Board of Directors

Describe at least six recommendations that you would make to improve the effectiveness of today's boards of directors. 1 I would require the board of directors degree of Involvement In strategic management be active participation (approves, questions and makes final decisions on mission, strategy, policies and objectives) or be that of a catalyst (takes the leading role In establishing and modifying the mission, objectives, strategies and polices).This would ensure that the board of directors takes a hands on approach (Wheeled, p. 47). 2 I would require the board of directors to set corporate strategy, overall direction, Nilsson or vision for the company. This needs to come from the board of directors. They need to set the standard. 3 I would make the board of directors responsible for the hiring and firing of the CEO and top management. This is an important role and must be mandated from the board of directors. Keeping the right CEO in position and keeping top management in place is extremely important (Wheeled, p. 45). 4I would make the board of directors responsible for controlling, monitoring, or supervising top management (Wheeled, p. 45). The guidance that the board of directors provides is much needed and top management will follow the boards lead. 5 Corporations inside the united States usually have 2 insiders and 8 outsiders that make up the board of directors (Wheeled, p. 48). I would have at least 5 insiders and 5 outsiders make up the board of directors. This would make the makeup of the board of directors more even. 6 Of the 5 insiders, I would allow 2 of them to be company employees that sit on the road of directors.These employees can bring an inside look at what is happening from the employees point of view to the board. Of these six suggestions, I would select number 1 as the most important. I would require the board of directors degree of Involvement In strategic management be active participation (approves, questions and makes final decisions on mission, strategy, policies and objectives) or be that of a catalyst (takes the leading role In establishing and modifying the mission, objectives, strategies and policies). This loud ensure that the board of directors takes a hands on approach.Board of Directors By bias]Nanette I would require the board of directors degree of involvement in strategic role in establishing and modifying the mission, objectives, strategies and policies). Mission or vision for the company. This needs to come from the board of directors. Corporations inside the United States usually have 2 insiders and 8 outsiders that require the board of directors degree of involvement in strategic management be strategy, policies and objectives) or be that of a catalyst (takes the leading role in

Victoria Secret Communication Strategy

Task: 1) Pick a brand (consumer goods categories including services) and gather all its marketing communication materials, and evaluate how effectively the brand has mixed and matched marketing communications (see Chapter 6). 2) Based on your understanding of the role of social media and other new forms of marketing communications, develop an interative brand-consumer communication program or campaign (refer to Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and Chapter 7) Length of the report (choose either Word or PPT format) 1. For Word format, no more than FIVE pages (1. spaced, 12 font size) 2. For PPT format, no more than 50 slides are expected (35 – 40 slides range would be better). How well does a proposed ad campaign contribute to brand equity? Introduction Background Communication Objectives Designing Social Media Communication – Target Customers – Message Strategy – Execution Elements Evaluation and Control Marketing Communications: everybody can be sexy; pictures say mo re than words I. Media advertising 1. Television broadcast of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion ShowThe possibly most outstanding, far-reaching marketing move is the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, being broadcasted on CBS during primetime with almost 10 million viewers in the year of 2012. The show is being used as a place to show-off for varying entertainers, designers and celebrities, having developed into an event with international relevance and recognition. The show and its execution stand for originality, excitement and extravagance, presented by the world’s top models, also known as the Victoria’s Secret Angels.In the center of attention is the strong dominance of the image Victoria’s Secret wants to convey and literally scream out to its audience: the incomparable sexiness, the overbearing powerfulness and the imperturbable supremacy of the brand itself and its wearer. According to CMO Ed Razek of Limited Brands regarding the effect of the show, â€Å"online sales increase substantially both the night the show is taped and the day after its broadcast. We’re talking tens of millions of dollars here, at least† (Raven). 2.Television Advertisements with aggressive messages Victoria’s Secret’s marketing strategy features several television advertisements, promoting new product lines or special occasions throughout the year such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day. A high consistency of the advertisements and high familiarity of the ad-structure makes it easily recognizable for consumers to distinguish VS’s commercial from other labels: each commercial features several Victoria’s Secret Angels and a large display of various styles and shapes of their lingerie for different tastes.Further, it always features the brand name and a reminder of other company-linked mediums such as the stores, the catalogue and the online store. The models are always presented in action and wearing only lingerie to grab the viewer’s immediate attention. The rather fast-moving scenery, exactly displays the attributes consistent to VS’s brand image and the hedonic user imagery: especially the â€Å"It’s Showtime† (http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=g8hCGq7oZds&feature=fvwp&NR=1)commercial designed my Michael Bay (Independence Day, etc. gives the advertisement a feeling of adventurousness, mystery, and the lingerie-displaying models a sense of being untouchable, sexy, powerful, desirable, irresistible, playful. This image is consistent throughout the advertisements and commercials â€Å"helps the [consumer] know what to expect and the variety keeps them coming back† (Raven). The verbal message – if present – comprises a very strong invitation or almost obligation to buy, conveying VS products to be the perfect choice of present for each occasion, such as stated in the â€Å"Tell me you love me† (http://www. outube. com/watch ? NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=8Ev5TyHYSfY) commercial: Seducing women whisper to the viewer to tell them â€Å"you love me†, reinforcing this wish with the final sentence â€Å"There is nothing like a Christmas present from Victoria’s secret†. As to prove one’s eternal and only love for a women, men as well as women get triggered directly – the one in the double bind of conveying his love especially through VS lingerie, and the other in the expectancy of such a gift as a sign of true affiliation or doubt. . Advertisement and presence in high-gloss magazines Magazines such as Elle and Vogue in the United States are the main print-medium to advertise to VS’s target consumer. The highly recognizable and consistent advertisements mainly introduce product line launches, displaying the consistent image of the VS brand with the sensuality and sexiness of the featured models. Besides, there are numerous articles featuring either the VS Angels or brand- related information, keeping the brand present to the consumer.VS has even reached out to reach their male shadow target audience, by featuring articles in the GQ men’s magazine, displaying desirable full-page photographs and even advertisement – making men want to see their women as sexy as the Angels, letting them consider to buy VS lingerie. II. Direct Response Advertising Direct response advertising is viewed as the key component of relationship marketing.VS cleverly applies this communication method via its Facebook group with 21 million members, engaging them in active participation by empowering them to vote for certain products a model should wear for a show, vote for â€Å"either or† questions regarding products as well as respond to questions on their personal opinion about what they want to buy. The analysis of these responses certainly has an immense value for VS as they can easily and at a low cost detect consumer preferences and possible shifts, tr ack responses towards special fields of interest and keep the consumer engaged with the VS brand.III. Place resp. out-of-home advertisement 1. QR code campaign: Sexier than Skin A use of innovative technologies regarding mobile applications has been successfully integrated through the â€Å"Sexier than Skin† campaign. Huge billboards throughout the United States featured each a VS model with a QR (quick response) barcode hiding their presumingly naked intimate body parts. Every passer-by equipped with a mobile phone has been able to directly scan the QR code after having downloaded a gratuitous application, thus being able to â€Å"Reveal [e. . ] Candice’s Secret†. Consistent with the â€Å"Sexier than Skin† campaign, the then on the screen visible advertisement showed the same model wearing VS’s new, sexy product line, convincing the viewer to be literally sexier than only skin. In order to increase the effectiveness of the commercial, the adverti sement has been directly connected to Victoria’s Secret’s main website, allowing consumers to directly browse through products and to shop online. . Mobile billboard campaign In the year of 2009, Citi-Mobile has launched a mobile billboard for VS’s â€Å"Perfect One Bra† campaign, â€Å"which featured a â€Å"stylish, state-of-the-art† 3D mobile billboard with a VS model printed on it wearing the new bra. The mobile passed major shopping areas and hotspots of Los Angeles County, carrying an additional announcement of the live-appearance of Heidi Klum at one of their flagship stores to launch the new line.The buzz has spread among trendsetters, and a large crowd lined up to meet Heidi Klum and take photos with her, as she personally drove the mobile billboard to the store that day and excessively promoted the new product (http://www. prweb. com/releases/2009/03/prweb2214114. htm). 3. Angel Wings Box In 2012, nine boxes with worn vintage VS Fashion Show wings have been put up on Broadway New York, where people were able to have a photo taken with. These photos could be sent to VS via mobile multimedia message in order to get them uploaded on the VS Facebook fanpage.A moment for fans to either enjoy being in the center of attention, taking part in the stunning experience of getting close to the Angel’s wings and sharing this moment online. Hence, people were able to tag themselves and to share it with their friends, spreading and promoting the brand throughout their social network, enabling VS to profit from very low-cost, efficient marketing (http://www. herworldplus. com/fashion/updates/try-on-a-pair-of-victoria-s-secret-angel-wings). 4. Product PlacementEasily recognizable Victoria’s Secret items such as the typical pink-striped shopping bag or the store front have been cleverly placed into several movies or TV-series, such as â€Å"Juno† (http://www. brandchannel. com/home/post/2011/12/09/At-the-Movies- A-Product-Placement-Super-Team-In-Young-Adult. aspx), a TV drama called â€Å"The Towns† (http://productplacementwatch. blogspot. hk/) and â€Å"The Office† (http://www. brandspotters. com/brand. aspx? id=48), subliminally confronting the consumer or viewer with the brand’s presence. 5.In-store advertisement mostly only showing a picture, luring the desire to upgrade oneself with such an amazing lingerie product; * 4. Promotions: to encourage first trial or visit of (online) store by lowering price resp. adding value: coupons, rebates, gimmicks, free gifts, bundle pricing, promotions during seasonal sales; better perceived value; seem to have become stable part of VS marketing To Earn Online/Catalogue: * Place an order of in-stock merchandise totaling $10 or more and use offer codeLOVEANGELS  at checkout. Choose the Victoria’s Secret Angel Credit Card* as your method of payment. (You must complete your order with an Angel Credit Card to qualify. ) * You r free Secret Reward Card will be added to your order after offer code is applied and will be included in your merchandise package. One free Secret Reward Card per order. To Earn in Stores: * Use your Victoria’s Secret Angel Credit Card* with any purchase of $10 or more to receive your free Secret Reward Card. One free Secret Reward Card per customer, per day. Valid only at US, non-outlet Victoria’s Secret stores.Same for facebook subscribers (digital coupons); or newsletter and catalogue subscribers as well; helps to reach price-sensitive consumers, increase product trial and quick, hedonic, in-store buying decisions; make it look as VS makes a special offer to their consumers, does not lower the perceived quality image; risk that buyers stick to promotional offers instead of buying the brand out of affiliation – but there are constantly promotions if only you follow FB, website, or other media; the brand after all makes profits large enough as the promotions a re usually tied to a minimum purchase amount; . Interactive: – website: online shopping possibility, consistent in colors and style (pink), very clear, directly uring with rebates and special promotions; VS ALL ACCESS features newest updates about models, shootings, press released, trend reports, interviews and previews of the new collections to keep followers updated, involved, interested; also featuring videos how to get in shape as the admired angels, how to put on make-up the way they do – you can adapt their whole look and lifestyle as a passionate follower; store locator, policies, etc. clear and consistent design, easy to navigate through; – iPhone and Android Web: Victoria’s Secret â€Å"Get your Wings† application; PLUS normal app to allows online shopping and direct ordering – e-mails in the form or newsletters: Stay in touch & in style via your inbox, with the latest from Victoria's Secret, exclusive online and in-store offers ; s ales, new fashion, lingerie ; beauty alerts, in-store events ; store openings in your area, news and offers from Victoria's Secret and its sister companies. Social Media: – facebook as rather to create a long-term relationship and consumer engagement (FABULOUS; design your own; encouragement to buy things and feel sexy), etc. ; almost 22million likes; 2 million followers on twitter; Welcome to the official Victoria’s Secret page, where Angels, Bombshells & the sexiest fans on Facebook get their fix for everything VS. Company Overview Victoria's Secret is inspired by a love for lingerie, and the desire to bring beauty—and fantasy—into every woman’s wardrobe. We believe little luxuries are of grand importance.And what’s closest to your body is always closest to our heart. All under a â€Å"Life is Fabulous† slogan, especially the word fabulous being featured in the majority of posts; created a facebook community; able to fine tune its m arketing and yield marketing insights, as consumers get involved by voting for outfit preferences; interactive involvement by directly promoting a new product line with the question whether â€Å"YOU† (spelled in capital letters† already found the perfect fit; easy platform to respond to consumer requests, responses, complaints, etc. irectly, publicly; promoting Model or theme playlists on spotify people can contribute to; – online videos via youtube channel: featuring newest online or Tv commercials and extended cuts, product introductions, behind-the-scenes videos on VS’ youtube channel, insights and close-up from the models, workout plans â€Å"train like an angel†, make-up tips â€Å"look like an angel†, videos â€Å"on the Art of Living Fabulously†, the Fashion Show, â€Å"you asked – we answered†; Mobile marketing via APP be it get your wings or the online shop, QR code scanning; to increase loyalty; targeted mobile ads in Pandora’s iPhone app – geo-targeting, as the ads show how far away consumers are from VS store – redirection to mobile landing site; increasing trial â€Å"Victoria’s Secret, the  largest American retailer of lingerie, has recently launched the first ever nationwide mobile messaging campaign in the United States using rich media messaging, the next generation of MMS technology,† said Cezar Kolodziej, president/CEO of Iris Mobile, Chicago. (http://www. mobilemarketer. com/cms/news/messaging/14124. tml) â€Å"They are promoting their VSX Sexy Sport brand by sending workout tips through their video series, ‘Train Like An Angel,’† he said. â€Å"These tips are delivered by Victoria Secret models themselves, also known as the Angels, to teach women how to stay in shape. † Rich media messaging is the only mobile technology that allows Victoria’s Secret to deliver videos on all mobile handsets and carrier with n o data connection required; thus watchable EVERYWHERE; keeping in touch, updating, informing, strengthening the relation; to bolster awareness 7. Event marketing and sponsorship: Fashion show PINK NATION 8.Publicity and public relations: Angels as spokeswomen, social stuff? (but the 2000 show was moved for a year from the usual February event at the Plaza to a May event in concert with the  Cannes Film Festival  in France to raise money for the Cinema Against AIDS charity; it raised $3. 5 million. ) 9. Word-of-mouth Consistency of content in FB stuff – makes people come back as they know there will be something waiting for them; All contribute to brand equity: by creating awareness of the brand, linking pop and pod associations to the brand in consumers’ memory, eliciting positive brand judgments or feelings (socially active? , and facilitating a stronger consumer-brand connection and brand resonance; Intended  goals  of an  advertising  or  promotional  program. Possible communications  objectives  include  (1) creating brand  awareness, (2) imparting  knowledge, (3) projecting an  image, (4) shaping, enhanding  attitudes and influencing intentions, (5) stimulating a  want  or desire, and/or (6) effecting a  sale, facilitate purchase behavior. (7) Building brand image; Read more:  http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/communications-objectives. html#ixzz2Ny5BtTpRCommunication objectives of social media: http://www. chrisbrogan. com/10-communications-objectives-of-social-media/ We observe, young consumers use social media as a â€Å"push† medium (too) – they send out messages and are promoting themselves. They get friends with brands, because brands follow back REWARDING LOYAL CUSTOMERS 1. Generate awareness. 2. Drive Trial. 3. Product Launch. 4. Establish Need/Want 5. Product/Service Comparison. 6. Positive Association. 7. Form/Change Opinion. 8. Influence the Influencers. 9. Drive Act ion/Traffic. 10. Establish/Regain Trust.

How Films Change Perception Essay

There are many ways in which movies or films may become art. Art can be expressed through color, angles, character development, plot, even scenery; or all of these combined. In the movie Il Postino there is a certain art of the film which allows the viewer to become part of the story, to fall in love as the characters fall in love, through the expression of words and moments. This paper will focus on how movies or films help in changing a person’s perspective through the use of characters, plot, scenery, camera angles, filter use, and the overall ambience of a film, mainly focusing on Il Postino. A film is a gateway by which the viewing audience is immersed in another person’s life which includes their family, their culture, and their environment. Due to the relationship which the camera has with the character, the audience feels as though they too have a bond with the protagonists of the film. By extension then, the characters’ life becomes the audience’s reality. The brilliance of movies is that there are so many ways in which to depict varied cultures and for each film there is a chance for the audience member to exchange, expound, and change their own perspective in light of the information they are given from the characters’ lives. It is through this part of the film, the expression of love in its diverse and dynamic multidimensional forms that the viewer is allowed to partake in the film, be hypnotized with the characters and it is this that makes Il Postino an art film, and how it can change an audience members own perspective. Films are not only seen as an art form, but they are also used in a cultural context in order to present to the viewing public historical events. These historical events may be subject to biases such as in propaganda films (D. W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation) or they may present documentaries in which plan objectivism is the point of the film (i. e. Bush’s Brain). A film does not only transport the viewer into different cultures but gives the world a chance to see the unfolding of history through the perspective of the people who lived through it such as films documenting the effects of Hiroshima’s bomb, and the radiation which ensued directly afterwards with first person accounts. Therefore the lens of history is unclouded with such unbiased documentaries. Films are also a means of therapy and identification. Some films are so profound in their depiction of a character’s life that the audience member completely identifies with that person and a sub-cult forms based on the movie. These sub-cults can be seen with the movies The Godfather, Rocky Horror Picture Show, or even Psycho. In these films an audience member can identify or want to encompass the way of life of these characters to such an extent that they may go and join the mafia, become transsexual, or even become an integral part of the Hitchcock fan base in which pure horror is the objective of the movie, â€Å"Shots of Gothic manors lit by lightening, of shadows glimpsed under doors, or of a hand gliding along a banister, are examples of the ‘spectacular means’ of horror; they are the kind of devices that have been used so often that they have come to define the genre of the horror movie† (White The Poetics of Horror 1). Thus, movies go beyond displaying forms of a culture and begin to instigate their own subcultures. More subcultures will form from a movie that is subjective in which the audience member can come closely to identifying with the main character. The objective films in which an more omnipresent perspective of the unfolding of the lives of the main characters is not warranted to becoming a sub cultural formation but has its own merits nonetheless. In the way in which the main character Mario lives, in his final act of love for the poet Neruda is found this close perspective of the film. It is not because the film is about poetry that makes Il Postino an art film that audience members identify with but rather is it how the characters embrace their own personalities, their own loves and destinies that transforms the film from one of typical romance into great romance. The transformation of these two protagonists is the center of making this film art. Their responses to one another, their paradigm of poetry and love of life allow the viewer that voyeuristic look into the characters’ reality. This is what art does, this is why the movie is art. Even the final act of Beatrice giving Neruda Mario’s tape recorder is an act of poetry, a final salute the two friend’s past. The unfolding of their lives becomes a poignant moment in the audience member’s lives as well since the movie showed a close perspective of the protagonists’ lives. Films also have a heavy impact on a person’s life when the point of the film is to present the audience with propaganda, especially during wartime. In the British side, the official task of the War Propaganda Bureau headed by Lord Northcliffe was to alter the minds of the British into thinking that the war’s aim was to stop the nearing catastrophe the Germans and their allies created. Indeed, the war was molded in that concept and fed to the people. However, the extent of mid-altering and opinion-swaying came to an extent never before imagined. The meaning of propaganda clearly states that it the most legal way of changing the mindsets and perceptions of people; and only a powerful institution can do such a thing, for no individual or government can uphold and spread propaganda without sufficient resources. In the aim of altering or distorting the people’s emotions, a government has to adopt utmost carefulness in order to achieve its goal of merging together all the people’s sentiments and turning it into a national mindset. Propaganda is the intentional, organized attempt to mold perceptions, alter understanding and dictate behavior to garner a response that will suffice the wishes of the propagandist. War propaganda was born in the World War I. In a war, the side which employs a more powerful and thought-penetrating propaganda despite disadvantage in strength and in number, possesses the innate advantage. This was done to maintain the morale at home and be in perfect synchronization with allies abroad. The British propaganda was the most superior and was even highly regarded worldwide even by their German foes. Propaganda, as it was utilized in World War I, was the ruination of the human soul. The British were best at doing such defilement. Lumley (1933) stated that propaganda is the intentional effort to affect the minds and emotions of people. On the other hand, the Germans at the start of the war had experienced the culmination of their government’s own propaganda, the Spirit of 1914, as German propagandists made the citizens particularly the elite classes perceives the upcoming war as a means of unifying the peoples of Europe. By the end of the war, the Germans saw it as a distant memory and a misleading notion. There one could conclude regarding the striking contrasts between the propaganda of Britain and Germany. Germany, as well as the other nations of the Central Powers led its people to believe that the war to be waged was to achieve a noble cause whilst Britain led its people to see the war as a means to putting a halt to the advance of the German militaristic menace. To guarantee that no additional or unwanted knowledge flowed into the public and for the governments to at least give the people some information just for the sake of informing them, all sorts of information were filtered. Information media were tight and under scrutiny. Media, like the newspaper for instance, print filtered news that is sanctioned by the government because if otherwise, they will be the subject of penalties. The government made people read what they only want them to read. For example in Britain, censorship was the key ingredient because newspapers were run by the media barons who were more than willing to cooperate. They helped print headlines which made emotions of the British civilians surge in anger, depicting Germans in utmost cruelty and picturing the German leaders as bellicose bullies. Inevitably, across in Western Europe the same was also happening in Germany, where the authorities propagandized the British as sadistic towards their German captives. In all of the countries, propaganda was also behind the altering of casualty figures which were lessened considerably to make the people optimistic of the outcome. Just as films are maneuvered to present a specific and altered point of view during a war, or a film presents the viewer with point of view perspective of a culture, so too does a film bring forth international cultures that reflect a specific country. This view point can be seen in films such as Amelie in which the protagonist searches the film through for a boy who dropped a picture book, and the reflection of quirky natures of the main characters is portrayed and the way in which the French easily examine sexuality in the film (as in the scene where the man works in a sex shop). Films are not only used to portray and represent different cultures to the audience but they may also be used for educational purposes. This goes beyond the scope of sex education films but can also include driving safely videos, or even military outfits gain instruction from a film on how to survive out in the wild. Despite all of the facets that a film may provide for an audience member; be it differing views on culture, educational purposes, propaganda, the main purpose, and the one that makes all of the others seemingly obsolete is that of the movie’s entertainment value. Audience members attend films in order to escape their own reality for a while, the immerse themselves in another person’s perspective, their reality. Thus, movies perform a function in society of entertainment, of escapism, of fantasy, and that is their main appeal. Works Cited Carrol, Noel. Nightmare and the Horror Film: The Symbolic Biology of Fantastic Beings. Film Quarterly. Vol. 34, No. 3. pp16-25. Spring 1981. Cull, N. J. Selling War: The British Propaganda Campaign against American Neutrality in World War II. London: Oxford University Press. 1997. Il Postino. Blue Dahlia Productions. 1994. White, Dennis L. The Poetics of Horror More than Meets the Eye. â€Å"Cinema Journal† Vol. 10, No. 2. pp1-18. Spring 1971.

A Journal opinion article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Journal opinion article - Essay Example Despite the promise to cut debts by half, Federal debts has gone up by 52% reaching $16.2 trillion a thing unheard of in the US. In the year 2007 US underwent the worst recession since the great depression that robbed that saw stocks hitting their bottom just before 2009. This changed after January 2009 when Dow Jones Average went up 70%, Standard & Poor 500 index went up 81 %, and NASDAQ complex index went up 119% (Jackson web). The levels of unemployment stood at 7.8% as they are as at September 2012. Although millions lost jobs immediately, Obama took oath the government has managed to pull the economy to the position of absorbing the same and providing extra jobs. Just before the recession, the level of unemployment had gone down to less that 5% only to rise in 2009 to as high as 10% (Jackson web). The poor state of the economy prevented the level from falling again and it took nearly two years to lower the level even by a small margin. However, the economy has slowly regained mo st of the lost jobs and predictions promise more jobs in the next coming months. The level of unemployed Americans is 12.1 million, which is the lowest since January 2009. A drop from 8.1% to 7.8% before the elections gave Obama a positive boot to winning the elections just a month away (Jackson web). Although some sectors like manufacturing has lost many jobs and some critics use it to bring the government down and to prove that no progress has taken place at all. Some even suggest that the government have skewed numbers to aid Obama re-election into government. The bureau of statistics has come out to confirm that really some jobs have been created and that the economy is actually moving forward. However, several other indicators suggest otherwise and confirm a slow growth of the economy. For instance, the US treasury, note went up by a small percentage depicting that investors are now willing to shift their investments from bonds to stocks. In fact, the prices of some stocks have gone up by a significant percentage with Dow Jones industrial average going up. Less income to families and increased poverty levels is another challenge blamed on Obama government. It is true that many families have suffered financially in the past few years and the poverty levels have gone up. In fact, household income and family income declined by a significant percentage or stagnated to some. Due to high levels of unemployment, the number of Americans living below the poverty line went up and was at 46.2 million in the year 2011. This is a rise from 46.3% in the year 2010 (Jackson web). In addition, food supplemental aid increased from increasing poverty levels. However, due to recession that occurred in the year 2007, household incomes were already declining or stagnant when Obama took office in 2009. The good news is that with the declining levels of unemployment, household income and family income will soon report an increase. Obama’s government has been blamed for ri sing fuel prices, which has doubled since he took over government. To be precise, the price was at $1.85 by end of January 2009 but at October 2012, this figure has gob has gone up to $3.8 (Jackson web). Although the prices of oil remain up, oil imports have gone down with a significant amount. In addition, dependence on oil has gone down with the country turning to other better sources like wind power and

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 289

Assignment Example However, technological innovation is analyzed as a changing network of agents interacting in an industrial area and in an institutional infrastructure involved in generating, diffusing and utilizing technology. Technology innovation is the process that that brings improved and developed technologies widespread. The reason of technological innovation is to analyze and later develop a particular technology field in structures and processes that support it. The components of technological innovations are called structures. These are representations of the static aspect of the system as it stabilizes over time. They consist of technical infrastructures and artifacts where they are integrated. They also involve the techno-economic that includes the costs, reliability and safety. However, the designing of a cost- effective technological innovation has become quite a challenge as the world has become more interconnected (Graetz, 2013).There are two things that are clearly uncontested by economists. The first thing is the importance of technological innovations in relation to the economic growth. In 1957, Robert Slow demonstrated how significant economic growth per hour of work in the United State s in 1909 and 1949 could be attributed to the advances in technology (Graetz, 2013). Development of intellectual property (IP) is an essential element to national wealth building. Therefore, the government supports the advances in technology in the form of IP legal protection, providing loans and grants and guarantees to both the profit and no-profit making organization research institutions. In addition, they tax benefits for research and development for the innovations. In cases of a closed economy, the citizens and the residents will reap the reward to direct their taxes to spur. Studies have addressed the effects of increased research and development on employment pattern and

Advanced Business Structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Advanced Business Structure - Essay Example e contained within a business model should address all functions of a company such as operating cost, revenues, operating strategies, corporate structure and sales and marketing measures. Twitter is finally stepping up and moving into the world where real businesses stride and this led to launch o the advertising model.Biz Stone the co founder of twitter posted a blog entry about unveiling the new promoted tweets advertising policy. Users will start seeing paid messages that will be labelled promoted. Ten percent or more will be able to see the promoted messages. Twitter will be in corroboration with bravo, red bull, Sony pictures, starbucks, best buy and virgin America which will initiate the first adverts. The founders of twitter believe that promoted tweets will not be rejected by twitter users because it will have built in quality features that reward tweets. Search business type, it acquired the search engine in the summer of 2008 which is common. It had the potential to subdue tweet’s servers, to such an extent that the first year, they did not set up a search box but hid the feature. This search is highly significant, as proven during the current Iran disruption when twitter was among few ways of getting words out (Siau, 74). E-commerce, many companies have used this method example Dell has sold millions of dollars worth of equipment through twitter. BTB customer support business model, best buy and Twitter began an experiment with @ TwelpForce. This enabled them to have thirteen thousand followers. This service ensures that all customer’s questions and enquires are answered. This is known to be the future of customer communications. Twitter 101, this is a sizeable lesson for companies to do business using twitter. This enables the company to find monetize their traffic. Verified accounts, twitter is known to be the first with verified accounts plan payment that verify clients are carrying out transactions with the company they are searching for and

A Multi-proxy Reconstruction of the Late Quaternary Site at Deeping Coursework

A Multi-proxy Reconstruction of the Late Quaternary Site at Deeping St. James, Lincolnshire - Coursework Example Through the analysis of the ecology that thrives in the region, one can distinctly identify the environmental conditions of the time. Although different proxies have analyzed different aspects of the ecology, this paper will highlight the analysis of different types of mollusks extracted from a sentiment sample from Deeping St. James. Through the identification and description of the mollusks in the sentiment, the paper will present a reconstruction of the environment of the pond and describe the environmental conditions of the time. Introduction Climate change accounts for the conditions evident geographically today. Archeologists have ventured into describing the probable processes and stages that resulted to the current environment. As environmental changes occur, a shift in the organisms that can thrive in certain ecological conditions occurs. Understanding the past environment can help in putting the current environment into perspective. Deeping St. James in Lincolnshire is one of the characteristic sites that that contains evidence of the climatic changes over time leading to the deposition of different materials. Climatic changes in the region have comprised periods of temperate conditions followed by extremely cold conditions. Different researchers have studies the palaeo-environment and produced different proxies that can suffice in providing information concerning the site over time (Haslett, 2002:1-2). A multi-proxy analysis approach is one of the critical ways in providing relevant information while reconstructing the past environment. The primary concern in Deeping St. James would was being able to analyze the different species of mollusks thriving in the environment today. A morphological and ecological definition of the species would shed light into the nature of past environment. This paper will analyze the species and provide a sketch of the reconstruction of the site during the ipswichian stage. The reconstruction of the palaeo-environment pro cess begins with an analysis of the stratigraphy at Deeping ST. James in order to establish the geological framework of the site (Haslett, 2002:1-2). A thorough analysis of the available proxy records is essential in providing the basic palaeo-environment. The third and most critical step involves the development of a chronology of events that can help construct a dating framework. The next step involves the linking of different sequences using a correlation basis with data from other locations. Finally, a consideration of all lines of evidence helps in the synthesis of palaeo-environment. Methods In order to identify the mollusc species that thrives in the sediments at Deeping St. James Lincolnshire, there was a sample for analysis. The methods of analysis used depended on the sample and organism of interest. The source of the sample was the site of interest. The initial procedure involved an extraction of the organisms provided. After extraction, the available proxies and referenc e books served as resourceful materials in the identification of the extracted species, moreover, these materials provided information concerning the ecology of the species. The final procedure involved the development of a reconstruct of the palaeo-environment of the site. Procedure of Extraction The initial step involved sprinkling of a thin and even covering of the sample onto a petri-dish. The following step involved picking out all the shells

Serivice Performance Marketing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Serivice Performance Marketing - Research Paper Example Levels of service performance are defined on the basis of two main principles: indicators related to results of the organization’s performance and indicators related to determinants of the results. Moreover, an introduction of innovations and improvement in the sphere of management and customers’ needs satisfaction are basic pillars of modern companies’ performance (Carraher et al, 2006). Service performance in the Eastern world companies Therefore, there are possible steps of service performance of the organizations: to compare real and expected performance levels of the organization, to define relevant actions, to take appropriate actions. Thus, for the first group such points as outputs of financial performance and to the second group belong such groups as quality, flexibility or innovation etc (Frock and Boadu, 2002). In the developing countries, there is a need to improve service performance of the organizations. It is very important for modern organizations to satisfy the customer’s needs as it is required by new market conditions (Carraher et al, 2006). It is convenient to assure certain degrees of stability of performance in the market, to guarantee reliability of the organization’s performance. ... Other companies from public service sector from Singapore have focused their attention on the following factors: service quality guaranteed to their customers and clients. As far as we can see, there is promotion of an evident client-based approach in the service performance of Asian organizations (Marsh et al, 1999). Accountability and availability of services provided by the organizations is of crucial importance nowadays (Jones, 2001).  In small businesses and international companies it is of high importance to develop relevant strategies to meet expectations of customer, increase output of the company and keep it balance with the company’s input. We can confirm these suggestions by the following fact: â€Å"It is observed that performance of Indian industries for many measures differ significantly on the basis of national and international standards†¦such aspects as level of inventory, manufacturing cost, employee turnover rate and percentage rejection are related to such issues as services delivery speed, flexibility in production, labor productivity, capacity utilization, satisfaction of employees, customers and suppliers† (Carraher et al, 2006). As far as we can see, the companies of the Eastern region are concerned about appropriate innovations and improvements in their performance. Conclusion The role of service performance measurement in the assessment of every organization’s activity in the market is very important. Different advancements in companies’ services signify an essential breakthrough in the area of service performance of organizations. It is relevant for the modern companies to focus on various

International Supply Chain Management 342 research paper

International Supply Chain Management 342 - Research Paper Example Chain supply management regards the overall management of goods and products, from their place of origin, to the destination. According to Blanchard (2010), chain supply includes amongst others the storage and movement of raw materials from the source arenas keeping work-in-process inventories, and the eventual supply of finished products from the point of manufacture, to the market area for consumption. Towards meeting the needs of the consumer-base, various joint enterprises, channels and interlinked networks are vital. In this regard, supply chain management is defined as consisting of the design, pertinent planning, execution, management/control and constant monitoring of all supply-related activities; this with the main objective of creating net value for the firm enterprise. In the international chain-process, the building of a competitive infrastructure, the advantage of global logistics, the synchronization of existing supply to prevailing demand levels, and the eventual measurement of global performance standards are included. Thus, supply chain management (SCM hereon), draws majorly from the fields of: logistics, operations management, information technology and procurement; striving for an all-inclusive integrated approach. The integration of core business processes, especially across the supply chain, is for the main purpose of creating value for both the consumers and other stakeholders at large (Blanchard, 2010). As portrayed by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), the process of supply chain management encompasses different aspects of the business enterprise. These include the sourcing and procurement of raw materials, followed by conversion into end products, and eventual logistics management. Thus, as Cooper, Lambert, & Pagh (1997) portray, inclusive in this regard is the coordination and subsequent collaboration with existing channel partners i.e. intermediaries, third-party service

Marx's concept of alienation and Christianity's concept of sin and Essay - 1

Marx's concept of alienation and Christianity's concept of sin and disordered will - Essay Example We should realize alienation as a means in which, individuality, freedom, and subjectivity develop. Christians should view it as a process of self realization and self development. They should not view it as a way of creating fragmentation and division among people (Harvey 18). The concept of sin and disordered will should not be linked to alienation, nevertheless should Christians take excuse for the hostile alien powers that operate as if they are uncontrollable powers of nature. The remedy for Christianity and the actual meaning still remain debated. It is viewed in other terms as to being interpersonal or personal. We are, therefore, required to have a conscious choice of actions with Christians advised to reject techniques that are incompatible with the Christian world. We should be ready to accept things that promote unified and coherent world. Alienation should not be taken as an excuse for any sinful activity (Fromm

Risk Management Essay Example for Free

Risk Management Essay Todays corporations are not the same as the corporations of the early twentieth century. Society has seen to that with numerous lawsuits brought up against the willful misconduct and social misbehaviors many organizations have done in the past. This is more prevalent today as the world is linked and interconnected with global media and the use of the internet, so news of any violation is brought up to the publics attention in a matter of minutes. It does not only affect the corporations image at that time, but the actions of that corporation and the response that they take is communicated globally. This can either help or hinder the identity of the corporation, and with society so well educated in the matters of the environment today, the cost of not doing anything, or just the minimum can and most probably will hurt the global sales of whatever you are selling. Corporations have enormous amounts of pressure to be socially and environmentally responsible for their actions, and it is in the best interest for any corporation to settle most of their disputes the most efficient and quiet means possible. Court cases involving toxic torts, damage to the environment and general misconduct involving corporations will certainly have a negative impact on the bottom line and public image and this is something shareholders frown upon. Very seldom does the media follow stories of settlements between disputing parties that are carried out behind closed doors, for the majority of times, the details are not allowed to be made public. In order to resolve disputes between parties without the lengthy, costly- in terms of monetary and public image, and uncertain outcomes of litigation, many corporations and risk managers at these corporations are increasingly using the resources available through the alternate dispute resolution techniques. As we will soon learn, the environment is not the only regulation that companies have to adhere to. Under the regulatory process, the government uses administrative agencies to create and enforce the majority of all laws constituting the legal environment of business (Reed et al, 2002, p. 174). There are various reasons to support the need for government intervention and administrative law. They provide a stable, predictable, and fair operating environment for businesses and they provide certain assurances for the consumer and the employee. There are some governmental regulations on businesses that invoke the emotional support of community stakeholders. The lesson plan mentioned the environmental protections imposed on businesses by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Others include administrative agencies at the state and local levels, as well as the federal agencies. At the state level, there is great public interest in compensation boards which rule on employee injury and accident cases. Another state agency or board may determine local utility rates for gas and electricity. Without competition to control rates, the public must rely on regulations to protect their interests. The zoning boards of local government influence zoning laws and there can be great emotional response at their outcome (Reed et al, 2002). Federal agencies that may invoke similar emotional interest are the regulations imposed by the Housing and Urban Development agency (HUD), which determines building and housing development standards and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can has great impact on consumer product development with regards to safety (Chrisman Fry, 1983). Reed et al, (2002) lists the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which protects the consumer from unfair business practices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which prohibits the distribution of unsafe food or drugs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which prevents employment based on discrimination, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which ensures safe working conditions, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which protects the investing public. Knowledge of the optimum regulatory solution is a powerful weapon in the hands of the businessman when negotiating with regulatory agencies, and an advantage that is naturally his. How he uses that weapon is another matter entirely. He can volunteer it as a solution, use it as a fall-back position in negotiation, or oppose the regulation altogether on the grounds that even the best solution is too expensive, but he cannot afford not to know (Fri, 1976, p. 44). The administrative agencies regulating business have a great impact on its operations and ultimately its success or failure. The dilemma with running a multi billion-dollar company is how to run it safely, and with standards that protect everyone involved, including the environment. Our group has come up with strategies in dealing with allegations that could be detrimental to the financial stability of our company. We have talked about other regulations where community stakeholders can make emotional arguments supportive of government intervention. As to the situation involving Kelly Bates; we all feel that a lengthy litigation process dragged through the courts and the local and global media attention will do more harm than good. Even though we could have had a strong case against Ms. Kelly Bates because we have been a social responsible corporation in the past with only one incident, we choose to keep the media away and settle with her. In the settlement, we have agreed that she is not allowed to discuss the charges brought up against us or her settlement will be annulled. When you are known as an industry leader of your product, you instantly become a target for scrutiny and allegations. It is up to the company to make sure they have a good legal team, and that they abide by the statutes put into place by the local government. References Coulson, R. (1993, Jan). Avoiding litigation with alternative dispute resolution. Risk Management, 40(1), 20-26. Retrieved November 24, 2004 from the ProQuest database. Chrisman, J. , Fry, F. (1983). How government regulation affects small business. Business Forum, 8(2), 25-28. Retrieved November 26, 2004, from the EbscoHost database.

Dutton Donald G. Rethinking Domestic Violence Essay Example for Free

Dutton Donald G. Rethinking Domestic Violence Essay Dutton, Donald G. Rethinking Domestic Violence Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book was written by Dutton about domestic violence. It gave us the history about assault on spouses. Dutton talks of two major social phenomena that emerged in North American and the Western countries in Europe. Rights of women were acknowledged by everyone after long and tedious struggle of women to get recognized. It goes further to state the measures and incidences of violence including theories concerning women assault.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book is very important for it teaches about recognizing one another especially those who have the violent personalities. It is good for the society for it educates one to accept others rights and difference between marriage duties and rights. This book shows us that we can eliminate all odds in our society and try make each and every person feel that he or she belongs to the society fully without any intimidation and discrimination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dutton’s ideas can be used to help those who have the abusive personality by encouraging them to attend psychiatrist’s teachings. It can be used to educate spouses in marriage so that they will evade future marriage problems. Also, in the current globalized world, the ideas in this book can help us socialize and live together in peace and harmony especially in a domestic set up. This book can help people who are married in other cultures to harmonize or leave those cultures and then live with the acceptance and respect of each other’s rights.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Weiss, Elaine. Surviving Domestic Violence: Voices of Women Who Broke Free. Volcano: Volcano Press,  2004. Print.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this book, Surviving Domestic Violence, Elaine wrote about several stories of women who had been subjected to domestic violence. She got these stories by interviewing and later writing them down. It talks of what each one of them went through and how they later managed to escape it. It gives reasons as to why such incidences were happening. After getting out, the women took a very long time to recover the psychological and wounds they got due to thisviolence but some were yet to fully recover for the ordeal they had gone through had impacted negatively on their lives. Those who managed to deal with stress after coming out said that they felt stronger than ever.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The different stories taught in this book are the true causes and effects of domestic related violence. They bring about what one goes through and how one feels while undergoing the violence. Also, it helps to understand what to do when such incidences happen. It also shows its effects and how they change one’s life therefore targeting those who abuse their partners. This book is a very ideal example as it shows us that those who have already freed themselves from the marital abuses can educate others like the youth and couples about domestic violence so that they refrain from it   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The stories are very encouraging for they give the people motivation to solve their problems and also how one can escape this. They can be used by those specialists in parental guidance and counselling to help them shape their marriage when such incidences are reported to them and even before couples get married. The ideas in this book can enable those undergoing abuses to get out and look for a better marriage partner. One only needs to accept that he or she is undergoing domestic violence and therefore if it cannot be solved, one can boldly walk away and start life afresh. Marriage is not slavery but it’s a path towards achieving your goals in life as one needs a partner who is willing to assist where possible so that they make all their dreams in life to happen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence Cook, Philip W. Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence. Westport: Praeger,  2009. Print.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Phillip exposes how men goes through domestic violence silently. He talks of how real it is that men are going through domestic violence without the society suspecting. He brings several stories of men who have been undergoing through such violence from their wives for a long time. Then he goes further to give tips that can help one to find freedom from any form of abuse. Then he addresses resistance and acceptance for those who are abusing their spouses and how they come to realize that each and every person deserves to be respected. He also talks of new great approaches that can be used to reduce domestic violence. He then gives survey statistics of domestic violence in Canada. It also talks about how the relationship changes between the offenders to their victims.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story is helpful in realizing what some men go through. It gives statistics of domestic violence that people are not ready to talk about. The society is helped to recognize men who are undergoing domestic abuses from their spouses. It is helpful because statistics help people to know how long they have been living with their friends undergoing abuses without even realizing it. It talks of acceptance which can help those who are yet to accept their spouse the way he or she is. It is helpful for it shows how much men can be subjected to torture with use of dangerous tools such as knives, machetes and any other type of a life-threatening tool or machine so that one can force their partner to follow one’s commands.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Philip’s ideas can be used to know the men who are undergoing abuses experienced from their wives and enable us to help them come out of the problem. Also, it encourages courage especially those who are not courageous enough to come out and tell their ordeal to the society. This book can help men to free themselves away from any form of abuse and intimidation from their partners. This book is very important as it can be used to tell the extent in which men undergo violence in real life situations. Men can also use this book to help them evade any other form of domestic violence against them and therefore reducing the number of men who die as a result of domestic violence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Howard, Louise, Louise Howard, Gene Feder, and Roxane Agnew-Davies. Domestic Violence and Mental Health. London: RCPsych Publications,  2013. Print.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book has been written collectively by different authors who specialize in domestic violence ideas. It talks about prevalence and physical health impacts of domestic violence. It talks about types of abuses in marriage such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and coercive control and also it questions them and gives clues on how they are brought about and their solution. It also talks of effects of the person’s psychology which is deeply affected even in the future that may not get them out of his mind. It stresses on survival strategies to evade such abuses and also how one can control one’s mind to avoid damaging his or her psychology. This book also gives the kinds of interventions and responses people can take after or when you suspect any form of violence. Advices from professionals on domestic violence are also written down.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book has directives on what causes mental problems after abuse. It also gives us ways on how to control ourselves and maintain a state of calmness so as not disturb our stressed mind. It educates us on different forms of domestic violence. It is an important text for it has pieces of advice on domestic violence from professionals’ point of view.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story in this book can help us to evade mental problems due to domestic abuses and can be used by psychiatrists to know what causes a certain mental disorder and they can use the ideas here to enable their clients who are undergoing this problem to get out of it. It can also be used to educate couples so that when they are not in good terms to try to their best solve the problem before it gets out of hand. The advices written in this book can also be used in the same way to advice people especially those undergoing domestic violence depending on the root cause and the kind of violence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kubany, Edward S, Mari A. McCaig, and Janet R. Laconsay. Healing the Trauma of Domestic Violence: A Workbook for Women. Oakland: New Harbinger   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book is directed to those who have been freed from domestic violence and especially women. Due to violent domestic situations, one may develop post-traumatic stress disorders which are not easy to get out of one’s mind and can negatively affect that person. It is aimed at giving programs known as cognitive trauma therapy which one undergoes to help him or her come back to normal. It gives the techniques one can use them to help himself or herself by identifying any form of trauma and distress one has that can enable one to deal with it to help control and change his or her life .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book is targeting those who have been affected by domestic violence so that they come back to normal. It is an educational tool for the society to understand the devastating effects of wife battering. Therefore it makes us to even identify those who are going through post-traumatic stress. It contains technics and procedures one can follow so that they make him deal any results brought by domestic violence. It is also helpful as it helps chase out any fears one has due to what they went through during that horrifying period of domestic violence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Psychiatrists can use this book to help traumatized people come back to normal. The ideas here can help us to even identify those going through stress in their marriage so that they are helped before it’s too late. This book can be used also by the parents who are not in good terms to read and understand what one may go through if such incidences happen. The techniques in this book about dealing with trauma after violence can be used by psychiatrists to help clients who underwent this so that they identify what they are in trauma of and this can help them to accordingly better their lives. It can also be used individually as one can remember well what went wrong in that marriage and help better their lives. References Cook, Philip W. Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence. Westport: Praeger,  2009. Print. Dutton, Donald G. Rethinking Domestic Violence. Vancouver: UBC Press,  2006. Print. Howard, Louise, Louise Howard, Gene Feder, and Roxane Agnew-Davies. Domestic Violence and Mental Health. London: RCPsych Publications,  2013. Print. Kubany, Edward S, Mari A. McCaig, and Janet R. Laconsay. Healing the Trauma of Domestic Violence: A Workbook for Women. Oakland: New Harbinger Weiss, Elaine. Surviving Domestic Violence: Voices of Women Who Broke Free. Volcano: Volcano Press,  2004. Print. Source document

Travel industry in Pakistan tourism

Travel industry in Pakistan tourism Introduction and Background of the Research The Travel Industry in Pakistan is undergoing a period of drastic changes. Customer demands and loyalty levels are changing every season with competitive packages being offered by the travel management companies to stay in the business. Also to compete with the International travel industry, local companies have to be at par and offer excellent services and rates. The industry is all about enabling customers to build mutual relationships with their clients and to give them the means with which they can maximize the benefit of every idea or initiative effortlessly across their clients. The travel sector has been categorized as Inbound and Outbound Travel. Inbound travel refers to the people who wish to travel to Pakistan where as Outbound travel refers to the people wishing to travel abroad. If a person travels to some foreign land it is included in Outbound Travel and if the same person returns to Pakistan, it will be characterized as Inbound Travel. Considering the economic and political conditions of Pakistan, there has always been disparity between outbound and inbound travel. This is also because of the Non Returning Pakistanis who wish to pursue their careers outside Pakistan and after certain time, call their families abroad. The Travel Sector has always been focusing on outbound travel because of the adequate infrastructure provided by other destinations such as Far East, Middle East and Europe. The sector in Pakistan has also been a victim of lack of support by the government despite the growing number of travel management companies in Pakistan. An independent report by World Economic forums Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008 (TTCR) suggested that tourism facilities remained unsatisfactory in Pakistan. Due to the absence of world class tourism facilities, Pakistan is constantly being put on the back foot when it comes to tourism promotion. In addition to a poor tourism infrastructure, the country also lacks standard and competitive hotel rooms at popular tourism sites. The TTCR ranked Pakistan at number 110 out of 124 countries, when it came to provision of standard and competitive hotel rooms. (Euro Monitor, 2009) According to the Members List posted on the TAAP (Travel agents association of Pakistan) currently there are over 700 travel agents working across the country that have been categorized as: Figure 1.1: Distribution of Travel Management Companies in Pakistan (TAAP, 2009) Travel may be broadly classified in three different categories worldwide and the same classification applies to Pakistan as well. Travelling for business purposes, these include personnel from companies travelling for varying needs including training and development, Business development etc. Travelling for leisure activities, these would include either travelling to meet relatives aboard or travelling to different countries for the sake of entertainment. The third and the most popular segment in Pakistan at the moment is the religious segment, this would include people travelling for the purpose of religious pilgrimages (Hajj, Umrah, Ziarat etc) There are several travel management companies working in Karachi and most of them provide services to all the three segments, but there are certain others who specialize in single segment only with their major focus being towards providing services to the corporate sector. In this era travel agencies are not only providing its customers with tickets for their travel, but they are working towards creating an overall experience for their clients and these include it from the other. These leaders in the travel business have been serving customers with a variety of travel products and services and catering to their daily, seasonal and corporate needs. The industry has diversified from normal ticketing to packages (domestic and international), Visa facilitation, Cars and Campers vans, Cruise packages across Pacific and Atlantic oceans, Meetings-Incentives-Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), Rail packages and even Call Centres. Because of their extensive approach to serve the travel industry, leaders or the so called travel-pundits have now been able to serve in multiple cities in Pakistan and even abroad. Some of them have also started 24 hours office with day and night shifts to cater to their customers 24/7. Travel market has expanded globally and even these travel pundits in Pakistan and specially Karachi are able to cater to corporate accounts globally with the ease of online ticketing and payment settlement done online. Another aspect which the local market i s catering is handling accounts of international travel agencies through local call centers in Karachi due to availability of cheap labor and savings they can make. Travel industry in Pakistan still has a long way to grow which has been slow due to political and economic instability in the country, however, the travel gurus have been making day night efforts to explore more opportunities and line up a growing pace for the industry. Objectives and scope of the Research The Corporate, Leisure and Religious travel segments are the three main areas of operations in the Travel segment. Since our Pakistani consumers are still not comfortable with the concept of e-ticketing and are still in the phase of adapting to paper less tickets, the operations of Travel Management Companies are still preferred by the masses. Our consumers still rely on Travel Management Companies to map out their itineraries and have loyalty levels associated with certain agencies. Several packages are offered by Travel Management Companies in Karachi for the corporate, leisure and religious travel segments. There are companies that specialize in a certain segment as well. The growing competition and influx of Travel Management Companies in Karachi necessitates their analysis in terms of their marketing mix and current practices in order to differentiate the services offered by them, retain old customers and attract new ones. Travelers who prefer to leave the job of ticketing and travel mapping to the specialists in the field lay emphasis on the company that would give them the best possible rates with the most services. In order to decipher consumers preferences and criteria behind selecting a travel management company, we intend to incorporate this in our thesis as one of the areas of research and will try to gather reasons accruing to this selection. The success factors behind leading players in the industry will be sought and a comparative analysis of their practices and packages offered will also be conducted. The scope of the research is specifically based in Karachi, Pakistan. Due to time constraints and traveling issues, all the interviews and surveys of consumers and the travel management companies will be conducted in Karachi only. Problem Definition and Research Questions Worldwide travel management companies have been doing well for over two decades. The growth of travel agency bookings has outperformed the growth in airline traffic in the first half of 2010. Although in 2009; there was a rise in internet bookings as cost savings topped the priority list for travelers. (Jones, 2010) In Pakistan, the prevailing trend depicts a rise in the advent of travel management companies. The reasons normally accrued to this rise is the preference of travelers to rely on travel management companies to set their itineraries in the most cost effective and convenient way. In todays environment, travel management companies need every advantage to compete with pressure from mega-agencies, online travel companies and regional players, especially as competition intensifies and economic conditions continue to falter. With the web breaking distance barriers between countries and making information available to all via just a click, travel services for business, leisure and religious travel have pressed travel management companies for the best possible options. Overall business travel transactions processed by members of the UKs Guild of Travel Management Companies grew by 12 percent year-over-year in the six months through June 2010. (GTMC, 2010) Leisure travel has also witnesses a rise following the post recession stage and leisure travel is expected to be more profitable than corporate travel. (World Travel Market, 2010) Till date very little research has been done on the travel industry in Pakistan. In our thesis we would explore the various factors that have lead to the success of few out of the so many established in the country in the light of the different segments of travel services that are provided. We would also be examining the services offered by these companies in order to have a comprehensive picture of the industrys success factor. Hence our research problem is: To explore the success factors of leading travel management companies in Karachi. Some of the research questions that we would try to explore are: What are the variables driving success for the travel industry? What are the 7Ps of the travel management companies? What attributes do consumers consider while opting for a travel management company? Who are the major players in the leisure, religious and corporate travel categories? What can travel management agencies do to further improve the travel management practices? Research Methodology The research methodology that will be used is divided into two phases, primary and secondary. The research would include both, Qualitative and Quantitative Research, based mostly on primary data collection. In the first phase we will determine the top travel management companies based on their number of customers and other International key success factors. Once the top 5 players are identified, the second phase will begin in which we will be finding out customer perception of travel agents and their packages through questionnaires. Secondary Research will be conducted to find out the various packages and services being offered by the travel management agencies. Comparative analysis will be done for various travel management companies on the basis of their offerings. Sampling will be done on the basis of quota sampling. 20 travel agencies will be approached and the top 5 travel management agencies will be selected based on the number of customers they cater for. Limitations of the Research The limitation of the study can be firstly accrued to its scope being confined to Karachi and hence may not be reflective of the services being offered by travel management companies across the country. The scenarios witnessed by the 5 key travel agents from Karachi might not be reflective of the market. As travel sector is not a listed in any of the stock exchange, it will be difficult to extract authentic details from travel management companies and information given by the agencies will have to be relied upon. In order to keep the research free from any sort of biasness, use of reliable research studies and data provided by the authorities with relevant facts and experts opinions will be provided to defend our reasoning. CHAPTER TWO An Introduction to Travel Management Companies Heathrow International Travel defines a travel management, as means to meeting the demands and expectations of travelers, be it individuals or part of a group. Further elaboration by the travel industry dictionary states that travel agent is any person who sells travel products on a commission basis or who meets certain minimum qualifications, which can vary widely according to those who uses the term or sets the standards. (Travel Industry Glossary, 2007) Laurie Lico Ablanese, teacher and author at Vagner College, U.S, defines the job of a travel agent as a person who can perform one or more of the following functions that can be characterized as that of a travel consultant, tour organizer, small business executive, or travel guide. (Albanese, 2010) Travel agents may choose to become certified by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA) for which they require a minimum of 18 months of experience as an agent, along with a complete 12 course program. There are various other certifications that travel agents acquire in order to gain more expertise, the most famous certification being that from IATA. These certifications are a key criteria for travel management companies operating worldwide as they assist travelers in selecting an authentic company for their travel requirements. For corporate, religious and leisure travel management agencies, certification from International Air Travel Association (IATA) is mandatory as it certifies your identity throughout the world. Each agent is given a distinguished code which enables the agent to be tracked anywhere in the world. The various other certifications include the following: United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA): UFTAA represents national travel agents associations in a significant number of countries. It remains the most prominent body representing the interests of travel agents worldwide and enjoys consultative status with the United Nattions. Its membership also includes a large group of Travel Partners, including major airlines, hotels, tourism boards, shipping companies, car rental companies and many other operators allied to the tourist industry. UFTAA is essential for corporate travel segment. World Tourism Organization (WTO ): WTO, not to be confused with the World Trade Organization, serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues. Based in Madrid, WTO is entrusted by the United Nations to help countries maximize the positive impacts of tourism, such as job creation, infrastructure development and foreign exchange earnings, while at the same time minimizing negative environmental or social impacts. Representatives covering Africa, the Americas, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia are responsible for overseeing specific projects and working. Their key emphasis is on leisure travel. World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC): Founded in 1990 with support from American Express, WTTC is a high-level private sector-only lobbying group whose membership comprises Chief Executives of multinational accommodation, catering, cruises, entertainment, recreation, transportation, and other travel-related companies. WTTCs mission is to raise the awareness of the full economic impact of the Travel and Tourism industry. International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH RA): Officially recognized by the United Nations, IH RA represents the interests of the worlds hotels and restaurants. Members include hotel and restaurants operators, corporate hotel executives national hospitality association, hotel schools, and suppliers to the hospitality industry. The association is responsible for lobbying international policy, making bodies to resist regulations that could damage their business, estimated to comprise 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants. Pacific Asia Travels Association (PATA): Founded in 1951, PATA is the dominant industry association in one of the worlds most popular Travel and Tourism region. Based in Bangkok, its membership includes nearly 100 government, states, and city tourism bodies, 76 airlines and cruise lines, some 2000 companies and organization, and 17,000 individuals in 78 Chapters worldwide. Its programmers and designed to help members enhance their competitive edge through research and marketing services, product development and educational seminars and workshops. International Airline Passenger Association (IAPA): With over 400,000 members around the world, IAPAs main goal is to represent the views of travelers who fly often, by speaking out on safety and health issues related to flying. One area in which IAPA has made efforts is the improvement of aircraft cabin air quality. It also offers members discounts on hotels worldwide, savings on car rental, comprehensive travel insurance, and other benefits. (Insight, 2009) All travel agencies in Pakistan are subject to the local rules and regulations filed under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture at Federal Level and Department and Tourist Services at provincial level. A travel agency cannot operate without a valid license issued by the Department of Tourist Services (DTS). A license issued is subject to many requirements such as competent staff, financially sound management and location suitable for public dealing. A Bank guarantee is furnished to Department of Tourist Services after final inspection and then a license is issued to operate the travel agency. The license is valid for one year from the date of issue and has to be renewed after the expiry date. These are separate from the certifications they need to register for International traveling. Specialization of Travel Management Companies Travel agencies have been regarded as critical information, planning and booking providers for a large number of travelers (Duke Persia 1993; Mihalik, Uysal Pan 1995). Travel products provided by travel management companies include air ticketing, visa facilitation, worldwide hotel reservations, worldwide car rental reservations, travel insurance, airport meet and assist service, rail, bus tickets and MICE (Meeting, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions). (Oasis Travels, 2010) These products vary from one travel Management Company to another depending on their expertise and the market they operate in; these are further classified according to the sectors in which they specialize. Travel management agencies have opted for specialization in various fields including corporate, personal, event, leisure or school travel. Corporate Travel Business travel is a highly valuable part of the travel and tourism industry. Not only does it continue to grow, but also average spending by business travel customers is higher than in the retail sector. Travel agencies are inclined towards the corporate sector because of various reasons, major ones being the following High quality, high yield (earns more revenue) part of travel and tourism Year-round sector means more full-time jobs More shock-proofed against downturns or disasters Investment can regenerate urban areas. (Business Travel Operation, 2008) Companies usually arrange the corporate travel on various occasions major ones being conferences and meeting, exhibition, and trade fairs, incentive travel, corporate events and outdoor events. The revenue from each of these occasions is different but according to a tourism department of UK the major contributor of revenue in the corporate sector is when company personnel travel for meetings and conferences and as per an estimate for the year 2003 meeting and conference, related travel has amounted for around  £7 billion. (Weaver, Han, 2008) Conferences and meetings are worth over  £7 billion in 2003. This part of the sector includes sales conferences, management meetings, annual general meetings, training courses, business presentations and product launches. The market for exhibitions and trade fairs is worth over  £2 billion per year, trade exhibitions are for buyers and sellers in specific trade sectors. Incentive travel is used by organisations to motivate their staff. They are usually offered in industries with high profit margins such as cars and financial services. Incentive travel is used by organisations to motivate their staff. Corporate events include staff and client entertainment. Sporting occasions are the most popular for corporate events. Close links exist between corporate events segment and the contract catering industry. Its market worth between  £700 million and  £1 billion per year. (Bized, 2008) Religious Travel Religious travel now a day is a very comprehensive and expansive terms, previously it was only used to account for the travel that is done for the purpose of religious pilgrimages but today the concept of religious travel has primarily centered on the notion of pilgrimage. Although this type of journey remains at the heart of religious travel in many ways, it is no longer the sole form or reference point The growing religious tourism sector is currently valued at US$18 billion per year with Hajj pilgrimage, Palestine, Jordan, Iran and other Middle Eastern destinations identified as top draws for religious travel. With more than 300 million global travelers annually, the faith-based travel and hospitality market provides destination management organizations, wholesalers, suppliers, and travel agents unprecedented opportunities for new business avenues and clientele. Today, religious travel and hospitality is defined by, Travel to a religious destination, (Travelling to a religious destination is the most common and traditional meaning of the phrase religious travel. It may be right to attribute the success of this form of travel to all the major religions of the world. The word that has been associated with religious travel is pilgrimage.) Travel to a religious gathering (. People of various faith and disciplines have been travelling and gathering for religious purpose and celebrations.), Travel with a missionary and/or humanitarian intent and Travel with a fellowship intent. (Most short-term mission trips typically last from seven to 14 days. Volunteer vacations are a related form of missionary travel) (World Religious Travel Association, 2010) According toaccording to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. .. Click the link for more information.  Kevin J Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA WRTA Worcester Regional Transit Authority (Massachusetts) WRTA World Religious Travel Association WRTA Western Regional Transmission Association WRTA Western Reserve Transit Authority (Northeast Ohio)  ), specialist travel providers need to develop the best possible travel experiences to leverage income from the three billion people around the world who trace their religious roots and faiths to the Middle East. Religious tourism is recognized as one of the most resilient markets in the travel industry, said Wright, who will be conducting a seminar entitled `The New Era of Religious Tourism` at Arabian Travel Market the Middle East`s premier travel and tourism event to be held in May in Dubai. Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia  (sà ¤`dÄâ€Å" Éâ„ ¢rÄ `bÄâ€Å"Éâ„ ¢, sou`-, sà ´-), officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, kingdom (2005 est. pop. .. Click the link for more information.  is the market`s primary driver, with the Islamic Hajj hajj  (hà ¤j), the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, one of the five basic requirements (arkan or pillars) of Islam. Its annual observance corresponds to the major holy day id al-adha,   and Umrah   The Umrah or (Arabic: Ø ¹Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ÃƒËœÃ‚ ±ÃƒËœÃ‚ © ) is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year.   pilgrimages seeing the Kingdom receive over six million worshipers annually. The religious tourism industry in Saudi Arabia alone generates an estimated $7 billion annually and with the market expecting 20 percent growth in the coming years, tour operators, hotels and airlines are already tailoring products to tap into the religious market. Pilgrimages are not the sole driver of the religious market anymore and people of faith are increasingly seeking greater quality travel experiences across the full spectrum of sub-sectors whic h drive the industry, Wright said. Mark Walsh For details of the dart player, Mark Walsh, please see Mark Walsh (Dart player) Mark Walsh is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist. .. Click the link for more information., Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions organizer of Arabian Travel Market, which takes place from May 5 8, 2009, at the Dubai International Convention Exhibition Centre said the need to examine robust tourism revenue streams would be critical in ensuring the industry weathers the current economic downturn. Our industry is changing and tour operators and travel companies need to examine alternative business avenues to increase profits during these challenging times. The religious tourism market is one such possibility and remains extremely relevant to Middle East based operations. Through these informed discussion sessions, exhibitors and visitors alike can better understand the business potential available to them. According to Wright, Jordan and Palestine are huge growth markets. Ninety-five percent of tourism in Palestine is religion-based, while Jordan is targeting tourism revenues of up to $2.4 billion, per year, by 2010 over 60 percent higher than income generated in 2007, he said. Iraq is also emerging as a serious player in the sector. Areas of religious significance, such as Najaf home of the sacred shrine of the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad already welcomes eight million pilgrims a year, but a new airport will increase inbound in ·bound  1  Ã‚   adj. Bound inward; incoming: inbound commuter traffic. Adj. 1. inbound   capacity to over 20 million. Citing Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi  (à ¤`b thà ¤`bÄâ€Å", zà ¤-, dà ¤-), Arab. Abu Zabi, sheikhdom (1995 pop. 928,360), c.   as an example of how feeder destinations can benefit from mass pilgrimages to Saudi, Iraq and other holy sites, Wright added: Abu Dhabi International AirportAbu Dhabi International Airport (Arabic: Ù†¦ÃƒËœÃ‚ ·ÃƒËœÃƒËœÃ‚ ± Ø £ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¨Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€  Ø ¸ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¨Ãƒâ„¢Ã…   Øلؠ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒâ„¢Ã…  ) (IATA: AUH,  ICAO: OMAA .. Click the link for more information.  handled nearly 15,000 Hajjes last year, which increased its passenger traffic rates to Saudi Arabia by 34.5 percent the potential for everyone in the region to benefit is astoundinga ·stound  Ã‚   tr.v. a ·stound ·ed, a ·stound ·ing, a ·stounds To astonish and bewilder. See Synonyms at surprise. [From Middle English astoned, past participle of astonen, .. Click the link for more information.. (Mojnews Agency, 2009) Leisure Travel Leisure travel may be defined as travel that is undertaken for pleasure and personal purposes. The  World Tourism Organization  reports top ten countries as the most visited from 2006 to 2009 by the number of international travelers. When compared to 2006,  Ukraine  entered the top ten lists, surpassing  Russia,  Austria  and  Mexico,  and in 2008, surpassed  Germany.  In 2008, the  U.S.  displaced  Spain  from the second place. Most of the top visited countries continue to be on the  European continent, followed by a growing number of  Asian  countries. In 2009,  Malaysia  made it into the top 10 most visited countries list.  Malaysia  secured the ninth position, just below  Turkey  and  Germany. In 2008, Malaysia was in the eleventh position. Both  Turkey  and  Germany  climbed one rank in arrivals, occupying seventh and eighth positions respectively, while  France  continued to lead the ranks in terms of tourist arrivals. (UNWTO, 2009). USA earns the most revenue from leisure travel amounting to around $ 94.2 billion in the year 2009, followed by Spain with $53.2 billion, France and Italy with annual revenue of around $48.2 billion and $40.1 billion respectively. The other destinations that made it to the top ten lists include Chine, Germany UK, Australia, Turkey and Austria. It may be noticed in that the major income to the travel management companies in the leisure sector is through travelers traveling to the European Continent, as out of the 10 most visited countries seven are from the European Continent (WTO, 2009) Key Performance Indicators for the Travel Industry Key Performance Indicators an Overview According to the KPI Library, Key Performance Indicators are measures of business performance; also known as business or performance metrics, measures, ratios or simply performance indicators. These performance indicators can vary from company to company and from industry to industry. The key performance indicators for the Travel Management Companies can be ascertained by exploring the issues like price wars, safety and security issues, passenger demands and availability of information. These may also include supply chain information, inventory information, package tracking, flight/travel activities, and passenger details with preferences. Integration of key information and emphasis on customer loyalty also plays an important role in the success of transportation and travel industry. (Gala, 2009) Given the high number of variables in the travel booking process, each travel agent has their own preferred way of doing things. A few KPIs, which you can be useful as a starting point and to trigger further thought as per MAIA Intelligence India, are: Specifications for service delivery requirements: Response times to enquiries Ticket delivery arrangements Hours of service and out of hours arrangements Payment methodology Variety of packages provided Financial Perspective: Quantification of Financial aspect can be measured using the parameters like operating profit, % increase in planned sales, actual sales step-up ratio and % increase in travel and entertainment cost. Customer Services and Satisfaction Perspective: Customer Services and satisfaction can be taken care of by employing metrics number of ancillary facilities, favorable review index, % increase in customer base and look/book index. Internal Operations Perspective: Internal Operations can be known with number of booking channels, abroad to local bookings ratio and packaged to independent bookings ratio. Business Planning and Growth Perspective: Business planning and growth perspective can be gathered by assigning values to ticked delivery standards, disaster recovery planning effectiveness, % increase in number of tour packages sold and number of staff retention initiatives taken. (MAIA,2009) Based on the key performance indicators and analysis of success accruing to travel management companies worldwide, the success factors for the travel management companies in Karachi can be evaluated. Consumer Preference of Travel Management Companies Abroad According to a report by the Hong Kong Consumer Council (1998), Travel agents in Hong Kong have faced difficult times because of increasing customer demands and internal competition in the industry. Complaints against travel agencies had increased by 12.4% for the year 1996/97, as compared with the previous year. The purpose of the study was to assess customers expectations and perceptions of service provided by travel agents, and to explore how the service factors derived from the factor analysis were related to overall customer satisfaction. The results of the study as verified by an article published by Vincent C.S. Heung, Department of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, showed that customers perceptions of service quality revolved around the availability of All Inclusive Package Tours. Out of a total of 183 Hong Kong consumers who were surveyed and asked to rate 29 attributes that might affect their choice of travel agency for all-inclusive package tours, the results showed that of the 29 attributes, agency reputation was rated as the most important attribute in travel agency selection, followed by word-of-mouth communication and staff attitude. (Heung, 2000). In Karachi, since the total number of travel management companies operating are 245, heavy competition exists and agency reputation might b

Nuclear Weapons are a Threat To World Peace :: Atomic Bombs

It is a well-known fact that the dropping of the two atomic bombs near the end of World War II in 1945 ushered in the dawn of the Atomic Age. For the first time in human history, the world was introduced to the awesome power of nuclear weapons. Since that time, there have been several different nuclear threats to the world, and one of those threats can be found along the Pacific Rim, in the country of North Korea. Like the dropping of the atomic bombs, it is also known that the North Korean government has admitted to possessing nuclear weapons, and in doing so, it stands as a silent, potential nuclear danger to the rest of the world. To understand this situation more fully, one must be given some background, starting in the early 1950s. Due to the harsh differences between the peoples of Korea, and especially due to the onset of Communism, the Korean War erupted and the nation split in half, with the Communist-supported Democratic People’s Republic in the north and those who favored democracy in the Korean Republic of the south (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000). The two separate countries of North Korea and South Korea went their opposite ways, and each has experienced different fortunes in the past half-century. The South Koreans managed to recover from the turmoil of the 1950s and 1960s to become an economic power and a democracy supporter. On the other hand, North Korea can be viewed as a retro country, based first on a Communist ideology, laid down by leader Kim Il Sung and inherited by his son, the current dictator Kim Jong Il, then evolving into a totalitarian state (Pacific Rim: East Asia at the Dawn of a New Century). Today North Korea holds the distinction of being one of the very few remaining countries to be truly cut off from the rest of the world. Author Helie Lee describes this in her novel In the Absence of Sun: â€Å"An eerie fear crawled through my flesh as I stood on the Chinese side of the Yalu River, gazing across the murky water into one of the most closed-off and isolated countries in the world.† (1)

Technology is the Solution to Overpopulation Essay -- Environment Envi

Technology is the Solution to Overpopulation About ten years ago while in a science museum, I saw a counter that estimated what the world population was at that given moment. Innocuous at first glance, since a number in excess of five billion is difficult to comprehend, what became alarming after watching the counter for a minute was the continual increase in the population. Thinking about the circumstances related to the population rise logically made the problem seem apparent. The earth is finite both in terms of physical size and in resources but the population is growing towards an infinite value. At some point the steadily rising population will move from being a problem that is geographically distant to one that is immediate and more salient than just an increasing value on a faceless counter. This problem of population growth leads to a number of solutions that could have significant implications on the quality of life. Taking no action and allowing population to grow unchecked could possibly risk the entire human species if food or clean water were to become unavailable worldwide. Aiming for zero population growth would in theory maintain the existing quality of life since a stable population would not increase their use of resources. However not all resources are renewable, so scarcities could still occur with a fixed population size. In an extreme case permanent resource depletion under zero population growth could have the same extinction effect that unchecked growth can lead to. Despite the escalating risk of unchecked population growth, technological advances necessitated by the increase in population will at least maintain the quality of life and could possibly improve conditions. Southwick in â€Å"Global Ecol... ...ould accept the fact that not all people of the world will be able to have a high standard of living but the potential for improved quality exists. This potential cannot be reached immediately since resources and population remain geographically separate and faster transportation would increase the spread of fatal diseases. Improvements in resource production such as increased crop yields makes it possible to support higher populations and improve the quality of life at least at a local level. References Southwick, C. H. Global Ecology in Human Perspective, Chapter 15. Oxford Univ. Press. (1996). World Health Organization â€Å"Frequently Asked Questions on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS),† Communicable Disease Surveillance & Response (CSR), March 24. (2003). World Health Organization . Retrieved March 29, 2004.