Civilization vs. Savagery Essay

Counterpoint is a common literary device used by many authors in a variety of forms of literature. It gives the work contrast and interest as well as a diverse insight into two completely different ideas or opposites. The main counterpoint presented in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies would be the idea of civilization vs. savagery. This motif is presented throughout the novel. The idea that humans are constantly battling their feral instincts and civilized ideals is a theme that is deeply and extensively explored. Golding acquaints civilization with good, and savagery with evil. He uses symbolic characters and objects in order to convey his themes and ideas. He represents the opposing forces of civilization and savagery with the two main characters: Ralph, the protagonist, who represents order and leadership; and Jack, the antagonist, who represents savagery and the desire for power. Among these characters there are many others who react to the conflict in different ways. T he conflict between these opposites is the driving force of the novel. When it comes down to the idea of civilization, Golding implies that civilization is something forced upon humans by society, and not something one is instinctively drawn to. Civilization is merely just a mask of ones instincts. Ralph is the perfect example of the desire for civilization among the boys of the island. He expresses this quality when he states, â€Å"We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything† (Golding 2.192). The boys still desire their previous, ordered life they left back in England. Ralph is the symbol of supressing one’s natural savage instincts, he feels the thrill and exhilaration of barbarity but manages to subdue these spirits. Piggy is also an example of the human need for civilization. Not once in the novel does he display savage feelings or undertones. This shows just how badly the human race strives for civilization, but it is not something org anic. The counterpoint to the idea of civilization in Lord of the Flies would be the theme of savagery. Golding seems to suggest throughout the novel that a humans savage instincts are far more powerful then the desire for civilization. The perfect character to acquaint to the theme of savagery would be Jack. Jack thrives off of dominance and power. He exemplifies these traits during the murder of Simon: The sticks fell and the mouth of the new circle crunched and screamed. The beast was on its knees in the center, its arms folded over its face. It was crying out against the abominable noise something about a body on the hill. The beast struggled forward, broke the ring and fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water. At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on to the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore. There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws. (Golding 9.89-99) The boys revert to their instinctive ferocious roots, having no mercy on their fellow human. They cruelly murder Simon as if he were a wild animal. Roger is also a good example of savagery in the novel. As the idea of civilization on the island begins to become a distant memory, Roger lets himself become victim of his most basic human instincts. This is first apparent to the reader when Roger throws rocks at the littluns, and after his murder of the pig which was much more brutal then necessary. Roger is also the leading culprit in the loss of Piggy. He was the one who pushed the boulder down the hill inevitably causing Piggy’s death. While Jack feeds off the idea of power, Roger revolves around causing pain. He symbolizes the sadistic instincts of mankind, and having to suppress the desire to hurt others in order to function in society. William Golding uses counterpoint to his advantage in the writing of his novel Lord of the Flies. He clearly expresses the conflict between the complex human need for civilization and mankind’s savage instincts. He expresses the struggle extensively using the characters in the novel to portray both sides. Savages vs. those who struggle to keep civility. The novel deeply explores the concept of human instincts overpowering one’s facade of civilization put on for the rest of society. How, when left up to their own devices, humans are capable of doing the unthinkable. Works Cited Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. London: Faber and Faber, 1954.

Rise of Drones

The Rise of Drones in the United States Kayla Mazzoni SOC 120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility Instructor: Nadine M. Acevedo March 4, 2013 , Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are aerial systems that can be remotely controlled for short and long range military and civilian purposes. There are all different types of drones with different shapes and sizes and different capabilities. They are usually equipped with a camera and can also be armed with missiles. Drones can be a very useful tool for the military. Bringing them into the United States to use against U.S. citizens may be very helpful, but it may do more harm than good. Drones can be put into five different categories including, target and decoy, reconnaissance, combat, research and development, and civil and commercial UAV’s. Target and decoy drones provide ground and aerial gunnery a target that simulates an enemy aircraft or missile. Reconnaissance drones provide battlefield intell igence. Combat drones provide attack capability for high-risk missions. Research and development drones are used to further develop UAV technologies to be integrated into field deployed UAV aircraft.Civil and commercial drones are specifically designed for civil and commercial applications. If drones are used properly, they could bring a lot of good to the United States. They can be used to help protect the public, monitor wildlife, manage resources, and promote scientific research. Small drones can provide immediate situational awareness to first responders; transported in the trunk of a police vehicle, the back of a fire truck, or carried in a backpack, drones give them a birds-eye view of the situation, day or night, to save lives and protect property.Drones are already being used to monitor sensitive wildlife areas and populations. Small drones are increasingly providing a means of collecting important information in inaccessible areas to facilitate more effective resource manag ement. Dams, pipelines, offshore oil platforms, microwave transmission towers, power plants and ports are some examples of large, sometimes remote infrastructure that can be accessed easily and safely by small drones to provide color and thermal video for convenient visual inspection.Peering into a volcano is made easier and safer with small drones and is just one example of the new ways they can help scientists gain a better understanding of the way earth and its biosphere operate. In recent news, a former LAPD police officer and ex-United States Navy reservist by the name of Christopher Dorner was charged a series of shooting attacks on police officers and their families. From February 3rd, to February 12th, four people were killed, including two police officers. Three police officers were wounded as well.He was the subject of one of the largest manhunts in LAPD history, spanning two U. S. states and Mexico. Before Dorner died during a standoff with police at a cabin in the San Be rnardino Mountains, there was talk that Dorner was being hunted by U. S. drones. Some agencies flatly denied drone use in this case, but others have refused to confirm or deny whether drones were being used. If drones were used to help find Dorner, it should not be covered up or overlooked. There are significant barriers to the Army’s use of unmanned aerial systems within the United States. Use of DOD intelligence capabilities for DSCA missions -such as incident awareness and assessment, damage assessment, and search and rescue – requires prior Secretary of Defense approval, together with approval, together with approval of both the mission and use of the exact DOD intelligence community capabilities. Certain missions require not only approval of Secretary of Defense, but also coordination, certification, and possibly, prior approval by the Attorney General of the United States. As a general rule, ‘Military forces cannot use military systems for surveillance and pursuit of individuals’. This is precluded by the Posse Comitatus Act, as reflected in DoD Directive 5525. 5. (John Glaser, February 18, 2013) The Pentagon now has over seven thousand aerial drones, compared with fewer than fifty a decade ago. Last year's budget included nearly five billion for drone research, development and procurement. The CIA has about thirty Predator and Reaper drones, which are operated by Air Force pilots from a U. S. military base in an undisclosed state. The cost per flight hour varies by the type of drone. Predator and Reaper drones cost about $2500 – $3500 per flight hour.Larger armed systems such as the military’s Global Hawk cost about ten times as much. The use of drones by the United States Government is constantly evolving. Currently, the U. S. military, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Central Intelligence Agency own and operate drones overseas and along the U. S. -Mexico border. In the last decade, the U. S. governm ent has come to rely increasingly on drones for surveillance and air strikes. Even local law enforcement agencies have begun to use drones for surveillance.It is unlikely that domestic drones will be armed, but as use rises, there are growing concerns related to privacy and civil rights. The USA has been legally defined as the new â€Å"battlefield† by the National defense authorization act which also allows for the arrest and indefinite detention of American citizens without trial, without legal representation and even without the ever being charged. Drone strikes are completely silent because the Hellfire missiles they are armed with arrive faster than the speed of sound. You would not even hear the missile until after its explosion.The blast radius of a Hellfire missile is fifteen to twenty meters and everything inside that radius is completely obliterated. This is more than enough to destroy entire homes, apartments and office buildings, not to mention vehicles and light bunkers. There is virtually no citizen defense against drones and they can strike targets anywhere in the country with zero warning. Currently, the two primary agencies using drones abroad are the U. S. military and the CIA. Decisions to use drones for surveillance are generally made within the usual military and civilian chain of command structures.The process for deciding to use drones for strikes in countries that are not declared combat zones are less well known. Most of the drones that have begun to appear in the skies above the U. S. don’t resemble the Predators or Reapers flown by the U. S. military and CIA above Afghanistan and Pakistan. Instead, these smaller versions of flying unmanned vehicles almost rival the animal kingdom in their diversity. Government agencies such as NASA and U. S Customs and Border Protection operate aircraft-size military drones that take off from runways like airplanes.Labs in the United States have even built tiny drones that look like hum mingbirds. Most drones resemble the radio-controlled aircraft and toy helicopters flown by hobbyists for decades. They are capable of taking off horizontally, vertically, or being throw into the air. Jim Williams, a Federal Aviation Administration official, stated that no armed drones would presently be permitted in U. S. airspace. But what good are the promises of government officials when the Constitution, especially the Fourth Amendment, has been gutted? â€Å"More than one thousand four hundred applications to use drones in U.S. airspace have been approved for police, universities, and at least seven federal agencies. † (Ron Paul, February 18, 2013) Emotivism offers a perspective on our ethical claims that eliminates much of the traditional kind of argument based on reason. â€Å"Something is good, on this view, if it is something about which we feel good, something is wrong if it is something about which we feel bad. † (Mosser, K. 2010) When it comes to drones, so me people may feel good about them and others may think that they will be wrongfully used. Our world can be turned upside down completely by misuse of drones.Yes, they can help us find criminals and missing people, but they can also be used to do a lot of harm. Do we want to live in a society where the government is constantly above us watching? The East Germans and Soviets could only dream of such technology in the days of their dictatorships. We might ask ourselves how long before â€Å"extraordinary† circumstances will lead to decision to arm those drones over US territory? Refrences Ron Paul (2/18/2013) Infowars. com John Glaser (2/18/2013) Antiwar. com Mosser, K (2010) Introduction to ethics and social responsibility. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Case study of Starbucks 03055 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Case study of Starbucks 03055 - Essay Example Entire study is backed up by relevant case information collected from credible sources. Finally an overall assessment of the company’s strategy has been done highlighting the organizational activities that has lead to the firm’s sustainability and increased competitive advantage. The business pursuit strategy of Starbucks can also be discussed in the light of Porter’s generic strategies. The Porter’s generic strategies highlight a firm’s position in terms of four parameters, cost leadership, cost focus, differentiation and differentiation focus (Porter, 1980). The generic strategies define the nature of business strategy that is most profitable for a business concern. Differentiation strategy is implemented to ensure that an organisation’s product is different from that of its competitors. Differentiation strategy allows an organisation to remain agile in terms of new product development. Innovation is essential for implementation of differentiation strategy. The cost leadership strategy, on the contrary, is mainly about achieving cost advantage in every direction of the business. In cost leadership strategy, a company targets to maximise its profit by minimising its net cost of sales. Focus strategy is not considered as an appropriate competitive strategy as it is focused on a relatively narrow segment of the consumer base. Starbucks as a parent brand has positioned itself to follow differentiation strategy. This can be justified by the company’s high quality product offering of specialty and unique in-store experience (Grant, 2013). This helps Starbucks to distinguish itself from the rival brands. Although the parent company falls in the differentiation segment, however some of the products of Starbucks fall under other categories as well. Starbucks introduced a new brand of instant coffee called VIA which falls under two categories, Cost Leadership and Differentiation. VIA acts as a lower cost alternatives to the highly

The Merits of Equitable Fairness in the Context of Injunctions Essay

The Merits of Equitable Fairness in the Context of Injunctions - Essay Example At times injunctive relief can be obtained in cases in connection with damages or as a substitute for damages.2 The merits of the fairness of injunctive relief are contained in Section 37(1) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 which provides that: The High Court may be order (whether interlocutory or final) grant an injunction or appoint a receiver in all cases in which it appears to the court to be just and convenient to do so.3 Section 37(1) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 therefore contemplates that injunctive relief will only be granted when the court considers it fair to do so. Fairness is derived from the use of the terms â€Å"just† and â€Å"convenient†. In order to understand how the terms just and convenient amount to fairness in the proceedings it is necessary to examine how courts exercise the jurisdiction for granting injunctive relief as provided for under Section 37(1) of the Supreme Court Act 1981. ... As Charleton observed, a prohibitory injunction seeks to regulate one party by forcing that party to go back to behaviour that is consistent with the terms of a contract. Presumably, the party has either failed to act in certain way or has stopped acting in that way. By ordering a prohibitory injunction, the parties are expected to continue as if nothing had come between them when one party is forced to act in a way that he or she no longer wishes to act.7 It can be argued that the prohibitory injunction achieves equitable fairness because it remedies situations in which, a party to an agreement discontinues a contractual obligation to the detriment of the other party who has invested significant resources in reliance on the continued commitment on the part of the offending party not to do something in particular. However, according to Lord Cairns LC in Dolman v Allman, a prohibitory injunction will be granted â€Å"as a matter of course† and the court is not concerned about: ...a question of the balance of convenience or inconvenience, or the amount of damge or of injury.8 Prohibitory injunctions are therefore not concerned about what is fair and just between the parties, but rather, what is fair and just in terms of the contractual obligations of the parties. Mandatory Injunctions A mandatory injunction is an injunction compelling one part to â€Å"undo the effects of breaching a negative undertaking†.9 Unlike a prohibitory injunction, courts are less inclined to grant a mandatory injunction.10 Courts will typically refuse to grant a mandatory injunction and will only grant a mandatory injunction if the court is satisfied that the party against whom the injunction is sought has

Innovation Essay and Reflective Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Innovation and Reflective Report - Essay Example The management of creativity is highly problematic. As may be inferred from Trott (2005), among others, the concepts of management and creativity appears to be antithetical with the notion of managing creativity' emerging as something of a paradox. Expounding upon this, Burns and Stalker (1961) emphasise that creativity is fundamentally founded upon freedom while management is premised upon control with the implication being that the management of innovation/creativity is synonymous with the control of freedom. Even while conceding to the somewhat oxymoronic character of the stated, the fact remains that within the organisational setting creativity has to be directed and managed in order to avoid its descent into purposelessness. Management is fundamental to the direction, as opposed to control, of creativity. Generic definitions of creativity, as proposed by Drazin et al. (1999:287) maintain it "as the process of engagement in creative acts, regardless of whether the resultant outcomes are novel, useful, or creative." This definition, even though it is a valid and legitimate descriptor of creativity, is indicative of a form of creativity and innovation which organisations strive to avoid. Within the organisational context, and as may be inferred from several researchers, creativity must be novel, useful and innovative (Singer and Adkins, 1984; Amabile, 1996; Drazin et al., 1999; Kennedy, 2001). Accordingly, the management of creativity

Policy Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Policy Making - Essay Example This essay examines Miller major arguments, and then implements Miller’s perspective on policymaking in the implementation of educational reform throughout the United States. Miller’s perspective on the current state of the country is that it is largely divided by partisan politics. Miller begins by considering that only 2 cents on the dollar, if implemented in the right way, could solve many of the nation’s pressing issues (Miller). The essay goes on the consider that with the Baby Boomer generation gradually inching towards retirement, the nation must proactively confront many of its most pressing challenges or face political stagnation (Miller). As Miller’s argument advances he considers the various levels of federal spending that Republican and Democratic administrations since Ronald Reagan have implemented (Miller). The consideration is an important one as the central crux of Miller’s approach to policy implementation is one that draws from bot h conservative and liberal viewpoints (Miller). While the nation faces a number of pressing challenges, policymakers have failed to make any serious progress in solving this issues because they are operating in a dysfunctional paradigm (Miller). The current paradigm currently is restrictive as policymakers are beholden to special interests groups and entrenched partisan ideologies. While Miller argues that the current political policy paradigm is ineffective, he proposes a number of solutions (Miller). As noted, the most central element of Miller’s argument is the achieving significant political change requires policymakers to transcend the liberal and conservative divide (Miller). The essay indicates that society must advance by first focusing on a number of issues that the vast majority of Americans agree must be solved. The next step is for policymakers to approach the solution of these issues by seeking the most pragmatic method possible. This is contrasted with the curre nt practice of simply aligning oneself with entrenched ideological solutions, which have currently caused the country to be gridlocked. Miller believes that the process of seeking the most pragmatic solution necessitates that policymakers draw from both conservative and liberal perspectives (Miller). Ultimately, this will allow for significant policy change to occur. There are a number of ways that Miller’s approach could be applied to contemporary social change. One of the most pressing issues facing America is educational reform. This issue is particularly apt for Miller’s approach as both conservative and liberal groups recognize that a strong educational system is essential to a functional democracy and economic progress. Still, it appears that progress hasn’t been stagnated because of entrenched ideological beliefs. In these regards, conservative groups favor less federal involvement and more local control, while liberal perspectives embrace a strong federa l government led program. Following Miller’s approach involves a number of inputs. The current system seems to find liberals embracing higher taxation, as a means of achieving a more equitable society. Conversely, conservatives would like to see more individual control over educational options. In either instance, most people can agree that the nation needs stronger public education in order to remain globally competitive. Solving this issue using Miller’s approach would involve borrowing the conservative emphasis on financial efficiency. It seems to a great extent liberal perspectives neglect cost efficiency for an emphasis on equality and innovation. One of the pervasive understandings of improvements in education is that in the long run the country will benefit economically through improved

Religion Experience Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Religion Experience - Research Paper Example It is important to note that Roman Catholic and some of its splinter affiliates has the majority believers population among the Christians and the world at large and this explains why this is a globally observed period with internationally recognized periods of Holiday (Catholic University of America,2002). It is important to understand the underlying concepts that constitute the entire season and the subsequent holidays which have a lot of meaning to the Christian faithful. East results from the lent season which constitutes 40 days after which the Pentecost season begins lasting 50 days. Due to its focus on this symbolic event in the life of Jesus from whom the Christian believers derive their spiritual identity, it remains the central point on which all other religious activities calendar is drawn. It is worth to note that the Easter season is dotted with many other special days before and after and one such a day is Ash Wednesday. This an exclusive day which marks the first day of Lent and falls within the months of February 14th and March 11th at an estimated six and half weeks prior to Easter. Archival records of the early Christianity indicate varied length of lent which was later fixed at 40 days from the 7th century. The lent period is set at 40 days which is consistent with the period Jesus took starving in the wilderness. In respect of that doctrine, believers are expected to go through a period of fasting and sacrificing much of their time praying and helping the needy in the society (Wilkinson & Charing, 2004). This solidifies the faith by an action slogan that is much talked about in the bible and other theological scholarly works. Abstinence from sexual intercourse from every believer is equally expected during this special season as it is generally dedicated to the service of God. The most common mark of celebrating this Ash Wednesday is the smearing of ash on the forehead of the participants as a symbol of penance and this is attached to blessings. It is worth to note that some aspects of this event have changed over time. This is in regard to the application of ash on the forehead exclusively on participants which has lately changed to a case where ash is given to the entire congregatio n during the service and all members in attendance are marked. The religious connotations that were directed towards this event have equally changed from the traditional likening of human being to dust and the new idea of preaching repentance (Catholic University of America, 2002). It is also important to notice that this ash is derived from the burnt palm fronds which previously had been used during the Palm Sunday. Within the larger concept of the Easter season, on-catholic churches like the Eastern Orthodox celebrate clean Monday which begins with the lent period and the only difference in the catholic version is skipping of Sunday with a claim that Jesus resurrected on Sunday. During the Easter season, Passion Sunday is also celebrated as a commemoration to the maiden entry of Jesus to Jerusalem before he was crucified some days later. The event actually proceeds through a procession of palm fronds which constitutes blessing and the same are later burnt to produce ash for the ne xt year’s Ash Wednesday. There are fifty days of Easter season between the end of lent and the Holy Saturday. It is important to note that Holy Saturday is very significant in respect to the celebration of the Easter holiday. This is the day when most Christians across the world begin to prepare for Easter services (Wilkinson & Charing, 2004). In the historic periods of the Christianity people engaged in an overnight fasting in preparation for baptismal of new

What is the value of play to promoting children's all round learning Essay

What is the value of play to promoting children's all round learning and development - Essay Example Playing involves a great deal of things. It could be playing with fellow children, playing with toys, a child playing by themselves and or playing with adults like a parent or teacher. Playing is done a lot when a person is young and the games played go with stages i.e. as the child grows older the type of play changes with each stage that the child is growing, these stages of playing expose a child to new possibilities and experiences. Since Child play is a universal subject, many scholars have addressed the issue of play and have developed theories on the subject. Pioneers in childhood and also modern day scholars have also widely discussed the subject and reiterated on its importance in learning and development. Governments have also made sure that play has been incorporated in the school curriculum. It will also be important to look at how the international perspective on child play has influenced various legislations to be incorporated into the education curriculum. It will also be important to look at the very crucial role that adults play (Burton 2002). In recent years people have become busy and operating on tighter schedules. Children have not been spared and more academic expectations are being demanded from them. It is for this case that play has been included in the curriculum to provide children with an outlet. Play is an extra curricular activity that helps learners, especially young children, to release stress and anxiety that comes from a society that is currently demanding too much from them. Apart from this, play helps mostly in the development of a child both mentally and physically and also in many ways that help that child to learn. In development, play helps a child to become physically strong or fit, up until the child is able to crawl, playing ensures that the child develops a strong physique. It also acts as a form of much required exercises, games like running

Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan - Essay Example He was young for his age, full of vitality and possibilities, and when I left school two years before, I soon noticed that he lived with a woman. It took me rather longer to realise that it was a different one every six months. But gradually his charm, my new easy life, and my own disposition led me to accept it.....It was easy to love him, for he was kind, generous, gay, and full of affection for me.' Sagan (p9) Cecile repeats his assertion that fidelity and commitment are 'arbitrary and sterile' Sagan (p13). That he is shallow and superficial, and will behave so, is expressed in her statement: 'Although I did not share my father's aversion to ugliness, which often led us to associate with stupid people, I felt vaguely uncomfortable with anyone devoid of physical charms.' Sagan (p11) In fact, she is more like him than she thinks, for having met Cyril, she is very taken with his looks, though touches on his character as an afterthought. Here too are the signs of an awakening sexuality. 'He looked typically Latin, was very dark and sunburnt. There was something reliable and protective about him which I liked at once.....He was tall and sometimes beautiful, with the sort of good looks that immediately inspired one with confidence.' Sagan (p11) Such values inherent in both Cecile and Raymond suggest that how they behave will be driven 3 by these. This, despite her slight criticism of Raymond as follows: 'His only fault was to imbue me with a cynical attitude towards love which, considering my age and experience, should have meant happiness and not only a transitory sensation.' Sagan (p21) The suggestion is that Cecile is already corrupted and that the later behaviours she displays are evidence of that corruption.... That Cecile is the narrator helps to give immediate insight into the themes and characters of the people, describing what they are and how their behaviours make things happen in line with any particular theme at the time. The opening lines are brilliantly expressive of a rather selfish young girl whose thoughts are ambivalent. The reader is made aware that for Cecile, the love from and for her father, together with the life they lead, is her greatest happiness. With the explanation of how they live, Raymond's immorality and character are exposed: In fact, she is more like him than she thinks, for having met Cyril, she is very taken with his looks, though touches on his character as an afterthought. Here too are the signs of an awakening sexuality. The suggestion is that Cecile is already corrupted and that the later behaviours she displays are evidence of that corruption. That he and she will selfishly seek sexual gratification, with little concern for fidelity is only a short time away. The catalyst is Anne's arrival, a woman who, unable to hide her feelings and character, puts in motion the jealousy and self-protection which overwhelm Cecile. motivated by love and perhaps self-importance, Raymond's by lust and love, they cause the manipulative, distressed and confused teenager to em

The Impact of Literature Essay Example for Free

The Impact of Literature Essay It may go without saying that there are those who will never study, appreciate, or even perhaps consider literature as it is known in academic circles. There are those for whom the written word may have, at best, utilitarian purposes, and for whom any piece of writing beyond a technical manual should, at least, be a work of â€Å"non-fiction,† designed to impart a clearly stated morsel of information or worthy opinion. Part of the explanation for this may coincide with the same general reason that some people never consider religion: the proponents of literature – as is sometimes the case with the proponents of religion – sometimes themselves make their cause a used-up, weary, and trying thing, and may remove from it all the beauty and potential which it might, in the proper hands, convey. Much like religion, literature has a transcendent value, and fulfills an essentially universal need. After all, even the most ardent opponent of the usage of literature in his or her own life embraces forms which complete virtually the same need within him; that is, myths, folklore, stories, movies, television, and even song, occupy essentially the same place and function as literature in the human person, albeit in a form often immeasurably more crude. And, as hotly debated as the following may be in the milieu of post-modern and relativist academic circles, the need to convey truths and explore the human person through story and myth may reach its most sophisticated form in literature. That, of course, raises the implied debate as to just exactly what constitutes literature. Some societies view poetry and theater as â€Å"literature,† could not film, or popular songs also be literature? Along that line of reasoning could folk tales or geographically-oriented stories and Maki 2 myths constitute literature? One runs back into the post-modern worldview when considering that, if the songs of Bob Dylan or the films of Bergman can be considered in any context to be literature, then why not the songs of Madonna or the films of Clint Eastwood? These considerations are relevant as the illustrate that: â€Å"literature,† if defined as relating to the exploration of universal truths and the human person through written or performed language, is relevant in daily human experience. The American child utterly unacquainted with the tales of Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, or Cinderella, is at a vast disadvantage even in understanding many newspaper headlines (a business’ success story may be a â€Å"Cinderella Story;† a poorly chosen infrastructure may be a â€Å"House of Straw. † The list could go on). But, more importantly – and herein lies the great importance of literature – the child may be in danger of lacking the basic, transcendent lessons that society collectively imparts to its youth through the themes of fairy tales: there is danger in the world; stay on the path; obey your elders†¦they might just know what they’re talking about; shoddy effort will bear out a painful reward; arrogance is often misguided. Again, the list could go on. Even then, fairy tales as literature are only a baby step towards grasping the ultimate value of literature as a whole. While some literature function in a given society as a means of forming the parameters of moral uprightness and, essentially, seek to pass down answers, adult literature at its best instead seeks to ask questions that require considerations beyond the formal and accepted confines of social morality, even if at times literature may function in an effort to pull a society back to its forgotten mores. Literature as genuine art probes the human persona Maki 3 and, in order to function well, requires a reader open to growth and change, open to transformation and to a new and perhaps differing(even uncomfortable) perspective on reality. This is not to say that literature does not propose answers to the questions it asks. In fact, literature, like much psychology, may infer that the answers are perhaps inherent in the questions themselves. Literature, has often catalyzed individual change (and it is perhaps indicative of the vapid individualism of the times that the effect of literature on the individual is so much touted, even in this essay, over literature’s relevance to society at large), but of social change as well. Certainly in modern, western history, literature has helped usher in startling levels of social change, be it new considerations of race via the writings of authors like Twain and Stowe, or Upton Sinclair’s impact on something as seemingly subtle as the issue of food packaging safety. Of all the thousands of tracts circulated about communism during the early years of the cold war, what writings continue to influence readers to the degree that Orwell’s two works of utter â€Å"fiction,† Animal Farm and 1984? What political speech concerning the dangers of modernism, both as philosophy and technical practicality, had the chilling impact of Huxley’s Brave New World? What but the well-told tale could arouse sympathy for a group as collectively ridiculed and resented as Depression-era dust-bowl refugees, as in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath? If one considers artfully written non-fiction a part of the class of â€Å"literature,† the list goes on. It is not treatises but human drama that propel writings like John Hersey’s Hiroshima or Elie Weisel’s Night, to name but a few. What is most relevant about literature in such contexts is that it eschews rational argument in favor of its best representation of human experience, for it is most pointedly in the Maki 4 experience of a thing that the truth of it – the human reality of it – comes to life, and it is through experience that people are most transformed. The experiences presented in the above examples – and they are a microscopic selection of relevant examples – may not be those of the reader, but they, in a sense, become those of the reader, and enable the reader to share in some measure of the stories and experiences of â€Å"the other. † If there were no other value to literature – and certainly there is more value to it than that! – that value alone is worth the effort required of literary pursuits. It may be telling, and perhaps a bit saddening, that it is less and less true that works of literature seem to change the course of social and economic events in the world. The post-modern world is becoming less and less a literate world, and television and film – among other mediums – are replacing the written tale, and even the spoken story, as conveyers of truth and means of questioning what seems set in stone. Were it so that film and television, for example, sought to fulfill the same needs as literature – and indeed, at times they do – perhaps this would not be such a disturbing trend. But film and television, and now, following in their footsteps, much written â€Å"literature,† seek mostly to entertain, to lull viewers into a comfortable despondency and create a sense of need for consumption, all of which perpetuates the success of these mediums. A great many movies have been made based on literature. Now I am not saying that this detracts from the value of moving pictures in society, they just lose something in the translation. Movies have time constraints that do not allow them to explain the hidden meanings of cultural differences that written literature can. The vacuous lack of effort required of the viewer by television points to the factor that may simultaneously be literature’s greatest value and its most daunting hurdle to many potential Maki 5 readers. That is, literature invites readers, at its best, to learn a new set of codes and means of digesting language and tales; it may require, as in (for example) opera, learning an entirely foreign collection of meanings, linguistic cues, symbols, and, in effect, a new kind of listening. But those who seem to most appreciate opera, much like those who seem to most appreciate literature, swear that knowledge and self enlightenment is well worth the toil.

The Globalization And Localization Factors That Affect Next Marketing Essay

The Globalization And Localization Factors That Affect Next Marketing Essay In todays world international business have become easier because of the globalization. International business now has grown over the years because of the benefits it has offered to the world. In this report I will be focussing on the International strategies of the brand NEXT which has business. Next is one of the main fashion labels s and it is certainly one of the biggest Multi-national these days. This report will also focus on micro and macro factors that affect the company. Then I will be considering the globalization and localization factors that affect NEXT. Key environmental variables and core competence with relation to its international strategy. In the end recommendations would be made for the development of the companys international operations. Next was established in 1864 in Leeds as J Hepworth Son, Gentlemans Tailors. The company started with women wear store in 1982 and then gradually upgraded to men, children and interiors. The company was named NEXT in 1986. Now NEXT is a retailer based in UK. It offers its customers stylish and good quality products in different sectors like clothes, footwear and also home products. NEXT distributes its products to the customers by three main channels. These channels are the NEXT Retail, a chain of 500stores in the UK; and the Next Directory, which is a direct mail catalogue and transactional website with more than 2million customers and Next International, with more than 170 stores overseas. (www.nextplc.co.uk, 2009). According to Rugman Hodgetts (2002) International Business is defined as different forms of business transaction taking place across national borders for the purpose of satisfying the needs of individuals and organisations. International business has become more common in past few decades and it has helped many poor countries to grow and has allowed some developing countries to grow more. Across the border transactions have allowed the multi-national companies to reduce their production cost by going to the less developed countries where wage rate is lesser than their own countries. According to Griffin and Pustay (2006), International business consists of the business transactions which are made between two or more countries. For example NEXT buy material from a country and ship it to Srilanka or Bangladesh for stitching and then it goes to different countries to the retail stores of NEXT. Nexts mission is to be the first choice of its customers in the UK and overseas for people who want quality, style and affordable prices. In todays world fashion is changing very frequently so the retailers like Next have to offer its customers with the new products. They just want their customer satisfaction by providing them with the better quality and design with compared to their competitors. Next strategy is to target different group of customers who not only look for good quality but also the better prices. It offers its customers of different classes with affordable prices. According to Gerald Tellis (1989), price is a very important variable in forming a strategy for a business. The public policy makers main focus is to check if they customers are getting reasonable prices for the products they are buying or if they are getting value for money. Another point that he mentions about what the economists look at, if the higher-price products are of good quality or the retailers are charging their customers more than the product worth. Nexts strategy is, they always look for their customer satisfaction by providing them with the affordable prices and the modern style, so that they dont get disappointed. According to Antony Dnes (1995), franchising is a better way to expand your business. Better understanding of franchising could result in successful revival of a business. Franchising authority awards different franchises to the producers by offering them the lowest prices for specific quantity and quality. Next have 170 franchise stores in different countries and have different price ranges for different countries. Nexts Strategy: According to Nexts Annual report of 2009 (ir3.quartalflife.com), their main strategy is to achieve their financial objective which is the delivery of sustainable long term growth in their shareholders value. In 2009 their EPS have gone down, so it is very hard for them to cover up quickly so it is a bit challenging for Next. But they are confident that their long term objectives can be achieved by the strategies they have made after 2009. The board needs to manage its strategic risks to deliver the long term benefits to its stake holders. This strategy has just been planned on normal basis to know how to achieve their goals, but Next is facing challenges from its competitors for example Marks Spencer have opened a eco-factory in Srilanka which would help them reducing their cost, as the plant in that factory is solar so it would use less electricity. So Next has to come up with something special to cut down its cost of production and be able to achieve its financial objectives. Thei r main focus is to improve and develop their range of products in different parts of the world and keep its customers with in the fashion world. They have given their stores a demanding financial criteria and those stores must meet those figures before other investments are made. They are also trying to increase their customers who are shopping by using their Next Directory. They have also considered increasing their gross and net margins by better sourcing and controlling the cost of their products. Macro-environment According to Jobber D, (2007) macro environment consists of environmental issues that may affect business performances. This analysis takes into account those factors such as political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental changes. For successful marketing strategy the company has to focus on these changes, bearing in mind that all these factors are interlinked with each other. Political/Legal The current economic condition faced by the world economy has forced the UK government to take serious notes on their legislations. For instance the recent decrease in VAT was a strategy to increase consumer spending, which was a positive implementation for the current economic condition, however, it did not affected a lot as the government failed to raise consumer lending by financial institutions. This failure of government approach affected NEXT as the peak season (Christmas Sale) went without high sales. Mr Wolfson (CEO) of Next plc has also mentioned the same situation in one of his interviews regarding government policy to tackle the economic conditions. (www.ft.com, 2009). The government latest intervention to kick start the economy was to cut down its interest rate to its all time low last month. The company can benefit from it as it has the opportunity to borrow the money at a very less interest rate. Moreover, NEXT has also got opportunity to attract more investment through share in the stock exchange, as savers will be more willing to invest their money instead of saving it on such a low rate. Economic Since the end of the year 2007 and early start 2008 the world economy was struck by reverse economic condition since 1990. With less consumer spending and global financial institutions collapsing it has resulted in Next share prices plunging. Current affairs show that Next need to survive the economic turbulence instead of its growth. However, companys branding and well established customer loyalty will help the company to survive in this downturn. Socio-culture Speaking of the socio-cultural future it should be mentioned that people retire earlier these days, as well as working shorter hours. Average working hours per week have decreased over the last 20 years. As a result many people have more spare time. This means they have time to compare prices in the High Street and the quality of goods and services from retailers. But as a result, they spend more time in the shops. Another issue these days is the Child Labour. Due to efficient media consumer are well informed and therefore this awareness challenges them to care. They dont want to buy just a product but they look beyond into the production process, labour used, etc. That leads to the issue of child labour in the clothing retail sector. There are companies who rely on it in order to be competitive in the domestic market. For example Marks Spencer had been accused of using child labour in Indonesia in 1999. Once the customers become aware of such practices, companies get into real trouble if they do not respond immediately. Consumers do look for best price but not at the cost of their ethics. NEXT has taken a good care of this and is never found involved in this. (www.hausarbeiten.com, 2009). Environment After looking at the current position and the threats from the different green organizations regarding global warming NEXT has taken many environmental friendly steps. Firstly its 98 stores recycle cardboard and plastic. Annually 11,935 tonnes of cardboard and polythene is recycled that is reused in making 12 million hangers. It has also decreased 7.1% carbon dioxide emission per 1000 parcel delivered/collected. (www.nextplc.co.uk, 2009) Technology Next is equipped with the latest technology in order to compete with their competitors. They have a team of 100 technologists to ensure that they sell safe products. Their technologists have developed specific manuals for the suppliers to ensure they comply with the law and safety and performance standards. (www.nextplc.co.uk, 2009) Micro-environment: According to Jobber (2007), micro-environment consists of the actors in the firms immediate environment that affects its capabilities to operate effectively in the chosen market. The main factors are customers, suppliers and competitors. Customers: According to Jobber (2007), customers are at the centre of the marketing philosophy and effort. So it is very important to satisfy your customers and understand their actual needs. In 2003, the main customer for NEXT were aged 25-44, but in 2008 that has changed to 20-34-years-old (www.nextplc.co.uk). Therefore, it seems to be that the NEXT is now attracting more young customers. The next always had good quality, good reputation and excellent customer service. The other is that they have also varied their product and introduced more style into it. Its online service is also becoming popular. Suppliers and Distributors: According to Jobber (2007), business is really influenced by the suppliers of a company. Next wants its suppliers to work with them closely, and they are committed to provide their customers with the products which are made in tidy and safe environment. Their main aims are to communicate their moral standards to the suppliers, and to promote good work places in the countries where their suppliers are, and to build capacity with the international chain of suppliers. Next by itself is a retailer so it reaches its customers by franchises and online web orders. It has also the Online Web directory, from where its customers can buy the products they want and also they have broachers and catalogues to sell their products to the end customers. Competitors: Next has two main competitors Debenhams and Marks and Spencer Group. Due to the recession many multi-nationals sales and their profit has gone down, and now they are making strategies to achieve their objectives. Because of the recession companys were unable to achieve their planned growth and targets. Because of economic downturn many companies have fallen to make cuts in their aspects of business. This could be a good short-term solution but it could cause problems for providing the customers with the quality and efficiency they want in the products. MSs net profit has gone down in 2009 if compared to 2008s figures. In 2008, its Net profit was  £821m which was recorded as  £506m and their earning per share has also dropped by 35.7p per share, as it was 43.6p in 2008 where as in 2009 it was recorded as 28.0p. But they are now trying to cover up their net profit of last year by eco-factory in Srilanka which would help them save their costs of production as it uses the solar power so it would use less electricity. They have planned,(Plan A) to response to the challenges and has set sustainability targets for 2012, and the commitments to achieve their goals. They have now started online international delivery to 80 countries, which could help them gain more customers all over the world as people would not have to visit the store or if they do not have any store nearby they can still get the MS products online (corporate.marksandspencer.com). Debenhams Annual report for 2009 shows that its net profit and EPS have grown as compared to 2008. Net profit was recorded as  £95.1m in 2009, whereas in 2008 it was  £77.1m and their EPS was noted as 10.0p in 2009 and in 2008 it was 9.0p per share. Their main strategy to boost up their business in the future is to have more space for their stores, have multi-channel expansion and balance sheet optimisation, which would help them. In this era of recession Debenhams have managed to make more profit then the previous year by their strategies. According to their report of 2009, market shares gains have been achieved on a regular basis for some two years. This shows that they have been planning for their business very well so that they can overcome any hurdle. (www.investis.com) If we see the financial report of Next for 2009, it is a bit disappointing for them as its Net Profit has gone down from  £353.9m to  £302.3 in 2008 to 2009 respectively. And the EPS has dropped by 12.7p per share as it was 168.7p in 2008 and in 2009 it decreased to 156.0p per share. (ir3.quartalflife.com) Globalization Localisation drivers: According to Ricky and Putsay (2006), international business has grown very quickly in the past ten years that many experts believe this era to be the era of globalization. According to him Globalization can be defined as the inexorable integration of markets, nation-states, and technologies. Globalization has now enabled the people to reach around the world more quickly and cheaply than ever before. The world is getting closer day-by-day in terms of business, now it is normal that a company would do business with companies in other countries. It has now led to the escalation of international trade in the economies of the world. Next has been very benefited by the globalization as it has been able to get the products stitched at very cheap price from the Asian countries. Globalization drivers Next understands the needs of its customers from different areas of the world and offer them with affordable prices. Next have very effective marketing channels like accessing the customers via internet, fashion magazines, TV etc. According to Simpson and Thorpe (1999), understanding differences between customers and difference in terms of product and service expectation is very important for international expansion. Next understands the need of its customers and provides its customers with the up-to-date fashion and it keeps them with the rapidly changing style with affordable prices. According to Ricky and Putsay (2006), importance of the foreign direct investment is also increasing because of globalization. It was just 2.4% in 1980 but by 2004 FDI equalled almost 22% of years GDP. It can help the business to grow internationally and earn more profit for the company. FDI can help the business in different ways. For example if Next goes to do business in Pakistan, the currency fluctuation would help Next, as in when it invest in Pakistan it would invest in Pakistani rupees and after getting the product and selling here in UK in pounds would definitely help to boost their sales profits. They would get cheap labour in Pakistan so they would save their production cost. As Pakistan is still a developing country so it would want multi-nationals to invest there, and they may provide Next with Tax Subsidiary for some time. Core Competence: According to Ricky and Putsay (2006), a core competence is a distinctive strength or advantage that is central to a firms operation. The companys main strength would be its core competence over its competitors. The company needs to identify the things they do well. Nexts core competence over its customers is it targets a wide range of people from different classes by offering the products and style they want with affordable prices. They also have been focussing on expanding their business in different parts of the world through franchising. It has also created its brand image overseas, which is very important for a company. According to Keller (1993), brand image is perception about a brand as reflected by the brand associations held in customer memory. Nexts brand image helps the business to grow much faster for example if a person has a good perception of Next in his mind, he would tell his friends and the people he knows to buy its products, which is a very efficient way of market ing. Next has an edge over its competitors that it is targeting the market which comprises of mainly the youngsters. As youngsters are more into fashion then anyone so it helps Next to get more customers then its competitors. As mentioned earlier, Next strategy is to provide its customers with the quality and style they want with affordable prices whereas if we look at the prices of its competitors, they target higher class. Recommendations: Next should try to bring more innovation in cloth manufacturing because by doing this they could attract more and more young customers to buy their products and also concentrate on the changing trends in the fashion world. Because of the economic crisis all over the world people do not want to spend more, so Next should do price cutting in their products and have promotional offers in the store to attract more people. Next needs to follow its competitors, as it is the era of global warming, so they should work on making the world eco-friendly by building plants like MS did, it would also reduce the production cost for them. To promote its brand Next could also target the markets where they have suppliers and the neighbouring countries for example if they are manufacturing there products in Bangladesh, they could target the neighbouring countries as there are a lot of emerging economies so it would help them grow their business in those economies. And if they promote their business in countries like Pakistan where they would not have a lot of competition as Next has a well-known brand name and the competitors would not be able to compete with their strategies and they could make much profit from these types of markets.

John Steinbecks East of Eden - Confused Notions of Good and Evil :: East Eden Essays

Confused Notions of Good and Evil in East of Eden East of Eden is an epic novel about individual ethics - whether men and women have the power to choose between good and evil. East of Eden, to be polite, it is not Steinbeck's best novel. Not by a long shot. Steinbeck had wrestled with a moral question and lost. It was as though he had been thinking about life, but not too deeply. "East of Eden" was a third-rate best seller, the story of two American families over three generations, seven decades from the Civil War to World War I, told in a book that confuses us with contradictions, that lacks fictional concentration and that wanders in and around too many themes. Clifton Fadiman once said it was wrong to describe Steinbeck as a hard boiled writer. Well, if a comparison with eggs is necessary, "East of Eden" is an overdone omelet. Steinbeck himself worried about its weaknesses. In a letter to his editor, he said, "It's kind of a sloppy sounding book, but it's not sloppy, really." Well, it was sloppy. Begging the forgiveness of the people who gave Steinbeck the Pulitizer and the Nobel Prizes for Literature, there are portions of "East of Eden" that sound like something out of Freshman Composition I. Some of the syntax seems like scrambled eggs: - "All around the main subject the brothers beat." - "The wrinkles around them (his eyes) were drawn in radial lines inward by laughter." - "In human affairs of danger and delicate success, conclusion is sharply limited by hurry." All of which sounds a bit like Charlie Chan explaining life to No. 1 son. Steinbeck's "East of Eden" now has been adapted for television by ABC, an eight-hour presentation beginning tonight (Channel 5, 8 to 11), tomorrow (9 to 11) and Wednesday (8 to 11). This is no cheapie. Ten years in the making, "East of Eden" was shot on location at a cost of $11.2 million, with Savannah, Ga. standing in for Connecticut scenes and Salinas, Cal. for itself. ABC boasts in a press release that the 1955 film starring James Dean covered only a small portion of "East of Eden," while the 1981 film attempts to depict the entire novel. Ironically, by the way, today (Sunday) is the 50th anniversary of Dean's birth.

Model Train Building :: essays research papers

The world of Model Train Building has grown greatly with the aid of computers and technology to enhance the fun of building. Technology has long been a part of Model Train building with the adding of lights, bells, and whistles to capture your interest and imagination. But with the latest generation of building comes the influx of technology and the computer. The computer brings along a new breed of builders who plan track layout, buy parts on the Internet, receive updated news, and chat with other enthusiast. The most notable difference that computers have brought to the world of Model Train building is in software programming. Now on the market there are numerous different packages of software that enable hobbyist in the â€Å"challenge† of real yard operations on a smaller scale. These programs allow the person to move loads between depots and keep track of your revenues. They allow simulations of operational switches between tracks, multiple train operation, coupling/uncoupling of railcars. But the greatest benefit that they bring is allowing the person to design a layout using an electronic template and ensuring that all measurements in the layout will work before a single piece of track is laid. Many of these software programs even play off on the hype of using a computer for design in their name, with names of CyberTrack, The Right Track Software, and Design Your Own Railroad, who could not want to become involved in there use. This software ties into many other aspects of building that encourage the use of the Internet in this hobby. Many of these programs allow the hobbyist a â€Å"realistic railyard† action complete with sights, sounds and even planned crashes. With the event of a crash you are always going to need replacement parts for repair or maybe you just want to upgrade or expand you track system. This brings in the convenience of the use of the Internet in product ordering. With few stores in scattered areas it may be difficult or expensive for some hobbyist to get to these locations for the parts that they need. The Internet brings this store right into their home with online catalogs and parts stores. One mainstream over the counter catalog, The Atlas Catalog, provides an electronic version, The Atlas Online Catalog, for internet users to order parts on a secure online catalog. Even more important for some people are the Online Magazines that provide up to the minute news breaking information.

Disc Assessment Essay

DISC Assessment Paper Organizational behavior studies have become more significant in today’s present years than hey were before in past years, this is due to companies realizing that in order to acclimatize to the constantly changing business cultures that have stemmed from a competitive and rapidly moving market, they must put more emphasis on the correlation between human behavior and the organization. Understanding this concept has led many several companies to put investment into behavior assessments and seminars and use them as a training tool to educate their employees and learn the reasons for each person’s behavior and attitudes and how to handle and approach these various types of behaviors and attitudes. In this paper we will be discussing the study of various behaviors via taking the DISC platinum Rule Behavioral Style Assessment to identify both me and my learning team member’s predominant behavior styles. We will then analyze our behavior styles, our strengths and weaknesses identified within our styles and whether or not we agree or disagree with the assessment. The DISC Assessment categorized both of our behavioral types as being the interactive style and our sub styles were lc. The Interactive Style also called I Style is friendly, enthusiastic, a â€Å"party animal† that love to be where all the action is. They thrive on the acknowledgment, admiration and compliments that follow being in the spot light. They are more relationship-oriented than they are task-oriented. An Interactive style’s strengths are charm, persuasiveness, warmth and enthusiasm. They are gifted in skills and communication between individuals as well as groups. They are optimists with a large amount of charisma. They are also dreamers and idea-people who excel in getting others excited about their vision. All of these qualities assist them in influencing people and building alliances. The interactive style’s weaknesses are pinpointed as poor follow-through, carelessness, exaggeration and disorganization. They have a habit of getting to involved in too many activities and lose interest quickly. Furthermore, they can at times be seen as being impetuous, manipulative, and excitable when displaying behavior that is inappropriate to a situation. When analyzing the results of the DISC Assessment and the summary of my behavior. We were able to comprehend why we function and act the way that we do while interacting with our co workers, family and people. We both started to think about our adolescent years until now and realized that everyone wanted to be our friends and we were also chosen to be the leader most of the time. I would sometimes avoid being the leader and Gina would always be the leader but we were also both content with just being apart of the activities and tasks needing to be accomplished but our ability to drive others and complete task with enthusiasm would always show because of this we were thereby always moved to the front of the crowd. We also noticed that this same thing applies when were in the workplace; we were both again selected to be a leader after just a short time of displaying our abilities to charm and motivate. Gina noticed that she is always the person to excite employees and get them to produce at a faster pace when completing departmental tasks and goals. Gina saw that her managers are always pleased with her people skills and that they often use her as an example to her peers when adjusting or presenting new changes to the department. I identified that I was good at innovation at work and creating new ideas. Gina and I both welcome and look forward to change because it keeps and sparks our interest. We both despise boredom. DISC offered us so much information about our interactive style’s typical business characteristics such as wanting to be included by others in significant events such as research and brainstorming, resisting control and desiring freedom. In our personal lives we both also realized how our behavior style applied because we both don’t like when someone doesn’t give us their undivided attention and when were not given an opportunity to express ourselves or opinions.

Team Strategy Plan

Week 3 Reflection Kimberly Grigsby, Juataun Mark, Jack Martincavage, Ana Valdivia MGT/311 December 04, 2012 Joe Cheng Week 3 Reflection During period of November 27 to December 03 Learning Team F was presented a slide show, lecture by Professor Cheng and reading assignments from Organizational behavior (14th ed. ). Professor Cheng’s slide show and lecture discussed conflicts and conflict resolution.Conflicted is defined as a process that begins when one party perceives that another party has or is about to negatively affect something the first party cares about (Robbins and Judge, 2011). The conflict process has five parts. They are: potential opposition or incompatibility, cognition and personalization, intentions, behavior, and outcome. In week three of Organizational management there is open discussion relating to the differences of teams and groups, and how these differences may affect organizations and individuals within the organization.A group is primarily defined as to w or more individuals who have come together to achieve a particular objective and to allow individuals to share information, and allow each member to perform within his or her area of responsibility or expertise. On the other hand a team is designed to generate and coordinate as a combined unit with greater influence than that of individual input. Organizations are moving more towards the team structure in an effort to create positive synergy, and to increase performance within the organization. There may be various types of teams within organizations with each type focusing on different objectives.Teams basically require three types of skills, it need persons who have technical expertise, problem-solving, and decision making abilities, and most importantly teams need people with good listening, feedback, conflict resolution skills, and interpersonal skills. Some members of teams may need to learn or develop these skills along the way, this may not be uncommon and is crucial if the team is to reach its full potential. References Robbins, S. P. , & Judge, T. A. (2011). Organizational behavior (14th ed. ). Prentice Hall. Longeneker, C. O. (2011). How the BEST motivate workers. Industrial Management, 53(1), 8. Team Strategy Plan Week 3 Reflection Kimberly Grigsby, Juataun Mark, Jack Martincavage, Ana Valdivia MGT/311 December 04, 2012 Joe Cheng Week 3 Reflection During period of November 27 to December 03 Learning Team F was presented a slide show, lecture by Professor Cheng and reading assignments from Organizational behavior (14th ed. ). Professor Cheng’s slide show and lecture discussed conflicts and conflict resolution.Conflicted is defined as a process that begins when one party perceives that another party has or is about to negatively affect something the first party cares about (Robbins and Judge, 2011). The conflict process has five parts. They are: potential opposition or incompatibility, cognition and personalization, intentions, behavior, and outcome. In week three of Organizational management there is open discussion relating to the differences of teams and groups, and how these differences may affect organizations and individuals within the organization.A group is primarily defined as to w or more individuals who have come together to achieve a particular objective and to allow individuals to share information, and allow each member to perform within his or her area of responsibility or expertise. On the other hand a team is designed to generate and coordinate as a combined unit with greater influence than that of individual input. Organizations are moving more towards the team structure in an effort to create positive synergy, and to increase performance within the organization. There may be various types of teams within organizations with each type focusing on different objectives.Teams basically require three types of skills, it need persons who have technical expertise, problem-solving, and decision making abilities, and most importantly teams need people with good listening, feedback, conflict resolution skills, and interpersonal skills. Some members of teams may need to learn or develop these skills along the way, this may not be uncommon and is crucial if the team is to reach its full potential. References Robbins, S. P. , & Judge, T. A. (2011). Organizational behavior (14th ed. ). Prentice Hall. Longeneker, C. O. (2011). How the BEST motivate workers. Industrial Management, 53(1), 8.

Corporate Governance in Nepal Essay

â€Å"The first gaping imbalance in the emerging markets private equity equation was the accuracy timeliness, and transparency of financial and operating information provided to investors, and the willingness of managers to subject themselves to some degree of accountability to outsiders. Even in the best of circumstances, relationships between investors and the managers of their portfolio companies are complex and often contentious, but the absence of sound corporate governance practice has sharply accentuated that tension. Nowhere does this issue become more problematic than with family owned firms. Although widespread in all countries, family ownership tends to be even more prevalent in developing countries. The prototype is an entrepreneur who has built a successful business with virtually no capital or shareholders beyond his or her immediate family and close friends. Absent any accountability to outside shareholders, the interests of the owner and the firm are indistinguishable, and financial accounts are frequently intermingled. These traditions of autonomy, secrecy, and independence run deep within the corporate culture of most developing country firms, rarely challenged until the need for outside capital becomes imperative. Few entrepreneurs, for example, have ever undergone an independent audit or adhered to international accounting standards that are the prerequisites for virtually every professional investor. The prospective investor is thus at the mercy of the entrepreneur for access to information necessary to make critical judgments about company performance and value. The common practice, for example, of maintaining two or even three sets of accounting records in order to avoid the tax collector frustrates the due diligence team’s task of gaining an accurate picture of performance. Opaque bookkeeping and disclosure habits also may impede access to other important information that might alter investor perceptions of company value, such as environmental liabilities or unresolved legal disputes. As one investor noted, â€Å"One big problem is skeletons in the closet. Many of these great companies have hidden subsidiaries, offshore sales and other tax avoidance schemes.† Nor is the lure of badly needed capital likely to overcome resistance to outside investors who are inclined to push and prod management to make painful changes they believe are needed to increase transparency and enhance company value. It is not surprising, there†

Why Nations Fail – A Book Review

Why Nations Fall by James A. Robinson and Darn Guacamole a book review INTRODUCTION Why Nations Fall Is a non-fiction book by James A. Robinson and Darn Guacamole which Is based on the views and Insights from the economic history of each country to be able to answer why nations grow differently, why others succeed while others fall. The stones are linked with a common narrative theme, the adolescently between Inclusive and extractive institutions. The book claims that nations with Inclusive institutions are more successful than those with extractive institutions in the longOther people who have not bumped into this kind of books will most likely foreshadow this work as not so entertaining since most of it, well actually every chapter of this book deals with nothing but politics and economics, but as you go through every chapter of the book, you will find it to be a total opposite to what you expected. It is interesting in a way that you get the chance to know the economic status of e ach country and its reason why it grows differently: others succeed and others fail. As a group, we say yes. We did enjoy the book though we started reading it very late already.Through this, we were able to understand more why economies grow in different ways and what factors causes it to prosper or fail. BOOK REVIEW The thesis made by James A. Robinson and Darn Guacamole is about the nation's failure to prosperity. The book answers the big question that has been pondered by many economists for a long time now – Why some societies prosper and others don't? For Darn Guacamole and James A. Robinson, it is the institutions that determine the fate of nations. Both authors claim that a country succeeds when political and economic institutions are â€Å"inclusive†.Inclusive institutions are institutions in which many people are involved in the governing process hence exploitation is either depreciated or absent. According to them, nations fail when institutions are â€Å"e xtractive†. Extractive institutions are those protecting the political and economic power of only small elites that take income from other people. Both authors are qualified to write about the subject because they are both widely respected scholars. Darn Guacamole is a professor of Economics and has been awarded for his great contribution to economic knowledge while James A.Robinson is political scientist and an economist who is conducting a research in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, etc. The authors spent fifteen years researching the reasons why nations and empires rise or fall. They put forth a thesis that explains Africa and Latin America failed to build sustaining governments and economic systems that distribute wealth and power throughout their populace; and why Russia and North Korea have failed to deliver an economy and government that provides opportunity for their populations to thrive.Even before reading the book, it is already obvious of what the b ook is all about. From he title itself, Why Nations Fail, readers would expect that the content is about nation's economic system. The authors draw the complex political and economic systems and their connection to the failure of nations. The book is composed of many examples from human history to support the claim and to show how inclusive institutions enhance the nation's economy better than extractive institutions. It is well written, a powerful narration that explains history's failed civilizations.It will also give the reader insights about today's global economy. But as you go deeper, some of the writings are difficult to understand. Some key points are not easy to comprehend since there are some terms in Economics that ordinary people are not familiar with, like inclusive and extractive society. Those terms were written and were given historical examples, but, the definition was not clearly explained in the book. The authors were able to come up with conclusions and hypothesi s. But, an evidence of the theories they presented are not stated.The authors were not able to present statistics-based evidence to support their theories and claims. The books limitations are that the authors did not include the roles of other factors such as geographic actors, scientific factors etc. Instead, they focused solely on institutions as an explanation. What I dislike about the author's writing style is that in every chapter, thoughts and conclusions are repeated, thus, making the whole write up, unrecognized and redundant. They failed to present proper examples to some terms which are unfamiliar to the readers.Despite of the books downsides, the authors were still able to direct our concentration and attention to poverty, economic system, politics, etc. Overall, the book is brilliant and engaging. The authors wrote the hypothesis clearly and succeeded in making a great sense of history and imparting their views on the factors that affect the rise and fall of nations. CH APTER 1 : so Close and yet so Different James A. Robinson and Darn Guacamole began the first chapter of the book with the comparison of Nonages, Arizona and Nonages, Senora.These two basically come from the same geographical location, the same city but there is quite a big difference between the economies of the two. The authors in this book try to question why Arizona and Senora could be in the same location yet they are so different from each other? one city is prosperous while the other one is not. The authors made an argument in this chapter that Arizona is prosperous because of their policies? Arizona has greatly improved their means of livelihood and they have developed schools, infrastructure, transportation and education.In other words, what caused Arizona and Senoras economy to be different with each other are the policies imposed in their area? Arizona, in the border of the United States, has the rule of law while Senora has an absence of even the basic services in Mexico. The United States utilizes inclusive policies while Mexico has been using extracting policies. CHAPTER 2: Tones that Don't work In this chapter, Robinson and Guacamole tries to discuss the common theories as to why nations fail that still exists today.Here, they dismiss the said theories and claim that the real reason behind the fail of nations is the type of institutions present in the society? whether instructive or extractive. Other people claim that the reason why nation fail is because of its geographical location. Other countries have more resources than others. But, based on the authors, this does not explain the Nonages- Senora economic conflict since these two countries come from the same area. The second theory which was pointed out to be the cause why economy of different countries grows differently is because of the citizens who work hard for their country.But still, it was argued by the authors that this does not explain the situation between Nonages since its resident s have basically the same historical background and culture. The last theory is the one that seems is the most widely accepted today. This theory clearly states that our leaders are too ignorant to choose what policies to impose and implement. Quoted on George Rowel's line on him being skeptical at Joseph Stalin, â€Å"The power in the wrong hands can lead to a cause gone wrong. † CHAPTER 3: The Making of Prosperity and Poverty success or failure of nations.They used the Korean Peninsula as an example. It was said that after the World War II, the Korean Peninsula has been divided into two: the northern and the southern Korea. South Korea, which was backed by United States, eventually adopted inclusive policies that include property rights of the people while the North Korea, backed by Russia, implemented the extractive policies wherein citizens have no rights while only the elites own the lands. The Korean Peninsula is an example where two identical countries can quickly beco me so different because one allowed the empowerment of its people.CHAPTER 4: Small Differences and Critical Junctures This chapter talks about the consequences that a nation may face Just with the small critical Junctures and differences. It either can lead a nation to prosper or to fail. The example of the authors for the small differences that affected the institutional development is the Eastern and Western Europe. In the West, workers were free of feudal dues, fines, etc. In the East, they were also connected in such an economy, but he demand for the agricultural goods came from the West. It was not an inclusive market.The authors have cited many historical vignettes that support their claim on the critical Junctures that can affect the type of institution of an economy? inclusive and extractive institutions. The best example for us is England's adoption of inclusive institutions during the time of the bubonic plague. This critical Juncture led to the industrial revolution causi ng some nations to prosper and some to fail. CHAPTER 5: I've Seen the Future and It Works In this chapter, the authors imply that extractive institutions merely rely on growth cause they need something to extract.They both claim that this growth of the extractive institutions is unjustifiable or unsustainable. One of the examples cited by the authors to illustrate this unsuitability is the Soviet Union. For decades, the Soviet Union has been experiencing great economic growth till the time came when it halted. This led to the country fall in 1991. According to the authors, the extractive institutions had many flaws? only few selected gain benefits while the greater percent of the population suffers from poverty. In this chapter, the book describes how Venice was very inclusive with its economic and political policies.Venice at one point before was a very prosperous nation. The inclusive policies helped make Venice the most prosperous nation at his time. But, Venire's innovations not only gave positive effects but also negative. These innovations weakened the political and economic institutions that were established. To secure their political and economic interest, Venice made extractive policies. These policies turned Venice backward while other nations moved forward. CHAPTER 7: The -running point It was the year 1688 that served as a difficult time in history for the people.The political institutions gradually abandoned power to its people which eventually led to the Industrial Revolution, an important event in history wherein there were new changes in the quality of life. There were major improvements in transportation, metallurgy and steam power, mechanization of textile production and the development of factories to produce these manufactured textiles. There was a reorganization of economic institutions that sided with the innovators and entrepreneurs. CHAPTER 8: Not on our Turf The Industrial Revolution that took place was not warmly welcomed by many nati ons.Many nations were rejecting it while England was unsure of its acceptance of the Industrial Revolution. Two nations, Russia and China was dependent on the belief that it is technology that would weaken the elites. China and Russia were doing the total opposite as they were contracting inwards while the other nations were expanding their territory already. The authors claimed that if only China and Russia could've embraced inclusive institutions and accepted technology, America would have been a different place. CHAPTER 9: Reversing Development Colonialism has caused much effect to different nations.The authors made the spice wars of the Mollusks as an example to this. The authors stated that â€Å"though these nations seem remote to us today, the Mollusks was still then a central to the world trade. † But Mollusks seem remote today since its inhabitants stop producing spices as a response to the colonials. In this chapter, the authors perceived a British penal colony, a f amily without rights and a civil case that leads us to the country that we know today as Australia. This is the time that British convicts were sentenced to death.These convicts were not given the same rights given to other citizens of Britain. This was unheard of at the time and slowly sent Australia and Britain down to different paths of history. CHAPTER 11 & 12: The Virtuous Circle/ These vacuous Circle In this chapter, the book talks about the violent cycles in history. The authors talk in great deal on how vehement the circles are based upon the rule of law. These circles form in a society where no group can control the other and has a lot to lose if they weaken the rule of law. These circles in turn lead to extractive institutions.The authors have shown a lot of examples of violent cycles. One example is demonstrated in the weakening of the audacity systems in Argentina, Venezuela and Cambodia. These countries fall into endless loops of bad decisions by its people more times t han not they are changed. CHAPTER 13: Why Nations Fail Nations fail today because of conspiracy and bad policy. The authors explain in their interview that the United States has to be diligent to stop conspiracy between big businesses and politics. Large companies have money and power that can weaken political processes.Examples to this are the hindrances to competition. Some countries that have inclusive institutions use political power to change overspent to more extractive institutions. The authors perceived how Argentina and Venezuela weaken their courts and political institutions by giving the president's the freedom to do what they please. CHAPTER 14: Breaking the Mold The authors perceived the challenges that an exclusive nation may/is facing today. The authors say that there are two realistic paths that a nation can take toward more inclusive institutions.One path is an approach where the government gradually changes policy to be more inclusive because of societal pressures. The other is the path of resistance that usually leads to revolt or civil war. The authors believe that it's hard to eliminate poverty while increasing prosperity. They say that the countries that are poor have a high tendency to be extractive institutions and until those institutions change nothing can really be done to fix the problem. People believe that nation building could be a solution but as the authors point out it doesn't fix the underlying issues.CONCLUSION: Why Nations Fail is a very interesting book. From the title itself, it tackles about how a country develops and grows, or the other way around. It doesn't Just focus on the current problems and issues of the society but also goes back to the past and the robbers which are left unsolved for how many decades or even centuries. Economists and politicians would totally be interested to read this book because this is mostly made up of politics and economic-related topics or global economics and politics.In their thesis, t hey have mentioned about different kinds of institutions that failed the country economic system, inclusive and extractive societies. â€Å"Why Nations Fail† is a very important topic since we can see that there are several countries in the world who are experiencing poverty or breakdown of economic system, with role of government or the people themselves as the reasons. The book can be boring to some readers but it was interesting enough to make us finish the book.It can be boring to some because the book is political and economical. It tackles issues of the society that caused the rise or fall of nations. Some readers are not fond of reading this kind of book. But, for those people interested in the economy of nations, then this is a really good read. The authors' thesis was great because it has good citations and examples; however, same thoughts are repeated in each chapter and the book don't have a concrete back up The scholarly work, Why Nations Fail, is a slow-read book .The work contains deep details that must be understood in every chapter for you to be able to connect the whole flow of the thesis. The bright side of the book is the illustrations shown and the tables provided. Data are properly organized or listed in the table and, maps and other figures are well-drawn. Also, there are historical examples given that would add the understandings of the readers. The book is very useful and a substantive book which gives well-explained points on why nations succeed or fail. This book is recommended to anyone who wants to understand how the world works.However, his book is not recommended for those readers who are used to fast-paced narration and cannot tolerate a slow read, this must not be recommended because of the organization of the thesis' points, some of the topics and examples are repeated making it a slow read book. But for those who are in to politics and economics, this book is highly recommended because it contains many interesting histor ical examples and provocative ideas. The main strength of this book is the summary: it is packed, from beginning to end, with historical scenes that are both knowledgeable and fascinating. The book never fails us to think.

Gender and Sexual Exploitation in Advertisement

Jacob Erdy Prof. Molyneaux ENG 110 10/18/12 Gender and Sexual Exploitation in Advertisement In Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt, Jean Kilbourne sheds a feminist light on the blatant exploitation of sexuality and violence against women and men in modern advertisement. Kilbourne then goes on to explain the damage these advertisements have on today’s culture and rising generations.Kilbourne argues, in the past twenty years or so there has been a steady increase of advertisements featuring pornographic elements along with other inappropriate themes such as â€Å"bondage, sadomasochism, and the sexual exploitation of children. † (576). Such images as a jean ad where a women is being attacked by three men in an alley is a perfect example of an event that should be seen as tragic but is written off as just a way to convince people to buy a product.An interesting point that Kilbourne brings up is since these images have become more and more apparent throughout everyday life, such as in magazines, newspapers, and television commercials, â€Å"most of us become numb to these images, just as we become numb to the daily litany in the news of women being raped, battered, and killed. † (584). Unfortunately, this statement is undeniably true, after being conditioned to believe that these exploitative ads are acceptable most of us would not even take a second glance if one was found in a magazine or newspaper.This is when these advertisements become dangerous, argues Kilbourne. She doesn't believe that these advertisements cause crimes against women, but when these crime arise these ads somewhat justify certain actions because of their omnipresence in society. I agree with Kilbourne, these advertisements do portray a world where crimes against women are acceptable, which in result, make people believe there is some sort of justification of these crimes when they are brought up. These exploitative ads need to be curbed in hopes to â€Å"thaw out† societ y’s opinions and tolerance for crimes against women.

Role of the WTO and the IMF in global business Case Study

Role of the WTO and the IMF in global business - Case Study Example IMF was formed in 1944 at the conference held in the United States; another main role of formation was to provide loans to the members. The loan provision to members of IMF was meant to boost trade between countries or achieve balance of payments. While WTO has increased access to international markets, IMF has assisted some countries achieve positive balances of payment. However, many have criticized the two institutions. For example, IMF has been criticized for formulation policies that make it difficult for some countries to access IMF loan. This report explains the role of WTO and IMF. It also explains the impacts of the two institutions have had on global businesses. According to Morrison (2011), IMF and the World Bank are two institutions formed to provide funds. The two institutions are also called Bretton Woods Institutions because they were formed in Bretton Woods. The main aims of formation of IMF are to foster international monetary cooperation and expand international trade. The two objectives that led to the formation of IMF go on to remove the inequities that exist between members’ balance of payment. The goals that led to the formation of the institution are to be met by promoting exchange stability, maintenance of systematic exchange arrangements and circumvention of competitive exchange depreciation. In addition, IMF also promotes the economy of the member states by providing funds for disposal and the funds assist states facing financial crisis. Internal Monetary Fund also provides assistance temporarily to countries (members) that tries to keep their currencies stable in times of financial downfalls. In addition, the institution assists states that have structural trade problems. This only happens when the states having structural trade problem seek help from the institution. However, the author noted that the institution could not save the country facing huge and continuous (Ramakrishnan & Zalduendo, 2006). Here are main

Comparing bluetooth technology with infrared Essay

Comparing bluetooth technology with infrared - Essay Example Bluetooth exchanges information between devices through a globally unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) radio bands. It uses 2.4 GHz short range frequency of ISM. Bluetooth Special Interest Group(SIG) develop and license Bluetooth specifications. The SIG comprises of telecommunication, networking, computing and electronic companies (Newton, Harold). Bluetooth can transmit data between devices such as laptops, telephones, printers, digital cameras, mobile phones and video game consoles. It is a wireless protocol made for low power consumption and has short range which is based on low cost transceiver microchips in each device (Bluetooth SIG). The short ranges of Bluetooth are 1 meter, 10 meters and 100 meters and these ranges are power and class dependent. Class 1 of Bluetooth has a maximum permitted power of 100mW and approximate range of 100m; class 2 has a maximum permitted power of 2.5mW and approximate range of 10m; class 3 has a maximum permitted power of 1mW and approximate range of 1m (Newton, Harold). Bluetooth allows communication to be done among devices when they are in range. Because this system of communication uses radio waves, devices do not need to be in line of sight of each other for communication to take place. (Newton, Harold). In order for a device to be used by Bluetooth, it must be compatible with Bluetooth profiles. The most common use of Bluetooth includes wireless communication between handsets and mobile phones, wireless communication between computer input and output devices, file transfer between devices and OBEX, internet access of personal computers and communications in medical equipment. The technology of Bluetooth exists in many devices like Wi-Fi, telephones, and play stations and also in some high definition headsets and watches. This technology simplifies set up of services between devices. Devices with this technology can advertise all their services. It allows much of the security and permission configuration to be automated making its services easier for use as compared to other network types. A personal computer is required to have Bluetooth adapter in order to develop communication with other Bluetooth devices like mobile phones, keyboards and mice. Some laptops and personal computers have in built adapters while in others an external adapter is required. Through Bluetooth, multiple devices can communicate with a computer over one adapter. A Bluetooth enabled mobile phone allows it be communicated with many devices. The Open Mobile Terminal Platform has recently published a recommendation paper which recommends Bluetooth requirements in mobile phones which covers in car usage, printing and imaging. Bluetooth devices can transmit information like device names, list of services, device class and list of technical information on demand. Any Bluetooth device can undertake an inquiry to find other Bluetooth devices to connect to, and any Bluetooth device can usually respond to such inquires. However if a Bluetooth device that is trying to connect to another device knows the address of that other device than other devices always respond to the direct connection requests and transmit informat