Monday, December 30, 2019

Global Business and Ethics Essay - 852 Words

Global Business and Ethics 1. Any company doing business in the United States and abroad has a responsibility to be socially responsible. This responsibility is guided by business ethics Ââ€" basic values that guide a firms behavior. These ethics come into all decisions made by businesses. Including what goes into the products, how they are advertised and sold, and how they are disposed of. Wal-Mart, the worlds largest retailer, is the largest corporation and private employer in the United States. Wal-Mart is consistently listed among Americas most admired companies by Fortune magazine. At the same time, it is frequently the target of criticism for its employment practices and its effect on the larger economy and community. How†¦show more content†¦This giant in the retail market puts stores up anywhere it can. This makes it hard for local stores to make it because they cant offer the same low prices without taking a loss. I have a friend whose dad is a store manager at a grocery store in my ho metown. Wal-Mart is building a Super Center in this town. My friends dad had to decide whether to stay on a commission paid system or take salary. Needless to say my friends dad, worried about the business doing well took salary and will take a huge pay cut. This is a personal experience. I know not every person will be affected in this way with Wal-Mart coming into town. Some people will even gain jobs and save a lot of money by shopping there. But, I dont think this is such a good thing. I think it is more important to help out the smaller businesses of the town then support a huge company. 3. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to prefer products or people of ones own culture. Ethnocentrism has affected Wal-Mart in entering foreign markets. Wal-Mart has had great success in Mexico, Canada, and Germany. With only 2 stores in Mexico in 1992, Wal-Mart has grown to over 640 in Mexico and 240 in Canada. In Germany many customers are used to service with a snarl. These same customers enjoy the friendlier demeanor of Wal-Mart associates. (Marketing. Real People Real Choices. Page 96) Wal-Mart hasnt been without failure in foreign markets due to ethnocentrism. In Japan the multi-tiered distribution system,Show MoreRelatedEthics And The Global Banking And Business1876 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is ethics and why it is important in global banking and business? Ethics has been a topic of discussion for many years between scholars, professors, students, companies, and many other living in this century. According to a Santa Clara University business student, ethics could not be defined the same by individuals. Ethics cannot be â€Å"pinned down† to a certain definition, meaning that people perceive the word â€Å"ethical† in many different ranges. According to the business student, â€Å"ethics refersRead MoreBusiness Ethics and Global Economy10535 Words   |  43 Pages6433ch10.qxd_lb 10/19/06 10:43 AM Page 260 CHAPTER OBJECTIVES ââ€"† CHAPTER 10 Business Ethics in a Global Economy CHAPTER OUTLINE Ethical Perceptions and International Business Culture as a Factor in Business Adapting Ethical Systems to a Global Framework Global Values The Multinational Corporation Sexual and Racial Discrimination Human Rights Price Discrimination Bribery Harmful Products Pollution and the Natural Environment Telecommunications Issues Intellectual-Property Protection WorldRead More Business Ethics and the Global Dimensions of Business Essay1409 Words   |  6 PagesBusiness Ethics and the Global Dimensions of Business This inclusive analysis was developed after an initial consultation with the C.E.O. of XYZ Construction, Inc. where the implications of expanding the construction company into Asia were discussed. The issues to be examined are the varied aspects of implementing a global business expansion. Time wise there is market potential for this opportune endeavor. However there are potential difficulties and risk that need to be considered before an internationalRead MoreBusiness Ethics and the Global Dimension of Business Essay2544 Words   |  11 PagesBusiness Ethics And The Global Dimension of Business Abstract Now that we have established a strategic business plan for Marketing, Operations and Human Resource Management for ABC Complete Kitchens, Inc, we must now establish an ethically and socially responsible business climate for our new plant. Another topic we must turn on our focus on is our presence in the global market. Because 20% of our sales are anticipated to be in the overseas market, we must address our international managementRead MoreCross Cultural Management, And Ethics And Global Business Essay1960 Words   |  8 Pagesanalyse my understanding and views about three topics that were learnt during the semester and which mostly interested me (caught my attraction?), namely, they are: Cross-Cultural Communication, Multicultural Teams and Conflict Management, and Ethics and Global Business. Being of Kazakh origin definitely influenced the way I perceive other cultures and impacted my behaviour and values I possessed. Generally, it can be argued that I agreed with the context of the lectures of Cross-Cultural Management, andRead MoreWhat Are Ethics And Their Importance? Global Banking And Business Today? Essay963 Words   |  4 Pages1. What are ethics and their importance in global banking and business today? Ethics are an extremely important in today’s day and age, especially in the global banking and business industries. As far as banking goes, there have been many scandals and this has all been caused by low morals. The morals that are displayed and acted upon by every countries financial sector have been shown to drive the economy and as displayed by the 2008 financial crisis, it is self-evident that a lack of morals canRead MoreDiscuss the Importance of Ethics in Business in Light of the Recent Global Financial Crisis (Gfc)1119 Words   |  5 PagesThe 2008 global financial crisis has affected today’s economy severely based on the collapses on issues such as immoral practices, governance, regulations, enterprise ethics. Factors to consider with the collapse that lead to the financial crisis is the dangerous outcomes that financial companies were not foreseen in advanced of borrowing mortgages for the companies. The change of ethics through enterprises demonstrate how b usiness approaches to ethics over the past years where ethics is seen inRead MoreGlobal Problem Solving And Morals Cross1023 Words   |  5 Pages Global Community Discovery JaQuita J. Jackson Ohio Christian University Global Community Discovery Global problem-solving and morals cross in various ways. Clearly, the way in which issues, for example, environmental change, asset consumption, vicious passing, savage disparities in life chances, and dangers to biodiversity are drawn nearer and considered, not to mention determined, epitomize muultiple and significant moral issues. At the most fundamental level, the impression of the presenceRead MoreGlobal Code Of Ethics And Ethics938 Words   |  4 PagesMBA 605: Unit 4 Exercise Global Code of Ethics Introduction All employees and senior level executives are expected to uphold to the Global Code of Ethics in the highest ethical standards of this corporate international organization. Each employee is to abide by the laws of their country and the regulations of the organization in which they work. The Global Code of Ethics helps ensure compliance with the standards of business, ethics, and governing regulation requirements put in place. All employeesRead MoreEssay on Uop Ethics/316 Week 5 Cross Cultural Perspectives1340 Words   |  6 Pages21, 2012 Cross Cultural Perspectives Ethics are the product of a society’s culture so it is natural there will be different responses to similar ethical scenarios. Beekum, Stedam, and Yamamura (2003) suggest these differing conclusions will lead to conflict where one side perceives the outcome is ethical whereas the other does not. Another possible outcome is that one side may not even see a decision even being morally significant. Global organizations have the additional challenge when

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Racial Profiling And Violates Human Rights Essay - 966 Words

Is Racial Profiling Justiciable Under Certain Circumstances? Racial profiling has been a longstanding argument in law enforcement practices for a number of years in American society. Often it divides and alienates communities from law enforcements while hindering police efforts to control crimes and protect civilians. Many civil right groups argue that racial profiling is ineffective and violates human rights. However after September 11th, it appears that the practice has become much more prominent especially in public transportation like airports and train stations throughout the United States. Many Americans were against racial profiling before September 11, but after the attack nearly sixty percent believed that using profiling that focused on Arabs and Muslims in airports was expectable (Harris, 2011, p. 215). There have been occasions when individuals were targets of racial profiling in which they did not provoke the suspicion to be searched and were judged exclusively on their race, religion, ethnicity, or color of their skin. Fauchon (2 004) claims that after closely examining the history, Constitution, case law, policies, and current events in the United States, racial profiling in any type of environment is unproductive and immoral to ensure the safety of Americans (p. 157). However, there are some critics who claims that racial profiling has in fact assisted to the safety of national security and citizens. Therefore under certain circumstances can racial profilingShow MoreRelatedEssay on Smart Profiling is More Effective Than Racial Profiling1252 Words   |  6 PagesFareed Zakaria traces these acts of racial profiling all the way back to 1790 during the French-American War (Zakaria 308). Such injustices are usually â€Å"overreactions to a limited threat† (Zakaria 309). Zakaria identifies the current mistreatment of Middle Eastern-Muslims within the United States as a similar overreaction (Zakaria 309). In the war on terror, an unfair emphasis has been placed on the race and religion of terrorism suspec ts. This use of racial profiling as a tool in the war on terrorismRead MoreRacial Profiling, An Unjust Act And A Big Problem1452 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to the 11 Facts about Racial Discrimination, â€Å"The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics concluded that an African American male born in 2001 has a 32% chance of going to jail in his lifetime, while a Latino male has a 17% chance, and a white male only has a 6% chance† (11 Facts about Racial Discrimination 1). Racial profiling, or discriminating against a whole group of people based on their race, is an unjust act and a big problem in our society today. Arresting people because of how they lookRead MoreRacism : Racism Or Racial Profiling923 Words   |  4 PagesHistorically, racism has existed through out human history from 500- 1000 years. Racism is considered to be directed on the part of the Westerners towards the non westerners, such as the Asians, Africans and others. Racism however, is defined as hatred imposed from one person to another. Racism can also be that one particularly race is more superior than the other, or less human, due to the state of origin, colour of skin, language, ethnicity, gender, religious, and different biological characteristicsRead MoreShould The Color Of One’S Skin Subject Them To A Higher1684 Words   |  7 Pagessaying that this practice has helped catch many criminals and that people would not have to worry if they are not doing anything wrong. Others deny it all together and say that racial profiling simply does not exist and police officers are just trying to do their job. These arguments are both wrong. Not only does racial profiling exist, but it is wrong and only serves to create fear where there should be a sense of safety. This gross practice still persists today throughout all levels of encounters fromRead MorePolice Brutality1519 Words   |  7 Pagesdeadly, excessive force that leads to inexcusable assaults, beatings and shootings. This dem onstrates the governmentÐ ¢s role in initiating and prolonging racial suppression and provides the explanation for police brutality to become a federal crime(Black Radical Congress, 3). In history, racist violence, police brutality, has been used to suppress the racial blacks and to preserve power and privileges for the white race. This was done for five primary purposes. First, it has forced black people into slaveryRead MoreEssay on Racial Profiling by Police1228 Words   |  5 Pages Racial profiling has become a severe obstacle in the U.S. today though most Americans know very little of this vital issue. Every day, people are being pulled over, harassed, and even killed for being of a certain race. There are new laws that politicians are trying to pass that promote racial discrimination. Racial profiling is immoral and does not increase public safety. Incarceration rates are a definite proof that racial discrimination occurs. â€Å"Incarceration rates in the United StatesRead MoreRacial Profiling in Canada Essay examples1300 Words   |  6 Pagesis dispute regarding what defines racial profiling. Critics ask Is it racist, or is a necessary part of law enforcement. Racial profiling is identified by Adele Cassola in her article as unjust whereas Denyse Coles argues that racial profiling is necessary and is not considered racism. According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission â€Å"Racial profiling is based on stereotypical assumptions because of one’s race, colour, ethnicity, etc.† whereas criminal profiling â€Å"relies on actual behaviour or onRead MoreNarrow Views On The United States939 Words   |  4 Pagesinhumane event, but also by America government official’s racial profiling citizens of all nationalities that set foot into America territory. As citizens of the United States, we are concerned about criminality undermining our society; drugs, terrorist attacks and violence are increasing in our communities. Although crime is a serious problem in our society, government resources are limited and we live under a terrorist threat. However, racial profiling is not the solution to reduce our social issues becauseRead MoreA New Form Of Convict Leasing1260 Words   |  6 Pagesrate of white men with the rate of incarceration for black women nearly three times the rate of white women (5). Human â€Å"Rights Watch† noted in a 2009 study; blacks are arrested at a higher rate than whites even though blacks commit drug offenses far less than whites (6). Former Presidents Reagan, the Bushes’ and Bill Clinton government, imposed racial projects and racial profiling cast new forms of racialized social control on black’s communities reminiscent of the days of slavery of the 1700’sRead MorePersuasive Essay On Racial Profiling1414 Words   |  6 Pages Racial Profiling Due to a Lack of Communication Imagine walking down the street one day with your friends, minding your own business when a police car pulls up next to you. As the car comes to a stop, a police officer rushes out with a gun in hand pointed at you. You are thrown to the ground, pinned under the officer, questioning what you did wrong. As you look around for help you realize that you have become the next victim of racial profiling. Racial profiling is the use of race or ethnic

Friday, December 13, 2019

Psychological View Free Essays

Psychological View Many Americans, until this day, have been diagnosed with psychotic disorders. According to the Schizophrenia Health Center, psychotic disorders are a group of serious illnesses that affect the mind. These illnesses affect a person’s responsibility to think clearly, make good judgments, respond emotionally, communicate effectively, understand reality, and behave appropriately. We will write a custom essay sample on Psychological View or any similar topic only for you Order Now When symptoms are severe, people with psychotic disorders have difficulty staying in touch with reality and often are unable to meet the ordinary demands of daily life. In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem â€Å"The Raven†, we can see that the speaker of this famous piece of American literature is a man grieving over the death of his beloved, Lenore. The speaker tries to go on with his life, but he always feels grief for the person he lost. No matter what he does, the feeling comes back, and he cannot ignore it – just like we couldn’t ignore a bird in our room who was always staring at us. Based on my reading on â€Å"The Raven† by Edgar Allan Poe, the speaker was hallucinating images, suffering depression, and struggling through delirium tremens. After reading Poe’s poem, we can clearly see all of the speaker’s psychological conditions. Throughout the poem â€Å"The Raven†, the speaker suffered hallucinations. The loss of his beloved Lenore hit him hard, especially psychologically. â€Å"That I scarce was sure I heard you – here I opened wide the door; – Darkness there and nothing more† (page 468 lines 23-24). Through this quote, the speaker shows auditory hallucinations. He’s sure he heard a knock on the door, but when he opened it, there was nothing but darkness. According to my understanding of the poem, the speaker also suffered visual hallucinations, unless we assume that the speaker really did see a raven. However, it does work well as a symbol for mental disorder, especially as a raven is known for its color, and depression is often referred to as the black dog. People who have hallucinations may hear sounds or voices or see things that are not really there, just like the speaker from â€Å"The Raven† thought he saw a raven. The speaker’s loss of his beloved Lenore brought great depression upon him. â€Å"Eagerly I wished the morrow; – vainly I had sought to borrow from my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore – for the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore† (page 467 lines 9-11). The speaker is grieving for his ‘lost Lenore’ and it is almost as if the raven has been sent as a messenger from the underworld to torment the speaker even more. According to the Depression Health Center. eeling depressed can be a normal reaction to loss, life’s struggles, or an injured self-esteem. Left untreated, depression can lead to problems at home, work, school, drug abuse, and even tragedy. Depression is a mental illness that affects most of the world’s population, but if treated correctly it could be cured. The loss of the speaker’s beloved Lenore made him fall into depression, and sadly he couldn’t get himself any help. Based on my understanding of the â€Å"The Raven†, the speaker is struggling through delirium tremens. According to an article from Medline Plus, delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that involves sudden and severe mental or nervous system change. The speaker of â€Å"The Raven† had too much going at one time of his life, so most likely he turned to alcohol as a nepenthe. Nepenthe was an ancient Greek concept of a medicine for sorrow, it would be what today is classified as an anti-depressant or a â€Å"drug of forgetfulness†. Scholars have thought of it as a substitute for Opium or Wormwood. We can tell he had some drinks because he was feeling weary. â€Å"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary†¦Ah, distinctly I remember it was in bleak December† (page 467 lines 1 and 6). The speaker mentions that it is night time and that he’s in his chair feeling weak and weary. This could be possibly due to extreme alcohol consumption especially since the poem mentions that it is December, a time to be ‘merry’ with our loved ones, or perhaps just alone and drunk if we have lost our loved one just like the speaker in â€Å"The Raven† did. According to an article all about delirium tremens, the main symptoms of delirium tremens are confusion, disorientation, agitation, and fever. The speaker seemed confused and disorientated because he was still grieving the loss of his beloved Lenore. â€Å"The Raven† by Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most famous poems in American literature. Among other achievements, the poem is a detailed examination of hallucinations, depression, and delirium tremens. Poe’s protagonist moves through several specific stages of grief until he sinks into hopelessness at the poem’s conclusion. He does not come to accept his loss; he only suffers and attempts to deal with it. The raven symbolizes grief. The speaker tries to move on with his life, but something keeps pulling him back, and he can’t ignore it – just like the raven that sat in the room, staring. Throughout â€Å"The Raven† we saw many psychological conditions the speaker had to deal with. It’s very sad knowing how loosing someone we love can affect our life to a point where we just feel hopeless. How to cite Psychological View, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Love Beyond Reason by John Ortberg Essay Example For Students

Love Beyond Reason by John Ortberg Essay BOOK REVIEW Writer of the Book: John Ortberg Title of the Book: Love Beyond Reason Name of the Publisher: Zondervan Topographic point of Publication: New York Date of Publication: 01stFebruary 2001 Genre: Non-Fiction About the Writer John Ortberg is a senior curate at Menio Park Presbyterian Church in Menio Park, California. He is the bestselling writer of Who is this Man? ; The Me I want to be ; Know Doubt ; When the Game is Over, It all goes back in the Box ; God is closer to you than you think ; The Life you’ve ever wanted ; If you want to walk on H2O, you’ve have got to acquire out of the boat ; Love Beyond Reason and the multimedia course of study – Old Testament challenge. Summary of the Book God loves you non because you are a perfect individual, non because you are without defects, but he loves you for the individual who you are. In Love Beyond Reason, John Ortberg reveals that God who loves you unconditionally, a Father who is in love with you and who desires your ultimate joy. John Ortberg takes you to the really nucleus of God’s being who loves you passionately with love that gives, gives and gives. This love which is life altering is expressed itself through Jesus. And he shows how you, like Jesus, can love your partner, your household, your friends and the universe around you with the same transforming love. Chase awaying you misconceptions about God, Love Beyond Reason convey you face-to-face with the love that transforms you, frees you and empowers you to love others as Jesus loves us. Reappraisal John Ortberg, the writer of Love Beyond Reason, has a subject that he mentions throughout his book. This subject revolves round a shred doll. John Ortberg begins the book by stating the narrative of his sister’s childhood doll – called Pandy. Pandy was a new, beautiful doll and in a heartfelt way loved by the author’s sister – Barbie. Wherever Barbie went, Pandy would attach to her. When Barbie went to bed, Pandy lay following to her. When Barbie had tiffin, Pandy Ate beside her at the tabular array. Pandy used to take bath with Barbie. Barbie loved her. She loved her with a love that was excessively strong for Pandy’s ain good. Ortberg decribes a clip when they had gone for a holiday to Canada ; on their manner back to place in Rockford, Illinois when Barbie realised that she left Pandy back in the hotel in Canada. Without vacillation their male parent drove back to the hotel in Canada and got back Pandy back from the hotel. The love she had for he r doll was about a fatal attractive force. Old ages passed and Barbie grew up. She got married and moved off. Finally Pandy became a old shred doll, about forgotten and was wrapped and stored in the Attic for 20 old ages. Barbie had three kids, the youngest was a small miss named Courtney, who shortly reached the age where she wanted the doll. Barbie went back to the Attic and dragged Pandy out of the box. By this clip, though, Pandy was more rag than doll. Because Pandy was in such bad status and was unsuitable for her girl to play with, Barbie took Pandy to a doll infirmary in California. At this particular infirmary Pandy had to travel through rehabilitative surgery. The infirmary gave a face lift to the doll and Pandy became one time once more every bit beautiful as she was originally. Even though Pandy was new and beautiful once more, Ortberg states that †Barbie did non love Pandy because Pandy was beautiful. She loved her with a sort of love that made Pandy beautiful† . .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 , .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .postImageUrl , .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 , .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9:hover , .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9:visited , .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9:active { border:0!important; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9:active , .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9 .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4c183fb3c8b069dc04adeb92669ffbc9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Alcohol Related Crashes EssayOrtberg goes on to state his readers that the love which Barbie had for her shred doll Pandy, the same sort of love God has for each of his kids. Ortberg says that we are all shred dolls – flawed and wounded, broken and dead set. We all are rag dolls. But we are God’s shred dolls. But still God loves us. This is a love beyond ground. This love turns rag dolls into invaluable hoarded wealths. This love makes the ragged small animals cherished and valued beyond computation. God doesn’t love us because he has to, he loves us because he wants to. God delectations in us. Throughout the book, Ortberg portions stories about differ ent sorts of shred dolls – a adult male with leprosy, a brother death of AIDS, a kid born anacephalic ( with merely a encephalon root to transport on the most basic maps ) , a cocotte ( Agnes ) in Hawaii, the parents with the Down Syndrome kid. We all are rag dolls in some manner, yet, God loves us still the same. Based on the different shred doll illustrations, Ortberg brings out the of import issues that help readers understand the deepness and the world of God’s love. He besides explains how Christians are supposed to move, react based on this love. Some of the points that were discussed in this book that aid in understanding this sort of love include: Paying attending to God and people: The first work of life in God’s love is larning to pay attending to him. The first undertaking in religious life, the one to which we must return over and over, is merely this: to pay attending to God. This is disputing plenty, sing the the trouble we have paying attending to anyone. To pay attending to God we must be still. Stillness is ever the pre-requisite for receptiveness. In add-on to go toing to God, I am called to go to to the people who mean so much to him. The work of love is the work of paying attending. If you want to make the work of God, pay attending to people. Notice them. Particularly notice the people cipher else notices. Giving and accepting 2nd opportunities: Our God is a God of 2nd opportunity. The Bible is full of images of God’s hankering to give 2nd opportunities. The truth is, shred dolls need 2nd opportunities all the clip. If you are holding a conflicting relationship with your parents, you are involved is dishonorable fiscal patterns, you fail in something that affairs – at your life’s work or matrimony or parenting ; dont concern, you would be given a 2nd opportunity to get down once more. Finding contentment in being loved: Ortberg provinces that discontent was a major subject in the life of people of Israel. The people of Israel complained for H2O, for staff of life, for meat. And each clip God satisfied the desires of their bosom. And so it went for 40 old ages. No affair what God gave them – release from bondage, godly counsel, the gift of Ten Commandments, manna and H2O, and hope and a hereafter – it was neer plenty. The people died grouching. Ingratitude is one of our most ragged qualities. But God loves us even with our ragged, insatiate desires. We must be content with what God has given us in our lives and thank him ever for these gifts – the gift of life, being a kid of God, holding confidence of God’s love through Christ, the counsel and the power of the Holy Spirit. Accepting the traffic circle ways: When the people of Israel were acquiring ready to travel to the Promised Land ; they could non hold expected it would take long. It was non a awfully long trip – less than 200 stat mis. They could make it in a affair of hebdomads. But God had an alternate path in head. God did non take them by manner of the land of the Philistines, although that was nigher ; for God thought, ’If the people face war, they may alter their heads and return to Egypt. So God led the people by the traffic circle manner of the wilderness which took 40 years.If we take religions in God earnestly we excessively will larn something of his traffic circle ways. We endure fiscal crisis, we cherish a dream for old ages looking frontward to the twenty-four hours when it is traveling to come true, and so one twenty-four hours we realize non merely it has non come true, but it is non traveling to go on. The dream dies and so make we. We are confused and inquire why, bu t receive no reply. We pray but there is no response. Our spirit, our psyche feels dry and bare. But God has non forgotten us. He has non abandoned us. He leads us in traffic circle ways. He is non in a haste. God’s manner is seldom the quickest manner. It is sledom the easiest manner. But it is ever the best manner. .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a , .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .postImageUrl , .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a , .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a:hover , .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a:visited , .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a:active { border:0!important; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a:active , .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u27a5d98bdc93c6c8ce9fd246fad5ad4a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The True Sign of Maturity EssayThe book closes with the humbling chapter that presents God as a ragged doll. He became every bit ragged as the 1 he loved. His roughness became the really signature of his presence. He was born in a trough, lived as a hapless carpenter, he hung out with evildoers and castawaies. This is the God who removed his robe and wrapped a servant’s towel around him with which to rinse his disciples’ pess. The God who at last was mocked and stripped of a violet robe and crucified have oning a Crown of irritants. Of all the Gods of myth, literature and faith, this alone is the Ragged God.Through the cross God reveals his humbleness and ser vanthood. In the cross we see God in all his roughness. To reason, Ortberg states that the glorification of God is non merely his power and might and majesty. His glorification is that he would come to this corner of the existence, to this undistinguished planet, to a ragged people he could non convey himslef to fling. His glorification is that one twenty-four hours he laid aside his stateliness and cloud nine and came strike harding at our door. Decision I exhaustively enjoyed reading this book. This is the perfect book to read about God’s neer stoping and unconditonal love for us. Before we can be transformed, we must hold an apprehension of how much God truly loves us. 1

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Gibson Kente free essay sample

Gibson Kente: Arguably the most popular playwright-director in South African Theatre history is â€Å"Bra Gib†, Gibson Kente. Born in 1932, Kente became the father of Black Theatre. He was a great patriot and founding father of Black Theatre in South ; an effective voice of the oppressed though the arts, he articulated the socio-economic imbalances created by the apartheid regime. Kente was not only an artist but also a vehicle for change. He conscientised the nation through music and theatre and gave a nation confidence in the midst of repression and brutality. Kente was largely unknown to the white theatre-going population of South Africa – however he produced 23 plays and many TV dramas from 1963-1992. Kente grew up in Duncan Village, a black village in the Eastern Cape. He was schooled at a Seventh-Day Adventist College in Butterworth. In 1956, he moved to Johannesburg and enrolled at the Jan Hofmeyer School of Social Work. He eventually abandoned his studies after he joined a black theatre group called the Union Artists. We will write a custom essay sample on Gibson Kente or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This is where he embarked on his career writing, producing and directing, where he created the unique genre referred to as the â€Å"township musical. Kente developed a style and pattern for his plays specifically to deal with the challenges and needs of his audiences. His plays were melodramas of township life, which were performed in an over-the-top, stylized manner using stock characters and a declamatory style of performance. His style of directing his actors to ‘overact’ was in order to compensate for many of the townships venues which had poor acoustics. His use of music, movement, gesture, gimmicks, dance and acrobatics were directly related to his problem with township venues. These large halls were not complimentary to any type of method acting. The movements had to be unnaturalistic, the acting was vigorous and exaggerated well beyond reality, in order to have an impact on the eye and the ear. There was also a devaluing of dialogue – the dialogue is in English, however, most of it was inaudible because of audience noise and interaction, bad voice projection in the acoustically unsound halls, the musical band and unfamiliarity with words from the script. The audiences were not there to appreciate the subtlety of language through the use of puns or witticisms – they were there to be entertained through the stock characters antics – to recognize themselves on stage. Kente’s aim was to fill township venues and he did. The majority of his plays are stylistically similar: the acting style hardly varies, the story development is superficial, there is an absence of conflict other than the physical fights and the slanging matches between characters. The plots were simple – they were made up of occurrences which were happening in the townships and in daily township life. Ian Steadman writes in his article Alternative Politics, Alternative Performance: 1976 and Black South African Theatre that â€Å"while he [Kente] has been criticised by more radical Black Consciousness proponents for being a-political, Kentes theatre succeeds in creating social comment and criticism – sometimes by implication, at other times by direct proseltism† (1984: 219).

Monday, November 25, 2019

10 Exemplification Essay Topics on Myths and Religion

10 Exemplification Essay Topics on Myths and Religion Before there were legal laws and government policies to provide a structure for humans to live by, religion played the role of providing direction for the lifestyle each individual should attain to that was pleasing to god. With time, the world’s religions have evolved from providing directions to daily living to catering to faith and what happens in the afterlife. This makes religion an expansive and interesting topic to discuss as well as write about in educational environments. Today’s article focuses on myths and religion which means it discusses the myths associated with religious worship and how some have been accepted in mainstream religions. So before discussing these myths, here is a brief explanation of what religion and myths represent. Religion can be defined as a set of beliefs diverted to a cause, nature and the purpose of the universe as well as man’s place in it. While myths are unproven stories generally passed down from generations to generations that become facts with the passage of time. Practicing religion involves conducting certain rituals and the use of devotionals- holy books, religious tools- to provide directions on how to worship the creator of the universe and this is where myths come in for they are included in most devotionals as religious stories or instructions. So here are 10 facts on the myths and religions for an exemplification essay: The Inspiration behind mythical stories in the minds of men in ancient Greece is attributed to divine sources such as Zeus and the muses. In like manner, modern religion also attributes the inspiration behind the stories and facts found in religious books to divine inspiration from a divine being or an element of the divine being. Therefore, in both cases, myths are sometimes believed to be actual historical incidents that occurred in a forgotten era. The creation story and its mythical origins the three major Abrahamic religions share the same belief on how the world was created in three days out of nothing but before this belief became widely accepted, ancient Egyptian myths and text also described a creation process in which the world was built from an infinite, lifeless sea of nothingness. Other religions such as the Kamba in Kenya, and the Maori religion also contain aspects of this creation myth. Oral transmission creates avenues for distortions the stories we recognize as myths today were transferred through the ages by oral communication which has led to distortions as the custodians of these stories either embellish or detract facts from them. Like Homer’s tale of the Iliad which were a set of stories passed around for 500 years before he penned them down the first 5 books of the bible which forms the basics of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith were also passed down orally. Myths tend to be modernized by politics modernization is a procedure that also affects mythology as story tellers tend to retell stories to fit into the popular political movement or beliefs of his or her time. In ancient Greece, the Tragedians adjusted mythical plots to illuminate the political and social problems of that era. So also do religious books which sometimes reflect the politics and social on-goings that occurred during the periods they were written. The concept of heaven and hell are a product of mythical stories passed down from generations to generations and are not solely endemic to the major religions of today. In ancient Egypt, the belief in an afterlife was one held in the Trayastrimsa culture while in ancient Greece, the belief in Tartarus as a place of punishment predated the belief in hell. Ancient commandments and human society myths have also played their path in setting commandments on which ancient societies lived by in years past. The first recorded text of commandments included the treaty of the Hittites and the code of Hammurabi. These commandments preceded the 10 commandments and the Torah. A close look at the Hammurabi laws show close similarities to the laws in today’s modern religions. The belief in a trinity possesses mythological roots the belief in a trinity consisting of three coequal gods has been a part of the ancient religions practiced in Babylon, Rome and Asia before the advent of Christianity. In Babylon, Baal, Ashtoreth and Tammuz were one of the earliest known examples of the trinity theology in religion, while later on in Rome, Jupiter, Juno and Minerva formed a trinity which is quite similar to that found in the Christian religion. The dying and rising gods the stories of a god who died and resurrected to provide succour to its worshipers has been a recurring meet since the beginning of time when humans had a belief system. The earliest version of a resurrecting god can be found in ancient Egyptian religion were Osiris undergoes a form of rebirth after death. Subsequently, ancient Greek religion added Dionysus to the list of resurrecting gods. The flood or deluge myths the belief in a global flood that affected humankind is an important tenet. The three major Abrahamic religions have mythological stories that preceded Judaism. The Sumerian creation myth is credited as having the first religious reference to a global flood that washes humanity. The Sumerian myth also includes stories of a mythical creature, Zi-ud-Sura, who builds an ark to save both himself and other animals. The evil nature of serpents since the beginning of religion, the serpent has been ascribed a mythological role as the bringer of bad news and destruction to mythical beings. In one of the oldest stories ever written- The Epic of Gilgamesh- Gilgamesh loses the power of immortality which was stolen off him by a snake. Also, in ancient Greece mythology, the serpent plays a stellar role in trying to thwart the destinies of mythical figures. Likewise, Christianity, Islam and Judaism feature the serpent as the deceiver of the first humans on earth. So here we come to the end of our 10 fascinating facts on myths and religion that you can apply when writing an essay on religion. Do not hesitate to also read the follow up pieces to these facts. 20 topics on myths and religion and a complete guide to an exemplification essay will give you directions on choosing a topic and writing an exemplification on essay on myths and religion. References: Scott, L. (2009). Myths and Religion. angelfire.com/indie/green_economics/MythsandReligion.pdf Levitt, M. Elissa, G. (2000). How Raven Found the Daylight and other American Indian Stories. Encyclopedia.com. (2006). Myths. encyclopedia.com/topic/Myths.aspx Wikipedia. (2014). Creation Myths. https://www.google.com.ng/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2ion=1espv=2ie=UTF-8q=creation%20mythsoq=creation%20mythsrlz=1C1AVNE_enNG649NG650aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.27072j0j7 John, M. (2008). Why Does Nearly Every Culture Have a Tradition of a Global Flood? icr.org/article/why-does-nearly-every-culture-have-tradition-globa/ Ed, T. (2002). Pagan Roots of the Trinity Doctrine. biblicalunitarian.com/articles/pagan-roots-of-the-trinity-doctrine-ed-torrence-2002 Norse-mythology.com. (2008). Death and the Afterlife. http://norse-mythology.org/concepts/death-and-the-afterlife/ Ellis, R. (1968). The Road to Hel: A Study of the Conception of the Dead in Old Norse Literature, 84.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Comparing Gateway NV55SO5U Performance To Apple MacBook Pro Essay

Comparing Gateway NV55SO5U Performance To Apple MacBook Pro - Essay Example The video range is also weak and is probably limited to only two individuals pressing their inner shoulders together. That is not exactly an impressive display. Its battery life is not also ideal which can only last for an average user to only up to 4.5 hours. If you multi-task and so some burning and music, that battery life will be reduced more. It also runs only on unsophisticated Windows 7 Home Premium which is susceptible to the contracting virus. Comparing Gateway NV55SO5U performance to Apple MacBook Pro is no contest. Perhaps the only category that the Gateway NV55SO5U can claim as an advantage compared to MacBook Pro is price because MacBooks price starts at $1,000. It may a lot more expensive than a $629.99 Gateway NV55SO5U but the price difference is far more compensated by performance and design. When it comes to performance, you can play anything simultaneously with a MacBook without its system freezing while video rendering and 3D MMO gaming simultaneously will probably freeze the system of Gateway NV55SO5U. It is also made of very strong and rigid unibody chassis that is machined out a solid block of aluminum. That means that your MacBook is as sturdy and as durable as a rock compared to a plastic frame of Gateway NV55SO5U. Above all, MacBook Pro uses OS X which is immune to viruses. You will be free from the anxiety and actual threat of a virus that could disrupt and destroy your work. This is important because the safety and security of your data could costs a lot more than $400 price difference. MacBook Pro’s battery life also lasts almost twice longer compared to Gateway NV55SO5U (8 hours). The approach of this essay is just to compare and contrast the weakness of Gateway NV55SO5U compared to MacBook Pro. I identified two major weaknesses of Gateway NV55SO5U which are the strengths of MacBook Pro.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Critically assess the role of the contaminated land regime in cleaning Essay

Critically assess the role of the contaminated land regime in cleaning up contaminated land in the UK and how the planning syste - Essay Example The land has to be in a condition such that noteworthy damage is arising or/and, there is a noteworthy probability of the said damage being caused. Additionally, the land has to be in a condition such that controlled waters are being polluted or there is a probability that contamination is likely to occur. The water Act defines contaminated controlled waters as a situation where significant effluence of restricted waters is occurring, and/or there is a noteworthy probability of the said contamination occurring. Polluted land must fall within part 2A definition for it to be said to cause significant damage to people’s wellbeing or other specified receptors. Land development has to incorporate part 2A since a change in land use might bring the development inside the mandatory definition of contaminated land by creating a pollutant linkage (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, 2002). Other regimes that interact with management of land affected by contamination include the IPC, PPC, WML and WRA. Integrated pollution control (IPC) controls the management of large industrial buildings to lessen the danger of contamination arising. The body is also responsible for remediating the danger resulting from of the authorization. The waste management licensing (WML) controls the way in which waste management facilities are managed, as well as controls the disposal and recovery of controlled waste. Water resource act takes actions to safeguard or remedy the contamination of proscribed waters. The United Kingdom government has instituted and put in place a proactive regime and legal framework to handle land that has been previously contaminated. The new regime offers a means to put in force remediation where the IPC and WML may not apply. For new freeways, the prerequisite for handling the contaminated land will be agreed with the Environment Agency during the planned development. New development may also involve the Integrated Pollution Controls and the Waste Management Licensing. Contaminated land regime or WML might apply depending on the degree of contamination on existing sites that contain contaminated land. The remediation of polluted site is taken to be a waste management operation, and thus falls under the WML regime (Wolf& Stanley, 2010). For a number of remedial techniques, the specialized remediation contractor will need a mobile plant license and waste management site license incase contaminated material remains in the site. The regulatory framework now exists to put in force remediation and cleanup of contaminated land in any state of affairs. In instances where WML and IPC are in force on a specific land site, they will go on being used. The contaminated land administration acts to clean up areas that are not covered under IPC and WML, and initiate the remediation of static land that is polluted. Static land refers to land that is not undergoing redevelopment. Risk evaluation principles are employed to evaluate wh ether a site is contaminated under the meaning of the Environmental Act. Pollution linkage Before land may be defined as contaminated, the risk evaluation process has first to establish that noteworthy damage is being caused, or that there is a considerable likelihood of damage being caused by the presence of a pollutant linkage. Three elements have to be set out for there to be an existence of a noteworthy pollutant. These elements are 1. A

Monday, November 18, 2019

Comment on the article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Comment on the - Article Example It may also boost the morale of the employee where they achieve the division’s profit and are rewarded on the same. However, this structure may also create goal conflict between the organization’s goals and the geographical goals (Go, 2012). This may however be curbed through proper organizational leadership. International geographic organizational structure may also be used to establish the MNE’s in new regions. This helps the geographic region enjoy independence from the headquarters management since each region is unique .This uniqueness may however, be costly on establishment costs and customized problems to the region thus reducing the organization’s profits. Therefore, for successful expansion of the MNE’s it is recommended to use the international Divisional organizational structure. The organization division organization structure creates a compressed organizational chart since all divisions report directly to the top level executives. This eases communication hence increased teamwork brought about by the focus on the employees abilities. On the other hand international Geographic organizational structure focuses on each region as a separate entity of the organization due to the fragmentation. This leads to increased costs on managing each region. It is also notable that international geographic organizational structure uses contingency eldership style which is expensive to employ (Go, 2012). These two organizations structures have been exemplary detailed by the â€Å"Microsoft† and â€Å"Avon â€Å"products. In Avon products its revenue is seen to decrease in the European markets due its changes in the Economic

Friday, November 15, 2019

Introduction To Sony Corporation Commerce Essay

Introduction To Sony Corporation Commerce Essay Sony Corporation has a history of almost more than 60 years. It has a wide sales network and is registered in approximately 200 countries. However, the primary manufacturing facilities of Sony Corporation are located in Asia. Sony Corporation is involved in the developing, designing, manufacturing and selling electronic equipment and devices, game consoles and software. It is also producing and distributing motion picture, home entertainment, television products, and recorded music. In addition to this, it is also rendering its services in the financial services sector which involves insurance operations through the Japanese insurance subsidiaries and banking operations through a Japanese Internet-based banking subsidiary. Sonys products are largely marketed in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Major Problems and Challenges Faced by Sony Corporation Sony is a multinational organization and has to deal with the dynamic industry in which it is operating. It has developed itself by formulating a steady work environment where engineers had thoughtful appreciation of technology and have worked without restraint as they pleased to focus on development of dynamic technologies and creation of products that people have always desired (Mintzberg, 1989). Sony Corporation, which has been a leading corporation once, has reported losses for almost four consecutive years. It declared a record annual net loss of 520 billion yen ($6.4 billion) for the year ends in March 2012. The main strategic problem of Sony Corporation is embedded in its several product lines that provide too many parts of the entertainment value chain. The companys innovation and operations slowed down due to the introduction of the empire-building strategy. It has lead to the weakening of its competitiveness in all of the market segments of its business. In addition to the internal problems faced by the wide product lines by Sony, it is facing other external challenges as well. In late 2000s, global economic crisis caused a significant decline in consumer spending as of recession and resultantly caused a decrease in the profitability of Sony. The overall demand of the products of Sony has declined due to the appreciation of the Japanese Yen as it has lead to negativel y affect the purchasing power of non-Japanese consumers of Sony Products. Further, the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster and its consequences also effected Sonys operations badly and resulted in extensive re-establishment costs. In the presence of these external and uncontrollable challenges, Sony was unable to cope with the increasing competition and it became difficult for Sony to retain its market share within the electronics and game industry. In accordance with such problems the top management team of Sony was comparatively conservative. As a result, Sony lost its competitive edge in the industry due to decrease in its technological innovation. In a nutshell, the primary emphasis of Sony Corporation on restructuring strategies in such alarming and challenging situation leads to enormous and continual losses. Overview of Sony Corporation Strategies and its Implications Sony Corporation is a giant in its industry having well-built core competencies. It has economies of scale and wide scope both in production and research and development because of its huge network in Japan, the United States and other countries all around the world. Moreover, its unique quality, technology and differentiated products are other top strategic benefits that can help it to attain competitive advantage in market. Sonys business operations have been restructured many times in last two decades. Sonys first signs of loss began in early 1990s when it experienced a loss of  ¥ 293.36b in 1995. The reason behind this loss was primarily the unrelated diversification and the dearth of innovation. New products are imitated very soon by the competitors in the digital era because these products can be produced by assembling widely-available parts. So there always remain the dangers of being entangled in price wars (Kusunoki, 2003). This can only be avoided by readily adapting changes in a way that competitors cannot keep up. In reaction to this, Sony put all its efforts into restructuring the corporation considering it as a way towards success as there was general trend of diversification in leading companies (Itami, 2001). It faced heavy restructuring costs in this course but these efforts failed to attain the expected results and outcomes. In 1994, Sony formulated an eight company structure with an a im to create a market-responsive company but the losses prevailed. In 1996, it designed a ten-company structure with a same goal to get the company back to profits. Again, due to unrelated diversifications, heavy decentralization and minimal involvement of board room in major decisions, the losses cannot be reduced. After 1999, the company focused on Internet based products due to dot com burst. This major shift in business focus further worsened the situation. The major reasons for further losses were the lack of consolidation and hence substantial fall in sales. In addition to this, the economic slowdown in the US was also a key reason. Consequently, the focus on core competency was re-established which resulted in regaining profits slightly. Sony must focus on increasing sales immediately so as to meet their short-term goals and attain success in long run. In addition to restructurings among Sonys product lines, it should ensure stable profitable trend to avoid more severe decline. In the past few years, it has been able to reduce it cost. It should maintain this reduction so as to increase gross margin in the long run. Moreover, it should utilize the increased leverage and other assets in the ways that can lead to optimum and efficient boosting of sales. Most importantly, it should try to reduce or mitigate the macroeconomic risk which has been a major cause of unexpected losses in previous years. Critical Evaluation of the One Sony Strategy The most important challenges for Sony are the high competition in industry and the macroeconomic risks. In this regard Sony should re-develop its competitive advantage, regain focus, ensure quality and reduce external factors effect on companys performance and profitability. The chief executive of Sony Corporation has emphasized on the fact that its the time for Sony to change now. He has given a revival plan that elucidates a major shift from the companys unprofitable television business. It also planned to cut 10,000 jobs as well. In the new strategy, it is emphasized that the Sony would concentrate on three businesses namely the mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets; cameras and camcorders; and games. Sony has fruitfully expanded into various business segments (Electronics, Game, Pictures, Music, and Financial Services) since the beginning of the company as a telecommunication company in 1946. It has diversified its product lines and has attained remarkable reorganization in a wide range of sectors. It has enhanced many other resources like research and development, marketing, customer services and even unrelated areas. All this has lead to both positive and negative effects simultaneously. As diversification has lead to the expansion of the company, it has also resulted in decreasing its specialized capabilities. Hence, Sony was unable to keep hold of its competitive advantage in any sector or segment of its business and lost the competitive edge against the highly specialized competitors within each segment. So its the need of the hour that Sony locates a specific segment or sector to focus and specialize in it and then it should restructure the company around that focused segment. This type of restructuring can help the company to utilize maximum of its resources in the most productive and optimal way. The current move of Sonys strategy is exactly in this line. Sony is about to terminate or integrate its least profitable segments. Such restructuring will lead to the development of a proprietary product collection and special set of Sony hardware and software products that can be used against the highly specialized competitors like the products of Apple. In this way, Sony can have an edge over the competitors in long run as no other company is operating in such wide range of sectors currently as Sony is. Sony, no doubt, will have an incomparable experience in this regard. This type of restructuring can reverse the recent unprofitable trend of the company as it will be a strong positive s ignal to the market and its competitors enhancing the confidence of consumers and investors. The segments or sectors of business that should be focused should have the specific features. Sony should focus on such sectors which are already its main segments, namely the consumer, professional devices segment or the networked products services segment. Moreover, such segments should also have the prospect or potential to get integrated with various remaining segments. In this way, Sony will be able to leverage most of its current resources. Most importantly, this market segment should be moderate in competition as well. Sony would be able to implement the strategies in such segments where it has bigger market share recently. Keeping these benefits in view, the mobile devices of Sony are extremely desirable sector to be focused by it. The series of Sony Ericsson smartphones launched with the Xperia brand in 2011 which operated on Android gained an extensive market share and have much more potential. Similarly, the Xperia smartphones can also be integrated with Sony tablets, personal computers and game consoles in this concern. In this way, Sony can be able to lower the cost and increase the demand for such Sony products in the long run keeping the main focus on the abundant competition in the smartphones and tablets markets. Another sector to be focused by Sony can be of the games. The main reason behind it is that its the major segments for Sony in which it has competitive market share. The sector of games can induce synergies among Sonys product lines. Moreover, the competition in the segment of games business is not as extreme as it is in the other market segments. Sony intends to replace the operations of disjointed lineup of content delivery platforms to expand its PlayStation game network which will offer music and video as well. This is no doubt a good strategic step. However, one Sony strategy is intending to focus on Sonys digital imaging business that involves digital cameras and camcorders. This policy is again not very appropriate as Sony will have to face intense competition from Canon, Nikon, and Olympus. Moreover, Sony will also face threats from substitutes such as tablet computers which are highly equipped with advanced digital imaging functions. Keeping all these factors in view, it can be deduced that Sony will encounter great problems in the integration of digital imaging sectors with its other businesses. Another appropriate feature of the new strategy is the decision of shrinking the TV business as the severe competition from Samsung and LG, the deficiency of synergy potentials and the comparatively low share of market is making it impossible for Sony to attain or retain its competitive advantage. The focus on certain sectors will provide various benefits to Sony. Sony can start acquisitions within related segments once it has established strong focus. The acquisition strategy will lead to increase market share, to get the economies of scale, decrease manufacturing costs, and provide access to new technologies and patents. An increase in the market share will provide Sony with higher pricing power. The economies of scale will raise its productivity. The reduction in the manufacturing cost will lead to give benefit in a price competition. The technologies and patents will allow Sony to speed up their innovation progress which is slow right now. Sony must start by acquiring smaller companies in its focused market segment and should overpay premiums for the expected synergies as well. Another main focus of this new strategy is to improve the quality of its products by managing such features at the top level of management in integrated way. The major strength of Sony is its brand name because consumers deem Sonys products as trustworthy and having high quality generally. Whereas the quality of products of Sony has decreased in last few years. For instance, Sony declared that almost around 535,000 of their VAIO laptops might be in danger of overheating because of the temperature gauge error in 2010. Similarly, Sony had also recalled eight models of Sony digital cameras because of the problems with the image pick-up shortly after its multiple delays in launching PlayStation3. Such quality problems have lead to cost lawsuit expenses and have damaged the corporate image as well. Now, Sony is seriously emphasizing on attaining specialization in its products to avoid any such circumstances in future which is a positive action of this strategy. Moreover, Sony is expecting to enhance its business in emerging markets with greater focus on the innovation. It is a vital strategy for any business so as to keep itself in the market successfully. This will provide it with more markets availability in the long run increasing the sales and hence profits. However, this strategy is lacking in one very important aspect which is handling the macroeconomic factors. The presence of Sony in the international market has lead to its sensitivity to exchange rates and local economies. No doubt, Sony cannot get direct control over such factors but it can utilize its Financial Services segment to mitigate the risk exposure. Sony can apply this strategy by making derivatives contracts (currency swaps and interest rate swaps) or by taking short positions in particular securities as long as these practices comply with laws and regulation. The most problematic task is goal congruence. It means alignment of the managers incentives with the overall firm because such hedging measures can impact the profitability of the financial services segment. If these factors are ignored, they will again lead to unexpected losses to Sony in the long run making all other measures unrewarding. Sony took the direct action in introducing the company system in the first place (Kunii, 2000). It then performed an organizational improvement synchronized with the changes in the surrounding environment. Its strategy shifted in accordance with Chandlers proposition that organization follows strategy. Sonys organizational reforms and responding to environmental changes after the bubble collapse were significant (Nishiwaki,1990). The one Sony and one management system will lead to solve many problems and have the capability of improving the performance of the company as all the major decisions are now to be taken and implemented by the top management. The new approach emphasizes on the strengths of the entire Sony Group as One Sony by implementing a rapid decision-making process. With the help of this, Sonys primary goal is to revive and cultivate the electronics business to create new value in addition to further escalation of the stable business foundations of the Entertainment and Financial Service businesses. This management structure has reduced the previous complexity of the system and efficiency is expected to be increased. The more top-down leadership is expected to start to attain Sonys goals for the next years as it is said its the key to spot the requirement to create visions, motivate, establish direction and align people (Kotter, 1999). The focus is on development of six components for successful strategic leadership that involves determining a firms vision, retaining core competencies and mounting human capital. All these aspects are introduced to develop new technology and benefit from a centralized decision making system in the long run (Hannan and Freeman 1977, 1984). Conclusion Sony has faced many difficulties for several years and has now been able to properly identify many of its real problems. The latest strategy will lead to address them to some extent. Although some improvements have been shown in the recent times but still many areas are to be focused on in this strategic change. The basic reason behind it is that Sony is not a market leader now. Resultantly it does not have that old power to influence the direction of the market and follow its own plan. Moreover, the policy of defending its own interests has proved to be exigent. The strategies need not be deliberate always, they can emerge as well (Mintzberg, 1980). This strategy is good in many aspects and can lead to revive Sony Corporation but still Sony needs to work hard if it wants to survive and regain its market-leading position again. Recommendations A wide range of unrelated businesses operations are usually justified on the basis of scale and scope economies but this unrelated diversification can be more harmful than helpful in long run. So, Sony must perform a due diligence to assess the financials and brand worth of its different business units as its competitor Samsung has done. Sony should regain focus and invest in development and make improvements in its core competence. It will be helpful in regaining brand leadership. Sony should restore its RD, design, and marketing departments as well. Innovation should be induced in both products and services that will improve the relationship between the brand and the consumer. The innovation should make valid brand sense. It can be done by reflecting consumer preferences. Sony should promote the marketing function to the board room again and allow marketing to take a lead of the business and the strategy as marketing and branding cannot be transferred to a tactical level handled by marketing managers who dont have an appreciation of the broader vision in the long run. The market has become tremendously competitive. In this situation Sony should follow the old branding techniques only in case they are steered by a brand oriented leadership. The top management including the CEO of Sony should assess the meaning and identity of the brand to its customers in these dynamic and challenging times in a way that they innovate and lead the industries in which Sony is operating. It is extensively important for Sony to regain the cool factor. It should enhance its designs and features all over again as this is the main strategy which can help Sony to survive in competition of the industry having strong competitors like Apple, Nokia, Samsung and others. The supremacy in designs and customer oriented features are very essential to be attained.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Samuel Taylor Coleridge Essay -- Samuel Taylor Coleridge Papers

Samuel Taylor Coleridge The French and American Revolutions had an enormous impact on the early Romantic thinkers like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. The aristocracies that had been controlling Europe were beginning to fall, the middle class began to grow and power was increasingly falling into the hands of the common people. This may explain why the poetry that Coleridge and Wordsworth produced was aimed at the common man, rather than the educated aristocrats. This meant a shift from elevated language and subject matter, a common trait throughout the "age of reason", and a turn toward spontaneity and emotion, otherwise known as the Romantic period (Spartacus. school net). The Romantic period, which consisted of the time between 1785 - 1830, can in a sense be synonymous with "nature poetry." Romantic poets often wrote about the beauty of nature, both physically and spiritually. A common theme throughout the Romantic period expressed how an individual must become one with nature. The Romantics believed that: "ordinary language was the proper vehicle for communication of the soul, for a poet was ‘a man speaking to men.’ For Wordsworth, this meant rural and pastoral language, for he believed that the most important knowledge came from communing with nature. For Coleridge, it simply meant the language spoken by most people at ordinary times" (Abrams 8). During this time, people began to question what the aim of poetry was. Previous generations had believed that poetry existed solely to change people’s behavior. The Romantics, however, felt poetry should exist as a pure form of expression, especially the expression of intense emotion. According to Wordsworth, in his preface to Lyrical Ballads, the defini... ... in promise but not in performance" (Abrams 325). Works cited Abrams, M.H., et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 6th ed. 2 vol. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1993. Hill, John Spencer. "Critical Approaches to: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan and Frost at Midnight." A Coleridge Companion. 1983: http:// www.uottawa.ca/~phoenix/comp4e.htm (9 Dec 1999). Literature Resource Center: "Overview of: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan." Gale Research. 1999: http://www.pace.edu (17 Dec 1999). Lycos.com: "Coleridge, Samuel Taylor." 1999: http://infoplease.lycos.com/ce 5/ce011814.html (28 Nov 1999). The Spartacus Encyclopedia. "Samuel Taylor." 1999: http://www.spartacus Schoolnet.co.uk/Jcoleridge.htm (28 Nov 1999). Wordsworth, William. "Preface to Lyrical Ballads." 1802. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1993.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

A Traveler’s Guide to Gifts and Bribes

Financial Management Policy Professor: Ms. Gleason A Traveler's Guide to Gifts and Bribes Harvard Business Review Why might bribery become a problem for U. S. managers working in foreign countries? The FCPA was structured to help U. S. companies understand what bribery is, and what is or is not acceptable behavior at home and in other countries. The confusing issue is that even with this guidance, it is not always clear what exactly is to be considered a bribe. Under the Act, not all payments are deemed to be bribes. FCPA doesn’t forbid payments to lesser figures, it allows bribes to facilitate ongoing business activities, as there is no monetary guideline it requires companies to keep reasonable records of the transaction. Brides given to influence political decisions are banned and usually small payments that are designed to get a foreign official to perform a non-discretionary function. The distinction between the two is blurred. Confounding this is that many U. S. business people do not know what is permitted and what is not, as there is no clear guidance. As there is no clear guidance on what you can and can’t do working with foreign countries a lot of U. S. Managers could actually be offering bribes that should actually be banned. This creates no equal opportunity for everyone; the foreign company will go with whomever’s bribe seems to be greater. This will create a huge problem because this is where a lot of U. S. manger will cross the line just to win the business. What are the major features of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)? The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) was enacted in 1977 and substantially revised in 1988. The FCPA generally prohibits corrupt payments to foreign officials. To complement this prohibition, the FCPA has accounting provisions that require maintenance of transparent and complete financial records. The Justice Department enforces the anti-bribery provisions, while the Securities and Exchange Commission has jurisdiction over the accounting requirements. The key provisions of the FCPA are as follows: (Hart, 2001)    * The FCPA prohibits payments (including promises to pay) of anything of value to nfluence, corruptly (with corrupt intent), the discretion of a foreign official to do something in violation of his or her official duty; to obtain, retain, or direct business; or to gain any improper advantage. * The FCPA prohibits indirect payments, as well. These provisions also apply to acts of a non-U. S. representative that is attributable to the U. S. party. * The FCPA exempts â€Å"facilitating† payments. These are usually small payments that are designed to get a for eign official to perform a non-discretionary function. The Justice Department can pursue criminal sanctions of up to $2 million per count for legal entities, with individuals facing fines of up to $250,000 per violation and imprisonment up to five years. Civil penalties may also apply at a rate of $10,000 per violation for an entity or individual. Additional fines by an SEC civil enforcement action may apply. * FCPA conviction can result in the party being debarred from U. S. government contracts, prevented from participating in the securities industry, and barred from loan programs of certain U. S. and international lenders. In addition, there may be tax ramifications. * Compliance should be reflected in international agreements. (It is not sufficient, however, to state in an agreement that the FCPA applies and is part of the agreement). * FCPA    require corporations to make and keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the corporation and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Why might the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act create a competitive disadvantage for U. S. firms? Many believe that the FCPA has created a competitive disadvantage for the U. S. s, historically, both the Europeans and Japanese have and continue to use payments to key foreign officials as a promotional device to attract and win business contracts. The U. S. Justice Department has been lobbying the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for greater international enforcement. When the U. S. stood completely alone in its legislative quest to curtail foreign bribery, the catastrophic scenario did not materialize. â€Å"As the Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted four years after the implementation of the FCPA in a study called the Impact of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act on U. S. Business; claims that U. S. companies have lost sales†¦are difficult, if not impossible, to substantiate and quantify† (Graham, 1984). Further, a paper published in the Journal of International Business used published data to test the competitive disadvantage theory and found that â€Å"the FCPA had not negatively affected the competitive position of American industry in the world marketplace† (Graham, 1984). Even then, when the American industry was the only one worldwide facing these kinds of restrictions, anti-bribery laws did not negatively impact their export performance or market share. In today’s world, several markets where such an act may exist may provide a competitive disadvantage include those of China, the Middle East, Africa, and other emerging markets. This is in part due to the lack of similar laws in these markets and tradition based business practices where bribery, gratitude, or gift given is a norm. â€Å"Unfortunately, in the context of China, this has the potential to place American companies in a position where they must decide between violating the FCPA and losing Chinese business† (Shira, 2010). Even though China does have written anti-bribery laws on the books; these laws are poorly enforced and are routinely violated by Chinese and foreign companies. The desire to increase a company’s competitiveness in the face of such adversity may be tempting. Despite criticism of it, FCPA has benefitted honest U. S. firms by reducing unfair competition among other American firms which comprise about 80 percent of the world’s true multinationals. Despite original reluctance, the current trend among nations appears to be to follow the U. S. ead in cracking down on corrupt dealings between firms and governments in international trade. In the spring of last year, the United Kingdom passed its own act, the Bribery Act of 2010. Describe the three non-Western traditions that can lead to confusion regarding â€Å"gifts† vs. â€Å"bribes. † Three non-Western traditions that can be cause for confusion are the inner circle, future favors, and the gift exchange. The inn er circle refers to the notion in â€Å"developing nations of classifying outsiders into some form of â€Å"ins† and â€Å"outs† (Fadiman, 1986). For example in the Middle East, Central and South American, as well as, African countries there is a tendency for the upper class to view itself as the â€Å"Elites† of the society and often times take the view that they are above the law (or certain laws do not apply to them). They retain the view that certain procedures are not applicable to them and are entitled to circumvent these via their stature, position, or personal connections. Future favors relates to the notion of relationships within the inner circle here it is â€Å"assumed that any individual under obligation to another has entered a relationship in which the first favor must be repaid in the future† (Fadiman, 1986). Again this can notion relates to many countries within the Middle East, as well as, Far East countries such as Japan, India, and Indonesia. Gift given relates to payoffs as a continuous exchange of gifts. â€Å"In many non-Western commercial circles, particularly Moslem and Asian countries, the tradition of gift giving has evolved into a modern business tool intended to create obligation as well as affection. Gift giving in these cultures may therefore operate in two dimensions: one meant to provide short-term pleasure; the other, long-range bonds† (Fadiman, 1986). Through personal observation, for example, company executives may be presented with an invitation to a traditional banquet. This not only is intended as an â€Å"ice breaker†, but also serves as a sense of pride on the part of the giver and may be viewed negatively if rejected. What are some suggestions for managers who want to give bribes without violating the FCPA? One suggestion I found interesting is based on an interpretation of facilitation given by Howard Sklar (2011): â€Å"When someone asks me whether a payment is a facilitation payment, I ask only one question: what are you trying to get? If what you’re trying to get is a decision, it’s a bribe. If you’re trying to get something you’re legally entitled to (processing an application, for example), it’s a facilitation payment†. However, even facilitation payments are considered bribes, for though one part of the FCPA exempts such payments the control and record keeping provisions do not. The fact of the matter is, that corporations should not be engaged in bribery, facilitation payments, or gift given but rather concentrate on the merits of their product or services. Any company that wishes to do so can attempt to hide these within discretionary funds. This not only would still be in violation of the law, but also in breach of their responsibility to their stakeholders. What is more important? I believe is the thorough understanding of your markets culture, language, and traditions. A better understanding of these provides a competitive advantage over others. While there may exist some gray areas here, for instance, paying a gratuity to low level government workers in some countries who rely on such payments as part of their salary. Reciprocating in kind to a gift based on cultural norms, the dollar value has to be taking into consideration. One has to consider what is minimal and what could be construed as excessive. As Fadiman (1986), describes in the case study, corporations should â€Å"device appropriate responses to pay-off requests†. One method that can be used as means to bypass such requests and also to promote good relations is to use a donation strategy. That is to appeal to the â€Å"national element† by offering to assist for example an orphanage, or provide local schools with supplies, or help built a hospital. References Fadiman, J. A. (July-august, 1986) A Travelers Guide to Gifts and Bribes Retrieved May 3, 2011 from Harvard Business Review, Graham, J. L (Winter, 1984) The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: A New Perspective Retrieved May 3, 2011 from http://www. jstor. org/pss/154278 Hart, H. (July 31, 2001) Anti-Corruption Provisions of the U. S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Retrieved May 3, 2011 from http://www. hollandhart. com/articles/FCPA. pdf Shira, D. (October 14, 2010) U. S. Business, China and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Retrieved May 4, 2011 from http://www. china-briefing. com/news/2010/10/14/u-s-business-china-and-the-foreign-corrupt-practices-act. htm Sklar, H. M. (February 07, 2011) On Facilitation Payments Retrieved May 5, 2011 from http://openairblog. wordpress. com/2011/02/07/on-facilitation-payments/

Friday, November 8, 2019

Symbolism in Scaffolds essays

Symbolism in Scaffolds essays The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many things for symbolism and in my opinion the most symbolic were the scaffold scenes. There are a total of three scaffold scenes and each has its own purpose and meaning. Without the scaffold scenes this book would basically leave you clueless to what was really going on because the scaffold scenes really tell you what is going on and why. The first scaffold scene is basically an introduction to the whole book. You learn who all the main charters are and most of all Hester and her terrible crime she committed. This is the first time everyone sees Hester with the letter "A" on her bosom. Hester is a very brave woman for standing up on that scaffold in front of everyone in the town to gawk at and for admitting that she had committed adultery. Also, it takes a very courageous person to stick up for what they believe in like she did by not telling who she had The whole story builds you up to this point of finding out who Hester committed adultery with. By this point in the story you have some clue who the father of Pearl is but until you get to the second scaffold scene you dont know for sure. At the second scaffold scene Dimesdale is on the scaffold and Hester and Pearl come up and join him. Dimesdale is wearing down by the burden of his sin he committed. He goes to the scaffold to confess to God and ask for some kind of forgiveness. Then a cloud forms the letter "A" in the sky and everyone thinks this stands for angel because thats how they view Dimesdale. Then when Dimesdale goes to leave he leaves his glove on the scaffold to symbolize he was there and that he should have been up there with Hester and his daughter in the first place. Then when you think everything is going to turn out okay and nothing bad is going to happen to Hester and Pearl, Dimesdale goes up on the scaffold. This worries Hester ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

All About Most

All About Most All About Most All About Most By Mark Nichol Most is a grammatically versatile word employed in references to amounts, quantities, and degree. This post discusses its use as various parts of speech. Most, deriving from Old English and related to more, serves as an adjective pertaining to extent (as in â€Å"The most support comes from the Midwest†) or the majority (â€Å"Most of his supporters are in the Midwest†). Note the distinction between general and specific discussion: Compare â€Å"Most households have more than one television† (general) with â€Å"Most of the city’s households have more than one television† (specific). As an adjective suffix, it applies to something that most completely or extensively displays a characteristic, appearing in such words as foremost and hindmost, meaning, respectively, â€Å"farthest forward† and â€Å"farthest behind.† As an adverb, most performs a similar function, except that it modifies adjectives. When it means â€Å"to the greatest degree,† it is preceded by the, as in â€Å"He found it to be the most rewarding job he had had to date.† When the meaning is â€Å"to a great degree,† the is omitted, as in â€Å"His current job is most rewarding.† It can also modify another adverb, as in the phrase â€Å"most certainly.† In addition, most is sometimes employed as a variant of almost to modify such words as all, anyone, anywhere, and always, as in â€Å"You will find that happens most everywhere,† but this usage is considered informal. Most is also a noun meaning â€Å"the greatest amount,† as in sentences such as â€Å"It’s the most I can do† and â€Å"You gave him the most of all,† and in the phrases â€Å"at most† and â€Å"at the most† (which are interchangeable), as in â€Å"It will take her two or three days at most.† As a pronoun, it means â€Å"the greatest number or part,† as in â€Å"Most would agree.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Has vs. Had80 Idioms with the Word TimeEducational vs. Educative

Monday, November 4, 2019

Micro and Macro Economics (marginal revenue; marginal cost; Essay

Micro and Macro Economics (marginal revenue; marginal cost; elasticity) - Essay Example Define marginal revenue and explain its relationship with total revenue. â€Å"Marginal revenue (MR) is the rate of change in total revenue with respect to quantity sold†. In other words marginal revenue is the additional revenue from a product earned by a producer through the production and sales of an extra unit of the product. Algebraically, marginal revenue is the difference between total revenue earned by producing and selling ‘n’ units of a product instead of ‘n-1’ units. Formula for calculating marginal revenue is MR = ∆TR/∆Q Marginal revenue is the addition to total revenue associated with a unit increase in output or sales. There is a direct relation between marginal revenue and total revenue. When marginal revenue is positive, total revenue increases and it falls when marginal revenue is negative. B. Define marginal cost and explain its relationship with total cost. â€Å"Marginal cost is the change in total cost associated with a unit change in quantity†. Marginal cost is thus the additional cost incurred by the producer in producing an additional unit of product. Marginal cost is thus a cost incured in addition to previous cost ie. cost of producing ‘n’ units of output inplace of ‘n-1’ units. Formula for calculating marginal cost is MC = ∆TC/∆Q Marginal cost is related to the average total cost in the short-run since a change in total cost is reflected in the total average cost. The total variable cost is got by summing up marginal cost. C. Define profit and explain the concept of profit maximization. â€Å"An economist measures a firm’s economic profit as the firm’s total revenue minus all the opportunity costs (explicit and implicit) of producing the goods and services sold† (Mankiw, 2011, p. 262). Profit is the reward received by an entrepreneur for the risk taken during the process of production or for alloting scarce resources for production. Profit maximization is a method used for determinig the quantity of output to be produced and price to be incurred by an entrepreneur so as to receive maximum profit. D. Explain how a profit-maximizing firm determines its optimal level of output, using marginal revenue and marginal cost as criteria. A profit-maximizing firm will determine its optimal level o f output at the point where marginal revenue of the firm equals its marginal cost. At this point the firm receives maximum profit. E. Explain what action a profit-maximizing firm takes if marginal revenue is greater than marginal cost. If marginal revenue is greater than marginal cost, then a profit maximizing firm will increase production which will be followed by a movement from earlier point of marginal revenue to a new intersection point where marginal revenue equals marginal cost. This step is adopted by the firm as there is room for further revenue at the earlier stage. F. Explain what action a profit-maximizing firm takes if marginal revenue is less than marginal cost. In a situation where marginal cost of a profit-maximizing firm exceeds its marginal revenue, the firm will cut short its production up to a level where it will equalize its marginal cost to marginal revenue. At the earlier level the firm was incurring loss. Task 2: A. Define the following three terms 1. Elastic ity of Demand: Elasticity of demand has various definitions. â€Å"The price elasticity of demand is a measure of the sensitivity of the quantity demanded of a good to the price of a good. ‘Price elasticity of demand’ is sometimes shortened to ‘elasticity of demand’† (Taylor & Weerapana, 2009, p. 93). 2. Cross-Price Elasticity (includes substitutes and complements): Cross-price elasticity is the degree of responsiveness to change in the price of a related commodity on the demand for a good. â€Å"

Friday, November 1, 2019

Education Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Education Leadership - Essay Example As much as leaders in the institutions of higher education face and encounter various challenges emanating from differences in expectations of policies, educational leadership has to be accredited the smooth running of the learning institutions and controversial issues resolved amicably. As noted by Hill, educational leadership is of great importance to the institutions of higher learning considering that it is the system that establishes direction and structural functioning of the institutions (28). It has been routine for education leaders to set future visions to be attained to ensure internal and external growth of the parties involved and the society in general. Setting vision by education leadership inspires the entire students’ body and teachers to work harder to ensure maximization of benefits of staying in the institutions of higher learning. Educational leadership further gains support of Hill as she indicates that it has been responsible in aligning people towards the realization of educational objectives (28). After setting visions, education leadership treads ahead to set example while identifying groups with similar goals and objectives and setting them towards attaining their particular goals. Moreover, Hill reckons that educational leadership has been instrumental in motivating and encouraging stakeholders in the field of higher education (28). The encouragement of the stakeholders has enabled participants in the field of higher education to overcome political rifts, unworthy bureaucracies and growth barriers. This has enabled students and other stakeholders in the field of higher education satisfy the basic needs by use of the limited resources and improve social relation and cohesion. In a nutshell, education leadership has led to blossom of respect among the key participants thereby leading to

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Why did men like Joseph Plumb Martin join the army Essay

Why did men like Joseph Plumb Martin join the army - Essay Example Most of the recruits were young and army provided them with an opportunity to escape home and experience adventure of fighting against their enemy. But unfortunately, the reality was far from the rosy picture as envisaged by the new recruits. The common soldiers were faced with huge hardships where food had become scarce and proper clothing a distant dream. The long drawn battle of American army had severely affected the welfare of the soldiers. The new recruits were just sent to the front to fight with enemies without training. They were also not only deprived of adequate food and shelter during tough weather conditions but were also not paid their wages on time. Martin asserts that ‘I well know, for I have fought by their side’ (183). The delivery of supplies for food and other goods use to become difficult due to weather conditions which resulted in starvation and death. Most of the recruits went to fight without training because they felt that it was their moral duty to fight for their country. Hence, need for training was not important for the common soldier. The young recruits later became accustomed to the grim conditions of the war but were unable to do anything except accept the situation.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Study of the Political Situation and Possible Soultions in Syria Essay Example for Free

Study of the Political Situation and Possible Soultions in Syria Essay Deal or No Deal; Is International cooperation in Syria possible? In the Modern age, the major concern for conflict is a flashpoint spreading around the world like world war 2 and archbishop Ferdinand The most likely current candidate for this flashpoint is Syria, and the spreading of this conflict to the rest of the Middle East, more specifically Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Israel, commonly referred to as the Greater Arab Spring.  The current conflict is driven by opposition government forces in the north and supports of President Bashar al-Assad; the conflict driven to a degree by ethnic groups conflicts, human rights, and freedom. The Syrian conflict, in the context of this argument, is defined as the possible steps the international community may take to stop the ongoing conflict present in Syria and what are acceptable steps that the world can take to effectively and efficiently end the current issue. The current regime is spurring on numerous human rights violation, the threat of conflict spilling over into the greater Arab Spring, and possible weapons of mass destruction proliferation. These actions must be the basis for having sufficient reasons for significant foreign aid, possible military intervention and political pressure to be applied against the current regime led by President Assad to assist in a popular overthrow to create a new coalition government. The current problems facing the country justify short term complications to ensure the long term effects and issues do not continue, despite the expected spike in conflict in the country. With refugee populations expected to increase up to 300% (Weiss), civil rights violations abound, mass killings being reported (Syria Rebels), chemical weapon proliferation (Hambling), destabilizing of the Arab spring (US Preparing), and the inevitability that Assad will not be removed from power except by force unless political compromise is reached leads me to argue that intervention in Syria, despite the perpetuation of the current conflict, is the best course of action for the health of Syria and the Arab spring as a whole for the future. The current situation, in the eyes of the international community, has warranted financial, military and political intervention and assistance to the Free Syrian Army coalition, A. K. A. the rebels, present in Syria. The current ties and alliances with Syria have been degrading to the point of nearly international isolation over recent actions. The Arab league has called for political discussion in Syria for steps toward the removal of Assad, and de facto allowed Israeli air strikes to go unchallenged (Prusher). The governing bodies with jurisdiction in the region including ,NATO, the UN, and The Arab League have all backed political discussion or non-lethal aid to be provided to end the current conflict (Seelye), with the ICC moving to try members of the regime on crimes against humanity (LaFranchi). In addition, The Middle East has allowed for multiple Israeli airstrikes in order to remove the threat posed by chemical weapons in terrorist organizations (Prusher). But above all, the deadly cocktail of humanitarian crises, arguably on the scale of genocide (Whitlow); the possible destabilization of the Arab spring with close ties to Iran in Syria; along with hostilities spilling over into Israel (Milne) may lead the Middle East to war. The current unwillingness for political dialogue and compromise between President Assad and the rebel coalition destines political intervention to fail (Dahl). In addition the sending of armament to Syrian rebels in efforts to extradite the conflict thought Qatar and Saudi Arabia have largely only increased political pressure, and has not effectively shortened the military conflict (Sanger). Thus, while foreign international military aid from Brittan and the United States can have impact, it can do only so much in the face of such a complex and long term conflict. While valid cases can be made that intervention will only destabilize the region (Milne) and that the aid provided so far is primarily reaching our enemy (Sanger), the current regime will only keep going, the conflict having potential to expand the refugee population 300% (Syria Refugee). I would argue that the conflict has reached a point of â€Å"mutual destruction† (Dahl) and that unless the balance is upset by international intervention there will be no victor, no democracy, only death (Dahl). Despite the current situation posed in Syria, a breach of sovereignty would not be supported by the opposition or the government, regardless of its necessary. Some international factions supporting the Assad Regime, such as Russia, remains that the international community should not intervene whatsoever, military aid or otherwise (Russia Warns) and the feelings of the Free Syrian Army resistance take a similar stance, stopping short of military intervention, but moving for aid and weapons. While the rebels generally support western ideals, the need for strong international allies to retain their bid for power has shifted international recognition and support (Syria Conflict) despite their flaws. While their tactics are more widely regarded than current Russian or Regime methods according to the UN and ICC investigation into crimes against humanity against the Assad regime (LaFranchi), the rebels have been accused of their own human rights violations, and should not just be taken at their word (Sanger). This complex and shifting network of alliances and sources of foreign aid for both sides leads to the conclusion that indirect aid must be sufficient until those feelings changes or the situation on the grounds markedly evolves against the rebels to back foreign invasion. The current rebel forces have been working with improvised heavy weapons (Denton pic 3) and lack of ammunition (Denton pic 4) and without further military aid may not be to continue to mount a sufficient defense against the regime. The international community must not only continue to support the rebels in Syria like the international community has done in the past with Libya and the Gadhafi regime of foreign military aid and training, then, if given the blessing of the Syrian people, could make targeted strikes to topple key points for the regime. The UN, NATO, and the Arab league, with blessing of the international community and the Syrian people must pledge military backing and support now, draw up plans of action, position troops and resources, and be ready for intervention the minute it is deemed necessary by the people or the international community to strike. To create this force and draw up these plans, these bodies must follow in the success of the French intervention in Mali with effective, but limited assistance, not turning the public opinion of the people, but a force sanctioned by the populace to end conflict and to destroy key strongholds with limited loss of lie, with continued finical and military assistance and intelligence after the forces pull out of the country. They must not repeat the mistakes made by the US and NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan with massive invasion forces, actics ineffective against dug in and supported insurgents but follow past models of involvement that have been supported internally, by the people. For these reasons I believe that if international intervention is enacted, The US, NATO, and The Arab League must have effective forces prepared and ready to go if they are to make a mean full impact on Syria for the people, sanctioned by the people. But all these stated above efforts become pointless without a stable government. Despite the necessity felt for intervention in Syria, some parts of the world, not least of all Syria, feel that international intervention must not be carried out, or will only further degrade the situation. The Russian Federation has recently condemned actions by France and Britain to veto renewed arms trade embargos to Syria in order to ship weapons to the rebels to end the conflict (Arming). The Russian government and the Islamic Republic of Iran support a hands-free approach in Syria, calling for political dialogue it the conflict. They feel that not only does it breach the sovereignty of what they feel is a duly run nation, but that people will not support such actions. One major issue is that public sentiment is impossible to accurately judge due to lack of international journalists and only the state run TV to rely on for information of public sentiment. With this in mind, the opposition argues that the public is not still behind the Assad regime, and if they are given a chance for internal political dialogue between parties, progress can be made, but only if both sides are willing to compromise. As paraphrased by the Russian foreign minister, â€Å"Only Syrians can decide the fate of Syria† (Russia Warns). In addition, the Iranian minster of foreign affairs, Ramin Mehmanparast has expressed similar sentiments against foreign intervention, pushing to support their one key remaining ally in the region. Russia and Iran aside, there are western politics who feel that international intervention and the removal of Assad will set off a powder keg in the Arab springs, and question if intervention at this point would be effective (Hof). In addition, rebel troops have recently made many advances in Aleppo, shelling of Damascus and captured their key facilitate (Rebel’s Seize), pacing additional pressure on Assad for political discussion. This case has been made in conjunction with statements by the United States that Assad’s regime, while flawed is the only thing holding together the country, and not presenting another Pakistan/Afghanistan scenario of terrorism increase, extremism support, and collapse of limited American standing in the Middle East (Clawson). While not all of these sources oppose military or non-military aid, they only do so with the premise to increase pressure on the regime to bring them to the negotiating table (Seelye). However, I feel that not only is the situation dead locked, but the current humanitarian situation and loss of life require intervention under UN’s guiding principles and the Geneva convention ruling, â€Å"such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. However this conflict will only escalate further till mutual destruction if not handled with the approval of the people. Syria must weather short term increased losses for the long term goal of ending the war, while limiting losses and restoring the country by continuing non-military and military aid to the country. That is why the mandates of the Russian and the Iranians are flawed. We must continue to support and create a new uniquely democratic and sustainable governmental system for both sides of the parties to cooperate within to ensure long term peace. As paraphrased by an Afghani general in the Afghanistan war in 2006, â€Å"You automatically think of this democratic system of America, but that is not Afghanistan, that is not Pakistan. Each country must have a unique and popular sponsorship of the government or it will fail† (Camp Victory). This same logic applies to Syria; this war they are gridlocked is the result of a government not able to adapt, not adapted to the Middle East, not adapted to the diverse and incohesive people of Syria. This conflict has resulted in losses upwards of 70,000 with millions displaced, with number of refuges expected to triple by the end of the war, losses compounding in a deadlocked conflict (Report Details). The children of Syria have faced extreme and traumatizing losses, 3 out of 4 having lost a family member, every single one growing up in a war, with many now, upwards of 2 million directly physically effected by the conflict(Syria Crises). In addition to these children becoming the new lost generation on the local scale of World War Two, many are being recruited to the conflict under 18, and appeals being made to all regional groups, from Christians to Muslims, further showcasing the severity of the conflict and need for troops in a depleted army (Syria Crises). In addition, recent reports of an ever stretched thin Syrian national army shows the increasing momentum of the resistance movement (Exclusive: Syria), possibly driving the regime to desperate measure ranging from increased chemical attacks on citizens to increases strikes on civilian targets (Whitlow). While a valid case can be made for lack of intervention in Syria for the sake of short term gains, a long term solution, despite severe but mitigable losses with sufficient international support, is what course must be taken if Syria is to be saved. The future of Syria is still undecided, what it will look like after the conflict up in the air, everyone agreeing only that an end must be reached soon. From a local perspective, the conflict is deeply dividing, as many ethnic groups have set into conflict over power. To complicate matters, these northern rebels often lack strong central organization. And since the state media sources are controlled solely by the regime, Facebook and other social-media outlets closely monitored and primary available to pro-Assad supporters, it is hard if not impossible to get an accurate breakdown of alliances and support until the civil war ceases. The Facebook feeds denounce the terrorists, the news sources have ranged from statements that that â€Å"the rebels are few† (Daily Newscast /03/13) to â€Å"the terrorists have been pushed back†; contradicting other sources, while downplaying the economic hardships facing the people (Daily Newscast 3/03/13). The primary message embedded in the state media is that the world will not get the whole picture, only a partial truth and that until the conflict stops, it is nearly impossible to asses and establish a functioning and effective government backed and run by the majority of the people, while not ignor ing or discriminating against the minority. In review, despite significant political pressure by Russia, Syria and factions in the international community, the best course of action is a three -fold plan to end the crises of Syria. We must enact a military intervention structured around similar strikes and campaigns in Libya, Mali, and the early operations of Iraq and Afghanistan. Leading up to that military intervention, due to the current political situation, the international community must step up military and non-military foreign aid in efforts to increase political pressure for change in the Assad regime and its allies. And third, once the current regime is taken out of power, a system for fair and judicial democratic elections structured to Syria must be conducted with international oversight to ensure the new government supports the views of the people (Karon), but is also able to be inclusive of the former regime minority basis of people, if not the persons in power previously. While direct military may prove to not be needed if increased pressure forces political change, unless the preconditions as precisely described are meet and upheld, the end result will be a ‘total war† of genocide and civil rights violations that will spill over into the greater Arab spring area, creating a conflict with no foreseeable end. Unless this conflict ends, The State of Syria will become no more than groups of people displaced, lost, dead, or traumatized; the first lost state of the modern age.