An Environmental Assessment ( Ea ) For Maryland Gas ...

QUESTION PRESENTED Did FERC’s issuance of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and corresponding Finding of no Significant Impact (FONSI) for Maryland Gas’ â€Å"400 Line† pipeline project violate NEPA? Should the Sierra Club sue FERC over this issue? SHORT ANSWER Yes. FERC’s EA violated NEPA’s requirement to consider the cumulative and indirect impacts of a proposed project. While FERC did consider some indirect impacts of the 400 Line project, FERC failed to analyze the 400 Line in conjunction with two connected pipeline projects: the 500 Line and the 600 Line. FERC’s fragmented analysis violates NEPA’s requirement that environmental review consider â€Å"interdependent parts of a larger action† (40 C.F.R.  § 1508.25a). Other potential objections to FERC’s EA, including the project’s effects on endangered species and FERC’s failure to analyze certain alternative arrangements, have a smaller and less certain likelihood of legal success. FERC provided a reasoned explanation for most of their choices, and will thus receive generous deference from any reviewing court on those issues. FERC, though, failed to mention either of the two related pipeline projects in the EA, so the Sierra Club will have a strong case that FERC did not meet the requirement, cited in Robertson v. Methow Valley Citizens Council, 490 U.S. 332 (1989), to take a â€Å"hard look† at the environmental consequences of the 400 Line pipeline. FACTS See prompt. DISCUSSION Does a categorical exclusion (CATEX) apply the 400

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Emerging Technologies and Ethical Issues †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Emerging Technologies and Ethical Issues. Answer: Introduction Business ethics can be defined as the way a company does its business in terms of its policies and practices related to potentially controversial business dealings such as discrimination, corporate tax, and insider trading and corporate social responsibility. (Shaw, 2017). This paper attempts to discuss business ethics in relation Inter IKEA Systems, a company based in UK and deals with a wide range of domestic products such as furniture as well as food industry. This paper will provide future research with background information relating to business ethics. Objectives To examine the nature of business ethical issues at Inter IKEA Systems company. To make recommendations about IKEA in order to be more ethical company in future. The most significant ethical issues that the company IKEA has faced recently and how it addressed them. Ethical issue in business can be said to be principles and values that defines organizations decision making process with regards how it runs its business. This is a one of the key determinants in building trust between an organization and its stakeholders. In the recent past IKEA has faced a number of ethical issues in business and from the information gathered from the reports the company addressed these issues adequately and satisfactorily. In the year 2014, there was a plan for inter IKEA group to acquire IKEA range, supply and production activities from INGKA group, before the company actualized this transaction, Inter IKEA Systems Holding B.V signed a letter of intent to signal commencement of the acquisition process. (Gini and Marcoux, 2009) This gave an opportunity to all interested parties or stakeholders to voice any concerns that they may be having regarding the acquisition before it is actualized. This is an ethical issue and the company did well in the manner in which in handled it. Without giving stakeholders a right to be heard and ample time to interrogate the process before finalization, the company would have infringed on the ethical rights of the stakeholders and thus the acquisition could have been taken as suspicious because of the manner in which it was done in secrecy and without proper notification to the company stakeholders. IKEA therefore re-affirmed its fidelity to high level of ethical standard s that raises confidence stakeholders would have on the company. (Tittle, 2013) In the year 2016 when the acquisition was finalized the company announced it through a press a release detailing all the information necessary to brief its stakeholders including the public who had no investment in the company. By so doing the company closed the matter it had opened through signing of the letter of intent. Inter IKEA Systems, as the company came to be known after the acquisition gave the new structure of the company and went ahead to mention how the new structure will help meet the overall objective of the company. In the press release the company goes ahead to disclose how it arrived at its profits. For example the company says in its report that its franchise division was able to realize an increase of 14% in profits mainly due to positive foreign currency movement in Euro. (Torekull and Kamprad, 2008)Many of the companies would like to attribute its profits down to the company making and not through unsustainable methods or avenues such as positive currency moveme nts. The reason behind this is that not many companies would want to risk the confidence investors have in them by highlighting areas of weakness especially if it contributed to profits of the company. (Emerging Technologies and Ethical Issues in Engineering, 2008) In conclusion, Inter IKEA Systems ethical standards have been beyond reproach going by the press release it does from time to time. The company is keen in sharing all the information relevant that it could have easily chosen not to make it available to the public and the will still be within the legal requirements guiding companies in UK regarding sharing of pertinent information to the stakeholders and general public. How the companys vision, mission and code practice influence its actions with examples. Inter IKEA Systems vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people, while its mission is to offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that many people as possible will be able to afford them. IKEA way abbreviated as IWAY, is the Inter IKEA Systems code of practice. The policy tenets are based on international conventions and declarations with regard to purchasing products, materials and services by the company. The policy also covers working conditions, prevention of child labor and zero tolerance to corruption. Contractors to the company are responsible for communicating the same to its employees and sub-contractors. (Torekull and Kamprad, 2008) The company the company increases its range of products by introducing about 2,500 new products every year in line with its vision of creating better everyday life and in a way that is affordable to many. The products are designed by its in-house designers or contracted professionals that come up with designs that help to better life of many people. The company also has a sustainable growth plan that ensures that the company earns its money first before spending; put differently the company ensures it gets profits before re-investing part of it for its growth. This shows that Inter IKEA Systems Company doesnt rely on credits to expand its products. When a company relies on credits to expand or come up with new products and stores the cost of credit is usually transferred to the end user who will bear the cost of production and credit as well the manufacturing companys profit. Thus in Inter IKEA Systems and according to the information available, its products are affordable to many pe ople as possible in line with its mission as the company. (Feich, 2016) The fact that the company ensures that all her contractors and subcontractors take the responsibility of communicating Inter IKEA Systems Companys code of practice to all her employees shows the great length the company goes to ensure that all her process adhere to the set standards and regulations without the possibility of any of her partners in business denying knowledge of existence of such code of practice. Further to this, the company has zero tolerance to corruption has one the tenets in its code of practice (Shaw, 2017). The act of corruption is usually aided when company dealings and transactions are done in secrecy or in conditions that make scrutiny or close follow up by all the necessary stakeholders minimum or zero. Inter IKEA Systems ensures that relevant stakeholders are aware of the companys major transactions such as acquisitions or franchising so that the same process does not breed corruption in the manner in which they are carried or executed. It does this by occa sionally releasing to press pertinent information regarding a transaction that the company is about to execute in line to zero tolerance to corruption policy as contained in the companys code of practice. (Stenebo, 2010) It is therefore clear that the company follows through its promises with actions that go hand in hand with its vision, mission and code of practice. Inter IKEA Company ids keen to meet all its standards as set by them in order to continue its sustainable growth path, making everydays life better and in a way that is affordable to as many people as possible in UK and all its markets where they have presence. (Thomas, 2011). IKEAs CSR actions from the perspective of Carrolls Four Part Model of CSR Carrolls CSR pyramid postulates that a companys CSR obligations/activities should be carried out in four parts beginning with Economic as the most important activity followed by legal, Ethical and philanthropic activities as the least import one. The pyramid is a pictorial representation of the theory, where the size of its steps depicts the importance of the activities as matched with corresponding steps. On the economic front, Inter IKEA Systems Company is a profitable company that posts impressive financial results as shown by the company press releases year on year. For example in the financial year 2016, the company made Euro 1.7 billion sales turnover on its restaurants and other food outlets alone and cumulatively resulting to Euro 35.1 billion for the entire business of the company. The same year the company made profits of Euro 4.2 billion after tax. This is an impressive result which fits the standards as set by Carrolls CSR theory. Strong financial position is the only way for the company to survive and remain in business for long term. On the legal activities, IKEA Company complies with all the regulations in its area of operation. For example, the company ensures that it pays all the taxes such as tax as shown by the financial report of the year 2016 where the company paid Euro 1.9 billion in taxes. (Welford, 2010) The company also pays great attention to its labor regulations which child labor is prohibited by the company and this is also expected of its suppliers who signs code of practice with IKEA before they can partner business, thus the company obeys laws guiding its business as stated in Carrolls four part CSR theory. On ethical perspective, the company has taken it upon itself to work towards attaining 50% balance gender for its managerial positions and the entire workforce. For example as at the year 2016, 48% of all the managerial positions were held by the female employees. (IKEA, 2016)More this, the company had more than half of its co-workers being females by the same year 2016. This therefore shows that the company minds about its ethical obligations which are self imposed and are not anchored in the law. The company is also philanthropic going by the information contained in its 2016 FY report. In Texas United States, Inter IKEA partnered with Open Arms organization to sell a un ique line of Texas-themed textile products created by refugee women. This is a non-profit venture by IKEA that shows how philanthropic the company is by using its business connections and resources to sell items for a disadvantaged group at no profit. (IKEA, 2016) Thus the company gives back to the society by promoting the disadvantage groups in line with what is contained in the Carrolls four parts CSR theory. Some of the parts of CSR according Carrolls theory are not mandatory responsibilities any company can choose not to do it but its important for the public relation. The some ethical and the philanthropic parts are not mandatory parts that any company must follow. They fall within the discretion of the company in question to implement them fully, in part or not at all. The company can choose not ensure that there is 50% gender parity in its employment and managerial positions. It can also decide that it has no budget for any philanthropic activities and it will still be well within the law and regulations guiding its operation. (IKEA, 2016) IKEAS key stakeholders and relationship attributes Stakeholders are persons or entities in business that supports the business activities of a company in one way or another. It could be in buying its products, supplying raw materials, advancing credit for business or investing in the company for expansion in exchange of certain percentage of equity and regulatory authorities that regulate the business on behalf of the larger public. One of the IKEA key stakeholders is the client or the customer who purchase IKEA products available in the market. This stakeholder is the reason why the company is able to remain afloat in business and continue on the part of growth. Inter IKEA Systems treat its customers ethically. The company has a program in place for its customers where they can join to become one family (Boylan, 2014). Under this particular program every member is welcomed and not for the selected few or exclusive clubs where different status is given to different groups of clients depending on the depth of their pocket or simply financial muscle. This is fair treatment to all customers because IKEA can simply say for any customer to enjoy privileges of certain membership then they need to be buying certain expensive products or spending a certain minimum figure every month in purchasing their products. But this is not the case with the company has everyone is given the equal power, legitimacy and urgency/prior ity in choosing what he or she wants. IKEA Company ensures that all her customers and the general public being stakeholders are updated regularly on the company dealing such as when there is a planned acquisition. The company is under no obligation to notify clients and the general public of the impeding acquisition as it did when it signed the letter of intent of acquisition in 2014 and releasing the same to the public and latter announcing the actual finalization of the transaction. (IKEA, 2016) Another key stakeholder of the company is her employees. The company treats them fairly as shown by the commitment of the company to have 50% gender parity among its workforce. This is simply an ethical issue that it is only fair to have affirmative actions to help the less privileged sector of her workforce to feel part and parcel of the company and appreciated. This means that any female employee has the same power, legitimacy and urgency or priority to climb up the leadership ladder at IKEA as men employees a phenomenon which many companies across the world have not achieved or actualized much as its being said and mentioned in meeting and captured projection reports. Inter IKEA Systems company suppliers and sub-suppliers are also important stakeholders in its business venture. The company ensures that it pays supplies in time and also informs them all the regulations that will govern their engagement before commencement of the same. For any business to remain afloat in the market there must be timely payments to its products and/or services. By paying suppliers in time IKEA facilitates smooth running of these entities and promoting their growth and development. The company goes further to ensure that all the employees of the suppliers doing business for the company are treated well by its respective companies. This is not a legal requirement, it is upon the authorities to ensure all the companies treat their employees well but IKEA takes it upon itself to ensure that this is adhered to so that everyone working for IKEA feels good. It does this by visiting these companies every year and conducting audits to ensure that the code of practice shared are fully adhered to by all the business partners. (Tittle, 2013) Recommendations to IKEA to be more ethical in future Ethics is one of the fundamental aspects in a company that informs the all the stakeholders on the nature of the company they are dealing with or about to start relationship with. IKEA is one of the most ethical companies in the world but this paper will attempt to provide further recommendations through which the company can raise its ethical standards in future. IKEA should consider setting a side a pool of credit facilities for its suppliers so that in the event that they experience any cash flow problems they can have a fall back plan through IKEA on the basis of its long standing relationship. This gesture will be more helpful to those venture started by young people such as IKEA itself. Promoting the young companies to grow strong wings to be able to fly own their own is one way that will help IKEA to be even more ethical in future. (Toward sustainable agricultural systems in the 21st century, 2010) The company can also consider reaching out to other parts of the world where cotton is grown to see if farmers from these other regions can benefit from its sustainable approach in the way Cotton is grown. At the moment IKEA is working with Cotton farmers in Pakistan, China, Turkey and India to grow cotton in a more sustainable way by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in favor of more natural alternatives like use of organic fertilizers. The farmers who benefit from this program can use costs saved to expand their farming activities for more and better returns. IKEA can therefore replicate this program in other parts of the world where cotton is grown such as Africa and some parts of Asia where there is immense potential for this crop to be grown in a more sustainable way and helping IKEA have more products whose raw materials originate from environmentally friendly practices and sustainable farming. (Dahama, 2010) The company can also consider contracting a different research and development company that will test its products before being released to the market. Although IKEA has an elaborate in-house plan that tests their products and confirm their safety to its users, this can be further compounded by using a different company that uses different ways to test products from those of IKEA. The end result of this is reduced recall of products from market once they have been released. Product recalls negatively affects the confidence the market have on the new products that have not been used for long to confirm there suitability while being used or consumed. The separate research company will therefore go along way in ensuring the many new products IKEA releases to the market meet minimum standards and have lower chance of being recalled back to the factory. (Hasan, 2007) Conclusion In conclusion business ethics is an important aspect in any business environment as it largely defines the kind of relationship an organization forges with its stakeholders such as consumers and suppliers. Proper Business ethics also enables the companies enjoy goodwill from stakeholders from of buying their products and/or services to extending other kind of assistance such as credit advancement to fund company expansion. References Arrigo, E. (2011). Corporate Responsibility and Hypercompetition. The Ikea Case. Symphonya. Emerging Issues in Management, (3), pp.2-7. Boylan, M. (2014). Business ethics. 1st ed. Chichester, U.K.: Wiley Blackwell, pp.1-5. Cragg, W. (2014). Business Ethics and Stakeholder Theory. Business Ethics Quarterly, 12(2), pp.102 -113. Dahama, A. (2010). Organic farming. 1st ed. Jodhpur: Agrobios (India), pp.1-9. Emerging Technologies and Ethical Issues in Engineering. (2008). 1st ed. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, pp.11-29. Feich, D. (2016). IKEA orders Bloom SOFC systems for four more California stores. Fuel Cells Bulletin, 2016(8), pp.4-9. Gini, A. and Marcoux, A. (2009). Case studies in business ethics. 1st ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, pp.2-13. Hasan, M. (2007). Study and analysis of feeds and fertilizers for sustainable aquaculture development. 1st ed. Rome: FAO, pp.4-13. IKEA (2016). Financial year report. IKEA, [online] 2(1), pp.1-27. Available at: https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/IKEA/DocumentAssets/457172.pdf. Shaw, W. (2017). Business ethics theory. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, pp.4-11. Stenebo, J. (2010). The truth about IKEA. 1st ed. London: Gibson Square, pp.1-4. Thomas, R. (2011). Business ethics management. 1st ed. Bury St. Edmunds: Ethics International for Centre for Business and Public Sector Ethics, pp.3-7. Tittle, P. (2013). Ethical issues in business. 1st ed. melbourne, pp.4-35. Torekull, B. and Kamprad, I. (2008). IKEA. 1st ed. New York: HarperCollins, pp.3-21. Toward sustainable agricultural systems in the 21st century. (2010). 1st ed. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, pp.2-8. Welford, R. (2010). Partnerships for sustainable development. 1st ed. Hong Kong: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management, Univ., pp.11-23.

The Essence of Love free essay sample

The essence of love is an eternally controversial topic, the opinions of which vary from person to person. Some dont have sufficient faith in pure-love, on the contrary, others are firmly convinced that love is unconditional. From my perspective, love is as immaculate as snow that people yearn for, however to some extent, the material factor is supposed to be emphasized beyond reproach. What should be reached an absolute consensus is that genuine love cant depend on how much money he or she possesses, as the reason why you love him or her is relevant to nothing but the feeling when you get together. Your life can be perfect if you grow old with whom you love. When love comes to you, you can fly like an angel, living where full of brilliantly-colored and fragrant flowers. Nevertheless, coming back to earth, if you dont have money, how can your life be sustained? No one can deny that there is a common phenomenon in terms of love that many people divorce or lovers break up just due to economic reasons, like a tragedy. We will write a custom essay sample on The Essence of Love or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the course of going in for eternal love, you may be in a dilemma that how to figure out the tricky and perplexing question which is more significant, the true love or the money? However, as a matter of fact, money is the base of our life, as correspond to love. What if you marry a person who is not your cup of tea?

Directional Selection Is One of Three Types of Natural Selection

Directional Selection Is One of Three Types of Natural Selection Directional selection  is one type of  natural selection  in which the  phenotype  (the observable characteristics) of the species tends toward one extreme rather the mean phenotype or the opposite extreme phenotype. Directional selection is one of three widely studied types of natural selection, in addition  to  stabilizing selection  and  disruptive selection. In stabilizing selection, the extreme phenotypes gradually reduce in number in favor of the mean phenotype, while in disruptive selection, the mean phenotype shrinks in favor of extremes in either direction.   Conditions Leading to Directional Selection The directional selection phenomenon is usually seen in environments that have changed over time. Changes in weather, climate, or food availability can lead to directional selection. In a very timely example connected to climate change, sockeye salmon have recently been observed shifting the timing of their spawn run in Alaska, likely due to rising water temperatures.   In a  statistical analysis of natural selection, directional selection shows a population bell curve for a particular trait that shifts either further left or further right. However, unlike  stabilizing selection, the height of the bell curve does not change. There are far fewer average individuals in a  population that has undergone directional selection. Human interaction can also speed up directional selection. For example, human hunters or fishermen pursuing quarry most often kill the bigger individuals of the population for their meat or other large ornamental or useful parts. Over time, this causes the population to skew toward the smaller individuals. A directional selection bell curve for size will show a shift to the left in this example of directional selection. Animal predators can also create directional selection. Because slower individuals in a prey population are more likely to be killed and eaten, directional selection will gradually skew the population toward faster individuals. A bell curve plotting species size will skew toward the right when documenting this form of directional selection.   Examples As one of the common forms of natural selection, there are plentiful examples of directional selection that have studied and documented. Some well-known cases:   Charles Darwin  studied what later became known as directional selection while he was in the  Galapagos Islands. He observed that the beak length of the Galapagos  finches  changed over time due to available food sources. When there was a lack of insects to eat, finches with larger and deeper beaks survived because the beak structure was useful for cracking seeds. Over time, as insects became more plentiful, directional selection began to favor  finches  with smaller and longer beaks that were more useful for catching insects.Fossil records show that black bears in Europe decreased in size during periods between continental glacial coverage during the ice ages, but increased in size during the glacial period. This was likely because larger individual enjoyed an advantage in conditions of limited  food supplies and  extreme cold.  In 18th and 19th century England peppered moths who had been predominantly white in order to blend in with light colored trees began t o evolve into a predominantly dark species in order to blend in with an environment that was becoming increasingly covered with soot from Industrial Revolution factories.

3 More Types of Hyphenation Errors with Numbers

3 More Types of Hyphenation Errors with Numbers 3 More Types of Hyphenation Errors with Numbers 3 More Types of Hyphenation Errors with Numbers By Mark Nichol These three sentences exemplify incorrect insertion or omission of hyphens in numerical references. Each sentence is accompanied by a discussion and a revision. 1. The two albums have sold close to 30-million copies combined worldwide. The combination of a numeral and a word expressing an order of magnitude is never hyphenated; the usage, a simplified version of the cluttered-looking numerical representation 3,000,000, is not a phrasal adjective: â€Å"The two albums have sold close to 30 million copies combined worldwide.† (This is true even when the number is a phrasal adjective: â€Å"The 30 million figure is unprecedented,† though it is better to relax such a statement to read, â€Å"The figure of 30 million is unprecedented.†) â€Å"The 30-million-dollar figure is unprecedented.† In such usage, the number is often spelled out: â€Å"The two albums have sold close to thirty million copies combined worldwide.† No hyphen is required in this case, either (â€Å"The thirty million figure is unprecedented†), though, again, it reads better in a more relaxed state (â€Å"The figure of thirty million is unprecedented†). When yet another word is included to form a phrasal adjective, however, whether the number is in numeral form or spelled out, hyphenate all three elements: â€Å"The 30-million-dollar figure is unprecedented†; â€Å"The thirty-million-dollar figure is unprecedented.† 2. These phases are often subdivided into 30, 60, and 90-day segments to manage specific milestones with greater precision. This sentence refers to segments of 30, 60, and 90 days’ duration, but the word day in the phrasal adjectives â€Å"30-day† and â€Å"60-day† has been elided because the use of the word in â€Å"90-day† makes it clear that the unit of time is implied for all three numbers. However, when this technique, called suspensive hyphenation, is employed, the hyphen must be retained after all three figures: â€Å"These phases are often subdivided into 30-, 60-, and 90-day segments to manage specific milestones with greater precision.† 3. We anticipate that significant unplanned outages of the network will occur approximately five-ten times a year. If the numbers in this sentence were treated as numerals, the correct style would be â€Å"5–10 times a year,† but an en dash should not be used in a number range when the numbers are spelled out (nor should a hyphen, which, as here, is often used erroneously in place of the dash): â€Å"We anticipate that significant unplanned outages of the network will occur approximately five to ten times a year.† (Some publications deliberately use hyphens in number ranges because a hyphen takes only a single keystroke to type.) Todays video: Both vs. Neither Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Creative Writing 101The Difference Between "will" and "shall"Woof or Weft?

Starting a Business Online Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Starting a Business Online - Assignment Example They may think the prices are too high and since a sales person is not in front of them to convince them, impulse buying may be limited. Opportunities: After going online, the clothing store can explore and tap a niche market to differentiate itself from the competition. It can position some products as unique to the area in which the store is located. Moving beyond geographical boundaries, there is also an opportunity to build a well-known brand name and more credibility. We can engage more people online, develop a customer database and send them offers/E-greetings etc. in order to create some customer loyalty. Customers who live far away can be expected to pay a visit to the store when they come to Jersey Shore boardwalk. Threats: There are many online stores selling clothing, with very strong channels of distribution and more financial resources. Many have already built a name for themselves so it may be hard to convince customers to buy from a lesser known store. Some competing stores will have more knowledge of foreign markets and perhaps representatives there who can keep them abreast of any changes in those markets in terms of buyers’ needs, affordability, market size/growth, etc. Engaging in e-Commerce means that the business will become an international business and one will have to consider factors such as trust, culture, language, government and infrastructure when catering to foreign markets. First of all, initially the store will select and focus on a few foreign markets, which are close in terms of geographical distance as well as in terms of language, culture, etc. For instance, products can be supplied to the United Kingdom and some other European countries. Of course, the current fashion trends in these countries will need to be looked into but chances are they will be similar. Their culture in terms of clothing is the same, so one can expect them to buy t-shirts, tunics, skirts, pants, etc. English is the

Nursing metaparadigm Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Nursing metaparadigm - Essay Example In the changing socio-cultural environment and holistic nursing takes into consideration the wider implication of the environment within which the patient lives. I believe that nursing needs to go beyond the precinct of medical intervention to include external environment that influence patient’s welfare and decision making. My definition of nursing metaparadigm is closely aligned to the nursing theory of ‘The Stability Model of Change’. The theory primarily relies on the fact that change is consistent and people tend to adapt to changes to maintain equilibrium with the changing environment for improved healthcare and well being. In this instance, Jean watson’s Human Science and Human Care theory becomes highly relevant. It insists that major aim of nursing is to help individuals to gain harmony within mind, body and soul (case study, p140). Thus, caretive factors become facilitators of healing process. For example, when a cancer patient is encouraged to be happy and enjoy his present, he is more like to get well and challenge death. Thus, environmental factors that are aided and abetted by positive attitude considerably bring harmony of mind, body and

Business Communication Trends Essay Example for Free

Business Communication Trends Essay Business communication plays a big role in our daily work activities as individuals we must manage our daily activities depending on the trends and needs of our current workplace. There are ten Business communication trends the one that I will be discussing is on Quality and customer needs. Business Communication Trends Business communication is very important in my daily work environment. It is so important because we use this to communicate efficiently with our Managers to our customers. I work for The City of Indio in water department. My duties vary from customer service to Engineering administrative assistant. Business communication does play a big role in my day-to-day duties, because we have to be able to have great communication skills orally, and also we must use other communication technology efficiently like emails, letters, memos and phone or teleconferencing. In order to be a good representative we must be able to communicate effectively with our customers. The reason I say this is because we are responsible in making sure that we listen to what the customers needs are and that we are able to satisfactory resolve any issue that the customer might have. Many times when customers have a valid complain we must inform our supervisor via E-mail, depending on the level of urgency regarding the customers complains. I generally prefer to communicate this way because it creates a paper trail and it also protects me. Through these emails we must be able to communicate to our supervisor, what the issue is and what are the solutions that we can offer the customer. Then my supervisors will respond with either an approval or rejection. Then we can communicate with the customer and inform them what the end result is of their complaint. I have found that communicating with my supervisors via e-mail helps keep track of records, and if that same issue were to ever come up again we would have an e-mail that would be proof that particular issue was addressed and brought to our supervisors attention. If the issue is not resolved to the customer satisfaction it would be because there wasn’t a follow-up with the customer and we did not communicate in a professional manner. Business Communication Trends Working in a utility division comes with many challenges. When creating utility statement, wording has be to address in a manner where we are targeting an audience that can read and understand exactly what is being said in a normal monthly water utility bill . For example, what amount is due and when is it due. Many of our customers misinterpret or don’t understand the wording on the utility bills. This causes confusion, and can even cause customers to have the utility services interrupted, because they misinterpret their bill and did not know how to read it correctly. We all have spent countless hours rewording our statements and every time there is that one customer that is looking for a loop in the system to get away out of paying a payment or late fees. Our role as representatives is to ensure that are customer satisfaction is meet, and if there is an error where it might misguide our customers, we want to make sure that we correct the problem before it becomes a problem.

Essays --

Introduction Teaching is a crucial profession because it is designed to empower students; to give them more freedom, more power and more prestige. Teachers hold in their hands the success of our country and the wellbeing of its citizens; they are the key to help every person to realise his/her full potential. In teaching process, teachers use the target language to promote their communication with learners. They use this language so that they could encourage the communication between learners and themselves. This language is called teacher talk. Teacher talk is the exact words that teachers say to their students (Dickson, 2005; Crawford, 1999). In the other word, it is the content of lesson each teacher taught during each period of the class. Although teachers use same textbook as their teaching materials, each teacher has his/her own methods and words for their teaching process. "Teacher talk is used in class when teachers are conducting instructions, cultivating their intellectual ability and managing classroom activities" (Qican, 1999, p.23). In the other word, teacher talk is a kind of communication-based talk. Teacher talk is considered as an important element in language teaching (Cook, 2000). Researchers (Cook, 2000; Chaudron, 1988; Xiaohong, 1998) believed that teacher talk makes up around seventy percentage of classroom language. In the teaching process, teachers organize their teaching activities and consequently help students practice through their teacher talk. In English classroom, teacher’s language is not the only objective of the course, but also the medium to achieve the teaching objectives. Teacher talk has some features. One feature refers to the teacher talk's form such as speed, pause, repetition and modific... ...s such as positive reinforcement, encouragement, trusting, caring and accepting, toward students in the classroom. Communication: Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics defines communication as "the exchange of ideas, information, etc., between two or more persons. In an act of communication there is usually at least one speaker or sender, a message which is transmitted, and a person or persons for whom this message is intended (the receiver). Communication is studied from many disciplinary perspectives, is often viewed as a discipline in its own right, and is central to sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and information theory". Learning Attitude: It is expressions of positive or negative feelings towards learning which may cause ease or difficulty of learning a language. Language attitudes effect on second/foreign language learning.

Assessor S Script

The Assessor: After hearing the definition of NC II -? CSS, we can say that it is very important. It has its own importance and benefits like for example, work. Nowadays, if we would like to apply on a company, it will serve as your weapon in applying. NC II – CSS is accredited on foreign countries. NC II -? CSS is important because it will give you additional knowledge and an advantage to challenges. The Assessor: Moving on, we are now going to tackle the Core Competencies of NC II – CSS. There are 4 Units of Competencies. These are: Install Computer Systems and Network Diagnose Computer Systems and NetworkConfigure Computer Systems and Network Maintain Computer Systems and Network Installing Computer Systems and Network – This module will teach you how to install a single boot or a dual boot SO in one computer unit. Diagnose Computer Systems and Network -? This will teach you how to diagnose computer systems and network. It involves Assembly/Disassembly of a sy stem where in you will be observe if you obey the safety precautions and the proper handling of the parts of a system. Configuring Computer Systems and Network – This module will teach you how to configure computer systems and network.In this part also allows you to teach file sharing through network. In this part, you will do the cabling and what is the right pattern of cabling should be used. Maintain Computer Systems and Network – This module will teach you how to maintain Computer systems and network. In this part, you will be interview. The Interview involves the different malfunctions or errors encountered in maintaining a computer. The Assessor: What are the things we should prepare? We have to prepare the following: Application Form Test Package Attendance Sheet Self-Assessment Guide Competency Assessment Result Summary Tools and EquipmentThe Assessor: The Application Form was given to you ahead of this assessment. I will give it to you for you to recheck if yo u missed something. The assessor will now distribute the Application Form to its respective applicant. The Assessor will now guide the candidate on filling up the Application Form. The Assessor: Use BLACK INK only. The first thing you should to do is to sign the Applicant's Signature. After that is the date that you have accomplished the form. Under that is the Name Of School where the assessment center is located, Address location of the school and the Title of Assessment you have applied for.In this case you will put, NC II – Computer Hardware Servicing. Under that is the Qualifications. It has two options which is Full Qualification of COCO. Tick the Full Qualification. Next is the Client Type. Tick the DUVET Graduating Student. The Profile part consists of the Surname, First Name and Middle Name. Use Capital Letters only. Mailing Address consists of Number/ Street, Bargain, District, City, Province, Region and Zip Code. Fill up your Mother's Name, Father's Name and Sex. C heck the Male Box if you are a boy and if girl, check the Female Box. Next is the Civil Status. Check ONE only.Contact Numbers, Highest Educational Attainment, check College Level. Birthrate, You should write in following format MM/AD/W and your Birthplace. Do not put the hospital but the CITY you were born. Put your Work Experience if you have. Name of the Company, Position, Inclusive Dates, Monthly Salary, Status of Appointment and Number of Years Working. Next is the Other Training/Seminars Attended. The seminars that you should mention are on NATIONAL QUALIFICATION-RELATED. Next is Licenser Examinations that you had passed and Lastly The Competency Assessment's that you have passed.The Assessor: Under the Application Form is the, Admission Slip. Please cut the Admission Slip and Pass the Application Form to me. The assessor will collect the Application Form and leave the Admission Slip to the candidates. The assessor will now verify the information written on the Application For m. If there are still information lacking, you will give it back to the candidate and let him fill up the missing information. If verification is done and no error is sighted, the assessor will now explain the proper procedures in filling up the information on the Admission Slip.The Assessor: Do not write anything on the Reference Number. Leave it blank. Write your name on the Name of Applicant Field. Next is you Contact Number or Telephone Number. The Assessment you applied for is NC II – CSS (Computer Hardware Servicing. The Official Receipt Number was given to you after you settle the payment for this assessment. Please indicate the date where you pay to the Date Issued side. On, the lower right portion of the slip, Write your name in PRINT and put your signature above it. Lastly, the date of your assessment should be indicated. The Assessor: Any questions?If there are no questions, you can now proceed on checking of attendance. The Assessor: will now check your attendance . The assessor will now distribute the attendance to the candidates. The Assessor: Let me remind you this, you can use blank ink only. Each attendance sheet will only accommodate 10 persons each. Each person will fill up 3 attendance sheets. The number you have filled up on the attendance should be similar or the same to the corresponding attendance sheets. Let the candidates sign on the attendance sheet, compare the signatures of candidates on admission slip against the signature on the attendance sheet.The Assessor: Here with me is the Self-Assessment Guide. This is an indication that you know and can perform all units of competency enumerated in this qualification. If you checked â€Å"No† at least one of these questions indicates that you are not competent. In every end qualifications, fill up the Candidate's Name and the Date. Please read the instructions carefully and answer all the questions outlined in the document. Use black ink only. The Assessor: If you need assist ance, I will be more than Willing to assist you. The self-assessment guide was given to the candidate by the processing officer of the assessment center.The competency assessor explains and guides the candidate in accomplishing the Self-Assessment Guide. After the candidate is through with accomplishing the Self-Assessment Guide, you will review the answers and will give feedback to the candidates. The Assessor: Now, you are now going to fill up the Test Package and the Competency Assessment Result. Fill out the following fields, the Name of the Candidate, Date of Assessment and name Of Assessment Center. Avoid erasures and use black ink only. The assessor will now double check the fields of the candidates and let them ill out the lacking information and verifies it.The competency assessor orients/briefs the candidates. The assessor should explain the following. The Assessor: What are the tools and equipment used in the assessment? In networking, you will use Crimping Tool, U TOP Ca ble and an RUG-45. You will be given ;o (2) RUG-ass. In Installing Computer System, you will use a CD and Computer Unit. Lastly, in Diagnose Computer System and Network, you will use a Computer System and a screw. Please handle the tools and equipment with care. If you unfortunately broke a tool or equipment, you will replace it with a new one.The Assessor: As the in-charge person here, will set my Rules and Policies during Assessment Procedure. These are the rules: The candidate can only left the assessment room if he or she has the consent of the assessor. No talking during assessment hours. Observe Silence. The Assessor: Do you have any clarifications? If none, you can now designate different qualifications to the candidate. The Assessor: Candidate 1, 2 and 3 will do the Installing Computer Systems and Network. Candidate 4, 5 and 6 will do the Diagnose Computer and Systems and Network. Candidate 7, 8 and 9 will do the Configure ComputerSystem s and Network and lastly, Candidate 1 0 will do the Maintain Computer Systems and Network. You now instruct Candidate 1 to enter the assessment room. (to be followed by Candidate 2, 3 etc. ). Provide the candidate with all materials, tools and equipment required to complete the tasks. At this point, you give the Specific Instructions to the candidate clear and slowly. The Assessor: From this point, I will give you the Specific Instructions. The Assessor: Using the materials, tools and equipment, you are required to perform the tasks within hours. I will be observing you while you are performing the tasks.The Assessor: After your demonstration, I will ask you questions related to your demonstration. The Assessor: You may call me when there is a need for me to translate or explain items for clarification. The Assessor: After the questioning portion, I will give you feedback about your performance. The Assessor: Any questions/clarifications? If there are no more questions, you may start now. While the candidate performs th e activity you must remind or observe the candidate if he obey the safety precautions in doing a certain task. F one candidate is done on the task you designated, designate him a new ask.The Assessor: You were (give the strong points of the candidate followed by the weak points) If the candidate was found to be competent say: The Assessor: You performed the tasks within the standard requirements of the Qualification. Note: Present the CARS or the Competency Assessment Result to the candidate to affix his signature on the candidate's signature portion. This is a proof that he accepts your assessment decision. If the candidate was found not yet competent say: The Assessor: am sorry. You were not able to perform within the standard requirements of the Qualification.You have to review/practice the activities related to the competency requirements of the Qualification further. The Assessor: You can only comeback if there is another schedule of assessment for you to reassess or when you f eel confident enough that you have acquired the competence. Do not worry you will only be reassessed on the part of activity that you were found not yet competent. Proof that he accepts your assessment decision. Complete the rating sheets and other documents and submit there to the Manager of the Assessment Center The Assessor: Now you know the results, What are the requirements in lamming your NC II -? CSS Certificate?

Software Customization

Business software was fabricated to intentionally make the company processes much easier, efficient, accurate and more convenient for the users. Today, these software are now ready for modifications to suit the business needs of a particular company. Apparently, software customization is considered to be a social modification process (Clement) which affects many segments of people’s day to day activities The customization of a business software is applicable only if it can justify the reasons for such modification. As examples, it would only be more ideal to customize a software if the company has found a more productive way of doing business or if the company is protecting any of its intellectual property rights for a particular product. The main benefit of software customization in a newly discovered mode of production is that the software can minimize possible delays and errors in doing the said procedure because of the fact that its function will directly support the task. On the other hand, a customized software can also provide a form of security for intellectual product rights because the customized program will only be useful for a particular segment of the company’s production line. Although software customization provides a larger scale of benefits, there are also some related concerns. For one, customizing a pre-defined program may require the company to invest in hiring an expert programmer to initiate the customization. Also, it is a necessary thing to train the in-house programmers for the customization so that the procedure can be maintained. These factors may all involve additional financial investments for the company. Moreover, customization also carries a certain amount of risks for it my not readily identify some erroneous procedures the software my induce in other unidentified company processes. On a personal note, it seems that the most fundamental advancement in personal computing is the introduction of the internet. Previously, anything that needs to be done using a machine assistant was only confined in a limited area of computing. However, today’s capacity of the computers to transmit and receive data in split second speeds has allowed many individuals, organizations and industries to exchange information which primarily drives today’s social development. Basically, the advanced capability of PCs and the internet have definitely improved how business, education and communication are being implemented. References Clement, A. N.D. Customization of Software Systems. University of Limerick. Retrieved February 27, 2008 from

Free Essays on Causal Argument

We as a nation have finally called Saddam Hussein’s bluff, and are currently attacking Iraq on all fronts: covert operations from the north, a more standardized ground warfare from the south, and bombings of major cities and palaces throughout the country. Secretary of State Colin Powell and President George W. Bush have been pleading their case to the United Nations for several months, hoping to ease political tensions in regards to our nation’s goal of removing Saddam Hussein from power and ultimately disarming Iraq of their weapons of mass destruction. Major television networks are flooding our screens with video footage of missiles striking Iraqi targets, shattering Presidential Palaces, and bombarding Iraqi military positions. Iraq is responding to the Coalition offensive strikes as best it can; Saddam is encouraging his troops to fight vigilantly, that Iraq is positioned to successfully repel the Coalition forces. Of course our nation, with the help of other Coalition forces, is overpowering Saddam’s military and are accomplishing its military initiatives without much resistance from the opposition. Iraq, however, is using the Aljazeer network to broadcast footage of American Prisoners of War being tortured and killed to inspire its people to stay committed to the defeat of the United States. President Bush has been telling the American people for months that Iraq is a major threat to our homeland security and is guilty of committing heinous crimes against humanity on his own people. He claims that they are attempting to develop nuclear weapons capabilities and already have the technology needed to produce biological and chemical weapons such as Anthrax and Small Pox. President Bush has stated repeatedly that Saddam must be removed from power in order for United States citizens to be safe from terrorism and Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. It seems that President Bush simply added right before we went to war tha... Free Essays on Causal Argument Free Essays on Causal Argument We as a nation have finally called Saddam Hussein’s bluff, and are currently attacking Iraq on all fronts: covert operations from the north, a more standardized ground warfare from the south, and bombings of major cities and palaces throughout the country. Secretary of State Colin Powell and President George W. Bush have been pleading their case to the United Nations for several months, hoping to ease political tensions in regards to our nation’s goal of removing Saddam Hussein from power and ultimately disarming Iraq of their weapons of mass destruction. Major television networks are flooding our screens with video footage of missiles striking Iraqi targets, shattering Presidential Palaces, and bombarding Iraqi military positions. Iraq is responding to the Coalition offensive strikes as best it can; Saddam is encouraging his troops to fight vigilantly, that Iraq is positioned to successfully repel the Coalition forces. Of course our nation, with the help of other Coalition forces, is overpowering Saddam’s military and are accomplishing its military initiatives without much resistance from the opposition. Iraq, however, is using the Aljazeer network to broadcast footage of American Prisoners of War being tortured and killed to inspire its people to stay committed to the defeat of the United States. President Bush has been telling the American people for months that Iraq is a major threat to our homeland security and is guilty of committing heinous crimes against humanity on his own people. He claims that they are attempting to develop nuclear weapons capabilities and already have the technology needed to produce biological and chemical weapons such as Anthrax and Small Pox. President Bush has stated repeatedly that Saddam must be removed from power in order for United States citizens to be safe from terrorism and Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. It seems that President Bush simply added right before we went to war tha...

Strangler Fig - South Floridas Strange Hammock Tree

Strangler Fig - South Florida's Strange Hammock Tree Figs are successful forest trees with some 900 separate species worldwide. Figs are extremely common because of their excellent means of dispersal including abundant and good-tasting fruit. The strangler fig, or Ficus aurea, is one of the most interesting trees in a North American Everglades tropical hardwood hammock. Strangler figs, sometimes called golden fig are native to south Florida and the West Indies. The strangler fig produces a continuous crop of seeds via the fruit that is very important to the ecosystem and a major food source for animals. Birds transport and spread these seed in droppings. Strangler Fig's Unusual Propagation Method Strangler fig seeds are sticky and attach to a host tree where it germinates and thrives in tropical moisture. The strangler fig begins its life as a parasite-like epiphyte or air plant but is always seeking a path to the ground and a more dependable source for root uptake of nutrients. The trees seeds lodge in bark fissures of an unfortunate host, germinate and send out air roots that take in nutrients and water from the air and host tree. Eventually, the air roots grow to reach the ground and develop their own underground root system. Cabbage palms are favorite hosts for the strangler fig. Why the Name Strangler Fig The Stranger Fig is one of the strangest plants in a tropical hardwood hammock. It completely entwines its roots and trunk around a host tree. The figs crown grows foliage which soon overshadows the tree. Eventually, the host tree is strangled and dies, leaving the fig with a hollow trunk where the host used to be. The fig takes advantage of the nutrients produced by the rotting host. The Tropical Hardwood Hammock Strangler figs generally grow on raised land called hammocks. The typical tropical hardwood hammock in the Everglades develop only in areas that are protected from fire, flood and salt water. The strangler fig is a very important tree in a typical hammock but not the only tree. A figs tree cover type or biome includes Cabbage palm, slash pine, gumbo-limbo, saw-palmetto, poisonwood and live oak. The Importance of a Strangler Fig It is important to note that this killer epiphyte provides an important niche and food source to many tropical forest creatures. Its hollow trunk, with an abundance of nooks and crannies, provides an important home to thousands of invertebrates, rodents, bats, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. The strangler fig is also considered a keystone tree and necessary in the tropical hardwood ecosystem. Many forms of life are attracted to the fig tree because of its production of large amounts of fig fruits and can be the only source of food during certain seasons.

Law of the Sea Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law of the Sea - Case Study Example Territorial waters could be defined to be the territorial waters extending up to 12 nautical mi (22 km) beyond a country's coast which grants it solitary fishing and mining rights in waters limited to 200 nautical mi (370 km) from its coast." (Law of the Sea. 2008). Exclusive economic zones need to be seen in the context of its rights and freedom in relation to other State(s). Any area beyond and adjoining its territorial seas under a specific legal administration made up in this Part under which the rights and jurisdiction of the State seen in relation to the rights and privileges of any other state are a subject matter that is regulated through specific provisions of this Convention. Further, the continental shelf comprises the sea bed and lower soil of the subsoil areas that extends beyond its territorial seas through a natural extension of its land territories. It could also be a distance of 200 nautical miles from which the breadth of the territorial seas is measured, in cases where the outer edge of the margin does not extend up to that distance. (Exclusive Economic Zone. ... (Exclusive Economic Zone: Article 55). Further, the continental shelf comprises the sea bed and lower soil of the subsoil areas that extends beyond its territorial seas through a natural extension of its land territories. It could also be a distance of 200 nautical miles from which the breadth of the territorial seas is measured, in cases where the outer edge of the margin does not extend up to that distance. (Exclusive Economic Zone. Article 76). The above aspects are important since, by virtue of declaring an EEZ, coastal states are able to establish exclusive sovereign rights, albeit respecting rights of other States, in a 200 nautical mile jurisdiction,. This could cover fishing, mining, deep-sea exploration for natural resources, protecting deep-sea life, and other economic activities, and the coastal state has exclusive control and jurisdiction over marine resources and environmental issues occurring in its line of control. (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Overview and Full Text. 2008).The main issue that has arisen is that State A has enlisted the powers available to it under Article 73 of the UN Law of the sea Convention which relates to the enforcement of Rules and Regulations promulgated by the coastal state with regard to the protection of rights over exclusive economic zones of the state. Under this Article, it is well within the powers of a Coastal state to take such steps, including arrest, or internal seizure that may be necessary for the protection of its rights and ensure observation of the provisions of this Convention. (Exclusive Economic Zone). However, it has been categorically stated that should arrest take place, the detained vessel and its crew shall also be immediately released upon

The main causes of slavery and solution to the problem of slavery Essay

The main causes of slavery and solution to the problem of slavery - Essay Example The present research has identified that before Abraham Lincoln’s election into office, United States was a haven of peace and stability. There was no race, ethnicity or any form of social diversification. All people were equal, and no region north or south was superior to the other. Concealment by the governing departments offered an incredibly fertile environment for the growth of slavery. Heads of government, including the secretary of state who should be on the frontage of protecting all persons, concealed all information regarding the growth of slavery and civil wars in the country. The information was censured to meet a predetermined objective which was to cover up for slavery and the lords of the civil wars. The irony of these problems is that everyone knew about the problem apart from the heads of governments. This is a clear indication that the head of government had undisclosed interest. The civil wars and the rebellions that have been witnessed between the northern and the southern people are politically motivated. This is because of the disunity that has been created between the northern and the southern. The southern politicians are disappointed by the northern abolitionist since they feel that they are not handling slavery and civil wars in the right manner. The politicians are inciting their subjects by providing for them ammunition. The politicians have continued taking most of the positions and resources to be their own sources of wealth. The common citizens are the victims of wars and slavery while the politicians are the beneficiaries in both the southern and the northern regions. Most of the powers of the country were accorded to few individuals. The individuals decided how, who, when, and why things are done. Their decisions are final and irrevocable even at the courts of law.

To what extent do recent scientific discoveries in Europe reflect rise Essay

To what extent do recent scientific discoveries in Europe reflect rise and fall in religious observants - Essay Example The most famous being the fate of Galileo who fought and died for his discovery of truth. However these warring sects have also been in compromises later. Both of these sides sometimes supplementing their views upon a common interest. However it should also be understood that religion faced its major opposition not from science but from other areas including politics. Therefore highlighting the conflicts between sciences may be an act of others other than the scientific community who has vested interests. Science cannot be placed as a culprit which started the decline in religion. Religious reformations in the beginning of modern Europe and critical as well as anti authoritarian nature of the renaissance humanism definitely shattered the unity of intellectual thoughts. These developments were vital to the advancement of science. Moreover the discovery of new world and that the earth is round , along with the invention of fire arms and astrology, improved mechanical clocks, developmen t of ship building and new navigational routes etc helped in the opening up of new intellectual perspectives and methods of discoveries that completely depended upon rationalism rather than religion. Clashing with religious beliefs, new claims and discoveries were made based on mechanical terms. The world was explained in a mechanical way rather than in a spiritual way. Moreover scientific objectivity was towards complementing secularism rather than religious beliefs. It focused on how to improve the material life rather than spiritual. Europe witnessed a separation from the spiritual world which was regarded as a fundamental shift. Scientific discoveries enabled to think that the humans were capable of controlling their environment. This radical change of thoughts paved the way for industrialization in the early nineteenth century. It is true that these developments made by science were against some religious principles and thinking but it has also to be understood that the face of religion was somewhat maligned by some elements of the clergy which had political and selfish interests. They used religion to defend their selfish motives thereby creating an impression that religion was always against science or rational thinking (Early Modern Europe. 2008). An exaggerated feeling that always science and religion were at odds was propagated during the scientific revolution. The epicenter of such thoughts were the same culprits who were purely anti religious and others who strongly wished to see the declining influence of religion in Europe. This was especially true with the astronomical discoveries that shifted the focus away from the established Ptolemaic system to a heliocentric system. Really the institutionalized clergy was too much worried upon such developments. At the same time some who took a positive stance advocated that science should not be rejected because of the fact that it truly unfolds the admirable wisdom of God. This concept was developed by Jo hn Calvin. Calvin who was a protestant supported scientific theories to get popularized and believed. Therefore Christianity also saw a division on the basis of acceptance of scientific theories and discoveries during that period. In spite of division in Christianity that into Protestants and Catholics, science scaled new heights. Protestants were happy to support scientific discover

Introduction Of Smartphones To Business Management Essay

Introduction Of Smartphones To Business Management Essay 3.1 Introduction This chapter discuss about factors that influences the business environment used by PEST model. Then also discuss industry concept of competition, competitor analysis, such as strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. 3.2 Introduction of Smartphone In 1973, Motorola introduced a first cellular telephone, and then no one had imagined that this would ignite a whole new technological change: The Mobile Revolution. Typical cell phones were used only for voice calling and later for text messaging, but with growth in mobile phone adoption, cell phones are now available with a number of different features like e-mail, video and audio facilities, internet access, etc. Thus, a whole new change in this mobile sector happened and the smartphone race began. This race also created competition between operators and handset manufacturers in getting more returns from mobile phone equipment and services. The rise in the smartphone segment accompanies the mobile internet revolution. However, the main reasons are better margins for Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs) and higher Average revenue per user (ARPU) for operators. The smartphone is basically a combination of operating system, application, and handset manufacturers. In addition, due t o the increase in the application market of the smartphone and the growing popularity of OS used for mobile systems, it can be said that the near future will witness the most powerfull application running on phones with high powered operating systems. Considering current growth in the smartphone sector, it is estimated to grow by at least 18-20% by 2011 according to iSuppli. Following table shows sales of smartphones during year 2008 and 2009. Worldwide Smartphone Sales to End Users in 2009 (Thousands of Units) Company 2009 Sales Market Share (%) 2008 Sales Market Share (%) Nokia 440,881.6 36.4 472,314.9 38.9 Samsung 235,772.0 19.5 199,324.3 16.3 LG 122,055.3 10.1 102.789.1 8.4 Motorola 58,475.2 4.8 106.522.4 8.7 Sony Ericsson 54,873.4 4.5 93,106.1 7.6 Other 299,179.2 24.7 248,196.1 20.3 Total 1,211,236.6 100.0 1222,252.9 100.0 Table 1: World Smartphone Sales 3.2.1 Overview of Different Smartphone Operating Systems Before moving to Android and iPhone, it is necessary to understand 3.3 PEST Analysis PEST analysis is stands for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis and describes a framework of macro-environmental factors used in the environmental scanning component of strategic management Political impact: Whether the diffusion of Smartphone will contribute to information control and national unity, or strengthen information flow and centrifugal forces are question. However, it may enhance individual rights of political involvement by spreading political information and critiques easier and faster than before. As a result, traditional government control of information traffic maybe weakened. Calgary (1994) mentioned that, by using the increasing economic interests of the foreign business in China and Hong Kong, the Chinese government could take advantage of the lobby power of the foreign telecommunications multinationals involved in the diffusion of mobile communications in China as a political card to force foreign governments to make favorable policies toward China. The permission of allowing AT T to sell its used mobile communications system in part of China and Chinas good relation with Motorola are two examples of an indirect political impact from the diffusion. Economic impact: The diffusion of Smartphone communications can help China and Hong Kong economic development. Wireless communications devices can provide convenience to commercial mobility and prompt access to business information in the current social wave of doing business first in China and Hong Kong. Business becomes more mobile than ever in an information age, but chinas still poor wired telecommunications network cannot meet the demand for mobile communications which keep the information sharing and exchange fast to avoid the long time economic bottleneck Chinas limited wired networks and transportation capabilities. There the Chinese people, believing time is money, turn their eyes to pagers and cellular phones as a very useful business tool to make money. As a result, the diffusion of mobile communications adds a new push to Chinas increasing economic activities. China is a unique, large market where a low per capita income combines with consumers desire for advanced communications products. Smartphone in China have created a profitable business in China in the past few years. Benefited by the present demand exceeding supply, sales and operations of pagers and cellular phones can get capital back very fast. Also according to the Western telecommunication professionals, the economics of wireless technology as an alternative to wired services looks even more appealing. Due to difficult terrain, long local loops and the constant need for repairs, the cost of adding a new wired subscriber in China averages around $2k and is often more. But wireless technology cuts this by half. The demand for Smartphone has made the multinationals such as Microsoft, Apple and Android increase their sales and investment in China and Hong Kong. Thus China and Hong Kong can improve its inadequate communication system which has been one of the bottlenecks of its economic development by having the aid of these foreign resources. Also with more foreign players competing in Chinas market for mobile communications, China will be in a favorable position to make better business deals by the way of using one against another. However, the increasing market demand for imported finished products also drains more scarce foreign exchanges out of Chinas reserves. In turn the foreign drain may hurt Chinas economic expansion in other areas such as energy and transportation. Social impact: The diffusion will change the way the Chinese communicate and work. With more Smartphone devices used, the social contacts will increase so much that more social activities will be arranged easily and on time. These objects also provide a convenient channel for the personal dialogue among family members and friends who have been able to get together often like before because of busier individual time schedules and scattered living spaces. Also with more Smartphone adopters, social concerns about health safety, privacy, and intrusiveness will become salient gradually, though some of them are ignored by the Chinese at present time because of the Chinese basically positive attitude toward technological innovations and the relatively small portion of Smartphone users among the Chinese. At the same time, the diffusion, along with other socioeconomic factors, has widened the socioeconomic gap between the early Chinese adopters and the late adopters or have-nots. Smartphone with their unreasonably high cost add a new symbol into the upstart culture which is usually regarded as a negative social phenomenon in Chinas media and a disgusting social habit in most Chinese eyes. A cultural conflict between the haves and the have-nots occurs. The haves want to show their mobile phones in certain public occasions to let others know their social images: they are bus, they are dealing business, they have money, they have more social connections, so they are important. Most users also think the negative social comments on them are form the have-nots jealous psychology; the have-nots hate to see the impudence because they know most of the self-funded Chinese cellular users are dubious people with less education background and less social taste, some of them even are former crimina ls. Sun (1992) mentioned that, the have-lots also believe many of the users can afford a Smartphone because their money is made not through productive activities but through trade, speculation, or gambling on the stock market. The show-off manner of wealth has been accepted by many Chinese interviewees as an eye-catching feature in the Chinese culture though it is never seen as a good behavior. They think, however, that when more Chinese can afford the price lowering Smartphone and accessing mobile communications, the social cultural conflict will be resolved automatically because the present symbol of social status will be worth nothing when more people have Smartphone. This judgment is reasonable, but its prerequisite depends on the diffusion rate of Smartphone in China and Hong Kong. In addition, the diffusion of mobile communications may increase governments social control resource by equipping the police with various wireless devices to locate possible protesters, as one of the government preventive measures showed during the incident anniversaries these years. Technology impact: The diffusion of Smartphone help more Chinese become aware of the technical advances of the wireless innovations. In general, the peoples think natural science and technology are value-free and the continuing technological improvements and adaptations are positive to national development. They see the winners in todays world as determined by economic strengths and technological advantages, rather than ideology and military. So more people usually take a welcome attitude to new technology and like to get more knowledge about the innovations, unless they cannot afford or understand these new technologies. As for the Chinese communication professionals, the diffusion of mobile communications can make them learn more about equipment design, production, and standards either from imported products or from various technology transfer means such as joint venture and cooperative development. Because of their high-education and tech-management background, they have more ability, as change agents, to persuade the decision makers and common Chinese to adopt or reject certain technologies. The diffusion has helped its communications systems to catch up with the mobile communications technological trend in the world. The Chinese accepted the fact of their backwardness in most high-tech fields, but the professionals also know the leapfrogging advantage in a later adopter, having more technological choices after comparative evaluations, saving time and capital. The quick adoption to program controlled switches and optical fibers has provided a successful experience to the improvement of wired networks. So the improvement wireless communication technologies also gives more alternatives among the updated and appropriate innovations to leapfrog its mobile communications system. On the other hand, the diffusion also increases the technology dependence of foreign wireless innovators. Although can take advantage of leapfrogging by importing, it will never obtain the most advanced technology and the key techniques. But the diffusion will stimulate market demands for newer mobile innovations, thus technologically rely on the wireless pioneers from the developed countries for quite a long time, regardless of how strong its national pride is. In short, the diffusion of mobile communications, on one hand, does raise the Chineses knowledge level and enhance Chins communication capability. On the other hand, it also reinforces the technology determinism in the Chinese minds and its technology dependence on the developed countries.

Essay --

SUMMARY Amazon.com, Inc. (hereafter referred to as â€Å"Amazon†, â€Å"it†, â€Å"the business†, or â€Å"the company†), is an online retailer that has branched into content creation and web services. Its main competitors include retail giants Wal-mart and Target, as well as entertainment providers Netflix and Barnes and Nobel. Recently, it has found itself competing with technology giant Apple as ventures into cloud services. Amazon was incorporate in 1994 and was offered publically in 1999. It has grown rapidly into the world’s number one online retailer, with millions of products. To achieve this, Amazon has acquired a global network of distribution centers and used technology to provide consumers with access to the best products at the lowest rates. Amazon’s services have become integrated into the modern consumer’s demands for immediate (or near immediate) gratification and investors are highly optimistic about the company’s prospects. Amazon has recently been demonstrating growing revenues in a time where overall sales in the retail industry are growing much more slowly. However, this is not all that is important to an investor. While the company’s revenues are high, it reports losses as it continues to spend to expand rapidly. Investors should carefully analyze past financial statements to determine whether the growth rate in sales is sufficient to match the current expectations and market prices for the retail giant. Such an analysis will reveal that Amazon’s current method of operation plans for the company’s long term profitability, so the company may not be an ideal choice for the more short-term investor. Additionally, Amazon has increased its areas of operation by branching into content and web services and the investor should be aware... ...e Amazon its positive image in the eyes of consumers. Recently, much has come to light that shows less than stellar working conditions for Amazon’s employees. In December 2013, Amazon workers in Germany walked off of their jobs and went on strike claiming â€Å" We are people, not robots†. Claims across the world state that Amazon pays its workers in its distribution warehouses only a little more than the appropriate minimum wage for work that is more demanding than typical retail work. The BBC even found that working conditions at Amazon warehouses could be linked to higher rates of mental and physical defects. If Amazon does not provide better worker’s rights and benefits, it may lose its competitive advantage as employees turn to other employers. However, it is possible that this will just push Amazon to pursue technological improvements to replace human workers.

Toxic Water

Turn the tap on and drink a glass of water. Does it taste funny? Is it clear? The water you are drinking may be toxic without any such indicators. Water is all around us; it is essential for life. Over two thirds of earth’s surface is covered by water, ___________________but everyone only wants and need clean water. Each year, water pollution increases and continues to be responsible for harming our environment. According to Duhigg (2009) of the New York Times, more than 100 wells were polluted by agricultural runoff within a few month time period, affecting livestock such as pigs and cows (n. . ). Water pollution is a silent and deadly pollution – bacterium can be tasteless, colorless, and scentless. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2009) says that the United States has the safest water supplies in the world, but states that when water sources became contaminated, they can easily cause widespread sickness and disease from waterborne germs including Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Hepatitis A. , Giardia intestinalis, and other pathogens. Despite progress reducing water pollution from the largest sources, our country still faces serious pollution challenges. Violations are still too widespread, and enforcement too uneven. We need to do better controlling pollution. Water pollution can occur through natural process, but many times water pollution is mostly a result of human activities. Water is used every day in our homes and industries; the average of water use in the United States is approximately about 100 gallons per day per person. The water we use and drink is taken from lakes, rivers, and wells and from underground (groundwater); and after we have used and contaminated it, most of it returns to these locations (DES, n. d. , p. 1). Everyone must be aware of pollution in order to avoid it. Despite the efforts to decrease water pollution, the USA continues to faces a serious pollution challenges (US Environmental, 2009, n. p. ) Pollution is all around us; no one is safe, therefore the federal and state government and especially the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must reinforce the rules and to prohibit pollution and to protect public health. Through this paper I will be addressing the followings: 1. How do people know if water is safe? 2. Who is responsible for ensuring water is safe? 3. What are the effects of consuming toxic water? . How can people protect their families from toxic water? How do people know if water is safe? Is your drinking water safe? The CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reports that people getting sick from drinking tap water is unusual (Dean, 2009, n. p. ). The EPA states that â€Å"the Unite States enjoys one of the best supplies of drinking water in the worldâ₠¬  (2003, p. 1). Over the years many people did not worry about their quality of water, the EPA assures that tap water in the USA meets the federal and state standards ( 2003, p. 1). In the other hand, Who is responsible for ensuring water is safe? Congress Passed a law in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply and protecting sources of drinking water what is called the Safe drinking water Act (SDWA) (EPA, 2003, p. 2). The EPA is responsible for regulate What are the effects of consuming toxic water? According to Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (DES), â€Å"Some major types of water pollution include microbiological, chemical, oxygen depletion, nutrients, and suspended matter (n. d. p. 2). Microbiological: Disease-causing (pathogenic) microorganisms, like bacteria, viruses and protozoa can cause swimmer to get sick. People who eat contaminated fish and shellfish can become ill. Some serious diseases that are waterborne are polio and cholera (DES, n. d. p. 2). Chemical: There are many varieties of chemicals from industries, such as metal and solvent, and even chemicals which are formed from the breakdown of natural wastes (i. e. ammonia) poisoning fish and other aquatic life and polluting water. (DES, n. d. p. 2). DES states that â€Å"Pesticides used in agriculture and around the home are other types of toxic chemicals† (n. d. p. 2). Other material such as detergent foam and oils float that have water ody, many times offensive odors, these chemical are responsible for making rivers caught on fire. Do to the chemical wastes many times flammable, the Cuyahoga River, Ohio, caught fire (n. d. p. 2), so what are people drinking? Oxygen-depleting Substances: Nutrients: How can people protect their families from toxic water? Conclusion â€Å"To keep this used water from spoiling our water resou rces, pollutants must removed from the water before its discharged back into the environment† (DES, n. d. p. 4). To improve water quality state and federal water program must be enforced to address serious new threats (EPA, 2009, p. 6).

An Overview Of The Prison Systems

This critique on the criminal justice system is going to focus on prisons. Prisons are institutions for the confinement of persons convicted of criminal offenses. This paper is going to discuss the early history of prisons, early American prisons, goals of prisons, North Carolina prisons, and an overall overview of the prison system. Throughout history, most societies have built places in which to hold persons accused of criminal acts pending some form of trial. But the confinement of persons/criminals after a trial for punishment is relatively new. In ancient times (around the 15th century), the penalties for crime were often some type of corporal punishment. Whipping, drawn and quartered, broken on the wheel, burned at the stake, beheaded, hanged, or stretched on the rack. In the 16th century England, vagrants and petty offenders were committed to correctional institutions known as workhouses, a correctional facility for persons guilty of minor criminal violations. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the government began to transport convicted felons to the English colonies. The punishment was initially thought of as the hard labor to which the prisoners were consigned. However, the idea that persons convicted of crime could be punished and then released after a relatively long period of time, was a new concept. Jails were first used as collection points for criminals awaiting transportation. Early jails were mostly dark, overcrowded, and filthy. The prisoners were held together indiscriminately, no separation of men and women, the young and old, the convicted and the unconvicted, or the sane and the insane. In America, the concept of imprisonment became a realization. The English Quaker, William Penn, abolished the death penalty for most crimes in the late 1600s, substituting imprisonment as a punishment. After battling between the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1718 and the replacement with incarceration in 1789, the Walnut Street Goal (Philadelphia) became the first prison in the United States. By the mid 19th century, most of the other states had followed. Two prison models soon emerged in the U.S. The first system, known as the Auburn Model, began in New York in 1817. The prisoners worked together in total silence during the day, but were housed separately at night. Very strict discipline was enforced, and violators were subjected to severe reprisals. The second model, Pennsylvania, began in 1829 at Cherry Hill (Eastern State Penitentiary). The Pennsylvania model was based on solitary confinement for convicts both day and night. The two models were both criticized very vigorously. Proponents of the Pennsylvania model focused on its hope of rehabilitation. The theory of being a felon and locked up alone all day in a cell with nothing but a Bible to read, would help out drastically. The Auburn model was criticized as being virtual slavery. This was thought because of the fact that the prisoners were often put to work for private entrepreneurs who had contracted with the state for their labor. Prisoners were never paid, leaving profits for the business owners and the state. Advocates of the Auburn model alleged that the idleness of the prisoners in the Cherry Hill penitentiary sometimes caused madness. Proponents stressed the activity of the prisoners and the profits from their labor, which meant that the states did not have to finance the prison. Rehabilitation was the systems main goal. In 1870, the National Congress on Penitentiary and Reformatory Discipline (known as the American Correctional Association) met for the first time in Cincinnati, Ohio. The congress adopted a set of principles for corrections, chief of which was the primary goal of rehabilitation. This led to the juvenile reformatories. Although the attempts to rehabilitate were relatively unsuccessful, the goal of rehabilitation changed the criminal justice system in the following decades. Probation and parole, work release, community corrections, and even a separate system of procedures and courts for dealing with juveniles, can all be traced to what was discussed at the first meeting in 1870. The Rehabilitation programs such as vocational training, guidance counseling, and psychotherapy began as part of the whole rehabilitation goal. In 1975, a study of more than 240 such programs essentially concluded that none was truly successful in reducing the recidivism rate (relapse into criminal behavior). Although there have been much criticism to this study, many believe the basic conclusion that participation in these programs was often not really voluntary, because prisoners hoped parole boards would look favorably on those who enrolled. Most penologist (a branch of criminology dealing with prison management and the treatment of offenders) now agree that rehabilitation is not a proper reason for imprisoning someone. Thus, rehabilitation is no longer the only, or even the main objective of correction agencies. In North Carolina, it wasn†t until 1868 that the state adopted a new constitution that provided for a state penitentiary. Inmates began building North Carolinas first prison, Central Prison, in 1870. It was a completed castle-like structure near the state capitol. It was finished in December 1884, when the prisoners started moving in.  · In 1875, these same inmates were leased to private employers as laborers and farmers. Under the lease, businesses had complete responsibility for the inmates. Many worked in rock quarries and built railways, while others farmed two tracts of land that the state leased.  · In 1901, inmates began working on state roads. They were moved from work sight to work sight in horse-drawn prison cages. In 1910, the incentive wage system began and inmates could then earn up to 15 cents a day, paid upon release, for the work that was being done.  · In 1925, the General Assembly enacted a law changing the state†s prison from a corporation to a department of state government. At the time, the state prison system included Central Prison, Caledonia Prison Farm, Camp Polk Prison Farm and eight road camps. Then, due to lack of regular maintenance and repair, the conditions were diminishing. The state took over the control of the prisons and the inmates, and provided new construction money from the Highway Fund for prison renovation.  · In 1935, women inmates form Central Prison moved to a south Raleigh prison camp, the site of today†s Correctional Institution for Women. Women from the Caledonia Prison Farm moved to the Raleigh facility permanently in 1956.  · In 1957, North Carolina became the first state to initiate a work release program that allowed inmates to work in private employment during the day and return to confinement at night.  · In 1958, striped prison clothing was replaced with gray uniforms for close custody, brown for medium, and green for minimum.  · In 1965, all prisons were desegregated and mental health services were established in prisons. Prisoners in North Carolina have numerous things they can do. Prisoners can work, volunteer, go to the correctional chaplain, work out, or just about anything. These inmates work in many different places. Food Services, Unit Services, Work Release, Prison Industry, Road Squads, Construction, State Agencies, Local Agencies, Community Work Crews, Vocational Education, and Academic Education. Other inmates take part in substance abuse treatment, have health problems, or are being admitted into prison. Ministry to the incarcerated is as old as incarceration itself. Chaplincy in North Carolina dates back to 1876. In the spring of 2000, over 100 chaplains were serving the inmate population. Annually, countless numbers of worship services, scripture studies, seminars, counseling sessions, segregation visits, and chaplains conduct special events. Prison chaplaincy is a special ministry of opportunity. It can be a rewarding spiritual endeavor for those persons who have felt a divine call to this challenging ministry. At the beginning of 2001, North Carolina†s prison system consisted of 78 prison units of various sizes with eight of the units having a standard operating capacity of less than 90 inmates. However, the largest facility, Central Prison, has a capacity of 937. The cost of North Carolina†s prison system varies from different forms of custody. For the Fiscal Year 1999-2000, the daily operating cost of the 64 bed medium security prison unit at Cleveland County was $54.06 per inmate per day, compared to the $36.44 per inmate daily cost of the 832 bed medium security unit at Brown Creek. The cost goes by prison security level. The system wide average operational cost for housing inmates in North Carolina prisons in Fiscal Year 1999-2000 was $65.65 per day. It is broken down into:  · Minimum Custody at $52.52 per day In theory, the U.S. prison system today consists of a variety of institutions (minimum, medium, maximum, jails, and federal institutions) each adapted to the characteristics and risks posed by its population. Minimum-security prisons are often built on a campus like arrangement, which allows the prisoners autonomy and freedom within broad bounds. It is a prison facility with the lowest level of security for nondangerous, stable offenders. Prisoners may have rooms with opaque doors rather than cells that are under constant surveillance. Visits are normally private, where close contact with visitors is encouraged in order to enhance their prisoner†s ties with the family and community. Medium-security prisons are a middle-level prison facility with a more relaxed security measures and fewer inmates. Maximum-security prisons (the most secure prison facility) are often massive buildings, with high masonry walls or electrified fences, where the primary concern is security. Prisoners are under constant surveillance where their movements are severely restricted, and many are required to remain in their cells almost the entire day. Outdoor recreation is minimal, and visits, when allowed, are often conducted by telephone, with a glass partition between the prisoner and the visitor. There are about 130 of these maximum-security prisons that collectively house more than 100,000 prisoners. Jails, a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody: such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimes , are typically not part of the state prison system. They are often managed individually by the districts or counties in which they are located. Many criticize the jail, saying that is the worst part of the U.S. penal organization. In recent decades, most prison systems in the U.S. have come under legal scrutiny, and the courts have found them severely wanting. Many have been declared unconstitutional in the sense that the conditions- including idleness, overcrowding, poor medical care, substantial violence, and lack of rights accorded prisoners- render confinement in these institutions â€Å"cruel and unusual† punishment and hence in violation of the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, (Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted ). Such judicial decisions have increased the pressure on state prison authorities to replace their antiquated prison facilities with more modern and humane institutions, in keeping with the ideals set forth by penologists a century ago.