Role of Public Libraries in bridging the Digital Divide

The United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration popularized the term ‘Digital Divide’ in the mid 1990s to indicate the societal split between those had and those who did not have access to computers and the Internet (Warchauer, 2003). With the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) revolution sweeping across the world, the term has since caught the imagination of social scientists, administrators, media-persons, economists and politicians alike.They have interpreted it in turn as a social, economic and political problem from their respective perspectives, and sought to offer a variety of solutions to ‘bridge’ the Digital Divide. ICT was initially heralded as a great equalizer. The general impression was that by providing interconnectivity and access to information to all, ICT would provide equal opportunities, and therefore reduce inequalities.But it was soon clear that the ‘Mathew Effect’ of Merton (1973) c ould come into play and increase the inequalities even more by translating the initial advantages of those who gained early access to computers and the Internet into increasing returns over time i. e. by widening the Digital Divide. The Social and Community Context The basic problem however lies in defining ‘Digital Divide’. According to Mark (2003) any attempt to bridge the Digital Divide without consideration of the social context could lead to failures and frustrations.He cites a project undertaken by the Municipal Government of New Delhi in India through which computer kiosks with dial-up Internet connectivity were set up for the urban poor children in New Delhi. According to the policy of minimal invasive education adopted in the project, there were no teachers or instructors to guide the children in computer usage. The project could not achieve much beyond children learning to play games and use simple applications to paint and draws.On the other hand, The Gyandoo t Project in rural areas of the state of Madhya Pradesh in India achieved success because of its community orientation. In this case, the use of computers fulfilled social and community needs. The role of public libraries in providing access to computers and the Internet also has to take all these factors into consideration. The responsibility of public libraries does not end with the provision of the equipment for computer and Internet access.Public libraries have to take on the role of the educator and the instructor so that users are able to utilize the ICT services efficiently and effectively. The larger orientation of all such services has to be around the fulfillment of social and community requirements in line with the ideals of social and community informatics. The Five Components of Individual Access The concept of ‘Digital Inequality’ as defined by Hargittai (2003) identifies Technical Means, Autonomy of Use, Social Support Network, Production of Content Acces s and Political Access as the five components of individual access.Public libraries therefore have to concentrate on providing all the five components to the individual. This would imply that libraries provide state-of-the-art equipment so that users are in no way limited or restricted by the state of the facility itself. Ensuring autonomy of use would suggest providing convenient access to a wide range of users taking into consideration the different timings that could be convenient to different categories of users. This could even entail public libraries offering round-the-clock access to their users.Public libraries will have to play an active part in building up social support networks for their users. This will not only help the users in picking up Internet usage skills faster but will also bring in new users into the network. Content is a very vital issue that determines the quality of online access of any user. Any effort to reduce digital inequality will have to ensure that the user is able to locate relevant information on the net. Hargittai (2003) differentiates between ‘available’ information and ‘accessible’ information.The available information may not be easily accessible. The phenomenon of information gatekeepers in the form of search engines and other indexing and searching mechanisms adds complexity to the situation. Commercial interests on the Internet more often than not lead the unwary browser away from relevant sources of information. Public libraries will have to take on the added responsibility coaching the novice user in looking for and locating relevant information.Each library will also have to ensure that they adopt an indexing and searching mechanism linked with their digital subscriptions so that users can find information customized to their requirements. Public libraries will also have to play their part in ensuring that users have access to the institutions that regulate the technologies that they are u sing so that they are also able to participate in policy formulations and decision-making exercises. ConclusionThe role of librarians and library staff will have to undergo vast changes in order to fit into the new responsibilities. Foster (2000) opines that the underlying concerns surrounding the issue of the digital divide are actually more about the nature and future of education than about the current distribution patterns of technology. Librarians and library staff will thus have to don the mantle of technical educators and social activists to contribute meaningfully to the reduction of the Digital Divide.

Reality Shows Should Be Banned Essay

The main essence of reality shows is to put ordinary people in a social confined setting with extraordinary environment and activities with the aim of entertaining audiences with the illusion that what is going on is not scripted nor rehearsed. Most reality shows attempt to convince the audience that the participants of the show are being pushed to their physical, emotional or physiological limits in order to complete a specific task or attain a certain goal of which audience cheer on their favorite participant. With the change in times and technology most reality shows have gone over board and have forgotten the basic concept of reality shows and are now focusing more on entertainment than reality that has lead to increase in sexual exposure, humiliation and immorality. Reality shows have lost their way from original series like survivor to the new mediocre series of two celebrities living in a farm yard for a week. Reality TV has joined the ranks of day time entertainment and has lost the spark of spontaneous originality from other forms of scripted entertainment. Additionally, the most famous reality shows worldwide are big brother and Idols; these two are examples of scripted and well rehearsed reality shows. In the just concluded episode of idols a judge was dared to sing out of the blue and it so happened just by â€Å"coincidence† that the band started playing a song which the judge joined in emphatically without hesitation. The crowed cheered and applauded for the â€Å"unexpected† performance by the judge. Such reality T.V. shows give viewers and more so children false hope of a â€Å"happily ever after† reality were heroes and heroines live thus insulting the intelligence of the viewers. In the case of big brother viewers are subjected to sex as a form of entertainment. Relationships formed in the big brother house give the participant a better chance of winning the competition and increase his/her ratings thus the audience spends time and money voting for the participant so they can enjoy seeing the participants relationship grow. And due to the full disclosure nature of the show all activities are broadcasted and shown live on our T.V. sets exposing and encouraging our youths, young adults and children to sex, immorality and promiscuous behaviors. Furthermore, the common comic saying â€Å"its funny until someone gets hurt, then it’s hilarious† comes to life in most reality shows. Producers of reality shows capitalize  on the demise and misfortunes of participants. When a contestant falls down or gets hurt in anyway it is taken as a form of entertainment or comedy not knowing the humiliation and psychological trauma they instill in the participant. Examples of such shows are â€Å"show me the funny† â€Å"Real T.V.† and â€Å"Fear factor†. Show me the funny capitalizes on bloopers of home made videos which show family member having accidents such as hitting each other being bitten by a snake or having a ball hit them on their faces. Turning such perilous or even fatal accidents to o form of humor encourages children to view violence and accidents as vivacious events and not the precarious activities they are. Producers also capitalize on the eviction or the inability of a participant to complete a certain assignment. The humiliation and reaction of a participant being evicted or accepting defeat is a high point of most reality T.V. which is morally and ethically wrong. The failure of a fellow human being should be frowned upon and not celebrated. 2) Here are plenty of reality shows which are being shown on television channels world wide, in which one can see lots of aspirants taking to the stunts and heroic acts as they want to win the coveted title and they did some shots which amaze the audiances and keep them on their tender nooks, its also done to increase the rating of the channel in the tele shows. There are plenty of reality shows which are being shown on television channels world wide, in which one can see lots of aspirants taking to the stunts and heroic acts as they want to win the coveted title and they did some shots which amaze the audiences and keep them on their tender nooks, its also done to increase the rating of the channel in the tele shows. I am not sure if they are there in your part of the world, channels like Sony and Zee TV they show lot of enthusiasm in such things. The weird things they shown on the small screen are hair raising and put a lot of questions in viewers minds as to such things can be accomplished in real life or not. But the stunt mania grips the minds of innocent public and kids alike. They all want feats and also want to show off to their genre of friends and foes. In the process they might hurt themselves badly. Although there are several reports of teen-aged children being hurt in the process of macho man image building but to no avail as the generation is fast and furious, they just want their way and life to be left to them. I am not sure about consequences and impact  they could have but it is for sure, every one wants his part of fame and attention in public, for we are mortal beings and success is our ambition in life. Effect on teenagers Social cognitive theory suggests that meaningful sources of identity can be discovered by people in their teens who feel â€Å"connected† to what they’re viewing. Thus, when attempting to understand media’s role in the development of teenagers, it is crucial to be aware of the time they devote to their shows like reality television due to this strong influence[48] America’s Next Top Model is often criticized for it’s portrayal of women and poor body image. When faced with the image of a thin, beautiful, successful models, young girls may feel inferior, leading to low self-esteem and eating disorders. Likewise, Jersey Shore is denounced for it’s representation of being a single, young adult. Young people idolize the show’s cast, making them susceptible to imitate their actions, such as promiscuity, violence, and binge drinking.[citation needed]

Fords Profitability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Fords Profitability - Essay Example The research work will help in giving an explanation on why the company is making 24 billion in losses. A competitive advantage may be created in producing similar products to Toyotas’ models with lower costs. The output produced should be according to what the consumers need, and not according to what it is used to producing (Close, 2012). They can completely change the company strategies and structure on how it carries out its operational activities. This can be achieved by changing the objectives, target and mission statements of the company. Introduction of process engineering skills, tight cost control and reports that are more frequent. The management should be able to give the company a new purpose and direction, by motivating the workers, and improving the culture of the organization (Canary, 2012). In extreme circumstances, the firm may also consider taking action on the management structure by considering the option of reducing on the number of employees both in the management level and in the operational levels. This will act as a direct way of reducing on the production and operational

Strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 1

Strategic management - Essay Example When looking at the exchange of new developments and the economy which is expanding globally, there are several ways in which the fashion industry can help. Two regions which this is being noted are in India and Mexico. These are two of the fastest growing regions in terms of global expansion, including technology, fashion and other global interests (Lemaire, 2011). The ability to invest within these regions can provide different types of insight into the expansion of corporations within the areas. The country of India was chosen first because of the continuous debates that are appearing in terms of expansion, specifically with retail industries. Currently, India is experiencing a strong inflation from the government. To counter-act this, measures with the government and with developed countries are taking place, specifically by opening the doors to new prospects and economic stimulation. Places such as Wal – Mart are bidding to become some of the first retail entities that ar e in India. At the same time, the fashion is growing expansively in areas such as Mumbai and Delhi. Fashion weeks and growth from entertainment entities, such as Bollywood, are continuing to grow expansively and offer more in terms of fashion retail. The movement into developing with the country, as well as the opportunities and prospects within this region are allowing the FDI for fashion retail to be a main opportunity for the country (Chakraborty, 2008). Mexico was also chosen because of the initiatives that are currently taking place within the country. For the past 20 years, Mexico has gone through several changes in development, specifically because of the economic growth and development, political changes and the social movement toward becoming global. While there have been fluctuations in opening or closing the region, the free trade agreements and the initiatives to trade with other regions has allowed the country to begin develop at a rapid pace. Most that are in Mexico ar e now conscious of the global styles and expectations. This has been followed by structural changes within corporations and in society, as well as the continuous movement toward external pressures and opportunities within the country. While the country hasn’t yet developed a strong basis for international sales, there is opportunity because of the large amount of advancement in structure and global perspectives that have taken place through time (Blecker, 2007). Both countries are in a similar position in relation to FDI. Both are developing countries that are undergoing change politically and socially. The doors of both countries are opening, specifically because of free trade agreements, political affiliations and the need to expand in a different direction. This is being followed by the social and cultural awareness that is continuing to take place between both of the countries. For fashion retail, are several opportunities to move in at the beginning of investments and to begin creating a specific affiliation with the growth of the culture and the bridge to globalization that is now taking place in both regions. Strategy Development Directions There are several ways that the strategy for the countries can be developed to further the options for fashion retail. The first strategy considered will be through the theory of the Ansoff Matrix. Table 1 and 2 show how this matrix can be applied to both India and Mexico in terms of

Current Event Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Current Event Assignment - Essay Example At present, we are at 385 ppm and increasing at 2 ppm each year primarily because of burning of fossil fuels. Because of this, the global temperatures have slowly been rising. The scientists claim that previous observations of melting ice in the polar region and the discovered release of greenhouse gases from our warming soils and waters indicate that the deterioration in our atmosphere is now moving at a faster pace. â€Å"Once CO2 gas is released, a large fraction of it stays in the air for hundreds of years† (Krajik). These same scientists believe that the dreaded process is still reversible if emissions from coal would be eliminated by the year 2030. The use of alternative fuel sources would also contribute a great deal to slowing down the process of global warming. Geoengineering solutions, which are said to artificially remove 50 ppm of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere, would cost a hefty amount of money. Directing said funds to reforestation would yield similar results. Our present age of industrialization has plunged our world into this environmental crisis and â€Å"the greatest danger is continued ignorance and denial, which would make tragic consequences unavoidable." (Sato & Karetcha as quoted by Krajik). The article presents a grim picture of our environment. Where before, our thoughts were in sparing the following generation of the effects of global warming, the article now points out that the devastating effects of global warming is something that our present generation may suffer. The article pointedly brings to our attention the alarming levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, and how these levels are speedily rising. We have no one to blame but ourselves with this grim occurrence. The strides that our industries have taken in the past few years have made us very vulnerable to global warming. Our demands for easier and

Rhetorical Analysis based on the rhetoric of a SPECIFIC web site(s) Essay

Rhetorical Analysis based on the rhetoric of a SPECIFIC web site(s) that writes about creationism and, or evolution - Essay Example there is an improvement and support of education in evolution, change in climate, science nature and the general increment of public understanding of the subjects (NCSE). Through their website, the centre has been able to identify their target market which is the main audience who happen to be the teachers thereby ensuring that the knowledge put on their website will be put through to the students by teachers through educating them on the issues that concern science and the science world. This is mostly done before the launch of the website although hit is a continuous process that goes beyond the launching into actual hosting with the help of the marketing fraternity. Moreover, the centre has been able to determine the size of its target market-who are mostly teachers and other concerned parties. They are sure that the teachers in public schools are growing with the increase of pupil in school hence facilitating the education of science and science world, which is their main aim as a centre. Through their website, it is evident that (NCSE) has been able to meet their mission and purpose especially with the fact that the information put is been used by the audience appropriately. The NCSE has been able to identify with the teaching fraternity all over the world since it was started over three decades ago, by ensuring that there is a production of a series of publications, which report on the creationism and or evolution controversy as well as providing resources for activists, which in this case are the teachers and other concerned parties. In essence, it has been able to give a wide coverage of all aspects of science that revolve around these theories. Additionally, NCSE has been able to bring teachers and activists together for a common goal. Members have the privilege of having printed, which help the share knowledge to other people. NCSE has been able to pass its message to the audience in several ways. First, the centre has been able to give information

Business Communication High School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Communication High School - Essay Example This will be a truly blessed opportunity to see the developmental work we have successfully achieved with your invaluable help in the past years. It will also be a wonderful opportunity for our kids to show off their skills and their gratitude. While it has been said that "it takes a village to raise a child", nothing can be truer for our kids at inner city New York, where much work still remains to be done to make our city safer, and our kids more fully aware of the emerging issues that concern everyone, even them. Now, there are a couple of ways wherein you can truly participate: one is to drop by and read our special stories for the day to the kids, stories that will highlight the little things they can do to help the community; or you can send a check with the enclosed business reply mail form. So please mark the 20th of May 2009 off your calendar and let us get together at the Seniors for Kids Day Care Center beginning at 10 in the morning. And remember, whatever little helps-after all the kids of inner city New York are your kids too.

Peppermint Candy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Peppermint Candy - Essay Example The events of the movie coincide with the actual events in the history books. Yeong-Ho, an emergency military member fights the uprising as a soldier. He serves the dictatorial government and tends to uphold the orthodox practice of dictatorship. Yeong-Ho kills a schoolchild. In the real world, the dictatorial military fought against the uprising. This led to mass murder and accidental deaths of innocent bystanders in the same time span depicted by the movie. Historiography as evident in Peppermint Candy serves a crucial role in the society by highlighting the concepts of consciousness and mind. Organizations, governments, individuals and families can understand the motivation behind specific actions by gathering mental experiences within a given time in a process known as consciousness. Additionally, as one studies the mind of an individual, it becomes simple to determine the reasons behind specific actions especially dictatorship. Yeong-Ho tortures the uprising captives. The captiv es are in bad shape as seen in their health. The national historic attack of 1980 where the dictatorial government deployed more than 20,000 troops in Gwanju, documents that many people died, others survived with severe physical or mental impairments while others permanently separated with their family members. The unsettled conscience of Yeong Ho as he transforms from innocence to brutality is clear. However, the perpetrator indicates the universal struggles of South Korean citizens at the time of the dictatorial rule and subsequent attacks. Peppermint Candy story begins in 1970. Soyoung Yeong-Ho emerges as the main character to join the military system of the land. Prior to this period, people were mostly peaceful though there were other earlier uprisings. This accurately depicts that the countries were calm before the Gwanju uprising gained momentum and the country fell into internal wars and massacre of its own citizens. The movie properly describes the dictatorial ideologies and structures employed by the existing government. The claims of upholding anti-communism ideas allowed the dictatorial military to perpetrate their unjustified and inhumane attack on citizens. According to history, after the Korean War, South Korea marked North Korea as its enemy due to its communist ideas. The south forged a National Security Law to foster national security. However, this served to provide a platform for the dictatorial government to classify various social groups that poses threats such as labor societies and advocators of d emocracy. It is evident that enemies of the state experienced imprisonment, detention, torture and death. The movie portrays this fact because the raids were not secretive and soldiers were not worried about their actions because the National Security Law protected them. Soyoung Yeong-Ho takes the audience through the military brutal operations because he is a perpetrator himself. According to Soyoung (63) while the movie describes the period as time of â€Å"ice war†, cold war was taking place. The world’s cold war was characterized by economic race. This was a period of financial crises across parts of Europe that reflected on Asian countries. Korea hit its highest peak of financial trouble in 1997, six years after the USA’s cold war allegedly ends. The timelines in the movie coincide with the actual IMF crises that befell the country after the cold

Research problem that facing some student in the univ Paper

Problem that facing some student in the univ - Research Paper Example They have simplified complex problems and tasks, and with the advent of internet the computer technology has literally shrank the whole world into a global village. Loads of information is accessible to a wide number of people due to the computer technology. The field of education has also changed a lot due to the advent of computers. The whole educational system is now dependant on computers. Whether uploading one’s assignments or whether communicating to other fellow students, computers have enhanced the educational standards of the pupils. The knowledge that is now at student’s disposal is vast and this aids in learning of students. With the advent of computer technologies, there is no doubt that our lives have become comfortable, but this is only one side of the picture. The issues that the world is facing now due to computer technology are also significant. This technology has brought with itself great amount of troubles for the society. These troubles are increasingly making people think whether this technology has some real benefit or not. The educational sector is also facing technology related problems and these problems are increasing day by day. University campus is the main area that is affected by computer technologies. New and better equipment is at the disposal of the people that makes life faster and easier. But the same universities are now encountering with technology issues and especially computer related issues on campuses. The increasing use of computer has made our lives dependant on the technology and any interruption or breakdown of this technology can be very disturbing for the university staffs as well as the students. It is therefore very important for us to identify the problems students and university staff is facing and provide a solution that will make lives easier for them. This is the main aim of this research. But for that purpose it is very important to identify the computer related

The Banishment of Civilian Ownership of Assault Rifles Essay

The Banishment of Civilian Ownership of Assault Rifles - Essay Example To address this broader menace, American Administration has to chalk out a comprehensive plan / an effective strategy. There multi tasking approach is needed to handle firearms related issues inclusive of a) current laws of guns shall be implemented in its true spirit b) legal lacunas in the existing laws should be removed c) issuance of gun license should be linked with the mental health, age and track record of the applicant d) discourage such programs that ignites youngsters for misuse of guns e) back ground checks and gun tracking system should be improved / strengthened f) exemplary punishment should be given to gun laws violators g) awareness program should be launched to make the citizens realize the harm and disadvantages of possessing and misusing of guns and h) gun laws should effectively deal with the violators. Remedial Measures It would be in the best interest of things if the American Administration should recall the stringent version of federal laws, expired in the yea r 2004, to deal with misuse of assault weapons. This would be of great help in arresting the misuse of firearms. The arms at the use of armed forces should not be allowed to use by the general public (Duggan, 2000). If we take into account the public opinions and the statements of the political figures of repute in the United States of America, it seems that a consensus of all walks of life is built for a new law of assault weapons ban. This could be a right approach in the right direction. The law makers keeping in mind the danger of misusing firearms by the irresponsible gun holders should make an effective gun control law. If this issue is not seriously addressed by the Administration of the USA, there will be more such incidents in the days ahead (Thompson, 1989). Many Americans are in favor of Second Amendment that allows keeping arms by every citizen for his or her defense. However, the same numbers of American society are against of using lethal weapons by American Forces. Fu rther, the license issuing authority while issuing gun licenses should also take into account amongst other things, the purpose of using firearms by the applicant. There is no logic of issuing lethal weapons to a sportsman who uses it for hunting birds and animals (Thompson, 1989). Major Hindrance The key hindrance in introducing the new assault weapons ban law is the infamous National Rifle Association which has unprecedented power on capital hill. The reason being many members of NRA are hand picked members of Congress who had funded their election campaign and provided them desired political support to win the election (Thompson, 1989). Due to influence of NRA, the desired law deals effectively with the freedom of using insecure arms by naive users could not be renewed from the date of its expiration. Hence, the protestors, the other day, in the corridor of power, shouted against the shameful role of NRA (Duggan, 2000). Therefore, the NRA by using its influence intends to defer t he matter for some time. They do not even participate in the witness protection program. Restrictions The Supreme Court of America consistently impresses that holding a gun is a fundamental right of a citizen, but it also advocates imposition of reasonable restrictions. Keeping in view the spreading tentacles of cited epidemic in the American Society, the think tank of America felt it necessary to ban at least those weapons which are now in use

Cults, Hate Groups and Gangs Essay Example for Free

Cults, Hate Groups and Gangs Essay Society is ripening with the essential antagonisms, where in the agreement with the substitute discipline got enclosed by a classification thought. Inconsistency cannot be recognized efficiently to each consideration or actuality. Nevertheless it is simply historical propositional claims. The content is the way in which simultaneously challenge is suggested with how things could be better, but leaves things practically unchanged. It is also reveals the goal of thought is not to continue the blind domination of nature and humans but to point toward understanding. Cults as an exponent of ethnic identity is thus generally either a remnant of a largely political community which once existed but was destroyed by disunion and colonization. For instance in Myers text in A General History for Colleges and High Schools the case of the â€Å"Delphian Apollo† a product of kulturgemeinschaft brought about by other than purely ethnic conditions, but which in turn gives rise to the belief in blood relationship. All history shows how easily political action can give rise to the belief in blood relationship, unless gross differences of anthropological type impede it. Studies claimed the popular as their domain of educating the trends and cultural formations about which it had very little forehand knowledge such as grunge, raves and dead culture in particular. What they did not have and were uncomfortable about was the high enriching center that would facilitate them to see the dialectic between the popular and the academic. † Society envelops with different levels of analysis that can be well-known as cultural province . The specialty of popular culture production array from micro to macro and they take in differences in the group, indoctrination, and distribution of popular culture. † (Jarvie, 2003) Recruiting members: Society of these groups recruits their members by thinking that conveys precise personality and cultural beliefs and standards. Friends recruits friends, family members each other and neighbors recruits neighbors. In Understanding Early Civilization written by Bruce Trigger says contrary to public in belief and the assertion of many proponents of the brainwashing theory of cult conversion, the figures available support neither the proposition that everyone is equally susceptible to recruitment, nor that most converts are recruited through individual contacts in public places. In The Revolution in Anthropology written by Jarvie this groups interview their aspirants, and conducted by clinicians among cult members, former members and relatives of members, a new member have described their experience of depression, inadequacy, sadness, loneliness and rejection just before joining. The cult as a whole is an extension of the leader’s personality and teachings. The leader’s magnificence as well as his or her association with divinity provides an essential feeling of special ness and importance to cult members. It is consider as one of the significant point in information to recruitment. These groups are suitable in sociological category; it cannot be identified and subjected to empirical study, for it does not exist in objective reality. The people, the popular forces are a shifting set of loyalty that cross all social categories, various individuals belong to different popular formations at different times, often moving between them quite fluidly. â€Å"Native meanings and pleasure can be made only within and against white domination without textual reproduction of the power that is being struggled against, there can be no relevance. † (Freidheim, 1976) Sociological understanding makes is a social process, all meanings of self of social relations all the discourses and texts that play such important cultural roles can circulate only in relationship to the social system in out case that of white patriarchal capitalism. It is the constant process of producing meanings necessarily produces a social identity for the people involved, as well as a constant succession of social practices. Society must then, contain both the forces of domination and the opportunities to speak against them, the opportunities to oppose or evade them from subordinated, but not totally disempowered, positions. This culture is made by the people at the interface between the products of the culture industries and everyday life. These groups are made by the people, not imposed upon them; it stems form within from below not form above. They love the art of making do with what the system provides. Well-liked culture also is eminent by its commonness. It constitute in actual fact all of the movement which people spend on enjoying themselves and providing comfort for themselves The fact that the system provides only commodities, whether cultural or material does not mean that the process of consuming those commodities can be adequately described as one those commodities the people into a homogenized mass at the mercy of the barons of the industry. This is made by various formations of subordinated or disempowered people out of the resources, both discursive and material that are provided by the social system that dis-empowers them. It is therefore contradictory to its core. These cultures rely on method and replication. People require to be reminded of what they consider and popular culture does this my do again definite attitude and principles and organizing them into genres. It is mass media, entertainment and diversions. It is heroes, icons, rituals, psychology and religion. It is a way of life, the voice of a people. How do they function: Every hate groups in society feeds on the energy of condemnation. In that regard, they are not much different from the rest of us. It’s just a matter of degree, it does not matter whether the condemnation is generated by the group or directed at the group. Either way, the organization is sustained by the energy of condemnation. The hate groups by actively trying to eradicate them or reform them, or passively assume there is no truth in them. Any sort of condemnation guarantees their continued existence. The function of the hate groups in society is complete when two thins happen. A culture that is made from within and below not imposed from without or above mass cultural theorists would have it. They are always a culture of conflict; it always involves the struggle to make social meanings that are in the interests of the subordinate and that are not those preferred by the dominant ideology, made in relationship to structures of dominance. This relationship can take two main forms that of resistance or evasion. They have six major fundamental values that summarize its sole place in humankind. The primary is likeness and exploitation. Hate groups reflect the legends, viewpoint, and principles of people, but at the equal moment control those same beliefs. In recent years, however, many people have argued that we are seeing the emergence of a universal worldwide culture. They may have various things in mind. â€Å"First, global culture can refer to a set of economic, social and political ideas, assumptions, and values now widely held among elites throughout the world. † (Bromley, 2002) Almost all these people hold university degrees in the physical sciences, social sciences, business, or law; work with words and/or numbers; speak reasonably fluent English; are employed by governments, corporations, and academic institutions with extensive international involvements; and travel frequently outside their own country. How do they succeed: They generally share beliefs in individualism, market economies, and political democracy, which are also common among people in these groups. Hence is tremendously important. Worldwide, however, only a small portion of the world’s population shares in this culture. It is far from a universal culture, and the leaders who share in it do not necessarily have a secure grip on power in their own societies. As such, these proponents view contemporary society as lax and degenerate, and they argue that high culture is not incompatible with many of the newer ideas which most likely to succeed in forming a cult around his vision if the society contains many other persons suffering from problems similar to those originally faced by the cult founder to whose solution therefore they are likely to respond. Often, conservatives who adhere to these beliefs advocate the reintroduction of cultural depth to modern educational systems. It is nonetheless one immensely significant consequence of the globalization of economic activity that has occurred in recent decades. The culture of the hate gangs is currently undergoing one of the greatest crises in its modern history. The old severe order, so extensive during much of the region, is administration out of condensation and out of time. The ruler and ruled has never been superior, while annoyance and anger among the broad population at accessible situation—economic, social, political, and worldwide—is at new heights. â€Å"Gangs’ societies and cultures, languages and peoples by scholars, these society is now occupied in a argument of the allegation of what income in supporting terms;† (Andersen, 2006) both sides are stressed with how to stay away from any sense of predictability about a clash of civilizations and how to allocate blame for the state of severe anxiety between the two sides that affect all levels of the population. Contemporary popular culture as just the aggregate product of industrial developments; instead, it contemporary culture results from a continuing interaction between those industries and those who consume their products Against the conditions of these dramatic events there lies a less dramatic, but perhaps more significant, experience that may have greater impact over the longer run than even intimidation and war. The emergence of a huge and increasing people of hate groups in the region whose presence will likely shake present administration from within more overwhelmingly than even the forces of global policy, this demographic factor, sometimes designated as a demographic â€Å"youth bulge,† refers to the unusually large percentage of hate groups among the overall population. Discrimination was not even yet being exploited for the political ends, but they were important since they corresponded to characteristics cultures. These sociological groups are constructed as a wasteland which executives of the culture industry internationally create programs that will control and manipulate the masses into doing things that will not be beneficial to their lives. Deep inside our characters are the inscriptions missing by the creative and the individuals whose intuitions or ideas leave others changed. The influenced in the commentaries that focus on alternative approach on popular culture that is more accepting, in which does not mean less critical. The ideologies of these groups are then full of gaps, contradiction and inadequacies. They must offer popular meanings and pleasures are constructed out of the relevance between the text and everyday life; popular pleasures derive from the production of these meanings by the people. They belong to the realm of international culture as not worthy to be trained. Society has its central to the high cultural readings as well but it works differently; the high cultural intertextual relations organized around the scholars are more limiting than ones organized around its policies. These features are in the order we want to cover them, the masses gravitate to forms of sample of popular sociological groups since even if they were exposed in reality they could not comprehend it. Trying to be accepted cultures as intellectuals and only pander to the poor taste of the masses, the masses do not have the intellectual capacities to discern between realities and the created worlds of uniqueness of everyone. Reference: Jarvie, I. C. (2003). The Revolution in Anthropology: International Library of Sociology E: The Sociology of Development. Routledge. London UK. p. 86 Freidheim, E. A. (1976). Sociological Theory in Research Practice. Transaction Publishers. Edison, NJ. p. 20 Bromley, D. G. and Melton, J. G. (2002). Cults, Religion and Violence. Cambridge University Press. Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge. p. 53 Andersen, M. L. and Taylor, H. F. (2006). Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society. Thomson Wadsworth. Belmont, CA. p. 342 Myers, P. V. N. (2004). A General History for Colleges and High Schools. Kessinger Publishing. Whitefish, MT. p. 35 Trigger, B. G. (2003). Understanding Early Civilizations: A Comparative Study. Cambridge University Press. Shaftsbury Road, Cambridge. p. 472

The Strategies of Ryanair

The Strategies of Ryanair Ryanair Holdings is Europes leading low-fare scheduled passenger airline, carrying roughly 34 million passengers per year, across 19 countries (Ryanair, 2006). The company operates short-haul, point-to-point routes between Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe, and the companys leading market position provides the company with the ability to leverage its market position to further expand its operating network: a key part of its current operating strategy. However, the predicted decline in the domestic European air travel market (Global Market Information Database, 2005) is likely to decrease the demand for the companys services and thus harm its resultant revenues, and so the other key aspect of the organisations strategy is to reduce its exposure to these external threats. (Johnson et al, 2005). Hence this work aims to examine the interplay between these two strategies, critically analysing both their current, and potential future, success. Leveraging market position to drive revenue Ryanair has the leading market share on most of scheduled routes between Ireland and provincial cities in the UK, carrying approximately 43% of all scheduled passenger traffic between Dublin and London. Additionally, the company has more than 45% market share on scheduled routes from Dublin, which include London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and London, which include Venice, Rome, Milan, Hamburg, Valencia and Gothenburg, as of January 2005. (Datamonitor, 2005) Ryanair has also been voted as the airline with the best punctuality highest frequency which, combined with the companys leading market position, provides the company with the ability to leverage its market position to further expand its operating network. Ryanair has also been reporting strong revenue growth since fiscal 1999, and the company reported revenues of 1336.6 million Euros during the fiscal year ended March 2005, an increase of 24.4% over 2004. (Ryanair, 2006) The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in passenger volumes, which increased by 19% over 2004, and the companys revenues increased at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 28.6% from 1999 to 2005, despite the overall fall in air travel during that period (Global Market Information Database, 2005). Additionaly, Ryanairs net income increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 29.1% from 1999 to 2005. Thus, the companys strong consistent financial strength provides its operations with financial stability and the ability to fund its expansion strategies. Ryanair thus has an extremely strong and aggressive business strategy, which is focused on its objective to firmly establish itself as Europes leading low-fares scheduled passenger airline. The company offers low fares designed to stimulate demand, particularly from fare conscious leisure and business travellers. (Ryanair, 2006) The company favours secondary airports, as they are generally less congested than major airports and can be expected to provide higher rates of on-time departures: the company can thus achieve faster turnaround times and fewer terminal delays and gain competitive handling costs. (Datamonitor, 2005) The strategy has enabled the company to have a better on time performance record, than its bigger competitors. In addition, Ryanair enters into agreements with third party contractors to handle passenger and aircraft handling, ticketing and other services, and the company fixes its contracts on competitive terms by negotiating multi-year contracts, at prices that a re fixed or subject only to periodic increases linked to inflation. Ryanairs strong business strategy thus enables the company to synchronize its operational strategies in accordance with the market requirements, thereby enabling the company to maintain a cost effective business strategy. Hedging against external threats. Crude oil prices are at an all time high: in March 2005, light crude oil prices climbed to $55.40 per barrel after peaking at $56.1 per barrel. Additionally, jet kerosene prices have increased by over 80% from 2004. In order to protect their operations from significant volatility, airlines have fairly robust hedging positions, as the volatility in oil price and availability of jet fuel significantly affects operations. Although its European competitors have traditionally been sufficiently well hedged against volatile oil prices, Ryanair has always been unhedged. As of April 2005 the company was not covered by any hedging protection against oil prices however, as of November 2005, Ryanair hedged 90% of its estimated demand for the second half of its fiscal year, at prices corresponding with oil averaging $49 per barrel. Part of the carriers strategy is now to build hedges forward, and its financial prowess means it has the cash position to succeed. (Fiorino, 2005) The companys revenues are also highly dependent upon revenues from the UK and Irish market: historically the company has generated over 50% of total revenues from the UK. For fiscal 2003 and 2004, passengers on Ryanairs routes between Ireland and the UK accounted for 35.9% and 28.6% of total passenger revenues respectively, with Dublin and London accounting for approximately 13.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Additionally, total passenger revenues, and the Dublin-London route accounted for approximately 7.6% and 6.0%, respectively. (Datamonitor, 2005) The companys dependence on Ireland and the UK, could significantly impact the companys revenues due to regional factors, and thus although Ryanair is also attempting to increase its market share as a whole, it is specifically attempting to do this into more diverse areas, such as Eastern Europe, in an attempt to reduce its exposure to the demand changes in the UK and Irish market. Conclusion Ryanairs primary business strategy has always been to fly as many passengers at as low a cost as possible (Ryanair, 2006). Despite the fact that passenger numbers are generally not increasingly significantly (Global Market Information Database, 2005) and the fact that Ryanair has been forced to divert some of its resources to hedging, due to market conditions (Fiorino, 2005), this strategy still forms the core of the airlines business model, and is often viewed as the companys core competence (Johnson et al, 2005) Given that revenues, profits and passenger numbers have soared over the past few years, despite the uncertainty in the external environment (Datamonitor, 2005), this analysis concludes that, not only are Ryanairs current strategies hugely successful, but they will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Economic Factors And Consumer Durable Goods

Economic Factors And Consumer Durable Goods INTRODUCTION TO CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS In  economics, a  durable good  or a  hard good  is a  good  that does not quickly wear out, or more specifically, one that yields  utility  over time rather than being completely  consumed  in one use. Items like  bricks  could be considered perfectly durable goods, because they should theoretically never wear out. Highly durable goods such as  refrigerators,  cars, or  mobile phones  usually continue to be useful for three or more years of use,[1]  so durable goods are typically characterized by long periods between successive purchases. This industry includes all those goods which are durable i.e. products whose life expectancy is at least 3 years The consumer durables industry can be broadly classified into two segments: Consumer Electronics and Consumer Appliances. Consumer Appliances can be further categorized into Brown Goods and White Goods. The key product lines under each segment are as follows. White Goods Kitchen Appliances Refrigerators Washing Machines Air-conditioners Speakers and Audio Equipme Sewing Machine Watches And Clocks Kitchen Appliances / Brown Goods Consumer Electronics Mixers Grinders Microwave Ovens Iron Electric Fans Cooking Range Chimneys Electronic Fans Consumer Electronics Mobile Phones Televisions MP3 Players DVD Players iPad Personal computers Audio and video system Camcorders Common example of customer durables in the possession of most households is appliances. These items may include ovens, refrigerators, toasters, and gas or electric water heaters. Consumer durables of this type are intended for use on a continuing basis, and often are sold with some type of warranty or service contract that helps to ensure the appliance will continue working for an appreciable period of time. The family car is also understood to be among the various consumer durables owned by many households. Considered a major investment by many consumers, the expectation is that the vehicle will remain operational for at least the amount of time it takes for the consumer to pay off any loans associated with the acquisition. Further, consumers anticipate that the vehicle can be utilized on a regular basis without fear of being destroyed by the frequent usage. ECONOMY ANALYSIS Economic analysis deals with the analysis of forces operating in the overall economy. In the security analysis, the expected course of the economy must be enquired into because overall economic conditions and economic activities affect corporate profits and investors expectations and thereby affect the security prices in the capital market. Economic analysis has an important role in the investment decisions. If the economic analysis shows strong and vibrant economic conditions, investors will buy the shares in expectation of earning capital profits at a later stage. An expectation of sagging economic conditions can lead to lower corporate profits and the security price will fall resulting from the selling pressure. The economic analysis helps to identify whether the economic climate is conducive or not for the growth of the business in general. It is imperative to note that when economy grows, all industries are expected to benefit. In case of weak economies, industries struggle to survive. PORTERS FIVE FORCE MODEL ECONOMIC FORECASTING: An investor is interested in forecasting the expected performance of the economy in general and its effect on the performance of a particular industry or on a particular company. Thus, economic forecasting gains a place of prime relevance in the economy analysis. The outlook for the industries and companies depends on the outlook for the economy. A security analyst may start with the forecast of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is a measure of national income and is defined as the value of total goods and services produced in the economy in one year. An analysis of the components of GDP and how these components are related to the performance of industries and companies is also required. Economic Factors to be Considered before Investing in Consumer Durable Goods GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) Gross domestic product  (GDP) is the  market value  of all officially recognized final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. GDP  per capita  is often considered an indicator of a countrys  standard of living The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India was worth 1847.98 billion US dollars in 2011, according to a report published by the World Bank. The GDP value of India is roughly equivalent to 2.98 percent of the world economy. Historically, from 1960 until 2011, India GDP averaged 368.84 billion USD reaching an all time high of 1847.98 billion USD in December of 2011 and a record low of 36.61 billion USD in December of 1960. The gross domestic product (GDP) measures of national income and output for a given countrys economy. The gross domestic product (GDP) is equal to the total expenditures for all final goods and services produced within the country in a stipulated period of time. Change in GDP results on account of: Change in availability of resources. Change in usage of these resources, and Change in efficiency with which factors of production are used. GDP indicates the performance of the economy during the period. An increasing trend in GDP tells about an expanding economy which provides a lot of opportunities to the firms to increase the level of activities and to increase the earnings. There are two other measures, Gross National Product and Net National Product which are also indicators of economic activity. EMPLOYMENT Employment  is a  contract  between two  parties, one being the  employer  and the other being the  employee. The demand for consumer durables has been rising with the increase in disposable income coupled with more and more consumers falling under the double income families. Also, the growing Indian middle-class plays a major role in increasing the demand. This, along with a fall in the prices of durable goods mainly due to the advancement of technology, easy import of components has led to an increase in the consumption expenditure on durable goods INTEREST RATES Interest rates directly affect the cost of funds to the industry. Higher inters rates increase the cost of funds and thus squeezes the income of companies. On the other hand, a lower interest rate reduces the cost of funds resulting in higher profit. There are several reasons for change in interest rates such as monetary policy, fiscal policy, inflation rate, etc. Irrespective of the reasons for change in interest rates, the investment pattern in the economy is affected by the change in interestrates; the interest rates affect the opportunity cost of the investors also, thus affecting the bond and equity prices. So, the changes in interest rates have repercussion on the profit of the companies as well as on the market prices of securities. There are several indicators of interest rates. These are interest rates in the call money market or the bank rate or the prime lending rate of the lending institutions. Consumer financing has become a major driver in the consumer durables industry . In the case of more expensive consumer goods, such as refrigerators, washing machines, color televisions retailers are marketing their goods more aggressively by providing easy financing options to the consumers by partnering with banks. INFLATION Inflation refers to a general rise in prices measured against a standard level of purchasing power. Inflationary pressure in the economy affects (decreases) the purchasing power of the consumers and thus has a considerable impact on the performance and profitability of companies. High inflation rate can be considered as an indication for slower growth rate and low inflation rate can be taken as a positive sign for an expansionary phase. Inflation has a relationship with capital market as well. During inflation, the nominal required rate of return of investors goes up resulting in the decrease in bond and equity prices. Inflation can be measured in terms of wholesale index or consumer price index. An analysis of these indices will indicate the economic conditions expected to prevail. The most well known measures of Inflation are the CPI which measures consumer prices, and the GDP deflator, which measures inflation in the whole of the domestic economy. BUSINESS CYCLES Business cycles refer to cyclical movement in the economic activity in a country as a whole. An economy marching towards prosperity passes through different phases, each known as a component of a business cycle. These phases are generally designated as depression, recovery, boom and recession. Interest rates and inflation rates are high. Individual companies face different degrees of economic crises. There is a heavy pressure on their profitability resulting in lesser and lesser dividend payout and reinvestment activities. Companies even forced to shut down some of the plants. Some industries Show above-average response and tend to outperform the economy. These include capital goods industries such as consumer durables. The demand for these goods is generally deferred during recession period. But during the recovery, the demand pattern outperforms the general demand level. However, during the same period, industries dealing with essential commodities such as food, are less responsive . On the other hand, these industries would tend to outperform the general level during the recession period MONETARY POLICY, MONEY SUPPLY AND LIQUIDITY The liquidity in the economy depends upon the money supply which is regulated by monetary policy of the government. Reserve Bank of India has been adopting several measures to regulate the money supply and liquidity in the economy. Business firms require funds for expansion projects. The capacity to raise funds from the market is affected by the liquidity position in the economy. The monetary policy is designed with an objective to maintain a balance in liquidity position. Neither the excess liquidity nor the shortage is desirable. The shortage of liquidity will tend to increase the interest rates while the excess will result in inflation. Monetary supply and monetary environment affect share prices through affecting the discounting rate. An easy monetary policy is expected to result in decreasing discount rate. Money supply also affects the real economy through Change in growth in demand level, Change in growth of supply position OTHER FACTORS Besides the factors mentioned, there are cartain other factors which should also kept in mind while economic analysis. Some of these factors are:- Cheap imports from Asian Countries: The cheap imports of consumer durable products from countries like China, Singapore etc is a major concern. Increasing competition: Presence of a large number of players in each segment leads to high rivalry. Also, the unorganized market is yet very strong in the case of many consumer durable goods. The pie of the unorganized sector is relatively large in most of the segments, hence increasing the competition. Fluctuating raw material prices: Rising input costs of raw materials viz. copper, steel, aluminum and plastic the major raw materials required for this industry will severely put pressures on margins. Unfavorable Duty Structure: Top players in the consumer durables industry have been demanding a more favorable import duty on durable components imported by them. Take the case of LCDs which is the fastest growing segment right now the industry has beendemanding a reduction in the import duty. Contrary to this is the case of set top boxes, where 80% of the set top boxes are imported. The industry has been recommending that the custom duty on STB should be increased by 5% to 10% in order to boost domestic manufacturing. Continuously changing technology; a challenge: The consumer durables sector faces the challenge of a continuous change in technology and the inability to cope with it. High-end consumers prefer changing their goods along with the up-gradation of technology and manufacturers have to make sure they cater to this requirement. CONCLUSION The outlook for the industries and companies depends on the outlook for the economy. If the outlook in the economy is bright and upbeat, this may be considered as good indicator of growing profit of the firm. The general optimism is reflected in the security prices. The linkage in economic environment and the security prices is obvious and critical. This analysis helps to decide when to invest and where to invest. The Indian market is fast moving towards high-end products and the importance of media and entertainment is growing among the young market. The consumer durables industry needs to constantly focus on innovation and needs to come out with product variations across categories to meet the different expectations of a varied class of customers. With easy availability of finance, fall in prices due to increased competition, growth of media, growth in consumer base of rural sector, the consumer durables industry is growing at a fast pace. Given these factors, a good growth is proj ected in the future, too.

Integrating Sustainable Agriculture, Ecology, and Environmental Policy. :: Agricultural Ecological Environmental Essays

Integrating Sustainable Agriculture, Ecology, and Environmental Policy Whose business is it to create a sustainable agriculture? How will knowledge systems required to support such an agriculture be developed and implemented? These pragmatic questions are addressed by the 14 contributors to this book. If in fact the agricultural community is beyond the stage of understanding and internalizing the need for the concept of an agriculture that can be sustained, then this book offers concrete suggestions for the types of research objectives and social and political decisions that must be followed in order to make sustainable systems a reality. The book contains the proceedings of a July 1991 conference, sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that drew participants from academia and U S. government agencies. The proceedings have also been available since 1992 as volume 2, no. 3, of the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (JSA). The publisher of this book, Haworth Press, also publishes the JSA, and the decision to make these proceedings available in both formats is understandable, since this book will be of value to an important audience that is larger than the readership of the journal. As the name of both the conference and the book reflects, the contributors represent various disciplinary perspectives and professional experiences, being primarily ecologists (7) and environmental policy makers (5), with the addition of a sociologist and an educator. The chapters cover a range of topics that can be grouped into structural issues (federal policies, EPA program priorities, information and educati on systems) and research issues (participatory research methods, identification and monitoring of indicators of sustainability, and theories and methods for the design of sustainable agricultural systems at the watershed, landscape and soil levels). The authors are authoritative and succinct in exposing, analyzing and integrating the practical issues involved in fulfilling the objectives set forth over the past 15 years by various writers who can only be called "philosophers of agriculture." The thoughts of such individuals as Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson and Robert Rodale can be seen as passionate philosophizing by outsiders aiming to raise the level of consciousness of the scientific agricultural community about the unintended effects of their research paradigms and technologies. Such writing, while constituting a necessary initial component of the developing literature on sustainable agriculture, can be frustrating for those scientists accepting the need to address the environmental and sociological impact of agriculture, but less certain about how to do so.

Conservative Legislation and Trade Union Power Essay -- Essays Papers

Conservative Legislation (during the 1980s and early 1990’s) and Trade Union Power Trade Unions can be defined as: ‘ Organisations of workers set up to improve the status, pay and conditions of employment of its members’. Salaman, ‘Industrial Relations’, P77 From the end of the second world war, and up until the 1970’s trade unionism was continually growing. By 1979, 57.3% of all people employed were members of trade unions. Annual abstract Statistics, 1990, ‘Industrial relations’, M.P. Jackson, 1991, P57 ‘Trade unionism may be seen as a social response to industrialisation and capitalism’ Salaman, Industrial relations, P79 In the early days of trade unionism, there was a direct need for workers to be represented, in areas such as manufacturing, there were little channels of communication and as a result of this workers had little or no representation. The collective bargaining approach, is a system used by trade unions to regulate industrial conflict. If conflict arises, the collective bargaining approach allows the trade unions to come together in a public forum to discuss any conflicting issues. The collective barganing approach in Trade Unionism assumes that the Trade Union is bargaining for the collective group rather than individuals. The collective bargaining group is given the opportunity to resolve any conflicting issues and in some cases but not all can prevent disputes from occurring. Harbison concludes that collective bargaining ‘Provides a drainage channel for worker dis satisfaction’ Harbison in Industrial Relations, M.P.Jackson In 1970, Britain saw the return of the Conservative government under the power of Edward Heath. After the minors strike, the Conservative government lost power and Britain reverted back to a Labour government. After the ‘winter of discontent’ in 1979, Britain once again saw the return of the Conservative government, however this time it was under the power of Margaret Thatcher. Previous to Margaret Thatcher, the government had always seen their main focus to be the achievement of ‘full employment’, a solution which in times of 1979 could prove somewhat impossible. The new Conservative government saw their future, as one of creating more jobs and encouraging greater success in competitive product markets, this was in an attempt to achieve full employment. The main priority of the new Conservati... ...strial Relations in Britain Edited by: Geoge Sayers Bain Published : 1983 Basil Blackwell Publisher Ltd, Oxford 2. The Origins of British Industrial Relations By: Keith Burgess Published: 1979 Croom Helm Ltd, London 3. The Free Economy and the Strong State- The Politics of Thatcher, second edition By: Andrew Gamble Published: 1994 MacMillan Press Ltd, Hampshire 4. Contemporary British Industrial Relations By: S Kessler & F Bayliss Published: 1988 MacMillan Press Ltd, London 5. Human Resource Maanagement Rhetorics and Realities By: Karen Legge Published: 1995 MacMillan Press Ltd, Hampshire 6. Workplace Industrial Relations in Transition By: Millard et al. Published: 1997 Dartmouth Publishing Co., Aldershot 7. Industrial Relations in the Future By: Poole et al. Published: 1984 Routledge & Kegon Paul Plc, London 8. Human Resource Management: A Strategic Introduction, second edition By: G Salaman & C Maby Published: 1988 Blackwell, Oxford 9. Industrial Relations: Theory & Practice By: Micheal Salaman Published: Prentise & Hall, Hemel Hamstead

Childrens Comprehension of Television Messages Essay -- Children Tele

Children's Comprehension of Television Messages The literature surveyed so far regarding children's attention to television has relied on observation of visual attention by the child viewers. Measures of visual attention alone do not provide an indication of what aspects of the message children are extracting from the television screen. In order to acquire indications of this, researchers have relied on post-viewing measures of children's recognition and recall of information from the program. This research will be considered in this section on children's understanding of television messages. Here the concern is not with what children are looking at and listening to, but what they remember from the TV and what meaning the TV content has for them. Much of the research which has adopted a cognitive developmental perspective on studies of children and television has examined children's comprehension of television messages. The underlying assumption of these studies is that children bring different cognitive abilities and social experiences to the TV-viewing situation and that these influence how children made sense of the messages. Younger children with more limited inference-making ability are more likely to focus on the consequences of actions rather than the motivations of the actors, and often are shown to construe the television plot line quite differently from children and adults. The way in which children construe meaning from television cannot be directly inferred from cognitive development theory. Cognitive development theory may aid us in describing how children make sense of television, but we should examine children's understanding of television directly. How, then, has cognitive development the... ...hat appropriate learning materials will be developed to teach children about the medium of television, both its programming and advertising content. Such materials should help children overcome their misunderstandings of television messages. By improving the skills children bring to the viewing situation we may be able to moderate the impact television has on the child. NOTES The argument advanced here does not mean to imply, however, that children are as active when watching television as they are when engaged in athletics or doing other sorts of activities. Activity here is relative. Multidimensional scaling is a statistical technique that looks at how subject's ratings of a variety of variables group together; that is, it seeks to determine underlying dimensions which describe the relationship among a set of variables for a given group of subjects.

Corrections Accreditation and Privatization Essay

Accreditation means to meet requirements. Corrections are a system of agencies likes jails and prisons. So corrections accreditation is just that. Correction systems need to meet requirements all the time to maintain accreditation to hold a higher standard. Corrections accreditation has a positive effect on the professional develop of corrections officers. Because the standards for accreditation change every year, this means that the officers have to go through more things to become credible. By learning new things they set higher standards. Accreditation improves the management of the facility, raises accountability and credibility for the staff and administration, and makes for a safer environment for everyone. To plan for better correctional officer professionalization and accreditation the industry leaders can make it harder to get that position. They can make the training harder and make them go through new training or refresher courses every so often. Most times these officers let things slide they should not, which leads to lower credibility for the institute if they are caught because such things need to be reported. A correctional officer job is not one to take lightly because they are not glorified babysitters. They need the extra training and they should have to meet certain physical criteria so if in a position they need to get out of they have the smarts and ability to do so. Privatization is basically the private operations of prisons and jails. This affects state and federal because privatized systems do not have to follow the same guidelines as the others. The privatized systems can also go for profit, non-profit or charitable organizations whereas state and federal prisons depend on tax money to operate. Privatized prisons are held accountable and this is measured and monitored just as in state and federal prisons. They do not cut corners so in many ways they are more secure and safe compared to state and federal prisons. The privatized prisons offer effective inmate programs just as do the state and federal prisons. They also hold to the safety standards that state and federal prisons do.

Patriots, Loyalist, and the Neutral Ones Stuck in the Middle

Patriots, Loyalist, and the Neutral Ones Stuck in the Middle Today’s America is known for many things; however, one of the things it is notorious for is being a free country. Becoming a free country did not come without many trials and tribulations. The freedom that the American people now have grown so accustomed to started with fierce opposition not only from Britain, but from many of the Englishmen who lived in American colonies. The people that supported Britain throughout the American Revolution are referred to as Loyalists.On the other side of the spectrum, the people that strongly opposed Britain’s rule and King George III are known as Patriots. Patriots fought against the acts that Britain wanted to enforce and believed the colonies should have independence from Britain. Last there were the people who were neutral. While the Patriots and Loyalists were large in numbers, those in the neutral party were the minority, often suffering hardship due to their stance.Al though the Patriots found unity in the beliefs they held towards Britain, they were a blend of people from many different backgrounds. Patriots were a blended group of people from different social classes, from farmers to lawyers. They did not all share the same education level or common interests. The Patriot party was not fueled by people who were seeking their own power just for the purpose of being free. They were a group of people who felt like Britain was unjust in their tactics of rule. During, and immediately after the military conflict, a ferment of ideas — argued and discussed by an assemblage of remarkable men whose likes have rarely been seen — produced an innovative combination of republicanism and federalism that would serve as a model form of government for humankind, offering fresh political opportunities. † (Cowley and Parker 2001) The Patriots were against what they felt was unfair taxation, which was the beginning foundation of â€Å"no taxati on without representation. Some Patriots felt that loyalty should still be in place towards King George III; however like those who didn’t express similar loyalties, they felt â€Å"that taxes should be regulated by their own legislatures, not by members of Parliament in Great Britain. † (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2011) One of their base core values was liberty. However the liberties they wanted or already had experienced, had been threatened by the Britain’s greed. They opposed being held to rules that were not put in place by the population majority.They felt it was only just that the people in the colonies have rules and regulations that they set instead of following everything that Britain desired. Patriots had an overall want for a common good. The poor people would not be held to things the rich would put in place, instead the people of the colonies would find a common unity to benefit all of its inhabitants. Loyalists were a party of people that would clo sely identify with today’s slogan â€Å"if it isn’t broke, why fix it†. Everyone living in the colonies had adhered to the rules and regulations set forth in Britain before and in their eyes, change was not necessary.Many lacked the desire to rear against a country with so much power. Unlike the Loyalists opposing group, the demographics were much more similar in those that followed the King. Money was a common factor for them and so was the responsibility of being a business owner. Many business owners had links to Britain that tied their livelihood in America to their loyalties they expressed for Britain. Many Loyalists had ties to Britain’s upper-class through marriage and other family. All factors that can solidify the stance many Loyalists chose.They also feared the upheaval that could arise without being under the control of Britain. They had no way of knowing their families would be safe or that their businesses would not be destroyed. They had no reason to be confident there worries might be unjustified when the Patriots resorted to violence. Britain wasn’t only safe because change is hard; Britain was safe because of the orderliness that they maintained. Loyalists also felt it was a moral issue to not be loyal to King George III.In their eyes, they did not have the power to choose and side when their moral beliefs told them their only option was to be loyal to the crown. Finally there was the group that did not take a solid stance on either side of the debate. The neutral party was not necessarily the easier side to be on though. They tried to keep more to themselves and not be as active as others did. They tried to maintain a low profile and stay out of the way. However, by not choosing to be on one side or the other they were looked at poorly by both Patriots and Loyalists.They continued business with Britain, and followed their own protocol they deemed appropriate for themselves. â€Å"Men of good will simply sho uld not rob and butcher one another, they believed, and many felt that the correct stance was to refrain if at all possible from any form of participation. † (Fellman 1990) Note that â€Å"if at all possible† was not always permitted. â€Å"Nearly half of all colonists did not want to take sides. They wanted to remain neutral in the conflict between the British and the Patriots. But they were forced to choose sided once the war began. (Todd 2001) Everyone living in the American colonies during the war felt the effects. Though not all wanted to be involved, nor did many feel the need to participate, it was unavoidable. Men, women, and children shed blood; there was no one who was not impacted. Being a Patriot, Loyalist, or a neutral party was based on differences varying from monetary and social class, right down to fear of change; however, there was no difference when comparing the high emotion and the impact experienced during the American War.Works Cited Cowley, Robe rt, and Geoffrey Parker. Reader's Companion to Military History. Wilmington: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001. Fellman, Michael. Inside War: The Guerrilla Conflict in Missouri During the American Civil War. Oxford University Press, 1990. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2011. http://www. hmheducation. com/fl/pdf/resources/Grade5/T-5-1_SFLETG713311_TGL08. pdf (accessed September 14, 2012). Todd, Anne M. The Revolutionary War. Capstone, 2001.

Describe the Work of One Entrepreneur

Describe the work of one entrepreneur. What innovations did he/she bring to the world? What were the risks involved? What were the difficulties? What failures did he/she encounter? How did he/she react to the risks, difficulties, and failures? What are the major lessons to be learnt? Richard Branson is a very unique entrepreneur as he is known by his humorous characters and as he is the founder of the Virgin Group which has more than 400 companies underneath nowadays.Today, Branson is the fourth richest man in the Unites Kingdom with his billions of wealth. The road to success for him is extraordinary due to his own characteristics which makes him so much different from other entrepreneur. Branson started his business in the music industry as he set up Virgin Records which was a chain selling records at the very beginning. Later, he started to expand his business to different fields like airline, telecommunication, trains and even food industry.He as the founder and the chairman of t he Virgin Group has displayed a very bold character in making business decisions and what he had done may seem silly or unbelievable from the eyes of the public or other entrepreneur as he may have depart from ordinary routine. Back in the early days, the Virgin had done something bold and somehow rebellious – signing the Sex Pistols which was a controversial rock band in the UK at that time while other companies did not want to sign them. This act might seem foolish to people at that time.However, the Sex Pistols turned out to be an iconic band with huge impact to the world and the Virgin had helped the public to expose to such extraordinary music and culture. After his groups of companies became successful and on the track, he did not stop being creative and bold as he set up a space tourism company in 2004 aiming to offer space travel experience for customers. With his wealth and fame, he did not solely pursue profit maximization as he started to invest in research for env ironmentally friendly fuel and tried to offer cheaper and environmentally friendly fuel to the general public.As a successful entrepreneur, Branson had fulfilled his social responsibility by bringing changes to the society. One the other hand, Branson is good at promoting the whole Virgin Group brand image. He made himself like a star by having cameos on television show to increase his own fame. Moreover, he even had his own television reality show called The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best to get himself more exposure to the public. His is very successful in making himself the soul of the Virgin Group as people equal Branson to the Virgin Group in their minds. He has started a brand-new and unique way of marketing strategy.Despite the huge success of the Virgin Group, there must be risk involved especially the Virgin Group involves hundreds of companies. Branson admitted that big and creative ideas also mean big risks. For example his business ventures in train indu stry and space travel industry includes huge risks. However, he is very bold and is willing to take risk because he believes that you can gain nothing if you don’t venture. With all these risks includes in his ventures which may bring him millions dollars of lost, he is still very bold in taking risk nowadays despite his failures in the past.Of course he has failed a lot in the past as the Virgin Group has attempted in entering almost every industry in the world, and some may not work out. In a sharing session, Branson recalled that his subordinates panicked after knowing that he wanted to enter the airline industry as the Virgin Group was only a record label at that time. However, ‘To be a true entrepreneur you’ve got to take bold risk throughout your life’ he said during the session which explains his frequent attempts in expanding his business in different fields.But, of course, he did not blindly take any risk and lost million dollars as he added †˜But you’ve got to make sure you protect the downside. ’ As a risk taker, Branson is also a risk manager as he has set 300 separated limited companies as firewalls between companies in the group to prevent catastrophic consequence if one of the companies has problem. Thus, he has sound system within the groups of companies to prevent a company with disaster to bring down other companies.He suggested that people have to prepare for failure before taking risk and also learn from mistakes made otherwise it will be insane to do the same thing over and over again and expect something different. He sees making mistakes as an important step leading to success as he can learn things from them. Thus, failures did not stop him from venturing but help him build up success instead. In addition, Branson may sometimes engage in some challenges that seems to be unachievable. This is because he believes that there may be a chance for achieving it if he strives to transcend his own li mit.He gives every risk he takes a meaning so that he said ‘Every risk is worth taking as long as it's for a good cause, and contributes to a good life. ’ In the early days of Virgin Airline, there was a hard time for Branson to keep this airline company to survive in the market as there were many obstacles and difficulties waiting for him to tackle. At the very beginning, he needed to fight against the British Airways which was already the market leader at that time which was a very keen, difficult, long and costly competition.Unfortunately, there was an incident happened during the government certification flight as there was a bird flying into an engine which led to explosion. This incident had got the airline into financial crisis as the repairing cost was very high. In the meantime, growing fuel price and economic downturn had made it even harsher for Virgin Airline to survive. As a result, Branson had to sell the Virgin Music Group in exchange for the survival of the Virgin Airline to get through the hard time.Branson as the chairman of the company had shown the conceptual in-sight of a successful entrepreneur to make the right decision in the face of difficulties and adversities. Not only did he face difficulties before being successful, but also after his success. In an interview, Branson mentioned that he tried to bring business leaders in the world to think of not just profit maximization but also social responsibilities. He thinks they can use their power to help solve different problems in the world other than the business field ones in order to make a better world.He is more and more concerned about problems happening in the world and is trying to help tackle them. He is especially concerned about global warming as he had even hosted a meeting concerning global warming at his own island. He gathered world leaders and celebrities including Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of the UK, together to discuss the matter. He tried to brin g the issue under spotlight to arouse people’s awareness on this matter. However, he has encountered some difficulties while doing this. He is criticized by people saying that he is insincere on his environmental awareness and care as he is running an irline business which is the most pollution-producing industry. Yet, he stated that the company is using every profit to invest in research of environmental-friendly and clean fuel and the research is in full swing. If the research is successful, more people would love to travel by Virgin Airline and the aviation industry can experience a revolutionary change by using clean fuel and emitting less and even no greenhouse gases. In this case, this would be a win-win solution for the company and the general public.Richard Branson as the legendary founder and chairman of the Virgin Group displays what is a good and successful entrepreneur. His success is not coincidence but his constant endeavor and learning over years. And he is wil ling to share his way to success and inspire many people. He advocates people to break the rules and think out of the box which make a person different by dare to think and do something different from others by using creativity. One of his beliefs that inspire me the most is that you have to be bold to take risk and get something done other than sitting there all day and just think due to the fear of failing.And his love of his work is also another great inspiration as people should be passionate about what they are doing to be successful which is applicable to works in all fields. At the end of the essay, I would like to end with one of his most inspiring quote of Branson – ‘You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over. ’ Reference: Richard Branson: Knight of Big Ideas – Disaster: Big Ideas Also Mean Big Risks http://www. inc. com/leigh-buchanan-and-andrew-maclean/richard-branson-risk. html James Thomson. Richard Bra nson on risk. Entrepreneur Watch. July 8, 2011. http://www. smartcompany. com. u/entrepreneur-watch/20110708-richard-branson-on-risk. html Jeremy Hobson. Sir Richard Branson on solving the world's tough problems. Marketplace Morning Report for Friday. April 27, 2012. http://www. marketplace. org/topics/business/sir-richard-branson-solving-worlds-tough-problems-0 Mary Vinnedge. Richard Branson: Virgin Entrepreneur. SUCCESS magazine. 2009. http://www. success. com/articles/712-richard-branson-virgin-entrepreneur | | The Chinese University of Hong Kong| | | | Academic Honesty Declaration Statement| | Submission Details| | | | Student Name| | NG, Yan Yee (s1155033748)| | | Year and Term| 2012-2013 Term 2| | |Course| GEYS-1010– Entrepreneurial| Spirit and Social Responsibility| | Assignment Marker| Professor KWONG Kai Sun Sunny| | Submitted File Name| Describe the work of one entrepreneur. docx| | Submission Type| Individual| | | Assignment Number| 1| Due Date (provided by student )| 2013-03-15| Submission Reference Number| 667298| Submission Time| 2013-03-14 17:39:06| Agreement and Declaration on Student's Work Submitted to VeriGuide VeriGuide is intended to help the University to assure that works submitted by students as part of course requirement are original, and that students receive the proper recognition and grades for doing so.The student, in submitting his/her work (â€Å"this Work†) to VeriGuide, warrants that he/she is the lawful owner of the copyright of this Work. The student hereby grants a worldwide irrevocable non-exclusive perpetual licence in respect of the copyright in this Work to the University. The University will use this Work for the following purposes. (a) Checking that this Work is original The University needs to establish with reasonable confidence that this Work is original, before this Work can be marked or graded.For this purpose, VeriGuide will produce comparison reports showing any apparent similarities between this Wo rk and other works, in order to provide data for teachers to decide, in the context of the particular subjects, course and assignment. However, any such reports that show the author’s identity will only be made available to teachers, administrators and relevant committees in the University with a legitimate responsibility for marking, grading, examining, degree and other awards, quality assurance, and where necessary, for student discipline. b) Anonymous archive for reference in checking that future works submitted by other students of the University are original The University will store this Work anonymously in an archive, to serve as one of the bases for comparison with future works submitted by other students of the University, in order to establish that the latter are original. For this purpose, every effort will be made to ensure this Work will be stored in a manner that would not reveal the author’s identity, and that in exhibiting any comparison with other work , only relevant sentences/ parts of this Work with apparent similarities will be cited.In order to help the University to achieve anonymity, this Work submitted should not contain any reference to the student’s name or identity except in designated places on the front page of this Work (which will allow this information to be removed before archival). (c) Research and statistical reports The University will also use the material for research on the methodology of textual comparisons and evaluations, on teaching and learning, and for the compilation of statistical reports.For this purpose, only the anonymously archived material will be used, so that student identity is not revealed. I confirm that the above submission details are correct. I am submitting the assignment for: [ X ] an individual project OR [ ] a group project. The submission is done on behalf of all members of the group, on the understanding that ALL group members are responsible should there be any plagiarized contents.I have read the above and in submitting this Work fully agree to all the terms. I declare that this Work here submitted is original except for source material explicitly acknowledged, the same or closely related material has not been previously submitted for same or different courses, and that the submitted soft copy with details listed in the ;Submission Details; above is identical to the hard copy(ies), if any, which has(have) been / is(are) going to be submitted.I also acknowledge that I am aware of University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and of the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations, as contained in the University website ;Honesty in Academic Work: A Guide for Students and Teachers;. ______________________________| ______________________________| Signature (NG, Yan Yee)| Date|Instruction for Submitting Hard Copy / Soft Copy of the Assignment| | This signed declaration statement should be at tached to the hard copy assignment or submission to the course teacher, according to the instructions as stipulated by the course teacher. 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MGT test study guide

We want to understand what operations managers do. 4. MM is such a costly part of an organization What MM People Do: Planning, Staffing, Leading & Controlling Goods vs.. Services: Manufacturers produce tangible product, services often intangible, Operations activities often very similar, Distinction not always clear, few pure services.Productivity units Produced/lineups used, Measure of process improvement, represents output relative to Input, Only through productivity Increases can our standard of living improve. Multi-Factor Productivity: Output/Labor * Materials *Energy* Capital *Miscellaneous. Also known as total factor productivity, outputs & inputs often expressed in dollars, multiple resources units multi-factor productivity. Chapter 2: Global View Of Operations: Reduce costs, Improve supply chain, Provide better goods & services, understand markets, Learn to improve operations, Attract & retain global Allen.Tangible 0 Intangible reasons. Mission & Strategy: M: Where the organ ization is going, Organizational purpose for being, Provides boundaries & focus. S: How the organization will get there, functional areas have strategies; strategies exploit opportunities & strengths, neutralize threats & avoid weaknesses. Strategies for Competitive Advantage: Differentiation: Better or at least different, Cost Leadership: Cheaper, Response: Rapid Reposes.Competing in D: uniqueness can go beyond OTOH the physical characteristics & service attributes to encompass everything that impacts customers perception of value Competing In C: Provide the maximum values as perceived by customer, doesn't Imply low quality. Competing on R: Flexibility: Matching market changes in design innovation & volumes, reliability is meeting schedules, timeliness is quickness in design, production & delivery. Business vs.. Operations Strategy: Strategy Development: Product Design Is a business Issue, have to design the product well In order to sell It make money off of It.

Computer Information System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Computer Information System - Essay Example Organizations can't survive with working in international markets with out the help of databases and computers. In an environment where competition is tough they need to carry on communications with the help of computers and keep records on databases. As more and more people turn towards environment friendly products due to awareness, organizations are compelled to turn their attention towards product of the kind that are environment friendly. Organizations got to know about this by the help of databases that showed these trends according to the records. The most important use of databases in business is to keep a track record of history about the business. This not only helps in formulating strategies by studying the past trends but also helps executives in making important decisions that are related to the organizations. A database keeps the record in relevance to its dependency and gives results that are used to deduce conclusion as to why and how something happened. For example a drop in sales due to the packing of a product might be missed by a manager, but the database can easily point it out by showing that the drop in sales started as soon as the packaging of the product was changed. As I mentioned above the reasons for using databases to conduct day-to-day operations of a business, the same case is in my organization. We use databases in order to have an edge over our competitors, to become reputable in our sector of the business and to earn profits. Reasons apart from these are also related to the implementation of databases, these include satisfying the customers to the maximum in order to enhance the business operations and to keep a track of the customer so as to study the trend of his or her behavior that helps us in giving the customers what they really want. Our organization uses the one of the most successful database application, which is easy to implement and user friendly for the employees. The name of the database application is Oracle. This software is being used widely by organizations all over the world to help in running successful business. The main function of this database application is to enable the workers here to store, change and manipul ate data in the database using queries. The database application gives us the added advantage of comparing data and suggesting future trends, which helps the organization in formulating perfect strategies. The users are first trained to handle the database though its easy but our firm makes sure that all the people interacting with the database through the database appl