Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay - 1672 Words

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) refers to a group of physical and mental birth defects resulting from a women’s drinking alcohol heavily or at crucial stages during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was first named and treated in the late 1960s. This condition results from the toxic effect of alcohol and its chemical factors on the developing fetus. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation occurring in 1 out of every 750 births. The frequency of FAS occurs about 1.9 times out of every 1000 births according to the latest figures, and minor effects can be seen in up to 20% of pregnancies per year. This number changes drastically for women who are clearly alcoholics. As high as 29 children out of every 1000 births will suffer from FAS†¦show more content†¦In the United States, epidemiological data suggest that the rates of FAS tend to higher in African American and Native Americans than whites of similar socioeconomic status. A survey complied by the centers for disea se control and prevention reviewed more than 4.6 million births in approximately 1,200 hospitals and showed considerable differences in occurrence of FAS among racial groups. The reason for variance among these groups remains unclear. Among Native Americans, rates of FAS even varied between the different tribes. This may be attributed to nutrition, fertility, or metabolic differences in the genetic makeup of each tribe. Also Native American family culture can influence drinking patterns often leading to a higher rate of alcohol consumption. Among factors to consider, alcohol consumption is frequently associated with drug abuse, smoking, and malnutrition. All of these factors can cause serious harm to the developing embryo of a child. It is difficult for researchers to decide which effects are caused by alcohol alone. To clearly distinguish a child as having FAS poses a difficult thing for researchers. They soon began to realize that they were encountering children with some, but not all the classical signs of FAS. Because a diagnosis of FAS demands the presence of all three hallmarks, (growth deficiency, central nervous system dysfunction, andShow MoreRelatedFetal Alcohol Syndrome942 Words   |  4 Pages Fetal Alcohol Syndrome According to Seaver, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is birth defects causing learning, and behavioral problems in individuals whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. This disorder is very serious, yet it is recognized as one of the most preventable. This causes major issues, when something so serious could be prevented but is not. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a problem because it leaves a permanent effect on the unborn child, but some solutions could be educating women andRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome1466 Words   |  6 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome â€Å"If women didn’t drink anymore during pregnancy, there would never be another baby born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effect† (McCuen 33). This is a very powerful statement. It is also a very simple cure for an alarmingly high birth defect that all women have the power to stop. â€Å"Every year more than 40,000 American children are born with defects because their mother drank alcohol while pregnant â€Å" (McCuen 34). That is 1 to 3 per 1,000 live birthsRead MoreThe Disorder Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome1018 Words   |  5 Pagesthe the disorder Fetal Alcohol Syndrome .This paper will aim to discuss what the disorder is ,it s history how it is diagnosed and the treatment and prevention of this disorder. Taking a sip a int hip Introduction :Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing(Bible-Judges 13:7).It has been known throughout history that the effects of alcohol use in pregnancyRead MoreEssay on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome1390 Words   |  6 Pageslead to many severe abnormalities in the growing fetus. More specifically, a disorder that will be explored in this essay is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS); caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Since the alcohol is consumed in such a developing stage of the fetus, it can potentially cause many different complications in the unborn child. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome could easily be prevented with more awareness to the issue and its defining characteristics, how it affects the fetus during growthRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1707 Words   |  7 Pagesof prenatal alcohol exposure (Lupton, 2003). This number will only continue to grow if the risk of drinking alcohol while pregnant i s not brought to the people’s attention. When the mother takes a drink of alcohol, so does the fetus, which will cause physical and behavioral problems after birth. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is completely preventable and irreversible. FAS awareness and prevention is important; expectant mothers need to know the background information about the syndrome, some commonRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1699 Words   |  7 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition affecting children born to women who drink heavily during pregnancy. There are three criteria used to describe the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and to make a diagnosis of FAS. The first of these is a pattern of facial anomalies, these features include: #61558; Small eye openings #61558; Flat cheekbones #61558; Flattened groove between nose and upper lip #61558; Thin upper lip These characteristicsRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1096 Words   |  5 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a mental and physical birth defect. It occurs when a pregnant women consumes high levels of alcohol during her pregnancy. The effects of FAS can be traumatic in some cases, and in others children were slightly affected by exposure to alcohol. FAS has a wide range of effects on the fetus and infant, retarded growth, under developed facial features, slow cognitive development, and many more. The evidence of cases is overwhelming, yet in some societies it is still anRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1522 Words   |  7 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that can happen to children whose mothers drank sufficient amounts of alcohol sometime throughout their pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition classified in a group called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and is the most known and severe of the group. FAS, depending on the factors such as location, population and race studied is considered one of the leading known causes of mental retardation and birth defects, with 0.2 – 1.5 out of every 1Read MoreEssay on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome2703 Words   |  11 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental, physical, and behavioral defects that may develop in the unborn child when its mother drinks during pregnancy. These defects occur primarily during the first trimester when the teratogenic effects of the alcohol have the greatest effect on the developing organs. The symptoms associated with FAS have been observed for many centuries, but it was not until 1968 that Lemoine and his associates formally described theseRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1100 Words   |  5 Pagesyou want your child to have FAS? Read on and I believe you will come to the same conclusion as I have about FAS. FAS doesn’t sound so bad, but in reality it is. FAS means Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS is a combination of physical and mental defects first evident at a baby’s birth. FAS is a direct result of a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. These defects continue through out the child’s life. One in five hundred children are born with FAS. Your baby is at risk no matter how much liquor you

The Issue of Late Child Birth among Women Term Paper

Essays on The Issue of Late Child Birth among Women Term Paper The paper "The Issue of Late Child Birth among Women" is a brilliant example of a term paper on gender and sexual studies. Recent statistics show that more women prefer to start their families later on in their lives when they get in their thirties. In 2004 for instance, 20% of all childbirths in the US were to women aged 35 and above, and in 2005, there were more babies born to women aged between 35 and 40 years than to any other age group (Mac Dougall, Beyene, and Nachtigall, 2012). With this trending gaining momentum, the average age for women getting babies is now estimated to be 31years, high above 27 years back in 1985. Getting a child for a woman during her late years like in the case of Marsha and Liam has both advantages and disadvantages One advantage of getting a child after the age of thirty-five among women is that by the age of 35, one would be both financially and intellectually stable to be able to put u[p a family and take care of her children. By the time one gets to 35 years, they have reached great heights in their careers and education and have greater financial security. In this case, they would be willing to devote a lot of their attention to their children and family life (Toothman, Erica, and   Barrett, 2011 ).On the other hand, there are also many disadvantages associated with late childbirth. One of them is the health problems, including a decrease in levels of fertility thus risking the ability of women to conceive (Toothman, Erica, and   Barrett, 2011 ). The children born to older mothers are also likely to develop health complications.Marsha and Liam seem to have developed fertility problems and find it hard to conceive children due to their older age. There are however various ways in with th e couple can have babies despite their age. This can be achieved through medical procedures where their sperm and ovum can be joined in a test tube and left to mature into a test tube baby after which they will have the baby and raise it like any other baby (Toothman, Erica, and   Barrett, 2011 ).

Environmental Scanning Identifying Threats and Opportunities Free Essays

Organizational environment consists of both external and internal factors. Environment must be scanned so as to determine development and forecasts of factors that will influence organizational success. Environmental scanning refers to possession and utilization of information about occasions, patterns, trends, and relationships within an organization’s internal and external environment. We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Scanning: Identifying Threats and Opportunities or any similar topic only for you Order Now It helps the managers to decide the future path of the organization. Scanning must identify the threats and opportunities existing in the environment. While strategy formulation, an organization must take advantage of the opportunities and minimize the threats. A threat for one organization may be an opportunity for another. Internal analysis of the environment is the first step of environment scanning. Organizations should observe the internal organizational environment. This includes employee interaction with other employees, employee interaction with management, manager interaction with other managers, and management interaction with shareholders, access to natural resources, brand awareness, organizational structure, main staff, operational potential, etc. Also, discussions, interviews, and surveys can be used to assess the internal environment. Analysis of internal environment helps in identifying strengths and weaknesses of an organization. As business becomes more competitive, and there are rapid changes in the external environment, information from external environment adds crucial elements to the effectiveness of long-term plans. As environment is dynamic, it becomes essential to identify competitors’ moves and actions. Organizations have also to update the core competencies and internal environment as per external environment. Environmental factors are infinite, hence, organization should be agile and vigile to accept and adjust to the environmental changes. For instance – Monitoring might indicate that an original forecast of the prices of the raw materials that are involved in the product are no more credible, which could imply the requirement for more focused scanning, forecasting and analysis to create a more trustworthy prediction about the input costs. In a similar manner, there can be changes in factors such as competitor’s activities, technology, market tastes and preferences. While in external analysis, three correlated environment should be studied and analyzed — †¢immediate / industry environment †¢national environment †¢broader socio-economic environment / macro-environment Examining the industry environment needs an appraisal of the competitive structure of the organization’s industry, including the competitive position of a particular organization and it’s main rivals. Also, an assessment of the nature, stage, dynamics and history of the industry is essential. It also implies evaluating the effect of globalization on competition within the industry. Analyzing the national environment needs an appraisal of whether the national framework helps in achieving competitive advantage in the globalized environment. Analysis of macro-environment includes exploring macro-economic, social, government, legal, technological and international factors that may influence the environment. The analysis of organization’s external environment reveals opportunities and threats for an organization. Strategic managers must not only recognize the present state of the environment and their industry but also be able to predict its future positions. How to cite Environmental Scanning: Identifying Threats and Opportunities, Papers

The Pros and Cons of the Neolithic Revolution free essay sample

In the 1930s, V. Gordon Childe proposed that the shift to food production was one of the two major events in human history that improved the condition of human societies. Childe described the origins of agriculture as a ? eolithic Revolution. But the shift from hunting and gathering to food production was not as advantageous to humanity as Childe believed. Although there were benefits, there were also serious drawbacks, and humans paid a price for the advantages of agriculture. The Neolithic, the period in history in which food production became widespread, began around 10,200 B.  C, first appearing in Southwest Asia, and lasted until 4000 to 2200 B. C. The cultivation of vegetables and domestication was becoming common in Southwest Asia between 10,200 to 8,800 B. C (Levack et al 2009:6), 5,000 B. C in Mesoamerica (Haviland et al 2011: 501), and about 4,500 B. C in Europe. (Leonard 1973: 21) Advantages of Food Production An Efficent Way of Life Food raising was a more efficient way of life than food collecting. We will write a custom essay sample on The Pros and Cons of the Neolithic Revolution or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Approximately 250 square miles of land in the near East were needed to feed a band of 25 foragers, six square miles could supply 150 inhabitants of an early village with adequate food supplies. People could choose the most valuable vegetable foods available togrow near their villages, and certain animals were domesticated and bred to humans advantage. Neolithic villages stored food and generally had surplus. (Leonard 1973: 8) Increased Population Farmers were able to secure surplus food to secure the needs of a larger population. Seniors and Children were no longer looked upon as a burden. In hunter-gatherer lifestyles, infants were were abandoned in times of hardship and famine and eldery people often could not survive the demands of nomadic living. In villages, seniors were respected and supported and children had roles as shepherds and field hands. (Leonard 1973: 25) Both of these situations contributed to an enlarged population. Inovations in Art, Technology and Culture In the Neolithic, the importance of cultural adaptation and the development of conceptual thought can be seen in symbolic artifacts and signs of ritual activity throughout the world. (Haviland et al 2011: 241) Trade increased and many settlements became wealthy. These wealthy communities could support some people as artists and priests. Catal Hyuk is an example of astounding neolithic art, much of which adorns religion shrines. (Levack et al 2009:5) Metalurgy first made an appearance in Europe during the Neolithic. (Levack et al 2009:16) Architecture improved and in many areas dwellings were made with sturdy supplies like stone and brick. Some villages, particularly in Southwest Asia, were surrounded by impressive stone walls for protection against enemies. (Leonard 1973:18) Disadvantages of Food Production Sanitation and Disease People living in sedentary villages in the Neolithic experienced worsened health and mortality. Sedentary life brought with it sanitation problems like garbage and human waste accumulate, which contributed to disease. The close association between humans and animals was also key to the transmission of many infectious diseases. Higher mortality rates were offset by increased fertility. (Haviland et al 2011: 249) Dependence on the Environment When humans turned to agriculture, they had to depend on the weather for crop production and a good harvest, which did not always turn out to their favour. Neolithic farmers faced drought, plant disease, and pests. (Leonard 1973: 1) Loss of Leisure When humans chose agriculture they commited to a life of drudgery. Many Anthropologists believe that generally the nomadic hunter-gatherers of the mesolithic had sufficient food with much more leisure time and much less labour. (Leonard 1973: 18) Possible Drug-like Substances in Cereals and Milk Studies have found a link between a number of mental illnesses, including Schizophrenia and consumption of cereals and milk. Human reliance on cereals and milk is a recent phenomenon that was established suddenly, and some anthropologists believe humans did not evolve to consume these things. Groups have found that that wheat, maize and barley, produce exorphin and bovine milk produces casomorphin; therefore milk and cereals may be chemically rewarding and essentially, addictive. Some Anthropologist believe that this may be the reason these foods became so important in human sociteties. If this is the case, the diet of hunter-gathers was probably more nurtitionaly benefecial to humans. Agriculture and animal domestication began in Southwest Asia around 8000 B.C and then sprang up in Europe and Mesoamerica some time later. Food production proved to be very advantegous, resulting in surpluses of food, safer living environments, and technological, architectural, and cultural advancements. However with all its benefits, food production opened a pandoras box of problems that multiplied with the onset of civilization. In my opinion, some hunter-forager groups may not have adopted agriculture as a way of life because of the loss of leisure and commitment to drudgery and hard labour that agriculture demanded.

Friday Essays (1388 words) - Friday, , Term Papers

Friday The movie Friday is a comedy, but it also depicts many important social issues. The story is set in the city of Los Angelos, California, in what could be called a high class ghetto. The main theme of the movie is about a young black man who looses his job and is influenced by his best friend to smoke marijuana. The movie also shows the relationships of his family and other members of his neighborhood. With a zany cast of characters and a hilarious script this movie touches on everything from gang v lence to the use of drugs, crime, guns, relationships, sex and life in the ghetto. Because of all these issues, I found this an interesting movie with a wide variety of topics to address. Marijuana has been around for a long time. It's use is once again becoming popular. Although it's not legal, many people use it socially and for medicinal purposes. The Hollywood elite smoke it. Musicians such as Dr. Dre and the Black Crows celebra it's use. Television shows like Saturday Night Live and Kids In the Hall depict it as harmless fun. Marijuana fashion has grown into a ten million dollar industry, with the seven branch marijuana leaf showing up on caps, T-shirts, earrings and tattoos. Studies show that after a decade of declining drug use, marijuana use has increased sharply among gh school students and college students in the last two years (Duschbaun 8). In the movie Friday, rap star Ice Cube plays the character Craig. Craig has never smoked marijuana. However, his best friend "Smokey" smokes marijuana everyday. Craig looses his job, leaving him home all day with nothing to do to occupy his time. H just hangs out in the neighborhood with his friends. Smokey tries to convince Craig to try some marijuana. At first Craig doesn't want to. Smokey is persistent. He points out to Craig that he doesn't have to work and doesn't have anything better to . Craig and Smokey eventually sit on the front porch and get stoned. Peer pressure is obviously the only reason Craig gives in. Actually he had other options, but he chose not to use them. Common sense and a simple explanation would have worked for aig just fine (How to Say No and Keep Your Friends 23) Everyday we are faced with choices. It is up to us to decide what's right and wrong. Craig decides to try it and things start to happen that he really doesn't like. Craig and Smokey get into some trouble with the neighborhood dealer, Big Worm. Smokey sells pot for him, but can't pay him the money he owes because he and Craig smoked the pot. Big Worm threatens them and sends a gang of "hoods" after them with mach e guns. They just barely escape and are scared shitless. The amount of gang violence that can be contributed to the use and sale of illegal drugs has risen dramatically in the past seven years (Gates 67). It's no wonder that this is happening with th use of marijuana becoming so popular again. Violence and crime are issues we hear about every day. We can watch any news broadcast and see the evidence of these increasingly worrisome problems. In Friday, both of these issues are very apparent. Debone, the neighborhood thief and "bully" is co tantly harassing the people in Craig's neighborhood. He breaks into their homes, steals their possessions, beats people up to take their jewelry and other items and is just generally a pain in everyones ass. He is the most violent person in the movie Craig gets into a fight with him and pulls a gun on Debone. Craig feels confused and not sure what to do. His father convinces him to give him the gun. He insists that Craig should fight like a man with his fists. I don't think that was very good a ice. Debone was twice as big as Craig and probably 100 pounds heavier. They do fight and surprisingly Craig wins. You would think that most problems can be solved without violent acts. The reality is that sometimes, under certain circumstances, that ust doesn't work. Obviously, this was one of those times. Sexual

History of the Orchestra in the 19th 20th Century

History of the Orchestra in the 19th 20th Century This paper reviews the major developments of the symphony orchestra in the 19th and 20th century, with particular emphasis on the addition of certain instruments and the removal of others, as well as the influence of composer Ludwig von Beethoven, whose influence still endures. The paper also highlights the orchestral innovations of Russian born composer Igor Stravinsky from the period 1908 to 1919, and discusses his influence on the symphony orchestra through his works Fireworks, The Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on History of the Orchestra in the 19th 20th Century specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The long history of the symphony orchestra resembles a story of ever expanding creativity, with quite literally hundreds of artists contributing their personal innovation over centuries, to establish the symphony orchestra we know today. For the purposes of this paper, the focus will be fixed on the period of the 19th and 20th centuries. However, some background will help contextualize and narrow this broad and potentially unwieldy topic for the reader. This paper is organized as follows: section one will review the major developments of the symphony orchestra in the 19th and 20th century, with particular emphasis on the addition of certain instruments and the removal of others, as well as the influence of composer Ludwig von Beethoven, whose influence still endures. Section two follows the Russian born composer Igor Stravinsky from the period 1908 to 1919, and discusses his influence on the symphony orchestra through his works Fireworks, The Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring. By the time the symphony orchestra’s fundamental make up was established in Beethoven’s time, composers continued to evolve its form in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Composers and innovators such as Beethoven set the precedent for future artists to c ompose more emotionally rich sonic arrangements, epic, highly moving, and resonating symphonies which stirred audiences then, as they do now. Beethoven also has been recognized as the progenitor of the fervent style of conducting that we expect to see from symphony orchestra conductors today. Equally, Igor Stravinsky’s works remain fresh, original, and imaginative pieces which made revolutionary use of the orchestra in his time, and produced some of the most explosive and ground-breaking symphonies in the 20th century.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Main Developments in the 19th Century Many of the developments of the 19th century, as far as the symphony orchestra is concerned, have been attributed to the composer Ludwig von Beethoven (Randel, 1986). As he created his nine symphonies, Beethoven simultaneously expanded the orchestra to suit his needs. In order to compose and perform the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth Symphonies, Beethoven added the trombone to the orchestra, and exchanged the minuet for the scherzo (Randel, 1986). Interestingly, many biographers and aficionados of Beethoven conclude that his so-called Middle Period, characterized by incredible innovation, pain, and passion, including the Third through the Eight symphonies, owes much of its creative genius to Beethoven’s Herculean struggle with his progressive hearing loss (Cooper, 2000). One of the major advances that Beethoven affected in the symphony orchestra occurred when he began emphasizing wind instruments in his First symphony. Herein, Beethoven created what Cooper (2000) called a â€Å"new approach to orchestration in symphonies, where wind and strings were equal partners† (Cooper, 2000). The composer also became more and more interested in the use of the timpani. In the Fourth symphony, for example, Beethoven created what Cooper (2000) explains as â€Å"a new approach to the links between sections, † and a â€Å"raised profile of the timpani,† further â€Å"integrating the timpani into the thematic design† of the symphony orchestra (Cooper, 2000). Cooper also credits Beethoven with the creation of a much more passionate relationship between the orchestra and its conductor, as Cooper explains, â€Å"designed to draw out maximum expression from the orchestra [that] were in some ways far ahead of their time† (Cooper, 2000). Beethoven also added innovation to the style of music which symphony orchestras of his time played. Prior to Beethoven, many symphonies ended with a light finale, whereas Beethoven’s Fifth, Ninth, and Third symphonies introduced a â€Å"highly influential development of†¦finales†¦[that] function as a climax or apotheosis of all that has gone before†¦This shift in the center of gravity from the beginning to the end of the symphony†¦is designated by the term finale -symphony† (Randel, 1986). Beethoven was able to use the symphony orchestra in a way no other composer before had: to plumb the depths of emotion musically. The symphony orchestra, in Beethoven hands, became a means to depict â€Å"heroic character†¦struggle and ultimate triumph,† not to mention fear, anger, and loss (Randel, 1986). Beethoven’s â€Å"cyclic† approach to the symphony orchestra combined with his addition of the aforementioned instruments gave tremendous power to his compositions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on History of the Orchestra in the 19th 20th Century specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Significantly, Beethoven adapted the orchestra to meet his creative needs, as opposed to bowing to the conventional standards of the symphony orchestra make up of his day and creating static, derivative works for a pre-existing orchestral model (Cooper, 2000). Beethoven’s w illingness to take these kinds of risks in turn laid the foundation for future composers, such as Stravinsky, to create similarly emotionally fiery pieces of music. Stravinsky The 19th century symphony orchestra saw an increase in the use of percussion within the symphony orchestra, according to Randel (1986), and this innovation was heavily influenced by â€Å"Berlioz’s pioneering use of percussion,† a tradition which Stravinsky paid homage to in many of his symphonies (Randel, 1986). Interestingly, Randel (1986) points to the influence of Beethoven’s earlier orchestral innovations in Stravinsky’s later works, especially the choral symphony works. Randel (1986) explains that one of the most vital innovations attributed to Beethoven was â€Å"the use of the chorus in his Choral Fantasy and Ninth Symphony†¦[which]†¦suggested a new concept of symphonic work with chorus that was pursued by many later composers in a variety of ways, from the use of a wordless chorus as adjunct to the orchestra†¦to the choral symphony† later used by Stravinsky (Randel, 1986). One of the first to draw attention to Stravinsky’s startling orchestral originality was author Aaron Copland in his seminal work Music and Imagination. Copland described Stravinsky as a â€Å"master of the orchestra†, and carefully delineated the extent of Stravinsky’s genius when describing The Rite of Spring: After 40 years [The Rite of Spring] remains the most astonishing orchestral achievement of the twentieth century. We must not underestimate the importance of the new rhythms and polytonal harmonies in the creation of this amazing orchestral sound†¦for the most part it depends on an unprecedented degree of virtuosity in the marshaling of orchestral forces. The pitting of energized strings and piercing woodwinds against the sharp cutting edge of brass, the whole underlined by an explosive percussive wallop†¦inaugurates a new era in orchestral practice (Copland, 1952). The Rite of Spring, which Stravinsky began composing in 1911, was initiated by one of the composer’s dreams. The Rite of Spring is perhaps Stravinsky’s most famous piece, in no small measure because it was met with outrage during its premiere in Paris in 1913. The performance produced a riot, punctuated by guests pummeling each other in the aisles and hisses, yet its controversy launched Stravinsky’s work onto the international scene (White, 1996).Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Stravinsky’s use of the orchestra became more and more personal and idiosyncratic as his career progressed. As his fame grew, he seemed more able, like Beethoven, to take certain calculated risks with the make up of the orchestra and to demand more from it (White, 1996). Also, as White suggests, earlier in his career, some of Stravinsky’s touring compositions had suffered some indignities, as the â€Å"scores of The Firebird, Petrushka, [and] The Rite of Spring were written for an orchestra of nearly a hundred players – a formidable requisite when there was no resident full scale orchestra [where] the company was visiting – and occasionally some very bad musical performances resulted† (White, 1996). As a result, White (1996) suggests, Stravinsky began to â€Å"search for the right combination of instruments† (White, 1996). The composer also began to experiment with the size of the orchestra and become extremely specific as to which instrumen ts were included in the symphony orchestra make up (White, 1996). An example occurred when Stravinsky adapted The Nightingale as a â€Å"symphonic poem for orchestra† (White, 1996). Stravinsky â€Å"chose a slightly smaller orchestra for the purpose†¦with double instead of triple woodwind, and other instruments scaled down in proportion†¦[and] also changed his attitude to the principle of orchestration† (White, 1996). Stravinsky became fascinated with diminutive groups of instruments, or instruments by themselves, which drew attention to certain sounds at key moments in the symphony, while simultaneously underscoring the absence of others (White, 1996). The result, according to White (1996), was that the orchestra no longer served as â€Å"padding, or merely to fill in and inflate† (White, 1996). Rather, says White (1996), Stravinsky’s individual attention to instruments in the orchestra created â€Å"a purer palette of instrumental colours, li ghter orchestral texture, greater variety and contrast in the use of tones, and less insistence on the importance of blend† (White, 1996). Stravinsky appeared to have a somewhat antagonistic relationship with the orchestra. He seemed always to want to challenge it, to test its limits, and even its patience. This fact is made evident in Stravinsky’s own correspondence. When discussing his work Petrushka, Stravinsky wrote that he â€Å"wanted to refresh myself by composing an orchestral piece in which the piano would play the most important part†¦I had in mind a distinct of a puppet, suddenly endowed with life, exasperating the patience of the orchestra with diabolical cascades of arpeggios† (Hill, 2000). Another of Stravinsky’s innovations occurred, similar to Beethoven, when he used the symphony orchestra differently, according to his creative needs and the needs of the particular symphony. As White (1996) points out, Stravinsky often called for a sym phony orchestra and yet deliberately avoided using all of the instruments: Although a big symphony orchestra (with triple woodwind) is specified, the full orchestra is hardly ever used as such. Even at important climaxes†¦certain instruments are withheld, particularly those that are going to be heard immediately after the climax, and this helps to lighten the texture and refresh the ear†¦[Stravinsky] uses the symphony orchestra both as a symphony orchestra and as a chamber orchestra, and a considerable part of the musical argument is carried out by small groups of instruments or single instruments conversing on chamber music lines† (White, 1996). Stravinsky’s Fireworks, composed in 1908, was described by White (1996) as a â€Å"fantasy for large orchestra,† one that contained the â€Å"timpani, triangle, cymbals, big drum, celesta, campanelli, two harps, and strings† (White, 1996). In Fireworks, according to White (1996), Stravinsky overcame his last creative hurdle and â€Å"broke away from the four-plus- four-plus four-plus-four barring that had given his previous works a stamp of monotony, and for the first time achieved a satisfactory degree of asymmetry† (White, 1996). Fireworks was praised for its â€Å"compact, explosive force† and â€Å"whirling movement† (White, 1996). In Fireworks, Stravinsky makes full use of the brass section, particularly the trumpets that â€Å"echo the horns bar by bar,† as well as the woodwinds, all of which culminates in a â€Å"series of instrumental explosions† (White, 1996). The Firebird, composed from 1909 through 1910 in St. Petersburg, Russia, is an example of Stravinsky’s thematic use of the orchestra to create emotion. Based on Russian fairy tales, the music that Stravinsky composed for The Firebird had to somehow â€Å"differentiate in musical terms between the natural and supernatural elements† (White, 1996). To achieve this, Stravi nsky used the orchestra to associate â€Å"the human element†¦with diatonic themes and the magical element with chromatic arabesques of an oriental character† (White, 1996). In conclusion, the 19th and 20th centuries saw tremendous innovation in the area of the orchestra. Part of this innovation happened in standard ways: orchestras were scaled back or plumped up according to individual composer’s needs, instruments were added, deleted, held back, or substituted, percussion became more prevalent, and largely as a result of Beethoven’s earlier innovations in the 18th century, the emotional palette of the symphonies themselves became richer and dealt with more complex ranges of emotions. However, another innovation began in the 20th century, mostly under the influence of composer Igor Stravinsky, wherein the relationship with the orchestra became more personal and more demanding. As the complexity of Stravinsky’s compositions intensified, he proved tha t the orchestra itself could be manipulated to serve the composer’s artistic vision. References Cooper, B. (2000). Beethoven. New York NY: Oxford University Press. Copland. A. (1952). Music and Imagination. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Hill, P. (2000). Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Randel. D.M. (1986). The Harvard Dictionary of Music. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Spitzer, J. Zaslaw, N. (2004). The Birth of the Orchestra: History of an Institution: 1650-1815. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. White, E. W. (1996). Stravinsky: The Composer and his Works. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Writing Skills are learned, not inherited Research Paper

Writing Skills are learned, not inherited - Research Paper Example The organization through the relevant departments must therefore find out the ways of integrating this seamless workforce as this is a formidable and very important assignment. If such diversity is managed well and through proper strategies, the company is likely to soar higher and higher in terms of productivity and even growth. This is because the management of the resources of the company will be efficiently conducted and the efficiency in terms of operations will also go high. Competition on the global scale will also be enhanced as a result of proper management of such workforce (Graff & Birkenstein, 2006). Such management is much more than just the pay slip, it spills over to the general welfare management of such varied groups of people. It all depends on how the management bestowed with such a responsibility is able to bring together such a workforce in a manner that they are so much able to work together. First, the values of the differences must be well understood as this has the impact of improving innovation and creativity as opposed to sameness which does not provide an avenue for critical thinking. An avenue must be created where the varied groups of people are in the position of seeing different perspectives of doing the normal business of the company (Marzano & Paynter, 2004). The company must always ensure that its workforce is up-to-date with the current technology through constant training. These can be conducted by involving the employees in awareness sessions encouraging them to spend time reading and learning about diversity. These should be done in relation to how it would be helpful to the organization. Thirdly, the culture of the organization is particularly important as it has the ability of defining the direction of the company’s action plans (Graff & Birkenstein, 2006). The employees must always be made to think like the organization from the onset. Culture is meant to help success in a given environment. It is through

Consultants Report Telecommuting at IBM Indiana Essay

Consultants Report Telecommuting at IBM Indiana - Essay Example Half of the company’s business volume was spread out worldwide. It was in the mid-1980s, however, that the company started to have problems. The profits of the company had started to plunge down. Analysts concluded that the reasons behind the downfall were not many but were strong enough to shake an established company. They were: the bureaucratic and slow-moving setup of the company, maintenance of old business strategies and reluctance to replace them with newer ones, incorrect assessment of business risks. As said by Ducker (1993), it is a business sin to sacrifice tomorrow’s opportunity on the altar of yesterday. This was precisely the reason why IBM got off-track its road to success. Though IBM did try to cope up with the growing trends of the market by introducing a PC in the market almost overnight after Apple introduced the first PC in the mid-1970s but they could actually never get out of the MAINFRAME mask that they had put on themselves. Then the time came wh en IBM was being administered by JOHN AKERS who was a career IBMer in the ear 1985. Since the downfall of the company had already begun several steps were being taken by the administered in order to downsize the company. A summary of the downsizing of the company can be viewed in the attached table. The administered however resigned in the year when despite all his efforts the company continued to lose stocks and suffered major losses in the year 1992.Louis V. Gerstner then replaced the former head of the company. Further downsizing of employees was then consented upon by the management of the company. The establishment of the company’s office in the state of Indiana was an evident example of the problem the company was facing overall. The Indiana office reduced its number of employees to about 30% in the year 1992. The General Manager Operation s for the State of Indiana was foreseeing another cut in the number of employees.  

Economic crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Economic crisis - Essay Example It is an urgent need of the hour to put a stop to the ‘carcinogenic’ growth of the negative impacts before it gets into the lowest multitude possible and starts affecting the day to day welfare of the common man. The urgency of the action is averred by the fact that some of the national economies literally lost the nation in the present scenario of economic crisis. An empowerment of the public sector entities should happen by the deliberate efforts of the national governments. The public sector always had been the backbone of the economy. Recent developments including the growth of the private sector investments hugely made the governments all around the globe depend largely on these investments urging for quick development. Not only the government but also the people were influenced by this trend as they also relied more on similar abrupt developmental agendas. The governments all across the world may take lessons from the sustainability of the national economies which were not affected by the crisis which still have Public financial Institutions on the rule. People must start depending on these public systems which for sure would work for their welfare. The governments in turn should try the strengthening of the public sector in terms of infrastructure and investment. These setups should be continuously backed by the governing systems throug h their policies considering the sustainability they would offer to the national economy. Efforts must be made so that the people start investing in these public systems. Campaigns through the media would help to a major extend to create this kind of awareness in the public. While considering the international investments, governments should try international linkages with similar sort of set up across the border which would help to make a substantial impact on the economy of that country while securing the economic stability of itself. However an over

How to Develop Communication Skills

How to Develop Communication Skills Interpersonal Communication Letter of Advice Holly Haire Communication is one of the utmost consequential points in relationships. Many marriages nosedive simply because there is a failure of communication between the couple. Without sufficient communication even the most minuscule of quandaries can cause an astronomically immense crevice in a relationship (making a mountain out of a mole hill). The paramount things (Set your priorities) which should be: your relatives, your progenies, your physical condition, your protà ©gà ©, and your favorite ardency. In order to become authentic communicators, we must first understand what interpersonal communication involves. Even though appropriate levels of self-disclosure in relationships, the barriers to effective interpersonal interactions because words have the influence to create and dismayed attitudes, behavior, and perception and the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications. Rehearse dynamic heedfully aurally perceiving. Not only is it habit-composing, but it is withal one of the most consequential pieces to the communication puzzle. To become an active listener necessitates focus and an unblemished mind. So, rather than composing your: rebuttal or organizing your coupons while the other person is verbalizing, free your mind of any diversions. It will preserve you time, error and conflict if you unpretentiously take an interval in the commencement to heedfully auricularly discern intently. And once you have received the message, reiterate it back to the person you are communicating with to eschew any misunderstandings. One of the unsurpassed ways to participate in efficacious communication is merely through your body language. Subsequently a prodigious dole out of what you communicate to others is conveyed in your physical posture, its consequential that you eschew such comportments as crossing your upper limb in front of your upper body. This nonverbal cue may contradict what you are verbally expressing. Instead, sit up proper and procumbency the person you are verbalizing with. Mirroring another persons body language is withal an utilizable implement when endeavoring to build a rapport. Revering the conceptions and opinions of others can avail to foster an environment that sanctions you to apportion your own personal conceptions and assessments (respect). Demonstrating reverence inspirits a safe environment in which to extant the conceptions and sentiments of all participants concerned. That does not compulsorily designate that you must concur with them. It merely betokens that you are venerating the region in which you are sharing them. The moralizing in commentary can be regarded as merely confabulatio n covering that utilizable trait. Always look to the person you are verbalizing with in the ocular perceiver (eye contact). Nothing builds rapport more than direct ocular perceiver contact. It is a vital element of interpersonal communication. There are three important types of listening and they are: active, critical, and empathetic (Sole, 2011). It gesticulates to others that you are fully intrigued with what they have to verbally express. Active listening is assertive communication that develops a sense of trust. It additionally enhances your personal credibility. Do not be trepidacious (afraid/fearful/display anxiety) to ask questions in order to more preponderant demystify the business that is on the table (pose questions). It is essential to pose questions that will avail to give you a more significant understanding of what is being corresponded to you, as well as to impel the conversation onward. Efficacious interpersonal communication can be achieved through conscious cognizance of some rudimental principles. These principles direct the efficacy of our communications; they may be elementary to understand but can take a lifetime to accomplish. To invigorate a relationship: stay involved with each other, resolve conflict, gregarious network (friends and outside intrigues), and communication. An explication of the principles and misconceptions in efficacious interpersonal communications is that many people have an insincere cogitated communication. One incipient way of viewing interpersonal communication is to visually perceive it as a perpetual kineticism, between and among partakers, influenced by evolutionary practices and connected with our desire to propagate and survive. Hope and Nicolas, in order to be authentic in your communication you must understand the main notions of communication. The first principle is that communication is irreversible (West Turner, 2010). Once a message has been sent to the recipient, the information cannot be undone. Commence all interpersonal communication with an open mind. You are then less liable to be misunderstood or verbally express things that you regret later. When the recipient of the information has already received the message it now forms a certain dint (impact) in spite of what is communicated later. Then it is always imperative to cogitate conscientiously before you communicate something to your boyfriend/husband/partner. Steer clear of communicating when you are irate or when you not entirely yourself because once you have verbally expressed or indited something it becomes problematic to withdraw the communication. Intentional communication is when the sender of the information kens what he/she is doing. Yet, two people should note that individuals can communicate unblemished information without being vigilant. One way through which this is possible is by eavesdropping. Another way through which a couple can communicate unintentionally is through expression and non-verbal communication. Sometimes you do not require verbally expressing or inditing anything in order to communicate (body language). The content dimension has to do with the authentic content of the message being passed from the sender to the recipient. The content of a message can ultimately affect the quality of communication and therefore it is always consequential to meticulously cull this content. Eschew utilization of words, conceptions or phrases that would vex your partner. Relational dimension refers to the existing emotional state and relationship amid the communicating parties. This relationship is liable to affect the quality of communication. For example, when you are exasperated at your companion your feelings at that time are liable to affect what you communicate and additionally how you interpret communication from the other. The barriers to effective interpersonal interactions involve sundry misconceptions that people have concerning interpersonal communication. Communication is more than vital for a blissful marriage. What if articulated communication is the relationship? Without communication, you would not have a relationship. It makes sense then to learn efficacious communication skills for a more preponderant romantic relationship. The first primary is to minimize pejorative verbal expressions. Judgments are a mundane communication barrier in interpersonal relationships. New International Version (NIV), â€Å"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you† (NIV, Matthew 7:1-2). People are censorious when you categorize another person as incoherent, insouciant, or selfish. Labeling categorizes, postulates traits, and degrades another person. Instead of haranguing on about how egocentric your partner is for not accomplishing something you implored, aver what you experienced and need in unbiased terms. Below are three illustrations of virtuous assertive verbal expressions that evade judgment: When I peregrinate home from work and you do not hug me, I feel unwanted, When we accede to go out for dinner and you do not call me about being tardy, I feel frustrated because I have been enthusiastic to have supper with you all day, and I would appreciate you to pick up the youngsters so I can cook dinner for us. Could you do that? Or do you have an alternative conception to avail get our desiderata met? These are considerably more puissant than a judgmental, You are so selfish! Efficacious communication adeptness in a romantic relationship is to concede you cannot read anothers mind. This comes in handy for communication beyond the courting. Do not ken your partners intentions or motives abaft an action. You may cerebrate they intended to harm you, get vengeance, or provoke a particular replication from you, but this is mind-reading. Verbalize with your partner to seek elucidation and build understanding. Expand communication as an alternative of terminating the operation of it with verdicts, mind-reading, and the third gratuity destructive conflict. A third secret of a jubilant romantic relationship communication is to not evade conflict. One of the greatest myths of ecstatic relationship is the couples do not quarrel. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before dispute breaks out (NIV, Proverbs 17: 14). Quite the antithesis a couple with efficacious communication ken how to fight because discordances, quandaries, and tension is ineluctably foreordained. What disunites jubilant companions from despondent companions is their communication. Conflict from the past is destructive while the communication in the present is constructive. What is of importance is how you deal with quarrels. Good marital communication designates you to confront an issue sincerely with benevolence for your partner. Eighteenth century inditer Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy kenned for his War and Placidity book verbalized, What is valid in making a blissful marriage is not so much how harmonious you are, but how you deal with inconsistenc y. How you do that differs on your ability to efficaciously communicate utilizing the tips you learned in this letter of advice. People who have so many things in common always assume that the shared understanding will always translate to effective communication. An assumption leads to deliberate vagueness or a lot of sensitivity when distributing information which sometimes results in misconception. A core competency for effective communication is listening (Sole, 2011). It is always congruous to put all the shared understanding aside and communicate your message without subjectivity (heedfully aurally perceiving). People additionally have the misconception that communication is an autonomous process. You must understand that communication does not take place in a toaster and therefore it is affected by circumventing people, events and circumstances. It is consequential to consider the context and setting of your communication as it will additionally affect your message. There are many barriers that can affect this process of transferring information. Encoding is the process of putting your message into a form that is easy to convey. These forms may be thus: verbal words, letters, and email or telephone messages. Deciphering on the other foot is the process of interpreting the form of communication used so to get meaning from the message. Most barriers to communication hamper with these two essential processes in communication. Ethnic, sexual category and individual differences can present alterations in the way people communicate (encode) and interpret (decode) information. Common barriers to communication are such as cultural differences, gender, language barrier, individual differences and physical barriers (The Foundation Coalition, n.d). Such differences are liable to establish misunderstanding when communication. The norms of convivial interaction vary greatly in diverse societies, as do the way in which sentiments are articulated. It is important for couples to be vigilant of each other’s cultural, individual and gender difference and how they affect communication between themselves. Physical barriers may denote to aspects such as distance and time that may make it arduous for some people to communicate. When such barriers are bound to transpire you can always find ways of working around them. Today technology has made this facile. The manner by which self-concept is established and supported is composed of two aspects; self-image and self-esteem. Self-concept refers to how we perceive ourselves independent of our environment (Gufey Loewy, 2009). Self-image authentically refers to how we view and cerebrate of ourselves while self-esteem refers to the feelings that are derived from our self-image. If you have a lamentable image of yourself, you are liable to have a low self-esteem and vice versa. These two consequential elements make up our self-concept. Self-concept commences to compose when we apperceive that we disunite from our environment. It commences to perpetuate to compose when you act in your environment and discover what you can/cannot do. The image projected by other people about ourselves is liable to stick and affect how we cerebrate of ourselves. It is paramount to note that you two are going to be influencing in shaping each other’s self-concept. Other fortes include: the messages we take in, the prospect we and others have regarding ourselves, sexual category, ethnic and technological forces. Self-concept is dissimilar from self, self-concept means how we perceive ourselves which may not be precisely what we are (self). Our self-concept does influence interpersonal communication. These include: what we select to do, which we decide to interact with, and how we interrelate with others. Our self-concept also affects our attitude toward ourselves and towards others. Your self-concept is going to be an important factor in your marriage relationship considering the things it affect in us. Negative self-concept would mean low self-esteem and this is likely to affect communication. An individual with a low self-esteem is likely to encounter difficulties in distributing across messages since he/she lacks buoyancy. Though difficult, as it is, know it is possible to change our self-concept. We can eradicate the undesirable image we have of ourselves and substitute them with an optimistic image and this is likely to enrich our interpersonal communication. The NIV, â€Å"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .† (Matthew 7: 12). It is mundane for many people to have some information that they are disposed to apportion with any other person (e.g. names, name of our schools, and careers). There is a caliber of information that you would relish to reveal to only people who proximate with you (e.g. cell phone number, your email address, and allergies). There is also another level of information that we would just like to keep it to ourselve s. Rudimentally, it is an implement to visually examine a convivial situation and have prosperous communication. The Johari window represents how much people opt to reveal themselves. Diffident/reclusive people do not yarely share their feelings, so they have more of a closed window. Open/extroverted people are disposed to verbalize with anyone on any topic, so their window is wide open. The four quadrants of the Johari Window are the open area, the blind area, the hidden area, and the unknown area (Sole, 2011). This is the areas within our lives that we are disposed to apportion with any other person (open area). This verbalizes the information other people have about you that you are not cognizant of (blind area). This area covers information that we ken about ourselves but we would not relish any other person to have access to this information (hidden area). If the stuff about you is not kenned to you or anyone else this is the unknown area. This stage of self-disclosure can shake yo ur communication in espousement and as a result your relationship. The caliber of disclosure will perturb most marriage relationships. This construal in turn will lead to more preponderant communication within your relationship. Therefore my suggestion to you is that, you should keep an immensely colossal part of yourselves in the open areas so that your partner is able to understand who the other person is. It is consequential to keep confidential information shared between you and your partner. Divulging communication that your partner has trusted you to forfend to other people may become a source of conflict, in your relationship (diarrhea of the mouth). I am sure it is now (or has become) evident to you how vital interpersonal communication is in fortifying any relationship. The first step on the way to developing efficacious interpersonal communication is to comprehend the concept behind interpersonal communication. If you fixate on the diminutive you will on no occasion have space for the things that are paramount to you. Center on the things that are critical to your bliss: associate with your children, parents, and grandparents. Accompany your spouse out to dinner. There will always be time to immaculate the house and maintenance the lawn. If everything else was perplexed and only they endured, your life yearned nevertheless be plenary. Gratitude converts what we have into enough, and more. It spirals denial into approval, chaos into order, and perplexity into clarity. It makes sense of our history, brings placidity for today and engenders a vision for tomorrow. Other things that matter like your employment, your residence and y our vehicle should be your next concern. Irrespective of how satiated your life might appear, there is always room for a couple drinks of â€Å"Champagne of the South† (Sweet Iced Tea) with a friend(s). Take care of your family first and the things that genuinely matter the remaining is congeniality. References Gufey M. Loewy D. (2009). Chapter 3: Communication and the Self Concept. September 22,  2011. Retrieved from  http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/dl/free/0072975679/137490/gam62823_ch03.pdf Sole, K. (2011).Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication. San  Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. The Foundation Coalition (n.d).Effective interpersonal/intrateam communication. Retrieved  from http://www.foundationcoalition.org/publications/brochures/index.html West R Turner L. (2010). Understanding Interpersonal Communication.  USA. Cengage  Learning

What Is a Franchise? Essay -- essays research papers

What Is a Franchise? Franchising is a form of business in which the owner, or franchiser, gives license to distribute products, services or methods of business to affiliated dealers, franchisees. In many cases franchisees are given exclusive access to a particular geographical area. The franchiser usually mandates uniform symbols, trademarks and standardized services. Thirty years ago franchising was a revolutionary new technology - a new and better way - a new and better way to retail goods, food products and services to the consumers. How was it greeted? The media called it a scam. Headlines were everywhere about how some little old lady lost her life savings to some flim flam franchise. Major fortune 500 companies were getting involved in franchising but these companies insisted that their names not be used in ads or magazine stories. Today franchising has turned into an $800 billion a year business. Experts estimate that today as much as one third of the goods and services in the U.S. are moved through franchising. It's hard to believe but franchising actually came within 11 votes of being outlawed by Congress of the United Sates of America. Essentially a franchise provides a tested formula for starting a business that has worked for others. It can save you from making costly errors, shorten your learning curve and help you make a profit more quickly. However, start-up costs are high and you are required to follow the company's specific procedures. The average f...

Investigating The Relationship Between Hong Kong And China

In exploring the relationship between Hong Kong and its sovereign ruler, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), I will proceed by first examining the history behind the 1997 union. In doing so, I will introduce the Basic Law, a constitution which guarantees certain Hong Kong rights. Next, I will explore the political and civil rights of Hong Kong as stated by the Basic Law. Moving forward, I will examine each party’s economy, commenting upon the commercial interplay, and establishing each as an economic superpower. Thirdly, I will address some of the tensions that exist between the two regions by looking at one hotbed issue: the birthing of newborns in Hong Kong. Finally, I will consider what the future holds for this relationship, concluding that it is at-once troubled and promising. Background: The Handover & Guaranteed Rights In order to fully grasp the relationship between Hong Kong and China, one must first develop an understanding of the history. After 150 under British control, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 as a Special Administrative Region (SAR). The Hong Kong SAR was instituted under a Chinese policy or mission statement of â€Å"one country, two systems.† This slogan embodies the Chinese leaders’ goal of reunifying Hong Kong with mainland China, while permitting a co-existence of different political, social, and legal systems. Autonomy was delivered to the HKSAR in the form of the Basic Law. The Basic Law laid out some pertinent rulings in regard to the Hong Kong-Chinese relationship. First, it is important to note that the Basic Law was created with a shelf-life of 50 years; meaning that its ruling power will expire in 2047. This allows Hong Kong residents to have freedom of speech, freedom of press and publication, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of procession, of demonstration, of communication, of movement, of conscience, of religious belief, and of marriage. Furthermore, HK citizens enjoy the right and freedom to form and join trade unions, and to strike. In addition, the laws that were previously in force in Hong Kong, such as the common law and rules of equity shall be maintained by the HKSAR under the Basic Law. Thus, the Hong Kong SAR has a high level of autonomy, enjoying many levels of independent power. This autonomy is however limited and in daily dispute, as I will address in the subsequent Politics and Tensions sections. As I just listed in the guaranteed rights runthrough, Hong Kong citizens may speak their mind, and are even able to engage in street demonstrations – where such acts are banned in the PRC. It must be noted that there are, however, certain restrictions to these freedoms. For example, the law requires that police be informed of the demonstrations beforehand, and all protests are subject to interference or destruction on the grounds of â€Å"national security.† In the sixteen years the two have been linked, this has been a nagging issue for HK people as the PRC takes the form of an overbearing ruler. For example, Hong Kong citizens have historically been unable to exercise their voice in advocating for the independence of Tibet or Taiwan. Despite these impediments to wholly free speech, this is much more than that afforded to those in the PRC. Government Form and Political Parties Similar to the United States and other large nation states, China utilizes its sovereign power through a federal system that distributes authority between the central government and local governments. While these local governments may institute a variety of differing policies, the â€Å"political character† of each government is usually uniform. Hong Kong is a large exception to this norm as it has been allowed to enjoy a semblance of democracy. Hong Kong has its own parliamentary system, or Legislative Council. Members of the Legislative Council, known as LegCo, are elected by processes of both direct election and electoral college. All Hong Kong citizens are able to vote in direct elections, on the stipulation that they have been living there for a minimum of seven years. This sounds similar to the American voting system that we are familiar with, however only one-third of LegCo is elected with this format. The other two-thirds are elected by a group known as a â€Å"functional constituency.† The functional constituency is a group of professionals represented by fields of specialty, such as Accounting, Engineering, Legal, and Medical. It is noteworthy that this election form draws much criticism from pro-democracy supporters as it allows a minority to hold a majority of influence and power. One of the requirements of democracy, beyond free speech guarantees that HK enjoys, is the need for a variety of political parties. Political variation allows for multiple viewpoints, allowing citizens to build fuller view and stronger opinions on significant socio-political issues. While the PRC can be described as having just one political party, Hong Kong houses five major parties. Surprisingly, some of these even speak loudly regarding their opposition to Beijing and its policies. This extreme difference in political composition serves as a lens through which we can see the PRC and Hong Kong as a potentially uncomfortable pairing. In times of constitutional disagreement though, it is mainland China’s governing power that prevails. One Country, Two Economic Superpowers In covering Hong Kong and China, we are dealing with two of the world’s greatest economic superpowers. China surpassed Japan in 2010, becoming the second-largest economy in the world and the Chinese are now well on their way to becoming the world leader, as they are expected to surpass the United States in a matter of years (if not months). While Hong Kong and China exchange heavily with one another, they maintain separate economic systems and forms of currency. Articles of the Basic Law dictate that Hong Kong, as a special administrative region, is able to determine its own monetary policies. As such, Hong Kong has continued to use its pre-1997 currency, the Hong Kong dollar, while the PRC uses its own currency: the Renmibi. Interestingly, the HK dollar is treated as foreign tender within the mainland, and the same goes for the Renmibi within Hong Kong. While China and Hong Kong may treat each other’s currencies as foreign, they are intricately connected and highly circulated. For example, Hong Kong is China’s number one foreign investor, as they account for over half of the country’s total foreign capital. Thus, Hong Kong holds an important role for the soon-to-be largest world economy, as its premier trading partner and â€Å"foreign investor.† Hong Kong: Model of Wealth but Lacking Complete Representation To explore the power and ever-increasing potential of the Hong Kong economy, I am shining light on the Economic Freedom of the World index (analysis performed by the Fraser institute, a Canadian think tank). According to this institute’s study, Hong Kong’s economy ranks as the freest in the world (and has held this #1 ranking since 1970). The institute’s Economic Freedom of the World index bases this assessed freedom on three primary elements: government size, regulation of economic activity, and openness to international trade. The smallness of Hong Kong government is evidenced by government spending as a percentage of GDP, which rests at 19.2%. Compare this to the United States, which is over double that figure, at 38.9%. Furthermore, Hong Kong citizens enjoy a flat income tax rate of 15% while businesses pay a corporate tax rate of 16.5%. If that was not economically appealing enough, take into consideration that there is no sales tax nor taxation of dividends or capital gains. The second Economic Freedom of the World index element reveals Hong Kong as possessing a flexible and efficient regulation of economic activity. In assessing this aspect, the Fraser Institute defers judgment to the World Bank and its Doing Business project which produces a report measuring the cost of business regulation for companies each year. The results place Hong Kong as the second easiest place to do conduct business in the world. This high ranking is based on HK’s flexible labor market and the view of the Hong Kong dollar as a stable form of currency. The final element in the Fraser Institute’s model of assessing economic freedom is an economy’s openness to international trade. Hong Kong does not impose quotas nor does it charge customs duties. In addition, there are no Hong Kong restrictions to the inflow of investment capital. These factors make HK very friendly to international business and greatly contribute to the region’s standing as third-ranked world-wide in terms of inflow of foreign investment. Furthermore, Hong Kong ranks as fourth overall in terms of investment outflow – only behind the United States, Japan, and mainland China. Considering its worldwide economic power and attractiveness, it may seem odd that HK lacks true international representation. For example, Hong Kong is not directly represented in the United Nations. However, because of its economic weight, HK does have its own representation in trade and commerce bodies, such as the World Trade Organization. Interestingly, Hong Kong is even represented by the International Olympic Committee, a sporting body. It follows that the PRC has direct representation in all of these. This overview of representation shows the level of Hong Kong’s autonomy, which is covered in most areas except for â€Å"high politics,† where the PRC serves as the authority. Tensions: Birthing Trouble A survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong in 2011 found that twice the number of responders referred to themselves as Hong Kongers versus identifying themselves as Chinese. There are a number of factors leading to feelings of â€Å"us versus them.† It is difficult for Hong Kong citizens to see themselves as being the same as the mainland Chinese because of their years under British rule. While there were downsides to the years under foreign control, it was this exposure that has led to their current attractions, in terms of common law and personal freedoms. The disparity between mainlanders and Hong Kongers is seemingly growing. The aforementioned number of survey respondents identifying as Hong Kongers hit a 10 year high. This may be attributed to the fact that some HK citizens loudly voiced a fear of â€Å"becoming just one more city in China.† We can examine one instance of this relationship’s unrest by looking at the process of birthing in Hong Kong, and how the PRC is involved. Great numbers of mainland pregnant women enter Hong Kong to birth their babies. This is politically-heavy for two reasons. Firstly, these HK women are evading the mainland policy which limits the number of children a family may have. Second, babies born in Hong Kong are automatically granted residency. With residency comes access to the SAR’s high-grade healthcare and free schooling. With 37% of the Hong Kong babies born in 2010 belonging to mainland families (where neither parent is a HK resident), the resources are heavily constrained. Beyond the implications of supply and demand for future healthcare and schooling, HK residents are having to fight to simply reserve maternity ward hospital beds. The people of Hong Kong are not taking such strains lying down. HK residents are exercising every freedom of speech right that they have in order to let their voices be heard and to advocate for change. In the case of mainland mothers overtaking HK maternity wards, Hong Kong citizens took protested in great numbers. Dozens of pregnant women, along with their husbands and hundreds of other supporters, marched in streets in demand of resource protection. The people are demanding that the legislative powers disallow citizenship through local birth. This serves as just one example of the clash between Hong Kong and mainland citizens. Evidence of Hong Kong’s Influence on China & An Uncertain Future While the â€Å"one country, two systems† policy was created to allow the territory of Hong Kong to continue in its prosperous ways of capitalism while the keeping the rest of China socialist, it has not exactly remained that way. Since the 1997 handover, China has created dozens of zones that are designated as free-trade zones, industrial high-tech development zones, and â€Å"Special Economic Zones.† For example, two major Chinese cities that fall into this categorization are Shanghai and Shenzhen. This case of zone example serves as an indicator of mainland China’s eyes being opened to the possibilities of capitalism and other aspects of Western culture. Despite how slow China is to make changes, it is evident that the PRC’s adoption of these practices is directly connected to their involvement with Hong Kong. Thus, HK is serving as somewhat of a blueprint for the PRC’s progress. The futures of China and Hong Kong remain very much uncertain, however one thing is clear: they will remain intricately entwined for decades to come. Evidence of Hong Kong’s influence on the People’s Republic of China begs the question of â€Å"what is next for China as a whole?† If one of the world’s longtime socialist superpowers has begun a shift toward capitalism, what is stopping them from expanding consideration to human rights and rule of law? It is with such a jump that China could carry not only the banner for national worldwide GDP (as they certainly will), but also finally provide the first-world living conditions that are expected from a worldwide economic superpower.

10 Argumentative Topics on Animal Experimentation for a Debate

10 Argumentative Topics on Animal Experimentation for a Debate If you’re looking for arguments against animal experimentation, you’ve come to the right place. While most articles will take on the animal cruelty argument, we are going to assist you even further. Animal experimentation is not just cruel, it’s also ineffective. The data accumulated from these tests has been proven to be inconclusive. This guide is full of actual facts and figures, ones which will help you perform a dominating and impressive debate. Here are 10 facts on animal experimentation for an interesting and winning debate. Around 130 million animals go through experimental research every year throughout the world, these numbers are considered to be conservative because they are the ones which are recorded. Animal cruelty has raised a lot of public awareness in the last 50 years. It’s now a common consensus in the research community that there is no such thing as â€Å"Humane Animal Research†. Contrary to popular belief, a century of experimenting on animals has yielded little or no result that’s been useful to the human medical condition. Though 85 HIV/AIDS vaccines have shown successful results in nonhuman primate research, over 200 vaccine trials have failed to demonstrate any benefits to humans since 2008. Cures for diabetes, which were taken from animal experimentation have failed hopelessly. The mouse diabetes model which scientists have been researching on for decades has been officially discredited. Research on animal models for traumatic brain injury and regeneration in neurological diseases has also been deemed inconclusive and useless. Scientists have tried randomizing at least 10 controlled trials, and several other clinical trials, for spinal cord injury recovery in animals, but none of these were medically useful for humans. Same is true for the treatment of strokes, neurological disease, autoimmune disease, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, Muscular Dystrophies, Rheumatoid Arthritis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and other connective tissue diseases. There are two ways an animal suffers during experiments in a laboratory: first, the procedures and second the confinement. The animals suffer trauma of maternal separation at an early age, isolation from their species, not being able to follow their natural instincts and behavior. Finally, the pain they go through during transportation and culling has proven to be very traumatic. They go through various kinds of processes, which includes being exposed to various types of chemicals, being forced to eat, going through surgeries, burns, injuries, biopsies, nutrition deprivation and being tranquilized. There are several methods of animal experimentation that should be enough to put the entire research community to shame. Tests are performed after putting the animals such as monkeys, pigs, mice and dogs etc. through induced heart attacks, heart failures, strokes and forced abnormal heart rhythms. Animals are put through fatal burn injuries to test new burn treatments. For the sake of military and civilian trauma research animals are shot and hit with blunt objects, and later they are put through new experimental emergency surgical procedures. Further inhumane animal experimentations include studying the results of â€Å"Induced Helplessness† where animals are put in an inescapable state of fear and frustration. Animals are forced to swim to exhaustion, hanged by their tails and put through relentless electric shocks. All this to examine how the animal behaves at the point where it stops resisting the irritant. The life inside these laboratories are inhumane and disturbing for animals. The routine collection of blood, dosing through drugs and exposure to prolonged amount of physiological stress. The cages where the animals are put are not designed to provide a natural environment, moreover they are deprived from their basic social, psychological and behavioral needs. These small cages often lead to self-injury, psychological distress and mutilation. There are a lot of supplementary research techniques to animal experimentation like the stem cell methods, human tissue studies, in vitro techniques, computational models, systems biology, bioinformatics, tissue engineering, microfluidics, genetic methods, advanced imaging technologies, epidemiology and various other techniques. One of the biggest supplement to animal experimentation is the study of human population, most commonly known as Epidemiology, this study has helped research of identifying various risks to human health progress. Epidemiology is proof that research generated from techniques other than animal experimentation has proved to be more useful because they brought forth the health effects of smoking, industrial toxic exposures, hazards of pollution, poor personal and public hygiene. Epidemiology also helped science grasp the ground realities of heart disease, stroke, cancer and various other diseases. It’s safe to assume that this kind of pragmatic and calculated research work is much safe and reliable than the hit and trial methods of animal experimentation. Finally, there is the computer-based research technique, which is a perfect replacement for animal experimentation as virtual disease and treatment models can be created and then studied. Real-time collection of medical human data points can help execute virtual human trials. These genetic methods aren’t only used to collect research of data influencing genetic expression, like gene homology or RNA interference but also making sure that disease risk profiles and treatments are developed while keeping each genetic determinants in focus. We’ve not only given you some very gruesome facts about animal experimentation but also helped you by providing alternative research techniques to animal experimentation. All of these facts can be used to create some very definitive and convincing arguments. Next, we are going to help you find your topic of debate in our piece which is 20 debate speech topics on animal experimentation and also standalone debate speech guide for this particular subject. Reference: Taylor K, Gordon N, Langley G, Higgins W. Estimates for worldwide laboratory animal use in 2005. ATLA. 2008;36:327-342. Knight A. 127 million non-human vertebrates used worldwide for scientific purposes in 2005. ATLA. 2008;36:494-496. Humane Society of the United States (2001). Poll shows Americans disapprove of animal research when it causes the animals to suffer. Accessed June 11, 2008 at: hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/poll_shows_americans_disapprove_of_ animal_research_when_it_causes_the_animals_to_suffer.html Plous S. Opinion research on animal experimentation: areas of support and concern. Accessed June 11, 2008 at http://altweb.jhsph. edu/meetings/pain/plous.htm. Sky News (2006). Accessed May 2006 at http://news.sky.com/ skynews. Link is no longer available, but poll data are available. Balcombe JP, Barnard ND, Sandusky C. Laboratory routines cause animal stress. Contemporary Topics. 2004;43, 42-51. Bross I. How animal research can kill you. The AV Magazine. November 1983.

A nation Under Attack essays

A nation Under Attack essays We are a nation under attack. No, I am not confused. I am not mixing us up with Iraq, which is systematically being attacked by the U.S. government. I mean we, a nation of American citizens who are systematically being attacked by the U.S. government. No bombs have been dropped yet but the soldiers have certainly been put on alert. Im not sure if this was George W.s plan all the time or if the light suddenly went on when he was granted the presidency by the Supreme Court, but somewhere along the line he decided the old rules of American government, including the built in checks and balance system of separate branches of government, were no longer needed and he would make up some new ones. And, boy, has he been busy. Since he took office, George W. has little by little beaten back our assumed, and always before guaranteed, civil rights. He has established what is known as the Bush Doctrine. It says, in essence: he, the leader of the United States, will be ever vigilant looking for countries that may someday develop into a threat and, pre-emptively, declare war on them. No, he will not need anyones approval, he assigned himself sovereign power. To be clear, this is a power given to a monarch or other supreme ruler. Yes, I am still talking about America, land of democracy. I read most of the Bush Doctrine and never did find who gets to keep an eye on us, in case we develop into a threatbecause right about now Id say that country is either loading the missiles or asleep on the job. He has signed into law the Patriot Act, which gives the government the right to arrest without charge and hold indefinitely anyone the government labels a threat. Well, two lines in to this editorial I became a threat to the new regime. One of the reasons we broke from England in 1776 was that they were arresting people without charge and holding them indefinitely. At the time we considered ...

Plagiarism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Plagiarism - Essay Example Plagiarism is considered an academic crime in academic settings. There is no school, college, or university anywhere in the world that does not discourage the act of plagiarism. The reason is that plagiarism is an academic crime that violates the rules and ethics of creative writing. Such detection tools are available that can easily detect whether a student has copied something from somewhere or not. As Sumerset states, â€Å"with plenty of tools that can spot copied, repurposed or coopted text, attempting to plagiarize other people's material can be an exercise in nothing but getting caught red-handed†. Some colleges and universities even expel such students who commit the act of plagiarism. Such strict standards discourage students from doing any kind of plagiarism in their personal essays and reports. Let us now discuss the ways one may plagiarize in his/her papers, reports, and other documents. How One May Plagiarize Plagiarism is basically of three to four types. Sometim es, writers do not even know that they are plagiarizing or not. However, when they get the results, they get to know the fact that they have plagiarized unknowingly. The best way to detect the occurrence of any sort of plagiarism is to use some plagiarism detection software that can check whole document for plagiarism. One of the main ways a person can plagiarize is by forgetting to put direct quotations within inverted commas. Use of inverted commas for direct quotations or sentences from web and non-print sources is a basic rule regarding plagiarism. Some people forget this rule and commit plagiarism. For example, if a person copies a sentence from somewhere and pastes it in his/her own paper without putting the sentence within inverted commas and mentioning the name of the author and the page number at the end of the sentence and in the references page, it will be plagiarism. Another way through which a person can plagiarize is by changing the words of the copied sentence thinkin g that changed wording does not cause plagiarism. It is true but for short sentences. Sometimes people try to write whole paragraphs using their own words and in the same order of sentences. However, they do not mention the source of the paragraph at the end of the paragraph. This is called paragraph paraphrasing and is plagiarism if not cited properly. Sometimes people just change the order of the words of the copied sentences. They are not aware of the fact that changing the order of the words does not change the original wording of the sentence. This is called Mosaic plagiarism, which occurs due to lack of knowledge of referencing rules (Rajeev). For example, if a copied sentence is ‘A mouse was under the table’. Now, if a person changes it to ‘Under the table was a mouse’, it will be mosaic plagiarism. Ways to Avoid Plagiarism Plagiarism is an act of cheating which not only harms a student’s creative writing ability but also affects the reputatio n of the institute if the paper of the student is caught for plagiarism at any platform. One can take ideas of others for writing a report or any other document but he/she should always mention the original source of that information or ideas in order to make the use of those ideas legal. Moreover, it is not sufficient to mention the source of the information only within the text of the paper. Failing to include complete reference/source in the references page also results in plagiarism. Some

Homework Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Homework - Assignment Example However, not always can a woman be fortunate enough to integrate her hobby into her profession. in a vast majority of cases, families with dual working partners put a lot of burden upon the woman. This is because of the fact that a woman’s real job is thought to be managing household, and her contribution in the labor market is not acknowledged. Instead, she is expected to do it in addition to, if she can manage, her fundamental job at home. Thus, if a woman’s marital life gets disturbed and the husband is not ready to compromise, she should rather specialize in household because this is what societal norms require of her. Why have women been so eager to increase their participation in the labor market, and why have men been so reluctant to increase their participation in housework? Women have always been underestimated by men that happen to be the stronger gender on physical grounds. There is no doubt in the fact that nature has vested delicacy in women as opposed to s trength in men, though the lack of physical comparison has been misinterpreted by many men who also do not consider women brainy enough to compete with them in the labor market. On the other hand, lack of physical strength equal to men has inculcated a desire in women to prove that things are different on other scales of comparison.

Introducing medical anthropology, 2ND Edition(Merrill Singer & Hans Essay

Introducing medical anthropology, 2ND Edition(Merrill Singer & Hans Baer) Chapters 3 Only - Essay Example The field has evolved from simple and cultural treatment practices to the development of modern clinics and hospital to the campaigns on disease prevention (Singer and Hans, 127). In our daily lives, people confuse the meaning of disease and illness. Indeed a lot of ink and papers have been used to jot down the meaning of the two with the aim of distinguishing the two. A disease can be defined as a natural entity that can be identified through various bodily signs such as high temperatures and emotional discomfort among others amongst others. An illness, on the other hand, constitutes a cultural construction that can be identified only through interpretive activities and narratives of the signs (Singer and Hans, 93). The distinction between a disease and an illness is through the identification of the signs and symptoms. Diseases and illnesses affect the health of a person or a society in case of an outbreak of a disease. A society can be called healthy or sick not only because of a disease, but also because of their social behaviors. Thus, health is the complete physical, mental and social wellbeing in absence of a disease or infirmity that promotes life in highest satisfaction Anthropologist studies medicine holistically in terms of modern and cultural medicine used in all social environments. They study the theories of illness and their typologies in order to offer typologies of healing systems (Singer and Hans, 186). The environment and cultural belief affect the treatment of certain diseases. It is important to encourage patients with unique illness to narrate their experience to healers and medical practitioners to offer understanding of the diseases. Anthropology also acknowledges the importance of cultural treatment because diseases existed before the invention of medicine. The study of chronic diseases which might cause disability to a person in society also helps to understand why people stigmatize others in society. Anthropology also encourages

What is Mark Lawsons attitude towards the television programme Essay Example for Free

What is Mark Lawsons attitude towards the television programme Essay Mark Lawsons article for the Guardian Newspaper The 1940s House gives information to the readers about a television programme yet to be screened. He gives his personal and judgemental opinions but his attitude towards it is very positive. The type of language he uses in the article is flattering and persuasive. He describes the programme as fascinating, inspired, unmatched and great, this shows that he found the programme interesting and worth viewing and he would like to encourage others to watch it. Mark Lawson uses emotive language as he explains how the personal suffering that the Hymers experience is genuine. The hunger, pressure, and tensions are all inevitable parts of this experiment but they lead to fanatical behaviour, as Ben becomes Fuel Warden and dishonesty as granny half-inches a slice of cake. Hunger is a real problem with the boys becoming visibly hungry and grannys speech of guilty justification because she considers that she is always last in the food-chain. Mark Lawson suggests that the viewers will experience moral indigestion as they watch the programme: this shows his sympathy and admiration towards the Hymers as they face their daily challenges. Mark Lawson points out in his article that the educational side of the programme is exceptionally good. Many valid and interesting facts are presented softly but this makes the information easy to understand and hard to forget. For example it would be difficult to ignore the fact that many mothers died as a result of falling downs the stairs during a blackout because they wanted to comfort a crying child. He considers the programme to be a virtual experience museum and that it is a very good way of teaching people about history, particularly the young. By watching the Hymers spend nine weeks living in the 1940s we will be able to enjoy an entertaining and educational programme. After reading the article I think that Mark Lawsons attitude towards the programme was one of admiration and praise. He obviously enjoyed watching The 1940s House and this is shown throughout his writing which is informative, entertaining and persuasive and I think would encourage many readers to watch the programme. In this extract from his autobiography, John Walsh recalls his impression of life in Battersea in the 1960s. Explain how Walsh evokes his childhood in the sixties? How effectively does his choice of language convey this period of his life? John Walsh evokes his childhood memories in the 1960s by making comparisons between Battersea, where he was living and Chelsea where he would have liked to have been living. His descriptions of the two areas are in complete contrast and his desire to cross over the river shows his lack of enthusiasm for Battersea and his desire for a better life. In his autobiography he describes Chelsea as a swinging and happening place where he could marvel and be dazzled by the shops. It was where the sixties were taking place with groovy events, shops with wacky names and beautiful people but there was a bridge between him and this wonderful place. He implies that this is not just a physical obstacle, crossing a bridge, but crossing into a completely different way of life and one that he did not fit in with. His opinion of Battersea is completely different he describes it as yobdom, alien, hard, unwelcoming and unhomely. The shops are meagre with their boring names and uninteresting merchandise, and even the air smells disgusting. In my opinion his childhood was not very happy and his idyllic and dreamy impression of Chelsea gave him something to aspire to.

7 Elevens Information Systems

7 Elevens Information Systems 7 Eleven commenced operation on 11th July 1927 in Dallas Texas and has gone on to be an industry leader for more than 40 years (http://www.rimag.com). Originally the stores operated from 7am to 11pm, a trading span that was unheard of at the time. However most 7 Eleven stores now operate 24 hrs a day (www.answers.com). 7 Eleven has approx 7100 stores in North America and over 30,000 stores world wide. It has the largest ATM network of any other convenience store in the United States. 7 Eleven have had many convenience store firsts including being the first retailer to sell coffee in take away cups and offering all major soft drinks brands at their fountains. To put the size of 7 Eleven into perspective they sell 41 million gallons of milk each year, which is enough milk to pour more than two glasses of milk for every person in the United States (www.7-Eleven.com). The diagram below demonstrates the expanse of 7 Eleven world wide. Q.1 7 Eleven competes with both other chains of convenience stores and independent stores. What competitive advantages can you identify in this case? According to the J.D Power and Associates (www.jdpower.com) customer satisfaction survey the following are the most important contributors to customer satisfaction in Japan. There are 3 key areas encompassing the many aspects that provide 7 Eleven with their competitive advantage. As you can see from the overview below 7 Eleven are able to compete and more often than not dominate in each of the key areas identified in the aforementioned study. Extensive Knowledge of the market The management information systems utilised by 7 Eleven allow them to be able to capture crucial data on their customer base, which ensures that are providing customers with the products and services they need and want. Additionally it enables 7 Eleven to be able to track products and utilise a sophisticated inventory system to provide exactly what the customer wants at the time that they need it. Furthermore it refines 7 Elevens inventory system as they are more accurately ordering and restocking products that they are confident will sell. They have developed a streamlined value chain through electronically transmitting orders and keeping product turnover high. They are using computer based information systems to connect all the partners in their value added chains directly into flexible manufacturing systems (Best, 1993, pg. 49). The management information systems also offers added value as it provides 7 Eleven with an avenue to monitor staff performance, thus providing them with the ability to continuously provide a high level of customer service. Technological advances The time distribution system provides competitive advantage on two fronts, the ability to be able to be utilise the small spaces in Japanese retail outlets and to be able to provide customers with a greater range of products more accurately catering for there needs. The information available through their management information systems not only assists in building relationships with their customers, it also allows 7 Elevens vendors to anticipate their needs and prepare and deliver items in a faster than expected timeframe (Buchanan, Thunderbird, Simmons, Washington and Lee University, 2004, pg. 6) providing advantage to 7 Eleven, their customers and their vendors. Expanding core business The expansion of the core business into services such as Internet provision and hot fresh meals sees 7 Eleven providing an alternative service to it customers. This gives customers additional reason to come to 7 Eleven thus expanding the clientele base. 7 Eleven uses its management information systems to obtain competitive advantage that not only helps them decide which products to make available to their customer base, it also allows them to determine how they are going to deliver the product, a crucial component to gaining and sustaining competitive advantage (Buchanan, et. al. 2004, pg.1). In Japan, 7 Eleven have thoroughly engrossed themselves in the concept of expanding their core business to provide their customers with a one stop shop. They provide alternatives to some of the more difficult aspects of the hectic Japanese life style such as meals, ATM access and a pick up point for Internet shopping. In a cash based society they even provide a cash pick up point for e commerce goods and services. 7 Eleven in Japan has truly embraced customer service, which has helped them achieve a distinct competitive advantage in this market. 7-Eleven has exploited the economies of scope of a customer relationship business by working with a broad range of product and service vendors to define new products and services tailored to the needs of their customers (www. edgeperspectives.typepad.com). Q.2 Use the internet to find the major competitors of 7 Eleven in Japan, the United States and other countries where 7 Eleven is active. Describe the competition faced by the company. 7 Eleven has convenience stores in Japan, Australia, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, the Philippines, Sweden, Denmark, South Korea, Thailand, Norway, Turkey, Malaysia, China and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico (www.7-eleven.com). The following chart depicts the breath of 7 Eleven across its territories. In Japan the major competitors of 7 Eleven are Ministop and Circle K with 1700 (www.ministop.com.ph) and 3000 (www.circlek.com).stores respectively. Compared with the number of stores occupied by 7 Eleven (www.sej.co.jp) it could be concluded that the neither poses any real threat. Both provide very similar services to 7 Eleven including the provision of ready to eat food products, internet services and bill payment facilities (www.circlek.com and www.ministop.com). It is worth noting that Circle K is also a major competitor in Hong Kong. In North America two of the major competitors are B. P North American with 5166 stores including trading names such as AM/PM Mini Market, Amoco, Arco, BP, B Connect, BP Express and Shell Oil Company with 4907 stores (www.csnews.com/csn/images/pdf/CSN_2006_Top100_CStores_Chart.pdf). In Australia the two major competitors to 7 Eleven are Caltex with 566 stores and Coles Express with 595 stores (http://www.cstore.com.au/industry/acn/acn2006.pdf). In Australia both Caltex and Coles Express enjoy a higher market share than 7 Eleven. All of 7 Elevens competitors use management information systems to assist them with data collection and smooth management of their value chain. The evidence suggests that in Australia and North America, the biggest competitors are those that also provide petrol. In Australia this could be partially attributed to the incentive schemes offered by Coles Express and Caltex, providing a distinct competitive advantage that gets the customer through the door and whilst they are there they pick up their bread and milk and other last minute items. The difference could also be distinguishable due to a cultural difference between Japan and western nations such as Australia and North America. Unlike Australia and North America, Asia does not operate on a car dominated transport system. Due to high levels of congestion and inadequate roads, on the whole Asia does not compare with Australia or America in the car ownership stakes. (Moriaty, P, 2000, para.3) Australia has 522 passenger vehicles for every 1000 people in (www.abs.gov.au) the United States has 776 per 1000 population (http://www.unece.org/stats/trends2005/transport.htm) compared with 374 per 1000 population in Japan (Moriaty, P, 2000, para.6). Perhaps the difference in market domination can be attributed to the difference in a cultural need. 7 Eleven have managed to find the niche market in Japan but perhaps they have failed to recognise the key aspect of the consumer oriented decision making in Australia and America. Q3. Which of porters five forces are countered by the 7 Eleven system described here? With a large and varied operation base, 7-Eleven requires advanced business processes and information systems to keep ahead of rising customer expectations and an increasingly challenging business environment. To accomplish these goals, 7- Eleven maintains a business and technology alignment that produces strategy and tactics that are not only efficient and cost effective but are also capable of delivering competitive advantage. The system adopted by 7-Eleven has a consistent and predictable IT infrastructure, one that can adjust to capitalise on changes in the business environment. The Five Forces model of Porter is an outside-in business unit strategy tool that is used to make an analysis of the attractiveness (value) of an industry structure. The Competitive Forces analysis is made by the identification of 5 fundamental competitive forces; the following are countered by the strategic framework for 7-Eleven. Threat Of New Entrants The system adopted by 7-eleven maximizes the threat for new entrants the reason being that 7-Eleven has already reached economies of scale through maintaining a strong customer base and brand loyalty. The access to latest technology and capital investments in the same ensures that the barrier for entries for new entrants is huge .The chain also maintains a wide distribution channel thus the likelihood of retaliation from existing players is diminished. Bargaining Power of Suppliers With the implementation of inventory control systems such as JIT and production of customised products by specialized companies the supplier base is strong for 7-Eleven. However since these suppliers are not dominant they do not threaten to integrate forward into the industry, the reason being the product line is huge and few specific products do not dominate customer requirements. The broad range of products supplied has seen them forge sound relationships with a plethora of suppliers. Additionally they have achieved a level of horizontal integration with the creation of their own supply companies who make customised products under their own branding. Intensity of Rivalry 7-Eleven has emerged as a clear market leader in terms of competition with similar convenience stores because of its highly customer focused orientation and implementation of various information systems adding to its differentiation strategy. Rivalry is further reduced because of the switching costs buyers face with the presence of customised goods. The organisation does not possess high fixed costs and this discourages competitors from manufacturing with price cuts. Q.4 Which strategies of those suggested in the various frameworks are noticeable in this case? 7-Eleven Japan is thriving, owing largely to their digitized foundations, IT infrastructures and business processes that automate core capabilities. Building such foundations requires a sound operating model, a solid enterprise architecture, and IT engagement throughout the company. The company bases its business strategy on a retailer initiative. Each 7-Eleven store tailors its products and services to its neighborhood; the retailing environment is highly dynamic and complex. 7-Eleven Business Model The 7-Eleven business model consists of five key strategies: 1. A differentiated merchandising strategy; 2. utilisation of 7-Elevens retail information system; 3. managed distribution; 4. providing a convenient shopping environment; and 5. a unique franchise model (Stout J, 2005). Differentiated merchandising strategy. 7-Eleven offers a broad array of products, including many not traditionally available in convenience stores, to meet the needs of its customers. These products include high-quality fresh foods that are delivered daily to stores. In addition, the company sells a number of products that are developed specifically for its stores. Utilization of 7-Elevens retail information system. 7-Eleven was the first major convenience store chain in the United States to use an integrated set of retail information tools. Effective utilisation of the system is the foundation of the companys business model. Managed distribution. 7-Eleven works with its vendors and distributors to provide daily delivery of fresh food and other items to its stores, to lower the cost of delivery, and to shift deliveries to off-peak hours. Providing a convenient shopping environment. 7-Eleven seeks to provide its customers with a convenient, safe and clean store environment. The majority of 7-Eleven stores in the United States and Canada provide more than 6 million daily customers with 24-hour convenience, seven days a week. Unique franchise model. More than half of the 7-Eleven stores in the United States are operated by independent franchisees. The companys franchise model is different from most others because 7-Eleven owns or leases the stores and equipment used by its franchisees. In addition, the ongoing royalties that the company receives from its franchisees are based upon a percentage of store gross profit (Stout J, 2005). Apart from this The Just In Time approach for inventory management makes sure that the goods are delivered on time to the point of sales keeping the customer orientation strategy in mind. Q.5. Which business pressures are evident in this case? Retailing is a competitive market in Japan. As stated by Lohtia Subramaniam (2000), in 1994 Japan had 1.5 million retail stores. To put this into context, there were 12 retail stores per 1000 persons in Japan compared to six in USA. In the countries of western Europe, the number of establishments per 1,000 people was close to seven, (Tsuchiya Riethmuller, 1997). While this trend is slowly changing in Japan with the number of retailers declining, the number of convenience stores has been growing. In 1994 there was 48,405 convenience stores compared to 29,236 in 1985. In this same period 7-Eleven has grown from 2,651 stores in 1985 to 5,905 stores in 1994, up to 11,310 (as of February 28, 2006) (www.sej.co.jp, 2007). Low availability and high cost Japanese real estate has seen a trend of small food retail outlets across the country. In 1993, 28.3 per cent of stores had a selling area of under 20m2 and 89.2 per cent had a selling area of under 100m2, (Tsuchiya Riethmuller, 1997). In addition to the high competition the floor space to display and store stock is very limited in Japan. In contrast to the typical US distribution channel which is open, independent and margin-driven, Japanese distribution channels have typically been long, complicated networks where it was not uncommon to have as many as four layers of wholesalers. Such intricacy of the Japanese distribution channel is deeply rooted in the Japanese culture and socio-economic setting that underlies Japanese business customs (Min,1996). Wholesalers have long controlled the Japanese distribution channel through vertical integration, financial linkage, and reciprocity dealings. By the late 1980s 7-Eleven US was losing a lot of money, which continued through to the early 1990s. It was seen as a franchise system with retailers sharing little more than a common brand name with tired generic products. A lot of stores were not only performing badly, they looked run down and unappealing to the customer. Due to poor management of its supply the fresh foods where limited in range and often far from fresh. Pricing was inconsistent with high discounting on some lines and prohibitively high prices on others. It was viewed as a last resort rather than a convenience-shopping experience. 7-Eleven US had got itself into considerable debt and was bankrupt when it had to be rescued by its Japanese franchisee in 1991. Q.6. Which corporate response activities are evident in this case? The success of 7-Eleven Japan has set itself as a benchmark. Meyer-Ohl (2004) states that the perception of the convenience store in Japan is of being the most advanced form of Japanese retailing in having considerable success in merchandising backed up with comprehensive systems. The achievements of 7-Eleven have largely influenced this as it is the largest company and most other companies did not achieve the same level of profitability. 7-Eleven Japan has displayed strong growth and today it remains Japans most profitable retailer and has a market capitalisation that ranks it in the top three retailers in the world. It has achieved this despite the fact that the Japanese economy in the 1990s had been in deep recession and many retailers have seen major losses and faced incredible operating difficulties (Sparks, 2000). Japans success came from a customer driven merchandising system. Its implementation of a $200 million information system for its stores in the early 1990s. The purpose of this system was to (1) discover who their customers were and what they want and (2) create a sophisticated product tracking system, (Case Study). It based its operations around the information provided. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Relays its orders electronically to its distribution centres and suppliers directly from its point of sale system. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 7-Eleven Japan has formed relationships with its suppliers that break the traditional Keiretsu networks of distribution, where wholesalers have had control of the relationship. It has formed strategic relationships with suppliers where it orders directly from them using a Just-in-Time approach. It has even created its own companies to manufacture customised products in response to its market trends. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Monitoring customer preferences from both the point of sale system and staff entering data about the customer as well as any requests customers make for products 7-Eleven doesnt have. This enables individual stores to change stock from slow moving lines. 70% of products are replaced each year. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Determining product mix and how much shelf space allocated to each product. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Rotating stock at least twice each day to suit purchasing trends of customers throughout the day. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Monitoring staff performance and rewarding high performers. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Quality control data is collected by a team of 200 inspectors regularly visiting the stores. This is entered into and analysed by a computerized decision support system at headquarters. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Expanding on its traditional convenience food, beverages and fuel type product offerings with, such as ATM, phones and phone cards, internet kiosks and even beer. As outlined by Sparks (2000), the Japanese model of convenience stores has been introduced to the United States. 7-Elevens core functions are managing the data on what its customers buy and honing its unique merchandising skills. 7-Elevens core business is merchandising the pricing, positioning and promotion of ready-to-eat food, snacks, fuel and sundries (Gottfredson Phillips, 2005). It improved its systems to enable it to control and make the most of critical capabilities such as stock price to key metrics like inventory turns. While sticking to its core competencies and some core products the Japanese model used market information for a localised approach at the store level in product offering. The slow but strategic changes for 7-Eleven US have been concentrated on the following elements: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Poorly located and performing stores have been closed. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The stores have been remodeled, with new designs and layouts. The remodeling has included the introduction of point of sale systems (POS). This enables a customer driven approach where using their feedback for product selection and development. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Offering a core range which is supplemented by products selected to meet local needs, stocking proprietary or exclusive products where possible. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Non-food products have been introduced including phone cards and phones as well as additional services through ATMs and trailing of a financial services centre. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Standardised pricing that is more competitive. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Re-positioning of the business to have fresh foods and convenience elements to meet modern consumer demands. Daily supply of many of these products through a reconstructed distribution and production chain. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The combination of new products of a high quality and found only in a 7-Eleven, and backed by trademark development and protection and a more focused advertising strategy is summarized in the companys first, best and only slogan. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The distribution system itself has been re-engineered and Combined Distribution Centres have been introduced to better manage the flow of products into the stores. A high level of control of the supply chain has been achieved. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ A high quality and advanced retail information system has been introduced, which closely resembles the model in Japan. Many of the business processes were operated manually for a long time to understand the critical elements driving the business. Now with the introduction of technology this process can move further ahead and can aid the store employment and management situation by freeing up staff time. This extra time will enable gathering market information. Q.7 Does the procedure of collecting customers information infringe on their privacy? Why or why not? Is it unethical? Should customers have the right to anonymity, or check that information collected on them is accurate? The procedure of collecting information about customers does not infringe on their privacy at all. The procedure is very simple and is done by observing customer behaviour and preferences in order to serve them better. It does not involve any sort of interviewing or interference with the customers. It is only an efficient way of running an organisation. As 7-Eleven is well aware of customer preferences and choices it makes it easy for them to make only those products available in ample quantities so as to serve the customers better. It is not at all unethical. Different customers have different choices. As per demography i.e. age, location. Thus 7-eleven keeps a perfect record of demand of products as per their age and location. At different times during a day different products are required by the customers. The information collected is purely from 7-Elevens point of view a way of serving them better. There would be no point of having products that do not match the customers need. So every store must be well aware of the demand of customers. If some customer questions the management as to why a particular product is always available and why some other product is not then in such a situation he can be given the reason of the information collected. Besides there is no reason for the customers to interfere with the 7-Eleven way of managing as it does not in any way infringe on their privacy. Q.8 Surf the Internet to find information about recent IT related initiatives of 7 Eleven, both in Japan and the United States. Relate them to gaining the strategic advantage. In its latest effort, 7-Elevens procurement staff have developed a tool that makes procurement productive and efficient. Its an automated system where procurement professionals can manage hundreds more requests for proposals (RFPs) and contracts per person. An important part of 7-Elevens procurement initiative is to encourage franchisees to use the new streamlined system and, ultimately, buy from recommended suppliers. Although franchisees can purchase from any convenience-product supplier, the new centralised system enables 7-Eleven to aggregate suppliers and items for consolidated negotiations (7Eleven news room, 2007). With a solid enterprise IT foundation in place, 7-Eleven has begun adding layers of advanced systems and functionalities to its industry-leading business process and technology strategy. Recent initiatives include a contact less payment option at POS to provide more convenience to 7-Elevens customers. Using radio-frequency (RF) technology, these systems enable customers to make quick and secure transactions by holding close to or tapping a reader with an RF-enabled credit card or alternative device, such as a key fob. All other aspects of the contact less payment process are handled in the same way as a traditional credit-card or debit-payment transaction (Anonymous, 2006). The contact less payment initiative has gone chain wide to 5,300 stores in the U.S. in 2006 in partnership with Chase with Blink, the MasterCard PayPass, American Express Express Pay and Visa Contactless systems. Authorisation is accomplished in seconds, and no signature is required for many purchases under $25, making this a speedy, easy, convenient and secure customer transaction. Contactless payment systems are often a first step by retailers into the emerging world of radio frequency identification (RFID), and this may be the case at 7- Eleven. We anticipate adding RFID technology to other products and services offered at 7-Eleven stores, adds Rick Updyke, 7-Elevens vice president of business development, to provide even convenience for consumers( Updyke R., 2006). Other Initiatives à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Increasing use of an integrated set of retail IT tools to analyze sales on individual items, sales trends and customer preferences to improve product assortment, eliminate slow-moving product from inventory, and increase same-store sales by developing new products, such as the new fresh-food offerings that attract new customers and increase transaction size. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Expanded use of Vcom, a proprietary multi-function, self-service kiosk that offers check-cashing, bill payment, money order, money transfer, pre-paid credit cards, ATM services and access to residential telephone services (Updyke R., 2006). Conclusion Through its long term involvement and study of the market along with its extensive information systems Seven-Eleven Japan has been characterised as a major innovator in convenience store operations. By its continual improvement and sustaining this over a long period of time it has resulted in significant growth. 7-Eleven has used continual improvement in its model of a customer focused information systems approach. 7-Eleven has succeeded in the essential steps for marketing management as outlined by Wen Peng (2002), market segmentation, market segment targeting, and design and implementation of marketing mix. It has used its information systems combining its POS and staff driven customer profiling to capture market trends to base its selection and stocking of products through to aiding its inventory management and Just-in-Time approach. 7- Elevens distinct competitive advantage can be attributed to the way the information management system links with the corporate strategy and the o perational strategies of logistics, merchandising and day to day store operations (http://www.worldscibooks.com/eastasianstudies/4981.html). From this it has gleaned efficiencies that enabled it to become the number one retailer in Japan at a time of fierce competition and poor economic conditions.