Monday, September 30, 2019

Advancements in Military Technology Essay

Military technology is defined as the collection of vehicles, equipment, structures, and communications that are used for warfare. Warfare has always pushed back technologies boundaries, from the first tanks to stealth bombers like the B2. Advancements in military technology keeps the military â€Å"on the top of their game†. Most countries use military technology to gain power,wealth, and land, as well as, protect their people along with protecting the power, wealth and land that they have. Military technology was seen to become more sophisticated in the cold war where in technology for military use has greatly increased because of the fear of the Soviet Union’s power. This fear had affected our citizens, whom urged our government onward to the development of new modern weapons ever since that time. This new technology included a large array of items from communication to weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical and biological weapons). This new technology is an important part of modern day warfare. With our tax dollars, the military has put forth vital efforts in technology that goes beyond military use and are the source of the current technology in our ordinary lives today. For instance, did you know that it was military technology advancements that helped created the World Wide Web! The new advancements in military technology, have protected the United States citizens as well as millions of people all over the world. Many countries are relying on the US Government for their protection. War is no laughing matter and in order to be on alert and ready to protect people on any given notice, such advancements in technology are necessary. Today we have countries with leaders that are threatening the lives of their citizens, along with the welfare of countries surrounding them. These leaders have access to weapons of mass destruction. Unfortunately some of these weapons in their hands are results from our military†™s technology. However, whether or not it was our government’s technology that created such weapons, it is our technology that needs to keep eyes on these leaders and also use weapons to prevent such a tragedy to happen. There will always be a growing need for new military technology. Most people don’t understand the significance of advancements in military technology and many believe that it is only used in combat. This is not so, there is so much more to this  technology than fighting. For instance, this technology is used for rebuilding. After war there is clean up. Looking at the destruction that occurred in WWII, one can see the need for advancements to speed up the process of rebuilding fallen countries quickly. We just simply need to look at our impact in Japan after WWII and see what such advancements in technology can do for the infrastructure and well being of that country and many others. If we do look at what the technology has done for society and warfare we can underst and the need for an ever increasing need for it. Military technology may be divided into five categories: (1) Offensive Arms – harm the enemy; (2) Defensive weapons – ward off offensive attacks; (3) Transportation – moves soldiers and weaponry; (4) Communications – coordinate the movements of armed forces; (5) Sensors – detect forces and guide weaponry. (1) Offensive Arms. Lets look at current technology in the military offensive arms. As the technology of warfare had developed, the means of defending against ever-changing weaponry have alter dramatically. Our military needs to stand out in this category. Why? Would you want to be in war, or in the least, on the bad side with a military that has the latest advancements in weaponry? Heck no! In order for our country to ward off psychopathic leaders we need to show our technology, or the majority of it off. The media and the internet does a great job at this. Looking alone at the three tanks our military technology has rolled out: M1A2 Arams Tank, Zumwalt Destroyer, and the PL-01 Stealth Tank, is mindblowing! The use of Adaptiv Stealth Technology is being developed for other military vehicles as well. Stealth in aircraft design will minimize the ways in which aircraft can be detected by ground or airborne air defense systems. Even small things that you would not see change to, are becoming advanceds. Looking at the modern bullet or the ploy case ammo, one can see that every object is scrutinized for improvement. The rifles being introduced to our soldiers are top of the line. Ones like the modern day assault rifle – AK47 and the trackpoint Ar-15 are only a few of update and improvements in personnel weapons. One of the latest weapon in development is an electromagnetic railgun launcher. It uses a form of electromagnetic energy known as the  Lorentz force to hurl a 23- pound projectile at speeds exceeding Mach 7! When it comes to offensive weaponry the military will always be on the cutting edge of technology. (2) Defensive Weapons. Weapons use for protection our military personnel and civilians is a priority to our government. Although offensive weapons such as tanks, planes, carriers, etc. all have offensive technology within it, lets look at personal protection. Initially, the military worked on ways to protect the soldiers in combat. They needed protection that was durable, lightweight and useful in protecting a life. If we accepted the armor the knights wore and never grew on that technology for body armor, imagine our soldiers clumsily piling in a tank or doing maneuvers with that heavy piece of metal slowing them down! Now look at what we have today in body armor. The invention of Kevlar keeps our soldiers mobile and protected. Kevlar does not stop at body armor but is used in shelters, gas tanks and other vulnerable items. However, the technology does not stop there. The creation of a product known as liquid armor is the latest in armor protection in development right now. (3) Transportation. Getting our military personnel to their destination quickly and safely is a concern always looked at by our military. Although, we have military personnel all over the world, once a threat is made, they need to move rapidly and safely. After all, the enemy has already scouted the area and has the upper hand at the location. They will be looking for miliary to move in and don’t doubt for a moment they won’t be ready. One of the latest advancements is called The Mule, a computerized control transport vehicle that military personnel can load their equipment on, and know that it will get their equipment to their destination without a hitch over rough terrain. (4) Communications. Communications is vital to any operation and that goes double for warfare. Back in WWII, the US went so far as to use the primarily unknown native tongue of an American Indian tribe to communicate information. As a result it kept the Axis Powers lost in translation. The interception of communication can not be allowed, so the most up to date technology needs to be pressed forward. With the use of computers, hacking has opened up a door of vulnerability. Computer techs are aware of this danger and every new technology developed in their field is tested over and over and new hacking protection is a constant endeavor. Even old school Morse Code is getting a  high tech twist to it. Using it over cell phones and as text messages surpasses QWERTY keyboard speed thanks to an iambic keyer. Future communications may include the use telepathy, halogens and a new internet. (5) Sensors. Sensors are used to detect forces and guide weaponry. Remember the job of a scout? They would move ahead of the army to spy on the opposition ahead and relay it back. Putting human lives at risk to head off to the unknown is being curtailed today by modern day scouts. We call them Drones. Unmanned and fairly undetected these weapons fly below radar quietly scanning and relay information instantaneously to our forces. Then there is the surveillance blimp that can see airborne 340 miles away! And lets not forget the satellites that can zoom in on your own back yard. There is also infrared technology that can see below the Earth’s surface in search of tunnels and underground posts.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Madeleine Leininger: Bridging the Cultural Divide Essay

Abstract This paper will outline Madeleine Leininger’s prominent theory, its origins, and its purpose. The discipline of transcultural nursing, its distinctive language, ethnonursing research method, and Sunrise Enabler tool will also be explored. These components equipped nurses to provide patients with individualized, appropriate care; this led to improved health outcomes. Finally, the effect of Madeleine Leininger’s contributions to nursing will be examined. Her idea of congruent care was the catalyst for a multitude of federal legislation making culture a requisite, legal consideration and convinced society of the benefits of cultural diversity. Madeleine Leininger: Bridging the Cultural Divide through Care The hallmark of a true profession is the ability to demonstrate its unique body of knowledge (Mensik, Martin, Scott, & Horton, 2011). Madeleine Leininger’s transcultural nursing discipline and its revolutionary companion theory meets this threshold. Counted as â€Å"the most significant breakthrough in nursing†¦in the 20th century,† she forever changed how nurses thought and spoke about healthcare (Leininger, 2002, p. 190). This paper will present a high-level overview of Madeleine Leininger’s contributions to nursing and their influence, as well as reveal the author’s connection to the theorist. Cultural Care Diversity and Universality: The Theory The Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality (hereinafter â€Å"Culture Care Theory†), Madeleine Leininger’s seminal work, was conceptualized in the mid-1950s and sought to describe, explain, and predict nursing similarities and differences in relation to care and its role in human culture (Leininger, 2001). To provide significant and effective care, the theorist reasonsed, a nurse had to know what various cultures valued about wellness, health, illness, etc. and use this understanding to guide their nursing tasks (Clarke, McFarland, Andrews & Leininger, 2009). Inspiration for the Theory The theory grew out of the theorist’s observations during her tenure as a staff nurse in the mid-1940s (Leininger, 2001). Numerous patients  emphasized the â€Å"nursing care† given and remarked how instrumental it was to their recovery from illness (Leininger, 2001, pp. 8, 13). This struck Leininger as curious, since the activities traditionally associated with providing care were just expected at this point in the development of nursing (Leininger, 2001). The concept of care was certainly never taught, critically explored, or given much credence (Leininger, 2001). Based on the encouraging patient feedback received, care became an integral component of the theorist’s nursing practice (Leininger, 2001). Her patients’ health flourished (Leininger, 2001). Leininger deduced that outstanding caregiving alone was not enough to facilitate positive health outcomes while working on an adolescent psychiatric ward in the mid-1950s (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Her clinical floor was a mini-United Nations, with patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). The children responded differently to her care efforts and, after a period of time, she realized their behavior followed distinct cultural patterns (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). For example, the Russian, Lithuanian, German, and Slovenian children would never admit to being in pain, though they had very obvious injuries or signs of discomfort (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). The Jewish and Italian children, in contrast, always cried fervently, at even the slightest needle prick, without solace (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Her customary pain interventions were useless and obviously needed to be changed, but she was not sure how (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Conceptualizing the Theory. The theorist experienced â€Å"culture shock† (a concept she introduced into common vernacular) and was concerned at being ill-equipped to respond to her patients’ specific needs even though she had obtained her master’s in nursing (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). There was no research literature available to help make sense of the incidents witnessed, and her colleagues were of limited help (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). After discussing her concerns with the renowned cultural anthropologist and provocateur Margaret Mead, Leininger obtained a Ph.D. in anthropology (Clarke, et al., 2009); she was the first nurse to do so (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). The theorist performed field studies in non-Western cultures for several years afterwards to hone her new skill-set (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Having remedied her  cultural ignorance, Leininger formalized the Culture Care Theory, establishing the new discipline of transcultural nursing (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Her goal was to provide knowledgeable care in an increasingly multicultural world (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Purpose of the Theory The theory’s main purpose was to â€Å"discover and explain diverse and universal culturally based care factors influencing the health, well-being, illness, or death of individuals or groups† (Leininger, 2002, p. 190). It stressed the use of â€Å"research findings to provide culturally congruent, safe, and meaningful care to those of diverse or similar backgrounds† (Leininger, 2002, p. 190). Theory Application Tools. The theorist did not want to espouse platitudes; she wanted her discipline to empower nurses and promote their autonomy (Leininger, 2002). To this end, she outlined thirteen assumptive beliefs to explain the focus of the theory and guide nurses in their practice (Leininger, 2001). Several key beliefs are outlined below: 1. Care is the essence of nursing and a†¦ unifying focus 2. Care (caring) is essential for well being, health, healing, growth†¦or death 3. Culture care is the broadest holistic means to know, explain, interpret, and predict nursing care†¦ to guide nursing care practices 4. Nursing is a transcultural†¦care discipline and profession with the central purpose to serve human beings worldwide 5. Care (caring) is essential †¦ for there can be no curing without caring (Leininger, 2001, pp. 44-45). These assumptions formed the crux of transcultural nursing and what it was intended to do. Leininger also designed three theoretical modalities to guide culturally-based nursing decisions and actions (Leininger, 2001). The first modality, â€Å"cultural care preservation and/or maintenance,† referred to generic/folk behaviors and practices that encouraged wellness and did not need to be changed when planning nursing care (Leininger, 2001, p. 41; Literature review, n.d.). The next modality, â€Å"cultural care accomodation and/or negotiation,† involved nursing care activities which help patients of diverse cultures adapt or negotiate professional care activities (Leininger, 2001, p. 41). It encouraged the nurse to integrate generic/folk behaviors and practices when planning care to encourage healthy outcomes (Leininger,  2001). Under this modality, for example, a nurse would allow a patient to hang a healing amulet above their bed in the hospital because they believed in it and it calmed them (Literature review, n.d.). The final modality that nurses could utlize was â€Å"culture care repatterning and restructuring† (Leininger, 2001, pp. 41-42). This modality involved activities which assist with the extensive modification, change, or repattering of a patient’s unhealthy behavior while remaining aligned with their cultural values and beliefs (Literature review, n.d.). This was the most difficult of all the modalities to employ because the nurse must know a great deal about the patient’s culture to have an optimal outcome (Leininger, 2001). As with any plan of care, the nurse had to discuss their choices with the patient and obtain their agreement (Leininger, 2001). Metaparadigms of the Theory Since the introduction of Florence Nightengale’s Environmental Theory, nursing frameworks had traditionally focused on four metaparadigms: person, environment, health, and nursing (Dayer-Berenson, 2011). However, the Culture Care Theory broke with convention and selected care and culture as its foundational concepts (Leininger, 2001). Leininger found the standard four metaparadigms limited in scope and unsuitable for use in new discipline (Leininger, 2001). For instance, the theorist could not believe nursing’s pundits still refused to acknowledge the indispensible role of care, though they had obviously witnessed its successful impact on health (Leininger, 2001). She also considered the current trend of trying to explain nursing phenomenon with more nursing phenomenon a logical fallacy akin to answering a question with another question (Leininger, 2001). Further, Leininger pointed out that the Western concept of person would be problematic in transcultural nursing because many cultures focused on the family or an institution, rather than the individual (Leininger, 2001). While Leininger thought environment was important, she opted not to use it as a pillar of her theory because it was not unique to nursing or provocative enough to garner scarce research funding (Leininger, 2001). She discounted the use of health for a similar rationale, citing its commonness and the plethora of existing research (Leininger, 2001). Leininger apsired to enlighten, not emulate (Leininger, 2001). Key definitions Other nursing theorists and researchers tried to shoe horn themselves into existing medical models as a means of gaining legitimacy, prestige, and funding (Fawcett, 2002). Leininger, conversely, sought to distinguish her theory from the disease-focused philosophies of the period by not seeking input from other disciplines; it functioned independently (Leininger, 2001). Always seeking to demonstrate the skill and intellect of nurses, Leininger authored a series of definitions to provide clinicians with their own distinct language and, thus, avoid the incongruous use of medical terminology when practicing transcultural nursing (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Several of the theory’s key explanations are highlighted below: 1. Culture Care refers to†¦culturally†¦assistive, supportive, and facilitative caring acts†¦ 2. Culture Care Diversity refers to cultural†¦differences in care beliefs, meanings, patterns, values, symbols, and lifeways†¦between cultures and human beings 3. Transcultural Nursing refers to a formal area of humanistic and scientific knowledge and practices focused on holistic culture care†¦phenomena..to assist †¦ in culturally congruent†¦ways 4. Culturally Competent Nursing Care refers to†¦culturally based care and health knowledge in sensitive, creative, and meaningful ways †¦for beneficial†¦ health and well-being†¦ (Leininger & McFarland, 2002, pp. 83-84). â€Å"Cultural diversity† and â€Å"culturally competent care†, terms so common today, were penned by the theorist over 50 years ago (Leininger & McFarland, 2002, p. xvii). Influence of the Culture Care Theory Leininger’s theory generated little interest when it was introduced in the 1950s (Leininger, 2002). Nurses’ practices had begun to shift to include more administration of medication and assistance with complex medical treatments (Leininger, 2001). Additionally, they tried to emulate physicians by wearing stethoscopes, focusing on curative measures, and being very precise in their tasks (Leininger, 2001). Nurses, during this era, were medicine’s faithful â€Å"shot givers† (Leininger & McFarland, 2002, p. 76). Needless to say, this mindset was nurtured by physicians, who wanted nurses to remain on the periphery of healthcare, subservient to them (Fawcett, 2002). Nurses, in Leininger’s opinion, willingly relinquished their power and diminished their professional value by becoming so immersed in physicians’ procedures (Leininger, 2001). With nurses so intent on obtaining  medical validation, it was no surprise they found the Culture Care Theory â€Å"soft,† â€Å"fuzzy,† and â€Å"too feminine† (Fawcett, 2002, p. 133; Leininger, 2002, p. 75). The theorist jokingly recalled thinking, â€Å"Nurses have no time to learn about care and cultures, as they must keep to medical tasks!† (Fawcett, 2002, p. 113). Patient care was not a priority (Fawcett, 2002). Making the Theory Relevant Undeterred by the initial chilly reception, Leininger resolved to make the discipline more relevant to nurses (Leininger, 2001). She knew the situation would change gradually over time and utilized the lull to increase the number of transcultural nurses in practice and cultivated the harvest of more cultural data for use in the field (Fawcett, 2002). Transcultural Programs of Study. She developed and taught courses in transcultural nursing (Leininger, 2001). Building upon this momentum, the theorist then established several degree programs of study in transcultural nursing (Leininger, 2001). She steered nurses toward graduate-level courses in anthropology as well, and served as their advisor when several of them continued on to doctoral studies (Leininger, 2001; Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Soon, she had amassed a hardy band of transcultural devotees to assist in her tireless promulgation and support of the discipline (Leininger, 2001). Ethnonursing Research Method. As her followers began to utilze the theory, Leininger was compelled to develop a natural, inducive, and open research method to help â€Å"tease out† complex, covert, elusive cultural data (Leininger & McFarland, 2002, pp. 85, 89). It was called the ethnonursing research method (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). At the time, clinicians utilized research tools and methods borrowed haphazardly from other fields (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Enablers. The theorist worried that valuable cultural knowledge was lost, concealed, or rendered useless from the improper use of quantitative instruments to perform qualitative research (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). In response, Leininger invented five tools she called enablers to facilitate the mining of cultural data (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Each enabler was designed to collect a different type of qualitative information (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). The most popular enabler, The Sunrise Enabler to Disco ver Culture Care, was a conceptual model of the entire theory (Appendix A). Its purpose was to  systematically guide nurses through seven areas of influence to find relevant cultural knowledge and provide a holistic view during the health assessment process (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). Qualitative Criteria. To further support accurate interpretations and credible research findings, Leininger identified six criteria by which qualitative studies, like those performed with her ethnonursing method, could be evaluated (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). The criteria â€Å"credibility, confirmability, meaning-in-context, recurrent patterning, saturation, and transferability† received the endorsement of research experts, which led to qualitative data’s acceptance as valid scientific evidence. (Leininger & McFarland, 2002, p. 88) Dedicated Resources. Leininger also established the Transcultural Nursing Society in 1974 as a forum for intelligent discussion among nurses in the discipline, as well as to aid the dissemination of transcultural information (C larke, et al.). Finally, Leininger launched the Journal of Transcultural Nursing in 1988 to serve as a dedicated publishing source for transcultural nursing research, ensuring the entire nursing profession also had access to her protegà ©s’ useful findings (Clarke, et al.). Rise of the Theory After existing in near obscurity for several decades, the Culture Care Theory was thrust into the spotlight in the mid-1980s (Murphy, 2006). Several factors prompted its emergence from the shadows. First, just as Leininger predicted back in 1950, geographic borders shrank and the U.S. became the adopted country of choice for immigrants from all over the world (Leininger, 2002). The healthcare system became innudated with people clinicians did not understand and could not effectively assist (DeRosa & Kochurka, 2006). Desparate to address patients’ needs in a culturally respectful manner, they discovered Leininger’s blueprint for congruent care (DeRosa & Kochurka, 2006). The federal mandates of the 1990s further catapulted the Culture Care Theory into prominence (Murphy, 2006). The directives were designed to resolve disparities in healthcare and ensure equitable treatment for those from diverse backgrounds (Maier-Lorentz, 2008). This meant that academic programs, clinical settings, and healthcare agencies now had to promote, incorporate, and enforce Leininger’s ideas of cultural competence (Murphy, 2006). Impact of the Theory on the Author The Culture Care Theory, developed organically from one woman’s insightful observations, has left an indellible mark on not only nurisng, but education, medicine, law, social science, religion, and so forth (Leininger, 2002). It would be far easier to name the areas of society that the theory has not impacted, for that would be a much shorter list. Amazingly, the author also owes Madeleine Leininger a tremendous amount of personal gratitude. While conducting research, the author was stunned to learn that Leininger’s theory was the motivation for her academic scholarship. The theorist’s emphasis on congruent care and its positive influence led to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) campaign to significantly increase the number of culturally competent healthcare professionals in critical shortage areas. The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program, which offers a full tuition grant, monthly stipend, and full-time employment to intellectually out standing nursing students, was founded to accomplish this objective. Because of the theorist’s tenacity and zeal, this future clinician’s ambition to serve the underrepresented was made a debt-free reality. Leininger passed away in August of last year (Ray, 2012). Ironically, the author was awarded her scholarship during this same month. Janet Jones wrote in Leininger’s obituary guest book entry, â€Å"She truly was a visionary and her work will continue to be of great significance to many more generations of nurses† (Madeleine M. Leininger, Ph.D., 2012). The author could not agree more with this statement and, in tribute, intends to contribute to Leininger’s legacy of nursing excellence by maintaining a culturally-informed practice, performing research that offers innovative knowledge to the profession, obtaining an advanced degree, and serving as a staunch advocate for the marginalized. Similar to the theorist, the author also pledges to refuse to accept limitations as to what a nurse can accomplish. The author bel ieves Madeleine Leininger would expect no less. References Clarke, P., McFarland, M., Andrews, M., & Leininger, M. (2009). Caring: some reflections on the impact of the culture care theory by McFarland & Andrews and a conversation with Leininger. Nursing Science Quarterly, 22(3), 233-239. doi:10.1177/0894318409337020 Dayer-Berenson, L. (2011). Cultural competencies for nurses: Impact on health and illness (pp. 9-39). Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. DeRosa, N., & Kochurka, K. (2006). Implement culturally competent healthcare in your workplace. Nursing Management, 37(10), 18-18, 20, 22 passim. Fawcett, J. (2002). Scholarly dialogue. The nurse theorists: 21st-century updates — Madeleine M. Leininger. Nursing Science Quarterly, 15(2), 131-136. Jeffreys, M. R. (2010). Teaching cultural competence in nursing and health care inquiry, action, and innovation (2nd ed.). (pp. 9-10). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Leininger, M. M. (Ed.). (2001). Culture care diversity and universality: A theory of nursing. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Leininger, M., & McFarland, M. (2002). Transcultural nursing in the new millennium: Concepts, theories, research & practice (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Leininger, M. (2002). Culture care theory: a major contribution to advance transcultural nursing and practices. Journ al Of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 189-192. Literature review. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/1555/02chapter2.pdf Madeleine M.Leininger, Ph.D. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.heafeyheafey.com/newobituary/display.asp?id=7022 McFarland, M., & Eipperle, M. (2008). Culture care theory: a proposed practice theory guide for nurse practitioners in primary care settings. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal For The Australian Nursing Profession, 28(1-2), 48-63. doi:10.5172/conu.673.28.1-2.48 Maier-Lorentz, M. (2008). Transcultural nursing: its importance in nursing practice. Journal Of Cultural Diversity,15(1), 37-43. Mensik, J. S., Martin, D., Scott, K. A., & Horton, K. (2011). Development of a Professional Nursing Framework: The Journey Toward Nursing Excellence. Journal Of Nursing Administration, 41(6), 259-264. doi:10.1097/NNA.0b013e31821c460a Murphy, S. (2006). Mapping the literature of transcultural nursing. Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA, 94(2 Suppl), E143-51. Ray, M. A. (2013). Madeleine M. Leininger, 1925–2012. Qualitative Health Research, 23(1), 142-144. doi:10.1177/1049732312464578 Sagar, P. (2011). Transcultural nursing theory and models: application in nursing education, practice, and administration. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Sitzman, K., & Eichelberger, L. W. (2011). Understanding the work of nurse theorists: a creative beginning (2nd ed.). (pp. 93-98). Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Transcultural Nursing Society. (n.d.). Theories and models. Retrieved from http://tcns.org/Theories.html Appendix A Figure. Adapted from Transcultural Nursing Society. (2013). Theories and models. http://tcns.org/Theories.html. Reprinted with permission.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Strategic Systems Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Systems Management - Assignment Example Mercedes Benz has a very long history of cars manufacturing, being a part of Daimler-Benz company and later belonging to Daimler-Chrysler. Perhaps, Mercedes-Benz is the most well-known automotive brand worldwide. Its rich history and known top-level quality have earned a reputation of luxury cars manufacturer for the company. Mercedes Benz automobiles being prized for prestige and quality often become the choice of the rich and famous. Throughout the history, the goal of Mercedes Benz was providing its customers with more than just cars. Owning a Mercedes Benz was a symbol of belonging to community valuing quality above all. The focus of Mercedes-Benz vehicles is set on high quality and state of the art engineering. Of course it makes them expensive; thus they are made in lower volumes compared to cheaper cars. The company has carefully cultivated an image of superior engineering, quality, and service. Mercedes-Benz is clear leader in the luxury and upper range segment of the market. Recent efforts of the company to move towards lower segments were rather successful: its Smart brand has become a market leader in microcar segment in several European countries. Hence the famous luxury cars manufacturer now tries to make its products popular among low-priced cars to achieve global dominance. The mission statement of Daimler-Chrysler, which Mercedes Benz is currently a part of, indicates efforts towards fulfilling customers' desire for mobile independence (Daimler-Chrysler 2005). Mercedes-Benz is proud of his long 120 years history of car manufacturing, putting its experience and commitment to use in making quality cars. Nevertheless, quality is not the only pillar the company stands upon. The corporate strategy of Mercedes Benz is based on four cornerstones: global presence, strong brands, broad product range, and technology leadership. Invention and innovation put to good use at Mercedes Benz allows a company to set up a high quality standard. Broad product range reflects the company's direction towards dominance rather than being a niche player in luxury cars segment. Its strong brand is often seen as its greatest competitive advantage providing Mercedes Benz cars with a spirit of precision and comfort. Finally, steps taken in the establishment of global presence allow Mercedes Benz to enter new national markets. The great Daimler-Chrysler merger made in 1998 can be seen as an example of establishing global presence of Daimler-Benz. Although the deal was supposed to be a merger of equals, Daimler-Benz quickly took the wheel of the new formed company. "When the dust settled, Daimler was firmly in control of Chrysler, and the shock waves were reverberating on both sides of the Atlantic. An American icon would lose its independence, and a German giant would grow in power and influence." (Stertz and Vlasic, 2000) Another example of expansion is purchasing of Mitsubishi departments serving two purposes: 1) getting closer to a perspective Asian market and 2) using the expertise of Asian car manufacturers in producing small cars. Nevertheless, the sky is not clear for Mercedes Benz. Its recent trends of moving into lower market segments has not gone unnoticed for its luxury cars. "In recent years the brand's reputation once sterling reliability record has been called into question when it was recently ranked rather low in consumer surveys." (Wikipedia 2006) Thus Mercedes-Benz is now

Friday, September 27, 2019

Websites Evaluation Exercise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Websites Evaluation Exercise - Essay Example At the same time, these web developers who charge very low fees are often in experienced. As a result, they develop the website very poorly resulting in an inefficient website. For example, in some websites when one clicks on hyperlinks they often give a 405 error. This is often as a result of a poorly developed website which has a hyperlink, but the page designated for the hyperlink either does not exist or its development had a lot of errors, (Linde &Stock 2011). Another reason why many websites are in effective is the fact that their development had no goal in particular. A good example is when companies want their names to appear on search engines such as Google, (Linde &Stock 2011). When such websites are put up they contain minimal information and normally do not have valid hyperlink or any hyperlinks at all. These websites are more of posters than websites, (Linde &Stock 2011). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a website, which can be accessed through the URL: www.cdc.gov. The website has used a lot of graphics which capture the users’ eye. By using these graphics without reading anything else, one is able to come to a conclusion what the website is about. The website meets the characteristics of a good website. For example, all the hyperlinks when clicked take the user to the specified web page. The website has a professional impression and it is designed accurately, which helps the user navigate easily through the site. The website is authentic and objective as it provides various links to other site where users can gather information. It is credible as is written by a government institution which means the information is collected from reliable sources. The site also meets the characteristics of a good website in that it provides relevant and enough information. For example, the site list all known recent out brakes, and even goes further to

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Chick-fil-A Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Chick-fil-A - Essay Example rate journey, the most notable was the credit for â€Å"introducing the original boneless breast of chicken sandwich and pioneering in-mall fast food† (CFA Properties, Inc.-website-b, 2010). According to 2009 figures, the company has 1428 restaurants across 38 states as well as Washington, D. C. In terms of annual sales the company ranks second in its category. In accordance with its mission statement which says that the company aims to â€Å"Be America’s Best Quick-Service Restaurant† (CFA Properties, Inc.-website-b, 2010), CFA has materialized various innovative business concepts in the forms of Mall/In-Line Restaurants, Stand-Alone Restaurants, Drive-Thru-Only Restaurants, Dwarf House ®, Truett’s Grill ®, Satellite/†Lunch-Counter†, and various licensed outlets. The company had achieved a 12.17% growth in 2008 and thereby earned sales revenue of $2.96 Billion (CFA Properties, Inc.-website-b, 2010). CFA also fulfills its corporate social r esponsibilities (CSR) in the form of various sponsorships, charities and scholarships. The American restaurant industry is currently exhibiting trends of rapid growth. It has a strong employee base of 12.7 million and has operations in nearly 1 million locations. Both these figures are indicative of the gigantic stature of this industry as a significant contributor to the American economy. It has been projected that the combined sales of this huge industry will touch $580 billion in the current fiscal (National Restaurant Association-website-a, 2010). The American restaurant industry has a 49% share in the market pie of the food industry with average daily sales projected at $1.6 billion. Research findings show that restaurants are becoming highly popular among American customers on account of providing hygienic food as well as enhanced services in a time efficient manner (National Restaurant Association-website-b, 2010). American adults are of the opinion that restaurants have them become more productive and a

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Personal Statement - Essay Example Since a very young age, I began to understand the technicalities of a business, how money was to be managed, what factors were good for a business, what factors disturbed it. What fascinated me most was the role played by money in every small decision of the business, and that is when my interest in economics started to bud. I began to notice the fundamental role of economics in my everyday life. I began to realize that economics permeated every aspect of the world, from politics to religion to social affairs; the economy had a role to play in every affair. Whether it was an unsatisfactory budget that affected us or the general down-fall of economy which meant less demand for luxuries, the economy has always affected me in a personal way. It comes as no surprise that I’ve always had to keep myself up to date with the ever-changing economic climate. Further aided by the fact that my grandfather happens to possess one of the soundest and most brilliant economic minds I happen to have come across, and when it was time to choose my future, there were no second thoughts involved in opting for Economics. Making a difference and changing the world for the better is a passion I hold very near to my heart. I have always grabbed every opportunity to give back to my society whenever I can. I have done volunteer work at the local church time and again. This has involved usher work as well as organizing events there. Moreover, I have taken part in beach clean-ups and other similar activities around my town. As I grew up and gained a better understanding of the world, I realized that the most effective manner in which I can do this is by altering the economy. With a healthy economy comes a better standard of living, and that leads to a generally happier society. I believe that a good student should encompass all the different dimensions that life has to offer. Fun, learning, leisure, socializing, room has to be made for each and every one if one wants to call himself a complete student. I myself have been able to follow this philosophy quite successfully. Striking the right balance between all these aspects, I have a lot of credentials to show for it. In high school, all my subjects other than economics have helped me in one way or another. Where Mathematics helped me develop fundamental concepts and helped me in economic calculations, accounting helps me understand a completely different side of finance and psychology helped me understand how people’s thought processes work and why they do the things that they do. However, academics are not as wide as my horizon goes. There is so much else more to my individuality. Throughout my school life, I have been involved in a variety of social work. This includes organizing fund raisers for various charities, helping out orphan children or even planting trees in deforested areas. One major activity I was involved in was the raising and distribution of funds collected for the Tsunami that hit the coasts of South and East Asia a few years back. Thereafter, I was elected as President of our school’s Community Service Club. Furthermore, I happen to be a very accomplished sportsman. I have been playing for my House cricket, football and basketball teams since the early days of my school. Even though I take part in all the sports I can, I have a special place in my heart for football. My other activities involve playing rhythm and bass guitar with various bands in the city, writing and helping my parents go on with

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Ethical Issues in Accountancy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Ethical Issues in Accountancy - Essay Example The growth of corporate visibility and influence has led to their owning ethical and moral responsibility for their products and actions and consequences thereof on society and individuals. Corporations have been accused of accounting fraud, insider trading, executive over-pay, declining pension funds or in general of corporate 'greed' and 'irresponsibility'. The 1998 OECD guidelines for multinationals lay down responsibility towards human rights, the environment and elimination of child and forced labour. OECD code 2000 is 'the reflection in management practice of various legal, regulatory and social pressures that motivate the company to prevent abuses of market power and to redress other sorts of market failure' (OECD, 2001) Business is faced with a challenge to improve creation of wealth for its shareholders and at the same time to meet requirements of the changed perceptions of social and ethical responsibilities, which in the short-run perspective, might not be compatible. However, with the change in stockholder awareness and scepticism, the company is also being tasked to meet its social and ethical obligations. A specific instance is the negative impact of a company's product on the community and how far is the responsibility to be laid at the doors of management when the cause of the impact might have been due to a product marketed decades back and especially when scientific awareness of the negative impact was not known. ... d examine the different issues involved in the above circumstances, especially in light of the behaviour of James Hardie Industries who were involved in a case based on the negative affect of the use of asbestos in its products, and how these impact the ethical issues in accountancy. Literature Survey Literature survey in this research is targeted at the impact of new requirements of ethics and social responsibility accounting on the basic principles of accountancy and audit functions as well as the literature available on the John Hardie Industries case. These are given as Sections I and II respectively below: Section I Changing expectations and skepticism of the stakeholder, places pressure on companies to accept moral responsibility for the negative impact of their products on the community even though the claims may arise from operations many decades ago. Society is increasingly suspicious about the moves by corporations to avoid their responsibilities, which eventually leads them to bowing to pressure from a society skeptical of their protests of innocence and pretence of compassion for those who have suffered from their activities. The question therefore arises as to how far management is responsible for the negative impact of their products on the consumer and society. "Having a corporate conscience means that a company takes responsibility for its actions just as any conscientious individual would be expected to do. In corporate terms, this means that a company is accountable to the public for its behaviour not only in the complex organisational environment but in the natural physical environment as well. A company is thus responsible for its products and for its effects on the public". (Guerrette, 1986, p 410) It is thus essential that companies disclose

Monday, September 23, 2019

Analysis of a single element paper either the Open Boat or the bride Essay

Analysis of a single element paper either the Open Boat or the bride comes to yellow sky - Essay Example Indeed, the society of Yellow Sky is not patriarchal in a rigid sense; rather women or brides do not fit perfectly in the wilderness of that society where there is no guarantee of life and natural death. Therefore, men do not want to leave their wives as widows with several children. In this rough and tough society, Potter marries a woman in order to avoid conflicts and rivalries with Wilson and ultimately he becomes successful. But at the end, changes occur in his life as well as in the society of ‘Yellow Sky’. This paper will argue that though the bride is a minor character, she is the symbol of changes in the crude male culture of ‘Yellow Sky’. Indeed, Crane has successfully used different literary elements such as characterization, and ‘conflicts and contrasts’ in order to highlight the bride as a symbol of change. In the story, the anonymous bride is in contrast to the crude, male culture of the city, Yellow Sky. This crude male culture of the city is vividly evident in the story. Potter’s marriage is in a clear conflict with the people’s expectation of Yellow Sky. Here, people marries â€Å"as it please[s] them, in accordance with a general custom† (Crane 1). In this macho culture, taking a bride is a wonder. If the bridegroom is a famous marshal, the amazement of the city-dwellers can â€Å"only be exceeded by the burning of the new hotel† (Crane 1). Indeed, taking a bride is considered as a severe injury to one’s manliness. After marrying, Jack Potter is heavily perplexed with the prospect of the amazement of people. Prior to reaching the city, he is afraid of telling his friends, by telegraph, about his marriage. He is more afraid of meeting his townspeople as a married than to face his competitor, Scratchy Wilson. He plans to reach his house from the st ation quickly by any means in order to avoid meeting the people, as the narrator says: â€Å"He

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Achievement Gap Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Achievement Gap - Research Paper Example that social equity cannot be attained in a society that still experiences achievement gap, and this is denotes that achievement gap is partly responsible for social inequity that prevails in numerous communities across the world. The assertions above infer that the elimination of achievement gap can create a scenario whereby every student will be equally competitive in the job market after finishing school and therefore, all of them will have equal chances in getting employment as well as improving their livelihoods. The possible benefits of eliminating achievement gap has necessitated and motivated numerous research studies that seek to analyse this problem and thereafter recommend a proper solution that can contribute to the body of knowledge currently been heaped by numerous educationists across the World. This present paper is a research project paper that seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge on achievement gap, is being continually developed by various educationists, psychologists, and other scholars across the World. In particular, the research will be field based, and problem based mini-research project on achievement gap. This mini research project will focus on the achievement differences between White and Hispanic students, especially those in similar socio-economic classes in Southern California. The research project will use the Erle Stanley Gardner Middle school in Temecula, and Menifee Valley Middle school both in California as the research case studies and the researcher will seek to describe and analyse achievement gap that exists in these two schools. In this regard, the research project will provide background information about the two schools, causes of the gap, and how it might effectively be eliminated. In the writings by Hernstein and Murray (1994), achievement gap is described as the persistent difference in terms of performance in educational measures such as standardized or common examinations, dropout rates, rate of college

Saturday, September 21, 2019

The United Nations Global Compact platform Essay Example for Free

The United Nations Global Compact platform Essay The United Nations Global Compact platform has ten principles of which three are environmental principles. This submission describes lessons learnt from businesses practices by Honda Motors, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi companies that can be used to achieve compliance of two of the environmental principles. The two principles are (a) promoting greater environmental responsibility, which the eighth principle and (b) development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies, which is the ninth principle (UN Global Compact and Duke University, 2010; 11). Promoting Greater Environmental Responsibility This principle intends to help companies to adhere to a more environmental consciousness. Despite Honda not being a member of the of the United Nations Global Compact initiative, it has established different platforms within the company to ensure that it is promoting greater environmental responsibility. It does this through its Honda’s Global Compact Platform and Earth Dreams Technology (Honda, 2014a). The company has established environmental e-learning campaigns aimed at educating the public about different ways of preserving the environment. Likewise, Hitachi has established environmental management strategies and initiatives that are aimed at improving its environmental impact. In addition, the company is involved in ecosystem preservation initiatives aimed at educating the public about the different ways of preserving the environment. It also encourages customers to buy products that are manufactured using eco-friendly procedures. An analysis of Mitsubishi Company reveals that the company promotes greater environmental responsibility by investing in eco-friendly designs and processes. In addition, just like Honda and Hitachi, it offers information about preservation of the environment to the public (Mitsubishi 2014). Development and Diffusion of Environmentally Friendly Technologies Honda Motors Ltd is at the forefront in developing new technologies that seek to ensure environmental preservation. It has development motor vehicle engines that consume less fuel through its hybrid technology. Further, the company has produced such cars as Honda Jazz which is efficient and environmental friendly. The company has also produced hybrid engines that use electricity as well as gasoline hence reducing gasoline consumption (Honda, 2014a). Hitachi is also developing efficient engines and cars. However in addition to such efforts, the company as a UN Global Compact member ensures that environmentally friendly policies are kept within the company. It has numerous products that are environmentally friendly and it ensures that where it cannot reduce environmental pollution, it does so through other corporate social responsibility events such as planting trees and providing clean water to society. Mitsubishi ensures the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies through the manufacture of such products that preserve the environment. Further, it is involved in construction of more efficient aero engines as a way of reducing pollution to the environment caused by aeroplanes. Positive Lessons Learnt From Businesses Practices Honda uses the Global Compact Platform despite its non-member status in the UN Global Compact initiatives. This shows that any company, regardless, of its membership in the UN Global Compact can participate and ensure the adoption of Global Compact principles. Honda’s success in motor vehicle industry shows that it is possible for a company to be profitable through the use of environmentally friendly strategies in manufacturing and distribution of products. In addition, Honda markets its Honda Jazz series as the best environmentally friendly SUV cars in the market. Mitsubishi and Hitachi also use the UN Global Compact strategies to ensure that all its products and company processes adhere to the principles. Unlike Honda, these companies do not use platforms such as â€Å"Global Compact Platform† used by Honda. Negative Lessons Learnt From Businesses Practices Mitsubishi and Hitachi as members of United Nations Global Compact ensure that they embed, balance, diffuse, and translate the two environmental stewardship principles in their company. The companies have ensured that they provide communication of their procedures and new technologies to the public and Global compact platform as a commitment to the two principles. Unlike Honda, these two companies are accountable to an outside entity. Another lesson from Mitsubishi and Hitachi is that they have worked and invested in developing decision-making strategies that enforce the two principles. Through their development of energy efficient products and services and the commitment to events and CSR programs that are aimed at educating the public about eco-friendly practices, the two companies are able to enhance environmental responsibility and development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. Further, Mitsubishi can track their success through the laid out procedure in the environmental stewardship strategy developed by UN Global Compact and Duke University (2010). The strategy ensures that there is accountability and it is result oriented unlike Honda which is not accountable to the UN Global Compact. Business Practice Recommendations Since companies joining the UNGC platform wish to benefit from their association and compliance with the principles, it is important that such benefits are protected. In order to encourage compliance, it must be made difficult and expensive to get accreditations of eco-friendliness from other institutions. As such, the UNGC should liaise with other institutions to ensure compliance of the two principles. The companies seeking such recognition must show investments and commitment to environmental friendly procedure and processes. This will prevent companies from seeking recognitions from institutions with lesser strict requirements hence allowing companies that have genuinely investment and committed to environment to be recognized and benefit from such recognition. The following can be done to ensure that business practices conform to the two principles Principle 8: Promoting Greater Environmental Responsibility To enhance compliance with the eighth UN Global Compact principle, it is important for the companies to ensure that they have decision-making strategies that ensure compliance. This helps in assessing the level of compliance within a company. By having membership in the UN Global Compact, companies can remain committed to the principle unlike those that try to enhance compliance without being members of the Global Compact. This ensures accountability as well as encouraging self-assessment. Principle 9: Development and Diffusion of Environmentally Friendly Technologies Companies that comply with the ninth principle should ensure that throughout their supply chain, manufacturing and distribution processes, environmentally friendly technologies are used. This can be ensured by following the environmental stewardship strategies proposed by UN Global Compact and Duke University (2010). Secondly, compliance can be enhanced through benefits such as publicity for technology that is eco-friendly. The UN Global Compact should establish and award that recognizes efforts done by companies. Challenges and Implications to Shareholders The UN Global Compact fraternity will be required to limit the use of phrases such as Global Compact, which may be a difficult process. Further, the UN Global Compact will be required to partner with numerous institutions that give accreditations. The companies involved will also be affected. For instances, companies will now be required to show their commitment to UNGC before getting accreditation from other institutions. Thirdly, customers and the public may find it hard to get information about eco-friendly companies and technologies if UN Global Compact does not provide information of legitimate technologies. References UN Global Compact and Duke University, (2010). Environmental Stewardship Strategy: Overview and Resource for Corporate Leaders. Retrieved from https://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/issues_doc/Environment/Environmental_Stewardship_Strategy.pdfHonda, (2014a). News Releases 2014: Paris Motor Show 2014. Retrieved from http://world.honda.com/news/2014/4141002Paris-Motor-Show/Honda, (2014b). Key Indicators of Honda’s Environmental Performance. Retrieved from http://world.honda.com/environment/report/act_val/indicator/Hitachi, (2014a). Sustainability report 2014: Environmental Report. Retrieved from http://www.hitachi.com/environment/activities/index.html Hitachi, (2014b). Hitachi Recognized as World Leader for Corporate Action on Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.hitachi.com/environment/newsr/2014/1028.htmlMitsubishi (2014). Progress Towards Sustainable Society. Retrieved from http://www.mhi-global.com/company/csr/policy/releaseandrecognition/sustainable-society.html Source document

Friday, September 20, 2019

English Essays Hitchcock Movie Of Rebecca

English Essays Hitchcock Movie Of Rebecca Analyse the differences between the text and the Hitchcock movie of Rebecca The film Rebecca (1940), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is an adaptation of a book by the same title published in 1938 by author Daphne Demurer. To analyse the differences between these two pieces of work it is perhaps necessary to first point out the obvious; film adaptations of novels are never completely true to the original book. It is often a criticism that when novels are turned into screenplays that the author of the screening play has left chunks of the book out. This usually because their just is not time to cover every single detail on screen could you have sat through more than three hours of Peter Jacksons epic Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, based on J.R.R. Tolkiens novel, for instance? (I dont think any cinemagoers bladder could have coped with more!) Or there are elements of the original story that would distract the viewer from the crux of the plot for too long, hence Fran Walsh cut out the character Tom Bombadil out of The Fellowships script, much to the dismay of some Tolkien purists. However, sometimes a scriptwriter will assert his/her autonomy to the point where the novel that has been turned into a film does not even have the same ending as its original source. In Louis De Bernieres much loved book Captain Corellis Mandolin the main characters, and two lovers Captain Corelli and Pelagia, part for several years and Pelagia believes Corelli is dead until hes in his senior years and directly approaches Pelagia again and their love rekindles. However, in the movie (2001) one of the many contrasts to the original text is that Pelagia and Corelli live happily ever after together in their younger years. With regards Hitchcocks Rebecca and DuMauriers Rebecca the storyline remains largely unchanged, yet the implications of its sexual contexts have been treated differently. Throughout history women have been subjected to the patriarchal order; the model female being chaste and submissive and essentially what Simone De Bouviour calls mans other: [Woman] is defined and differentiated with reference to man and not he with reference to her; she is incidental, the inessential as opposed to the essential. He is the Subject, he is the Absolute -she is the OtherWhereas a sexually confident woman and assertive woman is depicted as impure, bad and on occasions mad. Before World War II, women were particularly vulnerable to the former categorisation. But during the war, women participated in the work force as never before and thus asserting greater independence and autonomy. DuMauriers novel Rebecca, examines female sexuality, and its repercussions, in a society, which condemns its existence. Although both the novel and film reveals societys wish to keep the sexuality of women under control some of DuMauriers message lost in the translation of novel to film. However, the film was produced and directed by men so it was inevitable that their sex would affect the way they choose to interpret DuMauriers work on screen. As Helene Cixous says in her essay, The Laugh of the Medusa, it is impossible to produce a work of art that does not implicate your sex: I write woman: woman must write woman. And man, man. In both the novel and film, Rebecca is dead (she supposedly drowned the previous year) and is depicted as a threat due to her overt sexuality. Mrs. Danvers, Rebeccas devoted housekeeper, says, Ive seen them here, staying in the house, men shed meet in London They made love to her of course (p.245). Regardless of Rebeccas infidelities, her reputation remains intact; she is regarded as pleasant, beautiful and confident. Yet the double life she leads of wife and mistress is comparable to the duality of existence in which only men are allowed to indulge and thus threatens the structure of patriarchy. As Rebeccas housekeeper Mrs Danvers aptly states [Rebecca] ought to have been a boy (p.243). Rebeccas sexuality even threatens to destroy patriarchal dynasty. As Simone de Beauvoir writes in her essay The Second Sex: Marital infidelity where patriarchal traditions survive, still seems much more heinous for the wife than for the husband Womans adultery risks bringing the son of a stranger into the family, and thus defrauding legitimate heirs. Indeed the prospect of an illegitimate heir is the crux of Rebeccas death in both novel and film. In the novel Max, Rebeccas husband kills her when she boasts that she is pregnant by another man, however the coroner rules death by suicide. In the film, Rebeccas death is attributed to an accidental fall after Max has physically struck her after she reveals her unfaithfulness to him. The reason for this important difference is that the censors demanded that Max could not kill his wife without paying the penalty for his crime. Suicide was also frowned upon. However, Rebeccas death suggests that both novel and film are in agreement that patriarchal society views Rebecca actions as immoral and that her death is the only way to keep the structure of patriarchy in tact. Although, in novel and film, Rebecca is highly regarded within society, Demurer understood she needed to justify Maxs crime to make it plausible, so she takes steps to dehumanise Rebecca. Aside from Maxs derogatory words about Rebecca, other characters assist in creating a negative view of Rebeccas character. The village simpleton, Ben, calls her a snake (p.154); the biblical connotations of this image suggest irreparable female sin. Damning language such as this pave the way for Maxs confession and provides justification for Maxs wish to kill her in the film, and his actually doing so in the novel. Prior to Rebeccas death, both novel and film reveal that a doctor had diagnosed her with terminal cancer and that her pregnancy is in fact a malformation of her uterus that would have prevented her from having children. From the perspective of the patriarchal society, Rebeccas cancer, her infertility, and her death are all attributable to her sexually deviant conduct. The message to women is that female sexuality must be confined to their husbands and that any deviation will be punished because it undermines the superiority of men. Lesbianism in the novel also seeks to shake the foundations of patriarchy. The relationship between the spinster/housekeeper Mrs Danvers and Rebecca has homoerotic overtones. Mrs. Danvers tends to speak of Rebecca in sexual terms, especially in the novel. An example of this is when she recalls an incident involving Rebecca at sixteen: I remember her getting up on one of her fathers horses, a big brute of an animal too, that the groom said was too hot for her to ride. She stuck to him all right. I can see her now, with her hair flying out behind her, slashing at him, drawing blood, digging the spurs into his side, and when she got off his back he was trembling all over, full of froth and blood. The film, however, tends to diminish or soften lesbian overtones, because the film industry prohibited sexual perversion or any inference to it; images depicting Mrs Danvers stroking Rebeccas nightgown, as well as references to Rebeccas nude body were cut out of the film. Instead the film chooses to paint Danvers as being obsessed with her dead mistress. This was also arguably because Hitchcock et al did not want their patriarchal authority over Du Mauriers text of screen to be diluted by the presence of masculine women Both novel and film strip Mrs. Danvers of humanity in the same way Rebecca is. She is described in the text as someone tall and gaunt, dressed in deep black, whose prominent cheek-bones and great, hollow eyes gave her a skulls face, parchment-white, set on a skeletons frame (p. 66). Furthermore, Mrs Danvers is also punished by death for moving outside the confines of patriarchy. Yet although novel and film are in agreement concerning societys condemnation of Mrs. Danvers, however, they do not necessarily agree upon her punishment. In the film, Mrs. Danvers defies the patriarchal establishment a final time by burning down Manderley, yet is burnt to death as a result. In the novel, the there is no evidence to suggest that the fire has killed Mrs Danvers; all we know is that she cannot be found. In conclusion both novel and film explore the implications inherent for women who do not follow the doctrines of patriarchy as well as the differences between works of art produced by men and women. DuMauries emphasises the injustice of a man committing murder, by shooting his wife in the heart, and emerging unpunished, unblemished. The dispensability and devaluation of women is illustrated by the fact that Max remains free, and remarries just ten months after committing the murder. Even when he confesses to the murder he manages to horrifyingly convince his unnamed wife that Rebecca deserved to be killed due to his inability to control her sexuality. Whereas Hitchcock preserves the reputation and authority of Max by changing Rebeccas murder to a death by accidental fall, of which Max is innocent. This major alteration serves to dilute DuMauriers progressive thoughts regarding female sexuality and her condemnation of men and patriarchy. Thus it appears that Hitchcock smearing his own artistic authority all over DuMauriers work mirrors the male dominance over womens sexuality within the society of the novel. Bibliography Walder, Dennis, Literature in the Modern World, De Beauvoir, Simone, Woman and the Other, p.307 (Oxford University Press, 1990)

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Computers and Communication :: Technology Essays Papers

Computers & Communication Today, more than ever people, are using technology in many different ways. Some people are using technology for leisure purposes while others are making technology work for them. Rapid advancements in technology are forever changing the way that we as people, react with the rest of the world and with each other. My parents, and the parents of many other college students, had little exposure to computers throughout their college education. It is up to the current generation of educators and students to harness the benefits of technology so they can be applied to many aspects of life, from work to communication, and from recreation to leisure. Within the context of this paper I will give some examples of technology (generally computer related) and how it has benefited the way we interact in society. Along with the benefits there are always some kinds of drawbacks, and I would like to touch on a few of those. In an attempt to make some chronological sense I will start off with some to the most basic technological advancements that are helping people like myself to conduct simple tasks such as word processing and so on. Computers, along with their input devices (such as keyboards) and their output devices (such as monitors and printers) allow us to do things in a more efficient manner than in times past (O’Leary 119). For instance, if I were to have typed this paper on a standard typewriter, and decided that I wanted paragraph number three to go where paragraph number four was at, I would have to retype the whole page, if not the entire paper again. Programs like word processors simulate a typewriter in a way that the data is editable for future corrections without ruining what is currently on the virtual page. Word processor programs have ingenious tools that come with them, such as spell checking. Spell checking can be a double-edged sword when it comes to the English language. It is all fine and dandy that your finished text can come out free of spelling errors, but I have noticed that spell checking can weaken ones ability to spell on their own terms using traditional paper and pencil. We must be able to use technology in a way that it does not hinder our skills as human beings. The advent of the word processor is eating away at the use of pen and paper during rough draft procedures, and it is common to see many students starting their rough drafts via computers.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Under Milk Wood ? The Voices :: essays research papers

Under milk wood is a radio play written by Dylan Thomas, it tells the story of a day in the life of a small town called Llareggub. The play is set in the 1950’s, and it has two narrators, called Voice 1 and Voice 2, which act as dramatic devices and move the play along in space and time. The Voices give poetry to the play by giving the listener Thomas’s view of the town. The two voices are Thomas’s opportunity to act as a guide to Llareggub. He uses the Voices throughout the play, the first Voice starts and ends the play, the characters seem to interact with the voices, and for example the characters often finish off lines that the voices started. One example of this is in the introduction of Mr Pugh, the retired school teacher. First voice: â€Å"Mr Pugh† Mr Pugh: â€Å"remembers ground glass as he juggles his omelette† It does the same thing further down the page when it says, First Voice: â€Å"Mrs Pugh† Mrs Pugh: â€Å"nags the salt cellar† The Voices also build a relationship with the listener, they seem to be trustworthy and to have a sense of humour, and this helps the listener to learn about the characters and to understand the town. An example of this could be found in the prologue when the First Voice addresses the listener personally by saying â€Å"Only your eyes are unclosed† and again when it says â€Å"And you alone can hear the invisible starfall†. The effect of this makes the listener feel like the Voices are talking to them alone. The Voice also seems to invite the listener into the town, when it tells usâ€Å" Hush, the babies are sleeping† it then goes into a string of images about the people of the town: â€Å"the farmers, the fishers, the tradesmen and pensioners, cobbler, schoolteacher, postman and publican†. Strings of images convey very strong feelings and can get across the atmosphere of a place very well. This particular string of images is telling the listener all the people in the town who is asleep. The effect of it is the Voice becoming friendlier with the listener and telling him/her about the town and its people. The play has many poetic effects, which are mostly used by the Voices, Alliteration is used often to add depth to Thomas’s descriptions. An example of alliteration in the play is when the first voice is talking about Bessie Bighead when she’s asleep, the voice says â€Å"sleep until the night sucks out her soul and spits it into the sky† Thomas seems to be using wet sucking sounds for the lonely old lady.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Jahari Window Essay

The Johari Window, named after the first names of its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, is one of the most useful models describing the process of human interaction. A four paned â€Å"window† divides personal awareness into four different types, as represented by its four quadrants: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses (Daft, 2011 pg. 273-276). The Johari Window concept would be particularly helpful for leaders to promote understanding employee/employer relationships and is a simple and useful tool for illustrating and improving self-awareness, and mutual understanding between individuals within a group. The Johari Window actually represents information such as feelings, experience, views, attitudes, skills, intentions, motivation, etc, within or about a person, in relation to their group, from four perspectives (Daft, 2011, pg. 275). The Johari Window model can also be used to represent the same information for a group in relation to other groups. Johari Window terminology refers to ‘self’ and ‘others’: ‘self’ means oneself, ie, the person subject to the Johari Window analysis. ‘Others’ means other people in the person’s group or team (Dart, 2011, pg. 275). The Johari window, essentially being a model for communication, can also reveal difficulties in this area. In Johari terms, two people attempt to communicate via the open quadrants. On the simplest level, difficulties may arise due to a lack of clarity in the interaction, such as poor grammar or choice of words, unorganized thoughts, faulty logic etc. This induces the receiver to criticize you, the sender, by revealing something that was in your blind quadrant. Then, if the feedback works, you correct it immediately, or perhaps on a more long term approach take a course in reading and writing. On a deeper level, you may be in a group meeting, and while you secretly sympathize with the minority viewpoint, you voted with the majority. However, blind to you, you actually may be communicating this information via body language, in conflict with your verbal message. On an even deeper level, you in an interaction with others, may always put on a smiling, happy face, hiding all negative feelings. By withholding negative feelings, you may be signaling to your friends to withhold also, and keep their distance. Thus, your communication style may seem bland or distant (Chapman, 2010).

Monday, September 16, 2019

Radiology Essay

Everyone wants to be successful in life. The easiest way to do so is to set goals for yourself just for a day or for the rest of your life. Having goals makes you have a clear focus and helps you organize your plans to achieving the goals you have set for yourself. My parents always remind me how it’s difficult to be successful in the world if you have no college education. They encourage me to strive for what I want so I won’t have to suffer like they did. Another major role model in my life is my older sister. She is a surgical technician in the navy. Although she is always busy studying, working out, and doing her daily duties she calls me to keeps me on track and gives me advice. They keep me motivated to completing my goal of becoming a Radiologist. To accomplish my goal of majoring as a Radiologist I will complete my pre-requisites, stay focused in college, and stay organized. The first step to becoming a Radiologist is to complete my pre-requisites. To begin my p re-requisites I am taking 13.20 units at CCC this semester. These units include Math, Writing, Health, and Computer technology courses. I will meet up with a counselor to make an educational plan so I can know what classes I need be taking for the fall semester. I know this won’t be a next day achievement on getting my pre-requisites over with but I’m trying to have them done by a year and a half. Then I will be able to sign up either at Lake Merritt College or Kaiser so I can take on their Radiology program. Hoping I get accepted it will take me around two years on getting my degree. The next step to becoming a Radiologist I will stay focused in college. I will start by getting out of my old habits like staying off my phone during class. This will keep me from wondering off and actually paying attention to what the instructor is teaching the class. In addition, I won’t be bothered by my friends and will finish all my work that is due at end of the class. I also need to start falling asleep earlier so that my mind and body can be rested. Therefore, while in class I can stay awake and focused so I won’t have wonder why I failed the class. Being that the result was me falling asleep. Finally, the last step to becoming a Radiologist is to stay organized. By getting a planner I can stay organized  with important test dates and when my homework is due. It comes in handy so I will always know what todays homework was and won’t have to remember or call up friends so they can tell me what it was. Another good reason to have a planner is so I won’t have go through stress and headaches doing last minute work because it was due today and I forgot. Keeping separate binders for all my classes will be a big help so I can keep my papers located to the certain class they are for. I won’t have to dig through one binder trying to find a paper during class. While I can just open of the specific binder and bam there goes the paper I was looking for no struggles or mess. If I complete my pre-requisites, stay focused in college and staying organized, I will be able to reach my goal in majoring as a Radiologist that I want to achieve in life. I know everyone has different goals but mine is important to me so I can make my family proud first of all. Secondly, so I will live a happy future and look back and see I accomplished my set goals and be proud of myself. Everyone says never give up and in time your hard work will pay off.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

The Writing Style of The Moonstone

The Moonstone by Willie Collins has a very unique writing style, creating an overall effect on the reading experience. In this story, Collins decided to write his story by having his characters mark down their own experiences with the Moonstone. The audience is able to read different points of views from varying characters such as Gabriel Bettered, Ezra Jennings, Miss Dressily Clack and a few others. Each written narrative differed in writing style, experiences, and perspectives.By doing so, Collins revises a mystery that is seen through many different angles, producing an overall effect of a thoroughly analyzed mystery. Though each narrative holds a different story, they all come together as one, in which an ending of one narrative becomes the beginning of another. Thus, the mystery of the Moonstone flows nicely, even though different writing styles and perspectives are presented to the reader. The differences in writing styles and perspectives allow the readers to further Investiga te the mystery presented to them by becoming closer to the truth In a very intimate ay.This intimacy is due to the structure of the writing style, allowing the reader to delve into the mind of the character who is writing the narrative. The audience Is able to view the biases that the characters have on one another and how they view the situation at hand. By deciding to write In such a format, Collins gives the readers a chance to create an Internal relationship with each character, either liking or disliking. The reader is to take the course in which the character took and relives the character's past as if it was happening before them.The audience feels what the character feels and sees what the character sees; nothing Is hidden from the readers. If this story was written In any other way, the story would have a different effect on the readers. By having a normal story with the structure of a narrator narrating the events, the audience would not be able to connect with the charact ers as much as they would have with the story as It Is now. When there Is a narrator narrating a story, details such as how the characters feel and think become excluded room the story.Though seemingly minor, subtracting these details from a complicated mystery such as the Moonstone creates an empty mystery, a crime lacking In substance. Collins skillful weaving of narratives allows for a complex and unpredictable mystery to unfold for the audience, bringing forth a mystery that gives them the â€Å"detective-fever†. By extraterrestrial differences in writing styles and perspectives allow the readers to further investigate the mystery presented to them by becoming closer to the truth in a very intimate level into the mind of the character who is writing the narrative.The audience is the situation at hand. By deciding to write in such a format, Collins gives the readers a chance to create an internal relationship with each character, either liking or character feels and sees w hat the character sees; nothing is hidden from the readers. If this story was written in any other way, the story would have a different as much as they would have with the story as it is now. When there is a narrator lacking in substance. Collins skillful weaving of narratives allows for a complex and

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Introduction of Company

Introduction of Company De Famous Trading Company is a new establishment and located in Klang, Selangor. Our company was founded in July 2011 and established with a fully computerized inventory system to provide more efficient services to all the valued customers. Strict operation process, careful inspection and high quality service with competitive prices enable us to win the long term business relationships from all customers. Our aim is to become a leading supplier of stationery in the international market.We are also working to provide services to companies and be the supplying man power to many renowed universities in Selangor area. We are striving to provide better price and better service to our customers. In terms of nature business, De Famous Trading Company is always stick to the quotes on ‘Going green’ for inspiration and motivation to change. We are one of the companies who supply green stationery and office products. We select products that are environmental ly benign or have environmental advantages over the standard stationery equivalents.We have a unique range of products. Many new Green products are showcased by manufacturers in our Green catalogue before they become available to the normal office supply companies. Our company owners have gained experience in both areas before venturing into the business, including relevant areas such as managing and accounting. Our staff are knowledgeable and willing to give you advice on individual products and their wider impacts.There are five of us in the office, and the hours are flexible, so that staff can lead full lives as artists, campaigners, and occasionally normal people. We all get a say in how the company runs, and working life is generally relaxed, and has the tendency to meander into rambling discussions about deep ecology and the meaning of life. All our customers give positive feedback with our goods and serives since our establisment. We offer the best prices and discounts on eco -friendly stationery and do not charge a premium for green items.We are also a mine of information on the green office and we can untangle most of the competing environmental claims made by manufacturers. Green purchasing is an essential element in reducing the huge amount of waste generated by our disposable consumer culture, endemic in most standard offices. We aim to maintain business practices consistent with the goals of sustaining our fragile environment for future generations, within a culture that respects life and honours its interdependence. Introduction of Company Introduction of Company De Famous Trading Company is a new establishment and located in Klang, Selangor. Our company was founded in July 2011 and established with a fully computerized inventory system to provide more efficient services to all the valued customers. Strict operation process, careful inspection and high quality service with competitive prices enable us to win the long term business relationships from all customers. Our aim is to become a leading supplier of stationery in the international market.We are also working to provide services to companies and be the supplying man power to many renowed universities in Selangor area. We are striving to provide better price and better service to our customers. In terms of nature business, De Famous Trading Company is always stick to the quotes on ‘Going green’ for inspiration and motivation to change. We are one of the companies who supply green stationery and office products. We select products that are environmental ly benign or have environmental advantages over the standard stationery equivalents.We have a unique range of products. Many new Green products are showcased by manufacturers in our Green catalogue before they become available to the normal office supply companies. Our company owners have gained experience in both areas before venturing into the business, including relevant areas such as managing and accounting. Our staff are knowledgeable and willing to give you advice on individual products and their wider impacts.There are five of us in the office, and the hours are flexible, so that staff can lead full lives as artists, campaigners, and occasionally normal people. We all get a say in how the company runs, and working life is generally relaxed, and has the tendency to meander into rambling discussions about deep ecology and the meaning of life. All our customers give positive feedback with our goods and serives since our establisment. We offer the best prices and discounts on eco -friendly stationery and do not charge a premium for green items.We are also a mine of information on the green office and we can untangle most of the competing environmental claims made by manufacturers. Green purchasing is an essential element in reducing the huge amount of waste generated by our disposable consumer culture, endemic in most standard offices. We aim to maintain business practices consistent with the goals of sustaining our fragile environment for future generations, within a culture that respects life and honours its interdependence.

Intercultural communication issue Essay

Intercultural Communication Issue: Electronic Mail Meanings reside in people, not in words (Littlejohn, 2001, 39). This basic precept of language can be deemed a positive axiom for successful communication. Whenever possible, both parties should seek a common code and/or attempt to understand cultural differences in coding systems. Admittedly, it is difficult to arrive at a common code if a person and his communication partner speak different languages. The English language contains countless subcodes. Even nonverbal cues shift from culture to culture. Much like in the case of this electronic message sent by a hypothetical boss to a representative of a department flocked with Hongkong-based Chinese nationals: â€Å"I wanted to welcome you ASAP to our little family here in the States. It’s high time we shook hands in person and not just across the sea. I’m pleased as punch about getting to know you all, and I for one will do my level best to sell you on America. † The statement above is a blend of American vernacular and idiomatic expression. It appears to be a simple salutatory message that turns embedded in unnecessary verbosity. This communication style takes risks in seeking suitable interpretation on the part of the message recipients. The words or phrases ASAP, across the sea, punch, and sell for Americans are easy to understand and can even cause no outstanding remarks from them. But to use these words in a message meant for relatively new employees with a relatively different linguistic background, startling and even violent reactions might be elicited. In fairness to Hongkongers, they are officially bilingual between Chinese and English. After the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China in 1997, both Chinese and English remained the official language of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. English is the major working language in Hong Kong, and is widely used in commercial activities and legal matters (Flores, et al. , 1991, 246). However, this gift of bilingualism may likewise yield confusion, as British idioms are different from Americans’. Moreover, code-switching between Cantonese and English may not help them fathom best the message above. Some purist scholars consider Cantonese speakers who incorporate too much English are even dubbed language-handicapped (Flores, et al. , 1991, 245). And because the message was delivered through a virtual channel, the importance of nonverbal aspect of the communication is overlooked. This could have done the job of exhibiting the context most especially should the weight of the message comes to such portions as punch or sell you. The boss should have noted that communication is defined more by behavior than the communication event itself (Kale and Luke, 1991, 7). Nonverbal behaviors also shift from culture to culture and bilingualism may provide little help if the communicators had not developed code sensitivity toward the culture-specific message systems. With simplicity, neutrality and cordiality in mind, Hence, the message to be conveyed to the migrant employees should more or less look like this: â€Å"Good day! We welcome you once again to Will and Hung Company! May you find your new home over here in the United States as we are as earnest to make this company a place for you to work with satisfaction. † From this takes off a working atmosphere that encourages these new people to feed back in order for them to adjust their behavior to the relatively new environment. The boss must indeed shake their hands in person because it is indeed high time to use nonverbal actions as a way of inspiring them to respond to him in all honesty. He must think for a moment of all the positive attitudes and images he associates with smiling, head nodding, leaning forward, and laughing. ough these behaviors seem very Western, they often produce positive reactions in other cultures. Furthermore, interesting research findings suggest that communication changes encroach on how people relate to one another in organizations. Computer-mediated communications differ from face-to-face and telephone interactions in three important respects: there is a greater sense of anonymity; there is creation of new groups; and there is also susceptibility to computer addiction (Sullivan, 2003). Many executives become less social and less available for face-to-face conversations (Braun, 2002). Adjustment efforts must also manifest on the part of the host culture. Because much of the world speaks English, many of Americans have a tendency to assume we need not learn a foreign language. The very fact that others have made an attempt to learn our language should motivate us to reciprocate. There is more to language than vocabulary, syntax, and dialects. Language is more than a vehicle of communication; it teaches one a culture’s lifestyle, ways of thinking, and different patterns of interacting. References Braun, Patrice. (2002). â€Å"Digital Knowledge Networks: Linking Communities of Practice with Innovation.† Journal of Business Strategies. Flores, B. , Cousin, P. T. & Diaz, E. (1991). Transforming Deficit Myths About Learning, Language, And Culture. Language Arts (pp. 245-246). Littlejohn, Stephen W. (2001). â€Å"Theories of Signs and Language. † Theories of Human Communication (p. 39). Wadsworth Publishing. Kale, J. & Luke, A. (1991). Doing Things With Words: Early Language Socialization. The Literacy Agenda: Issues for the Nineties (p. 7). Victoria: Eleanor Curtain. Sullivan, Daniel. (2003). â€Å"International Business: An Emerging Vision. † Journal of International Business Studies.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Econmics 100 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Econmics 100 - Essay Example Since the net export is a part of the gross domestic product, considerable rise in exports has led to significant rise in GDP of the country. This in turn is reflected in the higher growth rate of the economy. The growth of an economy is measured by calculating the changes occurring in the total volume of output in the economy or the real income of the individual residents of the nation. However, in recent years there has been less than expected level of economic growth. Therefore the government has adopted different fiscal and monetary policies to boost up economic activities in the country. This paper analyses the policy prescriptions followed by the government as presented in the article. 3.0 Analysis 3.1 Export led growth The 1993 United Nations System of National Accounts (1993 SNA) allows the countries to calculate their growth with the help of any of three credible indicators; the volume of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), real gross domestic income or the re al gross national income. The GDP is the easiest and the most uncomplicated way to account for the growth of a country (World Development Indicators: 2012, 217). The gross domestic product is defined as â€Å"the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time† (Mankiw 2011, 494). The most commonly used approach to measure the GDP is the expenditure method (Taylor 2006, 138). Economists denote GDP as ‘Y’ and divide the components of GDP in to four parts; consumption (denoted by C), investment (denoted by I), government expenditure (denoted by G) and the net exports made by the country (denoted by NX) (Mankiw 2011, 496). The identity that represents the GDP calculation is as follows: Y = C + I + G + NX The net exports component of the GDP is actually the difference between the amount of export and the amount of imports made by the economy. If this difference is positive, it implies the amount of total exports is gre ater than the amount of total import and positive net exports increases the total GDP of the country. If the level of exports falls short of the level of imports, there is negative net export and the amount of GDP declines. The Chinese policy of emphasizing on exports has brought dauntless growth in the Chinese economy since the past three decades. However, recently the Chinese have been facing a huge external constraint in this path of growth. China depends on the international market heavily for its exports, particularly the U.S. and the Europe. The large scale exports made to the U.S. is leading to massive trade deficit in the U. S. It is causing financial vulnerability and discouraging the country’s manufacturing sector. This can potentially harm the development process of the country and stall its course of recovery that is still in progress after the severe sub-prime crisis that occurred in the year 2007. Since the USA is a large country in terms of the Chinese exports, recession in the country might affect the entire world economy, including China. Hence the Chine policy makers have considered shifting their attention towards domestic demand. As the article published in a BBC website says, the policymakers have expressed the desire â€Å"to increase domestic demand to reduce its dependence on exports and achieve more sustainable growth†

Thursday, September 12, 2019

RITUALS&SYMBOLS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

RITUALS&SYMBOLS - Essay Example Most of the people were dressed nice, but some were wearing blue jeans and nice T-shirts with tennis shoes. The overall impression was a group of fashionable suburbanites at one of their more important social gatherings. The church looked as if it had been constructed sometime in the past ten years. It was relatively large and didn’t necessarily look like the traditional country church with steeple. Instead, it was shaped almost like an L, made of light brown brick and creamy white siding with darker brown brick accenting the cornerstones and other features. At one end of the church, there was an impressive open-air tower that might have been a modern interpretation of the old steeple. The roofs were sharply peaked and tiled in green, giving the church a very natural appearance as if it had been placed there by God for the use of his servants. Inside, the first thing a person entered was the lobby. This was a long, very wide corridor that was lined with windows and covered with skylights. This made it seem almost like standing outside, but was protected from the elements and could be heated and cooled at appropriate times. For those who feel the only proper worship should be held outside, this lobby was very close to bringing the outside in. The light associated with God seemed very welcome and people were offered drinks, food and religious reading or listening material as they passed by small tables. The sanctuary didn’t have as much light, but regular windows, curtained with soft, gauzy white fabric, also allowed plenty of natural light to stream in from the edges. The large array of pipes for the pipe organ stood impressively behind the altar with the choir standing in front of it singing a hymn and making it obvious that music was a large portion of this church’s worship. A large wooden cross and plenty of green potted plants, mostly palm-type plants, decorated the altar as well, again bringing to mind the concept of the natural

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Business Ethics - Essay Example The organization is headquartered at Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. HSBC Holdings Plc was founded by Sir Thomas Sutherland in the year 1865. Officially HSBC Holdings Plc was established during the year 1991. Forbes magazine has announced HSBC as 6th largest publicly traded organization. Intraday market capitalization of the company is $122.65 billion (Yahoo Finance, 2012). Product & Service Mix HSBC focuses on delivering various services like investment banking services, retail banking services, global private banking and wealth management. The company has emerged as one of the leading banking service provider internationally. Company products comprises of long term and short term loans, current and savings account, insurance schemes, credit cards, fixed deposits and advisory services. Brief SWOT Analysis Strength Weakness The bank has established global scale operation and prolonged international network. The company has created strong cash reserve ratio which helps them to d iversify business operation HSBC has reduced volatility of cash flow by using diversified revenue mix. Strong financial muscles of HSBC have helped them to create sustainable corporate strategy. The bank has experienced not only asset quality deterioration but profit margin shrinkage also. Market capitalization of HSBC has declined due to poor performance of SBUs. HSBC has low control over unlawful activities like money laundering in the currency trading process Opportunities Threat HSBC has the opportunity to increase enterprise value by controlling existing portfolio. HSBC can expand business in emerging market such as Asia and Latin America. They can increase market share by focusing on low interest mortgage business. Entering emerging market will not be easy for HSBC due to strict regulatory framework of countries like India (Reserve bank of India) and China. Retail deposit might increase funding cost for HSBC in near future (Source: HSBC, 2011) Business Ethics Business ethics h as evolved as a significant management concern for organizations in present time. Many organizations in USA have understood the importance of business ethics and have therefore designed ethical assistance lines for employees to report business and ethical concern to top level management. Following diagram can be used to understand importance of ethical assistance lines for organizations. (Source: Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell, 2012, p.222) Academic scholars have dissected business ethics into two parts like Descriptive Business Ethics (morality of a business is justified by ethical rules for fair trade policy in this model) and Normative Business Ethics (this is a supportive model which specifies after work required decreasing or discouraging unfair trade practices). Business ethics covers variety of issues like political situation, legal framework of the system, economic responsibility and moral values of business organization (Brenkert, 2004, p. 188). Research scholars have poin ted out that business ethics can work in multidimensional manner in order to fulfil various organizational issues. Hooker has underpinned following guidelines for business ethics. Organizations need to establish a transparent and fair incentive and remuneration structure for top level executives. Organizations need to follow government rule in order to discourage stakeholders from doing illegal activities Leading companies should encourage healthy competition by allowing small firms to enter in business environment.