RISK MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

RISK MANAGEMENT - Essay Example Strong leadership defines the risk culture and shares that vision with management. Leadership acts as if it believes in its vision. In the feedback cycle, leadership listens to new risks identified and responds with a course of action consistent with the culture of risk. (Marks and Rassmussen, 2010) (Hopkin, 2010) Management commits to the leadership vision and manages to that standard. Teamwork is essential throughout the workforce and it is management that provides the regulation of the team. Management trains employees to respond properly to risks, for example, wearing safety equipment or using machinery correctly. Management monitors the results of risk management tactics and accounts for poor risk taking behaviors. Management establishes quantitative analysis tools to measure risk culture compliance. Any problem areas are reported to leadership, discussed and a mutually agreed upon intervention occurs. (Marks and Rassmussen)(Hopkin, 2010) Strong financial risk cultures identify key risks inherent in the business; these may include currency exchange, interest rates, diversification issues, fluctuating suppliers’ prices and raw commodity pricing. The key financial risks order by primacy from largest concern to least impactful. The financial risk manager reviews the company risk tolerance and manages the priorities accordingly, implementing strategies and tactics to reduce risk where desired. These tactics usually involve the derivative markets, like interest rate swaps and commodity trading. Risk management is a repetitive process, so the financial risk manager monitors the markets of concern and refines his strategy as needed. (Horcher, 2005) (Das, 2006) Operational risk management concerns both management and measurement of risk. Traditionally, operations risk management involved all the company processes and systems, all employees for management and training, and any external event, such as political interference. A strong culture identifies, measu res and implements a strategy consistent with overall company goals. Of course, on-going stewardship is required as with the financial risk management. (Abkowitz, 2008) Weak Risk Culture Weak risk cultures begin with resistant leadership, sometimes arrogant leadership. Management is either not told goals or communications are not transparent. Leadership and management must believe in and be committed to the same vision of risk culture. New risks are not identified on a timely basis, on-going stewardship is an essential part of a strong risk culture. Underutilizing personal or improper training creates a weak risk culture operationally. Only considering risk avoidance and mitigation rather than proactively seeking profitable means to deal with risk is a characteristic of a weak risk culture financially. For instance, trading in derivatives can be profitable by trading risky interest rate situations for more time sensitive hedges. Weak risk cultures do not do what strong ones do. (And erson and Schroder, 2010) Risk-Return/Risk-Reward The financial risk manager observes the risk-reward behavior of financial instruments in order to determine the least risk available for the highest return. If all instruments shared the same risk, the investor would choose the highest reward. If all risks had the same reward, investors would choose the lowest risk. This balance is achieved through diversification of investments and managing the volatility of an investment

Stereotypes and Prejudice Essay Example for Free

Stereotypes and Prejudice Essay The authors examine overt and subtle forms of stereotyping and prejudice. Two theories that explain overt prejudice are reviewed: realistic conflict theory and social identity theory. Although overt prejudice seems to have declined, subtle stereotyping is still pervasive. The authors review one theory, aversive racism theory, that explains this phenomenon. They also discuss two perspectives, attributional ambiguity and stereotype threat, which provide accounts of the impact of subtle racism. Both overt and subtle prejudice present challenges for the classroom. The authors describe one intervention called the jigsaw classroom that encourages work toward common goals and helps reduce the expression and impact of overt discrimination. A second intervention program, wise schooling, is presented, which aims to reduce the impact of subtle stereotypes by reducing stereotype threat. Why do prejudice and discrimination exist? Has overt racism been replaced by more subtle forms of prejudice? How does stereotyping affect its targets? In this article we describe two theories, realistic conflict theory and social identity theory, which provide an answer to the first question. We address the second question by noting that although overt discrimination has decreased, subtle forms of prejudice are still quite common and we describe one theory, aversive racism, that provides a compelling account of this change in the expression of prejudice. Finally, we answer the third question by describing two phenomena, attributional ambiguity and stereotype threat, that result from the pervasive nature of subtle stereotyping. This article is a selective overview of what social psychology has to say about these crucial issues. In addition, we review two effective intervention programs that offer promise in ameliorating the effects of stereotyping and prejudice in the classroom. In its earliest conceptions, prejudice was treated as a manifestation of pathology (Ashmore Del B oca,1981 ). For example, the frustration-aggression hypothesis (Dollard, Doob, Miller, Mowrer, Sears, 1939, pp. 27-54) considered prejudice to be a result of scapegoating, and authoritarian personality theory (Brown, 1965, pp. 477-546) posited that a severe childhood upbringing could result in a rigid, authoritarian adult who is prejudiced against anyone who is different from the self. But more contemporary accounts of stereotyping and prejudice have emphasized that prejudice may be a more common and normal result of group interaction. In developing realistic group conflict theory Sherif and Sherif ( 1969, pp. 222-266) dismiss the notion that prejudice is pathological and suggest instead that it may frequently arise out of ordinary conflicts of interest between groups. In their studies of a boys’ summer camp, they discovered that ordinary group competition for valued resources led to highly negative and stereotypical views of opposing groups and their individual members. Perhaps the more interesting aspect of these studies, however, was the manner in which conflict and hostility were ameliorated. The Sherifs found that mere contact among opposing groups only intensified the hostility (cf. Stephan, 1987). Events that required cooperative action, however, did function to reduce intergroup conflict. After several such events, all involving superordinate goals (i.e., goals shared by members of all groups), cross-group friendships began to develop and intergroup hostility began to diminish. Working cooperatively toward shared goals transformed the skills of individual group members into valued resources. So, although conflicts of interest resulted in prejudice and intense disliking between groups, action toward superordinate goals helped foster positive opinions and mutual liking. According to another influential line of work, social identity theory (Brewer, 1979; Tajfel Turner, 1986), we categorize people into social groups and locate ourselves within a category. We then evaluate the value or worth of our social identities primarily by comparing our group with other groups. The basic premise of social identity theory is that we are motivated to maintain a positively valued social identity and we may do so by creating or taking advantage of favorable comparisons with other groups. The need to maintain a positive distinction between our own group and others can lead to behavior and attitudes that are biased in favor of our own group and against other groups. According to this perspective, prejudice, intergroup conflict, and stereotyping may arise simply from the struggle to attain or maintain a positive social identity (e.g., Crocker, Thompson, McGraw, Ingerman, 1987). DOES RACISM STILL EXIST? Many historical perspectives on stereotyping, including realistic group conflict theory and social identity theory, attempt to explain the prevalence of overt prejudice and discrimination. However, this kind of directly expressed racism, particularly prejudice directed toward African Americans, is becoming less common. For example, a variety of surveys that directly measure negative178 stereotypes about African Americans, attitudes toward school and residential integration, and general beliefs concerning equal opportunity all indicate that there has been a dramatic shift toward more egalitarian and less racist views over the last 50 years (see Dovidio Gaertner, 1991, for a review). Dovidio and Gaertner (1991) note, however, that across the variety of samples, there are still indications of overt racism in fully 20% of Whites. But what about the 80% who consistently report more positive attitudes toward African Americans? Despite the evidence that a majority of Whites now feel generally more supportive and accepting of African Americans, there is also considerable evidence that these positive feelings may be held with some ambivalence and may mask a more subtle form of racism. For example, survey research reported in Dovidio and Gaertner ( 1991 ) indicates that although Whites seem to endorse the general idea of egalitarianism, they are opposed to specific ways in which it might be implemented, including giving preference to qualified African American job applicants and government intervention to ensure school integration. Although Whites have positive attitudes toward the abstract ideas, they also remain less than enthusiastic about personally having African American neighbors and about interracial marriage. In addition to the survey research mentioned above, laboratory research also provides a great deal of compelling evidence demonstrating the subtle but continuing influence stereotypes have on information processing (Hamilton Sherman, 1994). Stereotypes make cognitive processing about our complex social worlds easier and more efficient. However, the negative consequences of this increased efficiency are reflected in the numerous studies indicating that stereotypes can significantly bias our judgments about other people (e.g., Rosenthal Jacobson, 1968; Sagar Schofield, 1980). For example, Rosenthal and Jacobson’s (1968) work on teacher expectancies suggests that a priori expectations about a student’s academic ability can easily lead a teacher to treat the student differentially and in accord with those expectancies (perhaps causing the student to conform to the expectancies, regardless of his or her natural ability).

Fear of Terrorism :: Personal Narrative Writing

Fear of Terrorism Since the events of 9/11, we in the Western World have finally gotten ourselves in tune with the most basic and vital of human instincts: fear. From the beginning of time, as we cocooned ourselves in our cave dwellings (early precursor of the gated community), and trembled at the prospect of roving sabre toothed tigers, passing storms, and even clouds crossing the face of the moon, fear has been our constant companion. It has been fear of one kind and another that has been responsible for all of the wars, laws and technological developments that have shaped and guided our great civilizations. If it weren't for fear of barbarian invaders, we wouldn't even have nations to begin with. If not for fear of shuffling off this mortal coil, there would be no organized religions. Fear of growing old has fuelled any number of delightful and innovative multi billion dollar industries. Fear of being left behind economically has allowed our cherished multinational corporations to become the most powerful and dominant political forces on the planet, unencumbered by parochial, obsolete laws that had once protected the environment and so-called human rights. Sure, there are naysayers who would point to some of the less savoury aspects of our Western history - witch burnings, wars, genocides - and say that perhaps fear is something negative, something that we need to evolve out of if we are going to survive as a species. It is exactly this sort of namby-pambyish attitude that was directly responsible for the tragic events of 9/11. Fear, and fear alone, could have prevented those despicable acts. Furthermore, I denounce anybody who says otherwise as an intellectual terrorist. Of course, there is no end of things to be afraid of: contaminated water, child abductions, children, AIDS, people with AIDS, unpleasant odours, poor people, drug addicts, teenagers, greasy build-up, bad breath, home invasions, poetry, foreigners, gays, artists, countertop bacteria, organ thieves, unfashionable clothes, brown lawns, shark attacks, dandruff, socialists. Fortunately, there are dedicated corporate scientists working around the clock on solutions - everything from pesticides to space age polymers to missile defense - that will eventually eliminate each and every one of these potential threats. In the meantime, though, it is up to each of us to do our part. If there has been one positive thing that has come out of the terrible events of that September day, it has been the fact that we are now able to give one, all-encompassing label to the seemingly endless sources of our fear.

Security and Mission Statement

Chapter: 2 Due date: 20 March 2012 1. What is Mission statement? Why is it important? What does it contain? †¢Mission statement is a sentence that describes your organization’s functions, markets, products/services and advantages. Mission statement elucidates your business, your goals and your objectives. It is used as a constant reminder of why the company exists. †¢Organizations tend to forget about the purpose of their business after some time. Mission statement is important because it is used as a reminder of why the business exists. Read this  Chapter 2 – Why Security is NeededIt directs organizations to the initial course of their business as for many companies when the business is growing they tend to get lost and pursue something totally different from their business. †¢Mission statement reflects every feature of your business. The type of product or service you offer, market position, quality of product or service, customers and more. Eg) Mission for McDonald’s is to be their customers’ favourite place to be and way to eat. McD exist because of their customers that’s why they demonstrate appreciation by providing them with quality and a good service in a clean, welcoming environment at a great value. . What is the primary objective of the secSDLC? What are its major steps, and what are the major objectives of each? †¢secSDLC is a formal approach to solving problem using a structured sequence of procedures to create inclusive security posture. †¢Investigation: Mana gement give directions by specifying the goals, processes and the expected outcomes of the project and the costs of the project. At the end of that phase you must have a feasibility study document. †¢Analysis: The analysis in the secSDLC is when project manager or the team analys the existing security policies, identifying current threats nd attacks and also Identifying, assessing and evaluating level of risk within the organizations security. †¢Logical Design: This stage is when security blue print is developed and created and the feasibility study is also developed. †¢Physical Design: This phase is when the existing physical technology is evaluated and the new physical technology is evaluated also. Alternative solutions are generated and a final design is agreed upon. †¢Implementation: This stage is when the security solutions are tested and implemented and tested. Personnel issues are evaluated and training is provided.Security solution are then packaged and s ent to management for approval. †¢Maintenance: After the Information security solutions are implemented they need to be continually tested, monitored and properly managed by means of established procedures. 3. What question may be asked to help identify and classify information assets? Which is the most useful question in the list? †¢Which information asset is most critical to the success of the organization? †¢Which information asset generates the most revenue? †¢Which information asset generates the most profitability? Which information asset would be the most expensive to replace? †¢Which information asset would be the most expensive to protect? †¢Which information asset would be most embarrassing or cause the greatest liability if revealed? The most useful question in the list is which information asset is most critical to the success of the organization? This question reflects to the mission statement of the organization. By saying the most â€Å" critical asset† to the success of the organization meaning if that asset breaks or it becomes absent the business stops.Eg) For a retail company say for argument’s sake we have the till points, HR department, Accounts, Stalk etc. The till points are the most critical part of the organization because if the system is down and the tills are not working it means that there is not business for that company for that day until they fix the problem. 4. What term is used to describe the control measure that reduces security incidents amongst member of organization by familiarizing them with relevant policies and practises in an ongoing manner? †¢SETA Program .

Loftus and Palmer Evaluation Essay

The Loftus and Palmer study is a laboratory experiment. This means that the study is artificial. The artificiality of the setting can intimidate participants or make them more obedient. This in turn can produce unnatural behavior and results that do not generalize to real life. This can be seen in experiment 2 when 12% of the control group reported seeing broken glass even though they were unaffected by the verb. This could be attributed to the leading question or to demand characteristics when participants look for cues as to what the research is about and behave accordingly, perhaps to please the researcher, especially as the participants in this case are students that may even be familiar with the researcher as they are from the same environment. In a nutshell, due to the nature of the experiment, it lacks ecological validity. In a real life situation there would be an element of surprise and an increase in emotion. Basically the eye-witness would be in some way involved, which is not the case while watching the video the eye-witness is not part of the event. Furthermore, an eye-witness in a real life situation may discuss the event with other people which may alter their memory of the event. Lastly, an eye-witness may think more carefully about giving an answer when in a real life situation when they realize that their answer could judge how innocent or guilty a person is, they may hesitate and realize the importance, although when taking part in a study they may just give an answer without as much thought. The participants were students meaning that the researchers used an opportunity sample. This means that all the participants share certain common characteristics and are not representative of society, these may include age, driving experience and educational background. If the study used a random sample the results could be generalized. This study was very useful because it introduced the notion of reconstructive hypothesis and that eye-witness testimony isnt’t reliable. This study, and studies similar to it, have led to changes nowadays as to how the police question and use the information given by witnesses. Certain other details that could also have influenced the participants answers include: the colour or make of the car; the driver; the ability to estimate speed.

1984 by George Orwell and the World Today

1984 by George Orwell and the World Today “1984” is a story about George Orwells prediction on how the world will end up like in that year and era. The main character Winston Smith is a party member in a totalitarian society led by Big Brother, which censors everyones behavior and thoughts. The world being split into 3 countries: Oceania, Eurasia, Eastasia and is supposedly all be in war with each other. Oceania is where Winston lives. While being monitored 24/7, Winston gets disgusted from his life style and wrote journals about what he thinks of his life and about the government, writing was against the law and is consider a “thought” crime so he kept it well hidden that he doesnt doubt Big Brother at all. Winston later learns about a secret society called the Brotherhood, a supposed group of anonymous rebels that intends to overthrow the government. He begins seek answers about his past and in doing so he met and fell in love with a girl named Julia, who had the same views as he did about Big Brother.Londo n - Portobello Road, George Orwell HouseThey eventually got caught together by a trap set up by the government and heard everything the two talked about. They both got interrogated and were forced to betray each other and be brainwashed to love Big Brother again.A “so what” factor I would like to write about is simply this. So what if the government is in complete control? George Orwells vision of the future is deeply disturbing and I cant help to wonder that some of the things he had mentioned are kind of happening today in our time. Suppose what Big Brother is doing is actually saving people from themselves by limiting things they should know or want to know and promising them security but taking their privacy in doing...

Biology Yeast Experiment Essay Example

Biology Yeast Experiment Essay Example Biology Yeast Experiment Essay Biology Yeast Experiment Essay Design Experiment to investigate the effect of the concentration of Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate on the rate of photosynthesis using Cobomba plant. Aim: The aim of the experiment is to investigate the effect of the concentration of Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (NaHC03) on the rate of photosynthesis using a Cobomba plant. Hypothesis: As the concentration of NaHC03 increases the rate of photosynthesis of the Cobomba plant should increase, as there is a greater presence of a carbon dioxide, obtained from the carbonate, which is a key reactant in photosynthesis. However it is also expected that the rate of photosynthesis should plateau with reater amounts of NaHC03, because the Cobomba plant will not be able to use all the extra, available C02 as its enzymes physically do not have the ability to do so. Background Information: When dissolved in water, NaHC03 produces carbon dioxide gas: . As can be seen in the equation for photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is a reactant in photosynthesis: 6 C02 + 12 H20 + photons -+ C6H1206 + 6 02 + 6 H20. The presence of NaHC03 means that C02 is more readily available in larger quantities, to speed up the process of respiration. However if a large amount of C02 is present in the water the Cobomba plant will not be able to use it all, as the nzymes cannot function quick enough. Other limiting factors may also cause the rate to slow, such as light intensity. As can be seen in the equation for photosynthesis, 02 is a product of photosynthesis and thus the rate of photosynthesis can be calculated by the amount of 02 released when photosynthesis occurs. Variables: Independent Dependent Controlled How to measure/control Amount of NaHC03 added to water Using the same weighing scale and weighing boat each time to measure the amount of NaHC03. Also using fresh tap water each time, so that the concentration of NaHC03 would be exact Amount of oxygen released Measured using the water bath and 100cm3 measuring cylinder Temperature of water Stayed in the same room, and used a heat barrier to prevent any heat from the lamp from affecting the rate of photosynthesis. Light intensity Used a lamp, kept in the same position each time to keep the light intensity equal for each repeat. pH of water Used tap water each time, and used fresh tap water for every measurement to ensure no NaHC03 was left in the water. Apparatus Application/Justification 1 x 500cm3 beaker To contain water to allow the NaHC03 to dissolve in 1 x glass funnel To put Cobomba plant under so that oxygen released goes into the easuring cylinder 1 x 10cm3 measuring cylinder To collect oxygen that is released Cobomba plant The plant which will respire and provide the results 5gof NaHC03 It will dissolve in water to release C02 which will affect the rate of respiration 100cm3 measuring cylinder To act as a heat shield from the light Lamp To ensure that the Cobomba plant has a constant light source to enable photosynthesis. Weighing scale and boat To measure the amount of NaHC03 Glass stirring rod To stir the NaHC03 when it is put in water to evenly distribute the concentration Stopwatch To ensure that time lengths are accurate for each time the xperiment is carried out Scissors To cut the Cobomba stem Ruler To measure length of Cobomba plant Method: 1. Measure a length of IOcm of Cobomba plant using the ruler 2. Fill the 500cm3 beaker, up to 500cm3, with tap water and place the Cobomba in the water underneath the glass funnel 3. Place the 10cm3 measuring cylinder upside down on top of the funnel, and ensure that it fills up with water 4. Set up a heat barrier using the 100cm3 measuring cylinder and fill it with water. Place it in between a lamp and the 500cm3 beaker 5. Switch on the lamp and start the timer 6. Once four minutes has passed stop the timer, and note down what the volume of 02 is in the measuring cylinder 7. Start the timer again, and after six minutes stop it. Note down the volume of 02 in the measuring cylinder 8. From this it can be deduced how much 02 has been collected 9. Repeat steps 1-4, but next measure 0. g of NaHC03 using the weighing boat and the weighing scales 10. Add the NaHC03 to the beaker and stir it with the glass rod 11. Start the timer and stop it after four minutes to allow the Cobomba to adjust to the water with added NaHC03, and make sure to note down the volume of 02 after four minutes 12. Then start the timer again for a further so minutes. When this time is up write dow n the volume, and from that it can be deduced how much 02 has been released 13. Repeat steps 10-12, making sure to replace the water in the beaker each time with new water, but adding another 0. gof NaHC03 each time 14. Repeat steps 1-13 a minimum of four more times to allow an average to be obtained Risk Assessment: Risk Precaution Being burnt by the lamp Take care and move slowly Swallowing a large quantity of NaHC03 or getting it in your eyes Do not put NaHC03 near to face 02 Amount of NaHC03 (g) +1- 0. 001 g Volume of 02 collected (cm3) +1- 0. 1 cm3 2 3 4 5 Average (2 s. f) Standard Deviation (2 s. f) 0 0. 2 0. 1 0. 2 0. 1 0. 2 0. 16 0. 05 0. 5 1. 0 1. 5 2. 0 2. 5 0. 2 0. 3 0. 4 0. 6 0. 7 0. 1 0. 8 0. 28 0. 44 0. 72 0. 06 0. 07 0. 05 0. 4 Graph to show the amount of 02 released with different amounts of NaHC03 from photosynthesis attached Discussion: The results show a positive correlation that evidences that as the amount of NaHC03 increases, so does the volume of 02 collected. This shows that NaHC03 speeds up the rate of photosynthesis, as all each amount time the experiment was done the time limits were kept the same but with more NaHC03 the olume of 02 increased. Therefore this partly proves the hypothesis, because it is shown that the addition of more C02, provided by the NaHC03, increases the rate of photosynthesis. However the rate of photosynthesis did not begin to plateau, as the hypothesis had stated. This may have been because there was not a great enough range of measurements of NaHC03 used to allow this pattern to be shown. Evaluation: The time restraints were quite limiting, and had there been more time a greater amount of repeats could have been done which would have allowed a more accurate average to be calculated. A systematic human error was not being able to add the NaHC03 to the water at the same time as starting the stop clock, which means there may have been a difference of a few seconds between each time the experiment was done. The act of measuring was not as precise as it could have been, and to resolve this equipment with a greater degree of accuracy could have been used. Another error was the decision to use small amounts of NaHC03. The consequence of this was that the digits of the results obtained were very small. Not only did this make them hard to measure, but also it meant that there was not a hugely significant ifference with the amounts of NaHC03 added to the water. Furthermore the ratio of for a comparatively large volume of water. Therefore a greater amount of NaHC03 should be used if this experiment were to be repeated again. Another human error was the repeated use of the same Cobomba plant. This may have affected the results, because the plant will have been respiring for a long time and also may still have remains of NaHC03 on it that would not make the next measurement of NaHC03 precise. To solve this the same mass of Cobomba plant, but from a different stem, could have been used each time. However this also poses problems as different stems may respire at different rates in the first place. If time had allowed then the time that the plant was given to respire could have been extended. This would have given a greater volume of 02, and the results may be clearer. An increased range of NaHC03 masses could be used, and this would hopefully show the results as expected in the hypothesis. The light intensity in the room may have changed during the time the experiment was done in, as it was turning into evening, and this may have had an affect on the results. To improve this, the experiment ould have been carried out in a dark room, but with several lamps shining on the beaker with heat barriers in front of them. This would have allowed the light intensity to remain constant. Conclusion: To conclude, it can be seen from the results obtained in the experiment that the rate of photosynthesis of the Cobomba plant increases with an increased amount of NaHC03 in its surrounding water. Therefore this suggests that C02 has an affect on photosynthesis, and that with greater amounts of it available there is a greater rate of photosynthesis. Bibliography: 1B Study Guides, Biology, Oxford, Andrew Allott Appendix: Attached

Discussion Questions for In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Discussion Questions for In Cold Blood by Truman Capote In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is a nonfiction  novel that tells the story of the murder of a Kansas family in 1959. Use these book club discussion questions on In Cold Blood to discuss Capotes literary masterpiece. Spoiler Warning: These questions reveal important details about In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Finish the book before reading on. Book Club Discussion Questions How does Capote build suspense despite the fact that readers know the ultimate outcome from the beginning of In Cold Blood?​In what ways is In Cold Blood like a fiction novel? How does Capote report the facts and allow different voices to speak without using a journalistic style?In Cold Blood starts with details about the Clutter familys last day alive. Did any of the details particularly stick out to you? Did Capote make you feel attached to the family by sharing these details?Were there any other characters you empathized with because of small details Capote wrote about them? Bobby Rupp? Alvin Dewey?Why do you think Capote split the narrative into three sections? Why do you think he did not describe how the murders happened until Dick and Perry were caught and gave their confessions?Did you feel sympathy for Dick or Perry at any point?How did Capote humanize the killers? Were you surprised by how likable they could seem despite the brutality of their crime and unremorsefulne ss to the end? Capote seems to paint Perry in a more sympathetic light than Dick. He seems sensitive and even kind at points; however, by the end, you find out that Perry committed all four murders. Did that surprise you? Did you sympathize with Dick more than Perry at any point? Or did you not buy any of the kind characterizations?Do you think Dick and Perry were sane? Did the psychiatric analysis of them and descriptions of other cold-blooded killers surprise you? Scare you? Make you think differently about violent crime or the death penalty?Rate In Cold Blood by Truman Capote on a scale of one to five.

Zara Case report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5500 words

Zara Case report - Essay Example Porter’s Five Force analysis emphasizes that market trends of apparel and fashion industry are comparable to certain other industries and going to be more challenging in near future. The report critically explains the supply chain research as one of the strongest point of Zara; because it’s flexible structure entertains the primary activities to be executed smoothly. Primary supporting activities like human resource management, procurement, and research and development departments play a key role in formulating business and corporate level strategies. This case study highlights that Zara’s success is based on its low cost and product differentiation strategy. It further suggests that hybrid strategy could be more effectual for the company as it reduces the production cost of high quality products. The report also explains the two sad incidents which took place in recent years and have left a negative mark on the reputation of Zara. At the end of the case study, f ew suggestions are briefly presented for the further growth or expansion of the company. The reports also elaborates few techniques i.e. how to implement the internationalization strategy of Zara. In the context of Zara’s global expansion, few steps of corporate level strategy are discussed. By adopting these techniques, Zara can make maximize its speedy growth with respect to different regions. Table of Contents Contents Page No EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 02 1. INTRODUCTION 05 Question – 1: MACRO LEVEL ANALYSIS 06 2.1 PESTEL Analysis 06 2.1.1 Political Factors 06 2.1.2 Economic Factors 06 2.1.3 Social Factors 07 2.1.4 Technological Factors 08 2.1.5 Environmental Factors 08 2.1.6 Legal Factors 08 2.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 08 2.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Moderate 09 2.2.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers: Moderate 09 2.2.3 Competition among Existing Rivals: High 09 2.2.4 Threat of New Entrants: Low 10 2.2.5 Threat of Substitutes: Low 10 Question – 2: ZARA VAL UE CHAIN 11 3.1 Primary Activities 11 3.1.1 Design 11 3.1.2 Production 12 3.1.3 Logistics 12 3.1.4 Marketing 12 3.1.5 Store Operations 12 3.2 Supporting Activities 12 3.2.1 Company infrastructure 12 3.2.2 Human Resource Management 13 3.2.3 Technology / Research and Development 13 3.2.4 Procurement 14 3.2.5 Cost Factor 14 Question – 3: ANALYSIS OF PR CRISIS 15 4.1 Sweatshops 15 4.2 Shop-staff Abused 16 Question – 4: STRATEGIC ANALYSIS 17 5.1 Zara Business Strategies 17 5.1.1 Low Cost Strategy 17 5.1.2 Product Differentiation Strategy 18 5.2 Zara Corporate Strategy 18 5.2.1 Market Growth 18 5.2.2 Diversification 19 5.2.3 Vertical Integration 19 5.2.4 Product and Market Development 19 5.3 Recommendations for Future Strategies 20 5.3.1 Hybrid Strategy 20 5.3.2 Growth Strategy 20 5.3.3 Online Retailing 21 5.4 Techniques to Implement Recommended 21 Strategies 5.4.1 Owned Subsidiary 21 5.4.2 Joint Venture 22 5.4.3 Franchising 22 CONCLUSION 23 BIBLIOGRAPHY 24 1. INTRODUCTION Z ara is one of the leading apparel and fashion retail companies which is based at Artexio, Galicia in Spain. It was established in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Roselia Mera. The company is characterized by its massive infrastructure (almost 1750 stores in more than 90 countries) and flexible internal environment. Zara is beautifully decorated with vertical integration system within the organization which is helpful in designing, manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of the products to the markets. The system has enabled the company to be less dependent on

Palestine - isreal debate Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Palestine - isreal debate - Research Paper Example It is not useful to try to blame the whole situation on Israel. Both sides have had their faults. Once that is recognized we can move on together. The blockade of Gaza is far from a perfect situation. It would be hard to get Hamas out of power in Gaza, so Israel needs to look at other ways to move things forward. However, there are clear and important reasons for the blockade on Gaza to be maintained. The aim of the blockade is not to block humanitarian aid from reaching the people of Gaza. It is clear that the people of Gaza are indeed suffering. However, Hamas is effectively using the people as a human shield. Hamas does not have to be removed, although this is what Israel would like best of all. What Hamas needs to do is agree not to smuggle weapons into Gaza inside of the humanitarian aid shipments. This is the reason that Israel blocks the shipments. Hamas has no scruples about delivering weapons in ambulances. They will pretend that the shipments are for the people when in fact they are for Hamas foot soldiers. Once Hamas promises to stop doing this, then Israel will consider lifting the blockade. This would be a fair resolution of this situation that all sides could accept. We have seen in the past year different measures taken to try to remove the blockade. These measures have provoked violence on the part of Israel. That violence may not in the end be completely justified, but it is a natrual consequence of the kind of measures taken to break the blockade. The blockade will not be forcibly broken by civilians ships sailing from Greece and Turkey. Other countries and other armies will not lift the blockade. The only way that the blockade will be lifted is through negotiations between the State of Israel and Hamas. The two parties need to come to an agreement. Israel would be happy to open the blockade in exchange for promises on behalf of Hamas to stop smuggling weapons and to renounce terrorism. This is a vital issue in this

Will email details Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Will email details - Essay Example rt for the world to see the Negro’s capability of beauty, that the black man or woman is no different from the rest of humanity with his or her expression of beauty. He saw race more as a matter of social and cultural influence rather than the biological and hereditary influence or color of skin. Dubois, on the other hand, saw the pragmatic use of the art to advance the cause of the Negro. Thus, he called for Negro artists to look back at Africa for inspiration and to dig deep within their Negro character to best represent it in the art. Thus, artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Loà ¯s Mailou Jones, William H. Johnson and others responded with their visual arts. Thus, artists such Jacob Lawrence and William H. Johnson responded by depicting that blacks could be beautiful by literally portraying Negroes in his painting in accordance with Locke’s philosophy as what we can see from his painting in Poor Parlor, Self Portrait and Chain Gang. Artists such as Loà ¯s Mailou Jones proved in their paintings the Negro’s capability for aesthetics as they painted beauty of equal magnificence such as the work in Fishing Smacks, Menemsha, Massachusetts and Les Pommes Vertes (The Green Apples) proving that the Negro is equally capable. In a way, the futurism art movement was a celebration of the industrialized world which is contradictory to other artists who retreat from the hustle of the big industrialized cities as they create their works. Their method ranged from abstraction to photography depicting actions, objects and insignia of industrialization. For example Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà  , Luigi Russolo, Giacomo Balla, and Gino Severini created Poesia as an abstraction of the horse that moves goods and people before the introduction of motorized vehicles. In their other works, they also portrayed the working man and woman suggesting that indeed, beauty can be seen in toiling in the city. Practical art form such as signs has a useful impact on me. Messages conveyed

First semester essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

First semester - Essay Example In other words, whether the reports are prepared in conformity to all the material respects or not. The information is considered material if it has significant impact on the decision making process. If the omission of the information from the financial report can influence economic decision then the information is believed to be material (Williams, 2002). Materiality in auditing is the key concept to understand and evaluate for all the auditors. The job of auditors, whether internal or external, is to identify the materiality while making the audit report of the company. Materiality can be determined using qualitative aspects of the business. The qualitative aspect refers to the significance of a particular transaction which may not look big in size but may have importance because of the nature of the transaction (Zadek & Merme, 2003). There are various qualitative factors that are approached by the auditors to make realistic and authentic decisions. Some of the factors are (1) Likelihood of earning management, (2) Misstatement of share price, (3) Misstatement on projected earnings, (4) Likelihood of financial statement fraud, (5) Ineffective audit control culture, (6) Litigation risk, (7) Fraud detection or its symptoms etc. (Zabihollah & Riley, 2009) The nature of transaction can also be explained in terms of the disclosure regarding the financial transaction, which may not be significant in terms of size but lack of proper disclosure may have significant impact on the presentation of the business structure (Gupta, 2004). Now the question arises, how much the concept of materiality is important in audit process? The answer is explained using the literature review on materiality. The increase in requirement of information in more civilized financial market requires that more stringent audit process must be conducted to identify the facts on which the quality of the business process can be judged (Puncel, 2007). Therefore,

Management accounting is a new branch of accounting that promotes the Essay

Management accounting is a new branch of accounting that promotes the overall managerial performance of an organisation - Essay Example As scholars indicate, an organisation’s management accounting discipline can have a great influence on its other functions. Mainly, management accounting discipline defines an organisation’s managerial ethics. Hence, the concept of management accounting discipline greatly relates to the firm’s corporate governance policies. This paper will particularly discuss the evolution of management accounting discipline and its relationship with other functions in organisations. The paper will give specific focus to the ethical aspects in management accounting, performance management, balanced scorecard, activity based costing and sustainability reporting. Evolution of management accounting discipline The history of management accounting can be dated back to 19th century when the process of industrial revolution compelled firms to maintain better managerial control over their business activities. During that time, most of the firms were run by a single owner or manager usin g their personal assets. As there had been no external stockholders or unsecured debt, organisations never used to prepare elaborated financial reports. Therefore, the concept of management accounting was widely known by its cost accounting functions in olden days. The idea of management accounting has undergone tremendous changes over the last century. As per the Malaysian Institute of Accountants’ (2005) study, the development of this concept can be explained using four recognisable time phases2. Phase 1 - Before 1950, the major function of the management accounting was to determine the costs and to control financial operations using financial tools such as budgeting and cost accounting. Phase 2 - By 1965, the scope of management accounting expanded and hence its focus has been shifted to provision of information for managerial activities such as planning and control. For this purpose, business managers used tools such as decision analysis and responsibility accounting. Pha se 3 – By 1985, management accountants extensively used techniques like process analysis and cost management in order to reduce the wastage of resources in business processes and thereby improve profitability. Phase 4 – By 1995, the management accounting branch focused more on value creation through effective use of resources. For this purpose, management accountants sought help of technologies that can identify the contributing factors to shareholder value, customer value, and organisational innovation3. The emergence of the concept strategic management accounting in late 1980s notably changed the overall outlook of the management accounting4. By the end of the 20th century, increased pressures from capital markets, creditors, and governmental regulatory bodies forced organisations to pay specific attention to managerial control. In addition, increasing business needs persuaded business houses to raise additional funds from different capital suppliers5. In order to ma nage fund raising activities and to identify future fund needs, business managers had to obtain audited financial statements. Likewise, firms had to communicate its financial

Honoring Patient Autonomy at End-of-life decisions Thesis

Honoring Patient Autonomy at End-of-life decisions - Thesis Example Thus respect of patient autonomy is based on the informed consent. It therefore follows that where a patient is competent to make a medical decision, it is unethical and unlawful to commence treatment without first informing the patient of the benefits and detriments of the treatment and allowing the patient to determine whether or not he or she wishes to receive the treatment (Harris, 11). In end-of-life situations however, it can be especially difficult for the patient to assess the possible outcomes associated with receiving or not receiving specific medical attention. At the same time, medical practitioners are also confronting conflicts between the duty to save lives and the duty to respect patient autonomy. Moreover, family members often intervene attempting to make the decision for a loved-one who is facing imminent death. This paper examines the literature and the law relative to patient autonomy with a view to identifying how medical practitioners should resolve these challenges and tensions in favour of respecting patient autonomy. Implications for practice and policies will be discussed with a view to strengthening the protection of patients’ right to autonomy. A narrow definition of patient autonomy describes the concept as the patient’s right to determine whether or not he or she will receive a certain recommended medical treatment or whether or not he or she will decline it. The liberal individualist interpretation defines patient autonomy as the patient’s right to â€Å"act intentionally, with understanding, and without controlling influences† (Stiggelbout, Molewijk, Otten, Timmermans, Bockel, and Kievit, 269). Thus the medical practitioner has a responsibility to help the patient understand the pros and cons of accepting or declining medical treatment. At the same time, discharging this responsibility requires

Management accounting is a new branch of accounting that promotes the Essay

Management accounting is a new branch of accounting that promotes the overall managerial performance of an organisation - Essay Example As scholars indicate, an organisation’s management accounting discipline can have a great influence on its other functions. Mainly, management accounting discipline defines an organisation’s managerial ethics. Hence, the concept of management accounting discipline greatly relates to the firm’s corporate governance policies. This paper will particularly discuss the evolution of management accounting discipline and its relationship with other functions in organisations. The paper will give specific focus to the ethical aspects in management accounting, performance management, balanced scorecard, activity based costing and sustainability reporting. Evolution of management accounting discipline The history of management accounting can be dated back to 19th century when the process of industrial revolution compelled firms to maintain better managerial control over their business activities. During that time, most of the firms were run by a single owner or manager usin g their personal assets. As there had been no external stockholders or unsecured debt, organisations never used to prepare elaborated financial reports. Therefore, the concept of management accounting was widely known by its cost accounting functions in olden days. The idea of management accounting has undergone tremendous changes over the last century. As per the Malaysian Institute of Accountants’ (2005) study, the development of this concept can be explained using four recognisable time phases2. Phase 1 - Before 1950, the major function of the management accounting was to determine the costs and to control financial operations using financial tools such as budgeting and cost accounting. Phase 2 - By 1965, the scope of management accounting expanded and hence its focus has been shifted to provision of information for managerial activities such as planning and control. For this purpose, business managers used tools such as decision analysis and responsibility accounting. Pha se 3 – By 1985, management accountants extensively used techniques like process analysis and cost management in order to reduce the wastage of resources in business processes and thereby improve profitability. Phase 4 – By 1995, the management accounting branch focused more on value creation through effective use of resources. For this purpose, management accountants sought help of technologies that can identify the contributing factors to shareholder value, customer value, and organisational innovation3. The emergence of the concept strategic management accounting in late 1980s notably changed the overall outlook of the management accounting4. By the end of the 20th century, increased pressures from capital markets, creditors, and governmental regulatory bodies forced organisations to pay specific attention to managerial control. In addition, increasing business needs persuaded business houses to raise additional funds from different capital suppliers5. In order to ma nage fund raising activities and to identify future fund needs, business managers had to obtain audited financial statements. Likewise, firms had to communicate its financial

Document Based Quesiton (AP World History) Essay

Document Based Quesiton (AP World History) - Essay Example In 2002, then US Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill claims that the World Bank gave Africa $300 million in loans (as reported by BBC news, 28 May 2002). This staggering amount is just part of the reason why the countries of South Africa have accumulated so much debt. One should simply realize that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while being international financial institutions, are actually largely controlled by the government of rich countries, like US and Britain (Africa Action website, 2005). While these creditors do provide aid and new loans to Africa, the hapless people of the region are forced to pay more money to them in a vicious cycle of debt. Thus, these creditors are able to wield significant influences over Africa’s economy and the region’s future. It is thus no great wonder why, despite these huge foreign debt, Africa barely has enough to properly supply its people with basic commodities such as food and clean water (O’Neill, 2002). To add insult to obvious injury, Africa is simply up to its neck in epidemic diseases, with AIDS being a major health concern of many countries in the continent. Information from UNAIDS (2000) signify that a great majority of the country is infected, thus resulting to more than 11 million children orphaned by AIDS and an equally significant amount being infected by the disease (UN, 2004). Perhaps the saddest point of this issue is the fact that amidst all these problems, civil unrest still pervade the region (Copson, Africa’s Wars and Prospects for Peace). While children are being orphaned by AIDS, parents lose their children to the never ending wars in the continent, as children are being recruited to serve either as soldiers or perform noncombatant roles both for the government and for the rebels (Amnesty International, 2005). The good thing that may be coming out of all these is that the rest of the world does not just sit back and watch Africa suffer

Library system Essay Example for Free

Library system Essay Chapter I Introduction The world of Information Technology transformed and made the life of human beings easier through the innovation of different machines and software applications. Faster and reliable sources have been offered by search engines which are all over the web. But even though this is the case, many schools and universities are still requiring their students to use library materials in their researches and school works. From the statement of purpose, the compute’rized library system: meeting information needs of the people of Saint Michael College of Caraga, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. Our proposed system, the Saint Michael College of Caraga Library Management System, is a system wherein there is no need of manual library transactions. This will carry out different processes such as searching books, keep records of the books, borrowing of books and return of books. Hence, at present, Saint Michael College of Caraga is maintaining the School Library in a manual basis. Handling bulky records in a manual method is very difficult. And the process of updating could not be done easily and  accurately. Likewise, a manual procedure of handling bulky record is very slow and is prone to manual errors. Consequently, it is proposed that Saint Michael College of Caraga shall maintain an electronic data base management system (DBMS) for the purpose of maintaining the records of the School Library for easy, fast and accurate processing and maintenance of these records that will enhance management decisions and for the improvement of its services to all the stakeholders of Saint Michael College of Caraga. Library is regarded as the brain of any institute; many institutes understand the importance of the library to the growth of the institute and their esteem users (students). Library Management System of Saint Michael College of Caraga supports the general requirement of the library like acquisition, cataloguing, circulation that offers many flexible and convenient features, allowing librarians and library users to maximize time and efficiency. Library System gives the all detailed information about students, staff and books. It will track on the how many books available in library and books issued to the students. It shows popular book among the students. It will provide book lost in library. It keeps the record of the suppliers and book binders. It generates MIS reports for management. Our software is customizable for any library requirement. In this chapter we take opportunity to consider changes in the library services, not in terms of minor, short term change in equilibrium of the sort just noted above, but in longer term. There has been continuing concern about the future of the libraries. Given the extent to which the provision used and the libraries are influenced by the social environment, and given possibilities by the use of new information technology; it would be unreasonable to expect libraries to remain static. But if not, what would be the nature of the change? The issue is not whether there is a change but what will be the change. If we are to make a claim to understand the nature of library services, the surely we ought to have notions, some forecasts, about how library system might change. Purpose and Description In setting up a library, one aspect that should be considered, what are the resources the library has and what are the ways to provide a better service to the students? Well, one of the easiest ways is having a system to  organize all the transactions in the library. A library system is software that will handle basic and systematic organization of function in the library. The system would provide basic set of features to add/update student’s information, add/update books information, search for books and manage check-in/check-out processes. In this application we can maintain the records of students and books and enable to determine how many books are issued and likewise determine the available books in the library. The proposed library system will greatly improve the efficiency of the school library. This study has the following hypothesis: The profiles of the respondents taken are their names, Student ID Number, Year and Course, and Title and Author of the Book Borrowed. The manual system is very time consuming, inconvenient when it comes to recording, organizing and retrieving borrower’s record in the log book. There are few solutions but many a times, we making them works by finding ways to work around system inadequacies. Moreover we have limited staff resources, these work around waste time, effort, and skills that should be spent on user services. solutions do not keep up with the technological changes and hence prove to be time wasters. Library Management system is a small footprint software suitable for personal /individual Libraries. You can store the information about the books and other material and control the movement of the same. Silent Features †¢ Control the movement of books and other material and avoid losing the same. †¢ Search if you have a specific book in your collection based on t he title, author etc. †¢ Print the spine labels for the book. †¢ Find what a specific person has borrowed from you. Objectives The main objective of the application is to automate the existing system of manually maintain the records of the Book Issue, Book Return from the student, Stock Maintenance, and Book Search to be computerized. And to develop a database which stores user details and book details, give reliable search facility for the user, create an easy to understand user friendly environment. So the Book Issue, Return, Searching will be faster. This  application can be used by any Library to automate the process of manually maintaining the records related to the subject of maintaining the stock and Book Issues. The general objective of this study is to design and develop a library system that will serve as a proposal to help librarians save time with the automation of its daily operation. Specific Objectives: To computerize records keeping of books; To allow librarians to retrieve complete information of the book and its borrowers. To check the availability of the books and penalties. To search, issue and return of books. It can only be utilized by the librarian Scope and Limitation The study only focuses on the Information Technology Library Management System of Saint Michael College of Caraga. Without computers, as some libraries are, all of them are dependent on paper work. When compared to computerized systems, data backup and data retrieval systems are inefficient and labor intensive. Users of a paper based system become almost wholly reliant on the librarians, for all levels of service, whether they are enquiries about existing books, inter-library loans, or the availability of books. There is additionally no real involvement of a user in the entire process. The transactions that the system accommodates are the attendance of every student that enter the library, book registration and deletion, updating book information and searching thesis references, Borrowing of books, and keeping the record of transaction. Review of Related Literature This chapter contains the relevant outline of literatures related to the study of Library system. This study composed of programming languages, Database and Graphical User Interface (GUI) that is used in the system. This system would be used by members who may be students or professors of that University to check the availability of the books and borrow the books using automated device, and by the librarian to update the databases. The purpose of this document is to analyze and elaborate on the high-level needs and  features of the Library Management System. It focuses on the capabilities and facilities provided by a Library. The details of what all are the needs of the Library Management System and if it fulfils these needs are detailed in the use-case and supplementary specifications. Automated book monitoring system helps to reduce the effect of entering the wrong quantity and the amount of staff time devoted to repetitive activities. Related Studies According to ACRL (1994) suggested that institution should be prepared to utilized new technologies for accessing information as they are developed. This is why operating the library operations is quite a welcome idea. According to Jeff Kaplan (05/08/2007 A new generation of automated network management software and services is helping in-house staff address this challenge. These let network professionals establish regular patch-management procedures to safeguard against escalating security threats; and create system monitoring routines to identify load imbalances, which could cause service disruptions or performance problems. They also discover, inventory and track assets to make sure that hardware and software licenses are up-to-date and that problems can be resolved faster. According to Voustin Sweere (Aug.2001) Nowadays every book keeping system used in practice is automated. Most book keeping software an integrated information system are based on database. In this paper, we develop a conceptual book keeping model which is not based on manual techniques, but which is applicable in database environment. Technical Background In this chapter, it provides an overview of all the overall system design, features and functionalities. The system is design to implement a computerize library management system in Saint Michael College of Caraga. This system consists of one user, the administrator. The administrator can  access the system by having first the login security which they have to input his/her user name and password. Once the inputted username and password did not match, the required/registered information it displays â€Å"Invalid Username and Password†. If the username and password match the registered information, the next form will display depending on the role of the administrator.

Media Violence and The Effects on Children Essays -- essays research p

Does media violence have a negative effect on children? On September 11th, 2001, millions around the world crowded around televisions across the globe, watching the horrific scenes of terrorism that had struck New York City, Washington, D.C and Pennsylvania on that ill-fated and now infamous morning. Our sense of security and impenetrable protection crashed 110 stories to the shaken streets of New York City. We watched with shock and horror, disbelief and grief as the images were repeatedly flashed before our eyes, with the all the drama of the plane crashing through the World Trade Center and bursting into an indescribable ball of fire and of the surreal scenes of demolished piles of what used to be the Twin Towers of New York City. We witnessed desperate pleas for help from family members of missing victims. We were shown images of the wounded victims and of the unimaginable destruction in the streets of New York. Our expeditious system of mass media provided us with an immediate window to this dramatic and unprecedented tragedy. We were not alone as we stood looking through this window to the trauma and terrorism enveloping us. As we looked on with fear and horror, so did children. As we watched the 24-hour coverage of the events unfolding, so did children. Every major station broadcast continuous coverage of the "attack on America" for days following the tragedy. While networks provided live coverage, personal interviews and professional analysis, cable stations flashed messages of condolence and sympathy across the bottom of the screen during regular programming, as a constant reminder and acknowledgement of tragedy that had shaken us to our knees. If we as adults were so affected by the trauma of the events, then what can be said for the children who witnessed these same images of horror and terrorism? How, with such an undeveloped capacity to understand the world and the proximity of danger, can we say that children were not affected by the violence of this tragedy? In a time when adults cannot fully understand the context of the violence in our world, how can children possibly be expected to make sense of it? They cannot. Living in a culture and time where violence permeates countless aspects of society in both fiction and reality; visual, verbal, implied and overt; and given the prevalence and pervasiveness of the violence surrounding us,... ...fficult to avoid the influence of media violence. For impressionable children who are constantly shaping and reevaluating the world around them, media violence plays a role in the formation of their negative perceptions of society and their surrounding environment. They are affected by the frequent influence of violent depictions in the same way that they are influenced to want a toy because of the commercial that promotes it. It is the degree and severity of this effect that remains open for heated debate in the arena of social policy and public interest. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Anonymous. (1999). Get Real. Broadcasting and Cable, 62, 129. CNN. Bethesda, MD. 12, Sept. 2001. 2. Cutler, Maggie. (2001). Whodunit-The Media? The Nation, 18-20, 272. 3. Hepburn, Mary. (1997). T.V. Violence! A medium's effects under scrutiny. Social Education, 244-249, 61. 4. Mifflin, Lawrie. (1999). Many Researchers Say Link is Already Clear on Media Violence and Youth Violence. The New York Times, 27, 03624331. 5. Mitchell, Dr. Jeffrey. "Children need 'reassurance' in the face of tragedy." Interview 6. Posch, Robert J Jr. (1993). What you do emerges from who you are. Direct Marketing, 43, 56.

Barries are an illusion :: essays research papers

The Actual Illusion â€Å"It calls for the unity of all Frenchmen across class barriers,† claims Raymond Durgnat in his book Jean Renoir, about the film The Grand Illusion (149). It’s a war movie without a single battle scene, where only one soldier is killed, and there’s not one character which could be portrayed as the villain. Just by the death toll, we get the sense that the film is more than about WWI, but how people are different from each other. The story examines soldiers from different classes and nationalities in an effort to show their common humanity despite these divisions. The film begins with pilots de Boieldieu and Marechal deciding to investigate an area to plan a military attack. While on their mission, their plane is shot down by the noble German officer Von Rauffenstein. After celebrating his win, Von Rauffenstein orders his German soldiers to seek the fallen pilots and invite them over for lunch before being sent to a prisoners of war camp. Even though they share different allegiances, the moneyed de Boieldieu inevitably strikes up a friendship with Von Rauffenstein since they hail from the same upper social class unlike his fellow countrymen Marechal; who is just a French middle class worker. A German soldier helps Marechal cut his steak and even sparks up a conversation. The dignified Von Rauffenstein Von Rauffenstein apologizes for the death of one of their men. From the beginning of the movie, social division is displayed by seeing people from the same social class uniting like Marechel did with the German and de Boieldieu with Von Rauffenstein. As aristocratic officers, both men are witnessing the gradual erosion of their inherited privilege and the resulting power shift to the working class and try to stay together. When they arrive at the camp, both Boieldieu and Marechal, are befriended by their fellow countrymen. The prisoners devise a plan that consists of digging a hole through the ground that ends in the gardens on the other side of the wall. They are forced to switch camps before being able to finish their plan. While in the camp, many examples of closed composition as stated by Gollin in his book A Viewer’s Guide to Film â€Å"The world in a closed framed but always seems to some extend self defined and self contained† are used (59). Throughout most scenes the soldiers are filmed either enclosed in a door or window frame which added to the feeling of them being trapped in the POW camp.

Law Questions Essay

Why do you want to pursue a career as a solicitor? Why do you want to pursue a career with Foot Anstey? Based on your experience and studies, describe the area of law which you are most interested in and why? Based on your experience and studies, describe the area of law which you are least interested in and why? If you weren’t going to be a lawyer, what career would you pursue and why? Please tell us about how you like to spend your spare time. In addition to the skills developed through your studies and work experience, is there anything else you want us to know about you? As a trainee at our firm, you will need to be able to think laterally and display commercial judgement. Give us examples of where you have demonstrated this to date, or examples of relevant experience which will help prepare you for this. Business Development is an incredibly important part of a Solicitor’s role at Foot Anstey; it involves representing the Firm, building internal and external relationships and selling products and services. Please give examples of any relevant experiences that will set you up for success in this regard. What factors do you think make you stand out as an applicant? We offer a broad range of legal services with many of our lawyers recognised as leaders in their field. We strive to develop long-term relationships with our clients and are easy to do business with.

Bladerunner †Humanity and Nature Essay

The central theme of Bladerunner is the relationship between humanity and nature. More specifically it has a purpose in showing how science can negatively influence this fragile relationship. Set in Los Angeles of 2019 we see the decadence of western society into an inhumane harsh impersonal, technology-dominated realm. The inhabitants who fight for their daily survival are in desperate want for nature, contact with which is denied to them by the unrestricted scientific progress and the consequent exploitation of the natural world conducted for the sole purpose of profit. Humanity is also losing touch with it’s own nature. The compassion, the empathy, the love and the emotion are all rare or absent. This ailing relationship between humanity and nature is conveyed through the means of scene setting, dialogue, plot, camera techniques and other film features. All these elements of cinematography synthesise to create an effective portrayal of the unifying theme. In Bladerunner the most prominent element of cinematography is mise en scene. It generates a context for the film and therefore makes the plot and themes acceptable. To set an appropriate scene different variables need to be controlled. These variables include location, props, lighting and colour. In general the location of the plot is in the vast urban canyons of 2019 LA. The imposing dark buildings, the dirty fog, perpetual rain and the crowded dark streets devoid of vegetation make up the backdrop of most scenes. All this is filmed in dark lighting, which complements the effect produced by the fog in obscuring the living details. From this the responder acknowledges the deterioration of society, the harsh conditions that the humans are subjected to and the way the human spirit itself is progressively destroyed under such conditions. Filming such a location at night provides the director with the opportunity to use chiaroscuro (a technique of strong contrast) to further convey the dominance of technology over humanity. For example in outdoor scenes the garish flickering neons are obtrusively visible but they fail to illuminate the obscure, dark, fogged surroundings, including the multitudes of faceless people. The prominent visibility of artificial things over human presence together with the qualities of the location indicates the degradation of human life under the rule of science. The clothing worn by characters is an important choice made as part of setting the scene. Most of the street people wear hooded dark clothing covering their whole body. This is possibly to protect them from the rain but it also hides their faces and their eyes from the camera and from us, creating an impersonal atmosphere in conjunction with the harshness of the surroundings. We get a feeling that everyone hides from everyone else and human interpersonal interaction is limited to the bare necessity. Sometimes the style of clothing worn by characters tells us something about the characters themselves. For example the trenchcoat style garments worn by Deckard are a throwback to the ? 20s and ? 30s detective genre in film, and the responder instantly sees Deckard as such. There are times when the clothing worn gives us an insight into the themes of the film. When we first see meet Racheal (and we think she is a human), her outfit with geometric â€Å"power dressing† shape, the black hues and the perfect hair create an impression of power and efficiency, qualities that are valued in androids. The next time we meet her we see her in a fur coat and underneath, a soft white blouse. Then when she lets her hair down the transformation is complete. By now we know that she is a replicant and for a replicant to be so human is ironic when the ? real’ humans don’t show such qualities. This irony elucidates the deteriorated nature of humanity very effectively. The film is not only able to show the way humanity has lost contact with nature but also how much they appreciate and want it back in their society. The unicorn dream-scene conveys this effectively. The soft back lighting, the low tonal contrast, the colour and the lush vegetation create a setting that is very different to the usual scenes. It is contrasted with real world to further reinforce the lack of nature in society. The short length of the scene, and the fact that the scene is only Deckard’s dream, conveys the elusiveness of nature and shows us that humans still ? dream’ of having the presence of nature back in their world-weary lives. Another method used by the cinematographers to show the want for nature is through the presence of artificial animals. While the artificiality of the animals shows the destruction of nature the way humans still keep them as pets conveys their yearning to bring back nature. The decay of human spirit is also shown through the dialogue. In Bladerunner the scarcity of the dialogue itself potrays the lack of human interaction and consequently the lack of empathy or emotion. Characters only speak when it is necessary for their own survival and comfort but not for the sake of emotional involvement. However, the replicant slaves, who supposedly feel no emotion, interact more sensitively with each other. This irony again has the effect of showing the dehumanisation suffered by this society. The absence of nature and the way society deals with this is revealed through the way they refer to nature. For example at Tyrell’s office Decker asks Racheal if the owl is artificial, to which she replies â€Å"of course it is. † A similar conversation that occurs later between Salome (Zhora) and Decker about artificial snakes, further reinforcing the sad truth. Another common literary language feature that is used in Bladerunner is symbolism. The film is filled with visual symbolic codes. The unicorn, a mythical creature, which, according to myth, is a fragile and elusive being of beauty known for its rarity. In the film it symbolises the rarity of nature and it’s beauty and fragility. There are other symbols that signify the elusive presence of nature in human life. One is the unnaturally weak and indistinct sun. The sun is the source of all life on earth and nature’s sustaining energy. The weakened presence of the sun is possibly due to the fog but the importance lies not in the cause of the weakness. The dim sun is an indication that nature is being destroyed or is already destroyed. Another symbol is the motif of the human eye. Close to the beginning of the film we are presented with an ECU of Holden’s eye reflecting bursts of flame. The fiery human spirit. The motif carries on throughout the film, the close up of eyes during the Voigt-Kampff tests, Mr Chew’s eye shop, the glowing eyes of the owl and the gruesome death of Tyrell. In many cases we encounter human figures whose eyes are hidden. The important example is Tyrell whose eyes are hidden by the thick glasses, but this is also true for the â€Å"little people† or the street people. If the eyes symbolise the human spirit then it is also true that the concealment of the eyes represent the destruction of this spirit. The characters and the way they respond to events in the plot is the most significant way through which the creators of the film express their concerns about the relationship between humanity and nature. It is through the characters and the way they are influenced by the society in which they live that the audience are able to receive the majority of information about that society. To make up a character the director (Ridley Scott) has to synthesis the acting, the physical qualities of the actors, the costume, the lighting and the camera work. Harrison Ford plays Deckard; a Detective who is forced to put up in insensitive wall around him so as to carry out his job properly, but with the help of Racheal and Batty his soul comes through. The seriousness, the no-nonsense speech and the mechanical execution of his tasks all contribute to this image of a tough guy cop. It is also sad to see that he is forces hide his emotions and sentiments for the sake of survival in this harsh world. By the end of the film we sense that if Batty and Racheal had not saved him his spirit would have been lost under the pressure. Rutger Hauer has possibly the most appropriate natural qualities to play Roy Batty (robot? ). The ? Aryan look’, a western cultural assumption of superiority and the Swedish accent with the concise overtones which is particularly effective in a quiet voice make him the perfect super/sub-human replicant. To enhance the effect the hair is died white, his body and face is always lit up to prominence, and almost always the image is shot from underneath making him look surrealistically handsome and at the same time imposing. However the way he responds to the events in the plot show that he has more ? humanity’ in him that the people who consider themselves human. The most memorable instance is they way he moaned for the death of Pris. He is not ashamed to return to the most basic instinct of openly showing emotion. This beautiful scene along with other such human responses from a replicant serves to convey the suppression of human nature in the society. Rachael is played by Sean Young as the replicant who doesn’t know she is an android. The character’s function is similar to that of Batty. To show the deterioration of everything ? human’ in the world of 2019. Her transformation itself carries the message. When she thought she was a human her conduct was much like a robot; the emotionless soulless state of mind everyone is in. But once she begins to realise that she is replicant her appearance becomes increasingly ? human’. This humanisation is portrayed through the use of costumes, the use of varying light and the use of ECU. Tyrell is the other character who has an important function in conveying the themes. Genuinely lacking emotions or empathy, his main objective is the profit margin. He is part of the corporate dictatorship that has suppressed the spirit of the people and destroyed the natural world. His character is the total antitheses of Batty. The overconfidence in his intelligence, the impersonal way in which he addresses other characters, the opulent surrounding in which he lives show him as powerful tyrant. The irony is that he holds the status of God when he is not even fit to be a human. Thus through the development of characters and their response to the events of the plot, Ridley Scott and the actors communicate the way relationship between humanity and nature has evolved (deteriorated) into the world of 2019 LA. In effect all the techniques mentioned above portray a society of individuals who are weary of the world they live in. They are rejects who lead a pitiful existence in a wasteland called earth because they are not fit enough to go the out-world colonies. Suppressing their own natural instincts for the sake of physically surviving they really the walking dead. Scientific progress conducted not for the best interests of humanity but for the best interests of business has effectively brought about the progressive degradation of society. By exploiting and destroying the natural world human can no more find solace or beauty so as to recuperate their weary minds and rekindle their dying spirits. In summary the techniques that are unique to film such as camera, lighting, costuming, colour and location works in conjunction with common literary techniques such as visual symbolism, irony and characterisation to effectively convey the relationship between humanity and nature.

Cooking as an Art Form Essay

Food, cooking, and whatever related to these themes are usually considered as an art because food is an everyday item that has a wide meaning for all people. Food can be considered as an art; for example: the decoration of a food, the way a food is constructed in the plates, or even the way many different foods are being mixed in order to create a new food. Sometimes even people consider the arrangement of plates in a table as an art. This is called Table Art. Brillat-Savarin in his book, â€Å"The physiology of taste† states that cooking is the oldest of all arts. He says that Adam was born hungry and even a new born child first looks for become feed by his nurse right after he comes to new world (Physiology of taste, 300). He also believes that cooking and food is the finest art that has had the most influence on humans’ civilization (300). Food is one of the fewest things in whole world that almost everyone becomes satisfied with. When people eat, a kind of satisfaction and pleasure make them happy. And whatever can make a person happy could be considered as an art. Gastronomy is the knowledge and science of whatever related to human’s nourishment (physiology of taste, 51). Savarin believes that Gastronomy is a part of cookery. The way the dishes are adapted and arranged in a table and the way a food is tasted make the food as an art work (physiology of taste, 51). Savarin by his philosophical look explain the joy and sadness that a food can cause by its taste. He says that taste gives us the greatest joy because eating is the only thing which is not followed by regret (physiology of taste, 42). Brillat-Savarin says that the knowledge of Gastronomy is important for everyone. â€Å"There is this special advantage in their gastronomical knowledge, that they attain through it a completely personal note in the way their table is maintained; they are able to supervise up to a certain point the arrangements which they must then entrust to others, and they may even direct them occasionally†. Preparation of food is as much important as the food itself. Only a good cook can prepare a food in its best way and the final product is what everyone would like to try. Brillat-Savarin in his book explains how a skilled cook can make a fish that become an immense source of pleasure. He explains different ways it can be prepared, served in whole, cut in fillets or sliced, whether boiled or fried, cold or hot. And what he believes is that it would be always acceptable (physiology of taste, 91). Sometimes only professional cooks can make an astonishing dish because every one does not have the skill and techniques of preparation of a dish. For example when John Barlow wanted to try the ear part of the pig he found it a little disgusting before he saw the dish but after they prepare his dish he said: â€Å"The culinary art, I guess, often involve artifice. Things are cooked so as to disguise their ugly origins. An oxtail, for example, doesn’t really look like an ox’s tail; it looks brown and glazed and beautiful, like a slow-roasted half-brogue† (Everything but the squeal, 208). Savarin interestingly explains the different usage of sugar in his book and he describes how skillful a man should be in order to mix sugar with different other things to prepare a good product. For instance, sugar mixed with water that is refreshing and healthy, mixed with wine which produces cordials, or mixed with flour and eggs, the result is sponge cakes, muffins, and uncountable delicious pastries which are all the product of skillful cook (physiology of taste, 102 & 103). In the Gourmet’s diary of a foodie, it was so amazing when Chef Dani Garci was making fantastic dishes by some simple ingredients, like: Green and red Gazpacho and Ajo Blanco which are traditional dishes of south Spain. The most significant part is that how they take their times to make these dishes. They are like an art work that an artist put all his time and skill on it to create the best work. It was so amazing when he was making those tomato skins which were frozen in nitrogen. He was using all his skill to make them and coat them with red color. Food and cooking just same as music can inspire people. Usually when people listen to music they like to dance. It is the inspiration of music and brings people together to dance. Food and cooking do the same thing as music does. Gourmands are people who are fond of good eating and Gourmandism has an important effect in our social life. It spreads the spirit of entertainment and friendship which brings together different kinds of people, make a friendly atmosphere that people mingle and melt in to conversation, and vanish the inequalities of position and breeding (physiology of taste, 153). Also it will motivate the host to do his best in order to make the best table for his guests and take care of them. The host uses his knowledge and techniques to please his guests. Brillat-Savarin states,† any preparation which springs from a high intelligence demands explicit praise, and a tactful expression of appreciation must always be made whenever it is plain that there is any attempt to please† (153). Savarin explains the origin of the table in his book and he brings the note that one of the most important and strong laws of human being is to respect for any one with whom one has shared bread and salt. He says that it happens during the meals that languages should have born and perfected (physiology of taste, 182). From the other point of his view, he explains the effect of Truffles and how it inspires humans.â€Å"whosever pronounces the word truffle gives voice to one which awakens erotic and gastronomical dreams equally in the sex that wears skirts and the one that sprouts a beard† (Savarin, 93). Savarin by his explanations believes that truffle is the diamond of the art of cookery (physiology of taste, 95). The art of food and cooking is really one of the greatest works by a human being in history. The power of table, unbelievable different tastes, techniques of preparation, and all other aspects that concern about food and cooking should really considered as an art. John Barlow in his book â€Å"Everything but the squeal†, demonstrates the power of table and how a table can bring people around the table. Indeed, it is like a movie scene when he was sitting next to a family and he noticed that how they stare down at their table before they start eating, he says their elbows were raised and explains how the table was prepared and arranged, the way the forks and knives were next to dishes (Barlow, 145). In fact, these kinds of excitements are the result of foods and cooking’s art. In Gourmet’s diary of foodie, there is a connection between the traditional foods of gypsies and the art and skill of cooking. Manuel Valencia who is a chef and author wrote a book about the traditional gypsy foods. He explains what constitute gypsy foods in his books. In the video it is really interesting to see how they cook while they are dancing and how they manage the table and guests. It is the art of gypsies that can entertain their guests and serve them delicious foods by simple ingredients. They prepare nice dishes with the lowest costs and of course this would not be done only if you are a professional cook. Also I noticed that how they prepare Iberico Hams in Spain. It is said in the video that from the dehesa to the table will take 4 years. So what do they do during these years is all about preparing the most delicious ham in the world which obviously is so expensive. To conclude this, it is important to know that cooking and whatever is related to foods and cooking is one of the finest arts conceived by human and it should be considered as art in all aspects and themes of cooking, from preparing to eating.

How Immigration and Industrialization Affected Post-Civil War Essay

How Immigration and Industrialization Affected Post-Civil War Architecture in America - Essay Example American architecture was also largely dependent on English design books, a few prestigious technical schools and master builders who had immigrated during the old and new wars. The only buildings that showcased great architectural designs where churches such as the Cambridge and kings chapel and private homes (Secler, 2006). After the civil war America also underwent a transformation of the American life due to immigration and industrialization. It is this transformation that inspired a sense of historical consciousness in the American people which necessitated the development of architecture that would be unique to the Americans (Conn & Page, 2003). After the civil war, only two thirds of the Architects in America were native born. A large percentage of them came from Germany and Ireland. The designers and craftsmen during this period were foreign born. In the last half of the nineteenth century the Irish dominated the building industry. They had perfected their skills in carpentry and bricklaying. Most of the Irish in this sector later transformed themselves into builders and contractors. In Chicago, half the population was foreign born with a large number of them being Germans who penetrated into almost all Chicago architectural firms as architects and draftsmen. The German architects are hailed for their technological contributions to American architecture. In New York German firms such as Werner and Windolph, Albert F Doench were among the most prominent architectural firms in the area. Other migrant architects included Jewish architects from Central Europe such as Dankmar Adler, Leopold Eidlitz and his brother Marc Eidlitz one of the most prominent builders in New York (Elliot, 2003). In addition to these was also the immigration of new professional architects who being no longer inspired by the ancient historical designs in Europe were looking for inspiration for contemporary work in other countries. It is no wonder therefore

Ethnic Diversity at Workplace Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethnic Diversity at Workplace - Research Paper Example It has both negative and positive impact on organizational output. Globalization of businesses has made this an issue in higher extent in the organizations. Conflicts among the employees in terms of emotional attributes are the negative impact of ethnic diversity whereas access of diversified skills of workers is one of positive impacts of it (Knippenberg & Schippers, 2007, p.529). Historical overview of a research related to the ethnic diversity at workplace After conducting the research, it is discovered that diversity in employees was very important in ensuring that the business is successful. The most interesting thing in the interview relates to some of the regulations in the Buddhist society. Key learning from the study is that the implementation of ethnic diversity in the workplace ensures that the business uses all the resources available to reach new markets. Therefore, the aspect of diversity is unique and enhances productivity among the employees. Rationale of choosing the ethnic diversity at workplace Ethnic diversity is one major characteristics of workplace. ... Effect of ethnic diversity in group activity is in high extent because people from different region or even different countries work together in group assignments or projects (Bar, Niessen & Ruenzi, 2007, p.2). Therefore, all belongs to different ethnicity and their culture, behavior, attitude and the way they work are different. Conflicts in the group activity rise from the ethnic diversity among the employees (Karsten, 2006, p.224). Though the organizations get access to diversified skills and competencies of ethnic diversified expertise but conflicts among the workers in their way of working, sometimes affect not only overall performance of a group but also overall organizational performance and growth. Many organizations are not able to find out this impact of ethnic diversity and their strategic decisions do not consider this issue (Jesus, Hughes, Johnston & Jooh, 2006, p.7). Therefore, this study has high extent of rationality and motivation behind the study is to evaluate the impact of ethnic diversity in Ministry of Air Defense in Saudi Arabia. Supporting Research There have been many researches on this major issue of business done by empirical researchers. Individual or group of researchers and human resource analysts have been studied on several multinational and domestic companies to find out the extent of positive and negative impact of ethnic diversity on performance of workforce. One supporting research of this study is leadership, employment and direction survey done by a group of researcher and leaded by Miriam Bell. Objective of this research was to evaluate the benefit of ethnic diversity in Australian workforce (Bell, 2012, p.1). Findings from relevant empirical studies There are

Compare and contrast the marketing strategies of two major brands, Essay

Compare and contrast the marketing strategies of two major brands, Apple and Samsung - Essay Example ke Apple to continuously come up with products such as iPhone, iPad, Macbook etc, that are popular among consumer segments (Ferral and Hartline 2012, 1). The uncertainty of the external environment provides greater motivation for a company, particularly ones operating in the high-tech electronic industry, to continuously innovate and develop high quality products. Development of marketing strategy enables evaluation of a company’s strengths and in turn allows an organization to capitalize on its strengths thereby providing a competitive advantage. Apple and Samsung, both virtually operating the same industry, employ their marketing strategy to survive the competition in the companies’ macro-environment. Availability of resources is an important aspect of marketing strategy for organizations operating in the electronics industry (Viardot 2004, 196). The fast-paced environment in the digital world necessitates the presence of ample amounts of resources in order to keep the technology updated. For Apple, continuous innovation in technology and the need to develop popular consumer products requires large amounts of both, human resource as well as capital for research and development (R&D). Such availability is vital to a brand’s image, particularly ones that deal in high-tech goods and services. Same is the case with Samsung where effective marketing strategy has allowed it to move its reputation to a premium electronics brand that has grown its market share tremendously. All aspects of marketing strategy including pricing, distribution, etc, play a central role in the delivery of consumer satisfaction with the product (Chang 2011). Marketing strategy altogether acts to provide consumers with a superior user experience. Today’s electronics industry is increasingly dynamic and the development of effective strategies and marketing plans are important for the success of organizations that operate in the growingly competitive environment. Speaking about Apple

Dissertation proposal either in marketing, Finance or internantional Essay

Dissertation proposal either in marketing, Finance or internantional. business MBA level - Essay Example The typical questions that come in mind are whether such factors have a significant impact in enhancing the sales of the company or not. If yes, then would it be beneficial for the companies to give more focus towards their products packaging and placement of their products on shelves in retail stores. For exploring these questions, there is a need to conduct a research, which may provide guidelines to the companies and retailers regarding the packaging and shelf positioning of products. Planned purchases do not constitute all sales; as a matter of fact, a significant portion of total sales is composed of impulse buying which shows inevitable variation with respect to factors such as packaging and shelf-positioning. Consequences: In the absence of such a research, the marketers will certainly be at a loss. They will not be able to gain an insight into the relationship of factors such as packaging and shelf positioning with Impulse buying, thereby obstructing their ability to manipulate these factors to their own advantage, which could otherwise lead to increased sale. The research paper selected as the base paper of this research is ‘Unplanned Buying and In-Store Stimuli in Supermarkets’, Managerial and Decision Economics, Vol. 11, No. 2. (May, 1990), pg. 111-121 by Abratt, R. and D.G. Stephen (1990). ‘Impulse buying’ can be described as any purchase which a shopper makes but does not plan in advance and nowadays, a major junk of consumer purchases are being made without advance or prior planning (Hawkin Stern, 1962). Moreover, Hawkin also argued that Impulse buying, despite certain connotations attached to it, has become an efficient and sensible way of buying goods and the incidence of impulse buying are growing. Impulse buying has been seen to be at work mostly in the case of FMCGs. Unplanned purchasing occurs in many types of retail outlets; however, it is typically

East Asia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

East Asia - Essay Example North Korea has a history of poor relations with its neighbors. Even though fighting stopped after the ceasefire of the Korean War in 1953, both South and North Korea are still at war with each other. Korea was spilt into North and South Korea after the WWII and ever since they have never had cordial relations. As early as 1950, North Korea tried to capture the southern region but was defeated. In 1972 they agreed to work towards peaceful reunification but it was short-lived (Historyofnations, 2005). Recently its nuclear weapon program has prompted the express concerns of its neighbors including Japan, China, South Korea and Russia. While each of these countries have been condemning the missile tests, they have taken a different stand on how to deal with the affairs concerning North Korea. In 1998, North Korea had launched a midrange missile over Japan, which provoked Japan to take stern action. This prompted Japan to strengthen its military ties with US and transform its own Self-Defense Forces into a full-fledged military. In 2006, Japan took a very firm stand and threatened to impose economic sanctions against North Korea (Onishi & Kahn, 2006). It would cut off money transfers from Japan which means cutting off a significant source of cash for North Korea. It had also banned the North Korean Mangyongbong-92 ferry from entering its ports for six months in 2006. This was a vital link for transferring cash and supplies to North Korea. Japan had tried to normalize relations with North Korea even though the latter had abducted Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to teach Japanese language and culture to the North Korean army (Duk-Min, 2005). Japan has strained relations with South Korea and China and it needs the support to be tough with North Korea in imposing eco nomic sanctions. China and South Korea have in the recent years increased their economic activities with North partly to save the