Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Critique - Essay Example The competitors will always try to take steps to improve their position in the market. It is the accountability of the leaders at an organization that is crucial in order to surpass the expectations of the customers by providing them with the goods and the services that meet their demand. This report tries to exhibit how the companies face problems when the changes need to be implemented in the business model. It tries to demonstrate that in order to bring transformation in Blockbusters; it is significant to bring short term wins. The report has followed SMART objectives where it has precisely predicted what it wants to achieve in the stipulated period of time. For instance, the report states that it wants to achieve profitability at 18 months’ mark. However, it fails to demonstrate the steps that the company would take if it is unable to achieve the desired profitability within the period of 18 months. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that the report lacks

Analysis of Becoming Native by J. Lockwood Essay

Analysis of Becoming Native by J. Lockwood - Essay Example Lockwood is suggesting that is part of human nature to avoid change and generally fear situations or ideas that are unfamiliar or unknown. This is the first part of living backward where people tend to revert back to what they feel comfortable with rather than embracing new ideas, thoughts, or people. This is part of being held hostage to the past that is based in inherent biology rather than being more flexible and adaptive to changing surroundings. Lockwood compares this attitude to a type of xenophobia in his essay, suggesting that there has always been a â€Å"fear and loathing of foreigners† all throughout history (Lockwood, 140). He compares situations throughout history that reinforce this fear against foreign or alien peoples. He informs the reader that Irish people were treated poorly as well as Chinese immigrants, showing again how difficult it is to overcome this inherent fear of strange peoples and avoid flexible changes in society. Lockwood further reinforces how this type of attitude is even present in government leadership by describing a conflict between himself (as an expert) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Lockwood was attempting to warn the agency that there would be significant problems if the agency continued about its naturalistic activities, such as his concern over different diseases and wasps being introduced into native lands. The department argued with him about the potential for this type of natural situation, not because he is not an expert but rather because their value system was much like living backwards. The department offered, â€Å"†¦it is our contention that one factor that contributes to species pest status is inefficiency of the native biological control agents†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lockwood, 41). What the author is illustrating is that even government figures are unwilling to see beyond what they have already established as the truth, much like a fixed and rigid schema of thinking. Rather than accepting the advice of Lockwood, the agency uses its power and control to force compliance by Lockwood to simply accept their judgment despite his expert opinion and knowledge. The scientists involved in this particular conflict, Lockwood believed, are not taking a more active role as â€Å"cosmopolitan educators† (Lockwood, 141) and therefore the importance of a particular place is not being expressed properly. He seems to believe that the government agencies would have a much better sense of place at the psychological level with this type of support from the scientific community. Lockwood also describes the idea of who came first when describing the value or importance of native peoples. Lockwood believes that there is a juvenile attitude with a â€Å"finders keepers approach to the world† (Lockwood, 142). He believes that people in society tend to always look behind them in an effort to define who they are today and therefore become locked into thinking about previous struggles for land domination such as Eastern European history. In many ways, the author is suggesting that people are becoming too locked into historical records, none of which could ever be undone, and miss opportunities for expanding knowledge, culture and creativity in this process. This coincides with the concepts discussed by Lockwood about an inflexibility in society that is in-bred where people simply want to reject change and the unknown. When it comes to determining whether the right self-classification is indigenous or native, Lockwood suggests instead to think about

Outsourcing in the Hotel Industry

Outsourcing in the Hotel Industry 1.1 Introduction Outsourcing is one of the growth industries of our time (Winterton 2000).   Today, the outsourcing of selected organisational activities is an integral part of corporate strategy (Lankford and Parsa 1999).   Outsourcing has become a significant facet of modern hotel management (Sieburg 1992).   Unfortunately there is shortage of prior research in the hospitality management literature concerning outsourcing or maintaining internally business processes in hotel sector. This paper seeks to present critical analysis of factors, varieties, aims and results of outsourcing within hotel industry. The first chapter will begin with stating the problem which is vital in hospitality industry.   It will then continue with the presentation of background literature and the purpose of study.   Thirdly, rationale will be explained. Subsequently research questions will be raised.   Furthermore a definition of terms will identify the key words within the study and how the writer defines them within it.   A number of limitations will indicate specific areas in which the research will not be definitive.   Finally a summary of the chapter will be provided indicating the main points discussed. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Historically as the kind of contractual relations and commercial activity outsourcing has appeared in 1962 when the successful businessman Ross Perro, whose firm EDS carried out calculations for banks, renting night time on mainframes, has brought  «General Motors » annual economy in 44 % more than 4 billion dollars (Nureev 2002).   Over the last few years, the idea of outsourcing noncore business functions has gained huge popularity (Winterton 2000).   Nowadays different types and forms of outsourcing are putting into practice and developing in various businesses. Tourism in its turn is a rapidly growing phenomenon and has become one of the largest industries in the world.   But also hospitality industry is very unique, and very sensitive to every internal and external changes.   And such innovation as outsourcing should have affect the industry in general and the development of hotel sector in particular. As it has been mentioned above, outsourcing within hotel industry has been the subject of minimal literature research.   And a question: whether outsourcing will work in hotels and make notable profit still opened for reasoning and conclusions.   And if yes or no, how it will be affected by financial crisis which came less than year ago.   Just that very case of crisis can cardinally change the relation of business to outsourcing.   After all in a crisis situation it is more important not tactical, but the strategic part of the business. In general, up to now the quantity of questions more than answers.   And it is very important to understand, why hotels outsource.   And what form for them is most attractive and far-sighted. 1.3 Background Literature According to Lankford and Parsa (1999), outsourcing is defined as the procurement of products or services from sources that are external to the organisation.   This leads to allowing outsiders to take responsibilities for some aspects of financial management (Winterton 2000).   After definition and explanation of previous authors, it is possible to say that outsourcing is something similar to service and support services though it is differs essentially from them.   It is not short-term service, on once, given by one company to another.   Outsourcing gives longer support, not single.   Outsourcing is transfer of certain processes or functions from one company to another.   The Company recipient should specialise in this branch.   From here it is possible to create one of outsourcings principles:  «I leave to myself only that I can do better than others, I give to the external executor that it does better than others ».   Other principles and the most practical ty pes and forms of outsourcing will be considered in second chapter. Outsourcing has become an important strategic tool in todays competitive business environment (Zhu, Hsu and Lillie 2001).   As any tool of business it has its own advantages and disadvantages. Outsourcing offers several advantages, such as enabling existing staff to concentrate on core activities on organisational specialisations, focusing on achieving key strategic objectives, lowering or stabilising overhead costs, and thereby gaining cost advantage over the competition, providing flexibility in response to changing market conditions, and reducing investment in high technology (Kliem, 1999; Quinn 1999 cited Kakabadse, N. and Kakabadse, A. 2000).   Thus it is possible to ear-mark three big advantages of outsourcing in general, not only for hotels and hospitality industry.   The first advantage outsourcing allows to pay almost all attention and resources to the core direction of the business and to charge to foreign company noncore functions.   Thereby, company will have competitive advantage.   Also redistribution and optimisation of human resources of the company will be possible.   The second advantage is decreasing of material input.   Very often attractio ns of the foreign executor essentially cheaper than the maintenance of own department for execution of certain job.   It is caused by lower price cost of outsourcers job since the chosen direction is its specific specialisation.   And the third advantage using outsourcing, companies can get technologies and the decisions of higher quality level which might be absent at the organisation.   Besides this there is a possibility of using specialised functions which only experts can perform.   Also it is important to remember about transfer of all responsibilities of the assigned functions to outsourcer. But besides these pluses there are also some disadvantages of outsourcing.   Schniederjans and Zuckweiler (2004) introduce very helpful summary of those.   They suggested that it is possible to divide this lacks in four groups: Managerial implications. Such as loss of control over critical functions and suppliers. Financial implications. Such as failure to realise cost savings. Operational implications. Such as dependence on suppliers and responsibility for quality of their work. Human resource implications.   Such as lower morale of permanent employees. Thus after confrontation these disadvantages and meaning of the process it is possible to ear-mark one of the most important shortcoming of outsourcing.   It is possible to criticise it for loss of workplaces.   As the result of such process, the company can release many workplaces, replacing the in-house workers with more professional (or cheaper) from other company.   As the result of this, first of all, workers are getting in the worst position because very often there is no labour contract or any guarantees about their future job between them and the employer. Remembering all the minuses, lacks and disadvantages but aspiring to benefits, pluses and advantages of outsourcing hotels should understand the reasons, right time and business situation when to outsource.   According to William and Faramanz (1999), firms should consider outsourcing when it is believed that certain support functions can be completed faster, cheaper, or better by an outside organisation.   Tasks that are not core competencies of the hotel human resources, payroll and benefits, information systems, even food service are ripe for being contracted out.   Moreover, Blake (1997) gave three main reasons for organisations for turning to outsourcing: Where others do it better To focus on their core business To reduce their cost base. Therefore the hotels should use outsourcing to concentrate on the primary activity, instead of to be engaged in management of dining rooms, cleaners or catching of computer viruses.   Another factor to exploit the outsourcing within hotel industry is the situation when the external provider of services is capable to provide economy and/or higher level of services because of specialisation or cheaper labour.   Outsourcing can help to save resources of the hotel. One more not very visible objective to use outsourcing within hotels is to study from the service provider. Consequently, Milgrom and Roberts (1992 cited Lamminmaki 2005) said that understanding hotels motivation for outsourcing is important, as organisation is as important as technology, cost, and demand in determining success. To conclude this part of the chapter, it is useful to remember statement of Kotler (1988): â€Å"Entrust others that what they will make easier and more cheaply†. 1.4 Purpose of Study The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence on hotel sector for outsourcing or maintaining internally business processes.   By analysing existing studies related to outsourcing in general, it can be valuable in applying to the outsourcing within hotel sector where there is little research.   In additional, there are few management accounting studies concerned with the hotel sector (Collier and Gregory 1995).   Furthermore, the research will evaluate advantages and disadvantages of using outsourcing for hotels.   This study will critically assess the innovative part of outsourcing for hotels and what type and form of internal business processes is going to be more successful for them. Specifically, literature will be within the hospitality sector.   Moreover, how will outsourcing affect costumers and their needs will be analysed. Finally, based on the findings of the study, solutions for the hotel sector will be provided. 1.5 Rationale This research is about outsourcing or internal business processes within hotel industry.   And it is significant for several reasons: Hospitality industry is one of the fastest developing industries.   And In many countries, tourism industry is the leading industry, which stimulates development of other sectors. Outsourcing relatively new business idea but it has been used already in numerous sectors of economy including hospitality. Using outsourcing or internal business processes hotels can cut their production cost. There is a high potential to improve quality of hotels services. Most of the hotels have to find some new ideas for their development and reduction of risks during the financial crisis period.   And outsourcing could be one of them. 1.6 Research Questions This study aim is to answer following Research Questions: What is considered ‘outsourcing process within the hotel sector? To begin with, it is vital for the research to explain and to make it clearer, what is outsourcing in todays economy.   Also it is important to elucidate if this term is innovative method for the business or it is just a new expression of existing already processes within hotel sector. What are the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing for hotel sector? As any type of business relationship, outsourcing should have not only advantages and positive moments but also disadvantages and obstacles.   To be more objective, it is vital to compare both to be able to make a conclusion whether outsourcing is a big opportunity for the hotels or it will bring more difficulties rather than profitability. In addition, it is significant to understand the specific type of action of outsourcing within hotels and its the most widespread forms What are the factors for outsourcing or maintaining internally business processes within hotel sector? Internal and external factors of using outsourcing for the hotels will be examined.   And the research will emphasise specific reasons of starting using outsourcing within hotel industry.   Moreover, ‘financial crisis as one of the factors will be discussed. What are the main aims of outsourcing within hotel sector? And last but not least, it will be achievable to acquire the main aims and results of outsourcing within hotel sector.   Additionally, after analysing the interview and questionnaires, preferred types and the specific benefits from outsourcing for the hotels will be seen. 1.7 Definition of Terms Core business: Core business means the commercial activity from which the company derives most of its profits (www.resourceconservation.mb.ca).   According to Alexander and Yong (1996), there are four main points to define ‘core activities: Activities which traditionally performed in-house; Activities which critical to business performance; Activities which create current or potential competitive advantage; Activities which will drive further growth, innovation, or rejuvenation. Financial Crisis: There is no precise definition of financial crisis, but a common view is that disruptions in financial markets rise to the level of a crisis when the flow of credit to households and businesses is constrained and the real economy of goods and services is adversely affected (opencrs.com). Hotel Sector: Outsourcer:The service provider (outsourcer) is responsible for delivering the contracted services, resolving day-to-day operational problems and managing the request and implementation of routine changes in accordance with the framework of contracts, standards (Kent 1998). Outsourcing: Greaver (1999) defined outsourcing as the act of transferring some of an organizations recurring internal activities and decision rights to outside providers, as set forth in a contract.   Later Beaumont and Sohal (2004) explained outsourcing as having work that was formerly done inside the organisation performed by an external organisation.   The vendor (hereafter the outsourcer and outsource are, respectively, referred to as vendor and client) may be an independent entity or a wholly owned subsidiary. 1.7 Limitations This study will limit itself to surveying and interviewing hotels only from two countries Greece and Russia and most probably will not represent the complete situation of European hotel industry as well as worldwide hotel industry.   Moreover it will not represent the whole situation even in both chosen countries for the reason that researcher sampled only those who have agreed to be sampled. The convenience sampling procedure decreases the generalisation of findings.   This study cannot be generalised to populations but may relate to other defined contexts with caution. For the purpose of this study the mixed approach was used, which include utilisation of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis which are always connected with sensibility, reliability and validity.   But on the other hand it has also its advantages such as expansion and collaboration. Furthermore, this study will concentrate on outsourcing within hotel sector, but at the same time there may be other factors that influence and affect business processes in the hotels. 1.9 Summary This chapter has introduced the thesis by outlining the topic of this study, the statement of the problem, background literature, purpose of this study, its rationale, presented research questions, definition of the terms and limitations of the study. In this first chapter the studys main focus was identified as examining and understanding the importance of outsourcing within hotel sector.   A critical examination of meaning of outsourcing, its advantages and disadvantages should be able to assist in determining how the hotel industry can be affected or altered by using outsourcing process.   Finally, this study would determine reasons and forms of outsourcing which are the most recent, available and useful within hotel sector. Afterward, Chapter Two will discuss the theoretical framework and conceptual models of factors for outsourcing or maintaining internally business processes within hotel sector.   The analysis will be connected with four Research Questions.   Finally, next chapter will classify particular insufficiencies in the literature leading to the need of the present study. Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Introduction The purpose of this chapter is to critically analyse the existing literature on outsourcing or maintaining internally business processes within hotel sector.   Based on the research questions discussed in the first chapter of the given study, four general areas have been established.   More specifically this chapter will begin with a general description of related texts and then gradually concentrate on the precise areas in which the study has a focus on. The studies in the four major areas provided the theoretical foundation for the research conducted in this study.   The areas are: Consideration and explanation of outsourcing processes within the hotel industry.   This area relates to Research Question #1 What is considered ‘outsourcing process within the hotel sector? Advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing for the hotel industry.   This area relates to Research Question #2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing for hotel sector? Factors and motives of using outsourcing processes within hotel industry.   This area relates to Research Question #3 What are the factors for outsourcing or maintaining internally business processes within hotel sector? Aims and results of outsourcing for hotel sector. This area relates to Research Question #4 What are the main aims of outsourcing within hotel sector? The general areas were supported by the literature are all directly related to this study.   The purpose of the literature review for the author was to obtain a greater understanding and depth of knowledge by having critically analysed all areas pertaining to the Research Questions.These Research Questions are achievable as the researcher has a close and continual contact with the industry and has sufficient access to the information in numerous hotels in Greece and Russia. 2.2 Review of General Area I: Consideration and explanation of outsourcing processes within the hotel industryThis section provides the theoretical framework for Research Question # 1. The hotel industry is one of the formidable business in the world but it does not mean that they are strict in incorporating business strategies in their business (http://www.outsourcing-weblog.com).   Also, according to Burgess (2007), financial controllers in their turn consider that departmental and general managers do not have enough business skills and finance skills in particular to optimise costs and revenues and hence maintain profits.   Thus outsourcing practice might be a very useful and successful way in order to help owners of the hotels nowadays as well as in future. According to Kakabadse, N. and Kakabadse, A. (2000), outsourcing practice dates back to eighteenth-century England and has been in continuous use in numerous industry sectors.   However, the term ‘outsourcing English neologism has appeared in the American explanatory dictionaries only in the beginning of 80th (Ostrovsy 2009).   Since then this expression is strongly located in a business lexicon of the majority of the world languages.   Traditionally, outsourcing has concentrated on activities which are remote from the heart or nerve centre of the company (Brown 1997). Greaver (1999) defined outsourcing as the act of transferring some of an organisations recurring internal activities and decision rights to outside providers, as set forth in a contract.   Consequently, outsourcing it is one of interaction form between two organisations which is determined by the contract.   And following this contracts experts of one company accomplish duties of other company. ‘Out-sourcing — can be understood as ‘use of anothers resources.   Moreover, according to Lankford and Parsa (1999) outsourcing is defined as the procurement of products or services from sources that are external to the organisation.   In other words outsourcing is a transfer of some functions of the organisation to external highly skilled executors — outsourcers.   Also it is refusal of own business process, and acquisition of services in realisation of this business process at specialised organisation. For the hotels outsourcing is a transfer to the external contractor of some business functions or parts of business processes of the company.   The contractor (outsourcer) adapts his universal means and knowledge, considering this specific business of the customer, and uses them in interests of the customer for payment, more often defined in the cost of services, instead of shares of profit. According to Beaumont and Sohal (2004), wide variety of business process is now outsourced.   The use of outsourcing is becoming more sophisticated; more organisations are outsourcing responsibility for business processes.   Glickman et al. (2007) in his turn noted that outsourcing is becoming more widely accepted and the argument for outsourcing versus in-house operations is gaining more support.   As a result Beaumont and Sohal (2004) confirmed that today outsourcing is a fashionable management technique. Hence, it is possible to mention that the outsourcing market endures rapid growth.   The growing demand and supply mutually accelerate each other.   Specialised outsourcing companies of cleaning and service of hotels are developing.   Outsourcing leads to growth of some professions for hotel sector.   More often, it is either low paid and not enough prestigious jobs (such as tidying and cleaning), or very specialised trades where maintenance of necessary professional level of employees or their work-load for the organisation is problematic (an example can be service of computer systems and IT). Consequently, as Glickman et al. (2007) stated, outsourcing has become a widely accepted practice that provides substantial cost-saving benefits for different organisations in general and hotels particular.   And hotels will always outsource some activities (the supply of water and electricity) but insource others (Beaumont and Sohal 2004). Therefore, there is a question: what kind of activities should hotels outsource key business processes or non-core functions? As outsourcing is a means of improving the performance of the company (Brown 1997).   And the overlay supplier is providing financial expertise which is difficult and expensive to create within a corporate treasury. The overlay provider, by offering the expertise to a broad range of clients, is able to provide it to each client at a lower cost than it would be for them to create their own capability (Winterton 2000).   Today outsourcing is considered as the business technology which is transferring to outsourcing companies processes and functions from the in-house business and hence, it is possible to make a conclusion, responsibility for result of performance of these processes as well.   So, for how big can be this shifting off responsibility for the hotel sector? The majority of authors consider that core activities should stay in-house, whilst non-core activities can be outsourced, in order to preserve core competencies (Prahalad and Hamel 1990, Bettis et al. 1992, Lacity et al. 1995, Quinn and Hilmer 1994, Rothery and Robertson 1995, Kelley 1995, Peisch 1995, Mullin 1996 cited Kakabadse, N. and Kakabadse, A. 2000).   From here it is possible to draw a conclusion that the sense of outsourcing comes to the simple formula: to concentrate all resources to that kind of activity which is the core for the company, and to transfer the other (supporting, accompanying) functions to the reliable and professional partner. But Struebing, (1996) argued that especially relevant is the outsourcing of key business processes and financial functions.   Nevertheless, Lankford and Parsa (1999) in their turn stated that focus on core business activities, companies can no longer assume that all organisational services must be provided and managed internally.   Competitive advantage may be gained when products or services are produced more effectively and efficiently by outside suppliers.   Thus, outsourcing is a direct transfer of non-core business processes of the company to the external organisation outsourcer, for their further performance within the limits of the signed contract.   And there may be big benefit for the company if transferred business processes are the exact specialisation of outsourcer. Consequently, outsourcing is management strategy because of which hotels can optimise in-house processes and, without distracting on minor functions, completely concentrate on core activities.   As a matter of fact outsourcing is attraction of external sources with the purpose of the decision of internal problems of the hotel.   Outsourcing can also be characterised, as the sale to hotels services for maintenance of their activity, i.e. outsourcer can take on the balance almost all non-core activities of the hotel.   As a result of that the client can give all his time only to the core business, thus occurs minimisation of risks concerning to not profile kinds of activities (a corporate meal, IT-service, transportation service, installation works, cleaning etc.). In hotels, outsourcing has been used for many years for some operational tasks such as cleaning, but only recently (Cline and Warner 2001, Lamminmaki 2006 cited Burgess 2007), has been considered for accounting, following the example of other industries (Burgess 2007). Holiday Inn for instance created its hotel reservations business as a separate entity based on its relationship with IBMs ISSC to serve the entire hotel and hospitality market (Venkatraman, 1997). Other examples of outsourcing within hotel sector could be: cleaning, laundry service, human resource management, employees meal, IT-service and support, marketing, statistics, security service, creating web-sites, organisation of celebrating and conferences via an event company and many others which are not core competences of business, and could very easily and more economically be contracted out to service companies (Winterton 2000). Nevertheless, according to Lamminmaki (2006), an activity will tend not to be outsourced if it results in a subcontractor being placed in a position enabling it to (wittingly or otherwise) inflict damage on the reputation of the hotels business. Now it is an appropriate and good point to understand how innovative the outsourcing model is.   In general, outsourcing is just the variety of cooperation. Outsourcing of the hotel activities is definitely not a new phenomenon.   In 1963, for example, Storey (2001 cited Glickman et al. 2007) examined outsourcing in the military (Glickman et al. 2007). From the previous part of the chapter it is possible to mention that benefit of outsourcing consists in more quality and less spend of accomplishment of the transferred function.   Higher quality explained by availability of highly paid professionals who have a wide experience in the given problematic.   As outsourcer has big amount of works in the specific sphere, he has a possibility to receive solid experience and on its basis to create various workings out for completing the transferred function.   When the work is outsourced, the overlay traders are immersed in the market (Winterton 2000).   Outsourcer is engaged in this sphere, and not for only one company.   Hence, professional specialisation is taking place.   And as a result expenses decrease and accordingly, the effect of accumulation begins: the bigger and better specialisation the easier management, easier management cheaper the whole process.   Moreover, Glickman (et al. 2007) noted that outsourcers who p rovide the same functions to a number of different hotels are able to purchase larger quantities at lower prices.   Thus, expenses become lower using outsourcing, than at independent accomplishing of matching function. On the other hand one of the biggest problems of this statement is that using by the hotel highly paid professionals will not allow to achieve this with small money.   And it is really not so easy to operate this process.   So actually, what kind of innovation is here?   There were always contract and subcontract works, there was a specialisation of both workers and enterprises, there was a strict selection of suppliers.   And can it be differently with modern development of techniques and business?   The settled word ‘outsourcing goes today as a new method of work.   And this word has become extremely useful. Also, it is relevant to know what place outsourcing takes in the quality management.   In standards ISO series 9000:2001 (http://ds1.twirpx.com) this word (not even this but only the verb) ‘outsource has been found by researcher just once in point 4.1.   That is why it is especially appropriate to remember the statement of Lonsdale and Cox (2000) with the note that it is some kind of substitute for the once fashionable enthusiasms for conglomeration, horizontal integration, vertical integration, and internal integration. Consequently, considering outsourcing as the business phenomenon of the modern world, it is possible to allocate its pluses and minuses.   Also it is possible to separate core services and to understand, by what principles they work and what bring as a result to the hotels: benefit or losses.   In addition, it is possible to analyse a situation of loosing work places because of outsourcing processes within the hotel sector, increasing percent of unemployment or, on the contrary, allows hotels to develop and grow faster, increasing their weight in the market. 2.3 Review of General Area II: Advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing for the hotel industry This section provides the theoretical framework for Research Question # 2. According to Beaumont and Sohal (2004), outsourcing is used because it supposedly advantages the organisation.   The advantages and disadvantages can be categorized as strategic or tactical, long-term or short-term, and tangible or intangible. The advantages in outsourcing can be operational, strategic, or both.   Operational advantages usually provide for short-term trouble avoidance, while strategic advantages offer long-term contributions in maximizing opportunities (Lankford and Parsa 1999).   When services are outsourced, it may become easier to handle problem situations because it is possible to go straight to the provider and have them work out the problem instead of having to figure out what went wrong internally (Glickman et al. 2007). For hotels, benefits are substantial: reduced costs, expanded services and expertise, improved employee productivity and morale, and a more positive corporate image (Lankford and Parsa 1999).   Moreover, the hotel does not enlarge staff, removes from itself cares on personnel recruiting, and saves on social taxes.   At the same time if hotel organise his processes in correct way, quality of work of the personnel remains high.   Also hotels can leave taxes, administrative costs, worries about replacing equipment, warehousing, maintenance,

Impact of Supplementing the Diet with Extra Creatine :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Proffesor’s comment: I was very pleased by how thoroughly this student delved into the topic of creatine supplementation for this literature review. His initial draft was organized in a way that indicated he had control of the material and was able to put it together logically . He showed a strong sense of his audience’s needs by grouping the results of the research articles under clear topics. Introduction The human body uses creatine phosphate to produce ATP, the primary energy supply for working muscles. Creatine phosphate is formed through an enzymatic process from creatine, which is composed of the amino acids arginine, methionine, and glycine. Creatine is produced primarily in the liver, but may also be made in the pancreas and kidneys. Humans both metabolize and synthesize approximately two grams of creatine a day, therefore maintaining homeostasis. Creatine can also be consumed in certain foods. The richest sources are found in animal proteins such as red meat and fish. However, concentrations in these foods are relatively low: one pound of red meat contains about two grams of creatine. Researchers have found that supplementing the diet with extra creatine, beyond what the majority of people ingest from their everyday diets, can produce significant effects. Creatine supplementation can have potential benefits on body composition, athletic performance, and disease conditions. However, an optimal protocol for supplementing creatine has not yet been discovered. Creatine supplementation has sound possible short and long term side effects. A greater overall understanding of creatine supplementation will aid individuals and physicians to make better informed decisions about whether or not to use creatine supplements. Benefits Creatine has dramatic effects on body composition. Subjects who supplemented with creatine increased total body mass and fat-free mass while fat mass remained constant (Kreider et al., 1998; Grindstaff et al., 1997; Volek et al., 1997). Three mechanisms are responsible for this change. First, consuming excess creatine results in greater intramuscular creatine stores (Casey et al., 1996). Water accompanies this excess creatine into muscle cells. Thus, more water can be stored within the muscle. Second, protein synthesis may be enhanced due to the increased muscle cell volume. This enhancement may lead to accumulation of protein within the muscle fiber. Finally, since creatine phosphate produces ATP, the amount of energy stored within the muscle is increased (Casey et al., 1996). This increase may lead to an enhanced capacity for workouts that use ATP as the primary energy source, such as short duration, intense muscle contractions as in weight lifting.

Kate Chopin’s “Desiree’s Baby” Essay

In Kate Chopin’s â€Å"Desiree’s Baby†, she describes the tragic tale of Desiree and her baby from life to death. She uses powerful imagery and symbolism to create a dark and heavy atmosphere in attempt to evoke powerful emotion from the reader. Chopin does a formidable job as she uses descriptive imagery to lay a foundation for the atmosphere to build off of. Several points in the story where she effectively creates this atmosphere would be when she brings in the pillars and describes the plantation, when Desiree discovers the truth (or so she thinks) of her babies race, when she walks into the bayou and dies, as well as the point in which her husband realizes that he had misplaced the blame of his own faults on his wife. `When the story first begins, Chopin focuses mainly on the physical setting of the Valmonde plantation. As she describes the entire house, â€Å"The roof came down steep and black like a cowl, reaching out beyond the wide galleries that encircled the yellow stuccoed house. Big, solemn oaks grew close to it, and their thick-leaved, far-reaching branches shadowed it like a pall† she evokes a feeling of sadness about the reader. She also describes the stone pillars, which represent darkness towering over Desiree on several occasions throughout the story. Before Chopin really begins describing the characters in great detail, she creates an atmosphere strictly produced by plantation on which the story takes place (Paragraph 6, lines 7-11). At the turning point of the story, when Desiree comes to the realization that her baby is of mixed race, she is overcome with shock and cannot comprehend what is happening. Chopin describes her as though her â€Å"blood turned like ice in her veins† and â€Å"She was there like a stone image: silent, white, motionless†. This bone chilling description only scrapes the surface of what Desiree could possibly be feeling like. The portion of the story only adds to the tension that holds throughout the atmosphere even though Chopin attempts to release it through this turning point of the crisis (Paragraph 19, lines 13-14, Paragraph 31, line 3). As the climax of the story hits, Desiree walked with her baby into the bayou as â€Å"she disappeared among the reeds and willows that grew thick along the banks of the deep, sluggish bayou; and she did not come back again.† As she attempts to relieve her husband of this ordeal, which she had previously placed upon him, the reader is left feeling helpless, as Desiree gives up her and her baby’s life to ease the pain of her husband. As Chopin finishes the climax, the atmosphere leftover is a mixture of darkness, pain, and dreariness (Paragraph 38, lines 1-3). The Atmosphere is finally complete as the story reaches its dà ©nouement and Desiree’s husband Armand, stumbles upon a letter from his mother to his father which reads â€Å"night and day, I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery.† It is at this point in the last lines of the story, that the truth is revealed and that the blame Armand had placed on Desiree really belonged to him. This abrupt ending after this realization concludes the atmosphere to be that of a cold and tragic one (Paragraph 42, lines 1-4). Throughout Chopin’s â€Å"Desiree’s Baby†, her excessive use of detail to create heavy imagery, creates an atmosphere that the reader cannot escape from. Desiree’s death and knowing that it could have been easily avoided because of her innocence provokes the heart of the reader and leaves them feeling if as though their â€Å"blood [had] turned like ice† (Paragraph 19, lines 13)

How Spongebob Effects The Brain

Pants, the wildly popular Nickelodeon has been under buzz as the cheerful, buzzing sponge can threaten a child's normal development. After much research, studies have shows that the television program has many characteristics that would make a child perform half as well as a child watching a public access cartoon. The every 1 1 second scene change during the T. V show doesn't defend the case anymore, as that causes mass confusion amongst the kids.Aiding to the case Is the total anta education message portrayed, thus making this show blindsided. The plebeian conundrum of the program has created a mass boom amongst a child who enjoys watching this show and also the countless medical professionals who are trying to dissuade parents. Research and countless studies have shown that 4 year olds who have watched nine minutes of Sponge, preformed only half as well as the children who spent the same amount of watching Callous which is a PBS show or drawing.This conundrum Is stated when head re searcher Brown stated â€Å"Technology is great, but we also want to explore how does that impact our 38) When the children are asked to perform four tasks such as playing games that involve rules, the non Sponge watching kids did significantly worse than the children that did not partake in the watching of the show. Eleven seconds doesn't seem Like a long time but It Is plenty of time to ruin a child's thinking capability.According to Christians, a professor of psychology at the university of Washington ; Sponge Squarest' constant rate of the program has a negative and a permanent detrimental effect on the wellbeing of the children. During a single nine minute episode, has over 30 changes with a very fast speed that leave the kids confused causing them to zone out or spun up. This is making the researchers think that the slower(but less amusing shows) that have about 2 changes per episode to be much better for the health of the children.Unlike Dora and Sesame Street which teach th e viewers how to read and write, Sponge entertains the children using utter stupidity and unrealistic motions. This shows children the negative behavior that they should not be portraying in the real life atmosphere. Many child psychologists state that there should be a educational factor that would aid In the learning of the children and also have a factor that can aka the children learn positive behavior.This show Is a negative role model for children as they are like clay, the way they are molded, is the way they will be. The negative harm that this show can cause on children is undetermined. There are many that state that this could be a permanent reaction while many state that this is a short lived reaction but all say that there Is a negative prospect of watching reactions that this would have, but there are some that are positive such as the lack of performance, confusion and of course bad habits. This would be a problem that can have countless problems yet to come.

The observed value Essay Example

The observed value Essay Example The observed value Essay The observed value Essay As the observed value of rs = 0.416 is greater than the critical value of 0.317 (when N=28, P0.05, and is a one tailed test), the likelihood of these results occurring through chance is less than 5%. In this case, the null hypothesis can be rejected and in favour of the alternative hypothesis as the observed value is greater than the critical value.  This means that there is a positive correlation in my results and it shows that health is affected by number of hassles in most cases. Discussion What we have found is a positive correlation in the results taken from the experiment, which shows that the higher the hassles score the higher the health score. This is not a true statement in all cases, as everyone is individual proving that some people may be able to cope with stress better than others are. There was a few individual results that showed high hassles score but quite a low health score which shows that participant may be able to cope with stress easier than others as they may be able to control their arousal levels. The original hypothesis stated that, there will be a significant relationship between a participants score on the hassles scale and their physical health. Participants who score highly on the hassles scale will be more prone to illness. This hypothesis was accepted as results supported this argument. By accepting this hypothesis it proves that students/participants that have less stress and hassles in their lives are physically healthier due to the immune system and body working together to overcome the stressors. Marmot et al.s 1977 did a piece of research into workplace stressors. He took a sample of civil servants aged 35-55 and conducted a longitudinal study, they recorded the workplace state and the stressors within using questionnaires and observation. Job control was assessed which was then put into a correlational analysis with stress-related illness. This is similar to my experiment apart from the age range and setting is different. This study showed that participants that show low job control were four times more likely to die of a heart attack than those with high job control. This ties in with my experiment that if students have low control on their hassles then they are more likely to come across stress-related illnesses than students with more control do. If I were to repeat this study in the future, I would use a different type of sampling than opportunity. By using an opportunity sample it cannot be generalised to a wider population as it is unrepresentative and can be biased by the type of people who the researcher ask. I would use a systematic sample where not every person has an equal chance of being selected but is an unbiased selection method. I would also give each participant the hassle questionnaire first then the health questionnaire second, as it was a slightly unfair and was not properly sorted out. I would take each participant into a silent room instead of just a quiet room so the participant had no distractions and was fully concentrating on the questionnaires. On the questionnaires  Follow up research could include looking at different gender types, to see if female cope better with stress than men or the other way round. Also research into time of the year for students, for example do research when they are in a not so crucial time, then do the same experiment at time of the exam period.

Extreme Roles essays

Extreme Roles essays In every country, city, town and neighborhood in the world, there are stereotypes. We all live in a classified area where you can be regarded as rich, poor or middle class. Within those three types there becomes sub-categories, where ethnicity , gender and sexuality also become a part of the environment. The list goes on and on. In David H. Hwangs M. Butterfly, the roles of men and women in the Eastern and Western society are extremely limited in that men and women are both expected to act there part. Being a women in Eastern society, means basically, to do whatever possible to please your man. Song, although we come to find is actually a man, played the part of the perfect women. " Gallimard: I have a vision. Of, the Orient. That, deep within its almond eyes, there are still women. Women willing to sacrifice themselves for the love of a man. Even a man whose love is completely without worth."(Act three, scene three, pg.92). Song knew from experience that men of the Western world loved submissive women who would do anything to please the man they were with. Femininity is displayed as weak and passive. In order to find a man, a women had to do anything, even accept the fact that there husbands would find a mistress on the side. It was socially acceptable to be intentionally blind to what your husband was doing. The same also seemed to take place in the Western world as well, although not at such extreme cases.. Helga assumed that Gallimard took up a mistress while living in the Orient. Masculinity in this novel seems to be, the more women you have in your lifetime, the more you are considered a man. "Gallimard: (To us): Toulon knows! And he approves! I was learning the benefits of being a man. We form our own clubs, sit behind thick doors, smoke-and celebrate the fact that were still boys...."(Act two, scene 4, pg. 46). The men in this novel seemed enchanted with the idea of women ...

Bioethanol, a Potential Fuel Revolution

Bioethanol, a Potential Fuel Revolution Simply put, bioethanol is ethanol (alcohol) that is derived exclusively from the fermentation of plant starches. Though ethanol can be extracted as a byproduct from a chemical reaction with ethylene and other petroleum products, these sources are not considered renewable and therefore disqualify most ethanol from being considered bioethanol. Chemically, bioethanol is identical to ethanol and can be represented by either the formula C2H6O or C2H5OH. Really, bioethanol is a marketing term for the products that do not have immediate harm to the environment through burning and use of natural gas. It can be fermented from sugar cane, switchgrass, grains, and agricultural waste.   Environmental Benefits All fuel combustion- regardless of how eco-friendly it is- generates dangerous emissions that harm the earths atmosphere. However, the burning of ethanol, especially bioethanol, has far fewer emissions than gasoline or coal. For that reason, the burning of bioethanol, especially in vehicles that can use fuels derived from them, is much better for the environment than some other alternative fuel sources.   Ethanol, in general, reduces greenhouse emissions by up to 46% compared to gasoline, and the added bonus of bioethanol not relying on harmful chemical processing means it further minimizes the harmful effects of gasoline use. According to the United States Energy Information Administration,  unlike gasoline, pure ethanol is non-toxic and biodegradable, and it quickly breaks down into harmless substances if spilled. Still, no fuel combustion is good for the environment, but if you must drive a car for work or pleasure, perhaps consider switching to a flex-fuel vehicle capable of processing ethanol-gasoline blends. Other Types of Biofuel Biofuels can be broken down into five types: bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, biobutanol, and biohydrogen. Like bioethanol, biodiesel is derived from plant matter. Specifically, the fatty acids in vegetable oils are used to create a powerful substitute through a process known as transesterification. In fact, McDonalds now converts much of its vegetable oil to biodiesel to reduce their companys large carbon footprint. Cows actually produce methane in such large amounts in their burps that theyre one of the largest contributors to emissions in the natural world- impacted significantly by commercial farming. Methane is a type of biogas which is produced during digestion of biomass or the burning of wood (pyrolysis). Sewage and manure can also be used to create biogas! Biobutanol and biohydrogen  are both yielded through biological means of further breaking down butanol and hydrogen from the same materials as bioethanol and biogas. These fuels are common replacements for their synthetic or chemically engineered, more harmful counterparts.

Business of Restaurant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business of Restaurant - Essay Example traditional structures and balances in the world business environment. Understanding of economic changes and forces in the domestic economy is also of vital importance as such forces have the most immediate impact. Other domestic economic variables are the level of unemployment, the rate of inflation and the level of domestic interest rates, which affect the potential return from new investments and can inhibit the adoption and diffusion of new technologies. Indirect factors like competitive firms can also pose a threat to the restaurants so their activities should be closely monitored. It is therefore vital that firms continually monitor the economic environment at both domestic levels. Economic changes pose a set of opportunities and threats, and by understanding and carefully monitoring the economic environment, firms should be in a position to guard against potential threats and to capitalize on opportunities. Restaurants are unique places where the service has to be there where the customer is located .It is seldom that people visit a restaurant to enjoy the delicacies. The location has an important role to play in the establishment of restaurant. The prime areas where the density is more has the probability to entice customers as your restaurant will be placed in the choice of the customers. The visibility of your restaurant will be more in densely visited areas like the public offices, main junctions, and places near tourist attractions where the human hits are more. The market research has to done to know the viability of the business in that area. The profitability of your business in that area should be ascertained. The number of probable customers should... Restaurants are the places where personalized food and beverage services are rendered. Type of service differs according to different factors. The restaurants are in a continuous state of improvement as it strives to become more effective and competitive. The sector is affected by many other factors by shifts in the economy. The ever changing demographics as globalization shows its mark demands differentiation in the business. Predictions show that the economy will improve and as a result, the hospitality sector must be geared up to meet the current demands. However, the business exists within an external environment consisting of the actions of other players who are outside the business. The external environment consists of: competitors, the economic and political system, the social system, the monetary system, the political/legal system, the environmental system. Restaurants are unique places where the service has to be there where the customer is located. The eating habits have be en changing as the demographics .The employees and youth were inclined more towards fast food culture, to have a quick bite and resume their daily activities. The number working employees have had increased which has opened up a new market. Consumer research through surveys and focus groups can help assess dining demand specific to a particular sector. Consumer segments include residents, daytime population, and tourists and visitors.

Context Analysis and IMC Recommendation Assignment

Context Analysis and IMC Recommendation - Assignment Example Mainly Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) technique will be used to serve the purpose. Different techniques of marketing communication can be used by VOLVO, but selecting a communication strategy which has right blend of clarity, large communication impact and consistency can be a challenging task. The next half of the project will discuss about the features of the product. VOLVO MOVE is a seven-sitter MPV which has already won NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) status according to European safety standard. Fuel consumption rate is very low for this car and applications like satellite navigation and park assist facilities are also offered along with their standard model. Moreover, the product is also priced at an affordable rate of ?24, 995. VOLVO has also successfully positioned itself as a car that offers safety and durability to the customers. SWOT analysis for VOLVO MOVE Strength VOLVO is perceived as a reliable and durable brand that manufactures durable cars. The company gives high value for safety and. Likewise in the process of manufacturing MOVE; the company has implemented all such measures. VOLVO has already created a group of customers who strive for safety and in the same way their new product can target the families and elderly people. Weakness Factor like traditional design can create a negative image in the mind young people and unknowingly VOLVO is de-marketing their product for their target young customer (D'Amico, â€Å"Demarketing e turismo sostenibile†). VOLVO lacks the technology to design stylish cars which is the reason why they cannot compete with the car brands like BMW, Cadillac and Lexus in terms of style quotient. Opportunity VOLVO MOVE can change its marketing strategy by using social media marketing to fulfil the primary intention of spreading their message for test driving. VOLVO MOVE can enhance technical features along with better design. VOLVO can use their previously satisfied customer groups to generate word of mouth promotion via online social interaction. Threat VOLVO is not a premium car brand and rather it competes with car brands like Infinity, Lexus and others. VOLVO MOVE has to change their marketing communication strategy constantly otherwise their competitor can copy their move. VOLVO MOVE needs to improve their research and development program on a regular basis to match with customer’s requirement. There is a threat for the car brand in the form of its old fashioned design. However it needs to change with respect to time. Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) IMC is a strategic marketing communication technique and it represents four types of marketing communication modes. 1. General Advertising-General Advertising creates awareness about the brand and provides information to customers about different aspects and applications of the product. 2. Direct Marketing- This is an approach to create relationship with customers and delivering information about products to the customers. Direct marketing also helps to close sales cycle in a structured manner. 3. Sales Promotion-It is not a long term process. Incentives are there for both consumers and traders. 4. Public Relation- Companies can go for organizing public

Hazardous Material Management and Hazard Communication Essay - 10

Hazardous Material Management and Hazard Communication - Essay Example Examples of such a statement are â€Å"fatal if inhaled†, â€Å"Causes severe skin burns and eye damage†. The danger sign should not be used for property damage hazards unless there is a risk of personal injuries. Warning statements describe hazardous situations that could cause a minor personal injury or serious injury or death. The sign can be used to represent a hazard level between â€Å"Caution† and â€Å"danger†. However, like the danger signs, warning signs should not be used for property damage hazards unless there is a risk of personal injuries. An example of a warning statement is, â€Å"This product contains royal jelly that has been reported to cause severe allergic reactions†. Cautionary statements describe situations that may lead to minor injuries. An example of such a statement is, â€Å"Keep away from heat, ignition surfaces, sparks and open flames† or â€Å"Handle under inert gas†. Notice statements are used to make people aware of things that could result in things other than personal injury (Kubik, 2006). The statement may contain important information that does not need to be related to any hazards. â€Å"The solvent used in the manufacturing of this product may have been contaminated by hazardous

Prada Brand Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Prada Brand Management - Assignment Example As detailed from its actual output, with Prada there is a need for the combination of creativity, innovation, fashion and fresh idea of what prestige is all about. This shows the target market niche how Prada seeks to be differentiated. The brand believes that there could be no limit to a man’s imagination, leading to the emancipation of actual product that suits the need to be updated with the latest trends in fashion designs. Now that exactly what makes this brand cool. For Prada, variety is necessary, but the bottom line of it comes with the idea of the culture of fashion, creativity, prestige, and innovation. Combining these ideas produces a cool fashion with luxury and elegance, exactly what Prada has done for years. ...â€Å"The Prada brand targets an international customer base that is modern, sophisticated, attuned to stylistic innovations, and expects craftsmanship of the highest quality.† Prada also expresses the fundamental idea of exclusivity as it promotes the benefits of redefining the norms and styles and unparalleled craftsmanship. These promote essential values that are actually unique to Prada, making it remarkably cool from the subjective standpoint of someone else. What might have made Prada one of the coolest brands in Europe is its ability to produce something essential that is new at the right time, exactly when there are prevailing needs for it. Something cool from this point of view is the ability to create latest and fresh innovation that has yet to explore the prevailing market needs. Prada is good at doing this stuff and which is a vital activity that it masters through time. Prada may exactly be the coolest brand in the fashion industry today, but that never stops then to grow more from there. The brand has now become one of the respected brands and benchmark for fashion around the world. Why wait for long? Try Prada today, for your need of a cool fashion with an edge and a touch of luxury and elegance.  

Louis Riel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Louis Riel - Essay Example At one point, he attempted taking legal studies, but these attempts failed (Thomas 1887, p. 35-67).1 Despite the failed attempts to study religious studies and legal studies, Riel continued to give his opinion on issues of religion and political reforms. When giving his opinions, Riel appeared to be contended with whatever he said, and he never allowed anyone to oppose his opinions. His discussions were done using a strong command of languages. Riel was talented in catching the attention of his listeners through creating a sense of his importance. One notable thing about Riel was his understanding of dangers associated with engaging in physical wars despite his use of violent speeches. Majority of people living in the Red River knew Riel due to his popularity in engaging in matters of politics and religion (Thomas 1887, p. 35-67).1 Louis Riel and the Red River Rebellion In 1869, the Canadian government signed the Canadian Act of 1869, which introduced a provisional government for the colony in the Red River. This move by the Canadian government was not welcome by many settlers of the Red River. Riel was the fast to oppose the government’s move. Using his religious doctrines and political opinions, he challenged his fellow Half-breeds to stand strong and resist the Canadian authorities. The Half-breeds believed that the government’s move aimed at getting properties out of the Half-breeds living in Canada. The rebellion formed by Riel was done through mobilizing a few Half-breeds and instructing government surveyors to stop their work in the Red River (Lewis 2000, par. 1-25).2 After managing to stop the surveyors from carrying out their job, Riel and his group later seized Fort Garry, which held a company for military supplies and rifles. Later, a meeting for all Half-breeds living in Red River was convened, and people in attendance were convinced to adopt a proposed â€Å"bill of rights.† The proposed â€Å"bill of right† had fifteen provisions, which addressed the plight of the 2Half-breeds. When closing the convention, Riel proposed the formation of a provisional government, of which he would be the head. All this time, he was acting as the secretary general to a provisional government that believed to be in power after the inception of the rebellion. At one point, Riel warned people in Canadian authorities against intruding territories within the Red River (Lewis 2000, par. 1-25).2 Once the military operations within the seized Fort Garry came to an end, Riel became the master of the territory for close to six months. Settlers living in the Red River were in full support of Riel’s proposals, but his intentions of creating an independent government with him as the head left many settlers with a lot of questions. Many settlers thought that Riel had a strong will in fighting for the rights proposed in the â€Å"bill of rights† rather than calling for an independent republic. Furthermore, Riel showe d a lot of cruelty when dealing with people who opposed his ideas. He went to the extent of ordering the shooting of such people. At one time, Riel ordered for the shooting of an Orangeman of which it was later discovered that the shooting was motivated by personal differences. The shooting of the Orangeman aroused fellow Orangemen living in Upper Canada. The heightened mood in Upper regions of Canada caused the English government to interfere in the issue (Thomas 1887, p. 35-67).3 The colonial

Gun control Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Gun control - Research Paper Example However, in my opinion, I support that we need strict gun control laws in each country. In my country-China only policemen and military can have guns. The citizens can’t have guns. Due to the strict gun control laws, China’s murder rate was nearly the lowest in the world, well below countries such as Japan and Switzerland. China’s homicide rate stands at 0.8 cases per 100,000 people, Japan’s rate is 14. Therefore, strict gun control laws are needed in order to decreasing the murder rate. There are few ways we can strict gun control laws in the follow. One does not need to look very hard to find evidence that gun control is needed within the current era. The rash of mash shootings, to include the Colorado Theater shooting, Sandy Hook, as well as a great litany of others, underscores the fact that guns legally obtained through the proper channels are oftentimes utilized to commit these brazen acts of terror. As such, the issue that this comes down to is what the government can seek to do with regards to limiting the supply of guns while at the same time seeking to preserve the civil rights of individuals within society. Accordingly, the following arguments will present a case for why gun control and stricter gun laws are required; while at the same time presenting the case for why stricter gun laws will not necessarily improve the situation that has been thus far evidenced throughout society; relating to gun crimes and/or mass shootings. Firstly, there is he stance that further gun control would help to mimic the actions that have been taken in other nations around the globe. One does not have to delve too deeply into the statistics to realize that developed economies and societies, such as Germany, France, Italy, and Great Britain, do not experience anywhere near the same levels of gun crime as does the United States (O’Brien et al. 7). This is of course due to a number of reasons. The first of these has to do with the fact tha t the right to bear arms is not unique to the European nations that have thus far been listed. However, this inherent â€Å"right† is built into the United States Constitution with regards to the Second Amendment. This particular amendment guarantees that Congress will not impede the right of the citizen to own and bear arms. However, even a cursory analysis reveals the fact that laws such as a minimum age for purchasing firearms and/or the requirement to obtain a legal permit in order to conceal a weapon have already infringed upon this Second Amendment right. In this way, those who continually assert that the Second Amendment is hallowed ground that the government will never be able to infringe upon are sorely mistaken; as it has already been infringed upon, defined, and hedged by a great many different laws. An argument against further gun control in order to present the atrocities that have thus far been listed has to do with the fact that criminals are, by their very nat ure, disinterested with the impacts or repercussions of breaking the law. In this manner, seeking to engage further gun laws as a means of reducing the supply of guns available to these individual via legal channels will not necessarily solve the situation. Instead, it is reasonable to assume that if an individual intends on breaking the law in the first place, then they will equally be willing to purchase a firearm or ammunition on the black market; outside of the channels of supply that the United

Louis Riel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Louis Riel - Essay Example At one point, he attempted taking legal studies, but these attempts failed (Thomas 1887, p. 35-67).1 Despite the failed attempts to study religious studies and legal studies, Riel continued to give his opinion on issues of religion and political reforms. When giving his opinions, Riel appeared to be contended with whatever he said, and he never allowed anyone to oppose his opinions. His discussions were done using a strong command of languages. Riel was talented in catching the attention of his listeners through creating a sense of his importance. One notable thing about Riel was his understanding of dangers associated with engaging in physical wars despite his use of violent speeches. Majority of people living in the Red River knew Riel due to his popularity in engaging in matters of politics and religion (Thomas 1887, p. 35-67).1 Louis Riel and the Red River Rebellion In 1869, the Canadian government signed the Canadian Act of 1869, which introduced a provisional government for the colony in the Red River. This move by the Canadian government was not welcome by many settlers of the Red River. Riel was the fast to oppose the government’s move. Using his religious doctrines and political opinions, he challenged his fellow Half-breeds to stand strong and resist the Canadian authorities. The Half-breeds believed that the government’s move aimed at getting properties out of the Half-breeds living in Canada. The rebellion formed by Riel was done through mobilizing a few Half-breeds and instructing government surveyors to stop their work in the Red River (Lewis 2000, par. 1-25).2 After managing to stop the surveyors from carrying out their job, Riel and his group later seized Fort Garry, which held a company for military supplies and rifles. Later, a meeting for all Half-breeds living in Red River was convened, and people in attendance were convinced to adopt a proposed â€Å"bill of rights.† The proposed â€Å"bill of right† had fifteen provisions, which addressed the plight of the 2Half-breeds. When closing the convention, Riel proposed the formation of a provisional government, of which he would be the head. All this time, he was acting as the secretary general to a provisional government that believed to be in power after the inception of the rebellion. At one point, Riel warned people in Canadian authorities against intruding territories within the Red River (Lewis 2000, par. 1-25).2 Once the military operations within the seized Fort Garry came to an end, Riel became the master of the territory for close to six months. Settlers living in the Red River were in full support of Riel’s proposals, but his intentions of creating an independent government with him as the head left many settlers with a lot of questions. Many settlers thought that Riel had a strong will in fighting for the rights proposed in the â€Å"bill of rights† rather than calling for an independent republic. Furthermore, Riel showe d a lot of cruelty when dealing with people who opposed his ideas. He went to the extent of ordering the shooting of such people. At one time, Riel ordered for the shooting of an Orangeman of which it was later discovered that the shooting was motivated by personal differences. The shooting of the Orangeman aroused fellow Orangemen living in Upper Canada. The heightened mood in Upper regions of Canada caused the English government to interfere in the issue (Thomas 1887, p. 35-67).3 The colonial

Alternative education Essay Example for Free

Alternative education Essay To study and acquire knowledge would be a simple way to define education today. Being educated is to gain more skill in every aspect of life. While being educated or getting your education you create habits, learn values, discover new skills, and develop appreciation for your culture or others. We become educated so we can live more satisfying lives and be productive members to our society. We as people today attain our education in many ways. We go to school through our entire lives but that is not the only education we need in life. That is just being book smart, while that is important to help place you in your career they’re many other things to become educated on in life. To have survival skills or social skills, to learn respect for others or for yourself is all retained from parents or yourself. We learn to speak the proper way by our teachers at school and we learn how to write with correct grammar from going to school, but I believe our parents teach us the right time to say those words we learned. There are 5 types of schools and 3 types of learning. Public school which is the most popular schooling according to Jennings, he stated that in 2009, 90% of the population was attending public school while the other 10% were attending private. Home school where you stay at home and learn by either your parents or another teacher qualified to teach the material to you. This schooling is usually for people who are not capable of doing as well with large groups of people. There’s also charter schools, where you are accepted to go there and you get the benefits  of a private school but do not pay the tuition. Virtual school which is just an online school where Mantuano 2 everything you would do in a school you do right on your computer. The last type of school which isn’t reading books and how to pronounce something and add numbers is the school of Hard Knox! The school of life, how to live it, what your morals are and what you have been given from all the other ways of education and how you’ll let it affect you. The 3 types of learning are cognitive where you think and reason effectively. There is affective learning where you develop moral or spiritual values you retain a healthy attitude and have strong emotions. You also learn how to use your muscular and mechanical skills which are psychomotor skills. Gender, race, and your ethnicity I believe used to have a bigger impact on education than it does today. It still does effect education by the way parents will teach certain morals to their kids, what kids will believe since we all have different religious beliefs and everything. With  gender, girls used to have a lot less power to men, what men said went and today that has changed. I feel we have created more equal rights throughout life with education. Before different races couldn’t even attend the same school and we see that in our everyday life now. I feel that these things do have effect on education but not in all the serious ways it used to more in just the ethnicity of people and what they believe and how they will go about their lives with their morals they have received from themselves or their parents.

How Useful Is Robert Mertons Anomie Theory?

How Useful Is Robert Mertons Anomie Theory? This essay is about how Robert Merton theory accounts for crime and deviance within a contemporary society. I will look at how he believes crime is a result of an ambitious society, and whether or not we can blame crime on the wider society and not on the deviant themselves. I will show how Merton and also Durkheim (1958-1917) construct their theories of crime from different principles, However, both use the theory of `anomie (also referred to as strain theory) in their bid to explain the negatives of society and the effect it has on the individuals who live here in retrospect to crime. I will look at the different approaches each functionalist uses to explain anomie, and how it fits in with their theories of contemporary society. I will also look at how they both agree on this theory, but differ on its initial causes. I also investigate how both believe that crime at some stage is a normal integral part of a contemporary society, and a result of ones self, but they differ on it valu e to society. Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist and functionalist, introduced the concept of anomie in his book The Division of Labour in Society, published in 1893. He used anomie to describe a lack of morale that was occurring in society. Durkheims book was first published 119 years ago however astonishingly his theories can still be applied to todays contemporary society. Anomie is a state were social norms are in crisis. They are vague and confused or even perhaps not present. Durkheim strongly felt this was a cause of deviance. In 1897 Durkheim used the theory again in his study on suicide. http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/week8.htm Durkheims One Cause of Suicide, Barclay D. Johnson, American Sociological Review, Vol. 30, No. 6 (Dec., 1965), pp. 875-886, Published by: American Sociological Association Merton works within the overall functionalist perspective which puts a great deal of emphasis on the role of society, particularly its merging aspects, it states that crime and deviance is a positive attribute to society due to many aspects which I will delve into further on in this essay. Merton now adapts a concept he adopts from the book suicide written by the functionalist, Durkheim in 1897. Durkheim strongly suggested that it is not the individual but culture that creates deviance. He stated that Crime is an integral part of society. He went on to further say that a deviant could also be viewed as a visionary to society and that deviance strengthens society by bringing communities together in times of crisis. In order to illustrate the importance of collective forces on the individual, Durkheim examined the subject of suicide. In Durkheims work, anomie referred to a situation in which cultural norms in a society break down because of sudden rapid change. He stated that rapid social change disrupts such norms and controls producing anomie, characterised by agitation, dissatisfaction, anxiety and a myriad of other characteristics relative to suicide and other deviance. Anomic suicide, for example is a result of the economic cycle. This can occur during a major economic depression such as the much recent recession, when people are not able to achieve the goals that they have learned to pursue, but it can also occur when the economy experiences a sudden and peoples once reasonable aspirations are now easy to achieve if not already achieved and they no longer have goals or something to work towards, also people do not know how to limit their aspirations and be satisfied with their achievements. Merton however changes Durkheims theory slightly, to refer to a situation in which there is an apparent lack of adequa cy between the cultures norms about what constitutes success in life, goals, and the cultures norms about the appropriate ways to achieve those goals otherwise known as the means. Durkheim, E, Spaulding, j, Suicide: A Study in Sociology, Free Press; Reissue edition (11 May 2010) Mertons take on anomie became the explanation for extremely high rates of deviant behaviour occurring in the United States compared with other societies, and also gave an explanation for the spread of deviant behaviour across groups defined by class, race, ethnicity and gender. Merton views the United States as a polar example of a society in which aspiration and goals are an integral part of society and pressure is put upon the people of America to aim towards a goal, however the goal is already set, The American Dream. The social structure in America, is however, characterised by major divisions and harsh economic inequality. Along with this huge division in social classes, people are also criticised as being quitters if they diminish their goals. On the other hand, however, the culture is at best indecisive in its norms about the appropriate means of being successful. Hard work in school and then in the economic workplace are favoured and are the culturally approved means of succe ss, but theres also an element of appreciation for the successful rogue who breaks the rules using immoral or illegal avenues and still achieves success. The end result is more appreciated then the journey to get there, so sometimes a blind eye can be turned to certain corners that may be cut in order to achieve success. A highly successful billion pound American company has recently been exposed for how it cuts corners to obtain high revenues; nobody asked how they were so successful until it was challenged. Some people saying Starbucks had a very good financial advisor as they were actually not doing anything illegal but morally it was wrong. Starbucks were very happy to continue their tax avoidance practices knowing it was probably immoral, however slightly this has tarnished Starbucks they are still a success story and whatever measures they are doing now is only to protect the brand, not because they feel they have a moral duty. In America, in other words, success is probably rated a lot more highly than virtue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/dec/03/amazon-google-starbucks-tax-avoidance A Critical Look at Mertons Anomie Theory, Alex Thio, The Pacific Sociological Review, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Apr., 1975), pp. 139-158, Published by: University of California Press. The Legacy of Anomie Theory: Advances in Criminological Theory, Freda A. Adler, William S. Laufer, Robert King Merton, Transaction Publishers, 1 Nov 1999 In addition, the United States, along with all other countries has minority groups whose access to success by conventional means is clearly limited. In the period in which Merton was writing, Society as a whole was a clearly racist. Black Americans were severely limited when it came to education and the workplace. Even so, the same goals were not just emphasised to the white middle class American however to all of their society, Thus therefore creates an influx in crime as people fight by any means to achieve their dreams, the collective American dream. http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/merton.htm Tony Sopranos America: The Criminal Side of the American Dream, David R. Simon, Perseus Books Group, 2 Mar 2004 In order for people to respond to this disjunction of goals and means, Merton created a typology of adaptations. The first of these being a conformist. Most individuals in society are conformists, they accept the culturally defined goals and choose these within their means, they then go on to pursue them using legitimate means of achieving them through the socially-acceptable avenues of educational and occupational advancement and work diligently. An example of this being University students wanting a degree and successful job in the workplace, however using their available means to pay for the study and achieve these goals. Although many citizens; majority being working class and lower middle class, are unlikely to attain the desired, unrealistic ends, they obey social rules anyway and grin and bear it (Winfree Abadinsky) without deviation or grievance. When unable to achieve their goals or to achieve success, they claim responsibility for such failures themselves (I didnt work as hard as I could have at school), and continue to conform to social expectations. The second possible reaction to Mertons anomie is that of innovation. Merton believed that much of criminal behaviour could be categorised as innovative. Innovators are people who tend to accept the goals of society for success and social status however lack the means of achieving such goals and therefore turn to immoral, illegal and deviant techniques in order to achieve these. Gomme stated that a good example of an innovator was a drug dealer or a gangster who perhaps come from a working class background who wish to attain wealth and success however lack the intelligence and money which is needed to achieve such goals, so therefore they maintain their goals but use socially unacceptable means to accomplish these aspirations. Innovators, however, are not necessarily violent or serious offenders: people who lie about their work experience or educational background on a job application can also fall into this category, These acts are not criminal or illegally wrong however these indiv iduals are trying to achieve success through immoral socially unacceptable means. Another of Mertons possible explanations to anomie is called ritualism. The ritualist accepts a lifestyle of hard work and ambition, but rejects the cultural goal of deferred gratification. This individual goes through the avenues of getting an education and working hard, and therefore has the means, yet is not committed to the goal of accumulating wealth or social status. Ritualists ease the strain of anomie by lessening their own aspirations of success to a point where goals are more attainable. They accept their social position, and consistently obey the path they are required to follow. Ritualists tend to avoid taking any risks and are comfortable living within the confines of daily routines, for example a mundane job etc. without complaining or striving for better. Ritualists are fearful of rejection and failure, so therefore do not set themselves up for one in order to not get hurt. As Gomme describes, for ritualists, the means become ends in themselves, A tele marketer for exa mple may be comfortable with the knowledge of not attaining wealth or status within their field of work, they are almost fearful of having to base their life on prospects and a dream and therefore almost make do with their current situation. The fourth explanation is retreatism. Retreatists make a more dramatic reaction to the stress of anomie, which is usually a permanent procedure. The stress and anxiety of the forced upon expectations of social success through conventional and traditional avenues forces the individual to essentially give up. They almost withraw from society as the individual rejects both the cultural goals of success and the socially legitimate means of achieving it. . The retreatist removes themselves or retreats from society and may become an alcoholic, drug addict, or vagrant. They have no means and no goal and have no ambition to change this.. As Durkheim observed, suicide can be seen as the ultimate retreat. The fifth type of adaptation to anomie outlined by Merton is rebellion. Rebellion can be seen as the most threatening and dangerous reaction to society. Rebellion occurs when an individual rejects both culturally defined goals and means and substitutes new goals and means. For example, gang members may make a new goal of gaining power in their gang and using violence and other illegal activities to achieve this. When alienated from society and social structures, rebels propose new goals and means for success. Their view of success differs from the usual law abiding citizen. Rebels may advocate new groups and work together to attain success, perhaps by radical terrorist attacks; suicide bombings. Society however may not be to blame for such radical movement as religion is at the forefront of terrorism. Siegel, L, Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies, Cengage Learning, 18 Jan 2012 Lauri Taylor however criticises Mertons typology and compares it to her own theory of a fruit machine what Is rigged. She stated that Conformists play the fruit machine and delude themselves thinking that it is fair. She stated that we are fooling ourselves having dreams that are more catered to society and not an indivual dream for our own self. Although a criticism of Taylors approach is perhaps there needs to be a protocol for quickness of time and economical reasons. Whether this is because we want to be accepted by society or for a consistent easy life without any trauma. Taylor stated that the second reaction to anomie, innovators, try to rig the fruit machine in their advantage. Perhaps this is an alternative approach to gaining success but can still ultimately fail as we are trapped in the confines of society. Although the people who judge what acts are illegal are those in the bourgeoisie, were crime is being committed daily; corporate veil, however it goes unseen. Perhaps the goals and the means are not consistent with one another and this is purposely set out as the upper classes wish to restrain those of a less social position from achieving success and wealth. The third approach, ritualism, as stated by Taylor is played blindly and obsessively by the ritualist. Ritualists do not like taking risks and therefore play the fruit machine blindly. They therefore never win any prize and do not have any expectation of winning any prize. They are quite content with their life and do not wish to be burdened with any goals or aspirations which they must base their life or work on. There is no end goal, they are ultimately like a hamster in a wheel working and not getting any reward. Retreatists as stated by Taylor, ignore the existence of the fruit machine. They almost live a day to day life with no sight of a foreseeable future. They have no end goal and wish to not any persue any dreams. Lastly, rebels. These individuals smash up the fruit machine and re build it in their favour according to Laura Taylor. They have the same goals; receiving a prize from the fruit machine, however lack the means of attaining such success so therefore use an alternative route; re building the machine, in order to gain a prize, there is however, no certainty of a prize at the end of it. Page 192, Durkheim and Modern Sociology, Steve Fenton, CUP Archive, 19 Jul 1984 Page 101, Understanding Deviance: A Guide to the Sociology of Crime and Rule-Breaking, David M. Downes, Paul Elliott Rock, Oxford University Press, 2007 This essay has discussed whether Mertons theory of anomie can give an understanding for the reasons behind crime in a contemporary society. It has established that the goals and aspirations set up by society have a big effect on the individual and also that in a lot of cases the means do not coincide with the goals and therefore people take a different avenue to achieve success, whether this being legal or illegal. Contemporary society has made wealth, education and success achievable for all classes, genders, races and ages. Because these goals are now available to everybody, this has created an influx in crime due to more competition and more people aspiring for the acceptable goals. Furthermore with the new coalition governments abolishing of the education maintenance allowance and the hiking up of University fees has meant there is more stream lining and again only the wealthy can be perceived as achieving their goals which could result in an increase in anomie amongst the indivi duals who lack the money and are at a disadvantage who are unable to access higher education. Mertons Anomie Theory however has come under criticism due to the overlook of Richard Quinneys conflict theory, crime in the suites. Crimes by the wealthy and powerful seem to not be discussed. Merton also seems to turn a blind eye to Cloward and Ohlens research on illegitimate opportunities and labelling theory and how this perhaps gives an understanding on individuals committing crime. This essay therefore concludes that anomie is a reasonable explanation for crime in contemporary society. A Critical Look at Mertons Anomie Theory, Alex Thio, The Pacific Sociological Review, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Apr., 1975), pp. 139-158, Published by: University of California Press

The Euro :: essays research papers

The Euro has proven to have many advantages for the European Union, putting them on the path for political solidarity. With the Euro comes the elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations, making the fluctuations of currency values across Europe â€Å"a thing of the past†. Price transparency is another advantage of the Euro, which makes it easier to tell if the price of a product in one country is different than the price of the same product in another country. This encourages competition between countries, mobilizing economies to grow and compete with each other in different markets. Transaction costs become much less of a burden to tourists and business people alike when they do not have to constantly exchange their currency from another country when traveling within the European Union. This saves both time and money, which encourages more travel between countries for tourists and business men/women. All of the advantages mentioned so far contribute to the increased trade across borders also. Again, this boosts the economy of the countries within the European Union. With the European Union and it’s currency, the Euro, there is an increased cross-border employment. Businesses are more likely to employ and conduct business across different countries with the introduction of one currency. This means a person could work across the border in another country since the same currency is paid to employees across the European Union. There is an increase in the financial market stability with the introduction of the Euro across many countries as well. One currency means more stability across Europe and the members of the European Union. Inflation rates are decreased, as are the interest rates, to promote the growth of markets in these developing countries. Countries that wanted to become a part of the European Union had to shape up their economies, encouraging a growth in their marke ts, to keep up with the requirements of being a part of the European Union.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Euro’s position relative to the U.S. dollar and the potential political and economic consequences in relations between the U.S. and the European Union are very important topics when discussing trade between these nations. First, the Euro is worth 135% of one U.S. dollar. This should make it clear that we have to focus on exporting more of our goods to the European Union and its members rather than buying (importing) more of their goods during this time.

Hollow Men Explication :: English Literature

Hollow Men Explication We are the hollow men We are the stuffed men" Empty and full. Considering the speaker of this fraternity of contradictions is a singular being (it can be a human, or even a rock) representing the many of its kind, it resembles the likes of a scarecrow or perhaps a mannequin along the lines of those seen on CNN representing a Bush with a monstrously big nose put on flames. A scare crow with straw. Stuffed to the brims. A substance lacking substantiality. The straw is the substance, but each individual straw is hollow, light, one nuance of color yet together they make a purpose one of either being a mockery of what the U.N. puts in its record books of the only super power in the beginning of the 21st century or scaring crows away. There is a purpose amongst hollow grounds, a purpose for the straw to be compacted together. And alas, that purpose is accomplished when a "we" is achieved not an "I." "Leaning together Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!" This reconfirms my suspicions of flitting together to achieve a statute of social approval, of a status that determines the purpose to be one of those flirting with the positive. And all they have to do is lean their heads, even the heads that are full of straw, in a virtually neuron encapsulated skull. Lean over, and take a toast to their drinks a mere tink of the tumblers even scotch couldn't have a more satisfying "alas" signaling a finality of finite relief. "Our dried voices, when We whisper together Are quiet and meaningless As wind in dry grass Or rats' feet over broken glass In our dry cellar" Hollow voices, minus the dew of moisture. Yet this phrase is a complete antithesis of my hastily drawn theory within the time frame of how long my eye lids can venture off as those determined jackasses to avoid flitting down (yes Mr. Little, my very own testament of 2 o' clock wanderings into "Hallow Men" turn over some hollow stones themselves, but I'm not complaining, enjoy). Quite literally, as I'm taking this metaphor minus the allusions I strongly suspect this poem to have (perhaps even borrowed???), convening among themselves produces no rate of success, for the meeting bears no vital result. But whom is to claim that it is a vital result which implies a success, is what out scarecrow is trying to vouch after? Elliot brushes out a downcast mood on canvas, seemingly a sketch of shadows as a precursor to more feet sliding across shards of glass. As for the result of a conference, it can also point to the non-existence of

Integration of faith no name

The Merriam Webster cautionary defines character as, â€Å"the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness†. From the beginning of time, people have had the example of negative and positive character. The lesson comes from the Bible in Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. These qualities, as stated in Hebrews make a successful leader. A successful leader has a victorious team which will produce quality products and attract loyal customers.Kettle and Keller state the vital role for any COM is to instill a customer viewpoint and create a loyal clientele (Kettle & Keller 2012). This is done through marketing and includes everyone in the company to reach to consumers. Within the marketing management the holistic marketing approach of 4 elements carries the workload that all employees should know the needs, wants, and interests of their market. This leads to value and satisfaction. If corners are cut to make a cheaper product the customer will not be happy with the quality.Building or providing high quality goods and services are a sign of character, being honest with good conscience. What would the employee or company do when no one is looking? Would they do the right thing and be honest? Or would they lie, cheat, and steal to close a deal with a customer or client? The best companies will be the ones that give back to the community and help those in need that may be down on their luck. A well known restaurant chain of having a good honest character is Chick-fill-a.As of last year 2014, Chick-fill-a has given over $68 million to education and various charities, working closely with the community. They have successfully built a loyal market. They also value family time and allow their employees a day off, Sunday. By being an example of giving to the community and creating a firm foundation in character, people are attracted to the value s and passion of this restaurant. A mission statement, ‘this is where you breathe real life into the lungs of your organization† (Ramsey 201 1).