Burger King Essay

Introduction† Million of people around the world walk into Starbucks to have a morning cup of coffee. Starbucks offers a great customer service, good environment and friendly stuff that help customers in any question or problem with the service. Although the strategies and structure of Starbucks. Is a good model to follow, due to it international success. The good reputation of Starbucks as a cafà © and food industry, it shows the importance of sustainability through high quality product, service reliability and management operations. We will identify and analyze solutions to enhance and improve the performance of Starbucks in our country. First of all we will take you through shout over view about Starbucks and how do Starbucks maintained their business then we will discuss the key factor why Starbucks become very well known. Then we will discuss Starbucks inventory management process from raw material reaching the hand of the customer .Finally in our project we will show the cost analyses by evaluate the prices using available data also by the strategic cost analysis as well as timing and out sourcing Starbucks Coffee Company It’s not a mere a normal cup of coffee that attracts millions of people to walk to Starbucks to have their cup of coffee everyday, but it is that great vision associated with this cup that make people prefer it due, to the culture and principles of Starbucks, its product quality, cheery, friendly environment, and excellent level of services. So, what the secrets behind Starbuck cooperation’s success? Here is the story. The history of Starbucks Cooperation Starbucks Corporation is an American global coffee company and coffeehouse chain based USA. It is a roaster, marketer and retailer of coffee operating in more than 60 countries, with 20,891 stores all over the world, including 13,279 in the United States, 1,324 in Canada, 989 in Japan, 851 in China,  and 806 in the United Kingdom. In addition, Starbucks is an active member of the World Cocoa Foundation. The first Starbucks store was opened in 1971, and was named after Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. In 1982, Howard Schultz started working in that store as the company’s marketing officer. Starbucks began providing coffee to fine restaurants and espresso bars. In 1983 Howard Schultz travelled to Italy where he was inspired by the Milan’s very popular espresso bars. He brought this European-styled coffee back to the founders of Starbucks and convinced them to try this coffeehouse concept. In 1984, Seattle, the first Starbucks Cafà © Latte was served. In 1985 Schultz established his own coffee company called II Giomale, which offered brewed coffee and espresso beverages. In 1987 Shultz acquired Starbucks‟ assets and changes the name to Starbucks Corporation. From 1988 till 1990 Starbucks expanded its headquarters in Seattle to reach to 84 ones. In 1991, Starbucks Became the first privately owned U.S. company to offer a stock option program. In 1993 Starbucks opened a coffee roasting plant in Kent, Washington, as a step in the vertical integration. In 1995 Starbucks introduced its Frappuccino, which contained a mix of coffee, milk, sugar, Flavorings and ice. In1996 Starbucks began their international expansion and opened a store in Tokyo, Japan, which was the first store outside North America. They started collaboration with Pepsi-Cola to sell bottled Frappuccino in supermarkets. In mid-1987, Schultz bought his employers out and he became the president of the Starbucks Coffee Company. In 1998 it expanded its activity to open coffee roasting plants in Pennsylvania and in Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand, . In 1999, it began to call for partners in Middle East like Kuwait, Lebanon, and other countries like China and South Korea. Kuwait was the first country that opened Starbucks store in it by making a licensing agreement with trading partner and licensee MH Al-shaya WLL, a private Kuwait family business since 1999. Today Al-shaya Group, recognized as one of the leading and most influential retailing franchisees in the region, operates more than 230 Starbucks stores in the Middle East and Levant region. In addition to its Starbucks stores, the Al-shaya Group operates more than 1,700 other retail stores in the region, providing jobs for more than 15,000 employees of more than 35 nationalities. In 2000, Starbucks Started to purchase Fair trade coffee, and new stores opened in Australia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab  Emirates. In 2001 Starbucks Introduced the Starbucks Card, and new stores opened in Austria, Scotland, Switzerland and Wales. In 2002, Starbucks established coffee trading company in Lausanne, Switzerland, Launched Wi Fi in stores, and new stores opened in Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, Oman, Puerto Rico and Spain. the year of 2004 witnessed the opening the first Farmer Support Center in San Jose, Costa Rica, and new stores opened in France and Northern Ireland. In 2005-2006, Starbucks acquired Ethos Water, launched the industry’s first paper beverage cup containing post consumer recycled fiber, and new stores opened in Bahamas, Ireland and Jordan. Brazil and Egypt. In 2009, Starbucks opened East Africa Farmer Support Center in Kigali, Rwanda, and new stores opened in Aruba and Poland. In 2010, Starbucks Expanded digital offerings for customers with free unlimited Wi- Fi. New stores opened in El Salvador, Hungary and Sweden. In 2011, Starbucks introduced Starbucks ® Blonde Roast, opened Farmer Support Centers in Manizales, Colombiaand Yunnan, China.and new stores opened in Costa Rica, Finland, India, and Norway. In 2013, Starbucks strengthened ethical sourcing efforts with new coffee farming research and development center in Costa Rica, expanded partnership with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and new stores opened in Vietnam and Monaco. So, the total number of Starbucks stores all over the world from 1971 till 2013 reached to more 19,767 The key factor of business growth and sustainability in star bucks through the most important factor that the Starbucks cafe reliable on the ethic factor their diversity like for example: i. they provide the working farmer who process the coffee seed better quality life and you can find this in their mission ii. they provide the children clean water iii. they built green store iv. they help the farmer reduce the global worming in the crops v. they make all Starbucks cups recyclable vi. employee stock ownership plan A-Service reliability they always seek customer satisfaction take suggestion from customer and feed buck provide customer service training(product and service information training ,face to face service training ,telephone service training ,billing and managing payment ,talking customer order and handling customer complaints training the telephone compliant service have high importance in star bucks the employee shall talk clearly take the order summarize the customer order give him the price and end up by saying good bye within 10 minuets they prevent loyalty program which register usurer in gift card to give them free free of charge use of wifi or refill of coffee or tea they have automated system to know their demand they refund the customer within fourteen day if he want to change item he order it before they have positive psychology  the staff performance is highly indicator to Starbucks cafe B-High product quality Starbucks cafe always insure that the customer will have high quality fresh and clean food and drinks the Starbucks helps to support water sanitation and hygiene the Starbucks cafe provide good highly nutritious and fresh fruit with water as juices the production of coffee there are two type of seed cleaning and collection the dry method which the labor collect the seed and let it dry by air and then smash them to remove massive part by hand, the other method wash the selective seed by big amount of water to remove the massive part of the seed and this way is the most using method then , get store in bags as green coffee then the green coffee roasting by heat and temperature to have the needed flavor depend on the coffee type then the coffee grinding then it serve hot normally by adding additional heated liquid like water or milk C-Operation management They have leader ship management the most important aspect to achieve the compliance is the customer satisfaction the first idea is design the shop then create positive experience they take suggestion and feed buck from customer the Starbucks cafe always seek the optimum profit through implementing market researches they do two type of researches primary and secondary research the primary research gives them over view of the target  customer by getting data out of face to face interview questionnaires ,focus on group customer panel the primary research to seek customer preference and demand . the secondary research conduct by internet and articles to discover whether the business is doing good on the country and the weakness area and the strength Because of development pressures resulting from the globalization, and increasing of development of customers † development waves of works†, through the last periods, starting from the management and goals, achievements, passin g with total quality control then administration of the total quality, after that reestablishing business administration, lastly managing of electronic supplying chain. As a result of above supplying chain for operators and contractors, suppliers it became difficult to convince them in confirmed image. Supplying chain became important phenomenon because of costing which through may the organization achieve what it want to do, the big and new next waves of opportunities may located between the organization and their agents and between the organization and suppliers. This because the administration of supplying relating to the department of information flow and materials, services, finance through any activity by the way which may adding the effectiveness of operations it is relevant to by submitting new tools or changing, modifying known techniques, that because the efficiency is to achieve correct something. In marketing the supply chain management system means coordination of organizing and strategic operations for usual employment, planning such jobs inside the company and through a series of works inside the supply chain, in order to developing the long range performance for companies, individually and for supplying series as a whole. Targets of supply chain management are:- Increasing of information and at the same time, decreasing store expenses and operating the operation. Finding transparency in the information, decreasing obstacles which may be found. Finding comprehensive aspect for supplying operations. Development of the continuity of managing materials and information, and finance flow. Decreasing the complexity of works to the maximum range. Achieving of benefits through cost and time and quality. The supply chain management performing continual connection and effective with the following administration: planning, and follow up, including sails, procurements, production andstores. Any company need supply chain management system; in this report will concentrate on discussing the supply chain of beans in Starbucks and in particular United States, then will analyzing the international suppliers and their effect on supply chains the company. The coffee demand in the United States is very increased, but the risks which Starbucks faces is default of delivery by the suppliers, damaged beans, unexpected demand. Despite the star bucks thought of expected high cost of beans, which may it face still high prices in the normal range. Hence Starbucks will meet 100% of demand which is projected from 2011 -2016. The practices which are used by Starbucks may providing high quality of beans supplying. Also promoting guidelines to guarantee the high quality of beans. High quality considered important factor in supply chain management, in order to ease the process of supplying and processing beans. We find that brazil and Vietnam and Columbia contributed essentially in supplying star bucks the required beans with high quality, and that with market share about 38%, 14% and 12%. However we noticed that coffee beans prices in 2011 increased more than2010 with about 90%. Distribution network playing very important role in supply chain management system for star bucks, the location is very important too, you should ensure that every supplier is meet 100% of demand. Also, to ensure that every distribution center producing the required number to meet the expectation, Starbucks achieved a lot of such targets and through its supply chain it developed the demand and the process of supplying. Star bucks concerned about the phase starting from transferring the beans from the suppliers into the distribution centers. That point is very important point where it may save a lot of costs which is the company may face. But we recommend star bucks to concentrate and advice the suppliers in order to meet the distribution demands as well, distribution center representing corner stone for star bucks company, it allocated a well cost for such distribution centers for meeting regi onal demands of retailers. Star bucks depending on very big base of suppliers who save the appropriate and required amount of resources for that companies, and that benefit push it and helping the company to open new branches in order to expand both its distribution centers and their suppliers around the  world.Starbucks using Kraft in the process of distribution since thousandsof years and that putting a big load on the company, according to the study star bucks should saving money by drawing such krafts from the market. Supplying chain in star bucks works to transfer the customer- demand- to the agent may be having non sufficiency in the storing process, until it can achieve the demand of the customer, and changing the agent to retailer, this supplying chain may existing before the internet, the charging through the internet became spread phenomenon in a lot of industries and services, products charged by multiple factories, and services the products can be charged from many factories into the stores of ag ents this to be restored and transported directly to the end of the stage without to be in the store, the matter which may decreasing time and saves money. Supplying chain often referred to as values chain, this term reflects that the value added to the product and services when it being produced or through the series. Value chain or supplying is to collect separate works organization, as it formed from two factors for each organization: including the supplying and demand.The demand chain includes sales and distribution as a part of value chain. It is being mentioned that the bio organizing of value chain is the way to create the value itself, through organizing and coordinating the activities in effective image to perform the internal operations, to develop the activities of work networks which created in essential image of new markets. Starbucks performing supply chain through the following: Managing the chain of supplying as the management of internal supplying chain. Chain management as concentrating on the resources.  Chain management as managing the works networks which including the agent in addition to suppliers Star bucks using supply chain planning which depending on the mathematics to help in developing flow and efficiency of supplying chain, also, decreasing the storage to the least amount, this program depending on the accuracy of information in which it being updated first by first. Planning of supply applications is available for the factors or main chain of supplying.Also, the program of planning the needs of materials and resources which is considered effective and important tool of supplying chain. Starbucks depending on the following when using its strategy about the second form which is flowing of information in supply chain, which may  be used with better image, through developing the performance when making the following factors available: High qu ality of resources Decreased fixed cost Decreasing cost for the retailer Changing grade in the demand is decreased All such factors contribute in the successful achievements for the company The importance of sustainability in Starbucks Company: During the process of supply chain management (bean to cup), there are many issues coffee farmers face; including environmental affect and economic challenge. If these issues are not addressed well, it could affect the long-term sustainability. Service Reliability: What is Starbucks retail strategy? Starbucks retail strategy is to maintain customer loyalty, to hire and train knowledgeable servers, to associated products and to educate customers about their special drinks. One of the Starbucks strategies in targeting customers is to feel convenient and relax atmosphere for loyal customers. By encouraging this idea, Starbucks stores consist of electronic equipment and furnished with comfortable benches and seating. While making customers more comfortable and relax, causes them to stay more and pay more to have another cup of coffee or have some pastries and sandwiches. Customer Service: What makes Starbucks special is in each store; there is a card for customer recommendation. These cards help the management team to keep in touch with what customers recommend for the store products. Starbucks has a guarantee statement â€Å"Your drink should be perfect, every time. If not, let us know and we will make it right†. Starbucks continuously takes feedback through direct feedback at the counter or customer connections or a questionnaire. By having a look at customer’s response, it helps the company to determine the importance issues and areas by tracking the performance of  customer satisfaction through company community activities, quality products and reliable service. Source in Origin Countries: Starbucks company helps farmers to build up their quality of living while establishing a sustainable supply of high-quality coffee by obtaining at signing long-term contracts, outright prices and purchasing from farms and cooperative. Long-Term contracts: Starbucks Company and producers take an advantage of long-term contracts with suppliers. Farmers are committed an agreeable prices over multiple years. Starbucks Company has the ability to protect the future coffee supplies at predictable cost. Outright Prices: Coffee prices can be agreeable at outright prices or in relationships to the current wholesale price. Today Starbucks favorite choice is to source coffee at outright prices. This provides the reliability and predictability for buyers and sellers. Direct Purchasing: Medium size farms produce most of the coffee beans for Starbucks coffees. The company visited many of these many of these farms and built up a relationship with the growers. More than twelve percent of out supply was acquire directly from farmers and co-ops, which is confirm that more of purchases price went to farmers. Starbucks supply chain Starbucks has a wide range supply chain that covers almost nineteen countries, which it is great to expand its business and also get lower prices for the ingredients to the customer. It has 6 roasting plants, 17000+ stores, 70000+ deliveries per week and worldwide global reach. (figure 1,2). â€Å"Peter Gibbons† was hired in 2008 to run and role the supply chain for  Starbucks. His achievement was rating the serving stores that the supply chain could do. And to find out the sources of the costs to reduce them and make an efficient improvement. The first transformation plan is making main structures for the supply chain which they are: (figure 3): 1- Plan 2- Source 3- Make 4- Deliver You can find that everything in their stores comes from supply chain. It is planning everything from Raw materials to manufacturing to retailers until it reached to the customer (end user). A coffee supply chain is the most complex and unique supply chain and distribution channel with the number of daily deliveries.(figure 4,5). The coffee beans come from Africa, South America and South East of Asia. The most common countries are Brazil, Ethiopia and Ecuador. They are shipped to the storage sites by oceans or air. After that it is moved by trucks to the roasting centres. It has 6 roasting centres with an effective centralized system. The green coffee beans (raw material) are manufactured at many stages: 1- Harvest : First, picking the beans cherries manually in the small farms or mechanically in large ones. The manually pics only the damaged or ripped ones, but in the mechanically it picks the whole crop (figure). Cropping happening once or twice a year. After that it moved to the procedures or processors – the most important step in supply chain – pulping the coffee beans out of their cherries by using special separation machines. Beans are proceeds in two ways dry method or wet method. Each one has its steps. * First, the steps of dry method: 1- Sort the cherries which were harvested. In order to separate the damaged and unripe or overripe from the good ones. 2- Wash (clean) the dirt out of the coffee cherries by washing machines. 3- Dry them by spreading the cherries under the sun. 4- Peeling and hulling to remove the upper layer (skin) and the pulp. 5-  Storing them to roaster or export (inventory). * Second, the steps of the wet method: 1- Sort and clean at the same time by putting them in machined filled with water, the floated cherries means that they are damaged, and the sinking one are good. 2- Removing the pulp mechanically. 3- Removing the last layer by Milling. 4-washing them again to remove any sticky thing came out from pulping. 5- Drying them mechanically or under the sun. 6- Storing them to roast or export. 2- Export and import: Government in some countries is making the export of the coffee beans, while others the private buyers are the one who is making the export. At the import, countries do the test for the coffee beans by tasting and inspecting, and then store them in the warehouses until making a shipment to the roasters. 3- Production ( roasters) : It means turning the green beans to the final product of beans we are using to make coffee. It includes sorting, roasting, cooling and packaging. First, removing the cracked beans then roast them under a high degree between (350 – 550) for a specific time depends on the required specifications. Cooling is the next procedure by using a cooling system. Finally packaging the coffee beans, there is different typed of it depend on the Starbucks managers choice like (aluminium, paper, etc.). All Roaster centre make certain that all the beans are going through all the process in the right and responsive way. 4- Distribution: The roaster products are distributed to the retailers through wholesalers. Coffee retailers have an expected continuous product supply. Starbucks use many distribution designs which mean there are multiple distribution channels for them. It sells their products direct retail system, it also provide their products in shopping centres and supermarkets to sell them. Also direct system uses a direct mail selling. When selling to the grocery store, it uses the single selling system. 5- Retailers: Starbucks coffee is served directly to the customer with the added value in coffee stores and retail shops. They need to find a location store to allocate the demand, supply and minimum transportation cost. 6- Transportation: It must confirm the need of the customers, from the time and the quality of the service. Shipments must be delivered upon agreement (on date). Having a program specialized in transportations is good to satisfy customers and gives high level of benefits and advantages. In transportation shipment (ocean, air) and rucks or vehicles are used to move the product from one place to another. There are some factors that may affect the transportation operation: 1- The cost of Fixed operating such as any related cost with airports or terminals whether the vehicles were working or not. 2- Trio cost – uploading and unloading. 3- Overhead cost – planning cost of the transportation. * Inventory: Inventory must kept in between any process as a raw material, work in progress products and finished goods, in order to satisfy demands of the customers. Starbucks is using for inventory the P-system and EOQ system. It helps to decrease the losses and wastes. It uses a computer programs to track its inventory. The shipping and ordering system in Starbucks is done by two ways, first with the EOQ, it has two days lead time. The other one is by using the P-system and it is done every week with three days lead time. * supply chain goal: The basic goal of the Starbucks supply chain is to insure and provide the availability of coffee at every branch with a reasonable and affordable  price. * Strategies to develop the supply chain: 1- Cooperative farmer’s development. It control and organize the independent farmers and make a collective union called C.A.F.A (coffee and farmers equity. It provides a guideline to support the farmers and lift the equal long term relationships. 2- Increase production and open new markets for special kinds of coffee like espresso. The price of green coffee beans is depending on many factors, such as, weather, economic situation in the production countries. The demand of the coffee depends on customer choice, country region, health level and risks. Figure 1 Figure 3 figure 2 Figure 2 Figure 5 Finally, Starbucks is a model of success to follow.   Starbucks’s key success of the Starbucks brand is determined by people’s interaction with the Company’s experience, and the culture and values of how they relate to customers. By investing and creating a unique relationship with the staff and getting them to understand that first of all is the primary target to exceed the expectations of the employees and then of the customers. People at Starbucks are never viewed as commodities, but as business partners. Also, The Company’s primarily role or responsibility is to ensure that the organizational culture is compatible with the kind of people that they want to attract and retain. The Company’s motivation to develop the most recognizable brand was also based on the good planning and positioning strategy. These all reasons and others make Starbucks retains its worldwide position, recognized as one of the most successful globalized  companies that h as created a strong brand and international experience.

Campaign Threats or Implied Promise of Benefits

Did the employer statements constitute an unlawful threat or an unlawful promise in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the LMRA? Why or why not? Yes, the employer statements were unlawful. The NLRA guaranteed workers the right to join unions without fear of management reprisal. It created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to enforce this right and prohibited employers from committing unfair labor practices that might discourage organizing or prevent workers from negotiating a union contract. Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection. Section 8 defines employer unfair labor practices. Employer interference, restraint, or coercion directed against union or collective activity (Section 8(a)(1)), was violated in this case study. Threats, warnings, and orders to refrain from protected activities are forms of interference and coercion that violate Section 8(a)(1). Section 8 also prohibits union unfair labor practices, which include, according to legal construction, failure to provide fair representation to all members of the bargaining unit. The NLRA sets out general rights and obligation. Enforcing the Act in particular situations is the job of the NLRB. Did the questioning or statements by either supervisor Bates or Lofton constitute unlawful interrogation in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the LMRA? Explain fully why or why not. As mentioned in the first question, yes it was unlawful interrogation. These supervisors were desperately trying to get the employees to vote against the union. In the event that they were successful at having all of their employees to vote against the union, some of them may have been unhappy and treated unfairly. Without representation, an employee will lose most battles against companies, unless they have solid proof of the employer’s wrongdoing. In the case I notice how the supervisors both told employees about the reduction in their benefits. They were trying to use scare tactics because they know people need their benefits. The supervisors seem to want to make these promising decisions when in fact they should have been offering these things to the employees in the first place. It doesn’t make sense to try to make things better to keep from getting the union involved. The plant manager was trying to convince the employees that they are able to handle things without the union getting involved. The manager tried to say that the unions are known for making broken promises, but it seems as if that is what the employer was doing. Develop a set of guidelines for supervisors and managers to follow when speaking to employees during a union organizing campaign. Employers should not threaten employees during an organizing campaign, but economic predictions regarding matters outside of the employer’s control, which are demonstrable, may be made. The employer should refrain from inflaming racial hatred. They should listen to what the employee has to say and advise them that they are able to speak with anyone on the management staff without union representation. They should advise the employees of the benefits that they are currently enjoying; however there is no need to make a threat to take away any benefits or reduce the cost. In the event that an employee is being insubordinate, they will need to continue to follow company’s policies and guidelines; however they will need to make sure they have sufficient evidence to support their decision. The NLRB prohibits employers from holding captive audience meetings 24 hours prior to the election, because insufficient time will exist for the union to respond; therefore if they decide to hold a meeting it will have to be within reasonable times. There should be a social media policy in place and such policy should be clear and understandable to the average employee. The NLRB’s rulings have in large part turned on the ambiguities of social media policies, and the possibility that employees may misunderstand the policies to bar protected activities. A social media policy must not be overbroad. Policies should be narrowly drawn to address the employer’s legitimate policy objectives (for example, preventing the disclosure of the company’s proprietary information via social media or restricting the use of social media to engage in harassing conduct that would violate the company’s anti-discrimination and harassment policies). Employers will not like what the unions are trying to do, but this does not give them the right to talk down on the unions. When employers talk to employees during a union organizing campaign, they will need to be mindful of what they are saying. Sometimes people talk too much and a supervisor or manager could cause an employer to have a lawsuit. Within the guidelines, I suggest the managers and supervisors to keep their negative thoughts to themselves. This will eliminate someone saying the wrong thing and will allow the employees to make a valid decision based on their own thoughts and opinions. Explain fully how the NLRB should rule in this case and why. The NLRB should rule that the employer is in violation because of the things the supervisors said. This may not be the first time or maybe it is; however it should not go unnoticed and that is what some would like to see. In this case, the employees are being threatened about their benefits and wages. They are also making it seem as if they don’t need a union, when in fact they seem to really need someone there to represent the employees. The company also threatened two of the union supporters. When the supervisor advised that if they strike, there are more people waiting for their jobs; apparently that supervisor is not aware of the employee rights with the union behind them. The employer has to hold their jobs when they go on strike.

Importance of China And India On Projections of Future Energy Needs Research Paper

Importance of China And India On Projections of Future Energy Needs - Research Paper Example This report stresses that the rapid population growth, industrial growth and changing life styles may increase the energy requirements of India further than forecasted. For example, mobile phone and automobile usages in India has increased a lot in the last two decades. It is difficult to see a family without a vehicle in the urban areas now. Even in rural areas many people using motor bikes for their travelling needs. Same way mobile phones are a house hold entity now. In fact most of the people in urban areas have their own cell phones. Thus the energy requirements in India are rapidly growing because of the changing life styles or advancements in life standards. This paper makes a conclusion that China and India are the two major countries in the world at present which are developing more rapidly than any other countries in the world. The huge energy crisis in the world at present is because of the immense developments in these heavily populated countries. The GDP growths of these two countries are one among the top five countries in the world whereas population wise they are the number one and two. China is currently developing more solar energy equipments whereas India is more focussed on developing nuclear energy sources in order to meet their future energy requirements. In short, India and China have significant role in increasing the global energy demand and it is necessary fro them to develop renewable energy sources further.

Analysis of Federal agency's proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Analysis of Federal agency's proposal - Essay Example The global economies have been in the recent past more vocal and vibrant in designing and imposing regulation frameworks towards curbing the increase in green house gas and the emissions into the atmosphere as a strategic step towards controlling effects of the gases on weather and the environment. In such an effort, the EPA proposed a rule on 13th April 2012, setting standards towards the new establishments in manufacturing and processing plants that depend on fossil fuels in firing. Millions of comments on the proposal were received through which the EPA got the feeling of other stakeholders and this warranted some revisions and amendments towards the proposal. This led to the release of the much anticipated for proposal by the EPA on 20th September, 2013 and this actually forms the basis of this paper. New plants that rely on fossil fuels (coal and natural gas) and EGUs (electric utility generating units) are the main targets of the proposed rules although being just one among the many regulations that Obama administration pursues towards curbing the increase and effects of GHG emissions into the atmosphere. Federal guidelines under state regulations are currently the main tools on use in regulating the carbon emissions (Miller, 2013). The globe has witnessed great change in climatic patterns as are attributed to global warming phenomena. Global warming on the other hand has been associated with lots of causes which range from human related factors to the natural causes. Humans in particular have been pointed to contribute highly towards causing the global temperatures to be on the rise especially through such activities that are associated with emitting carbon and other green house emissions into the atmosphere. It is to be noted that besides the industrial contribution to increased emission of GHG, individuals also contribute towards the menace through ‘small’ acts such as smoking and burning fossil fuels for

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Disc dyn Mod 12 - Essay Example Leadership is not a static undertaking, rather, it demands flexibility, the eagerness to distinguish the need for change and the capacity to lead change (Myatt, 2012).Thus, when leaders recognize things that should be changed and they are willing to embrace it, they become effective leaders. Leaders from different sectors of society embrace change in order to maintain a strong, rising and dynamic organization (Myatt, 2012). Business leaders, military officers and politicians need change to become successful leaders. However, it is important to note that a person need not become an officer or a high ranking executive to lead. Individuals who are passionate about certain things can become successful and good leaders too if they understand change and they are willing to respond to it. In my personal experience, I volunteer in the Down Syndrome Charitable Association (DSCA). I know that the society has their certain view and perspective about Down Syndrome. However, the association is doing its best to change the view of the society on Down Syndrome kids and how to treat them. DSCA and its volunteers create ways on how to effectively relay awareness to the society aside from the usual and previously established campaign directives. Today, the Down Syndrome Charitable Association hosts events and social gatherings to be able to inform and effectively promote awareness to

Human rights cannot be both universal and political. Discuss Essay - 1

Human rights cannot be both universal and political. Discuss - Essay Example The fact whether human rights can be both universal and political, or not has engendered lots of heated arguments so far. Most of these arguments spring from the concerns of individuals’ religious, cultural, social perspectives with what they consider to be rights of human beings. But in one age or place what was considered by the people to be a valid right of human beings, appeared to be invalid and oppressive in others; therefore they were amended and also changed. The concept of rights varied from place to place, age to age, culture to culture, by the geo-cultural variables. As a result the universality of human rights is questioned and often tried to be explained from a narrow political and culturally relativistic view (Cohen 1989, pp.1014-1017). But a holistic approach is made to address both the universal and the socio-political view of rights. In the context of human right movement of modern time, the universality of human right has been the most tried matter in order t o enhance its applicability in a global framework. Consequently an endeavor to procure a universalized view of human right is significantly remarkable in the definitions of the scholars at the forth part of modern human right movement. This paper will focus light on the reasonability of arguments and counter arguments on the topic whether human rights cannot be both universal and political and attempt to retrieve a conclusion on the possibility of drawing a mutual line between the two. The idea of universality of human right is prompted first by the prominent European philosophers such as Grotius, Hobbes and Locke (Rayner n.d.). But internationally it was introduced immediately after the Second World War. As Gà ¶rkem Birinci â€Å"Human rights were brought into the focus immediately after the Second World War with the establishment of the United Nations† (n.d., p. 1). This universality is asserted on the foundations

Cold War Movies of 1960s and 1980s Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cold War Movies of 1960s and 1980s - Essay Example A medium that, while being consumed by millions throughout the world, would play a factor in distinguishing ideological differences between nations, whatever those may be. In the case of this time in history, "The Cold War was characterized by mutual distrust, suspicion, and misunderstandings by both the United States and the Soviet Union, and their allies. At times, these conditions increased the likelihood of a third world war. The United States accused the Soviet Union of seeking to expand Communism throughout the world. The Soviets, meanwhile, charged the United States with practicing imperialism and with attempting to stop revolutionary activity in other countries," ("Cold War", p.1). Such mistrust would greatly impact how each nation was viewed on the part of the other. By the 1980s, "In 1987, Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed a treaty to eliminate many of the ground-launched, nuclear missiles of both nations. The treaty went into effect in 1988. In 1988 and 1989, the U.S.S.R. withdrew its troops from Afghanistan. Also in the late 1980's, the Soviet Union began to reduce its conventional military forces in Eastern Europe. In the U.S.S.R., Gorbachev worked for a more decentralized economic system and allowed more democracy and freedom of expression. He also encouraged similar actions in Eastern Europe," ("Cold War", p.1). In the 1960s, two movies produced, which would best exemplify the present views held about the Soviet Union, would have been, 'The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming!' & 'Dr. Strangelove'. In the case of "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming!", the movie would have to do with a Russian submarine that would approach the American coastline. A Russian gentleman that was seeking to get a better look at America. A group of 9 men, lead by a Russian gentleman, is given the task of taking care of the submarine. These men head to a house, where they seek to convince the inhabitants that they are Norwegians, but are unsuccessful. One of the Russian gentleman points a gun at the man who lived in the house and requested his assistance in finding a boat so that the Russian crew could leave. As for 'Dr. Strangelove', Director Stanley Kubrick uses his movie to show what could very well occur, if when the time came, the decision to initiate a nuclear attack occurs. While doing this, Kubrick would take a more comedic approach to the broader issue at hand. In the movie, a US bomber is going about completing the mission they are involved in, when they are told by their command to attack the Russians. A chance for some in the American military to flex their muscle, they are later informed by representatives of the Russian government that they too have in their possession a weapon of great magnitude. On that, if fired, would create massive destruction that would be felt throughout the world and would be used if they were attacked. With the 1980s came a change in political policy, as well as the movies that would be produced. In 'Moscow on the Hudson', Robin Williams stars as a young Russian man that arrives in the United States looking for opportunities, which he felt he didn't have in his home country. After going to a major department store, Williams' character makes it known that he desires to become an American

Fashion design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fashion design - Essay Example oduce a range of clothing and aesthetics designs that will capture the interests of the customers, by following the developing trends and even going back to reinvigorate some traditional or ancient clothing styles and aesthetic components that were fashionable during the time, which can also integrate fully into the current tastes and preferences of the people (Eceiza and Alvarez, 22). Design functionality and aesthetic value forms the fundamental principles of fashion design, since a fashion designer must come up with a design that functions well for the current generation, while also matching the emerging trends and thus giving a touch of aesthetically pleasant attire. Most significant in the world of fashion design, is the consideration into who is likely to wear the garment or the accessory that has been produced, and on what occasions is the attire desirable. Therefore, with the interest of the current generation on the forefront, coupled by the occasional desirability and aesthetic appearance, a fashion designer is sure to remain in the business. There are a variety of skills that are desirable for an individual to qualify as a fashion designer. First, a wide knowledge in fabrics, ornaments, garments and fashion trends is highly desirable for anyone waiting to become a fashion designer (Eceiza and Alvarez, 37). The knowledge of fabrics is essential; since it enables an individual understand what type of material is desirable to produce a clothing fashion, based on the occasions for which the clothing is designed. The knowledge of ornaments is also relevant, since it allows individuals to understand the types of ornaments that are suitable to produce certain accessories, and which of such ornaments is worth matching the dressing that is designed for such occasions (Brogden, 42). Another relevant requirement for a prospective fashion designer is the knowledge of fashion trends. This is necessary because fashion is not statistic, and thus new designs are

Enhancing Employability Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Enhancing Employability - Term Paper Example The possible influence of IT in employment creation is both direct as well as indirect. Directly, IT sector can create new employment opportunities and indirectly, the implementation of IT by other industries help to enlarge the assortment of services and as a result inspire the evolution of IT sector. The indirect influence of IT is much bigger compared to direct influence. In the USA, it is expected that for each employment generated in the IT industry, at least ten further IT-oriented employment can be developed in other industries where IT has been implemented. Though the use of IT eradicates certain specific labor-intensive employments, it can generate far more employment opportunities. Several businesses such as computer training, research and development among others are directly related with IT industry (Jacobs, 2008). According to a study of National Research Council of the USA, it had been found that IT has an inspiring effect on the development of service industry. The fastest growing sectors of service industry such as education, financial services, health services and insurance sectors among others are expanded with the help of adaptation of IT. IT provides benefits towards generation of employment and enhances skill level. Several evidences specify that IT supports towards the development of labor and overall skill advancement in the workstation (Jacobs, 2008). The research for IT business will be conducted on the basis of secondary data and primary data. The main focus of this research will be to understand the condition of the IT industry in the USA and to analyze the self-employment opportunity in this sector. In order to conduct the research, firstly, information regarding IT sector trends such as computer sales and revenues in the USA will be collected, the number of employment generated by the IT sector will be analyzed and ultimately the data will be segmented for creating a fruitful finding of the research. These data will help to understand the condition of the IT sector and its prospects for employment for graduates or self-employment.

Analytical Description of Players in Hamlet Essay Example for Free

Analytical Description of Players in Hamlet Essay The significance of the players exceeds the sole purpose of entertainment, as each possesses the power to unveil the occulted guilt (3.2.75) and conscience of the King. Hamlet assumes the responsibility to advise these players with precise and adequate direction so that a whirlwind of passion (6) may not effectively separate Claudius from personally identifying with the play. Hamlets enthusiastic approach toward direction may be so that he encourages the players to suit the action to the word, the word to the/ action, with this special observance, that you oerstep not/ the modesty of nature (16-18). However, this exercise of caution may justify Hamlets too often delayed attempt toward the action of avenging his fathers murder. His direction confines him to the overflow of words as he experiences imprisonment within the truth of his own identity. Hamlet grants himself the opportunity to momentarily direct himself, yet it remains unknown as to whether he directs a representation of truth or a falsity. He exemplifies madness so well, as the sight of a damned ghost (77) insanely induces his imagination and comfortably transforms his identity to one of lunacy. This role he acquires is one he portrays so explicitly well as an actor that he easily utilizes it as the foundation for his players. He instructs the players: Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand, Thus, but use all gently, for in the very torrent, tempest, And, as I may say, whirlwind of passion, you must acquire And beget a temperance that may give it smoothness. (4-7) Abstinence from overly dramatizing the actions of the play may be reflective of Hamlets character prior to his escape from true self: a once-lived life of normalcy focused more wholly on smoothness (7) rather than an uncontrolled torrent, tempest, / whirlwind of passion (5-6). Hamlets direction of the players claims victory as Claudius abruptly arises and exclaims, Give me some light. Away (254)! Horatios observation of the Kings reaction confirms his guilt-inflamed conscience as he was forced to witness the reenactment of his brothers murder. Hamlet, relieved, reveals, Ill take the ghosts word for a thousand/ pound (271-272). The ghost is officially trustworthy as the Kings reaction encourages Hamlet to journey further toward his mission of avenging the death of his father. Any form of immediate action is ignored when Hamlet wrestles Polonius with false visions of psychosis as he inquires, Do you see yonder cloud thats almost in shape of a / camel (355-356)? Hamlets separation from action invites a sense of fear that intensifies his madness and entangles his entire self in nothing more than the mere use of words. It is his words that camouflage the notion that his own conscience may be afflicted with an overpowering sense of guilt. Even though Hamlets accurate direction of the players did celebrate success as it illustrated the guilt of the Kings conscience, Hamlets identity remains in crisis as he continues to revel in his words. His speech reveals his craving for action: Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn and hell itself (breathes) out Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hot blood, And do such (bitter business as the) day Would quake to look on. (367-371) The claim that he is prepared to engage in necessary action remains solely a claim as Hamlets burden of self-loathing dominates his internal struggle. He may fear the truth of his identity, as he is horrified by the realism included in the players precise portrayal of his own life in actuality.

The Political Economy Of Democratic Decentralization Politics Essay

The Political Economy Of Democratic Decentralization Politics Essay Decentralization involves the diffusion of powers, as the term itself suggests that it refers to the distribution or devolution of powers, other than the State holding all of the decision making powers, decision making is distributed among the regional and local levels. This refers to the idea of local self-government and also to the idea of democratization. Democracy, gives out the idea of participation and through decentralization such participation can be increased, since it provides not only the State making all the decisions but gives the people at the lower levels to make decisions as well. In India, the idea of decentralization came into force with the passing of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, provisioning the establishment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions and the latter for the establishment of urban municipal bodies. In the book Decentralization: Institutions and Politics in Rural India, Satyajit Singh and Pradeep K. Sharma mention the two Constitutional Amendments are the starting point to the movement towards decentralization. Along with this they acknowledge that the villages in India are characterised by caste oppression, unequal distribution of power, resources and opportunities and others leading to poverty, they fail in providing what could be the best form that could accommodate these characteristics, since democratic functioning of any institution cannot function well without the participation of the whole; and exclusion based on these terms may not provide a good form of decentralised governance. Decentralization basically relates to the shifting of power away from the State, since both Manor, Singh and Sharmas book presents the corrupt nature of the state, which are involved in rent-seeking, both deal with the diffusion and devolution of powers as providing for the deepening of democracy and taking powers away from the State, instead in this book the importance of the State is emphasised and focused on the failure of the local governments, mentioning that the personnel in the local levels are less qualified, they lack access to the resources. Out of seventy-five developing countries, sixty-three have opted for decentralization, India which have adopted decentralization Singh and Sharma point out that the decentralization which requires political, fiscal and administrative autonomy are lacking or underdeveloped. The article Keralas Decentralization: the idea in practice by Rashmi Sharma, mentions the adoption of PPC Peoples Plan Campaign in Kerala devised to increase participation of the people in local governments in civic and development duties and responsibilities for revenue administration and number of regulatory functions. However she points out that decentralized bodies were weak organisations and that panchayats faced personnel problem with their limited qualification, departmental hierarchy still in charge. The different levels of the local government were not allowed to help each other out, like in Kerala the district panchayats which were better staffed were not allowed to help the gram panchayat at times when it could not do on its own. Thus she provides that cooperation is missing among the local governments. Keralas decentralization was mainly characterised by politics. Though it was the most successful State in terms of the decentralization process, it failed mostly in providing for a separation of politics and administration, failure to do this created blocks. Politics played an important part in minimising the role of the decentralised bodies. Rashmi Sharma mentions that the plan could not be materialised due to the political holding then, however the plan was considered to be meaningful with the help of voluntary organisations like the KSSP Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad. Decentralization involves State governments too, they still act as the key factor in facilitating decentralization. As already mentioned, decentralization does not work free of politics and so the inability of the local governments to cope with the politics, States role is always recognised. Therefore, leading us to say that some form of centralisation is necessary for decentralisation. 1 Singh and Sharma, as well as Manor while focussing on decentralization refers to a top-down process of political, administrative and fiscal governance, whereby there is diffusion of such powers to the lower level organisations. While Singh and Sharma presents the idea of decentralization as a tool for some specific purpose of the State. The example they cite is of Pakistan where military leaders threatened by resurgence of national and provincial level democracy and also Nepal in order to counter Maoists decentralization or distribution of powers to local levels were adopted. Where Manor mentions from a political economic perspective that decentralization stands for fiscal transfers from top-down, where top position holders have control over the transfers, therefore mentioning the State. So, they do not really see decentralization as a successful form of governance, but Manor also goes to the extent saying that decentralization is likely to fail. Decentralization is to work at three levels: National, State and the local level, and in each level the institutions are further tiered. Satyajit Singh mentions democratic decentralization is best said to work through active citizenry and not representative democracy, this he mentions at the beginning of the book with his reference to the Athenian form of democracy, but later he contradicts himself saying that a representative form of democracy is important as higher levels usually the State determines the framework of the local participation i.e. people at the local and the representatives at the State or national level, this shows that in spite of having a decentralised form of government still what seems to be important is the role of the state, this just shows that though via 73rd and 74th amendments, decentralization has been asserted in India, still the power of the state prevails which is a centralised entity. Though the centralised state has been hailed as important, and the corrupt nature of the state has been exposed still decentralisation lacks that ability to gain full confidence and power of decision making. As in Kerala, even in West Bengal, political parties have hold over most of the village level panchayats, the LF (Left Front) has about sixty to seventy percent of the seats in the village councils.2 In West Bengal. Participation was required and recorded regarding budgets, accounts and when it was not recorded it was considered illegal. Villagers participation brought down costs of public projects, even though peoples participation compared to Kerala was less. Maitreesh Ghatak and Maitreya Ghatak provides that though such participation empowers the public to participate in the formulation and implementation of plan, still there exists a risk of the officials at the low level of lacking the expertise and the qualification to do that. Relating to the allocation of funds, the lower tiers have no say in it, this is done by the State Governments or the bureaucracy. They also mention the problems associated with decentralization that is of the lack of coordination between village level panchayat plans and also the plan prepared by the state government bureaucracy. The arguments that are presented in Singh and Sharmas book as well as that of Manor is not really inclined towards the success of decentralization, they have however provided how even when decentralization is sought still no complete decentralization can be brought about, certain centralising tendencies do exist. As Singh had mentioned decentralization being a tool for controlling insurgencies etc, so does Merilee Grindle mention that decisions for decentralization were driven by a pre-existing interests to which leaders were beholden (Manor). Referring to the developing countries, centralization were more preferred even though it led to the rural disempowerment, the reason was that the developing countries were mainly the newly independent countries and so a centralised rule was needed to prevent internal diversity from fragmenting the new nations. The rulers held the idea of local governments or decentralization in low esteem, for them national consolidation through centralized leadership was their main emphasis. He cited various examples; one was of India, where post independence period there was a clash of the Gandhian idea of local level self sufficiency and then Nehruvian idea of centralised State, however the food shortages of that time led to the adoption of a centralised rule, therefore local level bodies were deemphasised. More than focussing on what the advantages of decentralization could be they all have emphasised the disadvantages, like Manor through his political economy perspective provides that democratic decentralization is an arena of free market, having buyers i.e. the citizens and the sellers- the centralised authority, saying that the local governments increases the expenditure of the government and also in a course of time leads to system failure. In case where there exists a lack of State funds, the tasks are simply off loaded with the hope that the local governments would deal with it, which at times lead to systems failure. Decentralization is seen to have an economic edge, some countries who are dependent on taxes paid by their domestic population, or who depend on a certain domestic source of fund like Oil, they do not accept decentralization, whereas Marxists provide that decentralization is seen by few to further their own economic interests, in order to cultivate political support for enhancing regime legitimacy. They all provide a very negative connotation to the idea of decentralization, adding to this Manor provides an idea of Cote dIvoire that decentralization is directed to draw up local groups into the system of governance to let the electors do some of the governments dirty work. 3 Decentralization is seen to promote political realism, and also a politically stable and a stronger state. In terms of developmental tasks, decentralised bodies Manor says is not really effective since with the increase in participation because of democratic decentralization, expectations and demands of the people also increase. In the latter part of Manors book The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralization, he provides various details about local governments and what it provides, however on the idea of empowerment and reservation; he mentions that women in developing countries have still not received the participatory role. However he fails to acknowledge that in India which is one of the developing countries have provided for empowerment of women via thirty-three per cent reservation. Regarding the poverty reduction rule, he mentions that the this task should be given to the higher levels, since they would be more enthusiastic about redistribution, however again fails to acknowledge that the higher levels refers to the government authorities, and if the main cause of decentralization is thought of, then it is because of these authorities only that decentralization was brought about, since these authorities engaged in rent seeking and other corrupt practices. As such if poverty reduction programmes and its funds were to be given to the higher levels, then the level of corruption would be higher. Decentralization which is expected to facilitate community participation in development is said to increase voting, contracting etc but participation and the reason Manor gives are: Firstly, the authorities that are created through decentralization stand above the local level, and so they would not really be able to mobilise the masses. Secondly, the government authorities who are really the ones at the top levels of such programs find it difficult to gain the trust of the community. Such decentralised authorities instead create divisions instead of facilitating communal solidarity. Therefore in explaining decentralization and the devolution of power to local government, Satyajit Singh has basically provided local governments as being a weak institution, and Manor has the same view. Singh has provided that by devolution of powers decision making is given to illiterate and inexperienced persons, and though it stands for diffusion of power still States hold important decision making powers, and corruption by the state officials still persists. Therefore Manor in his book has given various reasons as to why developing countries have preferred centralised regimes more than decentralised ones, and the decentralised ones have been branded as weak organisations, lacking skills and the personnel lacking education and qualification. Both Singh and Manor held a negative view of the local governments, more focussing on the failures and weakness of the institutions with their weakness enhanced by the political parties functioning and their hold over sixty to seventy percent of the seats in the local governments. Thus, they present a weak version of the decentralised form of governance.

lighthod A Dark Heart in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

The Heart of Darkness The Heart of Darkness has two storytellers: Joseph Conrad, the author, and the other being Marlow the story's narrator. The narration that takes place is conceived mostly from Conrad's opinions. Conrad is using Marlow as the embodiment of all the goodness that he represents. "But Marlow was not typical...His remark did not seem at all surprising. It was just like Marlow. It was accepted in silence" (p. 68). "Marlow sat cross-legged right aft, leaning against the mizzen-mast. He had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and with his arms dropped, the palms of his outwards, resembled an idol" (p. 66). By doing this not only is Conrad implicates (or accuses) society of its terrible actions but he is also excluding himself. Throughout Marlow's narrative there is no place where he ponders whether or not he has the right idea or even if his opinion is biased to his own liking. There is no way that any that we can verify the validity of his story but yet Marlow assumes his listeners and readers will believe his account. Strangely enough, after such a tale on the shameful acts of society, Marlow (or Conrad) expects us to believe his tale and maybe even attempt to change our actions. Ironically, we can assume Marlow's listeners and readers have been touched by this account. The story and it's teller seem sincere but yet there is more than that. Marlow in this way has become like Kurtz, a voice that craves to be heard by its listeners. It is in this way that Kurtz and Marlow are both mouth pieces for Conrad's voice. Conrad is questioning society for its flaws but while doing so he must also question himself. After all the crimes he's accusing society for he must prove himself a worthy judge. Society nurtures the recognition of these crimes but it does not encourage the correction of these problems. Both in Africa and in London, Marlow sees corruption and the paths to chaos but yet it is so much easier for him to condem the events that take place in both places than to hold someone accountable for the injustices. There is no way to finish reading The Heart of Darkness and not wonder why Marlow did not tell his tale to the owner's of the company.

Amazing Grace Essay -- essays research papers

Amazing Grace, written by Jonathan Kozol.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At first glance, it seems that the author is going to take us on yet another journalistic ride through the land of the poor. Similar to the ones you read about, or hear in the news. However, this is not the case; the real underlying theme is what is society doing about the plight of the poor? Kozol uses the views of children to emphasize that these reports on living conditions are not being obtained by â€Å"disgruntled† adults, but from innocent, learning children whose only misfortune was being born to this particular area.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The author takes us from the seventh richest congressional district in the nation (being E 59th Street in New York City) to the poorest in the nation. A mere eighteen-minute ride by subway to the South Bronx, to a little place called Mott Haven; where the median family income for the 48000 residents is only $7,600. An area known for crack-cocaine and heroin; prostitution; poor hospital care, where one-quarter of new mothers tested in obstetric wards are HIV positive; and the police say is the deadliest precinct in the city.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kozol writes about the trials and tribulations of everyday â€Å"normal† life for the children and people who live here. Normal for them however is quite different than it is for most of us. Living with drug dealers, pollution, poor hospital care and an abominable education system not to mention the social system of the city, is the â€Å"norm† for these children. In his interviews with the children of this squalid neighborhood, we find that the children speak honestly and freely about their feelings. Forgotten, hidden, abandoned, are just some of the words that come to mind. One boy named â€Å"Malcolm X† wears his hair in a style referred to as â€Å"25 years to life†. His sister asks â€Å"Like in prison..? This is how you want to wear your hair?† His reply †You don’t have to be in jail to be in prison†. This is just one of many examples given to show the reader the effects that this environment has upon you ths.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As we read further, we find that there are multitudes of problems inherent within the South Bronx. One of the only ways of determining where these problems stem from is by looking at the possible reasons as to why they exist. Drugs, violence, AIDS infections, are not new, ... ... must use more education targeted towards social issues in their schools and community to help people learn to live healthier lifestyles. They must make it known that drug dealing and violence are not â€Å"all right†, and to help people obtain some sort of unity. The well known community members need to get involved in politics so that their voices can be heard and let the City know their communities needs/requirements. Creating support groups for people with AIDS, ex-addicts, people who have lost a family member, also for people who just need a place to talk and get their frustrations out would help the community as a whole. If the people of the South Bronx would act as a community bound together to help themselves and each other, there would be less tolerance for deviant behavior among its’ members. The City must also be made more accountable for its’ actions. Clean-up and reconstruction of Times Square to Battery Park is a step in the right direction. How ever, painting a mural of â€Å"†¦ flowers, window shades and curtains and interiors of pretty-looking rooms†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 31) on the walls of empty buildings in the Bronx, just to give the illusion that this area is a good neighborhood, is not.

Lawyers’ Role in Dispute Resolution Essay -- Law Legal Lawyer

Lawyers’ Role in Dispute Resolution Modern American culture provides an inconsistent vision of the role of lawyers in dispute resolution. Lawyers are alternately portrayed as greedy, corrupt people without morals or as necessary and competent allies in protecting individuals against larger and better-funded opponents. In reality, while lawyers have the definite capability to change the outcome of a dispute in a negative way, they ultimately have a positive effect by allowing citizens access to the legal system. By its very nature, the legal system is confusing, puts the inexperienced at a disadvantage, and can be difficult to access for claimants with little authority. Lawyers provide a way to overcome these obstacles. They are beneficial because they effectively use their experience and education to help their clients, facilitate their client’s freedom in trial, aid in the formation of cases, and add authority and weight to a claim. The experience and education lawyers have is invaluable in providing legal access for their clients. Their knowledge and skill allow lawyers to effectively interpret the legal system and therefore help their clients navigate it. The American legal system, in the two hundred years it has been in existence, has become extremely complex and confusing to the uninitiated. The trial process alone can become a Byzantine series of motions, objections, briefs, and rulings. Despite the fact that defendants are allowed to represent themselves, the very structure of the system is so complicated that being or employing a professional lawyer is all but necessary. Legal documents, too, are so confusing that even non-trial disputes can be impossible for a layman to handle. A lawyer’s training i... ...nore, Peter d’Errico, Ethan Katsh, Ronald M. Pipkin, Janet Rifkin (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002) 76-83. Langum, David J. â€Å"William M. Kunstler: The Most Hated Lawyer in America, Introduction to Legal Studies: A Reader, ed. Thomas Hilbink, 2005, 83-97. Haltom, William. Michael McCann, â€Å"Distorting the Law: Politics, Media, and the Litigation Crisis,† Introduction to Legal Studies: A Reader, ed. Thomas Hilbink, 2005, 23-46. Menkel-Meadow, Carrie. â€Å"The Transformation of Legal Disputes by Lawyers: What the Dispute Paradigm Does and Does Not Tell Us,† Before the Law: An Introduction to the Legal Process. Ed. Stephen Arons, John J Bonsignore, Peter d’Errico, Ethan Katsh, Ronald M. Pipkin, Janet Rifkin (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002) 478-480 Toobin, Jeffrey. â€Å"Killer Instinct,† Introduction to Legal Studies: A Reader, ed. Thomas Hilbink, 2005, 251-260.

Chapter 21 notes- the kite runner Essay

Amir visits his old house in Kabul and the hill north of Baba’s house- The city is now completely unfamiliar to Amir, and he looks at it almost as a tourist Amir looks outside his bedroom window and remembers looking out of it when watching Hassan and Amir leave. â€Å"Twenty-five years earlier, I had stood behind that same window, thick rain dripping down the panes and my breath fogging up the glass. I had watched Hassan and Ali load their belongings into the trunk of my father’s car† -Amir Characters involved: Amir Farid Hassan- Amir discusses their good memories in the yard of Baba’s house and up at the pomegranate tree on the hill. â€Å"Amir and Hassan. The Sultans of Kabul†- still carved into the pomegranate tree. A man and woman were executed on the soccer oval in front of all the spectators Characters involved: Taliban (Islamic radicals) Amir Farid Woman and man both killed by rocks â€Å"And they call themselves Muslims† -Farid â€Å"Mord? Mord? Is he dead? † -Amir â€Å"Every sinner must be punished in a manner befitting his sin! †- Cleric at the stadium. This part of the text gives evidence that the Taliban are brutal, have no sympathy and are murderers. The Taliban say they are obeying God. Meeting arranged to meet with the Taliban that afternoon. Characters involved: Farid- asks for Amir Taliban official Symbols Pomegranate tree â€Å"Then I went looking for the abandoned cemetery. It didn’t take me long to find it. It was still there, and so was the old pomegranate tree. †- Amir â€Å"I stood under it, remembered all the times we’d climbed it, straddled it’s branches, our legs swinging, dappled sunlight flickering through the leaves and casting on our faces a mosaic of light and shadow. The tangy taste of pomegranate crept into my mouth. † -Amir The ruined, dead tree serves as a symbol that the city Kabul that Amir knew was now dead. Environment- Kabul- *Desolate. *Ruined *Dusty *Abandoned *Sun-dried Amir’s house *Surrounded by weeds *Rusty â€Å"The Wall of Ailing Corn was still there, though I saw no corn, ailing or other-wise, along that wall now. †-Amir Paint peeled off â€Å"The house was far from the sprawling white mansion I remembered from my childhood. It looked smaller. † -Amir â€Å"Like so much else in Kabul, my father’s house was the picture of fallen splendour. † -Amir â€Å"I wanted to step into the foyer, smell the orange peel Ali always tossed into the stove to burn the sawdust. Sit at the kitchen table, have tea with a slice of naan, listen to Hassan sing old Hazara songs. † -Amir.

Chinese vs American Culture

Sarah Gonzalez Chinese Culture VS American Culture It doesn’t matter what kind of ethnicity you are, or how you were brought up. Everyone is deeply rooted in their own culture. â€Å"Culture† has a different meaning to everyone. Comparing American culture to Chinese culture we will find many different meanings to the word â€Å"culture†. For example, we Americans are always looking for something bigger and better for our future, and the Chinese are content with a small reserved lifestyle with no intentions of changing it for something bigger.A culture is a way of life of a group of people-the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. Growing up in America we are taught to never settle for less, that we can do anything that we set our minds too, and when we grow up we can be anyone we want to be. After all we are the â€Å"ho me of the brave and the land of the free†, right? The Chinese are more set on if you are a girl you are too be the homemaker, and the men are too make the money doing physical labor.The story â€Å"I Answer to Elaine† concluded it all perfectly to me. â€Å"She continued to sign Father’s name. I threatened legal action: â€Å"That’s forgery! It’s not your name†. [Example from I Answer to Elaine] This shows that the Chinese believe that the men are dominate, head of the household, the only say so. In the American home mom and dad have a shared liability for the children and both set of parents go out into the work force. â€Å"A deep frustration set in. I was sickened by her statement’s implication for my future.I hated helplessness, believing it unique to her alone† [Example from I Answer to Elaine]. I feel like Elaine is frustrated with her mom because she knows because of her gender her mom doesn’t expect mush out of h er other than to be a care giver. This has to be confusing to Elaine when she sees all over her American friends dreaming about their big futures and what they will do. Elaine should be able to grow bigger than just a housewife. Believe it or not, but American and Chinese culture do have something’s in common. They see eye-to-eye on some aspects.Like providing for their children â€Å"Parents work together for the well-being of their children† [Example from Article]. It is true that parents do the best they can to work towards a better financial life for their kids. That’s why many Chinese parents come over to the states, so that they can provide a better life, and a better education. They would also go to great lengths for their children no matter what the cause â€Å"Parents will risk their life for their children† [Example from Article]. Any parent would risk their life for their children no matter what ethnicity, or cultural aspect!There is no bond li ke a parent and their child. Chinese and American culture has a lot more differences than similarities. To the Chinese reputation of the individual is very important. If an action will humiliate someone or ruin a reputation, it is avoided. When shame occurs, the person sacrifices their job or whatever it is that will heal the shame. In America, reputations come and go overnight and in the end usually does not matter. â€Å"Go to an American home in exurbia, and almost the first thing you do is drift towards the picture window† [Example from American space, Chinese Place].It is true that we American’s always want something more than what we have in front of us. We are always looking forward to the big picture of our future. â€Å"Consider the traditional Chinese home. Blank walls enclose it† [Example from American Space, Chinese Place]. The Chinese are very content with what they have, and have no intensions of a â€Å"bigger picture†. They keep what they have close to them. All in all, I think we can see the difference and the similarities between the two cultures. The Chinese are set on their morals.One is to respect all others, the men is the runner of the household, and keep your opinion to yourself. Americans don’t always follow the rules. When we don’t agree with something we are going to speak out about it, and give them out opinion. In the households sometimes there is a man of the house, and sometimes it’s a single mother running the house. I think the Chinese have a better wrap around the meaning of â€Å"culture† they stick to what they believe, and it stays that way for years. Rather than American’s missing the meaning of â€Å"culture† and worrying about what the future has to hold for them.

Cultural Self-Analysis Essay

I identify with a White Northern European background mixed with some Native American and Irish, I think. I identify as White since my family doesn’t identify with any other culture than this. Personally I am sad that I do not know truly what culture I descend from because my family is so mixed up and uneducated. I feel I have lost a lot in that. My family is very Christian, Southern Baptist to be more precise. No other religious values were considered or taught to us because, if â€Å"you didn’t obey the good book then you were going to Hell† is the sort of thinking my family has. I consider myself to be of the Catholic faith, which really pisses my family off. I have taken several religious classes since I have started college and I have drawn the conclusion that no matter what religious sect you are in as long as you are a good person and treat others the way you want to be treated, then you will be okay. I am female. Females are supposed to be girly and take care of the household. But if you do not get out and help the men too, then you are considered lazy. There is an undercurrent of sexism within the family. Marriage is male-female only and children are not to be raised out of wedlock although that last one has loosened with the changing times. Adoption is okay. Childrearing used to be a mix of corporal punishment and grounding, but since the great-grandparents have passed the parents have become looser. Where it used to be figure things out on your own, even if you are in over your head, now everyone pulls together and takes the lost ones in to help out. I am 37. I try to stay within my age group, but I find that have a mixed group of friends, age wise. I respect my elders and parents, but they do  drive me crazy with their stale values and beliefs. I hold my tongue a lot and there is a lot of eye rolling, but I love them and I know they will always be there for me. And sometimes I can get them to come around to my way of thinking. I was raised in south eastern Kentucky until I was 12 then I moved to the big state of Ohio. I was raised by my grandparents there. It helped me get away from the small town minded people and ways of south eastern Kentucky, which I think help me become more aware of the different people and cultures out there, but then I found myself back here when I turned 19 to help my mother take care of my two brothers and two sisters. I am the oldest of five children and I have always taken care of my brothers and sisters. Even when I went to live with my grandparents, I bought school clothes, supplies, and Christmas gifts for them because my mom couldn’t afford it. So, I have felt like I have been an adult my whole life. Music wise I like rock, but I will listen to anything except the rap of today. I say the rap of today because the rap I listened to in the eighties and early nineties was not the same. Clothing wise, I wear what I like and what is comfortable. I don’t usually keep up with the times because most of that stuff isn’t made for full figured ladies like me. No dresses or girly stuff for me. I do not wear makeup, which my husband doesn’t mind, which I think is why I look younger than I am. My family claims to be Republican, but they don’t understand they are truly Democrats. I always say you can’t be poor and a Republican. They have issue with the changing laws allowing gays to marry and adopt and all. They are also pro-life and there is no changing their minds about that, even if there was an extenuating circumstance like the girl being raped, still to them it is wrong. I am a full Democratic myself, but I vote for who I think will do the best job, and I believe that people should be free to choose how they want to life and should have access to basic rights. I also believe that wealth needs to be spread more evenly among all persons of a nation. I think that the United States needs to adopt more of the systems of other countries so that everyone is taken care of. I don’t think I belong to any particular group. It basically is my husband, my son, and I against the world. I teach my son to be kind to everyone and never stop learning or growing, to be the best him he can be.

Group Communications Essay

Three videos of different group and team interaction will be reviewed for this paper. After they have been viewed they will be discussed on matters of the relationship between group members, member diversity and communication style. The first case study to be reviewed is: Helping Annie. In this video a school nurse has called a meeting with a psychiatrist and a social worker to discuss the case of a High school student, Annie, who possibly suffers from depression and an eating disorder. Right off the bat the school nurse is interrupted by the psychiatrist before she can finish giving the background information on Annie. He wants facts immediately not â€Å"impressions.† He makes a quick decision as to her problem and her treatment within minutes of their meeting and seems to believe that they are done, no more needs to be said. The Social worker does not agree with his decision and offers a counter solution but is again interrupted by the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist wants to use medication and the Social workers wants to first talk to Annie and see if they can understand what the teenager is going through. The psychiatrist sees this as a total waste of time. There does not seem to be any real facilitator of these meeting, and no one points out the psychiatrist’s constant interruptions of the social worker but the social worker herself. The school nurse is totally intimidated into silence by both of their behaviors. The psychologist seems to have the communication traits of what the test calls thinkers, and the Social worker has the traits of a feeler. According to the text, Thinks are task-oriented. They take pride in their ability to think objectively and logically, regardless of if those thoughts are correct. (Reeve, 2007, Ch. 3, pg.69, para.2) Feelers are people-oriented. The psychologist is very direct and analytical. He seems to want to remove any feelings or humanity from Annie’s case while the social worker is taking a more subjective, humane approach to Annie’s problems and is obviously more concerned with the girl’s well-being than a quick fix. The diversity that exists in this group is both gender and class. The group consist of two women and one older man, the older man, the psychiatrist,  seems to believe that the social worker and school nurse are not in the same class as he, his age, experience and profession making him superior to them on all levels, therefore, their opinions are not worth considering. This diversity is a hindrance in their communication because the psychologist is not listening to the two women and continues to interrupt them because â€Å"he doesn’t have much time here.† If using a high context perspective the viewer could draw the conclusion that the psychologist does not agree with the social worker by watching his nonverbal behavior such as his gestures and facial expressions. In a high-context culture little meaning is expressed through words. Meaning can be conveyed through status such as age, gender, education or title. (Reeve, 2007) One method that could have been used to improve communications would have been to have a facilitator present to ensure that each party had the same amount of time to express his or her opinions. Another improvement would have been a change of setting from the informal setting to a more professional seating arrangement that may have helped foster communication between all parties present, such as a round table or face to face seating. The second video reviewed is: Planning the Playground. The group consists of three males and two females; three Caucasians and two minorities. The video case opens with two new members, one a younger male, Ray and one older woman, Betty, meeting the team for the first time. There seems to be two slightly awkward moments when Ray first only offers to shake the hands of the men at the table and when he has trouble pronouncing the name of the minority female Iesha. The moment was defused quickly when Iesha decided to make a small joke about her name to ease the tension and held out her own hand in greeting. Betty seemed uncertain about speaking and said she only joined the team to make friends. Communications between the team started out stiff and slow but by using â€Å"team talk,† (the nature of the language that group members use as they work together. Not only does team talk enable group members to share information and express opinions, but analysis of team talk also â€Å"reveals where the team is coming from and where the team is headed.) (Reeve, 2007, Ch. 5 pg. 124, Para. 2), team leader David kept the discussion flowing and moved it to the reason they were there. The role the diversity of the group played in their communication was the different  experiences each had to bring to the discussion. Iesha obviously liked research and set numbers and offered not only a sound dollar amount to strive for but reasoning behind it. Ray countered that he thinks the amount should be higher but offered no real reason as did Phil who wanted the amount lower. After deciding to compromise they moved to fundraising. The immediate response to Betty’s suggestion of having a Bake sale was obvious. They did not take her input seriously at all but again the team leader chimed in before their dismissive attitude could be considered rude an d insulting. Diversity was also not a strong hindrance to the group even though the potential was there. Conflict management techniques were used by the group by expressing interest in solving the problem and keeping their tone and language non-threatening, using phrases like â€Å"well, yes but let’s look at it from a different angle† or â€Å"that’s a good idea but may not be exactly what we need now.†The use of team speak was a very effective communication tool that kept the team focused and on track. Another important tool that was used was nonverbal. The seating arrangement at the table permitted members to have their personal space but still be able to have direct eye contact. According to Reeve, each person’s choice of seating position in groups has a direct effect on interaction and influence. A number of studies have demonstrated that group members prefercorner-to-corner or side-by-side seating for cooperative activities. Such an arrangement allows them to be close enough to share materials. (Reeve, 2007, CH. 5 pg. 138, Para 1) The team in thi s case study did show good communication skills on the whole but the one improvement would have been to ensure that before the meeting took place, that each member understood what the reason for the meeting was. The last video reviewed is Virtual Communication. This video is a presentation of three people meeting as a team via conference call. The third unseen member is not listening to what is being said by the manager or his coworker. This is obvious because when they ask him a question he pauses or stutters, then repeats something that neither of the other participants actually said. Listening is important in any group so that you can be sure to get all the available information as well as know exactly what is  expected of you. This is even more so in the virtual business work when team members are not actually sitting face to face. Charlie is neither listening to what is being said or to the messages that were contained in Ellen’s email or voice mails to him. According to the text, Effective listening in virtual groups requires adapting to a different medium of expression Your only adaptation is making sure that your microphone is on or off at appropriate times. In an email disc ussion, however, you can neither see nor hear participants, but you still must â€Å"listen† to their messages. (Reeve, 2007, Ch.6, Pg,.168)The disadvantage of group meetings using a virtual medium is that you can fake listening by answering â€Å"I agree† or a non-committal sound. You can also pretend you didn’t hear something that you don’t want to address as Ellen does in this video when Charlie tries to place the blame on her. Charlie did not effectively use any of his listening skills while on this call. It was apparent by his distracted â€Å"non-answers† that he was not listening. The entire fault is not necessarily Charlie’s; it is not known if he ever fully understood what was expected of him from the first meeting. If he had at any time used one listening skill such as paraphrasing he might have had enough clarification to get his assignment done in time. Paraphrasing is a form of feedback that one lets the speaker know you are listening and gives them the opportunity to clarify their statement. Paraphrasing can be used for multiple purposes such as: To ensure comprehension before evaluation; to reassure others that you want to understand them; to clear up confusion and ask for clarification; and to help other’s reach their own conclusions. (Reeve, 2007) References Engleberg, I. Wynn,D. 2007. Working in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies (4th ed.) Allyn & Bacon Publishers. The Collaboration Tool Box. 2002-2003. MIT. Online resource. Retreived online January 12, 2009 from http://web.mit.e

How are we affected by price elasticity of demand Research Paper

How are we affected by price elasticity of demand - Research Paper Example The Law explains that keeping all other factors affecting demand constant, the quantity demanded for a product or a service at a particular point of time is inversely proportional to its price. Thus, price and quantity demanded has an inverse relation with each other. The higher is the price level, lower will be the consumer willingness to buy a product or a service. As a result, the demand curve is always negatively sloped according to the law of demand. (Source: Author’s Creation) The above figure reflects the demand curve where Q stands for quantity demanded for a product or a service and P is the price level. There are also other factors that affect quantity demanded. This essay will briefly explain the different determinants of demand, assuming the impact of one variable on demand is analysed provided all the other factors are given. The income of consumers is positively related to the quantity demanded for goods and services. The higher is the income of the consumers the greater is their level of purchasing power thus consumers will always demand more with the rise in income levels. The quantity demanded also depends on the tastes and preferences of the buyers. When analysed in details the quantity demanded for a product or service is largely dependent on the complementary and substitution effect. For instance, the quantity demanded for Pepsi will always be increasing with the rise in the price level of Coke. Again the demand for cars will drastically fall with the rise in fuel price. There are other products like Bajra also known as inferior goods, whose quantity demanded falls with rise in income of the consumers. The nature of goods concerned is also an important parameter to analyse the quantity demanded for a good or a service. The goods reflecting status symbol always show a positive price effect in the quantity demanded. For example, the demand for a house sold in auction. Necessities are other types of goods that are insensitive to the chan ges in price, like the demand for life saving drugs. Price Elasticity of Demand Elasticity of demand is a quantitative measure that shows the degree of responsiveness of quantity demanded for a product or a service with respect to the changes in the various determinants of demand (IOWA State University, 2007). Price elasticity of demand shows the degree of responsiveness of quantity demanded for a commodity or a service with respect to chances only in its price level keeping all other factors affecting demand constant (Andrews & Benzing, 2010). The basic method of calculation of price elasticity of demand (Ep) is:- Ep = dQ/Q dP/P P and Q stands for price and quantity while dQ and dP shows the change in quantity demanded and price respectively (Litman, 2004). In order to make the analysis easy, economists take the mod values for calculating price elasticity of demand. The table below shows the five basic variations in price elasticities of demand. Value Types of elasticity’s E p = ? Perfectly Elastic Ep = 0 Perfectly Inelastic Ep = 1 Unitary Elastic Ep > 1 Relatively Elastic Ep < 1 Relatively Inelastic (Source: Traczynski, 2007) The above five variations in elasticity are all measured in terms of their mod values. Impact of Price Elasticity of Demand The quantity demanded by the consumers technically depends on the different values of price elastici

Cognitive and Observational Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cognitive and Observational Learning - Essay Example The learning, which is acquired from observing others, is called observational learning. According to the observational learning theory the behavior of an observer changes when he or she views the behavior of another model. (Woods & Boyd, 2008) We first observe the behavior of other people and consequences and then we apply it to our lives. Positive and negative consequences can affect our behavior. There two main principles behind observational learning theory. First, the observer learns and imitates the behavior of another model if the other person has intelligence, good looks and talent. Second, the observer will only reacts to the rewarded behavior of the other person and if the model behavior is punished which is called the vicarious punishment then there are less chances that the observer will imitates the model's behavior. Cognitive learning theory is concerned with the behavior that involves more than a response and an environmental stimulus. It is related with the experiences of our behavior. The cognitive theory differs from the observational learning theory because it involves analysis of information through thinking and remembering which is our internal event. (Woods & Boyd, 2008) But these internal events are deeply related to the observation of behavior of another model. ... The main focus of cognitive learning is on the organism, which is the processor of several types of information, which helps in modifying the new experiences. It also helps in relating new experiences with the past experiences in order to organize information for storage. The cognitive theorists assume that the learning occurs in the absence of an obvious behavior. Some cognitive theorist believes that reinforcement is not necessary element of the learning process. An organism only demonstrates latent learning when he or she is willing to show it. Our internal states are responsible for differences in behavior. The early cognitive theorists rejected this idea. So, the behavior varies from person to person depending on the physiology and the metal states. Conclusion Learning is the process of understanding and acquiring knowledge and skills. Both the perspectives of learning i.e. observational and cognitive theories are essential for our learning. They are related to each other. Learning starts form observation and collection of information and then this information is processed and analyzed by our minds in order to store the information and later retrieving the stored information. References: The world of psychology 6th edition by Wood, S.e., Wood, E.G., & Boyd, D