My Life After The United States - 969 Words

My life was split between two distinct cultures during my childhood and adolescence. My family immigrated to the United States in the early eighties and moved back to Syria two years after I was born. I completed first and second grade in Syrian public schools before immigrating to the U.S. in 2001. Here, I was placed in English second language classes, which I completed in 9 months. I then continued my fourth grade education in regular classrooms. These two years exposed me to people of various cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds, which cultivated my cultural awareness and shaped my identity. However, I was harassed several times because of my religion and ethnicity. A student once told me â€Å"go back to your country, we don’t want you here.† It had never occurred to me that I was perceived as a foreigner despite being a U.S. citizen. In late 2003, when I was ten years old, my family and I moved back to Damascus, Syria. I resumed my education in public elementary schools where everything was taught in Arabic. This rough transition presented me with numerous cultural and educational challenges. I had to adapt to the rigorous educational system in Syria and improve my Arabic skills to master its dense curriculum. I struggled during my first year but managed to catch up, topping my class. My earlier experience in the United States equipped me with the ability to draw comparisons between the American and the Syrian culture. I also understood how people from different culturesShow MoreRelatedMy Life After The United States912 Words   |  4 PagesWhen I was five years old however, everything changed. My father left Guatemala to come to the United States and plan for the rest of his family to also move to the States in the correct way. He would work three jobs for the next six years to get enough money and prove that h e would be a good provider for his family and even himself. This meant that we would have to be apart for six years, one month, and ten days. Meanwhile back in Guatemala, my mother took the role of both parents. She worked notRead MoreMy Life After The United States917 Words   |  4 PagesSaudi Arabia when my family came to United State. I recognized that year was very difficult because I thought my parents showed favoritism to me. They wanted to took all my sisters and my brother to study in United State, but they did not want me to come with them since I had faced a problem, which if I was studied in United State, I would be in ninth grade and that would make me late two years of graduation. However, in Saudi Arabia I was in my last year of high school. As a result, my parents decidedRead MoreMy Life After The United States1273 Words   |  6 PagesMy Life, My Story, My Future Do you know the struggles and how immigrants feel about leaving their whole life behind in their native country? Well, I should know, since I am an immigrant who has migrated from The Dominican Republic to the United States. A lot of people do not know how difficult it is for people to leave their countries, it has been five years since I came to the United States. The situation was very hard for my family and I. Since I was 2 years old, I have lived with my fatherRead MoreMy Life After The United States1339 Words   |  6 Pages This story is about my mom when she immigrated to Canada and so, this essay is from her point of view. The one choice that changed my life forever was that our family emigrated from Hong Kong to Canada in 1974. I was only seven years old when my family came to Canada for a job offer but mainly it was for a better life. I had to leave behind many loving family members in Hong Kong. We also left behind our old lives, our home, and our friends. Our journey began when we hopped on a JAL (JapanRead MoreThe United States Is The Nation Of Immigrants876 Words   |  4 PagesUnited States is the nation of immigrants. Everyone living in the United States has migrated here, whether it was 10 years ago, 100 years ago, or 10,000 years ago. Migrations can take place for many reasons, the main reasons being the search for a better life, escape from poor conditions or as captives. We all have stories that branch out to other homes outside of this country. Some stories are untold and will forever be hidden; like the story of my father. My father passed away eight years agoRead MoreMy Future Life1557 Words   |  7 PagesMy life started when my parents met it was fate brought them together and since then, it was my fate to live on this Earth and live the life I live now. Things are planned from the beginning of time since before your birth. My mom was fifteen years old at the time she met my father, they dated, they shared memories, and they loved. Then my father proposed, and they married. My mother was seventeen and my father was twenty-five at the time. My mother, now married with my father, moved to the UnitedRead MoreMy Life And My Future915 Words   |  4 PagesUntied State to study in university there when I finish the high school, and it was my only wish in my life. All I wanted is go to there and study, but not all wishes in life anyone could be come true, it should be many things stop in our ways, and something makes us sto p thinking about it and give up. This is our problem we have, but we know that some of us have a determination and resolve, and we could realize all our wishes without hesitation. And I was ones of them, I wanted to building my futureRead MoreSocial Life Of The Usa And Oman941 Words   |  4 PagesSocial Life in the USA and Oman The social life is different from one country to another, but also there are some commonalities and some similarities. Many people think that understanding of the social life is not very important, but in fact, the social life is an important part of this life we should understand it in the different countries. The United States and Oman each country has some differences and some similarities in social life and it is obvious in people, families, lifestyle and socialRead MoreIdeological Spark Of My Life1301 Words   |  6 PagesIdeological spark of my life My name is Xingwang Cai. I come from China where the largest populations have. I am the one of 1.3 billion. So in the world I am very small. But I will show my justice in my life. Particular about loyalty to friends is my principle. In the high school, there was a day after class, my friend and I go to the basketball court. During the rest I saw the high grade students try to seize basketball court from low grade students. Now just one thing comes to my mind. I have to stopRead MoreFictional Account: My Family History1415 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿As the United States was expanding, so were the prospects for my family. My ancestors arrived in the United States with the hope of bettering themselves and taking advantage of the opportunities that the United States was said to hold. This made my family excited about coming to a new land, one where their future generations, with me included, would be able to progress and prosper. Upon arriving to the United States, my uncle Ben made the journey to the lands in the Far West. They were rumored to

Arab Israeli Conflict - 883 Words

1.1 WHAT IS THE ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT? The Arab-Israeli conflict is a hotly contested issue both in the Middle East and the broader global community.1 The modern conflict is essentially a dispute over the area known up until 1948 as Palestine, which is considered holy to all three major monotheistic religions.2 The primary parties in the conflict are Israeli (formerly Zionist) Jews and Palestinian Arabs (who are predominately Muslim).3 It is one of the unresolved problems bequeathed to the region by the British and French imperialist powers following the division of the Ottoman Empire between them at the end of World War 1.4 There are many features of the Middle East, specifically Palestine, that account for the interest and rivalry it†¦show more content†¦The agreement carved up the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire and divided control of the region between the two superpowers. Britain’s three agreements were incompatible, and laid the foundations for future frustration and conflict.3 2.2 THE MANDATE PERIOD Following triumph in World War 1, Britain was given a mandate to govern the Holy Land from the League of Nations, from 29 September 1923.13 In August 1929 violence erupted in Palestine between Muslims and Jews over access to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Between 23 and 29 August, 133 Jews were killed and 339 others were injured by Arabs. 110 Arabs were killed and 232 were also injured, many by British police trying to quash the riots.11 In May 1936, the Arab community revolted again against British rule, demanding independence and opposing increasing Jewish immigration.8 During the British mandate, the political landscape of Palestine was completely transformed.1 3.1 World War II Britain’s policies changed drastically throughout the early stages of the Arab Israeli conflict. Britain began to reconsidered herShow MoreRelatedThe Arab-Israeli Conflict1427 Words   |  6 PagesThe Arab-Israeli dispute is among the centermost issues facing the Middle East today. The conflict itself has spawned a number of wars, myriad militant skirmishes, and several embargos, as well as a lasting peace between Israel and a number of its former opponents. The conflict today is waged primarily between Israelis and the Arab Palestinians that inhabit Israeli territory. The Arab-Israeli dispute is rooted in the separate movements of Zionism and Arab-nationalism. Zionism is an historical movementRead MoreThe Arab Israeli Conflict Essay1263 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to an apocryphal story, Pope John Paul once said that he believes there are two possible solutions to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the realistic and the miraculous. The realistic being divine intervention, and the miraculous being a voluntary agreement by both parties. On September 13th, 1993, it looked like the miraculous had happened when the Oslo Accords were signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat on the White HouseRead MoreThe Arab Israeli Conflict883 Words   |  4 PagesMy chosen subteam for this negotiation is based on a Fundamentalist Christians opinion. As I had the chance to learn previously, Christians fully support the relocation of Jews in this conflict. This is because one of the main roots of the Arab-Israeli Conflict starts by  the Movement of Zionism. The Bible is interpreted by man y religions in many different ways, however the Christian Zionists belief in a series of Biblical Philosophies and Prophecies. Some of this prophecies are events that have alreadyRead MoreThe Conflict Of The Arab Israeli Conflict1420 Words   |  6 Pageswords have been devoted to the topic of Israel and the underlying causes of the Arab-Israeli conflict; all of which seek to discern the culprit and contrive a remedy. The story behind this age old conflict is, as quoted by Israeli historian Illan Pappe, â€Å"the simple but horrific story of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine† (qtd. In â€Å"The Catastrophe†). As such, thorough review of the causes behind this ethnocentric conflict is vital in understanding the tumultuous power struggle in Israel and the violentRead MoreThe Arab Israeli Conflict And Arab Palestinian Conflict3221 Words   |  13 PagesThe  Arab–Israeli conflict  is the political and military conflict between the nation of Israel and specific Arab countries. The Arab–Israeli conflict began in the late 19th century as a result of the rise of Zionism and Arab nationalism. The two sides have fought over land that both parties regard as their holy land. The Jews looked to reclaim the land promised to them by God after their escape from slavery in Egypt. The Arabs, who already resided on and owned the land, looked to maintain their ownershipRead MoreThe Arab Israeli Conflict Of Palestine Essay1198 Words   |  5 PagesThe Arab-Israeli conflict began in 1948, when the British Mandate over Palestine ended. Resulting in the proclamation that established the Jewish state in Eretz Israel. The conflict was a struggle between the Jewish state or Israel and the Arabs of the Middle East concerning the territory and control over Palestine. The geographical area and political status of Palestine has changed dramatically over the years, but the region as always been considered Holy Land. This Holy Land is sacred among theRead Mo reThe Arab-Israeli Conflict Essays649 Words   |  3 Pages The current conflict in the Middle East between the Israeli Jews and the Palestinian Arabs has many historical roots. Several events in the history of this conflict have been very important and also have a strong connection with the current situation between the two sides. One of these important events was the Nazi Holocaust. During the Second World War the Jews were persecuted by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps. By the end of the war in 1945 6 million JewsRead MoreThe Arab-Israeli Conflict Essay1856 Words   |  8 Pages Your Name Pol 340-01 March 20, 2008 Term Paper The Arab- Israeli Conflict The Arab- Israeli Conflict is a conflict between the Arab and Jewish people in the Middle East over Israel and Palestine. This conflict has led to wars and millions of displaced people. This particular conflict has historical origins in the lives of the Arab and Jewish people. â€Å"The beginning of Zionism and the Arab-Israeli Conflict explain the basic principles of this complicated dispute†(Frankel 17)Read MoreArab-Israeli Conflict Essay1762 Words   |  8 Pages Arab-Israeli Conflict During the First World War (1914-1918), Britain met with problems concerning promises made, yet not being kept. Britain, knowing that it needed all the help it could get against the German allies, promised land to people who desperately wanted it. However, as it was revealed Britain had no intention of honouring their word. The first promise to be made was to the Arabs, in a desperate attempt to overpower one of the countries the British wereRead MoreThe Arab Israeli Palestinian Conflict2122 Words   |  9 PagesThe Middle East has long been home to very deep-rooted conflict. For too long, the citizens of the Middle East have lived in the central of death and fear. The animosity between few, takes the hope of hundreds. The Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict is most notably the largest issue preventing peace in the Middle East, but it is by no means the only issue. The issue of bankrolling and foreign aid are also issues preventing peace; because the U.S provides so much funding and foreign aid to certain

Cyber Crimes free essay sample

What are cybercrimes and what do they consist of? Cybercrimes are defined as any illegal activity that uses a computer. The justice department goes a little more in depth and describes cybercrimes as using a computer for the storage of evidence. Cybercrimes have increased over time to something more than we could have ever imagined. The internet is went into full affect in the ear of 1990 when the Arpanet officially split into two separate networks to further facilitate usage and prevent military secrets from being found so easily. This is when the basis of cybercrime first began. There are cybercriminals which exist simply because they are drawn to the information that is contained by the World Wide Web. Nowadays, cybercriminals are much harder to track as they have evolved from the basic computer geeks who merely send viruses to another computer in efforts to crash it. They are far more advanced, and seek to steal information for their own personal gain. We will write a custom essay sample on Cyber Crimes or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There are several different types of cyber criminals. They include: Script kiddies; who lack the experience to hack the larger mainframe systems. However, they are capable of doing some type of damage to unsecured systems. These types of criminals are also known as â€Å"hacker wannabes†. Also are scammers who flood one’s email with false advertisement and junk mail. The send catchy subject line for gullible victims and include links in the emails that absorb information from the victims computer. â€Å"Hacker groups usually work anonymously and create tools for hacking. They often hack computers for no criminal reason and are sometimes even hired by companies wanting to test their security† (Batke, 2011). The considered highest risk of all cyber criminals are â€Å"Insiders†. â€Å"They may only be 20% of the threat, but they produce 80% of the damage. They often reside within an organization† (Batke, 2011). The fact that there are cyber criminals establishes a new set of victims which mostly include people that are lonely, gullible, and have low self-esteem. When attacking the lonely, gullible, low self-esteemed individuals, cyber criminals normally seek their prey on social networking sites. Normally, the criminals use false identities to entice the victims. One the victim is deceived, they tend to for a sense of trust and release all sorts of personal information. This is why it is always important to keep personal information completely confidential. If one is dealing with networks that require information such as full names, social security numbers, addresses, banking information or even medical records, he or she should search or specific icons or notices within the website that assures their security. A common tactic that is used by cyber criminals is called â€Å"The New Kid Ruse†. This is when the suspect created fake webpages and uses fake images to give the idea that they are someone else in efforts to divvy up the victims personal information. Once the criminal gets one small piece of information they tend to sink the hook of deception even deeper. These acts get serious. They get so serious that eventually the cybercriminal begins to threaten the victim with exploitation if he or she does not surrender to their demands; saying that the information that has already been retrieved will be set abroad to ruin the victim’s reputations if they do not comply. â€Å"The case of Christopher Patrick Gunn, 31, of Montgomery, Alabama, who was sentenced last month to 35 years in prison for producing child pornography through a massive online sextortion scheme, provides a glimpse of how modern-day confidence men are plying their trade against the most vulnerable and unsuspecting victims† (The FBI, 2013). In this particular case, Gunn lured many minors into performing lewd acts via webcam and email. He had exploited large sums of teenage girls in various states that include Mississippi and Louisiana. He even stretched this heinous activity to some teenagers in Ireland. Cybercrimes include smallest crimes you could think of and the biggest crimes imaginative. Fraud is a cybercrime people use to commit anywhere from insurance scams and identity theft. Identity theft is a crime in which a person collects vital information from someone such as their social security number in order to pretend to be someone that they are obviously not. Just this one type of cybercrime is becoming more of a problem every day. Harassment is an example of cybercrime in which I consider to be bullying. This type of crime is done without much thought or consideration of the next person. Cybercrimes also include but are not limited to cyber stalking, cyber terrorism, drug trafficking, scamming, exchanging files of copyright material, and obscene or offensive content shared over the internet.

Training and Development of HM

Introduction For businesses to survive in the 21st century they should be committed in implementing the most effective operational and managerial practices (Baines 2009). Human resource development is one of the aspects that firms should consider in their pursuit to nurture competitiveness with regard to human capital. Currently, human capital is considered as a fundamental organisational asset.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Training and Development of HM specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition to the quality of the product, customers are increasingly becoming concerned with the quality of customer service, which is paramount in promoting unique customer experience. Therefore, it is essential for the firm to close the gaps in skills amongst employees in order to promote the firms’ success in service delivery (Thomas, Zolin Hartman 2009). Employees’ training and development underscore one of the fundamental organisational development elements that organisations should pursue in an effort to achieve sustainability in their operations (Hutton 2013). Subsequently, it is imperative for HM’s Board of Directors to understand the view that the capacity of the firm to achieve its desired competitive advantage will be subject to the quality of its workforce with regard to competency. Therefore, failure to invest in effective employee training and development affects the productivity of its workforce adversely. The aspect of employees’ training and development promotes the level of job satisfaction amongst managers in different levels of management. Moreover, it provides them with an opportunity to progress through their career path (Kirby Riley 2006). Therefore, it is essential for HM to ensure that its human resource management practices and strategies align with the firm’s vision and goals. Employees’ training and development is one of the most effective strategies that the director of training and development at HM should incorporate. This move will improve the likelihood of the firm achieving competitive advantage in an industry that is increasingly becoming competitive. However, the firm’s success in employee training and development will only be successful if the firm allocates a substantial amount for employee training and development in its annual budget.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Background to the organisation HM Hennes Mauritz AB [HM] is a multinational retail-clothing firm that was established in 1947 in Vasteras, Sweden. HM vision entails ensuring that all its operations are managed in an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable manner. Subsequently, the firm has managed to developed sufficient economic, environmental, and social sustainability, which is in line with its vi sion to achieve sustainable future through fashion. The firm is ranked second amongst the global cloth retailers such as the US-based firms Inditex and GAP, which are its core competitors. Currently, the firm has penetrated in over 53 countries and it has established over 3,100 retail stores. By the end of its 2013/2014 financial year, HM intends to have established an additional 375 stores (HM 2014a). In its pursuit for economic sustainability, HM has implemented effective marketing strategies such as online marketing in Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, the UK, and Austria. HM market expansion strategy underscores its commitment in growing the firm’s retail stores with a 10% to 15% margin annually. The firm’s success has also arisen from its effective human resource base. Moreover, HM has developed an adequate workforce, which is comprised of over 116,000 employees. The firm is also focused at creating additional new jobs. This aspetc illustrates the firm’s commi tment to achieving its predetermined growth and profitability objectives. The firm’s success has arisen from its commitment to the ‘HM Way’, which highlights the firm’s organisational culture. Some of the areas that the firm is focused at entail nurturing a strong workforce through teamwork, continuous improvement, believing in people, entrepreneurial spirit, cost consciousness, and keeping it simple. The firm believes that teamwork is an essential component of its organisational culture. Subsequently, HM has formulated clear values that guide employees in their duties. The firm considers employees as a fundamental organisational asset. In an effort to support employees, the firm provides employees with an opportunity for growth through training and development programs.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Training and Development of HM specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Moreover, HM has integrated a culture of inclusiveness by eliminating discrimination based on their operation (HM 2014b). In a bid to promote employee satisfaction and high rate employee retention, HM has incorporated an incentive program (Siegle 2014). In addition to the internal environment, HM is committed to effective interaction with the external world. Subsequently, the firm is cognisant of the importance of its external stakeholders such as suppliers, customers, and other business partners. The firm’s ability to maintain external relations arise from is commitment to openness, sensitivity, objectivity, and accessibility. Training needs analysis The retail industry has undergone remarkable changes since the beginning of the 21st century. Some of the most notable changes relate to intensity of competition, changes in information communication technology, changing consumer needs, and labour force demands (Hellriegel Slocum 2011). HM is committed to undertaking continuous expansion of its workforce. For example, in its 2009 annual report, HM announced its intention to increase its human resource base with an additional 7000 employees. The firm intended to achieve this goal by expanding into 33 new countries. In an effort to achieve social sustainability in the international market, HM has incorporated recruiting from the local market as one of its human resource management policies. Subsequently, the firm has adopted external recruitment as one of its human resource management practices. This move has sufficiently positioned HM as a culturally diverse organisation. HM is committed to developing competitive advantage with regard to human capital. This vision arises from the recognition of the role of human capital in promoting its competitiveness in the global fashion clothing industry. Investing in employees’ training and development will enable HM to achieve operational efficiency and this assertion arises from the view that the firm will become innovative i n its operations. However, the firm’s long-term success will depend on the extent to which the firm is committed in ensuring that its employees’ knowledge and skills align with the prevailing market demands (Timmons 2013). Moreover, HM has an obligation to promote a high level of synergy within various organisational components as advocated by the McKinsey 7S model, which include the hard and the soft elements.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The McKinsey 7S model underscores the importance of ensuring a high level of interdependence amongst the various internal organisational elements, which include strategy, systems, shared values, skills, staff, style, and structure as illustrated by the figure below. The hard elements include the organisation’s systems, strategy, and structure while the soft elements include the shared values, style, skills, and staff. Source: (Hanafizadeh Ravasan 2011) Investing in employees’ training and development will improve the probability of the firm achieving the desired competitiveness. This assertion arises from the view that the employees’ training and development strategy adopted will affect the employees’ skill level, shared values, operational style, and systems either directly or indirectly. Using the McKinsey 7S model will enable HM to understand the skills’ gaps within its workforce. Moreover, the firm will be in a position to understand the most important skills and knowledge amongst its workforce. Subsequently, the firm will be in a position to formulate the most effective employees’ training and development strategy. Subsequently, the firm’s board of directors and the management team have an obligation to ensure that the firm invests in human capital development in order to achieve its vision. Findings of previous empirical studies show that the level of employee motivation is a fundamental factor that organisations should take into account in formulating an employees’ training program. Saad, Mat, and Awadh (2013) assert that motivating employees stimulates them to accomplish a predetermined goal. Some of the aspects that motivate employees include a high career insight and motivation to learn. Saad, Mat, and Awadh (2013, p.4) argue that motivation ‘refers to the efforts required to complete a raining task, which are determined by the relationship with the rate of participation in training acti vities’. This aspect highlights the importance of ensuring that the employees’ training and development strategy adopted contributes to a high level of employee motivation. One of the theories that best illustrate the contribution of employees’ training and development towards employee motivation is the Vroom’s expectancy theory. Lunenburg (2011) contends that expectancy theory is based on the view that there is a strong relationship between the employees’ performance and the expected rewards of their performance. Employees’ believe that they are likely to be motivated if they perceive that they their contribution to the organisation is rewarded adequately and fairly. Lunenburg (2011, p.1) further argues that people ‘join organisations with expectations about their personal needs, motivations, and experiences’. The theory contends that the employees’ behaviour is a conscious choice (Greenberg 2011). Subsequently, employee s are likely to behave in a manner that aligns with their expectancy calculations. Furthermore, the theory asserts that employees have diverse personal needs at the workplace; for example, career advancement and challenging tasks (Werner, Tosi Gomez-Meija 2005). The expectancy theory provides organisational managers with the guidelines for improving their level of motivation by adjusting the employees’ effort-to-performance expectancy. Lunenburg (2011) argues that organisational leaders have an obligation to ensure that employees can execute the assigned duties successfully. Therefore, it is essential for organisational leaders to improve the employees’ level of motivation through training and progressively assigning them challenging tasks. Nurturing effort-to-expectancy rate demands organisational leaders to seek the employees’ opinion on how best to adjust the organisation’s performance. Furthermore, it is imperative for organisational leaders to consi der the possibility of coaching employees who do not have self-confidence. The figure below illustrates the basic expectancy model. (Lunenburg 2011) According to Vroom’s expectancy theory, it is imperative for organisational leaders to steer their organisations towards the desired organisational objectives by implementing the necessary and desirable strategies. Programme of work Proposed training and development offer In order to position itself in the global retail industry effectively, it is imperative for HM to focus on improving the skills and knowledge of its workforce. However, the extent to which the organisation succeeds in promoting business performance is subject to the success of the firm in identifying the core areas of employees’ training and development. The contemporary business environment is characterised by a high rate of change emanating from the macro-environmental and micro-environmental business environments. Therefore, the importance of developi ng a skilled and experienced workforce cannot be underestimated. In order to survive in such an environment, it is imperative for HM to formulate comprehensive employees’ training and development program. Some of the aspects that the firm should consider include improving the employees’ technical skills, management skills, and leadership skills. Management development, leadership and technical skills It is imperative for HM’s director of training and development to focus on developing optimal leadership and managerial skills. Management development refers to the process of ensuring that the employees’ development aligns with the organisation’s goals. By focusing on management development, HM will ensure that its employees have developed diverse skills to enable them to execute diverse tasks. Subsequently, the workers will execute the delegated tasks successfully. Additionally, the likelihood of the employees achieving the desired career goals is en hanced. Investing in management development will enable the employees to develop adequate problem solving skills, hence improving their capacity to deal with challenging situations at the workplace (Newton Doonga 2007). E – Learning In order to improve the level of employee motivation and satisfaction, HM should focus on improving the employees’ technical skills, which will play a remarkable role in promoting their career development. Majchrzak, Beath, Lim, and Chin (2005) assert that career development is achieved through continuous acquisition and refinement of the employees’ technical skills such as job mastery and professional skills. In order to improve the employees’ technical skills effectively, HM can adopt the simulation strategy, whereby training is undertaken away from the work environment. Additionally, HM should consider adopting e-learning concepts. Chen and Kao (2012) assert that employees’ training and development can be costly. Th erefore, it is imperative for organisational leaders to adopt the concept of e-learning. One of the ways through which the firm can achieve this goal is by implementing effective information communication systems such as video conferencing. Using e-learning will provide employees with a high degree of flexibility in their learning process. This assertion arises from the view that employees will have the discretion to determine when to study (McGurk 2013). Coaching and mentoring Developing effective leadership skills amongst employees will promote HM with competitiveness regarding human capital. Through acquisition of effective leadership skills, HM will be in a position to implement project-based approach in its operation, as firm will enhance its teamwork culture by promoting a high level of collaboration amongst employees. Moreover, the firm will be in a position to deal with various workplace issues such as conflict amongst the team members. In order to support management develop ment and leadership development, HM should consider implementing effective employee training and development strategy. One of the strategies that the firm should incorporate is coaching and mentoring. Mavin and Lee (2010) assert that coaching and mentoring aim at stimulating learning ability of subordinates by consciously matching the firm’s management style with the learners’ readiness to accept what is being taught. In order to succeed in coaching, it is imperative for HM to develop effective interaction between employees and individuals in the different levels of management. Coaching and mentoring will improve the effectiveness and efficiency with which HM’s employees take charge of their personal development. Subsequently, they will be in a position to achieve their desired results. One of the coaching models that HM can incorporate in its management development effort is the GROW model. The model assesses the employees’ goals, the reality of the prev ailing situation in the workplace, the employees’ options, and will to accept the available options as illustrated by the figure below. Source: (Pride, Hughes Kapoor 2009) With regard to mentoring, HM should develop a mentorship program whereby employees in the different managerial levels share their experience with their subordinates. For example, the firm’s managers should share some of their technical expertise with the lower level employees (Ryan, Windsor, Ibragimova Prybutok 2010). However, the ‘mentoree’ does not have to undertake similar responsibilities like those in the managerial level. In order to benefit both the organisation and employees, HM should adopt both developmental and sponsorship mentoring models. Adopting sponsorship model will enable employees to achieve their desired career success while the development model will contribute to a high level of personal development. Implementing developmental model requires the mentor to be expe rienced on issues that are relevant to the employees needs. Therefore, using the two models will enhance the probability of employees acquiring the desired skills. Evaluation HM should evaluate the contribution of the coaching, mentoring, and e-learning to the employees’ training and development strategies in improving skills and knowledge. The firm should conduct a comprehensive employee appraisal in order to determine the employees’ level of skills. One of the models that the firm should implement is the Kirkpatrick’s Hierarchical model. The model assesses the effectiveness of employee training and development by examining four main aspects. One of the issues that the firm should assess is the employees’ reaction to training and development program. The second aspect entails evaluating the extent to which employees have learnt new techniques, logics, and methodologies coupled with their relevance at the workplace. This goal can be achieved by evaluating the knowledge and skills acquired through the training program. The fourth step entails reviewing whether the employee training and development has contributed to the development of the desired employee behaviour. Finally, the firm should assess the contribution of the training and development program to the overall organisational performance. Risk management In the course of implementing the employee training and development program, HM should be cognisant of the possible risks that might affect the implementation of the project. Some of the risks that the firm should be aware of include lack of adequate resources such as financial and human capital. This risk may arise due to resource scarcity. Additionally, some of the resources devoted for employee training may be diverted to other areas. In a bid to deal with financial constraints, HM should be proactive, for example, by allocating a substantial amount for employee training and development every year in its budget. Considering the significance of employee training, the firm should also develop a contingency fund that will address possible financial constraints. On the other hand, HM should consider adopting the concept of outsourcing human resource management experts. Conclusion and next step The above analysis shows that the success of HM into the future will depend on the effectiveness and efficiency of its human capital. Subsequently, the firm should incorporate a comprehensive employee training and development program in its strategic human resource management practices. Failure to invest in employees’ training and development will lower the level of productivity due to low levels of motivation. Moreover, the firm will not be in a position to cope with the prevailing market dynamics. In a bid to implement the training and development program successfully, HM should ensure that employees are adequately involved in the formulation of t he employee training process. This move will aid in understa nding their needs. Subsequently, the training and development program developed will align with the employees’ personal development and organisational goals. Reference List Baines, G 2009, Meaning Inc: the rise of the 21st century company, Pearson Education, New York. Chen, H Kao, C 2012, ‘Empirical validation of the importance of employees’ learning motivation for workplace e-learning in Taiwanese organisations’, Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 28 no. 4, pp. 580-598. Greenberg, J 2011, Behaviour in organisations, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River. Hanafizadeh, P Ravasan, A 2011, ‘A McKinsey 7S model based framework for ERP readiness assessment’, International Journal of Enterprise Information Systems, vol. 7 no. 4, pp. 23-63. Hutton, B 2013, Planning sustainable transport, Routledge, New York. Hellriegel, D Slocum, J 2011, Organisational behaviour, Cengage Learning, Mason. HM: About HM; working at HM 2014a. Web. HM: An nual reports 2014b. Web. Kirby, S Riley, R 2006, The returns to general versus job-specific skills: The role of communication and information technology, National Institute for Economic and Social Research, London. Lunenburg, F 2011, ‘Expectancy theory of motivation; motivating by altering expectations’, International Journal of Management, Business and Administration, vol. 15 no. 1, pp. 1-6. Majchrzak, A, Beath, C, Lim, R Chin, W 2005, ‘Management client dialogues during information systems design to facilitate client learning’, MIS Quarterly, vol. 29 no.4, pp.653–672. Mavin, S Lee, L 2010, The evaluation of learning and development in the workplace, Northumbria University, Newcastle. McGurk, J 2013, Learning and talent development, CIPD, London. Newton, R Doonga, N 2007, ‘Corporate e-learning: Justification for implementation and evaluation of benefits. A study examining the views of training managers and training providers’, Educa tion for Information, vol. 25 no. 2, pp. 111-130. Pride, W, Hughes, R Kapoor, J 2009, Business, Cengage Learning, New York. Ryan, S, Windsor, J, Ibragimova, B Prybutok, V 2010, ‘Organisational practices that foster knowledge sharing across distinct national cultures’, International Journal of Emerging Transdiscipline, vol. 13 no.2, pp. 131-158. Saad, A, Mat, N Awadh, A 2013, A review of theory of human resources development training; learning participation , WEI International Academic Conference Proceedings, Turkey. Siegle, L 2014, Is HM the new home of ethical fashion. Web. Thomas, F, Zolin, R Hartman, J 2009, ‘The central role of communication in developing trust and its effect on employee involvement’, Journal of Business Communications, vol. 46 no. 3, pp. 287-310. Timmons, M 2013, Moral theory; an introduction, Rowman Littlefield Publishers, Lanham. Werner, S, Tosi, H Gomez-Meija, L 2005, ‘Organisational governance and employee pay: how owne rship structure affects the firm’s compensation strategy’, Strategic Management Journal, vol. 26 no.4, pp. 377– 384. This proposal on Training and Development of HM was written and submitted by user Wesley S. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on How Students Learn

Major Paper Outline I) Intro  ¨ How students learn  ¨ Factors that influence (a) Learning styles (b) Motivation of Students (c) Developmental stages (d) Brain Research/Memory (e) Personal Belief (f) Assessment (g) Multiple Intelligence Learning (h) Experiences II) Learning Styles  ¨ Definition  ¨ Physical surroundings  ¨ Culture/Personality III) Motivation of Students  ¨ Definition  ¨ Intrinsic/Extrinsic Motivation IV) Developmental Stages  ¨ Psychosocial (a) Erikson  ¨ Cognitive (a) Piaget V) Brain Research/Memory  ¨ Definition  ¨ Standard Memory Model (a) Encoding (b) Storage (c) Retrieval VI) Personal Belief  ¨ Philosophy VII) Assessment  ¨ Definition  ¨ Formal/Informal  ¨ Criterion-referenced/Norm-referenced Assessment as feedback VIII) Multiple Intelligence Learning  ¨ Definition  ¨ 8 types of intelligence IX) Experiences  ¨ Episodic memory X) Conclusion How Students Learn There are many factors that influence how students learn and to be and effective teacher you need to understand them. Factors that should be looked at include: learning styles, motivation of students, developmental stages, discipline, brain research, a students personal belief, how you assess students, multiple intelligence learning and experiences. Depending on which academic level you apply these to, each will give you a different understanding of how students at that level learn. In this essay, the factors mentioned above, will be applied to students in secondary education. The first factor deals with student leaning styles and how they affect the way in which students learn. Learning styles are students’ individual preferences or needs for different learning conditions. Students have different preferences for aspects of the classroom environment. Physical surroundings that are uncomfortable to students can take away from their learning. In Secondary education, students are more likely to be ... Free Essays on How Students Learn Free Essays on How Students Learn Major Paper Outline I) Intro  ¨ How students learn  ¨ Factors that influence (a) Learning styles (b) Motivation of Students (c) Developmental stages (d) Brain Research/Memory (e) Personal Belief (f) Assessment (g) Multiple Intelligence Learning (h) Experiences II) Learning Styles  ¨ Definition  ¨ Physical surroundings  ¨ Culture/Personality III) Motivation of Students  ¨ Definition  ¨ Intrinsic/Extrinsic Motivation IV) Developmental Stages  ¨ Psychosocial (a) Erikson  ¨ Cognitive (a) Piaget V) Brain Research/Memory  ¨ Definition  ¨ Standard Memory Model (a) Encoding (b) Storage (c) Retrieval VI) Personal Belief  ¨ Philosophy VII) Assessment  ¨ Definition  ¨ Formal/Informal  ¨ Criterion-referenced/Norm-referenced Assessment as feedback VIII) Multiple Intelligence Learning  ¨ Definition  ¨ 8 types of intelligence IX) Experiences  ¨ Episodic memory X) Conclusion How Students Learn There are many factors that influence how students learn and to be and effective teacher you need to understand them. Factors that should be looked at include: learning styles, motivation of students, developmental stages, discipline, brain research, a students personal belief, how you assess students, multiple intelligence learning and experiences. Depending on which academic level you apply these to, each will give you a different understanding of how students at that level learn. In this essay, the factors mentioned above, will be applied to students in secondary education. The first factor deals with student leaning styles and how they affect the way in which students learn. Learning styles are students’ individual preferences or needs for different learning conditions. Students have different preferences for aspects of the classroom environment. Physical surroundings that are uncomfortable to students can take away from their learning. In Secondary education, students are more likely to be ...

Definition and Examples of Confirmation in Rhetoric

Definition and Examples of Confirmation in Rhetoric Definition In classical rhetoric, the confirmation is the main part of a speech or text in which logical arguments in support of a position (or claim) are elaborated. Also called confirmatio. Etymology:  From the Latin verb confirmare, meaning strengthen or establish. Pronunciation: kon-fur-MAY-shun Confirmation is one of the classical rhetorical exercises known as the  progymnasmata. These exercises, originating in ancient Greece with the rhetorician Aphthonius of Antioch, were designed to teach rhetoric by providing exercises in increasing difficulty, beginning with simple storytelling and increasing to complex arguments. In the confirmation exercise, a student would be asked to logically reason in favor of some topic or argument found in myth or literature. The rhetorical opposite of confirmation is refutation, which involves arguing against something instead of in its favor. Both require logical and/or moral arguments to be marshaled in similar ways, simply with opposite goals. See Examples and Observations below. Also see: The Parts of a SpeechWhat Are the Progymnasmata? Examples of Confirmation The few bright meteors in mans intellectual horizon could well be matched by woman, were she allowed to occupy the same elevated position. There is no need of naming the De Staels, the Rolands, the Somervilles, the Wollstonecrafts, the Wrights, the Fullers, the Martineaus, the Hemanses, the Sigourneys, the Jagiellos, and the many more of modern as well as ancient times, to prove her mental powers, her patriotism, her heroism, her self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of humanitythe eloquence that gushes from her pen or from her tongue. These things are too well known to require repetition. And do you ask for fortitude of mind, energy, and perseverance? Then look at woman under suffering, reverse of fortune, and affliction, when the strength and power of man has sunk to the lowest ebb, when his mind is overwhelmed by the dark waters of despair. She, like the tender plant, bent but not broken by the storms of life, now only upholds her own hopeful courage, but, like the tender shoots of the ivy, clings around the tempest-fallen oak, to bind up the wounds, peak hope to his faltering spirit, and shelter him from the returning blast of the storm.(Ernestine Rose, An Address on Womens Rights, 1851) This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns; where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection, and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen.(Jonathan Swift,  A Modest Proposal) Explanations of Confirmation Cicero on ConfirmationThe confirmation is that part of a narration that, by marshaling arguments, lends force, authority, and support to our case. . . .All argumentation is to be carried on either by analogy or by the enthymeme. Analogy is a form of argument that moves from assent on certain undisputed facts through approval of a doubtful proposition due to the resemblance between what is granted and what is doubtful. This style of argument is threefold: the first part consists of one or more similar instances, the second part is the point we wish to have conceded, and the third is the conclusion that reinforces the concessions or shows the consequences of the argument.Enthymematic reasoning is a form of argument that draws a probable conclusion from the facts under consideration.(Cicero, De Inventione)Aphthonius on Confirmation in the ProgymnasmataConfirmation is showing proof for any matter at hand. But one must confirm neither those things clearly manifest nor those utterly imposs ible, but those that hold an intermediate position. And it is necessary for those engaged in confirmation to treat it in a manner that is exactly the opposite of refutation. First, one must speak of the good reputation of the proponent; then, in turn, to make the exposition and to make use of the opposite headings: the clear instead of the unclear, the probable for the improbable, the possible in place of the impossible, the logical instead of the illogical, the suitable for the unsuitable, and the expedient in place of the inexpedient.This exercise encompasses all the power of the art.(Aphthonius of Antioch, Progymnasmata, late fourth century. Readings from Classical Rhetoric, ed. by Patricia P. Matsen, Philip B. Rollinson, and Marion Sousa. Southern Illinois University Press, 1990)

Information Management and Knowledge Management Essay

Information Management and Knowledge Management - Essay Example According to the discussion in order to evaluate the importance of information flow and knowledge management both the concepts should be properly understood and analysed. According to Duan, Nie and Coakes, knowledge management concept is a further modelling of the information management which focuses on developing the database system of a firm whereas information management processes are used to ensure that the right person is having the right information. On the other hand, BegonaLloria stated that use of knowledge and information management practices are used in a correlated manner. It has been observed in case of Danone who use their customised Networking Attitude for sharing of information among their employee base and also measure the accuracy of the information.  This paper declares that  in the 21st century, the operational process of Danone experienced many changes that were focused on enhancing diversity and also improve their knowledge management process. The introducti on of Riboud as the CEO of Danone was such a step which enabled the company to maintain communication with the local markets and gather relevant information regarding the market conditions. Riboud’s belief was that having a proper information network through the operational channels will help the organisation in designing an accurate business measures. The company introduced the Growth Program in the year 2003 which would allow them to align their knowledge management activities with the growth of the organisation.  

Urbanism in archaeology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Urbanism in archaeology - Essay Example Urbanism means the way of development, shaping and modification of the built environment found in the towns and cities. It is not the planning of town as is usually understood by some people.It explains the way communities came into being in cities, and how they interacted with one another to give rise to the social systems. The concept of the contemporary world is totally incomplete without cities. According to an estimate, population of people that live in cities exceeds half of the total, and in the upcoming century, it is quite likely to approach two-thirds (Marcus and Sabloff 3). Cities used to be non-existent in the past. This has stirred up a lot of debate regarding the factors that have caused cities to form. Some scholars think that old scattered populations nucleated to create the cities while others believe in the role of several other factors. An in-depth analysis of the literature relevant to ancient cities is a potential means of identification of the factors that gave rise to urbanism. â€Å"These diverse settlements not only have much to tell us about the social, political, religious, and economic conditions of their times but also say something about our own† (Marcus and Sabloff 3). The division of class played an important role in maintaining the balance of social systems in cities and their civilization. Mesopotamian civilization is generally recognized as the first civilization (â€Å"The Birth of Civilization† 8). The modern Baghdad can be divided into two zones of ecology, namely the northern zone and the southern zone. Sumerians founded many of the ancient cities of Mesopotamia in the 4th millennium B.C.E. in Sumer that forms the southern Babylonia. Uruk was the a city in Sumer that was world’s largest city in 3000 B.C.E. However, many cities existed in Sumer before that. In the Early Dynastic Period that mainly ranged from 2800 B.C.E. to 2370 B.C.E., a lot of Sumerian cities were aligned north to south of Mesopotamia aside the watercourses (â€Å"The Birth of Civilization† 8). These cities included but were not limited to Ur, Lagash, Uruk, Shuruppak and Nippur. Many of these city-states had developed leagues of religious and political importance. These city-states quarreled with one another over possession of more resources and land for irrigation and agriculture. With the passage of time, stronger leagues gained hold of the weaker, and gradually increased enough to develop whole kingdoms which would in turn, rule many city-states. Ten major criteria of difference between the earliest and modern villages can be drawn from the archaeological data, which can be summarized as follows: Although most of the first cities are smaller than contemporary villages, they used to be considerably densely populated and voluminous as compared to the settlements that preceded them. The ancient urban population differed in function from a village. Most of the people living in cities were peasants, and wou ld cultivate crops in the lands aside the cities. People who had other professions and lived in cities like merchants, priests and craftsmen used to acquire food from the surplus prepared by the peasants as a support. The peasants did not take any service or goods from them for offering them the fish or grains they collected. The primary producers were obliged to reserve a portion of the surplus for a divine king as tax. This was extremely necessary in order to generate capital. Monumental structures not only signified the concentration of the surplus of the society, but also distinguished cities from villages. A lot of temples were constructed in the Sumerian cities. However, many magazines and workshops were attached to them. Each temple had a big granary. Many examples of this trend can be noticed. The grand tombs of pharaohs dominated the Nile Valley. Likewise, the pyramids and temples of the Maya cities are quite well known. Therefore, it can be said that the social surplus in Sumer was

The relationship between Eddie and Catherine Essay Example for Free

The relationship between Eddie and Catherine Essay These other variable s are: Cross-sectional area of the wire (0. 02mm) Material (Constantan 36 SWG) Temperature (The voltage does not need to be kept constant but to be able to calculate the resistance of the wire it must be measured at each length because Ohms Law is true providing the temperature is constant. ) Safety Ensure that all connections are secure before the power is switched on. Do not touch the wire being used as a resistor until after the power has been turned off. It is recommendable not to touch the wire for a short while after the power has been switched off because the wire may be hot. Ensure that the work area is dry because water is a very good conductor and could cause electrocution. Take care when using scissors to cut the wire/sellotape. All accident must be reported to the teacher immediately. Potential Difference (Volts) Current (Amps) Resistance (? ) Length of Wire (cm) 1 2 Average 1 2 3 Average 1Conclusion and Graph It was previously predicted that the greater the length of wire the greater the resistance. I also predicted that the resistance of the wire was directly proportional to the wires length. The graph produced from the averages of the resistances obtained in the experiment proves the prediction because in the graph a straight-line through the origin was produced. The graph plotted was Resistance versus wire length graph (R against L) therefore the resistance is directly proportional to the length of the wire (R ? L), as predicted in the prediction. The prediction predicted that the greater the length of wire the greater the resistance. The resistance will be greater because, in longer wires, electrons have the pass more ions (opposition) when travelling through the wire. This means that there is a greater probability that an electron will collide with an ion. The more collisions the more times an electron is knocked off course and thus more time to travel through the material. Using this theory, it seems that the resistance of a wire can be quantified, because it seems that if an electron has to pass twice as many ions as in the original wire then the electron will collide with twice as many ions and will, consequently knocked off course twice as many times with the result being that the electron takes twice as long to travel through the wire. Doubling the length of wire doubles the number of ions in the wire and therefore it will take an electron twice as long to go through a piece of wire twice as long. In a similar manner, it will take an electron three times as long to travel through a wire three times as long. This can then be applied to a piece of wire x times as long as the original wire because we can see that it will take an electron x times as long to pass through a wire x times as long (on average). Thus, we can deduce that: R = x L (x is a constant) Evaluation The think that the experiment performed was successfully as there were no anomalous results plus the results produced a perfect line of best-fit. The fact that there we no anomalous results shows that the method was suitable and was carried out accurately. It also suggests that the points mentioned in the preliminary work regarding leaving the power supply on for the minimal time to keep the temperature constant which achieved accurate results and suggests that the choice of voltage and wire lengths was made successfully. However, some slight inaccuracies did occur in the experiment and this led to a line of best-fit i. e. there was not a straight-line joining all of the points together being drawn. The inaccuracies it seem could have been attributed by the following: Inaccurately judging the wire length, the length of wire may have been slightly inaccurately judged because judging the wire to be completely straight and taut using just our eyes was extremely difficult. Temperature change this variable was the most difficult to keep constant and it seems that this variable was, in fact, not kept constant. It seems that the wire will heat up as soon as the power is switched on and current is allowed to flow because, as soon as the electrons start colliding with the ions in the wire, the wire gains internal energy. Thus, it seems that, as soon as the power was switched on, the wire began to heat up, however slightly. Thus, whilst the temperature rise was kept as negligible as possible by leaving the power switched on for the minimum possible time, it seems that the temperature would have risen and this factor may have affected the results. Meters, the ammeter and voltmeter used measured the current and volt across the wire to the degree of one hundredth of an amp and volt, respectively i. e. the current and voltage measurements may be inaccurate by the degree of up to, one hundredth of an amp/volt. Similarly the resistance values calculated from the current and voltage measurements may be slightly inaccurate. Contact with crocodile clips, this factor may have affected the accuracy of the results, but this is extremely unlikely as it was ensured that the crocodile clips made definite contact with the wire being used as a resistor. These factors may have produced extremely slight inaccuracies and the results were only slight inaccurate and so it seems that the minor inaccuracies that the above factors may have caused may have caused the results in the investigation to be slightly inaccurate. Further work in the experiment could be to find the resistance of the Constantan wire used in the experiment. To find the resistance of the wire we need the two equations below, which were found from extra research. The equations tell us that the resistance of a wire is: i) Directly proportional to its length (L) i. e. R ? L ii) Inversely proportional to its cross-section area (A) i. e. R ? 1/A Combining the two statements we get: R ? L x 1/A The above can then be written as an equation if we insert a constant: Therefore, R = x L/AÃ'Ž Where x is a constant called the resistance of the material (for a fixed temperature and other physical conditions). The resistance of a material is numerically the resistance of a sample of unit length and unit cross-section area, at a certain temperature. To find x we can rearrange the equation R = x L/A to get x = AR/L. Thus, to find the resistance (x) of the Constantan wire used in this experiment we must substitute for A, R and L in the equation x = AR/L. The wire being used in the investigation should have a uniform cross-sectional area, but, to confirm this, the diameter of the wire can be measured using a micrometer. In this investigation the diameter of the wire was 0. 02mm and so the cross-sectional area of the wire can be estimated, by assuming the wires cross-section is circular, using the equation: Cross-sectional area = ? r2 Where r is the radius of the circular cross-sectional area, which is half of the diameter Other ways to further the experiment would be to use wires made from different materials to find differences in resistance that each wire produced. It could then be decided which of the wires was the best conductor. Cross-sectional area could also be investigated, if the experiment was furthered, and it could be investigated whether the resistance of a wire is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area. To investigate the effect of cross-sectional area on resistance of similar wires (i. e. wires of the same length, material, etc. ) with different cross-sectional areas will be used. The effect of temperature on a wire could also be investigated. I believe that the experiment was performed successfully and that the results obtained were accurate. The predictions that were made were also confirmed by the results and the wire obeyed the rules that it was expected to. This experiment we can confirm that the resistance of a wire is directly proportional to the wires length. Tarique Sabah Physics Coursework Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Electricity and Magnetism section.

Consumption and Everyday Life Essay example -- Culture Cultural Essays

Consumption and Everyday Life This interdisciplinary volume portrays the variety and complexity of consuming practices that are embedded in the context of everyday life. The contributors cover a broad range of cultural consuming patterns drawing on material as well as symbolic resources with case studies from different parts of the world. Studied practices include shopping, personal narratives, music and performance, the imagination of identities and places, media and audiences as well as domestic communication technologies. These cases counter both traditional images of a passive, powerless consumer and the postmodern glorification of consumers as "creative artists", but rather illustrate the varying balance between constraint and creativity, and the role of consumption within the cycle of production, regulation, representation and identity. In the introduction, Hugh Mackay explains what is understood under the term cultural consumption, and gives an interdisciplinary and historical overview of the most significant approaches to consumption, their accomplishments and weaknesses. He outlines what contribution this book has to offer to the study of consumption and everyday life, summarizes each chapter briefly, and discusses what they have in common, and in which respect they are differentiated from each other. In his chapter, Daniel Miller explains the concept of appropriation and illustrates it with his own fieldwork on English kitchen furniture in state-provided housings, U.S. American soap operas and Coca-Cola in Trinidad. He traces back anthropological approaches to the relationship between persons and objects and problematizes the strict distinction between "gift-societies" and "commodity-societies", and the p... ... They provide the reader with approachable empirical studies rather than abstract theorizing, and thus narrow the broad field and theoretical of consumption to possible local sites of study. The book is written in an accessible language and style, with key-concepts set off and explained in a very comprehensive way. Each chapter is followed by selected readings and includes questions and activities to the readers, thus creating the perquisites for an active reading (supporting their angle on consumption as active rather than passive). I recommend this very useful book to everyone interested in the cultural dimension of consumption. It might be an excellent introductory textbook, but be also of interest to advanced students and researchers across a range of disciplines including sociology, anthropology, media studies, communication, cultural studies, and economy.

Observations of Realists Essay

1) Are the observations of Realists, such as Hans Morgenthau, accurate in respect to their assessment of the importance of international law in contemporary world politics? Realists such as Hans Morgenthau and more recently Lloyd Gruber, base their theories on the assumption individuals, and hence states, act rationally to protect their own interests, the national interest. They believe states exist in a world of anarchy without an over arching authority. While this may be the case and it certainly is for some states, it is a theory that requires review within the context of the modern world and international law. In the world of bi-polar power during the Cold War, Morgenthau’s views interpreted the global climate accurately, however it is now short sighted in our time of globalization. Multi-National Corporations (MNC), Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGO) and Non-Government Organisations (NGO) play a very large part on the world stage and influence countries, economies and conflicts. Meanwhile younger theories are tending to consider the state and the world’s political climate as a holistic, interactive entity. Increased access to communication, social media and increased global wealth serve to provide an environment for a better financed and informed NGO. Yet even the UN, it’s efficacy being constantly brought into doubt, plays a vital role in establishing norms and standards with the global stakeholders. These developing theories document our planet’s political interaction and development and as such are constantly in a state of change. Sometimes in-sync with current standards such as international law and other times, not. Taking into account realism is one of the more established theories of international relations, we have to also consider the global climate in which the theory was established and compare that to now. Hans Morgenthau was born in Coburg, Germany 1904 and experienced two world worlds. He and his predecessors experienced states as the only actors in world politics. The United Kingdom was exiting her great period of colonisation and was witnessing the unraveling of her empire. Meanwhile Germany was rebuilding and rising in global status. The world was experiencing a transition into industry and moving away from the traditional agriculturally driven economies. Throughout this time, the average person’s existence was more concerned with subsistence. Overseas phone calls and intercontinental travel were beyond the average person’s reach. The importance of setting the scene here is to understand globalisation was in its infancy. To understand this helps to shape the importance other actors in world politics play. Instant communications, the Internet and global travel have made the world a smaller place. Activists, such as Green Peace, can now influence states. So much so, the Rainbow Warrior, Green Peace’s flagship, was sunk by the French spy agency, Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), in July 1985, killing a photographer. This is an extreme example of NGO influence, yet it cannot be denied that to bomb a civilian ship highlights the pressure Green Peace was placing on the international stage. Realism does not take into account all variables acting upon the state in today’s day and age. When established, realism existed in a time of strong state actors. Today, with the ending of the Cold War that line has blurred, NGOs etc†¦ have filled that void. To understand the motivation behind the establishment of these organisations helps us to understand the influence they have. For instance, Oxfam, Amnesty International and the like have their basis within a moral social consciousness. Therefore, it’s easy to see why theories, such as Social Constructivism, focus on a world shaped by the influences of a nation’s shared beliefs, culture and values. As democracy extends further and nations adopt a capitalist model to fit into the global model, the demands to maintain a balanced, humane society increase. Governments feel this pressure and so, act accordingly. An argument by Social Constructionist such as Barnett and Finnemore is that IGOs have the real power. As I will show later using the US invasion of Iraq, governments still have the final say on their actions, although IGOs, NGOs and MNCs play a very large role in influencing them. Having stated this, one may counter argue this implies it is still a state verses state environment (Realism), however, the world has still evolved into government verses government verses IGOs, NGOs and MNCs, henceforth realism cannot not explain the actions of governments alone and must consider the external influences. Constructivism does so, but places the power into the hands of IGOs and the like. An alternative needs to be sought. Alternatives such as the European Union, which remains â€Å"†¦the most successful experiment in political institution-building since the Second World War. Andrew Moravcsik goes on to say the EU cannot replace or aspire to the democratic status of nation states, yet their role remains embedded in monitoring accountability and extensive checks and balances upon its member states. Emerging actors such as the EU again demonstrate the changing environment and clearly indicate realist theories, must by reconsidered. Focusing on the institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, we can cite several occasions in which their influence has shaped global politics, whether for selfish or selfless motivations. The concept of poverty alleviation was raised by the World Bank during the 1960’s and saw the World Bank â€Å"sell poverty alleviation to members through a mixture of persuasion and coercion. † The Ford Foundation established a report highlighting the successes of poverty alleviation and cited their own programs, many of which were to governmental organizations. The report also stated poverty alleviation programs were ineffectual and implied corruption. Albeit, this report was funded by the Ford Foundation to report on its own programs, yet I was under the impression they were given freedom to report accurately. Even though the Ford Foundation was established by Henry Ford’s son, and not the company itself, it still represents the power and influence a MNC can exert. These reports are not controversial, but it does go towards forming an image about governments and it is in this way influence is exerted. Furthermore, the actions of the Ford Foundation to fund relief programs, brings into question the effectiveness and validity of IGO programs. Probably the largest non-state actor is the United Nations (UN). It’s governance covers many areas of international concern, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Program (WFP), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), etc†¦. As a consequence, its membership is extensive. Whether the member states take their affiliation with the UN and it’s associated bodies seriously or whether they use them as a vehicle for their own means is irrelevant. In either case, the mere existence of this relationship affects the outcomes of global politics. While UN peace keeping missions and other security programs are a subject for debate into the validity of the UN, it cannot be argued that President Bush’s attempts to have the invasion of Iraq sanctioned in 2003 was an attempt to the have the US’s actions deemed as â€Å"right’ within the eyes of the global audience. The fact the US then ignored the UN’s recommendation is irrelevant, the mere attempt to legitimize the US’s actions implies the states are now not the only actors within global politics. This occurrence in itself indicates in itself realism is becoming outdated and the need to consider a more holistic approach. While it can be argued the UN is an Inter-Governmental Organisation (IGO) and is therefore a part or rather a stage for governments to act upon. It must be noted the sovereignty of states, upon which realism is based, does not exist within the UN. The UN is a global entity upon which sovereign states are members, the UN in itself has now physical bounds and by its title, implies the uniting of nations as a common theme. The Neorealist and Structural Realism models may be more applicable in that they balance of power among states is considered in the UN forum, however, true Realist theories, such as those proposed by Morgenthau, are becoming less relevant based upon the increase in non-governmental actors. The development of the Realist theory and subsequent â€Å"neo† theories show a development of thinking and a mark of the time in which they were contrived. These theories cannot be accurate moving into the future as the benchmarks upon which they are based change with the development of the world, it’s technology and it’s people. They can however, allow us to isolate specific elements of global relations, regardless of the time they were developed. I foresee a more holistic approach to global government and non-governmental relationships develop. This will allow us to consider all of the relevant stakeholders while incorporating the best of each perspective, whether it comes from a sociological, economic or political basis. Realist theories are accurate to a degree regarding world politics, however the influence they now hold on international law and global governance has become less. The role of non-state actors, facilitated by the expansion of communications and travel, namely globalization, has given rise to organisations, which previously were unable to exist. Their power varies greatly within the influence they have upon governments of the world, yet they do influence. In a world where the occupants are more aware and hold their respective governments to account for their actions, these nations cannot afford to ignore the influence of the new players in the game.

Home School vs Traditional School Essay

COMPARE AND CONTRAST HOMESCHOOL AND TRADITIONAL SCHOOL HOOK: In the future, students might have more opportunities to attend a home school and they can make a choice between home school or traditional school . Which would you prefer? BACKGROUND: Parents often debate about the best place to educate their children and nowadays, they often must consider if homeschool or traditional school is the best choice. THESIS: There are some similarities between home school and studying in a traditional school, however there are also many differences. I am going to discuss some similarities and differences between these two ways for (methods of) education. BODY 1 First of all, let’s look at the similarities between these two methods of education. Both of these ways have a similar routine and a similar structure. For example, students can study the same subjects, have the same lunch break and do the same projects. In addition, both ways give students the chance to learn if they want to learn and develop their knowledge and develop their personality. Moreover, there is a similarity between the text books so the basic information on the course will be the same. BODY 2 On the other hand, there are many differences between homeschool and traditional school. For example, when a student studies at home, they are more individual because they have their own opinions, likes and dislikes. This means they have their own personality and other people have less influence. Also, students educated at home can learn faster, whereas in traditional schools too many things happen in the classroom and learning is usually slower. For this reason, students have a better chance to learn more at home. Finally, at a traditional schools students have the chance to socialize and make new friends, while at home they have just the teacher and they haven’t the same chance to develop their social skills. CONCLUSION In conclusion, these are some of the similarities and differences between homeschool and traditional school. SUMMARY On the one hand, they both have a similar routine, a similar chance to learn and the  textbooks are also similar. On the other hand, they are different because homeschool is more individual, there are less chances to meet new friends and the learning is usually faster. OPINION Finally, if you go to homeschool or traditional school you still have to study a lot and really want to succeed, so in the end, I believe both of these ways give a student a good education. Vocabulary Nowadays To consider Must consider- have to think about Chance – opportunity To develop – to build up , increase To develop social skills Knowledge Personality Own – belongs to you only More influence on someone- can change someone’s mind easily Less influence on someone- can change someone’s mind easily Basic- Individual- To socialize – to chat to and meet new people, chatting and talking To be sociable – more chance to be sociable To succeed – to come out positively and get what you want, achieve benefits

Multiple Scleross essays

Multiple Scleross essays Multiple sclerosis, often known as MS, affects many people worldwide. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects movement, sensation and bodily functions. MS is a nerve disorder caused by the destruction of the insulating layer surrounding neurons in the brain and spinal cord (Polman 48). When this occurs the nerve endings cannot be sent as quickly and efficiently. The symptoms of MS occur when the brain and spinal cord nerves no longer communicate properly with other parts of the body (Gleason 93). Multiple sclerosis can affect many things, such as vision, balance, strength, sensation, coordination and bodily functions. The main cause for multiple sclerosis is yet to be known. If someone in your family already is affected with MS, you are at more of a risk to develop this type of disease. Most people will see their first symptoms between the ages of 20 to 40 and symptoms will rarely be seen before 15 or after 60 (OConnor 9). Studies have shown that one in a thousand people have MS. That is only 0.1 percent (Carrol 148). Multiple sclerosis is more common in Canada and Northern Europe. If you were to have MS and then have a child, your child would have a high risk of getting the disease. Multiple sclerosis can happen to both men and women, but is twice as likely to happen to a woman (Gleason 108). The amount of time a person may have MS varies between each person. A woman who has MS will still be able to have children. Many women report that their MS symptoms are much improved during pregnancy and that they often feel much better than they did previously (Rosner 61). MS can cause symptoms in any body system, which is driven by myelinated areas of the central nervous system which control things like motor impulses, sensory signals, coordination and balance (Kalb 92). Multiple sclerosis can also affect someones vision, cause fatigue and cause sexual dysfunction. A person who has multiple sclerosis tends to get very f...

Biography of Woodrow Wilson, 28th U.S. President

Biography of Woodrow Wilson, 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856–February 3, 1924) was the 28th president of the United States, serving from 1913 to 1921. Prior to that, Wilson was the governor of New Jersey. Although he won reelection with the slogan He kept us out of war, Wilson was the commander-in-chief when the country finally entered World War I on April 6, 1917. Fast Facts: Woodrow Wilson Known For: Wilson was the president of the United States from 1913 to 1921.Born: December 28, 1856 in Staunton, VirginiaParents: Joseph Ruggles Wilson, a Presbyterian Minister, and Janet Woodrow WilsonDied: February 3, 1924 in Washington, D.C.Education: Davidson College, Princeton University, University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins UniversityAwards and Honors: Nobel Peace PrizeSpouse(s): Ellen Axson (m. 1885–1914), Edith Bolling (m. 1915–1924)Children: Margaret, Jessie, Eleanor Early Life Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia. He was the son of Joseph Ruggles Wilson, a Presbyterian Minister, and Janet Jessie Woodrow Wilson. He had two sisters and one brother. Shortly after Wilsons birth, his family soon moved to Augusta, Georgia, where Wilson was educated at home. In 1873, he went to Davidson College but soon dropped out due to health issues. He entered the College of New Jersey- now known as Princeton University- in 1875. Wilson graduated in 1879 and went on to study at the University of Virginia School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in 1882. Being a lawyer, however, was not to his liking, and Wilson soon returned to school with plans to become an educator. He eventually earned a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1886. Marriage On June 23, 1885, Wilson married Ellen Louis Axson, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. They would eventually have three daughters: Margaret Woodrow Wilson, Jessie Woodrow Wilson, and Eleanor Randolph Wilson. Career Wilson served as a professor at  Bryn Mawr College  from 1885 to 1888 and then as a professor of history at Wesleyan University from 1888 to 1890. Wilson then became a professor of political economy at Princeton. In 1902, he was appointed president of Princeton University, a post he held until 1910. In 1911, Wilson was elected governor of New Jersey. In this position, he made a name for himself by passing progressive reforms, including laws to reduce public corruption. Presidential Election of 1912 By 1912, Wilson had become a popular figure in progressive politics and actively campaigned for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination. After reaching out to other leaders in the party, Wilson was able to secure the nomination, with Indiana governor Thomas Marshall as the vice presidential nominee. Wilson was opposed not only by incumbent President  William Taft  but also by  Bull Moose  candidate  Theodore Roosevelt. The Republican Party was divided between Taft and Roosevelt, allowing Wilson to easily win the presidency with 42% of the vote. (Roosevelt received 27% of the vote and Taft garnered 23%.) Presidency One of the first events of Wilsons presidency was the passage of the Underwood Tariff. This reduced tariff rates from 41 to 27 percent. It also created the  first federal income tax  after the passage of the 16th Amendment. In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act created the Federal Reserve system to help deal with economic highs and lows. It provided banks with loans and helped smooth out business cycles. In 1914, the Clayton Anti-Trust Act was passed to  improve labor rights. The law created protections for important labor negotiating tactics such as strikes, pickets, and boycotts. During this time, a revolution was occurring in Mexico. In 1914,  Venustiano Carranza  took over the Mexican government. However,  Pancho Villa  held much of northern Mexico. When Villa crossed into the United States in 1916 and killed 17 Americans, Wilson sent 6,000 troops under  General John Pershing  to the area. Pershing pursued Villa into Mexico, upsetting the Mexican government and Carranza. World War I  began in 1914 when  Archduke Francis Ferdinand  was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. Due to agreements made among  the European nations, many countries eventually joined the war. The  Central Powers- Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria- fought against the Allies, Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, Portugal, China, and Greece. America initially remained neutral, and Wilson was renominated to run for the presidency in 1916 on the first ballot along with Marshall as his vice president. He was opposed by Republican Charles Evans Hughes. The Democrats used the slogan, He kept us out of war, as they campaigned for Wilson. Hughes had a lot of support, but Wilson ultimately won in a close election with 277 out of 534 electoral votes. In 1917, the United States entered World War I on the side of the Allies. Two reasons were the sinking of the British ship  Lusitania,  which killed 120 Americans, and the Zimmerman telegram, which revealed that Germany was trying to get an agreement with Mexico to form an alliance if the United States entered the war. Pershing led American troops into battle, helping defeat the Central Powers. An armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, blamed the war on Germany and demanded huge reparations. It also created a League of Nations. In the end, the U.S. Senate would not ratify the treaty and would never join the League. Death In 1921, Wilson retired in Washington, D.C. He was very sick. On February 3, 1924, he died of complications from a stroke. Legacy Woodrow Wilson played a huge role in determining if and when America would get involved in  World War I. He was an isolationist at heart who attempted to keep America out of the war. However, with the sinking of the Lusitania, the continued harassment of American ships by German submarines, and the release of the  Zimmerman Telegram, America would not be held back. Wilson fought for the creation of the  League of Nations  to help avert another world war; his efforts won him the 1919  Nobel Peace Prize. Sources Cooper, John Milton Jr.  Woodrow Wilson: a Biography. Random House, 2011.Maynard, W. Barksdale.  Woodrow Wilson: Princeton to the Presidency. Yale University Press, 2013.

OVARY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

OVARY - Essay Example During menstrual cycle there is multiple changes takes place side by side in ovary and uterus therefore on this basis menstrual cycle can be studied separately as ovarian cycle and uterine cycle. Menstrual cycle basically helps to prepare uterus for pregnancy every month and if uterus don’t receive a sperm, all of the changes that has taken place ends up in shedding of uterine epithelium accompanied with bleeding which is known as menstruation. Follicular Phase: During fetal life immature ovum trapped into primordial follicles. At puberty these primordial follicles begin to mature. Follicular phase starts from the end to menstruation, with the maturation of few of the primordial follicles under the influence of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), releases from anterior pituitary gland. Only one of them reaches full maturity while others remains atretic. Mature follicle at this stage called as Graffin follicle. Griffin follicle is an oval structure having three layers namely from within outside are, granulose cells, Theca Interna and Theca Externa. Follicular fluid fills the whole griffin follicle. Theca Interna is the primary source of estrogen hormone. As the follicle becomes mature it swells up and ready to release ovum. This phase extends from day 1 to day 13 of menstrual cycle. Ovulation: This is the day 14 of the menstrual cycle accompanied by the rupture of matured griffin follicle and the release of ovum in abdominal cavity which is later picked up by the fimbrae in the fallopian tubes to travel to uterine cavity. This phase is due to the raised levels of luteinizing hormone. Luteal Phase: This phase extends from day 14 to day 18 characterized by the conversion of empty griffin follicle in a yellow lipid filled cells called luteal cells and hence corpus luteum. Corpus luteum is the primary source of progesterone which is responsible for of the changes in

Mainstreaming social pensions in the social development agenda as a Research Proposal

Mainstreaming social pensions in the social development agenda as a panacea to old age poverty in Sub Saharan Africa;- A comparative study of Ghana and South Africa - Research Proposal Example jority believe it as a factor that can uplift and secure the life of older people, which is well evident when comparing to the elderly like in Brazil, Chile or South Africa. Analyzing the countries where there are no old-age pension systems or it located only among a few people, these elderly are counted among the poor people (Barrientos, et al 2003) Various studies have identified the fact that in most of the developing countries the beneficiary cannot enjoy the privileges of pensions. It is evident that these amounts are channelized to other members of the households. Some of the studies conducted about this issues have identified that the children of the beneficiary households have higher enrolment rates and better health that those who do not receive pensions in their households (Duflo, E. (2003). Though there are not much pension schemes for the elderly majority of the developing countries, it has been found out that South Africa is on the verge of broadening their pension schemes and implementing a safety net program for supporting the elderly. One of the studies found in an online article writes, â€Å"The means-tested, non-contributory (social) pension in South Africa was first introduced in 1928 but it was only in 1993 that the same amount was paid to all racial groups.† The study also observes, â€Å"Women over 60 and men over 65 may be eligible for a monthly pension of R780 (US$109). Means testing is based on an individual’s (and partner’s if married) income levels." (Social pensions in South Africa, 2005). It has been observed that â€Å"The social pension reduces the number of people living below the poverty line by 2.24 million. It increases the income of the poorest 5% of the population by 50%. People in households receiving a pension are 12.5% less likely to be poor in South Africa.† Through this study the researcher aims to find out whether the social pensions in Sub Saharan Africa is really like a panacea to the elderly that they could satisfy

The economic growth in the countries of Asia-Pacific region Essay

The economic growth in the countries of Asia-Pacific region - Essay Example The paper attempts to establish a quantitative relationship between the economic development and the factors affecting it in a cross-national context with particular reference to East Asian countries. Economic growth in the East Asian region over the last half-century has not been the same in all the countries. The growth in economic performance of a country and the differences underlying the economic conditions of various countries in the region is owing to the factors affecting growth. McKinnon and Shaw emphasize on the critical importance of the development of a country’s financial sector towards the enhancement of its economic growth. They are of the view that economic growth is closely linked with the financial market liberty in a country. Government interference and subjection over the financial sector through different means result in economic deterioration. The past (pre-crisis) and recent (post-crisis) economic boost as noticeable in Malaysia is not a matter of coincidence, rather it has been due to the fact that the factors responsible for economic growth prevail and flourish rapidly in the country as discussed throughout the essay. Malaysia has been one of those few countries in the region to be able to recover quickly from the East Asian crisis and thus has rapidly taken a tremendous development track. On the contrary, the countries having a slower economic growth rate such as Philippines reveal the lagging of factors that undermine a country’s economic growth.

Films And Television Impact On Tourists Tourism Essay

Films And Television Impact On Tourists Tourism Essay Film induced tourism is a growing phenomenon worldwide. Films and television can have impact on tourists decision making upon their choices of travel and destination. Films make audience all over the world fall in love with them and attempt to travel to where the films were made, thus enabling the film locations to become tourist destinations. The power of the film and television in promoting destinations and stimulating tourism demand is an international phenomenon. So, film and television series usually have more long-term impacts in tourism. Today, throughout China, over hundreds of TV-Movie towns are built and have turned into theme park, which carries a certain brand name to appeal to potential tourists. It is clear that many cities have a major task to get their sites recognized globally as suitable and fashionable destinations for international and domestic tourism. China West film studio in Ningxia province, as one of the up-and-coming film theme park, is chosen as a case stu dy to explore its development, covering its paths of success and failure. The impact of film and television for a person, a place even a nation is not despised. Throughout domestic and overseas, a film studio which takes a whole process of making movies and relevant things for film and television as the attractions is becoming more and more popular in tourism industry. Chinas tourism industry is currently upgraded from sightseeing leading phase to the leisure and cultural experience leading stages. In this context, relying on filming and hitting the drama (and subsequent similar cultural theme film) to create the image and related cultural experience tourism products for the studio has gradually become much favorite of new leisure and experienced products in markets. It is also a tourism consumption hotspot. Only depend on filming income for a film studios development is an absolute losing proposition. Especially one movie left a city sights, the limitation of a scenery spot is even bigger. Therefore, many film studios finally forced to turn to tourism asp ect, to become a film theme park. China film and TV tourism industry was originated in 1980s. In this process, the film theme park as the inevitable outcome of the film industry development is gradually be known and become a kind of special tourism activity places along with the film tourism development. The development of film theme park to tourist attractions started in Beijing. In 1984, CCTV developed the famous Chinese Literature A Dream of Red Mansions into a TV series. It became the most popular television series of its time (A Dream of Red Mansions, CCTV 2008). In fact, it was the earliest popular series in China (A Dream of Red Mansions, CCTV 2008). Compared with abroad, Chinas film tourism was started late. Its development stage is relatively backward and the profitability is not pretty good. According to statistics, the film theme park which was through the approval has about more than 110 at present in China, but only 14 or 15 can do the normal business (http://www.lwcj.com). Among them, only CCTV WuXi Movie and TV Base, ZhuoZhou TV and Movie Town and China West Film Studio is running well. Most of the film theme park only has few crew and visitors entered. 1.1.2 The Film Studio situation in China The film studio in China is different with the most famous Americans film studio. Chinas film studio can largely called video production base, the main task is for film and TV production services. But, the Americans film studio can be really called film theme park. The visitors is god there, they enjoy the wonderful movie experience which doesnt exist in the reality but only exist in the movie. According to understand, relying on collection the sell rental and developing film tourism are the main profit model in Chinas film studio, and this single profit model has hidden huge risk. Chinas film studio always has been the role of movie producers. People build film studio for filming, but the builder often ignore the sustainable development of the film studio. Thus cause once the crew delisted, that film studio will face the waste situation. Data revealed that a film base covers an area of thousands of acres, but the profit is only 10% of crew cost (http://www.chinavalue.net). 1.1.3 General Information of China West Film Studio China West Film Studio is a hot location for tourists due to popular movie and television series. Its the national AAAAA class scenic area for tourism and best scenic area for tourism in China (China West Film Studio 2011). China West Film Studio is located in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China. It has the convenient transportation. It is 38 kilometers from the downtown of Yinchuan city, 25 kilometers from railway station, and 48 kilometers from airport. It is the hot scenic spot for the tourists who visited Ningxia must pass through. (China West Film Studio 2011). QQà ¦Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ªÃƒ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ‚ ¾Ãƒ ¦Ã…“ ªÃƒ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃ‚ ½Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ Ã‚ .png Fig1.1.3 The location of China West Film Studio in Yinchuan city, Ningxia province, China The construction of the China West Film Studio was based on the military camps at the border region in Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1961, the well knows writer Zhang Xiang Liang discovered its special value of beauty. In the early 80s in 20 century, Mr. Zhang introduced this place to circle of movies, thereafter, this place began to join the movies and TV plays. Till now, there were near 100 movies and TV plays had been taken here (China West Film Studio 2011). The great directors from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan of China had their talent here. A lot of new stars marched onto the world just from here and they became the international stars thereafter. Still a lot of movies taken here had got different prizes on the prominent, international movies festivals, some of those movies had know as the typical ones in the history of Chinese movies. And the ruins of ancient military camps were changed into the famous movies and TV plays city in China. This place had got the fine reputation as Chinese movies march on the world from here (China West Film Studio 1993). But just at beginning of the construction of the studio city. Mr. Zhang Xian Liang predicted that the development of movies would make the production of using the techniques of the electronic computer more and more. The future movies will be produced rather than taken. Thus, the function of a studio to provide a place for taking movies will vanish bit by bit as time passes. Therefore, people always call this West Studio an image cite instead of a Movies and TV plays city, the name Movie and TV plays city was a popular speaking. Yet, the image city means an epitome of the ancient towns in the north China. In the course of Chinese modernization, urban-notation and the construction of new rural areas, a large number of Chinese traditional, material and non-material cultivation is doomed to be diminished gradually. The West Film Studio is doing his best to collect this Chi nese traditional, material and non-material cultivation, exhibit it on the desert and ruins in the vast north land, let the old aged filed be able to show some brilliant colors. During the tourists visiting, they will be just like passing through a time channel to return to the past long ancient time. Our ancestors Glamour was showed there, besides the valuable historical memory was reserved as well. Then, on the base of inheriting the historical culture, China West Film Studio developed their imagination and creation. Now, besides the stage properties used in the well known movies and great stars, traces of their activities, there are various antiques, furniture, utensils, tools, architecture parts etc. with rich content and Ming Qing dynasties special features. And the common facilities equipped in the normal tourism places such as restaurant, such as MaYinghua tourist recreation center, Sheqi tea Bar, Baihua tang hall, exhibition hall, supermarkets, tourist souvenirs, etc, all of them can be found here. There still are the movie bills exhibition, artistic photography exhibition, artistic figures, and the gallery of ruins which was built for sake of protecting the cultural relics specially. And there are the ancient costume photos, horse riding, arrow shooting and some unique, folk performance such entertainment items here. China West Film Studio also after MTV for the tourists to enjoy the scenes and stage properties with the tourist themselves in the MTV or short films, the tourists can perform in the mimic show as a great star or take a photo for your whole team. All above activities may make tourists feel a tourist while arrival, a famous star while departure. 1.2 Statement of Problems Film theme park (FTP) appears to be a new form of tourism in China, yet its business-together with popularity of Chinese movies country-wide and word wide, as well as growth in tourist activities-moves at a high speed in generating significant revenue for Chinas tourism. While researches on Chinese films and their impact upon tourism have been expensively produced, little has been done in relations with FTP. As FTP business grows larger, a study on its success and failure factors becomes more important, so that management direction of FTP can be mapped out more solidly to sustain its activity as a viable part of tourism in China. Like its predecessors-Universal Studio, Paramount Pictures, or Shaw Brothers, CWFS has striven to create another worlds destination of film tourism. However, the success models of the formers may not be blindly copied and be reproduced in China. FTPs in China show different levels of development around China, but some of them have the problems, as a result of short-life cycle, difficulty in operation and return on the investment. Coupled with study on the operation and management sides of FTP, this research also aims to explore the relationship between CWFS and their impact upon tourism of Ningxia Providence. Residents of Ningxia, as host of this up-and-coming destination, must show their interests and cooperation in promoting the business of CWFS, thus stabilizing the FTP of their province with concrete creation. Therefore, this research seeks the following questions: RQ1. What describes the tourist business of China West Film Studio? RQ2. What constitutes strength and weakness of the tourist business of CWFS? RQ3. What impact does CWFS has on Ningxia province tourism? 1.3 Research Objectives This research aims: To identify the tourist business being conduct in CWFS; To explore rooms of success of tourist business of CWFS; To explore rooms for improvement of tourist business of CWFS; and, To identify the impact from tourist business that CWFS has upon Ningxia province tourism 1.4 Scope of the Research China West Film Studio is an external window of Ning Xia civilization. It is Chinas ancient northern town and national intangible cultural heritage protection and development project integrated experimental base. There is a hot location for tourists due to popular movie and television series. It is very important to the tourism economy and environment of Ning Xia province. The primary goal of this research is through analyze the current management approaches of China West film studio so as to development in understanding film-induced tourism, assess the implications of the theme park sustainability and the significance in tourism destinations. This research will use a case study of China West Film Studio in Ningxia Province to investigate the important issues regarding the management vision of the studio, and to assess the existing polices of sustainable tourism development in Chinese theme parks. Using quantitative approach, a survey with questionnaire in the field at CWFS will be c onducted. Qualitative approach is also used by conducting in-depth interview with representatives of the China West Film Studios managers and visitors, including participant observation on the visitors. Reviews of official documents, statistics and printed materials will also be counted. 1.5 Limitations of the study The following were basic limitations of this study: 1.5.1 There is relatively few of research on the level of film theme park in China, especially for a successful or failure business model of film theme park management system is a question which has not been looked into adequately to date. 1.5.2 The research case study will limit the results of the study to other TV and Movie Town theme parks. 1.5.3 The in-depth interviews and questionnaire survey may have been compromised by subjective answers. 1.6 Significance of the Study Now, using movies as a theme to set up theme parks has become a trend. So, it is necessary for theme park operators to start planning strategically and organizing marketing and promotion activities in their film theme parks. The significance of this research is through analyze the current management approaches of China West film studio so as to development in understanding film-induced tourism, assess the implications of the theme park sustainability and the significance in tourism destinations. 1.7 Definition of Terms Theme park: theme park refers to a tract of land on which a developer has created a series of exhibits, rides, and other elements that tend to be designed around some unifying idea (Dittmer, 2002) China West Film Studio (CWFS): China West Film Studio is Chinas ancient northern town and national intangible cultural heritage protection and development project integrated experimental base. There is a hot location for tourists due to popular movie and television series. Its the national AAAA class scenic area for tourism and best scenic area for tourism in China. Film Theme Park (FTP): Usually adjacent to a studio, specifically built for tourism with no actual filming or production taking place. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter is a detailed review of film tourism and theme park management and development in China. These will be conducted to provide a better understanding of the background study. The review will include a documentary research of journals and books on tourism and theme parks in China, including printed materials form the China West Film Studio Board. It will provide a comprehensive overview of the basic concepts being studied on the topic. 2.1 Theme park In the past 25 years, parks have increasingly appropriated historic themes as a medium for entertainment and communication with the travel markets. A theme park offers a controlled, clean environment. The theme itself is a critical factor determining the popularity of the park. (Gordon W. McClung, 1991). Wong Cheung (1999) pointed out that the movie theme, a popular theme found in the West with successful cases including Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Movie World, was the least preferred theme in Hong Kong. This pointed out the need for the consideration of cultural influence on theme preference (Wong Cheung 1999). In contrast to the abundance of previous research on theme park and tourism demand, relatively little has been done on the specific topic TV and Movie Town development in China. Scheurer (2003) defined that theme parks aim to create an atmosphere of another place and time and they usually concentrate on one dominant theme, around which architecture, landscaping, costumed personnel, and different facilities for entertainment, distraction, recreation, or physical activity, such as rides, shows, food service, and merchandise, are coordinated. Everything is coordinated to create an overall experience a special setting for the visitors. 2.2 Types of Theme Park From the chart below listed out the four major theme park types. The types are classified by the target tourists, theme, and facility provided. Types Tourist Theme Facility Example Super Park Global Market Combined by different theme Various travel experience with accommodation provided Disneyworld, Universal Studio Landmark Theme Park The whole city nearby city Specific Theme and Shows e.g. Ethnic themes Focus on the static travel experience, provide educational purpose Splendid China, The window of the world, Hong Kong Ocean Park Amusement Park Local market Single Theme Rides and Games Lotte Garden Local Scale Theme park Local market Single Theme Static View China West Film Studio Table2.1 Four Major types of Theme Park Sources: (CNTA 2007) According to the theme park can provide the type of travel experience (product form) to its classification, the current theme park in China, mainly in the following categories: Scenario simulation model: a variety of movie types of theme parks, such as the three movies (Wuxi). Pleasure type: for example, Suzhou park, Jinjiang Amusement park (East China), Dream Watertown (Zhuhai). Tourism type: Splendid China, Window of the world (Shenzhen) and so on. Theme type: Kiev aircraft carrier (Tianjin), Minsk aircraft carrier (Shenzhen), a variety of aquarium. Style experience type: all kinds of ethnic villages, folk village, such as China Folk Culture village (Shenzhen). The above classification is only a simple analysis, if the strict sense of the theme park classification, the theme parks theme in itself implies a proposition about the culture can be derived from many types of theme parks. (Management Theory Papers, 2008) 2.3 Chinas theme park development Since 1955, the United States since the birth of Walt Disney World, Theme parks has gone through half a century of development. The theme park industry is relatively new in China, with some of the early parks developed only in the mid-1980s (Ap, 2003). Thirty years, Chinas theme park industry is surging, in the dark out of the simple imitation of the past, and now the comprehensive development. Song (2011) mentioned that, in fact, the first Theme Park-Journey to the West Temple which appeared in the late 80s cannot be called the strict sense of the theme park in China. It is actually a props exhibition for the large series drama -Journey to the West. Because it is satisfied the domestic tourists curiosity of shooting and the demand of pursue new tourism product, it recouped the capital outlay soon after input market. Then, the United States, Netherlands, Japan and Hong Kongs theme park developers began to entry into the Chinese market in joint venture way with their rich experience and financial strength. Then China officially emerged a group of large scale theme park. Chinas first large-scale theme park in Shenzhen Splendid China gained sensational success through its national character. It presented Chinas famous mountains and rivers as well as cultural heritage through miniature models, hosting over three million visitors in the first year of establishment (Global times, 2009) Within the first three years after the opening of Splendid China, there were about sixteen large-scale theme parks and hundreds of small-scale parks built in mainland China (Oakes, 1998). Because of the technology monetization, the economy globalization, the culture diversification, and the different needs of market, the change of the forms of theme park is critical to the innovation and development of contemporary theme park. By 1998, there were an estimated two thousand amusement or theme park attractions in China. But many of them were not successful from a financial and operational perspective and most of them were in a deficit (Ap, 2003). 2.4 The profit model of Theme Park Generally speaking, the profit model of traveling scenic area (theme park) basically has the following kinds, and its profit model is a mixture of these types of revenue streams: To provide primary experience chance to sell ones own things, such as: selling tickets. To provide help to enrich experience and the corresponding service, such as: providing catering and accommodation services. To sell possible income opportunities around the consumption power of tourists and potential tourists, such as: commercial sponsorship of festival activities and investment promotion in scenic spot. To gain capital investment in tourism project site after earning premium to other commercial development, such as scenic area, the real estate development in tourism destinations. To sale or transfer the commodities with the intellectual property characteristics, such as: toys, tourism souvenirs, handicrafts and so on. To provide public service for guaranteeing market-oriented of residents in tourism scenic spot, such as: water and electricity supply. (Management theory papers, 2008) The profitability of this six major ways are building upon the basic fact about the arrival of tourists, even the profitable way which established on the base of local residents consumption power also needs to realize the relative economies of scale through the arrival of tourists. Using these six profitability methods to analyze the profitability of theme park model is not too hard to find the current domestic theme parks problem is single model profits. Most of the theme park only depends on ticket sales to structure their profit model. 2.5 General Problems in Chinas Theme Park Development Nowadays, the scales of domestic theme parks are extending, and the investment is rising. Many industry experts have identified, redundant construction and similar topics, in the inherent failure of the theme park has been foreshadowed. This leads to many problems in Chinas theme park development and cause many difficulties for theme park investors. A report released at the last China Tourism Resort and Attraction Summit said 2500 theme parks had sprung up in the country in the past two decades. But 70 percent of them are losing money-only 10 percent make some profit (China Daily, 2009). More than 2/3 of the theme parks cannot earn enough money to cover the investment, and are facing great difficulties. Table 2.2 showed the profit of theme park in China. Table 2.2 The profit of them park in China Ap John (1999) offered some observations about the general problems in Chinas theme park. They were supply-led; build the park and they will come. There is widespread copying of successful theme parks. There is an oversupply of theme parks. Little consideration is given to new or innovative facilities to give parks individuality and distinctiveness. Consideration of guest expectations is insufficient. A lack of value for money leads to one-time visits. 2.6 The significance of Theme Park Theme also creates a powerful visual and spatial reorganization of public space and shapes consumption spaces. Theme park visitors are able to see the world and recall their experience by purchasing souvenirs and merchandising, with thematic motifs continued throughout the entire experience, even into nearby hotels(TeoYeo,2001). Theme park plays an important role in the development process of world tourism. Song (2011) express theme park is an important supplement for resources and products in the tourism resources abundant region. In lack of tourism resources region, theme park can make up for lack of resources, break through the obstacles of tourism development. In the experience economy, the needs of tourists are increasingly sophisticated. Theme park itself is a specialized form of tourism destinations which constructed for meeting diversity of tourists and individual needs. Compared with natural tourist attractions and cultural tourism attractions, theme park can provide more pe rsonalized, user-friendly, and value-oriented products and services. Therefore, as a new form of tourism attractions, theme park has not only added to the tourism resources and products, but also provided a wealth of experience. It is reflecting a trend for the future of tourism development. 2.7 Film induced tourism The study of film tourism is relatively new in tourism research. Hudson and Ritchie (2006) define film tourism as tourist visits to a destination or attraction as a result of the destination being featured on television, video, DVD or the cinema screen. Tetley (1997) indicated that film-induced tourism a form related to films and television is widely known as a lucrative and rapidly growing sector of the tourism industry with increasing economic importance. Films do clearly have an important contribution in influencing peoples travel decisions. According to Grihault (2003), successful films have a direct and powerful role in creating and sustaining tourism to a location, be it a hotel or a continent. Filming not only provides short-term employment and publicity for the chosen location but also long-term tourism opportunities (Couldry, 1998). Film productions create significant economic benefits for host regions. Film production can also have a positive impact on tourism as viewers seek to visit locations they have seen on the big screen (Hudson and Ritchie, 2006). The media has become a major vehicle of awareness and style leadership, bringing the wonders of the world and the excitement of remote natural environments to millions of people (Tooke, N. 1996). There is no doubt that films and television programs have created an increase in visitor numbers at their respective locations (Riley, 1992). Throughout the development of domestic and foreign film tourism, we can divide the development of film tourism into 3 stages. The feature of each stage is as this table: ( Liu, 2004) Stage Time Tourist objects The content of tourism activities Tourism destination Tourism characters Budding stage 1896~ 1986 Studio Visit studio Sightseeing, Entertainment Mainly by static view Development stage 1987~ now Filming base, Film theme park Visit, Entertainment Comprehensive entertainment experience, Pleasurable mind and increase knowledge Pay attention to participate, interaction, and experience Mature stage Filming base, The whole process of film and TV production, Film related activity Experience, Rise Improve personal development, Enhance spiritual Fully exert subjectivity Table 2.3 Development of film tourism stage 2.8 The Film tourism constructed location-TV and film studio Universal Studios and Disneyworld-MGM have added to the extensive attraction of Orlando, Florida, by placing visitors within real movie scenes such as ET, Star Wars (Riley, 1998). Movie world of Queensland, Australia, cashes in on the allure of movies by advertising itself as the only movie theme park outside of the United States (Castaway Travel 1997). Those successful films and major motion pictures enhanced the awareness, appeal and profitability of locations and they were of limited duration in terms of viewing times and days at cinematic venues (Riley 1998). It aroused the interests for tourists to visit the real places. The artificial constructed location, China West Film Studio, has common characteristics in the development. It built up from the ruins of town, but now it covers an area of 1100 acres. The investment of China West Film Studio which is from more than 700,000 Yuan in the first place until now has more than 20 million Yuan (China West Film Studio, 2010). Those investments were fuelled to develop the sites and supporting facilities. On the other hand, the popularity of the films strongly has an influence on the tourists interest in visiting the TV and movie studio. The TV and Movie Studio is highly dependent on the success of the films. One of the factors which has caused the success of China West film Studio was the high popularity of the TV series and film shot and made in the Town. Because of these reasons, China West Film Studio is regarded as low input and high output example in Chinas tourism industry. Ningxia province has become an important cultural landscape and favorite tourism attractions. 2.9 Definition of Film Theme Park in China Guo Wang (2008) mentioned that foreign people generally believed the Hollywood and Kyoto movie village are the typical representative of the combination of film culture and tourism industry. Hollywood takes filming as the main task, but Kyoto movie village is focus on the culture of film. Both of them dont have independent filming base. Chinas film theme park is the classic work of the combination of tourism product and filming. Its specific characteristic is the complementary relationship between filming function and tourism development (Guo Wang, 2008). On account of this demarcation, Chinas film theme park has its specific features which are not only differing from aboard film base, but also different from domestic scenic spots. The specific features of Chinas theme park are as follows: The design for the theme is taking film culture as a feature. It has distinct theme and descendible culture connotation. The item design of theme park is taking imitate and reappear scene as a feature. It has reality carrier of film culture. Chinas theme park has double functions of film and TV outdoor scene base and tourism. Film and tourism can cooperate to each other. (Guo Wang, 2008) 3.0 Classification of Film Theme Park in China On the basis of different partition standard, Shao Yang (2010) divided Chinas Film Theme Park into the following form: According to the theme of Film Theme Park, Chinas Film Theme Park can be divided into three categories, namely natural scenery based Film Park, folk culture based Film Park, and historical theme based Film Park. Natural scenery based Film Park: This type of film theme park is crafted by the main advantage of local unique natural scenery, generally concentrated in the scenic, natural resource-rich region. Folk culture based Film Park: This type of film theme park is mainly to show up the local customs and culture. Typical of this type of film theme park is China West Film Studio. Historical theme based Film Park: This type of film theme park is based on the classics, to reproduce the historic buildings, ancient style and so on. Currently, most of Chinas film theme park is belong to this category. According to the Film Theme Parks formation of causal relationship, Chinas Film Theme Park can be divided into two categories, namely built for the filming needs of film and built for landscape. According to different investors of Film Theme Park, Chinas Film Park can be divided into three types, namely public capital investment, private capital investment and joint venture model. 2.9 The significance of China West Film Studio in Ningxia tourism development China West Film Studio is a cradle of the Chinas movie industry. It is the unique theme park, which combine the movie industry with the tourism. Chinese movie industry was encountered a serious challenge at the end of las