Marijuana Impairments a Qualitative Study

Marijuana Impairments a Qualitative Study The term that knowledge is power only stands correct if your information is reliable and correct. Therefore, only some information is power, for not all information is reliable. The information we receive substantiates our belief system, and the decisions we make and how we understand the world around us. If that information is tainted by receiving misinformation/inaccuracies, such as information handed down through myths, folklore, and others’ misconceived ideals, then this information is dis-empowering to us and could be harmful to our creditability (Harris, 2010).This qualitative study is on the effects of Marijuana, and how it impairs function and inhibits motor skills. The purpose of a qualitative study is to gain knowledge from a particular social situation, event, role, group, or interaction (Creswell, 2009 p. 194). Therefore, it is an investigative process where the researcher gradually derives a conclusion from a social phenom enon by contrasting, comparing, recreating, cataloging and classifying the object of a study (Creswell, 2009, p. 194).According to Creswell (2009), in order to accomplish a qualitative study one must immerse themselves into the everyday activities of the topic/setting of the informants’ environment through continual interaction, and pursue the informants’ views and interpretations (p. 194). Qualitative research is the attempt to reconstruct the subjects’ real-world experiences. The study by Ramaekers, Kauert, Ruitenbeek, Theunssen, Schneider, and Moeller (2006) indicates that high-potency marijuana was shown to consistently impair executive function as assessed in the Tower of London (TOL) task (p. 298). In the original version of TOL, it consists of three colored balls, which must be arranged on three sticks to match the target configuration on a picture while only one ball can be moved at a time (p. 2298). The current version is computer generated images compr ised of the start and finish arrangements of balls. Every time a ball is moved counts as one step. The subject decides as quickly as possible, whether the end arrangement can be accomplished in 2, 3, 4, or 5 steps from the beginning arrangement by pushing the corresponding number coded button (Ramaekers, et al. 2006, p. 2298). The use of nine separate versions of this test were assessed and objectively reviewed. The TOL test found the executive function and planning abilities of the subjects under the influence of a high dosage of THC had their cognitive functions impaired and measured the degree of this impairment (Ramaekers, et al. , 2006). In conclusion, participants that smoked marijuana with a high THC content illustrated a consistent impairment of executive function when undergoing the TOL.The motor functions were also impaired through a decrease in the ability to track the objects when it came to â€Å"critical tracking task† (Ramaekers, et al. , 2006), along with a si gnificant decline in motor response, with impairments continuing for a period up to six hours after smoking a high level THC 500 mg/kg marijuana joint (Ramaekers, et al. , 2006, p. 2302). The study did not include subjects that were heavy daily users of marijuana in order to prevent tainting the results of this test through residual impairment by the THC already in the systems of those individuals (Ramaekers, et al. 2006). References Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Harris. R. (2010). Evaluating internet research sources. Virtual Salt. Retrieved January 1, 2012,  2011, from http://www. virtualsalt. com/evalu8it. htm. http://pewresearch. org. Ramaekers, J. G. , Kauert2, G. , van Ruitenbeek, P. , Theunissen, E. L. , Schneider, E. , & Moeller, M. R. (2006). High-potency Marijuana impairs executive function and inhibitory motor control. Neuropsychopharmacology, 31, 2296–2303

Gautam Buddha Essay

Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautam, Shakyamuni, or simply the Buddha, was a spiritual teacher from ancient times and the founder of Buddhism. He is universally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha (Sammasambuddha) of our age. Yet his exact date of birth and death is uncertain but a majority of historians date his lifetime from circa 623 B. C. to 543 B. C. He is one of the few luminaries in the history of humans who is such a wide and lasting influence to the people. There are countless stories of the Buddha each tradition, each culture, each time period has their own stories . It is believed that, immediately after his birth he took seven steps and on each step a lotus blossomed which represents the seven colours of rainbow. The tales say he was a son of a king raised in a palace with every imaginable luxury, he was called Siddhartha Gautama-a prince among a clan of warriors â€Å"When I was a child† he said â€Å"I was delicately brought up most delicately, a white sunshade was held over me day and night to protect me from cold, heat, dirt and dust. My father gave me three lotus’s ponds one where red lotuses bloomed, one where white lotuses bloomed, one where blue lotuses bloomed† Pali talkie Gautam Buddha is the key figure in Buddhism. Discourses, and monastic rules were summarized only after his death and memorized. Passed down by oral tradition, the Tripitak- the holy book of Buddhism is also written on pali language only after 400 years of his death which is divided into 3 parts 1st the rules that a Buddhist monk needs to follow, 2nd Buddha’s admonition and 3rd Accounts of Buddha’s life. Siddartha Gautam: Siddhartha Gautam was born in southern Nepal at the foot of the Himalayas on the famous gardens of Lumbini, which is located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, testified by the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 B. C. Siddhartha was a child with a contemplative bent of mind. He was inclined towards meditation and spiritual pursuits much against the wishes of his father. His father feared that Siddhartha might leave home, and so, kept tried to insulate him from the harsh realities of the world outside by keeping him inside the palace all the time. Sealed from pain and suffering Siddhartha indulged in a life of pure pleasure. Every whim satisfied every desire fulfilled. The Buddha once said â€Å"During the rainy season I stayed in my palace where I was entertained by musicians and dancing girls I never thought of leaving. † when he was sixteen his father draws him in tighter in to palace life, married him to his cousin which wasn’t long before they fell in love. But one day when he goes outside travelling through the kingdom, and he has the first of four encounters he sees an old man and he ask his attendants and attendants replied oh! That is the change, no human being could stay young everybody needs to grow old. Then on his next tour outside he sees a sick man and doesn’t quite understand what it is, again he ask his attendants then his attendants replied oh! That happens to all of us everybody gets sick and don’t think you are a prince and you don’t get sick your father, your mother everybody will become sick. Then he sees that it isn’t just a sick person in fact it’s the universal and something is stimulated inside of him so he keeps getting the chariot to take him out then he sees horror after horror. And on his third trip outside he meets a corps then he recognizes impermanence, suffering and death as a real state of things, the world that he has been protected, sealed or kept from seeing and he was shocked then he realized this is my fate too I will also become old I will also become sick and eventually I will also die, how do I deal with these things. And then on his fourth trip outside he sees the spiritual seeker someone who was decided to live a life completely other than his life in order to escape impermanence, sufferings and death. Soon after he left his family and Kingdom at the age of 29 and went into the forest in search of peace and truth. Siddhartha was alone in the world for the first time, on the bank of the nearby river he drew his sword â€Å"although my father and step mother were grieving with tears on their faces† Siddhartha said â€Å"I cut of my hair I put on the yellow robes and went forth from home into homelessness. I have been wounded by the enjoyment of the world and I had come out longing to obtained peace. † Then he wandered from place to place to gain knowledge. He met many cholars and saints but he was not satisfied. At last he started hard meditation bearing great physical suffering. Emaciated, exhausted Siddhartha tortures’ himself trying to destroy anything within himself that he sees it’s bad. It is said that Siddhartha had lived many life before this one as countless animals, innumerable human beings and even gods across four incalculable ages that secret text say and many eons experiencing life in all at different forms. The Buddha: Gautam Buddha seated under a pipal tree—now known as the Bodhi tree—in Bodh Gaya small town in north eastern India. For Buddhist there are hundreds of holy places but none more sacred than Bodh Gaya. It is the sacred point from which the buddhits faith radiates. It is their mecca or jeroselum or any other initiation forms of initiator. Then he vowed never to arise until he had found the truth so he sat down with his rags he was wearing under the shade of Bodhi tree at the bank of the river and began to meditate. It was spring time with a full moon on the sky at night, before the sun would rise Siddhartha’s long search would be over. Siddhartha now got transformed into Buddha or the enlightened one at the age of the thirty five. The pipal tree under which he got Enlightment came to be known as Bodhi Vriksha. Buddha saw nature of the people envy, jealousy and strong negative mental stage. He analyzed all the people in the world they are like the fishes riddling in the very shallow water. So Buddha he himself is afraid to teach the people. Then, the myth says the god BRAHMA himself comes to the Buddha kneeling down and asked Buddha to teach people what he had gains during all his life BRAHMA implies that is what every human needed to satisfied one’s life otherwise the human life would never be fulfilled. And then Buddha decided to give his teachings. For the remaining 45 years of his life, the Buddha devote his rest of his life bringing his teachings the â€Å"Dharma† the fundamental laws of all things into the world. He preached his first sermon in Sarnath, near Varanasi. He taught that the world is full of sorrows and people suffer on account of desire. Hence desires needed to be conquered by following Eightfold Path. Of these eight paths, the first three would ensure physical control, the next two ensures mental control, and the last two would ensure intellectual development. It is said that the Buddha traveled in the Gangetic Plain, in what is now Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and southern Nepal, teaching a diverse range of people: from nobles to outcaste street sweepers, murderers such as Angulimala, and cannibals such as Alavaka. Cast was irrelevant to the Buddha so his teachings focused within the universe. From the outset, Buddhism was equally open to all races and classes, and had no caste structure, as was the rule for most Hindus in the-then society. Bliss, nirvana the Buddha taught could be found in a freeing movement through the practice of meditation the Buddha showed to his followers how to come to the terms with their own roiling thoughts and desires by paying attention to them, by becoming aware becoming mindful. What Buddha realizes is that if we can get rid of this fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of itself based on egotism, we won’t screw up everything we do, because we are thinking about it in a wrong way. Once you stop centering your feelings about feelings on yourselves, what naturally arise are simple compassions, compassions for your own sufferings and others as well. For decades the Buddha shared his teachings all across north eastern India that all beings are happy, he taught weak or strong, great or small. He said let us cherish all creatures as a mother her only child. Bare foot in his robes he was still walking along the roads when he was eighty an old age was upon him his back hurt, his stomach was often in pain, â€Å"I am old worn out† he told to a trusted disciple â€Å"like a deflated craft held together within straps†, the world is so sweet he said that he could understands to wanting to live at least another century but he was fragile and exhausted he become ill at the village named Kushinagar near Nepal. Kushinagar is revered by the pilgrims where the Buddha finally left this world. It was in Kushinagar where he grew weak and has to laid on his side in a quite grove of Sal trees as near the end his disciples began to weep striking with grief. But the Buddha reassured them that all things change he said whatever is born is subject to decay. He was saying these is natural process he tells his disciples, use this time, use the energy here even this, for your own awakening , so he use even his own death and their sadness as a time to remind them of what they real task was. In short: Now, Buddhism is more than 2500 years old there are more than 350 million followers in the world who follows Buddhism. The gist is Buddhism arose as a result of Siddhartha Gautam’s quest for Enlightenment in around the 6th century BC. There is no belief in a personal God in Buddhism. It is not centered on the relationship between humanity and god. Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent- change is always possible. The two main Buddhist Sects are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayam Buddhism, but there are many more. There is not particular place where Buddhists can worships they can worships both at home or at a temple. The path to enlightenment is through the practice and development of morality, mediation and wisdom. â€Å"It may be that after I am gone that some of you will think that now we have no teacher but that is not how you should see it, let the dharma and the discipline that I have taught you be your teacher, all individual things pass away strive on untiringly† Buddha’s last words. The fundamental need for the peace is the peace in the individuals mind. We can give others only the values and idea that we possess. Only the happy and satisfied person, therefore, can provide the happiness and love to others and be able to unite people. The present world situation is the result of our way of thinking. World peace is possible only when all the people love each other. If everybody thinks about each other we would not have problems, but we are habitual in our thinking and define everything according to ourselves or group or community or country. If we steal from another, we steal from ourselves. Instead, we should learn to give and take care of things that belong to our family, to the school, or to the public. Proper conduct shows respect for oneself and others. Our bodies are gifts from our parents, so we should protect them from harm. Young people should especially keep their natures pure and develop their virtue. It is up to them to make the world a better place to live. Religion is religion only when it unites people and not if divides. We therefore, need conversation from leaders to masters, religious persons to spiritual persons to achieve a level of World Peace.

Creating a Culture of Professionalism among Students, Faculty and Research Paper

Creating a Culture of Professionalism among Students, Faculty and Staff - Research Paper Example It is mainly known as a historically black university comprising of a unique culture and ethnicity. It also comprise of a Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Educational requirements like: research activity (Howard University, n. d.). It is such a type of institution comprising of experienced and dynamic faculties presenting quality education since 1867 to its students so as to retain its image worldwide. Along with this, they also desire to maintain a professional relationship within its students and faculties so that a professional bounding can be maintained. Moreover, the aim of the university is to connect the life of the students with their minds, the heart of a tradition, and the soul of a students and staffs (Howard University, n. d.). Key objective of this study is to highlight the positive impacts of professionalism culture among students, faculties and staffs so as to improve organizational performance and image. Apart from this, it also tries to highlight th e effectiveness of finance and operational decisions regarding the enhancement of the University in long run (Howard University, n. d.). Road Map of the plan of implementing computer training program in Howard University Source: (Kasar &Clark, 2000). ... Not only this, it might also help to create such a friendly type of environment that may be best for the students of all castes and creeds (Kasar &Clark, 2000). Stakeholder Analysis The stakeholders that might get engaged in such a planning program of developing a professional environment within all the staffs, faculties and students of the Howard University are foundation members, board of trustees, staffs, teachers, parents and students. Such type of a planning might become successful only with proper coordination and communication among them in order to fulfill the objectives. For example: Orientation program in the university for the introduction of computer trainings for the students performing researches to improve their technical knowledge and skills on the relevant topics. However, it might be possible only if the relevant teachers offer high level of guidance to these students. With the help of such coordinated efforts, the culture of professionalism may be visualized within all the members and faculties (Kasar &Clark, 2000). Project Requirements In order to implement the computer training program for the research associates, varied types of hardware and new software are essential. Apart from this, an efficient teacher is also essential to guide the students in the proper way. So that it might lead to successful result in the long run. For example: If the students comprising of laptops bring them, at the time of coaching classes, then it might prove effective in reducing the purchase of computers for the university. Then it might be extremely helpful in reducing the financial cost of the organization thereby enhancing its image among other rival colleges. However, this may be possible only if the students and faculties of the university of

Benefits and Challenges Associated with Visuals Available Today Research Paper

Benefits and Challenges Associated with Visuals Available Today - Research Paper Example Therefore, people should strictly acknowledge the need to respect and abide by the code of ethics. In respect of the copyright laws, the general public should keep in mind to ask permission from the owner of the photos before using these online available photos or taking photos of another person (Lynch, 2008, p. 155). Doing so will protect journalists from preventable court cases. On the other hand, part of the duty and responsibility of the visual journalists is to document what is going on around our surroundings. Through the use of photos, visual journalists are able to express what they mean in their writings. As part of the National Press Photographers Association (2012) Code of Ethics, visual journalists are required to present to the public an accurate and non-bias information with regards to the subject matter they are discussing. It means that it is unethical on the part of the visual journalists to practice racism or talking negatively on something or about a person especially when there is no valid and concrete evidence to back up their statements. To avoid being charged of libel cases (Cates, 2004, p. 130), visual journalists should make it a habit to avoid making false claims that can harm a society or another person. There are many ways that will prevent visual journalists from legal accusations. In line with this, visual journalists should make it a standard operating procedure to treat a society, a community, or a person with respect and dignity (NPPA, 2012).  

On-Job Training And E-Learning In The Petrochemical Plants Research Paper

On-Job Training And E-Learning In The Petrochemical Plants - Research Paper Example The researcher states that training has become a need of organizations of today. This has encouraged me to conduct research on one of the most important industries of the economy, Petrochemical industry. The petrochemical industry is critical to the success of any economy and therefore I got interested in analyzing and identifying how businesses in the petrochemical industry train its employees. Technology has influenced businesses and it has changed how businesses train its employees. Therefore I am interested in analyzing and comparing two of the most used training techniques in the petrochemical industry; On-Job Training And E-Learning. This research study aims to analyze the impact of training on the performance of employees in the petrochemical industry. Two important training techniques are analyzed; on-job training and e-learning. The report, therefore, analyzes whether on-job training and e-learning have a positive or a negative impact on the performance of employees in the p etrochemical industry. The report also analyzes which of the two techniques are more effective to enhance the performance of the employees in the petrochemical industry. The petrochemical industry has become highly competitive. It is believed success is dependent on three important factors in this competitive market and these factors are efficiency, quality, and product development. In the petrochemical industry, there are different types of reactants, toxic gas emissions, and other chemicals that have potential for toxic and are flammable. Therefore training of employees is significant in ensuring that health and safety measures are made and employees are safe. Training is helpful in improving the efficiency of the employees as well.

Project Plan Audit Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Project Plan Audit - Coursework Example The hiring process will be based on merit with each category listing the minimum education attainment. Some of the personnel required will be engineers and human resource manager. A basic degree and ten years of experience is the same field will be a requisite in the top tasks. Besides the human capital, California Technical Corporation will require capital resources. The project manager and the team leader are tasked in identifying the resources that will be needed. A procurement process will be done to avail the resources. A request for information will be sent to the prospective suppliers to provide the information which the management will vet to award the tenders. Planning is a key issue in any project. The resources both capital and human are expected that will be available within the set time frame to avoid delays. In case of hitches in terms of personnel, there are alternatives that have been established so as to ensure the project goes as planned. Making a prototype of a Scale 7/8 rocket is a priority of CLC and this will provide a feasibly data of making an full

Why is the discovery of the Royal Tomb of Tutankhamen important to Essay

Why is the discovery of the Royal Tomb of Tutankhamen important to Archaeologists - Essay Example He was the first to discover materials that led to the tomb’s discovery. The first clue he had was from a royal funeral object referred to as cache that were fro Tell el Amarna. They were brought to Thebes in order to escape destruction. These materials were hidden in a safe tomb that was done by King Tutankhamun himself. This cache is believed to have been stored by tomb robbers who expected to come back for the treasure sometime later. Furniture that was used by Tutankhamun was also found among these treasures (Malek, 2010). Another clue that Davis found helpful was found in 1907 inside a small pit. It provided significant information that contained impressions of Tutankhamun and other materials such as natron, broken pottery and linen bags. Davis took the initiative of taking these items to New York for further examination (Magi & Tenti, 2006). There was also a discovery by Theodore that comprised of a faience cup bearing the name of King Tut. Beside this cup, there were fragments of gold foil with Tutankhamun and his wife inlaid upon it. After a period, an Egyptologist by the name Howard Carter found these items to be interesting for more studies about the Tutankhamun tomb. He believed that these items were enough proof that King Tutankhamun’s tomb was inside the Valley of the Kings. More than five thousand objects were discovered in the tomb that revealed a lot on the ancient life of Egyptians. There were weapons, chariots, clothes, treasured lock and musical instruments. In addition, there wa s the golden burial mask that belonged to Tutankhamun. Carter died after just seven years since his excavation ended in 1939 before he had summarized on his findings. He had no partners who could have continued his work (Malek, 2010). The Tutankhamun tomb lies in an area that where royal burials did not take place in the Valley center hence it was buried beneath the Valley of the Kings surface quickly at Luxor, which was regarded

The University of Findlay The Academic Support Center Essay

The University of Findlay The Academic Support Center - Essay Example According to the director of the ASC, the center is ever full of students in search of academic assistance. Although most of the students access the center individually, there are also others that come as a group. According to the director, when one enters the center, one cannot fail to note how busy the place is especially during the day as well as in the afternoon when most of the students are through with the day’s classes.   According to the director, most of the students that visit the center always improve in their academics. However, for these improvements to be achieved, students ought to be dedicated. According to the director, for the students to progress in their academics, they also need to be dedicated and focused in their work. For this to be achieved, the ASC always seeks the assistance of tutors; hence tutors are ever there to offer support to students accessing the facility. Although tutors are ever present in the center to offer educational support, not all tutors are present; hence it is normally advisable for the students to make appointments to know the tutors that will be present on a particular day and time.  According to the director, the oiler success center is a facility that can be used for quite a number of things. First, students can use this center for the purpose of conducting their studies, and this is because the center is calm and has study tables, and hence it is an ideal place for conducting personal studies or taking part in study groups.  

Law and the Corporation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law and the Corporation - Case Study Example There are two types, one, as mentioned above is a Public Limited Company, and the other is a Private Limited Company, which as the name suggests cannot sell its shares to the general public. In the UK, the Companies Act permits several people to form a company for any business that is lawful. Private companies are the easiest kind of company to begin as well as run in their initial stages. Company's name should always end with "Limited" or "Ltd" (Ewan 2004 p 20). Lugi must keep in mind that this type of company is often a family business; directors of these firms tend to be shareholders and are involved in the running of the organization. Normally the shares of Private Companies can only be transferred to another person if the consent of all the other shareholders is obtained. Private Limited Companies as does a PLC have to apply to the Registrar of Companies, submitting a number of documents, which have to be delivered to the Registrar of Companies at Companies House. The two most important are the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, in addition to these; there is a Statutory Declaration, which states that the requirements of the Companies Act have been followed. When the registrar is satisfied, then a certificate of incorporation will be given, the company can then begin trading at once (World Bank 2007 p5). I would advice Lugi to start his business as a limited company as just 2 share capital is required to set up a private limited company. Limited Companies are made with a share capital that is authorized (authorized shared capital) as well as with a share capital which is issued (issued shared capital). The authorized share capital can be called the total number of shares that exist in a company which is multiplied by the nominal value of each share. But he must keep in mind that not all such shares might have been issued. The issued share capital is exactly same calculation in respect of each and every one of the issued shares. A company that is incorporated in England as well as Wales can be made with whichever number of shares of any value, in any currency. For instance, there might be 10,000 shares with a nominal value of 1p, or 100 shares each of 1. In both cases the share capital would came out to be 10 (Henry 2006 p 19). Advantages for Limited Company: The core reasons why Lugi should open a limited company is as follows: Control of the company cannot be lost to outsiders, more people are prepared to risk money because shareholders have limited liability, more capital can be raised because there is no limit to the number of shareholders and, the company is a separate legal entity and therefore, as such has a continuous legal existence, separate from the individuals who are its shareholders. Its existence is unaffected by changes in the directors and other shareholders, and the work of the business can thus carry on with a minimum of interruption (contrast this with the death of a sole proprietor) (Stephen 2000 p 10). DisadvantagesLike every business even limited business has risks, Lugi must be fully prepared to manage those risks and disadvantages. They are as follows:shared profits among a larger amount of people, the legal procedure to set up the business, as a consequence of this there is a cost in

B&B Hotel Life Cycle Essay Example for Free

BB Hotel Life Cycle Essay Bed and Breakfasts Hotels were established in Europe many years back. The majority of travelers that frequented BB’s in the 1800’s were pioneers, miners, 49’ers seeking gold or professionals traveling from one area to another. Most BB’s offered an accommodation for the night along with a breakfast in the morning which many hungry travelers took advantage of before setting off on the next leg of their journey. As more inns, lodges and hotels were built in the 1900’s, BB’s were seen as an affordable accommodation for people traveling through small towns or in areas that weren’t heavily developed. In the later half of the 20th century, BB’s enjoyed a renaissance in popularity, as many college students and young adults spent time visiting Europe. Most of these travelers spent time in small BB type of pensions or private residences and came back to the states to either open their own BB’s or sought them out as affordable accommodation options. They introduced in the U. S. in the mid to late 1960s. It is estimated that there are in excess 30,000 BBs at this time that represents a jump from only 2,000 in the late 1970s. The concept is now very mature average number of rooms per property has increase dramatically, occupancy rates are up, and national, state, and regional associations are setting standards. There are even a myriad of newsletters, travel publications and guide books available. Today, BB’s offer a warm and cozy alternative to the corporate hotel or motel. Most BB’s pride themselves on being privately owned and operated, as well as offering accommodations in quaint and cozy homes in locations that offer historical, leisure or small town attractions. Current stage The Bed Breakfast and Hostel Accommodations industry is in the mature phase of its life cycle The industry, however, is relatively new, having grown significantly since the early- to mid-1980s. Overall, the industry is still evolving and matching the varying (and growing) needs of various segments of the domestic and international tourism market. The industry has developed its own niche in the accommodations industry based on specific market needs and demand. Over the 10 years to 2017, industry value added, which measures an industry’s contribution to GDP, will grow at an annual rate of 1. % per year, compared to GDP growth over the same period of 1. 9%. The industry is still in a long-term mature phase, despite recent slow growth or contraction due to increased geopolitical tension from terrorist attacks and the declines in travel demand in response to the Great Recession. Over the ten years to 2017, industry value added (IVA), which measures an industry’s contribution to GDP, is expected to grow 1. 4% per year, while GDP is expected to grow 1. 8% per year. The Bed and Breakfast and Hostel Accommodations industry has fought declining demand over the past few years. With the onset of the recession, all forms of travel accommodation experienced revenue drops as consumers became more concerned about finances and made cutbacks on luxuries, including travel. From 2007 to 2017, domestic trips will increase 1. 1% to 758. 4 million. However, over the same period, international visitor arrivals will rise from 56. 0 million to 86. 2 million, or 4. 4% per year, after a slump from late 2007 to 2009. Overall, however, each of the major industry components displayed an upward trend over this period that was roughly in line with GDP growth. Future industry growth will increasingly correspond with rising global income, particularly in countries in East Asia and South America and an increasing propensity to travel internationally. Increasing incomes and the aging of the population are also expected to lead to significant growth in the domestic market. On the other hand, within the key industry segments, the Tourism industry will continue to display slow growth due to strong competition from internet-based, direct booking products. Lead time require for products The bed and breakfast (BB) segment covers a variety of types of establishments and makes 69. % of industry revenue. Homestay, farm stay or host homes, where guests share rooms and facilities with owners, are included within this segment. There are also home BBs, which provide a secondary source of revenue to the owner’s primary income and can be homes with four of five rooms converted to provide BB services to guests. BB inns or hotels are usually established as businesses to provide primary financial support for owner/operators. Breakfast is the only meal served to guests and the establishment can provide accommodations for between four and 0 guests. Quite often these are used for small weddings or business meetings. On the other hand, country inns are established as businesses with owners actively involved in its daily operations, and have between six and 30 rooms. They operate as a lodging place and have a restaurant with a liquor license. The accommodations may include lodging, dinner and breakfast included in the room rate. However, compare to other regular hotel, BB hotel need less ac tivities. It is need a short time to prepare new product, it’s easier for owners to improve it.

Evaluating strategic management inside Honda Motors

Evaluating strategic management inside Honda Motors Honda is a Japan- based automobiles company. It is a well known company for the production of cars and motorcycles. Honda automobile company offers various varieties of vehicles, ranging from compact, fuel efficient cars to SUVs, minivans and trucks. It is one of the top automobile manufacturers in the world and is well known for producing affordable and reliable forms of transportation. This report contains a comprehensive study of Honda automobiles. It looks at the current strategies of Honda automobiles, that how they put their strategies to implement their objectives. The main purpose of the report is to analyze the business Honda automobiles and how they compete with their competitors. 2.0 Objectives To research into the current strategic position of Honda motors. To critical analyze the external and internal environment of Honda motors. To design a selection of strategic option utilising the internal and external analysis 3.0 Company Overview In the global market scenario, Honda is the worlds largest engine manufacturer and market leader in Automobile. Honda has been operating 120 manufacturing facilities in 29 countries and employs 167,231 people worldwide. Honda has expanded in main markets following years i.e. In 1959 Honda established its first overseas subsidiary, American Honda Motor Co. Ltd, 1964 Honda established its first Asian subsidiary in Thailand, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 1965 Honda (U.K.) Limited established in London (the first market of Honda in, Europe) 1971 Honda Motor does Brazil Ltd. established in Sao Paulo (presently Honda South America Ltda.) The key point lead to Hondas success is the continuous innovation that was found by Mr. Honda as a basis. In todays automobiles world Honda is a largest manufacturer of motorcycle and it stands at a 9 largest automobile manufacturer in he world. The market share of Honda until now is 10.2 percent and it is ranked as No.5 in UK (the most particular/fastidious market). In United Kingdom, North America and Asias automobile industries, Honda Company becomes a technological force in the motorcycle sector. 3.1 Mission and Vision: MISSION Maintaining a global view point and we are dedicated to supplying products of the highest quality, yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction. VISION Striving to be a company society wants to exist. The main focus of Honda is on the developing a technologies and products in the two areas, electro-motive technology and motorcycles to create breakthrough for the future. 3.2 Strategy of Honda Motors 3.2.1Enterprise Strategy Honda wants to have its operation in worldwide to supply the highest quality of products at a reasonable price, with a dedication of consumer satisfaction. With new challenges in pursuit of quality, technology and initiative, Honda is pursuing their vision by striving a company society who wants to exist through creating the new value, globalization and commitment for the future. Moreover, Honda wants to take new challenges with the pursuit of Initiative, Technology and Quality. 3.2.2 Corporate Strategy Hondas portfolio includes three businesses: Automobiles business, Motorcycles business, Power business. Even though stepping into Automobile industry rather late at 1963, Honda quickly leads the industry with characteristics like superior fuel economy, optimum safety, and driving pleasure. Hondas sales and production in this industry prove successful steadily not just in U.S. but also in many regions worldwide. Meanwhile, motorcycle business is the first business of Honda, from 1963 with the event of the first overseas plant in Belgium, Honda has devoted in one basic rule: build products close to the customer. Now Honda has its Research and Development operations in many countries like U.K, U.S, Italy, China, Germany, Thailand and India. In the future they will create a very promising and potential Honda. 3.2.3Business Strategy RD is sharpening the business advantage of Honda, together with the fierce competition between Honda and competitors, and they all define the business strategy of Honda. One of the proudest things about Honda is its RD system. With the systematic way of approaching, focus on durability, reliability and basic performance to establish a creative and innovative technical foundation. With the wisely approach to the future, the Honda products do care about the economical, environmental, and social issues. Honda keeping involving in the research and development that benefit people in the future through leading-edge technology and commitment to innovation that opens up new possibilities in mobility. With à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢The Joy of Selling- The dealership of Honda is also one of its strengths. Through creating products and services that provide the core values that make Honda unique, the Hondas associates around the world keep creating such inspiring experience for its customer. 3.2.4 Operational Strategy Honda operates in the worldwide market with 134 production facilities in 28 countries and at 31 RD facilities in 15 countries, about 167000 Honda employees and associates serve 23 million customers worldwide annually. Hondas global operations are divided into 6 administrative regions responsible for operating. Hiring and engaging the people and philanthropic initiatives locally in the communities that Honda operates. Honda is pushing the independence of their local management and sales operations, at the same time with integrating and forward-looking plan for each region. They operate under the conduct guidelines that help member companies and associates in evaluating and managing risks, complying with laws and regulations, keeping a high level of transparency in operational level, thats all to maximize the worldwide customer satisfaction. 3.2.5 The Individual Strategy This strategy reflects the Hondas values the three joys. That is The joy of buying, the joy of selling and the joy of producing. The individual strategy of Honda is reflected through the Hondas philosophy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢The Three Joyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬- The Joy of buying, the joy of selling, and the joy of producing. With the joy of buying, the Hondas associates must try their best to exceed the customers expectation. Meanwhile, with the joy of selling, which concern not only about the relationship between the dealers and their customers, but they also feel the pride of having a positive relationship with their customers. And the last one, the joy of producing comes from manufacturing, research and developmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ by producing quality products that satisfy customers worldwide, the Hondas employees can experience pride in exceeding the expectation of their customers. That all bring the strategies of Honda from their enterprise level, through corporation, business, operational level, to individual strategy level, that spread the Hondas strategic spirit throughout the company. 3.3 GLOBAL OPERTION AND MARKET PLACE In 2009, Honda able to building their products closes to the customers. Honda delivered 23 million units to the customer round the six different regions worldwide. Honda always conscious about its operations, that they do not have any impact on the environment. In concern with all these things, Honda started working on the environmental stability around the world. 4.0 Market Analysis: 4.1 SWOT Analysis: STRENGTHS Producing high quality of products Having the Pioneer engineering in hybrid technology Build products which are always close to the customer. WEAKNESSES In non luxury vehicles, prices are much higher as comparison to other automobile companies. Do not have a strong offering in a truck line. Product are fairly brand and inoffensive in terms of styling. OPPURTUNITIES Company have to work on work on the low emission vehicles and other alternative power sources. An offering in a truck line business would be profitable, because these kinds of vehicles have the highest profit margin among anyone else. THREATS à ¢-  Changes in the government rules and regulation à ¢-  Credit crunch 4.2 Competitive Advantage Honda posses a large number of advantages in the automobile industry that makes it the most running brand in the market among a large number of consumers. Reliability Hondas effort towards the building up of its quality has maintained its top position in the market. Its product quality can be easily tested from the fact that a large number of older Honda automobiles are still running excellent on the roads. Fuel efficiency Honda is just not only designing and presenting varied models but is most importantly insisting on the fuel efficiency. Honda is the only brand that has launched the concept of Hybrid vehicles to save the consumers pocket while enjoying luxury. Value Honda has been known for its offering a complete product to the customers in terms of value for money whether you go for luxury segment or sports. 5.0 External Analysis: 5.1 PESTEL Analysis Political/ Legal environment: The various government rules and regulation imposed over automobile and power product industries regarding level of pollution, noise pollution, fuel consumption, vehicle emission level norms and nitrogenous substances. This changes from time to time and is made stricter to follow. Economic environment: Hondas operations are diversified throughout the globe like Japan, Asia, Europe, North America etc. A bad impact over a countries economic situation resulting because of various factors like credit crunch, slowing down of economy, market hits due to recession and rising fuel prices could lead to decrease in a demand of Hondas product. Technological Environment Utilizing the most advanced information technologies, Honda has developed and innovated itself continuously. The changes in IT lead to almost Hondas operation were controlled more effective. On the production process: by using the innovation means of production and mode of production, like the auto fit machine, Honda can mass product to reduce the cost, save the time and increase the capacity Natural environment: The more industry develops, the more the environment is negative affected. Among the environmental problems, Global Warming and Pollution Level are the problems that take the most concern of community. Many Non-Government Organizations has requested industrial firms to reduce CO2 emission and toxic wastes. So, as to tackle these kinds of problems, Honda is making a continuous effort towards various research and development of new technology and product. 6.0 Industry Analysis: 6.1 Porters Five Forces: The stated five environments above, Porters Five Forces is to analyze the business and industries of a company. It encourages the managers and marketers not only to look outside the current competitors but also with their prospective competitors. Moreover, it helps the company to understands what its customers want and control its supplier more effective. Now we utilize the Porters Five Forces to analyze Honda Company. The threat of substitute products That is defined as the existence of close substitute products increases the propensity of customers to switch to alternatives in response to price increases (source from Wikipedia.org). This does mean that when a Hondas competitor can produce with high performance and economical price rather than Hondas. This product will replace Hondas product in the market. Hence, simultaneous reducing the market share and profit of Honda are the results. For example, the product line of sport motorbike, R6 of Yamaha is the close substitutes of Hondas F4. If Yamaha can achieve an modernism to produce R6 with the lower price against F4, It can in fact replace Hondas F4 on the market because customers have the same prospect with both the two products. The threat of entry of new competitors The hypothetical meaning is that in marketing with many existing competitors, the profit of each company will be lower than the maximum level. For example, in American Market the Ford and Honda is uncompromisingly fight together in this market to get the proper attention of the customer. Honda cannot get the upper limit profit in this market because of the policies of American Government protective domestically Company. Moreover, Honda has to spend money on accessing to distribution in American market. Moreover, it also finds difficulties in adopting the culture differences, etc. Those reasons will reduce the Hondas profit level. Rivalry among existing competitors: The above five characteristics is significant to the automobiles industry to analysis the competitive rivalry. The 3 main rivals that Honda has to compete violently are Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Ford Motor Co. (FM), and General Motor (GM). However the changes in the approach of one of those competitors will be influences on the performance of Honda. Honda as well as its three rivals always keeps on innovating, improving, researching and developing to compete effectively in this auto industry. For example, whenever one of these four company releases a new model, the others will catch up and have similar products to compete. Like when Honda just comes with a new technology that is FCX CLARITY, the fuel cell vehicle in the next generation, GM Motors come with a Chevy Equinox SUV and put their fuel cell platform into it. A well-known model of Honda, Accord, has been challenging with its chief rival, Toyota Camry since its first appearance. Since Accord was released in the market in 1976, and until 1983, Toyota has launched its sedan i.e. Camry. Since then, these two models have kept on competing with each other. GM Malibu and Ford Fusion are also two models that GM and Ford use to compete with Accord and Camry. For, Toyota, and GM all can replace Honda in this auto industry. So, what Honda has to do is trying to improve its technology, research and development to create a competitive advantage, maybe as a Greenest automake The bargaining power of customers In business, if a company wants to exist it must create a good relationship with customers. Honda is a global company, it means Honda have a lot of competitors. So customers will confuse when they make decision for what Brand will be the best choice. It depend not only the famous company but also the price and quality. For example, Honda introduced Air Blade Scooter with functions like sport and fashion model, more fuel-efficient engine technology. It rapidly attracted the youth; the supply was not enough for demand. Then it made the shortage of Air Blade in the market and pushed price higher. Customer want to buy it must order and wait around one to two months. No longer after, Suzuki has utilized maximize the advantage of its competitors to its product. Suzuki introduced new model Hayate Scooter that have the same functions of Air Blade but set the amazing price (lower than 23%) and customer can take their product immediately. As a result, many customers change of their mind, the refore the market share of Honda to shrink. The bargaining power of suppliers One of the factor helps the company competes against with other companies is the ability to reduce the cost. Therefore, suppliers plays an important role to make the companys success. Suppliers may refuse to work with the firm or increasing prices for unique resources. Realizing the serious element, Honda purchases raw material, components and parts, from numerous external suppliers. Moreover, Honda relies on some main suppliers for the items and raw material that use in the manufacture of it products. There are some key suppliers of Honda in term of Metal Stamping Part : Takao Kinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd; Hirata Technical Co., Ltd; Hongo Co., Ltd; Kikuchi Co., Ltd; Marujun Co., Ltd,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Among these companies, Kikuchi Co., Ltd deal with not only the supplier of Honda but also Nissans supplier. If Nissan was willing to purchase with higher price or had some benefit promotion than Honda, Honda might be affected on the capacity and increase the cost. 7.0 Financial Analysis As compare to fiscal year 2007 there was an increase of 8.3% in the net sales at the end of fiscal year 2008.This increase is fuelled by the higher sales of automobiles business. This was also due to the increase in the power product sales in Asia and from the effect of the foreign currency changes. 8.0 Conclusion and Recommendations The objectives of the company have been met, and then the strategies of the company that are followed are correlated with business environment and industry.

Mrs. Mallards Moment of Illumination in Story Of An Hour Essay

MRS. MALLARD’S â€Å"BRIEF MOMENT OF ILLUMINATION† Mrs. Mallard’s "brief moment of illumination" is a very deep and touching story about a lady who is forced to be married to a man she did not really know and did not love deeply with all her heart, as if she is bound with unhappiness for life! Now she has been liberated. The narrator portrays that was feeling a kind of freedom that she could not describe, but does not know how to deal with it. In this essay matters such as this freedom she was feeling, the little love she had for her husband, the "monstrous joy" she was feeling will be discussed. Matters such as women’s issues and their feelings towards life and death are also included in this essay. These matters are all part of Mrs. Mallard’s "brief moment of illumination". "Story of an Hour" was written and published in 1894. This story was written in an era where a lot of questions where risen, about who the dominant sex was and why. This story was written to share with the world how men treated women in that era and how men really felt about women. Women were forced to be with men and were bound to be unhappy. The biggest question was the "Women’s Question". What role the women fulfilled in the society and that the female species were the less dominant species. Men were the overriding species, women were forced to do things they did not want to do and were forced to be with men they did not really love and care for. In the "Story of an Hour" Mrs. Mallard is also force being with a person she did not really know. She never really loved him and cared for him the way she was supposing to. Mrs. Mallard was treated the same as all the women were treated in that era, badly and were abused in many ways if they did not do what th... ...ut it is not. The whole hour is about her inner conflict about her freedom and if she has been â€Å"wildly abandoned† by her husband and the feeling of freedom that she can not handle. This concludes the essay about Mrs. Mallard’s â€Å"brief moment of illumination†. This essay has discussed everything that was mentioned in the introduction paragraph. The paragraph illustrates the narrator’s depiction of Mrs. Mallard’s â€Å"brief moment of illumination† very well. This shows her inner conflict she is fighting inside of her mind and thoughts about the freedom she has received and that she is bound to it and she does not know how to deal with it. Bibliography 1. Starfield, Jane, 2008, Anthology of Poetry & Short Stories (A Reader for 2008) 2. Ferguson, I, 1997, Cross-Currents: An Anthology of Short Stories. Hatfield: Acacia Books 3. www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/hour/

Career Mobility: A Choice or Necessity? Essay examples -- Argumentativ

Career Mobility: A Choice or Necessity? What is triggering the industrial, occupational, and geographical mobility of today's workers? Some believe it is a response to downsizing and restructuring. Others believe it reflects a pursuit for job advancement and a better quality of life. This Digest examines the factors triggering workers' career mobility and suggests ways workers can use career mobility to capitalize on the dynamics of a changing workplace. Factors Contributing to Career Mobility Job mobility in the U.S. work force has become the standard employment pattern in today's workplace. Between 1991 and 1996, the median job tenure for men 25-64 years of age fell by an average of approximately 19 percent, with older workers most affected: males 55-64 years of age had a 29 percent drop in tenure and males 45-54 years of age, a 25 percent drop (Koretz 1997). Although the job tenure of females remained somewhat constant during this period, this may reflect the increased numbers of women who have entered the work force during these same years rather than stable job tenure patterns. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 percent of the work force switches jobs every year (Henkoff 1996). The following are some of the factors contributing to the career mobility of today's workers. Search for Competitive Employment Positions Organizational downsizing, outsourcing, and restructuring have eliminated many positions of midlevel management (Appelbaum and Santiago 1997). The typical mid-management workers in transition are 45-58 years old with over 20 years of job tenure (Unger 1995). Many older workers nearing retirement age are also in transition as organizations increasingly offer them incentives to leave the... ...t 1996): 24-25. Griffin, D. "What I Do for Love." Working Woman 20, no. 12 (December 1995): 39-41. Henkoff, R. "So You Want to Change Your Job." Fortune 133, no. 1 (January 15, 1996): 52-56 Kaye, B. "Up Is Not the Only Way." Training and Development 50, no. 2 (February 1996): 48-53. Koretz, G. "Economic Trends: Dangers for Job Changers." Business Week no. 3450, November 13, 1995, p. 38. Koretz, G. "Job Mobility, American-Style." Economic Trends Section. Business Week no. 3511, January 27, 1997, p. 20. Stroh, L.; Bret, J.; and Reilly, A. "Family Structure, Glass Ceiling, and Traditional Explanations for the Differential Rate of Turnover of Female and Male Managers." Journal of Vocational Behavior 49, no. 1 (August 1996): 99-118. (EJ 527 061) Unger, P. "Culture Shock: Tips for Transitioners." Management Review 84, no. 6 (June 1995): 44-48.

Death of a Salesman :: Literary Analysis, Arthur Miller

What encompasses the American Dream? Arthur Miller’s â€Å"Death of a Salesman† offers a realistic, stark picture of lives overflowing with dreams wished and dreams broken; yet, there are no dreams realized here. Their dreams comprise glory and fearlessness over those which genuinely can be achieved. Although Willy, Linda, Biff and Happy, as individuals, still believe in the American Dream, it’s clear that it represents something different for each. Willy Loman has an innate ability for dreaming way beyond his capabilities. Throughout the play, Willy’s dreams represent more fantasy than truth, a behavior which his boys clearly imitate. Yet, despite the talk, there is an ongoing criticism for the world and the way things work. He brags about his sales for a trip, â€Å"I’m tellin’ you, I was selling thousands and thousands, but I had to come home† (1224). It’s difficult to tell if the stories Willy tells are what he believes to be true or what he imagines is correct; as a result, he continually tells lies to cover his shortcomings and mistakes. On the contrary, with all the â€Å"thousands and thousands† of dollars he is making, he complains about necessary repairs to mechanical objects around the house: â€Å"Once in my life I would like to own something outright before it’s broken! I’m always in a race with the junkyard† (1244)! Willy’s primary escape from reality involves his brother Ben, who typifies the American Dream; however, Willy’s escape with Ben is purely a figment of his imagination. â€Å"Opportunity is tremendous in Alaska, William. Surprised you’re not up there† (1230). His imaginings about Ben, while they appear to be an illusion throughout the story, are thoroughly realistic in Willy’s mind. He truly believes that Ben has reached the pinnacle of the American Dream. Willy refuses to recognize that he does have true abilities, as in the field of construction. He appears at times to have hope for the future, â€Å"on the way home tonight, I’d like to buy some seeds† (1243). Nonetheless, there is a pinning undercurrent of fear for Willy, as Linda discovers, â€Å"†¦sure enough, on the bottom of the water heater there’s a new little nipple on the gas pipe† (1237). Although the illusions that Willy puts forth are real to him, they are, nevertheless, simply that: Illusions. Deep down he knows things are not as they should be, with his family, his job and his life.

The United States Are Microcosms Of Society Education Essay

IntroductionClassrooms across the United States are microcosms of society. The faces in schoolrooms today reflect the altering demographics of the communities in which the schools are located. Today, schools are informants to the rapid alterations in pupil demographics, in peculiar, the growing of Latino pupils in schoolrooms throughout the United States ( KewalRamani, Gilbertson, Fox, & A ; Provasnik, 2007 ) . With rapid alterations in demographics, come challenges and issues, in add-on to other challenges which schools are seeking to run into. Educators face many challenges in public schools today. District leaders, campus leaders, and instructors must happen ways to turn to such issues as ( 1 ) planning and presenting standards-based direction, ( 2 ) meeting the demands of federal and province answerability systems, ( 3 ) making more with less resources, ( 4 ) determination, hiring, and maintaining extremely qualified instructors, ( 5 ) keeping safe and drug-free acquisition environments, ( 6 ) guaranting all high school alumnuss are college or calling ready, ( 7 ) cut downing the dropout rates, ( 8 ) designing, implementing, and measuring particular plans for fighting scholars and academically advanced scholars, ( 9 ) supplying a consistent sequence of classs at the secondary degree, ( 10 ) integrating federal, province, or local mandated enterprises, ( 11 ) set uping working partnerships with households and communities, and ( 12 ) happening ways to turn to other sociopolitical and sociocultural factors impacting their s chools ( Conchas, 2009 ; McNutly, 2009 ; Nelson, Palonsky, & A ; McCarthy, 2007 ) . Educators must happen ways to plan, implement, and measure direction and plans for the culturally diverse and linguistic communication minority pupils, who now sit in their schoolrooms, every bit good ( Gay, 2000 ) . This peculiar challenge has plagued public schools for decennaries ( Editorial Projects in Educational Research Center, EPERC, 2008 ; National Education Association, NEA, 2007 ) . From its origin, public instruction has been considered a agencies to accomplish societal, political, and economic benefits. Horace Mann referred to public instruction as the â€Å" great equaliser † ( Alexander & A ; Alexander, ) . He and others like him viewed public instruction as a manner for pupils and households to accomplish the aforesaid benefits. But, one must step back and reflect on the history of public instruction in this state. For whom were the first public schools designed? Who were the kids? Which sociocultural groups did they stand for? What were the purposes of the public schools who did educate pupils who did non stand for the mainstream cultural group? As persons peruse the pupil accomplishment informations, graduation informations, dropout informations, keeping informations, suspension and ejection informations, school to prison informations, disproportional representation of cultural and cultural groups in particular plan informations, college keeping ra tes, and such, there are obvious racial and cultural disparities and spreads which result in socioeconomic spreads, employment spreads, political spreads, wellness spreads, and others ( ____ ) . From the information, one may reason that the â€Å" great equaliser † has non delivered on its promise. However, schools are designed to acquire the consequences they get. McNutly ( 2009 ) stated that schools have behaved their manner into their current state of affairs and schools can act their manner out of it. There are schools run intoing the educational and non-educational demands of all pupils, including culturally and linguistically diverse pupil groups. Such schools are non merely effectual but, culturally antiphonal ( Gay, 2000 ) . I posit that genuinely effectual schools are culturally antiphonal schools. The schools are designed to run into the educational demands of the pupils in their schoolrooms. The leading and instructors demonstrate a strong belief that all pupils in their charge can be successful. These pedagogues collaboratively work with each other, pupils, and households. I, besides posit that the work of theses culturally antiphonal and effectual schools can be replicated. Becoming an effectual and culturally antiphonal school involves a alteration procedure that has an impact on every stakeholder at every degree in the system ( Hall and Hord, 2006 ) . To better understand the place I take, I present a reappraisal of the literature. I will portion the conceptual model which guides my survey. As I conducted the reappraisal of the literature, I did so with the aid of four steering inquiries adapted from the work by McCarthy ( _ ) . McCarthy provinces that if pedagogues can reply four inquiries as the y plan and present direction, Why, What, How and What if, all acquisition manners in schoolrooms will be addressed. I borrowed from McCarthy ‘s work to develop four inquiries to assist me carry on a comprehensive survey of effectual and culturally antiphonal schools, in peculiar, those schools now faced with educating one of largest and fastest turning cultural groups in the United States and their classrooms-the Latino pupil population ( KewalRamani, et. Al, 2007 ) . The four guiding inquiries were: ( 1 ) Why is at that place a demand for effectual and culturally antiphonal schools, ( 2 ) What are the features of effectual and culturally antiphonal schools, ( 3 ) How do schools go effectual and culturally antiphonal? , and ( 4 ) What are effectual and culturally antiphonal instructional patterns? . The purpose of the literature reappraisal is to reply the four guiding inquiries. In add-on, the reappraisal includes a limited survey of three back uping theories and constructs found in the literature on racially and ethnically diverse pupils in schools. The three back uping theories are: ( a ) critical race theory, ( B ) cultural reproduction theory, and ( degree Celsius ) the shortage theoretical account. A reappraisal of the current context and tendencies about racially and ethnically diverse pupils groups in schools will follow. A reappraisal of tendencies and the current context will supply a background to the racial and cultural disparities in schools today. The undermentioned background information will include: ( a ) the current population informations tendencies, ( B ) current disparities of educational results along cultural and lingual diverseness lines, ( degree Celsius ) an account of the grounding thought by which information is filtered, effectual and culturally anti phonal schools.Theoretical and Conceptual ModelPublic schools have been fighting with the issue of racial and cultural disparities in educational results such as pupil public presentation, graduation rates, dropout rates, suspension and ejection rates, disproportional representation of cultural groups in particular plans, and such for some clip ( NEA, 2007 ) . Scholars ( Payne, ) have attempted to explicate the disparities along socioeconomic lines. While the deficiency of resources does hold an impact on pupil accomplishment, race affairs. Gosa and Alexander ( 2008 ) found disparities between White pupils and Afro-american pupils from flush households, therefore reenforcing race does matter. Students come to school with different lived experiences, cognition, accomplishments, perceptual experiences, and demands ( Tyler, Uqdah, Dillihunt, Besatty-Hazelbaker, Conner, Gadson. . . & A ; Stevens, 2008 ) . Students come from different environments and enter school with racial disparities that exist sing school preparedness, over which schools have small to no control ( Parret & A ; Barr, 2009 ) . However, racial disparities continue and widen over clip in schools. Several bookmans posit that it is the schools ‘ constructions, policies, processs, patterns, engrained positions, beliefs, and values that reinforce and advance racial disparities in educational results ( Artiles & A ; Bal, 2009 ; Gosa & A ; Alexander, 2007, Jay 2003, Ladson-Billings and Tate, 1995 ) . Cultural clangs between school and place, trial prejudice, system prejudice, negative and positive stereotyped positions, poorness, linguistic communication differences, deficiency of relational trust, and other sociocultural, sociohistorical, and sociopolitical factors play a critical function in the current racial and cultural disparities in educational results in our public schools ( Skiba, 2009 ; Salend & A ; Garrick-Duhaney, 2005 ) . Mickelson ( 2003 ) stated that educational systems were responsible for the turning racial disparities in educational results and that the disparities widen with each twelvemonth, cultural minority pupils attended school. Scholars have tried to explicate the bing racial and cultural disparities in educational results utilizing assorted theoretical and conceptual models, such as the Critical Race Theory, Cultural Reproduction Theory, and the Deficit Model.Critical Race TheoryCritical Race Theory as a tool. An person ‘s cultural individuality is a fluid and dynamic societal concept influenced by lived experiences, internal picks, and outside agents ‘ perceptual experiences of that individuality ( Fergus, 2009 ; Lee, 2008 ) . Race and racism have shaped the history of the United States and its traditional societal establishments ( Yosso, 2005 ) . Racism, nevertheless elusive, continues to impact societal establishments, i.e. , schools ( Yosso ) . McNutly ( 2009 ) stated that is was non so much an issue of race as it was an issue of engagement. Gosa and Alexander reported that race mattered in schools ( 2008 ) . School contexts form pupils ‘ societal and academic individualities and outlooks ( Borrero, Yeh, Cruz, & A ; Suda, 2012 ) . Persons in the place of societal power define who belongs and who does non, who represents the standardised norm and who does non, and who is in and who is non ( Artiles & A ; Bal, 2008 ) . School is yet another topographic point where pupils. . . face labels such as ‘gifted, ‘ holding ‘special demands, ‘ and being ‘at-risk, ‘ when in fact, it is the establishment itself that holds the power to implement such labels ( Bucholtz & A ; Hall, 2004 ; Fine, 1992 ) . These imposed classs further separate pupils into grouping of ‘normal ‘ and ‘other. ‘ Borrero, et al. , p. 5. Critical Race Theory ( CRT ) theorizes race ( Ladson-Billings and Tate, 1995 ) . CRT was foremost introduced as analytic tool in the justness system ; CRT bookmans used it as tool to place and analyse procedures in the judicial system ( Ladson-Billings & A ; Tate, 1995 ; Tate, 1997 ) . CRT was introduced by Ladson-Billings and Tate as tool to place and analyse unfairnesss or equity traps ( Linton ) in schools ‘ policies, processs, patterns, and processes that keep cultural groups of pupils from take parting and constructing societal capital, political capital, and economic capital. Scholars can utilize a CRT lens to place the what, why, and how ( Yosso, 2005 ) and who, when analyzing the â€Å" political orientation of racism † ( Yosso, p. 74 ) . It is through the CRT theoretical and analytical lens, that allow CRT bookmans to analyze, speculate, and dispute the ways racism influences schools and other societal establishments ( Yosso ; Su, 2007 ) . The subjects of CRT. CRT is framed by six subjects ( Su, 2007 ) . The current subjects are ( 1 ) race is a societal concept which is historically embedded in United States society ; ( 2 ) racism is common and profoundly engrained in United States society and is accepted as normal ; ( 3 ) color-blind equality reform serves to turn to dangerous signifiers of racism to persons but, non structural unfairnesss ; ( 4 ) United States society was built on the impression of belongings rights and Whiteness and White privilege are belongings rights protected by the authorities ; ( 5 ) those in the place of power, White persons, are in favour of antiracism structural or policy reform every bit long as it benefits White privilege and non favor is lost ( involvement convergence ) ; and ( 6 ) the voice of those most wedged by racism and unfairnesss serves an of import intent in turn toing structural and policy unfairnesss, as they portion their experiential cognition ( Su ) . Race and racism has been portion of the history of the United States and its traditional societal insitutions.Cultural Reproduction TheoryDeficit ModelThe Why of Effective and Culturally Responsive SchoolsThe What of Effective and Culturally Responsive SchoolsThe How of Effective and Culturally Responsive SchoolsWhat are Culturally Responsive and Effective Instructional PracticesDecision

Christian Philosophy on Death Essay

The Christian philosophy on death has long been that there is life after death. â€Å"Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.† (2 Corinthians 5: 8) We are supposed to take solace in the fact that while although our earthly body will be no more, our spirit or soul will move on into immortality. Since life after death seems like a simple enough concept, death should be no big deal, right? We should just view it as a step in becoming closer to God. While in theory, we should just take death in stride, even for those who wholeheartedly believe in life after death find it difficult to accept death. We find it difficult to visualize and conceptualize the afterlife and what our role will be in it. People cope with death differently. Some choose to combat it head on, others choose to simply ignore it all together. However most people fall somewhere in between those two extremes. â€Å"Dying person will use belief systems as the y have throughout there entire life-constructively, destructively, or not at all† This saying generally tends to hold true as one dies. All people cope with death differently however, by in large, most people go through some form of Kà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½bler-Ross model of grieving. The Kubler-Ross model contains five stages that people go through while contemplating their own death. The first stage is denial. In this stage the person grieving thinks that â€Å"This can’t be happening.† In the second stage, anger, the griever says, â€Å"Why me? It’s not fair?!† (either referring to God, oneself, or anybody perceived, rightly or wrongly, as â€Å"responsible†) The third stage is bargaining. In this stage, the dying person says, â€Å"I know its me but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  or â€Å"Please just let me live to see†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"The bargaining can be directed toward God which if the bargain is perceived as accepted can lead to a sense of hope or resignation, or anger, guilt, or fear if the bargain is perceived as denied†. The fourth stage is depression, which is arguably the hardest to go through. During the depression stage the dying person takes time to grieve his/her own death. The final stage is acceptance in which the dying person is â€Å"ready to go†. While not everyone goes through these stages in exactly this order, almost everyone goes through these stages in one form or another. They may experience the stages out of order, skip a stage, or even go through the cycle multiple times. There is also a belief that people have three spiritual needs of dying people: the search for the meaning of life, to die appropriately, and to find hope that extends beyond the grave. The search for the meaning of life takes on a higher priority when one is closer to death. â€Å"The knowledge of impeding death creates a crisis in which one reviews life in order to integrate one’s goals, values, and experiences. Without finding their life’s meaning one may feel that their life had no meaning. Another spiritual need is to die appropriately. â€Å"People want to die in ways consistent with their own self-identity.† Most people want to die a quick death surrounded by fantasy, however this is only the case for a lucky few. â€Å"People fear not so much the fact of death but more the process of dying.† The final spiritual need is to find hope in life after death. Life after death is an integral part of many faiths and religions. â€Å"We seek assurance in some way that our life, or what we left, will continue.† We all want some sort of life after death, because the thought of death being the ends of things can be an awful thing to think about. Oftentimes during class or discussions on death, I find myself questioning my own faith and trying to imagine what it would be like if I wasn’t on earth anymore. I guess to be more specific what it would be like if my mind or soul did not continue on in some way, shape, or form. The thought of the world around me going on without me often leads to a chilling feeling and a headache. I almost prefer just to shut down, effectively turning off my ears to the discussion around me. Doing that just seems easier than thinking of the what-ifs that the thought of no life after death means. I believe in God, that there is a life after death, and that my soul and mind will exist eternally. However, it is still hard for me to shake that feeling that comes with thinking about death. If I am getting these chilling feelings while thinking of death as a teenager, I can only imagine the thoughts running through peoples heads while they are on their deathbeds. While it is easy to dwell on the negatives that death presents, there are other ways to approach death. Some people handle death with much grace, accepting their fate and using the time allotted to them to try to make their last days count. No one exemplifies this more that Morrie Schwartz from Tuesdays with Morrie. Morrie rather than overly dwell on the fact that he was dying, chose to take the time he had left on earth to explain dying to the world. His advice such as â€Å"When you learn how to die, you learn how to live.† and â€Å"Love each other or perish.† are just two of the numerous tings that Morrie has tried to teach us. If we could all handle death as gracefully as Morrie did, death wouldn’t be nearly as big a deal to people. Morrie teaches us that there is a time to be three and a time to be sixty-three. Morrie tells us that death is just as much a fact of life as a birthday or getting married. Morrie sets a high standard for coping with a terminal illness. We can also look to the Bible to give us God’s take on death and life after death. The Catholic faith believes that no matter what there is life after death. Whether that life after death takes place in heaven or hell depends largely on how you live your life here on earth. â€Å"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who†¦will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.† (Philippians 3: 20, 21) Through the belief in God and living according to his commandments we can attain a life after death. â€Å"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.† (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

Digital music and the internet age – The people vs. the recording industry association of America

Just as the Internet is fast becoming a way of life for many in the United States, music has had its roots embedded in people's lives, careers, and hobbies throughout history. What do you get when you merge music and the Internet in the year 2002? Chaos, it seems. In this heated debate, there are two sides that are prevalent. The first is brought by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which represents the major record labels, musicians, and artists in the United States. The RIAA claims that the Internet is responsible for rampant music piracy that has the power to destroy the music industry as we know it. The RIAA been in the center of countless lawsuits and trials, and is in the forefront of the digital music debate through its use of legal tactics. The other side of this debate is represented by you and me – the common people. We do not argue that music piracy is illegal and unethical. However, we have much at stake in this argument, as the RIAA has tried to gain approval for strict laws that could affect each and every one of us. The RIAA has tried to invade our privacy, sue the common people, prevent us from playing CDs in our computers, hack into our computers, stop the sale of personal music players, and change key pieces of legislature for their benefit. Rather than approach this issue with public support and regard for the consumers who make their industry possible, the RIAA has continually neglected public opinion and has put us on the back burner in order to protect their profit margins. The History So what exactly is this big mess about? In a nutshell, it boils down to digital music piracy. The music industry is hurting from a 9.2 percent global music sales slump in 2001. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, world CD sales fell seven percent last year, while singles and cassettes continued to decline (Wang 147). They claim that music piracy on the Internet is largely to blame for this trend. By merging the Internet and compact disc technologies, it became possible for people to convert the digital music stored on CDs into a very small computer file format called MP3. A music file converted to MP3 could then be sent to other people on the Internet quickly and easily. These technological advances eventually led to rampant music piracy on the Internet. While I do not condone nor support digital music piracy, I believe that the battle the RIAA is waging has been unfair, one-sided, and based on greed. In trying to protect their interests, this trade group has bitten the hands of the people who feed it – us. The Past In 1980, a case came upon the United States Supreme Court docket involving Universal City Studios, a Hollywood movie studio, and a new Sony technology called Betamax, or what we now refer to as the common VCR. Universal City Studios asked the courts to block Betamax sales, which were poised to enter the consumer market. The movie studio argued that consumers would use VCRs to copy and distribute copyrighted films (Wright 16). In 1984 the U.S. Supreme Court told the movie industry to back off, ruling that most people would use VCRs to record soap operas they missed while at work, rather than making illegal copies of films (Wright 18). One would think that a lesson was learned from this scenario. Sadly, that was not the case. Fast-forward fifteen years and we see a very similar situation unfold. RIAA vs. MP3 players In 1998, Diamond Multimedia introduced the Rio portable MP3 player to the consumer market. MP3 files were starting to become very popular. Using the Rio portable MP3 player, people would be able to convert files from CDs that they owned into MP3 format, and then transfer them onto the Rio MP3 player, which could store hours of music and would eliminate any need for CDs or cassettes (Musician's Internet, par. 8). Enter the Recording Industry Association of America. In 1999 the RIAA filed suit against Diamond Multimedia, the creators of the Rio MP3 player. They claimed that the player violated the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992, which prohibits devices that make copies from digital music recordings. The RIAA believed that since people had the ability to illegally download music from the Internet, the portable MP3 player should be illegal (Musician's Internet, par. 9). This was a major flaw in logic for the RIAA. First of all, I personally cannot think of one person who does not own at least one CD these days. Even my grandmother has more than a handful! By trying to ban the portable MP3 player, the RIAA was saying that people did not have any legal or legitimate use for the product. However, people could easily copy songs from the many CDs they owned onto this portable MP3 player, and still remain perfectly law abiding citizens! Just as in the previous Betamax judgment, this case was thrown out. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Diamond Multimedia's technology was perfectly legal, as the player made copies from computer hard drives and CDs, not solely from digital music recordings (Musician's Internet, par.15). The portable MP3 player has now become immensely popular and successful, and is one of the current best-selling pieces of technology on the market today. In fact, analysts predict that 26 million portable MP3 players will be sold in 2005, threatening the dominance of even CDs (Brull 67)! The RIAA was trying to hinder change. If they had been successful, we would not have portable MP3 players in our lives today. RIAA vs. Napster The case of the Recording Industry Association of America versus Napster was very widely publicized. Napster was an online file-trading program that allowed people to trade both legal and illegal MP3 files with ease. The RIAA soon entered the scene, eventually succeeding in shutting Napster down. I do believe that the RIAA had very good reason to take action against Napster, as it was an online music piracy haven. However, in succeeding to shut the service down, they overlooked a very important issue; people loved downloading music from the Internet. Rather than start their own legal online file-sharing program, the RIAA and the music industry were very slow in action. The RIAA did not listen to public demand for such a service. With the demise of Napster, new illegal trading programs popped up. Unlike their predecessor Napster, however, these programs would be next to impossible to shut down as they have no central server location. These networks run from user to user. Essentially, the only way to stop the programs is to shut down the Internet itself. If the RIAA had listened to the people, it is very possible that they would be in a much better position in the fight against music piracy. However, they ignored the need of the public, and dug themselves an even deeper hole. There was a very legitimate and legal answer to Napster. Rather than trying to turn the service into a paying model or creating their own service, the RIAA simply shut it down. They gave no thought to the legal uses, such as promotion, sharing of files by independent artists not signed to any record label, uncopyrighted material, and music available with permission from the artist or record company. So why didn't the RIAA and the major record labels jump to start their own Napster-like networks? The answer is simple. Digital music distribution, as it stands now, offers much thinner profit margins. Rapper Chuck D says â€Å"a major label makes a CD for as little as 80 cents, then sells it wholesale for $10.50 so retailers can charge $14 – that's highway robbery.† He gloats further that â€Å"the true revenge will come when the major labels start dropping their prices† (Hopper, par. 7). If consumers are able to use inexpensive technology to download music free or of a much lesser charge, you can bet that they won't run to a record store and pay $14 for a CD. The key to that $10 profit margin they are making is that manufacturing and distribution would eventually fade in digital downloads, meaning the record labels would have to cut costs and make a smaller profit. It's all about money. With so much piracy occurring online and next to no way to stop it, what could the RIAA do next? How about prevent consumers from playing CDs in their computers, or better yet, how about hacking all of your computers? That is exactly what they are trying to do. RIAA vs. Your Computer Throughout its many legal battles thus far, the RIAA has continually neglected and disregarded the music consumers. So, it comes as no surprise that it happens yet again. However, this time their focus is on your very own personal computer. One of the first anti-piracy measures used by the RIAA and the major record labels was a technology called copy-protected CDs. Introduced in 2000, these CDs were designed to prevent a user from copying music tracks to a computer and then sharing them with others online (Cohen 43). Sounds good, right? Maybe not, as this technology has a major downfall. If you try to play a copy-protected CD in your computer, you will find out that it isn't possible! In fact, even some older regular CD players cannot play the copy-protected discs. By adding this copy-protection, the music industry effectively stops you from playing these CDs in your computer at all. In doing this, however, one of your personal rights has been taken away. Imagine that! The 1992 Audio Home Recording Act allows music listeners to make some personal digital copies of their music for their own use and backup (Brull 67). With copy-protected CDs, you are not able to make copies of the music that you have purchased and have every right to copy and backup – another strike against the RIAA. The copy-protection debate is currently being waged by lawmakers. Another way the Recording Industry Association of America is trying to stop you from copying music and sharing it with others is by hacking you! This is another debate currently up in the air in Congress. The RIAA has recruited Congressmen Howard Berman and Howard Coble to introduce a piece of legislature that would let content owners hack pirates' computers (Brull 68). So what does that mean to you? Essentially, it means that the record labels, the RIAA, and copyright owners would be able to hack into your computers and delete or replace your illegal files. This is a huge breach of privacy, but yet another act that the RIAA deems ‘necessary.' If they cannot stop the software used to trade illegal files, the industry hopes to attack your computer instead! RIAA vs. Privacy and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) However, the fight doesn't stop at your computer. Money means so much to these companies that they want to compromise your privacy as well. On July 23, 2002, the Recording Industry Association of America made an unprecedented request of Verizon Communications, a company that sells Internet access to consumers. The RIAA served the company with a subpoena, seeking the identity of a Verizon subscriber who allegedly illegally traded songs by artists including Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and N'Sync. The RIAA didn't specify why it wanted to know who the user was, or what it would do with the information (Hopper, par. 16). Luckily, Verizon denied the request and took this issue to court. Everyone has a right to be anonymous online. A user's anonymity should not be unmasked without any proof of misconduct. In fact, in defamation and trademark-infringement cases, a judge is first asked to weigh the evidence of illegal activity against the constitutionally protected right to anonymous speech (Black 9). The RIAA is trying to bypass judges, courts, and laws in order to force ISPs to reveal information about their subscribers without even making any charges. This is yet another personal right that the company is infringing upon. This debate is currently in court as well, and it should be interesting to see what happens in the end. It is very probable that the U.S. Supreme Court will settle this issue. RIAA vs. Your Integrity Even after showing no respect for your personal rights and laws as a consumer, the RIAA is now attacking your very own integrity. On September 26, 2002, ads began running on television and in print condemning online music piracy. These weren't your normal ads, however. This time around, the RIAA thought that since they couldn't get your attention, perhaps popular music superstars could (Healy, par. 2). These ads, by such artists as Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Madonna have one underlying message – we are thieves. â€Å"Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD?† Britney Spears asks in one ad. â€Å"It's the same thing, people going into the computers and stealing our music† (Healy, par. 4). Rapper Nelly had a similar message. â€Å"We really look at it as stealing, because to us it's black and white, either you pay for it or you don't. And, you're not paying for it† (Healy, par. 6). However, these ads are a bit hard to swallow for the average consumer. Let's look at this picture again. These are mega-selling superstars. In 2000, Madonna had reported assets in excess of $425 million. Britney Spears makes over $40 million yearly (Healy, par. 9). The RIAA wants us to believe that these artists are hurting from piracy? I don't know about you, but I don't feel too sorry. Conclusion In conclusion, I believe that the Recording Industry Association of America is a devious and thoughtless trade group. They have continuously put their profit margin ahead of the rights of the consumers. The numerous real-life examples presented in this paper should give you a firm understanding of the unethical antics that the RIAA has used to further their cause. Which side are you on – big business, or consumer rights?

Catfish and Mandala

The American novelist Thomas Wolfe once wrote, â€Å"You can't go home again†. Andrew Pham proved that wrong. â€Å"Andrew X. Pham, who came to the United States when he was ten years old as a ‘boat person,' returned to Vietnam 20 years later on an extended bike trip in order to understand better his cultural identity† (Pearl 208). Despite the fact that Pham, like so many others of his generation, were forced to flee Vietnam, somehow they never lost the sense of identity with the homeland they only remembered as children. Pham, as an insightful writer, decided it was time for him to find out if there still exists a bridge between him as a Viet-American and his homeland. Pham travels to Vietnam to search for his roots in hopes to construct his identity. For Pham in the search of his identity he flies to Vietnam to ride his bike, and also to find his roots. As he first gets off the airplane he is already is immediately receiving dirty aware of others who looks at him disdainfully because he is a â€Å"viet-kieu† which means foreign Vietnamese. Then as he is at the baggage claim while retrieving his luggage, to his amazement he sees the workers tear up his bike that had been stuck in the claim belt. That hit a soft spot in him because that bike had been through so much with Pham. From then on his impressions of Vietnamese people were bad, He developed a negative impression of Vietnamese people and he automatically thought of them as a lower class persons than Americans human than he was. Pham in order to go back to his roots needs to humble himself as a true Vietnamese. Then he will understand his identity and appreciate his culture.

GanGo Strategic Planning Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

GanGo Strategic Planning - Assignment Example It can be said that the strategic management plan that was designed and developed by the team of strategic management of CanGo was more of an emergent nature rather than that of a deliberate nature. It can be said that a strategic management plan that has been deliberately designed would have been more systematic and much more efficient in nature as compared to the current existent one. The deliberate approach would have a much more careful approach of the planning of the strategy while taking into account the various opinions of the team members as well as their decisions.In accounts of CanGo’s approach it can be said that the team was going for a on the need approach and was designing the strategy on the basis of the need faced by the company. Also, the conversation that took place between Clark and Ethel completely showed the fact that the staff was completely unaware of the company’s emerging plans to increasingly venture in to the online gaming market. Another fact that outlined and highlighted the very base that the entire strategy was designed by the top management without proper consideration of the relative advantages and disadvantages of venturing into the online gaming market is the factor concerning the ignorance of the financial implications of the company. Also, the management did not go for a review of the external conditions analysis of the macro environment which is considered a routine method in the application of a deliberate approach towards the planning of a strategy.... e process of proper planning of the sales strategy, while putting too much emphasis on the push factor rather than creating and maintaining equilibrium of the push and pull effect for the company’s product deliverables to the customers and clients. 2. It can be said that the strategic management plan that was designed and developed by the team of strategic management of CanGo was more of an emergent nature rather than that of a deliberate nature. It can be said that a strategic management plan that has been deliberately designed would have been more systematic and much more efficient in nature as compared to the current existent one. The deliberate approach would have a much more careful approach of the planning of the strategy while taking into account the various opinions of the team members as well as the advantages and disadvantages related to their decisions. In accounts of CanGo’s approach it can be said that the team was going for a on the need approach and was d esigning the strategy on the basis of the need faced by the company. Also, the conversation that took place between Clark and Ethel completely showed the fact that the staff was completely unaware of the company’s emerging plans to increasingly venture in to the online gaming market. Another fact that outlined and highlighted the very base that the entire strategy was designed by the top management without proper consideration of the relative advantages and disadvantages of venturing into the online gaming market is the factor concerning the ignorance of the financial implications of the company. Also, the management did not go for a review of the external conditions analysis of the macro environment which is considered a routine method in the application of a deliberate approach towards the

BP Global Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico & Its Affect on Local Businesses Research Paper

BP Global Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico & Its Affect on Local Businesses - Research Paper Example Gulf of Mexico has been a home for as many as 36 Marine Protected Areas (MPA) accounting for 13 % of total MPAs throughout the nation in addition to the MPAs of the bordering States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas waters totaling 75 not included in the national mainstream MPAs. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Flower Garden Sanctuary have been threatened by the oil spill which could implicate British Petroleum under National Marine Sanctuaries Act. The coral reefs have also been damaged by the oil haze extending for about 22 miles from the Deepwater Horizon site. The Act makes it liable for damaging any living or nonliving resource of national marine sanctuary affecting its conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, educational, cultural, scientific or aesthetic value. The Act provides for imposition of civil penalties as high as $ 100,000 on any person and each day of violation constituting a separate violation. Apart from civil penalties, re sponse costs, damages due to destruction, loss or injury plus interest are leviable under the Act. There are also other Acts such as federal Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act which can make BP liable for deaths of dolphins and sea turtles as a result.1 Background The above said blowout occurred at the BP’s Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico resulting in the deaths of 11 workers who were on Transocean’s Deepwater Horizon Drilling rig. An estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil were spilled in the process. The wellhead was 1,500 m down below the sea water. The United States declared a moratorium on deepwater drilling until October 12, 2010. It is widely believed that the blowout could have been prevented but for the poor quality of equipment meant to prevent blowout.2 Known as the last-line of defense, the blind shear ram on the blowout preventer fixed on well head on the ocean floor would have crushed the drill pipe thus preventing a blowout. The blind s hear ram is believed to have failed for want of checks as simple as verifying whether the batteries had been sufficiently charged. BP’s investigation team is reported to have held that the well had been poorly designed. Offshore Pollution Liability Association (OPOL) where membership is voluntary provides for only a maximum liability of $ 250,000which is insufficient given the magnitude of loss resulting from the Gulf of Mexico incident. Although OPOL membership is a pre-condition for drilling license, there is no rationale for a voluntary membership. This is apt to weaken the legal control of the polluters who would claim that damages to biodiversity and ecosystem are indirect and therefore no compensation is payable.3 Marine oil spills are not unavoidable accidents. Adverse environmental conditions or any catastrophic events cannot be attributed to oil spills.4 The offshore drilling unit at the Deep Water Horizon was worth$365 million capable of operating in deep waters as low as 8000 feet and drill further down up to 30,000 feet. The drilling unit had been engaged in drilling an exploratory well 41 miles off the coast of Louisiana at the time of accident. The well from which oil spill started on April 20, 2010 was finally capped on July 15, 2010. The total damages to the company, environment and the coastal economy have been placed at $ 36.9 billion. Apart from human error and equipment failure, the U.S. Government’s failure to respond with damage control measure, media