A Soft Drink Tax According to John Stuart Mill Essay

The Coca-Cola brand has built itself into a staple of American culture. This is a terrifying thought for public health advocates who see Coke and other soft drinks as being major culprits behind a growing national health crisis. Empirical evidence shows that over-consumption of soft drinks clearly causes harm to the individuals who consume them, however, the waging battle over soda legislation will not be won on the grounds of health alone. The argument that Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and other soft drink firms present is deeply rooted in American values and cannot easily be trumped. What they argue for is freedom of choice. In his book On Liberty, John Stuart Mill states, â€Å"over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign† (9). If an individual chooses that he wants to drink soda pop, he should be allowed a high degree of liberty to make that decision. Such is the foundation of a soft drink firm’s purported right to exist. If consumers demand it, Coca-Cola executives will get as red in the face as their soda cans stating that they play an innocent and vital role in fulfilling that demand. One method through which public health advocates wish to regulate soft drinks is in the implementation of a soda tax. Advocates for such a tax may argue that individuals who harm themselves by overindulging in soda should be limited in their consumption. Since supply and demand are sensitive to market conditions, a tax would undoubtedly lower the quantity of soda demanded, particularly in low-income families where obesity and diabetes are most common. Mill claims that â€Å"to tax stimulants for the sole purpose of making them more difficult to be obtained is a measure differing only in degree from their entire prohibition, and would be justifiable only if that were justifiable. Every increase of cost is a prohibition to those whose means do not come up to the augmented price; and to those who do, it is a penalty laid on them for gratifying a particular taste† (99). Soft drink firms would cite Mill here in their argument that individuals’ â€Å"choice of pleasures and their mode of expending their income, after satisfying their legal and moral obligations to the State and to the individuals, are their own concern and must rest with their own judgment† (99). While Mill’s line of reasoning would appear to speak against a soft drink tax, he goes on to remind us that â€Å"taxation for fiscal purposes is absolutely inevitable†¦ It is hence the duty of the State to consider, in the imposition of taxes, what commodities the consumers can best spare†¦ [and] to select in preference those of which it deems the use, beyond a very moderate quantity, to be positively injurious† (100). Being that over-consumption of soda pop is certainly injurious to the consumer, and especially in light of the current economic downturn in this country, Mill would approve of a soft drink tax as an effective means through which to produce revenue for the State. While a tax on soft drinks would be permissible by Mill’s standards, some proponents of soft drink legislation would go so far as to ban their sale altogether. However, even if the vast majority of the public were motivated to impose such a ban, Mill would hesitate to condone such a severe form of coercion. The basis for Mill’s harm principle is that â€Å"the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any members of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others† (9). Although soft drink firms have a clear interest in â€Å"promoting intemperance† (99) in order to generate profit, those firms will argue fervently that the consumption of soda is not such a great evil that the State would be justified in â€Å"imposing restrictions and requiring guarantees which†¦ would be infringements of legitimate liberty† (99). Therefore, in order to present a stronger argument for a ban on soft drinks, advocates would do well to prove that in drinking soda pop, individuals cause harm not only to themselves, but also to others. To consume soft drinks to the point of excess can lead to the deterioration of an individual’s health. This may appear to be a self-regarding action until one considers the cost such individuals impose on taxpayers. Citizens whose unhealthy lifestyles regularly land them in the hospital eat up government health care, at which point their actions cease to be self-regarding and become harmful to society at large. With this in mind, are we still to protect individuals’ liberty to drink soda pop? Soft drink firms may point to Mill in arguing that the accountability for such harm lies not with soda, but with the society that raises gluttonous individuals. If grown people are incapable of properly taking care of themselves, society must consider that it â€Å"has had absolute power over them during all the early portion of their existence; it has had the whole period of childhood and nonage in which to try whether it could make them capable of rational conduct in life† (80). It is on this point that we must consider the role that mass media plays in the world today. The pervasiveness of corporate advertising in the U. S. manipulates children’s impressionable faculties of reason, subverting the ability of even responsible parents and educators to impart rational consumption habits on their young ones. Mill writes that he could not see how people could witness an act of self-harm and think it â€Å"more salutary than hurtful, since, if it displays the misconduct, it displays also the painful or degrading consequences which, if the conduct is justly censured, must be supposed to be in all or most cases attendant on it† (81). This argument is undermined by the fallacy of soft drink advertising, which positively portrays the act of drinking soda without showing the adverse long-term effects of its consumption. When a world-class athlete endorses soda pop, susceptible consumers, particularly children, are inclined to associate soft drinks with scoring goals and dunking basketballs rather than with cancer and heart disease. In arguing against the proliferation of soft drinks, one should appeal to a fundamental component of Mill’s doctrine, which states that his harm principle does not apply to â€Å"children or of young persons below the age which the law may fix as that of manhood or womanhood. Those who are still in a state to require being taken care of by others must be protected against their own actions as well as against external injury† (9). In other words; children do not have the maturity to make rational, informed decisions that lead to actions that could potentially cause them harm, for instance, the act of guzzling down a 99 cent Coke. The American Beverage Association would echo John Stuart Mill in saying that â€Å"human beings owe to each other help to distinguish the better from the worse, and encouragement to choose the former and avoid the latter† (74). It is their argument that parents and educators, not government, are responsible for dissuading children to consume soft drinks. Indeed, parents and educators can form a partnership in banning the sale of soft drinks in schools, but it is beyond their power to prevent a non-responsible child from seeing a deviously enticing soda ad on TV and irrationally choosing to spend his or her allowance on soda pop. Therefore, the State would be justified in regulating children’s access to soft drinks by legally coercing soft drink firms to discontinue their advertisements geared toward children, as well as by imposing a minimum age requirement for the purchasing of soft drinks.

Heathcliff: Victim or Villain? Essay

Although Heathcliff was a victim several times within Wuthering Heights, does this justify his immoral actions that hurt those around him? It is true that Catherine is extremely selfish, but she never intentionally or deliberately planned to hurt anyone in this novel. Heathcliff’s manipulative and vengeful actions are truly those of a villain. Heathcliff as a Victim: Nelly’s unwillingness to acknowledge Heathcliff’s presence to Catherine in a crucial time allowed him to overhear the hurtful things that she was saying. If Nelly had tried to stop Heathcliff from running away, he may have been present to hear all of the positive things that Catherine would later declare about him. Although Heathcliff is her soul mate, Catherine married Edgar instead because of his money and social status. Her selfishness makes Heathcliff a victim, and denies him of his true love. Heathcliff is a victim because his parents left him, and because of his darker skin. The Linton’s show prejudice towards him, and judge him by his looks. Catherine as a Victimizer Catherine truly hurts Heathcliff by marrying Edgar, whom she does not love. She knows that Heathcliff is her soul mate, but does not find him suitable for a husband. Her selfishness in turn causes many problems throughout the novel. When Edgar visits Wuthering Heights to see Catherine, she betrays Heathcliff by telling him to leave her and Edgar alone. Although Heathcliff and Catherine’s relationship was very strong, she completely forgets about him once Edgar arrives. Catherine expects everybody to do what she says, and becomes hysterical when  people do not. She pinches Nelly in a fit of passion, which shows her instability as a character. Heathcliff as a Villain Heathcliff purposely influences Hareton, who was at the time a young child, to hate his father. His negative affect on Hareton causes him to curse, and to tell people that his father Hindley is the devil. Heathcliff marries Isabella in order to hurt her brother, and treats her very poorly. He also hangs her dog for no reason other than to hurt anything associated with the Lintons (except Catherine, of course). This brutality shows how strong Heathcliff’s hatred truly was, and shows his willingness to hurt innocent people for revenge. He takes custody of Linton, who is terrified of his father. He is constantly weak, sick, and Heathcliff uses him to secure his fortune at Thrushcross Grange. He bribes young Cathy into marrying Linton, telling her she would not be able to see her dying father unless she did. Heathcliff knew that Cathy loved her father, but held her hostage until he had gotten what he had wanted. This displays how truly selfish he was, and to what extremes he would undergo in order to achieve his goals. Because of Heathcliff’s experiences as a victim, he became stronger and more determined to achieve his goals. However, no person has the right to express their anger on other innocent people, which is exactly what Heathcliff did. At first, we felt sympathy for his lack of luck in the first part of the novel. In the second half, we truly see what a horrible character he turns out to be.

Student Result Management System

The potential of CIT attracted the attention of the development planners in Bhutan and the 10th FYI was designed to fully harness the potential of Sits to achieve the developmental goal especially of poverty reduction of the Millennium Declaration and Gross National Happiness. In order to address the IT HRS need in the country and to promote and support IT industries in the country, the Information Technology Department (IT'D) proposed to introduce a four year Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology degree in 2009.The College launched BE (IT) with 30 students from the winter semester of 010. Presently, IT'D is supported by 6 teaching faculty, two technicians and two CIT staff (CIT Unit). To support the IT program, the college is constructing a new IT building which will be equipped with the latest IT equipment and facilities. To provide wholesome IT knowledge and skills to the students, IT'D introduced modular courses from 2011 in collaboration with UNIT under Chippie Right er Project. The department is currently working to introduce a testing center at the college.Project Duration: Expected Starting Date: Planned Duration in months: 8th September, 2014 8 months Executive Summary: Page 2 Scope, Introduction and Background of the Project A. Scope of the Project: The scope of the project is as follows: 1 . Student management system will include : 0 Student admission/registration 0 Student details 0 Fee payment records 0 Student ID generation. 2. Result Management System will constitute the following modules: 0 Continuous assessment 0 Attendance report 0 Previous academic records 0 Semester module subscription 0 Student's quota validation 0 Publish / unpublished student results 0 View results B.Introduction: Bal . Project Background and Literature Review: (Detailed summary of what all has been done internationally in the proposed area quoting references and bibliography. Please note that this section demonstrates the depth of knowledge of the project team and builds the confidence of the evaluators about capability of the team in achieving the stated objectives. ) The number of students in the college are increasing. When it comes to registration, the cool The present system uses traditional means of paper and excel sheets for managing the student academic records and results.Managing manually doesn't validates the exact information like students statistics and moreover it's difficult to maintain each record. The exam management cell become quite handy with the increasing number f students every year and limited resources Thus, there need a systematic software/program to maintain the information and the academic performances of all the students. The proposed system is one of the solution that can not only reduce human work but can become effective too. The system will maintain every necessary details about each student, compile result and allow the students to view the result. 2. Current State of the Art: (Please describe the curren t state of the art specific to this research topic. ) Page 3 No result management system has been developed so far in the college. This will be he first attempt to develop the fully functioning result management system. C. (Please describe the challenges, specific to this research topic, currently being faced internationally. ) 0 New admission/registration are tedious with large number of students. 0 Difficulties in maintaining correct information about student appearing in a semester and a repeating semester. No system to keep track of student fee payment records. 0 Lack of online result viewing system. D. Motivation and Need: (Please describe the motivation and need for this work. ) The development of result management system would help lecturers and students to easily manage and maintain the results. The Student Management System, being the dependency of Result Management System, would enable the online registration / admission, manage and update the students' information, get th e statistics of students such as number of students passed or failed in certain years, details of students, etc.Student results can be made available online for viewing, keeping track of the academic performances and attendance reports. 3. A. Specific Objectives Being Addressed by the Project: (Please describe the measurable objectives of the project and define the expected results. Use results-oriented wording with verbs such as to develop.. ‘, to implement.. ‘, to research.. ‘, to determine.. ‘, to identify.. ‘ The objectives should not be statements and should not include explanations and benefits. The objective should actually specify in simple words what the project team intends to achieve (something concrete and measurable/ deliverable).Fill only those objectives that are applicable to the proposed project. ) AAA . Research Objectives: (if any) AAA. Academic Objectives: (if any) AAA. Industrial Objectives: (if any) Page 4 AAA. Other Objectives: (i f any) 4. Research Approach A. Development / Research / Test Methodology: (Please describe the technical details and Justification of your development and research plan and test plan and testing strategies. Identify specialized equipment, facilities and infrastructure which are required for the project and their utilization plan. The block diagrams, system flow charts, high level algorithm details etc. Eave to be provided in this section. ) Methodology for Development The methodology for our project is based on the Software Development Life Cycle (OSDL) We use a methodology that helps us design and develop complex systems sing phased approach (aka Waterfall model). This approach is designed to make sure that we don't move from one phase to another before we have assessed and verified the results of the current phase, and that we have all the necessary information to move on. This methodology also makes the software project management much simpler.The OSDL helps us to define the â₠¬Å"what†, work out â€Å"how', and then develop and deliver a quality product by the â€Å"when†. System development as defined in OSDL version we are adopting consists of seven key phases. Following is a brief introduction to these key phases : Phase 1 : Capturing the Requirements – This phase will involve sitting down with the college exam controller and the focal person who looks after the overall academic matters (Dean Academic Affairs), student management body (Dean Student Affairs) and do lot of listening, followed by a lot of writing.The end result will be a document that defines what the college management requires in terms that the college management can understand. 0 Phase 2: Analyzing the Requirements – In this process, we will develop a deeper understanding of the requirements and will gather as much data we can to help while designing the solution. 0 Phase 3: Designing a Solution – After we understand the requirements and have analyzed them in detail, we will produce a design. This phase defines how the system will be built. Phase 4: Developing a Solution – From the â€Å"what† and the how, we will produce and test the individual, self-contained modules that will make up the solution. 0 Phase 5: System Integration and Testing – We will now take all the modules developed in Phase 4 and put them together as a complete solution. For the first time, we can test the entire system as a cohesive entity. We will confirm that we have a solid product that meets all the original requirements.

Outline the key criticisms against western feminist theory by 'third Essay

Outline the key criticisms against western feminist theory by 'third world' feminism, drawing on the work of at least TWO - Essay Example Redefining feminism by location and with the third world approach can be analyzed with a variety of theorists, all which redefine the main concept of feminism in society. 2.0 Definition of Third World Feminism The concept of third world feminism has been identified by the location which one is in and the problems which are in society. The main definition is based on social change which is needed in different regions of the world. For instance, in the U.S., the approach to feminism is based on social, historical and political changes, specifically because of the inequalities which women faced in society from the level of consciousness toward gender inequalities and the lack of social justice in society. However, in places that are underdeveloped, such as regions throughout Africa and Asia, third world feminism is redefined. Rather than a social injustice and sense of inequality, feminism is based on the politics and priorities that are within society as well as how these each link to the opportunities which women have. The lack of resources which are in third world countries change the approach to feminism, specifically because the social injustices differ with the lack of opportunities and changes which occur among those that are in the culture. The main difference is based on the post modern regions and places which are underdeveloped (Henderson, Waterstone, 2008: pg. 338). 2.1 Culture and Third World Feminism The concept of third world feminism is further defined by the ideologies of culture and the association which this has with developed equality between genders in specific regions. This relates to the overall definition of feminism because culture becomes a main component in the identity of feminism and how the capacity for women to be equal exists. In many cultures in third world countries, there is a different component of identity, specifically based on social and religious regulations. These are often given because of the social viewpoint of safety of women as well as the place which women should have in relation to men. The cultural component that is based in the regions leads to many of the feminist beliefs which occur in a post modern country to not be pertinent for those that are in a third world country. With the persistence of these traditions, there is the inability to change the dilemmas which are based on gender equality within the third world countries (Lewin, 2006: pg. 153). 2.2 Society and Third World Feminism Religious and cultural issues with gender equality further with the lack of resources which is a part of society and which not only cause inequality between men and women, but also persist with the needs of men that are in society. Many third world countries are not to the point of focusing on gender equality because of the social viewpoints which are pertinent in society and which create alterations in what is occurring in the different regions. Slums, poverty, lack of education to all and inability to have av ailable employment are some of the main continuous problems that are within the culture. However, this is not associated with the main components of women not having the opportunity to work. Instead, this is a social problem that is based on the lack of opportunity and resources, as well as the inability to provide opportunities to those that are in socie

Criminal Procedure Variation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Criminal Procedure Variation - Essay Example "1. The punishment cannot be invariably disproportionate to the crime. Applying this principle in Coker v. Georgia, the Court held that the death penalty was grossly disproportionate to the crime of rape of an adult woman. 2. The statute should be carefully drafted to ensure adequate information and guidance to the sentencing authority. For example, the Court struck down the death penalty statute in Lockett v. Ohio because it improperly limited the range of mitigating circumstances available for consideration. 6. Appellate review by a court of statewide jurisdiction should be available. Although Georgia's scheme of proportionality review may not be required, the system must guard against sentences wantonly or capriciously imposed."( http://www.law.ua.edu/colquitt/crimmain/crimmisc/colquitt.htm) After the passing of this law, starting in 1983, Alabama has executed 34 people in the history of its death sentence program. Four people were killed in the first 9 months of the year 2005 alone (http://blogs.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/archive/2005/09/).

Interactive Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Interactive - Essay Example InfoBest is a comprehensive business model that includes general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, and operational reporting and analysis. In addition, InfoBest has a fixed asset management function, budget management function, and related business functions required for financial reporting. It is the first information system to incorporate all these functions in to one system thereby offering a wholesome solution to all your operational needs. It combines the functions of a general ledger, sales and purchase ledger. Because of the unified ledger system, any posting affects the other systems accordingly giving the company a clear view into their business. One unique feature with Sun Systems is that it allows multiple, parallel accounting methods that allow four transactional currency dimensions. This is very important to a company like yours that has branches in multiple currency states. Our software has been tested and used in automotive industries, banking industries, healthcare, hospitality, government, oil, and gas, transportation, and insurance industries. In adopting this system, it will unify the company’s general ledger, sales, purchase ledger, and cashbook and enable the management of the company to get timely information for decision-making. This way the company will work toward keeping at par with competition and take advantage of emerging opportunities. In addition, the company will have a harmonised reporting base due to its multicurrency

Social Value in Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social Value in Business - Essay Example This paper outlines that the inferior methods and materials used for such huge promotion of goods turned the earth to a miserable planet, whereby leading the corporate sector to a disastrous future of unsettlement of business and accumulating loss of venture capital. In such a scenario, the concept of Social Value has to take the rein of the ethical chariot of global business. From this paper it is clear that companies now promote their classic style of involvement in socially oriented activities for their sustainability. Business giants across the globe now have identified that the core purpose of their work is not yet limited to making profit but also marginally focusing on the development of the human community. The new logical approach to business has paved the way for the introduction of many new schools of business thought; most basically, the two principles like corporate social responsibility (CSR) and creating social value (CSV) have been framed for the better approach of corporate entrepreneurs towards the society. While the CSR is a mandatory part of large organization under the guidelines of the government; Social Value creation is their intellectual investment in the long term profitability and sustainable growth of business. Under this new ethical mechanism, corporate structures have identified that creative approach to the promotion of a hea lthy social environment rewards them in the long-run with more popularity of the products and extended faith of stakeholders in every organization. Large companies like Coca-Cola and Dove Chemicals have already cut down their annual water consumption. Motor vehicle giants are on the run for fuel efficiency and lower levels of carbon emission. Johnson and Johnson has promoted improved healthcare policies and healthy time shift allocation to its employees for the assurance of a better and delivering workforce by minimizing the cost of hospital bills and post treatment.

Technological Innovation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Technological Innovation - Research Paper Example To lead in innovations, the concepts of realizing the need, finding people with the relevant technology and citing financial support are key to managing innovations. In addition to this, requirements for diffusion of technology like the knowledge, attitude, the decision to adopt or reject implementation and use and the confirmation of the decision, needs to be put into consideration for effective management (Clark, 2010). These will outline the measure and indicators of the innovation and its overall impact thus enabling decision making. Innovations are meant to bring institutional change through knowledge and application of ideas in relation to the existing products and operations. Innovations change institution’s insight into competitive advantage, new systems, processes and way of conducting business. They are manifested in organization structures of governance, production and marketing systems and employee structuring and specialization. To achieve this there is need to establish leadership to promote, execute and sustain these initiatives. In addition, effective predictions of market/ client trends, generation and evaluation of ideas and communicating the solutions will enhance team work and realization of targeted goals (Conti & Herron, 2006). Technology innovation has impacted the society positively through assurance of convenience, efficiency, comfort and expansion of opportunities. For instance, socially, advancements of telecommunication infrastructure through provision of reliable network and powerful gadgets like computers and smart phones, has integrated the people as they can share ideas and transact business. In the field of business and economics, convenience and efficiency have improved by construction of transport and communication networks which enhance efficient movement of goods, services and ideas

President Obama's Proposal to Boost Taxes for the Wealthy Research Paper

President Obama's Proposal to Boost Taxes for the Wealthy - Research Paper Example The first reason President Obama needs to raise taxes on the rich is the fact that our country needs more money to balance the budget. We have made some very poor decisions as a nation and now these obligations are coming back to haunt us. The most important revenue issue we need to address is paying for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We have never fought wars abroad without raising taxes to pay for the war. World War I was partially paid for by a huge tax on the richest Americans. This tax was presented as a patriotic duty that all rich Americans should do. President Bush insisted that we did not need a tax increase to pay for Iraq or Afghanistan. Instead of raising taxes, he lowered taxes on all Americans, but most especially for rich Americans. We are facing increasing costs for Social Security and Medicare as well. These are popular programs that no one wants to end. In addition to increased expenses from wars and social programs comes the increasingly expensive mission of pro viding homeland security for America. The amount of money spent on law enforcement and intelligence gathering since the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania has skyrocketed. We want to be safe and we want to keep our social programs. The only way that we can have these things is to raise more revenue. There isn’t enough we can cut if we are not going to touch defense, homeland security and social security. President Obama has proposed a tax on the wealthiest Americans that would generate 1.5 trillion dollars in new revenue over the next decade. When an increase in revenue is necessary, the first people to give should be the rich because they have the most to give. Another reason the rich should be taxed stems from the fact that the richest Americans have been concentrating more and more of the wealth in their own personal fortunes over the past thirty years. Economists argue that there are many reasons for this concentration of wealth among the richest 1% of Americans. Some of it can be traced to the reductions in the capital gains taxes that were implemented during the George W. Bush presidency. Capital gains are the income received when an asset such as real estate or company stock is sold. These gains are taxed at a lower rate than regular income. This is a great advantage to the rich because most of their income comes from the selling of items that generate capital gains, not â€Å"income† in the technical sense. America has forgone trillions of dollars in lost revenue over the past two decades by reducing the capital gains tax. That revenue has ended up in the hands of the wealthiest Americans. Some economists say that a low capital gains tax is good for working and middle class Americans also because many have company stock for their 401K retirement plans. The problem with this logic is the fact that most working class people never need the capital gains tax breaks because they are not actively trading their stocks. They have them in reserve for retirement. The only people benefitting from this tax break are the rich. This tax beak has helped concentrate wealth in the hands of the richest Americans. The economist Marty Sullivan commented, "The way you get rich in this world is not by working hard, it's by owning large amounts of assets and having those things appreciate in value." Working and middle

Managing Oneself and What You Dont Know About Making Decisions, Term Paper

Managing Oneself and What You Dont Know About Making Decisions, - Term Paper Example I can surely say that I am good at management because I was in charge of my own salon and spent 32 years running it. My management skills thus were developing gradually year after year as I was gaining more and more experience. I can surely get on well with colleagues and subordinates with the help of courtesy and efficient communicative skills. I was always aware of the internal atmosphere in my salon because I often communicated to the people who worked there. I always considered effective delegation of responsibilities to be an important aspect of good management. It is crucial to know how approve, encourage ad criticize employees without hurting anyone. People need to know that their efforts will contribute to the general success that is why I aimed to underline my workers` achievements when appropriate. The most difficult part for me was to learn how to distribute tasks and responsibilities among employees equally and how to maintain constant balance. Moreover, it was crucial for me to arrange effective communication within a team at my absence. I consider leadership skills to be the core of good management and I can say that my leadership technique and abilities required a lot of efforts and time to get improved. Leadership presupposes abilities to organize and to motivate team and control its performance (Leatherman, 2010). It was a challenge for me to create a team out of people who did not know each other and could not rely on each other but after some preparation and time I managed to build trust and create clarity among my colleagues. Nevertheless, there is still strong necessity to enhance my existing strengths to make my performance even more efficient. First, I would pay more attention to the effective criticism which is a part of my communication skills. Being a leader requires an ability to criticize subordinates from time to time and

The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology Essay Example for Free

The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology Essay The use of technology has both positive and negative consequences. It is amazing how someone can find a long-lost friend through a social networking site, enabling them to reconnect. In a society where people have become quite mobile and family and friends are often geographically separated, it is convenient to keep in touch through technology. The positive side of technology is that you can use social networking to stay in touch with friends and family. Mobile phones are convenient for calling and texting those close to you as well as a useful tool for some online schools, playing games, taking and sharing pictures, searching the internet, accessing email and using your calendar to set appointments, reminders or events coming up. Some people believe that technology has a negative impact on others. One, social networking sites can be distracting, and could cause anxiety for the drama that is posted. Two, people use their mobile phones by texting others during working hours and get on the internet that is not related to their jobs and could be fired. Three, some parents and teachers think watching television can influence a child in a bad way which may cause their behavior to change. And finally, gaming presents linking to poor social skills and behavior.It is apparent that technology has the potential to harm or enhance your social skills and social life. In conclusion, technology today has come a long way. I believe, if used correctly, children and teens are monitored regularly, techonology can be very useful, entertaining and educational. The key is to analyze how technology affects you.

The heat energy given out Essay Example for Free

The heat energy given out Essay I think it will happen for the following scientific reasons: As the size of the carbon chain grows, more bonds are added to the structure of the alcohol. This means that each time, more energy from the surroundings must be extracted in order to break these starting bonds (endothermic stage). Yet, the more energy that is taken to break the bonds, the more energy is used to form the products bonds and this makes the energy of the products greater than that of the reactants. The alcohols start off with methanol, which has 0 carbon carbon bonds, 3 carbon hydrogen bonds, 1 carbon oxygen bond and 1 oxygen hydrogen bond. When the products are formed, excess energy is released which is mainly due to the amount of C = O bonds being made. The products of methanol have 2 C = O bonds and 4 O H bonds. Since a C = O bond has a high energy value of 805, many of them will ensure that the energy of the products is greater than that of the reactants. Here are the theoretical values for the input, output and exothermic heat energy of methanol along with a diagram and the bond energy values: Bond type Energy Value (Kj) Bond type Energy Value. Now lets take ethanol as an example. The bonds are 1 C C bond, 5 C H bonds, 1 C O bond and 1 O H bond. The number of C H bonds has risen by 2 and the carbon bond has gone up by one. For the products, there are 4 C = O bonds and 6 O H bonds which is two more bonds than methanol. Here is the input and output calculation for ethanol: The theoretical input energy for the ethanol is greater than that of methanol as is the output energy and the exothermic heat energy difference. The same is shown with proponal, butanol, pentanol, heptanol and octanol. The pattern that we see is that when the alcohols gain a carbon, they have to break an extra 2 C H bonds (and C C bonds if it is connected to another carbon) and this makes it need more energy from the surroundings which comes out as more energy when the products are formed. The theoretical values show that the more bonds in the reactants, the greater the bonds in the products and the more the theoretical energy difference. Also, since there is a regular change in the structure of the alcohols, then there is probably a regular change in the energies too. There is a regular change in the exothermic energy given out. Here is a graph of my theoretical values in order to show the relationship between the energy given out and the number of carbons: The number and range of results I will need, to obtain reliable evidence are: I will need to have at least 20 results; twice for each different alcohol, perhaps thrice if possible. If each experiment is done at least once, then averages of mass differences can be obtained and will make the energy given out by one mole of alcohol readings of each, much more accurate. The range of these results will be from the alcohol ethanol to the alcohol octanol which is 7 alcohols in all as we are excluding methanol and heptanol. This will enable me to make bond energy charts for each alcohol to easily identify and illustrate the relative heat energies released. I will require the apparatus for my investigation: Spirit burners of each alcohol, 5 heatproof mats, metal stand and clamp, thermometer, can, ruler, measuring cylinder, splint and a cardboard can lid. The way I will use this apparatus to obtain reliable evidence is shown below: Once the apparatus has been assembled as shown, fill the measuring cylinder with a specific volume of water and pour into the can. The starting temperature of the water should be recorded and the temperature it will go up to should be calculated by adding the original temperature to a temperature rise (e. g. 20i C + 7i C =27i C). Check that the distance between the alcohol and spirit burner and that the temperature rise is the same for every experiment. Weigh the alcohol before the experiment and then place in the shelter of the windbreakers, so it is directly underneath the can. Light the alcohol using a lighted splint and close it in with another heatproof mat. Safety glasses must be worn as the alcohols are flammable and if some gets on your hands, they must be washed immediately in case any flame touches your hand. Also, it would be safer and less of an equipment hazard if one Bunsen burner were used. Put the cardboard lid on top of the can and the thermometer through it (punch hole in lid and slide thermometer through). After the water temperature goes up to the one decided, put out the alcohol and weigh its finishing mass. This should be recorded. To prepare for a repeat empty out the can and refill and change the alcohol with another of the same type. Repeat the procedure for other alcohols and take average. I have used the following to help me plan my investigation: I have used the following books to help me plan my investigation: Physics for you by Keith Johnson. On page 37 to 39, I found out information concerning measuring heat energy, its values, specific heat capacity and a table displaying specific heat capacities of different substances. Revision guide for GCSE Double Science Physics where on page 67 to 68, there is information about heat transfer, evaporation, the conduction of heat and vibrating particles. Chemistry for you by Lawrie Ryan (Revised National Curriculum Edition). On page 178 to 179, there is information regarding organic molecules such as alcohol; their structures, physical properties and homologous series. On page 182, there is information on the combustion of alcohols, a brief explanation of the combustion experiment and combustion formulas. On page 186, which is about energy transfer, there is more detailed coverage of incomplete/complete combustion and fuels. On page 190 to 195, there are things about exothermic/endothermic reactions, what happens to the temperature during these reactions, energy level diagrams, making and breaking bonds and finally bond energy calculations.   Nuffield Book of Data sheet has exothermic heat energies of all the alcohols combustion reactions and all the varied bond energy values. I have done the following experiments to help plan my investigation: periment on page 191 to see what substances have endothermic or exothermic reactions. Previous practise experiment of the alcohol investigation, which helped me to find corrections for certain procedures, various precautions, tips that would produce less inaccuracy, discover key factors and how to set up the apparatus. Here is the set up of my results table as an example of what I learnt from the practise experiment.

Significant Sociological Research In Relation To Educational Change Education Essay

Significant Sociological Research In Relation To Educational Change Education Essay The Educational changes in United Kingdom are basically the tripartite system, comprehensive education and the changes that have taken place since 1979 to 1988. The tripartite system was introduced in Britain in 1944 which set up three types of schools: grammar, secondary modern and technical school for pupils up to the age of 15. Each schools ordering a different type of education, was based on the idea that there were different kind of intelligence, each needing a different kind of schooling. Grammar school offered an academic education leading to qualification; secondary modern gave pupils a practical education with few opportunities to get qualification. Pupils were allocated to school via the 11+, better pupil were creamed off to grammar school while the rest attending secondary modern schools. The system was more bipartite than tripartite. [Gidden, A. p482] Comprehensive school were introduced in 1965 by labour along with grammar school. The aim of the government is to remove many of inequalities of the tripartite system and to end the selection at 11+via the 11+ exams and to break down the class barrier in society as one schools for all pupils in a particular area meant that all social classes would be brought together. Pupils would have more opportunities to gain qualification. The biggest changes in education took place in 1988 under Thatcher regime. They saw that education was failing to provide a sufficiently skilled workforce. They also believed that schools were failing pupils and needed to raise the standard of education. The education policy that took place under Thatcher regime were National curriculum in England and Wales, The Act also brought Standard Assessment Tests [SAT] at 7, 11, 14 and 16. School could opt out of their LEA and become Grant Maintenance School, Parent empowerment to choose school for their children, formula funding of schools and vocationalism education such as NVQ, GNVQ CTC and New vocationalism. In conclusion, tripartite system shows a class division in schools for creaming off the bright student in school to grammar school and the rest to secondary modern and technical school. Eleven + culturally favoured the middle class and majority of student in grammar school came from middle class background. Grammar school received more money per student than other types of school and girls have to achieved higher pass than boys before they can get to grammar whereas comprehensive school remove the inequalities that existed under the tripartite system and higher proportion of pupils gained more qualification and GCSE and A level rate have all risen and brighter pupils are not held back. According to Ball et al [1994] the government education policy encourage the parent choice, creation of new types of school- Grant Maintained, CTCs, Technology college status, publishing of the national testing and league tables of exams results and decision for a school to opt of LEA control was given to parents of pupil at school. The New Right thinking is about competition and choice[Haralambos and Holborn p616-621] 3.3 EVALUATE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY AND UNDERSTANDING OF PROCESSES AND STRUCTURES WITH IN SCHOOLS. The Interactionist view on processes of schooling and the relationship between teachers and student seems to be very important for the effectiveness of education since social class influence in educational attainment. Teachers tend to share an image of ideal pupils whereas teachers perceived middle-class pupils as close to the idea, and lower working class pupils as furthest from it. Label is a major feature placed on a person by others. Teacher tends to label middle-class as good student this may discourage working -class pupils. When pupils labelled as bright others will tend to respond to them and interpret their actions in term of this label, there is a tendency for a self-fulfilling prophecy to result. The hidden curriculum refers to the message schools transmit to pupils without directly teaching them or spelling them out, it consists of values, norms, beliefs and ideas which are embedded in the normal routines and procedures of school life. In functionalists view, the transmission of society core values can be seen as part of hidden curriculum such as the value of individual achievement, pupils are encouraged to achieve good grades, qualification, it prepares them to achieve as individuals in the wider society. In Marxists view, the hidden curriculum of schools is the transmission of ruling class ideology, producing next of generation of workers schooled to accept their roles in the society. [ Haralambos and Holborn p603] Marxists are very critical of the role played by the education system. They do not agree with functionalists and others that it is a meritocratic system but rather it keeps the inequalities found in capitalist society going. It does by pretending to give everyone an equal chance but the reality is that those from middle class background do better at school than those from working class background. This is why Marxists often talk about the myth of meritocracy [Haralambos and Holborn p 604]. In functionalists view, education is a meritocratic that is a system in which social positions are filled on the basis of individual merit and achievement, rather than ascribed criteria such as inherited wealth, sex or social background. [Haralambos and Holborn p601]. In conclusion, Each of the theories have their own view on education but no one theories can stand on his own and we cannot blame the structure of schooling underachievement to outside influence. Functionalists think that education is needed and if it wasnt there, society wouldnt function properly and they teach the skills and knowledge needed in peoples future lives. Marxists think that education reinforce class divide and that it maintains inequality in society. Feminist thinks that education is bad as it clearly divides and separate girls from boys. They think it is more suited for boys. 4.14.2 EXPLAIN DIFFERENTIAL EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT SCHOOLS. AND ANALYSE CULTURE AND STRUCTURAL EXPLANATIONS OF DIFFERENTIAL ACHIEVEMENT. Education Attainment refer to as been able to complete a course successfully and obtain a qualification that may lead to employment. Children educational attainment from various background can be influenced by in school factor [human, physical, financial resources] and out-school factor [poverty, parental interest, language difference, cultural capital, positional theory] are related to background of the childs parent. Studies found that some student performs better than others. Evidence shows that class position; gender and ethnicity play an important role in determines the educational achievement of some and failure of others. The following sub section will explain those aspects in full details. CLASS AND ATTAINMENT/ACHIEVEMENT Social class differences in educational achievement are not purely the outcome of cultural factors, such cultural deprivation and cultural difference. There are many factors that contribute to the determination of why working class student tend to achieve less. Cultural deprivation is one of the reasons why working class student are generally achieving less than middle class student. It attributes to working class underachievement to the fact that they have often been brought up with a negative attitude towards education. According to J.W.B Douglas [1964] which focuses on the key role of parental aspirations, claiming that working class parents are less interested in formal education of their children and hence in their success[Haralambos and Holborn p629-630]. Boudon positional theory [1974] suggest that it is harder for working class children to aspire to university and high status professions because there is no parental role model to follow, hence expectations of parents, teachers and peers are lower[Warren,K. et al p242]. Cultural difference theorists, however suggest that there is a natural difference between working class culture and middle class culture, inevitably placing working class children at a disadvantage in schools. For example, Peter Bourdieu[1977] argues that middle class culture is more closely linked to that of the school, meaning that pupils are more likely to understand what is being taught. The point is about cultural capital the taste, ideas and knowledge of parents more closely matches that of teachers so their children are on the same cultural wavelength and are therefore rewarded with greater educational success. This was further back up by evidence carry out by Alice Sullivan [2001] who showed a close relationship between cultural capital and social class in terms of reading, access to TV, newspaper, participation In cultural activities and vocabulary used[Haralambos and Holborn p636]. Basil Bernstein [1990] support this idea with his study into speech codes, which suggested that middle class childrens knowledge of a more elaborated vocabulary allowed them to understand the teacher better than working class children, who were confined to a more restricted speech code. Bernstein view is that the middle class language structure is the same that used by teachers in contrast to the working class language structure code, which is far more restricted. Hence, the school system is culturally biased in favour of the middle class. According to Paul Willis [1969] in his study into sub-culture also limits student educational achievement as the student can only do as well as their label allows. Labelling of student by teachers is a theme that was developed by Keddie [1971] he concluded that the educational outcome for different classes becomes a self- fulfilling prophecy. The labelling is of course based less on actual performance than on stereotyped expectation[Warren,K. et al p242-243]. Functionalists believe that an individual academic success depend upon his IQ and effort they apply to their studies. They also believe society works in a meritocratic system. Marxists believe that this is due to social class and that in education only the ruling class values are transmitted. This means that working class people find it difficult to get along with the education system. GENDER ATTAINMENT/ACHIEVEMENT Girls outperforming their male counterpart from primary to university level and the dramatic change happen across culture and continent. In 1970 research focus on girls underachievement within the educational system. According to Oakley [1974] a radical feminist argued that primary socialisation plays an important role in shaping, conditioning boys and girl and help to reinforce existing gender stereotype. This also have impacts on the educational aspiration of girls who are socialised to become passive, submissive and future nest builders. Furthermore, Sue Sharpe [1976] support this view and claims that lower class girls priorities and aspiration is to be in love, get married, have a husband and children are in conflict with their educational success. Radical feminist emphasised on reading materials and the content of textbooks as being sexist in nature and these reinforce gender stereotype. Michelle Stanworth [1983] interviewed teachers and student from seven different classes in the humanities department and found that teachers both male and female displayed certain stereotypical attitudes towards their students. Girls, who were not in the lot of submissiveness, silent and unresponsive, were seen as having the potential to break through a professional career. Moreover, teachers themselves often saw marriage as the outcome of most girls. In term of classroom interaction, it was seen that boys were more assertive and took part in class discussion while teachers gave girls lesser attention, although they outnumbered boys. Functionalist argued that there is tendency to exaggerate over the issue of patriarchy impacting on school curriculum. They pointed out that feminists studies are not enough to rely on and not valid because there have been inadequate samples and weak methodologies to support their claims and make representative generalisation. Statistics have shown that boys and girls do achieve equally well at school and in different fields. Moreover, free and compulsory education has opened door for girls and they are able to compete on equal terms. Later, research by Randall [1987] criticise of Stanworths study by arguing that latters research are bias and unfounded. He also found that in laboratory classes girls are more forthcoming to interact with their teachers [Haralambos and Holborn p642-649]. ETHNICITY AND ATTAINMENT/ACHIEVEMENT Britain is a multicultural society and educational attainment of ethnic minorities has become nature of debate for a long time. The Swan Report [1985] found that there were several significant difference between the achievement of ethnic minorities and whites in Britain [Haralambos and Holborn 2000]. However, this phenomenon has not stagnated since other studies like The Studies Policy Institutes Fourth Survey of ethnic Minorities [1994] reported that there was considerate improvement in educational qualification of ethnic minorities when compared to figure in the 1980s[Modood et al 1997]. Below is the explanation of some studies that tries to explain why ethnic minorities do underachieve in education. Jensen [1974] and H. Eysenck [1971] both have sorted out that black were genetically less intelligent than whites while Herstein and Murray [1994] put forward that IQ scores are caused by both genes and environment factors, since black are more likely to live in poverty. They also found in their research that even if environment are equalised, that is when black and whites of similar income levels and occupational statuses blacks do have a slightly lower IQ test score. The Swan Report [1985] found that linguistic factor in Britain might be responsible for some ethnic minorities since English is not their mother tongue and lack of fluency became an obstacle. Bernard Coard [1971] saw that the British educational system made black children become educationally subnormal by making them felt inferior in every way. Racist stereotypes that exist in society are reinforced by teachers expectation; the latter would negatively label children coming from minority groups. The child comes to see him/herself as such and when he/she is only fit for manual and unskilled jobs[HaralambosHolborn. p649-653]. Bodmer[1972] criticism explained that sometimes it is impossible to control all environmental factors that can affect IQ scores as prejudice and discrimination against black people will always hinders equalisation of environment with whites. Pilkington[1997] challenge the idea of a genetic basis for IQ not fixed by genetics as IQ scores have increasingly been rising among ethnic minorities in many parts of the world and secondly, difference in socio-economic status largely explain educational differences. Coards view must be treated with care as he has over generalised over the issue, there is evidence of Asian children in Britain who have achieved well. However, according to Ken Pryce [1979] Afro-Caribbean preferred to send their children back to their country to study because black are deprived of the value needed for school success. [Warren,K.et al p246]. 4.3 EVALUATE A RANGE OF SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH FINDINGS IN RELATION TO ACHIEVEMENT, SOCIAL DIFFERENTIATION. Paul Willis [1977] developed a neo-marxist approach to education. Willis approach focus on how education prepare workforce and adopted a research method by using symbolic interactionism in his study and variety of methods at Midland school in England. He used observation and participation observation in class, school, leisure time and formal interview. Paul Willis carried out his study by observing a group of 12 working class boys in one school in the Midland whom he observed for 18 month and followed them for the first few months at work. These 12 working class boys formed a group with a bad attitude towards school. Willis referred to them as lads. The lads form a counter school culture. They see themselves as superior to teacher and earoles. Having a laff is the most important thing and very sexist and racist, they also see themselves as a real man. Willis argued that the lads failed themselves deliberately in recognition of the inevitable manual working future that awaited them. According to Blackedge and Hunt [1984] they criticised Paul Willis for using small group of 12 pupils to carry out his research and all of them were boys ignoring the aspect of gender [girl]. He did not considered children in society as a whole. Willis ignores other cultures within the school and since 1977 there are few jobs in manual work, therefore many such lad stay on longer and develop same attitude to work. [HaralambosHolborn.p605-608] Michelle Stanworth [1983] interviewed is based on the A level student and teachers of humanities subject. She found that teachers gave more time and attention to boys and expected more from them. Teachers both male and female tend to know the names and expressed more concern and interest in boys. Stanworth conclude that all the attention and interest shown by the teachers both male and female to the boys, the girls do better than boys in the exams. Stanworth research was unethical because the girls did not know that they were been observed. Dale Spender [1983] the invisible woman claims womens contribution is largely controlled by men who use their power to further their own interests. The curriculum favour a male perspective womens contribution to human progress are often ignored. Girls receive less attention than boys in the classroom. Boys are often abusive to girls but are not told off. Male dominance in society is the cause of girls difficulties in education but schools help to reinforce the dominance. According to Randall [1987] he criticised the method used by Stanworth and Spender. Stanworths work was based on interview rather than direct observation. Therefore, it cannot actually establish that teachers are giving less attention to girls. [Taylor, P. et al p306-307] Mac en Ghaill [1992] studied African-Caribbean and Asian student in a sixth form college in Midland. He found that the way student responded to schooling varied considerably and was influenced by their ethnicity, gender and class composition of their former secondary schools. All of the ethnic minorities student experience problem in their educational system but in a different way depending on their gender and ethnic group. The study is important because it shows how class, gender and ethnicity interact with the school system and Mirzas study shows that negative labelling does not necessarily lead you to academic failure. [Kirby, M. et al p204-205]

Belief Worlds and Epistemic Possibilities :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays

Belief Worlds and Epistemic Possibilities ABSTRACT: This paper develops an individualistic, belief-based account for a limited class of epistemic possibility statements. Section I establishes the need for such an account by reviewing a recent version of the majority view (the "Relevant Community Account") and contesting two key assumptions. I argue that some epistemic possibilities are belief-based-contra the assumption that all are knowledge-based. Against the assumption that all epistemic possibility statements are analyzable in terms of the speaker's "relevant community," I contend that the truth value of some statements is a function of the speaker's epistemic states alone. Section II develops an alternative account designed to capture those internal, individual statements. Modeling belief sets as "belief worlds," I explain our epistemic processes in terms of an ability to shift attention among our various belief worlds. Ever since G. E. Moore set out to explain the phrase "it's not certain that" and ended up offering a definition of epistemic possibility, ordinary uses of epistemic modal sentences have commanded more attention. A number of more recent accounts-which I'll call the "Moorean accounts"-follow Moore by analyzing all statements having the form "It's possible that p" uniformly. Their analysis is uniform in that they make two assumptions: first that some community is relevant in every case, and second that every statement is analyzable in terms of knowledge. I think that both assumptions are false, so one thing I'll do today is to suggest truth conditions for statements failing of both assumptions-"individual, doxastic possibility statements." I will have time to contest only the first assumption, though, and will therefore help myself to my conclusion regarding the second; I will assume that the locution "It's possible that p" is not restricted to expressions of epistemic, that is, knowledge-based possibility, but may be used to express doxastic or belief-based possibility as well. The first assumption-that some community is relevant to every use of "It's possible that p"-will be my main concern, then. To make the assumption in its stronger form, as Ian Hacking and Paul Teller do, is to treat all uses of "It's possible that p" as statements to be translated as "For all we know, p." But the locution "It's possible that p" is used not only for statements of that sort-for, in my terminology, "community statements"-but also for what I'll call "individual statements"-statements properly translated as "For all I know, p." The assumption that some community is relevant to every use of "It's possible that p" is also made by Keith DeRose, but in a weaker form.

Crohns in College Students :: Crohns Disease Health Essays

Crohn's in College Students Avi Michael absentmindedly plays with his lip piercing, his thin frame draped casually over his bed. His wall is covered with posters of Bob Dylan and Modest Mouse; two guitars are propped up on a stand next to his closet, another lies on the vacant bed across from his. â€Å"I want to be a rock star,† said Michael, a 20-year-old history and film major at Northeastern University, and front man for the band, The Sex and Murder. However, touring with his band would be difficult, Michael says. He suffers from Crohn’s disease, a chronic and often debilitating ailment that causes inflammation in the digestive system, primarily the large and small intestines. Symptoms include rapid weight loss, abdominal pain or cramping, and rectal bleeding. Michael was diagnosed as a senior in high school at the age of 18. â€Å"I was really sick for a while. It got to the point where I would get sick and throw up after everything I ate,† he said. As a result, he lost a lot of weight; at 5’8†, Michael weighs only 128 pounds. The average weight for a male of his height is closer to 160 pounds. Over 200,000 Americans suffer from Crohn’s, according to Dr. Richard Curtis, chief of gastroenterology at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Though the disease does not target a specific age group, certain risk factors do exist. People who have a genetic predisposition to it are more likely to develop Crohn’s, said Dr. Curtis. For example, people who have a close relative with Crohn’s have a 20 percent chance of being diagnosed with it themselves. Crohn’s is more common in Jews than in non-Jews; it is most common in Ashkenazic Jews than any other group. â€Å"Crohn’s is usually thought of as an old person’s disease,† said Michael. The harsh reality is that many Crohn’s sufferers are college-aged teens, many of whom were diagnosed as young children. Caitlin*, a 16-year-old sophomore at the Boston Latin School, was diagnosed at the age of 11. Trying to complete her schoolwork while maintaining her health is often difficult, Caitlin said. â€Å"When I feel good (almost all the time), Crohn’s doesn’t affect school at all,† she said in an e-mail. â€Å"It’s when I get so exhausted that I have to miss a day of school. I feel guilty missing school, and depending on the time of year, I get so much work the next day that I have to make up.

Operations Management Theory: Reconciling Capacity and Demand Essay

Question 3: Draw on appropriate Operations Management theory, concepts and frameworks to examine how your organization, or an organization with which you are familiar, reconciles capacity and demand. Information technology services industry is a highly competitive cost based operation sector where availability of resources, tangible and intangible is key to successful projects. This makes a significant challenge to accurately reconcile capacity and demand. OpenText is a leader in providing enterprise content management solutions and we will analyse consulting services provided in the European market along with effect on demand with today’s changing economic environment. Slack et al (2009, p.248) defines relationship between capacity and demand as: "Capacity is the output that an operation (or single process) can deliver in a defined unit of time. Demand is the quantity of products and services that customers request from an operation or process at any point in time". Managing capacity is an on-going effort in the industry by reducing cost through repeat business from existing customer and by engaging new potential customers; This while managing customer expectations and ensuring quality of service. Customer engagement and service delivery are key to OpenText’s economic competiveness in the market. Employee development and attracting highly skilled individuals to the organisation are essential in delivering quality service. When considering potential projects, OpenText need to know the resource availability to perform the tasks. This demand for resources is weighted against who is available (capacity) to determine if additional resources are required to meet the demand and if required what types of resources are needed... ...ly uncertainty. IIE Transactions 34 717-728. Slack, N., Chambers, S., Johnston, R., Betts, A.,(2009). Operations and process management: Second edition. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited Roth, A.V. and Velde ,M V D.(1991), â€Å"Operations As Marketing : A Competitive Service Strategy†, Journal of Operations Management ,Vol. 10 ,No. 3,pp 303-328 Chiang, W. K. and Feng, Y. (2007). The value of information sharing in the presence of supply uncertainty and demand volatility. International Journal of Production Research, 45 (6), 1429-1447. Hum,Sin Hoon (2000), â€Å"A Hayes-Wheelwright framework approach for strategic management of thrid party logistics services†,Integrated Manufacturing Systems,Vol .11/2,pp 132-137 Buxey,G.(1993). Production planning and scheduling for seasonal demand. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 13(7),4-21.

High School and Girls Education Unit Essay

1. INTRODUCTION South Africa has a high-cost, low-performance education system that does not compare favorably with education systems in other African countries, or in similar developing economies. There is a multitude of well-publicised problems, including a shortage of teachers, under qualified teachers and poor teacher performance. In the classroom, this results in poor learner standards and results, a lack of classroom discipline and is exacerbated by insufficient resources and inadequate infrastructure. On a government level, difficulties have been caused by a failure of appropriate inspection and monitoring, and confusion caused by changing curricula without proper communication and training. All this has lead to massive demoralisation and disillusionment among teachers and a negative and worsening perception of the teaching profession. Majority of learners in South Africa are bi- or multi-lingual, and attends school in a language that is not their first language. 2. INEQUALITIES FACING EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA 2.1 Educational inequalities amongst blacks Amongst blacks, educational inequality largely follows the lines of income: more affluent Households are better able to support their children through school, implying increasing stratification within black society. Children from the top two black deciles progress Considerably better through the school system than their poorer counterparts and only at age15 start falling behind whites. Private resources were a major factor determining differential black educational outcomes under apartheid. Pupils in Better-off Black households do better in their education, and we find no parallel for Whites. That the education of Blacks but not Whites is constrained by financial resources is further supported by the fact that many Blacks who are not in school (but not Whites). Furthermore, greater recent access to formerly white schools for more affluent blacks may have accentuated qualitative educational differentials amongst blacks. Data from the 1996 census show mean earnings of full-time employed black workers for whom the educational level of a parent is known, children of the head of household still resident in the household to be substantially higher where the household head has at least matriculated. But is this perhaps solely due to more educated parents having more educated11 children, to differential attainment. In some way the better education of the parent translates into higher earnings for children even Compared to other young workers who also have matriculated, but where the parent had less education. However, it is not clear whether this measures the quality of education, or some other non-observed aspect of human capital transmitted from parents to children. Such premier does decline, though, to about 9% in cases where the children have graduated. 2.2 CHALLENGES FACING FEMALES Over the years girls education has been given a high level of priority at the highest level. It has been boosted by initiatives, such as free education for girls, President’s Empowerment for Girls Education, just to name but a few. However, despite all these incentives, girls education in the country is still faced with a series of challenges. The challenges facing girl’s education include; âž ¢ early marriages âž ¢ teenage pregnancy âž ¢ poverty âž ¢ peer pressure âž ¢ low adult literacy As a result of these factors, it has become very difficult to retain the girl-student in school, especially in the rural areas. Our stand here is that girls must be allowed to finish their education to the highest level, before marrying them off. Parents should be encouraged to desist from such practices as it’s not in the interest of the girl child, female students must also be serious and do away with engaging with men until they complete their schooling. The most common saying among the local people, especially at the provincial areas, is that girl’s education is not important this mentality must be changed and people must understand that education is the key to development. The performance of girls in schools concerning because it is disheartening to know that despite numerous opportunities available to them, the performance of girls in school is not the least impressive. Something urgent must be done sooner rather than later, quality must not be compromised in our education system. The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education had set up girls education unit and introduced lots of initiatives towards addressing these challenges. Principal, among the initiatives, was the Sponsorship Trust Fund for Girls which was launched in 1999, to support the enrolment, retention and performance of girls in Upper Basic and Senior Secondary Schools in the Upper and Central River Regions. 2.3 Quality differentials in education One should not forget, though, that the quality of education still varies considerably. This is again not unique to South Africa. In some Latin American countries, the poor receive an inferior quality of schooling, with the result that individuals from the lower deciles receive a primary education whose quality is 35 percent lower than that. Although the old dividing lines of race have blurred in education, with many black pupils now attending formerly white schools, shows that most black pupils were still in schools which were predominantly black. About 5% of the pupils in mainly white schools were black, whilst in mixed schools 40% were black, but there is great quality diversity in mainly black schools, and as a group most formerly black schools still perform much worse than white schools, as reflected in matric pass rates. Judging by the high matriculation failure rates, lenient promotion policies in black schools may cause educational attainment at levels below matriculation to give an inflated impression of educational standards reached, as reflected in cognitive levels mastered. 3. CHALLENGES FACING PRIMARY SCHOOLS South Africa spends a bigger share of its gross domestic product on education than any other country in Africa. Primary schooling is compulsory for children aged 7 to 15 while an integrated approach to early childhood development aims to give all children between birth and school-going age the best start in life. A No-Fee Schools policy has abolished school fees in the poorest primary schools across the country, helping to attract poor, orphaned, disabled and vulnerable children to school, yet performance levels are lower than in many other countries in the region. High levels of school attendance, gender parity in both primary and secondary education and pro-poor school policies are achievements that contrast with the poor quality of education. Many children experience a broken journey through school, interrupted by irregular attendance, absent teachers, teenage pregnancy and school-related abuse and violence. Most public schools do not have running water; some do not have libraries and computers. There is limited provision for preschool and special education, the Department of Basic Education has devised strategies to improve learner achievements by 2014. One of these is the Annual National Assessment, intended to provide regular and credible data on learner achievement and inform decision making in the education system. The assessment in 2011 involved numeracy and literacy tests among six million foundation phase which is grade 1 to 3 and intermediate phase grades (4 to 6) learners at government schools. The findings revealed that the quality of teaching is poor, leading to low performance. The percentage of learners reaching a ‘partially achieved’ level of performance varied from 30 per cent to 47 per cent, depending on the grade and subject considered. Those attaining the ‘achieved’ level of performance varied from 12 per cent to 31 per cent. UNICEF supports government capacity to improve programme planning and results-based management while implementing innovative interventions to improve the quality of teaching and learning in schools. UNICEF also works to strengthen gender-sensitive life skills-based education for adolescent girls and boys in and out of school, with a focus on the prevention of gender-based violence, HIV and teenage pregnancy. The programme also pays particular attention to early childhood and the development of strategies for children’s equitable participation in quality ECD services. 4. SOCIAL FACTORS AFFECTING EDUCATION The biggest factor is parents, if parent’s place a high value on education and help their children do well and encourage them to push themselves and learn then it does not really matter how wealthy the neighborhood is. A school located in a lower income area will most likely have lower test scores than a school located in upper-middle class area; also our media as a whole in this country is among the factors does not really encourage higher education or even being smart as values. Even in movies where characters go to college, it is portrayed as a place to party, not to learn. Good parenting in early age of any child, like trying to get them early, and recognition of pictures of dogs, cats, pigs or other animals. Books at home are invaluable to further their education, early reading always enhances a child’s ability to grasp opportunities to progressing a fuller understanding of a subject. Parents who include their children in discussions and opinions are fitting them for communication with others at an early stage. 5. ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING EDUCATION Money can be a factor in access to educational opportunities. In a perfect world, the amount of money in your bank account would have nothing to do with the quality of education to which you have access. But of course, this is not a perfect world. Truth is, despite various different initiatives to create more and better educational opportunities for the financially strapped, there remain many economic factors related to education on all levels. 5.1 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND HOUSING The best public schools are often located in the most expensive districts for homebuyers. When you are a child, you think all schools are the same and where you live has nothing to do with the quality of education you will receive. That is not the case, and it is the reason why many homebuyers and young families in the housing market say their number one priority is finding a home in a good school district. With so many families looking for good public schooling, the best districts are also often the priciest. 6. CONCLUSION Despite the lasting influence of apartheid, educational access is no longer a major problem in South Africa, as more than 90% of children of all race groups remain at school until attaining matric or reaching age 16. The racial gaps in educational attainment (years of education completed) have also been substantially reduced over the past decades. However, there are severe problems with the quality of education of a large part of the South African school system, as reflected in cognitive tests of numeracy and literacy and also shown by matriculation results. The deficient performance of particularly mainly black schools is a source of concern, as this shows that reduced earnings inequality may well be more difficult than rising educational attainment at lower school levels would indicate. Only limited scope remains for additional resource outlays to redress this malfunctioning of the major part of the school system. Moreover, the evidence shows that more resources is not the solution to bad educational performance, as some of the worst performing schools are well-resourced, whilst some schools perform excellently with limited resources. 7. REFERENCE Bellew, R. & King, E.M. promoting girls and women’s education: lessons from the past. Case, Anne & Deaton, Angus. 1999. School inputs and educational outcomes in South Africa. Quarterly Journal of Economics 114(3): 1047-1084 [WEB:] http://www.google.com [WEB:] http://mg.co.za/article/2012-07-29,world bank education; the only way to reverse inequality in SA

Marketing Segmentation Essay

Marketing Segmentation United Health Care MKT/571 Professor Knabe August 26, 2013 Marketing Segmentation: United Health Care An integral part of a business’s market strategy is market segmentation. Market Segmentation is that process of breaking down a large market into smaller groups of consumers so that they can market more efficiently. Whether you are a consumer oriented company or a business oriented company you should use Market segmentation. Demographics As a health insurance provider our market segmentation is based on research and academic literature. In the health care industry we cover every constituent served by our organization. Out target markets are: Employers Members-commercial group, individual, Medicare, and Medicaid Network Physicians Brokers Although the orientation of each analysis differs the all have the same basic principles. Experience has led to the belief that the right connections between the conceptual and analytical approaches to derive segments and implementation strategies that clients has found useful for improve marketing efficiency and effectiveness. We have the same general approach to marketing as most health care insurance companies. We just add our own ideas and put a special twist on the presentation of our product when it comes to our marketing strategy. Our primary market segment is our members. The reason being that they are the largest market segment of the four groups. They can be broken down into four groups as well. If we offer market our products in a way that is appealing to the member not only do retain current members but we also attract new members. The process of market segmentation must be conducted with the ability of an organization to address the resulting segments. Geographic We have a fairly large geographic area, with the most of our members being located in the United States of America. We originated in the state of California so most of member or in the Western United states. We have also migrated to the other sections of the US. We currently have a heavy population in southern states such as Texas, Florida, and Georgia. We also have a heavy population in along the Eastern Seaboard and Northern states such as Wisconsin. The way we market our product in those areas is through mailers, magazine ads, television ads and sometime radio. Psychographics Our members come from all walks of life. When developing plans we aim to tailor them to the different types of member we serve. Many of our members are travelers so we offer a benefit that covers them from state to state and internationally as well. This benefit is very attractive to the members with active lifestyles. We also serve a high elderly population. We tend to offer benefits that would be appealing to the aging population that many other insurance plans have yet to offer. In 2011 we began offering a hearing aid benefit to our member. At this time no other company is offering this benefit, we have enrolled many new members because of this. Hearing aids are very expensive and the fact that we offer them at a discounted rate keeps our member and draws new members to us. We also offer a gym membership that caters to senior citizens, this is tends to draw members that like to stay fit and it enables them to do it at their own pace. We also offer products that are affordable to individuals that don’t have insurance offered to them by their employers. Behavioral We offer plans for all ranges of incomes. Members with higher incomes tend to purchase the plans that offer the premium benefits. Those with lower incomes tend to purchase plans with that meets the basic needs just to have some coverage. Our Medicaid members tend to have the basic needs met because it is basically a state funded program. When designing plans and choosing benefits, we have to consider the target market and user behavior. We design plans for members that go to the doctors frequently as well as for members that only go to the doctor for preventative care only. When designing these plans we also have to make cost sharing arrangements with employer and discuss premiums being that they will also be contributing to the cost of the insurance for their employees. Past behaviors such as history of switching, current health plan and carry, current benefit design, monthly premium and cost sharing arrangement with employees. Product Positioning Competition exists in just about every market, especially in niche’ markets. It’s our job to position our products and services for fit each particular segment. Product positions may be defined by communication such as advertising rather than the differences between the products. The objective is to expand existing products and continuously adjust them to our ever changing demographic. When doing so we make sure we assess certain criteria for all potential segments: profitable size- profit potential accessibility- segment must be accessible through advertisement and other promotional tactics self-containment- product launched should not take demand from other products offered marketing mix response- segment should be responsive to marketing and promotion efforts If all of these criteria are met there is a great chance of have a successful and profitable business. References Driving Consumer Insight with the market Segmentation Bakken, David G. Examples of Marketing Segmentation Kolemuller, Neil Variable Selection for Health Insurance Market Segmentation

Reasons for Iraq War

Reasons for Iraq war There are many reasons for the cause of the Iraq war. The Iraq war took place in the early 2000’s. Many people died and it was a very brutal war. The Iraq war has many reasons to why it started; weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and nationalism. Those are the main reasons for what happened in the early 2000s known as the Iraq war. In March 2003, the people of the United States and its allies around the world launched an attack in the Middle East on the country of Iraq.The United States believed that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This included but is not limited to chemical, biological, nuclear and explosive weapons that could be used to kill numbers of people. Not only did the US need to prevent Hussein from using these weapons but also needed to insure the weapons and technology would not be passed on to terrorist groups. The main purpose of this invasion was to remove the countries brutal a d dangerous dictator, Suddam Hussein.Th e roots of struggles in Iraq dated back hundreds of years and many historical events compiled together to create the rising tensions between the world and Iraq. In response, the United Nations formed a coalition (a temporary union between multiple counties to achieve a common goal) to over throw Suddam Hussein. Arab members of the coalition like Saudia Arabia and Egypt did not support a total invasion on Iraq. Suddam Hussein continued to defy the UN insurmountable pressure to disarm the Iraq begins to take place and has a devastating effect on the people of Iraq. Because of suddam Hussein brutal repression of his people, the US and its coalition allies establish no fly zones. These prevented Iraq from flying aircraft over northern and southern areas of the country. US fighter jets patrolled the no fly zones Suddams military from attacking, thus protecting people â€Å" (pg 189) Blix) Iraq’s struggle to break away from its ruler, king Hussein created a divide amongst its peop le. Iraq’s struggle for nationalism created a divide amongst its people.

Сhange Management

Section 1 Demonstrate your understanding of the background to organisational strategic changeDiscuss models of strategic changeThere are a number strategic change models – such as the evolutionary model and, currently popular, the sustainability maturity model – you will need to briefly describe the main, established models, and their most common uses Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Unit 3: Strategic Change ManagementEvaluate the relevance of models of strategic change to organisations in the current economyFollowing on from the above point, discuss how relevant each model is in today’s business environment – dominated in the West by the continuing recession, and in the East by rapid expansion of internal demand but constraints due to the recession affecting external markets ï‚ · assess the value of using strategic intervention techniques in organisationsAn â€Å"intervention†, in this context, is when a strategic change (of direct ion/policy) is made in order to re-align the organisation with the current business and external environments. An example of this is the strategic intervention that many organisations have been forced to make due to the exponential growth of on-line, internet sales – of products and services which until very recently were safe and profitable off-line, traditional markets. You will need to discuss why using strategic intervention techniques is necessary and what the benefit could, or should, be.Section 2Demonstrate your understanding of the issues relating to strategic change in an organisation – examine the need for strategic change in an organisationHere you will need to select a specific organisation, or type of organisation, and analyse, examine, the need for strategic change in that organisation. An example of a suitable organisation would be a major high-street retailer, or a West based manufacturer facing increasing competition, mainly on costs, from the East, or a family-owned business that needs funding for growth which is only available by becoming a PLC. An alternative would be to select a business sector, and discuss this from the point of view of organisations operating in that sector. assess the factors that are driving the need for strategic change in an organisationUsing the organisation(s) that you selected in the point above, assess the relative importance of – potential impact of – each of the factors that is driving the need for strategic change – assess the resource implications of the organisation not responding to strategic changeA major strategic change is usually costly, in terms of human, physical, and financial resources, and often, reputation, image, brand awareness, for example – but the cost of not changing direction, not adopting a new strategy, can be far greater and potentially devastating. You will need to discuss this.Section 3Explain how you would be able to lead stakeholders in devel oping a strategy for change – develop systems to involve stakeholders in the planning of changeStakeholders in an organisation can include: operational employees, managers, suppliers, customers, clients, funding organisations, trades unions, professional associations, local authorities, local communities, the local and national media, government, and more. Here you need to devise and present a system – a process – a plan – that will involve such stakeholders in the planning of change in an organisation Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Unit 3: Strategic Change Management– develop a change management strategy with stakeholdersFollowing on from the point above, you will need to outline how you would involve stakeholders in the development of a change management strategy ï‚ · evaluate the systems used to involve stakeholders in the planning of changeThere are established mechanisms, methods, systems, designed to involve stakeholders in the planning of change – the decision making process. You will need to briefly describe these and give your view as to the effectiveness of each – create a strategy for managing resistance to changeResistance to strategic change is almost inevitable – but it can be minimized / localised – there are established, proven methods of overcoming, or at least minimising, resistance to change – an obvious one is to involve as many people as possible in the early discussions, decision-making, and implementation of a strategic change, but there are others you will need to research and discuss In the strategy that you create, you should take into account the possibility of resistance from any or all of the stakeholders – operational employees, suppliers, middle to senior managers, customers, suppliers, shareholders, unions, external agencies, and so on.Section 4Explain how you would plan to implement models for ensuring ongoing change – develop appropriate models for changeHere you will need to discuss available models, and against the background of continuous, ongoing change (remember the saying â€Å"Change is permanent!), discuss the core model of change that you propose, and then describe the actual, completed model that you plan to use – plan to implement a model for changeFollowing on from the point above, here you need to prepare an outline plan – showing timescales, resources, stages, and objectives, for the implementation of your change approach – develop appropriate measures to monitor progressJust as it asks †¦ straightforward monitoring and control for effective  implementation – virtually the same approach as would be taken for the monitoring and controlling of the implementation stage of any project or plan – but †¦ don’t forget the â€Å"resistance† factor has to be addressed Don’t forget that you also need to write a Reflective Statement and add a list of Sources of Information-References showing any books, websites, articles, case studies, reports, internal documents, people interviewed, that you drew on to complete this assignment. The Reflective Statement and Sources of Information

Morgan Motor Company Essay

Morgan Motor Company (MMC) began as a family company and has remained that way over the years. Decisions were largely driven by steady demand for their luxury product. Traditionally, decision-making was premised on production quotas that kept supply slightly behind demand. While the company made a profit, it was not enough to sustain the company in the long term due increasing costs caused by inefficient methods of production. The key area for improvement was strategic planning based on detailed and accurate information. The implementation of the strategic plan would require a review of human resource management practices in order for MMC to develop into an organisation that valued continuous innovation. MMC could gain valuable information about its environment through SWOT analysis, which could be used to inform strategic planning decisions. The company survived difficult circumstances (e. g. World War II) and demonstrated its ability to diversify through the manufacture of munitions. Another key strength is the global demand for their differentiated product. Its domestic and international appeal creates an important opportunity to further expand its global customer base. However, the potential threat associated with this opportunity is uncertainty in a number of dimensions in MMC’s â€Å"general environment† (Samson & Daft, 2009). Economic and political and legal factors in other countries could potentially impact on MMC’s sales, as was the case in the late 1960s where strict emission control regulations caused their US market to collapse. In this instance, domestic demand absorbed its impact and highlighted the importance of maintaining a diverse client base that could absorb the impact of any environmental changes. A sales and marketing department that is production led is ineffective in improving revenue and achieving the aim of increased profits. Additionally, this production led sales creates an artificial view of demand for its product. Thorough research of its client attributes coupled with careful planning and stronger collaboration between the sales and marketing and production departments enables the formulation of agreed sales targets. The key benefits of setting targets are: 1. integration with production planning, which reduces the likelihood of over-investment in inventory; 2. a proactive sales and marketing department that devises strategies to improve sales; and 3. measureable targets that can be used to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness. Despite having a keen and loyal workforce, the presence of change aversion confirmed that incremental change was initially more effective than radical change which may have created an unproductive atmosphere of dissent amongst its workforce. Moreover, steady demand for their product led to complacency, which justified Peter Morgan’s caution about change. This could be interpreted as lack of vision and is reflected in the lack of innovation and under-capitalisation of MMC’s machine shop. In a study done on Toyota (UK) Ltd. , it was noted that the traditional car manufacturing base in the UK was located in the West Midlands and these were â€Å"rich in precision engineering skills† (Winfield & Kerrin, 1996, p. 50). MMC’s proximity to this manufacturing hub created opportunities for research and development by inspecting some of these manufacturers in an effort to improve their production practices and processes, specifically focussing on how technology could be used to improve efficiency. This acknowledgement of the power of technology finally came in the form of Charles’ introduction of a manufacturing resource planning computer system and use of CAD/CAM. Perhaps differences in generational attributes enabled Charles Morgan to more easily embrace technology. However, the positive outcome was product innovation such as design features to improve aerodynamics. Examination of how human resource management practices could transform MMC from an organisation where everyone defends their own corner into a team-based learning organisation was a natural progression once management accepted the need for change. In the first instance, focus should be on developing managers to help facilitate organisational change (Waldersee, 1997) and enable them to be effective role models within the company. Training solutions and interventions should target general areas such as effective teamwork and communication, motivating workers and encouraging innovation. Additionally, where there are identified skills gaps, it should also target content-specific areas e. g. contemporary sales and marketing practices would make up for the sales director’s lack of recent sales experience. Once again, Charles was led by example by enrolling in an MBA, thus demonstrating his commitment to ongoing education and development. Although collectivism has traditionally been associated with eastern cultures (Hartel, Fujimoto, Straybosch, & Fitzpatrick, 2007), motor companies like Ford and Toyota moved away from Taylorism and demonstrated the value of teamwork in vehicle manufacturing (Winfield & Kerrin, 1996). However, MMC’s reward system of individual production bonuses did not acknowledge the value of teamwork. Moreover, an unspecified dollar amount that was eroded by inefficiencies in the production process did not provide an incentive to improve production. Not only should these individual production bonuses be quantified, the company should also consider a reward system for foremen to acknowledge their efforts in encouraging individuals and teams to achieve higher production. The present day success of MMC is testament to management’s vision and commitment to continuous product and process innovation. Examination of their website confirms their ability to stay current through value adding which resulted in features in their cars such as lightness and environmental friendliness. This has enabled them to cater both for the on-road user and the racing arena, as is evident in the videos available on their website. Furthermore, offering factory tours not only gives potential customers insight into the manufacturing process, it also provides the company with the opportunity to share some of its knowledge with others. The insight gained by watching the video on MMC’s factory processes makes it evident that the MMC today is collaborative both internally and with its external stakeholders.