to avoid interruption while working or to fulfill a family commitment that otherwise requires a considerable amount of time to be spent in the kitchen . 1. 1Fast food industry in Malaysia In recent years, the major food consumption trend in urban parts of developing countries is that more consumers are eating increasingly more meals outside of their homes and most of growth in away from home eating has been in the fast food sector (Kaynak et al, 2006). The interest shown at the national and international levels concerning the fast food is derived from the scarcity of time in the competitive, dynamic and urban fast life (Platania and Donatella, 2003).According to Arkins and Bowler (2001), emphasis is increasing ly being placed in quick meals solution due to the busier consumer life style and dual working families with children. Consumer lead increasingly busy life meaning that the time available to cook meal is being squeezed between works and leisure commitment. Cooking for many has ceased to be a leisure activity and instead is a core. Consequently, this has placed more emphasis on fast food items. Fast food is rapidly growing industry in the world as well as in Malaysia, especially in the urban areas.Moreover, the food diversity in Malaysia is an implicit characteristic of the diversified culture of the country amongst the different region within the state. 1. 1. 2Background of KFC KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The company was founded as Kentucky Fried Chicken by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952. KFC is present in 110 countries and territories around the world. It has in excess of 5 ,200 outlets in the United States and more than 15,000 units in other parts of the world.KFC prides itself as a fast-food restaurant that give customers great tasting chicken with a selection of home-styled side dishes and desserts to make a wholesome, complete and satisfying meal. Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation (KFC) was the world's largest chicken restaurant chain and third largest fast-food chain in 2000. KFC had a 55 percent share of the U. S. chicken restaurant market in terms of sales and operated more than 10,800 restaurants in 85 countries. KFC was one of the first fast-food chains to go international in the late 1950s and was one of the world's most recognizable brands.KFC's early international strategy was to grow its company and franchise restaurant base throughout the world. By early 2000, however, KFC had refocused its international strategy on several high-growth markets, including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, China, Korea, Thailand, Puerto Rico, and Mexi co. 1. 1. 3Background of KFC in Malaysia The first KFC restaurant in Malaysia was opened in 1973 on JalanTunku Abdul Rahman. Today there are more than 390 KFC Restaurants nationwide and still counting. Great tasting chicken has become synonymous with KFC; and has been enjoyed by Malaysians ever since.In fact, KFC Malaysia has developed a distinctive Malaysian personality of its own. The reason KFC is run by Malaysians and managed by Malaysians; they took it upon themselves to create a selection of food that would make Malaysia proud on the international scene. 1. 2PROBLEM STATEMENT Nowadays, it would be challenging to retain customers and maintaining customers as loyal customer. It would give paramount of challenges to researcher to ensure customers are loyal to them. This is because customer nowadays are have knowledge to choose the best for them and what will make customer become a loyal customer to certain product.It is important for researcher to know how attract customer to bec ome loyal customer. Customer tends to change product if the product can’t give them satisfaction. The right foundation for maintaining a long-standing relationship with customers will increase the chance to the customer loyalty. In this recent economy, put strong pressure on customer loyalty. According to Leon. G Shiffman (2010), company might have big disadvantage when not having loyal customer, because need more marketing efforts aimed at attracting new customers are expensive; indeed, in saturated markets, it may be impossible to find new customers.For example, not popular bookstore might find problem in having new customer because it will cost them a lot. Generally, customer because loyal to companies when they’re reach higher level of satisfaction in their selves after using products or services that offered to them. It is because reach customer has different level of satisfaction that will bring them to become loyal to companies and the unique relationship betwee n customer and company may be a viable contact point for firms to build loyalty. 1. 3THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKCUSTOMER LOYALTY | PRICE| SERVICE| PRODUCT| BRAND IMAGE| 1. 4PURPOSE OF STUDY 1. 4. 1 To determine whether price affect customers loyalty 1. 4. 2To examine relationship between service to customer loyalty 1. 4. 3 To measure whether brand image are important in customer loyalty 1. 4. 4 To investigate the product role in the customer loyalty 1. 5RESEARCH QUESTION 1. 5. 1Does price contribute to customer loyalty? 1. 5. 2Does service give impact to customer loyalty? 1. 5. 3Does brand image influencing customer loyalty? 1. 5. Does product affecting the customer loyalty? 1. 6HYPOTHESIS 1. 6. 1Hypothesis 1 Ho: Price does not contribute to the customer loyalty H1: Price does give high contribute to customer loyalty 1. 6. 2Hypothesis 2 Ho: Service not gives impact to customer loyalty H1: Service gives impact to customer loyalty 1. 6. 3Hypothesis 3 Ho: Brand image does not influencing the customer loyalty H1: Brand image is a big influencer the customer loyalty 1. 6. 4Hypothesis 4 Ho: Product does not affecting customer loyalty H1: Product gives effect to the customer loyalty . 7SIGNIFICANT TO STUDY Businessman One of the alternatives to the businessman to find a way to improve the response from the customers. Besides that, they also will know the weaknesses from all aspects such as services, preparation of the menu, personnel, and others. By knowing all this weaknesses, the management can find the best way to overcome these weaknesses as well as can enhance the image of KFC. Researcher This study also important to the researcher in getting more information besides can gain more knowledge from the study that has done.These findings can be made as references to the people that responsible in promoting this fast food restaurant as well as can improve the economy of the country. Customers Findings from the study that has done can give opportunity to the customers in ex pressing their satisfaction to the service that was provided by this fast food restaurant. 1. 8LIMITATION OF THE STUDY Time constraints Researchers really affected with the time period to finish this study because researcher need some time to get accurate info and study the info.However, researcher able to produce this research report with guidelines. Budget Researcher also facing budget constraint because researcher only student and yet not gain sufficient money pocket. Respondents Researcher focus to distributed question at UiTM Kota Bharu because researcher not able to distribute at other site. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 0INTRODUCTION This chapter focuses on issues related to the customer loyalty in the fast food industry. The literature review in this chapter will present understanding of factors influencing the customer loyalty in the fast food industry.Customer loyalty can be defines as â€Å"customer behavior characterized by a positive buying pattern during an extended period (measured by means of repeat purchase, frequency of purchase, wallet share or other indicators) and driven by a positive attitude towards the company and its products or services† (Looy, Gemmel & Dierdonck, 2003). Dimitriades (2006), define a loyal customer as one who holds a favorable attitude toward the service provider, recommends the service provider to other consumer and exhibits repurchase behavior.In fact that loyal customers buy more products, loyal customers are less price sensitive and pay less attention to competitors’ advertising, servicing loyal customers is cheaper and last is loyal customer will spread positive word of mouth and refer other customers. Loyalty and experience gained over the relationship are positively related (Wang, Liang and Wu, 2006) Price is the amount of money charged for a product or service, or the sum of all the values that customers give up in order to gain the benefits of having or using a product or service.The firm can c hoose between two broad strategies, market-skimming pricing and market-penetration pricing. Market-skimming pricing is setting a high price for a new product to skim maximum revenues layer by layer from the segments willing to pay the high price, the company makes fewer but profitable sales. Market-penetration pricing is setting a low price for a new product in order to attract a large number of buyers and a large market share. (Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong). There are several measurement variables to qualify a person's product-price knowledge.Price mechanisms, price consciousness, the use of a shopping list, and shopping frequency, as determinants of the accuracy and size of, and confidence in, one's product-price knowledge, even though the impact structure is not uniform. There are some indications that formerly encountered price stimuli represent a relatively obsolete part of a consumer's product-price knowledge. (Hans Pechtl). Product is the key element in the overall market of fering. According to Clayton Brown, Contributor, the product definition should be dynamic and reflect the needs of the company and the customer.A product definition at least includes the elements of product positioning, product differentiation and product life cycle. (Brown, C. (2012). Product also can be defined as anything that can be offered to a market for attention, acquisition, use or consumption that might satisfy a want or need (Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong). Brand image can be defined as â€Å"set of perceptions about a brand as reflected by the brand associations held in consumers’ memory† (Philip Kotler, 2006). Jeffrey E. Danes and Jeffrey S.Hess and York (2010) most agree that brand image is a mental constructs that customers form based on their connections and associations with the brand. Services are form of product that consists of activities, benefits, or satisfactions offered for sale that are essentially intangible and do not result in the ownership of anything (Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong). CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3. 0INTRODUCTION Research methodology includes all the data and analysis phases for the research paper. It includes the data collection method from primary data like questionnaire and the secondary data which is from internet or website.On the other hand, the other data collection methods are from observation and sampling. In order to analyze the data, the methods are frequency analysis, reliability test, regression analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis 3. 1 RESEARCH DESIGN Methodology can be defined as an approach used in the research process to assess the data. Methods are also such things as study design, population and sample, the study procedures and analysis methods data. Its aims to ensure data collection methods used in research studies is compatible with the objectives of the research objectives to be achieved.According to Malhotra (2007) research design is a frame work or blueprint for conduc ting the marketing research project. It details the procedures necessary for obtaining the information needed to structure or solve marketing research problem. The researcher is the type of conclusive research that has as its major objective the description of something, usually the market characteristics or functions. 3. 2DATA COLLECTING METHOD Collection is the process of gathering, assembling and accumulation of information. There are two methods of data collection generating has been implemented, that is the primary data and secondary data.For the purpose of this study, the researcher will gather the data from both primary and secondary data to complete this study. 3. 2. 1Primary Data The primary data sources are from the distribution of questionnaire. Researcher will build a set questionnaire that is related to the study and distribute to the respondent a) Questionnaire Researcher will use questionnaire method in order to gather the information. The questions contain the indepe ndent variables and dependent variable. A set questionnaire will be distributed to the respondent which is the customer of KFC KBMall. The respondent consists of 50 customers.There are three sections in the questionnaire, which include personal detail of respondent. Section B will be including the question about independent variables that are, price, product, service and brand image. The last section is regarding the dependent variable which is customer loyalty. i. Nominal Question The questionnaire is based on the independent variable that researcher found through literature review and other information. In section A, the respondents need to answer nominal question. The respondents need to choose only one answer because in section A is about respondents’ profile such as gender, marital status or age. i. Likert Scale Question Other than that, researcher use Likert Scale in the section B and C where the respondents need to circle the answer which include the degree acceptance with factors that lead to customer loyalty. 3. 2. 2Secondary Data In this research, the data of secondary sources were obtained from both internal and external secondary data such as books, company’s reports, journals and also through selected websites. 3. 3SAMPLING METHOD 3. 3. 1Collecting the Sample of Respondents For this study, the researcher has selected 50 respondents who come to KFC KBMall by using the simple random method. 3. 4METHOD OF DATA ANALYSISIn conducting the research, after respondents were determined, the researcher has analyzed the data using the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 17. 0. SPSS is also used to identify the relationship between two or more variables. Meaning that, it involves the process of hypothesis testing. By using the SPSS, ordinary simple linear regression model and multiple regression model analysis are selected in order to analyze and the test hypothesis. This technique is commonly used in business and economics for estimating the relationship between two or more values of dependent and independent variable.CHAPTER 4: FINDING AND DATA ANALYSIS 4. 0INTRODUCTION This chapter will discuss the results and findings of this study by using frequency distribution, reliability, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Before the analyses were thoroughly done, all data were edited and passes through the reliability analysis. At the end of the chapter, discussions about decision on hypothesis were reported. 4. 1 FREQUENCIES In the Section A, demographic session in questionnaire, the data will be calculated in the frequency distribution. 4. 1. 1Frequency Distribution Analysis by GenderResponds to Gender| | | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Male| 14| 28. 0| 28. 0| 28. 0| | Female| 36| 72. 0| 72. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 1 : Table of frequency analysis gender Figure 4. 1: Pie chart of frequency by gender Based on the table above, shows th at 50 respondents that give feedback through questionnaire, there are 35 were female and the remaining 14 were male. From the frequency analysis result, the majority of respondent who dealing with KFC KB Mall were female rather than male. 4. 1. 2Frequency Analysis by Age Responds to Age| | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| 18-24 years| 22| 44. 0| 44. 0| 44. 0| | 25-29 years| 5| 10. 0| 10. 0| 54. 0| | 30-35 years| 8| 16. 0| 16. 0| 70. 0| | 36-41 years| 4| 8. 0| 8. 0| 78. 0| | 42 years and above| 11| 22. 0| 22. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 2: Frequency analysis by age Figure 4. 2: Bar chart of frequency analysis by age Meanwhile, the result of the frequency analysis of 18 – 24 years is 44. 0% or 22 respondents. Furthermore, about 5 respondents are 25 – 25 years and the percentage of it is 10. 0%. For 30 – 35 years old respondents are about 8 respondents which are about 16. % And for 36 – 41 years old, by whi ch the lowest frequency analysis of age used KFC services at KB Mall, about 4 respondents of it is 8%. The second higher percentage followed by respondent’s age 42 years and above or about 11 respondents which are about 22%. 4. 1. 3Frequency Analysis by Race Responds to Race| | | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Malay| 40| 80. 0| 80. 0| 80. 0| | Chinese| 9| 18. 0| 18. 0| 98. 0| | Indian| 1| 2. 0| 2. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 3: Frequency analysis by race Figure 4. 3 : Pie chart of frequency analysis by raceThe result from Figure 4. 3 shows the customers of KFC KB Mall is multiple races, which the rrespondents were Malay, Chinese, Indian and others. Malay’s respondents are the biggest percentage among the others which take 40 respondents or 80. 0%. Therefore, most of KFC KB Mall customer is Malay meanwhile Chinese respondent is the highest, which takes 10 of respondents or 20. 0%. Indian show the respondent is only 1 respondent or 2. 0% that used KFC KB Mall. 4. 1. 4Frequency Analysis by Marital Status Responds to Status| | | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Single| 27| 54. 0| 54. | 54. 0| | Married| 23| 46. 0| 46. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 4 : Frequency analysis by marital status Figure 4. 4 : Pie chart of frequency analysis by marital status Table 4. 4 shows frequency analysis of marital status for 50 respondents. From 50 respondents, there are 27 of respondents or 54. 0% were single and about 23 of respondents or 46. 0% are married. Therefore, the researcher concluded that the customer of KFC KB Mall is single person because have higher percentage in the frequency distribution analysis. 4. 1. 5Frequency analysis by Education Level Responds to Education| | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| SPM/SPV/MCE| 5| 10. 0| 10. 0| 10. 0| | Diploma/STP/STPM/HSE| 4| 8. 0| 8. 0| 18. 0| | Bachelor Degree| 37| 74. 0| 74. 0| 92. 0| | Master Degree and above| 4| 8. 0| 8. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 5 : Frequency analysis by education level Figure 4. 5 : Pie chart of frequency analysis by education level Table 4. 5 indicates that most of customer is at Bachelor Degree of education, which’s covered 37 respondents or 74. 0% of respondents. It is followed by customer from SPM/SPVM/MCE level with 5 respondents or 10. 0% respondents.On the other hand, there are about 4 respondents or 8. 0% respondents who are having the qualification of from Diploma/STP/STPM/HSE and 4 other respondents from Master Degree and above Responds to Income| | | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Below RM1,000| 17| 34. 0| 34. 0| 34. 0| | RM 1,000 – RM 1,499| 6| 12. 0| 12. 0| 46. 0| | RM 1,500 – RM 1,999| 5| 10. 0| 10. 0| 56. 0| | RM 2,000 – RM 2,499| 1| 2. 0| 2. 0| 58. 0| | RM 2,500 – RM 2,999| 4| 8. 0| 8. 0| 66. 0| | RM 3,000 and above| 17| 34. 0| 34. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 6 : Frequency analysis by income levelFigure 4. 6 : Bar chart of frequency analysis by income level Table 4. 6 indicates that 34% of the respondents have the personal income ranging below RM1,000. While, the next 34% of respondents have an income from RM3,000 and above. There are 12% of respondents have income ranging from RM1,000 to RM1,499, 10% of respondents have income from RM1,500 to RM1,999, 8% respondents from RM2,500 to RM2,999 and the last is 2% of the respondents’ income level is RM2,000 to RM2,499. 4. 1. 7Frequency Analysis by Occupation Responds to Occupation| | | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Government| 22| 44. | 44. 0| 44. 0| | Private| 3| 6. 0| 6. 0| 50. 0| | Business| 2| 4. 0| 4. 0| 54. 0| | Retired| 1| 2. 0| 2. 0| 56. 0| | Housewives| 1| 2. 0| 2. 0| 58. 0| | Student| 21| 42. 0| 42. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 7 : Frequency analysis by occupation Figure 4. 7: Pie chart of frequency analysis by occupation Table 4. 7 indicates that most of respondents are working at a government sector with 44% or 22 respondents. It is follow by respondents who are students with 42% or 21 respondents. And for private sector, it contribute respondents at 6% or 3 respondents, follow by 4% from business.Lastly is follow by retired and housewives which are each of them with 2% each. 4. 1. 8Frequency Analysis by frequency goes to KFC KB Mall per month Responds to Frequency| | | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Once per month| 26| 52. 0| 52. 0| 52. 0| | Two times per month| 8| 16. 0| 16. 0| 68. 0| | Three times per month| 10| 20. 0| 20. 0| 88. 0| | Four times per month| 3| 6. 0| 6. 0| 94. 0| | Five times per month| 1| 2. 0| 2. 0| 96. 0| | More than above| 2| 4. 0| 4. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 8 : Frequency Analysis by frequency goes to KFC KBMall per month Figure 4. : Pie chart of Frequency Analysis by fre quency goes to KFC KBMall per month Table 4. 8 shows that respondents who goes once per month to KFC KB Mall is the highest contribution to respondents which covered 52% or 26 of respondents. It is followed by three times per month which covered 20% or 10 of respondents. In the other hand, there are about 16% or 8 of respondents who goes to KFC KB Mall two times per month. Next is followed with more than above which 4% or 2 of respondents and the last is five timer per month which is 2% or 1 of respondents. 4. 1. 9Frequency Analysis by spending at KFC KB Mall Responds to Spent| | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Below RM15| 11| 22. 0| 22. 0| 22. 0| | RM16 – RM30| 14| 28. 0| 28. 0| 50. 0| | RM31 and above| 25| 50. 0| 50. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 9 : Frequency Analysis by spending at KFC KBMall Figure 4. 9 : Bar chart of Frequency Analysis by spending at KFC KB Mall Table 4. 9 indicate that the highest spending by responden ts are RM31 and above which 50% or 25 of respondents. The second is from RM16 to RM30 which 28% or 14 of the respondents and lastly is the lowest, spending below RM15 which is 22% or 11 of the respondents. . 1. 10Frequency Analysis by Types of Products at KFC KB Mall Responds to Products| | | Frequency| Percent| Valid Percent| Cumulative Percent| Valid| Kids meal| 4| 8. 0| 8. 0| 8. 0| | Family meal| 15| 30. 0| 30. 0| 38. 0| | Individual meal| 19| 38. 0| 38. 0| 76. 0| | Burger| 7| 14. 0| 14. 0| 90. 0| | Snacks and desserts| 5| 10. 0| 10. 0| 100. 0| | Total| 50| 100. 0| 100. 0| | Table 4. 10 : Frequency Analysis by Types of Products at KFC KBMall Figure 4. 10 : Pie chart of Frequency Analysis by Types of Products at KFC KB Mall Table 5. indicates that most of respondents are enjoy to choose individual meals where 19 respondents which are 38% of respondents. It was follow by family meals of 15 respondents where 30% of respondents. Meanwhile, the result for snack and dessert are 5 respo ndents where 10%. Furthermore about 7 respondents or 14% would buy burger. And lastly is follow by kids’ meal with 4 respondents or 8% respondents. 4. 2RELIABILITY ANALYSIS Reliability analysis is a measure of the internal consistency of a set of scale items. The more reliable a set of scale items, the more confidence score the researcher obtained.According the Rules of Thumb about Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient Size, there is value between 0 until 1. The closer result to 1, the more reliable the scale of variable. When the result is below than 0. 5, the reliability is not effective. Alpha Coefficient Range| Strength of Association| ; . 6| Poor| .6 to ; . 7| Moderate| .7 ; . 8| Good| .8 to ; . 9| Very Good| .9| Excellent| Table 4. 11 Rules of Thumb about Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient Size Based on Hair et al (2003), the reliability test can be interpreted according to the strength using Rules of Thumb. 4. 2. 1Reliability Analysis for Customer Loyalty Reliability St atistics|Cronbach's Alpha| N of Items| .774| 5| Table 4. 12 Reliability analysis for customer loyalty This is the reliability test for customer loyalty, which the Cronbach’s Alpha value is 0. 774. It means that the questions are good to be asked to the respondents. 4. 2. 2Reliability Analysis for Price Reliability Statistics| Cronbach's Alpha| N of Items| .796| 5| Table 4. 13 Reliability analysis for price This is the reliability test for price, which the Cronbach’s Alpha value is 0. 796. It means that the questions are good and reliable to be asked to the respondents. 4. 2. 3Reliability Analysis for Service Reliability Statistics|Cronbach's Alpha| N of Items| .990| 4| Table 4. 14 Reliability analysis for service This is the reliability test for service, which the Cronbach’s Alpha value is 0. 990. It means that the questions are excellent and reliable to be asked to the respondents 4. 2. 4Reliability Analysis for Brand Image Reliability Statistics| Cronbach's Al pha| N of Items| .685| 3| Table 4. 15 Reliability analysis for brand image This is the reliability test for brand image, which the Cronbach’s Alpha value is 0. 685. It is means that the questions are moderate and reliable to be asked to the respondents. 4. 2. 5Reliability Analysis for ProductReliability Statistics| Cronbach's Alpha| N of Items| .721| 5| Table 4. 16 Reliability analysis for product This is the reliability test for product, which the Cronbach’s alpha value is 0. 892. It is means that the questions are very good and reliable to be asked to the respondents. The finding result for reliability analysis Variable| Cronbach’s Alpha| Strength of Association| Customer Loyalty| 0. 856| Very good| Price| 0. 916| Excellent| Service| 0. 720| Good| Brand Image| 0. 930| Excellent| Product| 0. 892| Very good| Table 4. 17 The finding result for reliability analysis 4. 3PEARSON’S CORRELATION OF COEFFICIENTThe researcher used this method to analyze if there i s a measure relationship between two variables. The researcher used Pearson Correlation Matrix to test hypothesis because the questionnaire is an interval measurement of scale. Correlations| | | Price| Service| Image| Product| Response of customer| Price| Pearson Correlation| 1| . 938**| . 972**| . 986**| . 969**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| | . 000| . 000| . 000| . 000| | N| 50| 50| 50| 50| 50| Service| Pearson Correlation| . 938**| 1| . 949**| . 951**| . 926**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| | . 000| . 000| . 000| | N| 50| 50| 50| 50| 50| Image| Pearson Correlation| . 972**| . 49**| 1| . 984**| . 967**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| . 000| | . 000| . 000| | N| 50| 50| 50| 50| 50| Product| Pearson Correlation| . 986**| . 951**| . 984**| 1| . 979**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| . 000| . 000| | . 000| | N| 50| 50| 50| 50| 50| Response of customer| Pearson Correlation| . 969**| . 926**| . 967**| . 979**| 1| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| . 000| . 000| . 000| | | N| 50| 50| 50| 50| 50| **. Correlation is signif icant at the 0. 01 level (2-tailed). | Table 4. 18 Summary of correlation data Correlations| | | Price| Response of customer| Price| Pearson Correlation| 1| . 969**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| | . 000| | N| 50| 50|Response of customer| Pearson Correlation| . 969**| 1| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| | | N| 50| 50| **. Correlation is significant at the 0. 01 level (2-tailed). | Table 4. 19 Correlation between price and customer loyalty Hypothesis 1 Ho: Price does not contribute to the customer loyalty H1: Price does give high contribute to customer loyalty The finding from the data released that customer loyalty and price value is 0. Even the result shows that the value is significant and high relationship between two variables. Correlations| | | Response of customer| Service| Response of customer| Pearson Correlation| 1| . 926**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| | . 00| | N| 50| 50| Service| Pearson Correlation| . 926**| 1| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| | | N| 50| 50| **. Correlation is significant at the 0. 01 le vel (2-tailed). | Table 4. 20 Correlation between service and customer loyalty Hypothesis 2 Ho: Service not gives impact to customer loyalty H1: Service gives impact to customer loyalty The finding from the data released that customer loyalty and service value is 0. Even the result shows that the value is significant and high relationship between two variables. Therefore the H1 will be accepted and H0 will be rejected. Correlations| | | Service| Image| Service| Pearson Correlation| 1| . 49**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| | . 000| | N| 50| 50| Image| Pearson Correlation| . 949**| 1| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| | | N| 50| 50| **. Correlation is significant at the 0. 01 level (2-tailed). | Table 4. 21 Correlation between Brand image and customer loyalty Hypothesis 3 Ho: Brand image does not influencing the customer loyalty H1: Brand image is a big influencer the customer loyalty The finding from the data released that customer loyalty and brand image value is 0. Even the result shows that the valu e is significant and high relationship between two variables. Therefore the H1 will be accepted and H0 will be rejected. Correlations| | Product| Response of customer| Product| Pearson Correlation| 1| . 979**| | Sig. (2-tailed)| | . 000| | N| 50| 50| Response of customer| Pearson Correlation| . 979**| 1| | Sig. (2-tailed)| . 000| | | N| 50| 50| **. Correlation is significant at the 0. 01 level (2-tailed). | Table 4. 22 Correlation between product and customer loyalty Hypothesis 4 Ho: Product does not affecting customer loyalty H1: Product gives effect to the customer loyalty The finding from the data released that customer loyalty and product value is 0. Even the result shows that the value is significant and high relationship between two variables.Therefore the H1 will be accepted and H0 will be rejected. 4. 3REGRESSION ANALYSIS Model Summary| Model| R| R Square| Adjusted R Square| Std. Error of the Estimate| 1| . 980a| . 960| . 956| . 459| a. Predictors: (Constant), Product, Servi ce, Image, Price| Table 4. 18 Model Summary From the table of model summary above, the value of r square 0. 980. This means that 0. 980 of dependent variable are explain by independent variable that has been use in the research. This indicates the high percentage which means that almost all of the independent variables can be used in this research. ANOVAb| Model| Sum of Squares| df| Mean Square| F| Sig. | | Regression| 225. 636| 4| 56. 409| 267. 647| . 000a| | Residual| 9. 484| 45| . 211| | | | Total| 235. 120| 49| | | | a. Predictors: (Constant), Product, Service, Image, Price| b. Dependent Variable: Response of customer| Table 4. 18 ANOVA Regarding to the above table, the F-test is significant which is P value 0. 00 < 0. 05. It means that all the variables validated and accepted since the p-value less than 0. 05. Therefore the model is significant to other words at least one of independent variable is significant to predict the dependent variable. Coefficientsa| Model| Unstandardi zed Coefficients| Standardized Coefficients| t| Sig. | B| Std. Error| Beta| | | 1| (Constant)| . 015| . 266| | . 057| . 955| | Price| . 104| . 180| . 105| . 580| . 565| | Service| -. 057| . 080| -. 072| -. 718| . 476| | Image| . 146| . 159| . 158| . 917| . 364| | Product| . 727| . 225| . 788| 3. 232| . 002| a. Dependent Variable: Response of customer| Table 4. 19 Standard Coefficients The t-test shows the significant result for the dependent variable which is 0. 047 < 0. 05. Besides that, for the other variable which are corporate reputation and service quality where p value is < 0. 05 and it means there is significant relationship. CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5. INTRODUCTION For this chapter, the researchers will concludes all the information that had been mention from chapter one until chapter four. The researchers also included the suggestion and recommendation for KFC at KB Mall based on the finding in chapter four for future research in order to help other researc hers make improvement and thus provide useful information. 5. 1 CONCLUSION This research had been conduct to identify customer loyalty at KFC KB Mall. Customer is the most important asset for every business in the world. All the companies do not want to lose their own customer especially if customers turn away to the competitors.The researchers had found that the factors of customer loyalty based on price, service, brand image and product. Besides that, there have four hypotheses for this study, which can be prove. The result for hypotheses shows that all the independent variables that are price, service, brand image and product have significant relationship with customer loyalty but the most significant variable is product. In terms of the independent variables, the researchers found that product plays important factor that affecting to the customer loyalty because it has strong correlation which is, 0. 79. 5. 2 RECOMMENDATION Nowadays, there are many fast food restaurant have been built in Malaysia. So existence of the new fast food restaurants such as RasaMas, Chicken Rice Shop, and McDonald exist and they are really make good competition among them. Therefore, to reduce customer loyalty, it is important to KFC to be maintained as a number one in the fast food industry. Thus, through this study researchers willing to make some suggestions for KFC KB Mall and hope it can help in the future. 5. 2. 1 Training the StaffStaff at KFC KB Mall is very important to create long term relationship because they are person who meet customers and treats the order from customers. Therefore, KFC at KB Mall branch’s staff should be giving training maybe twice a year on how to overcome and how to communicate with the customers. Although it takes high cost for the company, KFC need to scarify to create high customer satisfaction. Through training, KFC’s staff can control their emotion when faces different customers who are uncontrollable and have different charac teristics.Furthermore, the staff also should have basic knowledge that can help customers to solved problems. 5. 2. 2 Faster counter services Counter service is important to increase customer loyalty. This is because customer always rushes for their time. Therefore, KFC KB Malls’ staffs need to limit time serving one customer. It can be done if KFC KB Malls’ staff can serve the customers’ immediately and not waste time. Besides that, KFC also need to improve in term of time taken order for one customer. This is because from the researcher observation, customer always complaint that they need to wait until 6 until 10 minutes for taken an order.Sometimes, customers urgently want to order the menu. So, KFC need to improve their process and use another way when make the serving menu. 5. 2. 3 Change the location Location also plays the important factors in giving the best service to the customer. Basically location at KB Mall is crowded because in front of KFC is Mc Donald, RasaMas, Chicken Rice Shop. So, there are many competitors there and customers hard to make choice to go to the fast food restaurant. KFC should find the places that surrounding the building do not have too many competitors that will affected their business.REFERENCES Kotler, P. , & Armstrong, G. (2012). Principles of Marketing. (14th ed. ). England: Pearson Education Limited. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. kfc. com. my/about-kfc-malaysia. php (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. fastfoodmarketing. org/fast_food_facts_in_brief. aspx freedownload. is. (2011). Retrieved from http://freedownload. is/pdf/consumers-preference-and-consumption-13515192. html Jeffrey A. Krug. (2001). KFC and Global Fast Food Industry. Retrieved from http://www. oppapers. com/essays/Kfc-Global-Fast-Food-Industry/168890

Epic Hero Comparison(Beowulf and The hobbit) Essay

An epic hero is a larger than life character who has legendary skill and prowess. An epic hero has to perform heroic deeds. An epic hero is thought of having traditional charm and charisma. He has very strong ethics morals and a code of conduct. The epic hero is always thought of as a male as the tradition of the epic hero originated in the Anglo Saxon culture which was a male dominant society. A perfect example of an epic hero is Beowulf. He kills Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon all of which are heroic deeds that no one else was able or willing to take on. The foes that Beowulf fought were all beyond human strength and capabilities and required superhuman abilities to bring down. In Bilbo’s case he takes down the spider by himself and tries to face up to challenges that he would normally never have done in his comfortable hobbit home. This shows a hero putting the need of the many against the need of the few. The heroic tradition in literature has definitely moved from epic heroes, the creation of larger-than-life characters that had legendary strength and physical characteristics, to the move towards anti-heroes, which particularly developed in the 20th and 21st centuries, with the focus on leading protagonists who lack certain heroic qualities such as idealism courage and generosity. In both stories, the concept of vengeance is the first to appear. In Beowulf, vengeance is what drives the entire plot of the poem, as one action is carried out in response to a former action – to seek vengeance for a prior wrong. It is Beowulf, introduced as a strong, powerful character from the start, whose own heroic code compels him to seek vengeance against Grendel for deeds the monster committed against Hrothgar. Beowulf himself is an epic hero who even before arriving at Herot has already built for himself a tremendous reputation that goes before him and is based on acts that no mere mortal could accomplish or achieve. He arrives at Herot as a fully formed character. When considering Beowulf as a character, it is clear that his exploits and fame confirm his as a character whose strength is certainly out of this world, and more powerful than any other character alive today. This shows he is definitely a hero in the epic hero tradition. Bilbo by contrast starts the novel as a quiet, peaceful and unadventurous hobbit that sometimes goes through periods where he wonders what on earth he is doing on this adventure with dwarves and a wizard. Bilbo is called upon to do more than he imagines himself capable of. He does not like to travel, preferring the safety of his hobbit-hole, but he has inherited a streak of adventurousness from his mother’s side, the Tooks. His adventurous Took side and his comfort-loving Baggins side are in conflict throughout much of the story. It is clear from his early attempts to sneak up on enemies, such as with the trolls that he has a lot to learn and his early failures show that he is much more of a dynamic character than Beowulf is in the way that he learns heroism and courage and refines his skills as time goes by. Near the beginning of their journey, Bilbo was quite vulnerable to the dangers and was frequently rescued by the others. As the adventure continues and Bilbo shows his worth and value first in the Misty Mountains and then secondly with the Elves and then finally the spiders, Bilbo becomes a hero in his own right. As he progressed through the quest, he went on his own little adventures which helped him become braver and wiser. Bilbo willingly forfeits his own claim to the treasure in order to secure peace. Bilbo shows himself to not just be a hero in terms of his skills and qualities but a hero in his character as well which is something arguably that Beowulf does not show as he seems to risk his own life against the dragon knowing that his death would be disastrous for his own people. Finally, his heroic status is secured when he delivers the Arkenstone of Thrain to the Elvenking and Bard in order to secure a peace between the dwarves and the elves and humans.

French Introductions, or Les Présentations

When you meet French speakers, you need to know how to introduce yourself and what to say when you are introduced.  French can be a bit tricky when introducing yourself or others depending on whether you know the person to whom you are making the introduction(s) or even if you have had any contact with the person. In French, those circumstances all require different introductions. Basic Introductions French uses the verb  se prà ©senter, not  introduire,  meaning to introduce something into something else, which translates into English as to insert. The most basic introduction in French, then, would be: Je me prà ©sente. Let me introduce myself. Using s’appeler is the common way of introducing yourself in French. Don’t think of it as â€Å"to name oneself† because it will only confuse you. Think of it in the context of introducing your name to someone, and link the French words to that context instead of applying a literal translation, as in: Je m​appelle...   My name is... Use je suis with people who already know your name, such as those  you have already talked to on the phone or by mail but never met in person, as in: Je suis...   I am... If you dont know the person or have never spoken to him on the phone or contacted him by email or  mail, use  je m’appelle,  as noted previously. Introducing by Name There are also distinctions between formal and informal introductions, as well as singular versus plural introductions, as noted in the tables in this and the subsequent section. French Introduction English Translation Mon prà ©nom est My (first) name is Je vous prà ©sente (formal and/or plural) I’d like to introduce Je te prà ©sente (informal) I'd like to introduce Voici This is, Here is Il s'appelle His name is Elle s'appelle Her name is Meeting People In French, when you are meeting people, you have to be careful about using the correct gender, as well as whether the introduction is formal or informal, as in these examples. French Introduction Enlish Translation Comment vous appelez-vous? (formal and/or plural) What is your name? Comment t'appelles-tu? (informal) What is your name? Enchantà ©. (masculine) It's nice to meet you. Enchantà ©e. (feminine) It's nice to meet you. French Names Nicknames — or  un surnom in French — are much less common in this Romance language than in American English, but they are not unheard of. Often, a longer first name will be shortened, such as  Caro  for Caroline or  Flo  for Florence.   French Name English Translation Le prà ©nom first name, given name Le nom last name, family name, surname Le surnom nickname Cheek Kissing and Other Greetings Cheek kissing  is certainly an accepted form of greeting in France, but there are strict  (unwritten) social rules to follow. Cheek kissing is generally OK, for example, but not hugging. So, its important to learn not only the words that go with cheek kissing — such as  bonjour  (hello) — but also the social norms that are expected when greeting someone in this manner. There are also other ways to say  hello  and ask  How are you?  in French.