Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Changing The Pattern Of Foster Care As An Intervention...

TWO-PARENT FOSTER FAMILY FOR FATHERLESS CHILDREN: Activating The Role Of The Father An Hoang Thi Nham Columbia International University Author note An Hoang Thi Nham An is now working as a coordinator for the organization for orphans in Vietnam. This research was supported in part by Homes of Love Inc, USA. Contact: an.nham@mailbox.ciu.edu Abstract The purpose of this study was to discover and to describe the results of changing the pattern of foster care as an intervention program on basis of 3 years of application for the group of teen girls who go through childhood without the shadow of their own father. There is a dramatic impact of father absence on these children s psychological†¦show more content†¦For some reason, the fathers did not live with their women; in other words, they abandoned them. As the results of the quick love, kids are born without father. No one knows where that father goes, what he does, just know that poor single mothers with children have a hard time to do living. They struggle with financial hardship every day. Some statistics from UNICEFF reveal that the major contributing factor to child abandonment is poverty. In this research, I want to mention a program that can intervene to help the children from the poor single-parent family without fathers. Like other mothers in the world, it is rea lly not an easy task for them to send their child to others’ care because of flesh and blood relation, but they must accept it. Very few of these mothers have the opportunity to send children to the foster homes or families as their adopted children. Moreover, in Vietnam, there are not many such the families for these traumatized children. In other words, foster care is not popular. As for the kids, in the culture of Vietnam, the fact that they are motherless is okay, but if they have no father, they will be teased and even despised because they are seen as ‘bastard child’ or ‘illegitimate child’ for those around them. This severely impacted on children’s psychological and emotional development, and their school performance as well, especially on

Monday, December 16, 2019

Accountants of PepsiCo and Their Role in Minimizing the Cost Case Study

Essays on Accountants of PepsiCo and Their Role in Minimizing the Cost Case Study The paper "Accountants of PepsiCo and Their Role in Minimizing the Cost" is a perfect example of a case study on finance and accounting. PepsiCo is the company that is engaged in making beverages like soft drinks, juices, pure water, tea and energy drinks. Its brands are Tropicana, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and others. Manufacturing businesses use different techniques in order to manage the cost so to achieve the main goal of the business to increase its profits. PepsiCo also requires a Contemporary management technique to achieve its success factors. They have to work on the cost area for their purpose. The accountants of the company could play their role in minimizing the cost. Accountants are advised to apply the standard costing method for the purpose. In this method, the expected cost is calculated at the time of purchasing raw material and before the manufacturing process is started. Although a variance is to be found between the actual cost and expected cost it could be managed by the accountants later. The expected cost will provide help to the accountants to identify the selling price of the product after it is being manufactured. They help in determining the expected cost that could be taken by the software as well in the modern world (Marie Rao, 2010).Accountants could control the cost during the manufacturing process through strategies such as economies of scale. Economies of scale refer to the units of the products to be manufactured so as to set the cost at an equilibrium point. The target set by the accountants that the units of products would be that could change lat er. For example, the company has the target to produce 100000 liters of Pepsi but it is found that the cost of the unit is not enough that it could not recover the accountants could change the strategy (Shi, 2012).

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Qualitative research method in social health - Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about the Qualitative research method in social health. Answer: Introduction: This report focuses on the recruitment and selection process of the company called ABC Corporation. It is the company that is looking for assistant marketing manager for the firm. This process requires the medium to post the vacancy in order to make the people aware about the job vacancy. The online platform that has been selected for posting the advertisement is Monster.com. After this, interview process will start that will be used to select the appropriate candidate for the position. The structured interview questions need to be made for this. The structured questions refer to the already set questions that should be asked to every candidate (Mojtahed, Nunes, Martins Peng, 2014). The questions would be similar for every candidate without any biasness and a rating scale will also be designed to measure the results (Whiting, 2008). The questions that will be included in the interview process would be structured and behavioural based. Last part of the report discuses about the ratin g scale for the interview process. As far as the interview is concerned, it involves two rounds. The first would be the situational interview and other would be behavioural based (Stuckey, 2013). As the interviews are different thus the panel that has been selected for the interview would also be different. The first interview that is the situational one involves the panel of two members and second interview that is the behavioural interview involves 3 members in the panel. The total of 5 candidates will be interviewed by both the panel and then one of them will be selected as per the rating scale that has been designed. In the situational interview, the questions would be as per the educational and other academic and professional skills of the person and in the behavioural interview the candidate would be judged on the basis of their social and behavioural skills (Harvey, 2011). Following is the job advertisement that would be posted at Monster.com site for attracting the candidates and making them aware about the job and its responsibilities so that the candidates can apply as per their expertise and relevance to the job. JOB ADVERTISEMENT: Position: assistant marketing manager Date of posting: January 1, 2018 Apply till: January 9, 2018 Employment type: full time Location: Toronto Company profile: We provide marketing consultancy to the clients as per their requirements. We used to design marketing campaigns and other sorts of marketing communication strategies for the clients and ensure that the client is getting the expected response. The vision of the company is Believes in serving quality. This suggests that we are not serving the clients with the quality but we hire quality employees so that we can deliver the same. We are aiding our employees with great and open culture of working and also provide great incentives as per the performance. Offers handsome salary to the deserving candidates and believes in being customers as well as employee oriented. We are hiring for assistant marketing manager post and wants genuine and enthusiastic candidates for the same. As an assistant marketing manager, you have to report to the marketing manager of the company. You have to handle the clients and help the team to design the marketing campaigns as per the requirements of the clients. There are many other responsibilities also. Your efforts will be appreciated for sure. Apply online and share your resume with us, we will get back to you soon with further details. JOB DUTIES: Handling marketing team Handling the clients requirements Making presentation and presenting in to the clients Resolving client queries Meeting with the clients on their site Coordinate and asset the whole marketing team Designing f marketing campaigns Managing and track of the clients data JOB SPECIFICATIONS: Diploma or 2 year marketing communication course from any of the recognized university 2+ years of experience in the related field SKILLS REQUIRED: Professional skills Strong verbal and written communication skills Knowledge of marketing concepts Technical knowledge of the field and market Proficiency in MS office tools Thank you all for applying for this post. It is a request that only relevant candidates apply for this. We will call those who are most relevant and whose resume will be selected by the panel. Interviews will be conducted at the office site only candidates will be accommodated from our side if the process exceeds a day. Interview questions and answers: Situational questions: Question 1: please share about the situation where you have worked under high pressure because of the clients deadline. As I told you that I was working as a marketing executive in my previous firm so I have face a lot of pressure from the clients side. My previous company used to take small project of less than 3 days deadline and thus I have always worked under pressure. It was the time when I have to conduct a survey on the customers of a brand in the outlet and I had to submit the reports the next morning. The customers have delayed in giving the response and I have made the report sitting all over the night to present it in the morning. Question 2: how you deal with any rude client? I have once gone through a situation where in spite of being right my client was shouting at me on phone about not sending the correct report to them. The mistake was on their part and not from my side. I tried and fixed a meeting with client, went to his office and explained the situation to him and then he got satisfied with the work. Question 3: what will you do if you find one of your staff members is ruining all the client deals? In this situation, I would try to find out the reason behind this behaviour of the member and then train him accordingly. Behavioural questions: Question 1: how you coordinate with the teams of members from different cultural background? As per me I am the person who can adjust with anyone. Even in my previous organisation, I have handled the team of 14 people and 5 of them were of different cultural background. I am the person who believes in learning about direct culture and versatile in this sense. We used to celebrate the festivals of each and every members background so that they do not feel isolated and this also makes the people aware about different culture. Making emotional attachment is very much required to work in a team and I have the person who can score 9 out of 10 in emotional intelligence. Question 2: Have you ever resolved any team issue? Please explain where and how? In my previous organisation, I used to handle the team of 14 members and my major work was into field marketing analysis and making reports along with client dealing. Once I sent one of my team members to the client for the budget proposal approval of the campaign that was designed for the clients. He went and presented a budget of some other client. This made the client very angry and he rejected the deal with us. This develops a great problem for us. That member was new to the system and I dint want to escalate the issue further otherwise he would have been penalised for the same. So I decided to handle the situation on my end. I told my team member to call the clients secretory and fix the meeting. I went to with him to the client and offered a great deal with the client along with the correct budget and then the client has fixed the deal with us again. Question 3: tell something about your strength? I feel that communication is my greatest strength. I am very persuasive personal and have the capability to persuade anyone. This strength of mine helps in convincing the clients and making deals with them. This also helps me in dealing and handling the team members. I can coordinate with all the members of the team and can bridge the communication gap between the people. One of my strengths is my versatility. I like to learn new things and this helps in analysing the market situation from different angles. Rating scale: STAR scaling would be used for the same: States situation, task performed, action, result (McGuire-Snieckus, McCABE, Catty, Hansson Priebe, 2007). Scores will be from 1 to 3: 3 means: all the elements are explained 2 means: 3 of the elements are included 1 means: 2 and less elements are explained but not properly Situational questions: Question 1: please share about the situation where you have worked under high pressure because of the clients deadline. It was the time when I have to conduct a survey on the customers of a brand in the outlet and I had to submit the reports the next morning. The customers have delayed in giving the response and I have made the report sitting all over the night to present it in the morning. I have conducted survey in a very less time and made the report whole night I have worked whole night to prepare the report Question 2: how you deal with any rude client? I have once gone through a situation where in spite of being right my client was shouting at me on phone about not sending the correct report to them. The mistake was on their part and not from my side. I tried and fixed a meeting with client, went to his office and explained the situation to him and then he got satisfied with the work. I tried and fixed a meeting with client, went to his office and explained the situation to him and then he got satisfied with the work. I have resolved the issue by conducting meeting with the client. Question 3: what will you do if you find one of your staff members is ruining all the client deals? In this situation, I would try to find out the reason behind this behaviour of the member and then train him accordingly. By communicating with the employee and finding the reasons By communicating with the employee Behavioural questions: Question 1: how you coordinate with the teams of members from different cultural background? I am the person who believes in learning about direct culture and versatile in this sense. We used to celebrate the festivals of each and every members background so that they do not feel isolated and this also makes the people aware about different culture. Making emotional attachment is very much required to work in a team and I have the person who can score 9 out of 10 in emotional intelligence. I used to respect the culture of every person and try to include everyone in the decision making process. I respect every person in the company. Question 2: Have you ever resolved any team issue? Please explain where and how? Once I sent one of my team members to the client for the budget proposal approval of the campaign that was designed for the clients. He went and presented a budget of some other client. This made the client very angry and he rejected the deal with us. This develops a great problem for us. So I decided to handle the situation on my end. I told my team member to call the clients secretory and fix the meeting. I went to with him to the client and offered a great deal with the client along with the correct budget and then the client has fixed the deal with us again. Once I sent one of my team members to the client for the budget proposal approval of the campaign that was designed for the clients. He went and presented a budget of some other client. This made the client very angry and he rejected the deal with us. Then I went for the meeting and managed the situation again. I managed the situation by meeting a client again and presented the right budget as one of my members did it wrong. Question 3: tell something about your strength? I feel that communication is my greatest strength. I am very persuasive personal and have the capability to persuade anyone. This strength of mine helps in convincing the clients and making deals with them. This also helps me in dealing and handling the team members. I can coordinate with all the members of the team and can bridge the communication gap between the people. One of my strengths is my versatility. I like to learn new things and this helps in analysing the market situation from different angles. Communication and versatility are my strengths. This strength of mine helps in convincing the clients and making deals with them. communication and versatility. References: Harvey, W. S. (2011). Strategies for conducting elite interviews.Qualitative research,11(4), 431-441. McGuire-Snieckus, R., McCABE, R. O. S. E. M. A. R. I. E., Catty, J., Hansson, L., Priebe, S. (2007). A new scale to assess the therapeutic relationship in community mental health care: STAR.Psychological medicine,37(1), 85-95. Mojtahed, R., Nunes, M. B., Martins, J. T., Peng, A. (2014). Equipping the Constructivist Researcher: The Combined use of Semi-Structured Interviews and Decision-Making maps.Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods,12(2). Stuckey, H. L. (2013). Three types of interviews: Qualitative research methods in social health.Journal of Social Health and Diabetes,1(2), 56. Whiting, L. S. (2008). Semi-structured interviews: guidance for novice researchers.Nursing Standard,22(23), 35-40.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Lord of the Flies Literary Analysis Essay Essay Essay Example

Lord of the Flies Literary Analysis Essay Essay Paper After analysing the characters in William Golding’s novel. Lord of the Flies. one can acknowledge that many of the characters embody the subject of the novel. One of the outstanding subjects in Lord of the Flies is man’s interior barbarian ; man’s inhumaneness to others. and Golding manages explore and capture this subject in a manner that is gratifying to read. Three characters in the book who genuinely illustrate the subject of man’s interior barbarian ; man’s inhumaneness to others are Jack. Ralph. and Simon. The subject of the novel. man’s interior barbarian ; man’s inhumaneness to others is most evident in Jack Merridew’s character. Our first true glance into Jack’s interior monster occurs after he kills his first hog: His head was crowded with memories ; memories of the cognition that had come to them when they closed in on the fighting hog. cognition that they had outwitted a living thing. imposed their will upon it. taken away its life like a long satisfying drink ( Golding. 81 ) . Jack’s excitement stems from holding â€Å"outwitted† a living thing. and holding â€Å"imposed† his will on it. which he subsequently does with Simon. and Piggy. Jack truly has no ground for killing demoing that. â€Å"Perhaps the most distressing motivations for killing is merely for the bang of it. † ( Ramsland. 3 ) . Throughout the book. Jack is driven by his thirst for power. and is willing to travel to any lengths to acquire what he wants. which includes killing anybody that steps in his manner. He easy begins to lose his scruples. as shown by the fact that he feels no compunction. guilt. or repent after take parting in the barbarous slayings of both Simon. and Piggy. The fact that Ja ck could turn from a proper. English male child to a liquidator who can kill and experience no compunction. shows that Jack does harbor a monster inside of him. is a barbarian. and he is really capable of being inhumane to others. therefore. exemplifying the subject of the novel. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies Literary Analysis Essay Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies Literary Analysis Essay Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Lord of the Flies Literary Analysis Essay Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Another character who briefly illustrates the subject of the novel is Ralph. Ralph shouldered the duty of delivering all the male childs. turn outing him to be the leader that the male childs on the island needed. but even so. Ralph senses himself falling into the same savageness as the other male childs at times during the book. On the Hunt that Ralph participates in. Ralph’s interior barbarian has one of its lone chances to uncover itself. â€Å"Ralph excessively was contending to acquire nigh. to acquire a smattering of that brown. vulnerable flesh. The desire to squash and ache was over-mastering† ( Golding. 164 ) . This Hunt proved that even Ralph. the reasonable. responsible. and rational leader who represented the battle for order. civilisation. and democracy on the island. has an interior barbarian. merely waiting to acquire out. Near the terminal of the book. Ralph was close to falling victim to the other boy’s savageness as they were trailing him through the island. ready to kill him. He trips and falls at the pess of an officer. and begins to shout. â€Å"Ralph wept for the terminal of artlessness. the darkness of man’s bosom. and the autumn through the air of a true. wise friend called Piggy† ( Golding. 290 ) . Ralph calls for all that he has lost. and at that minute. he realizes that he will neer be the same since he has learned about the immorality that lurks within all worlds. exemplifying the subject of man’s interior barbarian ; man’s inhumaneness to others. Man’s interior barbarian ; man’s inhumaneness to others is first recognized by the character. Simon. in the novel. Lord of the Flies. When the male childs discuss the possibility of there being a animal on the island. Simon steps frontward and says. â€Å"Maybe it’s merely us. † ( Golding. 126 ) implying that it was the boys themselves who were the â€Å"beast† . capable of aching. of killing. and of perpetrating other Acts of the Apostless of immorality. This subject is explored prior to the violent death of Simon. the other male childs chant. â€Å"Kill the animal! Cut his pharynx! Spill his blood! Do him in! † ( Golding. 219 ) and when Simon is being murdered. Golding describes it in barbarous item to stress the inhumaneness shown by the other male childs. and to demo how barbarian they have become: The sticks fell and the oral cavity of the new circle crunched and screamed. The animal was on its articulatio genuss in the centre. its weaponries folded over its face. It was shouting out against the detestable noise something about a organic structure on the hill. The animal struggled frontward. broke the ring and fell over the steep border of the stone to the sand by the H2O. At one time the crowd surged after it. poured down the stone. leapt on to the animal. screamed. struck. spot. torus. There were no words. and no motions but the lacrimation of dentitions and claws ( Golding. 219 ) . On the island. Simon was the lone character to stand for hope. and artlessness. but in the terminal. he was a direct consequence of the other boy’s savageness. and inhumaneness. His decease signified the terminal of artlessness. and goodness on the island. In William Golding’s book. Lord of the Flies. the subject of man’s interior barbarian ; man’s inhumaneness to others is explored in many ways. one of them being through the characters Jack. Ralph. and Simon. Jack embodies this subject the most. since he is the first to turn barbarian. and enforce his will on the other male childs. Ralph comes near to going a barbarian at times throughout the book. and Simon is one of the lone characters who manages to maintain his artlessness. but is a direct consequence of the savageness shown by the other male childs on the island in the terminal. William Golding managed to research and capture the subject of man’s interior barbarian ; man’s inhumaneness to others absolutely in his book. Lord of the Flies in a manner that is gratifying for all to read. Plants Cited Golding. William. Lord of the flies. New York: Coward-McCann. 1962. Print. Ramsland. Katherine. â€Å"The Unthinkable — Children Who Kill and What Motivates Them† Retrieved December 2. 2012. from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. trutv. com/library/crime/serial_killers/weird/kids2/index_1. hypertext markup language

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Child Development Essay Example

Child Development Essay Example Child Development Essay Child Development Essay Motivation, mood, personality, temperament and disposition are things directly linked to emotions in the life of a person. Emotions can be defined as the reaction, ways or indications in the life of an individual that come in response to changes in the body of the individual. An emotion can also be said to be a pleasant or unpleasant state of the mind resulting from the action of the brain but outwardly given in form of body postures, gestures or movements. These emotions are believed to emanate from the areas of the brain that dictate the central attention of a person, motivation to behavior and thus determining the importance of what takes place around us (Laird, 2003). An almost similar word but different word from emotion is cognition which basically underlies the ability of one to conceptualize, recognize or be aware of something hence putting him/her in a position to change preferences. The cognitive process can either be natural or artificial reflecting the state of one as either conscious or unconscious. The concept of cognition in the field psychology relates nearly to the activities like reasoning, learning, decision making, planning among other intelligent actions of the individual mind (Gifford, 2009). Emotions can thus be recognized to be interplay of various diverse and wide fields like sociology, biology, psychology, cognition, anthropology among other interrelated disciplines thus making it a complex topic in human psychology. Emotions are very crucial and important for they define clearly the direction of an individual’s life and also career. Want to get a price estimate for your Essay? Deadline Paper type Essay (Any Type) Admission Essay Annotated Bibliography Argumentative Essay Article Review Book/Movie Review Business Plan Case Study Coursework Creative Writing Critical Thinking Presentation or Speech Research Paper Research Proposal Term Paper Thesis Other Article (Any Type) Content (Any Type) Q&A Capstone Project Dissertation Lab Report Scholarship Essay Math Problem Statistic Project Research Summary Assignment Dissertation chapter Speech Dissertation chapter: Abstract Dissertation chapter: Introduction Dissertation chapter: Hypothesis Dissertation chapter: Literature Review Dissertation chapter: Methodology Dissertation chapter: Analysis/Results Dissertation chapter: Discussion Dissertation chapter: Conclusion Dissertation Proposal Thesis Statement Thesis Proposal Application Essay Pages 550 words(double spaced) 126 writers online Check Price A limited time offer! Get custom paper sample written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed Order now Child Development Paper An ________ provides a framework for understanding the relationships among an organized set of facts or principles Theory A study this is designed to specifically test some development explanation and expand scientific knowledge is called Theoretical Research Correlational studies use which of the following to investigate whether certain characteristics of interest are associated with other characteristics? Naturalistic observation, case studies, and survey research Identify and Describe the three topical areas of child Development 1. Social Development of how a child interacts with others as they grow. 2. Cognitive development of the the way a child thinks and examines. 3. Physical development as they grow, such as height and eye color. Identify the specific age categories child developmentalists typically examine 1. Prenatual- conception to birth2. Infancy and Toddlerhood- birth- 3 years3. Preschool age- 3-5 years4. School age- 6-12 years Shyanna wants to know if shy children will become shy adults. She decides to ask a group of preschool teachers to select all the children they would consider to be shy. She then follows and periodically assesses these children until they reach adulthood. This an example of a ____________ research design. Longitudinal When considering the origins of violence, psychologists with a ______ stance suggest that violence is linked with early maltreatment of children; psychologists with a __________ stance look at hormonal influences on violent behavior NurtureNature Identifying questions of intrest, formulating an explanation, and carrying out research that either lends support to or refutes the explanation are all steps of which of the following Scientific Method According to Bobbie Keeton and the handout on Head Start, what is your primary duty while doing your lab at the center? Assistant to teacher If we know what __________ to use, we can predict behavior Stimuli What is the Mission statement of the Southwest HRA Head Start? Safe and Caring place List the 5 theoretical perspectives that developmentalists use to understand the development of children. Be sure to include two individuals associated with each perspective Behavioral- B.F. Skinner, WatsonCognitive- Jean Piaget- Info processing theroyContextual- Lev Vy ________ is a biological concept that should be employed to refer to classification based on physical and structural characteristics of a species Race Mrs. Herman uses a sticker chart in her first grade classroom to promote desireable behaviors and decreases the unwanted ones. The stickers on the chart represent the reinforcenment, but the use of the chart represents a form of Behavior modification. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way it should go and when it is old it will not depart from it Advantages of breast feeding Mother bonds with childChild bonds with motherBetter nutrition CheaperMakes poop smell betterRight amount/temperatureAntibodies which makes infant resistant to infectionsHuman growth hormoneReduce mother uterus faster Food you should never feed a child under 3 years old GrapesPeanut Butter PeppermintsNutsHoneyHard candyHard to chew foodPopcorn When a child is fed and changed but does not receive the emotional bond of a caregiver what term describes their growth pattern Deprivation Dwarfism According to Thomas and Chess the majority of children fall into one of three main personality categories. -Slow to warm-Easy-Difficult According to a study on attachment patterns between caregivers and children there are four Secure attachmentDisorganized/disoriented attachmentAvoidant attachment ambivalent

Friday, November 22, 2019

What is a Life Plan and Why Should You Create One

What is a Life Plan and Why Should You Create One What is a life plan and why should you create one? You’re probably familiar with creating a plan for your professional career. But you most likely have never considered planning out your entire life for the foreseeable future. In fact, most people do not. You’ll never see someone sit down and write a plan for how they want to be remembered, who they want to be, or what matters most to them. But these are very important things to consider.Take a look at this infographic to find out why you should create a life plan and how it will benefit you.Source: [socialwork.career]

Thursday, November 21, 2019

MOTIVATION CONCEPTS ANALYSIS Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MOTIVATION CONCEPTS ANALYSIS - Research Paper Example Motivation is the intrinsic inducement that propels an individual to behave in specific ways. There have been a significant number of literatures covering the nature, theories and applications of motivation and its effect to job performance and satisfaction. Various scholars on human resources revealed diverse theories on motivation over time. In this regard, this essay is written to address the following issues, to wit: (1) choose one of the theories from the "Motivation Concepts Table," and describe how this theory would and would not be applicable if applied to two or more workplace situations drawn from one’s personal experience; and (2) in the instance in which the selected theory of motivation was not applicable to the workplace experience, assess the need to develop and create new theoretical models of motivation in todays changing work environment. What are the ramifications of failing to meet this challenge? Among the issues to consider are effects on personal satisfaction and productivity. The duly completed â€Å"Motivation Concepts Table† is included as an appendix. The motivational theory to be closely examined in terms of applicability to the workplace situation is the drive theory, particularly that of Freud’s. Finally, the workplace to be used for the purpose of determining the applicability of the theory is General Electric. The history of General Electric (GE) dates back in 1878 inspired by the first light bulb invented by Thomas Edison (GE: Fact Sheet, 2010). After 132 years, GE remains to be considered a leader in †global infrastructure, finance and media† (GE, 2010, par. 1) with diverse products and services ranging from appliances, consumer products, energy, lighting, software and services, among others. As a global corporation, it manages more than 300,000 personnel worldwide as of December 2009 (ibid.) According to its website, they are â€Å"renowned for hiring exceptional people and giving them

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Land Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Land Law - Case Study Example If it is not registered (as some purchases before that date will not be), the legal owners will be listed on the document called the conveyance, which passes the property from one owner to another" (Joint Ownership of Property. 2008). However, the real value of the property lies in the second type of ownership, i.e. equitable or beneficial ownership as this ownership ensures the right to "the right to live in and use the property, and the right to share in the proceeds of any sale." Also, the equitable owner also can control a legal owner and decide on the sale of the property. As an immediate result of this factor, the buyer of the property will suffer much generally because it is normally difficult for the buyer to realise the existence of an equitable owner form the usual searches of the land or enquiries of the seller. As a result, the buyer will be bound to allow the beneficial owner after the business is over. (Joint Ownership of Property. 2008). It is also necessary that in the case of the legal and the beneficial owners of a property are different there arises a situation called trust, an arrangement formulated by a deed or written agreement. In the present case given for discussion, the two sisters Jennifer and her sister Clarissa conveyed the property as beneficial joint tenants. Thus, it is pertinent to have an idea of how such a property can be held in beneficial joint tenants which is one of the two ways of joint property, the other being the beneficial tenants in common. In the case of beneficial joint tenants, the joint owners are equally entitled to the property by which both share the rights to enjoy the benefits of the property together. Thus, the two sisters enjoy the unregistered country cottage property in Maple Leaf jointly. And, as it is evident, they do not enjoy separate shares but own the whole thing in common to each other and neither Jennifer nor Clarissa could enjoy separate share which each could sell or leave in a will. As it is clear in the case, Jennifer applies for the permission for the sale of her property, but immediately breaths her last. At her death, her application for the sale of propert y cannot succeed as in the case where "one person dies then the survivor becomes the owner of the whole property. This happens automatically without any further formality" (Joint Ownership - the methods). Also, let this be clear that Jennifer's case, at her death, in application for the sale of property cannot succeed as the law entails the person left the absolute ownership of the property. "If there is only one joint tenant left, he or she becomes outright owner of the property. Because no joint owner has a defined share, their interest in the property does not become part of their estate when they die, but simply disappears" (Joint Ownership of Property. 2008). However, we need to consider whether the particular case of Jennifer would succeed at the time of her application for sale of the property. The specifications of the case are that the property was an unregistered one conveyed to the sisters as beneficial joint tenants; the share of Jennifer in the deal was 160,000 of the total 280,000; and the children of Clarissa had Attention Hyperactivity Deficit

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Healthy lifestyle Essay Example for Free

Healthy lifestyle Essay A persons health is measured in various methods and achievements, whether it is measured by weight, levels of stress, or just overall quality of life. People are relentlessly searching for the most efficient way to be more physically, nutritionally, and emotionally fit. On this quest for superior health there are four habits that need to be recognized to reach this goal, and they are smoking, drinking, overeating, and exercising. (Berger, 502). Cigarette smoking is a common, unhealthy habit among American adults. With 20. 8% of all adults smoking, its the most preventable cause of death in the US, making up one in every five deaths this year. (Center for Disease Control Prevention, n.d.). It not only significantly increases your chance at getting lung cancer; it also increases the rate for getting cancer of the bladder, kidneys, mouth and stomach. (Berger, 503). These deaths are preventable by people quitting smoking. There are over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, as well as just cold turkey to quit smoking. Alcohol is another drug that can lead to bad health. Alcohol can produce significant problems with the lever, heart, stomach and increases the likelihood of getting cancer. (Berger, 504). With this danger, groups have been founded to help stop using alcohol. The most familiar group is Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935, has no affiliation to any company, government, or private enterprise, and only requires the members to have the want to stop drinking. (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2008). Overeating and obesity is a common health problem among Americans today. We live in a very hectic world with just as frantic schedules. With the onset of the technological world and hectic schedules, fast food restaurants have found their ideal target. With consumers not having to even get out of their cars to super-size their double quarter-pounder has made us obese. There is a solution to this problem though. Through a reasonable amount of caloric intake of the right foods and a moderate, convenient exercise plan American can win the battle of the bulgeExercise is a very proactive way of increasing ones health. Many people exercise to lose weight, but the  benefits of exercise is vast. Regular physical activity can reduce your risk for several diseases and conditions and improve your overall quality of life. Regular physical activity can help protect you from the following health problems: hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. (Berger, 507). References Berger, K. S. (2005). The Developing Person: Through the Life Span. (Sixth Ed.). New York, New York: Worth Publishers. Center for Disease Control Prevention. (n.d.). Adult Cigarette Smoking in the United States:Current Estimates. Retrieved on July 13, 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/Factsheets/adult_cig_smoking.htm. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. (2008). A.A. Fact File. Retrieved on July 13, 2008, from http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/en_pdfs/m-24_aafactfile.pdf.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay -- To Kill a Mockingbird Essa

It’s interesting to see the ways different authors depict how a character matures. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mocking Bird we can easily see how she chose to do it. The novel is set in Alabama in the 1930’s, while black vs. white racism was a big issue and problem for many. Atticus is the father of Scout and Jem, young children who witness the discrimination first hand when their father, a white man, defends a black man in court. Lee does a great job developing the characters; especially the narrator, Jean Louise Finch (Scout). Scout’s thoughts, conversations, and actions, illustrate that she’s emotionally maturing from the innocent child that she was. Through Scout’s thoughts, it’s obvious that she is growing up. Readers can see this early in the novel in chapter six. Jem and Scout weren’t as close as they used to be mostly because Jem was maturing suddenly and fast. He and Dill started leaving Scout out because she was too â€Å"girly†. Scout doesn’t like this at first when she says, â€Å"It was then I suppose that Jem and I first began to part company. Sometimes I did not understand him, but my periods of bewilderment were short-lived† (61). The fact that she accepts this, something not many young girls would do, shows that she too is maturing a bit. Thoughts that show Scout is maturing also come near the end of the novel. Although Atticus would always tell her to stand in other’s shoes and see things from their point of view, it never really came through to her. Not until she stands on Boo Radley’s porch after he saves her and Jem from Bob Ewell. She states, â€Å"A tticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough† (297). Standing on the porch lets Scout finally see things from Boo Radley’s point of view. Earlier in the novel, she was terrified every time she passed the house. Now as she stands on his porch, the way that she sees things has changed. The reader must realize that Scout herself has changed as well. As well as thoughts, the conversations and interactions between Scout and other characters show how she is mentally and emotionally aging. Near the end is where it’s more obvious that Scout has matured. After the Finch’s are safe from Bob Ewell, they go back to the house with the s... ... after all this behavior: "I ran along, wondering what had come over her. She had wanted to make up with me, that was it. She had always been too hard on me, she had at last seen the error of her fractious ways, she was sorry and too stubborn to say so." (29). This proves that Scout always thought that Calpurnia never liked her and that she didn't care about her, and that she deserves and accepts Cal's apology which is not what she would’ve done earlier in the beginning of the novel. Through Scout’s relationships, choices and actions, as well as the way she narrated the novel allows the readers to really see what kind of character Scout is and how she matured greatly. It’s surprising that we see it starting as early as page 29, and Lee does a wonderful job weaving it in through the story. When the novel is finished, it’s amazing how readers could glance right over the fact that Scout had matured, however they really have to look at how the author of any book, Harper Lee in this case, analyzes the characters through speech, thoughts, and actions. By the end of the novel Scout had grown up immensely, a very important step in everyone’s life.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Integration of the baroque and modern architecture

How magnificent a structure like La Havana Vieja that is over 500 years of old graciously towered over the straits of Florida.   From Colonial to art deco until modernism, tourists wondered around the antiquated city and they were drawn with the old cars lining and architectural gems that can be found in every corner of the city.   In fact in 1982, it has earned the UNESCO Heritage List.   A year after, a preservation campaign was launched in order to protect and restore the authenticity of the buildings. But as years gone by, Cuba became engrossed on tourism.   In 1990 it has brought them large foreign revenue, majority of the buildings followed the bland design of the modern architecture to satisfy customers.   How sad it is to see the exquisite square highlighted by the 18th century baroque â€Å"Columbus Cathedral† incrementally depleted by economic and tourism goals.   Personally, I find it very careless to redesign the building and to change the old architecture that has stood there for long and has remained unchanged through time. The existing challenge thereby to current architectural design within the aforementioned region lies in the necessity of formulating a design that enables the fusion of the modern with what Carpentier refers to as Havana’s strange baroquism in order to balance the city.  Ã‚   The necessity of such is evident if one considers that the path of globalization has been determined for Cuba by the regionalistic character of its architecture.   Tourism is a form of globalism that relies upon the interdependence of a global culture and that of a regional and cultural identity. The difficulty faced by architectural design thereby lies in the necessity of encapsulating modern design with the regionalism and the marketing image of the culture that serves as the unique proposition that underlies the continuous globalization of Havana. It is thereby necessary to enable the rapid reconfiguration of Havana, in order to â€Å"un-fracture† the results of the modern urban changes that have transformed and destroyed the city’s spirit.[1] This dilemma faced by architectural designers is best stated by Paul Ricoeur as he states that the challenge lies in ‘‘how to become modern and to return to sources (while) reviving an old, dormant civilization (in order for it to) take part in a universal civilization’’.[2] This is a difficult task since the two kinds of architecture contrast each other.   Baroque architecture which is reflected by the Havana structures emphasizes on the unity among arts.   The architecture, sculpture, and painting made by the baroque artist were remarkable traits of spatial relationships which may be illusionary or real.   One cannot resist the physical and emotional attraction that baroque arts once they get to glance on them.   The buildings were amassed of great curving which poster rising and falling facades and grounds with extraordinary complexity and size. Various shapes and domes are also vivid in baroque architecture.   On the other hand, modern architecture depicts to the removal of ornament and to the simplification of form.   For many, modern architecture is a result of modern advancement in technology and engineering and of course by the emergence of new building materials such as concrete, steel, iron and glass. Generally, it is all about functionality- the application of the principles of functionalism reflected in the use of materials, quantity and size.   In short it is the rational engineering.   The attempt to integrate the two by not salvaging the old architecture was overlooked by the Cuban government when the investments rise to tourism.   There has also been a disparity between locals and the tourism facilities. Preservation and revitalization of Habana entails a number of restorations and cooperation from the citizens and from the local government.   The goal should poster social and economic exclusion that was created by the restructuring and revitalization in historic district outside Cuba.   Since, modernization is inevitable, as it has already diffused and reached the city, application of modern architecture should be done with thorough planning, wise mapping, and careful infrastructure building without damaging the old ones. Bibliography Coyula, Mario. The Old, Havana Way. DRCLAS website. Retrieved on January 23, 2008 from http://www.drclas.harvard.edu/revista/articles/view/55 CubavacationWebsite. Habana Vieja. Retrieved on January23, 2007 from http://www.cubavacation.4t.com/photo3.html Ricoeur, Paul.   History and Truth.   Trans. Charles Kelbley.   Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 1965. Tung, Anthony. Preserving the World’s Great Cities: The Destruction and Renewal of the Historic Metropolis.   New York: Random House, 2001.                                              [1] Anthony Tung, Preserving the World’s Great Cities: The Destruction and Renewal of the Historic Metropolis, (New York: Random House, 2001), 430. [2] Paul Ricoeur, History and Truth, Trans. Charles Kelbley (Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 1965).

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Krogstad

In what ways does Ibsen make us feel sympathetic towards Sarasota? In the first act of the play ‘A Doll's House' by Henries Ibsen, we are presented to many different characters, however, the one that stands out most is the rather out of the ordinary character, Sarasota. Sarasota is a lawyer who went to the same school as Dorval, and has a minor position at Tortilla's bank. Ibsen tries to plot down certain aspects of Crossroad's life, In which you see both sides of the character, which might make the readers feel sorry for him.With this, Ibsen gives the readers the power to ecocide which character they would be sympathetic towards the most. Crossroad's character is in opposition; although his bad actions seem to push him towards the desire of protecting his children and wife, he is willing to use dishonest tactics to achieve his goals. This leaves Nora In a horrible situation, but his claims to feel sympathy for her and the hard circumstances of his own life drive us to sympathi es with him. At first you can see that Sarasota is like any other person, wanting to keep his Job, to know that he is still welcomed some where.This can be seen in the sentence: â€Å"Will oh be so good as to see that I keep my humble position at the bank? † By using the word ‘humble' he is shown a sense of sarcasm, meaning that he does not actually enjoy working at the bank, but that he has no other choice, It Is all he has to keep getting money so that he can take care of his wife and children. Later on in the first play his character changes. He is presented as a disheartened, wretched man. This is shown in the line: â€Å"Now listen to me, Mrs. Helmet. If I'm forced to, I shall fight for my little Job at the banks as I would fight for my life. Although It his sounds very harsh and quite threatening, It does give him the sense of righteousness. It is the desperate side to him, that no matter what will happen he will keep fighting to keep his job at the bank so that he can survive and so that he can also enjoy this feeling of happiness. Ibsen makes you feel sympathetic towards Sarasota because you realize that he is a condoling guy and really cares about his job, wants to get things done, but cares even more about being able to provide for his family. Crossroad's aggressive and brutal side is later on shown through the way he threatensNora with the sentence: Mimi say that because you don't want to help me. But I have the means to make you. † This is a disturbing line from Sarasota because you see the clear lack of consideration he has towards Nora. This shows that he will do everything to get what he wants, even if it means hurting some one along the way. He Is In some ways blackballing Nora, In the way that she has no way out of this he forces her to try to help him keep his Job at her husbands company, even though she has no way of doing so.Sarasota is the plays main antagonist, however, he is not shown as the typical bad u that you see in other scenarios. This can be shown in the sentence: â€Å"Do as you please. But I tell you this. If I get thrown into the gutter for a second time, I shall take you with me. † Although his actions are not good, his intentions are good. Sarasota is trying to hide his past reputation, and by this he doesn't want to be knocked down again. By saying this, it shows that he would not go down alone, so that he can show Nora how horrible it is to be left out of society and losing everything that keeps him going.In this situation, not only the readers would feel sorry for Sarasota, but maybe even Nora herself, because she would be able to relate since he is fighting for his life and for his children to be able to provide for them. In conclusion, Ibsen makes us feel sympathetic towards Sarasota by making him behave like any other human being would. This is shown through bringing up real life situations, as Sarasota only has to go through this so that he can take good care and be se cure of his children, and in this the readers could acknowledge the position that Sarasota is in.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Hucks Moral Lessons and His C essays

Hucks Moral Lessons and His C essays Hucks Moral Lessons and His Changing Attitude Toward Jim In many ways, to understand the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, the reader must also know a little about the author. Mark Twain was one of the many pen names of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He was born in 1835 and grew up in the Mississippi River town of Hannibal, Missouri. Twain is considered the father of modern American literature, primarily because of this novel. Numerous schools have banned this novel from their reading lists because they believe it to be racist. The ironic part of this is that Clemens was an abolitionist. He hoped that people would understand and be able to see the unfairness and horrors of slavery by reading his book and seeing what slavery does to people. This book is set in the year 1852 in the south. It is a coming of age novel about an adolescent boy named Huckleberry Finn. In this early stage of his life, Huckleberry is taught many of lifes lessons that will help him deal with events that may occur later on in his life. Huck fakes his death in order to run away from his alcoholic father and his caretaker, Mrs. Watson, and also to escape from being sivilized. While floating down the Mississippi River, he meets Jim, the runaway slave who is owned by Mrs. Watson. His life begins to change when he is faced with many moral struggles along the way. He has to fight against societys views, which conflict with his views. One of the most significant moral struggles that confronts him is the issue of slavery. Throughout the novel, Huck Finn becomes more self-reliant and mature. He begins to understand the evil in slavery and he realizes that he must follow his own conscience in his actions towards Jim. Even at the beginning of the novel, before Huck has gotten a chance to explore what he believes is right, Huck has grown tired of dealing with society and what society thinks is right and civilized. He sa...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The Bitter Truth about Betty Botter You’re Not Thinking Straight

The Bitter Truth about Betty Botter You’re Not Thinking Straight Can you say this tongue twister 10x fast? Betty Botter bought some butter, â€Å"But,† she said, â€Å"This butter’s bitter! If I put it in my batter, It will make my batter bitter!† So she bought some better butter, Put it in her bitter batter, Made her bitter batter better. I learned this one from my mother when I was young, and I always thought it was an easy one to roll off the tongue. I also thought it was cute and logical. I always enjoyed tongue twisters growing up, and even got to perform one (Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers) when I was on Sesame Street as a kid. Yes that was a moment of fame and glory! Stopping to Think I never really delved into the meaning of a given tongue twister. But on my recent trip to visit family in Austin, the Betty Botter rhyme came into my wandering mind after some talk with my mom about bats and batters- and I realized there’s a gaping logical hole in the poem. Here’s the question: How did the batter get bitter if Betty Botter never put the bitter butter in her batter in the first place? I went straight to my mom with my question. Surely, I thought, I must be remembering the words wrong! There must be a line I was missing! But mom confirmed that I remembered the words just as she had passed them down to me- and she admitted that she, too, had missed the gap in logic in the verse. Next stop Google. Perhaps mom had learned an incomplete version of the poem? Here’s what I found on Wikipedia as the full text: Betty Botter bought some butter; â€Å"But,† said she, â€Å"this butter’s bitter! If I put it in my batter It will make my batter bitter. But a bit o’ better butter Will but make my batter better.† Then she bought a bit o’ butter Better than the bitter butter, Made her bitter batter better. So ’twas better Betty Botter Bought a bit o’ better butter. While this version is longer and a bit of a better tongue twister, it by no means solved the problem that Betty never put that bitter butter in her batter! And while I did find one version that had a line, â€Å"The butter Betty Botter bought was a bit bitter / And made her batter bitter,† this version was clunky and contrived. Sigh†¦ We Are Gullible How many things like this are there in our lives? How easy is it for someone, or for the media, to trick us with a clever gimmick into accepting something as reasonable or logical that simply makes no sense? I’m reminded of the well-known joke that goes something like this: What’s the opposite of least? Most. What do you call a person who throws a party? The host. What’s another word for seashore? Coast. What’s another word for brag? Boast. What do you call a dead person who comes back to life? A ghost. What do you put in a toaster? Toast. Oops. You don’t put toast in a toaster. The correct answer is â€Å"bread.† Or maybe â€Å"a bagel.† Back to Google. I put â€Å"what do you put in a toaster joke† into my search bar and was gifted with multiple lists of jokes that made me feel like an idiot when I read them. I was hoping for some brain science around these types of jokes, but came up empty except for one suggestion that brain training can be accomplished without the help of Luminosity.com. Read, Think and Listen Carefully Mostly I am reminded by all these examples to pay attention. To listen carefully and closely, and as much as possible, not to accept things at face value. This is easier said than done, and I know I will miss important subtleties and inconsistencies more often than I would like to predict. And in the meantime, I will leave you with this: A plane crashes fatally on the border of the United States and Canada. Where do they bury the survivors? Answer: First of all, it sounds like there were no survivors. But even if there were, you do not bury survivors. They are alive.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Differentiation in the Oil Marketers in the United Kingdom Essay

Differentiation in the Oil Marketers in the United Kingdom - Essay Example From this paper it is clear that  in economics and marketing, it is normally assumed that both product differentiation and value addition plays a significant function in competitive advantages of the product. The goal of any venture particular amongst companies that produce closely related products (substitutes), in theory, must align themselves with added value and product differentiation so as to achieve competitive advantages. Adding value to a product superficial meaning refers to the situation where a product(s) have advantages attached to them while product differentiation refers to the effort by a company to separate (sic) its products from those of close competitors.This discussion highlights that  value addition and product differentiation is awash with varying number of literature items written and studied on them, particularly in business and in economics. It is always important to establish a meaning to a concept before researching or studying such concepts. Often thi s is not followed as most writers work on a topic and later fall folly of a weak comprehension of the concept they are writing about.  A number of factors seemly play important roles during the different stages in the consumption process of a product, and in recent years brands, consumer values, customer satisfaction and service quality have incorporated into the package of value addition.  Product differentiation offers consumers a variety of products within a specific industry instead of a monotonous product that describes purely competitive markets.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Financial Statement Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial Statement Analysis - Research Paper Example It provides awareness to the investors in that guide them in making important investment decisions. The analysis of the firm will reveal its financial background, operating efficiency, liquidity position, and profitability, going concern, and capital structure and gearing position. Industry analysis facilitates the understanding of the operating environment, identification of external threats and opportunities for investment, analysis of trends within the industry and the general performance of the industry. The Yum! Brands Inc. is a fast food restaurant incorporated in 1927. The company establishes, operates, franchises and licenses a global system of restaurants, which make, pack and sell a menu of priced food commodities. The company has three powerful brands, TACO Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, which has continuously sustained its profitability over the years. Over the years, the company has reported increase in turnover, profits and returns to shareholders. The earnings per share of the company has an upwards trend for the past eight years with the exception of 2013 when the earnings dropped significantly (Morningstar Inc., 2014). The company’s growth is driven by its powerful brands, superior marketing strategies, breakthrough innovations and competing values, and venturing into new markets (Yum! Brands Inc., 2014). The restaurant business in the U.S is highly competitive with major multinational companies such as Yum! Brands, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Chipotle. Personal income, demographics and consumer tastes and preferences drive demand in this industry. Individual entities in the industry have varied profitability levels. Whereas the quick-service restaurants rely on high-volume turnover and efficient operations, the full-service restaurants rely on effective marketing and high-margin items. This industry is experiencing an upward growth trend in sales, profitability and shareholders returns over the years

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Intellectual Property Law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Intellectual Property Law - Research Paper Example Intellectual Property Law In Two Pesos, the trade dress in contention was the â€Å"look and feel† that Taco Cabana, a successful chain of Mexican restaurants, had established over the years and which was allegedly copied by Two Pesos, a Mexican restaurant chain owned by a person who once approached the owners of Taco Cabana offering to take the restaurant’s concept nationwide, but was rejected. The â€Å"look and feel† allegedly copied includes the 24-hour patio cafà © concept, building and other features architecture, open kitchens and menu boards, among others. Taco Cabana brought an action for trade dress infringement and was granted relief by the trial court, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeals. On appeal, the SC harmonize the requirements between registered and unregistered marks stating that the requirements for the registrability of trademarks are also the same requirements in determining whether unregistered marks are entitled to protection. More significantly, the SC ruled that acquisition of secondary meaning of a trade dress is not necessary in cases where the trade dress is inherently distinctive. Accordingly, the Court ruled that it is inappropriate to impose upon inherently distinctive trade dress the requirement of secondary meaning on the following grounds: there is no rationale for enforcing additional requirements on trade dress because protection for both trademark and trade dress under the Lanham Act serves the same purpose of preventing both unfair competition and fraudulence.; the provision on trade dress in the Lanham Act, viz. s 43(a), does not justify a departure from traditional and established trademark test, and; imposing upon a trade dress the additi onal requirement of secondary meaning even if the trade dress is found to be inherently distinctive is contrary to the underlying objective of the Lanham Law which is the protection of both consumers and trademark holders. In Qualitex, the trade dress in issue was the green-gold color, which was plaintiff Qualitex’s color of its dry cleaning pads, a product it had been selling for more than thirty years. The defendant company began manufacturing and selling dry cleaning pads with the same color as that of Qualitex, a move that prompted the latter to bring an action for unfair competition against Jacobson before the courts and subsequently added trademark infringement after it successfully registered its dry pad color with the Patent and Trademark Office during the pendency of the case. The trial court decided in favor of Qualitex; the Court of Appeal reversed that decision on the ground that color per se is not registrable as trademark. This decision was not upheld by the SC on the ground that trademark is a broad term that comprises anything capable of giving meaning, according to the s 1127 of the USC Code, such as color. Section 45 of the Lanham Act requires the elements of ability to identify and distinctiveness as to the source of goods as requirements to registrability. Although color is not inherently distinctive, the SC asserted that it could acquire secondary meaning from frequent use over a long period of time that such color could represent, in the public mind, the identity

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Dangers of Escalation of Commitment in Accounting

Dangers of Escalation of Commitment in Accounting This report analyses the issue of escalation of commitment to a course of action from the perspective of the pharmaceutical industry. Escalation can be defined as a situation where a failing venture is supplied with additional resources beyond the point of feasibility. As such, escalation carries substantial dangers for organisations by generating avoidable economic losses. The report inquiries into the generic causes of escalation by examining subject literature. Accordingly psychological, social, organisational and project-specific factors are identified as common escalation activators. Exploration into the particulars of the said industry categorises profitability issues, market performance concerns, maturing products portfolio alongside development pipeline conditions as features amplifying pharma companies vulnerability to escalation. The point is supported by real-life case examples located in the appendix. Appreciation of escalation causes allows for development of effective prevention policies. The report suggests preventive measures aimed at reducing the occurrence of escalation triggers, such as challenging the individual and social causes. Approaches for reducing other factors impact on decision-making are outlined in the form of strategy alteration as well as process management policies. The report finalises with suggestions on escalating situations management. Statement of Reference The aim of this 2000-word report is to inquiry the causes and dangers of escalation of commitment to a course of action from the perspective of pharmaceutical companies. This report is to assess the dangers of escalation of commitment to a chosen course of action through the perspective of pharmaceutical companies. In order to achieve the aim set, the paper first analyses the definition and threats arising from the phenomenon of escalation. Next, following the framework proposed by Ross Staw (1993) generic causes of escalation are summarised. Subsequently, the report looks at industry- and drug development-specific escalation triggers in an attempt to identify why the pharmaceutical companies are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of escalation of commitment. Then, escalation prevention provisions organised around tackling previously identified triggers are outlined. The report concludes with suggestions concerning the issue of escalating situation management. Escalation of commitment: Definition and dangers Escalation can be defined as a situation where an individual over-commits resources to a failing venture after receiving negative feedback on its performance. Having an option to discontinue, the decision-maker forgoes rational behaviour and devotes more money, time or effort in a false belief that greater involvement will bring the project to successful completion (Staw, 1981). Some examination suggests that escalation as such should not be automatically assigned negative connotation. Low level of employee commitment is also damaging to organisational performance; background factors might justify over-commitment (Heath, 1995). Another view assumes escalation to be a natural feature of the business decision-making that should be treated as an unavoidable expense (Bowen, 1987). The dominant notion supported by extensive research suggests that escalation of commitment should be acted against (Brockner, 1992) because of carrying dangers of: Ultimately leading to multiplication of avoidable losses; Introducing irrational decision-making; Undermining the basic premise of business activity: to maximise gains with minimal costs; Generating substantial opportunity costs Consuming unrecoverable resources, such as time. Appreciation of escalation triggers allows for development of efficient prevention methods aimed at reducing the occurrence of such factors, subsequently protecting the company from the aforementioned detriments. Generic causes of escalation Psychological Initial research suggested that escalation arises primarily from the natural incline of the human being to self-justify behaviour. Supplying the course of action with additional resources serves as unconscious defence technique: the individual reassures him/herself that the original decision made was rational (Staw, 1976). Self-justification need is heightened if the decision-maker holds responsibility for the resource allocation (Staw, 1981), which is typical for investment decision setting. Prospect theory applied to escalation suggests that self-justification is not vital prerequisite for its occurrence. Escalation is induced by the decision-maker using a frame to make decisions under conditions of uncertainty of results. The decision-maker views subsequent decisions in reference to outcomes of initial judgements in order to produce a coherent frame. The negative feedback on the initial resource allocation results in the subsequent distribution being viewed as a choice between definite and possible loss, or a negative frame. Subsequently individuals are prone to escalation by becoming risk-seeking: failing to accept a definite loss even at the cost of incurring greater in the future (Whyte, 1986). How the decision-maker perceives incurred costs, constitutes another escalation trigger (Garland Newport, 1991). Following prospects theory, the sunk costs effect suggests that costs incurred viewed in relation to the total expenditure induce a negative frame, leading to escalating behaviour. Linked with that, the dislike of waste provides another motivation to supply the course of action further, rather than face a definite loss (Arkes Blumer, 1985). Interestingly, excitement about the project outcomes (Schmidt Calantone, 2002), and sunk-time effect ­ (Navarro Fantino, 2009) aid escalation occurrence. Social Importantly, the aforementioned need to justify the correctness of behaviour is not limited to the individual and applies to the wider social context (Staw, 1976). Maintaining an image of a consistent decision-maker among peers proves equally, or more, important to meeting self-justification needs. The desire to obtain social approval is exacerbated under insecurity of the social status in the group, or in a presence of an adverse crowd (Staw, 1976). In such instances the individual is likely to model his/her behaviour to reproduce the model endorsed by the audience (Brockner, 1992). As the group replicates leader stereotypes that emphasize the need for decision-makers to be consistent in actions in order to be perceived as competent (Staw Ross, 1980), the individual aspiring to achieve consistency with the stereotypical image will over-commit not to distort others belief in their leadership potential, and to reaffirm position in the group structure. Intra- or inter- group competition can indicate escalation. The focus is shifted away from objective assessment of the possible outcomes of a chosen decision onto the motivation to win. The need to do whatever it takes to get a step ahead of the competitors introduces scope for irrationality and escalation as such irrational behaviour is common to both of the parties involved (Bazerman, 2006). Organisational Projects receiving strong organisational support are prone to escalation (Pfeffer, 1981 in Ross Staw, 1993), as the decision-makers identify them with the existence of organisation itself. Furthermore, the centrality of the project to organisational values and its entrenchment in the organisational structure account for the projects being continued despite reservations (Goodman et al., 1980 in Ross Staw, 1993). Unwinding the supporting infrastructure might threaten the very basis of working organisational structure; induce change that is often associated with risks and dangers. The costs of acceptance of status quo are perceived as minor to the potential dangers of modified environment. Maintaining reputation and consistency between values and actions prove to constitute forces inducing over-commitment from organisational perspective (Ross Staw, 1993). Companies having publicly announced success might be more hesitant to admit failure and discontinue with the course of action. Project-specific High development costs and risky market performance of the finished product, the acceptance of failures and losses as a feature of the RD process, and reluctance of decision-makers to emotionally detach from the prolonged projects account for greater escalation exposure of RD projects (Schmidt Calantone, 2002). Low potential reusability (Staw Ross, 1993) of the generated output results in reluctance to discontinue the venture in order to avoid waste. Negative framing induces the perception of exit costs, such as compensation packages as definite waste, leading to escalation. The advancement of the project on a timeline constitutes another threat due to sunk-cost effect (Navarro Fantino, 2009). Projects reaching advanced stages of development would be discontinued reluctantly because of accumulation of used resources, including time, and the perception of imminent availability of the anticipated gains. Industry-specific Escalation Triggers Profitability issues Recent data suggests that pharmaceutical companies are to face decline in profit figures in forthcoming years (Datamonitor, 2010). This can be attributed to steadily increasing drug development costs: the costs producing the final product exceed $1 billion, with as few as 20% of successful product entries achieving the break-even point (Innovation.org, 2010). Estimates suggest that pharmaceutical companies should launch two to four drugs annually to maintain steady profit margins (Gassmann Reepmeyer, 2005). However, due to high attrition rates the overall success of organisations strategy is often reliant on the success of a single project (Kola Landis, 2004). These factors pressurise the companies to continue with projects and disregard arising reservations to maintain profitability. Maturing product portfolio The reduction in new component approvals can be partially attributed to strengthening drug registration requirements. Other explanation lies in the controversial innovation deficit experienced by the industry (Schmid Smith, 2004). Lower innovation figures account for pharmaceutical companies being faced with maturing product portfolio. Consequently, the companies engage in a variety of innovative projects overly-optimistically assessing their revenue potential, failing to discontinue when reservations arise. Eventually, the companies face greater losses as the projects fail to generate anticipated revenues, but incurring avoidable losses (Appendix: Dimebon case). Concerns for market performance The pressure to persist is further reinforced by the need to be consistent with companys vision (Ross Staw, 1993). Endorsing the projects demonstrates consistence with the mission statement; reaffirms the reputation as well as reassures the market and investors on following the profitable trail. However, forgoing ethical and safety aspects of drug delivery over concerns for market performance and cost-cutting proves detrimental (Appendix: GSK Puerto Rico Plant). Development pipeline conditions The specificity of the drug development pipeline further adds to the vulnerability to the dangers of escalation of commitment. The drug development time is estimated to surpass 10 years, with the costs amplifying as the project progresses (Accenture, 2007). This suggests heightened emotional attachment and excitement towards results, as well as existence of supporting infrastructure as powerful motivators of escalation. Attrition figures reveal that escalation is common in the industry as the most projects are withdrawn after reaching the most cost intensive stage of advanced clinical trials that precedes the registration process; or are recalled after reaching the patient due to safety concerns that have been ignored earlier on (Kola Landis, 2004) (Appendix: Avandia case). Escalation: how to prevent it? Tackling individual and social causes Perhaps introduce appraisal procedures emphasizing ones ability to build on past actions, rather than progression of the project. This will reduce managers fear of negative consequences if the project fails. Confidential treatment of sensitive matters, such as personal failures, will reduce the reputation retention motivation for escalation (Simonson Staw, 1992). Consider developing positive leader stereotypes supported by convergent organisational values emphasizing the rationality of decision-making. Furthermore, introducing panel decision-making procedures contribute to preventing escalation by reducing individual responsibility for the decision taken (Simonson Staw, 1992; Schmidt Calantone, 2002). Inviting members of relevant departments allows for assessing the projects success potential from a variety of angles limiting scope for escalation to arise. Ponder developing neutral decision frames by rotating managers in charge of the project so that different individuals held responsibility for initial and subsequent resources allocations (Simonson Staw, 1992). Additionally, foster for emotional detachment from sunk costs by introducing training in mental budgeting (Heath, 1995). Project evaluation and management Clear and achievable targets should be set out at the project initiation alongside exit points at various stages of progression (Schmid Smith, 2004). Measuring projects performance against set aims; assessing the efficiency with which resources yield results at the selected points allows for early estimation whether the project is following the anticipated pathway, thus allowing to avoid greater losses. Consider adopting attrite early strategy (Schmid Smith, 2004) as companys motto. Consider participation in multi-stakeholder analysis projects evaluating the potential value of innovative drug projects at early stages of development such as the consultations conducted within the European Healthcare Innovation Leadership Network (AstraZeneca, 2010). Ponder involving external parties in the project (Schmidt Calantone, 2002). Perhaps engage auditors to assess the success projects success potential at its outset or to devise effective contingency planning. This will ensure objectivity and independence of organisational politics. Consider outsourcing the project to subcontractors to avoid its institutionalisation in the organisational structure. Alternating middle-to-long-term strategy Consider renewing existing product portfolio and engagement in me-too drug developments. This ensures steady revenue generation from inelastic demand segments (Ganuza et al., 2009) and carries less risk comparing to reliance on anticipated gains from innovative compounds. Estimations suggest that involvement in drug-related sectors or focusing on advancement in licensed compounds constitute a potentially profitable alternative (Schmid Smith, 2004). Consider GSKs involvement in healthcare brands as an example. Managing Escalation Suppose the escalating situation arises, consider replacing the project manager or establishing panel assessment in order to remove the negative thinking frame, rid off the potential self-justification needs and assess realistically projects success potential (Simonson Staw, 1992). Consequently, ponder engaging external consultants to develop plausible solutions and introduce other point of view independent of the political and organisational influence. Otherwise, evaluate potential salvage value of the project towards establishing uses other than the initial one anticipated (Appendix: Viagra case). Furthermore, consider whether external financial support for advanced research is available; and if is feasible to use towards accomplishment of the projects aims. Otherwise, ponder engaging in partnership with a company undertaking research in similar compound in order to combine knowhow and reduce costs. Appendix Avandia case Recent withdrawal of GSKs highly innovative and best-selling diabetes drug, Avandia, in EU was caused by the linkages with deaths by heart failures among the patients on the medication (FT.com, 2010b). Allegedly, the company was aware of the severity of adverse effects, however launched the drug to the market (Avandia Recall News, 2010). Estimations suggest that GSK could face between $1.1bn and $6bn in compensation costs (FT.com, 2010a) that could have been avoided had the company ceased the project when safety concerns were brought to light. Additionally, bad publicity incurred after the allegations surfaced resulted in fall of GSK share prices, and the company facing negative profit accounts (FT.com, 2010c). Dimebon case Pfizer has recently withdrawn from advanced clinical trials (undertaken in partnership with Medivation) of highly anticipated Alzheimers disease cure, Dimebon, after the drug exhibited no promising therapeutic results (MedScape Medical News, 2010). The reservations about the curative properties of the compound have been raised at early stages of the process. It is assumed that the logic behind Dimebons miraculous effects was never properly investigated. Furthermore, similar compounds failed in previous trials (ABC News online, 2010). Escalating behaviour in such case could be linked to Pfizer losing patent rights the currently marketed Alzheimers treatment, Aricept and was in need of a profitable replacement. As a result of failure to investigate and evaluate promptly, Pfizer has incurred $725 million in RD costs (the Economist.com, 2010). GSK Puerto Rico Plant case GSK is reported to pay $750m in penalty payment to US government and other claimants following allegations on manufacturing malpractice and failure to adhere to safety standards in production plant in Puerto Rico. The allegations regarding mal-adjusted doses of active ingredients and ineffectiveness of drugs submitted to government programmes were revealed by a former employee and resulted in the company being charged with a criminal offence (Wall Street Journal Law Blog, 2010). Viagra case Initially Viagra was developed as a cordial drug aimed at decreasing blood pressure and preventing cardiac arrests. Clinical trials unexpectedly revealed potentially exploitable and marketable properties of the drug: high effectiveness in fighting erectile dysfunction in men. In the six months following its launch as a revolutionary treatment, in 1998 Viagra worldwide sales have exceeded  £300 million (BBCnews.com, 1999).

Friday, October 25, 2019

Explore proposals of marriage and the representation of married women in Pride and Prejudice :: essays research papers

Explore proposals of marriage and the representation of married women in Pride and Prejudice   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marriage is the ultimate goal in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The book begins with the quote 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife', and this sets the tone for all the events that are to follow. It manages to present a miniature version of all that happens over the course of the novel, the entire plot of which is basically concerned with the pursuit of advantageous marriage by both male and female characters. The obsession with socially beneficial marriage in nineteenth-century English society manifests itself here, for although she points out that a single man 'must be in want of a wife,' Austen reveals that the reverse might be more accurate, as almost all of the unmarried female characters are virtually desperate for marriage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Married women are represented as foolish, for example Mrs Bennet and Charlotte Lucas/Collins. Mrs Bennet is very much a one-dimensional character, and this might be because she is already married, and her story is therefore of no real interest to Austen, so she does not spend time developing Mrs Bennet as a fully rounded character. However, she does manage to show Mrs. Bennet as a frustratingly irritating character, as she is both noisy and absurd, and her single-minded obsession with seeing her daughters married to rich and eligible bachelors becomes tiresome early on in the novel. More irritatingly, her pursuit of her daughters' well being is usually her undoing, as her attempts tend to fail, due to her lack of social graces, which separate her from the class of men she wishes for her daughters. She shows how utterly preoccupied with marrying her daughters off, regardless of their happiness, in the way that she is pleased with Lydia's marriage to Wickham. It is painfully obvious that Lydia will soon become disillusioned with her hasty marriage, but Mrs Bennet still sees it as 'delightful indeed' 9169). It is very likely that Austen's use of Mrs Bennet's character is only a deliberate device to highlight the necessity of marriage for young women to avoid scandal or scorn and to ensure that they are provided for, and this explains why her character is never developed any more than necessary. Charlotte, however, is still given as much attention after her marriage as she was before, and this is probably because Austen wants to let us as the reader see how her marriage of convenience affects her.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

How useful are the sources A to G for explaining why there was an anti-war movement in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s?

The movement against the Vietnam War in 1960s America was one of the largest of its kind, in both national and international comparisons; the movement was heavily linked with other reform groups which were pressurising the American government during that time period. Due to this, opposition to the war came from a diverse number of groups who each had their own reasoning for their anti-militaristic stance – ranging from veteran's opposing based upon their experience or Civil Rights demonstrators who felt they were trying to uphold the rights of the Vietnamese people, whilst not necessarily having the same themselves, domestically. What facilitated the exacerbation of the anti-war movement was the greater access to uncensored information in the extensive television coverage from Vietnam; not forgetting that the right to freedom of speech was also capitalised on by those in education who sought to bolster the importance of student activism, and their pressure group status. Others viewed the conflict as a war against Vietnamese independence, or as intervention in a foreign civil war; others opposed it because they felt it lacked direction and appeared to be potentially unsuccessful – devastation for a nation that was, and possibly still is, the largest international influence. Source A Source A, an extract from the book ‘Four hours in My Lai' by Michael Bilton (published in 1992), is a piece that mainly focuses towards the military aspect of the war and the effects of the involvement had on real life soldiers – this would be the case, given that this secondary source is based upon an influential telling of events by some individuals who were involved in the My Lai incident on 16 March, 1968. The U. S. soldiers who had been interviewed for this process – a T. V. ocumentary had been produced prior to the publication of the book, in the late 1980s – may have been asked the questions quite a few years after their involvement in the war, but this bears not much significance on what they say – the vivid memories they would hold of that event would not leave for a long time and so, by and large, would be true to an extent beyond doubt. The source itself mentions that the â€Å"increasing† number of recruits scored â€Å"so low† on intelligence rankings that they wouldn't normally have been given a place in the regular U. S. Army during a peace-time period. It then goes on to mention how the tours of duty affected each soldier, with some dying in the first month of duty as this was â€Å"highly likely†. Due to the soldier rotation and their differing lengths of duty (some of the soldiers were wounded, so would not serve the same length as those they had arrived with, for instance) the inexperienced recruits were often polarised by the conditions they faced – they were quite different to those they had probably been trained in, in the United States. The result of this continuing spiral of poor strategy and younger and younger recruits et al. meant many of the objectives which had been planned, ultimately failed in response to the effort which was being put in; low morale in existing, serving soldiers also played its part. A consequence of lack of planning and poor skill within soldiers trained, spontaneously affected those back home who saw lack of progress, especially at a time when the taxes were being increased by Johnson. With regards to the question, how useful is it for demonstrating why there was an anti-war movement – it isn't that useful, since it doesn't mention any of the direct causes itself, instead implying various reasons for one explanation (i. e. giving reasons for the lack of progress which frustrated those in America). However, it does also give an impression that with the large numbers of deaths came great anger within communities who had lost a relative, a friend or somebody else. This could be integrated into the logic behind the personal rationale that fell behind another reason why people demonstrated against the Vietnam War – they wanted to see an end to the ‘bloodshed' and ‘unnecessary killing' that engulfed the media reports throughout the U. S. Its advantages are also its downfall, ultimately – the limitations of the source are great, as it doesn't consider the financial burdening on tax payers (or any other economic aspect), the Civil Rights movements, the failure of the Great Society programme, the suffering of the Vietnamese people shown in the media, or the media influence itself. So, therefore, it is useful for explaining the problems faced by the troops on the ground in Vietnam, who will have encountered people who weren't responsible, nor mature enough, to make their own decisions and the horrific effects of the war on the Veterans – something they took back from their tour of duty, exacerbating the anti-war movement as people flocked to prevent their relatives from being seriously maimed or killed. Source B Source B, a photograph taken during a napalm attack on June 8, 1972, demonstrates the true extent to which the American bombings were taking their toll during the Vietnam War – the children running representing the apparent innocent victims that were being brutally murdered in raids that were deemed unacceptable by the majority of the American population. All of this contributed to the â€Å"Credibility Gap† which describes almost any â€Å"gap† between the reality of a situation and what politicians and government agencies make statements about. Once those who were reading the papers were shocked by the initial target of the bombing raids, anger would turn into questions as they would seek who lied about the reality, perhaps even wondering what else the administration may not be revealing the full facts about. The deeper the credibility gap, the larger the polarisation of people from the Vietnam War, who would now see it in a negative light and therefore would not be likely to support it, both financially and physically through public endorsements. As a primary source, it's hard to find fault with the photograph – it isn't likely to be redacted so it shows one side over another, and is also fairly neutral as it shows the after-effects of the American incursion, rather than something happening at that very moment. However, as the media was part of the continuing anti-war movement, this photo could in fact show only one incident that ever occurred but was highlighted for additional emphasis to their campaign – given the accounts of citizens and U. S. soldiers, however, that is unlikely to be true. As its overall purpose was intended to shock the readers in the U. S. A. , it is difficult not to find that this picture was as an asset to the movement given that it was taken by dedicated photographers, in this particular case, a Vietnamese one – Nick it – who would have wanted the war to be stopped, given it was his country that had been drawn into a long and bitter war. This isn't its only limitation however, as a photograph it only captures one event at one time, so by default it can't take into consideration other reasons for the anti-war movement. Saying that, it has a specific purpose to underline that the government was lying about certain aspects of the war that it wanted to keep hidden – this was released to make citizens aware of this fact. It is therefore useful for giving us some idea why there was a contra-militaristic viewpoint in the U. S. and why people were prepared to act upon that. Source C Source C, an extract from the publication of personal memoirs in 1982, gives us a personal perspective to an individual soldier's experience in the Vietnam War and McCarthy also reflects upon the intimacies of his encounter with the Vietcong. Whilst describing one event that occurred early on in his tenure as a rifleman, we see that – as with many other U. S. oldiers – he wanted to kill the Vietcong upon hearing and seeing the effects of their guerrilla warfare tactics which meant that damages could be incurred by the Americans but often, there could be no retaliation given that the enemy couldn't be seen. McCarthy makes note of this saying that even in daylight it was hard to distinguish between those who were part of the North's continuing campaign for the liberation of the South and those who were just normal peasants – this resulted in more deaths than had been initially projected. Due to the fact that often the enemy was not visible until it was too late, or in en masse confrontations, it was difficult to foresee a war that could be won by the Americans – too many losses were sustained, whilst relatively modest amounts of VC combatants were being killed in fighting locations. Not only that, the VC also had foreign backing with the aid of China and the USSR helping with the funding and the strategic logistical movements of weapons. McCarthy mentions that â€Å"[†¦ we knew guys' wives, mothers, fathers and kids† – suggesting that the impact of the deaths reached beyond the remit of the immediate family and affected other people, the soldiers' themselves even – who's stories of the deaths would return to their communities when they returned from their tour of duty – all of which would be passed on to the public who's view of the war would possibly change from supporting to opposing based on what they hear, and see on the te levision and in the newspapers. However, there are other omissions from the source; there is no particular relation to the failure of the Great Society programme or the struggle for Black Rights, for example. Nevertheless, that would hardly be needed in the personal memoirs of a soldier who has possibly died – commenting on the situation as he felt it would not need to include any information which was not relevant to the experiences he had had. Due to there being no information to suggest other reasons for the anti-war movement, it could be considered not as useful for the purpose of investigating why but it does give us a personal reflection and wouldn't be biased for the simple fact that nothing was to gained for the author by writing this piece. Source D Source D, an extract from a newspaper piece by American journalist Richard Hamer in 1970, is a primary source revealing an extent to which the conflict was affecting those who were militarily involved – the fact that often the Vietcong were ‘invisible' or ‘out of range' meant that often the troops became frustrated in their objectives and all too regularly lost sight of a war that could have been won if the South Vietnamese government convinced the peasants of the benefits of capitalism. Due to the complications with invisible attackers meant more and more lives were being lost and no retaliation could be given – this sentiment is also present in Source C. This source runs along a central theme, however, and is clearly against the war and the actions of some renegade soldiers who felt it necessary to commit atrocities like those at My Lai. At the time, this would have been a damaging piece of writing for its noticeable anti-American stance – despite the writer being an American citizen. This in itself shows the deep degree of pacifism within the United States at the time, but this could, nevertheless, be part of a wider-ranging media campaign to prevent any further actions in the war due to other factors, perhaps the increase of taxes – this would indicate that it is possible that Hamer wasn't anti-war based on the prospect, rather the inconvenience it caused him. The fact that this was released during the period of war means it is also linked to the credibility gap; its exposure of American counter-tactics would almost certainly ensure the exacerbation of the anti-war sentiment and give another reason for people already desperate for relatives to return, to not believe what their government was saying. What we need to know however, is whether the information presented in this source is what Hamer actually saw with his own eyes, or whether it was a brief summarisation of stories he had collected from soldiers; if the latter, its provenance could be affected, as soldiers influenced the reporter's personal views. This source was also published one year after the My Lai incident has irreversibly affected most people's views of the Vietnam War – thinking what damage could be done to the reputation of the U. S. A, a country that had protected democracy only 20 years earlier in the Second World War – this could then, be a piece catered towards their views, however, that is unlikely given the deep sense of conviction within the content of the source and the way in which he has written the piece. This sense of betrayal by American soldiers extended to within the hearts of the communities across the U. S. who saw individuals committing acts which could not be seen as ‘her oic' in any respect. However, it is important to remember that most of the Vietcong were invisible to an extent – they did use purposeful tactics that did have an effect; most of the time soldiers did not who they were engaging with within the dense forests and this did have devastating effects on those on the ground. Those injured in the attacks would return back to the U. S. sharing their stories and further affecting people's views on the war that wouldn't finish for (officially) 5 years after Source D was published. The use of the word ‘one' (in this context it is in reference to the collective American force) seems almost like a paradox – the righteousness of that word compared with the conditions that were faced on the ground in Vietnam. As it focuses towards these aspects more than the other possible reasons for the anti-war movement, it may be seen as not that useful; however, I would strongly discourage any sort of thinking along that line. It ascribes the particular tensions between the two rivalries on the ground as VC entered into guerrilla combat with the Americans, who hadn't been trained to a great level in that respect, and with the luck of hindsight suggests to us why there was an anti-war movement within the country – it's clear that the media used an en masse approach to their reporting of the Vietnam War, ensuring that the readers of their reports were to be influenced by their ideology on the subject; whether it was because the papers' were more left-leaning or were simply against the war because of the financial cost, for example, is of not much significance. Its main limitations are the fact that it doesn't mention some features of the war that turned people against it, such as the government's preference of that over the Great Society programme (being at a bad time, given that Black Rights had already suffered setbacks with the Martin Luther King assassination a few years earlier) and the drafting of poorer people from disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of race. Source E Source E, a cartoon published by the satirical magazine ‘Punch' in 1967, demonstrates the international view of the American involvement in Vietnam. Although it uses the failure of the key Great Society programme of the Johnson administration in its depiction of â€Å"the costs of the Vietnam War†, it does not discuss the effects of that failure or suggest any possible reasons for that (increased spending elsewhere, aside from the military, for instance). Another point is the fact that as Punch is a British magazine, it would be assumed that they would favour the side that had helped them defeat the Nazi threat in the 1940s, but no, it could be interpreted that they instead believe that money is needlessly being wasted on something that they themselves weren't involved in – perhaps because of the recovery that was still ongoing in the UK. In the cartoon, we can see President Johnson dismantling the US economy ‘train' (perhaps with connotations as a gravy train – the sentiment prior to the war that was against the Communist threat, whereas now it wasn't) in favour or the war in Vietnam he had initiated with the conspiracy regarding the Gulf of Tonkin incident. The smoke billowing from the train's engine funnel reads ‘Vietnam', backing up the British thought that money was needlessly being wasted in a dirty war. The source itself was published in 1967, not that long into the actual fighting phase of the war, but still after key events practically highlighted the fact that the programme Johnson had promised during his presidential re-election campaign of 1964 was failing. The effects of the unsuccessful plan meant that many of the potential conscriptees were turned against the prospect of being involved in the war; their family would have already been affected by the change (as often those drafted were from impoverished backgrounds) but the deprivation would not only have an effect on them, it would also radically change those opinions held by the rest of their family. It would yet another reason to oppose the war, especially considering taxes had already risen enough to concern the financial well-being of most families. The limitations of the source are clear; it, as many others, doesn't consider many of the aspects that made up the significant anti-war movement in the early 1970s – the Civil Rights demonstrations (which is surprising given that those most affected by the collapse of the programme were mainly of an African-American ethnicity) or the media campaigns et al. Punch, as a satire magazine may not be the most reliable or sourcing though – as a magazine dedicated to cynicism and making mockeries of political blunders, means with that purpose and the fact that evidently Punch were against the war, means the provenance of the source could be affected. On the other hand, it could be useful for explaining the views held by those who weren't personally involved in the tragedies of death or affected by the charges made by the American government. Source F Source F, a partial transcript from a seminar conducted by Robin Day in 1970, although addressing a British conference reflects upon the explanation for the sizeable increase in the anti-war attitude that had overran the initial support in the late 1960s. Day, a highly revered individual within the British media at that time, would have been eagerly listened to in the RUSI (a government think-tank studying naval and military science) seminar that took place during the latter stages of the Vietnam War; Day gives what he thinks was the overwhelming reason that formed the basis for all the opposition against the war – the repeated and consistent images of Vietnamese (and American) brutality on the television. He believed that the repeated visualisation of what was really happening (given that during previous wars, colour television in real-time was not a reality) made images resonate within the minds of the communities across America, who, on top of various misgivings they already had for the war would now act upon that; it brought a sense of to reality â€Å"a situation 10,000 miles away from home†. Whilst saying that, he doesn't explicitly refer to this being the single factor – in fact, it was the media campaign in its most general form – it was the more â€Å"uninhibited [coverage]† as opposed to specific things that may have been seen. These images, as with the other sources that represent other media items released during the war, widened the credibility gap between the political establishment and those who it governed. Day had been reporting the Vietnam War since it had begun only a few years prior to this seminar and was knowledgeable on the topic of why and when the war really developed in the full-scale conflict it did. This in turn means that the provenance is supported because we can rely upon this fact as meaning he would understand the complex motivations for particular events. This could, however, be his downfall – as in that time he could have developed anti-war views based on what he had seen and been reporting, that is unlikely though, given the general neutral tone of the source. The limitations to the source are obvious as some other causes for opposition included the returning wounded (and the much publicised deaths of) soldiers amongst others. Source G Source G, a 1989 film adaptation from an autobiography of Ron Kovic, which contained extensive notes on his experiences in the Vietnam War – a war which left Kovic paralysed for the majority of his body. In the film, the key points are: * It is apparent that some of the authorities wanted to hide the veteran soldiers, due to the fact that they were a key component of the anti-war movement. * There were protests against the 1972 Miami Republican Convention, at which Nixon received his party's presidential nomination. * Some Republicans defended the war to an extent. * Often violent scenes when pro and anti war movements met. Some even mentioned that anti-war supporters were â€Å"communists†, because of their support for pacifism and, although largely incorrect, left -wing socialism. Although Kovic was the inspiration for the story, Oliver Stone, the producer of the movie adaptation, was also someone known for his vehement opposition to the conflict in Vietnam. Through this film, Stone almost tries to change people's perceptions of the war; the dramatic re-enactments of events that happened and the exact quotes used in history re-quoted giving it a sense of reality. Kovic mentioned all the reasons why he was anti-war in the film extract, with the delegates in the background all shouting â€Å"four more years† as Nixon promised to withdraw the soldiers. Although produced some years after the end of the war, Stone still lacks the critical evaluation of both sides of the story, instead tending to focus on the anti-war movement almost completely – but then, he would, he was an activist himself, trying to stop the deaths and serious maiming of further service personnel. The purpose of this film was to give the impression that the Americans were wrong to go to Vietnam in the first place (as Kovic's character clearly says in â€Å"the poor Vietnamese seeking freedom for hundreds of years†) and that despite the intermittence between the end of the war and the time of the production, Stone's views had not changed on the subject. In that context, and the fact that the film is much more dramatic than necessarily need be, it is easy to assume that this is a piece of biased film-making – despite that, it is useful for one thing; informing us of the thoughts of people who had experienced the full horrors of the conflict and the effect it had on them. It is also historically accurate as all the dates, places and people are all correct – only the story itself is elaborated – therefore it is reliable in some form. Referring back to the original question, â€Å"How useful are the sources A to G for explaining why there was an anti-war movement in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s? † – I would respond by saying that some are more accurate than others in terms of their respective historical context, their individual purposes (some are cartoons, some are memoirs), and the reality that some are more reliable than others as they represent individual events on film or simply people's thoughts on the war. In terms of usefulness, they have a collective worth as when combined they allow a fuller picture of the war to be completed – as opposed to thoughts garnered from one source. In some sources, the usefulness could be undermined by the purpose or the provenance of each source – authors all have different views on what they write, but this can also be played to our advantage as even this in itself can represent the effect the conflict had on individual writers. Primary sources are not necessarily more beneficial as those that are produced as secondary sources, as often even in these cases, bias is still present – often we forget that in secondary sources, the author has had the chance to evaluate many of the explanations for something of a long period of time before publishing their thoughts – this can give us a better view of what really happened.