Paul Krugman, in Praise of Cheap Labor Bad Jobs at Bad Wages Are Better Than No Jobs at All.

In Praise of Cheap Labor Bad jobs at bad wages are better than no jobs at all. By  Paul Krugman|Posted Friday, March 21, 1997, at 3:30 AM ET For many years a huge Manila garbage dump known as Smokey Mountain was a favorite media symbol of Third World poverty. Several thousand men, women, and children lived on that dump–enduring the stench, the flies, and the toxic waste in order to make a living combing the garbage for scrap metal and other recyclables. And they lived there voluntarily, because the $10 or so a squatter family could clear in a day was better than the alternatives. Advertisement The squatters are gone now, forcibly removed by Philippine police last year as a cosmetic move in advance of a Pacific Rim summit. But I found myself thinking about Smokey Mountain recently, after reading my latest batch of hate mail. The occasion was an op-ed piece I had written for theNew York Times, in which I had pointed out that while wages and working conditions in the new export industries of the Third World are appalling, they are a big improvement over the â€Å"previous, less visible rural poverty. I guess I should have expected that this comment would generate letters along the lines of, â€Å"Well, if you lose your comfortable position as an American professor you can always find another job–as long as you are 12 years old and willing to work for 40 cents an hour. † Such moral outrage is common among the opponents of globalization–of the transfer of technology and capital from high-wage to low-wage countries and the resulting growth of labor-intensive Third World exports. These critics take it as a given that anyone with a good word for this process is naive or corrupt and, in either case, a de facto agent of global capital in its oppression of workers here and abroad. But matters are not that simple, and the moral lines are not that clear. In fact, let me make a counter-accusation: The lofty moral tone of the opponents of globalization is possible only because they have chosen not to think their position through. While fat-cat capitalists might benefit from globalization, the biggest beneficiaries are, yes, Third World workers. After all, global poverty is not something recently invented for the benefit of multinational corporations. Let's turn the clock back to the Third World as it was only two decades ago (and still is, in many countries). In those days, although the rapid economic growth of a handful of small Asian nations had started to attract attention, developing countries like Indonesia or Bangladesh were still mainly what they had always been: exporters of raw materials, importers of manufactures. Inefficient manufacturing sectors served their domestic markets, sheltered behind import quotas, but generated few jobs. Meanwhile, population pressure pushed desperate peasants into cultivating ever more marginal land or seeking a livelihood in any way possible–such as homesteading on a mountain of garbage. Given this lack of other opportunities, you could hire workers in Jakarta or Manila for a pittance. But in the mid-'70s, cheap labor was not enough to allow a developing country to compete in world markets for manufactured goods. The entrenched advantages of advanced nations–their infrastructure and technical know-how, the vastly larger size of their markets and their proximity to suppliers of key components, their political stability and the subtle-but-crucial social adaptations that are necessary to operate an efficient economy–seemed to outweigh even a tenfold or twentyfold disparity in wage rates. A  nd then something changed. Some combination of factors that  we still don't fully understand–lower tariff barriers, improved telecommunications, cheaper air transport–reduced the disadvantages of producing in developing countries. (Other things being the same, it is still better to produce in the First World–stories of companies that moved production to Mexico or East Asia, then moved back after experiencing the disadvantages of the Third World environment, are common. In a substantial number of industries, low wages allowed developing countries to break into world markets. And so countries that had previously made a living selling jute or coffee started producing shirts and sneakers instead. Workers in those shirt and sneaker factories are, inevitably, paid very little and expected to endure terrible working conditions. I say â€Å"inevitably† because their employers are not in business for their (or their workers') health; they pay as little as po ssible, and that minimum is determined by the other opportunities available to workers. And these are still extremely poor countries, where living on a garbage heap is attractive compared with the alternatives. And yet, wherever the new export industries have grown, there has been measurable improvement in the lives of ordinary people. Partly this is because a growing industry must offer a somewhat higher wage than workers could get elsewhere in order to get them to move. More importantly, however, the growth of manufacturing–and of the penumbra of other jobs that the new export sector creates–has a ripple effect throughout the economy. The pressure on the land becomes less intense, so rural wages rise; the pool of unemployed urban dwellers always anxious for work shrinks, so factories start to compete with each other for workers, and urban wages also begin to rise. Where the process has gone on long enough–say, in South Korea or Taiwan–average wages start to approach what an American teen-ager can earn at McDonald's. And eventually people are no longer eager to live on garbage dumps. (Smokey Mountain persisted because the Philippines, until recently, did not share in the export-led growth of its neighbors. Jobs that pay better than scavenging are still few and far between. ) The benefits of export-led economic growth to the mass of people in the newly industrializing economies are not a matter of conjecture. A country like Indonesia is still so poor that progress can be measured in terms of how much the average person gets to eat; since 1970, per capita intake has risen from less than 2,100 to more than 2,800 calories a day. A shocking one-third of young children are still malnourished–but in 1975, the fraction was more than half. Similar improvements can be seen throughout the Pacific Rim, and even in places like Bangladesh. These improvements have not taken place because well-meaning people in the West have done anything to help–foreign aid, never large, has lately shrunk to virtually nothing. Nor is it the result of the benign policies of national governments, which are as callous and corrupt as ever. It is the indirect and unintended result of the actions of soulless multinationals and rapacious local entrepreneurs, whose only concern was to take advantage of the profit opportunities offered by cheap labor. It is not an edifying spectacle; but no matter how base the motives of those involved, the result has been to move hundreds of millions of people from abject poverty to something still awful but nonetheless significantly better. Why, then, the outrage of my correspondents? Why does the image of an Indonesian sewing sneakers for 60 cents an hour evoke so much more feeling than the image of another Indonesian earning the equivalent of 30 cents an hour trying to feed his family on a tiny plot of land–or of a Filipino scavenging on a garbage heap? The main answer, I think, is a sort of fastidiousness. Unlike the starving subsistence farmer, the women and children in the sneaker factory are working at slave wages  for our benefit–and this makes us feel unclean. And so there are self-righteous demands for international labor standards: We should not, the opponents of globalization insist, be willing to buy those sneakers and shirts unless the people who make them receive decent wages and work under decent conditions. This sounds only fair–but is it? Let's think through the consequences. First of all, even if we could assure the workers in Third World export industries of higher wages and better working conditions, this would do nothing for the peasants, day laborers, scavengers, and so on who make up the bulk of these countries' populations. At best, forcing developing countries to adhere to our labor standards would create a privileged labor aristocracy, leaving the poor majority no better off. And it might not even do that. The advantages of established First World industries are still formidable. The only reason developing countries have been able to compete with those industries is their ability to offer employers cheap labor. Deny them that ability, and you might well deny them the prospect of continuing industrial growth, even reverse the growth that has been achieved. And since export-oriented growth, for all its injustice, has been a huge boon for the workers in those nations, anything that curtails that growth is very much against their interests. A policy of good jobs in principle, but no jobs in practice, might assuage our consciences, but it is no favor to its alleged beneficiaries. You may say that the wretched of the earth should not be forced to serve as hewers of wood, drawers of water, and sewers of sneakers for the affluent. But what is the alternative? Should they be helped with foreign aid? Maybe–although the historical record of regions like southern Italy suggests that such aid has a tendency to promote perpetual dependence. Anyway, there isn't the slightest prospect of significant aid materializing. Should their own governments provide more social justice? Of course–but they won't, or at least not because we tell them to. And as long as you have no realistic alternative to industrialization based on low wages, to oppose it means that you are willing to deny desperately poor people the best chance they have of progress for the sake of what amounts to an aesthetic standard–that is, the fact that you don't like the idea of workers being paid a pittance to supply rich Westerners with fashion items. In short, my correspondents are not entitled to their self-righteousness. They have not thought the matter through. And when the hopes of hundreds of millions are at stake, thinking things through is not just good intellectual practice. It is a moral duty

Management of Patients With Structural Infectious Essay

1. Ariane Waters, 21 years of age, is a female patient who is admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Ariane had her tongue and nose pierced 6 weeks ago. The drug screen is negative. She presents with tricuspid insufficiency murmur grade II, and a temperature of 104Â °F. The patient complains of extreme fatigue, and anorexia. The echocardiogram reveals vegetations on the tricuspid valve. a. What risk factors predisposed Ms. Waters to develop infective endocarditis? b. Explain the pathophysiology of infective endocarditis as it relates to this case. c. What additional clinical manifestations should the nurse include in the assessment of the patient? d. What medical management should the nurse anticipate for the patient? e. What nursing management should be provided for the patient and family? 2. Mrs. Robbins, a 58-year-old patient with suspected aortic stenosis, presents to the cardiac care clinic for evaluation. About 1 month ago she noticed that she was having increasing difficulty completing the 2-mile walk that she had been doing for the last 5 years. The cardiologist has ordered a Doppler echocardiogram to diagnose aortic stenosis definitively. a. On this visit, Mrs. Robbins states that she is having difficulty sleeping and has episodes of chest pain. How does the nurse correlate these clinical manifestations to aortic stenosis? b. The nurse assesses Mrs. Robbins for what types of heart sounds that are consistent with aortic stenosis?

Marketing Is Easy to Define Outline Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marketing Is Easy to Define - Outline Example This paper stresses that marketing is considered as a process that would help identify products or services that would entice consumers through employing strategies that utilize business development, sales and communications. In essence, it is a process that entails businesses to establish strong consumer relationships and build value towards the business' consumers. Marketing is a process utilized to determine consumer markets, satisfy them and retain them. In that regard, it is important to identify the concept of customer satisfaction. In retrospect, as a means to achieve organizational goals, a business must be able to identify the needs and wants of the target market and in accordance with this, provide customer satisfaction. Apart from establishing good relationships, creating value towards the customer, this would be beneficial towards the business as well. This paper makes a conclusion that marketing can be defined as a constructive analysis of a business' customers, competitors and a company, which would be integrated into an understanding of what segmented markets are, assessing the profitable groups, effectively positioning products and services, which is then subsequently followed on the delivering what is required in product positioning and promotion. In effectively positioning a product, a marketing strategy must be employed. Through implementing appropriate brand and advertising techniques by means of various communication tools and instruments, marketing measures can be delivered.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Research Paper

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Research Paper Example When Congress identified the need to share information among the department involved in the homeland security mission, it created an act in 2002 (Randol, 2010). The act defined the relationship between the departments concerned. Critics observed that the mandate of the Department of Homeland Security could be susceptible to challenge if the congress did not constitute an act, which protected the operation of the department. The act passed by the Congress defined the framework of activities, which were relevant to the promotion of interest of the America people. The legality of the organization must have a backing from the constitution. This explains the move made by the Congress to initiate an act, which could support the mandate of the organization in full. DHS has developed various changes in activities that it discharges to the society from its inception to date. The inception of the DHS defined its mandate, which included being a member of the Intelligence Community. This mandate subjected the organization to liaison between other relevant organizations in fighting the menace of terror attacks. However, major adjustment has occurred in the organization, which includes the following. The establishment of Intelligence and Analysis department within the organization in 2003 led to the reorganization of duties performed by the organization. The mandate of the Intelligence and Analysis department was to fuse, coordinate, and analyze the information received by the organization (Randol, 2010). The idea that propelled the move was to create a common picture in the operation of the organization. The intelligence and Analysis department acted as a bridge between the Intelligence Community and the DHS. The ability of the firm to discharge its mandate effectively depended on common operation idea, which involved the support of the state, private sector and the local partners. The commonality in handling the information of the DHS was very crucial

Hindu Religions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hindu Religions - Essay Example This power transforms the truths propounded by them into an inward reality† (http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap30.htm). The Upanisads stress on the knowledge of ‘the Self.’ The sacred mantras like ‘Tat Vam Asi’ meaning – ‘That Thou Art’ and ‘Aham Bramah Asmi’ meaning ‘I am the Brahman’- are the essence of the Upanisads . The Bhagavad- Gita on the other hand, reiterates the necessity of knowing the Self, and also performing one’s duties, without attachment to the results. Sri Krishna says in Chapter II, verse 47, â€Å"Thou art entitled to work alone, not to its results.† This verse, in a nutshell, states that while it is important for man to ‘know the Self,’ he should continue to perform his duties devoid of any attachment to the results (http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-02-46.html). While the Upanisads generally stressed on knowledge more than action, the Bhaga vad- Gita revealed that knowledge is to be gained in the process of one performing his duties without any selfish motive or attachment to the reward.... stly community, the Kshatriyas or the warrior/royal community, the Vaisyas or the trading communities and the Sudras or the community that does hard manual labor. Some Scholars hold that, the caste system began originally as a system of classification indicating the division of labor in the society (http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part20/chap5.htm). 3) What are the gender roles and status of women in Hinduism Hinduism deems women equal to men in abilities; this is proved by the fact that all important aspects of life, like knowledge, wealth, and courage are all given feminine personalities (Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi). Even the rivers are considered to be women, like The Ganges is call the 'Ganga Matha' or Mother Ganga. However, for establishing order and hierarchy in the society and clear division of labor, women are classified as under the rule of men (http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part17/chap15.htm). 4) What did you discover from your exploration of Hindu Temples Hindu temples are a place of high activity, with color and rituals forming an important part of worship. The temples depict mythological stories, as well as stories from everyday life, which go to prove that Hinduism is rather, more than a religion, it is a way of living (http://www.mypurohith.com/Epics/Hinduism.asp). 5) What are Hindu concerns about nature Hinduism incorporates into it respect of nature and preservation of ecology - which is why the mountains, the rivers, the trees and the land are all sacred places. Every Hindu is to purify himself by going on a pilgrimage to visit the Holy Ganga (river), the Mount Kailash, which is the abode of Shiva - one of the Trinities, carry the water from the Ganges and mingle them in the sea waters of Rameshwaram (South India), take the

Tesla Motors - Evaluating a Growth Company Case Study

Tesla Motors - Evaluating a Growth Company - Case Study Example However, it has the advantage over its competitors as it had developed the first electric car, Model S, which no other company has developed. If the market welcomes it, then the cash inflow in terms of income will rise and depict active growth. The major disadvantage of the Model used by Tesla is that it faces stiff competition from big companies like GM, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, and BMW which offers prestigious cars at relatively lower prices. As the market stands, the sales volume of its new model is relatively small, and this is a disadvantage considering its substantial investment in the production. The financial position of Tesla will improve in the future. The projection of Tesla fiscal standing will depict positive deviations. The sales volume will be over US $20,105 Million. The operating profit will double to US $ 2000 up from the current US $940 million. The net income will hit US $ 960 with a net margin of 4.43%. However, the operating margin will be 15% up from the current 8.46%. Additionally, its cost of production per unit will drop significantly, and the overall expenditure in production will decrease. The primary assumption made when making these assumptions is that the market for the electric car unveiled by Tesla will stabilize by 2025. As such, the sales volume of the company will rise and stabilize. Its market coverage will increase, and this will increase its customer base. It is assumed that by 2025, organization that campaign for environmental conservation will advocate for the use of vehicles that do not pollute the atmosphere. Therefore, Tesla’s brand will get a boost from the organizations that will want to become socially responsible. The increased operating margin and net income margin will be due to the uncertainty in the market and the rising market rivalry in competition. Most importantly, Tesla will out-compete its competitors as it will have efficient production machines and systems to produce its cars

2000 word essay - subject PDAS301 - People, Organisations and

2000 word - subject PDAS301 - People, Organisations and Adminisration - Essay Example S. Pugh, as â€Å"the study of structure functioning and performance of organisations and of the behavior of groups and individuals working in them† (Murugan). These principles provide significant purpose to managers and members of such organizations as well as students of management, business and sociology courses. These principles are moreover, broadly categorised into the classical approach, the neo-classical approach, the modern approach and the post-modern approach. The distinctions among these different approaches lie on the primary focus with which they give importance to. In the classical approach, for example, what is given significant importance are the technical aspects of organizations like formal structures, management, and principles of organisation. Theorists belonging to this approach are Frederick Taylor, Henri Fayol, and Max Weber. The neo-classical approach, on the other hand, gives emphasis on the human aspects of organisations like motivations, behavior and conduct of people involved in the organization. Some of the theorists in this approach are Elton Mayo, Abraham Maslow, Mary Parker Follett and Douglas McGregor. The modern approach, on the other hand, combines the best of both classical and neo-classical approaches by giving emphasis both on the form and structures of organizations and the human factor. Researchers and writers who patterned their research along this model are Chester Barnard, Herbert Simon, and Amatai Etzoini . Finally, the post-modern approach, the least rigid and the most flexible, does not subscribe to any particular form or rule of organizations but stresses that organizations should adapt to internal and external factors surrounding them. Post-modernist theorists are Tom Greenfield, Tom Sergiovanni and Gareth Morgan, among others (Mullins 1999). This paper will examine four theorists representing each of the different organization and management approaches: Max Weber, of the classical approach, and

The presentation for nursing research PowerPoint

The for nursing research - PowerPoint Presentation Example Even though the author does not directly communicate a research question for the study, this can be deduced from the research objective and the title. The research question would therefore be, ‘what are the effects of alcohol consumption on sexual behaviour of young women, between 16 and 24 years?’ The article also lacks a research hypothesis but this can be implied from the research question and the research objective. The implied null hypothesis is the statement that alcohol consumption does not affect sexual behaviour of young women between, 16 and 24 years (McMunn, 2008). The article’s literature review is explorative and establishes sufficient background information for the research. It for example explores literature on alcohol consumption by age and gender to identify a specific interest in young women, and impacts of alcohol on their behaviour. The review’s findings are also consistent with existing literature that the group of women between the age of 16 years and 24 years are heavy drinkers. The literature review is therefore comprehensive enough to identify the research problem (Plant, 2009). Strengths and weaknesses of sampling procedures The research applied simple random sampling approach, based on attendance to a given care facility. This is defined by the fact that the young women who attended the facility were a sample of the entire population of women of the particular age group. Simple random sampling has a number of strengths and weaknesses in its application in a research. One of its major strengths is its simplicity that allows a researcher to implement a research design with ease. It therefore offers no technicality that may further induce inefficiency in the data collection process (Ellison, Barwick and Farrant, 2009). The sampling design also has the ability to be used even without a prior knowledge of the target population by the researcher. This also facilitates its ease of application (Aday and Cornelius, 2 011). Simple random sampling also has the strength of eliminating bias in sampling as the each element in the sample space has equal chance of being included in the sample and the researcher lacks control on specific members of the population to be sampled. In the case for instance, the research was limited to those women who attended the facility and the researcher could not study other women who did not register for the facility’s services (McMunn, 2008). The applied sampling procedure also has a number of limitations. While it is simple to apply, it may fail to generate a representative sample. Especially in cases where the target population has identifiable sub groups. Consequently, the applied sampling approach, simple random sampling, may not be suitable for making inferences. This is because in differentiated subgroup and in case the random approach only selects members of a few sub groups, then the generated results would be limited to such groups and not the entire p opulation (McMunn, 2008). Another weakness of the applied approach is the fact that it might not yield efficiency in sampling. This is a consequence of the possibility of a non representative data, especially in a quantitative research (Aday and Cornelius, 2011). Simple random sampling is also a weak approach in a time series research as well as in handling data whose

Tourism and Its Impact on a Country's Image Research Paper

Tourism and Its Impact on a Country's Image - Research Paper Example 903). The power of image to significantly influence the outlook of individuals has been known from long. Thus, social psychologists had identified image as an affirmative and potent phenomenon, while the present day marketing research has extensively explored the capacity of brand and other images to guide consumer behavior (Elliot, Papadopoulos, & Kim, 2011, p. 521). The power of image is clearly discernible in tourism; and several important writings in the 1970s served to highlight the importance of image in anticipating travel behavior. As a consequence, tourism destination image (TDI) has emerged as an important perspective of research (Elliot, Papadopoulos, & Kim, 2011, p. 521). Several studies have been conducted with respect to the effect of image on traveler choice. However, the diversity in conceptualizations of place image denotes the absence of a theoretical basis and the fact that the research has been disjointed (Elliot, Papadopoulos, & Kim, 2011, p. 521). Among the sign ificant sectors of the economy that are experiencing rapid growth, tourism occupies a very important place. This sector has to countenance the possibilities and challenges that are posed by globalization. Tourism markets have traditionally been isolated from one another (Navickas & Malakauskaite, 2009, p. 37). An important development during the past few decades has been the diffusion of the boundaries between national businesses. The income of individuals and families has experienced a gradual increase, which in turn has made it attractive for them to travel longer distances, as tourists (Navickas & Malakauskaite, 2009, p. 37). Moreover, global tourism has benefitted enormously on account of the enhancement in the quality of tourist products and services, ingenious tourism marketing strategies, developments in communications and transport, and other related factors (Navickas & Malakauskaite, 2009, p. 37). The ever burgeoning tourism market is being avidly scrutinized by countries t hat are keen to control the major share of the profits of this industry. This especially holds good for countries that are dependent on tourism, and which depend almost exclusively on the travel industry and tourism to generate the much needed revenues (Navickas & Malakauskaite, 2009, p. 37). Contemporary existence is within a regime of super brands. This makes it out of the ordinary to consider a city, state, region or nation as a brand. The benefit of having brands is that the consumer finds it much less intricate to make a selection and that the consumer enjoys a particular brand (Gruescu, Pirvu, & Nanu, 2008, p. 253). If a place is to be rendered a center for the promotion and acceleration of economic development, then it seems logical to manage it as a brand. Such branding will procure an improved value and identity in what is essentially an ever increasingly competitive market (Gruescu, Pirvu, & Nanu, 2008, p. 253). It is essential for a branded approach to bring in focus, con sistency and to provide leadership that brings together community partners. In addition, such approach should ensure that it emerges as the fulcrum for adding value to customers; and this should be promoted by the combined marketing initiatives of the city (Gruescu, Pirvu, & Nanu, 2008, p. 253). In the context of the advanced economies of Central Europe, the chief driving forces of foreign policy have been accession to the European Union and integration into the global economy. In several instances, there has been

Electronic Health Records and Our Government Essay Example for Free

Electronic Health Records and Our Government Essay Electronic Health Records involvement in health care reform is at the main focus of lowering the cost to make care more affordable and improvement in the quality of care patients receive. The transition to electronic health records for the last couple years have been driven by offered incentives through the government. As the time pass by the popularity of electronic health record system increase more and more. EHR Systems involvement with government health care reforms in 2010 Financial incentives were aligned to encourage the adoption of EHR. To further support the transition to EHR funds were also provided to train health care professionals on how to us EHR in a meaningful manner. The incentives decline every year until 2015 when it will then be mandatory. After the deadline of 2015 not being in compliance will result in being penalized financially. In order to receive the incentives there are very specific guidelines and requirements that must be fulfilled. Some examples of requirements are EHR systems that record BMI (body mass index), patient demographics, as well as 40% of prescriptions must be submitted electronically. EHR Systems involvement with government health care reforms in 2011 The reporting year begins for eligible professions on January 1st. Medicare EMR incentive program registration began in January 3rd. In April Attestation began. In May Payments began. July 3rd was the last day for eligible hospitals to begin their 90 day reporting period to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EMR incentive program. September 30th was the last day of reporting year ends for eligible hospitals. October 1st was the last day for eligible professionals to begin their 90 day reporting period for calendar year 2011. December 31st the reporting year ends for  eligible professions. Out of 57% of office based physicians that were using HER systems only 34% met the criteria to receive incentives. (CDC) EHR Systems involvement with government health care reforms in 2013 According to the CDC By this time fifty percent of doctors and eighty percent of hospitals were receiving incentives for using EHR meaningfully. Before the encouragement of transitioning to EHR by presi dent Obama only seventeen percent of physicians were using it. (U.S. Department of Health Human Services) It was predicted by the congressional budget office that â€Å"the federal government will be saving close to twelve billion by converting to electronic health records†.(U.S. Department of Health Human Services) WORKS CITED Hsiao, Chun-ju, and Esther Hing. Electronic Health Record Systems and Intent to Apply for Meaningful Use Incentives Among Office-based Physician Practices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 07 Mar. 2012. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. HHS. News. Doctors and Hospitals Use of Health IT More than Doubles since 2012. U.S. Department of Health Humanservices, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. Pear, Robert. Standards Issued for Electronic Health Records. THE NEW YORK TIMES. NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY, 13 July 2010. Web.Schiling, Brian. Quality Matters. The Federal Government Has Put Billions into Promoting Electronic Health Record Use: How Is It Going? THE Comonwealth Fund, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. Feris, Nancy. Electronic Health Record Standards. Health Affairs. Project Hope, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.

International marketing research

International marketing research Introduction One of the most striking developments of recent decades has been the globalization of business. The growth of world trade requires more information about foreign markets and companies which expand into new and unknown markets must possess the information about the demand and conditions of these markets. Companies invade not only into such developed markets as Europe, US and Japan, but also into the unstable but growing markets of Latin America, the politically uncertain markets of the Middle East and Russia, and the rapidly changing markets of South East Asia and the emerging African markets[1]. The development of new communication and information technologies change the lifestyle, consumption behavior and purchasing patterns of different nations. All this indicates that the marketing research in global environment has become essential. The purpose of this paper is to give definition of the international marketing research and describe the factors which influence the marketing research in different countries. The paper also deals with the steps of international marketing research process and its main categories. The advantages and disadvantages of collecting secondary and primary data and survey methods of international marketing research are presented in the paper. Finally, the problems which may occur in the international marketing research are summed up. 1. Marketing Research in a Global Environment Marketing research practices and techniques have become truly global. For example, the worlds largest research firm, Nielsen, is headquartered in the U.S. but derives almost two-thirds of its revenue from outside the U.S. It is standardizing much of the data it routinely collects in 27 different countries. International marketing managers make the same basic types of decisions as do those who operate in only one country. Of course, they make these decisions in a more complicated environment. As with marketing decisions, the basic function of marketing research and the research process does not differ between domestic and multinational research. However, the process is complicated almost exponentially as more and more countries are involved in the same decision. The main factors which influence the marketing research in different countries are 1. Cultural differences. Culture refers to widely shared norms or patterns of behavior of a large group of people[2]. It is the values, attitudes, beliefs, artifacts and other meaningful symbols represented in the pattern of life adopted by people that help them interpret, evaluate and communicate as members of society[3]. A company which works on the international market is in need of cross cultural awareness. Cross cultural differences (language, non-verbal communication, different norms and values) may cause cross cultural blunders. There are examples of cultural blunders in the marketing mix. Product. When a soft drink was launched in Arab countries, it has a label with six-pointed stars. The sales were very low as the stars were associated with Israel. Price. An American firm was willing to set a reasonable price for the product they intended to sell to the Japanese. A detailed presentation was made to the Japanese businessmen, but it was followed by a deep silence. The Americans thought that the Japanese were going to reject the price and offered a lower price. The Japanese kept silence again. After that the Americans lowered the price again saying that it was the lowest they could sell at. After a brief silence the offer was accepted. Later the Japanese confessed that the first offered price was quite acceptable, but they had a tradition to think over the offer silently. An American company suffered great losses in this case. Place. A company wanted to enter the Spanish market with two-liter drinks bottles and failed. Soon they found out that Spaniards prefer small door fridges and they could not put large bottles into them. Promotion. Pepsico came to Taiwan with the ad Come Alive with Pepsi. They could not imagine that is it translated Pepsi will bring your relatives back from the dead into Chinese. 2. Racial Differences. This refers to the differences in physical features of people in different countries[4]. For example, types of hair cut and cosmetic products differ greatly in various countries. 3. Climatic Differences. These are the meteorological conditions such as temperature range or degree of rain. For example, Bosch-Siemens adapted their washing machines to the markets they sell. In Scandinavia, where there are very few sunny days, they sell washing machines with a minimum spin cycle of 1,000 rpm and a maximum of 1,600 rpm, whereas in Italy and Spain a spin cycle of 500 rpm is enough. 4. Economic Differences. Economic development of various countries is different and when a company introduces a new product it adapts it to that new market. There are factors which show the level of economic development Buying power and revenue of the market. In developed countries with higher income of revenue people prefer complicated product with advanced functions, while in poor countries simple product are preferable. The infrastructure of the market. Such elements of the infrastructure of the country as transport, communication system and others influence the product. When Suzuki entering the Indian market the suspension was reinforced as the state of roads in India is very poor. 5. Religious Differences. Religion affects the product greatly and makes companies adapt their product to religious norms. If a company exports grocery products to Islamic countries it must have a special certificate indicating that the animal was slaughtered according to Halal methods. 6. Historical Differences. Historical differences affect the consumer behavior. For instance, Scotch whiskey is considered fashionable in Italy and not very trendy in Scotland. 7. Language Differences. The correct translation and language adaptation is very important. For example, when Proctor Gamble entered the Polish markets it translated properly its labels but failed. Later they found out that imperfect language must have been used in order to show that the company fits in. Besides the differences mentioned above, there may be differences in the way that products or services are used, differences in the criteria for assessing products or services across various markets and differences in market research facilities and capabilities[5]. 2. International Marketing Research Process a. International Marketing Research Categories International marketing research is the systematic design, collection, recording, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of information pertinent to a particular marketing decision facing a company operating internationally. International marketing managers need to constantly monitor the different forces affecting their international operations[6]. There are three general categories of research based on the type of information required. Exploratory research deals with discovering the general nature of the problem and the variables that relate to it. Exploratory research is characterized by a high degree of flexibility, and it tends to rely on secondary data, convenience or judgment samples, small-scale surveys or simple experiments, case analyses, and subjective evaluation of the results. Descriptive research is focused on the accurate description of the variables in the problem model. Consumer profile studies, market-potential studies, product-usage studies, attitude surveys, sales analyses, media research, and price surveys are examples of descriptive research. Any source of information can be used in a descriptive study, although most studies of this nature rely heavily on secondary data sources and survey research. Causal research attempts to specify the nature of the functional relationship between two or more variables in the problem model. For example, studies on the effectiveness of advertising generally attempt to discover the extent to which advertising causes sales or attitude change. There are three types of evidence to make inferences about causation: (1) concomitant variation, (2) sequence of occurrence, and (3) absence of other potential casual factors. Concomitant variation, or invariant association, is a common basis for ascrib ­ing cause. For example, the advertising expenditures vary across a number of geographic areas and measure sales in each area. To the extent that high sales occur in areas with large advertising expenditures and low sales occur in areas with limited advertising expenditures, it is inferred that advertising is a cause of sales. It must be stressed that this have been only inferred, it is not proved that increased advertising causes increased sales. Sequence of occurrence can also provide evidence of causation. For one event to cause another, it must always precede it. An event that occurs after another event cannot be said to cause the first event. The importance of sequence can be demonstrated in the last example of advertising causing sales. It is supposed that further investigation showed that the advertising allocation to the geo ­graphic regions had been based on the last periods sales such that the level of advertising was directly related to past sales. Suddenly, the nature of our causal relationship is reversed. Now, because of the sequence of events, it can be inferred that changes in sales levels cause changes in advertising levels. A final type of evidence that is used to infer causality is the absence of other potential causal factors. That is, if one could logically or through our research design eliminate all possible causative factors except the one he/she is interested in, he/she would have established that the variable he/she is concerned with was the causative factor. Unfortunately, it is never possible to control completely or to eliminate all possible causes for any particular event. Always there is a possibility that some factor of which one is not aware has influenced the results. However, if all reasonable alternatives are eliminated except one, one can have a high degree of confidence in the remaining variable. b. Steps of International Marketing Research Process The international marketing research process as well as domestic one is a serious of separate steps. However, the international marketing research process has some peculiarities such as the national differences between countries arising out of political, legal, economic, social and cultural differences and, the comparability of research results due to these differences[7]. Step 1. Research Problem Definition. Problem definition is the most critical part of the research process. Research problem definition involves specifying the information needed by manage ­ment. Unless the problem is properly defined, the information produced by the research process is unlikely to have any value. Step 2. Information Value Estimation. Information has value only to the extent that it improves decisions. The value of information increases as (1) the cost of a wrong de ­cision increases, (2) our level of knowledge as to the correct decision de ­creases, and (3) the accuracy of the information the research will provide increases. The principle involved in deciding whether to do more research is that research should be conducted only when the value of the information to be obtained is expected to be greater than the cost of obtaining it. Step 3. Selection of the Data Collection Approach. There are three basic data collection approaches in international marketing research: (1) secondary data, (2) survey data, and (3) experimental data. Secondary data were collected for other purpose than helping to solve the current problem. Primary data are collected expressly to help solve the problem at hand. Survey and experimental data are therefore secondary data if they were collected earlier for another study; they are primary data if they were collected for the present one. Secondary data are virtually always collected first because of their time and cost advantages. Step 4. Measurement Technique Selection. Four basic measurement techniques are used in marketing research: (1) questionnaires, (2) attitude scales, (3) observation, and (4) depth interviews and projec ­ts techniques. As with selecting the data collection method, selection of a measurement technique is influenced primarily by the nature of the information required and secondarily by the value of the information. Step 5. Sample Selection. Most marketing studies involve a sample or subgroup of the total population relevant to the problem, rather than a census of the entire group. The popu ­lation is generally specified as a part of the problem definition process. Step 6. Selection of Methods of Analyses. Data are useful only after analysis. Data analysis involves converting a series of recorded observations into descriptive statements and/or inferences about relationships. The types of analyses, which can be conducted, depend on the nature of the sampling process, measurement instrument, and the data collection method. Step 7. Evaluation of the Ethics of the Research. It is essential that marketing researchers restrict their research activities to practices that are ethically sound. Ethically sound research considers the interests of the general public, the respondents, the client, and the research profession as well as those of the researcher. Step 8. Estimation of Time and Financial Requirements. Time refers to the time needed to complete the project. The financial requirement is the monetary representation of personnel time, computer time, and mate ­rials requirements. The time and finance requirements are not independent. Step 9. Preparation of Research Proposal. The research design process provides the researcher with a blueprint, or guide, for conducting and controlling the research project. This blueprint is written in the form of a research proposal. A written research proposal should precede any research project. The re ­search proposal helps ensure that the decision maker and the researcher are still in agreement on the basic management problem, the information re ­quired, and the research approach. 3. International Secondary Data Sources 1. The Nature of International Secondary Data Secondary data for international marketing decisions are subject to some disadvantages. Unfortunately, many of the disadvantages are multiplied when the data involve more countries. An additional problem is that most secondary data are available only in the host countrys language. Thus, multi-country searches require utilizing specializing firms or maintaining a multilingual staff. Data availability, recency, accessibility, and accuracy vary widely from country to country. Until recently, there were few commercial databases in Japan because of the difficulty of using Japanese characters on computers. Now the problem is resolved. The Japanese government prepares many potentially useful reports, but even Japanese firms seldom use them because they are poorly organized and indexed. Secondary data in many non-democracies often reflect political interests more closely than reality. In general, the amount of secondary data available in a country varies directly with its level of economic development. Even when the accurate data are accessible, it may not be possible to make multinational comparisons. Data from several countries may not be comparable because the data were collected at different times, use different units of measurement, cover slightly different topics, or define the classes (such as age groups) differently. This has become a major problem in the European Community as firms begin to analyze the market as a whole rather than as a collection of individual countries. To resolve part of the problem, ESOMAR has proposed a standardized set of questions to gather demographic data in both government and private surveys. Similar work is underway in Brazil, India, and the Middle East. 2. Internal Sources of International Secondary Data The internal sources of data for international decisions can be classified into four broad categories accounting records, sales force reports, miscellaneous records and internal experts. However, utilizing international internal data can be difficult. Different accounting systems, decentralized (often on a country basis) management and information systems, sales forces organized by country or region, and so forth, all this increases the difficulty of acquiring and using internal data in a timely manner. To deal with these problems global firms implement international information systems and require some standardization across countries in terms of internal recordkeeping and reporting. 3. External Sources of International Secondary Data For a example, when a company starts an external search for international secondary data it consults general guides to this type of data, such as International Marketing Handbook of the US Department of Commerces International Trade Administration, The World of Information (Africa Guide), or it contacts Euromonitor, the leading provider of world business information and market analysis. An alternative to conducting such a search in house is to use a specialist firm such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and McKinsey. a) Databases Both ABI (Abstract Business Information)/Inform, which contains 150-word abstracts of articles published in about 1,300 business publications worldwide, and Predicasts, which provides 11 on-line databases, have significant international content in their bibliographic databases. Predicasts coverage is particularly good and it is growing rapidly. In fact, half its information is on companies and industries from outside the U.S. Its major bibliographic database, PROMPT, contains material from all over the world. Both Infomat International Business and Worldcasts are focused on compa ­nies, products, industries, economies, and so forth outside the U.S. Predi ­casts also has separate FS Indexes for Europe and for the rest of the world excluding Europe and the U.S. A major advantage of these abstracts is that they are all in English. Copies of the entire articles are gen ­erally available in the original language. ( Table 1, Appendix) b) Foreign Government Sources All developed countries provide census-type data on their populations. However, the frequency of data collection and the type and amount of data collected vary widely from country to country. Germany went 17 years be ­tween its last two censuses, and Holland has not conducted a census in 20 years. The U.S. collects income data in its census and marketers make extensive use of it. Most other nations, including Japan, Britain, France, Spain, and Italy, do not. (Australia, Mexico, Sweden, and Finland do.) While the Scan ­dinavian countries, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand publish English-language versions of their main census reports, most countries report them only in their home language. c) International Political Organizations Three major international political organizations provide significant amounts of data relevant to international marketing activities. The United Nations and its related organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, provide hundreds of publications dealing with the population, economic, and social conditions of over 200 countries. The World Bank lends funds, provides advice, and serves as a catalyst to stimulate investments in developing nations. To carry out its missions, it collects substantial amounts of useful data which can be purchased inexpen ­sively. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) con ­sists of 24 economically developed countries with the mission of promoting the members economic and social welfare by coordinating national policies. As part of this mission, it publishes reports on a broad range of socioeconomic topics involving its members and the developing nations. 4. Issues in International Primary Data Collection Primary data are the data collected to help solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity on which a decision is pending[8]. The main advantage of primary data lies in the fact that it is collected for solving the exact problem and that is why it is characterized by high usefulness and novelty. The disadvantage is that the costs of collecting primary data are much higher in foreign developing markets as there is the lack of an appropriate marketing research infrastructure[9]. The international primary data is collected with the help of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Qualitative research is particularly used as a first step in studying international marketing phenomena (focus groups, observation). However, the main constraint is that responses can be affected by culture as individuals may act differently if they know they are being observed[10]. Quantitative researches are more structured. They involve both descriptive research approaches, such as survey research, and causal research approaches, such as experiments. More respondents take part in quantitative research, although it highlights fewer problems than qualitative research. International marketing research in cross-cultural environment requires the measurement of behaviors and attitudes. A major issue in primary data collection is the existence of the so-called EMIC vs. ETIC dilemma. The EMIC school states that attitudinal and behavioral phenomena are unique to a culture. The ETIC school is primarily concerned with identifying and assessing universal attitudinal and behavioral concepts, and developing pan-cultural or culture-free measures. 5. Survey Methods of International Marketing Research The techniques of data collection used in international marketing research have both advantages and disadvantages. 1. Personal interviews are considered to be the most popular method of data collection in international marketing research. However, there are several constraints for the usage of this technique. In the Middle East countries personal interviews are treated with great suspicion. Moreover, the personnel for the survey should be male and they may conduct interviews with housewives only when their husbands are at home. In Latin American countries, where tax protest movement is being developed, the interviews are thought to be tax inspectors. 2. Mall intercept surveys may be used in the United States, Canada and the European countries. As far as the developing countries are concerned they are not common. 3. Telephone interviews have several advantages over other survey methods of international marketing research. The time and costs of international telephone calls are reducing, the surveys may be conducted from one place, the results of telephone interviews are considered reliable and it is easier to perform the client and interviewer control. But telephone surveys also have some limitations because of poor telecommunication systems in several countries. For example, in India telephone penetration is only 1 per cent and telephone surveys reduce the survey coverage greatly. But even in such developed countries as Great Britain telephone penetration comprises only 80 per cent. That is why a lot of marketers are very skeptical about telephone surveys and nowadays there is a great reduction in their application. 4. Mailing surveys are widely used in industrialized countries, where there is a high level of literacy, good mailing services and availability of mailing lists. However, the use of this method in developing countries has some constraints. In some countries people consider the mailing surveys to be the invasion into their private life and the effectiveness of these surveys is reduced. In such countries as Brazil, where only 30 per cent of mail is delivered, mailing surveys can not be used as well. 5. Electronic surveys become more popular in the United States and Europe and they are used for the products which require technological literacy such as computers and computer software. E-mail surveys begin to replace mail and telephone surveys. The limiting factors for electronic surveys are as follow: there are still many countries with low internet access, the internet versions available in various countries may not be compatible and there may be a big number of non-responses because of technical issues. At the same time the speed of getting responses and low costs of surveys makes this method suitable for international marketing research. Conclusion International marketing research is the systematic design, collection, recording, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of information relating to a particular marketing decision facing a company operating internationally. The international marketing research process has some peculiarities such as the national differences between countries arising out of political, legal, economic, social and cultural differences and, the comparability of research results due to these differences. A company performing the international marketing research may experience several problems. Firstly, there is a complexity of research design due to operation in a multi country, multicultural, and multi linguistic environment. Secondly, the availability of secondary data varies widely from country to country. On some markets, especially emerging and unstable, the data is neither available nor reliable. Thirdly, the costs of collecting primary data are much higher in foreign developing markets as there is the lack of an appropriate marketing research infrastructure. Fourthly, problems associating with coordinating research and data collection in different countries may arise. And finally, there are the difficulties of establishing the comparability and equivalence of data and research conducted in different context. Bibliography 1. Aaker D., Kumar V. , Day G., (2007), Marketing Research, 9th edition, John Wiley Sons. 2. Altstiel T. Grow J.M. (2005), Advertising Strategy: Creative Tactics From the Outside/In, Sage Publications, Inc. 3. Arnold D. (2004), The Mirage of Global Markets: How Globalizing Companies Can Succeed as Markets Localize, Pearson Education, Inc. 4. Barnard, P. (2007), Global developments and future directions in marketing research, Globalization and the Millennium: Opportunities and Imperatives, Marketing Science Institute, June 16-17, Brussels, Belgium. 5. Cateora, P. and Graham, J.L. (2009),International Marketing, 14 th edition, McGraw-Hill Company. 6. Craig, C. S. and Douglas, S. P. (2009), International Marketing Research, 2nd Edition. Chichester, UK: John Wiley Sons. 7. Douglas, S. P. and Craig, C. S. (2005), Evolution of global marketing strategy: scale, scope and synergy, Columbia Journal of World Business, Vol. 24, No. 3. 8. Kumar, V. (2000), International Marketing Research, Prentice-Hall, Inc. 9. Mahajan V. and Banga K. (2006), The 86 Percent Solution: How to Succeed in the Biggest Market Opportunity of the 21st Century, Pearson Education, Inc. 10. Kumar V. David A. Aaker George S. Day (2009), Essentials of Marketing Research, 2nd Edition with SPSS 17.0, John Wiley Sons. 11. Payne, N. (2009), Public Relations Across Cultures Building international communication bridges, URL: http://www.aboutpublicrelations.net/ucpayne.htm Appendix Examples of Specialized Bibliographic Databases. The Information Bank Advertising Marketing Intelligence Service Advertising and marketing articles from over 60 trade and professional journals are summarized on topics such as new products, consumer trends, and sales promotions. Bank Marketing Association: Financial Industry Information Service Contains about 50,000 citations on the marketing of financial services by banks, credit companies, insurance firms, investment and real estate firms, thrift operations, and government agencies. Topics include on advertising, pricing, sales, marketing, and new technologies. FINDEX Reports and Studies Indexes and describes industry and market research reports, studies, and surveys (more than 11,000 citations) from more than 500 research firms worldwide. Frost Sullivan Research Reports Abstracts Contains citations and abstracts from approximately 1,500 market research reports providing analyses and forecasts of market size and share by product and company. Industries represented include chemicals, communications, consumer products, data processing, electronics, food, health, instrumentation, machinery, and transportation. Source: Kumar, V. (2000), International Marketing Research, Prentice-Hall, Inc. [1] Kumar V. David A. Aaker George S. Day (2009), p. 345. [2] Craig, C. S. and Douglas, S. P. (2009), p. 276. [3] Kumar V. David A. Aaker George S. Day (2009), p. 374. [4] Mahajan V. and Banga K. (2006), p. 213. [5] Craig, C. S. and Douglas, S. P. (2009), p. 215. [6] Kumar, V. (2000), p. 24. [7] Craig, C. S. and Douglas, S. P. (2009), p. 107. [8] Kumar, V. (2000), p. 67. [9] Ibid, p. 69. [10] Ibid, p. 73.

The Reproductive System Essay -- Papers

The Reproductive System The male and female reproductive systems are different with both having specific roles. The Male Reproductive System ============================ The main structures of the male reproductive system are the testes, the penis and several glands. Male sperm carries genetic information and are produced continually from the start of puberty. The primary spermatocyte divides by meiosis make two secondary spermatocytes and then four, which have half the amount of chromosomes as the mother cell (46 in humans) therefore sperm (spermatozoa) has 23 chromosomes (genetic information). Sperm produced in the testes in a sac called the scrotum is 3Â °C cooler than normal body temperature as they hang down between the legs. Sperm does not develop well at 37Â °C. Seminiferous tubule coiled tightly in the testes make up several hundred compartments and here sperm cells are produced by the sertoli cells. It takes two months for the full production of a sperm cell and several hundred million are made each day. Those that are not ejaculated are broken down and absorbed into the body. Testosterone is secreted from cells in the testes. All cells in the testes for normal function require hormones, these are a combination of pituitary hormones called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). After its manufacture sperm is delivered to a long coiled tube called the epididymis where it matures and stays there for at least 18 hours before their mobility develops. Once this has taken place sperm then passes along to another tube called the vas deferens where it is stored. During intercours... ...enta, the lifeline between mother and offspring. Through this organ the foetus gains all its needs and disposes of all its waste. Extensive changes occur in almost all of the systems in a woman's body during pregnancy. If conception does not occur preparations, in the form of a series of changes each month, are abandoned. The materials that are produced each month are scrapped and a fresh cycle begins, preparing again for conception. This regular sequence is termed the menstrual cycle because of the discharge of fluid (menses) occurring via the vagina at regular intervals. The events of this cycle are divided into four stages: - 1 Menstrual 2 Follicular 3 Ovulatory 4 Luteal Phase 3, which is mid cycle, is the time that the ovum is released from the ovary (this is what is known as ovulation).

Educational Reform in a Pluralistic Society :: Teaching Education

Educational Reform in a Pluralistic Society My personal philosophy of education is that every child has the right to an education. This education should be such that every student has the equal opportunity to succeed and learn at the highest level they are capable. I believe that the purpose of education is to educate people who are well-rounded individuals. By well-rounded, I am referring to graduates who will be able to apply their education to numerous aspects of life. This includes people who are going to college and people who will be entering the work force directly from high school. Every person should have a wide base of knowledge to draw from and add to throughout their life. This type of education allows those who wish to pursue a higher education to draw upon their education in a more intellectual way, and those that choose to work can draw upon their education in a more â€Å"practical† way. Those people who do not pursue education further will still have a knowledge base that allows them to view many aspects of life with an open mind. A second reason I believe that education should be geared toward creating well-rounded individuals is that I think this will greatly improve the state of our nation. A majority of our most productive, happy citizens are those ho have had a wide variety of experiences and have a broad knowledge base. Being able to accept many differences that occur throughout the human race occurs more readily among those with a broad educational background. When deciding what level of government should be responsible for education, I believe that the primary responsibility should rest on the federal government. The role of the federal government should be to regulate the standards of education. This should include monitoring every school in the United States of America to make sure that all students are receiving comparable education. As a result, curriculum standards should be set at a national level. The federal government should keep a establish a national council to decide the standards for each subject area. Representatives from each state would be appointed to monitor their own state’s progress. At the state level, state appointed committees would oversee the progress of the national curriculum. State committees should decide which textbooks will be adopted. By letting states adopt their own textbooks, this keeps some local control. On a local level, each school district would be responsible for deciding how the federal curriculum standards should be implemented. I believe that every school should strive for both excellence and equality in public education.

Ghost Stories Essay -- Literary Analysis, James, Gothic Tradition

Ghost stories are a truly timeless form of literature, the ghost, like death, has no end. Stories of the supernatural date back to early ancient manuscripts involving mythology, legend, and religion. The past few centuries have seen the supernatural flourish in Gothic romanticism through tales of fantastic creatures, demonic forces, and parallel dimensions (Scarborough). Interest in the immaterial has provoked many stories involving the interaction between the living and the returned dead. The well-engineered ghost stories of M.R. James encompass these settings and satisfy the appetite for eerie skin tingling reactions. James's narrative technique and folkloric superstitions in â€Å"the mezzotint†are aimed at involving and engaging the reader's awareness, imagination, and psyche. The realistic settings, supernatural elements, and sensational fiction that is doused in mystery, builds anticipation. James's clear an intelligent knowledge of human nerves elicits fear, excitement, and curiosity through imagery, the uncanny, and subtle suggestions that transform into personal supernatural experiences. The oratory nature of James's stories bring the characters and the drama to life and elevates fear in the reader with â€Å"disembodied texuality . . . fearing that these words on the page might spring to life† (Mulbey-Roberts 236). In contrast to supernatural Gothic tradition, James's short stories shy away from the elaborate romanticism and concentrate on basic elements of fear such as realism and victimization. The narrative style of James's â€Å"The Mezzotint† is similar to the original delivery of his ghost stories. With elements of direct speech, and candid conversation, the narrator awakens the readers awareness by controlling and regulating... ...rom the fear continues as the narrator states that the picture still hangs in the Ashliean Museum. James employs many techniques when he engages the reader. What is especially fascinating is that he makes it look effortless and the approach effectively intrudes upon the reader's emotions. The literary devices and compelling use of narrative works in unison to provoke fear, anxiety, and terror. In truly timeless tradition, James's ghost stories solicit eerie, supernatural settings that entice the reader into a realm of horror. James's well crafted encounters victimize the reader by invading their consciousness and imagination; while using realistic settings and believable characters he builds a rapport with the reader and uses it to his advantage. James is a master in his artistry and his stories will continue to be frightening for generations to come.

Barcelona Olympics

When Barcelona was selected to host the 1 992 Summer Olympics, the city (as well as Catalonia and Especial as a whole) welcomed the incredible opportunity. In addition to the obvious nationalist pride and international recognition hosting the games entails, their excitement was also fueled by the potential that the opportunity represented. As the International Olympic Committee explains in their â€Å"Factories – Legacies of the Games,† recent Olympic games have resulted in â€Å"long lasting legacies for their citizens,† with many cities utilizing the games as a â€Å"catalyst for urban renewal† (International 013).This was indeed the case for Barcelona, which became almost a new city entirely between 1 986 (upon first being selected) and the Opening Ceremonies. Overall, the effects of the 1 992 Barcelona Summer Olympics can be seen in three main areas: the city's economy, the culture and international perception Of Barcelona abroad, and the city's urban development. Overall, ?6. 7 billion were spent on the games, most of which was spent on improving infrastructure. Overall, the city reaped a profit of ?7. 2 million from the games themselves (Flyleaves 2012).The long-lasting economic effects and cagey, however, have been much more significant. For example, the Barcelona Organizing Committee invested ?2 billion in constructing and improving four main sporting venues. Today, these venues welcome nearly 1 people each year for various conferences, concerts, and sporting events and they support nearly 450 permanent jobs (International 2013). In terms of specific areas of economic development, immediately upon their nomination, unemployment underwent a dramatic fall, the housing market boomed, and the construction industry expanded at an exponential rate.The Barcelona Olympics were also unique economically, in that Barcelona was able to sustain this economic growth for decades to come. In fact, until the recent recession that affected mos t of Western Europe, the city recorded growth in every economic indicator: employment, investment, and new construction. Thus, not only did Barcelona benefit at the time from the games, â€Å"it succeeded in maintaining the growth generated, on a scale never seen before† (Acid 2002).In terms of employment, Barcelona unemployment rate was cut in half from 18. 4% to 9. 6%. Not only was employment provided during the preparation and the games themselves, but nearly 20,000 permanent jobs ere created due to Olympic-related investment in infrastructure and facilities (Acid 2002). In terms of investment, one-third of the event was funded by the private sector and a third of this was with foreign capital. Private investment focused predominately on the construction of housing hotels, and business centers.The rationale for this private investment was the expectation of improvement in the city's level of attractiveness for conducting foreign business and attracting future foreign inves tment. Finally, in terms Of new construction, the sector multiplied by nearly 3. 5 times, despite the fact hat Barcelona building potential was already quite exploited (Acid 2002). One final area of economic development was in tourism. Between 1986 and 2014, Barcelona hotel capacity increased threefold and the number of visitors from abroad increased by sevenfold, reaching 7. Million visitors a year. In this regard, Barcelona legacy has been more â€Å"intense and sustained than that of any other modern host city' (Acid 2002). Therefore, the Barcelona Olympics have become an economic model for present-day Olympics – an exceptional performance by a city with an extraordinary and sustained opacity to ride the â€Å"Olympic wave† (Taylor 2012). The reasons for this dramatic increase in tourism are a direct result of the second broad area of change experienced by Barcelona as a result of the games.Throughout the games and opening and closing ceremonies, Barcelona put on a large promotional show, highlighting the culture of Barcelona almost more so than the rest of Spain as a whole. As a result, the games â€Å"changed the way people thought of Barcelona† (Taylor 2012). Between 1 990 and 2001, the city went from being the 1 lath â€Å"Best City in Europe† to the 6th and is now rated the 12th most popular destination for rigorists in the world, twenty years after the games. More than simply presenting the culture that already existed (Steelers, flamenco, etc. , Barcelona did a bit of lying and presented a somewhat contrived culture. For example, the games were heavily sponsored by Estella Adam and Don Simon, producers of beer and sangria respectively. So, despite the fact that Barcelona is not known for its beer and that sangria is not actually popular for the locals here, the international community was presented a clear relationship between these two brands and the city. Nowadays, bars in the United States boast selections of â€Å"Sp anish beer and Anglia,† leading international tourists to equate these with the culture of Spain and Barcelona.Because so many tourists began to request these when they traveled to Barcelona, things have come full circle and many local bars now advertise their sangria and â€Å"typical Barcelona beers. † As Adam Taylor of Business Insider explains, â€Å"Nowadays we think of the Spanish city as a land of palm trees, sand, and sangria but its easy to forget that before the games in 1 992, it was a much different place† (Taylor 2012). In fact, none of the palm trees in Barcelona are native to the city – most of them were planted in the six ears between the announcement of Barcelona as the host city and the actual games.One final cultural development of note, the Olympics helped transform Spain into a â€Å"sporting juggernaut,† with world-class athletes in soccer, basketball, cycling, and tennis. Many assert this is a direct result of investment in sp orting facilities and training before and after the Olympics (Barr 2012). As Spanish sportswriter Juan Jose Paradise explains, â€Å"the Barcelona Olympics put the Spanish flair for sport and drama on international display† (Barr 2012).Nowadays, the names Real Madrid and FCC Barcelona re synonymous with prestige and glory in a way that could not have been imagined before the games. This interest in sport has translated at an interpersonal level as well. According to the International Olympic Committee, the increase in the proportion of the population doing some kind of physical activity at least once a week increased from 36% in 1 983 to 51% in 1 995 and women's participation in organized sports increased 10% nationwide during the same period (International 2013).One final area of development for Barcelona before, during, and after the Olympics is in the urban renewal that took place. Most significantly, Barcelona today is characterized strongly by its beachfront. However, th e city did not really have a beach before. Rather, the Barcelona Olympic Committee created two miles of beachfront and a modern marina by demolishing industrial buildings on the waterfront before the games (Taylor 2012). For the city, the Olympics represented a significant effort to restructure.

Reaction Paper: Philippine Bureaucratic Capacity for Effective Government and Development by Prof. Hilton J. Aguja

This paper will focus on the validity of the claim (of the research paper) that economic growth and development lies on how strong their state is and their bureaucratic capacity for effective governance. I consider it as valid. In fact, when we look at it, the strength of the state will also depend with the bureaucratic capacity that a particular government has. For instance, when the composition of government offices is filled with incapable or weak civil servants, eventually the facade of the government as a whole will not be good to look at. Moreover, it was clearly defined in the research paper on how bureaucracy should be. This refers to the criteria to have an ideal type of bureaucracy. The first criterion is that bureaucracy should be a clearly defined division of labor. There must be a demarcation line in performing different tasks of the government. In the national government, the task of legislating laws must be isolated merely in the legislative body, the task of executing the laws must be exclusively given to the executive body concomitant with the bureaucratic agency and the task of adjudicating or interpreting the laws must be handled only by the judicial body. However, it is important to take note that albeit the existence of the division of labor, each civil servants belonging to different tasks must value the coherency in achieving the goal of the government as a whole. Second criterion focuses on the impersonal authority structure. It means that the structure of government positions must be characterize not on the basis of personal choice but on the basis of how positions are defined and structured by the existing laws that a particular state have. The third one talks about the existence of the hierarchy of offices. Because of the division of labor and impersonal authority structure, their must be an arrangement of offices in a top-to-bottom scheme. The hierarchy of offices is quiet important because it shows the outlook of authority- who is more powerful and who is more authorized in a particular task in respect to the provisions provided. Dependence on formal rules is the fourth criterion. Civil servants perform their specific task not because of the dictates of other individuals inside or outside the borderline of the government but because of the rules prescribed by the existing laws. Next criterion is the employment based on merit. The employment of civil servants must be in line with the principle of meritocracy. Employees must employ applicant in a specific job on the basis of merits, knowledge in the job that the applicant applied for and the applicant’s capability to perform that particular job. According to Presidential Decree No. 07 (supra. ), â€Å"graduation with honors earned under the competitive atmosphere of the academic community is as good as a qualifying mark in a competitive examination to determine merit and excellence for public employment. † The rationale behind this principle is to make sure that the government is filled with the best talents and are capable in doing their specific tasks effectively and efficiently. The sixth criter ion is the availability of a career. It means that careers in government must be open or available for applicants to the great extent as possible. Availability of positions or careers in government must be open to everyone who aspires to, as long as they fit in the requirements provided. It is under the premise that the more applicants, the grater chance of having the most qualified or the best among the bests for a particular position. Distinct separation of members’ organizational and personal lives is the last criterion. There must be a demarcation line between the interests as civil servants and the personal interests. Because civil servants must imply to the constituents that public office is really for public trust. Now is the high-time to ask ourselves: what is the bureaucracy then in the Philippine setup? I concede in the claim, and I think it is valid, that when we draw the line of the bureaucratic capacity that the Philippines have vis-a-vis the feasibility of the state in performing its functionality in the economic, political and administrative sphere, we really can’t draw the line, or even if we can, not a straight one for sure. Our bureaucracy is clearly defined not with the ideal criteria of bureaucracy but with the colonial mentality or experiences (in the past) and the circumstances i. e low payment for civil servants and appointment based on patrimonialism (in the present). In fairness to the government we have, especially the former administration of P. GMA, the ideal bureaucracy of government still exist however the unwanted bureaucracy outweighed it. In the level of appointment, in status quo, we appoint or employ individuals not on his/her merits or capability but usually on the basis of personal attitude towards the applicant, personal considerations, personal connections, favors and what not. Not to mention that because of colonial influences that results to colonial mentality, most of the politicians, if not all, practice the political culture of corruption. Because of that, it sends a message that public office is not really for public trust but for private gain. Moreover, civil servants received low payment compared to civil servants in other East Asian countries and laborer in private institutions. That’s the reason why more and more people opted to work outside the Philippine border or they opted to work in private institutions. I don’t think that the employment based on patrimonialism, unethical behaviour of civil servants that eventually will result to mistrust, the low payment for civil servants and what not makes the economy of the country better and fully developed. Their must be a shift of paradigm and we must start it now.

Questions concerning criminal law Essay

i. What are the specific aims & purposes of the criminal law? To what extent does the criminal law control behaviour? Do you believe that the law is too restrictive or not restrictive enough? The specific aims and purposes of criminal law is to punish criminals, and prevent people from becoming future criminals by using deterrence. â€Å"Having a criminal justice system that imposes liability and punishment for violations deter.† (Paul H. Robinson, John M. Darley, Does Criminal Law Deter? A Behavioural Science Investigation, Oxford Journal of Legal studies, volume 24, No. 2 (2004), pp. 173-205). Criminal law intimidates citizens because most people won’t want to be arrested or have a write up on their personal record. Criminal law controls behaviour but only outlines what a good citizen should be doing, by creating laws. â€Å"More precisely, the term refers to substantive criminal law – a body of law that prohibits certain kinds of conduct and imposes sanctions for unlawful behaviour.† (The Canadian Encyclopedia, Criminal Law, http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/criminal-law, para. 1.) Having laws and not enforcing them is pointless, so by creating a law you need to enforce it strictly so people stop committing the offence. Like in Alberta and other parts of Canada the Distracted Driving law was in full effect and anyone caught texting and driving or anything along those lines was given a major demerit dock, and a hefty ticket you need to pay. By doing this it enforces the law and creates that thought in the back of the citizens head that says â€Å"should I do that? What will happen if I text and drive and get caught?†. However, most criminals don’t have that subconscious thought and don’t care if they get caught breaking the law, that’s why so many criminals are re-offenders. Laws are either questions concerning criminal justice and safety too restrictive or not restrictive enough depending on where you live. Some people can be considered criminals in Canada, but be doing family honour killings in their homeland. Having pretty much non existent drinking ages in  Europe to the United States where you have to be 21 is absolutely unreasonable, and depending on where you live your laws can either be too restrictive, like in the US, or not restrictive at all, in Europe. There should be a universal drinking age of 16, and the driving age should be raised. Allowing teenagers and young adults to drive before they learn the effects of drinking is not a good policy. Too many citizens think because they have been driving for 2 – 4 years think that they can drive drunk which is not the case and creates a big problem. Among 18 – 24 year olds, they have the highest percentage in Canada for driving under the influence per 100,000 licensed patrons. Universally, if you lowered the drinking age and heightened the driving age to 21, hopefully less people would be drinking and driving because more people would have experienced the effect of alcohol before driving. If this actually worked then maybe less and less police officers would need to worry about check stops and be less restrictive on certain laws and would be able to focus on other important things around Canada. questions concerning criminal justice and safety  ii. Assuming that males are more violent than females; does that mean that crime has a biological rather than a social basis (because males & females share a similar environment)?  Statistically males made up for more then five times the amount of crime then females did in 2005. (Women and The Criminal Justice System, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11416-eng.htm.) Males aren’t biologically programmed to be more physically aggressive and commit more crimes, but when people say males commit more crimes because of testosterone, that is crazy because women have testosterone in their body’s too. Males commit more crimes because most males want to assert their â€Å"macho – ness† to females and prove that they are manly. When males are 20-25 years old, the highest category for committing a crime, they have no other ways to show females how manly they are other then fighting and committing crimes. I think the reason why older males don’t commit more crimes compared to the younger generation is because older folk have other ways to show their manliness like their job, how much money they have, or the kind of car that they drive. That being said crime has nothing to do with biology, but it  comes down to men trying to show how powerful they are in an attempt to â€Å"woo† a female. Concerning the fact that males and females sharing the same environment but males being â€Å"more violent†, I think the reason is because males aren’t as protected as females are. During high school kids always hear about fathers or brothers who will protect their child or sibling from anyone that hurts them in any way. You never hear a sister or a mother saying that about their questions concerning criminal justice and safety son. (Introduction to Criminology, Lecture 3, September 23, 2013, Professor Jan Stanners.) So another factor about females being less aggressive is the fact that they are protected more and almost restricted from certain things because more people worry about girls then boys. Studies are also showing that women’s crime rates are increasing quite noticeably while males are slowly dropping. I think this is because since the 1950-80’s women’s roles were typically stay at home moms taking care of the children, etc. But now women have a lot more freedoms and have jobs and can they can now do whatever they please just like males, so I think that’s why female crime rates are rising steadily. Also, according to the statscan government website it shows that females have a higher victimization rate between the ages of 18-44, which we expect because men are â€Å"more violent†. However after that age range the males become the more victimized group which I found very interesting because that in itself refutes any debate of men being more violent because of testosterone, because no matter how old you are your body is still producing testosterone. questions concerning criminal justice and safety iii. Do you agree with the assessment that for young people, a school is one of the most dangerous locations in a community? Did you find your high school to be a dangerous environment?  Ã¢â‚¬Å"According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 17 teens were killed at schools and five children killed themselves in the year ending June 30, 2002.† (School Safety, http://www.ncpc.org/topics/school-safety.) School can be a very dangerous place for teenagers depending on the area of town that they live in. In Calgary high schools are more safe down south then in  Forrest Lawn just because of the type of families and people there are around influencing the teenagers. The type of influence a teenager gets can lead them on the path to becoming a bully. At the Columbine shootings two teenagers shot and killed many innocent teenagers, in Michael Moores documentary it is shown that the two students were bullied occasionally which may have caused them to act out and shoot their peers. (Michael Moore, Bowling For Columbine, 2002.) As far as schools being one of the most dangerous areas in the community I find that hard to believe. Around schools you have teachers and counsellors supervising you and helping you throughout your 3 years so it can’t be as dangerous as people make it out to be. However the activities that take place outside of school I think are the most violent ones. They involve students and peers that you’ve met through high school and I believe people are getting those two things mixed up, but that’s just from personal experience because inside of my high school was relatively safe. We had a lockdown where a student from another school came into ours with a knife looking for a student in one of the classes but the police came and handled the situation accordingly and our teachers were well prepared questions concerning criminal justice and safety and practiced lockdowns on a regular basis. Later we all found out this situation happened because of activity outside of school. My personal experiences in high school I never had a physical altercation with anyone but in grades 10 and 11 a lot of students would make organized fights after school and a big crowd would join. I think this relates to the previous question on men being more violent, because teenagers have no other way to assert their manliness to friends and girls other then to fight and beat someone up. I think the most dangerous places in our rural communities is back alleys at night time walking home from drinking at a friends or at a bar. You make yourself an easy target being drunk and that’s when criminals take the chance to mug you. By being at school it’s really hard to make yourself a big target with teaching staff all around you. To sum everything up I do not agree that schools are the most dangerous place for young people. In some instanced even your own home could be the most dangerous place to be and school could be like an escape for some students. questions concerning criminal justice and safety Reference Page The Canadian Encyclopedia, Criminal Law, http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/criminal-law, para. 1. Michael Moore, Bowling For Columbine, 2002.  Paul H. Robinson, John M. Darley, Does Criminal Law Deter? A Behavioural Science Investigation, Oxford Journal of Legal studies, volume 24, No. 2 (2004), pp. 173-205. School Safety, http://www.ncpc.org/topics/school-safety. Women and The Criminal Justice System, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11416-eng.htm.

Do you agree that schools have a uniform? Essay

From the ages of 5 to 16 by law every child in the UK must attend school; whether the school is state funded or privately funded they almost all have some form of school uniform. School uniforms are a requirement at almost all schools but in some state schools the regulations on school uniforms are a little looser than others, Meaning that some pupil wear pretty much whatever they want to school taking no notice of the school uniform regulations set in place, which some believe to defeat the object of having the school uniform in the first place. This essay will discuss whether or not schools should have uniforms or not and will explore both sides of the argument giving evidence to support them. Some parents believe that schools should not have school uniform for one reason: cost. The cost of school uniform is something that troubles many parents across the UK as the price of school uniform has increased considerably over the past few years. What makes the situation worse for many is when their child’s school changes their uniform. Many schools in order to receive extra funding from the government have changed their status to academy; when they do this they often change their uniform to try and present a new image to the public about the school. This means the parents have to buy their child a whole new uniform. It also means that hand me downs or buying second hand is no longer an option which is what many people try to do when buying new school uniform for their child. A report by the office of fair trading shows that last year over 50 million pounds was spent on school uniform, they also found that Head teachers do not give pupils and their parents enough choice on where to by their uniform. This can make school uniform even more expensive as you may not be able to buy your school uniform locally so you either have to buy it and pay postage or travel a long distance to get it. A school uniform could make a pupil feel as if they are supressing their  emotions and not being allowed to be themselves as many people express themselves through the clothes they wear and they could feel as if they are being denied their individuality when they are at school. This could lead to serious problems in school and distract them from their school work. Many pupils think that schools should not have school uniform because often they are judged by where they go to school and the uniform they wear. Pupils from both private and state schools could face this problem on a regular basis and may well feel ashamed or even embarrassed of where they go to school; this can be a huge problem because if they are not proud of where they go to school they might not apply the right work ethic to their studies or if they are proud of where they go to school they could be bullied for it. Although there are many negatives about school uniform there are also many positives; for example a school uniform decreases opportunities for bullying among pupils if they are all wearing the same clothes, no one can be discriminated against for wearing ‘untrendy’ clothing or cheap clothing if they cannot afford expensive the clothes that are fashionable among their peers. School uniform also makes it easier in the morning for pupils because they don’t have to deliberate over the clothes they are going to wear on that day they just have to put their uniform on and go to school with no worry about what people are going to think of their clothes and what others are going to wear themselves. Although school uniforms can be expensive and the price has gone up over recent years, those who find it difficult to afford it can be helped by their local government with the cost of it that includes sports kit. Wearing school uniform promotes the school you go to the public advertising it and possibly bringing in more pupils. School uniforms can make school safer as it allows for teachers easily identify pupils if they are outside of school on a school trip or identify someone who is in the school and shouldn’t be. A school uniform also creates  a less distraction among pupils as they don’t have to concern themselves with what others are wearing in the classroom. School uniforms can give pupils a sense of belonging and identity as well as preparing you for later life when you may well have to wear smart clothing in the work place or a uniform if you are in the emergency services or military. My position therefore is that I agree that students should have to wear a school uniform because uniform is fashion less and provides a sense of belonging and identity, reduces opportunities for bulling, relieves one of the many stresses that pupils face every day and prepares you for adulthood. But saying that, the odd mufti day is good to as this lets those who need it to have freedom.

Immigration Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Immigration - Research Paper Example We can call it a safe country. One feels comfortable in any part of the country without the threat of terrorism or violence. People are guaranteed protection even in bigger cities like Washington and Florida. They do not feel as if they are being neglected because they are not in their own homeland. There is American social help system which does not make you feel unaccompanied when you are facing difficulties settling down. There are a lot of government sponsored programs and courses that support you in your hard times. For example, if you lose your job, you will be supported through a government funded program to back up your finances until you find a new job. America is one of the developed countries whose economical infrastructure is very strong. One can be sure to find a suitable paying job in this country, although â€Å"Illegal immigrants in the United States represent a significant portion of the workforce† (Fuqua 213). Most of the jobs are well rewarding making one feel comfortable with one’s life in America. Even if one’s family is not living in America, one can fully support them through the American job income. Moreover, there are loving and caring communities in America which make your life even more pleasant. American people welcome the immigrants with open arms and make them feel at home. So, the new comers feel secure and protected. Immigration to U.S. is relatively harder than immigration to any other country. You have to fulfill various document requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (Garcia). But after the immigration, the immigrants occupy different occupations, thus, enhancing the already stable economic system. Those who take admissions in reputed universities come out as educated professionals and get high paying jobs. This also benefits the country’s financial and social structure. Thus, the immigrants also play their part in strengthening the