American Shaolin 1

In American Shaolin, Matt, the main character has a defining characteristic of being idealistic. To be idealistic one has to be merely honest. The concept of idealism is to act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form. This idealism is rapidly seen in first chapter of book one, Matt develops a list of things wrong with him, he annotates the following, â€Å"Things that are wrong with Matt: 1. Ignorant 2. Cowardly 3. Still a boy/not a man 4. Unattractive to the opposite sex 5. Spiritually confused (14). Matt wrote the list at age fifteen, which was back when he was a bully’s favorite target. Since the beginning of the book Matt seemed to point out that he was â€Å"weak. † It was mentioned a numerous amount of times that throughout his school years Matt was a ninety-eight pound boy, which one knows is not heavy at all, so it’s very easy for bullies to pick on him if they wanted to. Referring back to the list Matt wanted to change himself, he wanted to o ne day become a tough fighter that would be able to protect himself in similar situations to those the same he had faced from his past. In doing so he took action and decided to take a year off college, Princeton, and use that same college money to travel to China. Matt was on a mission to find the Shaolin Temple. He had figured out that in order to break out of the shell of being bullied he wanted to study the martial arts of kungfu. â€Å"[He] had been taking kungfu classes since freshman year, because when [he] was nine years old [he] had seen a rerun of David Carradine’s Kung Fu and was never the same again (15). He didn’t figure this out alone, with the help of Professor Gu, he made his decision. Are you afraid of chi ku? † Professor Gu asked â€Å"Eat bitter? †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"No,† I lied†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Then you must go to the Shaolin Temple (16). † Although Matt did not have the support he wanted, his idealistic mind did not stop him. He was going to do what he set his mind on. In taking money from his college fund he was really taking action for what he wanted to do. Not onl y was it something his parents did not agree it, but it was something he had to go through alone, which one can say depicts the â€Å"cowardly† part off the list. Although he claims to have been a coward since grade school, if Matt was truly a coward he would have not taken that big step in life all on his own. But since this was something he did want, he did the actions to make his dream possible. Not only does he manage to get to China alone, but he has to find his way alone. All he can do is ask directions it doesn’t take a coward to confront random people, whom don’t speak English, and ask them for help in a different continent in which one is new to. Although he claims to not be so good at his Chinese, Matt seems to get plenty of compliments of how well he does speak the language. â€Å"Aiya, you speak Chinese! † she cried clapping her hands to her mouth â€Å"Just a little. † â€Å"Your Chinese is so good! (16)† Since the beginning Matt seemed to cross off â€Å"ignorant† from his list all on his own. Since his junior year of high school Matt decided to take steps forward and become a very successful person. He felt that although he was only at his junior year of college, he was done with college. As I finished, I leaned my head back in my chair with pride, and the list flashed in my head. I was suffused with a sweet glow of success (14). † After having the feeling of relief Matt soon started to feel like he needed to work on eliminating more of the factors wrong with him from the list. That is when Matt’s idealistic mind take role and speaks for itself. His steps to going to China were g etting closer, [his] obsession with kungfu had led to an interest in Chinese culture†¦ [He] was all flight ad no fight (15). As much as Matt was learning about the Chinese culture to link with â€Å"unattractive to the opposite sex he learns that â€Å"because the Chinese tend to hit puberty later (at fourteen to sixteen) and because it is a sexually conservative country, especially in rural regions, the Chinese don’t usually start dating before they are eighteen†¦It was common for Wushu Center monks who had reached the peak of their power to find a special female friend to focus the extra energy they no longer needed to improve their kungfu skills (116). Matt has an open mind and is learning much from his time in China. One can say that if things go well for Matt, maybe after he’s completed his kungfu training he might just find that one girl who will make him cross off his factor from the list. Towards the middle of the book Matt sets an example of how he was a coward, when one day he had a conversation with Coach Cheng and he was asked if he was afraid of being hit, Matt replies, â€Å"The pain. † He looked at [him] for a long time. When you were little, did they beat you? His question caught [him] off guard. [His] eyes got hot. â€Å"Classmates? † [He] nodded (161). † Matt shows that he is being idealistic because he really wants to change the way things have been from his childhood, he doesn’t seem to give up. His actions speak louder than the words he himself speaks. With his mind set in moving forward, he is acknowledging more wisdom as every day goes by. To be idealistic is take action as to for one wants to accomplish in their lives. Matt has shown that he is very idealistic by going to China to study kungfu. Generally, Matt's idealism is negotiated throughout his character, affecting his decisions to change the way he is and the way he will be for the rest of his life. If it wasn’t for his idealism, Matt would not be where he has gotten so far, he would have been back at home lacking the experience he went through still depicting about how he lived a bullied childhood. Matt's idealism developed from the moment he was back at home to now when he lives in China.

A Logger’s Lament

The article talks about the life of our loggers and how they should be seen in a larger picture.Loggers are always considered as people who cut trees, leaving them bare and causing discomfort for other species in the forest.But looking into it more closely, loggers do not have any difference from the endangered species that most of the environmentalist groups are rallying for protection.They are just like the farmers that we all know, gathering produce when wheat and other crops are all ready to be picked, the only difference is that loggers are harvesting large products compared to wheat, but the concept are all the same. These loggers are cutting trees and planting trees for replacement.They spend more than thirty years taking care of their trees, keeping in mind that eventually they will be able to yield what they have been spending their time with. If one could analyze it, they are spending almost half of their lifetime for just one tree to be harvested in the end. Yet, these log gers are losing in numbers, because they are not being provided with the right market for them to progress.Tree-cutting is not awful against the environment if only you replace what you have removed. Every tree being cut should be replaced with another tree to keep everything in balance, and that is what our loggers our doing. Yet, some groups restrict this cutting of trees because they are to take care of animals in the forests that might lose their natural habitats.We need our loggers for our wood products such as paper and furniture. We need them for the preservation of the forests out there. But what are we doing to preserve these people?Work CitedKysar, Leila L. â€Å"A Logger’s lament.† Newsweek. 22 October 1990.

Blog assigment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Blog assigment - Essay Example Each of the seven sections represent a crucial scenario about Balinese, the activities undertaken, the environmental setting of the essay and the unfolding eventualities given the observed scenarios. The seven sections therefore provide a step by step analysis of the essay in the light of keeping the audience at par with the author so that the transition from one section to another is understood. Geertz treats the Balinese and the unfolding events as units to every section. This is the reason why different figures of speech have been used. The seven sections cannot be said to be similar, though they are closely related. Different forms of writing have been employed. Figurative language has been used extensively across the essay. Narration is evident alongside use of numbers to represent different scenarios. Footnotes are also extensively employed. The outline is not consistent with some sections having subheading and subtitles, while others do not. The essay outline is unique to every section, thereby presenting a unique switch and transition from one section to another due to the idea event flow and logic dynamism employed in the essay, making idea presentation

Harlem Renaissance pt1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Harlem Renaissance pt1 - Essay Example ugh many African American writers shared this ideology, which many considered militant in nature, some did not for more reasons they believed would stifle their creativity. Some Black writers during the Harlem Renaissance were not fully on board with the crusaders. Black poet, Stanley Braithwaite, encouraged interracial marriage as a means to solve the race problem, but Cyril Briggs, editor of a Black publication promoting militancy and racial difference − the Crusader – vehemently lashed out against such an idea as being ignorant and backwards. Another Black writer, Langston Hughes, wrote many works that appealed to both educated Black and white Americans, as he did not harbor animosity toward Caucasians. Hughes expressed in an essay that â€Å"black artists intended to express themselves freely, no matter what the black or white public thought. Both authors reasoned that a racial motivation of opposition in the renaissance would work to suffocate their creative expression – not augment it. With all of the well intentioned underpinnings of the Harlem Renaissance, not all African Americans were of one mind regarding artistic expression, as some Black writers of the time felt that following the New Negro Movement Crusaders’ ideology of militancy, pride, and racial difference would ultimately work to crush their expressive talents. Black writers such as Hughes believed that the major motivation and goal of the Harlem Renaissance was to break racial ignorance, let Black artistic expression thrive, and work as an agent to bring success and liberty to African Americans. So, even though Black writers such as Braithwaite and Hughes were not card-toting members of the New Negro Movement Crusaders, they were fully behind the movement forwarding the advancement and open creativity of African Americans during the Harlem

EnERGY WEDGES Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

EnERGY WEDGES - Lab Report Example Our group resorted to construction of an energy wedge, which we thought would be fit and endorsed by the whole world as a sufficient means of controlling carbon emission in the atmosphere by the years 2055. As a group, we opted for full implementation and use of renewable resources as the major and the cheapest means of energy production. The renewable sources coded with green color include the conservation of vegetation cover such as the forest. The trees and other vegetation cover absorb half of carbon produced by the atmosphere hence it is possible that if the vegetation cover is increased it can act as a means of controlling the amount of atmospheric carbon (UNEP, 2007). Other renewable source of energy includes use of wind as source of energy. Use of solar panels as a substitute for electricity is also a major way of reducing carbon as a source of energy. Others include soil cover, and use of bio-fuels. Our next energy wedge includes full use of nuclear power. I disagree with the group on this choice mainly because nuclear power faces poor political good will. Secondly, most of the countries always intend to use it as a weapon of mass destruction. The energy power is already designated using red color, which indicates danger. The next wedge included use of fossil fuel. I also disagree with the group based on their choice. The reason being this is not an immediate and easy way of cutting carbon emission in the atmosphere. I opt for efficient use of carbon energy sources in place of the use of biofuels. This is because it is already in use and it is easy to implement (Nesta, 2009). (Levy, A 2020 Low Carbon Economy) From the work sheet, it is evident that our energy wedge did not earn the interest of the taxpayers. This can be attributed by the use of nuclear power as a source of energy. The energy companies rated the energy wedges lowly for a reason

Art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Art - Research Paper Example Installed in the original de Cordova’s mansion, which has now turned into a museum, Castles in the Air manifests a rich historical background that are not only meaningful to the artists, but to the owner of the museum itself, who was a tea merchant himself. He himself was amazed at the European culture, which led to the building of the mansion. De Cordova was also fond of the idea of leaving a legacy to the succeeding generation through monuments, which people would eventually remember him of. One distinct detail that the sculptural installations that the two artists created involves the intricately woven designs of the strings for which the tea bags hang accordingly at distinct places with appropriate numbers in each string. The light that is placed above the architecture illuminates the shadow of the inverted de Cordova mansion. With an aluminum frame that holds the entire architecture and an acrylic mirror that enhances the radiance of the strings outlining the structure of the community. Woven with two distinctive colors, the lighter one obviously shows the elaborate structure of the mansion. The darker strings serve as the foundation of the rest of the strings for which the mansion is formed. Gravity naturally pulls the strings straight down through the tea bags, which also creates a soft shadow that looks like clouds on the floor, all together creating a magnificent view in its

Discuss the image of the post-war family in realtion to parethood, Essay

Discuss the image of the post-war family in realtion to parethood, suffering and Vergangenheitsbewaltigung in timm's Am Beispiel meines Bruders and Treichel's Der Verlorene - Essay Example The presentation of post-war society within the family domain in the two novels will be closely analysed in this essay, with regard to the family image, in order to ascertain what life was like and why family traits and painful emotions were present, as Weigel suggests above. Firstly, guilt and shame will be presented as a means of suffering within the family. Secondly, the effects of these emotions will provide a continuation into issues of parenthood and how ghosts from the past affect upbringing. Finally, Vergangenheitsbewà ¤ltigung will be examined in relation to language and generational gaps in order to determine how the past is dealt with in each novel in order to decipher how each author depicts the family image during this period and the traumatic effects this has had on offspring born after the war. Traumatic experience can be defined within the family setting through suffering. However, it is necessary to examine what it is to suffer and the consequences of it. This can be categorised by guilt, something that, according to Clarke, is â€Å"The feeling of having broken an internalised code of conduct or morality. To experience guilt is to feel pricked by conscience at this transgression, even if the individual is not called to accounts by others.†2 If suffering is symptomatic of guilt within the post-war image of the family, then let us now consider the meaning of shame. Undoubtedly, guilt is concerned with the inner-feelings of the individual while shame is how the individual believes himself to be considered by others. Lynd describes this notion as follows, This definition can be clarified further by alluding to Sartre, who points out that those who are guilty feel the force of a judgemental gaze by others, thus evoking emotions of shame with regard to their actions.4Therefore, the two emotions merge and emphasis is used accordingly, within the two novels, in order to nuance the

Interview 1 member of the clergy and 1 academic counselor who both Assignment

Interview 1 member of the clergy and 1 academic counselor who both interact with college students Research strategies for self-m - Assignment Example Most college students face various life challenges, especially when they are fresh in college because college life is a transition phase from dependence to independence. It is during college life that new students have to make independent decisions, manage finance and time, interact with people from various social backgrounds and develop their identity. Therefore, college students face emotional, psychological and spiritual challenges. In the two interviews that involve one member of the clergy and an academic counselor, I will evaluate emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of college students. Information obtained from research on strategies for self-management, time management, and learning for college students will be incorporated with the information obtained from the two interviews to create a plan that will meet the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of college students. What are the Spiritual Needs of College Students? In an interview with a member of the cle rgy on the emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of college students, it was revealed that college students have various spiritual needs. The clergy, having worked in the institution for several years, has been interacting with college students. ... He confirmed that freshmen need a place to worship. The clergy further said that the place of worship that most college students need should enable them to connect with people with whom they share their faith. This is because college students need enhance their spiritual growth while in college. Do senior college students also have spiritual needs? The clergy respondent to the question by emphasizing that senior college students also have spiritual needs, only that the location and details about place of worship is not a challenge to them because they have stayed for sometime, and they have sufficient knowledge. Given that most people in college have upgraded their thinking, and have learnt some abstract new concept, as students interact with others and instructors, their previous religious beliefs may be challenged and put on inquiry. As result, these senior college students need a place where they can learn about spiritual truth to enhance their spiritual health and overcome any ch allenges to their spiritual beliefs that may be misleading. Senior college students also need to know the truth so that they can make right decisions on the spiritual paths to follow, upon getting sufficient information. The clergy further noted that during his long term service in the institution he had made significant observations. During his interactions with college students, the clergy observed that college students need a stable environment and people to explain and show them the love of Jesus so that they feel they have a place to belong, when it comes to spirituality. What are the Emotional Needs of College Students? My main objective was to

Physical Preparedness Of Columbus Police Essay Example for Free

Physical Preparedness Of Columbus Police Essay Describe in one page or less how you would select the Columbus Police patrol officers to be surveyed. The Research Project: Physical Preparedness of Columbus Police Officers in Citizen Encounters Involving Force. Target Panel: Respondents of this research should have the following qualifications: Must be between the age of   21 – 35 Must have 6 or more months field experience as a Patrol officer of Columbus Must be active in the police force Must be a resident of Columbus Must at least have one physical encounter with a citizen Sample Size: 1000 police patrol officers Methodology: This research will employ a qualitative and quantitative research wherein a representative sample of the target audience will be randomly selected to create a target panel. Through qualitative research by using an open-ended questionnaire, spontaneous or not pre-determined responses are solicited through a free willing method. Meanwhile, the answers from the qualitative research will be further dealt with in the quantitative research using a closed-ended questionnaire that will provide figures or raw data. Through these two types of research, the researcher will determine the cause of the lack of preparation of police officers during encounters with civilians. Construct a brief 5-item unstructured, open-ended questionnaire that will determine the patrol officers’ views as to how well they are prepared for physical encounters with citizens where lethal force is not an issue.    Open-ended questionnaire for Focus Group Discussion What are the risks involved in being a police officer in Columbus? If physical encounter with citizens is not cited, ask about the probability of experiencing physical encounters with citizens while on duty. What kind of trainings did you receive before you engaged in police field operations or patrol duty? Were these trainings able to help you prepare for physical encounters with citizens? Why? If not, why? As a police officer, what do you think are the factors that provoke physical encounters with citizens? Enumerate tactics or methods on how to conduct proper management of physical encounters with citizens? Explain each tactic/method. What are the causes of mismanagement of physical encounters with citizens? How should these be prevented? Construct an 8-item structured questionnaire using closed-end questions that involve multiple response choices that addresses the same issue in Question #2. Closed-ended questionnaire for Survey Questions Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 1. Is your job as a patrol officer worth all the risks? 2. Do you think that force is needed in enforcing the law? 3. Are you willing to employ force when you are threatened by a civilian? 4. Do civilians usually provoke physical encounters with law enforcers? 5. Do you think that the use of force is effective in promoting compliance? 6. Do you think that there is a need to have a good physical and quick-thinking build to better handle physical encounters? 7. Do you think that by having police weapons and gadgets will help you do your job better in enforcing the law? 8. Are you prepared physically, emotionally and psychologically to engage in a physical encounter with a civilian?

Some People Believe That the Earth Is Being Harmed Essay Example for Free

Some People Believe That the Earth Is Being Harmed Essay Some people think that things humans are doing hurt the planet; but others hold the opposite view and believe positive contribution of human activity to the Earth. Although the human contribution is no doubt, from my point of view, it is also undeniable that humans are harming the planet. Firstly, human industrial activities are seriously affecting the environment. Considering this issue, industrial plants probably hold a main responsibility. Many industrial plants just pay close attention to promoting their manufacture of new products and raising their benefits, but they do not care much about possible environmental problems from such their economic activities. The operation of industrial plants usually produces a massive amount of environmentally damaging matter, which will be discarded directly to the surrounding if the plants do not have their own good system of handling waste. The produced industrial waste products can include toxic chemicals such as carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid, and other hazardous waste that put risks to the environment where human and animal are living. As a result, the human industrial activities have unintentionally become main factors that contribute to environmental damages, namely air pollution, water pollution, the green house effect and the global warming, which have already been worrying issues of the world. According to a recent environmental research, it is estimated that production activities of industrial plants worldwide account for about 43% the total amount of air pollution and water pollution produced by the world annually. Along with the industrial development, even human daily activities have adverse impacts on our Earth. One of them that must be taken into account is transportation activities. Human commuting transportation is more and more aggressive, while traffic density and therefore associated environmental problems have soared considerably over the years. Exhaust fumes from means of transportation such as vehicles, cars and buses are also elements that have caused the green house effect and the global warming. Besides, using air conditioners can also ruin the environment. Air waste produced by air conditioners is one of factors that activate the process of ozone destruction, which can cause serious health problems to humans and other animals. Our seemingly harmless routine activities have actually been undermining our home, the Earth. In conclusion, as an implication when there are more and more environmental problems and natural disasters associated with human activities, people are posing a threat to the planet, and the subsequent outcome is increasingly taking serious effect. If we do not control or stop their damaging actions, the Earth will suffer seriously soon, and so will our own lives. Despite it is a good signal that people are now more aware of environmental problems accompanied by our activity, we also need more concrete actions and efforts to minimize damages we are causing to the Earth.

Airline Industry SWOT Analysis

Airline Industry SWOT Analysis Conducting a SWOT analysis, that is, reviewing the strengths of an organization, its weaknesses, opportunities it can capitalize on for maximum profits, and the threats to achieving its full potential provides very invaluable information to the organization about the market and understanding the industry, as well. The aviation industry is not an exception, it too has its own share of strengths and opportunities which once utilized by an organization can help it grow substantially and weaknesses and threats which the organization must strive to minimize to the lowest possible levels. Strengths One of the strengths of an organization in the aviation industry is the growing income levels. The growth in individual incomes increases the amount of disposable income and hence many people are able to utilize the carriers to fly to their destinations Growth in tourism is also a major strength as it has led to a significant increase in the number of domestic and international passengers with statistics indicating a 50% growth in the number of domestic flyers and a 25% increase in the number of international flyers. Despite the downturns, air travel has continued to grow over time and is one of those industries that are far away from reaching their peak. This can be partly attributed to the ever growing population and the increase in the propensity of people to fly. With efficient management, an organization in the aviation industry is guaranteed to grow into a big and profitable enterprise. Air travel has a marked safety record and has been generally accepted as a safe and fast way to travel. Even the low cost growing airlines have safety and speed attributed to them and therefore, a small growing airline shares this strength with big and recognized brand names in the industry which is quite an advantage. Airline staff consists of highly trained personnel, which is a major strength, to any organization in the industry. Weaknesses One of the major weaknesses in the aviation industry is infrastructural development. The development of infrastructure has been very slow thus unable to keep up the pace of growth of the aviation sector. It is therefore, a major bottleneck in the industry. A growing airline should therefore, give priority to investing in infrastructure by constructing state of the art airports with adequate runways and ample parking lots for passengers. It should also invest on routes leading to the airports to help reduce passenger delays due to traffic. Airlines have been known to have a very high spoilage rate in comparison with other industries. Once a passenger misses his/her flight, the income/revenue from that seat is lost. In order to avoid or minimize this occurrence, the airline should establish a method of contacting all the passengers prior to departure to remind them of their flight. There should also be a larger time window between the boarding time and the departure of the airbus to cater for those passengers who arrive late for their flights. Aircrafts are very expensive and running an airline requires a very huge capital outlay. For this to work to the advantage of the airline, proper marketing strategies are required, and careful planning to ensure that returns on investment are greater than the initial investment. An airline may find it very difficult to compete with other carriers due to their low fares. To survive this, the organization can lower its fares but ensure that they are in balance with the returns to avoid losses. Extensive advertising campaigns on quality can also give it an edge over the low cost carriers. Airlines have to maintain a huge work force which is spread over an outsized ecological area and which requires constant communication and monitoring. For this to work to its advantage, extensive evaluation of the personnel is required to ensure competence and also the ability of the workers to work under minimum supervision. Opportunities There are many opportunities that an airline can capitalize on to reap maximum profits. Expected investment is one of the opportunities that can benefit an airline. The aviation sector is ever growing, and there is an increasing number of stakeholders in the industry willing to invest in air travel. An airline can take this opportunity to increase its capital base so as to be able to enjoy large economies of scale. Development of new products and services can have a substantial blow on the profits of an organization. In aviation, an airline can introduce mailing services for delivery of mails and parcels across the globe. It can also introduce special fare packages for those travelling to certain destinations for pleasure or business. Technological advancement and investment in information technology is an opportunity that can greatly help an organization to minimize its operation cost. An airline can rely on information technology to offer more customers friendly services and also provide customers with other services like internet while travelling which would make them pay more for the services hence increasing the profit margins of the organization. The organization should evaluate end user response to its services to gain information on what areas of its services to improve. This would go a long way in helping the organization acquire new customers as well as retain its old ones who are satisfied with the services being offered. The organization should also take the opportunity to expand and cover a larger geographical area. It should grow into the untapped markets and offer its products and services in these regions. Having a large customer base would increase its profits. Acquiring better supply deals, for example, a less expensive fuel supplier would greatly minimize the operation cost of an organization in the aviation industry. The airline can also retain its suppliers but negotiate for better deals with the aim of increasing its profit margin. Cutting down on delays is very important in the aviation industry. Minimized delays would mean less refunds and minimal compensation due to inconveniences made. It would also help the organization to gain the customers trust thus establishing itself as a carrier of choice for many travelers. Linking up with other carriers in the industry is an opportunity that should not be ruled out. Linking up with another carrier would increase the passenger volume greatly. This can be done through ensuring a coordinated schedule where the airlines offer their services to various destinations through a sharing agreement. Only one carrier flying to a given destination from a particular location would enable the partnering carriers to avoid the long time taken before an aircraft is filled. Threats There are many threats facing organizations in the aviation industry. Travelling for leisure and business is greatly impacted by the global economy. A downturn in the global economy means that less people are likely to travel for pleasure and to do business. This leads to low income to the airline during this period. To minimize the effect of this, the organization should devise a mechanism of lowering its operation cost to the minimum possible levels to avert possible losses due to its operating costs exceeding income. Some government legislation can also be a major threat to investors in the aviation industry. Intervention by the government can come with it rules which are very costly to adhere to and also competition from unexpected quarters, for example, from international airlines due to liberalization of the market. Air travel is very vulnerable to environmental changes. Heavy storms are detrimental to flight schedules, and this may mean refunding those customers who opt to cancel their flights all together other than to wait. It can also lead to loss of an asset, for example, the crashing of an aircraft. To minimize the effect of this, the airline should ensure that it is well insured against losses resulting from these weather changes. There should also be an insurance cover for its passengers. Air travel has a seasonal demand especially where the largest percentage of travelers involves those travelling for leisure. In this case, the highest demand is likely to be during international holidays like the Christmas season and a significant decrease in demand midway through the year. To ensure that there is no considerable drop in customers during the off peak seasons, the organization can come up with a method of encouraging people to travel during this period by, for example, lowering the travelling rates, offering discounts and special travelling packages. In recent times, air travel has been a target to terrorists, and this has had a very negative impact on the airlines themselves. Frequent fliers have been scared away, and the airline industry has lost a considerable number of customers. To gain back the lost confidence, an organization should carry out an extensive campaign meant to assure customers of their safety when travelling using their airline. Over the next few years, huge investments are expected to be made in the aviation industry. New airlines are likely to crop up and this will lead to a strain on the available pilots, and airport staff. This will be a limiting factor to the continued growth of the airline. To prevent this, the airline should start training its own pilots and airport staff. This would in future give it an advantage over the other airlines which would be experiencing a shortage of the same. The airline can therefore, transform this threat into an opportunity by selling some of its staff to the other businesses for a profit. With the increasing number of airlines and aircrafts, there is likely to be a marked shortage of airports and airport facilities. The airline should therefore, invest heavily in its own airports and ensure that they have ample parking bays for its aircrafts. The organization also faces the threat of being vulnerable to attacks by its major competitors. It should therefore, have all the mechanisms of counteracting this in standby so that it does not fall to accusations from other airlines. The greatest hurdle facing many airlines today is high fuel prices. A huge upward surge in fuel prices can destabilize an investment in the aviation industry. To counter this, the airline should ensure that it has its own fuel reserve so that it is not immediately affected by the changes in fuel prices as it will have time to adjust while relying on its fuel reserves. With its own reserve, it can benefit from this threat by providing that much needed resource to its competitors at a large profit margin.

Insights on Style :: Style Writing Styles Essays

Insights on Style A writer sits down on his hickory brown leather upholstered chair in a lowered den of a cape-cod house in the country. He slips his bifocals up the ridge of his nose and pulls his typewriter with both arms to a comfortable typing distance. He is now ready to write and write with style. He has in mind that his certain eloquence will provide cohesion, concision and elegance that will be clear and concise so the reader will be able to determine exactly the message he is portraying. He begins with the intent to be clear, concise and understood. Making an impression on a reader is the idea I have about style. When a completed composition is read, there should be a feeling of understanding and comprehension about a certain idea, thought or consciousness. But, â€Å"Who can confidently say what ignites a certain combination of words, causing them to explode in the mind (Strunk and White, pg. 66)?† This is true in most cases; it is not the combination of words that cause a mind to stir but the way it creates thought and stimulus that create an explosion. There is a conscious effort required to give a work of writing style. Two major contributions to the subject of â€Å"good writing† are the books Style: toward Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams and The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. Before I explain about what it is I gained from these two books about style I want you to get an overall, summed-up insight to the books. Strunk Jr. and White have an idea and knowledge of â€Å"g ood writing† and call it style. In their book, The elements of Style, I can depict it like this: they give you the paint, paintbrush, canvas and the tools and say â€Å"This is what style is made of.† Williams, in his book paints a picture and says â€Å"this is style,† leaving the color out and letting that be determined by the reader. â€Å"We visibly organize essays, articles, reports, memoranda into paragraphs, subsections and major sections to signal readers that we have finished developing one part of an idea and are moving to another, to a new thought.

Fraud :: essays research papers

Fraud   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is a Fraud? A fraud is when one party deceives or takes unfair advantage of another. A fraud includes any act, omission, or concealment, involving a breach of legal or equitable duty or trust, which results in disadvantage or injury to another. In a court of law it is necessary to prove that a false representation was made as a statement of fact, that was made with the intent to deceive and to induce the other party to act upon it. It must be proven that the person who has been defrauded suffered a injury or damage from the act.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Who commits a fraud and why? It is generally accepted that 20 percent of employees are honest. Another 20 percent are dishonest and don't mind doing wrong. That means the remaining 60 percent are potentially dishonest, that's a total of 80 percent of employees which may be dishonest. To understand fraud you first have to determine the contributing factors to why people commit fraud. Some people commit fraud for the sport and thrill of it. There are other recognizable reasons why honest people may commit a breach of trust. Need is the most common reason. A desperate financial need is usually the cause of most frauds. Still some people commit fraud to pay for an elevated life style which other wise they could not afford. Needs arise from a number of locations these include: Drug or alcohol addiction, Marriage break-ups and/of extravagant love affairs, Gambling Debts, Business losses, Unexpected family crises, Mounting debts, and the desire to live a lifestyle far beyond ones means.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fraud is costing society several hundred billion a year. Organizations loose close to 6 percent of annual revenue to fraud and abuse of social systems. Fraud costs Canadian organizations $100 billion annually. On the average, organizations loose $9 dollars a day per employee to fraud. On an average of fraudulent cases males received $185,000 and females received $48,000. A study done by the insurance industry indicates the groups most likely to commit fraud. The most typical person who may commit fraud is a college/university educated white male. Men were responsible for almost four times the fraud as were females. Losses caused by people with post-graduate degrees were five times greater than those caused by high school graduates. Fifty eight percent of fraud is committed by employees, which averages $60,000 per case. Twelve percent of fraud is cause by owners, which on the average costs the insurance companies $1 million per case. Fraud increases the cost of Canadians everyday living. It affects bank rates, insurance rates, credit card rates, and product costs.

America’s cause Essay

But he calmly proceeded to act his part, pretending not the least bothered by the gut-wrenching ride over a swirling sea. The following day he received this message from the Navy Department: â€Å"Dear Mr. Wayne- we are pleased to record this latest addition to naval lore. To the immortal expression, ‘damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead,’ we now add your own memorable words, ‘get me out of this son of a bitch! ’†(Wayne168-169). Wayne spoke the American language well. Once, asked by a reporter about his rumored plan to run for president, Wayne said, â€Å"Bullshit. † When asked to give a definite comment, Wayne told him to use the word. The following day, this news item appeared: â€Å"When Mr. Wayne was questioned about the possibility of running for national office, he replied ‘B—–t! †(Wayne 162). Americans responded to John Wayne in a manner different from other stars of his generation. Other actors simply shed off their screen personae after the lights went off; not so Wayne. Although little was written about his private life (marriage, romantic affairs) until after his death, his public life was an open book that maintained and reinforced the John Wayne mystique. He was a natural treasure who was loved and respected. In 1979 he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. In 1998, an Army RAH-66 helicopter was named â€Å"Duke† in his honor. He wore a POW bracelet to show his sympathy with the fighting men in Viet Nam. Speaking extemporaneously before a subcommittee hearing in connection with the bill for the Congressional Gold Medal, Maureen O’Hara Blair, Wayne’s co-star in The Quiet Man, spoke for Wayne: â€Å"He is, believe me, the United States of America. He is a man that has a code of beliefs that he sticks with. He believes in individual responsibility and honor. † Said Reagan of Wayne: I never saw Duke display hatred toward those who scorned him. Oh, he could use some pretty salty language, but he would not tolerate pettiness and hate. He was human all right: he drank enough whiskey to float a PT boat, though he never drank on the job. . . he was virtually always the first to arrive on the set and the last to leave. World War II helped to define what John Wayne stood for. Unable to join the Navy due to an old football injury, his age (34), and being a father of four, Wayne did his part in the war by making movies about America’s fighting men. He appeared minus his horse and six-shooter in memorable films like the Fighting Seabees, Flying Tigers, Reunion in France, They Were Expendable, and Back to Bataan. The 1949 film Sands of Iwo Jima earned Wayne his first Oscar nomination. These films did not have the nauseating gore and graphic violence of present-day war movies, but they exalted the heroism of ordinary men, and people related to them well. Wayne had made it a point not to accept any role that was un-American or tended to denigrate the United States or the American tradition. At a time when he was nearly bankrupt, Wayne bankrolled, starred in, and directed the epic The Alamo, which had been his dream project of many years. In it, playing the role of Davy Crockett, he described the defenders’ role as they waited for the approaching battle with Santa Anna: â€Å"There’s right and there’s wrong. You got to do one or the other. You do the one and you’re living. You do the other and you may be walking around, but you’re as dead as a beaver hat. † As Crockett, he voiced out the timeless yearning of the Texans for independence: â€Å"It means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose. † John Wayne did not win on Oscar for The Alamo (except for Best Sound) although it received six nominations, but people came in droves to see the movie. Besides his classic westerns and war pictures, The Alamo is one of his lasting legacies. John Wayne is often equated with conservatism. He was the product of an age when Americans were proud of their heritage, conscious of their country’s new role as a world power and sincerely believed in the righteousness of America’s cause. He was born when Theodore Roosevelt was president, a man who believed in Manifest Destiny and was wont to â€Å"speak softly, but carry a big stick. † Wayne belonged to a generation yet untouched by pangs of national self-doubt, unstricken by remorse over purported wrongs committed by the white man against the natives, the blacks, the Vietnamese, the American youth who were being sent to die in remote battlefields. This was the turbulent 60’s, an age when young Americans were seduced by flower power, discovered new ideologies, adopted a libertarian attitude and opposed any kind of war. In a nation divided by war, John Wayne was seemingly a lonely figure as young Americans felt shame for everything America ever did in the course of her ascent to world dominance. A friend of Senators Barry Goldwater and Joe McCarthy, and former President Ronald Reagan, John Wayne was Republican to the core. Against the weakening of American resolve, John Wayne’s tenacious adherence to the American tradition of duty and honor could only be seen as naivete – sprung from the good guy–bad guy scenarios in his celluloid world. From the 40’s to the 60’s, the Left made inroads in school campuses where teach-ins became common, swaying many of the youth to the new ideology, and threatening to undermine the foundations of the country’s democratic system. Due to its potentials for propaganda, the movie industry was targeted and there were rumors that some Hollywood figures had embraced socialism. In 1944, Wayne helped found the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, in the company of other giants like Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Walt Disney, and Robert Taylor. He later became president of the association for two terms. He was outspoken against the communist threat. He was mistaken for an archconservative and accused of blackballing movie personalities who refused to cooperate in Congressional hearings, although he never testified, nor did he blackball anybody (Wayne 55). His being perceived as a staunch anti-communist even gave rise to rumors that the late Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin plotted to have him murdered (Soviet Dictator).

Hate Crimes and the Homosexual Community Essay

Abstract In this paper I am talking about Hate crimes against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. I show that though Hate crimes are classified as crimes that are evoked by sexual orientation, race, identity, gender, or religion. Hate crimes are more common amongst the gay and transgender men. I show states with highest conviction rate in 2012. I also show the upward incline in numbers since 2005 until now. I offer explanations as to who commits these crimes and why. Lastly I show the progression of time and how prejudice and hate crimes although upward in numbers are really being accepted in our communities. Hate crimes and the Homosexual community After the Civil war the Government passed the first Hate crime Law in America. Recently, in 2009 sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability were added to the categories covered by the law. According to ( Stotzer,2012) these crimes are more common among homosexual men and the transgendered community, because most hate crimes are committed by heterosexual men. Even though lesbian women are victims of hate crimes, statistics show that hate crimes are more common among homosexual men and the transgendered community, because heterosexual men commit most hate crimes (Stotzer, 2012). Studies also find that twenty in 200,000 lesbians, gay men and bisexuals reported being victims of hate crimes. 52 in 200,000 gay men reported being victims of hate crimes. Yet only twenty in 200,000 reported being victims of hate crimes. Hate Crimes against Homosexual and Transgendered â€Å"There were 15,351 anti-homosexual hate crime offenses during 2002-2011†. (Potok, 2012, para. #). According to the (Intelligence Report, winter 2010, Issue Number: 140. The numbers show that gay men are two times more likely  to suffer a violent hate crime attack than Jews. Gays are 3 times more likely to be attacked than blacks, and five times more likely than Muslims. FBI reports say that hate crimes against gay men have been on the rise since 2005. Violent hate crimes against LGBT people grew by 48 percent from 2005 until 2011. In 2010 Census.gov shows that half of all hate crimes were based on sexual orientation bias (Census.Gov, 2010). In 2011 reports show that there were 26 transgendered murders reported in the USA alone. In 2010 the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey in USA found that approximately 75% of sexual-orientation related hate crimes were of a violent nature.(Stozer, 2010) Physiological Research on Straight Men Who Kill or Physically Harm Homosexuals Mison (year) states that â€Å"[a] murderous personal reaction toward gay men should be considered an irrational and idiosyncratic characteristic of the defendant and should not be allowed to bolster the alleged reasonableness of the defendant’s act†(Dressler, 1995, p.4). Helena L. Alden and Karen F. Parker also state â€Å"that homophobia and gender stratification directly influences the incidents of hate crime victimization† (Alden, Parker, 2004). People who commit hate crimes are not limited to but mostly are Caucasian lower-class men who commit the crimes for fun or simply in resentment toward a certain group (Comstock 1991: 60-62; McDevitt and Levin 1993). Studies say that most men who commit these crimes have no physiological defects or problems. This means that these men are committing these hate crimes knowing exactly what they are doing. These studies ultimately prove that the victim is not at fault for the attack. These crimes are being committed out of sheer hate, hence the name â€Å"Hate crimes†. Examples of Hate Crimes against Homosexuals Matthew Shepard In 1998 the sad and horrifying murder of Matthew Shepard woke people up to just how serious hate crimes are getting. Matthew Shepard was only 21 years old. He was first robbed, then beaten within inches of his life and left for dead by two men. The two men told shepherd they were Homosexual and wanted to hang out with him. Matthew went with them and was led to a desert where he was beat to death. They did not charge the men with a hate crime;  therefore it kept them from receiving the maximum punishment. Following the attention and emotion evoked by Matthew Shepard’s death People’s eyes begin to open, both in the public and in the political office. 11 years after Matthew’s murder Obama passed an act to include sexual orientation, identity and gender. In honor of Mathew this act was named after him and James Byrd Jr. The Act is the first federal law to extend legal protections to transgender persons (James, 1998). Gwen Araujo Gwen Araujo – born Edward â€Å"Eddie† Araujo was a pre-operative transgender teen. Eddie was born as a boy and began living life as a girl at the age of 14. Her name was legally changed to Gwen Amber Rose Araujo two years after her death. In the early hours of Oct. 4, 2002, Gwen was killed by a group of men in her hometown of Newark, California then buried in a homemade grave after they found out she was born male. The men were convicted of second-degree murder in connection to the killing of Gwen Araujo who was beaten, tied up and strangled, according to previous media reports. (Heinrich, 2006) States That Have Highest Rate of Hate Crimes against Homosexuals New York and California are the two states with the highest anti-gay hate crime rates.in 2011 in California a three fourths of hate crimes were motivated by the sexual orientation of the victims. The majority of hate crime reported in that category targeted gay men. â€Å"These crimes continue to disproportionately affect LGBT people of color,† (Marroquin, 2012, p. #). The second highest state is New York with a percentage of 19.6 in 2010 and 39.4 in 2011. (Lovett, 2011). In 2011, the most common reported types of bias motivation in hate crime incidents involved: race/ ethnicity religion, and sexual orientation leading at 40.6 percent.(Lovett,2011). Incidents with a sexual orientation bias increased 15 percent, from 119 in 2010 to 167 in 2011 (Lovett,2012). Consequences of hate crimes and conviction rates Haider (2001) states that â€Å"Hate crime policy implementation is shaped by the support and efforts of officers, the tractability of the problem, the support of police leaders, and the presence of state hate crime policies, police resources, and public opinion.†(p.1). The Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990 required the U.S. Department of Justice to collect data on incidence  of hate crimes. This Act was passed by Bush in 1990. As a response to the murders of Matthew Shepard president Obama passed the most recent act in 2009. This Bill helps protect the LGBT community against hate crimes. Hate crime laws seems to be good but due to lack of enforcement a lot has still gone undone. There are still many hate crimes unsolved as well as unreported. Numbers have not gone down but, they have gone up. (Parfaite-Claude, 2012). Conviction Rates are shockingly low. According the Attorney General’s Report, only 51% of cases filed as â€Å"Hate Crimes† result in Convictions . Conclusion In conclusion, No matter what state you are in the statistics say that anti-gay hate crimes are leading in numbers. Sadly, Crime against persons is number one. Second is crime against Property. What must be taken into consideration is that more than half of anti- gay hate crimes are not reported, Due to fear, pride, or embarrassment. Although America has come a Long way with its hate crime laws and convictions, something more must be done. The enforcers of the law must do their jobs and remain loyal to their promises to their communities. In effect the people will feel more protected, which will in turn help them to feel more comfortable in reporting crimes. The key to overcoming hate crimes is to overcome hate. References Gay men more likely victims of hate crimes. (2012, May 23). Windy City Times Altschiller, D. (2009). Hate crimes: V.1: Understanding and defining hate crime; v.2: The consequences of hate crime; v.3: The victims of hate crime; v.4: Hate crime offenders; v.5: Responding to hate crime. Choice, 46(12), 2418-2418. Brownworth, V. A. (1992, Hate crimes: Confronting violence against lesbians and gay men. Lambda Book Report, 3, 34-34. Coker, C. T. (2011). Hope-fulfilling or effectively chilling? reconciling the hate crimes prevention act with the first amendment. Vanderbilt Law Review, 64(1), 271-299 Dressler, J. (1995). When â€Å"heterosexual† men kill â€Å"homosexual† men: Reflections of provocation law, sexual advances, and the â€Å"reasonable man† standard. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 85(3), 726-726. Fernandez, J. M. (1991). Bringing Hate Crime into Focus-The Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-275. Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, 26(1), 33. Haider-Markel, D. P. (2001). Implementing Controversial Policy: results from a national survey of law enforcement department activity on hate crime. Justice Research and Policy, 3(1), 29-62. Herdt, G. (1995). The protection of gay and lesbian youth — hate crimes: The rising tide of bigotry and bloodshed by jack levin and jack McDevitt / violence against lesbians and gay men by gary david comstock. Harvard Educational Review, 65(2), 315-315 Herek, G. M. (2000). The psychology of sexual prejudice. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(1), 19-22. Heidenreich, L. (2006). LEARNING FROM THE DEATH OF GWEN ARAUJO?—Transphobic Racial Subordination and Queer Latina Survival in the Twenty-First Century. Chicana/Latina Studies, 50-86. Hoffman, S. W. (2011). â€Å"Last night, I prayed to matthew†: Matthew shepard, homosexuality, and popular martyrdom in contemporary america. Religion and American Culture : R & AC, 21(1), 121-164. Lamp inen, T. M., PhD., Chan, K., Anema, A., Miller, M. L., R.N., Schilder, A. J., Schechter, Martin T,M.D., PhD., . . . Strathdee, S. A., PhD. (2008). Incidence of and risk factors for sexual orientation-related physical assault among young men who have sex with men. American Journal of Public Health, Mariana Marroquin(2011), L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Anti-Violence Project. Martin, S. E. (1995). â€Å"A cross-burning is not just an arson†: Police social construction of hate crimes in baltimore county. Criminology, 33(3), 303-30398(6), 1028-35 Morin, S. F. (1977). Heterosexual bias in psychological research on lesbianism and male homosexuality. American Psychologist, 32(8), 629. Nadine, R. R., & Davison, G. C. (2002). Articulated thoughts about antigay hate crimes. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 26(4), 431-447. Nolan,James J., I.,II, Akiyama, Y., & Berhanu, S. (2002). The hate crime statistics act of 1990: Developing a method for measuring the occurrence of hate violence . The American Behavioral Scientist, 46(1), 136-153. Parfaite-Claude, D. (2012). Gay-bashing, interrupted: the effects of the presence of state hate crime statutes on the prevalence of hate crimes against gay individuals. Stotzer, R. L. (2008). Gender identity and hate crimes: Violence against transgender people in los angeles county. Sexuality Research & Social Policy, 5(1), 43-52. Stotzer, R. L. (2010). Sexual orientation-based hate crimes on campus: The impact of policy on reporting rates. Sexuality Research & Social Policy, 7(3), 147-154 Tejeda, M. J. (2004). Egalitarianism and self-esteem as correlates of hate ideation against gay men and lesbians. Journal of Multicultural Nursing & Health, 10(1), 42-50 Wilson, M. S., & Ruback, R. B. (2003). Hate crimes in pennsylvania, 1984-99: Case characteristics and police responses*. Justice Quarterly : JQ, 20(2), 373-398

Emily Dickinson – Death Is a Dialogue

â€Å"Death is a Dialogue† and â€Å"If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking† Analysis of Effective Poetry Of the two poems both written by Emily Dickinson, â€Å"Death is a Dialogue† and â€Å"If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking†, the first is one that a qualified reader would say is a good poem and the second is one a qualified reader would call a bad poem. The second poem possesses one of the three varieties of inferior poetry. Alternatively, â€Å"Death is a Dialogue† possesses poetic devices that establish it as a superior work of literature. First, both poems have a similar central purpose. In â€Å"Death is a Dialogue†, the central purpose is to convey a perspective about the spirit and the afterlife. In â€Å"If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking†, the central purpose is that by helping others, life becomes purposeful. However, the first poem is superior to the second poem. The first poem depicts the human spirit as something that is immortal. The first poem has more poetical merit than the second poem in the use of imagery, symbolism, and personification. The poem is structured as a dialogue alongside a combination of personification and apostrophe. Used together, these literary devices give â€Å"life† and immediacy to the language of the poem as seen in Dickinson’s first poem. The reader is provoked to think of abstract concepts of ‘Death’ and ‘the Spirit’ as thinking, feeling, and speaking like human beings. The use of personification is found in the second and third lines: â€Å"’Dissolve† says Death – The Spirit â€Å"Sir / I have another Trust† –â€Å". Death’ and ‘the Spirit’ are also personified physically, as found in line two of stanza two: â€Å"The Spirit turns away†. The combination of these poetic devices creates a subtle but creative ironic tone. Since the poem depicts a dialogue between nonhuman entities that are in disagreement about the immorality of ‘the Spirit’, personifying them gives them the qualit ies of life that suggests that the soul is immortal. The last two lines of the second stanza are symbolic and open to interpretation. By leaving the most difficult concepts of the poem until the end is an effective way of engaging the reader because the purpose of the poem cannot be fully achieved without interpreting these lines. This also works effectively because the framework of the poem provides enough information to consider how the last two lines achieve the poem’s purpose. For example, the contradictory tone of the framework creates a dramatic reading experience. It transits between resilience and fear, where ‘the Spirit’ portrays resilience, for example, in the last line of stanza one: â€Å"’I have another Trust† – â€Å" (p 223). In the last two lines of stanza two, â€Å"Just laying off for evidence / An Overcoat of Clay† (p 223), is highly symbolic and achieves the purpose of the poem because imaging the spirit taking off an â€Å"Overcoat of Clay† creatively shows that it is immortal; the only buried part of him is his â€Å"overcoat†. â€Å"Overcoat† is an effective use of connotation as it conjures a strong mental image of ‘the Spirit’ proving his immortality. By comparison, â€Å"If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking†, is an inferior poem. The poem is didactic and uses simple language that is not subject to interpretation, leaving a dull reading experience. Its message is clear, but how the poem attempts to achieve its message is poorly done. For example, the rhythm of the poem does not contribute to the purpose of the poem because it only gives the poem a superficial and catchy tone that an unqualified reader would find appealing and poetic. Rhyme is used for its own sake. A good example of this is in the first and third lines where the words â€Å"breaking† and â€Å"aching† are used. The lack of literary devices such as personification and connotation leave a poem that has only face value with no incentive or encouragement to observe beyond the literal meaning of the words. It is purely didactic in that its primary purpose is to preach or teach; a good poem would achieve this purpose by being subtle. This poem would be appealing to unqualified or beginner readers whom are looking for a wholesome truth dressed up in pretty words. Ultimately, the poem leaves the reader with a sermon and lacking both creativity and originality. It presents an inspirational theme, but does not leave a qualified reader with a feeling of inspiration. Overall, this is a bad poem because it uses literary devices that are superficial, such as rhyming. As well, there is a lack of literary devices which otherwise could accomplish the poem’s purpose (to make it inspirational on a higher level). For example, the reader is not provoked to think about any larger or hidden meaning in the poem. Unlike â€Å"Death is a Dialogue† which provokes both insight to a larger meaning beyond its face value, this poem’s flaws largely outweigh any positive features a good poem would have.

Saab Scania Case

It can be inferred from the case that the work group design in engine assembly department has caused a high turnover ratio, has uninterested younger work force and absenteeism opted to re-design assembly jobs. The current dilemma for the Saab Automobile is whether they should go for product line design or continue with the group design to all the other assembly departments. Our objective is to decrease the turnover ratio, increase productivity and to improve motivation among young force which is currently prevalent in the work environment. The current productivity is 36 engine per hour which is much below the US counterparts.Thus, there is a need to increase it to a comparable level. We think that rather than going with the group design approach, we intend to follow a modified group design across all departments. Firstly, we need to segregate all the activities across the four departments based on the nature/similarity of the job. Secondly, employee profiling need to be done which wo uld categorize based on their willingness to work across similar jobs or the same specific jobs. Now people who are interested to work across similar jobs would be given periodically an option to switch between jobs which might be across departments also.This would in turn increase employees’ job engagement, job belongingness and job rotation. Employees would now not get bored of their monotonous jobs and will find a point of motivation and interest. Employees who like doing the same job or are not so much interested in switching jobs would be allowed to do so. All these decision will trickle down to the long term hiring strategy of profiling employees based on their willingness to work across jobs at the very initial level of recruitment.This should decrease the dissatisfaction and the boredom that was getting created among them. Once employees start to connect with the jobs then the 20% of absenteeism mentioned in the case would decrease drastically. Also, it will increase the number of young minds in the industry as a whole. On the flip side, people will find it difficult to accept the change instantly. After few rotations it may again become monotonous and cause boredom among employees. It may also cause resentment among employees in the initial stage. Saab Scania Case It can be inferred from the case that the work group design in engine assembly department has caused a high turnover ratio, has uninterested younger work force and absenteeism opted to re-design assembly jobs. The current dilemma for the Saab Automobile is whether they should go for product line design or continue with the group design to all the other assembly departments. Our objective is to decrease the turnover ratio, increase productivity and to improve motivation among young force which is currently prevalent in the work environment. The current productivity is 36 engine per hour which is much below the US counterparts.Thus, there is a need to increase it to a comparable level. We think that rather than going with the group design approach, we intend to follow a modified group design across all departments. Firstly, we need to segregate all the activities across the four departments based on the nature/similarity of the job. Secondly, employee profiling need to be done which wo uld categorize based on their willingness to work across similar jobs or the same specific jobs. Now people who are interested to work across similar jobs would be given periodically an option to switch between jobs which might be across departments also.This would in turn increase employees’ job engagement, job belongingness and job rotation. Employees would now not get bored of their monotonous jobs and will find a point of motivation and interest. Employees who like doing the same job or are not so much interested in switching jobs would be allowed to do so. All these decision will trickle down to the long term hiring strategy of profiling employees based on their willingness to work across jobs at the very initial level of recruitment.This should decrease the dissatisfaction and the boredom that was getting created among them. Once employees start to connect with the jobs then the 20% of absenteeism mentioned in the case would decrease drastically. Also, it will increase the number of young minds in the industry as a whole. On the flip side, people will find it difficult to accept the change instantly. After few rotations it may again become monotonous and cause boredom among employees. It may also cause resentment among employees in the initial stage.

Book Report About Oliver Twist English Literature Essay

Book Report About Oliver Twist English Literature Essay The title of the book is very easy to explain. It called Oliver Twist because it tells the life story of Oliver. Further reveals the title that the book goes about a certain person called Oliver Twist. However a link from the title to the theme is hard to find in first stand. After reading the book you can link the title to the theme. Setting The book Oliver Twist was written in the  Victorian period(1838). The story took place at the time that their where a lot of social problems in England. (19th century) The social problems are relevant for understanding the story. And his development of the plot. I give you underneath a few examples: The characteristics found in the book: – In the book is a big difference between social classes. The rich people are more important and have more power than the poor people. The high social class looks down on the low class.   For example: when Nancy comes into Rose Maylies house, the people there are disgusted of Nancy and they donâ€⠄¢t trust her, because she’s poor and filthy. Also, because Oliver Twist is an orphan and has no money, his future is already determined. He has to live in poverty and work in a workhouse and he can’t do things he likes. The society actually determines everything.   – Men are superior to women. Men think women only have a couple of purposes. Women can’t have an opinion. In the book, Nancy does everything the men say she has to do, she obeys them. The men look down upon women. So the poor women are the most discriminated. There is a patriarchal society. –  An intrusive author. Charles Dickens sometimes ‘talks’ to you in the book, tells a bit of the story and comments.   – The setting is realistic and reflects feelings. In the poor neighborhood, there’s almost always rain and mud and dirt but when Oliver Twist is with Rose Maylie, the sun shines and everything seems beautiful and right(because he’s happy). Summ ary Oliver Twist is born in a workhouse. Oliver’s mother died when she was giving birth to him so he became an orphan. Oliver spends the first nine years of his life in the orphanage. In the orphanage, they gave him the name Oliver Twist. One day Oliver is sent by Mr. Bumble(a horrible man) to a coffin maker. There he also wasn’t treated well and so he ran away to London. In London he met Nancy, Fagin and Bill Sikes. Bill and Fagin wanted to make a criminal out of Oliver. One day Oliver had to break into a large house with Sikes. They got caught. Bill Sikes and his helper had the chance to ran away. But Oliver who was shot got back to the large house. Rose Maylie took care of him. Meanwhile, Nancy learned about Oliver’s past. She went to Mr. Brownlow (a nice man who had taken care of Oliver before) and Rose to tell them about Oliver’s history. It turned out that Oliver’s identity was found. He had a half-brother with the name Monks. He was a crimin al. Monks didn’t want anyone to know that Oliver and He where half-brothers, because otherwise he needed to share the inherited money. Meanwhile, Fagin found out that Nancy had helped Oliver and that she had told everything to Rose and Mr. Brownlow. For that Nancy got killed by her own lover Bill Sikes. After killing Nancy Bill Sikes ran away. The rest of the bad guys and Fagin got caught. Eventually Oliver was adopted by Mr. Brownlow and they bought a house close to Rose.

Is America a Christian Nation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Is America a Christian Nation - Research Paper Example The research paper "Is America a Christian nation?" pays attention to such fundamental questions as human rights, freedom of conciseness, and ideas of the Revolution. Both in Christian and liberal worldview and in value system an important place is given to seemingly one and the same value – the value of the individual and the associated value of individual rights and freedoms. But it should be understood that this similarity is illusory and formal; it contains the principal substantive differences and contradictions. These differences come to the fact that in Christianity these considered values have an absolute divine source, and thus are endowed with an absolute moral dimension; in the liberal paradigm all these values have only human, relative and conventional sources, and thus lacking absolute moral dimension. History of the formation of the liberal system of values is directly related to the history of Western secular thought, which, starting from the secular humanism of the Renaissance and the secular philosophy of the Enlightenment, put by the wayside Christian religious value orientations, and subsequently totally withdrew from them. In the basis of values and principles designated by the new liberal system were not absolute divine reasons, as it was in the Christian system, but the relative secular human conventions. Because actually beyond religion there can be no justification for the absolute; only religion provides absolute divine source and the absolute divine basis of its values – morals, man, his freedom, and rights. ... Secular values and principles—above all, the values of secular freedom, human rights, morality and values—are not absolute and universal, but relative and conventional, and historically borrowed from Christianity and secularly reconsidered. Approved by the new secular philosophy these concepts of â€Å"natural man†, his â€Å"natural state†, his â€Å"natural rights† are understood beyond the divine and moral dimension. These secular concepts became the basis of subsequent concepts of â€Å"social contract†, â€Å"Declaration of Independence,† â€Å"Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen†, adopted by anti-Christian French Revolution, and finally, the â€Å"Universal Declaration of Human Rights† adopted by the UN General Assembly in1948. Secular concepts prevailed, and Christian religion lost its leading role in the beginning of the US history. In 1796 the United States entered into a treaty with Tripoli durin g the Barbary wars. Article eleven of this treaty stated clearly that the Unites States officials considered their country as not a Christian nation: â€Å"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lillian Goldman Law library online). As a matter of fact, this article only proved that all the religions were equal in the territory of the United states, just as the First Amendment of the Constitution states: â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a

EUROPEAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT-Competition Essay

EUROPEAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT-Competition - Essay Example Such markets have been seen to offer new competition law challenges especially when there are new emergences for business platforms. Also attached to the same is the fact that there have been identification of the extent to which freedom for private law right has to rights and contracts of property (Egli 2005: 235). The main consideration in this aspect is on how these can be reconciled especially following demise of states offering important services to their citizenries alongside replacement of the same services on the basis of communal requirements accruing from either state or private initiatives. The European Union competition law’s background is pinned on aims and goals which were looked forward into by the European Union of establishing a single market for European Union Member States. So as to achieve this, a transparent, compatible and fairly homogenized framework of regulation of competition law was created. An act of Council Regulation was brought into existence thr ough constitutive legislation process. This was developed during evolution of European Commission’s supremacy law which was not yet established. ... ontrol of Dominance The European Union competition law came into being following the need to ascertain that government efforts were not altered with by corporations which mostly abuse market power. Following this, treaties reached on through European Union are a provision intended for ensuring that there is a liberalized competition prevailing within the union (Collignon 2007: 172). This is further meant to discourage monopolies and cartels who engage in fixing of prices and sharing out of markets. The European Union competition law operates through four major policy segments which according to Akman (2009) include: Mergers, control of proposed mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures involving companies that have a certain, defined amount of turnover in the European Union/European Economic Area. This is governed by the Council Regulation 139/2004 European Commission (the Merger Regulation); Monopolies or preventing the abuse of firms' dominant market positions. This is governed by A rticle 102 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This article also gives rise to the Commission’s authority under the next area; State aid, control of direct and indirect aid given by European Union’s Member States to companies. Covered under Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; and Cartels or control of  collusion  and other practices on anti-competition  that affect the European Union (or, since 1994, the European Economic Area). This is covered under Articles 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The European Union competition law was developed with goals which mainly number into two schools of thought yet not clear. Main opinion and view pertaining to these is that the only relevance is in consideration of

Human Rights Movements in International Politics and its Effect on Research Paper

Human Rights Movements in International Politics and its Effect on State Behaviour - Research Paper Example The issue that will be tackled in this paper is the role of human rights movements in international politics and its impact on state behaviour—thus it shall be resolved whether the protestations and vigorous representations in international bodies which has jurisdiction over these acts of violence and other human rights transgressions eliminate or eradicate the occurrence of assault or attack against individual human rights. However, this paper shall limit its analysis on human trafficking which assaults the basic rights of individuals to life and liberty and whether the response of states towards its eradication is sufficient. According the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), 2.5-million of the global population are in this predicament which includes forced labour and sexual exploitation. Majority of the victims or 1.4 million (56%) originate from Asia and the Pacific while the rest come from Latin America and the Carribean (10%), Middle East and North Africa (9.2%) and other sub-Saharan countries (5.2%), including industrialized countries (10.8%) and transition economies (8%). The tentacles of human trafficking can be felt in 161 countries either as source, route or destination countries. The recruitment occurs in 127 countries where these individuals will be sent or distributed against their will to 137 countries thus exploitation reportedly affects every continent and every type of economy.

L'Orals Marketing Mix Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

L'Orals Marketing Mix - Assignment Example The firm’s internationalization process followed an Uppsala model rather than Product Life Cycle or Born Global approaches. L'Oreal enjoys positive Country of Origin Effect and clearly seeks to maximize on global consumer perceptions that French skin care products are of high quality. Part 1: L'Oreal’s Marketing Mix- Standardisation/Adaptation to International Markets The approach for the analysis of L'Oreal’s marketing mix will follow the pattern of product, price, place, and promotion. In terms of L'Oreal’s products, it is noted that most of them go by an English name across the international market, for instance, Maybelline, Softsheen Carson, Matrix, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney and Roger and Gallet. The exceptions of English-named products all use French names such as Lanc?me, L'Oreal Professionnel and Kerastase (L'Oreal.com 2011). This is indicative of a standardization approach, which for multinational marketing such as the one undertaking by L'Ore al follows a globalization, adopting the most widely used language for their products. Through taking advantage of the wide use of English, the firm is able to reach wide markets without having to adapt through use of local languages for branding. Another aspect of L'Oreal that is indicative of standardization is its maintenance of the same packaging and design as much as possible, only changing it due to the nature of the product (for example fluidity). In terms of product usage, it is clear that the company aims to establish a range of products that can fit everyone; for instance, through using the same product portfolio for the entire European zone. There are however elements of adaptation in L'Oreal product considerations as evidenced by the company’s operations in the Asian markets. A manifestation of this is conducting surveys and tests to learn about the differences in the nature of Chinese skin in order to develop products best suited for this market. Besides using re search laboratories, the company has also previously commissioned a research by Wang, Fang, and Zhu (2008, 57-66) to investigate Chinese skin. Similar efforts have also been made by the firm in the USA (Benard et al. 2005, pp. 278-287). This standardization/adaptation mix strategy is also evident in India, where L'Oreal launched the global brand Garnier (standardization) but then tailored it in formulation and packaging (adaptation) to fit the Indian market as was well reported by Warc News (2010, p. 2). Analysis of the company’s pricing strategy in foreign markets reveals an adaptation approach. On a closely related consideration to the product lines, it is noted that L'Oreal first undertakes research on the target market including the specific section to target before developing the product. Hence, there is a presentation of a heterogeneous range of products from luxurious ones to what can be considered as addressing cosmetics needs with both categories following different pricing. The type of product sold in a particular region is based on the pricing strategy that is deemed most suitable. For instance, Garnier was introduced in India with the aim of attracting the customers based on the low price; $ 5.60, while the same brand goes for $ 6.47-$8.38 in the USA (Wall Street Journal 2007).

Assignment 2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

2 - Assignment Example The questions are appropriate for use when there is no time available for a comprehensive research. They are also used when marketing researchers want to obtain data on consumers’ background information. Their purpose is to elicit specific information in a simple way and use the data to ascertain the statistical significance of other market survey results (Reid & Bojanic, 2010). Open-ended questions are investigative, and they provide rich qualitative data. It allows respondents to give answers they think are most appropriate. The questions provide marketing researchers with the opportunity to gain insight into various opinions on topics they are not conversant with. Due to the questions’ qualitative nature, they cannot provide sound statistical significance necessary for a conclusive research. They are appropriate for use when doing marketing research that involves small groupings of people. They can also be used when a researcher wants to gain preliminary information before he or she can proceed to a quantitative research. The questions main purpose is to help marketing researchers obtain in-depth information and facts about a product (Reid & Bojanic,

Complete a Case Analysis of Kraft Foods Inc Assignment

Complete a Case Analysis of Kraft Foods Inc - Assignment Example The alternative strategies were given out based on the analysis that was noted in the company analysis. Existing Mission, Objectives, and Strategies Located in the UK, Kraft Food Company, the mission statement of the company is based on a rational strategic plan to start executing it. Established in 1903, the company is a manufacturing conglomerate located in Illinois, a suburb in Chicago, USA and specializes in grocery. A manufacturing firm, the company grocery collection has a big lineation to direct food items such as convenience foods, confectionery, snacks, beverage and cheese. The company operates in more than 170 countries all over the world. The company does not operate on the basis of production of the named food items a lone but specializes in marketing, innovation, health and wellness as well as health sustainability (Kraft, 2013). The company operations are therefore based on a mission statement that looks to promote a good health in all the company customers and thus goe s ‘Make Today Delicious’. The universality is inculcated in the fact that the company is a multinational. The mission is all about what the company is and the company is about the customers, their health and the general life that they live. The company strategies in view of the mission statement are quite diverse. ... Production is not only a way of market sustenance, the company therefore wishes to create a human resource management strength in which all the market will be willing to work for it. The last laid strategy is that the company wishes to make itself be recognized as a high performance as far as the market is concerned. In view of these strategies, the company came up with some objectives that would see it realize the strategies that it had planned to achieve. The first object that the company wishes to implement is the acceleration of growth of core brands. The second is that the company wishes to extend the awareness of the value of its products in the developing countries. Moreover, the company wishes to increase its value of those brands that are considered as low quality in the market. This will be done at the lowest possible cost in the market. The last objective again is based on human resource and is leveled towards development of the company values through employment of committ ed employees. A new mission statement can be created for the company based on a combination of its existing values as well as inclusion of the strategic objectives more than is covered. It would take close proximity to ‘Making Today and Tomorrow Delicious’. This would mean the company opens up more branches all over the world so that it is able to impact everyone positively. The company will therefore do this through provisions for a well experienced more knowledgeable employment team, cleaner restaurants and at affordable prices. SWOT (TOWS) Analysis of Kraft Food Inc. Multinational companies have very wide market coverage and therefore have the

Nephrotoxic and Hepatotoxic Species of Mushrooms Essay

Nephrotoxic and Hepatotoxic Species of Mushrooms - Essay Example Mushrooms create helpful chemicals like amino acids and sugars from the decaying matters and feed on it (Triefeldt 42). In doing so, they enrich the soil and play an important role in the ecosystem (Triefeldt 42). More than 2000 species of mushrooms are known to exist (Pageaux and Larrey 827). However, as approximately 50 species of mushrooms are known to be poisonous for human beings, not all of them are safe to eat (Pageaux and Larrey 827). Hence, it is extremely necessary to distinguish between the mushrooms that are healthy to eat and mushrooms that are lethal for human life.  Ã‚              Human beings can obtain protein and vitamin B from mushrooms (Kemp 173). Benefits like boosting immune system and protection against cancer can be obtained from mushrooms (Kemp 173). However, these benefits can be availed only from those mushrooms that are not poisonous for health. The common varieties among the healthy mushrooms are the ‘button’ and ‘Portobello’ mushrooms (Kemp 173). Also, some of the other varieties of nonpoisonous mushrooms are ‘shitak,’ ‘common mycena,’ ‘parasol,’ ‘shaggy mane,’ ‘Mary russula,’ ‘edible boletus,’ ‘Aspen scaber stalk,’ ‘table mushrooms’ and ‘field mushrooms’ (Triefeldt 42). These are nonpoisonous mushrooms and hence, are not dangerous to health of human beings. However, there are other species of mushrooms which have the potential of not only affecting the human health negatively but also to cause death. Those species are discussed below.               In Western countries, one of the common emergencies in the medical field is the mushroom poisoning (Pageaux and Larry 827). The species of mushroom, known as ‘Amanita’ are the major cause behind most of the cases of mushroom poisoning in human beings (Pageaux and Larrey 827). The fatal phalloidian syndrome is also caused by mushroom species called ‘lepiota’ (Pageaux and Larrey 827). Health hazards like â€Å"abdominal pain, vomiting, weakness, hallucination or even death† can be caused to human beings if they eat mushrooms that contain chemical toxins (Triefeldt 42).

Berlin Wall Essay Example for Free

Berlin Wall Essay What Was the Berlin Wall? The Berlin Wall was both the physical division between West Berlin and East Germany from 1961 to 1989 and the symbolic boundary between democracy and Communism during the Cold War. Dates: August 13, 1961 November 9, 1989 Overview of the Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall was erected in the dead of night and for 28 years kept East Germans from fleeing to the West. Its destruction, which was nearly as instantaneous as its creation, was celebrated around the world. A Divided Berlin At the end of World War II, the Allied powers divided conquered Germany into four zones, each occupied by either the United States, Great Britain, France, or the Soviet Union (as agreed at the Potsdam Conference). The same was done with Germanys capital city, Berlin. As the relationship between the Soviet Union and the other three Allied powers quickly disintegrated, the cooperative atmosphere of the occupation of Germany turned competitive and aggressive. Although an eventual reunification of Germany had been intended, the new relationship between the Allied powers turned Germany into West versus East, democracy versus Communism. In 1949, this new organization of Germany became official when the three zones occupied by the United States, Great Britain, and France combined to form West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany). The zone occupied by the Soviet Union quickly followed by forming East Germany (the German Democratic Republic). This same division into West and East occurred in Berlin. Since the city of Berlin had been situated entirely within the Soviet zone of occupation, West Berlin became an island of democracy within Communist East Germany. Mass Emigration Within a short period of time after the war, living conditions in West Germany and East Germany became distinctly different. With the help and support of its occupying powers, West Germany set up a capitalist society and experienced such a rapid growth of their economy that it became known as the economic miracle. With hard work, individuals living in West Germany were able to live well, buy gadgets and appliances, and to travel as they  wished. Nearly the opposite was true in East Germany. Since the Soviet Union had viewed their zone as a spoil of war, the Soviets pilfered factory equipment and other valuable assets from their zone and shipped them back to the Soviet Union. When East Germany became its own country, it was under the direct influence of the Soviet Union and thus a Communist society was established. In East Germany, the economy dragged and individual freedoms were severely restricted. By the late 1950s, many people living in East Germany wanted out. No longer able to stand the repressive living conditions of East Germany, they would pack up their bags and head to West Berlin. Although some of them would be stopped on their way, hundreds of thousands of others made it across the border. Once across, these refugees were housed in warehouses and then flown to West Germany. Many of those who escaped were young, trained professionals. By the early 1960s, East Germany was rapidly losing both its labor force and its population. Having already lost 2.5 million people by 1961, East Germany desperately needed to stop this mass exodus. The obvious leak was the easy access East Germans had to West Berlin. With the support of the Soviet Union, there had been several attempts to simply take over West Berlin in order to eliminate this exit point. Although the Soviet Union even threatened the United States with the use of nuclear weapons over this issue, the United States and other Western countries were committed to defending West Berlin. Desp erate to keep its citizens, East Germany decided to build a wall to prevent them from crossing the border. The Berlin Wall Goes Up There had been rumors that something might happen to tighten the border of East and West Berlin, but no one was expecting the speed nor the absoluteness of the Wall. Just past midnight on the night of August 12-13, 1961, trucks with soldiers and construction workers rumbled through East Berlin. While most Berliners were sleeping, these crews began tearing up streets that entered into West Berlin, dug holes to put up concrete posts, and strung barbed wire all across the border between East and West Berlin. Telephone wires between East and West Berlin were also cut. Berliners were shocked when they woke up that morning. What had once been a very fluid border was now rigid. No longer could East Berliners cross the border for  operas, plays, soccer games, etc. No longer could the approximately 60,000 commuters head to West Berlin for well-paying jobs. No longer could families, friends, and lovers cross the border to meet their loved ones. Whichever side of the border one went to sleep on during the night of August 12, they were stuck on that side for decades. The Size and Scope of the Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall stretched over a hundred miles. It ran not only through the center of Berlin, but also wrapped around West Berlin, entirely cutting West Berlin off from the rest of East Germany. The wall itself went through four major transformations during its 28-year history. The Berlin Wall started out as a barbed-wire fence with concrete posts, but just a few days after the first fence was placed, it was quickly replaced with a sturdier, more permanent structure made out of concrete blocks, topped with barbed wire. The first two versions of the wall (barbed wire and concrete blocks) were replaced by the hird version of the Berlin Wall in 1965. This version consisted of a concrete wall, supported by steel girders. The fourth version of the Berlin Wall, constructed from 1975 to 1980, was the most complicated and thorough. It consisted of concrete slabs reaching nearly 12-feet high (3.6 m) and 4-feet wide (1.2 m), plus it had a smooth pipe running across the top to hinder people from scaling the Wall. And tentatively approached the border and indeed found that the border guards were letting people cross. Very quickly, the Berlin Wall was inundated with people from both sides. Some began chipping at the Berlin Wall with hammers and chisels. There was an impromptu huge celebration along the Berlin Wall, with people hugging, kissing, singing, cheering, and crying. The Berlin Wall was eventually chipped away, into smaller pieces (some the size of a coin and others in big slabs). The pieces have become collectibles and are stored in both homes and museums. After the Berlin Wall came down, East and West Germany reunified into a single German state on October 3, 1990.

MNC Corporation Production Assignment

MNC Corporation Production Assignment MNC Corporation Production Analysis of MNC Behavior Introduction Multinational corporation (or transnational corporation) (MNC/TNC) is a corporation or enterprise that manages production establishments or delivers services in at least two countries. Very large multinationals have budgets that exceed those of many countries. Multinational corporations can have a powerful influence in international relations and local economies. Multinational corporations play an important role in globalization (Bartlett et al). Multinational corporations can be divided into three broad groups according to the configuration of their production facilities: Horizontally integrated multinational corporations manage production establishments located in different countries to produce similar products. (Example: McDonalds) Vertically integrated multinational corporations manage production establishment in certain country/countries to produce products that serve as input to its production establishments in other country/countries. (Example: Adidas) Diversified multinational corporations do not manage production establishments located in different countries that are horizontally, vertically or straight (Example: Microsoft or Siemens A.G.) The paper deals with analysis of MNC behavior of three popular MNC’s viz. Exxon Mobile, Royal Dutch and BP. These are oil and gas companies from India and China. The paper will explain about how the products of these companies differ or are similar to each other and how their marketing strategies corporate strategies differ. All this will be explained through the Dunning O-I-L framework and Global Integration Local Responsiveness framework. This paper represents the compare and contrast studies of different strategies. About the companies MNC behavior differs across various locations and is different regarding marketing, finance, human resource and other aspects related to the products. The three companies selected for analyzing MNC behavior differ in geographical locations, political conditions, cultural considerations and legal frameworks. The general introduction of the all the 3 companies is as follows: Exxon Mobil Corporation or Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM): It is an American oil and gas corporation and a direct descendant of John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil company. Formed on November 30, 1999 by the merger of Exxon and Mobil, Exxon Mobil is the worlds largest company by revenue at $404.5 billion for the fiscal year of 2007. It is also the largest publicly held corporation by market capitalization, i.e. $501.17 billion. While it is the largest of the six oil super majors with daily production of 4.18 million BOE (barrels of oil equivalent). Currently, the company ranks 1st in the world in net income, which was almost $40 billion last year. The Exxon Mobil Corporation global headquarters are located in Irving, Texas. The company markets products around the world under the brands of Exxon, Mobil, and Esso. It also owns hundreds of smaller subsidiaries such as Imperial Oil Limited (69.6% ownership) in Canada, and Sea River Maritime, a petroleum shipping company (Exxon Mobile Corporation 2008). Royal Dutch Shell: It is commonly known as Shell, a multinational oil company of British and Dutch origins. It is the second largest private sector energy corporation in the world, and one of the six super majors. The companys headquarters are in The Hague, Netherlands, with its registered office in London, United Kingdom (Shell Centre). The companys main business is the exploration, production, processing, transportation and marketing of hydrocarbons (oil and gas). Shell also has a significant petrochemicals business (Shell Chemicals), and an embryonic renewable energy sector developing wind, hydrogen and solar power opportunities (Royal Dutch Shell: About Shell 2008). BP (British Petroleum): It was previously known as British Petroleum but now using only the initials, it is the worlds third largest global energy company, a multinational oil company (oil major) with headquarters in London, UK. The company is among the largest private sector energy corporations in the world, and one of the six super majors (vertically integrated private sector oil exploration, natural gas, and petroleum product marketing companies). Though, all these companies are involved in similar business practices, yet there are also certain differences among them. There is a compare and contrast scenario among these companies. To analyze these three MNC’s, the â€Å"Global Integration- Local Responsiveness† framework and â€Å"Dunning’s O-I-L† framework can be used (BP Global: About BP 2008). Similarities and Differences The products of all three companies are similar in the sense that all have natural resource seeking and efficiency seeking products. All three companies produce the same kind of products, so they also require the same kind of raw materials for the products. The products they produce are all location specific. All the companies have their established positions in the international market and are among the six super majors in the oil and gas industry. They possess abundant resource utilization capacity. They have competitive advantage, which helps them to achieve their strategic goals. The products of the companies are globally marketed. The major differences among the products of the companies are the quality and quantity of the products and the capital requirement for the products. The products also differ in the level and type of technology used and the customer demand for the product. The location where the product is manufactured is also important and it makes a big difference for the company. The export and import of the products vary from company to company. The manufacturing and innovation among the products also vary depending on the Government rules, regulations and policies in the countries in which the companies operate. The products also differ on the basis of marketing strategies used to market the product. The reason for these differences can be explained through the â€Å"Global Integration- Local Responsiveness† framework popularly known as I-R model. It is generally related with ideas of value creation. It states that these differences occur because of differences in the competitive advantage of the companies and the strategies used by them. Strategies can be global, international, multinational or transnational (Bartlett et al). The risk handling capability of the companies is also one of the possible reasons for the differences among them. The proportion of the global assets, number of countries in which the company operates in value added activities and the value of the output are responsible for significant differences among the companies of the same industry (Rugman Hodgetts 1995). These differences are not general differences. These differences are responsible for the company’s success and help it in making popular among the general public. The products of the company become known to the customers because of these significant differences and they are responsible for the growth and revenue of the company (Bartlett et al). The marketing strategies also differ between various firms and countries on the basis of the strategies used to market the products. The differences between countries occur because of alterations in the market structures among various countries with respect to the transactional costs. Differences also occur on the ground of capital availability and resource utilization. The difference in the market size is also very important. Marketing strategies differ across firms due to differences in the extent of market diversification and market stability of the firms. They differ according to the number of customers for the product and because of the market allocation for the product. The firms have set up in their respective locations because according to â€Å"Dunning’s O-I-L† framework, the assets which these companies possess are ownership specific and location specific. Though, they are available to all the firms, yet they are unique in nature and help the company to establish a difference for itself. This criterion of Dunning is based on the eclectic paradigm. The assets can be tangible like manpower, capital, etc. or intangible like technology, marketing, etc. Global, International, Multinational Transnational Firms As the companies grow and develop, there category changes and they become international, global, multinational or transnational firms. As time passes, their product category also changes. Global Firms consider the world as a single integrated unit with centralized scale intensive manufacturing. Through world wide diffusion and adaptation, these companies exploit the parent company’s knowledge and capabilities (Dunning 1993). International Firms take the overseas units as offshoots of domestic strategy. Here the core competencies are centralized and others are decentralized. It builds cost advantage through global scale operations (Dunning 1993). Multinational Firms consider the world as a portfolio of national opportunities. They are self sufficient and decentralized. Through strong resourceful national operations it creates a response to national differences. Transnational Firms comprise of all the above three firms. They are dispersed, interdependent and specialized. They have flexibility, global efficiency and great learning capability. Different Corporate Strategies The corporate strategies of the MNC’s differ across different locations as the Government policies and regulations are different in different countries. The goals and the means to achieve them differ according to the customer size and the market adaptability in different countries. The collaborations with the local partners also create a difference in the corporate strategies because they also have their company’s policies and requirements. It also differs according to the company law of the respective countries. The terms and conditions of the local partners differ, which causes significant variations in the corporate strategy (Dunning 1993).. Innovations in MNC’s Innovations are a growing trend in today’s world and MNC’s are successful till they maintain their innovativeness and creativity. Innovation does not necessarily come from the home country but it can also be sourced in the local country. The MNC’s hire the employees of the local country so it can be possible that innovations are from the local country. Government and the MNC’s There are differences among the MNC’s about the Government policies and regulations. Government’s encouragement or inhibition for the oil and gas industry depends on the type of country and the requirement of such an MNC in the country. There are also significant differences across various locations for the involvement of Government in the MNC activities. This depends on the need of the country to grow and develop and also on the economy of the country. This can also be explained with the help of â€Å"Dunning’s O-I-L† framework. The Government involvement depends on the asset availability of the country which is location specific. Social Cultural Factors The MNC’s are also affected by social and cultural factors of the local country. They have to conduct the business according to the conditions in that country. The products should be manufactured according to the needs and requirements of the people. The cultural and social sentiments of the people should be taken care of. For example, when Mc Donald’s started its business in India, it made beef burgers. But this was failed in India, as it was against the cultural, religious and social sentiments of the people of India, because Indians worship cows so they would never prefer a beef burger. But many a times it happens that MNC’s also shape the social, cultural, political and even the legal framework of the local country. The people of the local country many a times adapt to the products of the MNC’s. For example, Pizza Hut, Dominos, etc. have totally changed the eating habits of the people wherever they have spread their business. The dressing style of the people changes, e.g. Indians started wearing western style clothes. They also convince the Government to make its legal policy flexible to suit their business conditions because the country is being benefited by the MNC’s. The role of WTO in MNC activity WTO and regional trade agreements influence the MNC activities in many ways. The fundamental principles of WTO are non discrimination, free trade, encouraging competition and extra provisions for less developed countries. Through non discriminatory trading system, all the MNC’s are provided with their rights and obligations to be used while performing their operations. Each country and MNC receives fair exports and fair treatment in the markets of other countries. It provides responsibilities regarding implementation of agreements, technical cooperation and increased participation in the global trading system. These agreements help in removing trade barriers and duty free access. It also helps in protecting industrial property rights and dispute settlement. The trade agreement system helps in promoting peace, provides more choices of products and qualities (Cherunilam 2005). Export processing zone refers to one or more specific areas of a country where some of the normal trade barriers are ruled out and bureaucratic necessities are let down in the desire of attracting new business and foreign investments. This zone also refers to the manufacturing centers, which are labor intensive involving the import of raw materials and the export of factory products. This zone is of great importance for the operations of MNC’s. Geography of production The linkages in the value chain also differ around different locations. The relationship between the various functional processes is different at different locations. The spread of production differs according to the spatial distribution. This differs according to the elements of the value chain. The working of the functional processes affects the production. It differs from firm to firm because the functional units like finance, marketing, etc. differ across firms and across various locations. So the firm’s production differs according to geography as the resource availability differs from place to place. Also, the human resource management, organizational structure and managerial responsibility differ between the firms and locations. These are not the same at all the places and with all the firms. The manpower availability differs from place to place and from firm to firm. Because of workforce diversity, human resource management differs and is not the same at all places. The organizational structure also differs because of each firm’s policies and regulations. The managerial responsibility is different depending upon the size of the firm and its working. It also depends upon the strength of the organization, type of business it deals with and the amount of work done by the organization (Cherunilam 2005). MNC’s also hire local people for key positions because its not possible for the MNC’s to hire people from the home country as it is a time consuming and costly affair. Instead of doing so, they can spend money on the training of the people in the local country. The Country Subsidiary Manager is responsible for the administration and management of the MNC in the country. He helps the MNC to recruit highly efficient and energetic people. He also helps in the growth and development of the MNC along with marketing its products. Comparison and Contrast between the Indian Market and Chinese Market for Exxon, BP and Shell The strategies in both the countries will be different for all the three companies i.e. BP, Exxon and Shell. The business environment, culture and traditions of both the companies differ from each other. The customer requirements, economic growth, political and social environment and legal obligations for both the countries can be compared and contrasted. Comparison CEOs of global energy giants BP, Exxon Mobil and Shell are thrashing out their plans with Indian companies and state government officials to pump dollars into 5 states Orissa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat. The oil and gas giants (Exxon, Shell, BP), can enter the Indian market through Joint Ventures with the Indian companies like Reliance or any ONGC. To establish joint ventures with Indian companies for manufacturing, all the 3 companies should track the key trends and survey the competitive environment in the oil and gas industry, which will enable them to maximize their returns in India (BP, Exxon Shell may invest in 5 Indian states 2008). Currently, Indian conversion kit markets are overflowing with duplicate and inferior quality products. Manufacturers must devote adequate resources for research and development to create world-class offerings that stand apart from the competition. Producing less expensive, lighter, and stronger fuel storage tanks could help the companies establish a leadership position in the marketplace. Reinforcing innovative products with strong after-sales service will allow companies to establish a brand image (Indian Automotive Alternative Fuel Conversion Kit Markets 2001). The entry strategy for China will be different. In China, the companies can enter through Merger or strategic alliance with a Chinese oil company. The companies should do a detailed study of the Chinese market to enter into strategic alliance with the Chinese companies, their growth patterns and their position in the market. As the entry strategy in both the companies will differ because of their business environment; similarly, business strategies would also differ on the following grounds. Firstly, the customer ratio and demand differs in both the countries. China has more population than India, so it has a large consumer market than India for these companies. Secondly, as compared to China, the price hike in petrol is more in India, so the companies can earn high revenue in India (Cherunilam 2005). Thirdly, China’s economy is growing at a much faster rate than India’s economy. Fourthly, the income level in both the countries is different. Middle class population is high in India. The per capita income of China is more than India and even the disposable income in China is more. Nowadays, BP is focusing on an eco-friendly campaign, which can be a great success in India where pollution is a major problem. This way, it can easily attract customers and become popular. Fifthly, the culture of both the countries is different, which affects the strategies of the companies. India is a country of diverse cultures and customs, so people with different thinking and values are found in India. But China has cultural unity, so the values and traditions do not differ across the country. This is good for advertisement and publicity to the people. Sixthly, it is also the political and legal environment that plays a crucial role in any business. A company cannot ignore the political situation and legal formalities either in the home country or in the host country if it has to operate successfully abroad. There is a quasi-federal-form of government in India and democracy is the rule of the country. Whereas China is a communist country, so the political setup can make a difference to the strategies. Also, the legal environment differs from country to country. India’s market has easy access and there are no strict regulations for the trade. In India, after the liberalization in 1991, most of the sectors are opened for foreign companies. Foreign Direct Investment is increasing rapidly. FDI policy is liberalized and 100% investment is allowed, whereas in China, there is not so much liberty for foreign companies. Only, a limited number of foreign companies can establish themselves in China. Contrast There are several points of similarities that affect the strategies of the companies in both the countries. Both the countries are in a developing stage and follow collectivism. Collectivistic culture tends to embrace interdependence, family security, social hierarchies, cooperation; and low levels of competition (Cherunilam 2005). As such, the Chinese and Indian society historically focuses on social interests and collective actions, and de-emphasizes personal goals and accomplishments. Also, the people of both the countries are dominated by foreign products and import items. Conclusion Thus, from the above discussion about MNC’s, it is concluded that they differ across different locations in terms of their resources, working, legal framework, etc. They also affect the culture and social life of the people of the local country. References Bartlett et al. Building Layers of Competitive Advantage. Europe: McGraw Hill Companies Inc. BP Global: About BP. 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: BP, Exxon Shell may invest in 5 Indian states 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Cherunilam, F. 2005. International Business: Text and Cases. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd. Dunning, J. H. 1993. The determinants of MNE activity. In Dunning, J. H., Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy: 76-85. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co. Exxon Mobile Corporation. 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Indian Automotive Alternative Fuel Conversion Kit Markets 2001. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Ramaswamy, V.S Namakumari, S. (3rd ed.) 2005. Strategic Planning Formulation of Corporate Strategy. New Delhi: Macmillan India Ltd. Royal Dutch Shell: About Shell. 2008. [online]. [Accessed July 19, 2008]. Available from World Wide Web: Rugman, A.M. Hodgetts, R.M. (1st ed.).1995. International Business. New York, McGraw Hill Publishing Company. Appendix Generic Value Chain of OPERATION OUTBOND LOGISTIC MARKETING SALES SERVICE FIRM INFRASTRUCTURE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROCUREMENT INBOUND LOGISTIC Secondary Activity Or Supporting Activities Primary Activities Source: Ramaswamy Namakumari 2005.