A New Approach to Portfolio Matrix Analysis for Marketing Planning

A NEW APPROACH TO PORTFOLIO MATRIX ANALYSIS FOR STRATEGIC MARKETING PLANNING 1 2 Vladimir Dobric , Boris Delibasic Faculty of organizational science, [email  protected] rs 2 Faculty of organizational science, delibasic. [email  protected] rs 1 Abstract: Portfolio matrix is probably the most important tool for strategic marketing planning, especially in the strategy selection stage. Position of the organization in the portfolio matrix and it’s corresponding marketing strategy depends on the aggregation of values of relevant strategic factors. Traditional approach to portfolio matrix analysis uses averaging function as an aggregation operator.This approach is very limited in realistic business environment characterized by complex relations between strategic factors. An innovative approach to portfolio matrix analysis, presented in this paper, can be used to express complex interaction between strategic factors. The new approach is based on the logical aggregation operator, a generalized aggregation operator from which other aggregation operators can be obtained as special cases. Example of traditional approach to portfolio matrix analysis given in this paper clearly shows it’s inherited limitations.The new approach applied to the same example eliminates weaknesses of traditional one and facilitates strategic marketing planning in realistic business environment. Key words: Portfolio matrix analysis, strategic marketing planning, logical aggregation, aggregation operator. 1. INTRODUCTION The portfolio matrix analysis is widely used in strategic management [2, 3, 6]. It offers a view of the position of the organization in its environment and suggests generic strategies for the future. Some of the most frequently used portfolio matrices are the ADL (developed by Arthur D.Little), the BCG (Boston Consulting Group) and the GE (General Electric) McKinsey matrix. Other models that can be considered as versions or adaptations of the original GE McKinsey matrix are the Shell directional policy matrix and McDonald’s directional policy matrix (DPM) that is used in this paper. The application of any of these portfolio matrices can be, roughly, divided into two stages: the first stage, which includes the analysis of the business position of the organization, and the second stage in which the strategies that should be used in future are recommended based on the estimated position.The difference between aforementioned matrices lies in number and meaning of factors used in the analysis process as well as in the number and generality of recommended strategies. It is common for all the portfolio matrices that the position of the organization in a portfolio matrix is based on estimated values of two factors: the one describing external environment (market attractiveness in DPM) and the other describing inner characteristics of the organization compared to the major competitors (business strengths/position in DPM).On the basis of portfo lio matrix analysis , a generic marketing strategy is recommended based on an organization’s position in the portfolio matrix. In the portfolio matrix analysis, values of two factors describing external and internal environment are estimated as aggregations of values of strategic factors influencing respective environment. The choice of the most adequate aggregation functions depends on the condition in which organization operates, i. e. an aggregation functions describing external and internal environment should have a behaviour which models organization’s external and internal environment conditions respectively.In the traditional approach to portfolio matrix analysis, weighted arithmetic mean is commonly used as an aggregation function. This aggregation operator describes an averaging behaviour, thus, it can be used to model business environment in which high and low values of strategic factors average each other. In the realistic business environment strategic fact ors can interact in a more complex way, i. e. they can average each other, reinforce or weaken each other (disjunctive or conjunctive behaviour), or exhibit various forms of mixed interactions [2, 3, 6].It is clear that the use of weighted arithmetic mean as an aggregation operator can’t express all the possible interactions between strategic factors that exist in a realistic business environment. This explains why the traditional approach to portfolio matrix analysis is highly limited, with the inherited weaknesses that can’t be overcome without substantial modification. Therefore, under previous conditions, it is obvious that a new approach to portfolio matrix analysis is needed.This new approach must take in consideration all the possible forms of interactions between strategic factors that can occur in a realistic business environment. These interactions can be expressed with a logical aggregation operator, so a new approach to portfolio matrix analysis can be base d on this operator. W eighted arithmetic mean and other known aggregation operators are just, as we will see in the following sections, special cases of logical aggregation operator. 2. THE MCDONALD’S DIRECTIONAL POLICY MATRIX (DPM)Although the DPM, like other models of portfolio matrices, attempts to define an organization’s strategic position and strategy alternatives, this objective can’t be met without considering what is meant by the term „organizationâ€Å". The accepted level at which an organization can be analysed using the DPM is that of the „strategic business unitâ€Å". The most common definition of an SBU is as follows [3]: (1) It will have common segments and competitors for most of the products; (2) It will be a competitor in an external market; (3) It is a discrete, separate and identifiable „unitâ€Å"; 4) Its manager will have control over most of the areas critical to success. DPM has two dimensions each built up from a n umber of factors: (1) Market attractiveness and (2) Business strengths/position. Using these factors, and some scheme for weighting them according to their importance, strategic business units are classified into one of nine cells in a 3 X3 matrix. Each cell is connected to a generic strategy recommended by the DPM. Factors used to form aggregated dimensions of DPM vary according to concrete circumstances in which SBU operates. Notice that previous explanations taken rom [3] suggest weighted arithmetic mean as an aggregation operator, thus, traditional approach to DPM analysis only considers a case of averaging behaviour between strategic factors. That is only one of the possible interactions between strategic factors that can occur in realistic business environment. Other possible interactions like conjunction, disjunction or mixed interaction can’ t be modelled by using weighted sum of factors as an aggregation operator. Definitions of market attractiveness and business str engths/positions dimensions are g iven in [3].Market attractiveness is a measure of the marketplace potential to yield growth in sales and profits. It is important to highlight the need for an objective assessment of market attractiveness using data from the organization’s external environment. The criteria themselves will, of course, be determined by the organization carrying out the exercise and will be relevant to the objectives the organization is trying to achieve, but they should be independent of the organization’s position in its m arkets [3]. Business strengths/position is a measure of organization’s actual strengths in the marketplace (i. . the degree to which it can take advantage of a market opportunity). Thus, it is an objective assessment of an organization’s ability to satisfy market needs relative to competitors. DPM, together with generic marketing strategy options is shown in Picture 1. Picture 1: Directional policy matrix 3. TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO DIRECTIONAL POLICY MATRIX ANALYSIS In this section, traditional approach to DPM analysis using simple example will be presented, highlighting it’s inherited limitations originating from using non-adequate aggregation functions.Tables 1 and 2 are slight modification of tables that are used in DPM analysis example in [3] on pages 202 and 203, where market attractiveness and business strengths/position are evaluated by using weights and scores of relevant strategic factors. The only modification applied on tables in [3] is the normalization of weights, scores and corresponding evaluations to [0, 1] interval. This is done with simple transformation, which is covered in the following sections. Table 1: Market attractiveness evaluation Strategic factor (Fi) Score (si) Total (M) 0. 25 0. 25 0. 5 0. 15 0. 1 0. 1 1. Growth 2. Profitability 3. Size 4. Vulnerability 5. Competition 6. Cyclicality W eight (wi) 0. 6 0. 9 0. 6 0. 5 0. 8 0. 25 0. 15 0. 225 0. 09 0. 075 0. 08 0. 25 Total 1 0. 645 Table 2: Business strengths/position evaluation Strategic factor (Fi) 7. Price 8. Product 9. Service 10. Image Total W eight (wi) 0. 5 0. 25 0. 15 0. 1 1 You company Competitor A Competitor C Score (si) Total (B) Score Total (A) Score Total (C) 0. 5 0. 6 0. 8 0. 6 0. 25 0. 15 0. 12 0. 06 0. 6 0. 8 0. 4 0. 5 0. 3 0. 2 0. 06 0. 05 0. 4 1 0. 6 0. 3 0. 2 0. 25 0. 09 0. 03 . 58 0. 61 0. 57 Market attractiveness (M) and business strengths/position (B) are evaluated using weighted arithmetic mean as an aggregation function of scores {s1, †¦, s6} and {s7, †¦, s10} given for relevant strategic factors {F1, †¦, F10} using weights {w1, †¦, w10}: M = w1 s1 + w2 s2 + w3 s3 + w4 s4 + w5 s5 + w6 s6 = 0. 645 (1) B = w7 s7 + w8 s8 + w9 s9 + w10 s10 = 0. 58 (2) The same equations can be given in matrix form: M = W M SM (3) B = W B SB (4) where M and B are market attractiveness and business strengths/position evaluation respectively, W M = [w1, T , w6] and SM = [s 1, †¦, s6] are weighting and scoring vectors for market attractiveness strategic factors , T and W B = [w7, †¦, w10] and SB = [s7, †¦, s10] are weighting and scoring vectors for business strengths/position strategic factors. Notice that the exact position of the organization on the DPM is not given with business strengths/position value (B), but the relative business strengths/position value (BR), since business strengths/position is actually a measure of organizational abilities (B) (internal environment) relative to the competitors (i. e. respective abilities of market leader) [3].In our example market leader is Competitor A (from Table 2), thus, organization’s relative business strengths/position value (BR) is calculated as: BR = B/A (5) Relative business strengths/position value (BR) is then plotted on the horizontal axis of the DPM using a logarithmic scale [3]. These explanations are not of importance for the domain of our investigation, so no futher cons iderations regarding relative business strengths/position value (BR) and DPM plotting are given. In the rest of this paper, the only consideration will be given to market attractiveness (M) and business strengths/position (B) evaluation.W eighted arithmetic mean used for an aggregation function assumes that the interactions between strategic factors show averaging behavior, i. e. it is used to model business environment in which values of strategic factors average each other. This is the mayor drawback of traditional DPM analysis. Realistic business environment demands more modelling power for more complex factors interactions. Besides averaging, strategic factors can reinforce or weaken each other (disjunctive or conjunctive behaviour respectively), or exhibit various forms of interactions which are neither strictly averaging, conjunctive or disjunctive, but mixed, i. . aggregation function exhibits different behaviour on different parts of the domain (mixed behaviour). Under these circumstances, it is obvious that a new approach to portfolio matrix analysis demands an usage of different aggregation operator, the one capable of modelling all the possible interactions between strategic factors that can take place in a realistic business environment. The paper presents an approach to portfolio matrix analysis, using logical aggregation operator, which eliminates weaknesses of traditional one. If we return to ur example shown in Tables 1 and 2, we can restate possible business external and internal environment conditions in the following way: 1) It is possible that interactions between market attractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show averaging behaviour, i. e. scores {s1, †¦, s6} or {s7, †¦, s10} given to strategic factors {F1, †¦, F10} can average each other using weights {w1, †¦, w10}. In this case market attractiveness and business strengths/position are evaluated as shown in equations (1) and (2) , or in their m atrix equivalents (3) and (4). ) It is possible that interactions between market attractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show conjunctive behaviour, i. e. scores {s1, †¦, s6} or {s7, †¦,s10} given to strategic factors {F1, †¦, F10} can weaken each other. In this case market attractiveness and business strengths/position evaluation depends upon the lowest score among the relevant factors: M = min(s1, †¦, s6) (6) B = min(s7, †¦, s10) (7) 3) It is possible that interactions between market attractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show disjunctive behaviour, i. e. cores { s1, †¦, s6} or {s7, †¦, s10} given to strategic factors {F1, †¦, F10} can reinforce each other. In this case market attractiveness and business strengths/position evaluation depends upon the highest score among the relevant factors: M = max(s1, †¦, s6) (8) B = max(s7, †¦, s10) (9) 4) It is possible that interactions between market attractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show mixed behaviour. For example, scores {s1, †¦,s6} or {s7, †¦,s10} given to strategic factors {F1, †¦, F10} can average, reinforce and weaken each other depending on their values.Thus, the aggregation function can be conjunctive for low scores, disjunctive for high scores, and perhaps averaging when some scores are high and some are low (different behaviour of aggregation function on different parts of the domain). Example for this kind of aggregation function’s behaviour will be given in the following sections. Logical aggregation operator can express all previous types of interactions, so it naturally imposes itself as a replacement to weighted arithmetic mean aggregation operator in the new approach to portfolio matrix analysis.Notice that interactions between strategic factors from organization’s external environment (market attractiveness factors) and those from organizationâ €™s internal environment ( business strengths/position factors) are not recognized in traditional approach to DPM analysis [3]. If those interactions can be recognized, they can easily be integrated into the model in the new approach. In the following section basic theory of logical aggregation will be briefly examined. After examining the theory, a simple example of new approach to portfolio matrix analysis using Tables 1 and 2 will be presented. . LOGICAL AGGREGATION Aggregation functions are functions with special properties. The purpose of aggregation functions (they are also called aggregation operators, both terms are used interchangeably in the existing literature) is to combine inputs and produce output, where the inputs are typically interpreted as degrees of preference, strength of evidence or support of hypothesis [1]. If we consider a finite set of inputs I = {i1, †¦, in}, we can aggregate them into single representative value by using infinitely many aggregatio n functions.They are grouped in various families such as means, triangular norms and conor ms, Choquet and Sugeno integral, uninorms and nullnorms, and many others [1]. The question arises how to chose the most suitable aggregation function for a specific application. This question can be answered by choosing logical aggregation function – a generalized aggregation operator that can be reduced to any other known one. Logical aggregation is an aggregation method that combines inputs and produces output using logical aggregation operator [4, 5].In a general case logical aggregation is carrried out in two distinct steps: 1) Normalization of input values which results in a generalized logical and/or [0, 1] value of analyzed input ij: ? ? ? : I > [0, 1] (10) 2) Aggregation of normalized values of inputs into resulting globaly representative value with a logical aggregation operator: n Aggr: [0, 1] > [0, 1] (11) The first step explains the reason for modification of tables from [3] in previous section, in order to obtain Tables 1 and 2 with normalized values of strategic factors’ scores on which logical aggregation operator can be applied.Operator of logical aggregation in a general case (Aggr ) is a pseudo-logical function ( ), a linear convex combination of generalized Boolean polynomials ( ) [4, 5]: Aggr (? i1? , †¦ , ? in? ) = (? i1? , †¦ , ? in? ) = ? wj? j? (? i1? , †¦ , ? in? ) (12) where (? ) is a generalized product operator and (? ) is an aggregation measure as defined in [4, 5]. Generalized Boolean polynomial is a value realization of Boolean logical function ?. Boolean logical function is an element of Boolean algebra of inputs ? (i1, †¦ , in) ?BA(I), to which corresponds uniquely a generalized Boolean polynomial (? i1? , †¦ , ? in? ) as it’s value: : [0, 1] > [0, 1] n (13) Logical aggregation operator depends on the chosen measure of aggregation (? ) and operator of generalized product (? ). By a corresp onding choice of the measure of aggregation (? ) and generalized product (? ) the known aggregation operators can be obtained as special cases [4, 5], e. g. for additive aggregation measure (? := ? add) and generalized product (? := min) logical aggregation operator reduces to weighted arithmetic mean: Aggradd in (? i1? , †¦ , ? in? ) = ? wj (? ij? ) (14) After considering basic theory of logical aggregation, we can return to the domain of our investigation. In the following section the new approach to portfolio matrix analysis will be presented thoroughly using the same data from Tables 1 and 2. 5. A NEW APPROACH TO PORTFOLIO MATRIX ANALYSIS If we consider again Tables 1 and 2, and four cases of possible business environment conditions as defined in Section 3, we can design new aggregation functions that model all the aforementi oned conditions using logical aggregation operator.In this section an example to all four types of strategic factors interactions will be given, toget her with logical functions modeling them. A starting point for the new approach to portfolio matrix anal ysis is a finite set of strategic factors F = {F1, †¦ , F10} and a Boolean algebra BA(F), defined over it. The task of logical aggregation in DPM analysis is the fusion of strategic factors’ scores into resulting market attractiveness and business strengths/position values using logical tools. Logical aggregation has two steps: (1) Normalization of strategic factors’ scores (score Sj corresponds to factor Fj as its predefined value): ? ? : Sj > [0, 1] (15) that results in a logical and/or score sj ? [0, 1] of analyzed strategic factor Fj (j = 1.. |F|). Normalization of scores in S is done with simple transformation. In the original tables in [3], score (Sj) of strategic factor (Fj) belongs to interval [0.. 10], e. g. Strategic factor Growth (F1) has score S1 = 6 in the original table in [3]. The normalized score (s1) for this factor (F1) is given in Table 1 wit h the following equation: s1 = 6/10 = 0. 6 (16) The same transformation is applied to the rest of the strategic factors in tables in [3], resulting in Tables 1 and 2. 2) Aggregation of normalized scores {s1, †¦ , s6} and {s7, †¦ , s10} of factors {F1, †¦ , F10} into resulting market attractiveness (M) and business strengths/position (B) values with a logical aggregation operator: M = Aggr (s1, †¦ , s6) (17) B = Aggr (s7, †¦ , s10) (18) Aggregation of scores {s1, †¦ , s6} and {s7, †¦ , s10} for strategic factors {F1, †¦ , F10} is accomplished using generalized Boolean polynomials (? M? ) and (? B? ): Aggr (s1, †¦ , s6) = ? M? (s1, †¦ , s6) = [? M(F1, †¦ , F6)]? (19) Aggr (s7, †¦ , s10) = ? B? (s7, †¦ s10) = [? B(F7, †¦ , F10)]? (20) Generalized Boolean polynomials ? M? (s1, †¦ , s6) and ? B? (s7, †¦ , s10) are value realizations of Boolean logical functions ? M(F1, †¦ , F6) and ? B(F7, †¦ , F10) , which belong to Boolean algebra of strategic factors BA(F). Notice that interactions between strategic factors from organization’s external environment (market attractiveness factors) and those from organization’s internal environment (business strengths/position factors) are not stated in [3]. If they exist, they can easily be integrated into the model.Adequate generalized product operator (? ) in the domain of portfolio matrix analysis is min operator (? := min). If we return to the possible business environment conditions stated in Section 3, we can formulate logical functions to express corresponding types of interactions between the strategic factors: 1) If the interactions between market attractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show averaging behaviour, then the new approach to portfolio matrix analysis reduces to traditional one, as stated in equations (1) and (2), or matrix equivalents (3) and (4). ) If the interactions between market a ttractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show conjunctive behaviour, they are expressed in the following way: ? M = F1 ? F2 ? F3 ? F4 ? F5 ? F6 (21) ?B = F7 ? F8 ? F9 ? F10 (22) Market attractiveness and business strengths/position evaluation are given with corresponding generalized Boolean polynomial (? := and, ? := min): M = Aggrand (s1, †¦ , s6) = ? M min B = Aggrand min = [F1 ? F2 ? F3 ? F4 ? F5 ? F6] min (s7, †¦ , s10) = ? B min min = [F7 ? F8 ? F9 ? F10] min(s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, s6) = 0. 25 (23) min (24) = min(s7, s8, s9, s10) = 0. 5 3) If the interactions between market attractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show disjunctive behaviour, they are expressed in the following way: ? M = F1 ? F2 ? F3 ? F4 ? F5 ? F6 (25) ?B = F7 ? F8 ? F9 ? F10 (26) Market attractiveness and business strengths/position evaluation are given with corresponding generalized Boolean polynomial (? := or, ? := min): M = Aggror (s1, †¦ , s6) = ? M min min = [F1 ? F2 ? F3 ? F4 ? F5 ? F6] min max(s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, s6) = 0. 9 (27) B = Aggror (s7, †¦ , s10) = ? B min min = [F7 ? F8 ? F9 ? F10] min = max(s7, s8, s9, s10) = 0. 8 (28) 4) If the interactions between market attractiveness or business strengths/position strategic factors show mixed behaviour (aggregation function exhibits different behaviour on different parts of the domain), they can be modelled with the following logical functions, e. g. realistic external and internal business environment, where strategic factors show mixed behaviour, can be modelled as: ?If the external environment conditions are that profitabilty (F2), size (F3) and cyclicality (F6) are important, but if the profitability (F2) is not high enough, growth (F1), vulnerability (F4) and competition (F5) are important, we can write the following expression: ?M = (F2 ? F3 ? F6) ? (c(F2) ? F1 ? F4 ? F5) (29) ? If the internal environment conditions are that price (F7) and product (F8) are importan t, but if the price (F7) and product (F8) are not competitive, service (F9) and image (F10) are important, we can write the following expression: ?B = (F7 ? F8) ? (c(F7 ? F8) ?F9 ? F10) (30) Market attractiveness and business strengths/position evaluation, for organization’s external and internal environment conditions respectively, are given with corresponding generalized Boolean polynomial (? := min): M = Aggr? (s1, †¦ , s6) = ? M = [(F2 ? F3 ? F6) ? (c(F2) ? F1 ? F4 ? F5)] = = s2 ? s3 ? s6 + (1 – s2) ? s1 ? s4 ? s5 – s2 ? s3 ? s6 ? (1 – s2) ? s1 ? s4 ? s5 = 0. 25 (31) B = Aggr? (s7, †¦ , s10) = ? B = [(F7 ? F8) ? (c(F7 ? F8) ? F9 ? F10)] = = s7 ? s8 + (1 – (s7 ? s8)) ? s9 ? s10 – s7 ? s8 ? (1 – (s7 ? s8)) ? s9 ? s10 = 0. 6 (32) min min min min min minRemember that when plotting the DPM, the exact position of the organization on the business strengths/position axis (horizontal) is calculated using relative business strengt hs/position value (BR) and logarithmic scale (see equation (5)), for all aforementioned types of strategic factors interactions . 5. CONCLUSION Traditional approach to portfolio matrix analysis uses weighted arithmetic mean as an aggregation function, thus, it can only be used to model business environment in which strategic factors’ interactions show averaging behavior. This is only one of the four cases of realistic business environment conditions, i. . strategic factors’ interactions showing conjunction, disjunction or mixed behavior are not covered in the traditional approach. The new approach uses generalized aggregation function – operator of logical aggregation. This operator can model all the possible business environment conditions – types of interactions between the strategic factors. This paper shows that traditional approach to portfolio matrix analysis is just a special case of the new one, since the weighted arithmetic mean is actually a spe cial case of logical aggregation operator.Usage of logical aggregation operator in the new approach clearly improves the traditional one, allowing more modeling power for complex relations among the strategic factors. Since the new approach to portfolio matrix analysis covers all four types of strategic factors’ interactions, it facilitates strategic marketing planning in a realistic business environment. 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY [1] Beliakov G. , Pradera A. , Calvo T. , Aggregation functions: A guide for practitioners , Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heilderberg, 2007. [2] Leibold M. Probst G. J. B. , Gibbert M. , Strategic Management in the Knowledge Economy†, Wiley VCH, 2005. [3] McDonald Malcolm, Marketing Plans (fourth edition), Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999. [4] Radojevic D. , â€Å"Logical aggregation based on interpolative Boolean algebraâ€Å", Mathware & Soft Computing, 15 (2008) 125 -141. [5] Radojevic D. , â€Å"(0,1) – valued logic: A natural generalization of Bool ean logicâ€Å", Yugoslav Journal of operational Research, 10 (2000) 185 – 216. [6] Roney C. W. , Strategic Management Methodology, Praeger Publishers, 2004.

Case Study Accountancy And Management Education Essay

Personality:This the most of import characteristic of any single. In simple we can state that personality is what which constitutes differentiation of individual & A ; individualism. We can besides specify personality in following ways as given under: *Something said or written which refers to the individual, behavior etc. , of some single, particularly something of a disparaging or violative nature, personal comments as indulgence in personalities. *That quality of jurisprudence which concerns the status, province, and capacity of individuals. *The composite of all the properties — behavioural, temperamental, emotional and mental and that characterize a alone person, â€Å" their different reactions reflected their really different personalities † . It the nature to assist others. These definitions present the best thought about personality.Personality Development OpportunitiesTo do the program ordered, foremost, self-awareness is really of import. I can merely specify my scheme and subject after I know what my strengths and developmental countries are. However, for me, I ‘m certain I know these really good. I have strengths on dutifulness, cautiousnesss and artistic involvements, but I need to better myself on the countries of cooperation, activity-level and imaginativeness. Knowing myself specially and Bettering my developmental countries while continue working on my strengths, I can better myself comprehensively.ASelf personality Exploration:Strengths ;The first strength of me is dutifulness. I ‘m a individual who has a strong sense of responsibility and duty. For me, I feel dutifulness is really of import for a individual either as single or a squad member because I believe â€Å" no hurting, no addition † . As a consequence, when I rece ive a work, I pay one hundred per centum attending to make it carefully and complete it on clip. I arrange my agenda ordered to do certain I do n't detain in something. As I making these, I have made myself go a dependable individual. Second, I ‘m friendliness. Like what the IPIP-NEO paper describes about friendliness, friendliness people make friends rapidly and easy to organize near relationship. They treat friends truly and openly, and they can allow their friends feel comfy with them. I do all of these things of course. It ‘s like I was born with optimistic. I like to do friends and stay with my friends. I may concern about their jobs and assist them every bit much as I can when they are needed. I do n't experience tiring when they complain something or speak their unhappiness to me. I think friend is a really of import group for me in my life. If I do n't hold friends any longer, I would non accomplish either my life or calling ends successfully. Third, I have abundant artistic involvements. I like both art and nature beauty with all my bosom. I like to detect people ‘s visual aspect and idiosyncrasy because I believe everyone has their alone beauty no affair indoors or outside. Absorbing the different beauties from different people no affair they are in the existent life or from their professions, I make my ain manner and make my peculiar aesthetic foresights. Besides, I like to go to different topographic points to see their peculiar natural and human landscapes. It makes me experience my life in this universe is colourful. These three strengths are showed evidently in my life. Because of them, I have gained a batch of worthy values and memories in my early life ; moreover, they make my ends further.Failings ;However, when I province my strengths, my failings which include low ability on cooperation, low activity-level and deficit of imaginativeness besides show evidently. First of my failings which is a serious job for me is low ability on the cooperation. Even though I ‘m an optimistic and friendly individual, I do n't wish to work with people initiatively. For some grounds, I do n't believe working with others is more effectual than working separately and I do n't wish to deny my ain demands to acquire along with others. I ever think in my manner and want people agree with me. It ‘s a small hard for me collaborating with others to carry through undertakings. Second, I ‘m low in activity-level. Although I ever say I like the busy life which I can affect in many activities and travel approximately energetically, I ca n't do it come true in my existent life. I about ne'er complete the prep at the first several yearss when the professor assigns it. Besides, I ever give myself an alibi to hold remainder or hold to make something unnecessarily. It ‘s like I become far off to the busy life but live in a relaxed and slow gait. Third, I ‘m short of imaginativeness. I ca n't understand why a individual with high artistic involvements is deficiency of imaginativeness ; nevertheless, I am such kind of individual. In fact, because of my slow gait of life, I leave myself in a place that merely to accommodate the existent life but non to alter it or to hold an ideal imaginativeness of it. Like, I would non conceive of that one twenty-four hours I will go a prince and married with the princess or I will go a ace theoretical account because I merely know it will ne'er come true.A By traveling through all my peculiar strengths and failings, I clearly know my existent place now. To carry through my ends and be successful, merely saying failings is non plenty, I besides need to do an effectual scheme to assist myself in accomplishing my ends. I need the cognition modesty, engagement on particular activities, academic preparation, personal preparation, work experience and on-the occupation preparation to assist me to better both my strengths and developmental countries.Personality Development Plan ;Short-Term Development Path Objectives ( 1-6 months ) ;In order to accomplish my life and calling ends, in the first 1-6 months, for cognition, I need to make good in my categories in following two quarters and read more books to distribute my ideas and cognition. I besides need to fall in more activities to better my cooperate accomplishment. Last but non least is that I need to seek my best to accommodate the life in UK. I non merely necessitate to better my English accomplishments but besides need to affect in UK pupils ‘ life so that I can both better my cooperate accomplishment and increase my activity-level.AMedium-Term Development Path Objectives ( 6-12 months ) ;After completing this short program, I need to hold an betterment in my preparation degree. Now I need to believe about how I can better my developmental countries specifically. Besides larning more cognition non merely from the books but besides from the society, I need to pay attending in every small facet of life. I need to believe more about others and make every small thing more active such as finish the prep every bit shortly as possible, make reappraisal and prevue everyday and exercising every twenty-four hours. I besides need to affect in some nines to better my cooperation ability and increase activity-level. Trying to happen a occupation on campus is besides a good manner for me to better my developmental countries. It will non merely assist me to collaborate better with others but besides can increase my imaginativeness from the emphasis work. By believing about the summer holiday is in this term, I schedule myself to hold a wood coal drawing and dancing preparations in following summer. In order to increase my imaginativeness, I need to derive more about the artistic cognition and feelings. I need to do myself unrecorded in my universe easy ; nevertheless, when I am pulling and dancing, I can easy to utilize fantasy to make a richer universe.Long-Term Development Path Goals ( 1-3 old ages ) ;In this last period, I will give myself a extremely betterment. From the cognition, merely to cognize the constructs studied in the text edition is far from adequate. To believe logically how finance and selling apply in the concern country and how can I turn the cognition to the actions with accomplishment and easiness are the chief intents for my betterment in this cherished period of life. I need to absorb other schoolmate ‘s advantages and professor ‘s experience in the concern country carefully from every category and group undertaking. After I gain adequate and well-set cognition, I need to happen an internship in an investing bank or an international corporation to use my cognition rely on the existent state of affairss. For this program, I combine the academic preparation and work experience to give myself a deep betterment non merely in cooperation but besides in activity-level. Besides, besides deriving academic preparation and work experience, I need to give myself a personal preparation in the art country. Because I want to work in a manner trade name, it ‘s perfectly that I need to hold cognition related to art and manner. Due to the concern school ca n't give me developing in this country ; I need to make it by myself. I will give myself a pulling preparation in every holiday in the coming old ages. In add-on, I will go to some manner nines on the cyberspace with people who study in the art big leagues. By speaking with them, I will cognize what academic cognition I need to hold needfully and seek to larn them by myself or by taking class preparation. By taking this program, I will better my cooperation accomplishment, activity-level and increase my imaginativeness and artistic involvements together while I ‘m larning the academic art accomplishments.Individual Personality Development Plan of Action ;Making a program is really of import for success ; nevertheless, in order to do the program more effectual, the program needs to be specific into actions. In my development program, I pick of import actions to do them specifically. The actions I pick are self-study, internship and engagement on particular undertaking. I need to carry through two sorts of internship which are working in an investing bank and working in an international corporation in the following three old ages. I will take to work in an investing bank foremost because I ‘m majoring in finance now. I need to use my cognition to the existent state of affairss to happen my failing and better myself. This action will be finished at the beginning of the junior twelvemonth. After I finish this internship, I ‘m certain I will larn a batch about the concern country and have a high betterment on my developmental countries. Then, in the senior twelvemonth, I will get down my following internship which is related more close to my concluding end. Because I have already done an internship, I know what I need to make and necessitate to better better than earlier. Therefore, this clip, when I work in an international corporation, I need seek to carry through my undertakings absolutely by handling myself as a formal member of the corporation. This internship will be finished at the terminal of my of my survey.Decision ;In decision, in order to accomplish every end in my life, making an single personal development program is really of import. It non merely can assist me to cognize my exi stent place specifically but besides can allow me believe and make every action logically and orderly. Bing a selling manager in an international manner corporation is non that easy. However, I ‘m certain I can accomplish my end by following my plan measure by measure. Because of my involvements, difficult work and continuity, I believe there is one twenty-four hours I will hold a large calling in the manner country.

Analyse the Role and Impact of Fiscal Policy

Traditionally, the Australian government has attempted to achieve its economic objectives through the implementation of macroeconomic policies especially fiscal policy (the budget). Fiscal policy (FP) is a macroeconomic management policy as it plays a critical role in influencing the level of aggregate demand (AD) in the economy. It aids the government in achieving its economic objectives, of managing and stabilising the business cycle so that the economy experiences internal balance (price stability & full employment), external stability (management of CAD, financing import expenses with export income and the ability to service our debt) and relatively stable economic growth. Graph Fiscal policy deals with the government’s use of government expenditure (G) and taxation (T) i. . the budget outcome to influence (AD) and resource allocation and income distribution. Fiscal policy is all about budgetary outcomes as they give an indication on the state of the economy; the 3 outcomes are neutral, expansionary and the government’s current contractionary stance where government revenue is greater than expenditure. A contractionary stance may be used to slow the rate of economic growth and aid in reducing inflationary pressures. Within the budget there is a cyclical and a structural component. The structural discretionary component is the deliberate change to government revenue and taxation and the cyclical non-discretionary component involves the changes to government spending caused by changes in economic activity. The budget has deteriorated significantly on the back of a strong Australian dollar (AUD), falling terms of trade, plateauing of the mining boom and subdued consumer confidence resulting in a budget deficit of $19. b for 2012-13 and is forecasted for a deficit of $18b for 2013-14. The first economic objective is economic growth which aims to increase real income and spread the benefits of the mining boom and increase income distribution. In this budget the government has taken up a mildly contractionary stance delaying its short term goal of a budget surplus as it balances its commitment to fiscal consolidation against possible weaknesses in economic activity, increased unemployment and a lack o f investment and growth. This stance allows the government to gradually service’s its debt and return to surplus by 2016-17 as it realises slowdowns in the economy as the mining boom has moved of its peak and has plateaued along with commodity prices. The end of the mining boom will see Australia move from mining back to the services sector where around 75% of labour is employed, this transition will see E. G grow below trend (3-4%) at 2. 75% in 2013-14 before returning to 3% by 2014-15. To ensure long term sustainable E. G the government will implemented key structural reforms like ‘GONSKI’ ($9. 8b), ‘NBN’ ($37. 4b), ‘NDIS’ ($14. 3b) and the National Building Program (NBP $24b). They aim to improve the nation’s productive capacity by boosting human capital, infrastructure capacity, labour productivity levels and reduce capacity constraints restraining allowing Australia to capitalise on growth in Asia. To fund these reforms the government has found $43b in savings over the next 4years and they include the abolition of the baby bonus ($4. b), increase in the Medicare levy ($11. 8b) and deferring income tax cuts ($1. 5b). By abolishing the baby bonus and the family tax benefits in the short run it leads to income inequality and a lower standard of living. Internal balance is another economic objective which looks at price stability by maintaining low inflationary pressures ensuring sustainable economic growth and full employment of the factors of production especially labour. The government’s planned return to surplus by 2016-17 can be achieved by adopting a contractionary stance by reducing (G) in (AD). By reducing (G) it helps keep demand pull inflation down keeping to the RBA’s target band of 3-4%, low inflation is beneficial for our external balance especially exports and also keeps E. G at sustainable levels. Two major government reforms are GONSKI which aims to improve educational and human capital levels and NDIS which looks to return the disabled into the workforce to increase employment levels. A gov’t instrument used to control internal balance and smooth out fluctuations in the business cycle are automatic stabilisers which are a cyclical component as it’s used according to various economic conditions. The two auto-stabilisers are progressive taxation meaning that when workers start earning more they move into higher tax brackets paying more tax and welfare payments which are handed out to the unemployed to help stimulate growth during a downturn in the business cycle, they are used to help the even distribution of income and improve our gini-coefficient. Graph The final objective is external balance which is the ability of Australia to manage the CAD by financing import costs with export revenue as well as paying off debt. As the CAD may be deemed unsustainable if it exceeds 5% of GDP which may lead to a debt trap, Australia’s debt to GDP ratio stands at 1. 3% significantly lower than other advanced nations. Australia’s persistent CAD’s is a result of our narrow export base as we as the structural problem of low domestic savings. A narrow export base contributes to our CAD as domestic industries esp. the manufacturing isn’t internationally competitive. To address this issue the government has taken to fiscal consolidation to attempt to increase national savings and reduce the savings investment gap as well as reduce inflationary pressures resulting in cheaper exports and reforms such as â€Å"NBN† and â€Å"NBP† look to reallocate resources to more efficient industries and improve out international competitiveness. These policies and reforms help increase savings and revenue hence reducing our reliance on foreign capital and investment will help reduce our foreign liabilities; however delaying the return to surplus means we have increased foreign liabilities and servicing costs. The govt’s mildly contractionary stance aims to achieve its economic objectives of sustainable growth, internal and external balances. Through new reforms they are able to boost economic activity, resource allocation and distribution of income. â€Å"GONSKI† aims at improving our nation’s productive capacity to capitalise on growth in Asia and provide long term sustainable growth. Resources reallocated into the â€Å"NBN† and â€Å"NBP† to increase productivity and international competitiveness as well as internal and external balances. The â€Å"NDIS† funded by the increased Medicare levy is an example of distribution of income. By delaying the return to surplus it doesn’t stall the economy as it goes through a transition period from mining to services, although the unemployment rate has risen to 5. 8% it still remains at low. However it does mean an increased CAD and external balance. So the 2013-14 budget has been effective in achieving the government’s economic objective.

How Technology Impacts Wellness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

How Technology Impacts Wellness - Essay Example These have made communication easy and more convenient for people that many have found themselves doing two or three things at the same time. Nevertheless, like the old saying goes too much of a good thing can be bad. The people behind Frontline’s documentary entitled Digital Nation takes a step back to assess the impact of technology on the different aspects of an individual’s well-being. At the start of the computer age, everyone was amazed at how fast it had become to do things. With the creation of the Internet, everyone was in awe that they could see colleagues and family from the other side of the world. Now, the Internet and the computer have become so much a part of a person’s life these people find it difficult to imagine how their life would be without the conveniences of today. Computers, cellular phones and the Internet have become a necessity for the people in the digital world, making them feel vulnerable without it. Mentally, technology has made some people cope better with events in their life. For example, the documentary featured the military employing technology in recruitment, the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and selected missions. Through simulations of actual military activities, people in the service who have come back with PTSD are able to evaluate the stressful circumstances over and over again until they overcome their anxiety. According to the film, these simulations have also encouraged eligible youth to sign up and help protect the country in the face of objections from parents. The youths say they are old enough to distinguish between games and real combat to make their own decisions. Technology has also helped lower the casualties in combat situations through the use of drones. Controlled remotely from the US, the personnel are able to hurt the county’s enemies but are safe from retaliation. Multi-tasking is a common practice in the digital age. As the students and professors in the documentary shared, they will be sending messages from their phones while browsing the Internet on the computers and listening to music on their MP3 players.     

Effect Of Global Warming On The US And The Global Economy Research Paper

Effect Of Global Warming On The US And The Global Economy - Research Paper Example Governments have a hard time funding transition from coal and oil to other forms of energy due to economic crunch.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   IV.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Possible solutions – List three possible solutions to the problem The United States and global economies should invest in renewable sources of energy like solar, wind and bio-fuel. The carbon taxes should be enforced to compel nations like China and India among others to reduce GHG emissions. This should be made into a United Nations resolution. Technological innovation should be allowed to play a key role in resolving global warming. This might include changing the harmful gases into a less harmful form V.  Analysis and recommendation –   Ã‚  Although there are complicating factors of opposition to global warming, disagreements on how to impose global carbon taxes, and slow transition to renewable energy], the problem of global warming might be solved, by unified scientific approach because of [scientists would agree on research solutions, governments would act unanimously on carbon emissions and renewable energy would be made accessible]. VI.  Anticipated outcome – three things that will happen if your solution is implemented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  If global warming gets a unified global approach then The world shall reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020. The United Nations would enforce international subsidies for renewable sources of energy Scientists, the world over, would use technology to provide joint solutions to global warming. Executive summary Global warming has become a global phenomenon associated with adverse weather conditions. According to predictions by the United Nations, world economy shall be adversely affected if drastic measures are not...This is because the challenges of global warming have an economic bearing. This calls for concerted efforts in the search for solutions. Global warming has both market and non market effe cts. Nonmarket effects include health complications. Market effects include expected changes in the energy productions sectors. The issue has been complicated by stiff opposition to the possibility of global warming. There are views that there has been no evidence of global warming for the last decade. There have been requests to shift from non-renewable to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. The federal government of United States of America is being urged to subsidize renewable energy production and facilitate an energy policy shift. The international community is introducing carbon taxes from the leading producers of carbon emissions among other initiatives. Introduction The interest in the climatic change increased significantly in 1980s. Researchers were keenly interested in finding out the nature of impacts anticipated from the climatic change. According to a research by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), global warming of 4 °C could cause adverse effects on water, biodiversity, agriculture and energy. According to research, the northern parts of the United States are expected to benefits from global warming especially because they are cold.

How ABM Should Change Its Business in Order to Enter UK Case Study

How ABM Should Change Its Business in Order to Enter UK - Case Study Example On-demand/call center is used as alternative strategies to deal with the service delivery of the company. In this case, sites that have daily maintenance needs such as groceries are catered for on-demand basis. However, these ways of doing business may not be appropriate for the UK. This is because multinational business involves a shift from one geographical, cultural and political environment to another. One way in which this company needs to change the way it conducts its business is by avoiding the use of on-site service delivery mechanism in conducting its business. It should rather establish its subsidiaries in the UK near its target customers and offer customized services; offering services in line with the needs, desires, and preferences of its customers in the UK. This is due to the fact that the issue of distance matters in international business. In order for the company to prosper in the UK, given the issue of geographical distance, it may not be feasible for the company to establish the onsite business in the UK as the business operates from the US. The costs and barriers associated with distance make the company make potential losses. The company should also avoid the use of mobile maintenance because the UK is mainly characterized by industrial clustering. In this case, industries with similar industrial activities or within the same industry are located close to each other (Porter 20). Therefore, it is important for the company to avoid mobile maintenance and use other mechanisms that may enable it to offer to many customers within industrial clusters, e.g. many clusters located close to each other. If the company makes these changes in its business activities, it will still be able to make profits because it will be able to adapt to changes in international business. These changes will enable the company to maintain its business line while entering into new markets where new gaps and opportunities exist. As a result, the company will enjoy the benefits of expansion and economies of scale in international business. This includes the acquisition of the new and wider range of customers. In other words, the company will increase its market share. As long as the issue of change in international involvement is adapted to, profits are feasible. After all, international involvement requires a change in ways of business and if this is done appropriately then the business will definitely still make profits. 2. First Solar’s Multinational Business Context First solar company is a company that offers solar cells as its primary products. Its technology is characterized by CdTe thin-film technology which exhibits low-cost and moderate efficiency (Hallmon, Siegel and Burgelman 9). This technology is used in photovoltaic’s research and activities. The conversion rate of this technology is currently at approximately 11% which is expected to rise even more in the future. The good conversion efficiency of this technology has e nabled the company to increase the cost-effectiveness of its electricity production. This technology is also simple, and this has enabled the company to enjoy lower costs than its competitors. In terms of its market, the company has been involved in offering its products to markets which offer subsidies.

An analysis of an aspect of human culture from an anthropological Essay

An analysis of an aspect of human culture from an anthropological viewpoint - Essay Example It has further fostered the subordination of poor and developing nations by the rich and developed nations of the western world. This has lead to an environmental degradation and is regarded as a serious threat to non – western indigenous cultures and economies. This article further argues that the Western countries has set up international bodies like IMF, World Bank, United Nations and other donor agencies to control all major economic and political affairs prevailing in the rest of the world. This papers approaches this issue from the holistic and anthropological perspective which surrounds the economic and non – economic factors at the same time. Let us refer to the works of the famous economist and anthropologist Karl Marx. This great thinker anticipated disturbances and imbalances associated with the unfettered expansion of the global capital. According to Marx, societies go from simple to complex in a number of steps. The pre – historic human culture of th e Aborigines was at a lower evolutionary stage than the Western – European civilization. Similarly, during the cold war between communism and capitalism, the two opposite developing strategies were some form of Central planning and Western economics. Here, the Western developed economic nations with their capitalist approach managed to destroy the so called communist approach which were prevalent in the then U.S.S.R.

Nature of employment relationship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nature of employment relationship - Essay Example Since 2002, SABB has implemented a strategic plan called "Putting Customers First". Under this plan, customers would be the primary focus of the bank instead of giving more priority to products and services. The plan called for a total internal re-organization of the Bank to train employees to be focused and to align the delivery of its services to both corporate and personal customers (SABB 2002: 14). SABB's confidence that the plan will deliver benefits to its customers, the shareholders, and the Bank as part of its vision to be the leading financial services group in Saudi Arabia is shown by the successful increases in net income from SAR 830 million to 2.5 billion, assets from SAR 41.92 to 65.9 billion, and deposits from SAR 31.5 to 48.5 billion from the end of 2001 to the end of 2005 (SABB 2006: 16-17). SABB is the leading provider of value added and innovative Islamic financial product and services in Saudi Arabia. This is achieved while following principles of Shari'a whose core investment and market guidelines are to follow the Islamic Shari'a, honesty and integrity, professionalism, strong customer focus, and excellent reputation (SABB, 2006: 9). The main reason is that SABB is a service organization that relies on customer contact and satisfaction for its business. It will be successful if the customers of the Bank are happy with how the employees perform their work of service. This is why employees have to be first satisfied with their relationship with the Bank, because if they are not, this lack of satisfaction will be reflected in poor service quality to the customers. Poor customer service quality results in poor performance, because customers will not deposit their money in the Bank or buy the financial services that the Bank offers. The need for quality customer service is the main reason why the Bank put into effect their "Putting Customers First" strategic plan. Research has shown that in service companies like retail banks, the quality of the customer relationship can give the bank an advantage over its competitors by attracting more customers (Keltner 65-68). The Bank's customer relationship strategy requires that it upgrades its employment relationship to help bank employees to meet the different needs of its customers, not only for personal banking products and services but for the Bank's more profitable private, corporate, and investment banking products and services. Like other banks all over the world, most of its low value-added transactions like cash deposits and withdrawals, bank balance inquiries, questions about basic products and services are all done through Automatic Teller Machines, Telephone Banking, widely available Point of Sale (POS) terminals in retail outlets all over the Kingdom, and the Internet where it is cheaper to deliver the service. The cost to the Bank is lower because technology is used to serve customers by processing their transactions (Morisi 32). This will allow high value-added services like private, investment, and corporate banking to be transacted face-to-face in the Bank's branch network. The use of technology allows the Bank to reach more

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE - Essay Example Nurse Rachett is an experienced intensive care nurse, therefore any decision she makes concerning the treatment offered in the intensive care unit is justified. However, Nurse Rachett is not a surgeon and could not make any decision concerning the operation and the breathing device without consultation from Dr. Kildare was not appropriate. The attempt to clear the breathing device while she was supposed to summon Dr. Kildare as directed is a medical negligence because Rameez ended up dead. Therefore there is a medical negligence on the part of Nurse Rachett. Rameez was forced through emergency to have surgery performed by Dr. Kildare; however, Rameez could expect the specialist surgeon’s degree of skill because Dr. Kildare was a specialist. In the intensive care, Nurse Rachett is mentioned as an experienced intensive care nurse; therefore Rameez expected and deserved an expert service. Rameez died out of the negligence of Nurse Rachett because she failed to summon Dr. Kildare, may be Rameez would have recovered if Dr. Kildare was summoned to clear the breathing device. Just like the motorists owe a duty of reasonable care to other road users, Lister N.H.S. hospital and its medical staff also owe to Rameez duty to care for his well being and safety. Breach of such duty may result into claims for succeeding damages. However, a difference exists between these two parties is that while majority of people, as a matter of common sense can decide on circumstances where motorists ride carelessly, most of medical treatments entail highly technical and specialized skills. For instance, the insertion of breathing device and decision to carry out an operation on Rameez required specialized and technical skills. If executors of Rameez decide to file a suit, then according to Tom (2005), a court of law will have to get more evidence from other medical specialists on the usual safeguards and correct procedures observed in specific medical treatments before making any d ecision on the damage caused as a result of negligence. Lister N.H.S. hospital was responsible for protecting Rameez from harm and to offer acceptable level of care. As Rameez’s executors, they are entitled to file a complaint if Rameez never received reasonable care and standards as this amounts to breach of duty of care owed to Rameez. Whenever there is breach to this duty of care, a medical negligence is usually committed by health professional. Doctors are responsible for ensuring that patient understands all risks associated with treatments so as they can provide an informed consent. Failure of which there is claim for medical negligence can be pursued. The case of Rameez amounts to medical negligence because Nurse Rachett failed to summon Dr. Kildare and hence did not provide reasonable care to Rameez which resulted into his death. According to Tom (2005), in order to claim this negligence in the part of a health professional (Dr. Kildare and Nurse Rachett), the plainti ff (Rameez) and his executors must prove the following: That duty to care was owed to the patient: legal duty for care exists any time health care provider or hospital takes care of the patient’s treatment. That duty to care was breached: the health professional failed to conform to and/ or provide acceptable standards of care That breach of duty for care caused harm or injury to the patient: the breach of duty for care is the proximate cause of injury or harm suffered by the patient That patient actually suffered a loss or damage: without

Reducing Oil Consumption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reducing Oil Consumption - Essay Example While much effort has been directed towards this cause, it is imperative to note that the challenge is still eminent and this calls for even greater effort considering that the United States is the largest consumer of oil in the world (Butts, 58). Higher taxes One economically efficient way of reducing oil consumption across the United States is to increases the tax on oil products. Indeed, there are always many opportunities for oil conservation by the public such as reducing mileage. However, many people do not care to follow such strategies since they can easily afford the oil. This strategy will help in reducing industrial consumption of oil and forcing people to be more economical with oil. Higher taxes would translate into higher prices for the oil and people would therefore strive to limit their consumption of oil as much as possible. This would even call for the use of oil alternatives in situations where it is possible. Efficient Transportation Transportation is one sector t hat consumes a great amount of oil in the United States. Considering that many people drive their own cars, it is expected that oil consumption is indeed high. Unlike Europe, the public transportation system in the United States is not well developed. Many people own cars and this greatly increases gasoline consumption in the country. In this regard, the public transportation system should be redesigned effectively. High-speed trains are an effective ways of reducing the use of gasoline in the country. These trains are powered by electricity and travel and very fast speeds. In the same way, the development of hybrid cars should be fast-tracked. Cars that use electric propulsion should be developed and mass produced. In this case, much of the road and air transport would be substituted by high-speed rails. These trends can further be used in freight transportation and this would greatly reduce the consumption of oil in the country (Woodside, 98). Oil Alternatives There has been much ongoing research on the use of biofuels as an option to the crude oil. Indeed, biofuels have been successful in countries like Brazil which placed much focus on its production. Considering that the transportation sector is a very large consumer of oil, biofuels would come in handy as an option to oil. The major challenge in this respect is the fact that vehicles that use biofuels are still few in the country. It is estimated that a combined use of biofuels and electricity in internal combustion engines can reduce the importation of oil by more than half. In the same way, other forms of renewable energy like solar and wind have not fully been exploited in the United States. The installation of more windmills and solar panels would provide much power that would reduce the demand for oil. The focus of these programs is therefore to provide cheaper energy options and educate the people on the need to use these options as opposed to oil (Woodside, 78). Research on renewable energy source s should be the major concern for policy makers as they would facilitate the reduction of oil consumption. Recycling While it might not seem much obvious, recycling is an important way of reducing the consumption o

Ethics Research Paper on Euthanasia Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics on Euthanasia - Research Paper Example ciety that undervalues life sees no guilt in committing acts of violence, particularly murder, thereby making life value dangerously demoralized and humanity altogether  ­weakened (Doerflinger, 1989, p. 16-19, Koop, 1989, p. 2-3). The â€Å"slippery slope† or the â€Å"wedge theory† is an assumption that makes the distinction between voluntary euthanasia and involuntary euthanasia hardly recognizable, thereby supposing that agonizing individuals request their deaths because they feel they are a burden to themselves; and society requests to terminate an individual’s life because of being a burden to the people around them and to society, as a whole. Kamizar, a professor of law at the University of Michigan and a non-supporter of the â€Å"wedge theory† argues that "Once society accepts that life can be terminated because of its diminished quality, there is no rational way to limit euthanasia and prevent its abuse.† (Wolhandler, 1984, p. 377). If euthanasia is legalized, the probability for exploitation and mistreatment of individuals by the more supreme individuals will enormously amplify (Le Baron, 2010). In direct conjunction with this dispute is the argument that individuals having control over the more vulnerable individuals might develop addiction to euthanasia (Le Baron, 2010, Doerflinger, 1989, p. 19). A strong proof of advocacy on euthanasia was done by the Nazis in 1939, when Hitler ordered mass â€Å"mercy killing† of the sick and the disabled or those individuals with unworthy lives. Disabled children were killed by means of lethal injection or gradual starvation, while sick/disabled adults, particularly those with epilepsy, schizophrenia, senility, paralysis and syphilis were murdered in gas chambers. Six killing centers were established in Germany. It was approximated that more than one hundred thousand people perished in the Nazi euthanasia program (â€Å"Holocaust Timeline: Nazi Euthanasia,† 1997). The Netherlands, being the first nation to

Analyse the considerations that regulate when an athlete returns to play after an injury Essay Example for Free

Analyse the considerations that regulate when an athlete returns to play after an injury Essay The considerations that regulate when an athlete is able to return to play after an injury includes indicators or readiness to return to play, monitoring progress, psychological readiness, specific warm up procedures, return to play policies and procedures as well as ethical considerations. It is imperative that an athlete’s injury has recovered, their fitness and skills are close to pre-injury levels and also that their confidence in their injury is 100%. Training pain free and having full mobility return to the injured site are clear indicators of readiness for return to play. In order to measure an athlete’s readiness after returning from an injury they must go through various physical tests to test their fitness and basic skills needed to perform in their sport. For example, a netballer returning from an injured ankle would be tested on her agility through drills including side stepping and dogging. Her match fitness could be tested in a practice game situation at training provided she is pain free and has complete mobility. Monitoring progress through both pre-tests and post-tests is essential to an athletes recovery in order to determine if they have or have not gained the necessary fitness and skills after injury. Ongoing tests, discussions between athlete and physio, visual observations of the athlete and video footage are all means which may be used to appropriately measure the athlete’s progress. Thus, appropriate pre and post tests can significantly help trainers to evaluate and develop particular training programs that will help to athlete return to play quicker after an injury. E.g A swimmer could monitor their progress of an injured arm by measuring the range of movement pre and post training. An athlete’s psychological can be effectively measured by discussions between the athlete, coach and sports psychologist, visual observations and anxiety levels. An athlete returning to sport before they’re psychologically ready can lead to fear, anxiety, re-injury, depression and a decrease in performance. For example, a 100m sprinter who tore his hamstring from jumping out of the blocks may find it psychologically tough to reach their maximum force produced pre-injury. An injured athlete may need to go through a more specific warm up and stretching routine in order to achieve maximum recovery and minimise the chance or re-injury. Thus, extra care and time at the injured site is crucial to ensuring that adequate blood flow, increased flexibility and readiness to perform occur. E.g A soccer player may need to do their own specific warm up program set by their physio separate to the team. Return to play policies and procedures vary with sports, as they may be determined by overall governing bodies or by individual sporting clubs. However, coaches, sports administrators and sports medicine practitioners play a vital role in establishing guidelines for when an injured athlete can return or wether they can play with the injury. For example, a water polo player may need to get their pectoral injury cleared by their team physio in order play. Ethical considerations play a vital role in determining when an athlete returns to play. Athletes ask themselves, ‘When is the right time to play?’ Unfortunately, there are internal and external pressures such as temptation, fear of losing their position on the team, pressure from sponsors and media as well as boredom, sometimes luring them into returning to play before they’re ready. Thus, this could easily lead to an athlete using painkillers or similar drugs from rapid advances in drug technology, in order to continue playing.

Illusion in The Tempest

Illusion in The Tempest Throughout his thirty-six works which frequent stages around the world, Shakespeare was able to explore not only the human psyche and characteristics of humanity, but he also investigated the natural and unnatural world. In one of his more original plot lines, The Tempest, Shakespeare experimented with many themes, such as power, love, revenge, and pride. Shakespeare also explored the relationship between reality and illusion. Throughout the piece, Shakespeare portrays that illusion may be used to veil reality, but in the end, reality always makes itself apparent through the characters actions. The veil of illusion and unnaturalness can be centered around the character, Prospero. Prosperos whole life has been dedicated to the achievement of magical abilities. In the first act, Prospero tells his daughter, Miranda: I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated to closeness and the bettering of my mind with that which, but by being so retired, Oerprized all popular rate, in my false brother awaked an evil nature. And my trust, like a good parent, did beget of him a falsehood in its contrary as great as my trust was, which had indeed no limit, a confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded, not only with what my revenue yielded but what my power might else exact, like one who having into truth, by telling of it, made such a sinner of his memory to credit his own liehe did believe he was indeed the duke, out o th substitution and executing th outward face of royalty, with all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing. (1.2.89-105) Prospero reveals to his daughter that while he was caught up with perfecting his mind and his ability to control the unnatural world, he gave his brother, Antonio, the power to run the state in his absence. Antonio then betrayed him and took Prosperos title, and had him and Miranda marooned on an island. This is just one of the many clues given to the audience in the second scene that there is something unnatural about Prospero and his island. Later in the scene, Prospero reminds the spirit, Ariel, that, It was mine art, when I arrived and heard thee, that made gape the pine and let thee out, (1.2.345-347). As the story progresses, Prospero has the spirit, Ariel, conjure a large illusion of a storm, and wreck the crew of a nearby ship, which included his treacherous brother, on the island. Prospero has much control of the island, and through his various spirits, he controls much of the action in the play. In this way, Shakespeare creates a world of illusion. The characters go into most situations with an altered sense of reality. One example of this is when Prospero has his daughter meet the young prince, Ferdinand. Prospero leads the prince to believe that he is the only survivor of the wreck, and that his meeting Miranda is completely by chance, and he takes her to be a goddess and unnatural being. In reality, Prospero wishes Ferdinand to marry his daughter, so he leads them to each other. Another example is when the slave, Caliban meets Alonso, Sephano, and Trinculo. Although in reality, they are there, he believes them to be spirits of Prospero come to torture him: His spirits hear me and yet I needs must curse. But theyll nor pinch, fright me with urchin-shows, pitch me i th mire, nor lead me like a firebrand in the dark out of my way, unless he bid em. But for every trifle are they set upon me, sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me, and after bite me, then like hedgehogs which lie tumbling in my barefoot way and mount their pricks at my footfall. Sometime am I all wound with adders who with cloven tongues do hiss me into madness. Lo, now, lo! Here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me for bringing wood in slowly. Ill fall flat. Perchance he will not mind me. (2.2.1-17) After Caliban is given wine by Stephano, he believes them to be gods more powerful than Prospero, and he convinces them to overthrow and kill Prospero, and to rule the island in his stead. But Prospero uses illusion to cloak himself, and travels around the island invisibly. He unavoidably discovers the treacherous plan, and puts an end to it. The story ends with Prospero unveiling the reality of the island. His illusions are ready to be exposed. In the last act, Prospero claims, Now does my project gather to a head. My charms crack not, my spirits obey, and time goes upright with his carriage, (5.1.1-3). He confronts his brother, Antonio, saying, Flesh and blood, you brother mine, that entertained ambition, expelled remorse and nature, whom, with Sebastian, whose inward pinches therefore are most strong, would here have killed your kingI do forgive thee, unnatural though thou art, (5.1.78-83). Prospero later admits that the island was enchanted, You do yet taste some subtleties o th isle, that will not let you believe things certain, (5.1.124-126). Prospero then reveals that Ferdinand is not dead, and a veil rises, revealing him and Miranda, yet the King is slow to believe, if this prove a vision of the Island, one dear son shall I twice loss, (5.1.179-181). The last thing Prospero reveals is that the ship is not, in fact , wrecked on the shore, but merely harbored on the other side of the island: The best news is that we have safely found our king and company. The next, our ship which, but three glasses since, we gave out split is tight and yare and bravely rigged as when we first put out to sea! (5.1.229-233) The group then prepare to leave the island, and Prospero vows to leave his magic on the island, promising clear reality for the future. While Shakespeare portrays that illusion may be used to veil reality, in the end, reality always makes itself apparent through the characters actions. The relationship between reality and illusion is explored throughout this work, as well as a few of his other works. Shakespeares search to understand the world and the human being has led to a chapter of literature educational for all audiences. The world is lucky to still be frequented by his works, especially The Tempest.

Exit Voice Loyalty Neglect Model

Exit Voice Loyalty Neglect Model The Exit-Voice-Loyalty-Neglect (EVLN) analyses the consequences of job dissatisfaction, and postulates that employees will respond to job dissatisfaction in one of four ways: by exiting, by speaking out about it, through loyalty, or through job neglect (Withey Cooper 1989, 521). The model is premised upon the principle that job dissatisfaction affects individual behaviour, and has effects on the employee both intrinsically and extrinsically (Leck Saunders 2005, 219). It suggests that the consequences of job dissatisfaction can be predicted, and can be harmful to both the individual and the organisation (Naus 2007, 684). This essay will analyse the EVLN model and will reflect on its application in light of a personal work experience. It will then provide practical recommendations as to how managers can avoid the negative consequences of job dissatisfaction and in particular, the negative behaviours contemplated by the EVLN model. The EVLN model, first devised by Hirschman in 1970 and expanded upon by Rusbult, Zembrodt and Gunn in 1982 and Farrell in 1983, suggests that depending on the person and the situation, employees will respond to job dissatisfaction in any one (or a combination) of four ways, which as the name suggests, includes exit, voice, loyalty or neglect (Withey Gellarly 1998, 111). In this model, exit refers to resigning from the organisation, transferring to another work unit or office, or at the very least, attempting to make the exit (McShane 2006, 117). Voice refers to an attempt to change, rather than escape from, the situation. Voice may be constructive, particularly where employees voice their dissatisfaction and recommend ways their satisfaction levels can be improved (Luchak 2003, 116). Conversely, it can be destructive where employees begin venting to fellow employees, thereby spreading negative energy within the workplace (Turnley Feldman 1999, 897). Loyalty refers to employees who respond to job dissatisfaction by complacency, most typically by patiently waiting for the problem to resolve itself. These types of employees tend to suffer silently in anticipation of their work situation improving (McShane 2006, 118). Neglect, which broadly refers to neglecting ones work responsibilities, is perhaps the most destructive of responses to job dissatisfaction, as it involves decreasing productivity, decreased attention to quality, and increasing absenteeism and lateness (Hagedoorn 1999, 310). The responses can be independent or sequential, meaning that an employee may transition through a series of responses (Farrell Rusbult 1992, 203). For example, a dissatisfied employee may go through a period of neglect, before deciding to quit their job (Humphrey 2000, 714). Once they announce their resignation, they may speak out to their fellow employees and leave with a noisy exit (Withey Cooper 1989, 522). Loyalty and voice can be constructive where they are used to try to maintain satisfactory relationships, though they can be destructive in certain circumstances (Si, Wei Li 2008, 935). Neglect and exit are generally destructive as they occur once employees have decided that the relationship with the organisation is not worth maintaining (Si, Wei Li 2008, 936). Which response a given employee will take will generally depend upon the individual and their circumstances (McShane 2006, 117). A generally determinative factor is the availability of alternative employment. For example, where an employee has a great deal of financial freedom, they may choose to leave an aversive situation (Lee Mitchell 1994, 62). This is far less likely when they are facing financial pressures and have low employment prospects (Hagedoorn 1999, 312). Instead, they may temporarily use the neglect option until a job opportunity comes by (McShane 2006, 119). Employees who have worked at an organisation for a lengthy period of time, and who can identify with that organisation, will generally use the voice option and speak out about their dissatisfaction (McShane 2006, 118; Withey Coopers 1989, 522). This is also the case where employees cannot easily resign or transfer, or decrease their productivity without the fear of retribution (Rusbult et al. 1988, 619). Finally, where an employee feels as though they have overinvested in an organisation, they may engage in lazy or neglectful behaviours and decrease their organisational citizenship behaviour (Farrell 1983, 601). Personal Reflection In a previous workplace, I experienced serious job dissatisfaction which was followed by a series of behavioural changes. The organisation I was working for had lost a number of major clients, and had faced serious staff turnover issues, and as a result was experiencing significant financial distress. My manager had become extremely stressed and was struggling to remain calm. He would take his stress out on me on a constant basis, and his behaviour became increasingly destructive. He had a very short temper and would often shout and yell abusive words. His performance expectations of me increased unrealistically, and he began to criticise the smallest of deviations from the norm. He would confront me (and others) publically, in a way that was both demeaning and humiliating. This was followed by a pay cut of over twenty-five percent, which I felt was inequitable and unjustified. I became extremely dissatisfied and de-motivated, and whilst I would usually opt to speak out about my conc erns, I had no option to do so as my manager was self-righteous and was not interested in receiving constructive criticism or complaints. Somewhat subconsciously, I became extremely unmotivated and the energy that I put into performing my work had significantly decreased. I expressed neglectful behaviour, as my output levels had decreased, as had the general quality of my work (Farrell Rusbult 1992, 207). Furthermore, I began to speak about my problems to fellow employees, but would not confront my manager about the issues. Consistent with studies on counterproductive voice behaviour, this was a form of me using my voice in a highly destructive way (Withey Coopers 1989, 530). In line with studies on negative loyalty behaviours and the exiting response, I did not leave my job immediately as I could not find another job immediately (and I wanted have a given number of months experience on my resume), however I resigned as soon as another job became available (Rusbult et al 1998, 600 ). In hindsight, my dissatisfied work experience had a negative effect on me individually, my co-workers and on the organisation as a whole. Recommendations It is clear that employee responses to job dissatisfaction have direct implications on organisational productivity and effectiveness (Leck Saunders 2005, 219). Constructive responses such as trying to improve working conditions, improving job satisfaction and improving management approaches value-add to an organisation as they aid in decreasing job dissatisfaction on the organisational level (McShane 2006, 120; Naus 2007, 689). In contrast, destructive approaches such as resigning, absenteeism, decreased productivity, decreased quality control or psychological withdrawal can adversely affect the individual, their fellow workers, the quality of output material, and the organisation as a whole (Naus 2007, 690; Farrell Rusbult 1992, 215). Understanding employee behaviour is an all-important task for managers as it can allow them to curb those behaviours that are disruptive to the individual and the organisation, and promote constructive behaviours (Leck Saunders 2005, 221). To decrease the negative effects of job dissatisfaction, managers should be mindful of behaviours contemplated by the EVLN model and should identify them as indicators of job dissatisfaction (Humphrey 2000, 720). As the EVLN model is a typology of consequential behaviour, managers should remedy the behaviour by looking to the actual cause (McShane 2006, 121). Thus, managers should use the behaviour as an indicator of job dissatisfaction, and should immediately act upon it once identified (Si, Wei Li 2008, 940). There are a number of ways in which managers can attempt to re-instil job satisfaction in a dissatisfied employee. Research suggests that employees will be less likely to engage in destructive behaviours such as neglect, exit or negative voice when there is a possibility of improvement, a feeling of autonomy or control over the situation, foreseeable happiness, and a sense of belonging to the workplace (Withey Cooper 1989, 523; Rusbult et al. 1988, 625). Managers should focu s on these characteristics so that they promote constructive behaviour and decrease the stressors causing employees to engage in destructive behaviours. Secondly, and vitally importantly, managers should ensure that there is open communication between employees and management, so that more constructive behaviours such as using ones voice are actually an option (Naus 2007, 700). Had my former manager been more approachable and open to my feedback, I could have resolved my problems by expressing my concerns and having them dealt with. Instead, I was afraid to confront my manager, and resorted to being underproductive and speaking out to my fellow employees, therefore spreading negative energy in the workplace. This may have led to job dissatisfaction and similar consequences for other employees (McShane 2006, 123). Based on my own research and experience, I would recommend that managers be more approachable so that dissatisfied employees can opt for constructive behaviours before resorting to destructive behaviours. Conclusion The EVLN model is an important framework used to describe employee responses to job dissatisfaction. It contemplates that employees will respond to job dissatisfaction in varying ways according to their personality and their situations, and in general will respond through fight, flight, complacency or de-motivation. The framework is useful as it allows managers to identify behaviours that indicate employee job dissatisfaction, which in turn allows them address underlying stressors and concerns. In light of research and personal work experiences, it is recommended that managers be mindful of these behaviours so that they are markers of job dissatisfaction, and keep lines of communication open so that job dissatisfaction issues can be addressed constructively. References Farrell, D. 1983. Exit, voice, loyalty and neglect as responses to job dissatisfaction: a multidimensional scaling study. Academy of Management Journal 26 (4): 596-607. http://www.jstor.org.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/stable/255909 (accessed December 2, 2009). Farrell, D. and C.E. Rusbult. 1992. Exploring the Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect Typology: The Influence of Job Satisfaction, Quality of Alternatives and Investment Size. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal 5 (1): 201-218. http://www.springerlink.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/content/gp4647hl1644p8k2/ (accessed December 1, 2009). Hagedoorn, M. 1999. Employees reactions to problematic events: a circumplex structure of five categories of responses, and the role of job satisfaction. Journal of Organisational Behaviour 20 (3): 309-321. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120698377/issue?CRETRY=1SRETRY=0 (accessed December 1, 2009). Humphrey, R.H. 2000. Buyer-supplier alliances in the automobile industry: how exit-voice strategies influence interpersonal relationships. Journal of Organisational Behaviour 21(6): 713-730. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/72513917/issue (accessed December 4, 2009). Leck, J.D and D.M. Saunders. 2005. Hirschmans loyalty: attitude or behaviour? Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal 5 (3): 219-230. http://www.springerlink.com/content/k18t27678h637534/ (accessed December 3, 2009). Lee, P.W. T.W. Mitchell. 1994. An alternative approach: the unfolding model of voluntary turnover. Academy of Management Review 19 (1): 51-89. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?vid=1hid=6sid=c0a52e8f-6eec-40a4-bdf3-7e0fc6ddf452%40sessionmgr13bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=psyhAN=1993-97785-002 (accessed December 2, 2009). Luchak, A.A. 2003. What kind of voice do loyal employees use? British Journal of Industrial Relations 41 (1): 115-134. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118865370/issue (accessed December 3, 2009). McShane, S.L. 2006. Organisational Behaviour on the Pacific Rim, 2nd ed, Sydney: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Naus, F. 2007. Organisational cynicism: Extending the exit, voice, loyalty and neglect model of employees responses to adverse conditions in the workplace. Human Relations, 60 (5): 683-718. http://apps.isiknowledge.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/InboundService.do?product=WOSaction=retrieveSrcApp=360UT=000247621700001SID=R2h3pp%40G%40nI%403ChJJ7jSrcAuth=SerialsSolutionsmode=FullRecordcustomersID=SerialsSolutionsDestFail=http%3A%2F%2Faccess.isiproducts.com%2Fcustom_images%2Fwok_failed_auth.html (accessed December 2, 2009). Rusbult, C.E., D. Farrell, G. Rogers and A.G. Mainous. 1988. Impact of exchange variables on exit, voice, loyalty and neglect: an integrative model of responses to declining job satisfaction. Academy of Management Journal 31 (1): 599-627. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?vid=1hid=6sid=c0a52e8f-6eec-40a4-bdf3-7e0fc6ddf452%40sessionmgr13bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=psyhAN=1993-97785-002 (accessed December 1, 2009). Si, S.X., F. Wei and Y. Li. 2008. The effect of organizational psychological contract violation on managers exit, voice, loyalty and neglect in the Chinese context. International Journal of Human Resource Management 19 (5): 932-944. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?vid=1hid=111sid=842211a4-71fd-4fd2-bb8c-f78afcf2d447%40sessionmgr112bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=psyhAN=2008-06433-007 (accessed December 1, 2009). Turnley, W.H. and D.C. Feldman. 1999. The Impact of Psychological Contract Violation on Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect. Human Relations 52 (1): 895-922. http://www.springerlink.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/content/nv179t5777237571/ (accessed December 4, 2009). Withey, M.J. and W.H. Coopers. 1989. Predicting Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect. Administrative Science Quarterly 34 (1): 521-539. http://www.jstor.org.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/stable/2393565?cookieSet=1 (accessed November 30, 2009). Withey, M.J. and I.R. Gellarly. 1998. Situational and Dispositional Determinations of Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect. Proceedings of the Administrative Sciences Association of Canada 13 (4): 110-119. http://www.jstor.org.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/stable/256461 (accessed December 3, 2009).

The Effects of Toxic Gardens Essay -- Environment Environmental Pollut

The Effects of Toxic Gardens    The urban family is proud of their immaculate garden and neatly manicured and pristine backyard. They feel proud when guests visit and comment on the vibrant, green grass, the weed free flowerbeds and garden and the lust tomatoes on the vine. It is delightful to watch the children roll around and play on the lawn without worry of them being bitten by ants, fleas or other distasteful insects. Best of all, is the delight of the children when they can pick the vegetables right out of the garden for dinner. The entire family loves the fresh vegetables and prides themselves on having raised the carrots, beans, and tomatoes themselves. Sounds ideal, eh? Alas, reality is the pristine backyard is a veritable toxic wasteland since pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are routinely dumped on the lawn in an effort to maintain the weed and pest free yard. Additionally, the garden vegetables are loaded with the most recent "bug spray" application that has been absorbed into the vegetables. These toxins have been found to cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, etc. Therefore upon reflection, the above-mentioned scene is more of a nightmare than a dream. The Institute of Medicine has conclusive evidence linking herbicide use to cancer (Turner-Lowe 1). The exposure may be minor in the produce that we grow and eat from our chemically treated garden; the cumulative effects are significant. The effect of continually ingesting foods with toxins within is what may eventually create some forms of cancer. Many fungicides and herbicides contain orgaanochlorines, which collect and remain in the fatty tissues of human for long periods of time. Pesticides are toxic and can poison humans. Children are especially vulne... ...fects. 11/1/98 http://www.pmac.net/erice.htm Schardein, J.L. (1985). Chemically Induced Birth Defects. Marcel Decker. New York, New York. Pp. 600-604. Fagin, D. and Lavelleby, M. (1998, November 1). EPA Offers This Shield of Safety. http://www.pmac.net/shield.htm Robinson, J. (1994, April). Pesticides in the Home and Community: Health Risks and Policy Alternatives. Gopher://gopher.igc.apc.org.2998/OPESTIS?r907874266.10911.1 Mather, Mort. "Mulching a Vegetable Garden." Mother Earth News June 1998: 64. Goldburg, Rebecca. (1998, November 19). Evaluating Risks of New Associations Resulting from BioControl. http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/bcconf/talks/panel.html. 1998, November 19. 1998-1999 Socialist Party Platform. http://www.teleport.com/~socparty/p2.htm 1998, November 19. Recommendations. http://www.envadvocates.org/public_html/Pest/recommendations.html   

The Death Penalty and Race Essay -- Capital Punishment Essays

The Death Penalty and Race To look closely at many of the mechanisms in American society is to observe the contradiction between constitutional equality and equality in practice. Several of these contradictions exist in the realm of racial equality. For example, Black s often get dealt an unfair hand in the criminal justice system. In The Real War on Crime, Steven Donziger explains, There are so many more African-Americans than whites in our prisons that the difference cannot be explained by higher crime among African- Americans - racial discrimination is also at work, and it penalizes African- Americans at almost every juncture in the criminal justice system.1 This paper focuses in on one of those "junctures" - the death penalty. The racial disparities that Donziger finds in the prisons can also be found in death row. To be exact, African-Americans are 12% of the US population, but they make up 40% of the death row population.2 I, like Donziger, believe something more is at work; and in the tradition of Ture and Hamilton, I believe that this something works in covert ways. It would almost be better if we could place the blame on blatant racial discrimination. But the death penalty does not serve the explicit purpose of oppressing Blacks. Racism persists, but it has taken on more implicit, more subtle, and arguably more harmful forms. The death penalty is a timely lens through which to observe the covert racism that operates in institutional settings. This topic can be overwhelming, and this paper is in no way comprehensive. Rather, it is an opportunity to string together some soci ological and legal concepts with personal analysis in the d esire to demonstrate that the death penalty and the institutions surrounding... ...ziger, 100. 13 Chambliss, 250. 14 Chambliss, 248. 15 Donziger, 127. 16 Donziger, 109. 17 Donziger, 110. 18 Campaign to End the Death Penalty (pamphlet). 19 Leon Higgenbotham, Shades of Freedom (Oxford University Press, 1996) xxv-xxvi. 20 Donziger, 109. 21 David C. Baldus, et al, "Comparative Review of Death Sentences: An Empirical Study of the Georgia Experience," The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 74 (1983): 663-664. 22 Baldus, 664. 23 Donziger, 109. 24 U.S. General Accounting Office, "Death Penalty Sentencing: Research Indicates Patterns of Racial Disparities," The Death Penalty in America, 271. 25 Hugo Adams Bedau, The Death Penalty in America: Current Controversies (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997) 250. 26 Donziger, 113. 27 Ellsworth, 90. 28 Ellsworth, 92. 29 Chambliss, 243. 30 Ellsworth, 92.

The ship of dreams

As the clock struck 7. 00 we could hear the faint sound of the ships horn, dinner had been announced. Anna, Gretchen and I got dressed in our eveningwear, touched up our make up and headed down to the dining room. I remember very clearly what I was wearing that night. A pale blue sleeveless dress made out of very heavy material with embroided roses around the hemline. I was also wearing a matching shawl and pale blue shoes. I loved this particular dress as William bought it for me the very same week he passed away. As we walked down the grand wooden staircase, the smell of dinner was divine. We were escorted to a table next to a window where already a couple were seated. I looked out on the horizon and saw nothing but the great Atlantic Ocean. The dining room was magnificent. The crisp cream tablecloth draped over the wooden tables matched the napkins folded into swans, which matched the curtain ties. The string quartet played lively music in the corner of the room. All the waiters looked extremely smart with gelled back hair and matching tuxedos. The chandeliers overhead caught the sunlight and reflected all the colors of the rainbow and everybody and everything looked so beautiful. The couple opposite were obviously on their honeymoon. Everybody on board, on course recognized the young brides, we had watched them laughing and promenading with their husbands. We offered our congratulations to the couple and they very happily accepted them. The bride asked why we were travelling on the Titanic so Gretchen explained how we had gone over to visit her husband, George in England as he was doing some business over there. It turned out that Mary's brother was working on the same film as George so that was a talking point. We chatted merrily all the way through dinner. Mary and James were a very lovely couple and Gretchen was certainly glad of some company of her own age to talk to. After a very enjoyable dinner Anna, Gretchen and I took a stroll around the decks watching the sunset. Little were we to know that was the last sunlight we would see whilst aboard the Titanic. Anna and Gretchen wanted to join in with the evening dance but I didn't feel up to it so said I would meet them back at the cabin. When walking back along the promenade deck, the air was icy cold. This change in temperature had only occurred with in the last hour. I had suddenly come down with a headache so when I returned to the cabin I changed into my nightwear. The doctor said it was best if I got an early night so I went to bed. I woke up at 11. 30pm and both Anna and Gretchen were in their bedrooms. My headache had disappeared and I wasn't tired anymore after my nap so I decided to read my book. Just as I was slowly drifting away, I was sharply awakened by this terrible shudder. My fists were tightly holding on to my bedpost and the shaking lasted approximately 1 minute. It gave me the impression that a blow on the side had moved the entire vessel laterally to a considerable angle. My instincts told me that we had hit an iceberg, there was no other explanation. Wearing only my nightwear and slippers, I went through the companionway, but to my surprise, found no one seriously considering the shock. Men in evening clothes stood about chatting and laughing, and when an officer hurried by I asked, â€Å"What is the trouble? † he replied nervously â€Å"um, something wrong, something is wrong with the propeller, nothing serious, don't worry madam†. He didn't sound very convincing so I asked two other officers but was reassured that everything was fine. A little while later, still feeling nervous, I went to the promenade deck and there saw a great mass of ice close to the starboard rail. When returning to my cabin again, I met with my day steward and it was he who finally informed me that the Titanic was in danger and I was to report to the boat deck with a lifebelt. I rushed back to my stateroom where Anna and Gretchen were getting dressed as both had been awakened by the impact of the jar. I told them we were in danger so we all got dressed, put on our fur coats and headed to the boat deck. Up on deck everything seemed quiet and orderly. The thing that scared me most was that there was no sense of fear or panic. I knew in the bottom of my heart that the Titanic had received its death wound yet no one else had the slightest realization. There was an order issued that all women and children should congregate on the port side of the vessel. I supposed all the women were congregated on the port side as it would naturally be the highest side, therefore the safest as it would be last to go down. At this point there were only upper class people on the decks so obviously the steerage had been told not to come up yet. They started to lower the lifeboats after a lapse of some minutes. It was a drop of fifty feet to the surface of the sea and apparently everybody considered that they were safer on the ‘unsinkable Titanic' than in a small boat whose only propelling power was four oars. It was for that reason alone why the first boats were only half filled. I believe there were 20 life boats lowered away altogether. It was after the fifth or sixth boat was lowered and there was a definite slope to the ship that people understood that they were no longer safe and began to panic. When the steerage passengers came up many of them had knifes and revolvers and were stabbing left and right in an endeavour to reach a boat. This brought a lot of fright and terror to the atmosphere. As we were waiting to get into a boat I saw across the other side a steerage passenger being shot as he tried to jump onto a boat. The crowd fell silent with shock and his body was tossed over board. That is an image I could never forget. Anna, Gretchen and I were helped aboard the seventh boat to be lowered, which turned out to be lifeboat 10. There was some problem lowering it so we sat there for a while. We then saw Mary and James, the couple we had eaten dinner with only hours ago when everything seemed fine. We summoned Mary to join us in the boat. She refused in a very determined manner to leave her husband, although she was twice entreated to get into the boat. James declined with great force to get in the boat while there were still women on the decks. Owing to the angle of the sinking ship, another boat was being lowered almost directly above us. If it had not been for our yells and shrieks, both boats would have fallen into the water, but our cries saved us from the catastrophe. When we got out on the water I was so annoyed with the amount of crewmen on the boat. We realized that they only claimed they could row for the purpose of saving themselves, in the end my niece had to take an oar. When we were only a few metres away I could see for myself the severity of the collision as the bottom half and the front of the ship was completely covered by the Atlantic Ocean. In a boat alongside of ours, a sailor lighted a cigarette and flung the match carelessly among the women in our boat. We screamed in protest to which he replied, ‘Ah, we're all going to die anyway, we might as well be cremated now as then'. We were all so shocked by this attitude. When we were rowing away the front of the ship was being dragged under the water leaving the back deck well over 400 feet above the surface of the sea. At this point the ship was nearly vertical. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those passengers left hanging at the top, seeing the world at right angles and watching objects like tables and chairs flying down the deck. From the upper rails I could see husbands and fathers waving and throwing kisses to their loved ones. I started crying when I saw people jumping off from the top. It is terrible things to see when people choose to jump such a deadly drop, as they have no other option except drown to death. We were a mile away from the Titanic when there was great explosion. It had appeared to me as if the boilers had blown up and the Titanic had been lifted in amidships and broken in half. It was then that the ships lights cut out and we could no longer clearly see what happened. Only one of all the boats set adrift from our side had a lantern. We had to follow that boat as did many other boats and if it wasn't for that solitary lantern, possibly many of the other boats might have drifted away and gone down. The most terrible part of the whole experience was the awful crying after the ship went. Our boat was silent with shock, as it seemed to last for ages. The temperature that night could only have been a couple degrees over freezing so we all cuddled together for extra warmth. I felt so scared sat in that boat, sat in the middle of the ocean in the pitch black not knowing if I went to sleep if I would ever wake up again. We sat there for hours not moving saying the occasionally sentence between us. It is strange how I felt we had really bonded as a group and become quite close even though we didn't really talk. I think it is because even without telling each other we knew exactly how everybody else was feeling. As the sun was rising, the sight of the Carpathia in the distance brought such relieve to the group. As we drew closer I could hear moans of disappointed wives waiting for their husbands to arrive. When we were welcomed aboard too much cannot be said for the kindness shown by the Carpathia passengers. They gave up their staterooms for us and let us borrow their clothes. In fact I left the ship wearing garments owned by a very kind middle-aged women, Catherine who was married and had 3 children. I am sad to say though, that although we never gave up hope waiting for Mary and James they never arrived and we never saw them again. I later found out that both went down with the ship. Six months have passed since that terrible night and it has deeply affected me. So many innocent lives were lost that night and for what, so we could make a good time crossing the Ocean. Everybody put so much hope and belief in that wretched ship, as it was said to be unsinkable. What I don't understand though is why they only put enough lifeboats on the ship to save less than half the amount of people. I don't trust anything that is published in the media nowadays and I am certainly not going to be leaving my country again. The Titanic was renamed the Ship of Dreams by many of the papers, and many believed it was when first stepping on. It is that name that hurts the most as the truth is that the Titanic destroyed so many of those dreams.