Cultural Destruction Essay

Development of society has forced the Native culture to vanish due to the break their tradition has undergone in the past. The Natives were forced to adapt the white tradition thinking it would benefit them in the long-run. Both â€Å"The Loons† by Margaret Laurence and â€Å"Compatriots† by Emma Lee Warrior portray similar messages about the Natives. The main characters Hilda and Vanessa represent ignorance because of their stereotypical nature towards the culture. However, as Vanessa matures she goes through a realization and understands the sorrow and pain of Piquette and her tradition other than herself. Vanessa’s final understanding of Piquette’s life and culture symbolizes the loons. Both short stories reveal the lack of knowledge and understanding the white society knows about the Natives. The perception that Vanessa classifies Piquette as shows how ignorant and narrow-minded she is as a child. The knowledge young Vanessa has about the Natives are based on stereotypes from her peers, which only consists of their physical appearance and territory. â€Å"It seems to me that Piquette must be in the same way a daughter of the forest, a kind of junior prophetess of the wilds, who might impart me, if I took the right approach, some of the secrets which she undoubtedly knew-where the whirlpool made her nest, how the coyote reared her young, or whatever it was that it said in Hiawatha† (Laurence 112). This description of Native life shows the reader that Vanessa really has no clue what Piquette’s life is like, she may live in a forest but her secrets are dark and deep. Vanessa thinks that if she leaves Piquette with a good first impression then she’d reveal those secrets to her. Young Vanessa most likely picked up this stereotypical opinion from her surroundings, which is seemingly a vision from the white society’s point of view. However, Vanessa’s perspective is limited because she is born as part of the white culture. Due to Piquette constantly brushing Vanessa aside when she attempts to be friendly kills Vanessa’s beliefs to what it means to be a Native. In addition, Hilda as well shows ignorance towards the Natives. Hilda also has an ignorant view of the Native culture. Hilda is anxious to learn about the Indians and their tradition as she follows Lucy around seeking for â€Å"real† Native experiences. She searches for Helmut in hopes of fulfilling her desire to understand the complex history and modern day reconstruction of the Native culture. â€Å"’I want to see him,’ Hilda said, ’I heard about him and I read a book he wrote. He seems to know a lot about the Indians, and he’s been accepted into their religious society. I hope he can tell me things I can take home. People in Germany are really interested in Indians. They even have clubs’† (Warrior 171-172). Hilda believes that Helmut knows a lot of information about the Native’s lifestyle due to the fact that he wrote a book about them and also dresses like them. Her being narrow-minded blocks the true perception of Helmut being phony because the Native’s themselves are not concerned of their own culture. â€Å"Shit, that guy’s just a phony. How could anybody turn into something else? Huh? I don’t think I could turn into a white man if I tried all my life. They wouldn’t let me, so how does that German think he can be an Indian- they’re crazy† (Warrior 174). This statement proves the inequality in our society between the Natives and whites, the option of ethnic change remains both socially and politically acceptable for those with privilege and power only. Although, young Vanessa and Hilda are perceived as ignorant, young Vanessa has an epiphany at the end of the story. As Vanessa matures, she goes through a sudden realization of everything that happened at Diamond Lake during that summer with Piquette. Many things has cause Vanessa’s final understanding of Piquette’s struggles as she recognizes her father’s effort to try to open up her perspective to the bigger world when she was a child, forcing her to leave her boundaries due to Piquette’s stubbornness to express herself. The significance of her father’s effort becomes valuable to Vanessa when she returns to Diamond Lake and sees the changes. â€Å"The small pier which my father had built was gone, and in its place there was a large and solid pier built by the government, for Galloping Mountain was now a national park, and Diamond Lake had been renamed Lake Wapakata, for it was felt that an Indian name would have a greater appeal to tourists† (Laurence 119). The government’s idealization of  the lake shows how their ignorance connects with young Vanessa visualizing of Piquette as the â€Å"daughter of the forest†. Although, Vanessa’s knowledge of Piquette’s life is much clearer, she still doesn’t understand the Native culture. Vanessa also realizes that trying to gain more knowledge and understanding about the Native culture through Piquette won’t get her anywhere because Piquette is as clueless as her. She accepts that her understanding towards the tradition is not going anywhere further than what the white society views it. However, Vanessa acknowledges the effects the white society has done to the Tonnerres’ family and the Natives. Piquette had the mindset of an adult while growing up due to the struggles her family has undergone. â€Å"’The mother’s not there,’ my father replied. ‘She took off a few years back. Can’t say I blame her. Piquette cooks for them, and she says Lazarus would never do anything for himself as long as she’s there† (Laurence 110). The effects of hatred and discrimination they’ve gone through drove them into a dark hole of poverty causing Piquette’s mother to leave, which fully shaped her life. To cease ra cism, she marries a white man to attempt to acquire identity. â€Å"For the merest instant, then, I saw her. I really did see her, for the first and only time in all the years we had both lived in the same town. Her defiant face, momentarily, became unguarded and unmasked, and in her eyes there was a terrifying hope† (Laurence 117). Piqutte desperately tries to fit in with the white community that constantly rejects her and as a result, Piquette surrenders herself to them by marrying a white man to satisfy her craving to belong in the society. Also, another reason she marries a white man is because she refuses to let her children to go through the same treatment she experienced as a child. However, her husband either left her or she left him, which drove her to alcoholism. Vanessa uses the loons as a symbol to represent the Native culture and Piquette’s life. Vanessa uses the loons’ sadness and disappearance as a metaphor for Piquette’s life. The government destroying the loons’ natural habitat represents the white society invading the Native’s territory. The government spoils the wilderness, the most important thing they should value. â€Å"It seemed to me now that in some unconscious and totally unrecognised way,  Piquette might have been the only one, after all, who had heard the crying of the loons† (Laurence 120). The white society misunderstood Piquette and her culture instead of embracing them. Piqutte is the only one who understood the crying of the loons due to the similar struggle they’re going through. â€Å"Perhaps they had gone away to some far place of belonging. Perhaps they had been unable to find such a place, and had simply died out, having ceased to care any longer whether they lived or not† (Laurence 120). The loons either died or left Diamond Lake trying to find another place to fulfill their needs because they’re forced to leave the society by ignorant people, just like Piquette and the Natives. In conclusion, the Native culture in today’s society is scattered due to the destruction the culture experienced in the past. The white culture thought it was a good idea to get rid of the Natives thinking it’ll help them, but in reality it just made many lives miserable. People are trying to revive the culture by learning about the tradition, but since it wasn’t passed down to generations, people only practice the information they think they know.

Dairy: Milk and Clover Essay

Clover S. A. (Proprietary) Limited (â€Å"Clover†) is the biggest dairy processor in South Africa with a turnover of R 4. 3 billion and staff in excess of 6 000. Clover collects approximately 30% of South Africa’s milk supply and processes it into well known branded dairy and related products which is then distributed nationally and even exported into certain African countries. In this document, Clover’s external opportunities and threats, and its internal strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated in order to complete the relevant matrices, whereafter the Grand Strategy Matrix will be used to devise appropriate strategies to deal with the key opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses Mission and Vision Statements: Clover’s mission (which answers the question â€Å"What is Clover’s business?†) is as follows: â€Å"Clover is a branded foods and beverages group with a strong emphasis on value-added products. Clover’s South African dairy business is the perfect enabler to reach the Group’s widely dispersed customers and consumers. Extraordinary care is taken to develop brands which will occupy the number one or two positions in its chosen segments. It believes in the superior procurement, production, marketing, sales and distribution of these branded consumer goods (BCG) to its loyal consumers. † A review of the mission statement shows that most of the â€Å"9 C’s† (i. e. Customers, Products, Markets, Technology, Concern for survival, Growth and Profitability, Philosophy, Self Concept, Concern for Public Image and Concern for Employees) have been utilised in a short statement. It is suggested that the following of the â€Å"absent† â€Å"9 C’s† be included or elaborated upon in the mission statement Concern for employees; Philosophy. Its vision (which answers the question â€Å"What do we want to become?†) is as follows: â€Å"To be a leading and competitive company in South Africa and selected African countries, reaching every consumer on a daily basis with its most admired branded and trusted products, delivering improved and sustainable shareholder value by being a responsible corporate citizen and preferred employer. † A review of the vision statement shows stronger and more reliance by Clover on its brand than on its products. However, Clover’s vision is most certainly achievable, and in certain aspects one may argue that the vision statement might be outdated. THE EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT Introduction: Broadly, the purpose of an external assessment is to a company’s (in this case Clover’s) opportunities which could benefit it on the one hand, and on the other, threats that should be avoided. Generally, these external â€Å"forces† can be divided into the following categories: Economic forces; Social, cultural, demographic and environmental forces; Political, governmental and legal forces; Technological forces; and Competitive forces. Each of these categories will be discussed briefly, as well as the opportunities and threats will be listed under each heading. Economic Forces: The current and ongoing recession had a negative impact on the company’s interim financial results for the 6 months ending December 2008. More particularly and in the words of Clover’s Chief Executive, Mr JH Vorster, â€Å"a recent international publication on dairy matters stated that the industry faces a perfect storm of destructive economic forces and South Africa and Clover could not escape these forces†. The high unemployment numbers (which increases by the day) have an impact on disposable income, which in turn has an impact on buying behaviour, especially towards branded products (which Clover prides itself on), which as a very general rule carries a price margin. This, however, will continue to pose a problem, and as such, Clover must continue to ride the wave of brand recognition to endeavour to brace itself against the prevailing negative economic forces, which is seen as a huge threat. A further threat is the high number of farmers leaving the trade due to what they generally term â€Å"unaffordability†. Social, Cultural, Demographic and Environmental Forces: Clover believes in personal social uplift, thereby not only donating money in general, but being directly involved in the upliftment. Its flagship upliftment programme, Mama Afrika, currently supports in excess of 10 000 people. Appropriately, Clover views this project along the following lines: â€Å"Clover’s flagship CSI philosophy is underpinned by the principle of sustainability; instead of giving people handouts, it is investing in projects that empower communities and enhance their ability to become self-sufficient in the long term. â€Å"We teach the Mamas how to fish rather than give them the fish. †Ã¢â‚¬  According to Clover, it believes that: â€Å"The company is inextricably part of the community and will therefore, in terms of support and development, accept its social responsibility; Profitability and growth are pre-requisites to fulfill its social responsibility within financial means; The community, primarily has to accept responsibility for its own well-being and will only within means, be supported in this; It creates wealth through company taxes, employee taxes and levies which enable government to establish and maintain essential infrastructure like roads, education and health services; Opportunities for work and prosperity are not only created within the business, but that it, indirectly, contributes to job creation and combating poverty. † It furthermore enforces strict environmental disposal techniques in order to protect the environment. It is therefore that Clover views the Social, Cultural and Demographic Forces as an exciting opportunity. The general deterioration of the environment is naturally a concern for Clover, as some of its biggest assets (i. e. cows) rely on a safe environment. This may therefore be seen as a (general) threat. Political, Governmental and Legal Forces: General: First and foremost, Clover must ensure that the relevant agreements are in place with its retailers, service providers and suppliers. These agreements must also be regularly updated. Legislation: The following legislation will be applicable to Clover (or at least cognisance should be taken of these Acts at all times): The Companies’ Act, 69 of 1973; The Companies’ Act, 71 of 2008 (which will come into operation during 2010); The Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008, which provides for, inter alia, promoting a fair, accessible and sustainable marketplace for consumer products; Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000, which provides for access to information by individuals and/or entities. Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 53 of 2003, which provides for, inter alia, increased broad-based and effective participation of black people in the economy; The Competition Act, 89 of 1998, which provides for, inter alia, the investigation, control and evaluation of certain restrictive practices (the amendments passed during 2010 holds grave consequences in for those who do not adhere to the provisions of the Act). It might well be that a company’s knowledge of particular Acts as mentioned above will be an opportunity. Similarly, a company’s ignorance will be a threat to the company. Clover is an established company, has a legal department and therefore its knowledge of the current law and legislation are adequate. Technological Forces: Clover’s relationship with its customers and clients are entirely computer based (â€Å"IT based†). It is therefore of paramount importance that all its IT be updated regularly (and adequately). Although it has an IT department, Clover does not have a manager close enough to the Executive Committee (such as legal and/or Human Resources). This is seen as a weakness. Competitive Forces: As mentioned in the general introduction in 1. 1 above, Clover collects approximately 30% of South Africa’s milk, leaving 70% which is collected by between 200 to 350 other dairies in South Africa. Of these, Parmalat (Pty) Ltd, Woodlands Dairy (Pty) Ltd, Nestle Dairy (Pty) Ltd, Milkwood (Pty) Ltd and Dairybelle (Pty) Ltd are the biggest competitors. It does however depend on the type of products (for instance, Parmalat is the biggest processor of UHT (Ultra High temperature) milk in South Africa) and geographically (for instance, Parmalat is the biggest distributor of milk in the Western Cape). However, the mentioned companies are competitors and competitors are generally a threat. Clover relies on its brand and extensive distribution network to gain the competitive advantage. Some of the smaller competitors are more than likely to fail due to the current economic recession, thereby giving Clover the opportunities in respect of possible acquisitions of growing market share. A further threat is the (sometimes) ease with which competitors may be successful in convincing farmers to change one processor to another. THE EXTERNAL FACTOR EVALUATION (â€Å"EFE†) MATRIX FOR CLOVER: Key External FactorsWeightRatingWeighted Score Opportunities 1. Recession may cause increase in market share0. 0820. 16 2. Social upliftment programme is extremely successful0. 0540. 20 3. Knowledge of applicable legislation and law0. 1030. 3 4. Possible acquisitions of competitors0. 0810. 08 5. Clover has branded products0. 1130. 33 Threats 6. Economic Recession is a great concern0. 2020. 40 7. Farmers leaving the trade0. 0820. 16 8. Agreements not updated regularly enough0. 0540. 20 9. New and amended legislation places enormous pressure on companies0. 0530. 15 10. Continual Environment Deterioration is of concern0. 0340. 12 11. IT department not close enough to management0. 0320. 06 12. Competitors are generally a threat0. 0730. 21 13. Farmers are convinced to leave Clover for its competitors0. 0720. 14 Total1. 002. 51 CONCLUSION: Clover scores an average of 2. 51 out of a possible 4. There is therefore ample room for improvement. THE INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Introduction: Broadly, the purpose of an internal assessment is to identify and list a company’s internal strengths and weaknesses. Generally, these internal forces by Clover can be divided into the following categories: Management Forces; Marketing Forces; Finance / Accounting Forces; Production / Operations Forces; Research and Development Forces; and Management Information Systems Forces. As with the External Assessment, each of these categories will be cryptically analysed and the strengths and weaknesses will be listed under each heading. Management: Management of Clover has 5 basic activities, namely: Planning; Organising; Motivating; Staffing; and Controlling. Management may be seen as actively planning in order to take the company forward in line with its vision. However, the motivational activity may have taken a turn for the worst, as Clover closed down one of its factories, and is in the process of restructuring and retrenchment. It is therefore submitted that management motivation is, at the moment, a weakness. Apart from the above, the activities of management are attended to adequately and the employees are always encouraged to participate and voice concerns, even directly with management. Marketing: There are 7 basic functions of marketing, namely: Customer analysis; Selling products/services; Product and service planning; Pricing; Distribution; Marketing research; and Opportunity analysis. Clover is well positioned in the market and is a very strong branded company. That being said, its market share has remained stagnant for the past year or two. Clover’s marketing team is very strong, and focuses on the â€Å"new† products, rather than milk. The main product of Clover is thus difficult to market. The view at this stage, is that Clover’s prices of its products are sometimes too high, but the fact remains that Clover is marketing an extremely strong and well known brand. Finance / Accounting : Strengths: Can identify early on future shortfalls in the company and react. Had a positive net profit over last 6 year period. Operating profit was 22. 6% higher than 2007. Property, plant and equipment increased from 2007. Goodwill increased as a result of acquisition of 70% of Mayo Dairy by Clover’s joint venture Danone Clover. Weaknesses: There was a 22. 8% increase internally on operating expenses in 2008 and no mention of plans to combat same. Company suffered tax loss. Interest bearing debt increased. Cash utilisation increased by 26% from 2007. Production / Operations: Clover’s main product (milk) is extremely perishable and as such, Clover succeeds in putting milk, in whatever form, in its packaging within 48 hours after collection thereof from the farmers. This is quite impressive bearing in mind that whilst most of its milk is collected at the coast (KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Caper) most are processed in the Highveld. It is a concern that most of its factories are not close to its source, but Clover is addressing this at the moment. Its quality control is well maintained, and according to Clover, each litre of milk undergoes 55 quality checks before leaving the factory. Research and Development (â€Å"R & D†): Clover survives on â€Å"older† products, but its R & D department is always busy exploring newer and innovative products. It is however difficult to do with a product such as milk. One of its most innovative products in recent years were no fat milk and vanilla milk. Management Information Systems (â€Å"MIS†): It might be argued that Clover’s MIS is not up to scratch. It relies on data from the trade and field. There is no information officer in the company. Information is collected as and when requested and/or needed. INTERNAL FACTOR EVALUATION (â€Å"IFE†) MATRIX FOR CLOVER: Key Internal FactorsWeightRatingWeighted Score Strengths 1. Management’s Planning, organising staff and controlling is good0. 1040. 40 2. Brand is very strong and thus marketing is fairly easy and successful0. 2040. 80 3. Strong marketing team0. 0530. 15 4. Turnover increases year on year for the past 6 years0. 0930. 27 5. Production and operation very strong0. 1140. 44 Weaknesses 6. Management motivation low due to impending restructuring0. 7010. 2 7. Operating expenses rose by 22. 8%0. 0620. 12 8. High turnover but low profit margin (between 7% and 8%)0. 0510. 05 9. Factories too far away from source, thereby increasing production costs0. 0810. 08 10. Product may be seen as old and stagnant, thereby inhibiting R & D0. 0220. 04 11. MIS not adequate0. 0410. 04 Total1. 000. 002. 59 IFE CONCLUSION: Clover score of 2. 59 is above average, therefore indicating average to slightly strong internal position. There is therefore ample room for improvement, but it is not weak internally, which is positive. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT). SWOT analysis is a tool for auditing an organization and its environment. It is the first stage of planning and helps marketers to focus on key issues. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors. Opportunities and threats are external factors. Strategies to adopt in improving Clovers mission statement Human resources Applies to all actors along the chain from producers to consumers. Producers: continuing education on breeding, feeding, animal health, the role of institutions and groups. Milk collectors and handlers: training in clean milk processes; payment systems. Milk procurement: organization logistics; environmental issues and concerns; aim is to keep cost as low as possible. Knowledge management Marketing: consumer education and awareness (e. g. school trips to dairies); educate the media so they can help promote milk campaigns; educate health professionals so they know about the benefits. Competitiveness Producing high quality milk at lowest cost; quality is linked to other elements; government can provide loans, artificial insemination, knowledge (training programs); Productivity. Private sector can provide knowledge, consultants, equipment; research and development on new products and technology; nutrition; management (keeping costs low, quality high) Value addition There is a phenomenal scope for innovations in product development, packaging and presentation. Steps should be taken to introduce value-added products like ice creams, flavored milk, dairy sweets, etc. This will lead to a greater presence and flexibility in the market place along with opportunities in the field of brand building. Addition of cultured products like yoghurt and cheese lend further strength – both in terms of utilization of resources and presence in the market place. Export potential Efforts to exploit export potential are already on. Clover should export to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. Following the new GATT treaty, opportunities will increase tremendously for the export of agri-products in general and dairy products in particular. Cooperatives Greater awareness of farmers’ needs Clover should not think that they are the only custodians or ‘voice’ of Farmers or the only ones protecting the interests of Farmers. Clover should be open enough to understand and think ‘out of the box’ and to understand and see what ways and means can help farmers stay loyal and be more productive. Competition With so many newcomers entering this industry, competition is becoming tougher day by day. But then competition has to be faced as a ground reality. It is large enough for many to carve out their niche. Problematic distribution All is not well with distribution. But then if ice creams can be sold virtually at every nook and corner, why can’t Clover sell other dairy products too? Moreover, it is only a matter of time before we see the emergence of a cold chain linking the producer to the refrigerator at the consumer’s home Perishability Pasteurization has overcome this weakness partially. UHT gives milk long life. Surely, many new processes will follow to improve milk quality and extend its shelf life. Clover needs to overhaul its R & D department.

Spanish Romantic Drama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Spanish Romantic Drama - Essay Example Certainly, in comparison with the British, the German and even the French romantics, the Spanish appear rather theatrical and melodramatic. That does not mean, however, as some have suggested, that Spain never really experienced a European Romantic phase. Instead, the implication is that nineteenth century Spanish romanticism was distinguished from that common to Europe because it expressed the very nature of Spain itself; the land, the people, the national temperament, its myths and history. Spanish romanticism was, needless to say, incontrovertibly theatrical and highly melodramatic but only because it was expressive of the Spanish spirit itself. Indeed, Spanish romanticism was a creation of the Spanish spirit and, as such, was highly individualistic although rarely subjective; extrovert, rather than introvert; epic and dramatic, as compared to lyrical; satirical and comical, even as it expresses the tragedy of life; the anti-thesis of classicism even though it never rebels against it; and, rather than signal a rupture with earlier literary trends, acknowledged them. Spanish romanticism was, in other words, unique to the country itself. The highly emotive and theatrical nature of Spanish romanticism has been attested to be numerous critics, many of whom sought its defence by asserting it to be a politico-cultural genre of Romanticism which should not be evaluated against the criteria established by European Romanticism. Plaja, one of the first to offer a theoretical defence of Spanish romanticism against the accusation that it perverted classical Romantic renditions, claimed that it was a romantic reformulation of the Baroque tradition. 3 Peers, only partially agreeing with the aforementioned through a concession to the discrete threats of Baroque-ism which ran through the Spanish romantic literary tradition, defined it as a revival of Span's inherently romantic national culture and a rejection of both Europe and Europe's rejection of Spain.4 Eschewing both interpretations, Castro maintained that Spanish Romanticism was neither a transhistorical indigenous literary movement nor a revival of Baroque forms but an exploration and recreation of the self in response to metaphysical questionings and crises.5 While largely conceding to the uniqueness of Spanish romanticism, there is a persistent lack of consensus within literary circles regarding the theoretical framework and definitional parameters of Spanish romanticism. Accordingly, questions pertaining to the characteristics, peculiarities, definitional elements and sources of Spanish romanticism were central to a number of highly influential writings on the topic. These works which include King's "What is Spanish Romanticism"6 Shaw's "Towards the Understanding of Spanish Romanticism,"7 and Vincent Llorens' Liberales y romnticos, proceed from the premise that Spanish romanticism was not a literary phenomenon as much as it was a declaration of a shift in worldview. The political turmoil and conflict which Spain experienced at the onset of the nineteenth century and which forced many of its intellectuals, writers and statesmen, among them Duque de Rivas and Francisco Martinez de la Rosa, popularly regarded as the founders of Spanish rom anticism, into exile, ultimately lent to the articulation and adoption of a liberal worldview. Within literary circles, that liberal worldview translated into a romanticism which quintessentially Spanish and nostalgically nationalistic. It was, in other words, a "national-romantisme"8 and, as such, highly sentimental, lending to extremely theatrical dramatic productions. The sheer theatricality, however, of plays such as "Don lvaro o la fuerza del sino" and "La conjuracin de Venecia" should not, if understood from within

Money and happiness Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Money and happiness - Research Paper Example Also, it has been observed that with an increase in the wealth of a state, the individual happiness hasn’t increased to the same extent. Thus, it may be concluded that happiness increases with the increase in wealth but not at the same rate. To further analyze the argument, the works of Kesebir, Easterlin and Lane will be studied so that logical conclusion can be deduced. Kesebir (6) explores the rationale and logic behind happiness; that is how to find true happiness and what truly comprises of the notion of happiness. He is of the view that the idea of happiness has evolved over the years where it was equated with luck during the Homeric era, transformed to pleasure during the enlightenment era and can be equated with an act as little as owning a warm puppy in the contemporary era. However, the idea of happiness in its essence may not be as simple as that. In this context, over time contrasting views have been presented to explain what may constitute a happy life. Democritus argued that happiness is more of one`s state of mind, while Socrates and Plato disagree with this presumption and rather ought to give an objective meanings to happiness, i.e. virtue and goodness of life. On the other hand, the hellinistic view disregards virtue as a yardstick of happiness. In the enlightenment era, when a more secular shape was regarded to the concept of happi ness, ideas like maximum utility and pleasure principal began over-shadowing the explanation to what may be called a happy life. Though the philosophers in the field agree on the difficulty associated with the idea of understanding the true definition of happiness, they have come up with a few parameters which may help in explaining the concept. Kesebir (8) regards that these parameters include life satisfaction, satisfaction with significant domains of life, positive effect and lower levels of negative effect.

Evil, its symbols and the environment Essay 1 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Evil, its symbols and the environment 1 - Essay Example Symbols representing the Canadian Water crisis 2. Canadian water crisis as an experience B. Different symbols of idea associated with the environment 1. Canadian Water Crisis 2. The Danger of Bottled Water C. Questions about Evil and Environment as symbols evil in study of religion and culture 1. How do people believe in these symbols of evil? 2. How is evil and environment explained in terms of religion and culture? 3. What are the most consistent evidence of evil and environment as symbols of evil? III. Conclusion A. Current research revealed relationship between evil and environment and the study of religion and culture. B. The most radical paradigm is the Christian cosmological approach which sees the issues of the Canadian water crisis as a spiritual crisis. 1. The world's spiritual and religious traditions which presupposes that universe and all life processes are spiritually meaningful and material. 2. Dialogue with several cultures and science which presupposes that water sym bolizes evil and environment as it has its own subjective and intrinsic values in the world. The Evil and the Environment Shattered World Evil is a threat to human reason as it challenges the perception that the world makes sense. For instance, the Lisbon earthquake which occurred in the eighteenth century was manifest evil. In the study of religion and culture, Suzuki views evil as a matter concerning human cruelty and Maude Barlow as an extreme incarnation. Whether expressed in secular or theological terms, evil denotes a challenge about the world's intelligibility and it confronts religion with fundamental questions. According to Suzuki et al (23), water is essential in the today's world as it sustains the life of human beings on earth. Water is usually a natural resource which to some peoples it is given free to the world. However, the situation has changed with World Bank reporting water shortages in 80 countries around the world. Groundwater depletion and population growth are the two primary challenges resulting to global water crisis. According to the environmental advocates, Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke as well as David Suzuki views water crisis as an experience of evil and environment as they describes it as the tragedy of the time. They ask individuals to consider the consequences of what they are practicing in the present day environment. For centuries, people had knowledge that they were embedded in the environment and they promised and prayed to always do the right thing. Suzuki finally concludes that people live in a shattered world where they do not see themselves as part of the larger problem. Clarke and Barlow draw attention of the society to the exponential growth of the global water crisis and provide a world perspective on it. They posit that the development of a crisis does not happen in a systematic or incremental manner but, rather appear out of nowhere and suddenly, despite developing for years or months without being noticed prior to their surfacing. Species are also dramatically lost concurrently with the world's looming water crisis. Barlow and Clarke examine the key issues concerned with the global water crisis. They examine water pollutants such as chemicals and sewage that wash of the environment poisoning the world's waterways. They give the example of American and Canadian waterways which are heavily polluted prescription drugs and synthetic chemicals that pass the water recycling plants without being filtered. In addition,

Contemporary Issues in Economics Research Paper

Contemporary Issues in Economics - Research Paper Example Therefore, this paper will seek to explicate some of the main factors that determine the gas prices, problems, causes and solutions. First and foremost, it is important to note that the supply and demand market place determines the worth of fuel. This is because an increase in demand and a decline in supply will automatically lead to a rise in price. On the contrary, if the demand goes down or there is an upsurge supply, then the fuel price will automatically decrease. In case a retailer decides to market its gas at a high price without considering the pricing of the competitors, then consumers will go and buy gas from the competitor selling at lower prices. When this happens, the retailer will lose business due to the high pricing and this will compel him to lower his gas prices in order to be competitive and maintain his customers (â€Å"What Affects Fuel Pricing†). Retailer competition also affects gas prices and this can be grasped by the differences in price on stretches of highways that have multiple gas retailers. When there are several choices that consumers can choose from; then it boils down to more competition on the retailers’. In as much as many retailers carry gas and oil from major oil corporations, they are independent merchants of the product. This implies that they have the freedom to set the prices the way they so wish. Chevron Corporation asserts that, crude oil is merchandized on the global market just like agricultural products such as corn and wheat, and precious metals such as silver and gold. In recent times, the prices of crude oil have increased dramatically as a result of the rising world demand and political instability in most of the oil producing countries (â€Å"What Affects Fuel Pricing†). Crude oil is the most important raw material used in gasoline and other petroleum products production. Therefore, it plays an integral in determining the price of gasoline. Crude oil price may be up to half the cost of one

Marketing - Joss AMD Distribution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing - Joss AMD Distribution - Essay Example We aim to bridge the gap that exists between the manufacturer and the customer by ensuring that we coordinate well enough to provide the customer with the product as soon as the demand arises. Focusing on commitment, sincerity, quality of work and vibrant growth; we pursue a set of values, derived from supreme client service, a widespread dealer web, professional staff and priority to the needs of our business partners. At the same time, we believe in devising distribution strategies in a way that would lead us to produce tangible results as well. With the above mentioned flair and potential in our stock, we wish to be the distributor for the products of the prestigious Creative Nail Design (CND) Company. It would be an honor for us if we are appointed as the distributors of Spamanicure and Spapedicure products, which are wonders of the modern era. As stated in (CND, 2011), The Spamanicure – Citrus and Almond products along with the Spapedicure – Marine, Earth and Home products are world-class products which are proving to be a boon for the salon and spa professionals. To work as a distributor for such high quality skin care products would be a thrilling experience for our company. We believe that we possess the attributes and components to be assigned this challenging task. With prior concrete experience in this regard and also the fact that out of the 132 beauty salons in New York City, to which our company presently distributes Sedal products; 59 are nail salons - would make it easier for us to find immediate clientele. It would be our duty to ensure that the distribution process of these prominent CND products takes place in a smooth manner in the markets of the New York City. We would also make sure that the relationship between CND company and the consumers reaches new heights of mutual trust and reliability by acting as a means of linkage between the two parties. Our marketing strategies have been successful since the time we started our co mpany, and if appointed as CND products’ distributor, we would incorporate our running successful market strategies with further innovative measures and tools to ensure that the sensational CND products not only reach to our current 59 nail salon clientele but also appeal to the other major nail salons in the city. For this purpose, we have a very energetic workforce that is willing to work and commit itself to the task. We also consider organizing seminars to educate people about the CND products and their use. We are well aware of the fact that CND company believes in reliable products, empowering education and practical business building tools. We also appreciate that it pursues excellence and its products are carefully researched and tested before they are planned to sold, depicting the culture that prevails at CND, consisting of principles of honesty, integrity, respect, communication and accountability (CND, 2011). We assure that we would not only respect these consider ate values but would also incorporate them into our working relationship. We would like to briefly summarize how we plan to function as a distribution channel for CND products. Our company believes in doing the basics right, so we always give priority to gaining as much market information as possible. Market research and intelligence plays a great role in becoming aware about the current situation of the market and thereby developing or adjusting plans, in a way, that would yield best results. We would

Branding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Branding - Essay Example In fairly competitive product/service market, product branding is an essential marketing tool for building consumer trust and loyalty on a product (Aronczyk and Devon 75). The concept of branding would is a marketing principle that is used by companies both in the product and price competitive industry. However, depending on the nature of competition in the market place, the effectiveness of branding is determined by either price or commodity nature of competition. In a price-competitive market economy, product branding is rendered ineffective since it is cost-ineffective. This is because consumers are price elastic, therefore, they are more sensitive to price differential property that to building image and brand loyalty. This implies that in a price competitive market, unlike product competitive market, consumers’ purchasing parity and choices are highly influenced by their ability to buy and hence product insensitive (Aronczyk and Devon 56). Advertising or any product promotional methods aimed at winning consumer’s trust and building product image among the consumers is uneconomical in a price competitive market but effective in a com modity competitive

Economic analysis of the current residential housing market in Houston Essay

Economic analysis of the current residential housing market in Houston - Essay Example Houston realtor’s housing data indicates that demand for houses increased by 29% as January 2013 representing a sales increase of 4680 units as compared to the previous year. Additionally, the housing prices were ranging from $500,000 on January 2012 to million dollars. For instance, the highest price were recorded on January 2012 was $200296 (Bivins, paras7-8). The data further indicates that prices of single family houses increased by 9.6% between 2012 and 2013. This indicates that there was a 22.45% increase in housing prices this year as compared to the last year. Additionally, the sale of condominiums was reported to be 422 residential units as at February this year while on February last year the sales of condominiums was 313 units. This indicates that there was an increase in demand for condominiums and mansions by 109 units as at February 2013. According to Eaton, Paras 2-4, higher demand for houses caused an increase in demand for mortgages. For example, demand for mortgage loans increased from 11.4% on January 2009 to 18.6% on January 2011.Therefore, study aims to explain three factors that increase or decrease demands for residential housing in Houston as well as those factors that increase or decrease supply of residential housing. In above connection, the study will put forth demand three examples that explain areas where demand or supply based market failure can be anticipated. Additionally, the study will put forth three examples that explain demand or supply based market failures and how the government can address such failures in a free market. Connectively, graphs will utilize to explain the concepts that are going to be discussed. Economic analysis of the current residential housing market in Houst on Numerous factors have been attributed to an increases demand for housing in Houston, among those factors includes: change in consumer’s disposable income, change in demographic, availability of substitutes to mention just but a few (Arnold p.65). Changes in consumer’s disposable income may involve increase or a decrease in income. Whereby, an increase income caused an increase in demand for houses in Houston as many consumers could afford to pay for houses despite having a higher price. This in turn caused a movement from point A to point B causing a right ward shift demand curve from D1D1 to D2D2 as indicated in 1.1. Additionally, change in population demographics such; as increase in population, could have contributed to an increase in demand for houses (Gwartney p.61). Whereby, as birth rates increases, demand for houses increase causing a rightward shift in demand curve as indicated in diagram 1.1. In above connection, availability of houses that could have been used as substitute contributed significantly to a high demand of houses in Houston. This means that better houses were readily available and therefore, most people were able to substitute their old houses with a new and better residential house depending on their needs. On the other hand, those factors that decrease demand for housing include: changes in consumers future expectations. Whereby, future anticipations that houses prices might fall in the future they may make consumers postpone their current demand for houses in order to purchases those houses in the future at a lower price (Hall p.60). This in turn leads to a decrease in demand for houses and hence causing a leftward shift in demand curve as indicated in diagram 1.2 at the end of the essay. Additionally, a fall in consumer’

RACE, ETHNICITY, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE Research Paper

RACE, ETHNICITY, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE - Research Paper Example As a result of these types of labels, these people were instantly placed on a significantly lower social level than the Europeans within the minds of the Europeans who eventually gained dominance. This mindset lives on today in the European-styled society we perpetuated. Overt discriminatory practices during all phases of the criminal justice system concerning ethnic minorities, especially those of African-American or Hispanic descent, have been well-documented. The recently increased implementation of law enforcement measures which are exclusively aimed at minorities and immigrants through tactics such as racial profiling have exacerbated long standing tensions with police agencies. These interactions are becoming increasingly tense as evidenced by a proliferation of physical and verbal abuse towards minorities and immigrants, a growing mutual distrust and an escalating threat of violence. Of course, crime can occur in fully homogenized societies and a tendency to commit crimes in i mpoverished areas is understood to be the result of economic rather than racial issues. However, racist perceptions are reflected in laws, traditions, and hiring practices causing minorities to be disproportionately represented in depressed neighborhoods. This is a rather obvious explanation for social injustice creating crime. An additional reason could be that because minorities are targeted as potential criminals, it is generally perceived by the majority that simply being a minority places the individual under suspicion. The U.S. incarcerates more of its population per capita than any other industrialized country. Currently, more than two million prisoners are jailed in local, state or federal facilities. It is not just the number of prisoners that is increasing, but the ratio of prisoner to free population is widening as well. Approximately 10 years ago, there were about 703 prisoners in every

Physical products Essay Example for Free

Physical products Essay The dot-com era is now fast receding into the past. But, throughout the world, managers are still grappling with turning the e-business concept into a business reality. Companies in some sectors have demonstrated success. In Europe, the low cost airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair have succeeded in migrating the majority of their customers to online booking in the space of a few years, while acquiring many new customers. Other companies have used the internet to gain competitive advantage. For example, the supermarket Tesco has launched a market-leading e-commerce service for customers and also uses the internet extensively for purchasing (Tesco Information Exchange). Although many start-up companies which adopted innovative business models, have now failed, some are now achieving profitability. For example, now operating profitability across many countries in Europe include lastminute (main focus travel: www. lastminute. com), Kelkoo (consumer retail: www. kelkoo. com) and Wanadoo (Internet Service Provider: www. wanadoo. com). In some traditional industries, the impact of the internet has been immense. Banking, for example, shows that in a seven and half year period (May 1995 December 2002), the number of households using online banking worldwide increased to 100 million as around 6,000 different financial institutions offered web based banking. (Source: Online Banking Report, Number 89, 10 December 2002). Meanwhile, many business-business companies and governments have found encouraging their customers to use their online services to be much more challenging. In this post-dot-com era, managers are looking to learn from the experiences of the early adopters, identifying success factors and incorporating best practices while trying to avoid the costly mistakes made by others. Most introductions to e-business open with a history of the growth of the Internet, and the predictions of the growth of e-commerce and e-business. E-Commerce is implemented using three technologies: Electronic Data interchange (EDI), Internet Commerce and Electronic Markets. We limit our approach to covering commercial activities conducted on the Internet. E-commerce offers opportunities to dramatically improve the way that businesses interact with both their customers and their suppliers, that is, to make business negotiations faster, cheaper, more personalized, and more agile. The number of web users who shop or buy products online is continuously increasing. However, searching and buying products via on-line can be frustrating due to the lack of help or decision support given to the user. Nowadays e-commerce applications are being improved from a first generation stage where buyers are humans who browse through a catalogue of commodities (e. g. books, computer components, films) and make purchases, often by means of a credit card transaction, to a second generation with a greater degree of automation on both the buyers and the sellers side. The aim of this work was to develop a technology for facilitating Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) processes. Although the growth in Internet retailing has not turned out to be as strong as predicted in the late 1990s, it is clear that some e-tailers offer distinctive value propositions to certain customers. At the core of any business strategy is the ability to develop a sustainable competitive advantage. Current market leaders, such as Amazon, enhance the shopping experience by providing reviews and making suggestions based on past purchases. However products such as apparel can be difficult for customers to purchase over the Internet because of the need to touch, feel and try on products. Market leaders, like The Gap and cataloguer Lands End, can be successful because of their prior customer base, strong brand identity, consistent quality and fit and outstanding service and guarantees. Convenience shopping online is becoming increasingly popular with both adults and young people. Internet may be a good source for bargain hunting. The simplicity of online shopping can lure consumers into making purchases that may not qualify as a good deal. It is therefore imperative to know when a deal is really a deal!

The Development Of Hip Hop Music Essay

The Development Of Hip Hop Music Essay The hip hop musical genre developed at the same time with the hip hop culture which we can define by stylistic elements such as Raping, Djing, The hip hop music was born at the Bronx of New York city in 1970s basically from African Americans and Jamaican Americans. Often the word rap is used as same meaning with the hip hop but hip hop has an entire subculture. Usually rapping is also called Mcing (emceeing) which is a vocal style in which the artist speaks lyrically in rhyme and with the company of an instrumental or synthesized beat. Beats mostly are created by looping and mixing portions of other songs. The roots of hip hop are found in African-American music and ultimately African music. The griots of West Africa are a group of traveling singers and poets who are part of an oral tradition dating back hundreds of years. Their vocal style is similar to that of rappers. The African-American traditions of signifyingHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signifyin', the dozens, and jazz poetry are all descended from the griots. In addition, musical comedy acts such as Rudy Ray Moore and Blowfly are considered by some to be the forefathers of rap. Within New York City, griot-like performances of poetry and music by artists such as The Last Poets, Gil Scott Heron and Jalal Mansur Nuriddin had a significant impact on the post-civil rights era culture of the 1960s and 1970s. Hip hop arose during the 1970s when block parties became increasingly popular in New York City, especially in the Bronx. Block parties incorporated DJs who played popular genres of music, especially funk and soul music. DJs, realizing its positive reception, began isolating the percussion breaks of popular songs. This technique was then common in Jamaican dub music and had spread to New York City via the substantial Jamaican immigrant community. A major proponent of the technique was the godfather of hip hop, the Jamaican-born DJ Kool Herc. Clive Campbell (born April 16, 1955), also known as Kool Herc, DJ Kool Herc and Kool DJ Herc, is a Jamaican-born DJ who is credited with originating hip hop music, in the Bronx, New York City. His playing of hard funk records of the sort typified by James Brown was an alternative both to the violent gang culture of the Bronx and to the nascent popularity of disco in the 1970s. In response to the reactions of his dancers, Campbell began to isolate the instrumental portion of the record which emphasized the drum beat-the break-and switch from one break to another to yet another. Hip hop was almost entirely unknown outside of the United States prior to the early 1980s. During that decade, it began its spread to every inhabited continent and became a part of the music scene in dozens of countries. In the early part of the decade, break dancing became the first aspect of hip hop culture to reach Germany, Japan, Australia and South Africa, where the crew Black Noise established the practice before beginning to rap later in the decade. Meanwhile, recorded hip hop was released in France and the Philippines (Dyords Javiers Na Onseng Delight and Vincent Dafalongs Nunal). In Puerto Rico, Vico C became the first Latino rapper, and his recorded work was the beginning of what became known as reggaeton. Japanese hip hop is said to have begun when Hiroshi Fujiwara returned to Japan and started playing Hip-Hop records in the early 1980s. Japanese hip hop generally tends to be most directly influenced by old school hip hop, taking from the eras catchy beats, dance culture, and overall fun and carefree nature and incorporating it into their music. As a result, hip hop stands as one of the most commercially viable mainstream music genres in Japan, and the line between it and pop music is frequently blurred. Hip hop has globalized into many cultures worldwide, as evident through the emergence of numerous regional scenes. It has emerged globally as a movement based upon the main tenets of hip hop culture. The music and the art continue to embrace, even celebrate, its transnational dimensions while staying true to the local cultures to which it is rooted. Hip-hops inspiration differs depending on each culture. Still, the one thing virtually all hip hop artists worldwide have in common is th at they acknowledge their debt to those African American people in New York who launched the global movement. While hip-hop is sometimes taken for granted by Americans, it is not so elsewhere, especially in the developing world, where it has come to represent the empowerment of the disenfranchised and a slice of the American dream. American hip-hop music has reached the cultural corridors of the globe and has been absorbed and reinvented around the world. Hip Hop music has had many different effects on teens since its inception in the late 1970s. When most people think of rap music today, they immediately think of the gangster or thug mentality that has infested suburban teens with an attitude that reflects the heart of the ghetto. This may normally be revealed through a change in language or slang, as well as a change in appearance or dress. Rap nearly paints a picture to a child of what is going on in the streets. It has a much bigger influence on suburban teens because children who live in poverty strictened areas already have an idea of what that life is really like. Lots of times it comes down to children wanting to be considered cool. As a cultural movement, hip-hop manages to get billed as both a positive and negative influence on young people, especially on Black and Latino youth. On one hand, there are African American activists, artists and entrepreneurs, such as Russell Simmons, who seek to build a progressive political movement among young hip-hop fans and who have had modest success with voter registration efforts. On the other hand, theres no shortage of critics who denounce the negative portrayals of Black people, especially women, in hip-hop lyrics and videos. Recently, a few critics in major U.S. newspapers took note of a well-publicized marketing firm study that cited the cultural influence of hip-hop and reported on sexuality among African American youth in households earning less than $25,000 per year in 10 cities. The study revealed that Black adolescents are becoming sexually active at ages younger than other youth and are suffering from HIV/AIDS at a rate higher than other groups. Political hip hop (also political rap) is a sub-genre of hip hop music that developed in the 1980s. Inspired by 1970s political preachers such as The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron, Public Enemy were the first political hip hop group. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released the first well-known sociopolitical rap song in 1982 called The Message, which inspired numerous rappers to address social and political subjects. Explicitly political hip hop is related to but distinct from conscious hip hop because it refers to artists who have strong and overt political affiliations and agendas, as opposed to the more generalized social commentary typical of conscious hip hop. It can also be used to include political artists of all ideological stripes, whereas the term conscious hip hop generally implies a broadly leftist affiliation or outlook. There are hundreds of artists whose music could be described as political. Black HYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_nationalismNationalism was one of the driving ideologies behind the militant wing of the North American civil rights movement in the 1970s and early 1980s. It played a major role in early political hip hop and continues to be a major animating force for many contemporary political hip hop artists. Prominent Black Nationalist artists include Tupac Shakur, Public Enemy, Paris, and many others. Marxism has long been a major animating force in social movements worldwide and is no less so in Hip Hop. Without a doubt the two most overtly Marxist groups in the english language have been Marxman and The Coup. Both groups also incorporate(d) Revolutionary Nationalism into their message, Irish Republicanism for Marxman and Black Nationalism for the Coup. For these artists, as with Marxism in general, class struggle and anti-imperialism are major recurring themes. Anarchism has been a major motivating ideology for popular movements around the globe for over a century and is just as relevant in Hip Hop culture. Like Marxist hip hop, class struggle and anti-imperialism are major themes in anarchist hip hop music along with Anti-parliamentarianism and a strong emphasis on intersectionality and the connections between different movements. The need for community-level grassroots organization and opposition to political hierarchy and illegitimate authority are also common themes. Unlike Marxist acts, several of which have been signed to major labels, anarchists artists have generally followed a DIY ethos which has led them to remain independent.Many other artists object to Capitalism in general but prefer not to explicitly identify with either Marxism or Anarchism and instead advocate various other forms of Socialism. The most prominent hip hop acts that describe their politics as socialist are Dead Prez, Blue Scholars, SNIPED, and Sun Rise Above. Immortal Technique identifies himself as a socialist and supports Castro and Leninism. Looptroop Rockers is an anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist hip-hop project from Sweden. Askari X, a rapper hailing from Oakland, CA, has also expressed his loyalty to the African People Socialist Party. Other political hip hop artists advocate a wide range of positions, and often disagree with one another, as can be expected from an extremely diverse global scene. Zionist hip hop acts like Golan and Subliminal, and Palestinian nationalists like the Iron Sheik have obvious fundamental disagreements about a wide range of issues, but both use hip hop music and culture as a vehicle to express themselves and spread their ideas. As hip hop becomes increasingly widespread, artists from many different countries and backgrounds are using it to express many different positions, among them political ones. The nature of hip-hop (as with much music) as an opposing force to the establishment lends itself to such a use. Listening to rap has not been shown to increase suicidal ideation and anxiety or adversely affect self-esteem among college-aged men and women. Oddly enough, students listening to a nonviolent rap song experienced more depressive symptoms than those who listened to a violent rap song. Overall, rap songs are more inclined to generate angry emotions than heavy metal songs. Every so often a new style of music emerges that takes America by storm and comes to represent the generation that grows up with it. In the 50s it was rocknroll, followed by the Motown sound of the 60s. The 1970s brought folk music and disco, and in the 80s it was rap. Perhaps no other form of music has crossed as many boundaries and become a bridge between Americas many cultures as rap has I believe that hip-hop is bringing the cultures together. The sound of hip-hop is one element that shows that our work can be less divided and more united. I support the joining of artists to create unique styles of music. I think that shows that people are more open to change these days. Anymore, most people do not see the differences in colors or backgrounds. This generation has not only grown up with the rap music, but it has grown up with many different cultures. My peers and I grew up and went to school with many black children. From the very beginning, my generation has accepted the differences in body color. Its not strange to see an interracial marriage or two children of different races that are best friends. Hip-hop has pushed the sounds of the different ethnic backgrounds together to speak to all people.

Reviewing the American Constitution

Reviewing the American Constitution Ignacio J. Blanco Eminent Domain The development and freedom of a society and its individuals depend to a large extent on the content and protection of property rights. In practically all the legal systems the indemnification to the individuals is consecrated in the event that the State deprives them of their property through an act of expropriation. Being one of the first to recognize such a guarantee, the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits the State from expropriating property for public use, without payment of fair compensation to its owner. The application of such requirement is relatively easy to enforce when the government formally exercises deprivation of property to a private individual, especially when dealing with real estate. The question in this matter is: when should a particular sector of the population bear the cost of a regulation whose benefits are taken advantage by society as a whole? In outlining the concept of eminent domain regulation, a convenient point of departure tu rns out to be the examination of the next argument: the right of the State to exercise eminent domain. When the government needs a certain private property for public use, it should clearly state its intention assessing the specific property, and then paying the former owner a fair compensation. Usually, the main issue in the governments use of eminent domain is what constitutes fair compensation. Eminent domain is defined as: the power that the government has to expropriate a private land for public use (U.S Fifth Amendment). This power is limited by the Federal Constitution as well as State Constitutions when the government takes a private property for common use, it must properly indemnify the owner for the alienation (U.S. Fifth Amendment). Sometimes the exercise of eminent domain consists of a simple process, in which the government grants the owner a fair price and this will result in the appropriation of the property for common use. On other occasions, the government and the owner may disagree as to whether an expropriation needs to occur and what the amount of compensation should be. In these types of cases a legal procedure will be necessary to certify the legitimacy of the expropriation and establish a fair price for the property. The Fifth Amendment expropriation clause protects the owner and assures that he or she will receive appropriate compensation. This clause has three significant components: the first component states that eminent domain should only be applied to private property. Due to this fact, if the government decides to modify the purpose of some public land, for example, to build an office building or a homeless shelter in what used to be a public park, this action will not require government to compensate citizens who used the park. The second requirement is that the land should only be expropriated for common use. This limitation prevents government officials from taking private property for personal use. In this case, this requirement will protect citizens from government officials that might try to get any personal gains from taking private property. Lastly, The Fifth Amendment requires fair compensation. Usually, fair compensation is determined by the market value of the property, in other words. the price at which the owner could have expected to sell the property. It is important to know that the value of the property should be set considering many factors. These factors include: the size of the land and the buildings, the location of the property, the access to utilities and public services, resources present on the property, etc. When a permanent expropriation is about to take place, the courts will use different methods to determine market value. However, if the government needs the property for a limited time, the calculation of value will be more complicated. In cases of eminent domain, the government states that it needs certain private property to create a public benefit, such as the construction of a new stadium or public park. The government can offer the owner a price that is acceptable to the individual or the individual can initiate an expropriation procedure. This procedure is similar to a lawsuit and it is started by the owner of the property when they do not reach agreement. The owner of the property has the right to be notified of the decision of the government and can submit a reply. As one can see, the Fifth Amendment offers protection to the owner and guarantees that he or she will receive a fair compensation for the expropriation. In some non-usual cases the government will deny the claim that they have taken property from the owner. Therefore, the owner would have to initiate an action, denominated procedure of compensation by expropriation, to demand compensation from the government. This situation might occur in various ways. For example, the government may adopt behavior that destroys the owners ability to use and enjoy his or her land, such as building a rail road along the owners property. As one can see, this action does not involve an expropriation, but will certainly reduce the value of the property, forcing the owner to file a lawsuit to obtain compensation. The necessity to determine the time at which the expropriation occurred is important in the matter of eminent domain. An argument may arise when the government presents a plan that affects the property of a citizen. In other words, when the government makes a public announcement about the possibility of starting a new infrastructure project this could potentially impact the value of private property. Furthermore, the owner might think that this plan will already constitute an indirect expropriation, which will could cause stress and uncertainty about the future. Even though the government can claim that they have not taken away any property at this point, its actions have already affected the value for future transactions, causing undesired consequences. The concept of eminent domain gives the government power to act on behalf of public interest. Unfortunately, in many cases, the government violates property rights without offering a fair compensation. The legal issues involved in th ese matters are complex and the courts have not been entirely coherent in their approach. In conclusion, more than two centuries have passed since the proclamation of the American Constitution. However, the constitutional normative body continues to expand its application and renew its validity. The decisions dictated by the courts, offer a variety of interpretations, not always uniform but with an undeniably value. This academic paper offers a summary on how jurisprudence has constructed the concept of eminent domain regulation. According to the government these regulations have no other purpose than to protect citizens from its own government, while trying to draw clear boundaries to delineate its application. The concept of eminent domain goes beyond a simple theoretical construction, it is a true legal institution that articulates basic concepts of private law such as property and economic freedom, in addition to foundational principles of public law like the common good.

vera drake :: essays research papers

Vera Drake Vera Drake is a film nominated for several Oscars, and a completely successes for Mike Leigh, who is both director and writer. The film is set in London in the early 1950s. Vera Drake lives with her husband Stan, and her two grown children Ethel and Sid, in a small middleclass flat. Vera is a domestic who cleans the houses of rich women, while Stan works at a mechanic shop run by his brother Frank. Vera has a heart of gold, and is cheerful at anytime, even though she got plenty of work to do, and lots of people to take care of. She sings and smiles anyhow, and has a tremendous care and compassion for others. She also has time to help out women in need, as she calls it. This is her big secret that no one in her family knows of, and a secret that she intends to keep secret. When she says â€Å"help women in need† she means poor pregnant women who are not willing or able to give birth to a child. She works closely with Lily, a friend from her childhood, who sells households goods on the black marked and find women seeking abortions. She charges the women for money, while Vera does not take anything for helping them out. Vera’s secret comes to a brutal end, after one of the girls she has treated gets deadly sick, and the police get involved. Abortions were not legal in the 1950s in England, and therefore Vera is committing a crime. By the time Vera and her family is g athered to celebrate the announced wedding between Reg and her daughter Ethel, the police comes knocking on their door. Vera is taken in to custody and is very afraid to tell her family the truth, but still does not think what she has been doing as anything wrong. The theme of the film is obviously abortion, and those plenty questions concerning abortion. This has been a well debated theme for a long time, but Mike Leigh sees no obstacle in that. The question whether abortion should be legal or not, is still a big political issue, and it does not seem like politicians round the world has come to an agreement just yet. Even though this theme is highly debated beforehand, it does not make this a boring film. It is more opposite, and that is why I feel that Mike Leigh give us viewers a different angle than many others would have.

The University Health System Should Distribute the Morning After Pill E

The University Health System Should Distribute the Morning After Pill The United States of America is known for many of its outlandish and outrageous statistics in comparison to other countries. Statistics regarding obesity, homicide rates, and political issues have displayed many of the nation?s weak points. However, the amount of teen pregnancy has become so excessive that it is becoming a cry for help and a statistic that is greatly standing out and can no longer be ignored. In 1999 about one million teenagers experienced a pregnancy. This rate was twice the amount in England, Wales, and Canada and nine times greater than that of the Netherlands and Japan. About 78% of these American teenage pregnancies were said to be unplanned. (The Alan Guttmacher Institute home page) The country has come up with many solutions to this problem, yet nearly every solution has caused ethical debate. The use of contraception is rejected by many religions and groups of people; while the option of abortion, is even more widely rejected. Many Christian religions stand firm on preventing the use of either contraception or abortion as well as sex outside wedlock. Other religions such as Judiasm, Muslims, and Hinduisms also stand against it. Politicians are also known for taken a stand on the issue, as those running on a conservative platform (Republicans) are more likely to go against. The liberals (Democrats) stress the need for womens? right to chose and consistently fight for the continuation of the practice of abortion. Although, the younger generations are more accepting of these options, does that mean it is the right decision? One quick fix to pregnancy began years ago with the introduction of the condom. This method of contraception h... ... at an early age is a fear for many young women in high school and college. About 70% of the high school age students that become pregnant will finish high school but fail to continue there education in college. (The Alan Guttmacher Institute facts and statistics on teen pregnancy home page). Many young women have goals and dreams that are sometimes shattered due to an unexpected visitor. One night can change the lives of these students and they should have an option if a mistake is made or an accident happens. If women on the James Madison University campus had the choice to receive the morning-after pill from the Health Center and take it, then there would be a lot less stress in the lives of these young women. Knowing that if something unexpected where to happen, that there is a solution, is a good feeling to have for the woman of this college university campus.

Solar Energy Essay -- essays research papers

Solar Energy Solar energy is the most ancient kind of energy found on earth, for it is as old as the sun. "Solar" means from the sun. The earth is only one of the many planets which is bathed in the sun's overflowing energy. Every second the world receives 95.8 trillion watts of power†¦just think about that for a minute. Think about how much power the earth just received in the time it took you to read this sentence? It is well beyond the amount of power used in one day. It has the potential to satisfy all our energy needs forever without ever having to use the pollutive fossil fuels ever again. "The problem however, does not lie in the limited source, as do fossil fuels, but in harnessing it." Every day solar energy is being used all around us. In fact, it is the indirect source of all energy and life on earth. Hopefully, with continued research, we will be in a place one day where we can directly rely on the sun for all our energy needs, and never have to use pollu tive fossil fuels, or nuclear power ever again (Cross 124). It is hard to say when solar energy was first used by humans to make life easier. As far as we know, people have always used the sun's visible range of light to see by, as well as to sit in the sun to keep warm. "Some of the first ancient cultures to use solar energy as heating were those from the deserts, and dry areas." In Egypt, Libya, and Algeria, where the sun is fiery hot in the day, but reaches freezing temperatures at night, builders discovered that thick walls of mud could solve this problem. During the day, they would absorb all the sun's energy and leave it cool as a cave inside, and at night, the walls would radiate their stored heat, and keep it fairly warm inside. These ancient people also discovered how to use the sun's energy to preserve food by either drying fruits or meats in the sun, or baking them. They found techniques to bleach cloth and cure animal hides. Whether by accident, or deliberate experimentation, these ancient cultures discovered that the sun was an incredible source of power (Bower 36). Throughout history people have experimented with the many uses of the sun's power. In the 17th century, scientists in Europe began rediscovering the sun. When a French scie... ...ar energy would be a more realistic option. Does every house need two computers, 3 TV's, a dishwasher, microwave, electric stove, video games, 3 stereos, nightlights in every hall, porch lights left on all night, lights on in every room in the house, blow dryers, toasters, electric heaters, air conditioners, electric gates and garage openers... the list goes on and on. One of the major problems that I see in our western culture is our obsession that we must each have our own. No one is willing to share anything, because it might be inconvenient. All we can think of is ourselves, no thought for future generations or the environment. We need to get a reality check. There is not enough materials or energy left in the world for this to continue to go on. Solar energy is a serious option that we should all be considering. We need to learn to act as a community, not only as individuals. I don't know what the future holds, but I can't see this working much longer. Change will have to oc cur soon, or we will exhaust all our resources and chances of life on earth.

Gender Equality

â€Å"Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance. † (Kofi Annan) In Paulette Jiles's poem, â€Å"Paper Matches† and in Judith Ortiz Cofer's poem, â€Å"The Changeling† the theme described is gender roles. In the two poems the women do not feel appreciated. These two poems are very similar in theme, content, and figurative language. However, the structures of the two poems are very different.Jiles and Cofer both use symbolism, dialogue, figurative language, nd imagery as instruments to reflect the cruelty of the women during these times. In Paper Matches, Jiles uses the simile of a match to display the irritation and anger of the gender roles forced when she was a child. Matches are tiny, insignificant items that are sold in packages, and one is interchangeable from another. They have no use unless they're lit; they're only good fo r one flame. These connotations roughly pare down what the author saw as woman's condition in society.It seemed to her that women were hardly more than servants and not allowed much individuality. Another facet of the match-comparison is that matches are passive. Someone strikes up a flame with it, but matches can't do anything on their own decision. Jiles' anger is displayed by the final two lines, â€Å"We come bearing supper, / our heads on fire. † This continues the match-metaphor, but also implies anger directly resulting from the servitude involved in bringing in supper. If someone's angry, they might be called â€Å"hot-headed,†Ã¢â‚¬â€œJiles' women's heads are fguratively on fire, they're so incensed at their position.Something slightly ironic in the image is that the match's/women's usefulness starts at their heads. In the male-dominated society Jiles describes, omen's heads–brains–wouldn't be very valued. That their heads are on fire in the end s uggests that their anger at their position is borne out of the fact that they can think, reason and realize the limitations being placed on them, and this in turn suggests a basis for women's equality and the injustice of their situation in this poem.The poem, â€Å"The Changeling† by Judith Ortiz Cofer, is a dramatic monologue that describes the life of a little girl who is â€Å"wing† for her father's love and attention (line 2). The girl who does not seem to be noticed by her father invents a game that ould make him notice. Yet , the father is â€Å"baffled and amused† by her actions(line 5. ) In â€Å"The Changeling†, the speaker tells her audience that they were â€Å"molding me into boy shape† (line 8).This line is for the most part an image because it is a specific detail that appeals to the senses. An image that helps imagine something beyond just a thought. This image is visual as we can actually see something being molded into a specific shape. Denotation is an important part of understanding fgurative language, for it gives the reader the literal meanings of the words used. Molding eans to work into a required shape or form and to have influence in determining or forming. This image is very significant to the theme of the poem.It shows that the young girl wants to be a boy to make her father happy and she is willing to totally change her â€Å"shape† to make this happen. There are three main points to consider when determining if a piece of literature is worthy of being placed in the canon. The piece ot literature must nave a perceived aesthetic value, nave historical or cultural significance, and have longevity or subsequent influence on other works of literature. The poem â€Å"The Changeling† has these qualities and therefore should be part of the canon.This poem has aesthetic beauty. It contains symbols, imagery, and ambiguities that help tell its' true story. The poem is also full offgurative lan guage, which adds to the beauty. The poem contains both historical and cultural value. It contains information about a great Argentinian revolutionary leader and describes how woman lived and were valued not only in society generally but also inthe hispanic culture. Because the poem has both the aesthetic and cultural value, contributes to the third point of being included in the canon. Gender Equality What instances in society influenced the change in acceptance of women while playing sports and doing other nontraditional things?Rational: I want to study gender roles in society today, because I’d like to further understand when it became acceptable for women to play more male dominated sports. I also want to understand why some women chose to play the sports they did, the criticism they got, and how playing the sport may have changed the way they were viewed within their community. Summary:Today women playing more male dominated sports has become much more acceptable. Women all around are playing â€Å"rougher†sports. 30 years ago you’d never hear of a girl stepping onto a football field, playing baseball, basketball, soccer, or hockey. Society has slowly accepted women into the sports world, by acknowledging successful athletic women.Prediction:While researching this topic, i think I’ll find out more women were looked down upon while male dominated spo rts, and praised while succeeding in more feminine sports. I think women were looked down upon while playing male dominated sports because they’re considered outsiders. I hope to discover that women have and will continue to succeed and push past the stereotypes that restrict them. Athletics is kind of a double-standard for women..we’re supposed to be athletic yet feminine. Sources:â€Å"Atta Girl! A Celebration of Women in Sports† Alexandra Powe Allred. â€Å"A to A of American Women i Sports† Paula Edelson. â€Å"The Girl Who Threw Butterflies† Mick Cochrane. â€Å"U.S. Women's Gymnastics Wins Team Gold Medal At London Olympics† Chris Greenberg, The Huffington Post.Discussion: People should care about this topic because social acceptance is a must for a society to thrive. By playing sports, women explore uncharted territories;  and while succeeding in sports women show men that they can perform just as well as any male can, and can conti nue to excel. It’s important for women to develop this form of independence and nonconformity in order to gain some self confidence, and believe in themselves.

Marvin

Use Case Narratives (UCN) I. Identification Summary Title: Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Account in Metro Bank Summary: This use case narrates the steps to acquire a new ATM account in service of Metro Bank. Actors: 1. Customer – Person to acquire an ATM account. 2. Teller – Verify and approve the requirements of the Customer 3. Metro Bank Banking System – register Customers Information to the data base Creation Date: March 14 2013Date of Update: Version: v1. 0Person in Charge: Elias Maglalang & Marvin Luzon II. Flow of Events Preconditions: 1.The Teller is Identified by the Metro Bank Banking System and gaining authorization to register a new Customer Data into the data base 2. The Customer must have the required documents (2 government issued IDs, Proof of Billing and Depository Money) to apply for a new ATM account. PostConditions: 1. Customer Information recorded in the Metro Bank Banking System’s Data Base. 2. Monetary Assets acquired by the teller. 3. Customer Receives the ATM card including a piece of paper containing instruction regarding changing of pin number. 4. Customer signs the logbook for proof of receiving the ATM. Main Success Scenario: 1.Customer arrives at the bank and approaches the new account section. 2. Teller provides customer with documents to be filled up. 3. Customer submits filled up documents along with requirements. 4. Teller accesses the Metro Bank banking system. 5. Teller records documents and piles up all the requirements. 6. Teller processes the filing of the documents. 7. Teller receives the Monetary Assets of the customer. 8. Customer receives ATM including the instruction regarding changing of pin number. 9. Customer signs the logbook for proof of receiving the ATM. 10. Use case successfully ends III. Alternative Sequences IV. Error Sequences

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley Essay

â€Å"Ozymandias† (pron.: /ËÅ'É’ziˈmà ¦ndiÉ™s/,[2] also pronounced with four syllables in order to fit the poem’s meter) is a sonnet by Percy Bysshe Shelley, published in 1818 in the 11 January issue of The Examiner in London. It is frequently anthologised and is probably Shelley’s most famous short poem. It was written in competition with his friend Horace Smith, who wrote another sonnet entitled â€Å"Ozymandias† seen below. In addition to the power of its themes and imagery, the poem is notable for its virtuosic diction. The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is unusual and creates a sinuous and interwoven effect. Contents 1 Analysis 2 Publication history 3 Smith’s poem 4 Cultural influence 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links [edit]Analysis 1817 draft by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Bodleian Library Percy Bysshe Shelley’s 1817 fair copy, Bodleian Library The central theme of â€Å"Ozymandias† is the inevitable decline of all leaders, and of the empires they build, however mighty in their own time. The ‘Younger Memnon’ statue of Ramesses II in the British Museum thought to have inspired the poem Ozymandias represents a transliteration into Greek of a part of Ramesses’ throne name, User-maat-re Setep-en-re. The sonnet paraphrases the inscription on the base of the statue, given by Diodorus Siculus in his Bibliotheca historica, as â€Å"King of Kings am I, Osymandias. If anyone would know how great I am and where I lie, let him surpass one of my works.†[5][6] Shelley’s poem is often said to have been inspired by the 1821 arrival in London of a colossal statue of Ramesses II, acquired for the British Museum by the Italian adventurer Giovanni Belzoni in 1816. Rodenbeck and Chaney, however,[8] point out that the poem was written and  published before the statue arrived in Britain, and thus that Shelley could not have seen it. Its repute in Western Europe preceded its actual arrival in Britain (Napoleon had previously made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire it for France, for example), and thus it may have been its repute or news of its imminent arrival rather than seeing the statue itself which provided the inspiration. The 2008 edition of the travel guide Lonely Planet’s guide to Egypt says that the poem was inspired by the fallen statue of Ramesses II at the Ramesseum, a memorial temple built by Ramesses at Thebes, near Luxor in Upper Egypt. This statue, however, does not have â€Å"two vast and trunkless legs of stone†, nor does it have a â€Å"shattered visage† with a â€Å"frown / And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command.† Nor does the base of the statue at Thebes have any inscription, although Ramesses’s cartouche is inscribed on the statue itself. Among the earlier senses of the verb â€Å"to mock† is â€Å"to fashion an imitation of reality† (as in â€Å"a mock-up†),[10] but by Shelley’s day the current sense â€Å"to ridicule† (especially by mimicking) had come to the fore. This sonnet is often incorrectly quoted or reproduced.[11] The most common misquotation – â€Å"Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!† – replaces the correct â€Å"on† with â€Å"upon†, thus turning the regular decasyllabic (iambic pentameter) verse into an 11-syllable line. Publication history Both Percy Bysshe Shelley and Horace Smith submitted a sonnet on the subject to The Examiner published by Leigh Hunt in London. Shelley’s was published on January 11, 1818 under the pen name Glirastes, appearing on page 24 under Original Poetry. Smith’s was published, with the initials H.S., on February 1, 1818. Shelley’s poem was later republished under the title â€Å"Sonnet. Ozymandias† in his 1819 collection Rosalind and Helen, A Modern Eclogue; with Other Poems by Charles and James Ollier and in the 1826 Miscellaneous and Posthumous Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley by William Benbow, both in London. Smith’s poem IN Egypt’s sandy silence, all alone, Stands a gigantic Leg, which far off throws The only shadow that the Desert knows:— â€Å"I am great OZYMANDIAS,† saith the stone, â€Å"The King of Kings; this mighty City shows â€Å"The wonders of my hand.†Ã¢â‚¬â€ The City’s gone,— Nought but the Leg remaining to disclose The site of this forgotten Babylon. We wonder,—and some Hunter may express Wonder like ours, when thro’ the wilderness Where London stood, holding the Wolf in chace, He meets some fragment huge, and stops to guess What powerful but unrecorded race Once dwelt in that annihilated place. – Horace Smith.[13] Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote this poem in competition with his friend Horace Smith, who published his sonnet a month after Shelley’s in the same magazine.[14] It takes the same subject, tells the same story, and makes a similar moral point, but one related more directly to modernity, ending by imagining a hunter of the future looking in wonder on the ruins of an annihilated London. It was originally published under the same title as Shelley’s verse; but in later collections Smith retitled it â€Å"On A Stupendous Leg of Granite, Discovered Standing by Itself in the Deserts of Egypt, with the Inscription Inserted Below†. Cultural influence The poem has made numerous appearances in popular culture, and has significantly influenced the production of new creative works. For example, Terry Carr’s science fiction short story Ozymandias was inspired by the poem, as was the song Ozymandias by Jean-Jacques Burnel. Edward Elgar began setting the poem to music, but never finished it. The best-known setting appears to be that in Russian for baritone by the Ukrainian composer Borys Lyatoshynsky. On television, Monty Python’s Flying Circus featured a humorous parody named â€Å"Ozymandias, King of Ants†, and the Beauty and the Beast episode titled Ozymandias included a reading of the entire poem. Writer Alan Moore named a superhero in the comic book miniseries Watchmen after Ozymandias, and overtly quoted the poem; and the alternative rock group Sisters of Mercy wrote the song Ozymandias which appeared on the B side of the 1987 single Dominion/Mother Russia from the album Floodland.  Short excerpts of the poem, or references to its title, have appeared in a variety of other contexts including the set for the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games on 12 August 2012.

Comlaw Essay

PC from a local electronics shop, he is making an offer to the shop; which is an invitation to treat. Since the local electronics shop (offered) has had acceptance on Arthur (offer)'s offer, a contract has been formed. Therefore, Arthur has the obligation to pay for the product and the local electronics shop has the obligation to deliver the product.Though, some Issues between these 2 parties' have appeared: The PC was not running, power cable was missing and no manual was provided while Arthur has realized his check used to pay he PC was returned to him by the bank because the computer company's name was spelt Incorrectly on an â€Å"account payee only' check.Since the power cable was mammals, the local electronics shop has obligation to provide that because the local electronics shop and Arthur has formed a contract, If not, the local electronics would be considered as breach of contract: Also, according to the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, since the PC was not running, the local electronics shop has to repair the PC or refund all reasonable costs incurred in fixing he PC if Arthur required someone else to fix the PC, otherwise the electronics shop would be considered as breach of the Act.On the other hand, Arthur also has also had the obligation to pay for the PC, if not; Arthur has breached the contract as well. Therefore, I would advise Arthur to pay the electronics shop for the PC and collect the PC because he and the electronics shop were legally bind due to the contract. If the electronics shop failed to repair the PC and was unable to provide the power cable after he has paid the check, he should sue the electronics shop.

Judy Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Judy Case Study - Essay Example In this case, the nurse failed to promote due diligence and this resulted in the full cardiac and respiratory arrest of the patient. Here, Judy is a patient with acute depression and suicidal ideation and hence, she needed high quality patient care. However, the nurse did not meet the standards of quality care. To illustrate, the nurse did not notice the psychiatrist leaving the room and she was not cautious about the possibility of danger with the bathroom that had kept unlocked. Similarly, the psychiatrist neglected to inform the nurse that Judy was alone in the room. Evidently, the negligence of the nurse and the psychiatrist (ethically) compromised patient safety in this regard. The nurse was negligent for unlocking the bathroom door and allowing Judy to shower herself. The case study clearly indicates that Judy had high suicidal tendency and hence, she was admitted in a 24-hour emergency mental health unit. She made a suicide attempt there and was subsequently moved to a 15 minu te observation protocol. It clearly reflects that Judy was extremely prone to suicidal thoughts so she might make another suicide attempt at any time. The psychiatrist might not notice that the bathroom door had been unlocked as it was not her responsibility.

Amazon Operational Management Strategies Term Paper

Amazon Operational Management Strategies - Term Paper Example Operations management is not confined to manufacturing alone but also encompasses services. Hence, operations management can be best defined as effective and efficient management of all operations of the organization that contribute to improving the systems that are aimed at creating and delivering quality products and services to the customers (Young, 2009). It involves designing, redesigning, overseeing, implementing, executing of the various business operations. Operations management has a twofold effect on the profit of an organization and hence it is vital for the overall success of an organization. Organization is benefitted from the improved effectiveness due to operations management and the created products and services are such that they meet the requirements and needs of the customers. In simple words, increased efficiency will result in increased revenue which results in a more competitive organization and increased efficiency will also reduce costs (Galloway, 1993). Follo wing are the 10 operational management strategies that an organization can apply: Product/ Service Design, Quality Management, Capacity Management, Location, Layout Design, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Inventory Management, Scheduling and Maintenance. This paper is aimed at analysing how Amazon.com has applied operational management strategies to succeed and gain competitive advantage in the market. Amazon.com Amazon.com is a multinational customer-centric American company. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington Amazon.com is an electronic commerce company and the largest online retailer in the world. It was founded by Jeffrey Bezos and incorporated in 1994. Even though it was incorporated in 1994, it went live in 1995. Started as an online book store, Amzon.com today has diversified and expanded its product and service line (Reuters, 2011). Today, Amzon.com sells numerous products from different categories. It not online sells books online but also sells computer softwar e, CDs, DVDs, food, furniture, video games, toys, electronic apparels, MP3 downloads, etc (Google Finance, 2011). Consumers, sellers and enterprises are three primary customer sets that the company serves. Apart from selling products online, the company also generates revenue from various other sources such as co-branded credit card agreements, third party selling, reselling and online advertising (Google Finance, 2011). For the following countries Amzon.com has separate websites: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, China and Japan (Amazon.com, 2011). Amazon has numerous software development centres, fulfilment and warehousing centres across the globe to meet the growing demands (Reuters, 2011). Amazon’s Product Categories: Books, DVDs, videotapes, music CDs, musical instruments, toys & games, software, consumer electronics, sporting goods, lawn and garden items, apparel, clothing, kitchen items, gourmet food, tools, baby products, beauty pro ducts, watches, jewellery, industrial & scientific supplies, groceries and health and personal-care items (Amazon.com, 2011). Amazon’s Services: Amazon Web Services, Amazon Publishing, Amazon Prime, AmazonBasics, Amazon.com exclusives, Amapedia, Subscribe & Save, AmazonLocal, Amazon Wireless, askville, Amazon Marketplace, Amazon Fresh, etc (Amazon.com, 2011