Education and Its Affects Around the World Essay

Education is something that affects all of us as a whole gender, race, and poverty plays a role in education. As a citizen of the United States of America it is important for us to appreciate a good education that some of us take for granite. Gender is crucial in how people view education in the text:† Philippine Women’s College corrects gender miseducation†. Professors and education enthusiast are breaking down the barriers and bias that is associated with gender. Text books in the Philippines show women playing the â€Å"stay at home† role and the father portraying the â€Å" bread winner† role this a form a of bias. Scholars at the Miriam College are working to correct this matter by teaching all female students about stereotypes relating to gender. Students often are shown at a young age to approach matters in a biased free manner, through this approach both male and female can share duties in the household that were once delegated to one based on gender. Trained teachers are able to spot the gender difference and compensate with materials that are fair for all. Miriam College and its faculty also discuss sexual harassment and a list of other things as well. What was happening in the†Women’s Movement â€Å"and what was being taught in the classroom were two totally different things. In 1986 Corazon Aquino became the first female president of the Philippines this was in stark contrast of what was being taught. As far as equality for women the Philippines are ranked ninth in the world, with that being said advocates of gender feel that it is best suited to teach and educate when the students are young. Patricia Licuanan president of Miriam College implemented in 2001 gender courses to the curriculum that focuses on equality and quality education for women. Also in 2001 several colleges in the Philippines have shown interest in providing studies for women as well. Due to the work that has been taken place in the Philippines young women are questioning and taking up professions that were once generally associated with men. In the text â€Å"Lost Generation Fears as boys reject education† Professor Reynolds of Plymouth University states that: â€Å"the gender gap is a worldwide phenomenon, not just in the UK or a Welsh one†. Research has shown that boys are neglecting school, while girls are less likely to drop out of school after 16. A survey showed more girls than boys seek a higher education. Studies also show that vocational programs also play a role in why boys choose not to seek college versus girls. Boys are also not performing on the same level as girls this factor leads to fewer boys in college. Poverty is a component to lack of education as well in the article:† Escaping Poverty is possible when there are local opportunities for people with initiative†. This article shows the stereotypes that are associated with poverty 60,000 people that spread over 15 countries worldwide were surveyed; there are a lot of hurdles we must overcome for this to work. People are likely to fall into poverty the study will take preventive measures to ensure people will not make these mistakes. The stereotypes that haunt poverty stricken places is that people are lazy, shiftless, and have no ambition this is not the case. In fact these people surveyed accept responsibility for there actions, and want to better themselves. All of us need local opportunities and social networks to ensure that this will not happen on a global front, even if someone works hard to get there selves out of poverty with out help from the community and economic woes this process will be pains taking to say the least. Education is factor when combating poverty, we as Americans need to take advantage of our educational system though it may not be the best we are still a free country and should utilize any and every opportunity we have. Race also plays a vital role in education the text:† Officials try to improve black males’ academic performance: The achievement† Ginger Littleton has been a teacher in Northern California for more that twenty years. She has been stumped by the numbers of black males that scored drastically lower than other races in test of achievement. A look at last years test results from grades 1-10 math scores and FCAT were sorted by race. The results showed that 89 percent of white third graders were a the appropriate level, while Hispanics represented 66 percent, and blacks 69 percent but only one out of that percentile was a male. 59 percent of Anglos, compared to 33 percent of Hispanics were at the appropriate level. African Americans represent only 30 percent. This trend increased more by there sophomore year, Caucasians represent 38 percent, Hispanics 32 percent, and 13 percent of African Americans sustained this level of reading. By this point many African Americans have stopped going to school by then. The FCAT test of reading shows that only 1 percent of males were reading at the 10th grade level, white males scored 7 percent on the same level. African American males results were 0 percent, white males were 8 to 7 percent at levels 4 and 5 of reading. A study was conducted in 2004-2005† Focus on Blacks† by The National Education Association labeled the poor standings as â€Å"the achievement gap† and a national crisis. The study showed that African American 17 year old students performed in comparison to 13 year old whites in science. In the math part of the study blacks scored 61 percent below the standards, versus 20 percent of whites in the 4th grade. The results show that African Americans face challenges before they start school. Some of the findings show that it is less father figures and mentors in the African American community, lack of after school programs, and cohesiveness in the family all plays roles in the significant decline in education in the black community. There is a saying† it takes a village to raise a child† the African American community needs to rebuild it village from the foundation up to eliminate this disparity that runs rampant among so many. As you can have just read there are several factors in ones education it may be a gender problem, a socioeconomic problem, or ones ethnicity may all play a role in the type of education we receive as well as our chances of making it in today’s society. We still live in one of the greatest countries in the world in the end it is up to us to utilize what avenues are available and make the most out of it.

Lynda Smith “Disconnected” Rhetorical Summary Essay

In her essay, â€Å"Disconnected†, Lynda Smith apprehends that today’s technological forward movements are taking over our basic human interactions. She explains that we are being brainwashed into believing that cell phone, computers and other technological gadgets help us to stay connected smoothly and instantaneously. Although the reality is by using these gadgets we are not experiencing face to face communications, instead we are separating from each other. Lynda Smith tries to connect with readers emotions by pointing out misleading cell phone carrier commercials and slogans. Smith also uses further facts to support her claims, that these companies have lied to us and succeeded by providing false information by repetition. Which causal has the customer believe these companies are trustworthy and customer friendly. Even more she uses CIA’s data base information to show the number of cell phone and internet users to conclude her theory on commercials influencing our choices to purchase these services. Furthermore, Smith connects with people who have been affected by advertising and cell phone carries enormous number of cell phone users. Smith’s example portrays a men who was lead to believe, he would save time by owning a cell phone, while the truth is there is no saving time. Big corporations are just out to warp our sense of time so that we really end up with less, while still buying their products, and jumping on the bandwagon. Smith ends her arguments by stating we all have individual choice to decide how we communicate with our close once. Will it be by fast forwarding technology, or face to face interaction, either way we need to keep updated with technology in order progress forwards but we can not depend on it.

Marketing channels & supply chain Management MBA (Masters Level) Essay

Marketing channels & supply chain Management MBA (Masters Level) - Essay Example The channel functions, concentration and dispersion, are related to the homogeneity and heterogeneity of supply, and the appropriate sorting process must be provided. Successive channel stages should be attempted to overcome any discrepancy between product assortment and market requirements (Christopher, 2005). Customer requirements of one or two units are at variance with supplier requirements of mass production. From a micro point of view, a firm's distribution decisions are designed to combine, supplement, or modify those of other firms, in order to form channels of distribution that the most effective. Since markets are dynamic, the opportunity for new combinations is continuously available. Channels are thus used by companies to overcome barriers. These barriers include the separation of time and space between producers and markets, the costs of moving goods, the communications barriers between producers and users of products, and the separation of demand (Christopher, 2005). From a macro point of view, channels change slowly. New distribution outlets tend to complement, rather than replace, existing ones. Supermarket chains, for example, do not eliminate the independent merchants; discount houses do not eliminate department stores; and integrated manufacturers do not eliminate wholesalers (Stroh, 2006). Rather, they enrich the alternative channels available, are modified in turn, and settled into a niche in the distribution structure. Since markets represent diverse wants and needs, the channels necessary to serve them will continue to be diverse. Customers and products are separated in time, space, and ownership. The conduct of human activities presupposes the availability of an appropriate assortment of goods and services. Channels of distribution bridge the separations and support our life style. In a broad sense, channels are composed of middlemen and facilitating agencies, wholesalers, retailers, financial institutions, and transportation agencies (Kotler and Armstrong 2008). Channels allow companies to add value to their products (Stroh, 2006). For instance, channels allow such companies as Ford and Toyota, McDonald's and Wendy restaurants to change their pricing decisions and promotion campaigns (Kotler and Armstrong 2008). A product can have various combinations of packages, brands, labels, tastes, and appearances; it can come in various shapes, colors, sizes, and materials, and be offered with numerous services and privileges. Channels help these companies promote products through various channels, to be sold at varying prices, discounts, and markups. These decisions integrate physical handling, transportation storing, sorting, and distribution of goods in a systematic and effective manner. The overall function of distribution channels is the concentration and dispersion of products in relation to market needs (Kotler and Armstrong 2008). Distribution channels concern the kinds and number of middlemen required to get products and services to the market. The challenge to management is to construct systematic links amongst institutions in order to achieve a coherent pipeline capable of moving goods and their title to markets. 2. Basically, the choice is one of direct or indirect distribution. In the latter case,

Critical Infrastructure Security and Policy Essay

Critical Infrastructure Security and Policy - Essay Example It certainly has grabbed the USA government attentions onto it and made them obliged to take some instantly grave actions in order to prevent the impact of resulting turmoil. CFR's latest  Preventive Priorities Survey  (PPS) lists insecurity in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, an Iranian nuclear disaster, and an amplification of the European sovereign debt crisis among the most important international unforeseen event relative to U.S. national interests that has ultimately shaped as a frightening threat to the USA. Let us examine carefully all the threats that have been experienced by the USA and see the reason behind every threat (Chertoff, 2009). The outburst of Cyber Attacks Countries that attack the United States China Russia There are two countries in particular that have recently advanced their cyber attacks on the United States because of their new revival into the global economy, China and Russia. The United States had publicly accused both China and Russia of recent attacks th at the United States had experienced. This recent attack from China exposed that China was aiming 48 different defense corporations from the United States, United Kingdom, and Bangladesh (Kim, 2011). This has been an enduring theme from China, who is trying to achieve information and blueprints from countries that have better more advanced technology than they do themselves. While Russia doesn’t attack the United States as repeatedly as China does, simply because Russia doesn’t have the hackers available to attack a defense shield as the United States has, they are getting an abundance of practice on the former countries part of the Soviet Union (energy. Gov, 2012). Along with different countries that use cyber attacks to target the United States there are also terror groups that are starting to use cyber attacks and also other groups seeking to chop into government systems to gather information. It is predictable that with the physical defense of countries growing esp ecially the United States, that terrorists which rely on cyber terror attacks on the United States rather than physical attacks because it is now much convenient and effective to shake the United States dominance via cyber attacks. Threats to control systems can come from various resources, including antagonistic governments, terrorist groups, annoyed employees, and malicious burglars. To guard against these threats, it is essential to construct a secure cyber-barrier around the Industrial Control System (ICS). Now the USA digital infrastructure is vulnerable. Yet the Department of Defense can’t do everything on its own. Corporations that don’t shield themselves are putting both their bottom lines and national security at threat. Yes, cyber security standards are an imperfect response to a weird and dangerous new kingdom of conflict. At the moment, though, they’re the only thing eminence between us and the abyss (Johsen, 2011). Al Qaeda threatens to USA The fact that a catastrophic attack against America equivalent to 9/11 has not occurred over the past 11 years should not recommend that a future one is not being designed. In summer 2006, al Qaeda-linked functioning in London schemed to explode liquid explosives on board 10 transatlantic airliners flying from the UK to America and Canada. In September 2009, Najibullah Zazi and his acquaintances were detained for plotting to carry out a suicide

A Strategic Analysis of Ryanair Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

A Strategic Analysis of Ryanair - Case Study Example Starting out as a full service conventional airline in 1985, Ryanair changed its strategic direction in 1990s to become Europe's first low-fares, no-frills carrier. The company has taken advantage of the price sensitive customers and gained wide acceptance and recognition because of this strategy. Ryanair battled head-on with other traditional carriers and paved the way in the establishment of a new segment in the European industry. The early success of the budget airline, however, is threatened by the new challenges presented by its rapidly changing business environment. Thus, the main concern of Ryanair is how to sustain and maintain its position in the industry amidst these threats and challenges. In line with this, this paper will examine the current trends in the European airline industry and its implication for the budget airline sector specifically on Ryanair. This paper will primarily draw information from the case study prepared by Eleanor O' Higgins. In order to draw an adequate and accurate assessment of the situation of the industry, it will utilize various strategic management tools like PEST analysis and Porter's Five Forces Model. Another objective of this paper is an internal examination of Ryanair by identifying its strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, this paper will give an assessment of whether the business organization is meeting the expectation of the customers relative to its competitors. 2.0. External Environment Analysis: The European Airline Industry 2.1. PEST Analysis PEST analysis stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental. This strategic management tool is noted for its ability to capture almost all the variables in the environment where the business operates (Thomson 2002). The following section applies the PESTLE analysis of the European airline industry. Political The operation of the European airline industry is strongly affected by specific policies instituted by the government. Perhaps the most significant political transformation in the market where Ryanair operates is the governments' effort in integrating their economies through the creation of free trade unions that led to the establishment of the European Union. Through the European Union, budget airlines are given access to the numerous markets which increases their patrons together with the revenue that they generate. However, this integration also has adverse effects in the operation of budget airlines. It should be noted that the abolition of duty-free sales and the subsequent increase in airport's landing charges squeezed the margins of the players. Another policy which impacts the operation of Ryanair is the EU regulation which requires the refitting of used aircraft,

They Say, I Say Homework Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

They Say, I Say Homework - Assignment Example A critical and intellectual thinker deduces consequences and makes useful information from what is available. A critical thinker engaging in debates and conversations cannot be confused by what others are saying, but will instead lead to a cooperative reasoning and strengthen the argument (Graff & Birkenstein 3). It involves coming into terms with the views presented. Even though one is at peace with what is presented, fresh ideas or evidence are necessary. The new ideas makes one a valuable contributor in the conversation (Graff & Birkenstein 7). A Combination of both agree and disagree makes the participants in an argument go beyond just responding for the sake of doing it. They do so with detailed evidence and reasons (Graff & Birkenstein 9). By saying â€Å"entering a conversation†, the authors refer to joining an ongoing conversation. They explain one does it by first listening and internalizing the ongoing discussion before making a contribution. What one needs to pay close attention to are the views of the other participants. What they say forms the basis of any views to be made (Graff & Birkenstein 3). The conversation they are talking about is academic writing, for example, argumentative essay

A Conceptual Model for Evaluating Segments Research Paper

A Conceptual Model for Evaluating Segments - Research Paper Example (1992), the evaluation matrix proposed by Sarabia (1996) and the strategy-aligned fuzzy MADM model proposed by Ou et al. (2009). All three models have departed from the traditional notion that statistical measures can be used to evaluate segments and have embarked on a more flexible and subjective (to the firm) or firm-specific approach to the segment evaluation. It is suggested by the analysis that a synthesis of these three models can potentially produce a holistic tool for evaluating segments; a tool which considers both the internal and external forces and which incorporates the firm’s specific needs. Introduction The evaluation of market segments is one of the most critical aspects in the entire segmentation analysis, given that the segments that are eventually selected by firms need to be attractive, measurable and substantial (Beane and Ennis, 1987; Sarabia, 1996). Segmentation is crucial because it provides a direction for marketing strategies to be developed; on the b asis of segmentation firms design specific marketing activities targeting clusters of the market which are share some degree of homogeneity and which are likely to respond in a similar manner to marketing incentives (Jonker et al., 2004). According to Wind (1978) and Ou et al. (2009) segmentation should be not only approached through statistical measures which only provide a picture of the differences between various segments, but more consistently should be approached through subjective measures as well, which denote the essence of the judgements of the decision makers and as Sarabia (1996) stresses, the distinctiveness of each firm (and each firm’s needs). Thus evaluation of segments becomes of crucial importance because it shows on the one hand the attractiveness of each segment identified but this attractiveness is measured by incorporating the specific-firm aspects as well. In this paper, three models for evaluating segments are presented and assessed in terms of their s trengths in an attempt to synthesize a theoretical framework for segment evaluation. Different Approaches to Market Segmentation Market segmentation is treated differently by many academic researchers and scholars. According to Beane and Ennis (1987) the existence of various approaches towards market segmentation reveals the different viewpoints on the subject. Market segmentation is often viewed as clustering the markets in an attempt to identify segments which can be profitable for business, but is also often viewed as simple categorization of the consumers in groups with no essential meaning attached to them. Segmentation can be treated on the basis of geographical data, psychographics, demographics and behavioural data. Other treatment of segmentation may be based on purchase occasion or even benefit clusters (Beane and Ennis, 1987). The different approaches to market segmentation eventually affect the marketing practices of firms in that they illuminate different dimensions of the customer base or the target segment. For example, a demographic segmentation may be useful in products for which consumption is largely dependent on the demographic data of the market, but unequally neglects other elements of the target market which may also have a close relevance to the consumption. According to Allenby et al. (2002) there are two primary differences in the treatment of market segmentation: the ‘ex ante’ and the ‘ex post’; the ex ante approach indicates an exploration of the drivers behind the consumers’ behaviour while the ex post approach indicates an investigation of the responses of the consumers’ behaviour in the various marketing offerings. In general the different market segmentati

Information Systems Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Information Systems - Assignment Example The main goal of the SAMS-E system is to automate processes such as unit level reporting, unit level maintenance supply, and issuing reports on field and sustainment support. The system supports different elements of unit level maintenance as well as shop production roles of sustainment and Field maintenance. The SAMS-E system has various benefits and disadvantages like any other information system. One of the most significant benefits of the system is decentralization of management processes I the US Army. The system allows for top management to exercise their managerial responsibilities and monitor army operations at lower levels of the structure. With the system, the army is able to manage various units scattered around the world from one central place. This has come with various other benefits to the army because it ensures accountability of leaders in the army. The system is able to provide timely delivery of information and reports on various issues thus facilitating management processes. Another advantage emerging from the system is facilitating coordination of various specialized army projects and decision-making. The system ensures efficiency and consistency of decision-making processes regarding management to of army equipment. With this system in place, the top leadership of t he army will be aware of emerging problems and issues in various departments and units in various regions, in the world and be in a position to make appropriate and relevant decisions using the information available in the system. One other advantage of the SAMS-E system is integration of various units and processes in the army. This system will greatly enhance the organizational structure of the army by integrating management of various resources such as the army equipment, facilities, funds, and personnel. The system will also integrate planning processes, coordination and

Nereis succinea Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 11000 words

Nereis succinea - Essay Example Even as the decrease in feeding may indicate a decrease in olfactory sensing, greater levels of activity may refer to compensation through visual detection, i.e. a certain amount of time would have to be devoted in finding food. It is crucial to evaluate both parties in the interactions of predator and prey especially as both parties would likely be affected differently, eventually implying changes in the life of each party. Nereis succinea reproduction: (la) The mass spawning for the N. succinea is mostly seen from June to September at night during a new or full moon with temperatures higher than 16oC. This must however be influenced by the location population (Ram et al., 1999). The females give off the cysteine-glutathione disulphide (CSSG) when they swim. Such pheromone, first discovered by Zeeck et al. in 1998, seems to attract mates at depressed concentrations. The swimming of the male spawns becomes elevated (Ram et al., 2008) leading to a rise in the possibility of being face d with a sexually ready female (Fei et al., 2008). As these spawns meet, both males and females swim around each other in tight circles gradually becoming smaller in size. Males unleash some sperm along with the egg release pheromone (ERP) (Zeeck et al. 1996, 1998). Such ERP is made up mostly of inosine with glutamic acid and glutamine; it leads to the females releasing both eggs as well as significant amounts of sperm release pheromone (SRP), CSSG, at elevated levels (Hardege et al., 2004). Consequently, the males then unleash significant amounts of sperm, thereby leading to the fertilization of the female egg. Chemical nature of nereidid sex pheromones (la) Nereis succinea 1. Cysteine-glutathione disulphide (CSSG) Cysteine-glutathione disulphide (‘nereithione’) (CSSG) (Figure 10) is released by the female N. succinea while swimming; it is also considered a tetra- peptide pheromone. At low levels of concentration (10-9 M), CSSG causes the males to increase the pace and speed of their swimming; allowing the faster access to the slow-paced females. At elevated levels, (in excess of 10-6 M) CSSG causes the release of gametes by the male spawns (Ram et al., 1999). Glutathione (GSH) found in the body fluids and cysteine (amino acid) is utilized to provide synthesis for CSSG as needed. This production happens only during the heteronereid level of the life cycle (Hardege et al., 2004). Figure 10. Structure of the sex pheromone in N. succinea, CSSG (Source: Guidechem). Spawning hormones and pheromonal communication are responsible for the transduction of this information (Bentley and Pacey, 1992) eventually leading to the mass spawning phenomenon often seen for the nereidid species. 1. Males usually cover large distances as they swim over water surfaces seeking the slow swimming females. At some point, females may shift their swimming patterns, often swimming in circles for a few seconds. At which point, they may give off the sex pheromone 5-methyl-3-hep tanone and start to swim in tighter circles (Zeeck et al., 1988). 2. Ripe males detecting swimming females may notice the pheromone in the water and change the quality of their swimming. They then return to the source of the ‘smell’ of the female while also giving off some coelomic fluid, which is otherwise referred to as a ‘sperm cloud’ (Hardege, 1999). Such sperm cloud includes the egg release pheromone (ERP), L – Ovothiol A (Rohl et al., 1999) (Figure 6). 3. The ERP then prompts the female to swim

Final project for LING 4100 topic2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final project for LING 4100 topic2 - Assignment Example The two English languages are widely spread through out the world. For instance, Indian people were colonized by the British and hence adapted to the British English. Their English differs from that of American people, with strong annotation on the accents and pronunciation. The analysis will concentrate on Indian English, pointing out differences and similarities in relation to the North American English. English is the native language spoken in India, and everyone can communicate using English. However, their English is pretty much different from the American English. We concentrate on the dialogue in the news cast between the anchor interviewing Mr Davender Ghai. The interview is in relation to Ghai’s fight to acquire an open funeral pyre while in United Kingdom. Cremation is not allowed in the United Kingdom and the Hindu activist fights to acquire the chance to be cremated after his death. They engage in a tough interview that is carried out in the Indian studios at New C astle. We concentrate the analysis from the first question that the anchor asks Mr. Ghai. The question demands to get an answer as to why Mr. Ghai engaged into the fight of an open pyre when he is in the United Kingdom. The analysis will also cover the answer he gives and the process he follows to answer the directed question. The second question directed to him by the anchor seeks to enquire if Ghai fought for the legalization of open cremation for himself or for the entire Hindu people in the United Kingdom. The analysis looks into the second question and the answer given. Data Sample Ghai starts by interrupting the anchor with a â€Å"thank you† before he is welcomed. It shows a difference in response between American English and Indian English. The first question that the anchor asks is; â€Å"Can you tell us what made you go in for this legal battle, what did you really want to do? Ghai responds; â€Å"Well, see. My father always wanted a funeral pyre when he died in 1 979, because we could not send the body to India, we couldn’t afford it. So, when he died I was very very upset. Okay, then I found out in 1932, the princess of Nepal was given open funeral pyre in London.† The second question is; were you fighting this battle for yourself or for all Hindus in the United Kingdom? The dialect language used is the official English spoken world wide by the Indian people. Ghai answers; â€Å"Okay, hear, I am a man of charity and I run a charity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Date sample analysis Critically analyzing the first question, one can see that the language used differs from the North American English. The first difference noted is the pronunciation of the English words, and the use of verbs in the sentences. Going by the American way, the question is wrongfully constructed. Pronunciation of the entire sentence differs from the American way. Secondly, a verb is the most critical part of a sentence since it explains the subject’s action. The verb used in the question â€Å"go† is followed by adverb. This is uncommon with the American English. The use of an adverb after a verb is said to be grammatically incorrect in the American English. The other significant difference that can be noted in this dialect is the phonetic aspect. It can be learned that the Indians use the middle of their tongue just before the end to pronounce. This is the reason that the pronunciation is different from the American pronunciation.

My Version of Happiness Essay Example for Free

My Version of Happiness Essay What is happiness? For me, with my sixteen years of life as my basis to define what it is, I think happiness is making friends, meeting new people, enjoying what you have, loving what you have, accepting what you have, enjoying what youre doing, being in a situation that youll remember and laugh at later on, trying to smile, unconditional love, irrepressible smiling, having a crush, pursuing and finding success in pursuit, learning new things the easy way, witnessing something funny, sugar rush, and many other things. Basically, at this moment, happiness, for me, is acceptance, hoping, and believing. I say that because those are the things that have made me happy. Since happiness is subjective, or at least I find it to be so, I know that happiness, for me, is more often than not, ephemeral. It is spontaneous. It causes you to be so as well. It comes when you expect it and when you dont. It is more beautiful in the latter. Some people devote their entire existence to finding it. I think, though, that it is like a dogs tail; if it is sought for like a tangible object, it will not be caught. Some people make sad attempts at trying to generalize what it is. Some people write books on how to acquire it. Like a step by step program, cookbook style. Some people live life waiting for it. Some people observe how other people respond to the temptation to be happy. I guess, Im part of those people, but if thats so, who observes us? Some people neglect happiness; they dont look for it, they doubt its existence. Some people try to find their purpose in the hope of finding happiness with it. Some people just live. Some people are always filled with it. Some people say they have found it. Some people think they have found it. Some people feign happiness. Some people try to know things to be able to know what happiness is. Some people try to justify their happiness. Some people buy things to become happy. Some people neglect being empty to be happy. Some people hide it. Some people write about its nature. Some people find other people, and happiness comes with them sometimes. I do all that, different approaches for different moments. Happiness is tricky thing, deadly as a drug, addicting like one, yet it is legal. It could be a state of mind, but it could just as well be someone or something.

The competitiveness of pharmaceutical industry in Saudi Arabia

The competitiveness of pharmaceutical industry in Saudi Arabia The aim of this paper is to describe and analyze the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry in Saudi Arabia, what new companies need to consider before entering this market and evaluation of such investment. I will discuss the boundaries of this industry under à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I will briefly highlight competitiveness of the Pharmaceutical industry at the global level. Boundaries of the industry: The scope of this analysis is the pharmaceutical industry where Key Products are human drugs excluding veterinary drugs, medical devices and diagnostics. Key players in the market are pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, distribution agents, chain pharmacies and patients support groups. As Porter identifies an industry as the group of firms producing products that are close substitutes for each other (Porter, 1980, p. 5), I will take the perspective of the pharmaceutical companies. The geographic scope of this paper is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, large hospitals and institutions have access to medications through international brokers (Business Monitor International, 2010) making the market open to international competition. Many pharmaceutical companies in the Saudi Market are international companies (IMS Health, 2010). Six out of the top ten pharmaceutical companies, as measured by their 2009 sales, in the Saudi Market are international companies five of them are American (IMS Health, 2010). This leads to broadening the competition scope to take a global level as will be discussed. Also there is a very high impact of supra-state organizations like FDA and EMEA as Saudi Arabia considers guidelines and warnings issued by them as a reference (Business Monitor International, 2010). For example approval or suspension of a medication by those authorities impacts the business of the drug in the Saudi Market (ibid). So changes at the global level are reflected on the market. Overview on the Saudi Pharmaceutical Market The total market size was around US$ 2.65bn in 2008 and due to the countrys wealth, novel patented drugs and expensive ones are growing in demand (Business Monitor International, 2010). One of the good tools to analyze the external factors affecting or might in the future affect the industry is PESTLE analysis (Armstrong, 2006). It is an acronym for Political, economic competitive, socio-cultural, technological, legal and ethical factors. Looking at the six dimensions, offer a good insight for strategic analysis (ibid). Political Review (Insurance companies and price pressures) Although the middle-east tends to be a politically unstable area, the political system in Saudi Arabia is relatively stable (Business Monitor International, 2010). The political power lies in the hand of the king who faces new challenges including pressures from the United Sates to democratize the system (Shoult, 2006). Yet, with 25% of worlds oil reserves in the country, international powers, including the US, see stability of the kingdom in their favour (Business Monitor International, 2010). Such political stability could represent a motive for international pharmaceutical companies to invest in the kingdom. However political stability alone is not the only factor to consider for investment decisions. Other dimensions in the following analysis will give a more comprehensive view of the industry. Economic Competitive Review With the discovery of oil reserves in Saudi Arabia in 1930s, the country turned into a first-world economy (Shoult, 2006). Saudi Economy is ranked among the top ten most competitive economies (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority). Saudi Pharmaceutical market is the largest among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with an estimated double digit annual growth till 2019 (Business Monitor International, 2010). Such a high growth rate should represent an attractive opportunity to foreign pharmaceutical companies especially at times of international slow down. Some companies like JJ consider Saudi Arabia as one for the international emerging markets along with Brazil, Russia, India and China that the company is willing to invest in to expand its business (Al-Abd, 2009). Socio-Cultural Review The Saudi pharmaceutical industry like many other industries is reliant to a great extent on expatriate workers whether as pharmacists or physicians (Shoult, 2006). This increases bargaining power of suppliers to residency visas to pharmaceutical companies as discussed below. The Saudi culture is a very conservative one (ibid). Direct to the patient promotional activities although legal, might be a very risky move especially in certain therapeutic areas like women and men health. That could make the competition between pharmaceutical companies more aggressive at the level of prescribing physicians. More details about this will be discussed under the 5 forces analysis below. From my experience, when it comes to patients support groups; most of them are relatively newly established. Their role, so far, is limited to increasing the awareness about illnesses and trying to minimize the stigma associated with some diseases like psychiatric illnesses and HIV. They dont present a real threat for lobbying or exerting pressures on pharmaceutical companies. So most companies perceive them as an opportunity to increase awareness about illnesses and grow the total market size. Technological review Most of the local Saudi companies dont have the know-how of manufacturing high technological products like bio-technology products and anti-cancer therapy (Business Monitor International, 2010). So the market of those therapeutic areas is almost totally controlled by international companies (ibid). This should represent an opportunity for local companies as the development of such capability could be a differentiating advantage versus all local Saudi incumbents. Yet, developing such capabilities would require a very heavy initial investment (Bogner, Thomas, McGee, 1996). On average, it takes around US$ 700 million to develop a new molecule and then around US$ 400 million for marketing activities (Leask Parker, 2007). One of the characteristics of the pharmaceutical industry is the slowness of diffusion of new technologies, where around 17 years is required for the results of clinical trials to become standard clinical practice (Porter, 1985, p. 406). This may be due to the legal an d ethical issues related to the pharmaceutical industry, which brings us to the last element of PESTLE analysis. Legal and Ethical Factors The pharmaceutical industry is recently under scrutiny like never before (Beller, 2008), especially when it comes to relations with health care professionals. With the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the United States and the very aggressive penalties on the giant company Pfizer, $ 2.3 Billion by the FDA (The New York Times, 2009) most of the companies became very conservative. International companies, especially American ones, find themselves forced to follow Health Care Compliance Guidelines. This factor is not affecting local Saudi Companies, where such regulations are not in place (Al-Abd, 2009). For example, it is very common for local Saudi pharmaceutical companies to invite physicians and even purchasers for international trips with their families in a practice that is not controlled or regulated by Saudi Health Authorities (ibid). This PESTLE analysis represents the outline of the playing ground. Competitive force and what is happening inside could be seen by the following 5 forces analysis. Five Forces Analysis As per Porter, the health care industry is very complex, highly customized and, unlike many other industries, consumers have limited information (Porter, 1985). Porter identified five forces that can drive the competition in an industry (Porter, 1980). The following analysis will briefly go through the impact of each force in the Saudi pharmaceutical market. Threat of New Entrant New entrant into an industry exerts pressure on incumbents prices and costs hence represent a risk in eroding their profitability (Porter, 1985). The intensity of new entrants will depend on the ease of entering the market and Porter identifies seven factors that might represent an entry barrier (ibid). I find at least four of them to be applicable in Saudi pharmaceutical market, the relative high investment required to establish a new pharmaceutical company, government policies that raised the cost required for registering new drugs (Al-Abd, 2009), the recent price cuts enforced by Saudi Ministry of Health (Business Monitor International, 2010), incumbency advantage including know-how for manufacturing and unequal access to distribution channels. For example, many hospitals now have regulations that necessitate the removal of a drug from their formularies in order to add a new one (Al-Abd, 2009). This makes doctors face tough decision upon requesting new medications. All of these factors are in favor of incumbent companies and might represent entry barriers. On the other hand the low switching cost is an opportunity for new entrants. From my experience, shifting from a medication to an alternative or a generic doesnt cause any switching costs. Pharmaceutical companies in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to make special offers or special discounts (Al-Abd, 2009). They also cant explicitly state the disadvantage of a competitor. Such heavy regulation would minimize the impact of retaliation against a new entrant. The Power of Suppliers In Saudi Arabia, foreign pharmaceutical companies dont have a legal entity as they must work through local Saudi agents (Shoult, 2006). Such agents are responsible for the distribution and act as a supplier of labor. My personal experience is that, it can be a source of competitive advantage to companies as agents access to residence visas depends on many factors including but not limited to their personal network with the governmental officials. Therefore some companies expansion plans might be put on hold due to deficiency in visas required for new workers. The Power of Buyers Key participants of the industry changed recently with the tendency of buyers to collate into central buying centers like NUPCO, a newly established National Unified Procurement Company for Medical Supplies for all Ministry of Health hospitals (NUPCO). The same applies for National-Guard hospitals which decided to issue a unified tender for purchasing drugs (National Guard Health Affairs). The authors experience shows that even private street pharmacies are dominated by chain pharmacies with central purchasing centers. The declared reason behind such moves is usually increasing efficiency (NUPCO) (National Guard Health Affairs). As per Porters five forces for industry analysis, the main reason might be the wish to increase their bargaining power against pharmaceutical companies. The availability of me too products and several generics to non-patent drugs in the Saudi market (IMS Health, 2010) could turn many drugs into a commodity. As several alternatives become available, the bargaining power of purchasers increases (Porter, On Competition, 1985). This in turn could erode companies profitability. Therefore most of the international companies stop promoting their drugs once they lose their patents and shift their focus to new still patent protected drugs (Al-Abd, 2009). The Threat of Substitutes Porter defines a substitute as something that performs the same or a similar function as an industrys product by a different means (Porter, 1985, p. 17). With this definition in mind, a substitute to a pharmaceutical drug could be a surgery or an alternative medicine. Alternative medicine is common in Saudi Arabia to the extent that an official National Centre for Alternative and Complementary Medicine was established in 2008 (Business Monitor International, 2010). Yet, it would be difficult to quantify and measure this market and its impact on the Saudi Pharmaceutical market due to the lack of reliable statistics and the poor control on traditional healers (Al-Rowais, Al-Faris, Mohammad, Al-Rukban, Abdulghani, 2010). As key hospitals can purchase medications through international brokers, this exerts more price pressures on local operating companies. Such international brokers might be considered as a substitute to local pharmaceutical companies. Their impact might lead to forcing the local operating companies to reduce their prices in order to match brokers price which could lead to eroding profitability. Rivalry among Existing Competitors This force analyzes how competitors are jockeying for positions (Porter, 1980, p. 17). It might be the most important force in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Market. The Saudi Pharmaceutical Market is fragmented among 271 companies (IMS Health, 2010). This might be one of the reasons behind the high intensity of competition. The leading company, GLAXOSMITHKLINE has a market share of only 9% followed by Pfizer 8% and then the local company SPIMACO 7% and the rest of the market distributed among the remaining companies. Intensity of rivalry increases in cases of Numerous or equally balanced competitors (Porter, 1980, p. 18). Yet the relative high growth rate in the market (IMS Health, 2010), could retain its attractiveness as possibility of reaching zero sum competition looks remote. Porter considers the competition in the health care system as zero sum (Porter, On Competition, 1985). This might be relevant only to the US market. The Saudi Market is not yet mature given its high growth rates and the under awareness and under diagnosis in many therapeutic areas like HIV and ADHD (Business Monitor International, 2010). It might be a positive sum competition. From the authors experience, pharmaceutical companies in the Saudi Market can be classified into International companies with most of their products patents and local companies producing mostly generics. Some of the International companies like GLAXOSMITHKLINE and Pfizer work in different therapeutic areas and most of their products are patents so their main strategy might be differentiation. There are other international companies that are focused in one segment, therapeutic area, like Lundbeck in central nervous system and Novo Nordisk in Diabetes (IMS Health, 2010). Such companies are mainly utilizing a niche or focusing strategy. Then there are the Saudi companies producing generics and their main strategy could be cost leadership. The existence of many generics, me too products, increases the intensity of competition due to the lack of differentiation (Porter, 1980). Such competition is very clear as many buyers are relying on tenders (Business Monitor International, 2010) rathe r than direct orders to utilize such competition in their favor. Price war among generics companies can be understood with such lack of differentiation. This could be compounded with the high initial investment required as mentioned earlier that might raise the exit barrier making companies more committed to the business. When it comes to competition between international companies and local Saudi companies, economies of scale are in favour of international companies as they produce and sell their products worldwide while local Saudi companies usually dont have access to European or American markets due to concerns on quality standards (Business Monitor International, 2010). Advice to a New Firm Entering the Market For a new firm entering the market, it needs to carefully position itself. Comprehensive understanding of the industry value chain will be important for the company to position itself (Porter, 1985). Industry Value Chain If this new company were a local Saudi one then it should rely on cost leadership. For example, the firm infra structure, like manufacturing facility, should be in a nearby location to the main consumers like the Ministry of Health in order to minimize the shipping costs. IT infrastructure and Human resources all should be designed with cost leadership in mind. Currently most of the local companies purchase their row materials from India in order to reduce their costs. If the new company were an international company, then it would be almost essential to have patent and differentiated new molecule entities. Such patents would enable the new company to avoid a price war with local generics companies and being differentiated could help in positioning its products against existing international companies. A deep and comprehensive understanding of the Saudi Market and Saudi culture is also required. This level of understanding would depend on the new company background and whether it has previous experience in the Saudi Market, or not. For the new company to secure its supply of labor and expatriate staff, they need to develop a strategic partnership with a local Saudi vendor. Conclusion As per Porter, the objective of industry analysis shouldnt be to declare the industry attractive or unattractive (Porter, 1985, p. 5). It should be to understand the drivers of profitability so that more informed decisions could be made (ibid). Future Changes Shift to privatization and private market, shift toward generics. If outsourcing the product from another company, logistics and registration is the barrier. (You need to register the manufacturing facility which requires inspection by the Saudi FDA to the site a process that takes around one year. The registration process of the drugs itself will take around another one year. This will not limit the entry to the market but it slows down the new competition. Saudi Arabia requires local laboratory testing Pay to delay! Tutor Hints: Think about the different levels in the industry value chain, and the fact that the issues of competitiveness at those different levels may be driven by different sets of business environment and industry environment factors. They may also involve different sets of industry players, some of whom may be more extensively integrated across the industry value chain than others, operating different types of business models and competing on different bases and perspectives. Keep the focus firmly at the industry level, and not on individual companies. That said, comments on different companies competing one with another may form part of the analysis and argument. Obviously in choosing an industry and setting some boundaries within which to work, the nature of the industry is one of the factors to consider. Some industries are inherently more international than others. Some markets are more open to international competition than others. Competitiveness: Define success in the competition, how do you score a goal? is it volume, share, profit, brand recognition? include extent, nature, features and character. And in terms of thinking about success, once again it is worth thinking about how this is judged best and from whose perspective in any context. Basic analytical models (eg PESTLE, P5F, SW/OT) may provide a useful starting point or provide a basic overview of an industry My Comments: Outside in PESTLE analysis Under scrutiny like never before. Inside Out Merge and acquisitions Importance of Patents in Pharma About 80% of all pharmaceutical products and about 45% of all processes are patented (Arundel and Kabla, 1998). Overall, patent protection is particularly effective in this industry (Gambardella, 1995), playing an important role for preventing imitation (Levin et al., 1987). Typically, patenting occurs when new chemical and potentially useful compounds are synthesized, applications for them are identified, and manufacturing processes are developed. (Sternitzke, 2010) Relationship between high innovative propensity and sustained superior profitability in pharmaceutical industry in the US is confirmed (ROBERTS, 1999) Advertising promotion in Pharma decreases price elasticity which means, the heavier the promotional activities, the higher the prices. (Rizzo, 1999) Abstract This paper uses data on the majority of name-brand antihypertensive drugs marketed in the US during 1988-93 to test the hypothesis that advertising decreases the price elasticity of demand in the pharmaceutical industry. This is the first study to directly estimate the effects of drug product promotion on the price elasticity of demand in this industry. We find strong evidence of an advertising effect. In particular, detailing efforts (the salient means for product promotion in this industry) systematically lower price sensitivity. Given the inverse relationship between elasticity of demand and price, it is likely that consumers pay higher prices as a result of the advertising that occurs in this industry. Our findings are thus consistent with Hurwitz and Caves, who find evidence that advertising inhibits entry into this market but in contrast to earlier research that found no anticompetitive effect. Advertising and Competition in the Ethical Pharmaceutical Industry: The Case of Antihypertensive Drugs Comment on referencing: For chapters of edited books the required elements for a reference are: Chapter author(s) surname(s) and initials. Year of chapter. Title of chapter followed by In: Book editor(s) initials and surnames with ed. or eds. after the last name. Year of book. Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher. Chapter number or first and last page numbers followed by full-stop. Smith, J., 1975. A source of information. In W. Jones, ed. One hundred and one ways to find information about health. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Ch. 2. Samson,C., 1970. Problems of information studies in history. In S. Stone, ed. Humanities information research. Sheffield: CRUS, 1980, pp. 44-68.

The Banking Sector Reforms In India Finance Essay

The Banking Sector Reforms In India Finance Essay The banking sector reforms in India are aimed at introduction of best international practices and technological changes for making the Indian banking sector competitive globally. The Indian banking system is more efficient and stable today. Consequently there has been a rapid increase in the number of banks in this country. The banking horizon is changing because of the increasing number of private banks and the foreign banks. Apparently there is a cut throat competition between the banks. New and variety of services are offered by banks which are non-conventional and customized as per the customer requirements. Banks began to diversify their services as part of their corporate strategy to cater to various customer segments. Structure of banking in India The Indian banking system is classified into scheduled and non-scheduled banks. The scheduled banks are then classified as state cooperatives banks and commercial banks. The non-scheduled banks are classified as central cooperative banks and primary credit societies and the commercial banks. Commercial banks are classified in both the scheduled banks as well as the non-scheduled banks. Schedule banks are those which are included in the SECOND SCHEDULE of BANKING REGULATION ACT 1956. To be included in the second schedule a bank Must have paid up capital and reserves of not less than Rs 5 lakhs. It must also satisfy the RBI that its affairs are not conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of its depositors. File:Scheduled banking structure in India.png RBI(Reserve Bank of India) is the central bank of the country. As the central bank of the country RBI has the power to supervise and control all the banks with the intensions of developing a sound and efficient banking system. It also performs many different developmental and promotional functions. The functions of RBI are as followed: Note issue Bankers bank The central bank Banker to the government Custodian to Foreign Exchange Reserves Management regulation of exchange Credit control Other functions. The Indian banking system has witnessed a substantial improvement in both stability and efficiency parameters such as capital position, asset quality, and overall profitability. There has been a remarkable improvement in the financial health of commercial banking sector. The banking sector reforms have improved the stability of the Indian financial system. PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN INDIA Indicators The performance and the efficiency is analysed in terms of profitability, productivity, financial stability, and quality of assets. The following indicators are used: Profitability indicators: It is measured in terms of net profit of the bank. The interest, non-interest income, and the expenses influence the net profit. Some of the important indicators of profitability are as follows: Interest income as percentage of total assets: Interest income Total assets Higher ratio indicates higher profitability. Interest expended ratio: Interest expenses Total assets Fall in ratio improves the profitability Net Interest Margin(NIM): interest income à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ interest expenses Total assets A fall in NIM indicates the need to reorient the banks policies. Intermediation Cost of Assets Ratio (ICAR): Non-interest expenses Total assets Lower the ratio higher the efficiency. Overhead Efficiency(Burden)Ratio: Non-interest income Non-interest expenses Higher ratio indicates lower profitability. Returns on Assets(RoA): Net profit Total Assets High RoA indicates better deployment of funds. Return on Equity(RoE): Net profit Total Equity RoE will help the banks to access new capital. Capital markets indicators: The capital market indicator is based on the EPS and P/E ratio. Productivity Indicators: productivity indicators are generally analysed in terms of: Profits per employee Business per employee Financial Soundness: Financial soundness is reflected by the Capital Adequacy Ratio. CAR: Total capital RWAs RWAs: Risk Weighted Assets Higher the ratio better is the sustenance of the banks. Asset Quality: The quality of assets in the bank is shown by the level of non-performing assets (NPAs). Lower the ratio better is the asset quality. The 2 ratios used are: Ratio of gross NPAs to gross advances. Ratio of net NPAs to net advances. 11 The above graph has the data of the gross NPAs of the banks. The X axis depicts the years and the Y axis depicts the percentage. The red dotted line is for the Gross NPAs and the blue dotted line is for the Gross advances. Looking at the graph we can confidently state that the Gross NPAs are increasing whereas the Gross advances are decreasing since 2010-11. PERORMANCE OF PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS, NEW PRIVATE SECTOR BANKS, AND FOREIGN BANKS IN INDIA The comparative performance of public sector banks, new private sector banks, and foreign banks is explained below for the recent years http://stockshastra.moneyworks4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Indian-Banking-Industry-Statistics.png Productivity and profitability of banks: Productivity is directly related to profitability. It is analysed in terms of business per employee and business per branch. Business per employee: The business per employee in the public sector banks has increased from Rs 471.18 lakhs in 2006-07 to Rs1013.63 lakhs in 2011-12. But is still low as compared to foreign banks. The business per employee for foreign banks has showed a tremendous increase from Rs974.77 lakhs in 2006-07 to Rs1559.74 lakhs in 2011-12. The business per employee for the private banks has also increased from Rs695.23 lakhs in 2006-07 to Rs823.26 lakhs in 2011-12. Profit per employee: The profits per employee are the highest in foreign banks followed by new private sector banks in 2011-12. Per employee profit was Rs 16.3 lakhs in foreign bank, Rs 8.1 lakhs in new private sector banks and Rs 5.93 lakhs in public sector banks in 2011-12. Interest income: The interest income of public sector banks, new private sector banks and foreign banks showed an increase to Rs366318, Rs 96827 and Rs 28520 respectively in 2011-12. Interest expended ratio: The interest expended ratio same as interest income has showed an increase for all the banks in 2011-12. The figures are Rs231153 lakhs, Rs57115 lakhs, Rs10622 lakhs. Financial Soundness: The CAR(Capital Adequacy Ratio) is the most important indicator of financial soundness of banks. The capital to risk weighted assets ratio is shown is the figure below. The CRAR of public sector banks has been between 12 and 15 percent. The old private sector had CRAR lying between 12 and 15 percent. The new private sector had CRAR of more 15 percent. It goes the same with the foreign banks for the year ending in March 2012. 9 Asset Quality: the asset quality of a bank is shown by level of non-performing assets (NPAs). Better quality of assets is the indicator of efficiency. There is a vast improvement in the efficiency of Indian banks. B1 The NPAs as percentage of Average Total Assets are increasing marginally in 2011-12. The NPA of foreign banks rose from 0.8 in 2009-10 to 1.4 in 2010-11 to 1.6 in 2011-12. The new private sector banks showed an increase from 1.1 in 2009-10 to 1.2 in 2010-11 to 1.3 in 2011-12 approximately. The old private sector banks has shown an increase but less as compared to the other banks. The national banks have shown a gradual decrease in the NPAs since 2009-10 to 2011-12. Customer services: In order to ease customer access to banking facilities, Indian banks have begun offering bouquet of financial services to their clients. The number of branches proving CORE BANKING SOLUTION (CBS) is increasing tremendously. Under CBS a number of services are provided such as ANYWHERE BANKING. The number branches of PSBs that have implemented CBS increase from 35464 in March 31, 2008 to 46304 in March 31, 2011. ATMs The banks are providing more and more ATM facilities to the customers. The foreign banks and new private sector banks are the larger contributors in this. http://www.isrj.net/PublishArticles/img/306_2.gif The above graph is for the year 2008-09. The highest number of ATMs is provided by the state banks but on-site. The highest number of ATMs provided off-site is by the foreign banks. NEW TECHNOLOGY IN BANKING The banks in India are using Information Technology (IT) not only to improve their own internal process but also to increase the facilities and services to their customers. Computerization has taken place all over India. The only motive is to bring banking at the fingertips of the customers and employees. THE DIFFERENT FACILITIES PROVIDED ARE: Virtual banking ATMS Debit Cards Credit cards Point of Sales(PoS) Door step banking Internet banking Mobile banking Telebanking Phone banking Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Electronic Clearing Services (ECS) Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) REFRENCING http://ebookbrowse.com/t-y-b-com-paper-iii-business-economics-eng-pdf-d419151576 http://etheses.saurashtrauniversity.edu/54/ http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/e/Economy_of_India.htm https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=vq=cache:QUJlL6E5-TAJ:ijimt.org/papers/140-M582.pdf+hl=engl=ukpid=blsrcid=ADGEESjYSzZ1KSelInYi2gBvlRjTk0WyxRsdcYOCBvBaopI7N3pzl8naPA62sFiG0tfzK2x-ZKiVFyysLZhluPTr3O5WorzEXuj_Sn-X6CV1dQ8dqEo1UDv64oMzU7s_i2pw0XNURAnasig=AHIEtbRvIWrXt8CCpGACZrevqopfbX1i4Q http://stockshastra.moneyworks4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Indian-Banking-Industry-Statistics.png http://www.indiainbusiness.nic.in/studies_survey/banking_systemsurvey.pdf http://www.theinternationaljournal.org/ojs/index.php?journal=rjcbspage=articleop=viewpath[]=488 http://www.icra.in/Files/ticker/Indian%20Banks-Note%28Revised%29.pdf http://www.icra.in/Files/ticker/IBS%20-%20FY11%20Perf.pdf http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=14629 Business Economics 3 by Johnson, Mascarenhas, and Chatterjee. The institute of chartered accountancy (India) http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=ensa=Xtbo=dbiw=1366bih=630tbm=ischtbnid=-qRyMTq-g80w5M:imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banking_in_Indiadocid=RGeL8hvEN_HioMimgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/NUMBER_OF_ATM.png/220px-NUMBER_OF_ATM.pngw=220h=169ei=xBvwUKiVCpS20QWhmoHYAgzoom=1iact=hcvpx=859vpy=12dur=180hovh=135hovw=176tx=61ty=46sig=115207852604614094774page=4tbnh=135tbnw=176start=72ndsp=25ved=1t:429,r:76,s:0,i:316

Austens Manipulation of the Readers Emotions Towards Characters in Pr

Austen's Manipulation of the Reader's Emotions Towards Characters in Pride and Prejudice In her novels, Jane Austen employs the timelessly effective characterization agents of dialogue, action, and point of view to cleverly manipulate the reader’s emotions towards the characters. Austen successfully creates heroins in a time that it was not social acceptable to think of women in a heroic role. She is so successful in applying these characterization techniques in her story lines that she molds a positive feeling towards strong females without the reader even realizing the influence the author’s agents have had, at the same time creating a very entertaining story. In Pride and Prejudice as well as Mansfield Park for example, Jane Austen creates characters who are some of the finest products of strong and intelligent women, yet do not loose their femininity, of our civilization. She accomplishes this feat by using the dialogue and action of the characters to manipulate the reader’s feelings towards these women. Austen also uses irony, satire and humor in all of her novels to show how ridiculous conventional Victorian country life was. She had a plethera of social commentary to make, and although women in her time period were conventionally outspoken, she used her novels as a means to show women could be intelligent, humorous, and strong without loosing their femininity. Jane Austen was a child of the Enlightenment, an age when reason was valued while many romantic traditions were slowly coming to light in society. As one of the educated and intelligent women emerging from this era, Austen used the character of Elizabeth Bennet, in Pride and Prejudice, to epitomize the harmonious balance between reason and... ...he more valuable when contrasted with that of Kitty and Lydia, where Lydia simply encourages Kitty in foolishness and is insensitive to her when she is upset. Her high spirits,which can be construed as flirtatious, also attract Darcy to her, as illustrated by her demand that he help to sustain a conversation between them when they dance together at the Netherfield ball. Her character is in no way unfeminine, and it is no wonder that Darcy is attracted to her after he comes to know and understand her. From this, we can see that Austen has managed to create her ideal woman in Elizabeth. Her strength and intelligence are qualities that make her respectable and admirable to any man or woman, but the fact that she possesses a softer, feminine side makes her genuinely attractive in the eyes of the reader, and helps us to better appreciate her other qualities.

United States Budget Deficit Essay -- Research Economics American Hist

United States Budget Deficit "Spending financed not by current tax receipts, but by borrowing or drawing upon past tax reserves." , Is it a good idea? Why does the U.S. run a deficit? Since 1980 the deficit has grown enormously. Some say its a bad thing, and predict impending doom, others say it is a safe and stable necessity to maintain a healthy economy. When the U.S. government came into existence and for about a 150 years thereafter the government managed to keep a balanced budget. The only times a budget deficit existed during these first 150 years were in times of war or other catastrophic events. The Government, for instance, generated deficits during the War of 1812, the recession of 1837, the Civil War, the depression of the 1890s, and World War I. However, as soon as the war ended the deficit would be eliminated and the economy which was much larger than the amounted debt would quickly absorb it. The last time the budget ran a surplus was in 1969 during Nixon’s presidency. Budget deficits have grown larger and more frequent in the last half-century. In the 1980s they soared to record levels. The Government cut income tax rates, greatly increased defense spending, and didn’t cut domestic spending enough to make up the difference. Also, the deep recession of the early 1980s reduced revenues, raising the deficit and forcing the Government to spend much more on paying interest for the national debt at a time when interest rates were high. As a result, the national debt grew in size after 1980. It grew from $709 billion to $3.6 trillion in 1990, only one decade later. .. ...abilities, and deficit money is being wasted. For example two of the largest portions of the budget: defense and social security. Defense spending produces little or nothing except in times of war. Judging by the current status of the United States as the only existing â€Å"Nuclear Super Power† war is not a tangible event in the near or distant future. The way social security is managed creates a huge waste. As managed, social security is money spent to immobilize a large and fairly capable part of the work force. It encourages elderly people not to work by spending deficit money on them. Reducing productivity and increasing the debt at the same time. In its current state the U.S. should attempt to reduce its deficit but eliminating it is not necessary and could do more damage than good.

How do Wilfred Owen and John McCrae differ in their attitude to war? :: English Literature

How do Wilfred Owen and John McCrae differ in their attitude to war? Study 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and 'In Flanders Field' These two poems are the most famous and best written poems of World War 1. Wilfred Owen wrote ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ in 1915 and John Mc Crae wrote ‘In Flanders Field’ which was 1st published in 1919, four days before Mc Crae died. These two World War poets have distinctively different views on war. But, there are also some similarities between them for example the poems were both 1st hand accounts and that the poets had 1st hand experience of the war. Another similarity is that the poets died from the effects of the war. These two poets have different attitudes towards the war in general as Owen originated from the 1st wave of World War 1 poets. These types of poets strongly opposed the war; they saw the war as bloody and non-patriotic. On the other hand, John Mc Crae was in the 2nd wave of poets. He viewed war to be beautiful and not so much to be patriotic, but to be known to have died whilst fighting for ones country. To start analyzing these poems, I will look at the basic points. In Owens, we can clearly see that the poem is divided into 3 stanzas. The tone of the stanzas is different and they all deal with different ideas related to World War 1. Stanza one deals with the tiredness and fatigue of the soldiers and also the utter exhaustion of them. Uses of verbs such as trudge, limped and adjectives like knock-kneed, bent double show us the extreme conditions that they had to fight in and the effects. Again, the verb ‘cursed’ to describe there movements shows how physically enfeebled they are and that the only way that they can move is by cursing. The statement ‘men marched asleep’ shows again their exhaustion as they were totally tired and seemed to march whilst sleeping. The phrase ‘blood-shod’, which is assonance, shows the hardship that the soldiers are suffering in. Words like, lame, blind, drunk and deaf show that the senses of the soldiers are stopped up and that they can no longer walk, smell, see and hear (hoots). From the sad tone of stanza 1, we are introduced into stanza 2 which is a frenzied opening in other words in complete contrast to the previous stanza. The first words ‘Gas! Gas!’ show violent movement. The words fumbling and clumsy show the difficulty the soldiers were in trying to get their masks on. Owen goes onto describe very effectively How do Wilfred Owen and John McCrae differ in their attitude to war? :: English Literature How do Wilfred Owen and John McCrae differ in their attitude to war? Study 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and 'In Flanders Field' These two poems are the most famous and best written poems of World War 1. Wilfred Owen wrote ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ in 1915 and John Mc Crae wrote ‘In Flanders Field’ which was 1st published in 1919, four days before Mc Crae died. These two World War poets have distinctively different views on war. But, there are also some similarities between them for example the poems were both 1st hand accounts and that the poets had 1st hand experience of the war. Another similarity is that the poets died from the effects of the war. These two poets have different attitudes towards the war in general as Owen originated from the 1st wave of World War 1 poets. These types of poets strongly opposed the war; they saw the war as bloody and non-patriotic. On the other hand, John Mc Crae was in the 2nd wave of poets. He viewed war to be beautiful and not so much to be patriotic, but to be known to have died whilst fighting for ones country. To start analyzing these poems, I will look at the basic points. In Owens, we can clearly see that the poem is divided into 3 stanzas. The tone of the stanzas is different and they all deal with different ideas related to World War 1. Stanza one deals with the tiredness and fatigue of the soldiers and also the utter exhaustion of them. Uses of verbs such as trudge, limped and adjectives like knock-kneed, bent double show us the extreme conditions that they had to fight in and the effects. Again, the verb ‘cursed’ to describe there movements shows how physically enfeebled they are and that the only way that they can move is by cursing. The statement ‘men marched asleep’ shows again their exhaustion as they were totally tired and seemed to march whilst sleeping. The phrase ‘blood-shod’, which is assonance, shows the hardship that the soldiers are suffering in. Words like, lame, blind, drunk and deaf show that the senses of the soldiers are stopped up and that they can no longer walk, smell, see and hear (hoots). From the sad tone of stanza 1, we are introduced into stanza 2 which is a frenzied opening in other words in complete contrast to the previous stanza. The first words ‘Gas! Gas!’ show violent movement. The words fumbling and clumsy show the difficulty the soldiers were in trying to get their masks on. Owen goes onto describe very effectively

Revolutionary road Essay

Revolutionary Road was a profound movie. This film portrays the malaise that had lied behind the American Dream during the mid-1950s. During that era, the image of the nuclear family living in suburbia where the man is the bread-winner and the woman as the domesticated housewife was considered as the dominant idea constructed by a patriarchal society. This film tracks the unraveling of April and Frank Wheeler, a couple who had unwantedly settled with two children living in suburbia unable to get themselves out of the empty and meaningless life they have. April had thought she and Frank were different than everyone else around them that had fallen victim to conformity. She thought they were deserving of a more exciting life and so convinces Frank to move to Paris rather than being stuck as a chance to escape from being a lonely unfulfilling housewife. But as soon as April realizes she is pregnant for the third time, plans to move Paris had to be abandoned which then really sends April over the edge. Both Frank and April are individuals in their own right, the suffering and inflicting suffering eventually leads to a tragic end to April’s life through a self-induced abortion. As well gender stereotypes, gender discrimination, androcentrism are well indicated within this film and era which will be further discussed. This film expresses the suffering of how many domesticated women had felt in the era of the 1950s. It reveals the sickness of a culture that tends to shut down a woman’s feelings in the self-serving illusion that a nice home with a yard, committed stay at home mom and a bread-winning husband were the answer for a happy and fulfilling life. Evidence of female discrimination were depicted when April is shown to take out the garbage and realizes all the trash is perfectly lined up along with one and another along the streets and during the scene where Frank is shown to be standing in the train having a breath of fresh air while having a cigarette (Orawan, 2010). These two scenes basically show the difference in the amount of freedom and choices that a man and woman had, where married women are shown to be confined to their home with their household and childrearing duties, meanwhile the man gets the freedom and choice of going about whatever they like outside their home (Orawan, 2010.). In another scene showcasing the gender discrimination that was placed on women was the topic on abortion. Besides being a high-risk mortality procedure, it was also illegal during the 50s as a way  to prevent women’s autonomy and restrict them to their traditional child-bearing role (Gordon, 1990). As such this was portrayed when April attempts to take abortion into her own hands as a desperate attempt to get her life back in hopes to take control of her life and so to be free to pursue to her dreams (Orawan, 2010). April had no rights over the choice to reproduce due to the standards set by society which had led to her taking the abortion into her own hands (Tas, 2010). It is evident that society at the time had preceded the belief about women’s duty to be subservient to their man and become a baby producing machines plus the ambivalence felt towards women that had led to discrimination of women (Matlin, 2012, p. 39) The movie clearly presents androcentrism in one particular scene for me, when Frank makes his way to work and all the people around him were men with very few that were women. This just shows the freedom and normalcy of men being able to work and be able to be out during the day. The very few women depicted to be working or on the city streets are only women that were unmarried. To me, this showed that women still had their individual identity until they became married where the women adopts the identity of her husband to become his supportive and obedient wife. Another issue is that even though unmarried women were able to obtain work, but because women were also considered as second class human due to androcentrism they were limited in options as well. Unmarried women were discriminated from higher employment positions with the choices of only low-levels jobs such as administrative or secretarial jobs (Tas, 2014). As it is suggested by Matlin (2012), there are negative attitudes to wards women’s competence especially from men of traditional views; as such women during the 50s were seen only capable of dull, mind-numbing jobs. Gender stereotypes were particularly evident when the Wheelers had told their friends, Miley and Shep Campbells, that they were moving to Paris and that April would take on the bread-winning role making Frank a dependent. In reaction to the news, Shep had thought their plan was immature imposing the stereotypical idea again that married women should not be working and that the man should be the one bringing home the money to support the family; this was the norm. This is clearly evidence of benevolent sexism as it shows  the assumption that women should not be held with so much work responsibility and should be taken care of by the man (Matlin, 2012, p. 58). When Shep asked Miley to confirm his opinion about the Wheeler’s being immature, she hesitantly agreed and begins to cries. This scene was of huge significance as this reveals the suffering that Miley feels as a housewife and by her husband’s comment she realizes that her life is hopeless in that she will remain i n her current position for the rest of her life. I can see that Miley is just a bit jealous of the Wheelers for making the move to Paris, she desperately wants out but is afraid to tell Shep what she feels inside. The consequences of internalizing gender stereotypes are represented in the same scene where Miley does not reveal her real thoughts and so allows her husband to further oppress her. Miley is influenced by the gender stereotypes that is presented in society and assumes the role of a subservient housewife. Miley did not say anything to act or rebel against her husband as she is afraid to appear to be a disobedient wife and accepts her husband’s comments about the Wheelers, revealing the fact that she has given up on her own principle. Additionally, Miley cries to let out her emotional frustration in that she then realizes the hopeless and empty life that she holds and inability to express her feeling shows her acceptance of her role in life; this in some way I feel is abusive to oneself psychologically and physically. Revolutionary Road is definitely a blast from the past taking on a Feminist approach to revealing all the negative effects of women living in suburbia during the 1950s. Due to androcentrism being the main idea of society, many negative attitudes and beliefs about women were expressed in this revealing the gender stereotypes and discriminations that were experienced. The character April Wheeler had revealed the sufferings of living a life with no choices bounded by her house, husband and children. With the women’s movement of the 1970s much of the negative attitudes and discrimination towards women have decreased in North America (Silverstein, 2008). However, I believe the idea of the nuclear family, the American Dream is still seen as for many, such as my family, is still the ideal way of life. References Gordan, L. (1990). Woman’s Body. Woman’s Right. Retrieved from http://www.feminist.com/resources/ourbodies/abortion.html Matlin, M. W. (2012). The Psychology of Women. (7th Edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cencage Learning. Orawan, C. (2010, March 9). Revolutionary Road: Feminist Liberation in Post-War Suburban Prison. Retrieved from http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/print.php?id=8050 Silverstein, M. (2008, December 26). Feminism & Revolutionary Road. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-silverstein/feminism-revolutionary- ro_b_153604.html Tas. (2010, April 14). Was ‘Revolutionary Road’ about Feminism? Retrieved from http://metrac.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/was-revolutionary-road-about-feminism/

Research Topics in Optometry

Postgraduate research topics Department of Optometry and Vision Science Postgraduate research topics The following is a list of research topics offered at the doctorate (PhD), masters and honours level.  » Honours  » Masters  » PhD Honours Research Topics| Affiliation – Faculty and Dept| Supervisor/s details| Comparison of animal models of age related nuclear cataract| Optometry and Vision Science| Professor Paul Donaldson p. [email  protected] ac. nz| Mapping antioxidant transporter expression in the front of the eye| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr Julie Lim j. [email  protected] ac. nz| Electron microscopy of protein trafficking in the lens| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr Angus Grey ac. [email  protected] ac. nz| Modelling of lens function  | Optometry and Vision Science| Dr Ehsan Vaghefi e. [email  protected] ac. nz| Exploring neural plasticity in the human visual cortex| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr. Ben Thompson b. [email  protected] ac. nz| Development of aids for colour deficient optometrists| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr. Misha Vorobyev m. [email  protected] ac. nz| Botox: as a tool for eye therapy? | Optometry and Vision Science| Dr Monica Acosta:m. [email  protected] ac. nz| Top Masters Research Topics| Affiliation – Faculty and Dept| Supervisor/s details| Developing functiuonal assays to study membrane protein function in the core of the lens| Optometry and Vision Science| Professor Paul Donaldson p. [email  protected] ac. nz| Chromatic and achromatic vision in reef fish| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr. Misha Vorobyev m. [email  protected] ac. nz| Colour preference in the honeybee| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr. Misha Vorobyev m. [email  protected] ac. nz| Clinical tests for colour vision defects| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. z| Defocus and visual function| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| Visual characteristics of NZ population groups| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| Assessment of refractive error in low vision| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| Clinical research topics in optometry| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| How does a cell die? Analysis of photoreceptor cells| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science| Dr Monica Acosta:m. [email  protected] ac. nz| Top PhD Research Topics| Affiliation – Faculty and Dept| Supervisor/s details| Functional characterization of glucose transporters in the lens| Optometry and Vision Science| Professor Paul Donaldson p. [email  protected] ac. nz| Visualization of cell signaling pathways in the ocular lens| Optometry and Vision Science| Professor Paul Donaldson p. [email  protected] ac. nz| Functional characterization of the cystine/glutamate exchanger in the lens: a potential therapy to delay age related nuclear cataract? | Optometry and Vision Science| Dr. Julie Lim j. [email  protected] c. nz| Functional mapping of purinergic signalling pathways in the lens|   Optometry and Vision Science| Professor Paul Donaldson p. [email  protected] ac. nz| Studying membrane protein function in the core of the lens| Optometry and Vision Science| Professor Paul Donaldson p. [email  protected] ac. nz| Antioxidant strategies to prevent age related nuclear cataract| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr Julie Lim j. [email  protected] ac. nz| Investigation of physiological mechanisms that regulate normal eye growth| Optometry & Vision Science| Dr John Phillips j. [email  protected] ac. nz| Investigation of methods for Inhibition of myopia progression in children. | Optometry & Vision Science| Dr John Phillips j. [email  protected] ac. nz| Harnessing neural plasticity for visual rehabilitation| Optometry & Vision Science| Dr. Ben Thompson b. [email  protected] ac. nz| Measuring the human visual cortex response to visual loss with fMRI| Optometry and Vision Science| Dr. Ben Thompson b. [email  protected] ac. nz| The relationship between native New Zealand flowers and vision of native pollinators  |   |   | Colour deficeincy and colour judgement|   | Dr Misha Vorobyev m. [email  protected] ac. z| Visual characteristics of NZ population groups| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| Defocus and visual function| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| Clinical tests for colour vision defects. | FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [ema il  protected] ac. nz| Assessment of refractive error in low vision| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| Research topics in clinical optometry| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs r. [email  protected] ac. nz| Vesicular transport in eye disesases| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Dr. Monica Acostam. [email  protected] ac. nz| Neurochemistry of an animal model of retinal degeneration| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Dr. Monica Acostam. [email  protected] ac. nz | Modelling oxygen / CO2 circulation of the retinal cells| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Dr. Ehsan Vaghefi  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  e. [email  protected] ac. nz| Modelling the electrical stimulation of the retina, using hexagonal electrodes| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Dr. Ehsan Vaghefi e. [email  protected] ac. nz| Creating a full 3D anatomically correct model of the ocular lens| FoS (Optometry and Vision Science)| Professor Paul Donaldsonp. [email  protected] ac. nzDr. Ehsan Vaghefie. [email  protected] ac. nz| Top * FOR * ABOUT * Our department * Our research * Research groups * Publications * Postgraduate research topics * Our courses * Our staff * Careers and opportunities * News and events Apply now! 2012 Handbook Postgraduate Research University of Auckland Clinics SharePrintEmail Copyright  © The University of Auckland A to Z Directory  |  Site map  |  Accessibility  |  Copyright  |  Privacy  |  Disclaimer  |  Feedback on this page | |

Personal narrative essay Essay

â€Å"Don’t Blink† Four hundred and eighty three people, stuck together like glue for the past four years. We all felt as if the day would never come, like seeing it cloud up but never getting any rain, like getting snow on the ground and no snow day. What some people complained about and dreaded going to was something I had grown to enjoy and tend to miss now. After spending four short years in the same routine, going to the same place, seeing my same close friends every day I really learned to enjoy what is happening because it seems like it is there and gone. To me it was really one of those things you could say â€Å"don’t blink because you might miss it.† My first day of high school wasn’t one of those days that hit me as being scary. Although there were many new people, a much bigger building, and only a few friends you could talk to from junior high. For some reason you just really feel a jump in your ego when you walk through those doors. Trying to find a new class room in five minutes was about the hardest thing that day, although as mean as some of them looked, all you had to do was ask an upper classman and you would know right where to go. I was able to make many new friends in high school. Some of them lasting a couple weeks, some maybe through that year, and a few that are still close friends today. Once in my sophomore year I realized that best friends do actually exist. After meeting him in football we started doing everything together. Having somebody to go to and talk with throughout high school was probably the biggest help of all. The years seemed to be flying by, it felt as if the days couldn’t get any longer, but the year itself would be there and gone. My friends and I were growing closer and closer as the weeks went by joining clubs and playing sports just because one another were in them. After sophomore year we all started getting our licenses this was the coolest thing ever, we got the feeling of being free, cruising around together after school and on weekends. Now, half way through the summer leading to our junior year, I had just turned 16. To me this was one of the biggest years of school. I had met some of the best people in my life that are still in it today. I was still hanging out with some really close friends, made another good friend that moved in by me, and found that high school sweet heart, well for that year at least. Finally the big year for me, coming into my senior year and I was already beginning to think about all the friends I wasn’t going to see after that one short year was over. It was getting hard watching everybody pick out a college or university and knowing that we were all going to moving away way to soon. I had joined a work program to give me half days so that I could now afford to drive my truck. Only going to school for five hours a day was making the time really fly by. I was so ready to get through one thing this year though. For the past three years I had been to play with the school band for the upper classes, but finally it was my turn to hear the music. May 20th, 2012. One of the most impacting days of my whole life. I was finally here, we made it. After a long morning of preparation, deciding on the right outfit and taking hundreds of pictures we were finally on our drive there. As our name cards were passed out we lined up next to our closes friends. The one major time I have felt this feeling, we came through a curtain and entered the biggest room I’ve ever seen packed full of cheering parents, finally it was here, graduation. It had come and gone so fast leading me through some of the best life lessons and bringing me to some of my best friends. It seemed like those few hours we were all cracking jokes and trying to laugh just to cover up our real emotions, at least I know I was, after entering this room I was really starting to realize how much I would miss all these people. It came time for me to move away. With my parents and best friend by my side to support me and help me off to college I was finally on my way. High school was now gone and college was here to offer its eye opener, much more homework, many more papers, and much more effort required. It was time for me to learn how to live on my own and support myself. I can’t say this has been one of the easiest tasks to overcome, just getting past the fact of being away from everyone I grew up with and all my close friends. I still talk to most of these people all though it will never be the same as going to school with them every day. All in that one day it was there and gone, I’m glad I didn’t blink because I just might have missed it.

Environment Threat and Opportunity Profile

ENVIRONMENT THREAT AND OPPORTUNITY PROFILE (ETOP) : ENVIRONMENT THREAT AND OPPORTUNITY PROFILE (ETOP) A VIEW FROM:-Anish CONTENT : CONTENT Definition of environment Overview of environment scanning Techniques of environment scanning DEFINITION : DEFINITION Environment means the surroundings, external objects, influences or circumstances under which someone or some thing exits. ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING : ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING Environmental scanning is a process of gathering, analyzing, and dispensing information for tactical or strategic purposes.TECHNIQUES OF ENVIRONMENT SCANNING : TECHNIQUES OF ENVIRONMENT SCANNING SWOT ETOP ETOP : ETOP It is a process of dividing the environment into different sectors and then analyzing the impact of each sector on the organization. ETOP FOR BICYCLE COMPANY : ETOP FOR BICYCLE COMPANY CONCLUSION : CONCLUSION ETOP provides a clear picture to the strategists about which sectors & different factors in each sector, have a favorable impact on the orga nization.Organisational Capability Analysis †¢Internal Environment -strength & weakness in different functional areas Organization capability -Capacity & ability to use distinctive competencies to excel in a particular field -Abilty to use its ‘S’& ‘W’to exploit ‘O’& face ‘T’in its external environment Organization resources – Physical & Human cost, availability -strength / weakness Organization behaviour Identity & character of an organizationleadership, Mgt.Philosophy, values, culture, Qly of work environment, Organization climate, organization politics etc. ResourceBehaviour Distinctive competence -Any advantage a company has over its competitor -it can do something which they cannot or can do better -opportunity for an organization to capitalize -low cost, Superior Quality, R&D skills METHODS & TECHNIQUES USED FOR ORGANIZATIONAL APPRAISAL Comprehensive, long term Financial Analysis -R atio Analysis, EVA, ABCKey factor rating -Rating of different factors through different questions Value chain analysis VRIO framework BCG, GE Matrix , PIMS, McKinsey 7S Balanced Scorecard Competitive Advantage Profile Strategic Advantage profile Internal Factor Analysis Summary Organizational Capability Profile (OCP) -Weakness(-5), Normal(0), Strength(5) Financial Capability Profile Sources of funds (b) Usage of funds (c) Management of funds Marketing Capability Profile (a) Product related (b) Price related (c) Promotion related (d) Integrative & Systematic

Elder Abuse Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Elder Abuse - Assignment Example The impact that physical and emotional abuses have on old persons exacerbate the process of aging and the diseases that accompany the process. This complicates the ability of elders to leave the abusive relationship. Kinship obligations and use of extended family to resolve emerging issues complicate the resolution of abuses, especially if the victim is a woman. This paper is a case analysis of Harriet Fields case of elder abuse. Case Analysis A Summary of the Facts in the Case The case centres on elder abuse. The case is about Harriet Fields, an 88-year-old widow. Mrs. Fields lives with her son, Bernard, who is 55 years old and has lived with his mother all his life. Bernard has been unsuccessful in finding work, partly because he is unenthusiastic about it and because of his age. Mrs. Fields’ advanced age restrains her from undertaking many activities; this has contributed to her growing isolation from the rest of society. She no longer attends church services regardless of her strong religiosity (Payne, 2005). This prompted her pastor to visit her monthly. At some stage in the visits, the pastor became aware of Mrs. Fields’ injuries, which she had sustained from physical abuse by her son, Bernard. However, this was not an isolated incident as Mrs. Fields had been suffering successive physical abuse. She had not sought medical attention nor reported the incidences to the authorities. The pastor sought help from protective service workers, an unpleasant decision to Mrs Fields. Mrs. Fields’ case exhibited a lack of caregiver support. Mrs. Fields is also neglected as exhibited by unkemptness. She was also suffering from the diseases associated with aging such as poor vision and hearing capability (Payne, 2008). The protective officers notified the nurse and the police who visited her and offered her attention. Mrs. Fields was less enthusiastic about the recommendations of the police and the nurse. On confronting Bernard, the protection offic er learnt that he was unapologetic, blaming it all on her provocation. Mrs. Fields’ elderly relatives were also defensive of Bernard’s actions by dispelling accusations that he was an alcoholic. Main Problems in the case The problems highlighted by the case encompass abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Bernard subjected his mother to physical abuse and financial exploitation as well as mistreatment. In addition, Bernard subjects her to emotional abuse arising from verbal attacks and threats, which degrade and humiliate her (Grande, 2004). Mrs. Fields’ life also manifests abandonment fueled by loneliness and self-neglect whereby she disregards personal hygiene and health care. Her own actions or inactions such as unwillingness to seek medical care manifest self-harm and endangerment (Payne, 2005). Isolation aggravated the risk to abuse since Mrs. Fields kept a low social profile thus making the abuse go unnoticed. How the two theories explain the problems and the n eeds Feminist theory Feminist perspectives explain and respond to oppressive positions of women in most societies. Feminist perspectives delve more in increasing consciousness on women’s roles and positions. Feminist ideas lean towards radical transformation in societies (Payne, 2008). Feminists hold that social and institutional factors shape the positions of women in a patriarchal society. Feminists believe that the patriarchal society manifests increased domination in terms of privilege and empowerment of men. The provision of varying insights depending on the feminist premises yields different types of feminism, which are diverse, competing, and often contradictory (Grande, 2004). The five key feminist theoretical perspectives include liberal