Terrorism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Terrorism - Research Paper Example He enrolled at North Carolina A& T University and graduated in 1986 (US Department of Defense, 2006). Mohammed was charged in America for his attempt to blow up planes across the Pacific. However, Mohammed got away from the FBI and later joined Al Qaeda. Mohammed was captured in Pakistan, in 2003, and held in various secret locations. In 2006, together with other â€Å"high value† captives, they were moved to Guantanamo bay in Cuba. Mohammed’s alleged offenses included destruction of property, conspiracy, attacking civilians causing bodily harm intentionally and murder in violation of the law, hijacking a vessel and aircraft, and lastly providing material support for terrorism. In the Bush Administration era, the case provided motivation for pursuing Mohammed as a commitment to the War on Terror. In Obama’s 2008 election pledge, there were promises to close Guantanamo Bay. However, this has been difficult due to security fears and opposition from his opponents. E vidence against Mohammed mainly stems from information stored in computer drives. The computer drives allegedly held incriminating evidence about detailed plans on how to hijack and attack planes. Additionally, they obtained photographs of the nineteen conspirators of the 9/11 attacks, letters from Osama bin Laden and other documents pointing to his direct role in organizing the attacks. In a Combatant Status Review, he confessed of his involvement. Military commissions were stopped temporarily so that detainees could be prosecuted in federal courts (Elsea, 2009). Military commissions would still be allowed to deal with various terrorism cases; nevertheless, the administration favored federal criminal courts. The procedure governing criminal cases is defined in Title 18 of the U.S code. Judgment under federal courts follows clearly laid down guidelines. Federal courts are independent of the other arms of government; military tribunal can be influenced by executive orders. Their deci sions are less influenced by politics; President Obama instituted a board to oversee terrorism cases while suspects were held indefinitely (Lizner, 2009). The review of these cases occurs outside the court with no self-regulating evaluation. Pros of Utilizing Military Tribunal Military commissions do not have to give Miranda warnings; for federal courts, Miranda rights should be mentioned for the admissibility of confessions. Normally, military tribunals and federal court have open proceedings. However, the military tribunals have more closed proceedings than federal courts. Equally, military tribunals can forbid the transmission of sensitive information especially with issues to do with national security. Military tribunals have the authorization to establish their own jurisdiction for offenses punishable under the Military Commissions Act MCA or the law of war for alien, enemy combatants (Elsea, 2009). Pros of Using Federal Courts in Trying Terrorism Suspects Federal courts use lo ng established rules, as opposed to military commissions. This avoids litigation risks and promotes cooperation among suspects. In addition, the scope covered by federal courts is much wider than under Military Tribunals; in case of American citizens, the possibility of trial in Military Tribunals diminishes. Similarly, lone wolf terrorists can be tried in federal

Career Opportunities with Commerce Education Essay Example for Free

Career Opportunities with Commerce Education Essay Commerce Education As a stream of study, Commerce can be studied right after 10 years of schooling. After the 10 years of schooling commerce is available as an option in 10+2 or the Higher Secondary level. This paves the way for higher studies in commerce related subjects. The undergraduate and postgraduate Education in Commerce is offered at University departments and colleges spread all across the country. Specializations are offered at post graduate and at research levels. A number of subjects can be studied under disciplines of Commerce in conjugation like; accountancy, economics, mathematics, business, finance etc. Most commerce colleges in India offer the following subjects: Business economics: This would cover concepts like the laws of demand and supply, law of returns, elasticity, theory of pricing under different market forms etc. Financial accounting: This subject would deal with the preparation of profit and loss statements, balance sheets and final accounts of a company, knowledge of Indian and international accounting standards, calculation of depreciation and valuation of shares and goodwill of a company. Cost accounting: This would include process, Job and contract costing, costing of overheads, standard nd variance costing and budgetary control. Income tax: This would encompass the nature and basis of charge of income tax, tax planning, tax deduction, incomes not taxable etc. Business finance: This would include in its scope financial analysis as a diagnostic tool, the management of working capital and its components as well as capital structure leverages. Business law: This subject would discuss the different laws in India relating to, among others, the Companies Act and the Consumer Protection Act. Programs Offer in Commerce Education S. No. Traditional Programs: Following study programs are offered by different niversity departments and colleges in India. 1 Intermediate in Commerce (Class X): This is the preliminary stage (senior secondary level) where students get basics of commerce education. This is a two year course offered by various central boards (viz. CBSE, ICSE), state boards and councils. 2 Eligibility Criteria: A candidate must have completed 15 years of age and 10 years of schooling during the time of admission for this program. 3 Under Graduate (UG) Programs: In general, B. Com. (Bachelor of Commerce) is awarded under this program. There may be two options. One can simply take up 3Com as a pass course or can take up with honours. Eligibility Criteria: A candidate must have completed 17 years of age and 12 years of schooling during the time of admission for this program. Candidate also requires fulfilling the eligibility criteria laid by the University / Institutions / Departments in which he / she seek admission. 5 Post Graduate (PG) Program: In general, M. Com. (Master of Commerce) in relevant discipline is awarded under this program. One has to choose candidate must have completed Bachelors Degree during the time of admission. He / she also require fulfilling the eligibility criteria laid by the university department in which admission is sought. Master of Philosophy (M. Phil. ): This is pre doctoral program offered by various university departments. Generally admission to this program is offered on the basis of Interview and past academic record. 8 Eligibility Criteria: This program is offered to candidates who shows research aptitude and who have good academic record. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into this program is M.

Causes And Contributing Factors Of Heat Waves Engineering Essay

Causes And Contributing Factors Of Heat Waves Engineering Essay Basically there are two types of heat waves. Dry heat waves often bring clear skies and large input of solar radiation, which usually occur in locations with a continental or Mediterranean climate. Moist heat waves have characteristically very warm humid conditions during day and night with a large amount of cloud coverage. These usually occur in mid-latitude temperate and maritime climates. The main cause of heat waves are high pressure systems, located in the midlevel/higher troposphere, which remain over a location for a prolonged time. Under pressure the air subsides and sinks towards the surface, compressing the air at the surface causing the temperature to rise. This sinking creates a dome with winds blowing outward, trapping the heat inside and disallowing mixing with other weather potentially cooling the surface. When the air sinks from a high pressure system, heat is unable to rise and cumulus clouds cannot be formed. In this way the area will not be cooled by rain solar radiation directly hits the surface, resulting in a building temperature. Another important factor in the formation of heat waves is the location of the jet streams. Jet streams are narrow, fast flowing air currents near the tropopause formed by the earths rotation and atmospheric heating. During a heat wave, a jet stream lies above an affected area disallowing transported polar air mass to cool the area. Heat wave are also seasonally bound because of a slower, meandering jet stream during summertime. Jet streams are formed by change in temperature between colliding Arctic and tropical air masses, which are weaker during summer causing it to slow down. A slower jet stream causes less change in weather patterns, therefore increasing stationary weather conditions explaining why heat waves occur during summer. Furthermore, land-atmosphere coupling is found to increase mean, maximum as well the minimum temperatures averaged over warm summers. Research by Fischer et al (2007) indicates the very important role of dry soils in driving/enhancing heat wave episodes in 1976, 2003, and 2005. In addition, when vertical mixing of air is weak due to the sinking air, it produces strong stability and the continuance of humidity near the surface. Landscapes with surfaces that hold heat can amplify the effect of a heat wave. The urban heat island effect is the phenomenon whereby urban regions experience warmer temperatures than their rural surroundings. The annual mean air temperature of a city with one million or more people can be 1 to 3 °C warmer than its surroundings, and on a clear, calm night, this temperature difference can be as much as 12 °C (Oke, T.R, 1997) Based on the characteristics heat waves are more likely to occur in locations with high variable summer climate or clear hot seasons. Climate change and heatwaves: Some researchers link climate change to the increased frequency and intensity of meteorological event as wind storms, prolonged drought, cold spells and heat waves. Recent observational studies have demonstrated that the frequency of hot summer days and heat waves over Europe has increased in recent decades along with an enhanced variability of interannual and daily summer temperatures (Klein Tank et al. 2002). Results demonstrate that the European summer climate might experience an increase in year-to-year variability in response to greenhouse-gas forcing. Such an increase in variability might be able to explain the unusual European summer 2003, and would strongly affect the incidence of heat waves and droughts in the future. According to research from CO2 doubling would lead to an increase by 10 °C in average temperature in the a 1-in-20-yr heat wave event in the Great Lakes. This heat wave, lasting 5 days with intensity range of between 28 ° and 34 °C under present day conditions, would become 38 °C to 44 °C when CO2 doubles. The research also shows similar changes due to CO2 doubling in the Czech Republic, Eastern China and South-West France (Clark et al in 2006). Furthermore models indicate that there is a shift towards warmer and dryer climates with less soil moisture and could be connected to the increased amount of recent heat waves. The growing season is extended by warmer springs increasing the amount of soil water uptake by vegetation. (Seneviratne et al, 2006). In addition the physical processes that characterized the 2003 heat wave such as soil moisture depletion and the positive feedback on summer temperatures, and the lack of rainfall in many parts of the continent that generally occur from June September, are projected to occur with greater frequency in the future. Another consequence of climate change is the Arctic amplification, the faster rate at which the Arctic warms compared to the rest of the world. Also recent analysis of North American and North Atlantic atmospheric data from 1971-2010 found that this amplification makes the jet stream slower and wavier. As a result, blocking events become more likely. (Francis, Vivrus, 2012) The numerous factors contributing to the formation and intensification of heat waves seem to increase in the future. IPCC states that for the next two decades, a warming of about 0.2 °C per decade is projected for a range of emission scenarios. Even if the concentrations of all greenhouse gases and aerosols had been kept constant at year 2000 levels, a further warming of about 0.1 °C per decade would be expected. Continued greenhouse gas emissions at or above current rates would cause further warming and induce many changes in the global climate system during the 21st century that would very likely be larger than those observed during the 20th century. Lastly, anthropogenic warming and sea level rise would continue for centuries because of climate processes and feedbacks, even if greenhouse gas concentrations were stabilized.  (IPCC, 2007) The processes driving the variability changes are different for the three components but generally relate to enhanced land-atmosphere coupling and/or increased variability of surface net radiation, accompanied by a strong reduction of cloudiness, atmospheric circulation changes and a progressive depletion of soil moisture within the summer season. Warm climate. Seasonal Summer Low latitude (but not necessarily) High pressure systems, especially if relatively stationary Little/no rain Little/no cloud cover. Dry land Dark landscape with surfaces that hold heat asphalt, rock, concrete. There are generally four factors contributing to the formation of a heat wave. First the location of the jet stream, which should be above the affected area. Jet streams are narrow air currents flowing in the upper troposphere and tropopause. The northern and southern hemisphere both experience jet streams, and exist because of a combination of the earths rotation and a , which is a fast flowing stream of air currents near the tropopause, should be above the affected area, so polar air masses are not able to reach the region. Second, a high pressure system The first involves the location of the jetstream.   It should be above the affected area disallowing polar air masses to reach the region.   Second, a high-pressure system may exist permitting the surface to be heated in the absence of moisture.   A third related factor is a dry ground, which facilitates the heating of the surface.   The fourth and final factor is the amount of vertical mixing of the air.   Specifically, weak vertical mixing produces strong stability and the continuance of humidity near the surface.   The main cause is a high pressure area, located in the midlevel/higher troposphere, which strengthens and remains over a location for a prolonged time. This is common in summer in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres because of the jet stream following the sun. The jet stream Summertime weather patterns are generally slower to change than in winter. As a result, this mid-level high pressure also moves slowly. Under high pressure, the air subsides (sinks) toward the surface. This sinking air acts as a dome capping the atmosphere. Heat waves can be caused by various different weather conditions but the main cause is when an area of high pressure becomes stationary over a location. Due to the high pressure, other weather conditions cannot dissipate the heat and therefore the ground and the air become much hotter than would normally be recorded. The high pressure discourages cloud cover meaning the sun is constantly heating the location during the day and the pressure in the air stops wind currents moving the heat on. The atmospheric pressure systems that control the local weather are made up of areas of high pressure and areas of low pressure. These move around and bring with them various weather conditions. In an area of high pressure, the air from the atmosphere is at a higher pressure than the air around that location. This causes drier air and blue skies. When this area of high pressure becomes stationary over a global position, that area experiences cloudless skies and rises in day time temperature. The longer the high pressure is stationary, the larger the rise in temperature as other weather conditions, such as rain or wind, are unable to enter the environment and cool these temperatures. There are however other causes of heat waves, but the important point is that other weather conditions are unable to enter the location and cool the temperature. Desert winds can cause heat waves as they naturally blow warm air into cooler areas. If this location, either due to seasonal or geographic reasons is unable to cool the temperature, the area will experience a heat wave. There usually are four atmospheric conditions necessary in forming a heatwave, although they do not have to occur at the same time. At first, a The first involves the location of the jetstream.   It should be above the affected area disallowing polar air masses to reach the region.   Second, a high-pressure system may exist generally to the east permitting the surface to be heated in the absence of moisture.   A third related factor is a dry ground, which facilitates the heating of the surface.   The fourth and final factor is the amount of vertical mixing of the air.   Specifically, weak vertical mixing produces strong stability and the continuance of humidity near the surface.   Mainly because an area of high atmospheric pressure becomes stationary over a location. The high pressure prohib A heat wave is in effect when a location has excessively high temperatures, compared to normal, for a prolonged period of time. Warm climate. Seasonal Summer Low latitude (but not necessarily) High pressure systems, especially if relatively stationary Little/no rain Little/no cloud cover. Dry land Dark landscape with surfaces that hold heat asphalt, rock, concrete. Modeling Northern Hemisphere Summer Heat Extreme Changes and Their Uncertainties Using a Physics Ensemble of Climate Sensitivity Experiments) ROBIN T. CLARK, SIMON J. BROWN, AND JAMES M. MURPHY Severe and Hazardous Weather: An Introduction to High Impact Meteorology  (Bob Rauber, John Walsh, Donna Charlevois Seneviratne S, Là ¼thi D, Litschi M, Schà ¤r C. Land-atmosphere coupling and climate change in Europe.  Nature  [serial online]. September 14, 2006;443(7108):205-209.

Mike Roses I Just Wanna Be Average Essay -- Report French Commission

Comparing Mike Rose's I Just Wanna Be Average and the â€Å"Report of the French Commission on American Education, 1879' Mike Rose's I Just Wanna Be Average essay sheds light on troubled youth within the public school system. It makes you long for the days of American pride and service. Students placed in â€Å"tracks'; to utilize overcrowded and faulty test systems. Identity lost due to poor instruction and lack of motivation. The influx of shattered images brought forth by the â€Å"Report of the French Commission on American Education, 1879'; reminds us of a time long ago when education was for every child, not select few. Stoic instructors molding young minds in the quest to advance America as a whole. Civic pride and duty were influencing every aspect of American education. Both essays draw from the influence of education into the societal path into American mainstream society. Each school system is influenced by thoughts of bettering youth, but in much opposite ends of the spectrum. The French commission stated that the youth of America were offered the same curriculum in the hopes to form a united, equal society. America, as seen by the French, was a land of golden opportunities available to every child regardless of social standing. It was the basis for our country to survive. It safeguarded our standing in the world. Mike Rose’s school offered quite the opposite. It was a haven for long standing views on school being selective as to whom actually deserved the educa...

Two Explanations of Depression

Describe and evaluate two psychological explanations of depression. (25 marks) There have been several psychoanalytical theories of depression; there is no objective view of depression. However, centre to all these different theories is the idea that unconscious forces and experiences during early childhood contribute to the development of depression in adult life. The first theory that will be looked at is, Sigmund Fraud’s theory, based on his 1917 essay ‘Mourning and Melancholia’. Here, Fraud related depression back to the Oral stage of development during childhood.The Oral stage, according to Fraud, this is the first of several psychosexual stages through which human infants develop towards maturity. It is characterised by dependency on their caregiver. It is possible to become fixated (stuck) at any one of these stages and this has consequences for later development. Fixation can occur as the result of either over-or under-gratification. This very dependant na ture makes them particularly venerable to depression in their adult life. They spend energy, money and more looking for love and attention and approval of others, this could lead to anger if their needs aren’t met.However, this anger is directed inwardly, at themselves instead of at others. An example of this is with the loss of a loved one, their anger is directed inwardly at the loss of their loved one, regressing back to the Oral stage. Fraud also distinguished between actual loss, in the case of the loss of a loved one and symbolic loss, loss of a job. However, both do lead to depression, as the individual re-experiences a childhood episode when they experienced loss of affection from a caregiver. There has also been a link between Low self-esteem and depression.Bibring’s psychodynamic theory (1965) stated that low self-esteem brought about by a harsh and critical upbringing could result in depression. This perfectionist parenting style can produce a wide inconsist ency between the child’s true nature and its ideal nature, the individual fails to live up to his/her unrealistic ego-ideal. This supports the theory that fixation on a childhood stage or experience can lead to depression later in life. According to Fraud, in order to avoid loss turning into depression, the individual needs to engage in a period of mourning, work, during which s/he recalls memories of the lost one.This allows the individual to separate him/herself from the lost person, and so reduces the inner-directed anger. However, individuals very dependent on others for their sense of self-esteem may be unable to do this, and so remain extremely depressed. There is some evidence for the idea that a set of dependant personality traits characterise people with depression. However, these traits appear to fluctuate with the level of depression so they might be an effect of the disorder rather than a causal factor. There is also support for the idea that the loss of a parent to death or divorce can be linked to later depression (Bifulco et al. 1987). Further research has shown that depressed people tend to be more aggressive than a control group of people who don’t suffer from depression. The strengths of the psychodynamic approach to depression are that, firstly, there is further empirical support provided by Waller et al (2000). Men who had lost their fathers during childhood scored higher on a depression scale than those fathers who had not died. Furthermore, Bifulco (1992) found evidence that children whose mothers died in childhood were more likely to experience depression later in life.This suggests that there is wider academic credibility for the idea of depression being caused by psychological factors. On the other hand, one weakness of Fraud’s expression is that there is contradictory evidence by Cooper et al (1992). Loss probably explains only a relatively small percentage of cases of depression – only about 10% of those w ho experience early loss later become depressed. This produces refuting evidence for depression being caused by psychodynamic explanations. Another weakness of Fraud’s theory is that there are methodological problems.The associated therapy (psychoanalysis) has not proven very effective with treating depression (Comer, 2002). This may be because of the difficulty depressed patients having in communicating during psychoanalysis; this proves that psychoanalysis is not always affective. Finally, Fraud’s theory is psychologically deterministic. The reason for this is because Fraud suggests that depression occurs due to a dominant superego. However, just because an individual’s superego is dominant, doesn’t mean that they will develop depression. This suggests that Freud’s theory does not take into consideration freewill.Another psychological explanation of depression is the cognitive approach. Beck (1967) was struck by the negative thinking shown by dep ressed clients and developed his own explanation. Here, he suggested that depressed is the depression is the result of negative thinking and catastrophising, which he called ‘cognitive errors’, Beck (1991) believes that depression is a disorder of thought, rather than of mood, he maintained that there are three components to depression, which he called the cognitive triad. This consisted of negative and pessimistic thoughts about themselves, the world and their future.In addition to the cognitive triad, Beck believed that depression prone individuals develop negative self-schema. They possess a set of beliefs and expectations about themselves that are essentially negative and pessimistic. He identified this as being routed to an early traumatic childhood event. E. g. Death of a parent or sibling, parental rejection, criticism, overprotection or neglect. It could also be due to bullying. People with negative self schemas become prone to making logical errors in their thi nking and they tend to focus selectively on certain aspects of a situation while ignoring equal relevant information.Beck referred to these errors as ‘cognitive distortations’, including drawing conclusions under the basis of sufficient or irrelevant information. E. g. feeling worthless because the weather disturbed your plans to go to a concert. He called this arbitrary interference. Others include selective abstraction. This is focusing on a single aspect of a situation and ignoring others: E. g. you feel responsible for your team losing a match, even though you are simply one player on the field. Thirdly, is overgeneralisation.This is making a sweeping conclusion on the basis of single event. Others include magnification and minimisation, as well as personalisation. Beck (1983) has modified his theory over the years and he now believes there are two types of negative schema that characterise depression: 1. Sociotropy-This relates to interpersonal relationships, and i ndividuals with this type of negative schema perceive themselves as failing at relationships. Their core belief could be something like, ‘If I am not liked by everyone, I am worthless’ 2.Autonomy-This relates to personal achievement, and individuals with this type of negative schema perceive themselves as failing to achieve work- or study-related goals. Their core belief could be something like, ‘If I am not successful and in control, I am worthless’. Cognitive theories of depression have been extremely influential and have stimulated huge amounts of research that have contributed to our understanding of the disorder and how to treat it. They have given rise to a range of therapies and, on the whole, these seem to have been very helpful for people with depression. Beck’s later idea that ndividual personality differences can predict the type of event that triggers depression could be used to explain some of the different symptoms sub-type. However, it is difficult to determine the next extent to which distorted cognitive patterns cause depression. Numerous studies have shown that depressed people do indeed show more negative thinking than the control groups. However, as yet there is no convincing evidence that such thinking precedes a depressive episode. It seems likely that negative thinking is a consequence of depression and that it might well serve to maintain the disorder rather than explain its origins.One strength of the cognitive approach is that it has practical applications provided by Butler and Beck (2000). They reviewed 14 meta-analyses investigating the effectiveness of Beck’s cognitive therapy and concluded that about 80% of adults benefited from the therapy. It was also found that the therapy was more successful than drug therapy and had a lower relapse rate; supporting the proposition that depression has a cognitive basis. This suggested that knowledge of the cognitive explanation can improve the quality o f people’s lives.A major criticism of the cognitive explanation is that there is contradictory evidence from Lewinsohn (1981). He studied a group of participants before any of them became depressed, and found that those who later become depressed were no more likely to have negative thoughts than those who did not develop depression. This suggests that hopeless and negative thinking may be the result of depression rather than the cause of it. Another criticism is that it is reductionist. It doesn’t regard other factors as responsible for depression, but focuses on the psychological approach to depression.A final weakness is that the psychological explanation of depression is psychologically deterministic. This is because the information suggests that individuals with no social network will become depressed. In reality, this is not always true. If the individual did want a group of friends, then they could get them. This suggests that this explanation does not for freew ill. In conclusion, we have seen two different psychological explanations, one is Fraud’s psychodynamic approach, and the other is the cognitive approach. Both identify depression as underlying from a psychological problem.

The Typical Practices Employed by Chinese Companies in Africa

The Typical Practices Employed by Chinese Companies in Africa Introduction China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In the last three decades, China experienced a rapid growth in its gross domestic product (GDP). This growth was characterized by a rapid expansion of both domestic and foreign companies in China. The companies focused on serving all market segments in order to increase their revenues. This has led to the saturation of most industries in China.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Typical Practices Employed by Chinese Companies in Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, most Chinese companies have had to look for alternative investment destinations. In this regard, Chinese firms have embarked on overseas investments through acquisitions and foreign direct investments (Mobius 2011). Africa is one of the destinations that have benefited from the Chinese companies’ growth plans. Even though the Chinese companies that are operati ng in Africa have contributed to economic growth, their operations have always been associated with malpractices such as poor pay. This paper sheds light on the practices that have been employed by the Chinese companies in Africa. The Practices of Chinese Companies in Africa Chinese companies have always been associated with labor malpractices in Africa. Such malpractices include poor pay, long shifts and physical harassment of employees. Workers in Chinese companies often complain of deplorable work environments and exposure to health hazards. These allegations are likely to be true since most of them are based on empirical research findings. However, the occurrence of these malpractices varies from country to country (Polgreen French 2007). Chinese companies can be found in nearly all African countries. However, complains about labor malpractices or unethical behavior are common in countries with weak governance systems. For example, Zimbabwe is led by a dictatorial regime that h as little regard for its citizens’ welfare. Consequently, the government has never taken any disciplinary action on the Chinese companies. On the country, Chinese companies in stable countries such as Kenya and South Africa have hardly been accused of any unethical behavior. Thus, the unethical behaviors of the Chinese companies can be attributed to poor governance in specific countries in Africa. For instance, corruption is one of the factors that prevent most African countries from taking disciplinary action against Chinese companies.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is apparent that not all Chinese companies usually engage in malpractices in Africa. Generally, cases of unethical behavior are common among companies that are operating in labor intensive industries such as the mining sector (Polgreen French 2007). For example, in Zimbabwe the complaints w ere raised against a Chinese construction company. This can be attributed to the fact that workers in this sector lack adequate education. Thus, they often tolerate the Chinese malpractices in order to protect their jobs. Finally, the malpractices can be attributed to the business culture of the Chinese companies. Long shifts are common in China where the Confucianism philosophy encourages hard work. Africa’s Attractiveness to Chinese Companies The factors that have contributed to the increase in the number of Chinese companies in Africa include the following. First, the demand for commodities such as oil, gold and copper is very high in China due to the rapid growth of its economy (Mobius 2011). The rapid growth in the country’s population has also increased the demand for foodstuffs. Africa has adequate land for food production. Additionally, it is rich in various minerals and raw materials. Consequently, Chinese companies are moving to Africa in order to extract min erals and raw materials. Moreover, they are interested in importing agricultural produce from Africa. Nearly 80% of exports from Africa to China are raw materials and agricultural produce. The Chinese government has negotiated trade agreements with over 45 African countries in order to facilitate exportation of commodities from Africa to China. Second, most African leaders have focused on establishing close relationships with the Chinese government. African leaders believe that they can learn important lessons from China in regard to development. The Chinese government has embarked on supporting African states by financing the construction of infrastructure such as roads, ports and railway systems. These facilities are often constructed by the Chinese companies since African firms lack the capacity to construct them. This explains the sharp increase in the number of Chinese construction companies in Africa. Third, positive economic growth in Africa has presented growth opportunities to Chinese companies. Disposable income in Africa has been rising steadily in the last decade. Moreover, the expansion of the manufacturing and agricultural sectors has increased the demand for machines and equipment in Africa. China has been able to produce cheap machines and consumer goods (Etzkowitz 2011, pp. 76-90).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Typical Practices Employed by Chinese Companies in Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Hence, most African countries are importing machines and equipment from China. Most Chinese producers are relocating to Africa in order to improve the competitiveness of their products by eliminating exportation costs. Some companies have established retail outlets in Africa in order to maintain full control of their products and services. Fourth, China is interested in investing its foreign reserves in different economies in order to avoid the risks associated with investin g in one economy. The Chinese government has focused on giving credit to African countries at relatively low interest rates. The loans are normally processed by Chinese banks. This has led to an increase in the number of Chinese banks in Africa. Finally, tourism has attracted several Chinese companies to Africa (WTO 2010, pp. 1-51). The African continent has some of the best tourism destinations in the world. However, African firms lack the capital and the technology to serve the tourism industry. The Chinese companies have taken advantage of this situation by increasing their investments in Africa’s tourism industry. For instance, Chinese restaurants can be found in nearly all capital cities in Africa. Moreover, Chinese airlines are operating in nearly all major cities in Africa. Staffing Strategies Ethnocentric Staffing Strategy In this strategy, the holders of key positions in an overseas subsidiary of a multinational corporation are recruited from the company’s par ent country. This means that the managers of the subsidiary will be expatriates. The local citizens, on the other hand, are expected to fill the non-managerial positions. The advantages of this strategy include the following. To begin with, it enables managers to transfer the headquarters’ business culture to overseas subsidiaries in order to prevent cultural conflicts. Managers from the parent country are likely to have a better understanding of the headquarters’ organizational structure than local citizens. In this regard, employing expatriates facilitates implementation of the policies that are formulated by the company’s headquarters. The ethnocentric staffing strategy promotes effective communication between the company’s headquarters and the overseas subsidiaries (Bechet 2008, p. 123). This is because the expatriate managers are likely to have a good command of the language that is used at the headquarters.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For example, most Chinese companies in Africa employ Chinese managers because most Africans have little knowledge of the languages that are used in China. The ethnocentric staffing strategy is important in economies with inadequate supply of talented or skilled employees. In this case, employing expatriates will enable the company to save the cost of training the locals before employing them. Finally, employing expatriates enables the headquarters to maintain its control of the subsidiaries. Despite its benefits, the ethnocentric staffing strategy has the following disadvantages. To begin with, it limits the career growth opportunities of local managers because the top positions must be filled by expatriates (Bechet 2008, p. 126). This can cause dissatisfaction and a high turnover rate in the company. The strategy also interferes with the private lives of the expatriates. For example, they might be separated from their families for a very long time. Finally, expatriates from the par ent country are often insensitive to the expectations of the host country employees. This can create tensions and high dissatisfaction among employees. Polycentric Staffing Strategy In this strategy, citizens of the host country are employed to manage the overseas subsidiary of a multinational corporation. Expatriates are hardly given the responsibility of managing overseas subsidiaries. The advantages of this approach include the following. First, it helps in eliminating language barriers that normally occur when expatriates are sent to overseas subsidiaries (Bechet 2008, p. 127). Second, employing the nationals of the host country is less expensive as compared to hiring expatriates. Third, it promotes career growth among the nationals of the host country. This helps in enhancing staff commitment and loyalty. The disadvantages of this strategy include the following. First, maintaining effective communication between the headquarters and the subsidiary can be difficult due to langua ge barriers. Second, the headquarters is likely to lose control of the subsidiary if the employees from the host country have weak links with the head-office (Bechet 2008, p. 128). Finally, the polycentric strategy denies the employees the opportunity to gain international experience. Geocentric Staffing Strategy The application of this strategy involves filling key positions by promoting the best performing employees in the organization (Glasgow 2001, p. 45). The employees are promoted regardless of their nationality. The main advantage of this strategy is that it enables the company to create a pool of talented international managers. Its disadvantages include the following. To begin with, implementing the strategy can be difficult because the labor laws in the host country might require the company to hire the locals. It is also associated with high training and relocation costs. Region-centric Strategy In this strategy, employees are transferred to subsidiaries in a different co untry, but within the same region. The main advantage of this strategy is that it enables managers to compete for positions at the regional level. This promotes high productivity (Glasgow 2001, p. 46). However, it can be difficult to implement due to the high relocation costs that are associated with it. Diversity Management Approaches Diversity management initiatives facilitate cohesion in a multicultural workforce (Forbes 2012). However, most Chinese corporations that are operating in the African market do not consider diversity management as an important organizational function. Thus, most of them do not have a diversity management plan or strategy. The diversity management programs in most Chinese companies focus on conflict resolution. The companies normally establish conflict resolution committees whose members are drawn from various departments. These committees are responsible for handling any conflicts that might arise between the African employees and their Chinese counter parts. Recruiting African workers is one of the methods that the companies are using to promote diversity. They usually allocate a specific number of positions to Africans. The remaining positions are reserved for Chinese workers. Moreover, senior management positions are usually reserved for Chinese expatriates. In most cases, Chinese companies hire Africans in order to comply with labor laws rather than promoting diversity (Cooke Saini 2012, pp. 16-32). Generally, language barrier is the main factor that prevents Chinese companies from implementing diversity programs. In a nutshell, Africans and Chinese can not communicate easily since they hardly speak the same language. Hence, the Chinese companies prefer to employ their nationals. In some companies, diversity training programs are used to teach a common language that can be used by everyone in the company. Companies with effective diversity programs focus on succession planning. In this case, Africans who are expected to succe ed Chinese nationals are usually trained before they assume their positions. The trainings usually focus on the Chinese business culture and the language that is used in the company’s headquarters. Culture Shock The Chinese business culture is significantly different from that in Africa. Some of the distinctions between the two cultures and their effects on Chinese employees include the following. First, Africans focus on achieving organizational goals in the short term. The Chinese, on the other hand, focus on achieving the goals in the long term. The effect of this difference is that the Chinese employees often disagree with their African counterparts on the goals that should be achieved and the methods that must be used to achieve them. Second, Africans believe in a professional management system in which recruitments are based on qualifications (Cooke Saini 2012, pp. 16-32). The Chinese, on the other hand, believe that senior managers must be hired from the family that o wns the business. In this case, Chinese employees tend to disregard human resource policies that advocate for equal employment opportunity. Finally, most Africans are able to speak international languages such as English. However, most Chinese can not speak in English. In most African countries, English is the official language that is used to conduct business. Consequently, most Chinese workers find it difficult to give instructions or to understand feedbacks from African workers. Conclusion Chinese companies are joining the African market in order to increase their revenues. The factors that are attracting Chinese companies to Africa include availability of raw materials such as minerals and oil. Africa has a high demand for Chinese machines which are often cheap and easy to use. Additionally, the demand for consumer goods in Africa is always increasing. These factors make Africa an ideal investment destination for the Chinese companies. Even though Chinese companies have contribu ted to economic growth in Africa, they have also been accused of engaging in unethical business practices (Polgreen French 2007). Poor governance in Africa is one of the factors that encourage Chinese companies to engage in malpractices. Most Chinese companies use the ethnocentric staffing strategy. Consequently, they lack effective diversity management programs. References Bechet, T 2008, Strategic Staffing, McGraw-Hill, New York. Cooke, L Saini, D 2012, ‘Managing Diversity in Chinese and Indian Organizations’, Journal of Chinese Human Resource Management, vol. 3 no. 1, pp. 16-32. Etzkowitz, H 2012, ‘The Triple Helix: Science, Technology and the Entrepreneurial Spirit’, Journal of Knowledge-Based Innovation in China, vol. 3 no. 2, pp. 76-90. Forbes 2012, Global Diversity and Inclusion. Web. Glasgow, K 2001, A Strategic Model of Temporary Staffing, McGraw-Hill, New York. Mobius 2011, China’s Growing Presence in Africa. Web. Polgreen, L French, H 2 007, China’s Trade in Africa Carries a Price Tag. Web. WTO 2010, Study on Chinese Outbound Travel to Africa. Web.

A Guide to the Origins and Celebration of Kwanzaa

A Guide to the Origins and Celebration of Kwanzaa Unlike Christmas, Ramadan, or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is unaffiliated with a major religion. One of the newer American holidays, Kwanzaa originated in the turbulent 1960s to instill racial pride and unity in the black community. Now, fully recognized in mainstream America, Kwanzaa is widely celebrated. The U.S. Postal Service debuted its first Kwanzaa stamp in 1997, releasing a second commemorative stamp in 2004. In addition, former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush recognized the day while in office. But Kwanzaa has its share of critics, despite its mainstream status. Are you considering celebrating Kwanzaa this year? Discover the arguments for and against it, whether all blacks (and any non-blacks) celebrate it and the impact of Kwanzaa on American culture. What Is Kwanzaa? Established in 1966 by the African-American professor, activist and author Ron Karenga (or Maulana Karenga), Kwanzaa aims to reconnect black Americans to their African roots and recognize their struggles as a people by building community. It is observed every year between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Derived from the Swahili term, â€Å"matunda ya kwanza,† which means â€Å"first-fruits,† Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations such as the seven-day Umkhost of Zululand. According to the official Kwanzaa website, â€Å"Kwanzaa was created out of the philosophy of Kawaida, which is a cultural nationalist philosophy that argues that the key challenge in black people’s [lives] is the challenge of culture, and that what Africans must do is to discover and bring forth the best of their culture, both ancient and current, and use it as a foundation to bring into being models of human excellence and possibilities to enrich and expand our lives.† Just as many African harvest celebrations run for seven days, Kwanzaa has seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba. They are: umoja (unity); kujichagulia (self-determination); ujima (collective work and responsibility); ujamaa (cooperative economics); nia (purpose); kuumba (creativity); and imani (faith). Celebrating Kwanzaa During Kwanzaa celebrations, a mkeka (straw mat) rests on a table covered by kente cloth, or another African fabric. On top of the mkeka sits a kinara (candleholder) in which the mishumaa saba (seven candles) go. The colors of Kwanzaa are black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle, according to the official Kwanzaa website. Mazao (crops) and the kikombe cha umoja (the unity cup) also sit on the mkeka. The unity cup is used to pour tambiko (libation) in remembrance of ancestors. Lastly, African art objects and books about the life and culture of African people sit on the mat to symbolize commitment to heritage and learning. Do All Blacks Observe Kwanzaa? Although Kwanzaa celebrates African roots and culture, the National Retail Foundation found that just 13 percent of African Americans observe the holiday, or approximately 4.7 million. Some blacks have made a conscious decision to avoid the day because of religious beliefs, the origins of the day and the history of Kwanzaa’s founder (all of which will be covered later). If you’re curious about whether a black person in your life observes Kwanzaa because you want to get him or her a related card, gift, or another item, simply ask. Don’t make assumptions. Can Non-Blacks Celebrate Kwanzaa? While Kwanzaa focuses on the black community and African Diaspora, people from other racial groups may join in the celebration. Just as people from a range of backgrounds partake in cultural celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year or Native American powwows, those who aren’t of African descent may celebrate Kwanzaa. As the Kwanzaa Web site explains, â€Å"The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans must speak, not just to ourselves, but to the world.† New York Times  reporter Sewell Chan grew up celebrating the day. â€Å"As a child growing up in Queens, I remember attending Kwanzaa celebrations at the American Museum of Natural History with relatives and friends who, like me, were Chinese-American,† he  said. â€Å"The holiday seemed fun and inclusive (and, I admit, a bit exotic), and I eagerly committed to memory the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Check local newspaper listings, black churches, cultural centers or museums to find out where to celebrate Kwanzaa in your community. If an acquaintance of yours celebrates Kwanzaa, ask for permission to attend a celebration with her. However, it would be offensive to go as a voyeur who doesn’t care about the day itself but is curious to see what it’s about. Go because you agree with the principles of the day and are committed to implementing them in your own life and community. After all, Kwanzaa is a day of tremendous significance for millions of people. Objections to Kwanzaa Who opposes Kwanzaa? Certain Christian groups who regard the holiday as pagan, individuals who question its authenticity and those who object to founder Ron Karenga’s personal history. A group called the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND), for one, labeled the holiday as racist and anti-Christian. In an article in the self-avowed right-wing anti-muslim magazine FrontPage, BOND founder the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson takes issue with the trend of preachers incorporating Kwanzaa into their messages, calling the move â€Å"a horrible mistake† which distances blacks from Christmas. â€Å"First of all, as we’ve seen, the whole holiday is made up,† Peterson argues. â€Å"Christians who celebrate or incorporate Kwanzaa are moving their attention away from Christmas, the birth of our Savior, and the simple message of salvation: love for God through his Son.† The Kwanzaa Web site explains that Kwanzaa isn’t religious or designed to replace religious holidays. â€Å"Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e., Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists†¦,† the site says. â€Å"For what Kwanzaa offers is not an alternative to their religion or faith but a common ground of African culture which they all share and cherish.† African Roots? and a Troubled Founder Even those who don’t oppose Kwanzaa on religious grounds may take issue with it because Kwanzaa is not an actual holiday in Africa and, furthermore, the customs founder Ron Karenga based the holiday on roots in Eastern Africa. During the  transatlantic slave trade, however, blacks were taken from Western Africa, meaning that Kwanzaa and its  Swahili  terminology aren’t part of most African Americans’ heritage. Another reason people choose not to observe Kwanzaa is the background of Ron Karenga. In the 1970s, Karenga was  convicted  of felony assault and false imprisonment. Two black women from the Organization Us, a black nationalist group with which he’s still affiliated, were reportedly victimized during the attack. Critics question how Karenga can be an advocate for unity within the black community when he himself was allegedly involved in an attack on black women. Wrapping Up While Kwanzaa and its founder are sometimes subject to criticism, journalists such as Afi-Odelia E. Scruggs celebrate the holiday because they believe in the principles it espouses. In particular, the values Kwanzaa gives to children and to the black community at large are why Scruggs observes the day. Initially, Scruggs thought Kwanzaa was contrived, but seeing its principles at work changed her mind. In a  Washington Post  column, she wrote, â€Å"I’ve seen Kwanzaa’s ethical principles work in many little ways. When I remind the fifth-graders I teach that they aren’t practicing ‘umoja’ when they disturb their friends, they quiet down. †¦When I see neighbors turning vacant lots into community gardens, I’m watching a practical application of both ‘nia’ and ‘kuumba.’† In short, while Kwanzaa has inconsistencies and its founder a troubled history, the holiday aims to unify and uplift those who observe it. Like other holidays, Kwanzaa can be used as a positive force in the community. Some believe this outweighs any concerns about authenticity.

Free Essays on Origins Of Behvior

Therapy The Origins of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Cognitive behavior therapy was devised in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Albert Ellis, Ph.D. in New York and by Aaron Beck, M.D. in Philadelphia. Although they worked independently of each other, both Ellis and Beck had grown dissatisfied with the traditional Freudian psychoanalytic therapies. Though both of these men trained with Freud, they believed that peoples’ conscious beliefs and thought processes were very important in understanding how people became depressed, anxious, or disturbed. Freudian psychoanalytic theory, on the other hand, tended to de-emphasize conscious thought. By the late 1950s, advances in behavioral science and experimental psychology had raised questions of the main assumptions of psychoanalysis, and new theories of the human mind were being introduced. â€Å"There are actually several kinds of Cognitive-Behavioral therapies (spelled behavioural in British English), employing the same general premise: in contrast to the psychodynamic emphasis on insight into unconscious motivation, the cognitive-behavioral therapies emphasize the ability of people to make changes in their lives without having to understand why the change occurs.† (Richmond, 2001) The Theory behind Cognitive Behavior Therapy By 1962, research into human emotion found that people’s thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions regarding events were important in guiding emotional experience (Carson, B.M. 2000). For example, important research showed that people labeled their physiological arousal according to the environmental situation they perceived. Experiments demonstrated that the physical effects of adrenaline could be labeled as fear, anger, or giddiness, depending on the person’s assumptions and thoughts about their situation. Because people's thoughts had such powerful effects on their emotional experience and emotional behavior, scientists were forced to devise new theories to accou... Free Essays on Origins Of Behvior Free Essays on Origins Of Behvior Therapy The Origins of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Cognitive behavior therapy was devised in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Albert Ellis, Ph.D. in New York and by Aaron Beck, M.D. in Philadelphia. Although they worked independently of each other, both Ellis and Beck had grown dissatisfied with the traditional Freudian psychoanalytic therapies. Though both of these men trained with Freud, they believed that peoples’ conscious beliefs and thought processes were very important in understanding how people became depressed, anxious, or disturbed. Freudian psychoanalytic theory, on the other hand, tended to de-emphasize conscious thought. By the late 1950s, advances in behavioral science and experimental psychology had raised questions of the main assumptions of psychoanalysis, and new theories of the human mind were being introduced. â€Å"There are actually several kinds of Cognitive-Behavioral therapies (spelled behavioural in British English), employing the same general premise: in contrast to the psychodynamic emphasis on insight into unconscious motivation, the cognitive-behavioral therapies emphasize the ability of people to make changes in their lives without having to understand why the change occurs.† (Richmond, 2001) The Theory behind Cognitive Behavior Therapy By 1962, research into human emotion found that people’s thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions regarding events were important in guiding emotional experience (Carson, B.M. 2000). For example, important research showed that people labeled their physiological arousal according to the environmental situation they perceived. Experiments demonstrated that the physical effects of adrenaline could be labeled as fear, anger, or giddiness, depending on the person’s assumptions and thoughts about their situation. Because people's thoughts had such powerful effects on their emotional experience and emotional behavior, scientists were forced to devise new theories to accou...

Handwriting As A Means Of People Communicate Essay

Handwriting As A Means Of People Communicate - Essay Example Most people have ignored the subject of handwriting because it does not seem to be important. However, the author of this reading highlights his observations especially among children and how they value good handwriting. He considers the fact that although print media has taken effect in the modern world; writing remains to be a significant factor. It is also interesting how the author emphasizes the fact that practice makes perfect. This implies that with regular practice, those with poor handwriting can improve their skills. What is surprising about this reading is that the author does not fully explain how grownups can enhance their handwriting. Instead, it concentrates on how different writing skills can be used artistically. Another problem with this reading is that it focuses entirely on the Chinese people. It would be better if global comparisons across different cultures would be made. When I take a look at this reading, I ask myself whether indeed a person’s handwriti ng could be a reflection of the individual’s personality. This is because the author points out that bodily movement can be a reflection of thoughts. Another question is whether handwritings are translated differently or rather have different meanings in different cultures. I, however, think that the answer to this question is difficult to gauge since handwriting is simply the connection, pressure, size, and spacing of words. These factors have no elements of culture in them. This reading relates to other readings for the course in terms of highlighting different social elements and how they define the human nature. For instance, the author of this article uses handwriting as a social element to define human characteristics associated with the element such as personal order. This reading relates to my personal experiences in various ways.

New Media & International Communcation (Please refer to the Essay

New Media & International Communcation (Please refer to the attachment) - Essay Example The author is then able to describe how television and technology continue to evolve with self – generating forms through mediums such as new enhancements to movies and demands from individuals that are interested in watching the television. Opinion of Reading The main concept which Williams uses in the article is one which draws logical conclusions about the idea of technology and television and how it has evolved. The concept of television and technology becoming a natural part of evolution while meeting new needs in society can be seen and determined with the approach which Williams uses. The main point which can be seen as true, as well as the main strength of the reading, comes from the idea that this was the next step in technology and science. While there may have been components which were altered by inspiration or the desire to create something new, there were also several ideals which led to the evolution of technology with the television as the next step for society and specific needs. The second strength of the argument that Williams uses is by stating that this was a social concept that was based on natural evolution. The strength of the argument is one which can be noted by the demands in society which occurred before the television, specifically with the uses of entertainment, radio and other forms of technology which began to appear. From one perspective, these demands were created by social groups because of a desire to have something new. However, it can also be proven that the demands led to the idea of creating something new for entertainment which society could respond to for communication. From this perspective, Williams’ argument holds strength in showing that the television was a natural part of social evolution. While these two main points show strength in the argument, there is also a question of whether this can be considered natural evolution. If the television were never invented and didn’t become a demand in so ciety, then evolution may still have continued but with different devices. The concept of whether the social demand was a need and had to be created becomes the main weakness by Williams. The use of the television was created to build a response in society and to create new expectations with what technology could do. More important, it can be seen that the evolution was based on innovation and inspiration from different devices which had led up to the television. While the evolution was a natural ideology from past innovations and expectations of society, it was also created for new communication as one that was inspirational then built demand, as opposed to being the next evolutionary process in technology. The main weakness that Williams has with the idea of evolution can be seen from examples which are used today. The Internet is an example which shows how the evolution, while seeming natural, is also innovation that creates responses from social groups. The Internet boom from th e 1990s and to the present day was based on using more communication, faster technology and other approaches. Different portals are now used to enhance this. When looking at these portals, one can see that some are successful and

4G Cellular Communication Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

4G Cellular Communication - Research Paper Example The technology provides high speed and quickens transmission of data from one place to another, hence making mode of communication be fast. However, the research will face some challenges in the coming years since it will require some conditions for it to run perfectly well. The objectives of the 4G cellular communication are aimed at improving the methods of communication within two groups of people as fast as possible to enhance economic growth of the world. The potential abuse of the technology occurs when individuals fail to follow the regulations provided by the technology. Introduction There always is the need for communication regardless of place and the distance. Consequently, there has been an augmented demand of wireless communication by companies globally owing to the awkwardness in using fixed wire telecommunications. The fourth Generation (4G) is a new technology seeking to address communication needs of the populace. The 4G of cellular communication are the advancements that are realized in the wireless telecommunication industries in the recent years globally. They provide fast transfer of data across electronic devices compared to the previous cellular communication approaches such as third generation (3G). The high speeds of the data transmissions upgrade the quality of communication through improvement of high definition video. According to Lu and Hu (2006), 4G is highly expected to transform the mobile communication system through upgrading smart phones to perform certain tasks that were only previously achievable by personal computers (PC). Mobile communication is going to be affected positively by the introduction of the fourth generation, since it will transform and improve its operation. In this essay, the development, challenges, uses, potential abuses by individuals, potential new developments, objectives, features, and application of the fourth generation technology are discussed broadly. Development Its history can be traced in the 19 70s when the first generation was introduced. It comprised of analog technology that was used to unravel essential problems that existed during that time. Analog systems were used to assist in communication in dissimilar places worldwide in the 1980s. However, the system was deliberate and unwieldy to use, but it was a successful discovery that initialized a technological journey. The second generation (2G) was introduced in 1980, and was used for voice applications and introduction of digital techniques that improved the speed of data transformations (Brand & Aghvami, 2002). The technology launched the use of circuit-switched data communication that enhanced use of the digital communication rather than the analog system. 2G is still used worldwide by few people since the technology involves some digital aspects, which are habitually preferable. The introduction of 3G was highly appreciated for the substantial improvements it launched in the communication expertise. The implication of 3G was that it improved the voice technology in channels (Arshad & Farooq & Shah, 2010). However, it faced a challenge since the two companies that instigated the technology failed to agree on the terms and parted ways. The 3G telecoms business has been outstandingly successful and has gained many profits in the few years since its launch. The technology has influenced the mobile technology that has subsequently assisted in the overture of internet in

Reading response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 38

Reading response - Essay Example It is usually upon the branch managers and leadership to design time to ensure achievement of given targets. The strict targets compel managers to set employees on long working hours. Since the management does not provide money or measures for compensating the overtime workers, the extra service goes free. To Wal-Mart, unpaid overtime is just good for the company does its employees favor, â€Å"Working unpaid overtime equaled saving your job.† Besides subjecting workers to unpaid overtime, the business also discriminates and abuses women. Despite women being the majority employees, few hold management positions. The company also limits the freedom of workers since it counters attempts for unionization rapidly. The management is usually ready to do anything possible to prevent unionization, â€Å"Wal-Mart hired a consulting firm named Alpha Associates to develop a union avoidance program.† Olsson responds to counterarguments by presenting facts of surveys or history of Wal-Mart retail store. For instance, Olsson counters the company’s claims of training promoting women by referring to a 2001 survey conducted by Wal-Mart executive. The survey showed that female managers get lower pay than men in the same positions do. In terms of history, the management of Wal-Mart prefers delinking the different branches to crush relations. However, Olsson recommends that the workers can only succeed in their fight only if they mobilize all branches. The central theme of Mallaby for writing the article is to fault any views that seem to place Wal-Mart in bad pictures. According to Mallebye, Wal-Mart provides health cover to its workers, and plots to contain costs of health care in the future. Mallabye is so defensive to the company to an extent of proposing that Wal-Mart attack billboards, newspapers, and any press that is tarnishing its name. Mallabye claims that Wal-Mart is the best company considering its struggle towards

Debt and Equity Financing - Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper

Debt and Equity Financing - Advantages and Disadvantages - Research Paper Example It is of great significance that the ratios must be benchmarked against a standard in order for them to possess a meaning. Keeping that into account, the comparison is usually conducted between companies portraying same business and financial risks, between industries and different time periods of the same company. The company under consideration is Marvel Toys, and in this report the analysis of the financial performance of the company over the last seven years has been conducted in order to draw attention to various financial trends and significant changes over the period. The analysis is divided into three main categories: namely Profitability, Liquidity and Gearing. Profitability ratios identify how efficiently and effectively a company is utilizing its resources and how successful it has been in generating a desired rate of return for its shareholders and investors. Liquidity ratios measure the ability of the company to quickly convert its asset into liquid cash to settle its sh ort term liabilities. Whereas, the Gearing ratios identifies the extent to which the company is financed through debt and to what degree the operations are being conducted from the finance raised through raising equity capital or otherwise2. Following ratios have been used in order to evaluate the financial outlook of the company: Current ratio Acid-test (quick) ratio Collection period Inventory turnover Debt to total asset ratio Times interest earned Return on assets Return on Equity Fixed Asset turnover Total Asset turnover Gross Profit margin Net Profit Margin The profitability ratios of the company appear to be stable, but the company is facing liquidity problem as apparent from the ratios. Also, the company has more than 50% of its assets financed through debt. But the company has great earning potential based on which it has been decided to sanction the long term loan facility to the company. Answer to part A Financial Analysis Profitability Ratios    2011 2010 2009    Pro fitability Ratios Gross profit margin 20.18% 19.23% 20.14% Net profit margin 6.88% 6.15% 7.50% ROE 11.68% 12.20% 35.71% ROA 4.50% 4.36% 7.03% Fixed Asset Turnover (times) 2.04 2.27 2.53 Total Asset Turnover (times) 1.27 1.35 1.57 Gross profit margin is an analyzing tool which assists in identifying how effectively and efficiently the company is utilizing its raw materials, variable cost related to labor and fixed costs, such as rent and depreciation of property plant and equipment3. The ratio is calculated by dividing the sales revenue by the gross profit. The gross profit margin of the company was quite stable in the financial year 2009, but moving forward in the financial year 2010, the ratio has seemed to decline a bit. The decline in the ratio was primarily due to the decrease in the net sales of the company by 9% which caused the gross profit margin to decrease by around 0.91%. But the ratio appeared to show an inclining trend again the financial year 2011 as the company was ab le to curtail and manage its cost of sales although the quantum of its sales

How will the initiative affect StarBucks Sales Essay

How will the initiative affect StarBucks Sales - Essay Example First, the reusable cups will cost customers $1. When they lose, crush or forget to carry them back the next time they buy coffee that will cost them another $1. Statistics indicate that, in the US alone, 233 million persons are old enough to consume coffee (Tice, 2012). Assuming each buys a reusable cup only once, that will translate to about $65 million worth of cups alone. Then, that would serve as free advertising, since consumers will keep the reusable cups with them, in their kitchens, offices and cars. That has more potential of being closer to consumers than billboard advertisements. Consumers will also save 10 cents each time they refill their reusable cups. In the long run, before the cups finally wear out, they would have earned back the $1 they used to buy them, so long as they continue buying from Starbucks (Tice, 2012). Essentially, this means the reusable cups will generate repeat

Reading response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 38

Reading response - Essay Example It is usually upon the branch managers and leadership to design time to ensure achievement of given targets. The strict targets compel managers to set employees on long working hours. Since the management does not provide money or measures for compensating the overtime workers, the extra service goes free. To Wal-Mart, unpaid overtime is just good for the company does its employees favor, â€Å"Working unpaid overtime equaled saving your job.† Besides subjecting workers to unpaid overtime, the business also discriminates and abuses women. Despite women being the majority employees, few hold management positions. The company also limits the freedom of workers since it counters attempts for unionization rapidly. The management is usually ready to do anything possible to prevent unionization, â€Å"Wal-Mart hired a consulting firm named Alpha Associates to develop a union avoidance program.† Olsson responds to counterarguments by presenting facts of surveys or history of Wal-Mart retail store. For instance, Olsson counters the company’s claims of training promoting women by referring to a 2001 survey conducted by Wal-Mart executive. The survey showed that female managers get lower pay than men in the same positions do. In terms of history, the management of Wal-Mart prefers delinking the different branches to crush relations. However, Olsson recommends that the workers can only succeed in their fight only if they mobilize all branches. The central theme of Mallaby for writing the article is to fault any views that seem to place Wal-Mart in bad pictures. According to Mallebye, Wal-Mart provides health cover to its workers, and plots to contain costs of health care in the future. Mallabye is so defensive to the company to an extent of proposing that Wal-Mart attack billboards, newspapers, and any press that is tarnishing its name. Mallabye claims that Wal-Mart is the best company considering its struggle towards

How will the initiative affect StarBucks Sales Essay

How will the initiative affect StarBucks Sales - Essay Example First, the reusable cups will cost customers $1. When they lose, crush or forget to carry them back the next time they buy coffee that will cost them another $1. Statistics indicate that, in the US alone, 233 million persons are old enough to consume coffee (Tice, 2012). Assuming each buys a reusable cup only once, that will translate to about $65 million worth of cups alone. Then, that would serve as free advertising, since consumers will keep the reusable cups with them, in their kitchens, offices and cars. That has more potential of being closer to consumers than billboard advertisements. Consumers will also save 10 cents each time they refill their reusable cups. In the long run, before the cups finally wear out, they would have earned back the $1 they used to buy them, so long as they continue buying from Starbucks (Tice, 2012). Essentially, this means the reusable cups will generate repeat

Endometrial Cancer Essay Example for Free

Endometrial Cancer Essay Endometrial cancer refers to several types of malignancy which arise from the endometrium, or lining of the uterus. Endometrial cancers are the most common gynecologic cancers in the United States, with over 35,000 women diagnosed each year in the U. S. The most common subtype, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, typically occurs within a few decades of menopause, is associated with excessive estrogen exposure, often develops in the setting of endometrial hyperplasia, and presents most often with vaginal bleeding. Endometrial carcinoma is the third most common cause of gynecologic cancer death (behind ovarian and cervical cancer). A total abdominal hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the most common therapeutic approach. Endometrial cancer may sometimes be referred to as uterine cancer. However, different cancers may develop not only from the endometrium itself but also from other tissues of the uterus, including cervical cancer, sarcoma of the myometrium, and trophoblastic disease. Classification Most endometrial cancers are carcinomas (usually adenocarcinomas), meaning that they originate from the single layer of epithelial cells which line the endometrium and form the endometrial glands. There are many microscopic subtypes of endometrial carcinoma, including the common endometrioid type, in which the cancer cells grow in patterns reminiscent of normal endometrium, and the far more aggressive uterine papillary serous carcinoma|papillary serous carcinoma and clear cell endometrial carcinomas. Some authorities have proposed that endometrial carcinomas be classified into two pathogenetic groups:[1] †¢ Type I: These cancers occur most commonly in pre- and peri-menopausal women, often with a history of unopposed estrogen exposure and/or endometrial hyperplasia. They are often minimally invasive into the underlying uterine wall, are of the low-grade endometrioid type, and carry a good prognosis. †¢ Type II: These cancers occur in older, post-menopausal women, are more common in African-Americans, are not associated with increased exposure to estrogen, and carry a poorer prognosis. They include: †¢ the high-grade endometrioid cancer, †¢ the uterine papillary serous carcinoma, †¢ the uterine clear cell carcinoma. In contrast to endometrial carcinomas, the uncommon endometrial stromal sarcomas are cancers which originate in the non-glandular connective tissue of the endometrium. Uterine carcinosarcoma, formerly called Malignant mixed mullerian tumor, is a rare uterine cancer which contains cancerous cells of both glandular and sarcomatous appearance in this case, the cell of origin is unknown. Signs Symptoms Vaginal bleeding and/or spotting in postmenopausal women †¢ Abnormal uterine bleeding, abnormal menstrual periods †¢ Bleeding between normal periods in premenopausal women in women older than 40: extremely long, heavy, or frequent episodes of bleeding (may indicate premalignant changes) Women with stage 1 disease who are at increased risk for recurrence and those with stage 2 disease are often offered surgery in combination with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy may be considered in some cases, especially for those with stage 3 and 4 disease. hormonal therapy with progestins and antiestrogens has been used for the treatment of endometrial stromal sarcomas. The antibody Herceptin, which is used to treat breast cancers that overexpress the HER2/neu protein, has been tried with some success in a phase II trial in women with uterine papillary serous carcinomas that overexpress HER2/neu. Radiation therapy for endometrial cancer Radiation therapy is the use of high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used to treat endometrial cancer after hysterectomy or as the primary therapy, particularly for women who cannot have surgery. The two types of radiation therapy that may be used to treat endometrial cancer are: †¢ Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy), in which radioactive materials (radioisotopes) are placed into the uterus or other areas where the cancer cells are found. External beam radiation therapy, in which radiation comes from a machine outside the body. In brachytherapy, tiny tubes of radioactive material are inserted through the vagina and left in the uterus for 2 to 3 days. Brachytherapy may be done in the hospital or as on an outpatient basis. External beam radiation therapy is usually done in an outpatient treatment center. A typical therapy course is radiation treatments 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks. Radiation therapy may cause side effects, including: †¢ Fatigue. †¢ Dryness, itching, tightening, and burning in the vagina. Red, dry, tender, itchy skin. †¢ Moist, weepy skin (later in the treatment). †¢ Hair loss in the treated area. †¢ Loss of appetite. †¢ Diarrhea. †¢ Frequent and uncomfortable urination. If surgery is not recommended, radiation therapy alone may be used. Radiation therapy may also be used if more extensive cancer is discovered during surgery. †¢ Stage IV: Radiation therapy may be used if the cancer is contained in the pelvic region but is usually not recommended if the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. Endometrial cancer may recur. Radiation therapy may be used to control symptoms and increase comfort. Radiation therapy may cure your cancer if the cancer is confined to your vagina and radiation therapy has not been used before.

SWOT, PESTEL and five forces analysis

SWOT, PESTEL and five forces analysis 2. Introduction The supermarket industry is fierce in terms of its competitors. There are four main firms that have dominant market share but still have the aim to become the market leader and want to be bigger and better for their customers and potential customers. 3. Methodology In order to conduct my research I used a variety of sources which included economical and contemporary books, additional journals were also used to gain more specific and up-to-date information. The internet was also a valuable source due to its nature and variety of widely available information. 4. PEST Model The Pest model allows us to see what changes have happened in the industry and how this can affect competition. It allows us to distinguish the not so important compared to what is vital in the industry. For any firm in this industry it is important to create value for its customers, so therefore an understanding of the customer is vital. To create value, a firm would have to create a form of understanding and a relationship with its suppliers. Also for a firm in this organisation an in depth understanding and monitoring of its competitors is essential in order to be a profitable company and have first mover advantage. This supermarket industry includes the customers, the suppliers and the competition. An understanding of the pest model allows us to discover comprehensive potential opportunities and threats in the future. I.e. global warming may not be an issue now but can be in the next hundred years; this could reflect raw materials for food. 4.2 Political There is a low level of unemployment this due to the recession; this affects the demand of good being bought as consumers have less disposable income. However, food is a commodity and will always be demanded sue to its nature. E.g. the price of stock in supermarkets has dropped in last few years with the intention of boosting demand. Its level of custom has also fallen. There are now restrictions on buying land or buying out another supermarket chain making it more difficult for supermarkets to expand. 4.3 Economical Barriers to entry E.g. Over 5 years it has been reported that 700 hundred supermarket stores have opening ranging from sizes to 3,000 to 25,000 square feet. In comparison to this it is going to be hard for smaller supermarket chains to break into this industry due to it competitors. Only 5 new supermarket stores have opened in last 5 years. As a result of the recession, supermarket chains have to concentrate on the demands of the customer. This could include customers looking at: Cost Prices Profits Overall price is very competitive in this industry. There is also a change in the way consumers shop; supermarket chains such as Tesco have addressed this by giving incentives such as a club card in order to gain brand loyalty and repeat custom. Larger supermarket chains are quick to eliminate competitors. E.g. Sainsburys had bought out star Market and then opened stores across Egypt. 4.4 Social Supermarkets are continually monitoring changing consumer trends and shopping patterns such as; Who is buying the product? When they buy the product? How they buy their products? Which products are they buying? Monitoring these trends and understanding then can create competition in order to be the first to develop products and services that meet changing patterns. E.g. in the UK,75% of customers shop twice a week and seven still shop at different chains. This pattern by UK shoppers is known as Bulk Shopping or One Stop Shopping. Even though the recession has cut back the number of jobs available, supermarkets still employ a large number of people. This could be due to their flexibility in working times such as part time. E.g. Sainsburys employs around 150,000 people in the UK alone. Also there will always be demand for commodities meaning that supermarkets have some level of safety. Some supermarkets use this as a marketing technique, for example Asda aims to create over 7,500 jobs in 2011 (Tue, 16 Nov 2010 (www.supermarketnew.co.uk)) There is also change in demand regarding taste: organic foods are now much more common in supermarkets due to greater awareness of global warming, fairtrade and many other issues. E.g. there could be health concerns surrounding British beef with BSE. 4.5 Technological Technology has become beneficial to customers in supermarkets. With self checkout tills, shopping has become much easier and more convenient for consumers for shoppers. They are also easy to use meaning that all consumers can take advantage of this new technology. Personalized shopping is also being introduced which again makes shopping easier and more convenient. E.g. Waitrose allows you shop with your own trolley gun. With the technology available and the number of companies supplying it, explosion is the word for it, said Tim M. Hammonds, senior vice president of the Food Marketing Institute in Washington. Almost every store is doing at least one experiment. Tesco are reported to have spent  £25 billion in 2005 setting up their on-line shopping website this also helps chains looking at consumer buying habits. Tesco.com is the worlds biggest online supermarket and this year the group had sales of over  £577 million, an increase of 29% on last year 4.6 Environment Cutting waste; fruit and vegetables have less packaging. Fresh and seasonal produce of a high quality Introduction to organic foods, governments have supported farmers to convert and grow only organic foods. 4.7 Legal Law legislations Health and Safety 5. Swot Analysis The SWOT analysis shows the strengths, Weakness, opportunities and threats in the supermarket industry. 5.1 Strengths Corporate culture The supermarket industry is one of the biggest and profitable Supermarkets are a necessity; people will always need food therefore the demand is always high in relation to other industries. Customers have different tastes; supermarkets have a wide variety of goods and services making it likely that a consumer can purchase all of their necessities in one place. Having different stores allowing access to the mass market. Customer Experiences e.g. in store cafes and facilities. Giving Incentives: Loyalty cards and point reductions on foods. Image; this encourages brand loyalty and can keep an environmentalist reputation. 5.2 Weakness Recession has impacted on supermarkets; giving better price reductions and deals undercutting competitors to retain market share. Low-cost supermarkets such as Aldi, Netto and Lidl have taken consumers due their much lower prices. Smaller supermarkets may have to fold due to recession and a very highly competitive market. Low employee efficiency and high labour turnover. 5.3 Opportunities Market leadership in a highly demanded segments i.e. the growth in organic and natural foods this will establish high economies of scale Merging or acquisitions gaining market share E.g. Morrisons takeover of Safeways. Working with foreign countries help supermarkets break into a new market. Such as Latin America, South East China and South Africa. 5.4 Threats Changes in Government Regulations Recession impacts the economic changes. I.e. Has and impact on customers spending patterns. 6. Portors five forces Porters five forces of competition identify structural variables influencing competition and profitability in the supermarket industry. 6.1 Threats of Entry The supermarket industry is dominated by some big competitor chains such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons and smaller chains such as Somerfiels, One Stop etc. Bigger Chain competitors have focused more on operation and efficiency and productivity (allowing a wider variety of foods or products, better services etc). This force has left very small and traditional shops like butchers, bakers trailing very far behind. This has made it very hard for new companies to enter the supermarket industry. I.e. it is hard for a new business to raise capital because of the large fixed costs and its in a very much developed market with chains like Tesco have self check out points and their own stock control system. Where as Asda focus on operational tactics, like product development, better promotional activities and concentrating on better distribution. 6.2 Bargaining Power of Supplier Because the industry is fierce and is growing to be influenced by the likes of Tesco and Asda they can negotiate better promotional prices in comparison to smaller chains have a fear of losing business. They benefit from purchasing economies of scale. Suppliers are under threat because big food chains can negotiate better deals abroad. There needs to be an effective relationship with the supplier and its seller, this makes for a better profit margin. 6.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers To meet customer needs there are many things, lowering prices, wider and better choices, countless promotional activities, consistently bettering customer service. E.g. Tesco club card is most successful to date and has added to Tescos profitability. Supermarket chains have become more aware of consumer needs and by expanding in new markets banking, pharmacies and clothing. There is also a push on ethical products as consumers have become increasingly aware, they are now available in most big supermarkets. 6.4 Threat of Substitutes There is a threat that consumers can switch from one supermarket to another, this can be due to consumers being influenced highly on price, better service or quality. In relation to this bigger chains are buying out smaller chains, and opening them strategically in small towns or cities. E.g. Morrisons tookover Safeway as a method of quick expansion. 6.5 Bargaining Power of Competitors The supermarket industry has grown dramatically in size mainly due to bigger chains and continuous growth. This has opened up bigger and better retail concentration, new formats and better customer service. E.g. Tesco retain and build relationship with customers with databases allowing them to see what the consumers have purchased. Companies need to be innovative to keep up with the consumer behaviour such as refocusing on pricing and its values. 6.6 Competitive Rivalry Because the industry is dominated by bigger supermarket chains, there is a constant battle for better prices or better reductions. This results to high price wars to all competitors. Supermarket chains focus on quality and value for the customer in return they could attract new customers of different segments of the market. By bigger chains spending much more on advertising including celebrity endorsement, E.g. Jamie Oliver being the face of Sainsburys and Heston Blumenthal and Delia Smith for Waitrose it becomes much harder for smaller chains to compete. By giving customer price incentives such as Buy-One-Get-One-Free (BOGOF) this again allows supermarkets to retain and maintain customer satisfaction. Loyalty cards are also good example of this. 7. Conclusion 7.1 Smaller supermarket vs. bigger supermarkets The emergence of a number of smaller grocery stores has increased in the past 12 months. A number of smaller supermarkets have been grasped by larger competitors. Morrisons purchase of 39 Somerfields after Co-Ops disposal programme, led Morrisons to further increase market share in the south east and in the London. Sainsburys followed Morrisons vision, breaking into new areas, opening 22 store acquisitions in the north. The stores average from 17,000 square feet. Waitrose reached beyond the South east, opening 14 new stores, averaging between 5,000 square feet under its actual store size. A recent newspaper headline stated Asda goes shopping at Netto in  £778m takeover deal (27.05.10, London evening standard) showing larger supermarkets being able to takeover much smaller chains. 7.2 Strategies Available During the recession, it is apparent that value for money is most important to the customer. There is little room to negotiate prices as the market is very competitive and each supermarket wants to retain market share. Food Retailers can look into trends and new technologies to differentiate from the competitors, i.e. smarter shopping carts and better formatting of stores. Supermarkets are looking into convenience for the shopper. Smaller stores such as Tescos Express fill the gap between the bigger and smaller stores; they stock ready made meals and supply the basic foods. The sales maybe smaller but they retain market share and overall the business in going to profit. Organic foods are becoming a strong strategy to pull in new customers. There is a distinctive line between luxurious and affordable prices. The organic Market is worth 340 million annually, this figure has doubled in the last 2 years. Supermarkets have recognised the potential and responded with their own range of organic produce. Tescos has market lead and Sainsburys are planning a huge launch of its own organic range as is evident from the newspaper headline below. Tesco turns itself into a green giant (The Sunday Times May 31, 2009) Asda will also be taking advantage, a spokeswoman for Asda says: Organic food is definitely something that can be marketed to the masses. Throughout our stores we have a suggestion box programme called Tuned In. More organics is the number one suggestion. A sales increase from 3.1% to 5.4% in sales. And have increased their organic range from 250 to 400 items with cutting prices. Supermarkets may not be able to persuade shoppers from its competitors directly but convenience of better food products may sway them naturally.

The Study of Literature Essay -- English Literature Essays

The Study of Literature I finally understand the study of literature. As an English major, a reader/ writer/ poet who has spent a great deal of time reading the works of others and writing about them, I am reminded of something I have heard my father, a teacher, say repeatedly about the modern American attitude toward education. "Nobody learns just to learn," he observes sadly, pointing out the way in which students often view particularly higher education as some kind of training ground for a career. I know exactly what he means. Every time someone asks me what I plan to do with a degree in English, I am reminded of the inquisitive student who interrupts a classroom lecture to ask in earnest "Is this going to be on the test?" or the equally deplorable "Do we have to know this?" The clear message in these questions is that nobody wants to waste their precious time learning something that won't immediately benefit them in some way. The majority of students insist on expediency and efficiency in educatio n. Our goal oriented society has resulted in a student that retains necessary information in short term memory long enough to regurgitate onto an exam, pass the course, grab a degree, get a job, make money, prosper. Next. Occasionally, however, there comes the English major the enigmatic, bookworm type, who puzzles his classmates by carrying fiction while they tote science, mathematics, and Business. They examine this strange creature, fascinated by one who displays such a blatant disregard for wealth and success. They poke this animal, wondering why he would live this way, and what possible good can come from poetry. And once in a while, the prodding and gawking gets to him. The English major is forced to ... ...ve to know this?† my answer is a resounding â€Å"yes.† â€Å"Will this be on the test?† Daily. The test is daring to live in a world where sometimes it seems that all is lost. Love, friendship, sadness, grief, even contentment are better understood in the context of a heartfelt poem or story. Thoreau's Walden romanticized my isolation; however, it may have been Updike's Rabbit or Edith Wharton's sad portrayal of cold in Ethan Frome that brought me to that state. Poetry and literature are so passionate as to inspire the reader in spite of himself. I can no more control the effects they may have on me, than I can the way in which I react. They are practical guidelines, manuals of living. They can hurt or heal, create or destroy. When one has a better understanding, though, the experience is wonderfully enlightening. And I need to know. I use them everyday.

Drug Abuse :: essays research papers

The repetitive deaths of drug users has became, nowadays, an everyday phenomenon, that most us has got used it. The numbers of the victims more and more increase rapidly in such a degree that makes us shudder. Prospectively, there was an alarming increase in drug abuse at our college. Many students take cocaine, heroine, LSD, hash, crack, and other drugs; all these illegal substances provoke undeniably addiction. The reasons that led to that accrual are various. Firstly, the alienated interpersonal relationships has decreased the esoteric communication between people. The hostile environment of the megalopolis has worsen the communicational impasse and has attacked the psychic equilibrium of individuals. Secondly, the faulty function of the family; the chasm between them, turns young people to other types of ‘families’ of the demiworld. Even overprotection some times makes them ask for a gateway. Thirdly, the imitation of musicians and actors can lead many young people to drugs, as they are trying to look alike them. Nevertheless, as we now, today all this staff about being ‘cool’, affects mostly young people and it is more obvious in places where there are many gathered, like in college. Moreover, another reason can be the fact of the provocative easiness to find drugs in college, whenever and whatever drug you want. Finally, a disappointment from a relationship or school, for example a fail in the finals, can be a good reason for those young people to turn in to drugs. For this bad situation that exists in our college, counselors and teachers have to undertake control. They have to inform and consult students about the danger of taking drugs. Also, college besides of education has to try to nourish a positive personality. This will succeed with the existence of corporation between students and teachers, the reinforcement of activity leading, the growth of positive thinking and ensurance of freely expression of students. Teachers and counselors have to penetrate into young people’s problems and try to help them, by showing to them that they care and they are willing to help them. In addition, an introduction of a club with the