STEEP+Analysis

__**STEEP Analysis on Trends/Events**__

**Ramadan ** **Social ** The month of Ramadan brings new lifestyles among the Muslim community which in turn affect one’s attitude in the workplace as well as a change in values and health care. **Technological ** Due to the change of employee’s attitude in the work environment, it will be hard to catch wind of new technological advances and also slow down processes of development in research and development department. **Economic ** While many aspects of business life do indeed slow down, some areas, such as spending on food and other consumables experience a marked increase in activity. In essence, rather than simply slowing down, the character of the economies changes, with a rise in consumer spending helping to make up for the fall in other areas. This can also effect the economy as tourists stay at home and major deals are put on hold **Environmental ** The Ramadan fasting time affects the work schedules of employees. This can be in business areas whereby employees are late to work or leave early. This is also found in learning institutions whereby exam timings are altered, lecturers and students arrive to class late and sometimes lecturers are rescheduled. **Political **  At a time where countries such as Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen and Syria are uprising against oppressive governments and dictators through various protests and demonstrations, Ramadan can bring certain effects to this. Fasting in the heat of August is physically demanding. Most, if not all, of the present demonstrations, strikes and sit-ins will end during Ramadan. Nobody will go out to protest or shout in the streets. So for hundreds of thousands of people, the holy month may be an interval to draw breath after long months of troubles, riots, protests and brutal repression.


 * By Stanley Mburu**

1) Political: Demonstrations took place in Malaysia has caused high loss in Malaysian government where it had affected the tourism in Malaysia, due to tourists’ fear of protesters.  2) Economic: The financial crisis in Malaysia has resulted in loss of RM33 billion out of the stock market. It caused a high negative impact on the Malaysian economy as it was the largest since 1997, where it influenced the tourism in Malaysia as fewer tourists visited the country on the same year.  3) Social: During Hari Raya the tourism in Malaysia is high and more attractive for tourists to visit due to the increase in activities and holidays in many Muslim countries.

4) Technology: The availability of online websites for booking has increased the opportunities for tourists to arrange their touring in Malaysia. This encouraged the tourists to make the arrangements and booking online due to its ease and it saves time and effort.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">5) Environmental: Swine Flu has caused a fall in Malaysia’s economy as fewer tourists visited the country in 2009 due to their fear of getting infected by this flu.


 * By Mohammed Hasheem**