Thursday, October 31, 2019

Gender Roles in the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker Essay

Gender Roles in the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker - Essay Example The entire story of the book is told through the narration of Celie, the protagonist, who undergoes several troubles during her early childhood before being sold by the name of marriage. Struggling through her dark past, where she is violently raped by her perverted stepfather, she goes through another doomed phase in her life. She gets severely beaten up every day by her husband, who also refuses to inform Celie about the letters from her sister Nettie. Still, Celie goes through all these torments and comes out as a winner at the end of the story. The book is a story about the progress of the will of a woman to counter all the struggles she faces in life, a display of power of friendship and faith in motivating a person and, delivering the message of happiness that one gets by being self-satisfied. The Color Purple, during its time of release, created a flurry of arguments about the themes written about in the story. One of the major themes that drew many of the critics’ attention was the theme of gender roles. Although, Walker had established the default characteristics of men and women in the book, there was this subtle element of versatility present in each and every character of the book that completely abolishes any notions of traditional qualities that were displayed through these roles. Some of the examples that could be given for this change include the change of thought process in the minds of Albert, Celie’s husband and in the submissive role played by his brother, who is unable to bring his wife under control and as a result, gets to work under his wife. The representation of unconventional treatment of the gender can be first viewed through the role of Mr.__________, as introduced by Celie and commonly known to everyone as Albert. Albert, having lost his first wife, looks out for a second wife to assist him and his children. Having known to everyone has an unpopular girl, Celie

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Jackson and The Cherokee ( The Trail of Tears ) Essay

Jackson and The Cherokee ( The Trail of Tears ) - Essay Example His tribe is almost becoming extinct (Cherokee, para 2). The state of Georgia, our neighbors, is forcing us to relinquish our possessions for their benefit. It is unfortunate that also the President of the United States has failed to come to our aid, and has instead ruled in favor of the Georgians. We are left wondering what other rights do we enjoy if we cannot allowed to enjoy living peacefully on our God-given land, the land we inherited from our forefathers (Cherokee, para 4). The Cherokees have always fulfilled their engagements with the United States and have never reclaimed the portions of sovereignty which was surrendered by the treaties of Hopewell and Holston. Our people have always trusted their country to the guaranty of the United States. If this guaranty fails, we do not have anybody to trust, and we do not even know where to look for protection (Cherokee, para 6) Out of these atrocities and insecurity, we are pleading to the General Government to offer us new homes, and should also propose to pay the whole expense of the removal and settlement. We hope our pleas will be acted

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Concepts Of Effective Communication Management Essay

Concepts Of Effective Communication Management Essay Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW In the literature review section, the opening part will be about the concepts of communication and effective communication in an organisation along with a brief overview about the principles of effective communication. Next are the models of communication which will be elaborated with the help of various authors and from academic journals. Following that, the main theories of the types of communication, communication channels and communications systems will be discussed and compared with reference to the local authority. Furthermore, the purpose of communication in an organisation will be disseminated. In addition, the benefits of effective communication will be discussed along with the different costs encountered in communicating through the different levels. The literature review will help to formulate the research questions as well as to establish a relevant methodology to carry out the research. 2.1 Definition of Communication Work needs communication. Communication in every organisation is the way people get their work done and get recognised for their contributions. As such, people at BRDC will communicate to plan services, coordinate manufacturing and delivery, hire, train, motivate employees and so on. According to Tyson and Jackson (1997), The problem is in the definition of the word communication. It covers a great deal and includes not only the actual words used, but, also, the tone of voice, pitch situation in which it takes place and so on. Despites these difficulties, some ideas that convey a fairly good picture of what communication is all about are proposed by different authors. Communication is a process in which people who occupy differing environments exchange messages in a specific context via one or more channels and often respond to each others messages through verbal and nonverbal feedback. (Alder, R.B., Elmhorst, J.M., 1996) Similarly, Baskin and Aronoff (1980) have defined communication as the exchange of messages between people to achieve shared meanings. According to Carell et al, (1995), Communication is the glue that binds various elements, coordinates activities, allows people to work together and produces results. Cole (1993), on the other hand, defines communication as the process of creating, transmitting and interpreting ideas, facts, opinions and feelings. It is a process that is essentially a sharing one an interchange between two or more persons. As defined by the authors, by using different means of communication, information and meaning can be transferred between senders and receivers. Communication in organisation is therefore a study of the exchange of words and meanings as the people within and outside these establishments work towards achieving organisational objectives. 2.2 Effective Communication According to Roberts, J. (2009), effective communication is the passing of the right message or information to the right person, in the right way, at the right time, and with the right effect, impact and outcome. Effective communication is a two-way process sending the right message, which is also being correctly received and understood by the other person/s. Effective communication is the key factor to successful management. The principles of effective communication can be reviewed using two approaches namely, the ABC approach and the Seven Cs. 2.2.1 The ABC approach Accuracy This implies that the information conveyed must be as accurate as possible since people can interpret it in different ways. It is important to set communication in some form to allow for variations of information. However, being accurate is not always easy and recipient needs to be aware of its limitations. Brevity This means being concise and therefore the message can be identified and understood. This helps the recipient as arguments do not get lost in a clutter of unnecessary words. However, one must stick to the point as wander off in other areas may cause confusion. Clarity This is achieved through the use of the right language. The audience needs to be considered carefully. Locker, O.K and Kaczmarek, S.K (2007), believes that audiences pay attention to messages only if they seem important, relevant and interesting. However, this includes what language, explanations and examples will make sense to the audience. 2.2.2 The Seven Cs Clear Meaningful language is needed to avoid ambiguity and the messages must be communicated in a way which can be easily understood by the audience. Therefore, words and phrases need to be chosen with care. Concise Brevity, compatible with the complexity of the information to be conveyed and the necessary style and tone, is of the essence. Messages should be free from all elaboration and superfluous detail. Correct The information has to be correct. However, staff at BRDC should check for errors, especially in figures, names and addresses. Courteous In any form of communication, it pays to consider it as a personal address to the recipients. Employees should be polite and use friendly language rather than formal officialese which is a barrier to communication. Complete The communication should fully convey the message, leaving as far as possible nothing out. Audience will be aware that they have everything they need. Consistent The flow of language is considerably helped by consistency of use, such as standardising the person and tense, and sticking to a particular style and tone throughout. Convincing Employees should show confidence and commitment in what they communicate, even though there may be times when they do not actually feel them in what they do at work. The Seven Cs considers a wider range of points and is more developed than the ABC approach. 2.3 Communication Theory Framework 1 Mechanistic communication is simply the transmission of information from the first party to the second party. The first party being the sender and the second party being the receiver. Psychological communication is actually the thoughts, feelings of the sender which he tries to share with the recepients. It also includes the reactions, feelings of the receiver after he decodes the information. Social communication is considered as a result of interaction between the sender and the receiver. Communication is directly dependent on the content of the speech. Systemic Communication is actually a new and a different message which is created when various individuals interpret it in their own way and then reinterpret it and draw their own conclusion. Critical Communication is simply a way with the help of which an individual expresses his power and authority among other individuals. To sum up the communication theory suggests that to survive, every living entity, needs to communicate with others and also among themselves. 1 http://www.managementstudyguide.com/communication-theory.htm 2.4 Communication Models There are five most recognised and accepted models of communication. 2.4.1 Aristoles Model of communication Aristotle was the first to take an initiative and design the communication model. Figure 1 Source: Scribd.com models-of-communication According to this model, the speaker plays a key role in communication. The sender first prepares content where he put his thoughts in words with a view to influence the recipients, who would then respond in the senders desired way. The model demonstrates that the speaker communicates in such a way that the listeners get influenced and respond accordingly. 2.4.2 Shannon-Weaver Mathematical Model Shannon designed the most popular of all early communication models. He wanted to guide the efforts of engineers in finding an economical way of transmitting electrical signals between locations. http://www.shkaminski.com/Classes/images/Shannon-Weaver%20Model.gif Figure 2 Source: The Mathematical Theory of Communication (Shannon, C. and Weaver, W., 1949) Compared to the Aristotles model, the Shannon-Weaver model is a common communication model used. It is seen as a resemblance of the human communication process. However, it is not analogous to human communication. Mortensen, C.D (1972), believes that the model is only formal, that is, does not account for content. Moreover, he is of the opinion that the Shannon-Weaver communications system is static and also linear. It conceives of a linear and literal transmission of information between locations. 2.4.3 Berlos Model of communication While the Aristotle model of communication puts the speaker in the central position, the Berlos model of communication takes into consideration the emotional aspect of the message. It is an adaptation of the Shannon-Weaver model. Berlos model of communication operates on the SMCR model. In the SMCR model S Source M Message C Channel R Receiver Berlos model of communication Figure 3 Source: The Process of Communication (Berlo, D.K, 1960) This model shows that source is flexible as it includes oral, written, electronic and any other forms of communication. Message was made the central element. Furthermore, it stress that receivers are the targets. The encoding and decoding notion translate thoughts into words and decrypt words of others into terms one can understand. However, it implies that human communication and machine communication are similar and there is manipulation of the message. People misunderstand each other even with the right symbols. With reference to the berlos model of communication, the speaker and the listener must be on a common ground for smooth conversion but this is sometimes not practical in the reality. 2.4.4 Schramms Interactive Model Wilbur Schramm (1954) was the first to modify the mathematical model of Shannon and Weaver. He emphasises that communication is incomplete until the sender receives a feedback from the recipient. Schramm believed that communication is actually a two way process between the first party and the second party. mhtml:file://F:VANDANAHcommunicationsCommunication%20Models.mht!http://www.shkaminski.com/Classes/images/Schramms%20Model%202.gif Figure 4 Source: The Process and Effects of Communication (Schramm, W., 1954) Schramm provided additional notion of a field of experience. It includes feedback, context, culture and so on. However, this model accounts for only mutal communication between two parties. This model does not account for multiple levels of communication between several sources. According to Schramm model of communication when a sender passes on the information to the receiver, the latter must interpret it in the desired form and give him the feedback or respond accordingly. The communication is not complete and thus ineffective if the sender does not get the feedback. 2.4.5 Dances Helical Spiral Another important model of communication is the Helical Model of communication which was proposed by Frank Dance in 1967 to throw some more light on communication process. This model understands communication in a birds eye perspective and considers almost all the activities of an individual. mhtml:file://F:VANDANAHcommunicationsCommunication%20Models.mht!http://www.shkaminski.com/Classes/images/Helical%20Model.gif Figure 5 Source: www.shkaminski.com- communication model Mortensen: As a heuristic device, the helix is interesting not so much for what it says as for what it permits to be said. Chapanis (1961), on the other hand, called sophisticated play: The helix signals that communication is continuous unrepeatable, additive, and accumulative. In short, the helix emphasises the integrated aspects of human communication as an evolving process. However, helical model of communication may not be a model at all as there are too few variables. The model leaves unanswered questions. 2.4.6 Westley and MacLeans Conceptual Model Unlike Frank Dance, Westley and MacLean believed that communication does not start from day one but begins when the speaker receives signals from his external surroundings. This model pertains to a strong relation between the signals from the surroundings and the communication process. The process of communication begins with receiving messages rather than sending messages. Events may sometimes unintentionally occur and signals is received accidentally. (Receives message)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Environment-Sender-then sends message (Communication starts)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Figure 6 Source: www.managementstudyguide.com/westley-maclean-model-of-communication The model accounts for feedback, a sensory field, non-binary interactions and different modes. Westley and MacLeans model describes more variables in the communication interaction. However, it is still two-dimensional. It can therefore be concluded that the six models of communication are all initiatives by great scholars to simplify and help in better understanding of the communication process. 2.5 Types of Communications No one would talk much in society if they knew how often they misunderstood others. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Organisations have recourse to two types of communication namely, Verbal Non-verbal communication. 2.5.1 Verbal Communication Anderson, H. et al (2004) states verbal communication implies that information has been transmitted through speech. In verbal communication words are involved. According to Boolaky, M. and Gokhool, D., (2006) verbal communication is further divided into: Oral Communication Written Communication Oral Communication In the communication process, oral communication refers to spoken words. It can either be a conversation over the phone or face-to-face communication or on the voice chat on the Internet. At the BRDC, oral communication is vital as it is easier to get feedback by observing facial expressions and asking questions and provides more opportunity to get attention and keeping interest. However, Desmonds W. Evans (1990) argued that Oral communication is volatile, that is, major decisions cannot be recorded and thus cannot be saved for future reference. Written Communication In contrary, written communication can be either via emails, letters, faxes, reports, memos and so on. The advantages are that highly technical topics can be presented using words and diagrams and provides a permanent record that can be referred to from time to time or passed on to others. However, Kushal, S.J and Ahuja, S., (2010) argues that written communication is unfit for uneducated person, it is a wastage of time, delays feedback and no clue about real intentions and emotions. They further discuss that to ensure effectiveness of written communication, it should be short and simple, complete, avoid jargons and so on. 2.5.2 Non Verbal Communication Actions speak louder than words. Kaye, M. (1994) Fromkin and Rodman (1983) suggest that up to 90 per cent of the communication process takes place non-verbally. Courtland, L.B, et al (2010) defined non-verbal communication as the interpersonal process of sending and receiving information, both intentionally and unintentionally, without using written or verbal message. He further stress that non-verbal communication is vital as it helps to strengthen a verbal message. In contrast to verbal communication, non- verbal communication includes overall body language of the person who is speaking, which will include the body posture, the hand gestures, and overall body movements. It can also be in the form of pictorial representations, signboards, or even photographs, sketches and paintings. Kushal, S.J and Ahuja, S., (2010) states that non-verbal communication are reliable, efficient, helps establish credibility and leadership potential, accurate understanding of attitudes. However, they argues that there is lack of secrecy, useful for small pieces of information, gestures can be misunderstood, it is necessary for both parties to face each other, lack of written proof, more difficult to study and fails to discuss past events and ideas. Verbal and Non- verbal communication are important in an organization. BRDC must ensure the effectiveness of the types of communication as there are both advantages and drawbacks. 2.6 Communication Channels Communication is now done through variety of channels ranging from nonverbal signals to very sophisticated communication media and technology. The communication that takes place in the organisation can be categorised as formal and informal. Formal communication can take place in two ways: Vertical Horizontal 2.6.1 Vertical Communication It moves between individuals at different levels in an organisation (Taylor, 2005). Vertical communication in classical management hierarchy can be: Upward Downward Upward Communication It refers to information flow from the lower levels of a hierarchy to the upper levels. Employees use this channel to communicate suggestions, grievances and progress of work (Boolaky and Gokhool, 2006). In addition, Courtland, L.B, et al (2010) pointed that executives can solve problems and make intelligent decisions. It is good to taking feedback on policies and takes corrective action. However, it does not transfer realistic message. Downward Communication Information flows from a higher level to a lower level in a hierarchy. Management uses this channel to inform employees about policies, plans, job instructions and feedback (Boolaky Gokhool, 2006). The advantages of downward communication are that it is appropriate for giving instructions and ensures that everyone is working towards goals and objectives. On the other side of the coin, information can be distorted as it goes down and there is lack of openness between managers and employees 2.6.2 Horizontal Communication Horizontal communication is both task related and informal and occurs between people on equal footing in the hierarchy (Postmes, 2003). Further, Taylor, S. (2005) stress the need of employees to corporate and share. It can take various forms like meetings, face to face exchange, group discussions and telephone conversations. Its objectives are coordination, cooperation and integration. Informal communication as defined by Courtland, L.B, et al (2010) is referred to as the grapevine that encompasses all communication that takes place outside the formal network. Similarly, in the words of Thill and Bovee, The informal communication network carries information along the organisations unofficial lines of activity and power. Kushal, S.J and Ahuja, S., (2010) proposes some advantages of formal communication such as it is dynamic, speedy communication as no formal line of communication exist, multi-dimension as topic of communication varies and it is supplementary to formal channels. The authors however debated that informal communication results in distortion of communication as it carries half-truths and rumours. There is also the existence of erratic message. It can be deduced that the channels of communication in an organization will depends on the structure of the organization. 2.7 Communication Systems Communication systems can be divided into those using an intranet, those using the written word such as newsletters, circulars, and notice-boards, memo, fax, and those using oral methods such as meetings, briefing groups and, telephone amongst others. (Armstrong, 2006) Communications through an intranet system Organisations are increasingly relying on an internal e-mail system (the intranet) to communicate information, especially in workplaces where all or most of the employees have direct or indirect access to a computer. The advantage of intranet communications is that they can be transmitted swiftly to a wide audience and thus saves a lot of time. Fax messages Similarly to the intranet system, a fax machine is relatively inexpensive. Fax transmits and receives any kind of message- handwritten, printed, diagrams, photographs. It takes only seconds to transmit a fax message, depending on the length of the document. Due to its versatility and speed, it is often used between divisions or branches of the same company instead of telephone or memos. Circular letters A Circular letter is one that is sent out to many people at the same time. The letter may be prepared once and then duplicated. It is sent for the following reasons: Inform staff of new policy matters Announce opening of a new office/branch Notice-boards Notice-boards are used to bring special items to the attention of all staff. It is an obvious but frequently misused medium for communications. The biggest danger is allowing boards to be cluttered up with uninteresting or out-of-date material. Its advantage is that a written record of the message is kept. Memos It is a written communication from one person to another or a group of people within the same organization. Its purpose is to remind someone of action required, request decisions actions and provide information of any kind. Telephone Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to one another. In any organisation the person on the phone represents the company and gives an impression of the company to the outside world. Meetings Meetings enable face to face contact of a number of people at the same time. They provide a useful opportunity for sharing information, making suggestions and proposals, taking decision and obtaining instant feedback. 2.8 Purposes of Communication The main purposes of communication in organisation are as follows: Organisational Communication Express feelings and emotions Achieve coordinated action Share information Organisation goals Task directive Results of efforts Decision making Source: adapted from Moorhead and Griffin (1992) 2.9 Benefits of Effective Communication Taylor (2005) argues that if organisations want to be successful in todays world, good communication at all levels is essential. The benefits that can be achieved are: Stronger decision-making and problem solving Upturn in productivity Convincing and compelling corporate materials Clearer, more streamlined workflow Enhanced professional image Sound business relationships Successful response ensured In addition, Courtland, L.B, et al (2010) found that effective communication strengthens the connection between a company and all those groups affected in some way by the companys actions. 2.10 Barriers to effective communication Maini Morrel-Samuels (2006, p.38) establish that most large organizations are plagued by serious communication problem, the difficulties are especially prominent in large organisations where precise collaboration is critical. Robbins (1998) identifies the following barriers to effective communication: Filtering, selective perception, defensiveness and language. Filtering Filtering refers to sender manipulating information so that the receiver will see it more favourably. Filtering also takes place between the supervisor and the manager, and in fact, from one level to the next. Selective perception Selective perception takes place when the receivers in the communication process selectively see and hear based on their needs, motivation, experience, background, and other personal characteristics. Receivers of information also associate their interests and expectations into communication as they decode them. Defensiveness Defensiveness occurs when people try to defend their position because of certain threats. They have a tendency to engage in such behaviours as verbally attacking others, making sarcastic remarks, being overly judgmental, and questioning others motives. Therefore, when individuals interpret anothers message as threatening they often respond in ways that blur effective communication. Language Words and term means different thing to different people. Age, education and cultural background are three of the more obvious variables that influence the language a person uses and the definition he or she gives to words. In an organisation, employees usually come from different backgrounds and therefore have different patterns of speech. In addition to Robbins, Taylor (2005) suggests the following barriers to communication: Emotional responses Communication cannot succeed if a person is highly emotional about the topic concerned. Problems may arise from insecurity, fear, anger. If emotions are high on the part of the sender or recipient, then it would be better to wait for a while before trying to put the message. Systems In any organizations there should be prescribed procedures for getting messages to the people who need them. Without such systems there can be no effective communication. Courtland, L.B, et al (2010), on the other hand, point out the following: Competing messages One must compete with other messages that are trying to reach the audience at the same time. It is essential to come up with messages that the audience will care about as any messages that are more compelling can pull the audiences attention away. 2.11 Trends in communication Todays world has developed rapidly from an industrial age to an information age. Owing to technological advancement, methods of working and composition of groups are affected. In the words of Courtland, L.B, et al (2010), todays business rely heavily on technology to facilitate the communication process. However, they argued that the benefits of technology are not automatic. Inappropriate used technology can hinder communication. Traditionally, communications in business were hierarchical with messages being passed up and down the chain, often with secretaries acting as a filter between managers and staff (Taylor, 2005). Network has now replaced the hierarchical model with email, every member of staff is able to communicate directly with everyone else. Information can therefore be distributed more efficiently around the organisation. It can be deduced that changes in organisational forms have made communication increasingly important to overall functioning of the organisation. However, technology is not a replacement but only a tool to help communication to take place effectively. 2.12 Ethical Communication According to Werner David Management is in essence the act of communication, for management processes are linked to the receipt of information and its valid interpretation which results in effective decision making. A perception of ethical foundation is essential for those employed in communication. A variety of theories exist that link organisation communication with its ethical underpinning. Courtland, L.B, et al (2010) is of the opinion that to ensure ethical communication, three elements are required namely, ethical company leadership, ethical individuals and policies and structures to support employees to make ethical choices. Moreover, they pointed out that these three elements need to work in harmony. The authors further argued that unethical communication can manipulate audiences in ways such as plagiarism, omitting essential information, selective misquoting, misrepresenting numbers, distorting visuals, failing to respect privacy. Ethical communication is true in every sense. Many organisation establish ethics policy by providing a written code of ethics to help employees determine what is acceptable. For example, at BRDC, employers establish clear ethical guidelines and detailed code of conduct addressing areas like health and safety, protection of the organisations assets and information, conflicts of interest and so on. 2.13 Contemporary issue in communication 2.13.1 Cross-Cultural communication Courtland, L.B, et al (2010) defined cross-cultural communication as the process of sending and receiving messages between people whose cultural backgrounds could lead them to interpret verbal and non-verbal signs differently. Munter (1993) come forward with the difficulties in cross-cultural communication like barriers caused by semanties, connotations, tone differences, differences among perceptions. Adler (1991), on the other hand, as reported by Robbins (1998), provides the following recommendations; assume differences until similarity proven, emphasis description rather than interpretation, practice empathy and treat interpretation as a working hypothesis. In every organisation, culture influences the sending and receiving of messages. Therefore, to communicate effectively, BRDC need to grasp cultural differences and handle them to open up opportunities throughout the world. Moreover, BDRC will be able to maximize the contributions of staff in a diverse workforce.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Identity and Margaret Atwoods Lady Oracle :: essays papers

Identity and Margaret Atwoods Lady Oracle The relationships we have with different people throughout our lives are strong influences on us all. Our relationships with one another can define who we are, as well as the quality of the lives we lead. Strenuous relationships cause stress and unhappiness, while close, loving relationships are a source of support and comfort. Joan Foster, the main character in Margaret Atwood=s Lady Oracle, is a complex woman who has had more than her share of turbulent relationships during her life. From her childhood and teenage relationship with her mother, to her bond with her husband later in life, Joan=s relationships are rarely free of turmoil and drama. These relationships definitely have an influence on Joan, impacting her as a person. The issue of Joan and her relationships reveals a question: How are Joan=s relationships important to her identity? The first major relationship in Joan=s life is the one with her mother. Joan feels unwanted and unloved by her mother, who treats Joan coldly because of her weight problem. At first, Joan struggles to fit in with her mother=s perfect vision of her and tries to live up to her mother=s expectations. When she fails at this, Joan resents her mother=s unbearable attitude and becomes antagonistic toward her. Joan=s identity then becomes based on the opposite of what her mother expects and wants from her. At this time my mother gave me a clothing allowance, as an incentive to reduce. She thought I should buy clothes that would make me less conspicuous, the dark dresses with tiny polka-dots and vertical stripes favored by designers for the fat. Instead I sought out clothes of a peculiar and offensive hideousness, violently colored, horizontally striped. Some of them I got in maternity shops, others at cut-rate discount stores; I was especially pleased with a red felt skirt, cut in a circle with a black telephone appliqued onto it. The brighter the colors, the more rotund the effect, the more certain I was to buy. I wasn=t going to let myself be diminished, neutralizes, by a navy-blue polka-dot sack (Atwood 84). Joan went out of her way to buy clothes that she knew her mother would hate, and that become part of who she was.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Robin Hood Case Study Discussion

1. Describe how Robin Hood developed his initial strategy for competing with the sheriff of Nottingham and discuss how he implemented it. Critique this approach. The original problem definition of high taxation that faced the people gave way for a new market which was stormed by Robin Hood. Seemingly an unlawful act, his mission was to â€Å"steal from the rich, and give to the poor†. As he entered the market, he was faced with rivalry of the prince and the sheriff. Robin Hood and his band of Merry men stole from the rich and gave to the poor which is in actuality is entirely opposite to the actions of his rivals.As Robin Hood entered the existing niche market he gained popularity and support amongst the common folk as he was supplying a unique good/service. He provides a free service to the poor after his operating expenses are accounted for. Also, the people had a preference for his product and tactics were not easily matched or copied by the competition. By obtaining this s upport, this strategy was to his advantage against Prince John and the sheriff. The opinion of numerous common folk would have persuaded Prince John to change the law of unfair taxation.Robin quickly realized that there was little he could do himself; which led to development of the organization by stimulating human resources. He sought close allies who would follow his vision of vengeance for the sheriff and the prince. These men would act as direct subordinates, however as time progress, admittance was allowed with less scrutiny whereby the only determining factor was loyalty. He believed strength lay in numbers. Robin implemented his strategy of ‘strength in numbers’ by seeking discipline from his band of men which ensured unity in the organization.This was achieved through a specific department within the organizational hierarchy. As a result they became more powerful in their battle against the sheriff. This forced the Merry Men to live outside the law which was al so desired to gain sufficient discipline in the group. This organization was fairly simple. Critique By acquiring a large extent of subordinates, Robin obtained a work force that is not necessarily trained as he allowed any to join who asked few questions. In doing so, extra man-hours would have to be spent in training.Also if prescreening of the new entrants existed, the idea of using the entrants with existing skills can give way for a more efficient organization. I. e. farmers would have been used not for war but for food. As the largest internal dilemma faced the band was an increased group size infrastructure, supplies and other physical resources would quickly diminish. Thus cutting cost should be priority, thus tradeoffs can be made by employing skilled workers for defined job. E. g. famers and hunters With the ideal of improper interview, his organization could be easily infiltrated by his competitors thus relieving their plan and strategies. . Identify organizational charac teristics and environment characteristics that would lead you to think robin hood is wise to considering a change in strategy as he enters his campaign second year? Robin’s organization could be seen as one of a hierarchy, he is the highest person in the organization which can put him in roles such as C. E. O. or chairman. His responsibility is to delegate specific task to his lieutenants, each has their own functions which contributes to the success of the merry men as a unit.For example Will Scarlett was assigned the important task of shadowing the sheriff and notifying the merry men of the sheriff next move. Figure 1: Robin's Organizational Hierarchy The motivation of the band was vital to keeping them interested in the purpose of the vendetta. Motivation theory seeks to explain all kinds of motivated behavior in different situations, including behavior in the organizations. Since the majority of behavior is sense motivated, individuals are greatly influenced by their envi ronment.Maslow’s theory of human motivation, all people have a need or desire for self respect, self esteem, and respect from others. This directly applies to the Merry Men, for they sought respect and were proud of their famous motto â€Å"Rob from the rich and give to the poor†. The resourced based model was important in the success of the group; five factors were looked at which the band demonstrated resources, capability, competitive advantage, attractive industry, strategy formulation and implementation. The resource of the group came from the merchants that travel through the forest, initially the resource was always available but t was quickly becoming sparse as merchants was choosing a different route. The men were properly trained to plan their robbery and skillful in their archery, however, the influxes of new recruits were beginning to strain the reserves of the group as training and food was costly. Robin and the merry men had the support from their custome rs which were the peasants and farmers but now as income was low and the maintenance cost was high they would have to tax the very people which they helped meaning that the peasants and farmers could turn on them and add to their troubles.Understanding the resource base of the group I could see why a change in strategy was wise. Figure 2: Resourced Based Model Robin and his organization were in crisis due to lack of a proper corporate strategy. The merry men were growing, with large number of new recruits but the organic structure is not cohesive. Communication and discipline is being broken down, table 3 below shows some options robin could use and their SWOT analysis. | Opportunities | Threats | Strengths| SO Strategies: Kill the Sheriff * Wipe him out, no more problems * Has the men to do it When the sheriff is gone, disband. ST Strategies: Join the barons * Has the fighting force * Get access to capital markets * Maybe ends the conflict quicker| Weakness | WO Strategies: Limit s ize of band * Turn the fighting band into a group of elites * Maintains discipline * Solves food issues * Basically, curtail growth| WT Strategies: Disband * Give up the cause, return to normal life * Robin flees to another country to escape punishment| Figure 3: SWOT Matrix Problems Robin and his organization faced: * Lack of discipline Maintenance cost * Shelter/space shortage * Food shortage * training * security and vigilance (whoever wanted to join was taken in and there could be traitors and spies) These problems need to be address if the band is to have any chance against the sheriff and prince John. 3. Assume that Robin Hood has asked you to help him devise a new strategy. Identify a set of factors for him to consider in revising strategy. It was evident from the story that Robin Hood needed to change his approach owing to both internal and external factors.An uncontrolled workforce along with unsuitable supplier location led to the brink of economic viability. Changing the overall goal of his organization to fixed transit taxation would decrease his competitive advantage over the Sheriff. As a result the cost of amenities which Mr. Hood provided to the common folk would increase. If he chooses this path he would lose his loyal supporters which kept him in control of the monopolized market. The farmers and townspeople would then favor Prince John’s governance and rely on his pity for commodities.In the event of this situation Robin Hood’s main foe, The Sheriff would become stronger in light of his political connection with the prince. Although his work force was constantly growing, its productivity was diminutive. He claimed that he was not familiar with a large population of his organization. It would be in Robin’s best interest to restructure his work force. He would gain an advantage by decentralizing the team into several self sustaining units; each unit consisting of team manager, lieutenants and miscellaneous subordinates.Aki n to a franchised organization, each team unit would be operating under the Robin Hood brand name, have the same goal as Robin, and operate within the limits of Robin. This structure would be less demanding to co-ordinate and allow him to devise alternate strategies. Since Robin also had a problem with a definitive Sherwood Forest location, this structure would also aid his disguise from his suppliers, the rich merchant travelers and the Sheriff. It is an imprudent choice for Robin to divert from his core competency and profound skill of banditry.The change in profession may lead to a lack of enthusiasm which would reflect poorly through the eyes of his followers and his brand name. References: Analyzing Strategic Management Cases http://www. pdftop. com/view/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hdWJ1cm4uZWR1LyU3RWNiZjAwMDIvZmlsZXMvQ2FzZSUyMEFuYWx5c2lzLnBwdA== Date Accessed: 02nd February 2011 The Business Operations of Robin Hood and the Merry men Author: Sumeet Malhotra http://www. scribd. com/doc/1362 7015/Robin-Hood-Case-Study Date updated: 2010 Date Accessed: 05th February 2011 ROBIN HOOD a Case StudyAuthor: Misti Walker http://www. scribd. com/doc/21176061/Robin-Hood-Case-Study Date updated: 05th September 2009 Date Accessed: 05th February 2011 Case Study 24 Robin Hood Book Winning In The Market Place Second Edition http://www. oppapers. com/essays/Case-Study-24-Robin-Hood-Book/178732 Date update: 2011 Date Accessed: 07th February 2011 Robin Hood Case Analysis Author: Aaron labin, Curt Matthews, Rich Miller http://www. scribd. com/doc/37469551/Robin-Hood-Final Date updated: 14th April 2009 Date Accessed: 07th February 2011

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Students of Science Disciplines are More Meritorious than Others

Students of science disciplines are more meritorious than others Science is the subject where talent, handwork and knowledge of high level is required. Every modern technology, all new innovations are mainly due to science. So science is a very long brunch of studies. Science requires lots of efforts and hard work. Science students have to give not only efforts and hard work, science student have to be talented with a huge reserve of knowledge. While others subjects besides science usually do not require that much meritorious student.So usually meritorious students choose science and science students are more meritorious it can be said in a glance. I completely agree with the fact that science students are more a meritorious The first reason is that usually mostly everywhere in all educational institutes in order to get science high percentage is required in their results. To get science students have to be especially skilled in mathematics, chemistry, biology and other science subje cts. These subjects usually do not work by memorizing. Thinking skills and knowledge are highly required.A student who doesn’t have the capability of using and utilizing their knowledge will never be able to do well in science subjects. Science includes complicated subjects in which only meritorious students achieve good results in it. Subjects other than science, that is arts, commerce, economics, law, literature, history, geography etc are subjects where merit like science is not required. In these subjects if a student can study day and night, work hard and memorize the lessons, they can easily do well in their results.Hard work is required by merit of high level is not mandatory to do well. Science students have to do lots of practical, lab works, and many other science related tasks. These tasks made them develop knowledge no how things actually works in the real world. Due to science our surroundings are full of modern and sophisticated materials and equipment. Passion of getting deep inside how modern world is running due to technology makes a student passionate about science and they try to prepare themselves from the very beginning of their life.Even if a student is not much talented and meritorious they also try to develop them by studying and practicing more and more to develop their knowledge and become capable of taking science. Not in every case all meritorious students take science. There are many meritorious students who study subjects other than science too. The reason behind this can be due to their passion towards other subjects or they don’t find science interesting.Another reason might also be applicable that since science is a very difficult subject students firstly think that they may not able to give that much effort as required in science and they take choose other subject. However they fail to recognize their merit and use it other way in other subjects rather than science, unaware that they are reserving their merit and not using it whereas if they used that merit studying science they could have built up a better future or career for them. They may don’t know but their merit might lead to some new innovations and so on if they have taken science.All in all, with all my reasons stated above I strongly believe that science students are more meritorious than other. Only meritorious students get the ability to take science due to their extraordinary meritorious quality and they have always proved it. Without them we may not be able get a modern sophisticated present world and life. We should be thankful to them and all meritorious students should not waste their merit in places other than science. Contributions of their merit can benefit them and may also benefit the whole world.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Patriot Act essays

Patriot Act essays Under the new Patriot Act, the Attorney General can subject an immigrant to mandatory detention only by certifying that an alien is likely to engage in or support a bad act. This detention would be mandatory even for immigrants who have been granted asylum. If these detainees are not allowed an opportunity to contest and challenge their likelihood of engaging in dangerous terrorist activities, they will be stuck in these centers. Another problem is the lack of space and the increasing number of detainees. From the year 1994 to 2001, the average daily detention population has more than tripled, from 5,532 to 19,533. At this rate, there will be more and more detainees. Where is the INS planning to house all these people? What is the INS going to do with the detainees if they do not pose a threat to Americas security? What is the INS going to do with the children who have been detained in these less than desirable conditions? Another problem is that it is an enormous strain on both INS and taxpayers to lock up people who do not pose as danger to our nations security, and it is also a waste of space, and it deprives the INS to make the best use of its limited detention space. INS does not have the capacity in both space and structure to imprison every person who comes through the system. This is not a problem that INS can outgrow or easily resolve. INS is currently dependant on local and state jails to lock up the increasing number of detainees. This has a highly devastating impact on the detainees, including the asylum seekers who are unfortunately locked up with the criminal population in these jails. Additional growth of detainees will only intensify these problems. One possible way to resolve this situation is to place a concept of supervised release as an option to mandatory detention (This concept was earlier proposed by Professor Margaret Taylor ). It is a waste of both time and space to i ...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Essay Sample on Humor in the Operating Room A Creative Short Story

Essay Sample on Humor in the Operating Room A Creative Short Story Creative Short Story/Essay: Humor in the Operating Room: It is often believed that the OPERATING ROOM (OP) is one place that is enveloped with an aura of seriousness, so much so that even surgeons cannot have a hearty laugh while attending to a serious life saving procedure such as CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING. Unfortunately, no! In fact, humor is an ingredient that is more than cherished. I have been an operating room nurse for the past five years. Even though we deal with tons of stress, it’s a rewarding profession filled with fun. Just before I celebrated my thirtieth birthday, I was working with a CARDIOLOGIST surgeon. He was always dapper, in and out of the hospital. There is a day he slipped and had to land with his hand off the ground just to make sure that his HOEMOSTATIC Kelly forceps remained STERILE, only to get on his feet and ask the whole room, â€Å"Am I still sterile?† I could barely catch my breath, everybody laughed. Luckily, the patient remained stable despite the loss of precious seconds and the INTRAVENOUS injection of APROTININ and DESMOPRESSIN helped in lowering HYPERTENSION and preventing ANGINA. As for his free fall, we got him a prescription of DEMEROL to wish the pain away. The OP is always closed during operation and therefore it is equipped with all necessary PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. No need to say, the forceps; now infested with PATHOGENS found its way to our modern front-loading AUTOCLAVE. Just a few weeks ago in the UROLOGY room, an ANAESTHESIA provider; who has a tight schedule so much so that you’d think he never lives the hospital, asked a new OP nurse to go get some TAMPONS and GAUZE and the nurse looked up rather quizzically wondering why the anesthetist wanted a ‘tampon’. She never knew that what the provider wanted was an adsorbent plug of cotton to help in absorbing blood from the wound. On a more serious note, most of you have heard about the negative effects of too much dietary CHOLESTEROL and its role in ATHEROSCLEROSIS, CARDIAC ARREST and a host of other CARDIOVASCULAR diseases. The effects of unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical exercise are what we have to deal with in the operating theatre everyday. It is better to be wise and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

50 Words with Alternative Spellings

50 Words with Alternative Spellings 50 Words with Alternative Spellings 50 Words with Alternative Spellings By Mark Nichol What is one to do when one finds a choice of spellings in the dictionary? Most dictionaries specify the preferred variant when two or more spellings of a word are listed, but others aren’t so clear. According to Merriam-Webster’s website, the former spelling is more common than the latter for the following words and is the preferred alternative: 1. acknowledgment / acknowledgement 2. adapter / adaptor 3. adviser / advisor (but advisory) 4. aeon / eon 5. ambience / ambiance 6. amok / amuck 7. appall / appal 8. around / round 9. ax / axe 10. caliber / calibre 11. counselor / counsellor 12. doughnut / donut 13. enclose / inclose 14. enroll / enrol 15. furor / furore 16. glamour / glamor 17. gray / grey 18. impostor / imposter 19. ingrain / engrain 20. inquire / enquire 21. judgment / judgement 22. lambaste / lambast 23. likable / likeable 24. linchpin / lynchpin 25. meager / meagre 26. mollusk / mollusc 27. movable / moveable 28. ocher / ochre 29. omelet / omelette 30. opossum / possum (but playing possum) 31. pincer / pinchers 32. pixilated / pixillated (distinct from pixelated) 33. pompon / pom-pom 34. racket / racquet (but racquetball) 35. sherbet / sherbert 36. somber / somber 37. specter / spectre 38. sulfur / sulphur 39. T-shirt / tee shirt 40. theater / theatre 41. till / ’til or til 42. timbre / timber 43. vial / phial 44. woolen / woollen 45. woolly / wooly 46. yogurt / yoghurt Discussion of distinctions in alternative spellings of some other words follows: 47. Bologna is the name of the meat product; baloney is a quaint slang synonym for nonsense. 48. Lasagne is an alternate spelling for the pasta usually referred to as lasagna; the latter spelling predominates for the name of the baked dish. 49. Mic and mike are both acceptable as short versions of microphone. 50. Savannah is spelled as such only as the name of the city in Georgia or the name of a hybrid of the serval, an African cat, and the domestic cat; otherwise, it’s spelled savanna. This list omits spelling variations that are primarily distinct in usage in American English versus British English (though some, such as gray/grey and specter/spectre, are also variations divided by an ocean). See this discussion on that topic with a list of categories of spelling differences. (But it’s a stick and tricky matter, so check out the comments for input from site visitors as well.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:45 Synonyms for â€Å"Food†Writing the CenturyPhrasal Verbs and Phrasal Nouns

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Edwige Danticats novel Breath, Eye and memory - significance in Essay

Edwige Danticats novel Breath, Eye and memory - significance in relation to the story of Haitian-American culture, the relationship of the women, and the burden of inheritance - Essay Example It is a case of honor for her. She believes in personal commitments and implies that it takes much more than a piece of paper for keeping memory. She derides Atie and Louise's trip to officially register themselves in the city archives. She tells stories of the baby's birth and Ti Alice's rendezvous showing her wider experience and a kind of special literacy she is aware of. She has the capability of forming an entire story from the night's whisperings and the blinking of lights on the hill. In the stories she attempted to frighten her daughters knowing well the harshness of the society and the cruelty on women who do not adhere to the mold. For Ife, Brigitte's face evokes generations of ancestors. She attempts to arrange reconciliation of the estranged family; her two daughters and granddaughter, she is well aware of the stakes. She knows that the family must stay strong and stay together if its daughters are to bear up under the weight of the world. Atie is characterized by the traditional duty bound Haitian woman, who had her own share of 'test'ing of her hymen as a proof of her virginity and purity. She has the traditional duty of looking after Sophie, her sister's illegitimate daughter. She gives all the love and affection of a mother to Sophie, in the process makes Sophie regard her as her own mother. Sophie wants to give her the mother's Day card. But a dutiful Atie would have none of it. She wants to save the younger generation from the political turmoil of Haiti. She wants Sophie to follow the Haitian tradition; a daughter should follow her mother, insisting her to go to her mother Martine, as she herself is going to her mother Ife as a duty to look after old mother. She is heartbroken by the treachery of Monsier Augustine, but hides it well. Till Sophie was with her, she refused to learn reading and writing, even inventing her own method of communication with her sister by exchanging cassettes, recording their own messa ges. But after Sophie's departure she not only learns reading, she starts maintaining notebook. She is heartbroken by the treachery of Louse who leaves her even without informing. She once again feels that she has been used for her company, her body, her presence, but was not loved actually. She feels that Sophie is the only person who did not betray her, and tells Sophie about how she has loved Sophie as her own child. But at the end she liberates herself in her own Haitian way. She shows her freedom by her alcoholism, going out at night, going to graveyard, doing things on her own, at her will. The character of Martine gives us different shades of human nature. She is true believer of her Haitian traditions. She cannot adjust her life after loosing her purity by rape. Martine's rape by an unknown man, possibly a Macoute, is the defining event in her life, bringing with it overpowering feelings of fear and self-loathing which she passes on to her daughter Sophie. The nightmare of loosing her purity haunts her all her life. She lives the agony of rape every night. Her daughter Sophie is a regular reminder of her rape, as she feels that the

Friday, October 18, 2019

Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning(fom) Dissertation

Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning(fom) - Dissertation Example Instead by segmenting the market, the company divides its market and devises marketing strategies only to the market it is going to cater to. This saves valuable resources of a company which can be spent on CSR activities and other activations that are beneficial for the entire society. The marketing strategies are devised once a company decides which segment it is going to target, hence first step of the ladder is segmentation and second is targeting and being part of the same ladder they are equally beneficial for the society as whole. Many companies like P&G, Unilever, Reckitt and Nestle have been success stories of the fact that marketing segmentation, division and targeting is not only important for the society, but it is also very important for the company. Since company is operating in the society, the profits it earns lead to improvement in standard of living and more taxes being paid and all these changes lead to betterment of the society. (Armstrong and Kotler, 2011) Refere nces: Armstrong, Gary and Kotler, Philip 2011, Marketing: an introduction, 10th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, USA.

Motivation and Reward Systems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Motivation and Reward Systems - Research Paper Example Rewards are classified into two groups, namely, extrinsic (e.g. promotions, salary increases) and intrinsic (e.g. job satisfaction, enhanced self-confidence). Intrinsic rewards arise from the interplay between the job and the individual. Fundamental intrinsic aspects involve knowledge of outcomes, accountability, and meaningfulness (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003, 234). Knowledge of outcomes is associated with feedback on employee performance. Accountability is related to the extent employees feel responsible for the outcomes of their performance. Meaningfulness refers to the extent employees see their job as valuable. In order to build employee motivation, a job should substantially possess all three aspects. It must involve a variety of tasks, generate concrete outcomes, and affect others (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003). These aspects are associated with meaningfulness. The work must also result in self-reliance. This aspect is associated with accountability. Ultimately, the job must give way to feedback on performance. This aspect is associated with knowledge of outcomes. Extrinsic rewards must satisfy five conditions, namely, significance, flexibility, frequency, visibility, and expense. In terms of significance, members of the organization should give importance to the possible rewards arising from their performance. With regard flexibility, because individuals differ in the forms of rewards they want, an effective reward system should accommodate individual differences (Griffin & Moorhead, 2011).... Meaningfulness refers to the extent employees see their job as valuable. In order to build employee motivation, a job should substantially possess all three aspects. It must involve a variety of tasks, generate concrete outcomes, and affect others (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003). These aspects are associated with meaningfulness. The work must also result in self-reliance. This aspect is associated with accountability. Ultimately, the job must give way to feedback on performance. This aspect is associated with knowledge of outcomes. Extrinsic rewards must satisfy five conditions, namely, significance, flexibility, frequency, visibility, and expense. In terms of significance, members of the organization should give importance to the possible rewards arising from their performance. With regard flexibility, because individuals differ in the forms of rewards they want, an effective reward system should accommodate individual differences (Griffin & Moorhead, 2011). As regards frequency, the mor e frequently rewards are granted and the more immediate they follow performance, the more successful they are expected to be. However, several rewards become ineffective when granted habitually. In terms of visibility, rewards are boosted when other individuals are aware of them. And lastly, as regards expense, the organization should be capable of giving out rewards (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003). The Truth about Money as a Motivator and a Type of Reward Monetary rewards can raise motivation. Individuals need financial resources and hence desire money. Financial incentives can build motivation but it is not the sole driver of motivation. Wallace and Szilagyi explained that financial aspects can fulfill several

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Common Sense in Criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Common Sense in Criminology - Essay Example All along this essay we endeavor to find answers to the problem arising from the shortcomings in common-sense understandings. At the end, a multidisciplinary and eclectic approach to this judicial matter will guide the way into a correct path in search for a coherent solution. There is a great deal of criminological theories to choose from. A wide spectrum of contradictory ideas lies behind those theories. But the knowledge of all of those theoretical assumptions can help us a lot in the task of assessing the evidence in any legal case. They can be especially necessary when we face the problem of common-sense limitations. These shortcomings can be reduced to a minimum through the appropriate use of adequate theoretical and methodological criteria. The role of criminological theories cannot be underestimated. Dr. ... heories present conflicting and contradictory positions, so the overall state of the theoretical corpus in Criminology is somewhat chaotic and confusing when we study the different fundamental tenets that many theoreticians hold as valid. Despite this complex theoretical panorama, all of the opposing theories have something to teach us about crime and its interpretation. These theories can give us some insight into the phenomenon of crime as Diane M. DeMelo (2003c) states: "Theories not only provide a framework for us to interpret the meanings of observed patterns but they help us to determine when these patterns are meaningful and when they are not." It is necessary to have a general knowledge of most of the criminological theories, so we can enhance the common-sense understandings improving our interpretation of the evidence in any fact assessment case. And we have to notice that common sense can mean many different things depending on the person who defines it. Many things are taken for granted in the name of common sense, so we have to be aware of the implications the definitions might have. Common sense is widely applied by everyone, and it can help us in simplifying the way we think and arrive at a conclusion when assessing facts and data. Schutz (2005) gives us an excellent idea of what common sense implies: "Common-sense thinking consists of a system of constructs or meanings for organizing the world and acting in it. Although each of our total set of constructs is unique (originating in our biographical situation), most of our common-sense constructs are socially derived. This shared intersubjective stock of knowledge and assumptions we develop through interactions allows us to engage in joint projects with other people". Even though it is very

International Strategy in The World Pulp and Paper Industry Essay

International Strategy in The World Pulp and Paper Industry - Essay Example Considering the significance of global expansion we will analyze the benefits and costs of these strategies in paper and pulp industry. The global strategy allows companies to derive substantial profits in several ways. Firstly, companies which possess an undeniable advantage over their competitors can easily rivet the attention of the prospective customers and make them a part of their company. For instance, International paper’s possesses a competitive advantage in the domain of uncoated papers, therefore, it can easily target a group of people at any location of the world. There are several places in the world where the demand is not met by any local source in the paper and pulp sector therefore many companies have expanded internationally and have properly responded to that demand and are now enjoying the benefits. In contrast to that, stiff competition in the local industry has also reduced the local demand. It is estimated that United States demand for uncoated freesheet will reduce by 2.2% in the year 2008 (Cook at al 2008). As a consequence of this many companies have planned to invest in foreign markets to diversify their risks. Companies which expand globally reap the benefits of location economies. Firstly, there can be an availability of cheap labor and lower raw material costs in that region which can reduce the total costs by a substantial amount. For instance, companies in Canadian markets have recognized that pulp capacity will be going down which will increase the production costs for pulps, therefore, some of the Canadian companies have planned to make investment in locations where there is a lower cost of pulps with an adequate supply which will be able to fulfil their demand (Cook at al 2008). Secondly, the strategic location also provides transport economies by linking the establishments adjacent to one another (e.g. a  pulp plant supplying raw material to an adjacent paper plant) (Diamond, Chappelle & Edwards 1999).   

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Issues and Challenges in Integrating Information Technology into the Essay

Issues and Challenges in Integrating Information Technology into the Curriculum - Essay Example As a result, ICT and its capability in improving student performance have been marginal as well. How then, should these new technologies be implemented by teachers in order to successfully integrate them into the curriculum As this essay will argue, the successful integration of information technology into the curriculum requires a paradigm shift from the teachers perspective, together with their acquisition of the technical skills required to use ICT, and a good support system from the school to create a contextually relevant environment that will make teachers more receptive in using new technologies and encourage learning from students. As Jonassen, Peck, and Wilson (2003) claim, ICT today is not simply a medium where information is transferred, but a tool that students learn with, assisting the learning process itself. At the very least, one could infer that ICT is changing the nature of education today - from the school, to its curriculum, each facet of education is being revised to cope with the fast development in ICT in an effort to effectively integrate such new technologies (Williams and Price, 12). However, it is imperative to note that the implementation of ICT is just a single aspect within the larger context of school reform. Thus, it is important to understand that school reform today, insofar as ICT is concerned, places emphasis not just on quantifiable outcomes, such as an increase in the amount of ACT available in schools, but on the quality of learning experiences for students - the degree that ICT enriches students' learning experiences (Godfrey, 2001, p.15). Unfortunately, most teachers do not fully comprehend such relationship between ICT and education. According to a study conducted in Australian schools, the purpose of ICT in the curriculum continues to be ill defined and poorly understood by teachers (Fifoot, 2000). An implication of such is that ICT causes frustration among teachers, which eventually forces them to abandon it altogether. If not, they just end up using it ineffectively, as a tool to substitute typewriters and calculators, for example. Using ICT in such ways do not only waste valuable investments made for the improvement of learning, but it can also have negative effects in the student's learning process because it leaves them incapable of integrating ICT effectively in their daily lives as well. Teachers, therefore, need to know how to use technology to successful use it in the classroom. However, it is imperative to differentiate between knowing how to use technology for its sake from knowing how to use technology for the sake of improving student learning (Fishman, et. al, 2001). As Tiene and Ingram (2001, p.xv), puts it, teachers "need to expand their awareness of ... educational technologies [and] the critical issues associated with the effective utilization of these technologies." Aside from understanding ICT implementation within the context of school reform, it is also imperative to understand the changes and trends surrounding ICT and school reform. Grabe and Grabe (2004, pp.35-39) outlined this shift in terms of changes in student and teacher roles,

International Strategy in The World Pulp and Paper Industry Essay

International Strategy in The World Pulp and Paper Industry - Essay Example Considering the significance of global expansion we will analyze the benefits and costs of these strategies in paper and pulp industry. The global strategy allows companies to derive substantial profits in several ways. Firstly, companies which possess an undeniable advantage over their competitors can easily rivet the attention of the prospective customers and make them a part of their company. For instance, International paper’s possesses a competitive advantage in the domain of uncoated papers, therefore, it can easily target a group of people at any location of the world. There are several places in the world where the demand is not met by any local source in the paper and pulp sector therefore many companies have expanded internationally and have properly responded to that demand and are now enjoying the benefits. In contrast to that, stiff competition in the local industry has also reduced the local demand. It is estimated that United States demand for uncoated freesheet will reduce by 2.2% in the year 2008 (Cook at al 2008). As a consequence of this many companies have planned to invest in foreign markets to diversify their risks. Companies which expand globally reap the benefits of location economies. Firstly, there can be an availability of cheap labor and lower raw material costs in that region which can reduce the total costs by a substantial amount. For instance, companies in Canadian markets have recognized that pulp capacity will be going down which will increase the production costs for pulps, therefore, some of the Canadian companies have planned to make investment in locations where there is a lower cost of pulps with an adequate supply which will be able to fulfil their demand (Cook at al 2008). Secondly, the strategic location also provides transport economies by linking the establishments adjacent to one another (e.g. a  pulp plant supplying raw material to an adjacent paper plant) (Diamond, Chappelle & Edwards 1999).   

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

IT for education and learning Essay Example for Free

IT for education and learning Essay As we all knew, Information Technology has been well-developed for years. Nowadays, lots of youngsters would study online via the Internet, such as finding academic materials for doing project, submitting assignments to the online learning environment of their schools and so forth; therefore, people started to think what features of information technology can facilitate with education and learning. In particular, people would call this kind of learning as â€Å"e-learning†. According to D. R. Garrison (2011)1, e-learning is â€Å"formally defined as electronically mediated asynchronous and synchronous communication for the purpose of constructing and confirming knowledge. † The foundation of this technology is the Internet associating with communication technologies. So how would e-learning affect our education and learning? My ideas are as follows. First and foremost, online games are suitable for using within a learning environment as they are based on the theories of situated learning, motivation and learning by doing. What is online game? A. Rollings and E. Adams (2006) 2 introduce online game is a technology for connecting players together over computer networks like on the Internet. Online games can provide large simulated conditions in the real world for learners to solve problems and deal with others. They not only increase learners’ motivation and engagement but also enhance the learning experience and recognition. Additionally, they also provide free trainings that allow mistakes and errors so that the cost can be lowered. They can also increase the chance of communication such that they would have better coordination and communication skills. Take military and emergency services as an example, like America’s Army, it offers soldiers a virtual but real environment to have trainings. To be more specific, the soldiers are required to work as a team and accomplish the missions. It can build up the team spirit and let them enter into the real situation. Secondly, in accordance with Athanassios Jimoyiannis (2012)3, online game is beneficial for people to learn languages. Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) is one kind of the online games that involves multimedia and gaming elements to act as a story to let learners contribute their own ideas and action as if they took place in real time. ARGs are usually built around social networking system, which is an online platform, with Web 2. 0 technology, that focuses on building up social networks or social relations among people by sharing posts and doing real-life connections, like Facebook and Twiiter, in which learners can interact with others and form alliances. Therefore, through these kind of games, learners are able to gain appreciations for colloquial meanings, verbs and so forth. Thirdly, there is another technology that cannot be omitted – Learning Management System (LMS), like OUHK Online Learning Environment. It works as a platform for students to access multi-media study materials and participate in a wide range of learning-related activities through the use of a computer and an Internet access. Furthermore, students can obtain updated information about courses and programmes that they attend to, participate in online discussions with their peers and tutors, submit assignments, do exercises and self tests and monitor their own study progress through the web-based instruction. As a result, we can see that online learning environment can facilitate with E-learning for people to enhance their studies. And the advantages that LMS brings us – management of personal knowledge and learning resources, collaboration and instructional support – can enhance people’s critical thinking and decision-making. As a final point, people like youngsters, not like the previous generation, would not only receive what their teachers give them but find other sources through search engines, such as Google and Bing, themselves. They prefer videos, audios and interactive media; in the meanwhile, some scientists claimed that using graphics and colours can stimulate people’s brains to memorize and strengthen this ability. That’s why tutors would love to express their ideas through PowerPoint to their students nowadays. Simple and clear structure of PowerPoint slides can offer the content ideas with few lines in bullet form to students. Moreover, visual and auditory media can be added to make the materials more appealing. It not only improves the audience focus, but also engages multiple learning styles, for instance, students can read the materials through their mobile phones. However, if people get addicted to Internet uses, e-learning might become a severe obsession that they would get lost in the real life, like virtual world is â€Å"pulling† them from the real life. Dr. Charles OBrien, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, claimed that getting addicted to Internet uses like online games will become an official disorder because more and more people are going to do studies on it. There was a case last year in South Korea, where the couple, who had a real baby, was so involved with the virtual baby and doing things with the virtual baby, thus they neglected their real live baby and the baby died. Therefore, people’s self-restraint and the cooperation between teachers and parents (for youngsters) are undeniably required if e-learning becomes more and more popular in the world. (870 words) Reference list: 1. D. R. Garrison (D. Randy)(2011), E-learning in the 21st century a framework for research and practice, New York : Routledge 2. Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams (2006), Fundamentals of Game Design. Prentice Hall. 3. Athanassios Jimoyiannis (2012), Research on e-learning and ICT in education, New York : Springer 4. Alan J Daly (2010), Social network theory and educational change, Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard Education Press 5. John D. Sutter,† Is gaming addiction a real disorder? †, CNN, linkage retrieved from: http://www. cnn. hk/2012/08/05/tech/gaming-gadgets/gaming-addiction-dsm/index. html 5. http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=NdDmp_Ak1no.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Strategies to Improve Health in Glasgow

Strategies to Improve Health in Glasgow Improving the health of the citizens of Glasgow. Health The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines: â€Å"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.† This definition is unchanged since 1948.[1] Demography of Glasgow According to the 2002 census, Glasgow has a population of nearly 580,000. This is more than 10% of the total population of Scotland that is just over 5 million. The metropolitan area of Glasgow houses about 1.7 million people. It is the largest city in Scotland and 4th largest in the UK. Slightly fewer than 24% of the population of Glasgow are below the age of 20 and slightly more than 15% are aged over 65 with about 7% over 75. This is similar to the rest of Scotland.[2] The ethnic mix is: 96.5% white, 2.5% Asian, 1% Black, Chinese and other ethnic groups.[3] Indices of deprivation were updated in 2007[4] for England but slightly different indices are used for the four home nations of the UK. The Scottish index was produced in 2006.[5] Although there are slight differences in the criteria, eastern Glasgow has the most deprived areas in the whole of the UK. However, Glasgow is a mixed conurbation with many affluent areas too. Health Inequalities The NHS was supposed to remove health inequalities but has failed to do so. The Black Report, commissioned in 1977 and published in 1980 found that little had changed in terms of health inequalities.[6] Sir Donald Acheson’s Report of November 1998 found little evidence of improvement.[7] A seminal paper by Dr Julian Tudor Hart in 1971 coined the inverse care law.[8] â€Å"In areas with most sickness and death, general practitioners have more work, larger lists, less hospital support and inherit more clinically ineffective traditions of consultation than in the healthiest areas; and hospital doctors shoulder heavier case-loads with less staff and equipment, more obsolete buildings and suffer recurrent crises in the availability of beds and replacement staff. These trends can be summed up as the inverse care law: that the availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need of the population served.† Tackling health inequalities is a major component of the Government’s health policy. There are plenty of publications[9] but little evidence of change. Health and life expectancy have improved through all strata of society but the gradient down the social classes remains or has expanded. Some argue that this is a disgrace whilst others say that provided that there is improvement in all sections that this is an achievement. The WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health[10] was chaired by Sir Michael Marmot and looked at health inequalities not only in poor nations but also in the rich. It found that children born in the Calton area of Glasgow will live, on average, 28 years less than a person living eight miles awayinLenzie, East Dumbartonshire. There the life expectancy is 82 years compared with 79 for the whole of the UK. A Calton resident has a life expectancy of 54 years. The report said adult death rates were generally 2 ½ times higher in the most deprived parts of the UK than in the most affluent. Throughout the country and through all social classes, women live, on average, five years longer than men.[11] Mortality rates are high in Scotland, higher in Clydeside and even higher in Glasgow. They are especially high in areas of deprivation. Decreases in deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) have been offset by increases in deaths from liver disease and suicide.[12] The challenge Glasgow is probably the most challenging city in the UK to improve health, if not the most challenging in the European Union (EU). The incidence of CHD and stroke is the highest in Western Europe and most of this is attributable to modifiable risk factors.[13] Rates of cancer are also high. The incidence of lung cancer is 77 per 100,000 in Western Scotland compared with 49 per 100,000 in the rest of the UK and most of this is accounted for by smoking habits.[14] Glasgow has been called â€Å"the UK’s fattest city†[15] Obesity is well known as a risk factor for CHD and diabetes but it also contributes to the risk of many cancers. The WHO says that obesity is second only to smoking as a cause of cancer.[16] If improvement in the health of Glasgow was aimed purely at reducing smoking and obesity it could have a major impact on health. Other areas where there may be significant benefit are a reduction in drug and alcohol abuse and safe sexual practices. Substance abuse and sex are related. Most prostitutes work to fund a drug habit and much injudicious sex occurs when intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Intravenous drug use and promiscuity spread hepatitis B and HIV. Hepatitis C is very common with intravenous drug use but is less commonly sexually transmitted. Accidents and much violence result from intoxication, especially with alcohol. Between 1960 and 2002, the death rate from cirrhosis in men rose by 69% in England and Wales and 106% in Scotland. Amongst women it rose by nearly half.[17] Improving mental health is also extremely important.[18] It is often linked to substance abuse but it is difficult to decide if mental illness is caused by drug or alcohol abuse or a result of it. People often have more than one risk factor. This is why doctors use tables that examine several parameters to assess an individual’s risk.[19] Those in lower social classes are more likely to have multiple risk factors. For males, 30% in social class V have at least two or three high risk behaviours compared to fewer than 10% in social class I. For females, the figures are 20% and fewer than 5% respectively.[20] Some benefit may be obtained from improved medical services. Governments may help with alleviating poverty and economic regeneration but most intervention will be aimed at getting the individual to take responsibility for his own health. He has to understand the problem. He must want to change. He must be empowered for his own good. There is a vast amount of health promotion material that is readily available.[21] A single agency is limited in what can be achieved. It is important that many agencies and all levels of society should feel part of this great challenge to change the ways and the attitudes of the people of Glasgow. Government action Improving medical services to cope with those who suffer from the important diseases should improve outcome but disease prevention offers hope of a much greater improvement. Most of the risk factors for illness and premature death are modifiable and amenable to change by the individual. Legislation may come from the EU, UK or Scottish Government. It may change behaviour as in banning smoking in public places or it may address poverty and bad housing. Poverty is bad for health but poverty applies only to the lowest in the social scale whilst there is a gradient of health and life expectancy right across the social classes.[22] The benefit of giving money to poor families is unclear.[23] Laws may aim to curb tobacco or alcohol use. Raising taxation reduces tobacco consumption[24] and there are a number of ways of other ways of reducing alcohol consumption too.[25] Subsidy as well as taxation may make healthy food more attractive and unhealthy food less so.[26] Governments must assure funding for health promotion campaigns and may help with coordination across various departments. The NHS is an obvious department to be involved in both health promotion and provision of medical services. Education may be important in trying to change both knowledge and attitudes amongst young people. It can help to develop an interest and knowledge in healthy eating and cooking. It can aim to change attitudes to tobacco, alcohol and drugs and encourage an ethos of exercise. The Department of Trade and Industry may be involved in economic regeneration. Both the police and courts may be able to direct people with problems related to drug or alcohol abuse towards care rather than just a punitive system. The process of change Health promotion aims to get individuals to change to a healthier lifestyle. This is not easy to achieve. Change is rarely easy. It involves the individual going through several steps on the way to achieve a lasting change in habit and attitude. Health promotion initiatives The mechanism for health promotion is usually mass media campaigns. They seem to work for smoking cessation[27] and even in changing sexual behaviour in young people.[28] However, there is very little evidence about long term effects. Campaigns may be aimed at one facet or multiple risks. For example, diet, weight and exercise are intimately entwined. This may spill over into smoking, alcohol and drug abuse. Health promotion may be at a national, community or individual level. The individual level is usually when a patient is seen in a medical setting, especially general practice. Simply exhorting people to change is not enough. It must be facilitated. Most general practices have antismoking clinics where support, advice and even prescriptions to help withdrawal may be had. The subject has been extensively reviewed by both CKS[29] and NICE.[30] People must be helped to appreciate what is healthy food and that it is not more expensive than their traditional diet. Fun runs are of limited value as they are an isolated event. Changes in diet and exercise must be for life. The individual must find a form of exercise that he can manage and he likes or he will not persevere. Counselling and support for substance abusers must be available. Methadone can give stability to the life of a heroin user[31] and acamprosate can reduce the craving for alcohol[32] but counselling must not be ignored. Long term change In Europe it is usually suggested that inequalities in health are the result of inequalities in income. In the USA they focus on health literacy[33] and suggest that it is inequality in education that is responsible. As income and education tend to be related it is possible that one is a surrogate for the other. Health is worse in those of lower intelligence but this does not account for all the discrepancy.[34]. People from poorer backgrounds are more likely to smoke.[35] Smoking is the main cause of differences in death rates in middle age across socio-economic groups. In men between 35 and 69 years, it accounts for 59% of social class differences in death rates.[36] They are more likely to be obese[37] and this may be linked to the higher incidence of diabetes.[38] Abuse of alcohol is more prevalent as is drug abuse. They are more likely to experience teenage pregnancy[39] and to be involved in accidents.[40] Accidents are a major cause of death and disability in those under 45.[41] They are more common in lower social classes and in males more than females. This is not just due to high risk jobs as both poverty[42] and lower social class[43] are risk factors for children too. There is also a relationship between poverty and poor mental health.[44] However, as poor mental health causes social decline the question of cause and effect arises. Perhaps the most important aspect of long term health improvement is improvement in general education. Health literacy is closely related to general literacy.[45] People of poor health literacy have poor lifestyles, they present late with disease and are poor in compliance with management. Those with poor educational achievement have a dead end job or no job. They have low self esteem and are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, to smoke and have a poor diet. Teenage pregnancy is more common in low achievers. Improved education, improved job prospects and improved standard of living are the key to improving health. Bibliography: Social Determinants of Health by Michael Marmot and Richard Wilkinson. Oxford 2005. Promoting Health: A Practical Guide by Linda Ewles and Ina Simnett. Balliere Tindall 2003. Challenging Health Inequalities: From Acheson to Choosing Health (Health Society). Elizabeth Dowler and Nick J. Spencer. University of Bristol 2007. Footnotes: [1] World Health Organisation. WHO definition of Health. http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html [2] Upmy street.com. http://www.upmystreet.com/local/my-neighbours/population/l/Glasgow.html [3] DirectGlasgow.co.uk http://www.directglasgow.co.uk/glasgow-information/glasgow-information.asp [4] Indices of Deprivation 2007. http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/neighbourhoodrenewal/deprivation/deprivation07/ [5] Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SIMD/ [6] The Black Report. http://www.sochealth.co.uk/history/black.htm [7] The Acheson Report. . http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/doh/ih/contents.htm [8] Tudor Hart J The inverse care law. Lancet 27 Feb 1971. 1(7696):405-12. [9] Department of Health. Search on â€Å"health inequalities†. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/AdvanceSearchResult/index.htm?searchTerms=health+inequalities [10] WHO. Commission on Social Determinants of Health Final Report. 2008. http://www.who.int/social_determinants/final_report/en/ [11] Office of National Statistics. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=881 [12] Leyland AH, Dundas R, McLoone P, Boddy FA. Inequalities in Health Inequalities in mortality. MRC http://www.inequalitiesinhealth.com/public/index.php?cmd=smartyid=1_len [13] Scottish Government Health Directorates. Coronary heart disease/ stroke task force report. September 2001 http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/publications/cdtf/cdtf-05.htm [14] National Cancer Intelligence Network. News release. 7th October 2008. http://www.ncin.org.uk/press/UKIM1008press.pdf [15] The Scotsman. 10th March 2003. http://news.scotsman.com/obesity/Glasgow-digests-UKs-fattest-city.2409145.jp [16] World Health Organisation. 2008. Cancer: diet and physical activity’s impact. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/cancer/en/ [17] Leon DA, McCambridge J; Liver cirrhosis mortality rates in Britain from 1950 to 2002: an analysis of routine data. Lancet. 2006 Jan 7;367(9504):52-6. [abstract] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/16399153 [18] Scottish Public Health Observatory. Mental Health: Policy Context. http://www.scotpho.org.uk/home/Healthwell-beinganddisease/MentalHealth/mental_keypolicy.asp [19] British Hypertension Society. Proposed Joint British Societies Cardiovascular Disease. http://www.bhsoc.org/resources/prediction_chart.htm [20] Department of Health. Health Survey for England 2003. Published December 2004. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/DH_4098712 [21] Health Promotion. PatientUK. http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/16/ [22] Office of National Statistics. Variations persist in life expectancy by social class. October 2007. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/le1007.pdf [23] Lucas P, McIntosh K, Petticrew M, Roberts HM, Shiell A. Financial benefits for child health and well-being in low income or socially disadvantaged families in developed world countries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD006358. http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab006358.html [24] Leverett M, Ashe M, Gerard S, Jenson J, Woollery T. Tobacco use: the impact of prices. J Law Med Ethics. 2002 Fall;30(3 Suppl):88-95. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12508509 [25] Scottish Government. Effective and Cost Effective Measures to Reduce Alcohol Misuse in Scotland: An Update to the Literature Review. 2005. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/01/20542/50232 [26] Caraher M, Cowburn G. Taxing food: implications for public health nutrition. Public Health Nutr. 2005 Dec;8(8):1242-9. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/16372919 [27] Bala M, Strzeszynski L, Cahill K. Mass media interventions for smoking cessation in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004704. http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004704.html [28] Delgado HM, Austin SB. Can media promote responsible sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults? Curr Opin Pediatr. 2007 Aug;19(4):405-10. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/17630603 [29] CKS Library. Smoking cessation. 2007. http://www.cks.library.nhs.uk/smoking_cessation [30] NICE. Smoking cessation. March 2006 http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byIDo=11375 [31] Department of Health. Drug misuse and dependence. UK Guidelines on clinical management. http://www.nta.nhs.uk/areas/Clinical_guidance/clinical_guidelines/docs/clinical_guidelines_2007.pdf [32] Kranzler HR, Gage A. Acamprosate efficacy in alcohol-dependent patients: summary of results from three pivotal trials. Am J Addict. 2008 Jan-Feb;17(1):70-6. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez /18214726 [33] Committee on Health Literacy, Institute of Medicine, Nielsen-Bohlman LN, Panzer AM, Kindig DA, eds. Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion. Washington DC: The National Academies Press; 2004. [34] Batty GD, Der G, Macintyre S, et al; Does IQ explain socioeconomic inequalities in health? Evidence from a population based cohort study in the west of Scotland.; BMJ. 2006 Mar 11;332(7541):580-4. Epub 2006 Feb 1. [full text] http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/332/7541/580 [35] Jefferis BJ, Power C, Graham H, Manor O. Changing social gradients in cigarette smoking and cessation over two decades of adult follow-up in a British birth cohort. J Public Health (Oxf). 2004 Mar;26(1):13-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15044567 [36] Jha P, Peto R, Zatonski W, Boreham J, Jarvis MJ, Lopez AD. Social inequalities in male mortality, and in male mortality from smoking: indirect estimation from national death rates in England and Wales, Poland, and North America. Lancet. 2006 Jul 29;368(9533):367-70. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11226355 [37] James WPT, Nelson M, Ralph A et al. Socioeconomic determinants of health: the contribution of nutrition to inequalities in health. BMJ 1997;314(7093):1545–1549. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/314/7093/1545 [38] Office of National Statistics. Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes mellitus in general practice in England and Wales,1994 to 1998. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/article.asp?ID=1519Pos=1ColRank=1Rank=224 [39] McCulloch A. Teenage childbearing in Great Britain and the spatial concentration of poverty households. J Epidemiol Community Health.2001 Jan;55(1):16-23. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=retrievedb=PubMeddopt=Abstractlist_uids=11112946 [40] Khambalia A, Joshi P, Brussoni M, Raina P, Morrongiello B, Macarthur C. Risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0-6 years: a systematic review. Inj Prev. 2006 Dec;12(6):378-81. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17170185 [41] Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. General Accident. January 2007. http://www.rospa.org.uk/factsheets/general_accidents.pdf [42] Khambalia A, Joshi P, Brussoni M, Raina P, Morrongiello B, Macarthur C. Risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0-6 years: a systematic review. Inj Prev. 2006 Dec;12(6):378-81. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17170185 [43] Kemp A, Sibert J. Childhood accidents: epidemiology, trends, and prevention. J Accid Emerg Med. 1997 Sep;14(5):316-20. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9315935 [44] Payne S. Poverty and Mental Health in the Breadline Britain Survey. 1999. http://www.bris.ac.uk/poverty/pse/99-Pilot/99-Pilot_4.pdf [45] Kutner M, Greenberg E, Jin Y, Paulsen C. The Health Literacy of Americas Adults: Results From the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NCES 2006-483). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, US Department of Education; 2006.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

The Atrocious Bombing of Dresden, Germany :: European Europe History

The Atrocious Bombing of Dresden, Germany On February 13-14, 1945 the British Royal Air Force gave the final clearance to commence what would later become known as one of the greatest atrocities that has ever been commited against a civilian population. That night the RAF launched 796 bombers and 9 Mosquitoes which carried 1,478 tons of explosives in addition to 1,182 tons of incendiary bombs (Dear 311) which turned the city of Dresden, Germany into a virtual inferno. This attack included another strike by the US Air Force the following morning. The attack on Dresden was never a legitimate act of war, and its result was the terroristic mass murder of over 135,000 people. Bombing civilian targets in enemy territory became an open issue on March 30, 1942 when the Prime Minister's science advisor, Professor F.A. Lindemann (who later was recognized as Lord Cherwell) delivered to Winston Churchill a report which contained a strong argument in favor of striking civilian targets. Cherwell's report contained the final rationalization for the program Bomber Command was undertaking, and it would henceforth be paper-clipped to the plans of the bomber offensive. (Hastings). In his report, Lindemann estimated that forty tons of explosives detonated in heavily populated areas would destroy the homes of 4,000-8,000 people. The report also stated that there was a population of 22 million people in fifty-eight of the major cities in Germany. Lindemann claimed that a nation of refugees could be the result of strategic air attacks. It is wildly believed among scholars that the information cont.ained in this report was the basis of the attack on Dresden. Lindemann's figures were correct, but his thinking was immoral and inhumane. The people to whom his statistics referred so objectively were innocent civilians, more than half of them women and children. The assault upon them was nothing more that out-right murder. Any benefit gained by destroying these civilians. lives, families, and homes was countered ten-fold by the moral reprehensibility of such a clearly criminal act. The city of Dresden was a historic center of Europe, and was known world wide for its splendid architecture. It was the capital of Saxony, and located along the banks of the Elbe river. Dresden had very little industrial activity, and it was a target only once before in a small raid by the US Air Force in October of 1944. It was a city that was also known for its production of fine China, and its glorious museums (Dear 311).