Global Impact of E-Commerce on Society Essay

Explanation positive effects 1. Convenience : e-commerce is very convenient for customer ,because it accepts different type of credit and debit cards and as many other forms of payment as possible . customer don’t need to go anywhere for payment ,customer can carry as many items in stock as possible to avoid backorder ,it is often convenience because the order goes hand –in –hand with in timelines to customer. 2. Helpful for disables and aged people: as the disable and aged people are less able to walk and might be live alone , so by the e –commerce they don’t need walk to door to door of different shops in that search of things ,whatever they need that will come to there door within the timeline, within reasonable prices and if they don’t like the product they can return it back within the time period of product 3. Time saving : with e-commerce, consumer can save their time, because they can have access to their money through internet and work all from a desktop computer and save the time of going to so many different shops in search of thing they wanted ,they will get so much choices on e-commerce at sitting at there home, in that mean time they can do there different works . 4. Information availability : e-commerce enables consumers to make price comparison so that they can make more appropriate purchasing decisions .e-commerce make information of products and the market as whole which is easily accessible by customer to make more appropriate purchasing decisions 5. Helpful for new business: in the present situation of market, e-commerce stores have become the necessity of the people e-commerce website is exposed to the millions of people at a single click , so the chances are high that it is able to generate huge profit and to start a new business ,the business man only need to pay the registration fees of his business website , so it is clearly shows that the expenditure is very less and profit margin is very high 6. Jobs for society : e-commerce create delivery jobs for the general people for these jobs people don’t need to much educated and this not very hard work any worker can do that the delivery person also get tips s reward 7. 24 hour service: e-commerce site gives customer ability to have unlimited store hours, it gives customer it gives customer 24 hours a day ,7 days a week access to shop and buy items from online stores .the customers can make contact to the merchant or the seller anytime by email or by the fax. whole info rmation about the product is available to the customer all the time on the website 8. Available niche products : on the e-commerce market there is wide range of products are available ,there are variety of products which come in different variants at varied prices, some products which are not available within the boundaries of one’s country on e-commerce one can do cross border shopping, they only have to pay the shipping cost extra 9. Disintermediation : e-commerce removes intermediaries in supply chain process, it gives customer simpler and more direct access to good and services which means lower prices because supply chains are streamlined and the fees charged by distributors and logistics providers are eliminated or sharply reduced 10. Environmental friendly : e-commerce is eco-friendly market because people do shopping on e-commerce through internet by sitting at home they don’t go to stores looking for things they need ,every information and product is available at internet 24 hours a day and 7 days at of week , by shopping through internet saves fuel and prevents air pollution Explanation negative effects 1. Loss to the small business man : e-commerce makes direct link between the customer and seller or manufacturer ,which shows there is no need of middle so the job of middle man is vanished and it also effects the small business and retailing they loose customer because customer prefers to purchase directly through e-commerce from manufacturing at low rate prices 2. Increase in crime rate : e-commerce increases the computer crime which also known as cyber crime ,cyber crimes includes internet –related forgers ,embezzlement ,fraud ,vandalism and the disposal of stolen goods .the potential threat to the overall development of e-commerce is serious . according to FBI there was e –commerce fraud of 30 billion in 2004 in economy 3. Creates unemployment: on the e-commerce customers purchases directly from the stores the details information about the products is available on the site of the product so they don’t need to go manually to store and they don’t need any person to give them information or guide what is right for them , because of this feature of e –commerce employees who work at stores loss the jobs . 4. Wrong information : e-commerce is also known as electronic commerce which we do on internet ,internet is trap if you don’t have proper knowledge about it and the main motive of any business is to sell there product ,for that they may give wrong information on internet P2.1- Analyse the impact, including the risks, of introducing an e-Commerce system to an organisation ANS E-COMMERCE : e-commerce is a way for any size of organisation to do business over internet, selling products or services , taking payment and providing customer support which have positive impacts on organisation and as well as have some risk to organisation and customer of organisation As we take the example of ASDA which is one of the four biggest supermarkets in the UK ,alongside tesco ,sainsbury’s ,morrisons . IMPACTS OF E-COMMERCE ON ASDA * Provides multichannel selling * Accelerate business growth * Empowered customer * Reduce operating cost * Increased profit rate * Interactive help system 1. Interactive help system : The website of ASDA provides interactive help system that efficiently guides a new user to quickly get accustomed to the online shopping process , which attracts more customer. ASDA has classified its products efficiently based on the departments which enable the customer to view the products accurately , ASDA website also provides information of time to time offers on products by advertising on the sides of website which keep customers up to date 2. Multichannel selling : multichannel selling is the process which is used by ASDA to sell their products , in this process ASDA sell their products with in various online channels ,it can single website , public website , public marketplaces and shopping-comparison site and social websites , As on the e- bay which is the public market place have 23 million registered users, and the price grabber reported that they alone have more then 18 million unique visitors per month and social sites are popular all over the world , which brings customer from all over the world and increases sales at high rate as well as expand the brand recognition

Harley-Davidson Marketing Strategies Essay

In 1903, 21-year old William S. Harley and 20-year old Arthur Davidson the first production Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was hand-built in a small garage in Milwaukee. Today, Harley-Davidson, Inc. employs more than 8,200 people and has 1,110 dealership worldwide. Its corporate headquarters are still located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The domestic production facilities are in the Milwaukee area, East Troy and Tomahawk, Wisconsin; York, Pennsylvania; and Kansas City, Missouri. Design, customer focus and sales have placed this company is in a very unique and desirable marketing situation. Design is critical to the continued success of this company. For some companies, the word design may bring thoughts of sweeping changes and new model lines. However, for the design team at Harley-Davidson, it inspires thoughts of being faithful to the classic lines and sounds of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This is not to say that the designers are not allowed and encouraged to improve on the hugely successful line of motorcycles, just the opposite is true. Ken Schmidt, director of communications for Harley-Davidson, stated that: â€Å"We are constantly improving and modernizing the machine, yet not every component. That is what our customers want, and that’s also, I believe, what sparks the strong emotional attachments that Harleys generate.† In the early 1980’s, the company was plagued with quality control and reliability issues that nearly caused the company to go out of business. At this point, it was up to the design and quality control engineers to revamp the mechanical and electrical portions while staying true to the classic line of the motorcycle. They succeeded in resolving the problems and saved the company. William G. Davidson, who heads up a team of five product designers, is quick to add, â€Å"It’s important to understand that we’re not in the business of making antiques. Every year we make further improvements to our engines and chassis. But from a styling standpoint, we have to incorporate improvements without compromising `the look.’ If we move a bolt or re-route one hose, our customers take note and call us on it. A Harley isn’t shrouded in fiberglass like so many other bikes. Everything we do is right out in the open.† This mindset prevents lifelong riders from feeling  alienated and accusing the company of â€Å"selling out† in the pursuit of increased revenue and profits. Harley-Davidson understands that it is as important to maintain their current enthusiasts as it is to develop new ones. No where is this more evident than in their mission statement: â€Å"We fulfill dreams through the experience of motorcycling, by providing to motorcyclists and to the general public an expanding line of motorcycles and branded products and services in selected market segments.† Customer focus is another area of marketing where this company excels. Factory sponsored rallies and test drives are just two ways that Harley stays in touch with their customers. The largest sponsored rally occurs each year at Sturgis in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This event draws 400,000 riders from around the world. There are hundreds of company employees there as well, not only to enjoy the rally, but also to gather information from the enthusiasts. There is no better or more efficient way to survey your customers than to speak with them directly after they just traveled to an event on your product. This â€Å"close-to-the-customer† philosophy allows the company to use these rallies as product development centers. It allows the company leadership to get instant responses on both current products as well as new products that may soon go into production. Customers respond positively to this type of product survey, because they feel like their opinion matters and will influence the next year’s product line. Another marketing tool that has been quite successful for this company has been the factory-sponsored test-drives. The factory sends a tractor-trailer filled with demo bikes to each dealership that is willing to participate. All of the new models are available and anyone with a helmet and a valid license to operate a motorcycle can try them out. For many of the dealerships, it is the busiest day of the year. Harley-Davidson headquarters employs eight merchandising specialists that develop â€Å"designer stores†. These stores are much different from the standard â€Å"garage-type† store of the past. These stores are designed to draw customers in, surround them with motorcycles, and provide an inviting retail environment. Dealerships that have converted their shops to the Designer Store concept have seen soaring revenues and rapid return on investments.  Inventive marketing strategies have kept Harley-Davidson as the leader of America’s big-bike market. It is not just the motorcycles that are in high demand. Harley has developed a very profitable retail merchandising line. This line includes clothing, tattoo patches, coffee mugs, belt buckles, infant wear and memorabilia. Most would think that this company must spend a significant portion of their revenue on advertising. The opposite is true, in 1995 the company generated $1.3 billion in revenue while spending less than $2 million on advertising costs. â€Å"Word of mouth† is their main form of advertising. Company executives feel that their customers are their sales force, after all, satisfied customers are the better than advertising. Harley-Davidson is in a unique marketing situation because they are not selling transportation; they are selling a lifestyle. Customers routinely wait between six and eighteen months for delivery of a new model. That type of product loyalty is hard to find and not easily developed. The waiting list for a new Harley-Davidson is now more than a year, and used bikes are more expensive today than when they were new. How can this possibly be true when new cars depreciate quicker than you can make the payment? The reason is the supply-to-demand ratio and Harley-Davidson has mastered this ratio. Although they produced more than 300,000 bikes last year, demand is still on their side. Many new customers look at purchasing a Harley as an investment that you can enjoy on a daily basis. The first turning point for the company was when they changed the engines back in 1984. The second was when the â€Å"baby boomers† hit their mid-life crisis. Since then, dealers have struggled to keep display models on the floor. Scarcity allows the company to achieve higher profitability, and it also helps protect the investment for previous buyers. Women are the last great frontier for this company and they are beginning to focus more on that segment of the market. They have begun to place advertisements in women’s magazines in an attempt to change the company’s image to a more family-oriented one. They have also begun to make engineering changes to some of the models. Some of the new bikes will have  smaller handlebar grips, an easier pulling clutch, and lower seats. â€Å"Riders Edge† is a program at Harley dealerships providing riders’ education classes to help novices learn to ride and get licensed. Technology upgrades such as liquid-cooled, high-powered, engines and lightweight materials will make bikes more powerful, but also less difficult to handle. All of these changes are being implemented to encourage women to purchase their own bikes as opposed to simply being passengers. Customers can sense that the Harley-Davidson employees care about them and their concerns. The company takes this responsibility so seriously that they developed a list of â€Å"core values†. These are their values. They are the heart of how we run their business. They guide their actions and serve as the framework for the decisions and contributions their employees make at every level of the company. Tell the truth, be fair, keep your promises, respect the individual, and encourage intellectual curiosity. Because of their supply-and-demand ratio, it would be very easy for this company to develop a â€Å"take it or leave it† attitude with their customers. A large part of the success has to be attributed to the high-value they place on the opinion of their customers.

Alan Mullaly and Ford Motors Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Alan Mullaly and Ford Motors - Term Paper Example †). For instance, it was during the recent global economic downturn that most of the automobile companies faced various challenges in gaining a competitive position to survive in the international market which included General Motors, Harley Davidson and even Ford. It is in this context that leadership advantages were apparently observed in these companies. The most debated issues related to this context were the turnaround of Ford which is stated to be steered by Alan Mulally as the organizational leader (Dean & Varshney, â€Å"Your Next Turnaround Leader: Industry Expert or Outsider?†). Alan Mulally is considered to be an outsider to the automobile industry as well as to the company (i.e. Ford Motors) due to the fact that his early professional career related to the Boeing Company, a commercial airplane and integrated defense system producer and thus had limited knowledge about the operational structure of the automotive industry (BBC News, â€Å"Boeing Exec Made New Ford Chief†). He joined the company in the year 2006 when Ford was witnessing losses and severe downfalls in its overall competency. In order to face these challenges and sensing the upcoming recession then, Alan Mulally decided to borrow a significant amount from the debt market against the company’s assets. ... One factor has been the leadership of Alan Mulally and the other factor was the crisis faced by the company during the period. Thereby, the paper intends to recognize the stronger factors to influence the change management of Ford and reward its remarkable competency in the international platform. Impartial Evaluation Both the factors of change, i.e. the financial crisis faced by the organization and the leadership change witnessed by the organization can be observed as quite significant in influencing the turnaround of the company. It was in the year 2006 when the company was facing losses for four consecutive years. Therefore, it is quite evident that the company had to witness significant challenges to maintain its financial competency and survive in the fiercely competitive market of global automobile industry (Armitage, â€Å"Ford CEO Alan Mulally: The Turnaround Specialist†). Alan Mulally joined the company during the financial crisis of the company. Financial turmoil wa s also apparent in the domestic economy of the company that certainly supported the impacts of internal limitations faced by the organization. Considering these facts, Alan Mulally concentrated on the implementation of various strategies that included retrenchment, restructuring of the organizational operations, marketing strategies, as well as financial strategies (Wall Street Journal, â€Å"Testimony of Alan R. Mulally†). Few of the most significant strategies that boosted the change in the organization concentrated on the borrowing of $23.6 billion from the market against the assets of Ford Motors (Armitage, â€Å"Ford CEO Alan Mulally: The Turnaround Specialist†). The strategic decisions of Alan Mulally further initiated to cut almost 30,000

Sickle Cell Transition Placement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sickle Cell Transition Placement - Essay Example According to Anon (2009) about 7 percent of patients often die due to the increase of liver iron, and other causes including strokes and infection are also considered causes of deaths among these patients. This essay will be a reflection of my sickle cell placement as a student nurse. This topic was chosen because I wanted to observe what sickle cell nurses do for patients in order to enhance my learning; moreover, I also believe that this learning associates well to my course. I also chose to observe what sickle cell nurses do for patients because I of the likelihood of encountering patients with sickle cell disease in the future. This essay shall first undertake a reflection on the transition activity; secondly, it will demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the transition activity, which in this case is sickle cell disease. This second part will also demonstrate the impact of the topic and the transition activity to my area of professional practice. This second portion shall also dis cuss the role of sickle cell nurses and shall then provide reasons why the activity was chosen. Thirdly, this essay will analyse how this transition activity has contributed to my own learning and skills development. Lastly, by focusing on this transition activity, this paper will also determine further areas for personal and professional development and how this might be taken forward through future research and further study as a registered nurse. In accordance with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008), any personal confidential information regarding the patient/s and individuals involved in this placement shall not be disclosed. The Trust where I conducted my placement shall also be kept confidential. Body Reflection on the Transition Activity I had my transition placement on sickle cell disease, and initially during my placement, I had a discussion at the hospital with the patients and later visited them in their own homes. In general, the activities duri ng my placement were varied. I met with the multidisciplinary team regarding patients who suffered from sickle cell and how best to care for them. I also discussed the findings/results of the tests. I also observed how the sickle cell nurses administered care to the patients, addressing their needs physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally. I also observed how nurses explained the disease to parents and their children, including the consequences of their illnesses as well as its risks/effects. I also observed how the nurses discussed with parents about the loss of their children, discussing with them the possible therapeutic options they can take as grieving parents. The transition activity initially provoked feelings of anxiety. However, in the process of learning, my anxiety soon vanished and I was able to transition gradually into the crucial duties of a sickle cell nurse. Duncan and DePew (2010) discuss that with more experience, the transition process among students of nursing can somehow be eased. In considering what I was able to get from this learning professionally, I was able to learn the qualities of the disease, including the specific role of the sickle cell nurse in ensuring efficient patient care. On a personal level, I was also able to get a specific feel for the nursing practice, including its

Argyle Diamonds Strategic Business Plan Case Study

Argyle Diamonds Strategic Business Plan - Case Study Example Companies should have successful competitive strategies to be able to attract, retain and grow customers. However, before the company can plan and execute these strategies, it should be able to pinpoint its sources of competitive advantage which can be differentiated through products, services, channels, people and to age (Kotler & Armstrong, 2001). Since the market is in the international orientation, the advertisers should keep in mind the differences that are distinct between and among the target market from different cultural backgrounds which may significantly affect the effectivity of the campaign. The fact is, there may be ideas that will not be applicable across the diverse target market population. Studies on the relationship of consumer behavior and their personal values and cultural orientation as well as their beliefs on certain principles, the dispositions they hold and the side they take on political, gender and social problems and issues should be duly accorded. Moreover, other elements, such as understanding the right target audience for a product or service, an indeed, researching such an audience in considerable depth, are equally important. Similarly, even if the appropriate channels are known and understood, the content of the messaging and communications developed for those channels, and that audience, or nature of critical importance. Such channels, for example, will include TV advertising, or an outdoor campaign. Advocates of such channels will argue with justification, that media can now be bought to give a highly articulate degree of one to one targeting, but more importantly the inclusion within messaging across these channels of a telephone number, email address, or website, fulfill our requirement to develop one to one dialogue (Elgar, 2003).

Freedom in Modern Art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Freedom in Modern Art - Research Paper Example The paper "Freedom in Modern Art" concerns the freedom in a modern art context. Today, art has been exhibited and expressed in surprisingly varied media greatly influenced by the global modernization. Art is no longer defined with strict rules in terms of aesthetic value and medium used. Anyone has liberty to explore what is inside of them and express them in ways for arts sake. The cultural backgrounds influencing the inner system of the creators’ hands are expressed in the messages and media of their output. The freedom in every artist lets him explore the vastness of his creativity into varied concepts of supreme work using multitudes of possible media. This sense of freedom in the modern art has opened the gates for other kinds of materials to be used as medium in expressing art. Every man is an artist. Indeed, that has been very true this time. The intrinsic creative capacity of every human being is now exploding into manifestos that make viewers stand in wondering awe. P lus, the trend of digital modern day technology has been embedded in the realm of art. The digital age conquering the world has now come. It is a reality that is visible not only on the modern day gadgets and machineries but also in the art demesne. Art has turned into a real dynamic symbiotic system where artist’s magnum opuses are more interactive. There are voices that are heard in their silent protests and there are images depicted in shadows. Messages of their works cants with piercing sonata echoed with the various reactions., critics, appreciations and applause from those who perceive. There are various art shows, galleries and exhibits that take their audience aback with all the surprising media used by modern artists. Art exhibited are incorporated with high technology concepts, medium as well as some radical messages. A lot of artists join such exhibition in showing their masterpieces portraying art for arts sake idea. Art has indeed evolved from prehistoric dynasti es where aesthetic value is the optimum criteria to judge a piece of work to an era where art works are expressed regardless of how they look in the human eye. There are even extreme works exposing radical movements created in skewed forms with messages hidden in graphics. Medium used has varied from oil based paints into lights and lasers. Canvasses containing them expounds from traditional easel-sized paints into walls, screens, and even a whole room. Who would have thought that art can consume such space? The vastness of possible resources to paint the many artists’ graffiti has sloped into infinity. Every now and then, a new thing happens. Every now and then, a new material coming from nature has been staged into stardom as they are exposed gradually. One of the most remarkable modern day artists that explored an extraordinary media in expressing art is Daniel Rozin. He expressed a different kind of art with the use of unreflective surfaces to act as mirror. His famous wo rk, The Wooden Mirror has spectacularly amazed audiences from all over the world. He skillfully combined 830 pieces of wooden block hooked up with motors adjoined with built in cameras. This was built in the year 1999 where physical art is collaborated with digital technology. The other materials included to complete the whole piece includes servo motors, cameras for video, computer and of course the wooden frames. The natural resource from nature which is wood has been used to portray images through the web of intricate body part construction reflecting an abstract perception of digital pixels. The camera picks up movement from an object in front of the masterpiece thereby producing a shadowed reflection as the output. Anyone

Human resource line manager Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human resource line manager - Essay Example The goal of this paper is to resolve the eternal Line Manager-HRM Manager dilemma and show how these two professions interact in a Soft and Hard HRM models. This paper does not merely define the concepts and scope of obligations but performs a detailed analysis of the controversies surrounding the roles of LM and HRM professionals operating collectively in one and the same organizational structure. This paper teaches a good lesson of excellence in organizational performance: only constant cooperation between HR and Line Managers can lead organizations to the desired strategic outcomes. Overview of Human Resource managers and Line managers It is hard to describe the general responsibilities of HR managers, since the scope and range of their obligations largely depends upon the organizational structure in which they operate or the HRM model they pursue (Mullins,2005). Generally, a HR manager’s goal is to achieve excellence in employee performance and use is as a valuable organiz ational resource. HR managers work to maintain a close association between employee skills and their job obligations. Therefore, they have a significant effect on the staff and their levels of performance and productivity (Bovee et al 2007). Line managers are department based managers, who are aware of how business operates and what exactly customers need (Marchington & Wilkinson 2005). Line managers are experts in their own field, and usually they are not supposed to have knowledge of Human resource management (Mullins 2005). Rather, Line Managers exemplify a strong bridge between lower and higher managerial levels, thus letting them accommodate their operational priorities (Power et al 2008). In a company that considers itself efficient, communication between HR managers and line managers is crucial. Human resource managers may be effective at the organization level, but they need to interact with line managers, who have access and connect them to lower rank managers. Line manager s have instant responsibility at departmental level (Mullins,2005). Hard Model (Resource Based) Hard approach emphasises managing the head count resource in rational ways as for any other economic factor like land or capital (Truss et al.,1997). The Hard model concentrates on quantitative, measurable criteria and control and performance management, to create competitive advantage and add value to all department decisions and operations (Gill,1999). According to Storey (2007), the main goal of HRM in the resource-based model must be that of encouraging employees to enhance their engagement with workplace tasks and organizational compliance. WBBS adopted hard HRM model successfully West Bromwich Building society initiated the development of a new management approach, which will become the fundamental part of its business strategy. They tried to create an employee-customer-service-profit cycle, with employee engagement as its core element. The concept of engagement is essentially about people's willingness and ability to contribute discretion efforts. WBBS began to train their line managers at twelve different strategies, including culture changes and coaching. Following the implementation of the framework, engagement in all departments was measured. All results were taken seriously and sent to inform department heads. The outcomes of the model implementation are clear: improved customer satisfaction, record-breaking financial results, UK business excellence award

North American Archaeology- The Middle Woodland Period in the eastern Essay

North American Archaeology- The Middle Woodland Period in the eastern United States - Essay Example The specific cultural traits that brought about the distinguishing difference as well as the explanations as to why the attributes were unsustainable to the late woodland people is discussed below in detail. What cultural traits are commonly used to define the Middle Woodland as a particularly progressive era in comparison to the Early Woodland? There are several cultural traits but all of which can be attributed to one cultural practice which was one of the most influential in this era and which made this middle woodland period experience immense cultural growth and cultural boom. There were widespread Hopewell practices with influence in the burial ceremonies, settlement, pottery, agriculture, ornament making using different materials among other practices. During the early woodland period, burying of the dead was not marked by making mounds on the burial sites but this was introduced during the middle woodland period as a sign of respect and to prevent people from occupying that l and. With the changes and improvements in the burial ceremony, there was introduction of mortuaries where bodies and bones of important people were stored awaiting proper burial in mass graves during special events in the community. This brought about status differences of the dead from the previous period and with it came social complexity (Sutton and Yohe, 289). There was marked improvement in the pottery making and the making of other ornaments in terms of materials being used. The early woodland period ornaments were made from stones and a few shells towards the end of the period. With the middle woodland period, stones were replaced with shells, copper, mica among other materials. This was accompanied by improvement in the skills of making these ornaments and even pottery. The other major cultural trait that indicates progress of this period compared to the previous period was in terms of settlement. Previously, settlements were scattered and not very complex. Concentration was also paid to the external of the settlements more than the internal but this changed. More concentration was paid to the internal of the settlement areas hence starting to decorate them. People started grouping themselves instead of living separately which brought about the issue of social complexity that had not been witnessed before. The grouping of the people started developments of centers and markets and even roads (Neusius and Gross, 477). What explanations have been given as to why the attributes that defined this era were apparently unsustainable among Late Woodland peoples? The late woodland period though expected to be even better in terms of cultural growth was below the middle woodland period. The main reason for this and which almost the root of all the other reasons is the settlement dispersion. Unlike in the middle woodland period where people settled together in large groups hence helping each other and freeing lands for agricultural use, this late period saw the po pulations disperse into different areas. This led to abandonment of some cultural practices like the ornament making, pottery and agricultural farming of subsistence foods like maize. The discovery and increase in horticulture also led to the change of the

((((6))))) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

((((6))))) - Essay Example ademic methods and academic content in curricula but still emphasize to them how important it is to meet the specific needs of the children without necessarily violating the stipulated curriculum. I will inform them their role in helping the children attain the specific components through play and interactive learning and how this helps children attain components such as phonological awareness and comprehend meaning. Learning in my developmentally appropriate preschool classroom will be an interactive affair where preschoolers will freely engage in conversations to acquire oral skills and also participate in plays that will help them interact with the environment to develop cognitive skills. The preschool parents I cross-examined seemed to favor a classroom where their children will be learning literacy skills such as mathematics and sciences. However, they also held the idea that children should be given sometime to play and socialize. They would like the teacher to give personalized attention to children with learning difficulties and give them the opportunity to portray their artistic skills in activities such as modeling and drawing. The parents favor a type of classroom that is physical classroom where both indoors and outdoor activities are undertaken with utter importance. The classroom should have an apmle space for the teacher to interact and help the child. Apparently, this diligently ties with the DAP ideas presented in chapter 15 where more attention should be given to not only academic development, but also exploration of the environment, opportunity/space to manipulate, time to play and time to sleep. Parents seem to realize that play and socialization/interaction are important for the healthy growth and development of

In 2015, why are women still earning less than men in Canada Annotated Bibliography

In 2015, why are women still earning less than men in Canada - Annotated Bibliography Example In other words, the author of the article suggest that to some degree womens professional choices predetermine the existence of the pay gap between men and women. In her article on the relationship between gender role attitudes and the pay gap between men and women, Nicole Fortin argues that the differences in wages results from discrimination against women. More specifically, the author has found that in OECD countries, it is believed that men should have more right to jobs compared to women and that the main gender role of a woman is a housewife. In addition to this, Fortin states that inner conflicts can explain the existence of the pay gap as well. In particular, she mentioned the so-called â€Å"mothers guilt†. Finally, based on the data from the World Value Survey, Fortin claims that the pay gap may be explained by the fact that women place a greater value on non-pecuniary aspects of job, which means that women may prefer jobs that offer better working environment rather than jobs that pay more. In her article, Julie Cool studies the issue of the pay gap between men and women from different points of view and suggests the possible causes of this problem. Before the analysis of causes, the author states this trend is a historical one because in Canada occupational segregation has been a normal practice for a significant period of time. As for the possible causes, Cool defines the three of them. The first one is the group of human capital factors, such as education and job experience. As the author claims, today, these factors do not account for the substantial portion of the existing pay gap. The second group of causes is demographic characteristics, such as marital status and the presence of children. The last of them is job characteristics, which include types of work, industries etc. In this regard, the author argues that it is the

African People in the Global Village Essay Example for Free

African People in the Global Village Essay Certain things happen in one’s life, whether one likes them or not. You can not stand apart from it; you need to experience the process of going through it. Let me give the example of a car. It has two types of movements-forward movement and lateral movement. The energy (petrol, gas etc. ) relates to forward movement, without which the car can not start. You have no control over it. As for the lateral movement, you as the individual driving the car, have the control over its speed-you can drive it through the royal road, narrow lane, drive at 120 kms. per hour or just 30 kms- or not drive at all. Just lock it in the garage for days together! You are living in a changing world- very fast changing world. The modified lifestyles, due to industrial revolution, the modern materialistic civilization, the internet revolution, are mind-boggling. You need to run your race, accelerate the steps, clear the hurdles and move towards the goal. Stop in between at your own peril! Survival under tough conditions and competition are not magic. Nor an element of chance is involved. The wise saying goes, â€Å"When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. † Survival will be extremely difficult for the African people in the global village, unless tangible steps, all-comprehensive projects are drawn up and implemented with speed and imagination, by responsible leaders and people. The test of the leadership lies in involving the people actively and willingly in such projects. African people in the Global village- the summary: Africa is a big continent. The vastness of the area, multiplicity of ethnic conflicts, the fierce tribal loyalty prevailing even today, the religious factors, the difficult past, the historical factors some of which do exercise telling effect on the African society and mind-set even today, render the solution difficult. John K. Marah, who is the Associate Professor and Coordinator in the African and African-American Studies Department at SUNY at Brockport, makes a concerned and well-studied approach to offer solution in the book African People in the Global Village and the possible direction which they need to follow. Moreover, due to historical reasons, African people (the black race) are spread all over the Western World. They are a noticeable political force, an awakened society in Countries like USA. Marah categorically opines that it is no use brooding over the past, its failures and bitter memories. He does the examination of the present situation from an open-minded perspective. Confrontation at every stage is not going to help the cause of the African people. They have to know their place and find out the ways and means to evolve within the global village. He calls it ‘multidisciplinary approach and well-rounded understanding’. Right from the beginning of the book, Marah is aware that he is up to a difficult task, and the subject matter of the book, â€Å"African People in the Global Village,† can not be discussed in isolation. Yet, he takes the direct plunge into the serious subject matter. The book has neither a preface nor a forward. For a highly sensitive and complicated subject like this, author’s detailed background would have been a helpful factor, but that is not given in the book. The biographical sketch is not provided. Nevertheless, it is a determined and well-informed effort to broach the subject matter which is so vast viewed from tough, social, political, historical, economic and cultural perspectives. The problems are ever growing like the octopus expanding in many directions and only a radical solution like Pan-Africanism is the solution according to Marah. But, to define Pan-Africanism is not the easiest of the tasks. He concludes that African people have no other choice but to move forward at a rapid pace, with the qualities of head and heart-be dynamic without destruction! Marah begins his book on a tough note. â€Å"African Sensibilities in the Global Village. † He fails to give a clear message in this chapter one can not expect him to do so. The subject matte is so vast, complicated and the concern of Marah to offer a desperate solution to a desperate situation can be seen. He realizes his limitations-the subject matter he is up to tackle can not be discussed in isolation—by referring to the conditions of the African people alone! Their so-called more fortunate brothers in America also have their own problems and deep fears on many vital and fundamental issues! It would be prudent to link the problems of the black people of America with the black people of Africa, as Marah rightly argues. At the end of the chapter he specifies, `in this book we examine the position of African people in Africa and the United States with particular emphasis on some of their salient predicaments in the global system. ‘( Marah, 1998 p. 16). Having said this, Marah realizes about the uphill task ahead for him, for he fails to give appropriate solutions or alternatives. The discussions in the book naturally and essentially take him to outside Regions, where black race matters. In chapter 4, he discusses this aspect in detail. The black people issue is like the issue of a flowing river. It can not be discussed in parts. The river as a whole will have to be discussed to understand it. Its beginning, its course of flow and the area through which it passes, etc! Marah has a message for the black people and the leadership. Some inspiring political and economic leadership has to take over and lead, to achieve the set goal. He makes a case for the entry of socio-spiritual leadership to play its role, because what the Global Village Africa needs is not only fine projects but fine individuals to implement the projects-that is what he means when he says about the ability of the people to survive in a new environment. New skills are required to push ahead in such circumstances. The thought process of the people requires a new orientation and change. When the thoughts are changed, the mind is changed; when he mind is changed, the man is changed; when the man is changed, the society is changed; when the society is changed, the nation is changed; when several such nations are changed, the African continent will change for the better! Then only the African people in the Global Village will achieve plenty and prosperity. For survival, wherever may be it, certain basic skills are necessary, and African People in the Global Village, are no exception. Education gets top priority—the ability to read with understanding. Speak boldly so hat others can understand and appreciate your problems. It is not that you expect sympathy from others; but in a democratic society, when your fundamental rights are guaranteed by the Constitution, you need not be condemned by anyone either-you need not live your life like a baked potato always. The majority of the ills of African People are due to poor response to globalization. This lethargy is frightening and it will continue to bother and trouble them in every aspect of life, unless something tangible is done as quickly as possible. African people will head for an economic and social disaster and moral doom, if they do no wake up and react speedily.

Analyse And Discuss The Concept Of Structural Violence Politics Essay

Analyse And Discuss The Concept Of Structural Violence Politics Essay to what extent it explains international conflicts. Although structural violence does lead to conflict, it has had minimal effect on international conflicts. Structural violence has been a major factor in numerous internal or regional conflicts. The genocide in Rwanda and the Maoists Movement in Nepal are examples of structural violence that has led to an internal conflict. Another example is the Chinese suppression of the Tibetan peoples. Any attempts by the Tibetans to protest or challenge the rule of the Chinese in an attempt to gain independence from Chinese rule is met with swift violent retaliation. (Walsh, J. 2007) The two truly international conflicts were not started by a system of structured violence, but by deliberate planned actions of countries and their leaders to go to war. As a result of these wars systems were put in place that were structural and designed to suppress and repress social groups as well as the wholesale murder of people. Although conflicts between neig hboring countries are considered international conflicts, I have classified these as regional conflicts and used the First and Second World wars as examples of truly international conflicts. Structural violence was a term first banded around in the 1960s by liberation theologians and in particular by Johan Galtung, who used it to describe social, economic, political, legal, religious and cultural structures that stop individuals, groups and societies from reaching their full potential. (Farmer, P, 2006) Staugstad goes further when he explains that Structural violence is violence that does not hurt or kill through fists or guns or nuclear bombs, but through social structures that produce poverty, death and enormous suffering. Structural violence may be political, repressive, economic and exploitative; it occurs when the social order directly or indirectly causes human suffering and death. (Staugstad, A. 2001) These are two examples of the definition of structural violence. To better understand we need to dissect the term structural violence into its two separate parts. In this context the word structured relates to the social structures that are imposed on peoples, societ ies, religious groups and others causing them to be discriminated against and forced to live as second class human beings. These structures can take many forms but all suppress one particular group, for example a religious group, an ethnic group, or a group based on gender or sexual orientation. (Staugstad, A. 2001) The word violence when used in this context does not mean a physical form of violence but describes the imposition of rules and regulations and social structures that lead to all forms of abuse and poverty which in turn can lead to humiliation and death. Structural violence is systemic, it is not directly violent yet imposes such discriminatory rules and regulations that forces people into poverty and lives of extreme hardship, which can lead to death. Sometimes the social structures that are the root cause of structural violence can be age old traditions or rules or acts of legislation that when introduced may not have been seen as harmful by those who imposed them except to maintain control over the populace. When they were introduced those who imposed the legislation had ultimate control or power over the peoples through various means, such as slavery, bonded labor, debt, and education to name a few. (Gilman, R. 1983) Structural violence can also be viewed in two different ways, both vertical (political repression and economic exploitation) as well as horizontally (distance and alienation). The institutionalised structures of a country can enforce structural violence, by causing a gap between those that have or hold power over others and those that do not, as well as a social structure (classism) that separates the groups and creates a social distancing. This social distancing maybe because of economic separation, religious, ethnic or cultural, all of these factors create or reinforce structural violence. (Galtung, J. 1995) The vertical aspect of structural violence highlights those political policies such as segregation which lead to repressive measures designed to force a group in society to become second class citizens. Economic exploitation works hand in hand with political repression when certain social groups are barred from holding jobs of influence and status. I intend to break Structural Violence down into component parts and explain each one and how they have the potential to lead to conflict. Racism is an example of structural violence as it can be the result of discriminatory practices and entrenched legislation that place one segment of the population as a lower class citizen than the others and enforces rules and regulations on them to ensure that they stay as second class citizens. One of the most visible faces of racism was in the United States where until 1866 slavery was an accepted way of doing business for a large portion of the population. This racism was not only confined to the enslaving of Black Africans but also included discriminatory practices against the native American Indians, African Americans (slaves or decedents of) Asians, Italians and Mexicans to name a few. The 1964 Civil Rights Act made racial discrimination in public places, such as theaters, restaurants and hotels, illegal. It also required employers to provide equal employment opportunities. Projects involving federal funds could now be cut off if there was evidence of discriminated based on c olor, race or national origin. This Act was the cornerstone of the bid to completely eliminate segregation and other discriminatory practices in public places. (United States Department of Justice, 1964) Although the Civil Rights movement who were advocating for a change in the law which would allow equal rights to all, was at times violent it never evolved into fully fletched internal conflict. This example shows that policies in place at the time contributed to structural violence, however as large as the problem was it never expanded to an international level of conflict, the conflict remained low level and internal. South Africa is another and more visible country to be recognised for its racist policies. Laws were introduced in 1948 which segregated inhabitants into four racial groups, white, blacks, colored and Indian Residential areas were segregated, a segregation which at times was achieved by forced removals of non whites. From 1958, Blacks were deprived of their citizenship of South Africa, legally becoming citizens of one of ten tribally based self-governing homelands called Bantustans, four of which became nominally independent states. The government also segregated education, medical care, and other public services, and provided black people with services inferior to those of whites. South Africa used harsh measures to suppress the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa with the police and the armed forces in an armed struggle with movements such as the African National Congress (ANC) as they tried to enforce and maintain white supremacy in South Africa. (Fredrickson, G. 2003) The Sou th African military were also prominent in several neighboring countries trying to fight the spread of communism in Angola, which was another example of structural violence where conflicts arose due to political ideologies. Although at times the racial tensions created by the practice of apartheid were extremely violent the, conflicts were internal or confined to small scale regional conflicts. They never developed into a wider international conflict. Although the anti-apartheid movement had a huge global following which used actions such as trade embargos to try to pressure the South African government into ending its apartheid regime. It was not until 1994 that an open election was held that allowed all South Africans to vote regardless or color, or race. The legacy of the apartheid period still influences South Africa today especially in the areas of economics and trade. (Thompson, L. 1996) Another example of structural violence that is not as visible and recognised is the caste system found in several East Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal. The caste system was described in Hinduisms ancient sacred text, the Rig Veda, as a social order intended to maintain harmony in society. It divides people into four main castes, but there also are those outside the system, the untouchables, who now call themselves Dalits, literally broken people. (George, N. 2010) Though discrimination based on caste has been outlawed since Indias constitution was adopted in 1950, the practice pervades society today. The caste system is an example of your place of birth dictating your social and economic standing. The caste system segregates a section of society from other and denies people their rights to be treated as equals in all areas of life. However although in the countries mentioned above racism and discrimination have led to violence and internal confrontation and conflict, it has not been influential in creating an international level conflict. Galtung defines cultural violence as being those aspects of culture, the symbolic sphere of our existence, exemplified by religion, ideology, language, art and empirical science. (Galtung, 1990, pg 291) He goes on to explain that these structures can be used to justify direct and structural violence. Galtung tries to illustrate that societys norms of behavior can be used as structured violence. Things that are seen as wrong can be colored to make them look normal or socially acceptable in that society. He uses a mathematical formula to demonstrate that the higher your social status the greater your life expectancy, the lower your social status the shorter your life expectancy will be. In most cases this is because the structure is weighted in favor of one particular race or group of peoples. Because of this those that have greater access will benefit from the services that the social structure provides (affluent) where-as those that do not enjoy such access are not able to benefit an d there-by suffer. This suffering leads to poverty and suffering which brings with it the potential for diseases and other problems that affect the poor or repressed. When conditions like this exist it then leads to disharmony amongst the repressed and becomes the breeding ground for dissent and resentment of those who are seen as benefiting from the social structures. (Galtung, 1969) An example of this can be seen in those post colonial countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia, where once the slaves were returned to these countries from the USA and Great Britain and told they are now free, set up cultures and structures where they were the masters. They copied what they had only ever seen which was the way their masters had lived and ruled the freed slaves copied these ways and adopted them as their own. These returned slaves were on the whole not from either of these countries and both countries had existing indigenous populations, whom were force to accept these freed slaves into their country. As they were not from either of these two countries they bought with them their own beliefs and culture that differed from that of the indigenous population. This imposition of outside cultures and beliefs only adds to any resentment held by the indigenous peoples. As mention above the freed slaves copied the ways they had observed from their masters and began to see that this way of living and doing things was the norm or accepted way (affluent). This in turn caused friction with the indigenous population, (repressed) which after a period of time led to small scale conflict and later to a larger internal conflict which have until recently was still being fought. (History World, 2010) Although the USA and Great Britain had good intentions, when they repatriated ex slaves the consequences have been terrible for both countries. It also highlights what Galtung was eluding to when he wrote about cultural violence as a form of structural violence. The freed slaves took on the role of master in both countries and the indigenous population became the repressed citizens in their own country. This led to discontent and finally to conflict. The conflict in each country was internal to both countries with limited involvement from neighboring countries, and although humanitarian support was provided by the international community the conflict remained localised. In recent years food security has been identified as a potential flashpoint for conflict. When he wrote in the Journal of Peace Research in 1990, Galtung introduced the topic of violence against nature as a form of structural violence. He may have been musing about the future, however twenty years later the structured systems of countries that have seen vast tracts of land slashed and burned in the name of sustainable economic growth (Galtung, 1990, pg 294) has caused the depletion of non-renewable resources. Large areas of land are stripped of vegetation to allow for the expansion of agricultural land and for mineral resources such as timber, oil and gas. These actions by governments have marginalised those groups whom have traditionally worked these lands or lived in the forest areas. These groups are now forced to abandon their traditional ways and be moved into makeshift towns where they are denied their rights to hunt and fish on their ancestral lands. An example of this is in B razil and other countries where the Amazon forest stretches across their borders. This forest is rapidly being cut down to make way for mineral exploration and the expansion of agricultural land. By doing this the government are forcing the indigenous peoples to withdraw further into the forests or forcing them to live in makeshift shanty towns which impose on them a lifestyle they are not used to or adapted for. Because of the size of the Amazon forest and its influence on the global environmental system, any interference with the forest will have environmental effects globally. This combined with at times contested idea that global pollution has influenced the global weather patterns and led to global warming. This global warming has interfered with the traditional weather systems and affected crops and animal production to such as extent that it has created a whole new group of disadvantaged peoples. (Rainforest Action Network, 2007) When examined what is happening as a result of planned government and global initiatives in industry and in the name of sustained economic growth is a form of structured violence. This can be further explain at country level as well, with those countries that have mineral wealth or those countries that are able to afford to access to the mineral wealth and those countries that cannot afford access to minerals or as a result of exploitation are drifting further into poverty and deprivation. Galtungs observation twenty years ago has proven to be valid today and could possibly be the catalyst for conflict in the future. If we examine the origins of the only two truly international conflicts the First and Second World Wars we will see that it was not the due to systematic structural violence. The events that led to the commencement of international conflict were not as a direct result of structural violence. In the case of the First World War, an assassination of an heir to the throne of the Austria-Hungary empire by a group of student idealists whom at the time of the actual assassination not intending to kill the Archduke Ferdinand, but were instead more focused on the assassination of Governor Potiorek and only at the last moment did the target switch to the Archduke. (Sowards, S.1996) Although the assassination was politically motivated it was perpetrated by a small group of idealist young men. The months between the assassination of the Archduke and the declaration of hostilities which led to a rapid chain reaction of events as countries were drawn into the conflict through existing alliances. (FirstWorldWar.com) This lapse in time shows that it was a more deliberate action to go to war, than an immediate reaction to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. (Sowards, 1996) The event that sparked the start of the Second World War was the German invasion of Poland, whom was an ally of both Britain and France. Prior to the invasion of Poland, Hitler and the Nazis had for many years previously articulated in speeches and propaganda of the need for race and space These concerns centered on the importance of racial purity (Aryan race) and on the need for a nation to be prepared to compete with its neighbors in a brutal, uncompromising and ceaseless struggle to survive and to expand. (Henig, R. 1997) Why Hitler hated the Jewish population so much still remains a mystery. What led him to order the extermination of millions of Jews is still open to debate. Hitler and the Nazis were racists and persecuted many different groups in societies such as homosexuals, which led to the killing of homosexuals regardless of their race or origins. The drive for a pure Aryan race was before the war only rhetoric, it was not until the war started that structures were put in p lace to suppress and kill millions of Jews and others. It was not structured violence that led to the Second World War, as the structures were put in place as the war started. (Minorityrights.com). As horrific as these wars were they were not started as a direct of structural violence, however when conflict started the policies and regimes that were put in place ensured that millions suffered. These events are examples of structural violence. Structural violence as has been indicated above has been and is still a major part of todays societies. Not all structural violence ends up in conflict, such as the rules in countries such as Saudi Arabia, where it is forbidden for women to drive a car. This type of entrenched structural violence continues today in many different parts of the world. Racism and Cultural violence are two of the more visible forms of structural violence we see or hear about. These forms of structural violence have their roots in the past in areas such as slavery and ethnic divisions. A new area of structural violence offered by Galtung was that of the structural violence against nature or the environment. This concept although new has gained new importance in the modern era when areas such as food security and environmental degradation are gaining global importance. Although environmental structural violence has not led to global conflict it is responsible for many small internal conflicts as the indigenous inhabitants of the lands or forests fight to keep their lands and waters from being taken from them in the name sustainable economic growth. As demonstrated above structural violence has led to many internal or regional conflicts, but has not been directly responsible for the starting of major international conflicts such as the First and Second World Wars. The extent that structural violence has had on international conflict is small. Structural violence is responsible for many internal or regional based conflicts, but they have not spread to a truly international conflict. I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. -Galileo  Galilei.  Italian  astronomer,  mathematician,  and  physicist  (1564-1642)

Watteaus Fêtes Galantes: Style and Meaning

Watteaus FÃ ªtes Galantes: Style and Meaning Discuss the content and the possible meanings of Watteaus FÃ ªtes Galantes The FÃ ªtes Galantes is derived from a genre of paintings produced in the eighteenth century, depicting aristocratic scenes of mirth and merriment set in the mythical world of Arcadia, where humanity and nature live together in harmony. The reasons behind this deliberate juxtaposition of both the aristocratic everyday and setting it in the mythical world was twofold. First, Antoine Watteau, the chief designer of the genre, wished for his paintings to be recognised by the government appointed Academic Des Beaux Arts, who still ranked scenes of the everyday in a lower class than those depicting biblical, historical or mythological scenes with an educational theme. Secondly, the economics behind painting and commissions were changing. In Watteaus economic world, instead of commissions coming almost exclusively from either the crown or the church, as it did previously, private patrons were also commissioning works, and provided most of the revenue for artists. But they also, whether by accident or deliberately, provoke a whole series of other responses, notable insofar as they are representative of nothing, and exist purely as decorative pieces of art. Indeed the reaction at the time was to place Watteau in a category of his own, as the ambiguity of his representations tended to eschew easy categorization. David R. Marshall suggests that: Watteaus paintings were difficult for contemporaries to classify; today they can be understood in terms of spectators response to the semantic vacuum that they present.[1] So, the genre of FÃ ªtes Galantes tends to subvert traditional ways of reading, introducing ambiguity on the level, insofar that the image takes precedence over what exactly is represented. In a sense the FÃ ªtes Galantes was designed to be ambiguous. Thus, the Fete Galante, especially Watteaus work, becomes extremely difficult to read in a straightforward manner; arguably, his work could be laced with irony, his landscapes invoke an almost impressionist free dom, and his concern with the image over the message signalled that his work reveals meanings that perhaps were intentional, or else purely coincidental and decorative. FÃ ªtes Galantes (1717), is a perfect representation of the style that came to be named after the painting. In the scene, a collection of characters are assembled around a statue of an angel. The background of the image invokes impressionist works, insofar as the trees and the composition of the image seems more in tune with the way light works, rather than the simple telling of a biblical or historical tale, as was the nature of previous work. Indeed, the ambiguity of this work is exactly what makes it compelling. Julie Anne Plax suggests that: Watteau consistently applied coherent strategies of representation aimed at subverting high art.[2] Indeed, this particular piece certainly suggests a deliberate eschewing of the concepts of high art for instance, the statue is a plain, generic statue, depicting an angel. Instead of elevating the divine in the picture, Watteau reduces it to the level of the mundane, as a rather dour looking statue in the corner of the composition. Instead o f this divine element, our eye is drawn to the centre of the piece, where some aristocrats talk and lounge in the sun. The resultant effect is a displacement of our expectations, as the scene of the everyday takes precedence over the historical and mythical connotations of the surroundings. Conversation was an important facet to life for Watteau, and indeed, the congregation of people that appear in FÃ ªtes Galantes certainly encapsulates this theme that remains prevalent in his work. Watteau sought to capture the rhythms of conversation, and indeed, the ambiguity of the piece, and the way it juxtaposes the divine, the everyday, the mythical and the traditional gives the impression that the piece is stuck in a dialogue with itself over what it is supposed to be representing. The conversational theme is prevalent in all of the FÃ ªtes galantes, and it is precisely this, juxtaposition of the high-brow conceptual and representational framework, pasted over the ordinary activities of a few aristocrats that makes the work, in a subtle way, revolutionary. Michalski suggests that: Almost all FÃ ªtes galantes should be interpreted from the viewpoint of the conversational theme. Watteau [] accepted the high status of conversation within society, and he paid homage to it thoug h his artful construction of discursive situations and though the discreet but self-revealing conduct of his figures[3]. Indeed, this glorification of conversation instead of the high historical concepts of modern art could be seen in a number of ways first, as a cynical drive to make money from two differing audiences; first, to satisfy the needs of the Academie and maintain an audience, and second, to actually satirize the concept of high art by smuggling the mundaneness of the everyday into a grand, historical painting. Thus, the work can be seen as an ingenious way of making profit from two increasingly disparate groups of people, or else it could be read as a more subversive work of art seeking to destroy the sanctity of representative art from within. This ambiguity and decorousness of the art is precisely what makes the work both fascinating and prescient to an audience that would later treat a work of art as a means to represent the artists unique vision, rather than a self less depiction of biblical or narrative events. Therefore, the work could be read as anticipating the impressionists and modernist art. Indeed, this is one particular reading of the piece. The decorative aspects of FÃ ªtes Galantes certainly can be read as a prototype for the modernist art obsessed by surface representation and secularism that was to come. Overall, the genre of the FÃ ªtes Galantes was important insofar as, despite its position as a distinctly commercial genre, artists such as Watteau, arguably satirized the academy by introducing the authority of the artist into these works. Juxtaposing the everyday with the mythical setting of Arcadia, Watteau appealed to both the French Royal establishment, and also the private aristocratic patrons that wished to see themselves in paint, conversing and doing everyday things in the countryside. Thus, the piece itself exists as a decorative piece, unencumbered by the traditional trappings of biblical narrative and / or morally stimulating works from mythology or history. And, by pushing to the forefront the purely decorative, in many ways secularising high art, Watteau brought to the forefront notions about the relationship between the artist and his art, as well as being a forerunner for movements such as Impressionism and Modernism, that would revolutionize the relationship between artist and art, and also mutate the representational powers of painting from an objective depiction, to an obsession with the various forms and the subtleties of seeing objects differently. Overall, Fete Galante is open to a whole series of different meanings and readings, but perhaps it is precisely this sense of ambiguity, this mismatch of certain tenets of classical, traditional high art, and the emergent vocabulary of low art that causes the image itself to be considered over the specificities of what or who it represents. Bibliography Cowart, G., Watteaus Pilgrimage to Cythera and the Subversive Utopia of the Opera-Ballet, from The Art Bulletin, Sept 2001 Marshall, D. R., Watteau and Eighteenth Century Art Michalski, S., Watteaus Painted Conversations from The Art Bulletin, Dec 1994 Plax, J. A., Watteau and the Cultural Politics of Eighteenth Century France, University of Arizona Press, Arizona, 2000 Footnotes [1]David R. Marshall, Watteau and Eighteenth Century Art [2]Julie Anne Plax, Watteau and the Cultural Politics of Eighteenth Century France, University of Arizona Press, Arizona: 2000, p. 24 [3]Sergiusz Michalski, Watteaus Painted Conversations, from The Art Bulletin, Dec 1994, p. 2

The Use of Symbols to Ensure Confidential Communication :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Since the industrial revolution, communications technology has improved at an alarming rate. From the invention of the printing press to the rapidly expanding internet, it becomes easier to communicate with others every day. One downfall of this revolution is that it is much more difficult to keep confidential papers documents secure. In such a volatile environment a document can be stolen, scanned, and sent to the rest of the world within a span of five minutes. Once a person gets a hold of this information they can read it if it is in their own language or get it translated if it is in a foreign language. If a picture, symbol, or badge, is exploited in the same manner through the internet, it will not have such a crippling effect. Although viewers will be able to see the illustration, they will only derive from it whatever values or characteristics they associate the symbols with. However, the people who are affiliated with the image derive more important facts from it. The y might associate the illustration with historical meaning, personal stories, or how the image was created. Literate means of communication are imply universal understanding while symbols have the ability to convey different levels of meaning and comprehension to different groups of viewers. This dichotomy creates different niches for literate and visual means of communication to be used in. If material is meant to be understood universally and to convey the same meaning to all viewers than literate means of communication should be employed. If certain details are to be communicated to a select group of individuals, then symbols are a more effective way of ensuring secrecy. Symbols indicate the need for communication and yet conceal the details and innermost aspects of its contents (Religious). Unlike literature, symbols can be associated with various tangible or intangible objects to different people. This is because symbols are not comprehensible to the general public. I propose that symbols have four different levels of understanding while literate means on communication can only convey one level. The deeper connections associated with symbols cause informed viewers to experience a wide array of emotions when they see a symbol they are affiliated with. Organizations such as businesses, fraternities, and athletic clubs use symbols to invigorate their members with emotion that is not supposed to be acquired by the rest of society.

Scholarship Essay: Im Fascinated by the Universe :: College Admissions Essays

"Did life exist on Mars?" "What would it take to build a spaceship that could travel at the speed of light?" "When will the moon be colonized?" These are just some of the questions that wander through my mind all day. Fascinated by the secrets of the universe, I yearn to uncover mysteries. In order to blast open all the closed gates between knowledge and myself, I need the powerful tools of education. After I graduate from high school, I plan to attend a college or university that has strong mathematics and science departments. Even now, I am actively preparing to enter the realm of science, taking college-level math and physics classes through the Running Start program. Upon receiving a college degree, my life-long dream is to engage in scientific research for NASA. Unfortunately, most colleges notable for their academic standards are also renowned for costly tuition. My family consists of one working parent and two children who wish to attend college.

An Increased Understanding of Neurobiology :: Neurobiology Biology Health Essays

An Increased Understanding of Neurobiology It is a beautiful day outside, the person you care about just told you they feel the same way, you paid all your bills and still have money left over, and you finished all your work on time, yet you are still in a very crabby mood. Or, it is an awful day out, you just failed an exam, you have a ton of work to finish in too little time, and you were just dumped, still you have a feeling of well-being that you cannot change. We have all been there, our emotions seem to have a mind of their own and we do not know why we are feeling what we are feeling. Philosophers, psychologists, and science fiction writers have been debating the usefulness of emotions for centuries, still we continue to experience them and deal with them as part of our existence as human beings. Neurobiologists have preferred to take the tactic of looking at emotions as something we experience, thus something that should be studied. This tactic has led to some interesting evidence in terms of the usefulness of emotion in our everyday life. Some have found that experiencing the variety of feelings that we do might help in our ability to remember things and in learning about the world around us. If it is the case that emotional information does help us when we remember things and learn, then how do emotions work in the brain? There have been found to be some key structures, each playing a role in the way we experience emotions and what kind of moods are experienced. Still, with all of this information, we still have emotions that we cannot explain given our everyday experience. The increased understanding of neurobiology that we have can be used to explain why we feel what we do, even when the external world cannot. It had long been thought that any research into emotion was a waste of good research efforts. There were many reasons for this, but primarily the idea was that emotions were not scientific enough for science. As time and methods have changed, so has that attitude and now emotions are looked at with slightly more respect and less apprehension about their not being rational. (1) This change in attitude has led to people finding that emotions might actually lead to somewhat useful things. An Increased Understanding of Neurobiology :: Neurobiology Biology Health Essays An Increased Understanding of Neurobiology It is a beautiful day outside, the person you care about just told you they feel the same way, you paid all your bills and still have money left over, and you finished all your work on time, yet you are still in a very crabby mood. Or, it is an awful day out, you just failed an exam, you have a ton of work to finish in too little time, and you were just dumped, still you have a feeling of well-being that you cannot change. We have all been there, our emotions seem to have a mind of their own and we do not know why we are feeling what we are feeling. Philosophers, psychologists, and science fiction writers have been debating the usefulness of emotions for centuries, still we continue to experience them and deal with them as part of our existence as human beings. Neurobiologists have preferred to take the tactic of looking at emotions as something we experience, thus something that should be studied. This tactic has led to some interesting evidence in terms of the usefulness of emotion in our everyday life. Some have found that experiencing the variety of feelings that we do might help in our ability to remember things and in learning about the world around us. If it is the case that emotional information does help us when we remember things and learn, then how do emotions work in the brain? There have been found to be some key structures, each playing a role in the way we experience emotions and what kind of moods are experienced. Still, with all of this information, we still have emotions that we cannot explain given our everyday experience. The increased understanding of neurobiology that we have can be used to explain why we feel what we do, even when the external world cannot. It had long been thought that any research into emotion was a waste of good research efforts. There were many reasons for this, but primarily the idea was that emotions were not scientific enough for science. As time and methods have changed, so has that attitude and now emotions are looked at with slightly more respect and less apprehension about their not being rational. (1) This change in attitude has led to people finding that emotions might actually lead to somewhat useful things.

Ptlls Unit1.1

Level 3 – 1. 1Â  Summarise key aspects of legislation, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relating to own role and responsibilities As a tutor in the lifelong sector I have a responsibility to myself my peers and my students to keep up to date with current legislations and codes of practice. In the first aid industry guidelines are changing every year as more information and research is being done, I need to keep up to date with the resuscitation council guidelines and the HSE first aid regulations 1981 and Ofqual.I also need to keep up to date my own First Aid at Work certificate. I can’t teach any subject that I am not thoroughly trained in and I must make sure my students understand the subject and are fully competent before I sign them off. When I am running a first aid course I need to take in to account Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (The Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003). covering the reproduction and use of course materials, the first aid at work act 1974 in which I have a responsibility to employees (my course assessor) My students and any visitors.As I am travelling to different venues I need to carry out risk assessments for each area, familiarise myself with the building and facilities from building lay out and emergency exits to trip hazards and room temperature. The equality act 2006 recognises inclusiveness by respecting the right of learners to attend and participate no matter what their gender, religion, race, disability, sexual orientation or age so my courses must be open to all and tailored to suit their needs which in turn also covers the disability discrimination act 1995, the sex discrimination act 1975 the race relations amendment act 2000.I need to pay my assessors the same fee and treat them the same taking in to account the equal pay act 1970 the human rights act. I need to make sure I keep all of my students records locked up in a safe and secure place to comply with Data Protection Act 1998. regulating the storage and use of information. I also have to abide by the IFL code of practice as an affiliate member and PFE First Aid Instructors code of practice.

Acquisition of Reebok by Adidas, M&a Deal in the Sports Industry

This report presents a brief summary of the M&A deal and the performance of the Adidas-Salmon Group and the Reebok International which are the top players after Nike, in sportswear market. Mergers and Acquisitions is an extreme matter of concern in the corporate world since last few decades. M&A can also be considered as a main vehicle which drives towards direct investments, either domestic or foreign. With motives of achieving greater efficiency and effective strategies, most of the companies had gone through at least one M&A activity at least once in a lifetime.This report contains theories regarding Mergers and Acquisition and is focused on the Cross-border M&A (Adidas- A German company and Reebok- an American company). It includes the acquisition process and presents the motives behind the acquisition of Reebok by Adidas. The report also includes the analysis to identify whether synergy (Value of (Adidas+ Reebok) > Value of Adidas+ Value of Reebok) has been achieved or not. I t can be identified through performance measurement and evaluation.The analysis of the company’s annual reports and the reviews in various websites contributed to determine whether the company is able to achieve its target objectives. Table of Contents S. N. Title Page No. 1. Introduction1 2. Literature Review2 a. The need of Merger2 b. Due diligence3 2. 2. 1 Legal and regulatory issues3 2. 2. 2 Tender offer3 2. 2. 3 Empirical Evidence4 2. 2. 4 Strategies of Adidas & Reebok 4 3. Methodology5 4. Discussion5 a. Synergies achieved5 4. 2 Financial Analysis6 4. 3 Targets and Achievements: Post merger evaluation7 . Conclusion and Recommendations9 References10 1. Introduction Corporate Restructuring is the process of reconstructing the operational, financial, legal and other structures of an organization in order to achieve the organizational efficiency, technological advancement, market expansion, profit maximization and obtain the competitive advantage over others. Mergers and Acq uisitions (M&A), which is one of the major corporate restructuring methods and started in US, has become a global practice for over 100 years.With the increase in globalization concept, most of the companies around the world have undergone through one among the following three types of M&A. Vertical merger which includes the combination of the forms operating in the different levels of the same industry differs from the Horizontal merger where the two combined firms operate in the same business activity. Conglomerate, the third type is rather unique as it involves the combination of firms of different industry. For a detailed analysis of M&A activity, I have chosen an acquisition ofReebok (an American sportswear company) by Adidas (a German sportswear company) and evaluating its performance and the various stages of the M&A activity. Adidas-Reebok acquisition is categorized under horizontal Cross-Border M&A whose main objective is to present the group as a market leader in the field of sportswear. The rate of M&A activities seem to be increasing day by day. However, the success rate of these mergers is very low. This is because of the lack of ability to achieve the synergy, which is obtained as a result of increased competitive advantage.So, the report is based on evaluating the various aspects of Adidas-Reebok performance to draw the conclusion whether the integration is successful to meet the target objectives or not. 2. Literature Review With an aim to drive competition and growth in the sports market, there was significant presence of the M&A activities since late 1990s. In 1997, Adidas acquired the Salomon Group for $1. 4 billion. In 2003, Nike acquired Converse for $305 million and in 2004 Reebok acquired The Hockey Company for $330 million. In 2005, the Adidas-Salmon Group acquired Reebok for $3. billion and in 2008; Nike acquired Umbro Plc for 285 million.Many analysts have identified that the companies major objectives and targets of M&A activities ha ve not successfully achieved in most of the cases. Timothy and Mark (2007) point out the major of failure as cultural aspects of mergers that are poorly dealt with and mention that successful mergers are based as much on emotional reactions and energized behavior. Bjorkman, Stahl, and Vaara (2007) also discussed the role of cultural differences on the capability transfer for cross-border acquisitions. . 1 The need of Merger According to the data obtained by Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association International in 2004, Nike was the leader in American sportswear with market share of 36% leaving Reebok and Adidas the second and third position with 12. 2% and 8. 9% respectively. And America alone counts for almost 50% of the total global sportswear market. So, it was an important opportunity for Adidas and Reebok to have a combined competitive strength over the leader Nike, a famous brand in its fashion, status, colours and combinations.Besides that, Adidas was facing a tough competit ion with the fourth largest sports brand Puma, which compelled it to take the growth strategy through acquisition with Reebok. Puma had already disclosed expansion plans through acquisitions and entry into new sportswear categories So, for a successful merger, the challenge was to integrate Adidas's German culture of control, engineering, and production and Reebok's U. S. marketing- driven culture. Also, the core competencies of the combined companies seem a major strength than the individual competencies. Adidas Core Competencies |Reebok Core Competencies |Combined Core Competencies | |–Technology |– Trend Identification |– Adidas technology with Reebok design | |– Customer focus |– Ability to market to a niche segment |– Adidas sports with Reebok women’s market | |– Brand recognition |– Women’s shoe design |– Adidas shoes with Reebok apparel | |– Supply chain |– Design expertise |– Ad idas global strength & Reebok US strength | |– Collaboratively competitive |– Celebrity relationships | | 2. Due diligence 2. 2. 1 Legal and regulatory issues: Any M&A process should face through the regulatory bodies before they are granted the permission. There are various antitrust authorities which will examine and restrict the merger activities that create the monopoly in a particular market. Some of these authorities are the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in USA, the Competition Commission in the UK, the European Commission in EU and the Federal Cartel Office in Germany. Adidas, being the German company had successfully passed the regulatory check and was approved by both the Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission to acquire Reebok on $3. 8 bn.As Reebok was targeting mainly in the American youths where as Adidas was targeting the European professionals and these brands had different pricing positions, EU concluded that this integration would not signif icantly affect the competition in the sports market. 2. 2. 2 Tender offer Tender offer in M&A is a general offer made by any acquirer company to a target company either publicly or directly to the shareholders to grant their stocks in the price which is higher than the present market price. After analyzing the market value of Reebok, Adidas has offered the buying of Reebok’s share with 34. 2 percent share premium. A written consent between Adidas and Reebok was established mentioning all the legal obligations. 2. 2. 3 Empirical Evidence The once in a lifetime opportunity’, as mentioned by Adidas-Salomon AG Chairman and CEO Herbert Hainer, came into reality after the deal was closed on Jan 31, 2006, which provided the new Adidas group with an increased Capital of around â‚ ¬9. 5 billion ($11. 8 billion) in the global athletic footwear, apparel and hardware markets. Adidas-Salmon group paid $ 3. 527 bn to Reebok as total value of the Reebok shares calculated at the ra te of $59. 0 per share. They had paid 34. 2 % share premium. The share price of Reebok had rose by 30% after the acquisition.Hainer added, â€Å"The brands will be kept separate because each brand has a lot of value and it would be stupid to bring them together. The companies would continue selling products under respective brand names and labels. This is considered as the major strategy to keep the existing brand values and customers safe, protecting their brand loyalty. 2. 2. 4 Strategies of Adidas & Reebok The two companies came to the M&A deal with some of the very important strategies that lead to the growth and expansion of the market and the product portfolio along with the shared technology. The acquisition helped the new group to double the sales in America (U. S. $3. 9 billion) and also Reebok to increase its sales in Europe from the Adidas’s strong brand recognition and market expertise. Both the groups are creating the greater job opportunities with the well expe rienced and world class employees. They are selecting their top most employees into a new group for more effective business operation.This will help them to establish themselves as top most global brand from their strength (improved R&D systems with award winning cutting-edge technology, trend-setting street wear and classic design) with a strong presence as qualitative and wide ranged sports products. The combined group showed stronger presence among various teams and athletes such as David Beckham, Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and also the top sports events like FIFA World Cup 2006 and Olympics 2008 to increase the global visibility of both the brands. 3. Methodology The report is based on academic knowledge gained during the course and the further research done on various websites.This includes the company’s website, various reviews and other academic sources available in the internet. After introducing about the M&A process, the literature review was done from t he past papers about Cross-border M&A and the management report on Adidas-Reebok M&A. The official website of Adidas group was used as the major source of annual financial report and performance measurement report, which helped to analyze the success of the integration in terms of sales revenue and other performance measurement indicators. After the detailed study of the case, the report contains few recommendations which might help the company to increase its profit and ultimately achieve its target objectives. 4. DiscussionThe success and failure of the M&A can be accessed from the perspectives of shareholders, managers and employees as the interests of these groups do not coincide (Sudarsanam, 2003). The report below contains analysis from different perspectives. 4. 1 Synergies achieved: The combined group had achieved the synergies based on each other’s competitive strength. Operating synergies affect the operations of the combined firm and include economies of scale, inc reased pricing power, and higher growth potential (Damodaran, 2006). As a geographical and demographical category, Reebok got chance to benefit from its partner Adidas which has expertise in European market.Similarly, Adidas benefited from Reebok expertise in American and Asian markets especially the youths and women. The new group had the wide range of products with continuous brand development by sharing R&D technologies. The synergy in distribution channel can be obtained through distribution and operation efficiencies. They have obtained 40% synergies in marketing, sales and distribution through selective diversification of channels and the optimum utilization of distribution capacity. Hadfield (2006), in his article quotes the statement of Steve Bonomo, the head of recruitment of Adidas, who says that the Adidas-Reebok acquisition has reduced the global recruitment cost by 30-50 percent.This reduction in expenses will help to increase the profit to some extent. Through global s ourcing and using economies of scale, they have been able to achieve 20% operations synergies. 4. 2 Financial Analysis: After the integration the management structure was reformed with the reduction of unnecessary branches and departments. They also agreed to share the cost incurred in production technology, distribution and back operations. The Reebok switching from pre-order in bulk amount to pay as you go system results the instant cash and uniform production and distribution of goods. The Annual financial report of Adidas group shows the sharp increase of sales revenue after the acquisition process.As the official deal was signed in Jan 2006, there is the dramatic rise in the sales from Dec 2005 to Dec 2006 resulting very high sales revenue of the combined group than it used to get during the individual sells. There is a continuous increase in sales even though the market was hit by the economic crisis during past few years (shown in the graph). The fact that the Adidas group fa ced serious decrease in sales of Reebok goods in Europe because the company decided to shut down some of the retail branches was very noticeable. But there was huge increase of the sales of Adidas products in America, which ultimately offset the losses, incurred in the group and ultimately led the company towards profit. [pic] Source: Adidas-group. com/ annual report 4.3 Targets and Achievements: Post merger evaluation Targets |Achievement | Description | |Environmental |75% |The environmental targets and strategy for climate change and carbon emissions | |sustainability-Group achievement| |have been developed as a whole but the group-wide strategy covering the entire | | | |value chain has remained. | |Environmental sustainability- |50% |The cross- brand group was formed to support all the Adidas brands but the full | |Product | |implementation of the prepared guidelines is in due. |Environmental |100% |Launched the internal Company Initiatives to promote environmental assessments | |Sustainability-Properties | |and awareness, reviewed the in-house ‘Think Green Guide’, established the | | | |environmental management systems but still remained to get ISO 14001 | | | |certification by the end of 2010. | |Supply Chain Systems |75% |As a member of Fair Factories Clearinghouse Compliance, Adidas group fully | | | |review the integrity of the data. Also, launched new Environmental guidelines to| | | |provide health and safety guidelines to the employees.But remained due about | | | |50% of the task to implement upgraded Key Performance Indicator to measure the | | | |company’s performance and also the sustainable compliance monitoring | | | |methodology. | |Global Economic Crisis |100% |Provided several updates on company’s website about risk and supply chain | | | |consolidation. Also provided guidelines on managing employees’ redundancies and | | | |layoffs in appropriate manner. |Stakeholder Engagements- |50% |Highly accepted th e concept of marketing and sourcing strategy but couldn’t | |Internal | |obtain better cotton materials for quality and performance testing. | |Stakeholder Engagements- |100% |Broad engagement with the governments and key stakeholders which assist in | |External | |decision making and also collaboration with different brands, suppliers and | | | |other industry actors. | Source: – Adidas. com, annual report, 2009 5. Conclusion and Recommendations The M&A itself is a complex and risky process both in terms of making a deal and in achieving the target objectives. It is also difficult to identify the exact determinants of the success or failure of the M&A.So, the conclusions are met on the basis of the grounds that a researcher considers, but this might be insufficient to other researchers who consider the broader areas. The analysis carried out under the case of Reebok acquisition by Adidas group shows that the new group is able to increase its sells through the restruct uring process. But even performance measurement report of the company highlights some of the issues where the company was unable to achieve the target objectives. The major target to lead the market ruler, Nike has not yet been achieved. The market positions of these two brands have remained constant. In contrast, it has a biggest threat of its following competitor, Puma to have integration with Nike and drop down the market share of Adidas group.