Thursday, October 31, 2019

Balanced scorecard in restaurant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Balanced scorecard in restaurant - Essay Example s is presently the head chef as well as the owner of the restaurant and with his maverick ideas he has turned it into one of the most exciting restaurants in the entire United States of America. A balanced scorecard is applied to analyze the organization’s current situation. Based on this analysis a problem statement, present challenges, opportunities and possible management solutions are inferred and provided in this paper. Balanced scorecard, a strategic tool, developed by Robert Kaplan and David Norton (Value Based Management.net, n.d.).is used effectively in translating a company’s strategy and vision into the reality of implementation. Organization can perform this process of implementation from four different perspectives which include financial perspective, business process perspective, learning and growth perspective and customer perspective (Balanced Scorecard Institute, n.d.). A sound financial health is primary requisite of any business organisation. Therefore it becomes imperative to develop a financial objective and mission before taking the initiatives to achieve those missions and objectives. French Laundry restaurant is a three star restaurant in USA. It is a financially strong organization. Here a normal dinar costs almost 1500 dollar and people are found to be very much comfortable with this price (Sutton, R. January 13, 2009). However with USA being one of the most affected countries in the present recession, French Laundry’s current financial goals should therefore include cost reduction, growth and maximizing profit. Achievement of the Goals can be measured by comparing costs and profits of two consecutive years. Customer is another important element for any business organization. Present management philosophy is based on the fact that customer is the king in the market. An Organization not only needs to retain its existing customers but also to attract new customers in order to enjoy a sustainable growth. Strategies regarding

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Language Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Language Development - Essay Example ing process, the young, impressionable children not only learned the three R’s, but also developed holistic personalities, by internalizing knowledge into awareness, wisdom, rigorous denial and self-discipline. The Gurus not only taught them the Holy Scriptures, but also the manner of living and leading virtuous, noble and beneficial lives. This process ensured that the children became worthy citizens in their later lives. When the learning environment in the house is conducive to studying, and the parents of the child are themselves well educated, the child would be in a position to imbibe the teachings of the parents quickly and learn fast. Similarly, the child’s friends and neighbours also play a very important part since the influence of the friends and relatives with whom the child is interacting plays an important role in moulding his future personality. If the friends and neighbours are well-trained and intelligent children, coming from respectable and well- to-do families, it will be seen that the child would be able to pick up good learning habits from early years itself, which would sustain him in his later life. The formative years of the child, that is the period between 4 – 12 years are very crucial for the child, and whatever good inputs and reading habits are acquired by the child would stand him in later life including his learning habits and writing skills. Thus, it is s een that the situations that foster early language developments could be seen in terms of the parental influence, including that of early teachers, governesses, friends and relatives. If these were well attuned to nurturing and nourishing the child’s natural curiosity, forming good learning and reading habits, it would foster his language skills. Moreover, it is also necessary to build good reading, writing and recitation skills that could be â€Å"validated by research and practice while delivering the basis of all major aspects of research work.† (Gunning,

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Person Job Fit Versus Person Organization Fit

Person Job Fit Versus Person Organization Fit This report reviews the recent developments of the research on Person-Organization fit (P-O) and Person-Job fit (P-J). These are the two most extensively studied fits in context of employee selection. In this report the concepts of P-O P-J have been discussed reaching a conclusion that P-J fit is considered important during the earlier stages (screening stage) of selection whereas P-O fit is a necessity in later stages (interviews etc) of selection process of an employee. INTRODUCTION The theory of Person-Environment (PE) assumes that positive responses occur when individuals tend to fit or match the environment. For example, When a good fit exists in between person environment, PE fit theories of vocational choice propose occurrence of high satisfaction, mental physical well-being when there is good fit (Dawis Lofquist, 1984; Holland, 1997). Extensive research supports the proposition that individuals are satisfied with and adjust most easily to jobs that are congruent with their own career-relevant personality types. PE-fit is conceptualized as a general term, under which fall more specific notions of fit. In the recruitment and selection domain, two common forms of fit identified are Person-Job Fit This is a match between an individual requirements of a specific job. Companies often pursue that person-job fit so as to match the applicants knowledge and skills to the requirements of specific job openings and focus on an applicants ability to perform right away without any training. Person-Organization Fit This is match between an individual broader organizational attributes. Companies while pursuing P-O fit focus on how well individuals fit with values of their company culture. They tend to emphasis on hiring people with an ability to work co-operate with other employees in the company. Person-Job fit Conceptualization The concept of person-job fit is the traditional foundation for employee selection (Werbel Gilliland, 1999). The primary concern was limited to finding applicants with the right skills abilities for a available job in the organization. PJ fit is conceptualized as the match between individual knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) and demands of the job or the needs/desires of an individual and what is provided by the job (Edwards, 1991; OReilly, Chatman, Caldwell, 1991). Based on realistic job previews, accurate and realistic job information enables applicants to assess the degree of congruence between their KSA and the job requirements (i.e. PJ fit; Breaugh, 1992; Breaugh Starke, 2000). Applicants who perceive a fit between their KSA and the job requirements are probable to remain in the selection process and accept a job offer. RJP research has shown that accurate and realistic job information during recruitment and selection is associated with positive work outcomes (e.g. low attrition from recruitment process, high job satisfaction, low voluntary turnover, high work performance). From its very simple inception evolving out of scientific management , the P-J Fit determination process increasingly gained sophistication with identification of both statistically reliable valid processes that can be used to measure P-J fit. Operationalizations of P-J Fit The operational aspect of P-J Fit focuses on needs-supplies and demand-abilities perspective (Edwards, 1991). Therefore, P-J fit can be defined as the fit between desires of a person vs attributes of a job OR abilities of a person vs demands of a job. This needs-supplies and demand-abilities fit are extended conceptualizations of complementary fit. Supplementary fit does not apply to P-J fit as it is concerned to the person only not the job. In employee selection practices, strategies used to assess P-J fit include tests, reference checks, resumes a variety of other selection tools (Werbel Gulliland, 1999). Outcomes of P-J Fit Employee selection process in most organization has traditionally focused on achieving P-J Fit (Werbel Gulliland, 1999). Another contributor establishing P-J fit is job design strategy backed by organization entry (Brosseau, 1984). Considerable evidences show that a high level of P-J fit has positive outcomes. P-J fit literature by Edwards (1991) identified low stress in job, attendance, retention, performance and job satisfaction are outcomes positively affected by P-J fit. Researchers demonstrated that structured validated procedures for determining P-J fit have led to more effective selection of employees when compared to unstructured techniques Person-Organisation Fit Conceptualization P-O fit can be defined as compatibility between people organizations (Kristof, 1996). With regards to employee selection research, P-O fit can be conceptualized as the match between an applicant boarder organizational attributes. The key to maintain the flexible committed work force, which is necessary in a competitive and tight labor market, is P-O fit. The P-O fit research can be traced back to Schneiders (1987) ASA framework (Attraction-Selection-Attrition). As per Schneider, persons are always on the look out for situations attractive to them rather than fit any assigned situation. Schneider argued that an organization can be considered as a situation, which implies that people can be attracted to it, be selected to be a part of it, remain if they have good P-O fit or leave the organization incase there is no good fit. Operationalizations OF P-O fit There has been an ongoing debate regarding the operationalizations of the P-O construct. Kristof (1996) review of P-O fit literature identified four operationalizations of P-O fit. Measuring the similarity between basic characteristics of people and organizations. The way to measure this to check the congruence between individual organizational values Goal congruence with organizational leaders Match between individual preferences or needs organizational structures and systems. This operationalization of P-O fit reflect the need-supplies fit curve. Match between individual characteristics of individual personality organizational climate or organizational personality. Organizational Climate is often operationalized in terms of supplies such as rewards systems or communication formats. This point takes into account both the supplementary need-supplies fit perspectives. Outcomes Of PO Fit According to Schneiders ASA framework, the attraction between persons organizations are based on their similarity. This affect the job choice approach of a applicant hiring decisions in organizations. Empirical evidence supports the fact that both applicant job-choice behavior organizations hiring practices are antecedents of P-O Fit. From the entry point, individuals organization socializations practice contributes to P-O fit. Empirical evidences support fact (Chatman, 1991) High level of this fit can be related to positive outcomes. P-O fit can be tied to job satisfaction organization commitment This fit could predict intention of quit turnover (Chatman, 1991 ; OReilly et al., 1991) and was also related to citizenship behaviours (OReilly Chatman, 1986), contextual performance and self reported teamwork. High level of P-O fit may have positive or negative organizational level outcomes (Schneider, 1987). Relationship between P-O fit P-J Fit P-O fit P-J fit are distinct constructs conceptually. Many researchers have reported have reported low correlations between actual PO Fit an P-J fit (OReilly et al., 1991 ; Higgins, 2000) and perceived P-O fit P-J fit(Kristof-Brown, 2001). Factor analysis proved that the job applicants and recruiters could identify or distinguish P-O P-J fit ( Kristof-Brown, 2000). Kristof Brown (2000) came to a conclusion recruiters perceived P-O P-J were different in terms of antecedents they offered unique prediction of employers hiring recommendations. Lauver Kristof -Brown (2001) found that employees P-O fit could predict his intention to quit performance than the P-J fit. Both these fits directly affected new employees outpu including stress, job satisfaction turnover. P-J had the most impact on work attitudes followed by P-O fit. - P-O fit P-J In Employee Selection Employee selection can divided into two different approaches : prescriptive descriptive. The prescriptive type of approach aim at points what managers should do in getting the right candidate. This approach usually focuses on the criteria-related valuation of the main concept as the predictor domain. The descriptive approach concentrates on the part what managers actually do in their selection procedures. They describe how the focal concept works out in the actual process. Prescriptive Descriptive approaches for P-O P-J fit in selection process can be summarized as follows. Prescriptive Approach In Selection Traditionally, the selection process was bend on achieving P-J fit (e.g American organizations). Both practitioners researchers suggested that P-J fit is becoming less important when compared to others fits. The challenges they faced from P-J fit were the extended criterion domain predictor factor (Werbel Gilliland, 1999). Borman Motwildo (1993) were of the opinion that selection of a candidate should be associated with organization effectiveness. Distinguishing task contextual performance should be done. Researchers identified many similar concepts with regards to contextual performance such as pro-social behavior, extra role behavior organizational citizenship behavior. Based on these findings, they suggested decisions on hiring needs to go beyond P-J fit, taking into consideration the expanded criterion domain. The arguments for expanded criterion domain can be summarized as follows. First the Employers should be aware that the hired employees will hold multiple tasks over the period of his employment. This leads to disagreement with the fact of an employee doing a specific job as mention in P-J fit. Second point to which they stressed was in selection of an applicant by a manager should be based on applicants compliance with values vision of the organization. Third, P-J fit has some ideas of jobs themselves. In an expanded criterion domain, teamwork flexibility should be taken into consideration while selecting a employee. With these limitations in P-J fit for employee selection, most practitioner researchers suggest use of P-O Fit in selection of an employee. As high levels of P-J P-O fit leads to positive outcomes such as job satisfaction, performance organizational commitment, both P-J P-O should be included in the selection process. Using P-J fit in the initial selection process using P-O Fit in the latter or final stages of selection of an employee would be ideal. Descriptive Approach on Fit in Selection These days despite the extensive focus on P-J fit for a selection process, many researchers argue that key elements of P-O fit has been included (Chatman, 1989). One the most used selection method for assessing an applicant is Interviewing. Managers are very keen on conducting them as they feel it to be the best way of selecting candidates who appear to fit to the organization. Prior to interviews, applicants are selected for interview with P-J fit evaluations. During the interview, managers usually focus the applicants P-O fit. Based on theories , researchers always emphasis that P-O fit plays a major role at later stages of employment selection than in the earlier stages (Kristof-Brown, 2000 ). Though the argument is reasonable, we are not sure about the later stages of selection process in a organization. Possibility of weighing P-J fit more than P-O fit by managers should be also taken into consideration. CONCLUSION To conclude, as high levels of P-J P-O fit leads to positive outcomes such as job satisfaction, performance organizational commitment, both P-J fit P-O fit elements should be included in the selection process of an employee. Considering P-J fit during the earlier or initial stages of selection measuring the P-O fit during the later stages of selection process of an employee would be ideal.

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Jump :: First Person Narrative Examples

Anxiety took over my body as I prepared to jump. The 80 foot waterfall looming atop Turner Falls seemed to be challenging me, beckoning me to come and attempt to plunge from the rock into the waterfall to try to endure the pressure as the water knocked me straight down into the deep waters and jagged rocks which awaited below. I waited with an eager excitement thinking that if I could take this plunge, I would really be able to swim with those I saw as the "big fish." Waiting on that rock I had no idea that the events following my wait would change that jump from being something I so much desired into something I would be grateful to never personally experience. Ahead of me in line were two brothers, one 14 years old and the other 17. They were both tall and thin with caramel colored skin. They had wiry black hair and dark brown eyes and continually chattered back and forth to each other and their many other brothers and sisters in Spanish. With an inability to swim, the brothers jumped in with nothing to aid them but faith that the waters would push them out into shallow safety. The two went under and a fanatic frenzy broke out when random bystanders watching on the sides realized that the boys were not coming up. The lifeguards began frantically blowing their whistles and screaming at everyone, "Get out of the water! Everybody! Out! Now!" With no knowledge of the severity of what was going on, I was almost in a state of confusion as I looked to the side and saw my mother screaming at me to get off the rock. Needless to say, I went to my mother and within seconds the water was empty, except for the two boys who lay below the surface. One brother was retrieved from the water in only a few moments, not smooth and with ease, as I expected from what I'd seen on television, but with severe difficulty, as if he was 1000 pounds of dead weight. The other was nowhere to be found. In a desperate search, the breathless and scared lifeguards came over to the crowd, which had formed aside the water. "Do we have any divers in the crowd? Please? Anybody with any experience at all please we need your help." After over 15 minutes of searching and scrambling, finally the second brother was pulled from the water from a spot directly under the waterfall, 19 feet beneath the surface.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Animal Farm Essay

The novel Animal Farm was cleverly written by George Orwell to make fun of the Russian government. Orwell made all of the events in the book relate to an event during the Russian revolution. The rebellion in George Orwell’s Animal Farm represents the Russian revolution during the reign of Joseph Stalin. This novel is an allegory that can be taken as a children’s book or a book with a serious political opinion. George Orwell was born in India in 1903 to the name Eric Arthur Blair. He was a very opinionated man who despised political lying. Orwell strongly believed in a form of government called socialism. He moved to England an attended Eton college. Shortly after, he moved back to India and joined the Indian Imperial Police for five years. After doing a variety of jobs around France he started to write articles until beginning to write his books. In the sources I used the definition of the Russian Revolution is â€Å"Russian Revolution, violent upheaval in Russia in 1917 that overthrew the czars government.† In the novel the rebellion of the animals was a violent upheaval on Manor Farm that overthrew Mr. Jones. Orwell’s point in writing this novel was to show the stupidity and flaws of the Russian government and the stupidity of the events that took place in the time period of the rise of communism. The main events that happen in the novel go word for word to what major events took place during Porter 2 the rise of Joseph Stalin. In the Russian Revolution Joseph Stalin took the words of the beloved Karl Marks and used them to gain power for his own doing. The same thing happened in Animal Farm when Napoleon used the words of Old Major to start his own Revolution. George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a story about rebellion. The farm animals rebel against Mr. Jones, the farm owner, because of neglect. When the animals chase out Mr. and Mrs. Jones, the animals immediately rejoice. The pigs gain control of the farm. They soon forget the real meaning of â€Å"Animalism† and the other animals cannot tell the difference between the humans and the pigs. Orwell’s Animal Farm parallels the characters, events, and socialism of the Russian Revolution. The characters in Animal Farm favor the main personalities of the Russian Revolution. Mr. Jones is a reflection of Czar Nicholas II, who lost control of his reign by rapid industrialization. The rebellion in the novel mirrors the R ussian revolution. The windmill is a symbol for Stalin’s Five-Year plan. Just a windmill was promised to make the animal’s life easier. The Five-Year Plan was supposed to improve Soviet industry to the point that the people’s life would be made easier. Stalin also thought that the Five Year Plan would increase production and allow the soviets to shorten the workweek. And just like the windmill, and Stalin’s plan was an utter failure. After the destruction of the Windmill, the Animals decided to build another one. Just like how Stalin kept churning out new Five-year Plans. Always promising that each new plan would solve all of Russia’s problems. The same as Porter 3  when Napoleon kept on making up plans that would benefit him in the long run. It all started when the hens refused to give their eggs up to the pigs. Napoleon then decided to starve them until they change their minds. Several of the hen’s die, and the rest simply give up. Soon after, Napoleon calls a general meeting. The dogs drag out several pigs. The pigs confess that they were working with Snowball and Mr. Frederick, and a moment later the dogs tear their throats out. After that, the same thing happens with the surviving hens from the rebellion. At the end, there is a pile of corpses by Napoleons feet. What we have here is a nightmare that mirrors to the Great Purge. The Great Purge took place between 1936 and 1938. Working to eliminate every last trace of the people Stalin had executed or sent to Gulag labor camps. Many of those who died, died because they claimed association with Leon Trotsky. Estimates of how many died in the purges ranges from about 500,000 up to 2 million. Stalin and Napoleon were evil men. Orwell was a very clever man. He had a lot of ideas on how government should be run. He also was a very talented writer. Using those skills he crafted the novel our class read Animal Farm. This novel could be read at an elementary level or at a high school level with a huge political perspective. Orwell cleverly used the story of animals taking over a farm to make fun of the communist government. In doing so he included the events as told in my past paragraphs. The Russian Revolution, Stalin’s Five-Year Plan, and The Great Purge. All events secretly mentioned in the form of a children’s fable. Orwell was truly a clever man.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Media ethics in advertising

Media ethics is defined as, the norms or standards of behavior that guide moral choices about the conduct of dealing with particular ethical principles applied by the media organizations, while advertising ethics is an emotional process that is normally applied by the media organizations to reach the general public, with a core objective of creating persuasion to the audiences to take a particular action on a particular product or event being advertised.Although there are no laws governing the communication process carried out by most advertising agencies, the media organisation pursuing the advertisements are basically regulated by the self organisation so as to ,maintain the standards and reputation of the media organisation to the public. The advertising media may include; advertising agencies, news papers, films, television stations and radio stations depending on the preferences of the product manufactures.[1]In this case, we find that most businessmen use the media as their mea ns of promoting their products to the market, through advertising, which is said to increase the audiences’ need for consuming particular products that are presented by the media, and its through this advertising that the society is notified of the presence of a new product in the market, we see that once a product is bought, another product emerges in the market. Therefore, advertising is used to influence the decision making process of a particular audience to purchase a particular product due to desires created by the media through its attractive presentation of the products quality.In this case, the audiences are said to be a major factor in median advertising communication, since it is through the audiences that the conveying and sourcing of information by the media for business organizations is made successful. The media itself regards the audience as being passive in the interpretation of media messages. And it is in this messages that the media gets the power to influ ences the audience. These audiences can be noticed by the specific needs that are always specific, whereby they are forced to look upon the media so as they can derive their satisfaction.[2]The audiences are therefore, forced to tolerate various advertising information done by the media depending on their desire to fulfill their specified needs.   Personality under this, we find that the audience have the urge of using the advertisements on the media wanting to compare themselves with other people in the society, or even compare their lifestyle and situations with others so that they can identify their status in the society, therefore they are forced to watch, read or listen to particular media items despite the fact that they are adverts.The need for dependency makes the audience to be looking upon the media to be given information about the events taking place and the products present in the market globally, so they have to tolerate the messages by the media so as they get the i nformation about a particular event taking place. In this case we find that the audience read, listen and interpret the message depending on their socio-economic class, gender, age, education and their ethnic backgrounds, in this manner we find that they are influenced by the media to carry out a particular action or even to copy the concepts of life shown in the message that is put across to them through advertisements.We see that the audience is made aware of the product and how they are to obtain it. Awareness is a stage where a consumer or the audience must have the knowledge of the existence of a particular product in the market, this is because, if a buyer is not aware of the product then there will be no action taken on the purchasing process and the business owner is likely to undergo losses due to lack of the market for its product. The media also creates interest to the audience about a particular product, he intends to buy, and therefore, he is persuaded by the content of the message presented by the media that the product is relevant to his needs.[3]Through the media, understanding is imposed on the audience whereby, the consumer should be able to know how the particular product will meet his needs, thus the media includes the benefits and the procedures of using a particular product, under this, and the media practices its role of educating its audience. Media ethics plays a major role in the creation of attitude of the audiences; under this, the consumer must be able to develop a positive feeling towards the product, depending on the persuasive message given by the media about the product. And finally we see that the audience is led to the purchase of the product, although it may take some time later after trying to get the shop that stocks the favorite this also enriches both the business and the media when the goods are sold.So, most media houses take this advantage of their presentation of the product to give various products false information so that, it may get its awareness by the audience. We find the advertisers use various methods to influence the society at large, this include:Disinformation is the passing of false information by the media. This act include   the giving out of counterfeit information or photographs   about a particular product, with an intention of misleading the audience by convincing them to believe the untruth statements, so that they engage in a particular activity so as the source of the particular information may benefit.This practice is not only practiced by the business owners, but it is also used by various political leaders and the government, who influence the media organizations to disseminate certain information that is meant to undermine other leaders in the government and through this, we find that the audience are led to take an action depending on the message given to them by the media who are surely, aware that the information included in the advertisement is not true.   Th is is usually referred to as false advertising in which the advertising agencies use a deliberate untrue statement to gain a profitable advantage; under this many consumers are persuaded to engage in business transactions or activities that will fulfill the need of the advertisement.[4]The business owners are said to using the following methods to influence the consumers to purchase their products this includes: Pricing Methods; this is the most applied practice by most business owners, it is said to be the prime way to deceit consumers into paying more than the advertised price, we find that, they advertise a particular sale price and when one gets to the shop he finds that the price is not the exact advertised price in the media.The other method applied by the business men is the introductory offer, this applied only for a period of time, where we see that when a new product is brought into the market, there is always an introductory offer to the consumers and after the expiry of the introductory time, the consumers who had accepted the first offer are not noticed on the changes and they are found to be buying the products thus benefiting the producers. The intention for this is to have the consumers to get used to the first offer whereby they continue buying the products without the knowledge of an increase in the price; this practice is usually used on the selling of electronic appliances.The other deceptive method used by the advertisers is the; misrepresentation; this is a situation where, a particular product is given some descriptive values that it actually doesn’t carry, this is mainly used to mislead the consumers that a particular product posses, an example of this is the case where most consumers were misled by a message showing that a higher level of animal care is provided, than was actually the case by the United Egg Producers’ logo on egg cartons   which said â€Å"Animal Care Certified† [5]Other producers are better know n for misleading their consumers by the use of over sizing and under sizing the packages of the products, we find that most of the packages are packed leaving some vacant spaces at the top, this is basically found in products that are normally packed in cans and this character is not noticed until it is purchased and opened by the consumer, this is mostly deceptive where the consumer is convinced that the weight and size of the product is worth the money he is paying for the product.This method is deceptive in a manner that we find that the packaging is of the same size but it carries a less product than before. Thus the consumers continue buying the products knowing that the quantity of the product is still the same as it was in the beginning, and the unethical practices appears when the label on the product is changed to be a sign of the new amount of the product, but it is always presented in a manner that is not easily noticeable.Sexuality is another concept used by most busines ses whereby, it is argued that this method is the most effective for drawing the consumers’ immediate interest, holding it and, in the long run, introducing a product that associates with that interest created by the media. In this case we find that various images of pretty women are related to an advertisement which does not accurately connect with the characteristics of the product being advertised.This method is normally used in advertising cosmetic products, whereby the display of sexual acts are highly said to be explicit to the consumers thus enhancing attractive features of the products. The sex appeal may be presented in an electronic media such as the radio, where there is a limitation on visual activities; therefore the advertisers opt to use a voice that reveals a particular emotion after the use of the particular good, while in print and television media the use of sexual images is exclusively used.[6]  Though this advertising may also have some negative impacts on the audience whereby, we may find that the person may not be able to fulfill the desires created in him on the purchasing of that particular good due to the economic status of the audience, then the person ends up creating anxiety, stress and frustration depending on the kind of information given by the media. The media organizations and the business owners are advised to be loyal to its audience and the consumers of their particular products so that they can keep the ethical standards and reputation of their organizations.ReferencesCouldry, N. and Curran, J. (2003): Contesting Media Power, Alternative media in aNetworked world, Lanham and Oxford, Rowman and Littlefield.Christians, C. G. et al. (2004): Media Ethics, Cases & Moral Reasoning; 7th Edn: New York, Allyn and Bacon.Croteau, D. and Hoynes, W. (2000): Media Society: Industries, Images and Audiences,Second Edition, Thousand Oaks, Pine Forge Press.Patterson, P. L.   and Wilkins, C. (2004): Media Ethics, Issues & Cases, 5 th edition: New York, McGraw HillRichards, J. I. (1990): Deceptive Advertising; Erlbaum at p. 20.[1] Richards, J. I. (1990): Deceptive Advertising; Erlbaum at p. 20. [2] Richards, J. I. (1990): Deceptive Advertising; Erlbaum at p. 20. [3] Patterson, P. L.   and Wilkins, C. (2004): Media Ethics, Issues & Cases, 5th   edition: New York, McGraw Hill [4] Patterson, P. L.   and Wilkins, C. (2004): Media Ethics, Issues & Cases, 5th   edition: New York, McGraw Hill [5] Couldry, N. and Curran, J. (2003): Contesting Media Power, Alternative media in a Networked world, Lanham and Oxford, Rowman and Littlefield. [6] Croteau, D. and Hoynes, W. (2000): Media Society: Industries, Images and Audiences, Second Edition, Thousand Oaks, Pine Forge Press.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Sample Final Econ Essay Example

Sample Final Econ Essay Example Sample Final Econ Paper Sample Final Econ Paper A unapologetically competitive industry is characterized by a. NY firms, differentiated products, and barriers to entry. B. Many firms, differentiated products, and free entry. A few firms, identical products, and free entry. D. A few firms, differentiated products, and barriers to entry. 3. If the rent for apartments in New York City were fixed below the current price, then we would expect a. An increase in the number of people wanting to rent apartments in New York City. B. A decrease in the number of people wanting to rent apartments in New York City. C. An increase in the number of apartments available for rent in New York City. D. None of the above is correct. 4. If an increase in income results in a decrease in the quantity demanded off good, then for that good, the a. Cross-price elasticity of demand is negative. Price elasticity of demand is elastic. Income elasticity of demand is negative. Income elasticity of demand is positive. 5. If two goods are complements, their cross-price elasticity will be a. Positive. Negative. Equal to the difference between the income elasticity of demand for the two goods. 6. Which of these assumptions is often realistic for a firm in the short run? A. The firm can vary both the size of its factory and the number of workers it employs. The firm can vary the size of its factory but not the number of workers it employs. C. The firm can vary the number of workers it employs but not the size of its factory. D. The firm can vary neither the size of its factory nor the number of workers it employs. 7. A production function describes how a firm maximizes profits. How a firm turns inputs into output. The minimal cost of producing a given level of output. The relationship between cost and output. Table 13-1 Number of Workers Total Output Marginal Product 2 3 50 4 8. Refer to Table 13-1. What is total output when 1 worker is hired? . 120 160 9. On a 100-acre farm, a farmer is able to produce 3,000 bushels of wheat when he hires 2 workers. He is able to produce 4,400 bushels of wheat when he hires 3 workers. Which of the following possibilities is consistent with the property of diminishing marginal product? A. The farmer is able to produce 5,600 bushels of wheat when he hires 4 workers. B. The farmer is able to produce 5,800 bushels of wheat when he hires 4 workers. C. The farmer is able to produce 6,000 bushels of wheat when he hires 4 workers. D. Any of the above could be correct. Table 13-5 Number of Workers Output ,oho 2,000 2,700 3,200 5 3,500 6 3,600 1,000 units. 00 units. 700 units. 500 units. Figure 13-10 1 1 . Refer to Figure 13-10. The three average total cost curves on the diagram labeled TACT , TACT, and TACT most likely correspond to three different a. Time horizons. Products. Firms. Factory sizes. Table 13-14 Listed in the table are the long-run total costs for three different firms. Quantity Firm A Firm B 200 Firm C 300 1,500 12. Refer to Table 13-14. Which firm is experiencing discomposes of scale? Firm A only Firm B only Firm C only Firm A and Firm B only 13. Suppose you make Jewelry. If the price of gold falls, then we would expect you to a. E willing and able to produce less Jewelry than before at each possible price. B. Be willing and able to produce more Jewelry than before at each possible price. C. Face a greater demand for your Jewelry. Face a weaker demand for your Jewelry. 14. Workers at a bicycle assembly plant currently earn the mandatory minimum wage. If the federal government increases the minimum wage by $1. 00 per hour, then it is likely that the a. Demand for bicycle assembly workers will increase. Supply of bicycles will shift to the right. Supply of bicycles will shift to the left. Rim must increase output to maintain profit levels. 5. A improvement in production technology will shift the supply curve to the right. Supply curve to the left. Demand curve to the right. Demand curve to the left. 16. If a good is inferior, then an increase in income will result in a. An increase in the demand for the good. A decrease in the demand for the good. A movement down and to the right along the demand curve for the good. D. A movement up and to the left along the demand curve for the good. 17. Suppose that a decrease in the price of good X results in fewer units of good Y being demanded. This implies that X and Y are a. Complementary goods. Aroma goods. Inferior goods. Substitute goods. 18. Suppose the American Medical Association announces that men who shave their heads are less likely to die of heart failure. We could expect the current demand for a. Hair gel to increase. Razors to increase. Combs to increase. Shampoo to increase. 19. You love peanut butter. You hear on the news that 50 percent of the peanut crop in the South has been wiped out by drought and that this will cause the price of peanuts to double by the end of the year. As a result, your demand for peanut butter a. Ill increase but not until the end of the year. Increases today. Shifts left today. 20. Ford Motor Company announces that next month it will offer $3,000 rebates on new Mustangs. As a result of this information, todays demand curve for Mustangs a. Shifts to the right. Shifts to the left. Shifts either to the right or to the left, but we cannot determine the direction of the shift from the given information. D. Will not shift; rather, the demand curve for Mustangs will shift to the right next month. Table 4-3 Price Berets Demanded Ermines Groves Scars $0. 00 20 16 8 $0. 50 18 12 $1. 00 14 10 $1. 50 2. 00 $2. 50 21. Refer to Table 4-3. If these are the only four buyers in the market, then the market quantity demanded at a price of $1 is a. 4 units. 7. 75 units. 14 units. 31 units. 22. Suppose that gasoline prices increase dramatically this month. Lola commutes 100 miles to work each weekday. Over the next few months, Lola drives less on the weekends to try to save money. Within the year, she sells her home and purchases one only 10 miles from her place of employment. These examples illustrate the importance of a. The availability of substitutes in determining the price elasticity of demand. B. Stickiest versus a luxury in determining the price elasticity of demand. C. The definition of a market in determining the price elasticity of demand. D. The time horizon in determining the price elasticity of demand. 23. Holding all other forces constant, if decreasing the price of a good leads to an increase in total revenue, then the demand for the good must be a. Unit elastic. Inelastic. Elastic. None of the above is correct because a price increase always leads to an increase in total revenue. 24. Which of the following statements about oligopolies is not correct? A. An oligopolies market has only a few sellers. The actions of any one seller can have a large impact on the profits of all other sellers. C. Oligopolies firms are interdependent in a way that competitive firms are not. D. Unlike monopolies and unapologetically competitive markets, oligopolies prices do not exceed their marginal revenues. 25. A group of firms that act in unison to maximize collective profits is called unapologetically competitive industry. Monopoly. Cartel. 26. A movie theater can increase its profits through price discrimination by charging a higher price to adults and a lower price to children if it a. N prevent children from buying the lower-priced tickets and selling them to adults. Has some degree of monopoly pricing power. Can easily distinguish between the two groups of customers. All of the above are correct. 27. A monopoly is an inefficient way to produce a product because a. It can earn both short-run and long-run profits. It faces a downward-sloping demand curve. The cost to the monopolist of producing one more unit exceeds the value of that unit to potential buyers. D. It produces a smaller level of output than would be produced in a competitive market.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Critical Investagtion of the importance of Computer security (SME) within Business The WritePass Journal

Critical Investagtion of the importance of Computer security (SME) within Business Critical Investagtion of the importance of Computer security (SME) within Business INTRODUCTIONREFERENCESRelated ABSTRACT The development of computer system has revolutionised business firms in the world. Business firms virtually rely on computer systems in storing information which is a very vital resource in any business because it is the success of the business. However, the safety of the computer systems needs to be ensured considering the importance and relevance of the information stored in it. One of the most important barricades in the success of the use of computers in business firms, most especially in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) is the negligence to computer security. Over the years, it has been discovered that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are more prone to potential intruders than the larger enterprise due to common and vast knowledge of popular operating systems and application software’s (e.g. MySQL Database and Microsoft respectively). The internet has created opportunities in the implementation of innovative business applications such as electronic commerce, electronic data interchange and inter-organisational systems (Sousa, KJ et al. 2005), which has kept both business firms and customers vulnerable to threats. We will critically outline the various computer threats in our introduction chapter. Computer security threats keeps multiplying and is still expected to multiply [4]. Taking all of those into consideration, the importance of computer security in business (SME) cannot be over emphasized. Accordingly, the general purpose of this academic write-up is to outline the importance of computer security in business; basically in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME). First and foremost, we would critically define computer security, the various kinds of computer threats and their respective security measures. Also, we would explain what SME is all about, some examples of SME and the use of computer in SME. At last, we would critically outline the importance of computer security in business (SME). INTRODUCTION The basis of computer security comprises of the reply to the question â€Å"What is computer security†. The word â€Å"Security† means to protect or could mean to freedom or prevention from danger, risk or damage. Therefore, computer security which is also referred to as Information Security can be defined as the protection of data and information in a system from or against authorized users or recipients. In other words, computer security is the ability of the computer system to guard data and information against intruders, unauthorized users or malicious users with confidentiality and integrity. Furthermore, computer security is broken down into an acronym CIA which describes the basic goals of computer security and its aim is to protect the data and the system processing the data. The acronym means Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability. Confidentiality ensures that data and information is kept away from intruders, unauthorized users or malicious users but yet still made available to those users who are authorized to access the data and information. This is also applied to the system processing the data, the network and other devices that are in the network and the computer system itself. Most times, these data are classified into three (3) levels. Some data are classified as public which means that anyone can access the data; some data are classified as company property which means that only users within the company can access the data and while some data is classified at the government level such as top-secret data which is only accessible by users within the government. To ensure the confidentiality of data and information, some security measures are implemented known as â€Å"Controls† such as authentication controls, encryption controls, etc. Integrity ensures that the data and information in the computer system has not been tampered or altered by intruders, unauthorized users or malicious users and even the authorized users. It guarantees that the data and information has not been changed or destroyed either accidentally or intentionally by intruders, unauthorized users or malicious users. It also ensures that the data and information remains in its authorized state or form. In order to ensure the integrity of data and information, several measures such as hashing or encryption, auditing is implemented. Availability ensures that data/information and systems are made available to only authorized users for use. It protects the authorized users from all sorts of events that may not allow them access to the system and data in the system e.g. accidental events and malicious events. In order to protect the availability of data, some measures are implanted such as backups, server clusters, and redundant systems. Other terminologies associated with computer security are â€Å"Vulnerability† and â€Å"Threat†. Every part of a network such as the computer, people, network devices, operating systems, etc. have unique weaknesses which is called Vulnerability. In order words, vulnerability is a weakness in computer systems. Vulnerability can be exploited. Exploiting vulnerability is the use of weaknesses in diminishing the system security. Therefore, an action taken to exploit against vulnerability by unauthorized or malicious users is known as Threat. Threats can be natural or man-made, intentional or accidental, technology.  Ã‚  Ã‚   REFERENCES David A. Bradbard, Dwight R. Norris, Paramjit H. Kahai 1990, Computer Security in Small Business: An Empirical Study, Journal of Small Business Management, vol 28. Sousa, Kenneth J; MacDonald, Laurie E; Fougere, Kenneth T 2005, Computer Security in the Introductory Business Information Systems Course: An Exploratory Study of Textbook Coverage, Journal of Education for Business, vol 81, p. 15.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Bio of Ma Rainey, Influential Early Blues Singer

Bio of Ma Rainey, Influential Early Blues Singer Born Gertrude Pridgett, Ma Rainey (April 26, 1886 - December 22, 1939) was one of the first blues singers to record music. Nicknamed the â€Å"Mother of the Blues,† she recorded more than 100 singles, including the hits â€Å"Prove it on Me Blues,† â€Å"See See Rider Blues,† and â€Å"Don’t Fish in My Sea.† Fast Facts: Ma Rainey Occupation: Blues singerNickname: Mother of the BluesBorn: 1882 or 1886 in either Russell County, Alabama, or Columbus, GeorgiaParents: Thomas and Ella PridgettDied: Dec. 22, 1939 in Columbus, GeorgiaTop Songs: Prove it on Me Blues, See See Rider Blues, Don’t Fish in My Sea, Bo-Weavil BluesKey Accomplishments: 1990 Rock Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 1990 Blues Foundation Hall of Fame Inductee, 1994 US postage stamp honoree Early Years Gertrude Pridgett was the second child born to minstrel show performers Thomas and Ella Pridgett. Her birthplace is often listed as Columbus, Ga., and her birth year is widely reported as 1886. However, census records indicate that the singer was born September 1882 in Russell County, Alabama. Her singing career took off during her early teens. Like many African Americans, she honed her musical skills in church. By 1900, she was singing and dancing in Georgia’s Springer Opera House, now a National Historic Landmark. A number of artists have performed at the theater, including Buffalo Bill, John Philip Sousa, Burt Reynolds, and Oscar Wilde. Rainey, however, stands out as one of the early greats to do so.   In addition to the career success she enjoyed as a young woman, Rainey hit a milestone in her personal life when she married performer William â€Å"Pa† Rainey on February 2, 1904. The couple performed as â€Å"Ma† and â€Å"Pa† Rainey throughout the South. Traveling so much, especially in rural areas, is what led Ma Rainey to first hear the blues, a new art form at the time.   Blues combined African-American spirituals with African musical customs, such as â€Å"blue,† or flat notes. Performers would typically repeat the same lines, and the lyrics often discussed heartache or struggles of some sort. When Rainey first heard a singer perform the blues, the woman described a man who’d left her. Rainey had never heard anything like it. Introduced in the late 1800s, the blues paved the way for several different music genres, namely RB and rock-n-roll. Ma Rainey came to love the genre so much that she soon started performing blues songs. Her performances thrilled audiences, putting her on the path to become one of the early blues greats. Some scholars have said Rainey influenced younger performers, such as Bessie Smith, the blues singer she met in 1912. But it’s unclear if Rainey really acted as a mentor to Smith, whose singing style differed from hers. Well into the 1910s, Rainey continued to enjoy musical success, performing with Fat Chappelles Rabbit Foot Minstrels as well as Tollivers Circus and Musical Extravaganza. Their shows included chorus lines, acrobats, and comedy acts. When Rainey sang at the end of the program, she looked every bit the stage diva, turning up in showy jewelry, like diamond headpieces and necklaces made of cash. She even had gold teeth, which complemented the gold gowns she wore.   A Hitmaker for Paramount Records In 1916, Rainey began performing without her husband because the two had separated. She did not publicly identify as a lesbian, but some of her later musical lyrics and an arrest for throwing an â€Å"indecent† party toward the end of her career suggest she had romantic relationships with women. The newly single Rainey performed with her own backing band, billing herself as Madam Gertrude â€Å"Ma† Rainey and Her Georgia Smart Sets. Ma Rainey was one of the earliest recording artists to perform blues music. Photo by Donaldson Collection/Getty Images Rainey cut several songs for Paramount Records in 1923. They included the hits Bad Luck Blues, Bo-Weavil Blues, Moonshine Blues, and Those All Night Long Blues. Mamie Smith recorded the earliest blues single three years before. Rainey may not have been the first blues recording artist, but she had a prolific output. She went on to record about 100 blues tracks, and Dead Drunk Blues was among the most popular. Her songs had many themes. The lyrics, like those of many blues songs, focused on romantic relationships; they also discussed drinking and traveling as well as the African-American folk magic known as hoodoo. Although Rainey started out performing in the South, the success of her records led to a tour in the North, where she had dates in cities like Chicago with her backup ensemble, the Wildcats Jazz Band. In the following years, Rainey performed with a number of talented musicians, most famously Louis Armstrong. In 1928, Rainey’s music career began to slow down, as her type of blues fell out of fashion. Paramount did not renew her contract, despite the slew of hits she’d performed for the record label. One of the last tracks she recorded, Prove It On Me Blues, openly discussed her sexual orientation. â€Å"Went out last night with a crowd of my friends,† Rainey sang. â€Å"They must’ve been women, ‘cause I don’t like no men. It’s true I wear a collar and tie. Makes the wind blow all the while.† In the promotional image for the song, Rainey is drawn wearing a suit and a hat, speaking with a few women as a policeman eyes her. The song and the image allude to a women-only party Rainey threw 1925. It got so rowdy that a neighbor complained to the police. The women were getting affectionate with one another when the officer arrived, and as party host, Rainey was arrested for throwing an indecent party. While the singer could not openly identify as a lesbian during this era, she is regarded as a gay icon today. She’s one of the recording artists featured in Robert Philipson’s 2011 documentary T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness: Queer Blues Divas of the 1920s. Ma Rainey’s Impact Today Although Rainey stopped recording new music in the late 1920s, she continued to perform, simply at much smaller venues than she had during the height of her career. In 1935, she retired from the industry, returning to her hometown of Columbus, Ga. There, she purchased two movie halls- the Lyric and Airdome theaters. Ma Rainey died from a heart attack on Dec. 22, 1939.   She may have been a singer, but Rainey has been a major influence on black literature and drama. Poets Langston Hughes and Sterling Allen Brown both alluded to her in their works. The August Wilson play â€Å"Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom† directly referenced the singer as well. And Alice Walker based blues singer Shug Avery, a character in her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel â€Å"The Color Purple,† on artists like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. In 1990, Rainey was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame and the Rock Roll Hall of Fame. Four years later, the US Postal Service issued a postage stamp in the blues singer’s honor. Her home in Columbus, Ga., became a museum in her honor in 2007. Sources Freedman, Samuel J. What Black Writers Owe to Music. New York Times, 14 October 1984.Giaimo, Cara. The Queer Black Woman Who Reinvented The Blues. Atlas Obscura, 27 April 2016.ONeal, Jim. Ma Rainey. The Blues Foundation, 10 November 2016.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Family Life Education Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Family Life Education - Assignment Example As the essay stresses the definition of social support is subject to a lot of debate. The definition of social support varies, the concepts behind the definition similarly diverse. Among the most common definition of social support include: the activity that involves resource provision; a positive outcome implied; social integration; and outcomes that involve a recipient feeling cared for. The concept of social support is however widely applied in many cycles including health behaviour, caregiver burden, and compliance. Sociologists, psychologists, and nurses for example have used the concept in assessing social networks; evaluating social relations; and linking illness outcomes to family assessments respectively. This discussion declares that the global war on terrorism has impacted on many people’s lives, military personnel and their families especially according to Huebner, Mancini, Bowen, and Orthner. Deployment of military personnel to the battle field has an effect on the personnel, their marriages, and their children. Children for example end up experiencing depression, loneliness, and bruised self esteem even as their parents under deployment are stressed up in the wake of imminent harm. Facing such challenging situations without the support of other people is often very tasking, the reason people need to engage external support. The family support system needs to be augmented by the community’s support for better results when dealing with stressful issues. Engaging the community in capacity building and supporting the family is characterised by two main elements; collective competence and shared responsibility according to Huebner et al (nd, p 219). Military men and wome n for example get a lot of support when they form formal and informal networks. Although the resilient informal support network are often preferred by members of society, their formal counterparts play a great role in providing grounds for their (informal support systems) establishment and growth (Huebner et al, nd, p 220). Research has shown that having positive view of community capacity directly impacted positively on depression. In the Air Force, a study showed that suicide rates reduced when members of the AF community engaged in interagency activities (Huebner et al, nd, p220). Also, at the national level, community capacity has notably helped in the establishment of stable social capital and conducive business environments. Community Engaged Parent Education The role of parents in the community and society at large has been one issue that has drawn a lot of concern. This is especially the case with the rapid changes that are taking place in the world today. As such, the paren ting landscape has undergone significant transformation causing the need for similar albeit adequate response in parent education as noted by Doherty, Jacob, and Cutting (nd). In the United States, the need for engaging the community in parent education finds its roots in the establishment of organized parent education initiatives. With time, parenting education started focusing on making the world a better place.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Mathematical Cognition and Mathematical Learning Difficulties Essay

Mathematical Cognition and Mathematical Learning Difficulties - Essay Example Any difficulties in learning or understanding these skills may result in mathematical learning difficulties. It is imperative that we gather information about arithmetic skills in order to perpetuate our understanding of the root cause of dyscalculia. This can be done with the help of the two main neuropsychological models of numerical abilities which are outlined below. McCloskey, Caramazza, and Basili (1985) have divided arithmetic skills into three main groups: (1) comprehension of number concepts; (2) production of numbers; and (3) calculation. (from Shalev and Gross-Tsur) These skills call for the ability to process verbal and Arabic representations of numbers. Further it requires an understanding of the processed numbers coupled with the ability to transcode numbers from one representation to another. Calculation refers to arithmetic competency in terms of strategies used to solve problems, a keen grasp of the concepts involved and a decent knowledge of the counting principles. The "triple-code model" w... sychological as well as an anatomical basis and its premise is the three basic elements of verbal, visual, and magnitude representation in acquiring arithmetic skills. According to this model verbal processing is done in the left hemisphere of the brain whereas magnitude estimations and visual representations are bilaterally localized. Any deficit or failure in acquiring these skills is bound to manifest itself as a mathematical disability. Normal children use a particular or judicious mix of strategies in using these skills to solve arithmetic problems but studies have shown that "MD children tend to use immature problem-solving strategies" (Geary 1993, 348) MATHEMATICAL DISABILITIES FROM A COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVE MD children presumably have difficulties in the retrieval of basic arithmetic facts from their memories and in the computation or procedures involved in arithmetic processes. According to Geary, "lower order deficits of MD children potentially reside in five component skills: procedural, memory retrieval, conceptual, working memory, and speed of processing." The first two are functional skills and they are important determinants of mathematical performance whereas the latter three skills are underlying components which may influence the output. Studies have shown that MD children are, "characterized by a high frequency of computational and memory-retrieval errors" (Geary 1993, 348) This indicates that these children are not fully cognizant of the tenets of mathematics (poor conception) which is further accentuated by a retrieval deficit memory. Moreover their counting speed is slow and this mars problem- solving ability as the working memory falters and finally decays. MD children ar e unaware of the errors they make and hence there is repetition of errors.

Applying for Scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Applying for Scholarship - Essay Example Moreover, I plan to buy multistoried family homes which can be used for rent out; it will prove to be an earning stream for me. In recent times, there has been growth in the entrepreneur businesses and I have expertise in identifying and implementing the new, highly innovative ideas. Additionally, I am looking forward for this scholarship as it will allow me to polish my competent abilities required in this field. At present time, I have insufficient funds available for carrying out my education and this scholarship will allow me to move ahead in my lucrative career. I believe I am eligible for this scholarship as my past academic records show that I am a hard working and intelligent student. Besides possessing extraordinary capabilities, all of my results are in distinction ranges which are proofs of my determination and passion for studies. I have even achieved top ranks in extracurricular activities as I keep good balance between my studies and additional activities. Thus, I deserve the real estate scholarship which will assist me in making my career in this field and will help me in moving ahead in the field

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Effect of Social Media on Childrens Academic Performance Essay

Effect of Social Media on Childrens Academic Performance - Essay Example Technological advances at this day and age have brought about a lot of changes in the way children and teens communicate socially by the use of social communication platforms such as Facebook, Blogging, Internet TV, Skype, Twitters, YouTube and MySpace and so on. Younger children are also indulged in social networking heavily. This is according to a study conducted where websites such as ClubPenguin, Poptropica, Habbo, Neopets and Stardoll have managed to register millions of users who mostly are younger children (â€Å"Your Children and the Internet: Social Networking Sites†). According to the study by the Kaiser Family Foundation (2010, January), more than eight in ten, that is 84%, of young people now have fast Internet access at home, this has increased from a record of 74% in 2004 and 47% in 1999. As a result, they spend more time online when they are at the comfort of their homes. Computer usage has also sky rocketed where many homes now own a computer, so as to get access to the Internet. Seven in ten 8- to 18-year-olds go online; this can be translated to about 70%. Where home use if around 57% whereas going online at school, in the library, community centre is about 20%. These networking tools have brought about a lot of time focus by the children and they lose focus of their studies and education which is quite important too. At this point internet being easily affordable and readily available and the occurrence of smart phones, tablets and other internet enabled gadgets; children are prone to be subjected to all they would want to access at just a click away. i. Vulnerability of children’s level of development According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2001), "Children are influenced by media–they learn by observing, imitating, and making behaviors their own". The continuous access to the internet by children has caused them to be vulnerable to a lot of things. For instance, children development has been hindered to a capacity that is quite alarming. Children are influenced by what they see on the television, magazines and the likes to a point they can be able to depict exactly what they see others doing. This also makes them vulnerable in the fact that social media such as the internet, texting and networking can lead to reduced concentration and academic performance. This has definitely led to reduced grades and progressive dependence on social media has shown that the same children who spend more time on TV than physical activities tend to be slower at grasping facts. In addition to that, exposure to unrated adult t elevision has been noticed to lead to increased exposure to violence or sexual content and this in turn lead to aggressive behavior and thoughts respectively and other factors such as fear and less helping in house chores (â€Å"Anti-Social Networking: How do texting and social media affect our children? A panel by CSC clinicians at the Nightingale Bamford School†). Renee Hobbs, an advocate for media literacy education commented on that issue stating, â€Å"Just because our students can use media and technology doesn't mean they are effective at critically analyzing and evaluating the messages they receive. Students need a set of skills to ask important questions about what they watch, see, listen to and read. Often called media literacy, these skills include the ability to critically

Medical law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Medical law - Case Study Example The legal medical standards and ethical decision making styles in healthcare today are the predominant factors in caring for patients in an appropriate and caring manner. For many years now there have been intense debates concerning the ethical implications of euthanasia in medical care. The medical law has clearly defined that any form of euthanasia, including forms of assisted suicide or even discussion of suicide with a patient is unethical and morally wrong, not to mention illegal in the UK. Therefore despite the fact that euthanasia might at times appear to be the more humane way to control and perhaps provide sincere care to a patient, it is not something that is legally allowed within all of the countries that make up the geographic regions of the UK. Because of the legal boundaries involved with this form of medical care, many people travel great distances simply to have the ability to have their own wishes upheld. Also, there exists a great deal of confusion with the law and the comprehensive level of those contemplating euthanasia. Many citizens all around the UK don't fully understand what euthanasia entails and why it is considered by som e to be so unethical and immoral either. Euthanasia is a form of care that can be defined as, "either painlessly putting to death or failing to prevent death from natural causes in cases of terminal illness or irreversible coma" (Bender et al 1989). The term comes from the Greek expression for "good death." Now, this short definition has been found to be a cause for debates all over the world, with specific emphases in the UK itself. Doctors, politicians, religious leaders, lawyers, and the general public argue over the legislation that would allow or forbid euthanasia. Currently, there are only two countries, which permit such "activity"; and these are the Netherlands and Belgium. As was said, citizens in countries such as England and Britain often travel to the Netherlands in particular to have their wishes to end their lives upheld. This is considered morally wrong by many as well because if an individual is suffering terribly from untreatable throat cancer and there is no way to extend their quality of life, then the q uestion is, "why make them suffer" Of course current UK legislation obviously does bring on a lot of heart ache for many of those in its borders. This is undoubtedly where some of the more differing viewpoints come into a clearer perspective. There also exists another subsidiary concept other than the basic form of euthanasia which is known as, "Passive Euthanasia" (Bender et al 1989). This form of euthanasia is understood to come into being when treatment to a patient is intentionally withheld or withdrawn to prolong life in many cases (Bender et al 1989). It is the notion of hastening the death of a person by altering some form of medical support that they are receiving and letting nature take its course that is an example of passive euthanasia. Some forms of this would be incidents that include repudiation of chemotherapy, radiation, antibiotics, and also the refusal of donor blood for needed transfusions. Also, stopping medications,

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

An analysis of the Ebola Virus (Ebola Hemorragic Fever) its ongoing Essay

An analysis of the Ebola Virus (Ebola Hemorragic Fever) its ongoing epidemiology, and ongoing prevention and control of this BSL - Essay Example The continued outbreak of Ebola in Africa has drawn worldwide attention because of its explosive emergence, high mortality, nosocomial secondary transmission, and ecological mystery. The worst outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) and killed 250 out of 315 who contracted it, while one of the latest outbreaks, lasting through February of 2009, had a 47% mortality rate, killing 15 of the 32 infected (CDC). Safety measures recommended to avoid the contraction of the Ebola virus include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE, including masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles) and, infection control measures including isolation, and complete sterilization of equipment. There is little research at this time regarding control of the infection since there is absence of significant knowledge about Ebola’s ecology. Thus, Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is perhaps the most virulent virus known to mankind. Background In central Africa, the Ebola virus w as found to be the cause of a hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate in the mid-1970s and reemerged there in the mid-1990s (Waigmann, 2003, p. 6). In 1976, epidemics of hemorrhagic disease with very high mortality, up to 90%, broke out simultaneously in a remote area of Northern Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (DRC) and Southern Sudan (Zuckerman, 2009, p. 755). The outbreaks in these areas were found to be due to two separate but antigenically related filovirus strains, distinct from Marburg virus. After some tests, these viruses were grouped under the name Ebola virus, after a river in Zaire (Zuckerman, 2009, p. 755). Among 318 probable cases, 280 died, a mortality rate of 80% (Zuckerman, 2009, p. 759). A smaller Ebola outbreak occurred in Sudan in 1979 with 34 patients and 22 deaths. There were outbreaks in 1989, when a shipment of monkeys with Ebola virus was imported from the Philippines by a commercial biological supply company in the United States. The 1 989 outbreak was focused in Reston, Virginia, and was thus called Ebola Reston strain. Hundreds of monkeys were killed in 1989 Ebola Reston outbreak to avoid spread of infection to humans. Animal handlers showed signs of infections, but not clinical manifestation. Because of this, it was believed that Philippine monkey strain of Ebola was less virulent for man. In 1992, there was a small monkey outbreak in Italy, and a single case of a Swiss technologist who did an autopsy on a chimpanzee in the Tai forest area of the Ivory Coast. In the early part of May 1995, health authorities noticed a cluster of Ebola cases in Kikwit Hospital, in Democratic Republic of Congo. Most of the cases resulted from close contact with patients and aerosol transmission, the mechanism by which Ebola virus is spread from a reservoir to a human being by means of aerosols (Ebola virus suspensions in air) and usually enters through the respiratory tract. The outbreak was controlled by limiting contact transmi ssions. In June 1995, 315 cases were detected and 77%, or 244, of these died (Evans, 1997, p. 140). In early 1996, an isolated outbreak occurred in Gabon with 37 cases and 21 deaths (Evans, 1997, p. 140). At the same time, a limited monkey outbreak occurred

Medical law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Medical law - Case Study Example The legal medical standards and ethical decision making styles in healthcare today are the predominant factors in caring for patients in an appropriate and caring manner. For many years now there have been intense debates concerning the ethical implications of euthanasia in medical care. The medical law has clearly defined that any form of euthanasia, including forms of assisted suicide or even discussion of suicide with a patient is unethical and morally wrong, not to mention illegal in the UK. Therefore despite the fact that euthanasia might at times appear to be the more humane way to control and perhaps provide sincere care to a patient, it is not something that is legally allowed within all of the countries that make up the geographic regions of the UK. Because of the legal boundaries involved with this form of medical care, many people travel great distances simply to have the ability to have their own wishes upheld. Also, there exists a great deal of confusion with the law and the comprehensive level of those contemplating euthanasia. Many citizens all around the UK don't fully understand what euthanasia entails and why it is considered by som e to be so unethical and immoral either. Euthanasia is a form of care that can be defined as, "either painlessly putting to death or failing to prevent death from natural causes in cases of terminal illness or irreversible coma" (Bender et al 1989). The term comes from the Greek expression for "good death." Now, this short definition has been found to be a cause for debates all over the world, with specific emphases in the UK itself. Doctors, politicians, religious leaders, lawyers, and the general public argue over the legislation that would allow or forbid euthanasia. Currently, there are only two countries, which permit such "activity"; and these are the Netherlands and Belgium. As was said, citizens in countries such as England and Britain often travel to the Netherlands in particular to have their wishes to end their lives upheld. This is considered morally wrong by many as well because if an individual is suffering terribly from untreatable throat cancer and there is no way to extend their quality of life, then the q uestion is, "why make them suffer" Of course current UK legislation obviously does bring on a lot of heart ache for many of those in its borders. This is undoubtedly where some of the more differing viewpoints come into a clearer perspective. There also exists another subsidiary concept other than the basic form of euthanasia which is known as, "Passive Euthanasia" (Bender et al 1989). This form of euthanasia is understood to come into being when treatment to a patient is intentionally withheld or withdrawn to prolong life in many cases (Bender et al 1989). It is the notion of hastening the death of a person by altering some form of medical support that they are receiving and letting nature take its course that is an example of passive euthanasia. Some forms of this would be incidents that include repudiation of chemotherapy, radiation, antibiotics, and also the refusal of donor blood for needed transfusions. Also, stopping medications,

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Philosophy Matrix Essay Example for Free

Philosophy Matrix Essay |Principal Issues | |Field |Definition | |Schools Of Thought |Key Contributors | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Metaphysics |The study of being: The nature |Plato developed the theory of |Monism |Pythagoras |Metaphysics: Questions about the | | |of being and what |forms and introduced skepticism |Materialism |Parmenides |nature of reality | | |characteristics make up being |about reality. Aristotle coined |Idealism |Heraclitus |Nature of ultimate reality | | | |the word metaphysics. Augustine |Dualism |Zeno |Permanence and Change | | | |reconciled Platonism with | |Empedocles |Appearance and reality | | | |Christianity. Aquinas reconciled| |Anaxagoras |Nature of human reality | | | |Aristotle with Christianity. The| |Plato |Mind-body problems | | | |Scientific Revolution | |Aristotle |Freedom and determinism | | | |Intelligent design versus | |Plotinus | | | | |evolution | |Augustine | | | | | | |Hypatia | | | | | | |Aquinas | | | |. | | |Anselm | | | | | | |Descartes | | | | | | |Hobbes | | | | | | |Hume | | | | | | |Kant | | | | | | |Kierkegaard | | | | | | |Conway | | | | | | |Spinoza | | | | | | |Leibniz | | | | | | |James | | |Moral |The study of ethics: The |Aristotle develops a system of |Ethical skepticism Descriptive |Plato, |What is a moral judgment? | | |nature, criteria, sources, |ethics. Roman influence: |Relativism Egoism Hedonism |Aristotle |What is morally right or wrong? | | |logic, and validity of moral |Epicureanism and stoicism ethics|Epicureanism Stoicism |Epictetus, | | | |value |become Christianized The Age of ||Augustine | | | | |Reason. | |Hildegard, | | | | | | |Hobbes | | | | | | |Hume, | | | | | | |Kant, | | | | | | |Bentham, | | | | | | |Mill | | |Social |The study of society and its |Greek democracy Natural law |Natural Law Contractarian theory|Augustine |How should | | |institutions, including what |becomes Christianized and is |Environmental philosophy |Aquinas |goods be distributed in a | | |would make up an ideal society. |seen as the moral law of God. | |Hobbes |society? | | | |Environmental concerns Social | |Rousseau |Do people have natural rights? | | | |justice | |Smith | | | | | | |Taylor | | | | | | |Mill | | | | | | |Moore | | | | | | |Rawls | | | | | | |Nussbaum | | |Political |The study of the state, its |Greek democracy Plato’s Republic|Democracy Constitutional Theory |Plato |What form of political state is | | |justification, and how to |Social contract Separation of |Classic Liberalism Marxism |Aristotle |best? | | |organize it ethically |power |Anarchism Libertarianism |Machiavelli |Can a government restrict the | | | | |Objectivism |Locke |liberty of its citizens? | | | | | |Hegel | | | | | | |Marx | | | | | | |Nozick | | | | | | |Rand | | |Structuralism |The study of the rules and |Saussure applied |Semiotics |Saussure Levi-Strauss |Study of the deep structure of | | |conventions of the language and|linguistics to epistemology. | | |language | | | |Levi-Strauss applied Saussure’s | | | | | |cultural mythology that govern |methods to cultural | | | | | |large social systems. |mythology. | | | | |Deconstruction |The study of the assumptions |Derrida argued against |Free play of signifiers |Derrida |Seeks to expose assumptions about| | |about language, including the |structuralism. | | |language and multiple meanings | | |certainty, identity, and truth | | | |Literary criticism. | | |of text. | | | | | |Eastern |The study of the philosophical |Vedic culture Travels of |Hinduism: Vedas, Upanishads |Siddhartha Gautama Buddha |Self-realization, Unity of mind | | |traditions of Hinduism, |Confucius and Lao Tzu Spread |Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, | |and | | |Buddhism, |of Buddhism from India to China |Eightfold | |Body, Harmony of man and | | |Confucianism, and Taoism. | Japan Spread of Islam |Path Taoism Confucianism Islamic| |environment | | | |transcendentalists embrace |philosophy | | | | | |Eastern thought Parliament of | | | | | | |World Religions begins spread of| | | | | | |Eastern thought in | | | | | | |America | | | | |Postcolonial |The synthesis of the |Colonization during the 18th and|Pan-African philosophy |Senghor |Social justice Preservation of | | |disciplines of philosophy with |19th centuries. As countries |African-American thought Latin |Hountondji |oral history and tradition | | |the |gained freedom, their thinkers |American thought |Tutu |Liberation of all peoples. | | |indigenous cultures of Africa, |sought social | |King | | | |the Americas, and Asia. |justice and recognition. | |Hooks | | |Feminism |The study of the philosophical |First wave: Pioneers of feminism|Liberal Feminism Radical |Wollstonecraft |Equal rights | | |canon as reconstructed and | |Feminism Lesbian Feminism |Taylor |Moral theory and | | |revised to be inclusive of |Second wave: Activists from |Socialist Feminism Black |De Beauvoir |gender development issues Sexism | | |women and women’s issues. |1960’s to 1980’s |Feminism Post-feminism |Gilligan |and language. Revisiting other | | | |Third wave: 1990s to present, | |Chodorow |schools of | | | |including younger women for whom| |Irigaray |philosophy from a feminist | | | |feminism is an established | |Kristeva |perspective. | | | |Heritage. | |Cixous | | Directions: Complete the entire matrix and then write a 350- to 500-word response for each of the following questions: †¢ What is one example of how the global integration of cultures has affected contemporary philosophical thinking? A manner of analyzing globalization in historical standpoint has to do with the economic and social account of global affairs, and especially with the history of past stages of speedy boost in global trade, investment, communication, and authority. There have been more than a few such instances over the past centuries that come to mind. Among is the export and investment explosions of the 1860s and the earlier part of the twentieth century are merely a couple of the more remarkable instances. (2000) The history of these early periods, and of the institutions with which they were connected, is of substantial contemporary attention. Nonetheless, international history has to be far more than the history of the affairs involving states in the context of their international relations, or their conflicts, or their invasions and domains. It is in excess of the history of exports and imports among countries. (2002) It is over a comparative history. It have to be a history of affairs involving persons and customs, as well as people who belong to quite a lot of diverse cultures all together or who shift among diverse identities, modes of speech, home nations, and even nationalities. Characteristics of Globalization Globalization, has acquired considerable emotive force. Globalization has its own meaning from different individuals. For some, globalization is a process that is beneficial, i. e. a key to the future world economic development and also inevitable and irreversible. Others regard it with hospitality even fear, believing that it increases inequality within and between nations or organizations, threatens employment and living standards and thwarts social progress. Globalization (or globalisation) in its literal sense is a social change, an increase in connections among societies and their elements due to, among others, the explosive evolution of transport and communication technologies. The term is applied to many social, cultural, commercial and economic activities.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Strategy and its importance for competitive advantage

Strategy and its importance for competitive advantage A companys strategy is organization action plan which is running the business and conducting operations. Especially this can mention as managerial commitment to achieve their goals. Companies target on gaining sales and market share at the expense of competitors and companies which are in strong industry position are more reflect on the strategy what they use (Helfat, 2004). Through the action Plan Company can enter its competitors and can make the goals and strategies to meet their market place. A company should formulate a business strategy which incorporates cost leadership or differentiation to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Michael Porter introduced two basic types of competitive advantages which are cost advantage and differentiation advantage. Cost advantage exits when company can give same benefits as competitor with lower cost. And differentiation advantage exits when the company can make different benefits or the value to the customer from their products. As an Example BP is using combination of Crude oil and natural energy such as solar power to give differentiation to their customers and it is a well successful strategy. Source: http://www.bp.com/sectionbodycopy.do?categoryId=2contentId=7065607 (Access on 20th May 2011) There are several technical tools which are used to analysis situations in strategic Management. STEEPLE is one of it shortening the external environment in a business operates and concerned with the political, economic, social factors influential industry change and helps to gain a better understanding for external conditions for growth in a market. Companies or the decision makers can develop effective strategies by using GE Matrix as well (Thomas, ONeal, and Ghertman, 1997). The porters five forces investigation helps to diversity a competitive environment. For example, BP analyzes the market for Quality oil production. Five forces analysis describe five key areas exclusively the threat of entry, the power of buyers, the power of suppliers, the threat of substitutes, and competitive rivalry (Bettis, 2004) Figure1. Porters Generic Strategies (source:http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Porter+five+forces+analysishl=enclient=opera) Competitors for BP Shell, Sharp, Kyocera, Solar, and BP are the current major players in this industry. Price differences are not big among these companies, solar energy is already expensive technology to produce, so its cost of production is very high, but it is environmental friendly. BP has mass production, so it can face to price rivalry happen. Business strategy in BP BP enter of solar market in 1973 and produced BP solar in 2000, it was one of main strategy to face current oil crisis and environment issues. BP solar becomes profitable but it is not prominently spread among the public, so government involvement is important to become popular of solar power. Evaluating BP External Environment BP is one from the world leading Multinational Corporation which produces Consumer energy, and it is UK based organization. BPs SWOT analysis can be mentioned as follows. Strengths World third largest energy company Operation spreads worldwide Strong Brand loyalty Good brand image Financial strength of the company. It has vertical integration operation system. Weaknesses Increase the petrol price in UK Has to paid criminal charges due to spread huge amount of oil in the Alaska Sea in 2006. Reduce in natural gas and crude oil production. Criticism and Controversies Opportunities Has high investment capacity Research to investigate alternative fuel such as Hydrogen, Solar, Wind and natural gas Extension of acquisition of North sea area Increase demand for natural gas in USA and Europe countries. Implement more flexible price polices to face their competitors. Gas and Oil exploration Treats Unsound policies related to Environment after oil and toxic spill in 2006. Explosion of refinery tunnels in occasionally Has big rivals such as Shell and Chevron Sold corporate owned stations. Pipeline corrosion Instability in some oil and gas producing countries and regions Table.1. SWOT analysis of BP By implementing proper marketing policies and practices company will make its market position. BP culture so distinctive because they focus on customer, and believe BP is better than all other Energy produce companies. Source: (http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968contentId=7059787) Effectiveness of Current Business Plans BP business plan has advantage in the Research and investigation area. The crude oil plus the solar power combinations was very successful strategy implemented in recently. Products segmentation, explorations and productions, significantly company restructuring, improve cost efficiency, centralized company departments are their current strategies to compete with rivalry and increase company profits. Task Two Strategic Options Strategic Options is an important facet and it helps to craft companys alternatives and provide safe and keep up the competitive situation. After situation analysis company can create strategic options to devise organizations external atmosphere and can scrutinize the potential. BP has a comprehensible strategy to invest to raise investigation and manufacture advantageously through a mixture of leadership positions in the worlds most productive hydrocarbon basins. BP creates value through the appliance of technology and potential to force performance and operating efficiency. The procedure and technology offers extensive chance for further expansion and improvement. The international requirements for energy for the next 20 years are such that hydrocarbons are still going to have a leading part in meeting that energy demand. BP supports emissions trading mechanisms as a means of putting a value on carbon in order to make appropriate investment decisions. BP spends on growing technology budget on potentially most competitively profitable innovations both in open and new power spaces. It is both a strategic option and an opportunity for BP when comparing with the rivals as BP is strategically positioned themselves in a highly innovative RD processes which is unmatchable by the rivals easily. While facing major challenges of dilapidated supplies and defense of supply in oil and gas, global warming and insist for pure energy in major markets, BPs percentage of expend on novel technologies is growing. BP has a decentralized en route for RD units. It also drives the strategic positioning of BP in competition among rivals. Operational excellence in acquiring right technologies from within and outer the organization and strategically as a winner of chosen new technologies, BP is keeping its innovation leadership in the industry. With an aim of being twice as good as next best competitor BPs innovation schema is far above the ground outline. Hence a low cost strategy is an ideal positioning for BP while serving to a large market segment that prefers a standard product. Corporate Mission of the BP BP mentioned that there goal for next few years to realize the latent impending of their advantage base by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of everything they do. They will dynamically drive cost and capital efficiency whilst at the same time maintaining the first main concern of safe and reliable operations. Objectives of the BP BP has some objectives for their growth in 2015. And all employees are working as a team to achieve company goals. Average 1-2% p.a. volume growth to 2015 Underpinned by upward resource base and quality through preference Key sources of growth beyond 2015 will come from: Increasing deepwater Leveraging expertise in gas Managing worlds enormous oilfields Enabled by application of technology Source-: http://www.bp.com/sectionbodycopy.do?categoryId=2contentId=7065607 Values and ethics of the BP BP is a compilation of resources and there people working together. To attain business objects they focus on sustaining and encouraging their leaders and staff. And they maintain recruitment stands and developing people skills at every level. BP is a well distinguish organization and wants to do some different in the world. BP is a performance driven company which is competitively booming. Through all this they prefer high ethical stand. Directions and methods of Strategic Options BPs direction is clear and it is the unrelenting pursuit of competitive leadership in respect of cash costs, capital efficiency and margin quality. The Strategy Clock is another suitable way to analyze a companys destructive position in comparison to the contributions of competitors. The Ansoff Growth matrix tool which is helps businesses to decide their product and market growth strategy. Figure 02.Ansoff Market mix (Source-: http://tutor2u.net/business/strategy/ansoff_matrix.htm) Steps to develop Strategic Options at BP To develop strategic options company can use following steps. Access the external context Priorities and gather Develop strategic options Rate the options Follow up Evaluating strategies at BP SOP Matrix is a tool which can use to identify the company relevant strategies through external environmental factors. As an example BP Opportunities and treats as below and by indentifying the external environmental factors can recognize the relevant strategies options. Opportunities Opportunities Strategic Option A Has high investment capacity Invest in HR development and through that develop the skills of the staff members. An same time invest in market opportunities. B RD to investigate alternative fuel such as Hydrogen, Solar, Wind and natural gas By research can find the best alternative and company can give attention to that. C Extension of acquisition of North sea area Can develop deep sea oil well. D Increasing demand for natural gas in USA and European countries. Efficient and effective resource allocation to maximize profit. Implement more flexible price polices to face their competitors. By price reducing can get more customers on their products Gas and Oil searching Will help to increase their market values and can demand them among the competitors Treats Treats Strategic Option Unsound policies related to Environment after oil and toxic spill in 2006. Understand the policies and work with less effect to environment Explosion of factory tunnels in occasionally By keeping the brand image without harm can face the problem Has big rivals such as Shell and Chevron To make company as No1. And more promotional works Sold corporate owned stations. Buy the stations Pipeline decomposition Should check the pipeline back and do the needful changers Insecurity in some oil and gas producing countries and regions Should find some more producers in case to use. BPs existing company strategies are, 1) Safe, obedient and consistent operations 2) Operational and financial force high dividends and cost diminution program Task Three SMART Objectives of BP BP Objectives are prepared according to SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed).That means it should be particular about what we are going to achieve and should calculate about the objectives. There are a several types of objectives like process objectives, outcome objectives, personal objective that all can be done in the SMART format. BPs five year plan objectives are, Increase profitability by 20% Increase production Financial gain by serving to the increasing demand Build brand value that was affected by the oil spills Five year development plan for BP Business plan is a statement about companys future goals and plans to achieve those goals. This can be externally focus or internally focus. BPs Strategies in development can position as, Upstream growth Downstream turnaround Alternative Energy: alert disciplined Corporate overview In the upstream will hub on cost and capital efficiency to distribute profitable growth. In the downstream will drive additional efficiencies and a focus on quality and incorporation. They will maintain their disciplined approach to substitute energy and will carry on unlock corporate efficiency through a culture of uninterrupted enhancement. Five year development plan for BP # Objective Strategy Actions Performance Indicators Time Period 1 Increase profitability by 20% Research and development Hire most qualified researchers Innovative ways of doing things One year 2 Increase production Acquisition of north sea area. Negotiations with governments and agreeing for a joint profit sharing. Coming into an agreement with relevant governments Two years 3 Financial gain by serving to the increasing demand Sales and Marketing approaches to increase market share Recruiting experienced sales and marketing people and objective training Acquiring new market opportunities, increase the market share One year 4 Build brand value that was affected by the oil spills Communication and promotion strategy Using new media opportunities of social media to build brand name again, invest in CSR activities in Go Green. Reduce the black mark 3 years Evaluating and implementing the plan In business strategy, Johnson, Scholes and Whittington shows a model in strategic options are evaluated next to three key success criteria such as Suitability, Feasibility, and Acceptability. Source-: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_management # Objectives Time Line 1 year 2 year 3 year 4 year 1 Increase profitability by 20% X 2 Increase production X X 3 Financial gain by serving to the increasing demand X 4 Build brand value that was affected by the oil spills X X X Table.03. Five year BP strategic plan Conclusion When it is mention about the strategic management and the leadership strategic planning is a major part of it. Strategic planning can divide in to three stages as strategic Analysis, Strategic Options and Evaluation and Implementation. The British petroleum Corporation is a well established organization in petroleum industry and here it is mentioned about the strategy and competitive advantages of the BP and the technical tools which could they can use to analysis situations. The porters five forces investigation helps identify the competitive environment BP analysis their market for Quality production. There are so many competitors like Solar, sharp in the market and BP establish with mass production. By doing the SWOT analysis its helping company to identify the internal and external environment of the company. BP is focused on customers and they believe in their productions. They used the oil plus solar power combination and they used product segmentation, improve cost efficiency and some more strategies to increase their profits. They have created value through technology and this is a barrier for their competitors. Company can use strategy clock, Ansoff growth matrix tools to analysis their position in the market. To develop strategic options first it should identify the external context and priorities and clusters. Then it should develop the strategic options. SOP matrix is best tool to identify the strategies of the company.